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diff --git a/8880-0.txt b/8880-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f3e7f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/8880-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17454 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Satanstoe, by James Fenimore Cooper + +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: Satanstoe + +Author: James Fenimore Cooper + + +Release Date: September, 2005 [EBook #8880] +This file was first posted on August 20, 2003 +Last Updated: March 11, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SATANSTOE *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + +SATANSTOE + +or, + +THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS + + +A TALE OF THE COLONY. + + +By J. Fenimore Cooper. + + +“The only amaranthine flower on earth +is virtue: the only treasure, truth.”--SPENSER + + + + + +PREFACE. + +Every chronicle of manners has a certain value. When customs are connected +with principles, in their origin, development, or end, such records have +a double importance; and it is because we think we see such a connection +between the facts and incidents of the Littlepage Manuscripts, and certain +important theories of our own time, that we give the former to the world. + +It is perhaps a fault of your professed historian, to refer too much to +philosophical agencies, and too little to those that are humbler. The +foundations of great events, are often remotely laid in very capricious and +uncalculated passions, motives, or impulses. Chance has usually as much to +do with the fortunes of states, as with those of individuals; or, if there +be calculations connected with them at all, they are the calculations of a +power superior to any that exists in man. + +We had been led to lay these Manuscripts before the world, partly by +considerations of the above nature, and partly on account of the manner +in which the two works we have named, “Satanstoe” and the “Chainbearer,” + relate directly to the great New York question of the day, ANTI-RENTISM; +which question will be found to be pretty fully laid bare, in the third +and last book of the series. These three works, which contain all the +Littlepage Manuscripts, do not form sequels to each other, in the sense of +personal histories, or as narratives; while they do in that of principles. +The reader will see that the early career, the attachment, the marriage, +&c. of Mr. Cornelius Littlepage are completely related in the present book, +for instance; while those of his son, Mr. Mordaunt Littlepage, will be just +as fully given in the “Chainbearer,” its successor. It is hoped that the +connection, which certainly does exist between these three works, will have +more tendency to increase the value of each, than to produce the ordinary +effect of what are properly called sequels, which are known to lessen the +interest a narrative might otherwise have with the reader. Each of these +three books has its own hero, its own heroine, and its own---picture--of +manners, complete; though the latter may be, and is, more or less thrown +into relief by its _pendants_. + +We conceive no apology is necessary for treating the subject of +anti-rentism with the utmost frankness. Agreeably to our views of the +matter, the existence of true liberty among us, the perpetuity of the +institutions, and the safety of public morals, are all dependent on putting +down, wholly, absolutely, and unqualifiedly, the false and dishonest +theories and statements that have been boldly advanced in connection with +this subject. In our view, New York is at this moment, much the most +disgraced state in the Union, notwithstanding she has never failed to pay +the interest on her public debt; and her disgrace arises from the fact that +her laws are trampled underfoot, without any efforts, at all commensurate +with the object, being made to enforce them. If _words_ and _professions_ +can save the character of a community, all may yet be well; but if states, +like individuals, are to be judged by their actions, and the “tree is to be +known by its fruit,” God help us! + +For ourselves, we conceive that true patriotism consists in laying bare +everything like public vice, and in calling such things by their right +names. The great enemy of the race has made a deep inroad upon us, within +the last ten or a dozen years, under cover of a spurious delicacy on the +subject of exposing national ills; and it is time that they who have not +been afraid to praise, when praise was merited, should not shrink from the +office of censuring, when the want of timely warnings may be one cause of +the most fatal evils. The great practical defect of institutions like +ours, is the circumstance that “what is everybody's business, is nobody's +business;” a neglect that gives to the activity of the rogue a very +dangerous ascendency over the more dilatory correctives of the honest man. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + “Look you, + Who comes here: a young man, and an old, in solemn talk.” + + _As You Like it_. + + +It is easy to foresee that this country is destined to undergo great and +rapid changes. Those that more properly belong to history, history will +doubtless attempt to record, and probably with the questionable veracity +and prejudice that are apt to influence the labours of that particular +muse; but there is little hope that any traces of American society, in +its more familiar aspects, will be preserved among us, through any of the +agencies usually employed for such purposes. Without a stage, in a national +point of view at least, with scarcely such a thing as a book of memoirs +that relates to a life passed within our own limits, and totally without +light literature, to give us simulated pictures of our manners, and the +opinions of the day, I see scarcely a mode by which the next generation can +preserve any memorials of the distinctive usages and thoughts of this. +It is true, they will have traditions of certain leading features of the +colonial society, but scarcely any records; and, should the next twenty +years do as much as the last, towards substituting an entirely new race for +the descendants of our own immediate fathers, it is scarcely too much to +predict that even these traditions will be lost in the whirl and excitement +of a throng of strangers. Under all the circumstances, therefore, I have +come to a determination to make an effort, however feeble it may prove, to +preserve some vestiges of household life in New York, at least; while I +have endeavoured to stimulate certain friends in New Jersey, and farther +south, to undertake similar tasks in those sections of the country. What +success will attend these last applications, is more than I can say, but, +in order that the little I may do myself shall not be lost for want of +support, I have made a solemn request in my will, that those who come after +me will consent to continue this narrative, committing to paper their own +experience, as I have here committed mine, down as low at least as my +grandson, if I ever have one. Perhaps, by the end of the latter's career, +they will begin to publish books in America, and the fruits of our joint +family labours may be thought sufficiently matured to be laid before the +world. + +It is possible that which I am now about to write will be thought too +homely, to relate to matters much too personal and private, to have +sufficient interest for the public eye; but it must be remembered that the +loftiest interests of man are made up of a collection of those that are +lowly; and, that he who makes a faithful picture of only a single important +scene in the events of single life, is doing something towards painting the +greatest historical piece of his day. As I have said before, the leading +events of my time will find their way into the pages of far more pretending +works than this of mine, in some form or other, with more or less of +fidelity to the truth, and real events, and real motives; while the humbler +matters it will be my office to record, will be entirely overlooked by +writers who aspire to enrol their names among the Tacituses of former ages. +It may be well to say here, however, I shall not attempt the historical +mood at all, but content myself with giving the feelings, incidents, and +interests of what is purely private life, connecting them no farther with +things that are of a more general nature, than is indispensable to render +the narrative intelligible and accurate. With these explanations, which are +made in order to prevent the person who may happen first to commence the +perusal of this manuscript from throwing it into the fire, as a silly +attempt to write a more silly fiction, I shall proceed at once to the +commencement of my proper task. + +I was born on the 3d May, 1737, on a neck of land, called Satanstoe, in the +county of West Chester, and in the colony of New York; a part of the widely +extended empire that then owned the sway of His Sacred Majesty, George II., +King of Great Britain, Ireland, and France; Defender of the Faith; and, I +may add, the shield and panoply of the Protestant Succession; God bless +him! Before I say anything of my parentage, I will first give the reader +some idea of the _locus in quo_, and a more precise notion of the spot on +which I happened first to see the light. + +A “neck,” in West Chester and Long Island parlance, means something that +might be better termed a “head and shoulders,” if mere shape and dimensions +are kept in view. Peninsula would be the true word, were we describing +things on a geographical scale; but, as they are, I find it necessary to +adhere to the local term, which is not altogether peculiar to our county, +by the way. The “neck” or peninsula of Satanstoe, contains just four +hundred and sixty-three acres and a half of excellent West Chester land; +and that, when the stone is hauled and laid into wall, is saying as much in +its favour as need be said of any soil on earth. It has two miles of beach, +and collects a proportionate quantity of sea-weed for manure, besides +enjoying near a hundred acres of salt-meadow and sedges, that are not +included in the solid ground of the neck proper. As my father, Major +Evans Littlepage, was to inherit this estate from his father, Capt. Hugh +Littlepage, it might, even at the time of my birth, be considered old +family property, it having indeed, been acquired by my grandfather, through +his wife, about thirty years after the final cession of the colony to the +English by its original Dutch owners. Here we had lived, then, near half a +century, when I was born, in the direct line, and considerably longer if +we included maternal ancestors; here I now live, at the moment of writing +these lines, and here I trust my only son is to live after me. + +Before I enter into a more minute description of Satanstoe, it may be well, +perhaps, to say a word concerning its somewhat peculiar name. The neck lies +in the vicinity of a well-known pass that is to be found in the narrow arm +of the sea that separates the island of Manhattan from its neighbour, Long +Island, and which is called Hell Gate. Now, there is a tradition, that I +confess is somewhat confined to the blacks of the neighbourhood, but +which says that the Father of Lies, on a particular occasion, when he was +violently expelled from certain roystering taverns in the New Netherlands, +made his exit by this well-known dangerous pass, and drawing his foot +somewhat hastily from among the lobster-pots that abound in those waters, +leaving behind him as a print of his passage by that route, the Hog's +Back, the Pot, and all the whirlpools and rocks that render navigation so +difficult in that celebrated strait, he placed it hurriedly upon the spot +where there now spreads a large bay to the southward and eastward of the +neck, just touching the latter with the ball of his great toe, as he passed +Down-East; from which part of the country some of our people used to +maintain he originally came. Some fancied resemblance to an inverted +toe (the devil being supposed to turn everything with which he meddles, +upside-down,) has been imagined to exist in the shape and swells of our +paternal acres; a fact that has probably had its influence in perpetuating +the name. + +Satanstoe has the place been called, therefore, from time immemorial; as +time is immemorial in a country in which civilized time commenced not a +century and a half ago: and Satanstoe it is called to-day. I confess I am +not fond of unnecessary changes, and I sincerely hope this neck of land +will continue to go by its old appellation, as long as the House of Hanover +shall sit on the throne of these realms; or as long as water shall run +and grass shall grow. There has been an attempt made to persuade the +neighbourhood, quite lately, that the name is irreligious and unworthy of +an enlightened people, like this of West Chester; but it has met with no +great success. It has come from a Connecticut man, whose father they say is +a clergyman of the “_standing_ order;” so called, I believe, because they +stand up at prayers; and who came among us himself in the character of a +schoolmaster. This young man, I understand, has endeavoured to persuade the +neighbourhood that Satanstoe is a corruption introduced by the Dutch, from +Devil's Town; which, in its turn, was a corruption from Dibbleston; the +family from which my grandfather's father-in-law purchased having been, +as he says, of the name of Dibblee. He has got half-a-dozen of the more +sentimental part of our society to call the neck Dibbleton; but the attempt +is not likely to succeed in the long run, as we are not a people much given +to altering the language, any more than the customs of our ancestors. +Besides, my Dutch ancestors did not purchase from any Dibblee, no such +family ever owning the place, that being a bold assumption of the Yankee to +make out his case the more readily. + +Satanstoe, as it is little more than a good farm in extent, so it is little +more than a particularly good farm in cultivation and embellishment. +All the buildings are of stone, even to the hog-sties and sheds, with +well-pointed joints, and field walls that would do credit to a fortified +place. The house is generally esteemed one of the best in the Colony, with +the exception of a few of the new school. It is of only a story and a half +in elevation, I admit; but the rooms under the roof are as good as any of +that description with which I am acquainted, and their finish is such as +would do no discredit to the upper rooms of even a York dwelling. The +building is in the shape of an L, or two sides of a parallelogram, one +of which shows a front of seventy-five, and the other of fifty feet. +Twenty-six feet make the depth, from outside to outside of the walls. The +best room had a carpet, that covered two-thirds of the entire dimensions +of the floor, even in my boyhood, and there were oil-cloths in most of the +better passages. The buffet in the dining-room, or smallest parlour, was +particularly admired; and I question if there be, at this hour, a handsomer +in the county. The rooms were well-sized, and of fair dimensions, the +larger parlours embracing the whole depth of the house, with proportionate +widths, while the ceilings were higher than common, being eleven feet, if +we except the places occupied by the larger beams of the chamber floors. + +As there was money in the family, besides the Neck, and the Littlepages had +held the king's commissions, my father having once been an ensign, and my +grandfather a captain, in the regular army, each in the earlier portion of +his life, we always ranked among the gentry of the county. We happened to +be in a part of Westchester in which were none of the very large estates, +and Satanstoe passed for property of a certain degree of importance. It is +true, the Morrises were at Morrisania, and the Felipses, or Philipses, as +these Bohemian counts were then called, had a manor on the Hudson, that +extended within a dozen miles of us, and a younger branch of the de Lanceys +had established itself even much nearer, while the Van Cortlandts, or a +branch of them, too, dwelt near Kingsbridge; but these were all people who +were at the head of the Colony, and with whom none of the minor gentry +attempted to vie. As it was, therefore, the Littlepages held a very +respectable position between the higher class of the yeomanry and those +who, by their estates, education, connections, official rank, and +hereditary consideration, formed what might be justly called the +aristocracy of the Colony. Both my father and grandfather had sat in the +Assembly, in their time, and, as I have heard elderly people say, with +credit, too. As for my father, on one occasion, he made a speech that +occupied eleven minutes in the delivery,--a proof that he had something to +say, and which was a source of great, but, I trust, humble felicitation in +the family, down to the day of his death, and even afterwards. + +Then the military services of the family stood us in for a great deal, in +that day it was something to be an ensign even in the militia, and a far +greater thing to have the same rank in a regular regiment. It is true, +neither of my predecessors served very long with the King's troops, my +father in particular selling out at the end of his second campaign; but +the military experience, and I may add the military glory each acquired +in youth, did them good service for all the rest of their days. Both were +commissioned in the militia, and my father actually rose as high as major +in that branch of the service, that being the rank he held, and the title +he bore, for the last fifteen years of his life. + +My mother was of Dutch extraction on both sides, her father having been a +Blauvelt, and her mother a Van Busser. I have heard it said that there was +even a relationship between the Stuyvesants and the Van Cortlandts, and the +Van Bussers; but I am not able to point out the actual degree and precise +nature of the affinity. I presume it was not very near, or my information +would have been more minute. I have always understood that my mother +brought my father thirteen hundred pounds for dowry (currency, not +sterling), which, it must be confessed, was a very genteel fortune for +a young woman in 1733. Now, I very well know that six, eight, and ten +thousand pounds sometimes fall in, in this manner, and even much more in +the high families; but no one need be ashamed, who looks back fifty years, +and finds that his mother brought a thousand pounds to her husband. + +I was neither an only child, nor the eldest-born. There was a son who +preceded me, and two daughters succeeded, but they all died in infancy, +leaving me in effect the only offspring for my parents to cherish and +educate. My little brother monopolised the name of Evans, and living +for some time after I was christened, I got the Dutch appellation of my +maternal grandfather, for my share of the family nomenclature, which +happened to be Cornelius--Corny was consequently the diminutive by which I +was known to all the whites of my acquaintance, for the first sixteen or +eighteen years of my life, and to my parents as long as they lived. Corny +Littlepage is not a bad name, in itself, and I trust they who do me the +favour to read this manuscript, will lay it down with the feeling that the +name is none the worse for the use I have made of it. + +I have said that both my father and grandfather, each in his day, sat in +the assembly; my father twice, and my grandfather only once. Although we +lived so near the borough of West Chester, it was not for that place they +sat, but for the county, the de Lanceys and the Morrises contending for the +control of the borough, in a way that left little chance for the smaller +fishes to swim in the troubled water they were so certain to create. +Nevertheless, this political elevation brought my father out, as it +might be, before the world, and was the means of giving him a personal +consideration he might not have otherwise enjoyed. The benefits, and +possibly some of the evils of thus being drawn out from the more regular +routine of our usually peaceable lives, may be made to appear in the course +of this narrative. + +I have ever considered myself fortunate in not having been born in the +earlier and infant days of the colony, when the interests at stake, and the +events by which they were influenced, were not of a magnitude to give the +mind and the hopes the excitement and enlargement that attend the periods +of a more advanced civilization, and of more important incidents. In this +respect, my own appearance in this world was most happily timed, as any one +will see who will consider the state and importance of the colony in the +middle of the present century. New York could not have contained many less +than seventy thousand souls, including both colours, at the time of my +birth, for it is supposed to contain quite a hundred thousand this day on +which I am now writing. In such a community, a man has not only the room, +but the materials on which to figure; whereas, as I have often heard him +say, my father, when he was born, was one of less than half of the smallest +number I have just named. I have been grateful for this advantage, and I +trust it will appear, by evidence that will be here afforded, that I have +not lived in a quarter of the world, or in an age, when and where, and to +which great events have been altogether strangers. + +My earliest recollections, as a matter of course, are of Satanstoe and the +domestic fireside. In my childhood and youth, I heard a great deal said of +the Protestant Succession, the House of Hanover, and King George II.; all +mixed up with such names as those of George Clinton, Gen. Monckton, Sir +Charles Hardy, James de Lancey, and Sir Danvers Osborne, his official +representatives in the colony. Every age has its _old_ and its _last_ wars, +and I can well remember that which occurred between the French in the +Canadas and ourselves, in 1744. I was then seven years old, and it was an +event to make an impression on a child of that tender age. My honoured +grandfather was then living, as he was long afterwards, and he took a +strong interest in the military movements of the period, as was natural for +an old soldier. New York had no connection with the celebrated expedition +that captured Louisbourg, then the Gibraltar of America, in 1745; but this +could not prevent an old soldier like Capt. Littlepage from entering into +the affair with all his heart, though forbidden to use his hand. As the +reader may not be aware of all the secret springs that set public events +in motion, it may be well here to throw in a few words in the way of +explanation. + +There was and is little sympathy, in the way of national feeling, between +the colonies of New England and those which lie farther south. We are all +loyal, those of the east as well as those of the south-west and south; but +there is, and ever has been, so wide a difference in our customs, origins, +religious opinions, and histories, as to cause a broad moral line, in the +way of feeling, to be drawn between the colony of New York and those +that lie east of the Byram river. I have heard it said that most of the +emigrants to the New England states came from the west of England where +many of their social peculiarities and much of their language are still to +be traced, while the colonies farther south have received their population +from the more central counties, and those sections of the island that are +supposed to be less provincial and peculiar. I do not affirm that such is +literally the fact, though it is well known that we of New York have long +been accustomed to regard our neighbours of New England as very different +from ourselves, whilst, I dare say, our neighbours of New England have +regarded us as different from themselves, and insomuch removed from +perfection. + +Let all this be as it may, it is certain New England is a portion of the +empire that is set apart from the rest, for good or for evil. It got its +name from the circumstance that the English possessions were met, on its +western boundary by those of the Dutch, who were thus separated from the +other colonies of purely Anglo-Saxon origin, by a wide district that was +much larger in surface than the mother country itself. I am afraid there is +something in the character of these Anglo-Saxons that predisposes them to +laugh and turn up their noses at other races; for I have remarked that +their natives of the parent land itself, who come among us, show this +disposition even as it respects us of New York and those of New England, +while the people of the latter region manifest a feeling towards us, their +neighbours, that partakes of anything but the humility that is thought +to grace that Christian character to which they are particularly fond of +laying claim. + +My grandfather was a native of the old country, however, and he entered but +little into the colonial jealousies. He had lived from boyhood, and had +married in New York, and was not apt to betray any of the overweening +notions of superiority that we sometimes encountered in native-born +Englishmen, though I can remember instances in which he would point out the +defects in our civilization, and others in which he dwelt with pleasure on +the grandeur and power his own island. I dare say this was all right, for +few among us have ever been disposed to dispute the just supremacy of +England in all things that are desirable, and which form the basis of human +excellence. + +I well remember a journey Capt. Hugh Littlepage made to Boston, in 1745, +in order to look at the preparations that were making for the great +expedition. Although his own colony had no connection with this enterprise, +in a military point of view, his previous service rendered him an object of +interest to the military men then assembled along the coast of New England. +It has been said the expedition against Louisbourg, then the strongest +place in America, was planned by a lawyer, led by a merchant, and executed +by husbandmen and mechanics; but this, though true as a whole, was a rule +that had its exceptions. There were many old soldiers who had seen the +service of this continent in the previous wars, and among them were several +of my grandfather's former acquaintances. With these he passed many a +cheerful hour, previously to the day of sailing, and I have often thought +since, that my presence alone prevented him from making one in the fleet. +The reader will think, I was young, perhaps, to be so far from home on such +an occasion, but it happened in this wise: My excellent mother thought I +had come out of the small-pox with some symptoms that might be benefited by +a journey, and she prevailed on her father-in-law to let me be of the party +when he left home to visit Boston in the winter of 1744-5. At that early +day moving about was not always convenient in these colonies, and my +grandfather travelling in a sleigh that was proceeding east with some +private stores that had been collected for the expedition, it presented a +favourable opportunity to send me along with my venerable progenitor, who +very good-naturedly consented to let me commence my travels under his own +immediate auspices. + +The things I saw on this occasion have had a material influence on my +future life. I got a love of adventure, and particularly of military parade +and grandeur, that has since led me into more than one difficulty. Capt. +Hugh Littlepage, my grandfather, was delighted with all he saw until after +the expedition had sailed, when he began to grumble on the subject of the +religious observances that the piety of the Puritans blended with most +of their other movements. On the score of religion there was a marked +difference; I may say there _is_ still a marked difference between New +England and New York. The people of New England certainly did, and possibly +may still, look upon us of New York as little better than heathens; while +we of New York assuredly did, and for anything I know to the contrary may +yet, regard them as canters, and by necessary connection, hypocrites. I +shall not take it on myself to say which party is right; though it has +often occurred to my mind that it would be better had New England a little +less self-righteousness, and New York a little more righteousness, without +the self. Still, in the way of pounds, shillings and pence, we will not +turn our backs upon them any day, being on the whole rather the most +trustworthy of the two as respects money; more especially in all such cases +in which our neighbour's goods can be appropriated without having recourse +to absolutely direct means. Such, at any rate, is the New York opinion, let +them think as they please about it on the other side of Byram. + +My grandfather met an old fellow-campaigner, at Boston, of the name of +Hight, Major Hight, as he was called, who had come to see the preparations, +too; and the old soldiers passed most of the time together. The Major was +a Jerseyman, and had been somewhat of a free-liver in his time, retaining +some of the propensities of his youth in old age, as is apt to be the case +with those who cultivate a vice as if it were a hot-house plant. The Major +was fond of his bottle, drinking heavily of Madeira, of which there was +then a good stock in Boston, for he brought some on himself; and I can +remember various scenes that occurred between him and my grandfather, after +dinner, as they sat discoursing in the tavern on the progress of things, +and the prospects for the future. Had these two old soldiers been of the +troops of the province in which they were, it would have been “Major” and +“Captain” at every breath; for no part of the earth is fonder of titles +than our eastern brethren; [1] whereas, I must think we had some claims to +more true simplicity of character and habits, notwithstanding New York has +ever been thought the most aristocratical of all the northern colonies. +Having been intimate from early youth, my two old soldiers familiarly +called each other Joey and Hodge, the latter being the abbreviation of +one of my grandfather's names, Roger, when plain Hugh was not used, as +sometimes happened between them. Hugh Roger Littlepage, I ought to have +said, was my grandfather's name. + +“I should like these Yankees better, if they prayed less, my old friend,” + said the Major, one day, after they had been discussing the appearances of +things, and speaking between the puffs of his pipe. “I can see no great use +in losing so much time, by making these halts to pray, when the campaign is +fairly opened.” + +“It was always their way, Joey,” my grandfather answered, taking his time, +as is customary with smokers. “I remember when we were out together, in the +year '17, that the New England troops always had their parsons, who acted +as a sort of second colonels. They tell me His Excellency has ordered a +weekly fast, for public prayers, during the whole of this campaign.” + +“Ay, Master Hodge, praying and plundering; so they go on,” returned the +Major, knocking the ashes out of his pipe, preparatory to filling it anew; +an employment that gave him an opportunity to give vent to his feelings, +without pausing to puff.--“Ay, Master Hodge, praying and plundering; so +they go on. Now, do you remember old Watson, who was in the Massachusetts +Levies, in the year '12?--old Tom Watson; he that was a sub under Barnwell, +in our Tuscarora expedition?” + +My grandfather nodded his head in assent, that being the only reply the +avocation of smoking rendered convenient, just at that moment, unless a +sort of affirmatory grunt could be construed into an auxiliary. + +“Well, he has a son going in this affair; and old Tom, or Colonel Watson, +as he is now very particular to be called, is down here with his wife and +two daughters, to see the ensign off. I went to pay the old fellow a visit, +Hodge; and found him, and the mother and sisters, all as busy as bees +in getting young Tom's baggage ready for a march. There lay his whole +equipment before my eyes, and I had a favourable occasion to examine it at +my leisure.” + +“Which you did with all your might, or you're not the Joe Hight of the +year '10,” said my grandfather, taking his turn with the ashes and the +tobacco-box. + +Old Hight was now puffing away like a blacksmith who is striving to obtain +a white heat, and it was some time before he could get out the proper reply +to this half-assertion, half-interrogatory sort of remark. + +“You may be sure of that,” he at length ejaculated; when, certain of his +light, he proceeded to tell the whole story, stopping occasionally to puff, +lest he should lose the “vantage ground” he had just obtained. “What d'ye +think of half-a-dozen strings of red onions, for one item in a subaltern's +stores!” + +My grandfather grunted again, in a way that might very well pass for a +laugh. + +“You're certain they were red, Joey?” he finally asked. + +“As red as his regimentals. Then there was a jug, filled with molasses, +that is as big as yonder demijohn;” glancing at the vessel which contained +his own private stores. “But I should have thought nothing of these, a +large empty sack attracting much of my attention. I could not imagine what +young Tom could want of such a sack; but, on broaching the subject to the +Major, he very frankly gave me to understand that Louisbourg was thought to +be a rich town, and there was no telling what luck, or Providence--yes, by +George!--he called it _Providence!_--might throw in his son Tommy's way. +Now that the sack was empty, and had an easy time of it, the girls would +put his bible and hymn-book in it, as a place where the young man would be +likely to look for them. I dare say, Hodge, you never had either bible or +hymn-book, in any of your numerous campaigns?” + +“No, nor a plunder-sack, nor a molasses-jug, nor strings of red onions,” + growled my grandfather in reply. + +How well I remember that evening! A vast deal of colonial prejudice and +neighbourly antipathy made themselves apparent in the conversation of +the two veterans; who seemed to entertain a strange sort of contemptuous +respect for their fellow-subjects of New England; who, in their turn, +I make not the smallest doubt, paid them off in kind--with all the +superciliousness and reproach, and with many grains less of the respect. + +That night, Major Hight and Capt. Hugh Roger Littlepage, both got a little +how-come-you-so, drinking bumpers to the success of what they called “the +Yankee expedition,” even at the moment they were indulging in constant side +hits at the failings and habits of the people. These marks of neighbourly +infirmity are not peculiar to the people of the adjacent provinces of New +York and of New England. I have often remarked that the English think and +talk very much of the French, as the Yankees speak of us; while the French, +so far as I have been able to understand their somewhat unintelligible +language--which seems never to have a beginning nor an end--treat the +English as the Puritans of the Old World. As I have already intimated, we +were not very remarkable for religion in New York, in my younger days; +while it would be just the word, were I to say that religion was +_conspicuous_ among our eastern neighbours. I remember to have heard +my grandfather say, he was once acquainted with a Col. Heathcote, an +Englishman, like himself, by birth, and a brother of a certain Sir Gilbert +Heathcote, who was formerly a leading man in the Bank of England. This Col. +Heathcote came among us young, and married here, leaving his posterity +behind him, and was lord of the manor of Scarsdale and Mamaroneck, in our +county of West Chester. Well, this Col. Heathcote told my grandfather, +speaking on the subject of religion, that he had been much shocked, on +arriving in this country, at discovering the neglected condition of +religion in the colony; more especially on Long Island, where the people +lived in a sort of heathenish condition. Being a man of mark, and connected +with the government, The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in +Foreign Parts, applied to him to aid it in spreading the truths of the +bible in the colony. The Colonel was glad enough to comply; and I remember +my grandfather said, his friend told him of the answer he returned to these +good persons in England. “I was so struck with the heathenish condition of +the people, on my arriving here,” he wrote to them, “that, commanding the +militia of the colony, I ordered the captains of the different companies to +call their men together, each Sunday at sunrise, and to drill them until +sunset; unless they would consent to repair to some convenient place, and +listen to morning and evening prayer, and to two wholesome sermons read by +some suitable person, in which case the men were to be excused from drill.” + [2] I do not think this would be found necessary in New England at least, +where many of the people would be likely to prefer drilling to preaching. + +But all this gossip about the moral condition of the adjacent colonies of +New York and New England is leading me from the narrative, and does not +promise much for the connection and interest of the remainder of the +manuscript. + +[Footnote 1: It will be remembered Mr. Littlepage wrote more than seventy +years ago, when this distinction might exclusively belong to the _East_; +but the _West_ has now some claim to it, also.] + +[Footnote 2: On the subject of this story, the editor can say he has seen a +published letter from Col. Heathcote, who died more than a century since, +at Mamaroneck, West Chester Co., in which that gentleman gives the Society +for the propagation of the gospel an account of his proceedings, that +agrees almost _verbatim_ with the account of the matter that is here given +by Mr. Cornelius Littlepage. The house in which Col. Heathcote dwelt was +destroyed by fire, a short time before the revolution; but the property +on which it stood, and the present building, belong at this moment to his +great-grandson, the Rt. Rev. Wm. _Heathcote_ de Lancey, the Bishop of +Western New York. On the subject of the _plunder_, the editor will remark, +that a near connection, whose grandfather was a Major at the taking of +Louisbourg, and who was subsequently one of the first Brigadiers appointed +in 1775, has lately shown him a letter written to that officer, during the +expedition, by _his_ father; in which, blended with a great deal of pious +counsel, and some really excellent religious exhortation, is an earnest +inquiry after the _plunder_.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + “I would there were no age between ten and three-and-twenty; + or that youth would sleep out the rest.” + + _Winter's Tale_. + + +It is not necessary for me to say much of the first fourteen years of +my life. They passed like the childhood and youth of the sons of most +gentlemen in our colony, at that day, with this distinction, however. There +was a class among us which educated its boys at home. This was not a very +numerous class, certainly, nor was it always the highest in point of +fortune and rank. Many of the large proprietors were of Dutch origin, as a +matter of course; and these seldom, if ever, sent their children to England +to be taught anything, in my boyhood. I understand that a few are getting +over their ancient prejudices, in this particular, and begin to fancy +Oxford or Cambridge may be quite as learned schools as that of Leyden; but, +no Van, in my boyhood, could have been made to believe this. Many of the +Dutch proprietors gave their children very little education, in any way or +form, though most of them imparted lessons of probity that were quite as +useful as learning, had the two things been really inseparable. For my +part, while I admit there is a great deal of knowledge going up and down +the land, that is just of the degree to trick a fellow-creature out of his +rights, I shall never subscribe to the opinion, which is so prevalent among +the Dutch portion of our population, and which holds the doctrine that the +schools of the New England provinces are the reason the descendants of the +Puritans do not enjoy the best of reputations, in this respect. I believe a +boy may be well taught, and made all the honester for it; though, I admit, +there may be, and is, such a thing as training a lad in false notions, +as well as training him in those that are true. But, we had a class, +principally of English extraction, that educated its sons well; usually +sending them home, to the great English schools, and finishing at the +universities. These persons, however, lived principally in town, or, having +estates on the Hudson, passed their winters there. To this class the +Littlepages did not belong; neither their habits nor their fortunes +tempting them to so high a flight. For myself, I was taught enough Latin +and Greek to enter college, by the Rev. Thomas Worden, an English divine, +who was rector of St. Jude's, the parish to which our family properly +belonged. This gentleman was esteemed a good scholar, and was very popular +among the gentry of the county; attending all the dinners, clubs, races, +balls, and other diversions that were given by them, within ten miles of +his residence. His sermons were pithy and short; and he always spoke of +your half-hour preachers, as illiterate prosers, who did not understand +how to condense their thoughts. Twenty minutes were his gauge, though +I remember to have heard my father say, he had known him preach all of +twenty-two. When he compressed down to fourteen, my grandfather invariably +protested he was delightful. + +I remained with Mr. Worden until I could translate the two first AEneids, +and the whole of the Gospel of St. Matthew, pretty readily; and then my +father and grandfather, the last in particular, for the old gentleman had a +great idea of learning, began to turn over in their minds, the subject of +the college to which I ought to be sent. We had the choice of two, in both +of which the learned languages and the sciences are taught, to a degree, +and in a perfection, that is surprising for a new country. These colleges +are Yale, at New Haven, in Connecticut, and Nassau Hall, which was then at +Newark, New Jersey, after having been a short time at Elizabethtown, but +which has since been established at Princeton. Mr. Worden laughed at +both; said that neither had as much learning as a second-rate English +grammar-school; and that a lower-form boy, at Eton or Westminster, could +take a master's degree at either, and pass for a prodigy in the bargain. +My father, who was born in the colonies, and had a good deal of the right +colony feeling, was nettled at this, I remember; while my grandfather, +being old-country born, but colony educated, was at a loss how to view the +matter. The captain had a great respect for his native land, and evidently +considered it the paradise of this earth, though his recollections of it +were not very distinct; but, at the same time, he loved Old York, and West +Chester in particular, where he had married and established himself at +Satan's Toe; or, as he spelt it, and as we all have spelt it, now, this +many a day, Satanstoe. I was present at the conversation which decided the +question, as regarded my future education, and which took place in the +common parlour, around a blazing fire, about a week before Christmas, the +year I was fourteen. There were present Capt. Hugh Roger, Major Evans, my +mother, the Rev. Mr. Worden, and an old gentleman of Dutch designation and +extraction, of the name of Abraham Van Valkenburgh, but who was familiarly +called, by his friends, 'Brom Follock, or Col. Follock or Volleck, as the +last happen to be more or less ceremonious, or more or less Dutch. Follock, +I think, however was the favourite pronunciation. This Col. Van Valkenburgh +was an old brother-soldier of my father's, and, indeed, a relation, a +sort of a cousin through my greatgrandmother, besides being a man of much +consideration and substance. He lived in Rockland, just across the Hudson, +but never failed to pay a visit to Satanstoe at that season of the year. On +the present occasion, he was accompanied by his son, Dirck, who was _my_ +friend, and just a year my junior. + +“Vell, den,”--the colonel commenced the discourse by saying, as he tapped +the ashes out of his pipe for the second time that evening, having first +taken a draught of hot flip, a beverage much in vogue then, as well as +now,--“vell, den, Evans, vat is your intention as to ter poy? Vill he pe +college-l'arnt, like as his grant-fat'er, or only school-l'arnt, like as +his own fat'er?” The allusion to the grandfather being a pleasantry of the +colonel's, who insisted that all the old-country born were “college-l'arnt” + by instinct. + +“To own the truth, 'Brom,” my father answered, “this is a point that is not +yet entirely settled, for there are different opinions as to the place to +which he shall be sent, even admitting that he is to be sent at all.” + +The colonel fastened his full, projecting, blue eyes on my father, in a way +that pretty plainly expressed surprise. + +“Vat, den, is dere so many colleges, dat it is hart to choose?” he said. + +“There are but two that can be of any use to us, for Cambridge is much too +distant to think of sending the boy so far. Cambridge was in our thoughts +at one time, but that is given up.” + +“Vhere, den, ist Camprige?” demanded the Dutchman, removing his pipe to ask +so important a question, a ceremony he usually thought unnecessary. + +“It is a New England college--near Boston; not half a day's journey +distant, I fancy.” + +“Don't sent Cornelius dere,” ejaculated the colonel, contriving to get +these words out alongside of the stem of the pipe. + +“You think not, Col. Follock,” put in the anxious mother; “may I ask the +reason for that opinion?” + +“Too much Suntay, Matam Littlepage--the poy wilt be sp'ilt by ter +ministers. He will go away an honest lat, and come pack a rogue. He will +l'arn how to bray and to cheat.” + +“Hoity toity! my noble colonel!” exclaimed the Rev. Mr. Worden, affecting +more resentment than he felt. “Then you fancy the clergy, and too much +Sunday, will be apt to convert an honest youth into a knave!” + +The colonel made no answer, continuing to smoke very philosophically, +though he took occasion, while he drew the pipe out of his mouth, in one of +its periodical removals, to make a significant gesture with it towards the +rising sun, which all present understood to mean “down east,” as it is +usual to say, when we mean to designate the colonies of New England. That +he was understood by the Rev. Mr. Worden, is highly probable; since that +gentleman continued to turn the flip of one vessel into another, by way of +more intimately blending the ingredients of the mixture, quite as coolly as +if there had been no reflection on his trade. + +“What do you think of Yale, friend 'Brom?” asked my father, who understood +the dumb-show as well as any of them. + +“No tifference, Evans; dey all breaches and brays too much. _Goot_ men have +no neet of so much religion. Vhen a man is _really_ goot, religion only +does him harm. I mean Yankee religion.” + +“I have another objection to Yale,” observed Capt. Hugh Roger, “which is +their English.” + +“Och!” exclaimed the Colonel--“Deir English is horriple! Wuss dan ast to us +Tutch.” + +“Well, I was not aware of that,” observed my father. “They are English, +sir, as well as ourselves, and why should they not speak the language as +well as we?” + +“Why toes not a Yorkshireman, or a Cornishman, speak as veil as a Lonnoner? +I tell you what, Evans, I'll pet the pest game-cock on ter Neck, against +the veriest tunghill the parson hast, ter Presitent of Yale calls p e e n, +pen, ant roof, ruff--and so on.” + +“My birds are all game,” put in the divine; “I keep no other breed.” + +“Surely, Mr. Worden, _you_ do not countenance cock-fights by your +presence!” my mother said, using as much of reproach in her manner as +comported with the holy office of the party she addressed, and with her own +gentle nature. The Colonel winked at my father, and laughed _through his +pipe_, an exploit he might have been said to perform almost hourly. My +father smiled in return; for, to own the truth, he _had_ been present +at such sports on one or two occasions, when the parson's curiosity had +tempted him to peep in also; but my grandfather looked grave and much in +earnest. As for Mr. Worden himself, he met the imputation like a man. To do +him justice, if he were not an ascetic, neither was he a whining hypocrite, +as is the case with too many of those who aspire to be disciples and +ministers of our blessed Lord. + +“Why not, Madam Littlepage?” Mr. Worden stoutly demanded. “There are worse +places than cock-pits; for, mark me, I never bet--no, not on a horse-race, +even; and _that_ is an occasion on which any gentleman might venture a few +guineas, in a liberal, frank, way. There are so few amusements for people +of education in this country, Madam Littlepage, that one is not to be too +particular. If there were hounds and hunting, now, as there are at home, +you should never hear of me at a cock-fight, I can assure you.” + +“I must say I do not approve of cock-fights,” rejoined my mother meekly; +“and I hope Corny will never be seen at one. No--never--never.” + +“Dere you're wrong, Matam Littlepage,” the Colonel remarked, “for ter sight +of ter spirit of ter cocks wilt give ter boy spirit himself. My Tirck, +dere, goes to all in ter neighbourhood and he is a game-cock himself, let +me tell you. Come, Tirck--come--cock-a-doodle-doo!” + +This was true all round, as I very well knew, young as I was. Dirck, who +was as slow-moving, as dull-seeming, and as anti-mercurial a boy to look at +as one could find in a thousand, was thorough game at the bottom, and he +had been at many a main, as he had told me himself. How much of his spirit +was derived from witnessing such scenes I will not take on me to affirm; +for, in these later times, I have heard it questioned whether such +exhibitions do really improve the spectator's courage or not. But Dirck had +pluck, and plenty of it, and in that particular, at least, his father was +not mistaken. The Colonel's opinion always carried weight with my +mother, both on account of his Dutch extraction, and on account of his +well-established probity; for, to own the truth, a text or a sentiment from +him had far more weight with her than the same from the clergyman. She was +silenced on the subject of cock-fighting for the moment, therefore, which +gave Capt. Hugh Roger further opportunity to pursue that of the English +language. The grandfather, who was an inveterate lover of the sport, would +have cut in to that branch of the discourse, but he had a great tenderness +for my mother, whom everybody loved by the way, and he commanded himself, +glad to find that so important an interest had fallen into hands as good as +those of the Colonel. _He_ would just as soon be absent from church as be +absent from a cock-fight, and he was a very good observer of religion. + +“I should have sent Evans to Yale, had it not been for the miserable manner +of speaking English they have in New England,” resumed my grandfather; “and +I had no wish to have a son who might pass for a Cornish man. We shall have +to send this boy to Newark, in New Jersey. The distance is not so great, +and we shall be certain he will not get any of your round-head notions of +religion, too, Col. 'Brom, you Dutch are not altogether free from these +distressing follies. + +“Debble a pit!” growled the Colonel, through his pipe; for no devotee of +liberalism and latitudinarianisrn in religion could be more averse to +extra-piety than he. The Colonel, however, was not of the Dutch Reformed; +he was an Episcopalian, like ourselves, his mother having brought this +branch of the Follocks into the church; and, consequently, he entered into +all our feelings on the subject of religion, heart and hand. Perhaps Mr. +Worden was a greater favourite with no member of the four parishes over +which he presided, than with Col. Abraham Van Valkenburgh. + +“I should think less of sending Corny to Newark,” added my mother, “was it +not for crossing the water.” + +“Crossing the water!” repeated Mr. Worden. “The Newark we mean, Madam +Littlepage, is not at home: the Jersey of which we speak is the adjoining +colony of that came.” + +“I am aware of that, Mr. Worden; but it is not possible to get to Newark, +without making that terrible voyage be tween New York and Powles' Hook. No, +sir, it is impossible; and every time the child comes home, that risk will +have to be run. It would cause me many a sleepless night!” + +“He can go by Tobb's Ferry, Matam Littlepage,” quietly observed the +Colonel. + +“Dobb's Ferry can be very little better than that by Powles' Hook,” + rejoined the tender mother. “A ferry is a ferry; and the Hudson will be the +Hudson, from Albany to New York. So water is water.” + +As these were all self-evident propositions, they produced a pause in the +discourse; for men do not deal with new ideas as freely as they deal with +the old. + +“Dere is a way, Evans, as you and I know py experience,” resumed the +Colonel, winking again at my father, “to go rount the Hudson altoget'er. To +pe sure, it is a long way, and a pit in the woots; but petter to untertake +dat, than to haf the poy lose his l'arnin'. Ter journey might be made in +two mont's, and he none the wuss for ter exercise. Ter Major and I were +never heartier dan when we were operating on the he't waters of the Hutson. +I will tell Corny the roat.” + +My mother saw that her apprehensions were laughed at, and she had the good +sense to be silent. The discussion did not the less proceed, until it was +decided, after an hour more of weighing the _pros_ and the _cons_, that I +was to be sent to Nassau Hall, Newark, New Jersey, and was to move from +that place with the college, whenever that event might happen. + +“You will send Dirck there, too,” my father added, as soon as the affair in +my case was finally determined. “It would be a pity to separate the boys, +after they have been so long together, and have got to be so much used to +each other. Their characters are so identical, too, that they are more like +brothers than very distant relatives.” + +“Dey will like one anot'er all de petter for pein' a little tifferent, +den,” answered the Colonel, drily. + +Dirck and I were no more alike than a horse resembles a mule. + +“Ay, but Dirck is a lad who will do honour to an education--he is solid and +thoughtful, and learning will not be thrown away on such a youth. Was he in +England, that sedate lad might get to be a bishop.” + +“I want no pishops in my family, Major Evans; nor do I want any great +l'arnin'. None of us ever saw a college, and we have got on fery vell. I +am a colonel and a memper; my fat'er was a colonel and a memper; and my +grand-fet'er _woult_ have peen a colonel and a memper, but dere vast no +colonels and no mempers in his time; though Tirck, yonter can be a colonel +and a memper, wit'out crosting dat terriple ferry that frightens Matam +Littlepage so much.” + +There was usually a little humour in all Col. Follock said and did, though +it must be owned it was humour after a very Dutch model; Dutch-built fun, +as Mr. Worden used to call it. Nevertheless, it was humour; and there was +enough of Holland in all the junior generations of the Littlepages to enjoy +it. My father understood him, and my mother did not hear the last of the +“terriple ferry” until not only I, but the college itself, had quitted +Newark; for the institution made another remove to Princeton, the place +where it is now to be found, some time before I got my degree. + +“You have got on very well without a college education, as all must admit, +colonel,” answered Mr. Worden; “but there is no telling how much _better_ +you would have got on, had you been an A. M. You might, in the last case, +have been a general and a member of the King's council.” + +“Dere ist no yeneral in ter colony, the commander-in-chief and His +Majesty's representatif excepted,” returned the colonel. “We are no +Yankees, to make yenerals of ploughmen.” + +Hereupon, the colonel and my father knocked the ashes out of their pipes at +the same instant, and both laughed,--a merriment in which the parson, my +grandfather, my dear mother, and I myself joined. Even a negro boy, who was +about my own age, and whose name was Jacob, or Jaap, but who was commonly +called Yaap, grinned at the remark, for he had a sovereign contempt for +Yankee Land, and all it contained; almost as sovereign a contempt as that +which Yankee Land entertained for York itself, and its Dutch population. +Dirck was the only person present who looked grave; but Dirck was +habitually as grave and sedate, as if he had been born to become a +burgomaster. + +“Quite right, Brom,” cried my father; “_colonels_ are good enough for us; +and when we do make a man _that_, even, we are a little particular about +his being respectable and fit for the office. Nevertheless, learning will +not hurt Corny, and to college he shall go, let you do as you please with +Dirck. So that matter is settled, and no more need be said about it.” + +And it was settled, and to college I _did_ go, and that by the awful +Powles' Hook Ferry, in the bargain. Near as we lived to town, I paid my +first visit to the island of Manhattan the day my father and myself started +for Newark. I had an aunt, who lived in Queen Street, not a very great +distance from the fort, and she had kindly invited me and my father to +pass a day with her, on our way to New Jersey, which invitation had been +accepted. In my youth, the world in general was not as much addicted to +gadding about as it is now getting to be, and neither my grandfather nor my +father ordinarily went to town, their calls to the legislature excepted, +more than twice a year. My mother's visits were still less frequent, +although Mrs. Legge, my aunt, was her own sister. Mr. Legge was a lawyer of +a good deal of reputation, but he was inclined to be in the opposition, +or espoused the popular side in politics; and there could be no great +cordiality between one of that frame of mind and our family. I remember +we had not been in the house an hour, before a warm discussion took place +between my uncle and my father, on the question of the right of the subject +to canvass the acts of the government. We had left home immediately +after an early breakfast, in order to reach town before dark; but a long +detention at the Harlem Ferry, compelled us to dine in that village, and it +was quite night before we stopped in Queen Street. My aunt ordered supper +early, in order that we might get early to bed, to recover from our +fatigue, and be ready for sight-seeing next day. We sat down to supper, +therefore, in less than an hour after our arrival; and it was while we were +at table that the discussion I have mentioned took place. It would seem +that a party had been got up in town among the disloyal, and I might almost +say, the disaffected, which claimed for the subject the right to know in +what manner every shilling of the money raised by taxation was expended. +This very obviously improper interference with matters that did not belong +to them, on the part of the ruled, was resisted by the rulers, and that +with energy; inasmuch as such inquiries and investigations would naturally +lead to results that might bring authority into discredit, make the +governed presuming and prying in their dispositions, and cause much +derangement and inconvenience to the regular and salutary action of +government. My father took the negative of the proposition, while my uncle +maintained its affirmative. I well remember that my poor aunt looked +uneasy, and tried to divert the discourse by exciting our curiosity on a +new subject. + +“Corny has been particularly lucky in having come to town just as he has, +since we shall have a sort of gala-day, to-morrow, for the blacks and the +children.” + +I was not in the least offended at being thus associated with the negroes, +for they mingled in most of the amusements of us young people; but I did +not quite so well like to be ranked with the children, now I was fourteen, +and on my way to college. Notwithstanding this, I did not fail to betray an +interest in what was to come next, by my countenance. As for my father, he +did not hesitate about asking an explanation. + +“The news came in this morning, by a fast-sailing sloop, that the Patroon +of Albany is on his way to New York, in his coach-and-four, and with two +out-riders, and that he may be expected to reach town in the course of +to-morrow. Several of my acquaintances have consented to let their children +go out a little way into the country, to see him come in; and, as for the +blacks, you know, it is just as well to give them _permission_ to be of the +party, as half of them would otherwise go without asking it.” + +“This will be a capital opportunity to let Corny see a little of the +world,” cried my father, “and I would not have him miss it on any account. +Besides, it is useful to teach young people early, the profitable lesson of +honouring their superiors and seniors.” + +“In that sense it may do,” growled my uncle, who, though so much of a +latitudinarian in his political opinions never failed to inculcate all +useful and necessary maxims for private life; “the Patroon of Albany being +one of the most respectable and affluent of all our gentry. I have no +objections to Corny's going to see that sight; and, I hope, my dear, you +will let both Pompey and Caesar be of the party. It won't hurt the fellows +to see the manner in which the Patroon has his carriage kept and horses +groomed.” + +Pompey and Caesar were of the party, though the latter did not join us +until Pompey had taken me all round the town, to see the principal sights; +it being understood that the Patroon had slept at Kingsbridge, and would +not be likely to reach town until near noon. New York was certainly not the +place, in 1751, it is to-day; nevertheless, it was a large and important +town, even when I went to college, containing not less than twelve thousand +souls, blacks included. The Town Hall is a magnificent structure, standing +at the head of Broad Street; and thither Pompey led me, even before my +aunt had come down to breakfast. I could scarcely admire that fine edifice +sufficiently; which, for size, architecture and position, has scarcely now +an equal in all the colonies. It is true, that the town has much improved, +within the last twenty years; but York was a noble place, even in the +middle of this century! After breakfast, Pompey and I proceeded up +Broadway, commencing near the fort, at the Bowling Green, and walking some +distance beyond the head of Wall Street, or quite a quarter of a mile. Nor +did the town stop here; though its principal extent is, or was then, along +the margin of the East River. Trinity Church I could hardly admire enough +either; for, it appeared to me, that it was large enough to contain all the +church-people in the colony. [3] It was a venerable structure, which had +then felt the heats of summer and the snows of winter on its roofs and +walls, near half a century, and it still stands a monument of pious zeal +and cultivated taste. There were other churches, belonging to other +denominations, of course, that were well worthy of being seen; to say +nothing of the markets. I thought I never should tire of gazing at the +magnificence of the shops, particularly the silversmiths'; some of which +must have had a thousand dollars' worth of plate in their windows, or +otherwise in sight. I might say as much of the other shops, too, which +attracted a just portion of my admiration. + +About eleven, the number of children and blacks that were seen walking +towards the Bowery Road, gave us notice that it was time to be moving in +that direction. We were in the upper part of Broadway, at the time, and +Pompey proceeded forthwith to fall into the current, making all the haste +he could, as it was thought the traveller might pass down towards the East +River, and get into Queen Street, before we could reach the point at which +he would diverge. It is true, the old town residence of Stephen de Lancey, +which stood at the head of Broadway, just above Trinity, [4] had been +converted into a tavern, and we did not know but the Patroon might choose +to alight there, as it was then the principal inn of the town; still, most +people preferred Queen Street; and the new City Tavern was so much out of +the way, that strangers in particular were not fond of frequenting it. +Caesar came up, much out of breath, just as we got into the country. + +Quitting Broadway, we went along the country road that then diverged to the +east, but which is now getting to contain a sort of suburb, and passing +the road that leads into Queen Street, we felt more certain of meeting the +traveller, whose carriage we soon learned had not gone by. As there were +and are several taverns for country people in this quarter, most of us went +quite into the country, proceeding as far as the villas of the Bayards, de +Lanceys, and other persons of mark; of which there are several along the +Bowery Road. Our party stopped under some cherry-trees, that were not +more than a mile from town, nearly opposite to Lt. Gov. de Lancey's +country-house; [5] but many boys &c. went a long long way into the country, +finishing the day by nutting and gathering apples in the grounds of +Petersfield and Rosehill, the country residences of the Stuyvesant and +Watt, or, as the last is now called the Watts, families. I was desirous of +going thus far myself, for I had heard much of both of those grand places; +but Pompey told me it would be necessary to be back for dinner by half-past +one, his mistress having consented to postpone the hour a little, in order +to indulge my natural desire to see all I could while in town. + +We were not altogether children and blacks who were out on the Bowery +Road that day,--many tradesmen were among us, the leathern aprons making +a goodly parade on the occasion. I saw one or two persons wearing +swords, hovering round, in the lanes and in the woods,--proof that even +gentlemen had some desire to see so great a person as the Patroon of +Albany pass. I shall not stop to say much of the _transit_ of the +_Patroon_. He came by about noon, as was expected, and in his +coach-and-four, with two out-riders, coach-man, &c. in liveries, as is +usual in the families of the gentry, and with a team of heavy, black, +Dutch-looking horses, that I remember Caesar pronounced to be of the +true Flemish breed. The Patroon himself was a sightly, well-dressed +gentleman, wearing a scarlet coat, flowing wig, and cocked hat; and I +observed that the handle of his sword was of solid silver. But my father +wore a sword with a solid silver handle, too, a present from my +grandfather when the former first entered the army. [6] He bowed to the +salutations he received in passing, and I thought all the spectators +were pleased with the noble sight of seeing such an equipage pass into +the town. Such a sight does not occur every day in the colonies, and I +felt exceedingly happy that it had been my privilege to witness it. + +A little incident occurred to myself that rendered this day long memorable +to me. Among the spectators assembled along the road on this occasion, were +several groups of girls, who belonged to the better class, and who had been +induced to come out into the country, either led by curiosity or by the +management of the different sable nurses who had them in charge. In one of +these groups was a girl of about ten, or possibly of eleven years of age, +whose dress, air, and mien, early attracted my attention. I thought her +large, bright, full, blue eye, particularly winning; and boys of fourteen +are not altogether insensible to beauty in the other sex, though they are +possibly induced oftener to regard it in those who are older than in those +who are younger than themselves. Pompey happened to be acquainted with +Silvy, the negress who had the care of my little beauty, to whom he bowed, +and addressed as Miss Anneke (Anna Cornelia abbreviated). Anneke I thought +a very pretty name too, and some little advances were made towards an +acquaintance by means of an offering of some fruit that I had gathered by +the way-side. Things were making a considerable progress, and I had asked +several questions, such as whether 'Miss Anneke had ever seen a patroon,' +which 'was the greatest personage, a patroon or a governor, whether 'a +nobleman who had lately been in the colony, as a military officer, or the +patroon, would be likely to have the finest coach,' when a butcher's boy, +who was passing, rudely knocked an apple out of Anneke's hand, and caused +her to shed a tear. + +I took fire at this unprovoked outrage, and lent the fellow a dig in the +ribs that gave him to understand the young lady had a protector. My chap +was about my own age and weight, and he surveyed me a minute with a species +of contempt, and then beckoned me to follow him into an orchard that was +hard by, but a little out of sight. In spite of Anneke's entreaties I went, +and Pompey and Caesar followed. We had both stripped before the negroes +got up, for they were in a hot discussion whether I was to be permitted to +fight or not. Pompey maintained it would keep dinner waiting; but Caesar, +who had the most bottom, as became his name, insisted, as I had given a +blow, I was bound to render satisfaction. Luckily, Mr. Worden was very +skilful at boxing, and he had given both Dirck and myself many lessons, so +that I soon found myself the best fellow. I gave the butcher's boy a bloody +nose and a black eye, when he gave in, and I came off victor; not, however, +without a facer or two, that sent me to college with a reputation I hardly +merited, or that of a regular pugilist. + +When I returned to the road, after this breathing, Anneke [7] had +disappeared, and I was so shy and silly as not to ask her family name from +Caesar the Great, or Pompey the Little. + +[Footnote 3: The intelligent reader will, of course, properly appreciate +the provincial admiration of Mr. Littlepage, who naturally fancied his own +best was other people's best. The Trinity of that day was burned in the +great fire of 1776. The edifice that succeeded it, at the peace of 1783, +has already given place to a successor, that has more claim to be placed +on a level with modern, English, town church-architecture, than any other +building in the Union. When another shall succeed this, which shall be as +much larger and more elaborated than this is compared to its predecessor, +and still another shall succeed, which shall bear the same relation to +that, then the country will possess an edifice that is on a level with the +first-rate Gothic cathedral-architecture of Europe. It would be idle to +pretend that the new Trinity is without faults; some of which are probably +the result of circumstances and necessity; but, if the respectable +architect who has built it, had no other merit, he would deserve the +gratitude of every man of taste in the country, by placing church-towers of +a proper comparative breadth, dignity and proportions, before the eyes of +its population. The diminutive meanness of American church-towers, has been +an eye-sore to every _intelligent_, travelled American, since the country +was settled.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 4: The site of the present City Hotel.--ED.] + +[Footnote 5: Now, de Lancey Street.--ED.] + +[Footnote 6: This patroon must have been Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, who lived +to be a bachelor of forty before he married. If there be no anachrenism, +this gentleman married Miss Van Cortlandt, one of the seven daughters +of Stephanus Van Cortlandt, who was proprietor of the great manor of +Cortlandt, West Chester county, and who, in his day, was the principal +personage of the colony. The seven daughters of this Colonel Van Cortlandt, +by marrying into the families of de Lancey, Bayard, Van Rensellaer, +Beekman, M'Gregor--Skinner, &c. &c. brought together a connection that was +long felt in the political affairs of New York. The Schuylers were related +through a previous marriage, and many of the Long Island and other families +of weight by other alliances. This connection formed the court party, which +was resisted by an opposition led by the Livingstons, Morris, and other +names of _their_ connection. This old bachelor, Jeremiah Van Rensellaer, +believing he would never marry, alienated, in behalf of his next brother +and anticipated heir, the Greenbush and Claverack estates,--portions of +those vast possessions which, in our day, and principally through the +culpable apathy, or miserable demagogueism of those who have been entrusted +with the care of the public weal, have been the pretext for violating +some of the plainest laws of morality that God has communicated to +man.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 7: Pronounced On-na-_kay_, I believe.--EDITOR] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + “Believe me, thou talkest of an admirable conceited fellow. Has + he any unbraided wares?” + + “Pr'ythee, bring him in; and let him approach singing.” + + _Winter's Tale_. + + +I have no intention of taking the reader with me through college, where +I remained the usual term of four years. These four years were not idled +away, as sometimes happens, but were fairly improved. I read all of the New +Testament, in Greek; several of Cicero's Orations; every line of Horace, +Satires and Odes; four books of the Iliad; Tully de Oratore, throughout; +besides paying proper attention to geography, mathematics, and other of the +usual branches. Moral philosophy, in particular, was closely attended to, +senior year, as well as Astronomy. We had a telescope that showed us all +four of Jupiter's moons. In other respects, Nassau might be called the seat +of learning. One of our class purchased a second-hand copy of Euripides, in +town, and we had it in college all of six months; though it was never +my good fortune to see it, as the young man who owned it, was not much +disposed to let profane eyes view his treasure. Nevertheless, I am certain +the copy of the work was in college; and we took good care to let the Yale +men hear of it more than once. I do not believe _they_ ever saw even the +outside of an Euripides. As for the telescope, I can testify of my own +knowledge; having seen the moons of Jupiter as often as ten times, with my +own eyes, aided by its magnifiers. We had a tutor who was expert among the +stars, and who, it was generally believed, would have been able to see the +ring of Saturn, could he have found the planet; which, as it turned out, he +was unable to do. + +My four college years were very happy years. The vacations came often, and +I went home invariably; passing a day or two with my aunt Legge, in going +or coming. The acquisition of knowledge was always agreeable to me; and I +may say it without vanity, I trust, at this time of life, I got the third +honour of my class. We should have graduated four, but one of our class was +compelled to quit us at the end of junior year, on account of his health. +He was an unusually hard student, and it was generally admitted that he +would have taken the first honour had he remained. We were thought to +acquit ourselves with credit at the commencement; although I afterwards +heard my grandfather tell Mr. Worden, that he was of opinion the addresses +would have been more masculine and commendable, had less been said of +the surprising growth, prosperity, and power of the colonies. He had no +objection to the encouragement of a sound, healthful, patriotic feeling; +but to him it appeared that something more novel might have better pleased +the audience. This may have been true, as all three of us had something to +say on the subject; and it is a proof how much we thought alike, that our +language was almost as closely assimilated as our ideas. + +As for the Powles Hook Ferry, it was an unpleasant place I will allow; +though by the time I was junior I thought nothing of it. My mother, +however, was glad when it was passed for the last time. I remember the very +first words that escaped her, after she had kissed me on my final return +from college, were, “Well, Heaven be praised, Corny! you will never again +have any occasion to cross that frightful ferry, now college is completely +done with!” My poor mother little knew how much greater dangers I was +subsequently called on to encounter, in another direction. Nor was she +minutely accurate in her anticipations, since I have crossed the ferry in +question, several times in later life; the distances not appearing to be as +great, of late years, as they certainly seemed to be in my youth. + +It was a feather in a young man's cap to have gone through college in 1755, +which was the year I graduated. It is true, the University men, who had +been home for their learning, were more or less numerous; but they were of +a class that held itself aloof from the smaller gentry, and most of them +were soon placed in office, adding the dignity of public trusts to their +acquisitions--the former in a manner overshadowing the latter. But, I was +nearer to the body of the community, and my position admitted more of +comparative excellence, as it might be. No one thinks of certain habits, +opinions, manners, and tastes, in the circle where they are expected to +be found; but, it is a different thing where all, or any of these +peculiarities form the exception. I am afraid more was anticipated from my +college education than has ever been realized; but I will say this for my +_Alma Mater_, that I am not conscious my acquisitions at college have ever +been of any disadvantage to me; and I rather think they have, in some +degree at least, contributed to the little success that has attended my +humble career. + +I kept up my intimacy with Dirck Follock, during the whole time I remained +at college. He continued the classics with Mr. Worden, for two years after +I left the school; but I could not discover that his progress amounted +to anything worth mentioning. The master used to tell the Colonel, that +“Dirck's progress was slow and sure;” and this did not fail to satisfy a +man who had a constitutional aversion to much of the head-over-heels rate +of doing things among the English population. Col. Follock, as we always +called him, except when my father or grandfather asked him to drink a +glass of wine, or drank his health in the first glass after the cloth +was removed, when he was invariably styled Col. Van Valkenburgh, at full +length; but Col. Follock was quite content that his son and heir should +know no more than he knew himself, after making proper allowances for the +difference in years and experience. By the time I returned home, however, +a material change had been made in the school. Mr. Worden fell heir to a +moderate competency at home, and he gave up teaching, a business he had +never liked, accordingly. It was even thought he was a shade less zealous +in his parochial duties, after the acquisition of this fifty pounds +sterling a-year, than he had previously been; though I am far from +insisting on the fact's being so. At any rate, it was not in the power of +£50 per annum to render Mr. Worden apathetic on the subject of the church; +for he continued a most zealous churchman down to the hour of his death; +and this was something, even admitting that he was not quite so zealous as +a Christian. The church being the repository of the faith, if not the +faith itself, it follows that its friends are akin to religion, though not +absolutely religious. I have always liked a man the better for being what +I call a sound, warm-hearted churchman, though his habits may have been a +little free. + +It was necessary to supply the place left vacant by the emigration of Mr. +Worden, or to abandon a school that had got to be the nucleus of knowledge +in Westchester. There was a natural desire, at first, to obtain another +scholar from home; but no such person offering, a Yale College graduate was +accepted, though not without sundry rebellions, and plenty of distrust. +The moment he appeared, Col. Follock, and Major Nicholas Oothout, another +respectable Dutch neighbour, withdrew their sons; and from that hour Dirck +never went to school again. It is true, Westchester was not properly a +Dutch county, like Rockland, and Albany, and Orange, and several others +along the river; but it had many respectable families in it, of that +extraction, without alluding to such heavy people as the Van Cortlandts, +Felipses, Beekmans, and two or three others of that stamp. Most of our +important county families had a different origin, as in the case of the +Morrises, of Morrisania, and of the Manor of Fordham, the Pells, of Pelham, +the Heathcotes, of Mamanneck, the branch of the de Lanceys, at West Farms, +the Jays, of Rye, &c., &c. All these came of the English, or the Huguenot +stock. Among these last, more or less Dutch blood was to be found, however; +though Dutch prejudices were a good deal weakened. Although few of these +persons sent their boys to this school, they were consulted in the +selection of a master; and I have always supposed that their indifference +was the cause that the county finally obtained the services of a Yankee, +from Yale. + +The name of the new pedagogue was Jason Newcome, or, as he pronounced the +latter appellation himself, Noo-come. As he affected a pedantic way of +pronouncing the last syllable long, or as it was spelt, he rather called +himself Noo-comb, instead of Newcome, as is the English mode, whence he +soon got the nick-name of Jason Old Comb among the boys; the lank, +orderly arrangement of his jet-black, and somewhat greasy-looking locks, +contributing their share towards procuring for him the _sobriquet_, as I +believe the French call it. As this Mr. Newcome will have a material part +to play in the succeeding portions of this narrative, it may be well to be +a little more minute in his description. + +I found Jason fully established in the school, on my return from college. I +remember we met very much like two strange birds, that see each other for +the first time on the same dunghill; or two quadrupeds, in their original +interview in a common herd. It was New Haven against Newark; though the +institution, after making as many migrations as the House of Loretto, +finally settled down at Princeton, a short time before I took my degree. I +was consequently entitled to call myself a graduate of Newark,--a sort of +scholar that is quite as great a curiosity in the country as a Queen Anne's +farthing, or a book printed in the fifteenth century. I remember the first +evening we two spent in company, as well as if the meeting occurred only +last night. It was at Satanstoe, and Mr. Worden was present. Jason had a +liberal supply of puritanical notions, which were bred in-and-in in his +moral, and I had almost said, in his physical system; nevertheless, he +could unbend; and I did not fail to observe that very evening, a gleam of +covert enjoyment on his sombre countenance, as the hot-stuff, the cards, +and the pipes were produced, an hour or two before supper,--a meal we +always had hot and comfortable. This covert satisfaction, however, was not +exhibited without certain misgiving looks, as if the neophyte in these +innocent enjoyments distrusted his right to possess his share. I remember +in particular, when my mother laid two or three new, clean packs of cards +on the table, that Jason cast a stealthy glance over his shoulder, as if +to make certain that the act was not noted by the minister, or the +“neighbours.” The neighbours!--what a contemptible being a man becomes, +who lives in constant dread of the comments and judgments of these social +supervisors! and what a wretch, the habit of deferring to no principle +better than their decision has made many a being, who has had originally +the materials of something better in him, than has been developed by the +_surveillance_ of ignorance, envy, vulgarity, gossiping and lying! In those +cases in which education, social position, opportunities and experience +have made any material difference between the parties, the man who yields +to such a government, exhibits the picture of a giant held in bondage by a +pigmy. I have always remarked, too, that they who are best qualified to +sit in this neighbourhood-tribunal, generally keep most aloof from it, as +repugnant to their tastes and habits, thus leaving its decisions to the +portion of the community least qualified to make such as are either just or +enlightened. + +I felt a disposition to laugh outright, at the manner in which Jason +betrayed a sneaking consciousness of crime, as he saw my meek, innocent, +simple-minded, just and warm-hearted mother lay the cards on the table that +evening. His sense of guilt was purely conventional, while my mother's +sense of innocence existed in the absence of false instruction, and in the +purity of her intentions. One had been taught no exaggerated and false +notion of sin,--nay, a notion that is impious, as it is clearly impious +in man to torture acts that are perfectly innocent, _per se_, into formal +transgressions of the law of God,--while the other had been educated under +the narrow and exaggerated notions of a provincial sect, and had obtained a +species of conscience that was purely dependent on his miserable schooling. +I heard my grandfather say that Jason actually showed the white of his eyes +the first time he saw Mr. Worden begin to deal, and he still looked, the +whole time we were at whist, as if he expected some one might enter, and +tell of his delinquency, I soon discovered that Jason had a much greater +dread of being told of, than of doing such things as taking a hand at +whist, or drinking a glass of punch, from which I inferred his true +conscience drew perceptible distinctions between the acts and the penalties +he had been accustomed to see inflicted on them. He was much disposed to a +certain sort of frailty; but it was a sneaking disposition to the last. + +But, the amusing part of the exhibition, that first evening of our +acquaintance, was Mr. Worden's showing off his successor's familiarity +with the classics. Jason had not the smallest notion of quantity; and he +pronounced the Latin very much as one would read Mohawk, from a vocabulary +made out by a hunter, or a savant of the French Academy. As I had received +the benefit of Mr. Worden's own instruction, I could do better, and, +generally, my knowledge of the classics went beyond that of Jason's. The +latter's English, too, was long a source of amusement with us all, though +my grandfather often expressed strong disgust at it. Even Col. Follock did +not scruple to laugh at Newcome's English, which, as he frequently took +occasion to say, “hat a ferry remarkaple sount to it.” As this peculiarity +of Jason's extended a good way into the Anglo-Saxon race, in the part of +the country in which he was born, it may be well to explain what I mean a +little more at large. + +Jason was the son of an ordinary Connecticut farmer, of the usual +associations, and with no other pretension to education than such as was +obtained in a common school, or any reading which did not include the +Scriptures, some half-dozen volumes of sermons and polemical works, all the +latter of which were vigorously as well as narrowly one-sided, and a +few books that had been expressly written to praise New England, and to +undervalue all the rest of the earth. As the family knew nothing of the +world beyond the limits of its own township, and an occasional visit +to Hartford, on what is called “election-day,” Jason's early life was +necessarily of the most contracted experience. His English, as a matter of +course, was just that of his neighbourhood and class of life; which was +far from being either very elegant or very Doric. But on this rustic, +provincial, or rather, hamlet foundation, Jason had reared a superstructure +of New Haven finish and proportions. As he kept school before he went to +college, while he was in college, and after he left college, the whole +energies of his nature became strangely directed to just such reforms of +language as would be apt to strike the imagination of a pedagogue of his +calibre. In the first place, he had brought from home with him a great +number of sounds that were decidedly vulgar and vicious, and with these in +full existence in himself, he had commenced his system of reform on other +people. As is common with all tyros, he fancied a very little knowledge +sufficient authority for very great theories. His first step was to improve +the language, by adapting sound to spelling and he insisted on calling +angel, _an_-gel, because a-n spelt an; chamber, _cham_-ber, for the same +reason; and so on through a long catalogue of similarly constructed words. + +“English,” he did not pronounce as “__lish” but as “_Eng_lish,” for +instance; and “nothing” (anglicè _nuth_ing), as _noth_-ing; or, perhaps, it +were better to say “_naw_thin'.” While Jason showed himself so much of +a purist with these and many other words, he was guilty of some of the +grossest possible mistakes, that were directly in opposition to his own +theory. Thus, while he affectedly pronounced “none,” (nun,) as “known,” he +did not scruple to call “stone,” “stun,” and “home,” “hum.” The idea of +pronouncing “clerk,” as it should be, or “clark,” greatly shocked him, as +it did to call “hearth,” “h'arth;” though he did not hesitate to call this +good earth of ours, the “'arth.” “Been,” he pronounced “ben,” of course, +and “roof,” he called “ruff,” in spite of all his purism. + +From the foregoing specimens, half a dozen among a thousand, the reader +will get an accurate notion of this weakness in Jason's character. It was +heightened by the fact that the young man commenced his education, such as +it was, late in life, and it is rare indeed that either knowledge or tastes +thus acquired are entirely free from exaggeration. Though Jason was several +years my senior, like myself he was a recent graduate, and it will be easy +enough to imagine the numberless discussions that took place between us, on +the subject of our respective acquisitions. I say 'respective,' instead of +mutual acquisitions, because there was nothing mutual about it, or _them_. +Neither our classics, our philosophy, nor our mathematics would seem to +have been the same, but each man apparently had a science, or a language of +his own, and which had been derived from the institution where he had been +taught. In the classics I was much the strongest, particularly in the +quantities, but Jason had the best of it in mathematics. In spite of his +conceit, his vulgarity, his English, his provincialism, and the awkwardness +with which he wore his tardily acquired information, this man had strong +points about him, and a native shrewdness that would have told much more in +his favour had it not been accompanied by a certain evasive manner, that +caused one constantly to suspect his sincerity, and which often induced +those who were accustomed to him, to imagine he had a sneaking propensity +that rendered him habitually hypocritical. Jason held New York in great +contempt; a feeling he was not always disposed to conceal, and of necessity +his comparisons were usually made with the state of things in Connecticut, +and much to the advantage of the latter. To one thing, however, he was much +disposed to defer, and that was money. Connecticut had not then, nor has it +now, a single individual who would be termed rich in New York; and Jason, +spite of his provincial conceit, spite of his overweening notions of moral +and intellectual superiority, could no more prevent this profound deference +for wealth, than he could substitute for a childhood of vulgarity and +neglect, the grace, refinement and knowledge which the boys of the more +fortunate classes in life obtain as it might be without knowing it. Yes, +Jason bowed down to the golden calf, in spite of his puritanism, his +love of liberty, his pretension to equality and the general strut of his +disposition and manner. + +Such is an outline of the character and qualifications of the man whom I +found, on my return from college, at the head of Mr. Worden's school. We +soon became acquainted, and I do not know which got the most ideas from the +other, in course of the first fortnight. Our conversation and arguments +were free, almost to rudeness, and little mercy was shown to our respective +prejudices. Jason was ultra leveling in his notions of social intercourse, +while I had the opinions of my own colony, in which the distinctions of +classes are far more strongly marked than is usual in New England, out of +Boston, and its immediate association. Still Jason deferred to names, as +well as money, though it was in a way very different from my own. New +England was, and is, loyal to the crown; but having the right to name +many of its own governors, and possessing many other political privileges +through the charters that were granted to her people, in order to induce +them to settle that portion of the continent, they do not always manifest +the feeling in a way to be agreeable to those who have a proper reverence +for the crown. Among other points, growing out of this difference in +training, Jason and I had sundry arguments on the subject of professions, +trades and callings. It was evident he fancied the occupation of a +schoolmaster next in honour to that of a clergyman. The clergy formed a +species of aristocracy, according to his notions; but no man could commence +life under more favourable auspices, than by taking a school. The following +dialogue occurred between us, on this subject; and I was so much struck +with the novelty of my companion's notions, as to make a note of it, as +soon as we parted. + +“I wonder your folks don't think of giving you suthin' to do, Corny,” + commenced Jason, one day, after our acquaintance had ripened into a sort +of belligerent intimacy. “You're near nineteen, now, and ought to begin to +think of bringing suthin' in, to pay for all the outgoings.” + +By “your folks,” Jason meant the family of Littlepage; and the blood of +that family quickened a little within me, fit the idea of being profitably +employed, in the manner intimated, because I had reached the mature and +profitable age of nineteen. + +“I do not understand you exactly, Mr. Newcome, by your bringing something +in,” answered I, with dignity enough to put a man of ordinary delicacy on +his guard. + +“Bringing suthin' in is good English, I hope, Mr. Littlepage. I mean that +your edication has cost your folks enough to warrant them in calling on you +for a little interest. How much do you suppose, now, has been spent on your +edication, beginning at the time you first went to Mr. Worden, and leaving +off the day you quitted Newark?” + +“Really, I have not the smallest notion; the subject has never crossed my +mind.” + +“Did the old folks never say anything to you about it?--never foot up the +total?” + +“I am sure it is not easy to see how this could be done, for I could not +help them in the least.” + +“But your father's books would tell that, as doubtless it all stands +charged against you.” + +“Stands charged against me!--How, sir! do you imagine my father makes +a charge in a book against me, whenever he pays a few pounds for my +education?” + +“Certainly; how else could he tell how much you have had?--though, on +reflection, as you are an only child, it does not make so much difference. +You probably will get all, in the end.” + +“And had I a brother, or a sister, do you imagine, Mr. Newcome, each +shilling we spent would be set down in a book, as charges against us?” + +“How else, in natur', could it be known which had had the most, or any sort +of justice be done between you?” + +“Justice would be done, by our common father's giving to each just as much +of his own money as he might see fit. What is it to me, if he chose to give +my brother a few hundred pounds more than he chose to give to me? The money +is his, and he may do with it as he choose.” + +“An hundred pounds is an awful sight of money!” exclaimed Jason, betraying +by his countenance how deeply he felt the truth of this. “If you have had +money in such large sums, so much the more reason why you should set about +doing suthin' to repay the old gentleman. Why not set up a school?” + +“Sir!” + +“Why not set up a school, I say? You might have had this of mine, had you +been a little older; but once in, fast in, with me. Still, schools are +wanted, and you might get a tolerable good recommend. I dare say your tutor +would furnish a certificate.” + +This word “recommend” was used by Jason for “recommendation” the habit of +putting verbs in the places of substantives, and _vice versa_, being much +in vogue with him. + +“And do you really think that one who is destined to inherit Satanstoe, +would act advisedly to set up a school? Recollect, Mr. Newcome, that my +father and grandfather have both borne the king's commission; and that +the last bears it, at this very moment, through his representative, the +Governor.” + +“What of all that? What better business is there than keeping a good +school? If you are high in your notions, get to be made a tutor in that New +Jersey college. Recollect that a tutor in a college is somebody. I did hope +for such a place, but having a Governor's son against me, as a candidate, +there was no chance.” + +“A Governor's son a candidate for a tutorship in a college! You are pleased +to trifle with me, Mr. Newcome.” + +“It's true as the gospel. You thought some smaller fish put me down, but he +was the son of the Governor. But, why do you give that vulgar name to your +father's farm--Satanstoe is not decent; yet, Corny, I've heard you use it +before your own mother!” + +“That you may hear every day, and my mother use it, too, before her own +son. What fault do you find with the name of Satanstoe?” + +“Fault!--In the first place it is irreligious and profane; then it is +ungenteel and vulgar, and only fit to be used in low company. Moreover, it +is opposed to history and revelation, the Evil One having a huff, if you +will, but no toes. Such a name couldn't stand a fortnight before public +opinion in New England.” + +“Yes, that may be very true; but we do not care enough for His Satanic +Majesty in the colony of New York, to treat him with so much deference. As +for the 'huffs,' as you call them----” + +“Why, what do _you_ call 'em, Mr. Littlepage?” + +“Hoofs, Mr. Newcome; that is the New York pronunciation of the word.” + +“I care nothing for York pronunciation, which everybody knows is Dutch and +full of corruptions. You'll never do anything worth speaking of in this +colony, Corny, until you pay more attention to your schools.” + +“I do not know what you call attention, Mr. Jason, unless we have paid it +already. Here, I have the caption, or rather preamble of a law, on that +very subject, that I copied out of the statute-book on purpose to show you, +and which I will now read in order to prove to you how things really stand +in the colony.” + +“Read away,” rejoined Jason, with an air of sufficient disdain. + +Read I did, and in the following sententious and comprehensive language, +viz:--“Whereas the youth of this colony are found, by manifold experience, +to be not inferior in their natural geniuses to the youth of any other +country in the world, therefore be it enacted, &c.” [8] + +“There, sir,” I said in exultation, “you have chapter and verse for the +true character of the rising generation in the colony of New York.” + +“And what does that preamble lead to?” demanded Jason, a little staggered +at finding the equality of our New York intellects established so clearly +by legislative enactment. + +“It is the preamble to an act establishing the free schools of New York, in +which the learned languages have now been taught these twenty years; and +you will please to remember that another law has not long been passed +establishing a college in town.” + +“Well, curious laws sometimes do get into the statute-books, and a body +must take them as he finds them. I dare say Connecticut might have a word +to say on the same subject, if you would give her a chance. Have you heard +the wonderful news from Philadelphia, Corny, that has just come among us?” + +“I have heard nothing of late; for you know I have been over in Rockland, +with Dirck Follock, for the last two weeks, and news never reaches that +family, or indeed that county.” + +“No, that is true enough,” answered Jason, drily; “News and a Dutchman have +no affinity, or attraction, as we would say in philosophy; though there is +gravitation enough on one side, ha! boy?” + +Here Jason laughed outright, for he was always delighted whenever he could +get a side-hit at the children of Holland, whom he appeared to regard as a +race occupying a position between the human family and the highest class of +the unintellectual animals. But it is unnecessary to dwell longer on this +dialogue, my object being merely to show the general character of Jason's +train of thought, in order to be better understood when I come to connect +his opinions with his acts. + +Dirck and myself were much together after my return from college. I passed +weeks at a time with him, and he returned my visits with the utmost freedom +and good-will. Each of us had now got his growth, and it would have done +the heart of Frederick of Prussia good, to have seen my young friend after +he had ended his nineteenth year. In stature he measured exactly six feet +three, and he gave every promise of filling up in proportion. Dirck was +none of your roundly-turned, Apollo-built fellows, but he had shoulders +that his little, short, solid, but dumpy-looking mother, who was of the +true stock, could scarcely span, when she pulled his head down to give him +a kiss; which she did regularly, as Dirck told me himself, twice each year; +that is to say, Christmas and New-Year. His complexion was fair, his limbs +large and well proportioned, his hair light, his eyes blue, and his face +would have been thought handsome by most persons. I will not deny, however, +that there was a certain ponderosity, both of mind and body, about my +friend, that did not very well accord with the general notion of grace and +animation. Nevertheless, Dirck was a sterling fellow, as true as steel, as +brave as a game-cock, and as honest as noon-day light. + +Jason was a very different sort of person, in many essentials. In figure, +he was also tall, but he was angular, loose-jointed and swinging--slouching +would be the better word, perhaps. Still, he was not without strength, +having worked on a farm until he was near twenty; and he was as active as a +cat; a result that took the stranger a little by surprise, when he regarded +only his loose, quavering sort of build. In the way of thought, Jason would +think two feet to Dirck's one; but I am far from certain that it was always +in so correct a direction. Give the Dutchman time, he was very apt to come +out right; whereas Jason, I soon discovered, was quite liable to come to +wrong conclusions, and particularly so in all matters that were a little +adverse, and which affected his own apparent interests. Dirck, moreover, +was one of the best-natured fellows that breathed; it being almost +impossible to excite him to anger; when it did come, however, the +earthquake was scarcely more terrific. I have seen him enraged, and would +as soon encounter a wild-boar in an open field, as run against his course, +while in the fit. + +Modesty will hardly permit me to say much of myself. I was well-grown, +active, strong, for my years; and, I am inclined to think, reasonably +well-looking; though I would prefer that this much should be said by +any one but myself. Dirck and I often tried our manhood together, when +youngsters, and I was the better chap until my friend reached his +eighteenth year, when the heavy metal of the young Dutch giant told in our +struggles. After that period was past, I found Dirck too much for me, in a +close gripe, though my extraordinary activity rendered the inequality less +apparent than it might otherwise have proved. I ought not to apply the +term of “extraordinary” to anything about myself, but the word escaped +me unconsciously, and I shall let it stand. One thing I will say, +notwithstanding, let the reader think of it as he may: I was good-natured +and well-disposed to my fellow-creatures, and had no greater love of money +than was necessary to render me reasonably discreet. + +Such is an outline of the characters and persons of three of the principal +actors in the scenes I am about to relate; scenes that will possess some +interest for those who love to read accounts of adventures in a new +country, however much they may fail in interesting others, when I speak of +the condition and events of the more civilized condition of society, that +was enjoyed, even in my youth, in such old counties as Westchester, and +such towns as York. + +[Footnote 8: This quotation would seem to be accurate, and it is somewhat +curious to trace the reason why a preamble so singular should have been +prefixed to the law. Was it not owing to the oft-repeated and bold +assertions of Europeans, that man deteriorated in this hemisphere? Any +American who has been a near observer of European opinion, even in our day, +must have been frequently amused at the expression of surprise and doubt +that so often escapes the residents of the Old World, when they discover +anything that particularly denotes talent coming from the New. I make +little question that this extraordinary preamble is a sort of indirect +answer to an imputation that was known to be as general, in that age, as +it was felt to be unjust. My own experience would lead me to think native +capacity more abundant in America than in the midland countries of Europe, +and quite as frequently met with as in Italy itself; and I have often heard +teachers, both English and French, admit that their American and West-India +scholars were generally the readiest and cleverest in their schools. The +great evil under which this country labours, in this respect, is the sway +of numbers, which is constantly elevating mediocrity and spurious talent to +high places. In America we have a _higher average_ of intelligence, while +we have far less of the _higher class;_ and I attribute the latter fact +to the control of those who have never enjoyed the means of appreciating +excellence.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + “Let us, then, be up and doing, + With a heart for any fate; + Still achieving, still pursuing, + Learn to labour and to wait.” + + LONGFELLOW. + + +The spring of the year I was twenty, Dirck and myself paid our first visit +to town, in the characters of young men. Although Satanstoe was not more +than five-and-twenty miles from New York, by the way of King's-Bridge, the +road we always travelled in order to avoid the ferry, it was by no means as +common to visit the capital as it has since got to be. I know gentlemen who +pass in and out from our neighbourhood, now, as often as once a fortnight, +or even once a week; but thirty years since this was a thing very seldom +done. My dear mother always went to town twice a year; in the spring to +pass Easter week, and in the autumn to make her winter purchases. My father +usually went down four times, in the course of the twelve months, but he +had the reputation of a gadabout, and was thought by many people to leave +home quite as much as he ought to do. As for my grandfather, old age coming +on, he seldom left home now, unless it were to pay stated visits to certain +old brother campaigners who lived within moderate distances, and with whom +he invariably passed weeks each summer. + +The visit I have mentioned occurred some time after Easter, a season of +the year that many of our country families were in the habit of passing +in town, to have the benefit of the daily services of Old Trinity, as the +Hebrews resorted to Jerusalem to keep the feast of the passover. My mother +did not go to town this year, on account of my father's gout, and I +was sent to supply her place with my aunt Legge, who had been so long +accustomed to have one of the family with her at that season, that I was +substituted. Dirck had relatives of his own, with whom he staid, and thus +every thing was rendered smooth. In order to make a fair start, my friend +crossed the Hudson the week before, and, after taking breath at Satanstoe +for three days, we left the Neck for the capital, mounted on a pair of as +good roadsters as were to be found in the county: and that is saying a good +deal; for the Morrises, and de Lanceys, and Van Cortlandts all kept racers, +and sometimes gave us good sport, in the autumn, over the county course. +West Chester, to say no more than she deserved, was a county with a +spirited gentry, and one of which no colony need be ashamed. + +My mother was a tender-hearted parent, and full of anxiety in behalf of an +only child. She knew that travelling always has more or less of hazard, +and was desirous we should be off betimes, in order to make certain of our +reaching town before the night set in. Highway robbers, Heaven be praised! +were then, and are still, unknown to the colonies; but there were other +dangers that gave my excellent parent much concern. All the bridges were +not considered safe; the roads were, and are yet, very circuitous, and it +was possible to lose one's way; while it was said persons had been known to +pass the night on Harlem common, an uninhabited waste that lies some seven +or eight miles on our side of the city. My mother's first care, therefore, +was to get Dirck and myself off early in the morning; in order to do which +she rose with the light, gave us our breakfasts immediately afterwards, and +thus enabled us to quit Satanstoe just as the sun had burnished the eastern +sky with its tints of flame-colour. + +Dirck was in high good-humour that morning, and, to own the truth, Corny +did not feel the depression of spirits which, according to the laws of +propriety, possibly ought to have attended the first really free departure +of so youthful an adventurer from beneath the shadows of the paternal roof. +We went our way laughing and chatting like two girls just broke loose from +boarding-school. I had never known Dirck more communicative, and I got +certain new insights into his feelings, expectations and prospects, as we +rode along the colony's highway that morning, that afterwards proved to +be matters of much interest with us both. We had not got a mile from the +chimney-tops of Satanstoe, ere my friend broke forth as follows:-- + +“I suppose you have heard, Corny, what the two old gentlemen have been at, +lately?” + +“Your father and mine?--I have not heard a syllable of any thing new.” + +“They have been suing out, before the Governor and Council, a joint claim +to that tract of land they bought of the Mohawks, the last time they were +out together on service in the colony militia.” + +I ought to mention, here, that though my predecessors had made but few +campaigns in the regular army, each had made several in the more humble +capacity of a militia officer. + +“This is news to me, Dirck,” I answered. “Why should the old gentlemen have +been so sly about such a thing?” + +“I cannot tell you, lest they thought silence the best way to keep off the +yankees. You know, my father has a great dread of a yankee's getting a +finger into any of his bargains. He says the yankees are the locusts of the +west.” + +“But, how came you to know any thing about it, Dirck?” + +“I am no yankee, Corny.” + +“And your father told _you_ on the strength of this recommendation?” + +“He told me, as he tells me most things that he thinks it best I should +know. We smoke together, and then we talk together.” + +“I would learn to smoke too, if I thought I should get any useful +information by so doing.” + +“Dere is much to be l'arnt from ter pipe!” said Dirck, dropping into a +slightly Dutch accent, as frequently happened with him, when his mind took +a secret direction towards Holland, though in general he spoke English +quite as well as I did myself, and vastly better than that miracle of +taste, and learning, and virtue, and piety, Mr. Jason Newcome, A.B., of +Yale, and prospective president of that, or some other institution. + +“So it would seem, if your father is telling you secrets all the time you +are smoking together. But where is this land, Dirck?” + +“It is in the Mohawk country--or, rather, it is in the country near the +Hampshire Grants, and at no great distance from the Mohawk country.” + +“And how much may there be of it?” + +“Forty thousand acres; and some of it of good, rich flats, they say; such +as a Dutchman loves.” + +“And your father and mine have purchased all this land in company, you +say--share and share alike, as the lawyers call it.” + +“Just so.” + +“Pray how much did they pay for so large a tract of land?” + +Dirck took time to answer this question. He first drew from his breast a +pocket-book, which he opened as well as he could under the motion of his +roadster, for neither of us abated his speed, it being indispensable to +reach town before dark. My friend succeeded at length in putting his hand +on the paper he wanted, which he gave to me. + +“There,” he said; “that is a list of the articles paid to the Indians, +which I have copied, and then there have been several hundred pounds of +fees paid to the Governor and his officers.” + +I read from the list, as follows; the words coming out by jerks, as the +trotting of my horse permitted. “Fifty blankets, each with yellow strings +and yellow trimmings; ten iron pots, four gallons each; forty pounds of +gunpowder; seven muskets; twelve pounds of small beads; ten strings of +wampum; fifty gallons of rum, pure Jamaica, and of high proof; a score of +jews-harps, and three dozen first quality English-made tomahawks.” + +“Well, Dirck,” I cried, as soon as through reading, “this is no great +matter to give for forty thousand acres of land, in the colony of New York. +I dare say a hundred pounds currency ($250) would buy every thing here, +even to the rum and the first quality of English-made tomahawks.” + +“Ninety-six pounds, thirteen shillings, seven pence 't'ree fart'in's' was +the footing of the whole bill,” answered Dirck deliberately, preparing to +light his pipe; for he could smoke very conveniently while trotting no +faster than at the rate of six miles the hour. + +“I do not find that dear for forty thousand acres; I suppose the muskets, +and rum, and other things were manufactured expressly for the Indian +trade.” + +“Not they, Corny: you know how it is with the old gentlemen;--they are as +honest as the day.” + +“So much the better for them, and so much the better for us! But what is to +be done with this land, now they own it?” + +Dirck did not answer, until we had trotted twenty rods; for by this time +the pipe was at work, and the moment that smoke was seen he kept his eye on +it, until he saw a bright light in front of his nose. + +“The first thing will be to find it, Corny. When a patent is signed and +delivered, then you must send forth some proper person to find the land it +covers. I have heard of a gentleman who got a grant of ten thousand acres, +five years since; and though he has had a hunt for it every summer since, +he has not been able to find it yet. To be sure, ten thousand acres is a +small object to look for, in the woods.” + +“And our fathers intend to find this land as soon as the season opens?” + +“Not so fast, Corny; not so fast! That was the scheme of your father's +Welsh blood, but mine takes matters more deliberately. Let us wait until +next year, he said, and then we can send the boys. By that time, too, the +war will take some sort of a shape, and we shall know better how to care +for the children. The subject has been fairly talked over between the two +patentees, and we are to go early _next_ spring, not this.” + +The idea of land-hunting was not in the least disagreeable to me; nor was +it unpleasant to think that I stood in reversion, or as heir, to twenty +thousand acres of land, in addition to those of Satanstoe. Dirck and I +talked the matter over, as we trotted on, until both of us began to regret +that the expedition was so far in perspective. + +The war to which Dirck alluded, had broken out a few months before our +visit to town: a Mr. Washington, of Virginia--the same who has since become +so celebrated as the Col Washington of Braddock's defeat, and other events +at the south--having been captured, with a party of his men, in a small +work thrown up in the neighbourhood of the French, somewhere on the +tributaries of the Ohio; a river that is known to run into the Mississippi, +a vast distance to the west. I knew very little then, nor do I know much +now of these remote regions, beyond the fact that there are such places, +and that they are sometimes visited by detachments, war-parties, hunters, +and other adventurers from the colonies. To me, it seems scarce worth +fighting about such distant and wild territory; for ages and ages must +elapse before it can be of any service for the purposes of civilization. +Both Dirck and myself regretted that the summer would be likely to go by +without our seeing the enemy; for we came of families that were commonly +employed on such, occasions. We thought both our fathers might be out; +though even that was a point that still remained under discussion. + +We dined and baited at Kingsbridge, intending to sup in town. While the +dinner was cooking, Dirck and I walked out on the heights that overlook the +Hudson; for I knew less of this noble river than I wished to know of it. We +conversed as we walked; and my companion, who knew the river much better +than myself, having many occasions to pass up and down it, between the +village of Haverstraw and town, in his frequent visits to his relatives +below, gave me some useful information. + +“Look here, Corny,” said Dirck, after betraying a good deal of desire to +obtain a view of some object in the distance, along the river-side; “Look +here, Corny, do you see yonder house, in the little bay below us, with the +lawn that extends down to the water; and that noble orchard behind it?” + +I saw the object to which Dirck alluded. It was a house that stood near the +river, but sheltered and secluded, with the lawn and orchard as described; +though at the distance of some two or three miles all the beauties of the +spot could not be discovered, and many of them had to be received on the +faith of my companion's admiration. Still I saw very plainly, all the +principal objects named; and, among others, the house, the orchard, and the +lawn. The building was of stone--as is common with most of the better sort +of houses in the country--was long, irregular, and had that air of +solid comfort about it, which it is usual to see in buildings of that +description. The walls were not whitewashed, according to the lively tastes +of our Dutch fellow-colonists, who appear to expend all their vivacity in +the pipe and the brush, but were left in their native grey; a circumstance +that rendered the form and dimensions of the structure a little less +distinct, at a first glance, than they might otherwise have proved. As +I gazed at the spot, however, I began to fancy it a charm, to find the +picture thus sobered down; and found a pleasure in drawing the different +angles, and walls, and chimneys, and roofs, from this back-ground, by means +of the organ of sight. On the whole, I thought the little sequestered bay, +the wooded and rocky shores, the small but well distributed lawn, the +orchard, with all the other similar accessories, formed together one of the +prettiest places of the sort I had ever seen. Thinking so, I was not slow +in saying as much to my companion. I was thought to have some taste in +these matters, and had been consulted on the subject of laying out grounds +by one or two neighbours in the county. + +“Whose house is it, Dirck?” I enquired; “and how came you to know anything +about it?” + +“That is Lilacsbush,” answered my friend; “and it belongs to my mother's +cousin, Herman Mordaunt.” + +I had heard of Herman, or, as it is pronounced, Harmar Mordaunt. He was +a man of considerable note in the colony, having been the son of a Major +Mordaunt, of the British army, who had married the heiress of a wealthy +Dutch merchant, whence the name of Herman; which had descended to the son +along with the money. The Dutch were so fond of their own blood, that they +never failed to give this Mr. Mordaunt his Christian name; and he was +usually known in the colony as Herman Mordaunt. Further than this, I knew +little of the gentleman, unless it might be that he was reputed rich, and +was admitted to be in the best society, though not actually belonging to +the territorial or political aristocracy of the colony. + +“As Herman Mordaunt is your mother's cousin, I suppose, Dirck,” I resumed, +“that you have been at Lilacsbush, and ascertained whether the inside of +the house is as pleasant and respectable as the outside.” + +“Often, Corny; while Madam Mordaunt lived, my mother and I used to go there +every summer. The poor lady is now dead, but I go there still.” + +“Why did you not ride on as far as Lilacsbush, and levy a dinner on your +relations? I should think Herman Mordaunt would feel hurt, were he to learn +that an acquaintance, or a relation, had put up at an inn, within a couple +of miles of his own house. I dare say he knows both Major and Capt. +Littlepage, and I protest I shall feel it necessary to send him a note of +apology for not calling. These things ought not to be done, Dirck, among +persons of a certain stamp, and who are supposed to know what is proper.” + +“This would be all right enough, Corny, had Herman Mordaunt, or his +daughter, been at Lilacsbush; but they live in Crown Street, in town, in +winter, and never come out here until after the Pinkster holidays, let +_them_ come when they may.” + +“Oh! he is as great a man as that, is he?--a town and country house; after +all, I do not know whether it would do to be quite so free with one of his +standing, as to go to dine with him without sending notice.” + +“Nonsense, Corny. Who hesitates about stopping at a gentleman's door, when +he is travelling? Herman Mordaunt would have given us a hearty welcome, +and I should have gone on to Lilacsbush, did I not know that the family +is certain to be in town at this season. Easter came early this year, and +to-morrow will be the first day of the Pinkster holidays. As soon as they +are over, Herman Mordaunt and Anneke will be out here to enjoy their lilacs +and roses.” + +“Oh, ho! there is an Anneke, as well as the old gentleman. Pray, how old +may Miss Anneke be, Master Dirck?” + +As this question was asked, I turned to look my friend in the face, and I +found that his handsome, smooth, fair Dutch lineaments were covered with a +glow of red, that it was not usual to see extended so far from his ruddy +cheeks. Dirck was too much of a man, however, to turn away, or to try to +hide blushes so ingenuous; but he answered stoutly-- + +“My cousin, Anneke Mordaunt, is just turned of seventeen; and, I'll tell +you what, Corny--” + +“Well--I am listening, with both ears, to hear your _what_--Out with it, +man; both ears are open.” + +“Why, Anneke (On-na-_kay_), is one of the very prettiest girls in the +colony!--What is more, she is as sweet and goot”--Dirck grew Dutch, as he +grew animated--“as she is pretty.” + +I was quite astounded at the energy and feeling with which this was said. +Dirck was such a matter-of-fact fellow, that I had never dreamed he could +be sensible to the passion of love; nor had I ever paused to analyze the +nature of our own friendship. We liked each other, in the first place, most +probably, from habit; then, we were of characters so essentially different, +that our attachment was influenced by that species of excitement which is +the child of opposition. As we grew older, Dirck's good qualities began to +command my respect, and reason entered more into my affection for him. I +was well convinced that my companion could, and would, prove to be a warm +friend; but the possibility of his ever becoming a lover, had not before +crossed my mind. Even then, the impression made was not very deep or +lasting, though I well remember the sort of admiration and wonder with +which I gazed at his flushed cheek, animated eye, and improved mien. For +the moment, Dirck really had a commanding and animated air. + +“Why, Anneke is one of the prettiest girls in the colony!” my friend had +exclaimed. + +“And your cousin?” + +“My second cousin.--Her mother's father and my mother's mother were brother +and sister.” + +“In that case, I shall hope to have the honour of being introduced, one of +these days, to Miss Anneke Mordaunt, who is just turned of seventeen, and +is one of the prettiest girls in the colony, and is as good as she is +pretty.” + +“I wish you to see her, Corny, and that before we go home,” Dirck replied, +all his philosophy, or phlegm, whichever the philosophy of other people may +term it, returning; “come; let us go back to the inn; our dinner will be +getting cold.” + +I mused on my friend's unusual manner, as we walked back towards the inn; +but it was soon forgotten, in the satisfaction produced by eating a +good, substantial meal of broiled ham, with hot potatoes, boiled eggs, +a beefsteak, done to a turn, with the accessions of pickles, cold-slaw, +apple-pie, and cider. This is a common New York tavern dinner, for the +wayfarer; and, I must say, I have got to like it. Often have I enjoyed such +a repast, after a sharp forenoon's ride; ay, and enjoyed it more than I +have relished entertainments at which have figured turkies, oysters, hams, +hashes, and other dishes, that have higher reputations. Even turtle-soup, +for which we are somewhat famous in New York, has failed to give me the +same delight. + +Dirck, to do him justice, ate heartily; for it is not an easy matter to +take away his appetite. As usual, I did most of the talking; and that +was with our landlady, who, hearing I was a son of her much-esteemed and +constant customer, Major Littlepage, presented herself with the dessert and +cheese, and did me the honour to commence a discourse. Her name was Light; +and light was she certain to cast on everything she discussed; that is to +say, innkeeper's light; which partakes somewhat of the darkness that is so +apt to overshadow no small portion of the minds of her many customers. + +“Pray, Mrs. Light,” I asked, when there was an opening, which was not until +the good woman had exhausted her breath in honour of the Littlepages, +“do you happen to know anything of a family, hereabouts, of the name of +Mordaunt?” + +“Do I _happen_ to know, sir!--Why, Mr. Littlepage, you might almost as well +have asked me, if I had ever heard of a Van Cortlandt, or a Philipse, or +a Morris, or any other of the gentry hereabouts. Mr. Mordaunt has a +country-place, and a very pretty one it is, within two miles and a half of +us; and he and Madame Mordaunt never passed our door, when they went into +the country to see Madame Van Cortlandt, without stopping to say a word, +and leave a shilling. The poor lady is dead; but there is a young image +of her virtues, that is coming a'ter her, that will be likely to do some +damage in the colony. She is modesty itself, sir; so I thought it could do +her no harm, the last time she was here, just to tell her, she ought to be +locked up, for the thefts she was likely to commit, if not for them she had +committed already. She blushed, sir, and looked for all the world like the +shell of the most delicate boiled lobster you ever laid eyes on. She is +truly a charming young lady!” + +“Thefts of hearts, you mean of course, my good Mrs. Light?” + +“Of nothing else, sir; young ladies are apt to steal hearts, you know. +My word for it, Miss Anneke will turn out a great robber, after her own +fashion, you know, sir.” + +“And whose hearts is she likely to run away with, pray? I should be pleased +to hear the names of some of the sufferers.” + +“Lord, sir!--she is too young to have done much _yet_, but wait a +twelvemonth, and I'll answer the question.” + +I could see all this time that Dirck was uneasy, and had some amusement in +watching the workings of his countenance. My malicious intentions, however, +were suddenly interrupted. As if to prevent further discourse, and, at the +same time, further _espionage_, my young friend rose from table, ordering +the horses and the bill. + +During the ride to town, no more was said of Lilacsbush, Herman Mordaunt, +or his daughter Anneke. Dirck was silent, but this was his habit after +dinner, and I was kept a good deal on the alert in order to find the road +which crossed the common, it being our desire to go in that direction. +It is true, we might have gone into town by the way of Bloomingdale, +Greenwich, the meadows and the Collect, and so down past the common upon +the head of Broadway; but my mother had particularly desired we would +fall into the Bowery Lane, passing the seats that are to be found in that +quarter, and getting into Queen Street as soon as possible. By taking this +course she thought we should be less likely to miss our way within the town +itself, which is certainly full of narrow and intricate passages. My uncle +Legge had removed into Duke Street, in the vicinity of Hanover Square; +and Queen Street, I well knew, would lead us directly to his door. Queen +Street, indeed, is the great artery of New York, through which most of its +blood circulates. + +It was drawing towards night when we trotted up to the stable, where we +left our horses, and obtaining a black to shoulder our portmanteaus, we +began to thread the mazes of the capital on foot. New York was certainly, +even in 1757, a wonderful place for commerce! Vessels began to be seen +some distance east of Fly Market, and there could not have been fewer than +twenty ships, brigs, and schooners, lying in the East river, as we walked +down Queen Street. Of course I include all descriptions of vessels that go +to sea, in this estimate. At the present moment, it is probable twice +that number would be seen. There Dirck and I stopped more than once, +involuntarily, to gaze at the exhibitions of wealth and trade that offered +themselves as we went deeper into the town. My mother had particularly +cautioned me against falling into this evidence of country habits, and +I felt much ashamed at each occurrence of the weakness; but I found it +irresistible. At length my friend and I parted; he to go to the residence +of his aunt, while I proceeded to that of mine. Before separating, however +we agreed to meet next morning in the fields at the head of Broadway, +on the common, which, as it was understood, was to be the scene of the +Pinkster sports. + +My reception in Duke Street was cordial, both on the part of my uncle and +on the part of my aunt; the first being a good-hearted person, though a +little too apt to run into extravagance on the subject of the rights of the +rabble. I was pleased with the welcome I received, enjoyed an excellent hot +supper, to which we sat down at half-past eight, my aunt being fond of town +hours, both dining and supping a little later than my mother, as being more +fashionable and genteel. [9] As I was compelled to confess fatigue, after +so long a ride, as soon as we quitted the table I retired to my own room. + +The next day was the first of the three that are devoted to Pinkster, the +great Saturnalia of the New York blacks. Although this festival is always +kept with more vivacity at Albany than in York, it is far from being +neglected, even now, in the latter place. I had told my aunt, before I left +her, I should not wait for breakfast, but should be up with the sun, and +off in quest of Dirck, in order that we might enjoy a stroll along the +wharves before it was time to repair to the common, where the fun was to +be seen. Accordingly I got out of the house betimes, though it was an hour +later than I had intended; for I heard the rattling of cups in the little +parlour, the sign that the table was undergoing the usual process of +arrangement for breakfast. It then occurred to me that most, if not all of +the servants, seven in number, would be permitted to enjoy the holiday; +and that it might be well if I took all my meals, that day, in the fields. +Running back to the room, I communicated this intention to Juno, the girl I +found doing Pompey's work, and left the house on a jump. There was no +great occasion for starving, I thought, in a town as large and as full +of eatables as New York; and the result fully justified this reasonable +opinion. + +Just as I got into Hanover Square, I saw a grey-headed negro, who was for +turning a penny before he engaged in the amusements of the day, carrying +two pails that were scoured to the neatness of Dutch fastidiousness, and +which were suspended from the yoke he had across his neck and shoulders. He +cried “White wine--white wine!” in a clear sonorous voice; and I was at his +side in a moment. White wine was, and is still, my delight of a morning; +and I bought a delicious draught of the purest and best of a Communipaw +vintage, eating a cake at the same time. Thus refreshed, I proceeded into +the square, the beauty of which had struck my fancy as I walked through it +the previous evening. To my surprise, whom should I find in the very centre +of Queen Street, gaping about him with a most indomitable Connecticut +air, but Jason Newcome! A brief explanation let me into the secret of his +presence. His boys had all gone home to enjoy the Pinkster holiday, with +the black servants of their respective families; and Jason had seized the +opportunity to pay his first visit to the great capital of the colony. He +was on his travels, like myself. + +“And what has brought you down here?” I demanded, the pedagogue having +already informed me that he had put up at a tavern in the suburbs, where +horse-keeping and lodgings were “reasonable.” “The Pinkster fields are up +near the head of Broadway, on the common.” + +“So I hear,” answered Jason; “but I want to see a ship and all the sights +this way, in the first place. It will be time enough for Pinkster, two or +three hours hence, if a Christian ought even to look at such vanities. Can +you tell me where I am to find Hanover Square, Corny?” + +“You are in it now, Mr. Newcome; and to my fancy, a very noble area it is!” + +“_This_ Hanover Square!” repeated Jason. “Why, its shape is not that of a +square at all; it is nearer a _triangle_.” + +“What of that, sir? By a square in a town, one does not necessarily +understand an area with four equal sides and as many right angles, but an +open space that is left for air and beauty. There are air and beauty enough +to satisfy any reasonable man. A square may be a parallelogram, or a +triangle, or any other shape one pleases.” + +“This, then, is Hanover Square!--a New York square, or a Nassau Hall +square, Corny; but not a Yale College square, take my word for it. It is so +small, moreover!” + +“Small!--the width of the street at the widest end must be near a hundred +feet; I grant you it is not half that at the other end, but that is owing +to the proximity of the houses.” + +“Ay, it is all owing to the proximity of the houses, as you call it. Now, +according to my notion, Hanover Square, of which a body hears so much talk +in the country, ought to have had fifty or sixty acres in it, and statues +of the whole House of Brunswick, besides. Why is that nest of houses left +in the middle of your square?” + +“It is not, sir. The square ceases when it reaches _them._ They are too +valuable to be torn down, although there has been some talk of it. My uncle +Legge told me, last evening, that those houses have been valued as high as +twelve thousand dollars; and some persons put them as high as six thousand +pounds.” + +This reconciled Jason to the houses; for he never failed to defer to money, +come in what shape it would. It was the only source of human distinction +that he could clearly comprehend, though he had some faint impressions +touching the dignity of the crown, and the respect due to its +representatives. + +“Corny,” said Jason, in an under tone, and taking me by the arm to lead me +aside, though no one was near, like a man who has a great secret to ask, or +to communicate, “what was that I saw you taking for your bitters, a little +while ago?” + +“Bitters! I do not understand you, Jason. Nothing bitter have I tasted +to-day; nor can I say I have any great wish to put anything bitter into my +mouth.” + +“Why, the draught you got from the nigger who is now coming back across the +square, as you call it, and which you seemed to enj'y particularly. I am +dry, myself, and should wonderfully like a drink.” + +“Oh! that fellow sells 'white wine,' and you will find it delicious. If you +want your 'bitters,' as you call them, you cannot do better than stop him, +and give him a penny.” + +“Will he let it go so desperate cheap as that?” demanded Jason, his eyes +twinkling with a sort of “bitters” expectation. + +“That is the stated price. Stop him boldly; there is no occasion for all +this Connecticut modesty. Here, uncle, this gentleman wishes a cup of your +white wine.” + +Jason turned away in alarm, to see who was looking on; and, when the cup +was put into his hand, he shut his eyes, determined to gulp its contents at +a swallow, in the most approved “bitters” style. About half the liquor went +down his throat, the rest being squirted back in a small white stream. + +“Buttermilk, by Jingo!” exclaimed the disappointed pedagogue, who expected +some delicious combination of spices with rum. St. Jingo was the only +saint, and a “darnation” or “darn you,” were the only oaths his puritan +education ever permitted him to use. + +[Footnote 9: The dinner of the last half century is, in one sense, but a +substitute for the _petits soupers_ of the century or two that preceded. It +is so entirely rational and natural, that the cultivated and refined should +meet for the purposes of social enjoyment after the business of the day has +terminated, that the supper has only given place to the same meal under +another name, and at hours little varying from those of the past. The +Parisian dines at half-past six, remaining at table until eight. The +Englishman, later in all his hours, and more ponderous in all his habits, +sits down to table about the time the Frenchman gets up; quitting it +between nine and ten. The Italian pays a tribute to his climate, and has +his early dinner and light supper, both usually alone, the habits of the +country carrying him to the opera and the _conversazione_ for social +communion. But what is the American? A jumble of the same senseless +contradictions in his social habits, as he is fast getting to be in his +political creeds and political practices; a being that is _in transitu_, +pressed by circumstances on the one side, and by the habit of imitation on +the other; unwilling, almost unable, to think and act for himself. The only +American who is temporarily independent in such things, is the unfledged +provincial, fresh from his village conceit and village practices, who, +until corrected by communion with the world, fancies the south-east corner +of the north-west parish, in the town of Hebron, in the county of Jericho, +and the State of Connecticut, to be the only portion of this globe that is +perfection. If he should happen to keep a school, or conduct a newspaper, +the community becomes, in a small degree, the participant of his rare +advantages and vast experience!--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + “Here's your fine clams! + As white as snow! + On Rockaway these clams do grow.” + + _New York Cries_. + + +It was some time before Jason's offended dignity and disappointment would +permit him to smile at the mistake; and we had walked some distance towards +Old Slip, where I was to meet Dirck, before the pedagogue even opened his +lips. Then, the only allusion he made to the white wine, was to call it +“a plaguy Dutch cheat;” for Jason had implicitly relied on having that +peculiar beverage of his caste, known as “bitters.” What he meant by +a _Dutch_ cheat, I do not know; unless he thought the buttermilk was +particularly Dutch, and _this_ buttermilk an imposition. + +Dirck was waiting for me at the Old Slip; and, on inquiry, I found he had +enjoyed his draught of white wine as well as myself, and was ready for +immediate service. We proceeded along the wharves in a body, admiring the +different vessels that lined them. About nine o'clock, all three of us +passed up Wall Street, on the stoops of which, no small portion of its +tenants were already seated, enjoying the sight of the negroes, as, with +happy “shining” faces they left the different dwellings, to hasten to the +Pinkster field. Our passage through the street attracted a good deal of +attention; for, being all three strangers, it was not to be supposed we +could be thus seen in a body, without exciting a remark. Such a thing could +hardly have been expected in London itself. + +After showing Jason the City Hall, Trinity Church, and the City Tavern, we +went out of town, taking the direction of a large common that the King's +officers had long used for a parade-ground, and which has since been called +the Park, though it would be difficult to say why, since it is barely a +paddock in size, and certainly has never been used to keep any animals +wilder than the boys of the town. A park, I suppose, it will one day +become, though it has little at present that comports with my ideas of such +a thing. On this common, then, was the Pinkster ground, which was now quite +full of people, as well as of animation. + +There was nothing new in a Pinkster frolic, either to Dirck, or to myself; +though Jason gazed at the whole procedure with wonder. He was born within +seventy miles of that very spot, but had not the smallest notion before, of +such a holiday as Pinkster. There are few blacks in Connecticut, I believe; +and those that are there, are so ground down in the Puritan mill, that they +are neither fish, flesh, nor red-herring, as we say of a nondescript. No +man ever heard of a festival in New England, that had not some immediate +connection with the saints, or with politics. + +Jason was at first confounded with the noises, dances, music, and games +that were going on. By this time, nine-tenths of the blacks of the city, +and of the whole country within thirty or forty miles, indeed, were +collected in thousands in those fields, beating banjoes, singing African +songs, drinking, and worst of all, laughing in a way that seemed to set +their very hearts rattling within their ribs. Everything wore the aspect of +good-humour, though it was good-humour in its broadest and coarsest forms. +Every sort of common game was in requisition, while drinking was far from +being neglected. Still, not a man was drunk. A drunken negro, indeed, is by +no means a common thing. The features that distinguish a Pinkster frolic +from the usual scenes at fairs, and other merry-makings, however, were of +African origin. It is true, there are not now, nor were there then, many +blacks among us of African birth; but the traditions and usages of their +original country were so far preserved as to produce a marked difference +between this festival, and one of European origin. Among other things, some +were making music, by beating on skins drawn over the ends of hollow +logs, while others were dancing to it, in a manner to show that they felt +infinite delight. This, in particular, was said to be a usage of their +African progenitors. + +Hundreds of whites were walking through the fields, amused spectators. +Among these last were a great many children of the better class, who had +come to look at the enjoyment of those who attended them, in their own +ordinary amusements. Many a sable nurse did I see that day, chaperoning +her young master, a young mistress, or both together, through the various +groups; demanding of all, and receiving from all, the respect that one of +these classes was accustomed to pay to the other. + +A great many young ladies between the ages of fifteen and twenty were also +in the field, either escorted by male companions, or, what was equally as +certain of producing deference, under the dare of old female nurses, who +belonged to the race that kept the festival. We had been in the field +ourselves two hours, and even Jason was beginning to condescend to be +amused, when, unconsciously, I got separated from my companions, and was +wandering through the groups by myself, as I came on a party of young +girls, who were under the care of two or three wrinkled and grey-headed +negresses, so respectably attired, as to show at once they were +confidential servants in some of the better families. As for the young +ladies themselves, most were still of the age of school girls; though there +were some of that equivocal age, when the bud is just breaking into the +opening flower, and one or two that were even a little older; young women +in forms and deportment, though scarcely so in years. One of a party of two +of the last, appeared to me to possess all the grace of young womanhood, +rendered radiant by the ingenuous laugh, the light-hearted playfulness, and +the virgin innocence of sweet seventeen. She was simply, but very prettily +dressed, and everything about her attire, air, carriage and manner, denoted +a young lady of the better class, who was just old enough to feel all the +proprieties of her situation, while she was still sufficiently youthful to +enjoy all the fun. As she came near me, it seemed as if I knew her; but it +was not until I heard her sweet, mirthful voice, that I recollected the +pretty little thing in whose behalf I had taken a round with the butcher's +boy, on the Bowery road, near six years before. As her party came quite +near the spot where I stood, what was only conjecture at first, was reduced +to a certainty. + +In the surprise of the moment, happening to catch the eye of the young +creature, I was emboldened to make her a low bow. At first she smiled, +like one who fancies she recognises an acquaintance; then her face became +scarlet, and she returned my bow with a very lady-like, but, at the same +time, a very distant curtsey; upon which, bending her blue eyes to the +ground, she turned away, seemingly to speak to her companion. After this, +I could not advance to speak, though I was strongly in hopes the old black +nurse who was with her would recognise me, for she had manifested much +concern about me on the occasion of the quarrel with the young butcher. +This did not occur; and old Katrinke, as I heard the negress called, +jabbered away, explaining the meaning of the different ceremonies of +her race, to a cluster of very interested listeners, without paying any +attention to me. The tongues of the pretty little things went, as girls' +tongues will go, though my unknown fair one maintained all the reserve +and quiet of manner that comported with her young womanhood, and apparent +condition in life. + +“Dere, Miss Anneke!” exclaimed Katrinke, suddenly; “dere come a genttleum +dat will bring a pleasure, I know.” + +“_Anneke,” I_ repeated, mentally, and “gentleman that will cause pleasure +by his appearance.” “Can it be Dirck?” I thought. Sure enough, Dirck it +proved to be, who advanced rapidly to the group, making a general salute, +and finishing by shaking my beautiful young stranger's hands, and +addressing her by the name of “cousin Anneke.” This, then, was Annie +Mordaunt, as the young lady was commonly called in the English circles, +the only child and heiress of Herman Mordaunt, of Crown Street and of +Lilacsbush. Well, Dirck has more taste than I had ever given him credit +for! Just as this thought glanced through my mind, my figure caught my +friend's eye, and, with a look of pride and exultation, he signed to me to +draw nearer, though I had managed to get pretty near as it was, already. + +“Cousin Anneke,” said Dirck, who never used circumlocution, when direct +means were at all available, “this is Corny Littlepage, of whom you have +heard me speak so often, and for whom I ask one of your best curtsies and +sweetest smiles.” + +Miss Mordaunt was kind enough to comply literally, both curtsying and +smiling precisely as she had been desired to do, though I could see she was +also slightly disposed to laugh. I was still making my bow, and mumbling +some unintelligible compliment, when Katrinke gave a little exclamation, +and using the freedom of an old and confidential servant, she eagerly +pulled the sleeve of her young mistress, and hurriedly whispered something +in her ear. Anneke coloured, turned quickly towards me, bent her eyes more +boldly and steadily on my face--and then it was that I fancied the sweetest +smile which mortal had ever received, or that with which I had just before +been received, was much surpassed. + +“Mr. Littlepage, I believe, is not a total stranger, cousin Dirck,” she +said. “Katrinke remembers him, as a young gentleman who once did me an +important service, and now I think I can trace the resemblance myself! I +allude to the boy who insulted me on the Bowery Road, Mr. Littlepage, and +your handsome interference in my behalf.” + +“Had there been twenty boys, Miss Mordaunt, an insult to _you_ would have +been resented by any man of ordinary spirit.” + +I do not know that any youth, who was suddenly put to his wits to be +polite, or sentimental, or feeling, could have done a great deal better +than _that_! So Anneke thought too, I fancy, for her colour increased, +rendering her ravishingly lovely, and she looked surprisingly pleased. + +“Yes,” put in Dirck with energy,--“let twenty, or a hundred try it if they +please, Anneke, men or boys, and they'll find those that will protect you.” + +“You for one, of course, cousin Dirck,” rejoined the charming girl, holding +out her hand towards my friend, with a frankness I could have dispensed +with in her; “but, you will remember, Mr. Littlepage, or _Master_ +Littlepage as he then was, was a stranger, and I had no such claim on +_him_, as I certainly have on you.” + +“Well, Corny, it is odd you never said a word of this to me! when I was +showing him Lilacsbush, and talking of you and of your father, not a word +did he say on the subject.” + +“I did not then know it was Miss Mordaunt I had been so fortunate as to +serve; but here is Mr. Newcome at your elbow, Follock, and dying to be +introduced, as he sees I have been.” + +Anneke turned to smile and curtsey again to Jason, who made his bow in +a very school-master sort of a fashion, while I could see that the +circumstance I had not boasted of my exploit gave it new importance in the +sweet creature's eyes. As for Jason, he had no sooner got along with +the introduction,--the first, I fancy, he had ever gone regularly +through,--than, profiting by some questions Miss Mordaunt was asking Dirck +about his mother and the rest of the family, he came round to me, drew me +aside by a jerk of the sleeve, and gave me to understand he had something +for my private ear. + +“I did not know before that you had ever kept school, Corny,” he half +whispered earnestly. + +“How do you know it now, Mr. Newcome? since the thing never happened?” + +“How comes it, then, that this young woman called you _Master_ Littlepage?” + +“Bah! Jason, wait a year or two, and you will begin to get truer notions of +us New Yorkers.” + +“But I heard her with my own ears--_Master_ Littlepage; as plain as words +were ever called.” + +“Well, then, Miss Mordaunt must be right, and I have forgotten the affair. +I must once have kept a woman's school, somewhere in my younger days, but +forgotten it.” + +“Now this is nothing (nawthin', as expressed) but you? desperate York +pride, Corny; but I think all the better of you for it. Why, as it could +not have taken place after you went to college, you must have got the start +of even me! But, the Rev. Mr. Worden is enough to start a youth with a +large capital, if he be so minded. I admit he does understand the dead +languages. It is a pity he is so very dead in religious matters.” + +“Well--well--I will tell you all about it another time, you perceive, now, +that Miss Mordaunt wishes to move on, and does not like to quit us too +abruptly. Let us follow.” + +Jason complied, and for an hour or two we had the pleasure of accompanying +the young ladies, as they strolled among the booths and different groups of +that singular assembly. As has been said, most of the blacks had been born +in the colony, but there were some native Africans among them. New York +never had slaves on the system of the southern planters, or in gangs of +hundreds, to labour in the fields under overseers, and who lived apart in +cabins of their own; but, our system of slavery was strictly domestic, the +negro almost invariably living under the same roof with the master, or, if +his habitation was detached, as certainly sometimes happened, it was still +near at hand, leaving both races as parts of a common family. In the +country, the negroes never toiled in the field, but it was as ordinary +husbandmen; and, in the cases of those who laboured on their own property, +or as tenants of some extensive land-ford, the black did his work at his +master's side. Then all, or nearly all our household servants were, and +still are, blacks, leaving that department of domestic economy almost +exclusively in their hands, with the exception of those cases in which the +white females busied themselves also in such occupations, united to the +usual supervision of the mistresses. Among the Dutch, in particular, the +treatment of the negro was of the kindest character, a trusty field slave +often having quite as much to say on the subject of the tillage and the +crops, as the man who owned both the land he worked, and himself. + +A party of native Africans kept us for half an hour. The scene seemed to +have revived their early associations, and they were carried away with +their own representation of semi-savage sports. The American-born blacks +gazed at this group with intense interest also, regarding them as so many +ambassadors from the land of their ancestors, to enlighten them in usages +and superstitious lore, that were more peculiarly suited to their race. The +last even endeavoured to imitate the acts of the first, and, though the +attempt was often ludicrous, it never failed on the score of intention and +gravity. Nothing was done in the way of caricature, but much in the way of +respect and affection. + +Lest the habits of this generation should pass away and be forgotten, of +which I see some evidence, I will mention a usage that was quite common +among the Dutch, and which has passed in some measure, into the English +families that have formed connections with the children of Holland. Two of +these intermarriages had so far brought the Littlepages within the pale, +that the usage to which I allude was practised in my own case. The custom +was this: when a child of the family reached the age of six, or eight, a +young slave of the same age and sex, was given to him, or her, with some +little formality, and from that moment the fortunes of the two were +considered to be, within the limits of their respective pursuits and +positions, as those of man and wife. It is true, divorces do occur, but it +is only in cases of gross misconduct, and quite as often the misconduct is +on the side of the master, as on that of the slave. A drunkard may get in +debt, and be compelled to part with his blacks this one among the rest; but +this particular negro remains with him as long as anything remains. Slaves +that seriously misbehave, are usually sent to the islands, where the toil +on the sugar plantations proves a very sufficient punishment. + +The day I was six, a boy was given to me, in the manner I have mentioned; +and he remained not only my property, but my factotum, to this moment. +It was Yaap, or Jacob, the negro to whom I have already had occasion to +allude. Anneke Mordaunt, whose grandmother was of a Dutch family, it will +be remembered, had with her there, in the Pinkster field, a negress of just +her own age, who was called Mari; not Mary, or Maria; but the last, as +it would be pronounced without the final a. This _Mari_ was a buxom, +glistening, smooth-faced, laughing, red-lipped, pearl-toothed, black-eyed +hussy, that seemed born for fun; and who was often kept in order by +her more sedate and well-mannered young mistress with a good deal of +difficulty. My fellow was on the ground, somewhere, too; for I had given +him permission to come to town to keep Pinkster; and he was to leave +Satanstoe, in a sloop, within an hour after I left it myself. The wind had +been fair, and I made no question of his having arrived; though, as yet, I +had not seen him. + +I could have accompanied Anneke, and her party, all day, through that +scene of unsophisticated mirth, and felt no want of interest. Her presence +immediately produced an impression; even the native Africans moderating +their manner, and lowering their yells, as it might be, the better to suit +her more refined tastes. No one, in our set, was too dignified to laugh, +but Jason. The pedagogue, it is true, often expressed his disgust at the +amusements and antics of the negroes, declaring they were unbecoming human +beings and otherwise manifesting that disposition to hypercriticism, which +is apt to distinguish one who is only a tyro in his own case. + +Such was the state of things, when Ma_ri_ came rushing up to her young +mistress, with distended eyes and uplifted hands, exclaiming, on a key that +necessarily made us all sharers in the communication-- + +“Oh! Miss Anneke!--What you t'ink, Miss Anneke! Could you ever s'pose sich +a t'ing, Miss Anneke!” + +“Tell me at once, Mari, what it is you have seen, or heard; and leave off +these silly exclamations;” said the gentle mistress, with a colour that +proved she was unused to her own girl's manner. + +“Who _could_ t'ink it, Miss Anneke! Dese, here, werry niggers have sent +all'e way to deir own country, and have had a lion cotched for Pinkster!” + +This was news, indeed, if true. Not one of us all had ever seen a lion; +wild animals, then, being exceedingly scarce in the colonies, with the +exception of those that were taken in our own woods. I had seen several +of the small brown bears, and many a wolf, and one stuffed panther, in my +time; but never supposed it within the range of possibilities, that I could +be brought so near a living lion. Inquiry showed, nevertheless, that Mari +was right, with the exception of the animal's having been expressly +caught for the occasion. It was the beast of a showman, who was also the +proprietor of a very active and amusing monkey. The price of admission was +a quarter of a dollar, for adult whites; children and negroes going in for +half-price. These preliminaries understood, it was at once settled that all +who could muster enough of money and courage, should go in a body, and gaze +on the king of beasts. I say, of courage; for it required a good deal for a +female novice to go near a living lion. + +The lion was kept in a cage, of course, which was placed in a temporary +building of boards, that had been erected for the Pinkster field. As we +drew near the door, I saw that the cheeks of several of the pretty young +creatures who belonged to the party of Anneke, began to turn pale; a sign +of weakness that, singular as it may appear, very sensibly extended itself +to most of their attendant negresses. Mari did not flinch, however; and, +when it came to the trial, of that sex, she and her mistress were the only +two who held out in the original resolution of entering. Some time +was thrown away in endeavouring to persuade two or three of her older +companions to go in with her; but, finding it useless, with a faint smile, +Miss Mordaunt calmly said-- + +“Well, gentlemen, Mari and myself must compose the female portion of the +party. I have never seen a lion, and would not, by any means, miss this +opportunity. We shall find my friends waiting for such portions of us as +shall not be eaten, on our return.” + +We were now near the door, where stood the man who received the money, and +gave the tickets. It happened that Dirck had been stopped by a gentleman of +his acquaintance, who had just left the building, and who was laughingly +relating some incident that had occurred within. I stood on one side of +Anneke, Jason on the other, while Mari was close in the rear. + +“A quarter for each gentleman and the lady,” said the door-keeper, “and a +shilling for the wench.” + +On this hint, Jason, to my great surprise, (for usually he was very +backward on such occasions,) drew out a purse, and emptying some silver +into his hand, he said with a flourish-- + +“Permit me, Miss--it is an honour I covet; a quarter for yourself, and a +shilling for Mari.” + +I saw Anneke colour, and her eye turn hastily towards Dirck. Before I had +time to say anything, or to do anything in fact, she answered steadily-- + +“Give yourself no trouble, Mr. Newcome; Mr. Littlepage will do me the +favour to obtain tickets for me.” + +Jason had the money in his fingers, and I passed him and bought the +tickets, while he was protesting-- + +“It gave him pleasure--he was proud of the occasion--another time her +brother could do the same for his sisters and he had six,” and other +matters of the sort. + +I simply placed the tickets in Anneke's hand, who received them with an +expression of thanks, and we all passed; Dirck inquiring of his cousin, as +he came up, if he should get her tickets. I mention this little incident as +showing the tact of woman, and will relate all that pertains to it, before +I proceed to other things. Anneke said nothing on the subject of her +tickets until we had left the booth, when she approached me, and with that +grace and simplicity which a well-bred woman knows how to use on such an +occasion, and quietly observed-- + +“I am under obligations to you, Mr. Littlepage, for having paid for my +tickets;--they cost three shillings, I believe.” + +I bowed, and had the pleasure of almost touching Miss Mordaunt's beautiful +little hand, as she gave me the money. At this instant, a jerk at my elbow +came near causing me to drop the silver. It was Jason, who had taken this +liberty, and who now led me aside with a earnestness of manner it was not +usual for him to exhibit. I saw by the portentous look of the pedagogue's +countenance, and his swelling manner, that something extraordinary was on +his mind, and waited with some little curiosity to learn what it might be. + +“Why, what in human natur', Corny, do you mean?” he cried, almost angrily. +“Did ever mortal man hear of a gentleman's making a lady pay for a treat! +Do you know you have made Miss Anneke pay for a treat!” + +“A treat, Mr. Newcome!” + +“Yes, a treat, Mr. Corny Littlepage! How often do you think young ladies +will accompany you to shows, and balls, and other sights, if you make _them +pay_!” + +Then a laugh of derision added emphasis to Jason's words. + +“Pay!--could I presume to think Miss Mordaunt would suffer me to pay money +for her, or for her servant?” + +“You almost make me think you a nat'ral! Young men _always_ pay for young +women, and no questions asked. Did you not remark how smartly I offered to +pay for this Miss, and how well she took it, until you stepped forward and +cut me out;--I bore it, for it saved me three nine-pences.” + +“I observed how Miss Mordaunt shrunk from the familiarity of being called +Miss, and how unwilling she was to let you buy the tickets; and that I +suspect was solely because she saw you had some notion of what you call a +treat.” + +I cannot enter into the philosophy of the thing, but certainly nothing is +more vulgar in English, to address a young lady as Miss, without affixing +a name, whereas I know it is the height of breeding to say Mademoiselle in +French, and am told the Spaniards, Italians and Germans, use its synonyme +in the same manner. I had been indignant at Jason's familiarity when he +called Anneke--the pretty Anneke!--Miss; and felt glad of an occasion to +let him understand how I felt on the subject. + +“What a child you be, a'ter all, Corny!” exclaimed the pedagogue, who was +much too good-natured to take offence at a trifle. “You a bachelor of arts! +But this matter _must_ be set right, if it be only for the honour of my +school. Folks”--Jason never blundered on the words 'one' or 'people' in +this sense--“Folks may think that you have been in the school since it has +been under my care, and I wouldn't for the world have it get abroad that +a youth from my school had neglected to treat a lady under such +circumstances.” + +Conceiving it useless to remonstrate with _me_ any further, Jason proceeded +forthwith to Anneke, with whom he begged permission to say a word in +private. So eager was my companion to wipe out the stain, and so surprised +was the young lady, who gently declined moving more than a step, that the +conference took place immediately under my observation, neither of the +parties being aware that I necessarily heard or saw all that passed. + +“You must excuse Corny, Miss,” Jason commenced, producing his purse again, +and beginning to hunt anew for a quarter and a shilling; “he is quite +young, and knows nawthin' worth speaking of, of the ways of mankind. Ah! +here is just the money--three ninepennies, or three York shillings. Here, +Miss, excuse Corny, and overlook it all; when he is older, he will not make +such blunders.” + +“I am not certain that I understand you, sir!” exclaimed Anneke, who had +shrunk back a little at the 'Miss,' and who now saw Jason hold out the +silver, with a surprise she took no pains to conceal. + +“This is the price of the tickets--yes, that's all. Naw-thin' else, on +honour. Corny, you remember, was so awful dumb as to let you pay, just as +if you had been a gentleman.” + +Anneke now smiled, and glancing at me at the same instant, a bright blush +suffused her face, though the meaning of my eye, as I could easily see, +strongly tempted her to laugh. + +“It is very well as it is, Mr. Newcome, though I feel much indebted to +your liberal intentions,” she said, turning to rejoin her friends; “it is +customary in New York for ladies to pay, themselves, for everything of this +nature. When I go to Connecticut, I shall feel infinitely indebted to you +for another such offer.” + +Jason did not know what to make of it! He long after insisted that the +young lady was 'huffed,' as he called it, and that she had refused to take +the money merely because she was thus offended. + +“There is a manner, you know, Corny,” he said, “of doing even a genteel +thing, and that is to do it genteelly. I much doubt if a genteel thing +_can_ be done ungenteelly. One thing I'm thankful for, and that is, that +she don't know that you ever were at the 'Seminarian Institute' in your +life;” such being the appellation Jason had given to that which Mr. Worden +had simply called a 'Boys' School.' To return to the booth. + +The lion had many visitors, and we had some difficulty in finding places. +As a matter of course, Anneke was put in front, most of the men who were in +the booth giving way to her with respectful attention. Unfortunately, +the young lady wore an exceedingly pretty shawl, in which scarlet was a +predominant colour; and that which occurred has been attributed to this +circumstance, though I am far from affirming such to have been literally +the case. Anneke, from the first, manifested no fear; but the circle +pressing on her from without, she got so near the cage that the beast +thrust a paw through, and actually caught hold of the shawl, drawing the +alarmed girl quite up to the bars. I was at Anneke's side, and with a +presence of mind that now surprises me, I succeeded in throwing the shawl +from the precious creature's shoulders, and of fairly lifting her from the +ground and setting her down again at a safe distance from the beast. All +this passed so soon that half the persons present were unconscious of what +had occurred until it was all over; and what astonishes me most is, that I +do not retain the least recollection of the pleasure I ought to have felt +while my arm encircled Anneke Mordaunt's slender waist, and while she was +altogether supported by me. The keeper interfered immediately, and the lion +relinquished the shawl, looking like a disappointed beast when he found it +did not contain its beautiful owner. + +Anneke was rescued before she had time fully to comprehend the danger she +had been in. Even Dirck could not advance to her aid, though he saw and +comprehended the imminent risk ran by the being he loved best in the world; +but Dirck was always so slow! I must do Jason the credit to say that he +behaved well, though so situated as to be of no real use. He rushed forward +to assist Anneke, and remained to draw away the shawl, as soon as the +keeper had succeeded in making the lion relinquish his hold. But, all this +passed so rapidly, as to give little opportunity for noting incidents. + +Anneke was certainly well frightened by this adventure with the lion, as +was apparent by her changing colour, and a few tears that succeeded. Still, +a glass of water, and a minute or two, seated in a chair, were sufficient +to restore her self-composure, and she remained with us, for half an hour, +examining and admiring her terrible assailant. + +And, here, let me add, for the benefit of those who have never had an +opportunity of seeing the king of beasts, that he is a sight well worthy to +behold! I have never viewed an elephant, which travelled gentlemen tell me +is a still more extraordinary animal, though I find it difficult to imagine +anything finer, in its way, than the lion which came so near injuring +“sweet Anne Mordaunt.” I question if any of us were aware of the full +extent of the danger she ran, until we began to reflect on it coolly, after +time and leisure were afforded. As soon as the commotion naturally produced +at first, had subsided, the incident seemed forgotten, and we left the +booth, after a long visit, expatiating on the animal, and its character, +apparently in forgetfulness of that which, by one blow of his powerful paw, +the lion might have rendered fatal to one of the very sweetest and +happiest innocents of the whole province, but for the timely and merciful +interposition of a kind providence. + +After the little affair of the tickets, I walked on with Anneke, who +declared her intention of quitting the field, her escape beginning to +affect her spirits, and she was afraid that some particularly kind friend +might carry an exaggerated account of what had happened to her father. +Dirck offered to accompany her home, for Mr. Mordaunt kept no carriage; or, +at least, nothing that was habitually used as a town equipage. We had all +gone as far as the verge of the Common with Anneke, when the sweet girl +stopped, looked at me earnestly, and, while her colour changed and tears +rose to her eyes, she said,-- + +“Mr. Littlepage, I am just getting to be fully conscious of what I owe to +you. The thing passed so suddenly, and I was so much alarmed, that I did +not know how to express myself at the time, nor am I certain that I do now. +Believe me, notwithstanding, that I never can forget this morning, and I +beg of you, if you have a sister, to carry to her the proffered friendship +of Anneke Mordaunt, and tell her that her own prayers in behalf of her +brother will not be more sincere than mine.” + +Before I could recollect myself, so as to make a suitable answer, Anneke +had curtsied and walked away, with her handkerchief to her eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + “Nay, be brief: + I see into thy end, and am almost + A man already.” + + _Cymbeline_. + + +As Dirck accompanied Miss Mordaunt to her father's house in Crown Street, +[10] I took an occasion to give Jason the slip, being in no humour to +listen to his lectures on the proprieties of life, and left the Pinkster +field as fast as I could. Notwithstanding the size and importance of New +York, a holiday like this could not fail to draw great crowds of persons +to witness the sports. In 1757, James de Lancey was at the head of the +government of the province, as indeed he had been, in effect, for much of +his life; and I remember to have met his chariot, carrying the younger +children of the family to the field, on my way into the town. As the day +advanced, carriages of one sort and another made their appearance in +Broadway, principally conveying the children of their different owners. All +these belonged to people of the first mark; and I saw the Ship that denotes +the arms of Livingston, the Lance, of the de Lanceys, the Burning Castle, +of the Morrises, and other armorial bearings that were well known in the +province. Carriages, certainly, were not as common in 1757 as they have +since become; but most of our distinguished people rode in their coaches, +chariots, or phaetons, or conveyances of some sort or other, when there was +occasion to go so far out of town as the Common, which is the site of the +present “Park.” The roads on the island of Manhattan were very pretty and +picturesque, winding among rocks and through valleys, being lined with +groves and copses in a way to render all the drives rural and retired. Here +and there, one came to a country-house, the residence of some person of +importance, which, by its comfort and snugness, gave all the indications +of wealth and of a prudent taste. Mr. Speaker Nicoll had [11] occupied a +dwelling of this sort for a long series of years, that was about a league +from town, and which is still standing, as I pass it constantly in +travelling between Satanstoe and York. I never saw the Patentee myself, as +he died long before my birth; but his house near town still stands, as I +have said, a memorial of past ages! + +The whole town seemed alive, and everybody had a desire to get a glance at +the sports of the Pinkster Field; though the more dignified and cultivated +had self-denial enough to keep aloof, since it would hardly have comported +with their years and stations to be seen in such a place. The war had +brought many regiments into the province, however, and I met at least +twenty young officers, strolling out to the scene of amusement, as I walked +into town. I will confess I gazed at these youths with admiration, and not +entirely without envy, as they passed me in pairs, laughing and diverting +themselves with the grotesque groups of blacks that were occasionally +met, coming in from their sports. These young men I knew had enjoyed the +advantages of being educated at home, some of them, quite likely, in the +Universities, and all of them amid the high civilization and taste of +England. I say all of them, too hastily; as there were young men of the +colonies among them, who probably had not enjoyed these advantages. The +easy air, self-possession, and quiet, what shall I call it?--insolence +would be too strong a word, and a term that I, the son and grandson of old +king's officers, would not like to apply, and yet it comes nearest to what +I mean as applicable to the covert manner of these young men--but, whatever +it was, that peculiar air of metropolitan superiority over provincial +ignorance and provincial dependence, which certainly distinguished all the +younger men of this class, had an effect on me, I find it difficult to +describe. I was a loyal subject, loved the King,--most particularly since +he was so identified with the Protestant succession,--loved all of the +blood-royal, and wished for nothing more than the honour and lustre of the +English crown. One thus disposed could not but feel amicably towards the +King's officers; yet, I will confess, there were moments when this air of +ill-concealed superiority, this manner that so much resembled that of the +master towards the servant, the superior to the dependent, the patron +to the client, gave me deep offence, and feelings so bitter, that I was +obliged to struggle hard to suppress them. But this is Anticipating, and is +interrupting the course of my narrative. I am inclined to think there must +always be a good deal of this feeling, where the relation of principal and +dependant exists, as between distinct territories. + +I was a good deal excited, and a little fatigued with the walk and the +incidents of the morning, and determined to proceed at once to Duke Street, +and share the cold dinner of my aunt; for few private families in York, +that depended on regular cooks for their food, had anything served warm on +their tables, for that and the two succeeding days. Here and there a +white substitute was found, it is true, and we had the benefit of such an +assistant at half-past one. It was the English servant of a Col. Mosely, an +officer of the army, who was intimate at my uncle's, and who had had the +civility to offer a man for this occasion. I afterwards ascertained, +that many officers manifested the same kind spirit towards various other +families in which they visited on terms of friendship. + +Marriages between young English officers and our pretty, delicate York +belles, were of frequent occurrence, and I had felt a twinge or two, on the +subject of Anneke, that morning, as I passed the youths of the 55th, +60th, or Loyal Americans, 17th, and other regiments that were then in the +province. + +My aunt was descending from the drawing-room, in dinner dress--for that no +lady ever neglects, even though she dines on a cold dumpling. As I opened +the street-door, Mrs. Legge was not coming down alone to take her seat at +table, but, having some extra duty to perform in consequence of the absence +of most of her household, she was engaged in that service. Seeing me, +however, she stopped on the landing of the stains, and beckoned me to +approach. + +“Corny,” she said, “what have you been doing, my child, to have drawn this +honour upon you?” + +“Honour!--I am ignorant of having even received any. What can you mean, my +dear aunt?” + +“Here is Herman Mordaunt waiting to see you, in the drawing-room. He asked +particularly for _you_;--wishes to _see_ you--expresses his regrets that +_you_ are not in, and talks only of _you_!” + +“In which case, I ought to hasten up stairs in order to receive him, as +soon as possible. I will tell you all about it at dinner, aunt;--excuse me +now.” + +Away I went, with a beating heart, to receive a visit from Anneke's father. +I can scarcely give a reason why this gentleman was usually called, when +he was spoken of, and sometimes when he was spoken to, _Herman_ Mordaunt; +unless, indeed, it were, that being in part of Dutch extraction, the name +which denoted the circumstance (Hermanus--pronounced by the Hollanders, +Her_maa_nus,) was used by a portion of the population in token of the fact, +and adopted by others in pure compliance. But _Herman_ Mordaunt was +he usually styled; and this, too, in the way of respect, and not as +coarse-minded persons affect to speak of their superiors, or in a way to +boast of their own familiarity. I should have thought it an honour, at my +time of life, to receive a visit from Herman Mordaunt; but my heart fairly +beat, as I have said, as I went hastily up stairs, to meet Anneke's father. + +My uncle was not in, and I found my visitor waiting for me, alone, in +the drawing-room. Aware of the state of the family, and of all families, +indeed, during Pinkster, he had insisted on my aunt's quitting him, while +he looked over some new books that had recently been received from home; +among which was a new and very handsome edition of the Spectator, a work +that enjoys a just celebrity throughout the colonies. + +Mr. Mordaunt advanced to receive me with studied politeness, yet a +warmth that could not well be counterfeited, the instant I approached. +Nevertheless, his manner was easy and natural; and to me he appeared to be +the highest-bred man I had ever seen. + +“I am thankful that the debt of gratitude I owe you, my +young friend,” he said, at once, and without preface of any sort, unless +that of manner be so received, “is due to the son of a gentleman I so +much esteem as Evans Littlepage. A loyal subject, an honest man, and a +well-connected and well-descended gentleman, like him, may well be the +parent of a brave youth, who does not hesitate to face even lions, in +defence of the weaker sex.” + +“I cannot affect to misunderstand you, sir,” I answered; “and I sincerely +congratulate you that matters are no worse; though you greatly overrate the +danger. I doubt if even a lion would have the heart to hurt Miss Mordaunt, +were she in his power.” + +I think this was a very pretty speech, for a youth of twenty; and I confess +I look back upon it, even now, with complacency. If I occasionally betray +weakness of this character, I beg the reader to recollect that I am acting +in the part of an honest historian, and that it is my aim to conceal +nothing that ought to be known. + +Herman Mordaunt did not resume his seat, on account of the lateness of the +hour, (half-past one); but he made me professions of friendship, and +named Friday, the first moment when he could command the services of his +domestics, when I should dine with him. The army had introduced later hours +than was usual; and this invitation was given for three o'clock; it being +said, at the time, as I well remember, that persons of fashion in London +sat down to table even later than this. After remaining with me five +minutes, Herman Mordaunt took his leave. Of course, I accompanied him to +the door, where we parted with many bows. + +At dinner, I told my uncle and aunt all that had occurred, and was glad to +hear them both speak so favourably of my new acquaintances. + +“Herman Mordaunt might be a much more considerable man than he is,” + observed my uncle, “were he disposed to enter into public life. He has +talents, a good education, a very handsome estate, and is well-connected in +the colony, certainly; some say at home, also.” + +“And Anneke is a sweet young thing,” added my aunt; “and, since Corny was +to assist any young lady, I am heartily glad it was Anneke. She is an +excellent creature, and her mother was one of my most intimate friends, as +she was of my sister Littlepage, too. You must go and inquire after her +health, this evening, Corny. Such an attention is due, after what has +passed all round.” + +Did I wish to comply with this advice? Out of all question; and yet I was +too young, and too little at my ease, to undertake this ceremony, without +many misgivings. Luckily, Dirck came in, in the evening; and my aunt +repeating her opinion before my friend, he at once declared it was +altogether proper, and that he thought Anneke would have a right to expect +it. As he offered to be my companion, we were soon on our way to Crown +Street, in which Mr. Mordaunt owned and inhabited a very excellent house. +We were admitted by Mr. Mordaunt himself, not one of his blacks, having yet +returned from the Pinkster field. + +Dirck appeared to be on the best terms, not only with Herman Mordaunt, but +with his charming daughter. I had observed that the latter always called +him “_cousin_ Dirck,” and I hardly knew whether to interpret this as a sign +of particular or of family regard. That Dirck was fonder of Anneke Mordaunt +than of any other human being, I could easily see; and I confess that the +discovery already began to cause uneasiness. I loved Dirck, and wished he +loved any one else but the very being I feared he did. + +Herman Mordaunt showed me the way, up the noble, wide, mahogany-garnished +staircase of his dwelling, and ushered us into a very handsome, though not +very large, but well-lighted drawing-room. There sat Anneke, his daughter, +in the loveliness of her maiden charms, a little more dressed than usual, +perhaps, for she had three or four young and lovely girls with her, and +five or six young men; among whom were no less than three scarlet coats. + +I shall not attempt to conceal my weakness. Only twenty, inexperienced and +unaccustomed to town society, I felt awkward and unpleasantly the instant I +entered the room; nor did the feeling subside during the first half-hour. +Anneke came forward, one or two steps, to meet me; and I could see, she was +almost as much confused, as I was myself. She blushed, as she thanked me +for the service I had rendered, and expressed her satisfaction that her +father had been fortunate enough to find me at home, and had had an +opportunity of saying a little of what he felt, on the occasion. She then +invited me to be seated, naming me to the company, and telling me who +two or three of the young ladies were. From these last I received sundry +approving smiles; which I took as so many thanks for serving their friend; +while I could not help seeing that I was an object of examination to most +of the men present. The three officers, in particular, looked at me the +most intently, and the longest. + +“I trust, your little accident, which could have been of no great moment, +in itself, since you escaped so well, did not have the effect to prevent +you from enjoying the rare fun of this Pinkster affair?” said one of the +scarlet coats, as soon as the movement caused by my reception had subsided. + +“You call it a 'little accident,' Mr. Bulstrode,” returned Anneke, with a +reproachful shake of her pretty head, “but, I can assure you, it is not a +trifle, to a young lady, to find herself in the paws of a lion.” + +“_Serious_ accident, then; since, I see, you are resolved to consider +yourself a victim;” rejoined the other; “but, not serious enough, I trust, +to deprive you of the fun?” + +“Pinkster fields, and Pinkster frolics, are no novelties to us, sir, as +they occur every season; and I am just old enough not to have missed one of +them all, for the last twelve years.” + +“We heard you had been 'out,” put in another red-coat, whom I had heard +called Billings, “accompanied by a little army, of what Bulstrode called, +the Light Infantry.” + +Here three or four of the other young ladies joined in the discourse, at +once, protesting against Mr. Bulstrode's placing their younger sisters +in the army, in so cavalier a manner; an accusation that Mr. Bulstrode +endeavoured to parry, by declaring his hopes of having them all, not only +in the army, but in his own regiment, one day or other. At this, there was +a certain amount of mirth, and various protestations of an unwillingness +to enlist; in which, I was glad to see, that neither Anneke, nor her most +intimate friend, Mary Wallace, saw fit to join, I liked their reserve of +manner, far better than the girlish trifling of their companions; and, I +could see, that all the men respected them the more for it. There was a +good deal of general and disjointed conversation that succeeded; which +I shall not pretend to follow or relate, but confine myself to such +observations as had a bearing on matters that were connected with myself. + +As none of the young soldiers were addressed by their military titles, such +things never occurring in the better circles, as I now discovered, and, +least of all, in those connected with the army, I was not able, at the +time, to ascertain the rank of the three red-coats; though I afterwards +ascertained, that the youngest was an ensign, of the name of Harris; a +mere boy, and the younger son of a member of Parliament. The next oldest, +Billings, was a captain, and was said to be a natural son of a nobleman; +while Bulstrode was actually the oldest son of a baronet, of three or four +thousand a year, and had already bought his way up as high as a Majority, +though only four-and-twenty. This last was a handsome fellow, too; nor had +I been an hour in his company, before I saw, plainly enough, that he was +a strong admirer of Anneke Mordaunt. The other two evidently admired +themselves too much, to have any very lively feelings on the subject of +other persons. As for Dirck, younger than myself, and diffident, as well as +slow by nature, he kept himself altogether in the back-ground, conversing, +most of the time, with Herman Mordaunt, on the subject of farming. + +We had been together an hour, and I had acquired sufficient ease to change +my seat, and to look at a picture or two, which adorned the walls, and +which were said to be originals, from the Old World; for, to own the truth, +the art of painting has not made much progress in the colonies. We _have_ +painters, it is true, and one or two are said to be men of rare merit, the +ladies being very fond of sitting to them for their portraits; but these +are exceptions. At a future day, when critics shall have immortalized the +names of a Smybert, and a Watson, and a Blackburn, the people of these +provinces will become aware of the talents they once possessed among them; +and the grandchildren of those who neglected these men of genius, in their +day--ay, their descendants to the latest generations--will revenge the +wrongs of merit and talent, to the end of civilized time. It is a failing +of colonies to be diffident of their own opinions; but I have heard +gentlemen, who were educated at home, and who possessed cultivated and +refined tastes, affirm that the painters of Europe, when visiting this +hemisphere, have retained all their excellence; and have painted as freely +and as well, under an American, as under a European sun. As for a sister +art, the Thespian muse had actually made her appearance among us, five +years before the time of my visit to town in 1757, or in 1752; a theatre +having actually been built and opened in Nassau Street in 1753, with a +company under the care of the celebrated Hallam, and his family. This +theatre I had been dying to visit, while it stood, for as yet I had never +witnessed a theatrical performance; but my mother's injunctions prevented +me from entering it while at college. “When you are old enough, Corny,” she +used to say, “you shall have my permission to go as often as is proper; but +you are now of an age, when Shakspeare and Rowe might unsettle your Latin +and Greek.” My task of obedience had not been very difficult, inasmuch as +the building in Nassau Street, the second regular theatre ever erected in +British America, was taken down, and a church erected in its place. [12] +The comedians went to the islands, and had not reappeared on the continent +down to the period of which I am now writing; nor did their return occur +until the following year. That they were expected, however, and that a new +house had been built for them, in another part of the town, I was aware, +though month after month passed away, and the much-expected company did not +appear. I had understood, however, that the large military force +collecting in the colony, would be likely to bring them back soon; and the +conversation soon took a turn, that proved how much interest the young, the +gay, and the fair, felt in the result. I was still looking at a picture, +when Mr. Bulstrode approached me, and entered into conversation. It will be +remembered, that this gentleman was four years my senior; that he had been +at one of the universities; was the heir to a baronetcy; knew the world; +had risen to a Majority in the army, and was by nature, as well as +training, agreeable, when he had a mind to be, and genteel. These +circumstances, I could not but feel, gave him a vast advantage over me; +and I heartily wished that we stood anywhere but in the presence of Anneke +Mordaunt, as he thus saw fit to single me out for invidious comparison, +by a sort of _tête-à-tête,_ or aside. Still, I could not complain of his +manner, which was both polite and respectful; though I could scarce divest +myself of the idea, that he was covertly amusing himself, the whole time. + +“You are a fortunate man, Mr. Littlepage,” he commenced, “in having had it +in your power to do so important a service to Miss Mordaunt. We all envy +you your luck, while we admire your spirit, and I feel certain the men +of our regiment will take some proper notice of it. Miss Anneke is in +possession of half our hearts, and we should be still more heartless to +overlook such a service.” + +I muttered some half-intelligible answer to this compliment, and my new +acquaintance proceeded. + +“I am almost surprised, Mr. Littlepage,” he added, “that a man of your +spirit does not come among us in times as stirring as these. They tell me +both your father and grandfather served, and that you are quite at your +ease. You will find a great many men of merit and fashion among us, and +I make no doubt they would contribute to make your time pass agreeably +enough. Large reinforcements are expected, and if you are inclined for a +pair of colours, I think I know a battalion in which there are a vacancy +or two, and which will certainly serve in the colonies. It would afford me +great pleasure to help to further your views, should you be disposed to +turn them towards the army.” + +Now all this was said with an air of great apparent frankness and +sincerity, which I fancied was only the more visible from the circumstance +that Anneke was so seated as unavoidably to hear every word of what was +said. I observed that she even turned her eyes on me as I made my answer, +though I did not dare so far to observe her in turn as to note their +expression. + +“I am very sensible, Mr. Bulstrode, of the liberality and kindness of your +intentions,” I answered steadily enough, for pride came to my assistance, +“though I fear it will not be in my power to profit by it at once, if ever. +My grandfather is still living, and he has much influence over me and my +fortune, and I know it is his wish that I should remain at Satanstoe.” + +“Where?” demanded Bulstrode, with more quickness and curiosity than +strictly comported with good-breeding perhaps. + +“Satanstoe; I do not wonder you smile, for it has an odd sound, but it is +the name my grandfather has given the family place in Westchester. Given, I +have said, though translated would be better, as I understand the present +appellation is pretty literally rendered into English from the Dutch.” + +“I like the name exceedingly, Mr. Littlepage, and I feel certain I should +like your good, old, honest, Anglo-Saxon grandfather. But, pardon me, it is +his wish you should remain at Satansfoot?” + +“Satanstoe, sir; we do not aspire to the whole foot. It is my grandfather's +wish that I remain at home until of age, which will not be now for some +months.” + +“By way of keeping you out of Satan's footsteps, I suppose. Well, these old +gentlemen are often right. Should you alter your views, however, my dear +Littlepage, do not forget me, but remember you can count on one who has +some little influence, and who will ever be ready to exert it in the behalf +of one who has proved so serviceable to Miss Mordaunt. Sir Harry is a +martyr to the gout, and talks of letting me stand in his place at the +dissolution. In that case my wishes will naturally carry more weight. I +like that name of Satanstoe amazingly!” + +“I am infinitely obliged to you, Mr. Bulstrode, though I will confess I +have never looked forward to rising in the world by taxing my friends. One +may own that he has had some hopes founded on merit and honesty--” + +“Poh! poh!--my dear Littlepage, honesty is a very pretty thing to talk +about, but I suppose you remember what Juvenal says on that interesting +subject--“_probitas laudatur et alget._” I dare say you are fresh enough +from college to remember that comprehensive sentiment.” + +“I have never read Juvenal, Mr. Bulstrode, and never wish to, if such be +the tendency of what he teaches--” + +“Juvenal was a satirist, you know,” interrupted Bulstrode a little hastily, +for by this time he too had ascertained that Anneke was listening, and +he betrayed some eagerness to get rid of so flagitious a sentiment; “and +satirists speak of things as they are, rather than as they ought to be. +I dare say Rome deserved all she got, for the moralists give a very sad +account of her condition. Of all the large capitals of which we have any +account, London is the only town of even tolerable manners.” + +What young Bulstrode would have ventured to say next, it is out of my +power to guess; for a certain Miss Warren, who was of the company, and +who particularly affected the youth, luckily called out at this critical +instant-- + +“Your attention one moment, if you please, Mr. Bulstrode; is it true that +the gentlemen of the army have been getting the new theatre in preparation, +and that they intend to favour us with some representations? A secret +something like this has just leaked out, from Mr. Harris, who even goes so +far as to add that you can tell us all about it.” + +“Mr. Harris must be put under an arrest for this, though I hear the colonel +let the cat out of the bag, at the Lt. Governor's table, as early as last +week.” + +“I can assure you, Mr. Bulstrode,” Anneke observed calmly, “that I have +heard rumours to this effect for quite a fortnight. You must not blame Mr. +Harris solely, for your whole regiment has been hinting to the same purpose +far and near.” + +“Then the delinquent will escape, this time. I confess the charge; we have +hired the new theatre, and do intend to solicit the honour of the ladies +coming to hear me murder Cato, and Scrub; a pretty climax of characters, +you will admit, Miss Mordaunt?” + +“I know nothing of Scrub, though I have read Mr. Addison's play, and think +you have no need of being ashamed of the character of Cato. When is the +theatre to open?” + +“We follow the sable gentry. As soon as St. Pinkster has received his +proper share of attention, we shall introduce Dom-Cato and Mr. Scrub to +your acquaintance.” + +All the young ladies, but Anneke and her friend Mary Wallace, laughed, two +or three repeating the words 'St. Pinkster,' as if they contained something +much cleverer than it was usual to hear. A general burst of exclamations, +expressions of pleasure, and of questions and answers followed, in which +two or three voices were heard at the same moment, during which time Anneke +turned to me, who was standing near her, at the spot occupied by Bulstrode +a minute before, and seemed anxious to say something. + +“Do you seriously think of the army, Mr. Littlepage?” she asked, changing +colour at the freedom of her own question. + +“In a war like this, no one can say when he may be called on to go out,” I +answered. “But, only as a defender of the soil, if at all.” + +I thought Anneke Mordaunt seemed pleased with this answer. After a short +pause, she resumed the dialogue. + +“Of course you understand Latin, Mr. Littlepage, although you have not been +at the universities?” + +“As it is taught in our own colleges, Miss Mordaunt.” + +“And that is sufficient to tell me what Mr. Bulstrode's quotation means--if +it be proper for me to hear.” + +“He would hardly presume to use even a Latin saying in your presence, that +is unfit for your ear. The maxim which Mr. Bulstrode attributes to Juvenal, +simply means 'that honesty is praised and starves.'” + +I thought that something like displeasure settled on the fair, polished, +brow of Miss Mordaunt, who, I could soon see, possessed much character and +high principles for one of her tender years. She said nothing, however, +though she exchanged a very meaning glance with her friend Mary Wallace. +Her lips were moved, and I fancied I could trace the formation of the +sounds “honesty is praised and starves!” + +“And _you_ are to be Cato I hear, Mr. Bulstrode,” cried one of the young +ladies, who thought more of a scarlet coat, I fancy, than was for her own +good. “How very charming! Will you play the character in regimentals or in +mohair--in a modern or in an ancient dress?” + +“In my _robe de chambre_, a little altered for the occasion, Unless St. +Pinkster and his sports should suggest some more appropriate costume,” + answered the young man lightly. + +“Are you quite aware what feast Pinkster is?” asked Anneke, a little +gravely. + +Bulstrode actually changed colour, for it had never crossed his mind to +inquire into the character of the holiday; and, to own the truth, the +manner in which it is kept by the negroes of New York, never would +enlighten him much on the subject. + +“That is information for which I perceive I am now about to be indebted to +Miss Mordaunt.” + +“Then you shall not be disappointed, Mr. Bulstrode; Pinkster is neither +more nor less than the Festival of Whit-sunday, or the Feast of Pentecost. +I suppose we shall now hear no more of your saint.” + +Bulstrode took this little punishment, which was very sweetly but quite +steadily uttered, with perfect good-humour, and with a manner so rebuked +as to prove that Anneke possessed great control over him. He bowed in +submission, and she smiled so kindly, that I wished the occasion for the +little pantomime had not occurred. + +“_Our_ ancestors, Miss Mordaunt, never heard of any Pinkster, you will +remember, and that must explain my ignorance,” he said meekly. + +“But some of _mine_ have long understood it, and observed the festival,” + answered Anneke. + +“Ay, on the side of Holland--but when I presume to speak of _our_ +ancestors, I mean those which I can claim the honour of boasting as +belonging to me in common with yourself.” + +“Are you and Mr. Bulstrode, then, related?” I asked, as it might be +involuntarily and almost too abruptly. + +Anneke replied, however, in a way to show that she thought the question +natural for the circumstances, and not in the least out of place. + +“My grandfather's mother, and Mr. Bulstrode's grandfather, were brother and +sister,” was the quiet answer. + +“This makes us a sort of cousins, according to those Dutch notions which he +so much despises, though I fancy it would not count for much at home.” + +Bulstrode protested to the contrary, stating that he knew his father valued +his relationship to Mr. Mordaunt, by the earnest manner in which he had +commanded him to cultivate the acquaintance of the family the instant he +reached New York. I saw by this, the footing on which the formidable +Major was placed in the family, everybody seeming to be related to Anneke +Mordaunt but myself. I took an occasion that very evening, to question the +dear girl on the subject of her Dutch connections, giving her a clue to +mine but with all our industry, and some assistance from Herman Mordaunt, +who took an interest in such a subject, as it might be _ex officio_, we +could make out no affinity worth mentioning. + +[Footnote 10: Now, Liberty Street.] + +[Footnote 11: The person meant here, was William Nicoll, Esquire, Patentee +of Islip, a large estate on Long Island, that is still in the family, under +a Patent granted in 1683. This gentleman was a son of Mr. Secretary Nicoll, +who is supposed to have been a relative of Col. Nicoll, the first English +Governor. Mr. Speaker Nicoll, as the son was called, in consequence of +having filled that office for nearly a generation, was the direct ancestor +of the Nicolls of Islip and Shelter Island, as well as of a branch long +settled at Stratford, Connecticut. The house alluded to by Mr. Littlepage, +as a relic of antiquity in _his_ day,--American antiquity, be it +remembered,--was standing a few years since, if it be not still standing, +at the point of junction between the Old Boston Road and the New Road, and +nearly opposite to tha termination of the long avenue that led to Rosehill, +originally a seat of the Watts'. The house stood a short distance above the +present Union Square, and not far from that of the present Gramercy. It +was, or is, a brick-house of one story, with a small court-yard in front; +the House of Refuge being at a little distance on its right. If still +standing, it must now be one of the oldest buildings of any sort, in a town +of 400,000 souls! As Mr. Speaker Nicoll resigned the chair in 1718, this +house must be at least a hundred and thirty or forty years old; and it may +be questioned if a dozen as old, public of private, can be found on the +whole island. + +As the regular family residences of the Nicolls were in Suffolk, or on +their estates, it is probable that the abode mentioned was, in a measure, +owing to an intermarriage with the Watts', as much as to the necessity of +the Speaker's passing so much time at the seat of government.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 12: The church is now (1845) being converted into a Post-Office.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + “Sir Valentino, I care not for her, I.” + + “I hold him but a fool, that will endanger + His body for a girl that loves him not.” + + “I claim her not, and therefore she is thine.” + + _Two Gentlemen of Verona_. + + +I saw Anne Mordaunt several times, either in the street or in her own +house, between that evening and the day I was to dine with her father. The +morning of the last named day Mr. Bulstrode favoured me with a call, and +announced that he was to be of the party in Crown Street, and that the +whole company was to repair to the theatre, to see his own Cato and Scrub, +in the evening. + +“By giving yourself the trouble to call at the Crown and Bible, kept +hard-by here, in Hanover Square or Queen Street, by honest Hugh Gaine, you +will find a package of tickets for yourself, Mr. and Mrs. Legge, and your +relative Mr. Dirck Follock, as I believe the gentleman is called. These +Dutch have extraordinary patronymics, you must admit, Littlepage.” + +“It may appear so to an Englishman, though our names are quite as odd to +strangers. But Dirck Van Valkenburgh is not a kinsman of mine, though he is +related to the Mordaunts, _your_ relatives.” + +“Well, it's all the same! I knew he was related to somebody that I know, +and I fancied it was to yourself. I am sure I never see him but I wish he +was in our grenadier company.” + +“Dirck would do honour to any corps, but you know how it is with the Dutch +families, Mr. Bulstrode. They still retain much of their attachment to +Holland, and do not as often take service in the army, or navy, as we of +English descent.” + +“I should have thought a century might have cooled them off, a little, from +their veneration of the meadows of Holland. It is the opinion at home, that +New York is a particularly well affected colony.” + +“So it is, as I hear from all sides. As respects the Dutch, among +ourselves, I have heard my grandfather say, that the reign of King William +had a powerful influence in reconciling them to the new government, +but, since his day, that they are less loyal than formerly. The Van +Valkenburghs, notwithstanding, pass for as good subjects as any that the +house of Hanover possesses. On no account would I injure them in your +opinion.” + +“Good or bad, we shall hope to see your friend, who is a connection in some +way, as you believe, of the Mordaunts. You will get but a faint idea of +what one of the royal theatres is, Littlepage, by this representation of +ours, though it may serve to kill time. But, I must go to rehearsal; we +shall meet at three.” + +Here my gay and gallant major made his bow, and took his leave. I proceeded +on to the sign of the Crown and the Bible, where I found a large collection +of people, coming in quest of tickets. As the _élite_ of the town would +not of themselves form an audience sufficiently large to meet the towering +ambition of the players, more than half the tickets were sold, the money +being appropriated to the sick families of soldiers--those who were not +entitled to receive aid from government. It was deemed a high compliment +to receive tickets gratis, though all who did, made it a point to leave a +donation to the fund, with Mr. Gaine. Receiving my package, I quitted the +shop, and it being the hour for the morning promenade, I went up Wall +Street, to the Mall, as Trinity Church Walk was even then called. Here, I +expected to meet Dirck, and hoped to see Anneke, for the place was much +frequented by the young and gay, both in the mornings and in the evenings. +The bands of different regiments were stationed in the churchyard, and the +company was often treated to much fine martial music. Some few of the more +scrupulous objected to this desecration of the churchyard, but the army had +everything pretty much in its own way. As they were supposed to do nothing +but what was approved of at home, the dissenters were little heeded, nor do +I think the army would have greatly cared, had they been more numerous. + +I dare say there were fifty young ladies promenading the church-walk when +I reached it, and nearly as many young men in attendance on them; no small +portion of the last being scarlet-coats, though the mohairs had their +representatives there too. A few blue-jackets were among us also, there +being two or three king's cruisers in port. As no one presumed to promenade +the Mall, who was not of a certain stamp of respectability, the company was +all gaily dressed; and I will confess that I was much struck with the air +of the place, the first time I showed myself among the gay idlers. The +impression made on me that morning was so vivid, that I will endeavour to +describe the scene, as it now presents itself to my mind. + +In the first place, there was the noble street, quite eighty feet in width +in its narrowest part, and gradually expanding as you looked towards the +bay, until it opened into an area of more than twice that width, at the +place called the Bowling-Green. [13] Then came the Fort, crowning a sharp +eminence, and overlooking everything in that quarter of the town. In the +rear of the Fort, or in its front, taking a water view, lay the batteries +that had been built on the rocks which form the south-western termination +of the island. Over these rocks, which were black and picturesque, and over +the batteries they supported, was obtained a view of the noble bay, dotted +here and there with some speck of a sail, or possibly with some vessel +anchored on its placid bosom. Of the two rows of elegant houses, most of +them of brick, and with very few exceptions principally of two stories in +height, it is scarcely necessary to speak, as there are few who have not +heard of, and formed some notion of Broadway; a street that all agree is +one day to be the pride of the western world. + +In the other direction, I will admit that the view was not so remarkable, +the houses being principally of wood, and of a somewhat ignoble appearance. +Nevertheless the army was said to frequent those habitations quite as much +as they did any other in the place. After reaching the Common, or present +Park, where the great Boston road led off into the country, the view was +just the reverse of that which was seen in the opposite quarter. Here, all +was inland, and rural. It is true, the new Bridewell had been erected in +that quarter, and there was also a new gaol, both facing the common; and +the king's troops had barracks in their rear; but high, abrupt, conical +hills, with low marshy land, orchards and meadows, gave to all that portion +of the island a peculiarly novel and somewhat picturesque character. Many +of the hills in that quarter, and indeed all over the widest part of the +island, are now surmounted by country-houses, as some were then, including +Petersfield, the ancient abode of the Stuyvesants, or that farm which, by +being called after the old Dutch governor's retreat, has given the name +of Bowery, or Bouerie, to the road that led to it; as well as the +Bowery-house, as it was called, the country abode of the then Lieutenant +Governor, James de Lancey, Mount Bayard, a place belonging to that +respectable family; Mount Pitt, another that was the property of Mrs. +Jones, the wife of Mr. Justice Jones, a daughter of James de Lancey, and +various other mounts, houses, hills, and places, that are familiar to the +gentry and people of New York. + +But, the reader can imagine for himself the effect produced by such a +street as Broadway, reaching very nearly half a mile in length, terminating +at one end, in an elevated, commanding Fort, with its back-ground of +batteries, rocks and bay, and, at the other, with the common, on which +troops were now constantly parading, the Bridewell an I gaol, and the novel +scene I have just mentioned. Nor is Trinity itself to be forgotten. This +edifice, one of the noblest, if not the most noble of its kind, in all +the colonies, with its gothic architecture, statues in carved stone, and +flanking walls, was a close accessory of the view, giving to the whole +grandeur, and a moral. [14] + +As has been said, I found the Mall crowded with young persons of fashion +and respectability. This Mall was near a hundred yards in length; and it +follows that there must have been a goodly show of youth and beauty. The +fine weather had commenced; spring had fairly opened; Pinkster Blossoms +(the wild honeysuckle) had been seen in abundance throughout the week; and +everything and person appeared gay and happy. + +I could discover that my person in this crowd attracted attention as a +stranger. I say as a stranger; for I am unwilling to betray so much vanity +as to ascribe the manner in which many eyes followed me, to any vain notion +that I was known or admired. Still, I will not so far disparage the gifts +of a bountiful Providence, as to leave the impression that my face, person, +or air was particularly disagreeable. This would not be the fact; and I +have now reached a time of life when something like the truth may be +told, without the imputation of conceit. My mother often boasted to her +intimates, “that Corny was one of the best-made, handsomest, most active, +and genteelest youths in the colony.” This I know, for such things will +leak out; but mothers are known to have a remarkable weakness on the +subject of their children. As I was the sole surviving offspring of my dear +mother, who was one of the best-hearted women that ever breathed, it is +highly probable that the notions she entertained of her son partook largely +of the love she bore me. It is true, my aunt Legge, on more than one +occasion, has been heard to express a very similar opinion; though nothing +can be more natural than that sisters should think alike, on a family +matter of this particular nature, more especially as my aunt Legge never +had a child of her own to love and praise. + +Let all this be as it may, well stared at was I, as I mingled among the +idlers on Trinity Church Walk, on the occasion named. As for myself, my +own eyes were bent anxiously on the face of every pretty, delicate young +creature that passed, in the hope of seeing Anneke. I both wished and +dreaded to meet her; for, to own the truth, my mind was dwelling on her +beauty, her conversation, her sentiments, her grace, her gentleness, and +withal her spirit, a good deal more than half the time. I had some qualms +on the subject of Dirck, I will confess; but Dirck was so young, that his +feelings could not be much interested, after all; and then Anneke was a +second cousin, and that was clearly too near to marry. My grandfather had +always put his foot down firmly against any connection between relations +that were nearer than _third_ cousins; and I now saw how proper were his +reasons. If they were even farther removed, so much the better, he said; +and so much the better it was. + +If the reader should ask me why I _dreaded_ to meet Anne Mordaunt, under +such circumstances, I might be at a loss to give him a very intelligible +answer. I feared even to see the sweet face I sought; and oh! how soft, +serene, and angel-like it was, at that budding age of seventeen!--but, +though I almost feared to see it, when at last I saw her I had so anxiously +sought approaching me, arm and arm with Mary Walface, having Bulstrode next +herself, and Harris next her friend, my eyes were instantly averted, as +if they had unexpectedly lighted on something disagreeable. I should have +passed without even the compliment of a bow, had not my friends been more +at their ease, and more accustomed to the free ways of town life than I +happened to be myself. + +“How's this, Cornelius, _Coeur de Lion_!” exclaimed Bulstrode, stopping, +thus causing the whole party to stop with him, or to appear to wish to +avoid me; “will you not recognise us, though it is not an hour since you +and I parted? I hope you found the tickets; and when you have answered +'yes,' I hope you will turn and do me the honour to bow to these ladies.” + +I apologized, I am afraid I blushed; for I detected Anneke looking at me, +as I thought, with some little concern, as if she pitied my awkward country +embarrassment. As for Bulstrode, I did not understand him at that time; +it exceeding my observation to be certain whether he considered me of +sufficient importance or not, to feel any concern on my account, in +his very obvious suit with Anneke. Nevertheless, as he treated me with +cordiality and respect, while he dealt with me so frankly, there was not +room to take offence. Of course, I turned and walked back with the party, +after had properly saluted the ladies and Mr. Harris. + +“_Coeur de Lion_ is a better name for a soldier than for a civilian;” + said Anneke, as we moved forward; “and, however much Mr. Littlepage may +_deserve_ the title, I am not certain, Mr. Bulstrode, he would not prefer +leaving it among you gentlemen who serve the king.” + +“I am glad of this occasion, Mr. Littlepage, to enlist you on my side, in +a warfare I am compelled to wage with Miss Anne Mordaunt,” said the Major +gaily. “It is on the subject of the great merit of us poor fellows who have +crossed the wide Atlantic in order to protect the colonies, New York among +the number, and their people, Miss Mordaunt and Miss Wallace inclusively, +from the grasp of their wicked enemies, the French. The former young lady +has a way of reasoning on the matter to which I cannot assent, and I am +willing to choose you as arbitrator between us.” + +“Before Mr. Littlepage accept the office, it is proper he should know its +duties and responsibilities,” said Anneke, smiling. “In the first place, +he will find Mr. Bulstrode with loud professions of attachment to the +colonies, much disposed to think them provinces that owe their very +existence to England; while I maintain it is English _men_, and that it +is not England, that have done so much in America. As for New York, Mr. +Littlepage, and especially as for you and me, we can also say a word in +favour of Holland. I am very proud of my Dutch connections and Dutch +descent.” + +I was much gratified with the “as for you and me;” though I believe I cared +less for Holland than she did herself. I made an answer much in the vein +of the moment; but the conversation soon changed to the subject of the +military theatre that was about to open. + +“I shall dread you as a critic, cousin Annie,” so Bulstrode often termed +Anneke, as I soon discovered; “I find you are not too well disposed to us +of the cockade, and I think you have a particular spite to our regiment. +I know that Billings and Harris, too, hold you in the greatest possible +dread.” + +“They then feel apprehensive of a very ignorant critic; for I never was +present at a theatrical entertainment in my life,” Anneke answered with +perfect simplicity. “So far as I can learn, there never has been but one +season of any regular company, in this colony; and that was when I was a +very little and a very young girl--as I am now neither very large, nor very +old as a young woman.” + +“You see, Littlepage, with how much address my cousin avoids adding, and +'very uninteresting, and very ugly, and very disagreeable, and very much +unsought,' and fifty other things she _might_ add with such perfect truth +and modesty! But is it true, that the theatre was open only one season, +here?” + +“So my father tells me, though I know very little of the facts themselves. +To-night will be my first appearance in _front_ of any stage, Mr. +Bulstrode, as I understand it will be your first appearance _on_ it.” + +“In one sense the last will be true, though not altogether in another. As +a school-boy, I have often played, school-boy fashion; but this is quite a +new thing with us, to be _amateur_ players.” + +“It may seem ungrateful, when you are making so many efforts, principally +to amuse us young ladies, I feel convinced, to inquire if it be quite +as wise as it is novel. I must ask this, as a cousin, you know, Henry +Bulstrode, to escape entirely from the imputation of impertinence.” + +“Really, Anneke Mordaunt, I am not absolutely certain that it is. Our +manners are beginning to change in this respect, however, and I can assure +you that various noblemen have permitted sports of this sort at their +seats. The custom is French, as you probably know, and whatever is French +has much vogue with us during times of peace. Sir Harry does not altogether +approve of it, and as for my lady mother, she has actually dropped more +than one discouraging hint on the subject in her letters.” + +“The certain proof that you are a most dutiful son. Perhaps when Sir Harry +and Lady Bulstrode learn your great success, however, they will overlook +the field on which your laurels have been won. But our hour has come, Mary; +we have barely time to thank these gentlemen for their politeness, and to +return in season to dress. I am to enact a part myself, at dinner, as I +hope you will all remember.” + +Saying this, Anneke made her curtsies in a way to preclude any offer of +seeing her home, and went her way with her silent but sensible-looking and +pretty friend. Bulstrode took my arm with an air of easy superiority, and +led the way towards his own lodgings, which happened to be in Duke Street. +Harris joined another party, making it a point to be always late at dinner. + +“That is not only one of the handsomest, but she is one of the most +charming girls in the colonies, Littlepage!” my companion exclaimed, as +soon as we had departed, speaking at the same time with an earnestness and +feeling I was far from expecting. “Were she in England, she would make one +of the first women in it, by the aid of a little fashion and training; and +very little would do too, for there is a charm in her _naiveté_ that is +worth the art of fifty women of fashion.” + +“Fashion is a thing that any one may want who does not happen to be in +vogue,” I answered, notwithstanding the great degree of surprise I felt. +“As for training, I can see nothing but perfection in Miss Mordaunt as she +is, and should deprecate the lessons that produced any change.” + +I believe it was now Bulstrode's turn to feel surprise, for I was conscious +of his casting a keen look into my face, though I did not like to return +it. My companion was silent for a minute; then, without again adverting to +Anneke, he began to converse very sensibly on the subject of theatres and +plays. I was both amused and instructed, for Mr. Bulstrode was an educated +and a clever man; and a strange feeling came over the spirit of my dream, +even then, as I listened to his conversation. This man, I thought, admires +Anne Mordaunt, and he will probably carry her with him to England, and +obtain for her that fashion and training of which he has just spoken. With +his advantages of birth, air, fortune, education, and military rank, he can +scarcely fail in his suit, should he seriously attempt one; and it will be +no more than prudent to command my own feelings, lest I become the hopeless +victim of a serious passion. Young as I was, all this I saw, and thus I +reasoned; and when I parted from my companion I fancied myself a much wise +man than when we had met. We separated in Duke Street, with a promise on my +part to call at the Major's lodgings half an hour later, after dressing, +and walk with him to Herman Mordaunt's door. + +“It is fortunate that it is the fashion of New York to walk to a dinner +party,” said Bulstrode, as he again took my arm on our way to Crown Street; +“for these narrow streets must be excessively inconvenient for chariots, +though I occasionally see one of them. As for sedan chairs, I detest them +as things unfit for a man to ride in.” + +“Many of our leading families keep carnages, and _they_ seem to get along +well enough,” I answered. “Nevertheless, it is quite in fashion even for +ladies to walk. I understand that many, perhaps most of your auditors, will +walk to the play-house door this evening.” + +“They tell me as much,” said Bulstrode, curling his lip, a little, in a +way I did not exactly like. “Notwithstanding, there will be many charming +creatures among them, and they shall be welcome. Well, Littlepage, I do +not despair of having you among us; for, to be candid, without wishing to +boast, I think you will find the ----th as liberal a set of young men as +there is in the service. There is a wish to have the mohairs among us +instead of shutting ourselves up altogether in scarlet. Then your father +and grandfather have both served, and that will be a famous introduction.” + +I protested my unfitness for such an amusement, never having seen such an +exhibition in my life; but to this my companion would not listen; and we +picked our way, as well as we could, through William Street, up Wall, and +then by Nassau into Crown; Herman Mordaunt owning a new house, that stood +not far from Broadway, in the latter street. This was rather in a remote +part of the town; but the situation had the advantage of good air; and, as +a place extends, it is necessary some persons should live on its skirts. + +“I wish my good cousin did not live quite so much in the suburbs,” said +Bulstrode, as he knocked in a very patrician manner; “it is not altogether +convenient to go quite so much out of one's ordinary haunts, in order to +pay visits. I wonder Mr. Mordaunt came so far out of the world, to build.” + +“Yet the distances of London must be much greater though _there_ you have +coaches.” + +“True; but not a word more on _this_ subject: I would not have Anneke fancy +I ever find it far to visit _her_.” + +We were the last but one; the tardy Mr. Harris making it a point always to +be the last. We found Anneke Mordaunt supported by two or three ladies of +her connection, and a party of quite a dozen assembled. As most of those +present saw each other every day, and frequently two or three times a day, +the salutations and compliments were soon over, and Herman Mordaunt began +to look about him, to see who was wanting. + +“I believe everybody is here but Mr. Harris,” the father observed to his +daughter, interrupting some of Mr. Bulstrode's conversation, to let this +fact be known. “Shall we wait for him, my dear; he is usually so uncertain +and late?” + +“Yet a very important man,” put in Bulstrode, “as being entitled to lead +the lady of the house to the table, in virtue of his birthright. So much +for being the fourth son of an Irish baron! Do you know Harris's father has +just been ennobled?” + +This was news to the company; and it evidently much increased the doubts of +the propriety of sitting down without the young man in question. + +“Failing of this son of a new Irish baron, I suppose you fancy I shall be +obliged to give my hand to the eldest son of an English baronet,” said +Anneke, smiling, so as to take off the edge of a little irony that I fancy +just glimmered in her manner. + +“I wish to Heaven you _would_, Anne Mordaunt,” whispered Bulstrode, loud +enough for me to hear him, “so that the heart were its companion!” + +I thought this both bold and decided; and I looked anxiously at Anneke, +to note the effect; but she evidently received it as trifling, certainly +betraying no emotion at a speech I thought so pointed. I wished she had +manifested a little resentment. Then she was so very young to be thus +importuned! + +“Dinner had better be served, sir,” she calmly observed to her father. “Mr. +Harris is apt to think himself ill-treated if he do not find everybody at +table. It would be a sign his watch was wrong, and that he had come half an +hour too soon.” + +Herman Mordaunt nodded assent, and left his daughter's side to give the +necessary order. + +“I fancy Harris will regret this,” said Bulstrode. “I wish I dared repeat +what he had the temerity to say to me on this very subject, no later than +yesterday.” + +“Of the propriety of so doing, Mr. Bulstrode must judge for himself; though +_repetitions_ of this nature are usually best avoided.” + +“No, the fellow deserves it; so I will just tell you and Mr. Littlepage in +confidence. You must know, as his senior in years, and his senior officer +in the bargain, I was hinting to Harris the inexpediency of always being so +late at dinner; and here is my gentleman's answer:--'You know,' said he, +'that excepting my lord Loudon, the Commander-in-chief, the Governor, and a +few public officers, I shall now take precedence of almost every man here; +and I find, if I go early to dinner, I shall have to hand in all the +elderly ladies, and to take my place at _their_ sides; whereas, if I go +a little late, I can steal in alongside of their daughters.' Now, on the +present occasion, he will be altogether a loser, the lady of the house not +yet being quite fifty.” + +“I had not given Mr. Harris credit for so much ingenuity,” said Anneke, +quietly. “But here he is to claim his rights.” + +“Ay, the fellow has remembered _your_ age, and quite likely your +_attractions_!” + +Dinner was announced at that instant, and all eyes were turned on Harris, +in expectation that he would advance to lead Anneke down stairs. The young +man, even more youthful than myself, had a good deal of _mauvaise honte;_ +for, though the son of an Irish peer, of two months' creation, the family +was not strictly Irish, and he had very little ambition to figure in this +manner. From what I saw of him subsequently, I do believe that nothing but +a sense of duty to his order made him respect these privileges of rank at +all, and that he would really just as soon go to a dinner-table last, +as first. In the present case, however, he was soon relieved by Herman +Mordaunt; who had been educated at home, and understood the usages of the +world very well. + +“Gentlemen,” he said, “I must ask you to waive the privileges of rank in +favour of Mr. Cornelius Littlepage, to-day. This good company has met to do +honour especially to his courage and devotion to his fellow-creatures, and +he will do me the favour to hand Miss Mordaunt down stairs.” + +Herman Mordaunt then pointed out to the Hon. Mr. Harris, the next lady of +importance, and to Mr. Bulstrode a third; after which all the rest took +care of themselves. As for myself, I felt my face in a glow, at this +unexpected order, and scarcely dared to look at Anneke as we led the way to +the dining-room door. So much abashed was I, that I scarce touched the tips +of her slender little fingers, and a tremour was in the limb that performed +this office, the whole time it was thus employed. Of course, my seat +was next to that of the young and lovely mistress of the house, at this +banquet. + +What shall I say of the dinner? It was the very first entertainment of the +sort at which I had ever been present; though I had acquired some of the +notions of town habits, on such occasions, at my aunt Legge's table. To my +surprise, there was soup; a dish that I never saw at Satanstoe, except in +the most familiar way; while here it was taken by every one, seemingly as a +matter of course. Everything was elegant, and admirably cooked. Abundance, +however, was the great feature of the feast; as I have heard it said, is +apt to be the case with most New York entertainments. Nevertheless, I have +always understood that, in the way of eating and drinking, the American +colonies have little reason to be ashamed. + +“Could I have foreseen this dinner, Miss Mordaunt,” I said, when everybody +was employed, and I thought there was an opening to say something to my +beautiful neighbour; “it would have made my father very happy to have sent +a sheepshead to town, for the occasion.” + +Anneke thanked me, and then we began to converse about the game. +Westchester was, and is still, famous for partridges, snipe, quails, ducks, +and meadow-larks; and I understood expatiating on such a subject, as well +as the best of them. All the Littlepages were shots; and I have known my +father bag ten brace of woodcock, among the wet thickets of Satanstoe, of +a morning; and this with merely a second class dog, and only one. Both +Bulstrode and Harris listened to what I said on this subject with great +attention, and it would soon have been the engrossing discourse, had not +Anneke pleasantly said-- + +“All very well, gentlemen; but you will remember that neither Miss Wallace, +nor I, shoot.” + +“Except with the arrows of Cupid,” answered Bulstrode, gaily; “with these +you do so much execution _between you_,” emphasizing the words, so as +to make me look foolish, for I sat between them, “that you ought to be +condemned to hear nothing but fowling conversation for the next year.” + +This produced a laugh, a little at my expense, I believe; though I could +see that Anneke blushed, while Mary Wallace smiled indifferently; but as +the healths now began, there was a truce to trifling. And a serious thing +it is, to drink to everybody by name, at a large table; serious I mean to +a new beginner. Yet, Herman Mordaunt went through it with a grace and +dignity, that I think would have been remarked at a royal banquet. The +ladies acquitted themselves admirably, omitting no one; and even Harris +felt the necessity of being particular with this indispensable part of +good-breeding. So well done was this part of the ceremony, that I declare, +I believe everybody had drunk to everybody, within five minutes after +Herman Mordaunt commenced; and it was very apparent that there was more +ease and true gaiety _after_ all had got through, than there had previously +been. + +But the happy period of every dinner-party, is after the cloth is removed. +With the dark polished mahogany for a back-ground, the sparkling decanters +making their rounds, the fruit and cake baskets, the very scene seems to +inspire one with a wish for gaiety. Herman Mordaunt called for toasts, as +soon as the cloth disappeared, with a view I believe of putting everybody +at ease, and to render the conversation more general. He was desired to set +the example, and immediately gave “Miss Markham,” who, as I was told, was +a single lady of forty, with whom he had carried on a little flirtation. +Anneke's turn came next, and she chose to give a sentiment, notwithstanding +all Bulstrode's remonstrances, who insisted on a gentleman. He did not +succeed, however; Anneke very steadily gave “The Thespian corps of +the----h; may it prove as successful in the arts of peace, as in its +military character it has often proved itself to be in the art of war.” + Much applause followed this toast, and Harris was persuaded by Bulstrode +to stand up, and say a few words, for the credit of the regiment. Such a +speech!--It reminded me of the horse that was advertised as a show, in +London, about this time, and which was said 'to have its tail where its +head ought to be.' But, Bulstrode clapped his hands, and cried 'hear,' +at every other word, protesting that the regiment was honoured as much +in the thanks, as in the sentiment. Harris did not seem displeased with +his own effort, and, presuming on his rank, he drank, without being +called on, “to the fair of New York; eminent alike for beauty and wit, +may they only become as merciful as they are victorious.” + +“Bravo!” again cried Bulstrode,--“Harris is fairly inspired, and is growing +better and better. Had he said imminent, instead of eminent, it would be +more accurate, as their frowns are as threatening, as their smiles are +bewitching.” + +“Is that to pass for _your_ sentiment, Mr. Bulstrode, and are we to drink +it?” demanded Herman Mordaunt. + +“By no means, sir; I have the honour to give Lady Dolly Merton.” + +Who Lady Dolly was, nobody knew, I believe, though we of the colonies +always drank a titled person, who was known to be at home, with a great +deal of respectful attention, not to say veneration. Other toasts followed, +and then the ladies were asked to sing. Anneke complied, with very little +urging, as became her position, and never did I hear sweeter strains than +those she poured forth! The air was simple, but melody itself, and the +sentiment had just enough of the engrossing feeling of woman in it, to +render it interesting, without in the slightest degree impairing its +fitness for the virgin lips from which it issued. Bulstrode, I could see, +was almost entranced; and I heard him murmur “an angel, by Heavens!” He +sang, himself, a love song, full of delicacy and feeling, and in a way to +show that he had paid much attention to the art of music. Harris sang, too, +as did Mary Wallace; the former, much as he spoke; the last plaintively, +and decidedly well. Even Herman Mordaunt gave us a strain, and my turn +followed. Singing was somewhat of a _forte_ with me, and I have reason to +think I made out quite as well as the best of them. I know that Anneke +seemed pleased, and I saw tears in her eyes, as I concluded a song that was +intended to produce just such an effect. + +At length the youthful mistress of the house arose, reminding her father +that he had at table the principal performer of the evening, by way of a +caution, when three or four of us handed the ladies to the drawing-room +door. Instead of returning to the table, I entered the room, and Bulstrode +did the same, under the plea of its being necessary for him to drink no +more, on account of the work before him. + +[Footnote 13: Mr. Cornelius Littlepage betrays not a little of provincial +admiration, as the reader will see. I have not thought it necessary to +prune these passages, their causes being too familiar to leave any danger +of their insertion's being misunderstood. Admiration of Broadway, certainly +not more than a third-class street, as streets go in the old world, is so +very common among us as to need no apology.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 14: The provincial admiration of Mr. Cornelius Littlepage was not +quite as much in fault, as respects the church, as the superciliousness of +our more modern tastes and opinions may lead us to suspect. The church that +was burned in 1776, was a larger edifice than that just pulled down, and, +in many respects, was its superior.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + “Odd's bodikins, man, much better: use + Every man after his desert, and who shall 'scape + Whipping? use them after your own honour + And dignity: the less they deserve, the more + Merit is in your bounty.” + + _Hamlet_. + + +“Harris will be _hors de combat_” Bulstrode soon observed, “unless I can +manage to get him from the table.--You know he is to play Marcia this +evening; and, though a _little_ wine will give him fire and spirit for the +part, too much will impair its feminine beauties. Addison never intended +that 'the virtuous Marcia,' in towering above her sex, was to be picked +out of a kennel, or from under a table. Harris is a true Irish peer, when +claret is concerned.” + +All the ladies held up their hands, and protested against Mr. Harris' being +permitted to act a travestie on their sex. As yet, no one had known how the +characters were to be cast, beyond the fact that Bulstrode himself was to +play Cato, for great care had been taken to keep the bills of the night +from being seen, in order that the audience might have the satisfaction of +finding out, who was who, for themselves. At the close of each piece a bill +was to be sent round, among the favoured few, telling the truth. As Anneke +declared that her father never locked in his guests, and had faithfully +promised to bring up everybody for coffee, in the course of half an hour, +it was determined to let things take their own way. + +Sure enough, at the end of the time mentioned, Herman Mordaunt appeared, +with all the men, from the table. Harris was not tipsy, as I found was +very apt to be the case with him after dinner, but neither was he sober. +According to Bulstrode's notion, he may have had just fire enough to +play the 'virtuous Marcia.' In a few minutes he hurried the ensign off, +declaring that, like Hamlet's ghost, their hour had come. At seven, the +whole party left the house in a body to walk to the theatre. Herman +Mordaunt did not keep a proper town equipage, and, if he had, it would +not have contained a fourth of our company. In this, however, we were not +singular, as nine in ten of the audience that night, I mean nine in ten of +the gentle sex, went to the theatre on foot. + +Instead of going directly down Crown Street, into Maiden Lane, which would +have been the nearest way to the theatre, we went out into Broadway, and +round by Wall Street, the walking being better, and the gutters farther +from the ladies; the centre of the street being at no great distance from +the houses, in the narrower passages of the town. We found a great many +well-dressed people moving in the same direction with ourselves. Herman +Mordaunt remarked that he had never before seen so many hoops, cardinals, +cocked hats and swords in the streets, at once, as he saw that evening. All +the carriages in town rolled past us as we went down Wall Street, and by +the time we reached William Street, the pavements resembled a procession, +more than anything else. As every one was in full dress, the effect was +pleasing, and the evening being fine, most of the gentlemen carried their +hats in their hands, in order not to disturb their curls, thus giving to +the whole the air of a sort of vast drawing-room. I never saw a more lovely +creature than Anneke Mordaunt appeared, as she led our party, on this +occasion. The powder had got a little out of her fine auburn hair, and on +the part of the head that was not concealed by a cap, that shaded half her +beautiful face, it seemed as if the rich covering bestowed by nature +was about to break out of all restraint, and shade her bust with its +exuberance. Her negligée was a rich satin, flounced in front, while the +lace that dropped from her elbows seemed as if woven by fairies, expressly +for a fairy to wear. She had paste buckles in her shoes, and I thought I +had never beheld such a foot, as was occasionally seen peeping from beneath +her dress, while she walked daintily, yet with the grace of a queen, at my +side. I do not thus describe Anneke with a view of inducing the reader to +fancy her stately and repulsive; on the contrary, winning ease and natural +grace were just as striking in her manner, as were beauty, and sentiment, +and feeling in her countenance. More than once, as we walked side by side, +did I become painfully conscious how unworthy I was to fill the place I +occupied. I believe this humility is one of the surest signs of sincere +love. + +At length we reached the theatre, and were permitted to enter. All the +front seats were occupied by blacks, principally in New York liveries; that +is to say, with cuffs, collars and pocket-flaps of a cloth different from +the coat, though a few were in lace. These last belonged to the topping +families, several of which gave colours and ornaments almost as rich as +those that I understand are constantly given at home. I well remember that +two entire boxes were retained by servants, in shoulder-knots, and much +richer dresses than common, one of whom belonged to the Lt. Governor, +and the other to my Lord Loudon, who was then Commander-In-Chief. As the +company entered, these domestics disappeared, as is usual, and we all +took our seats on the benches thus retained for us. Bulstrode's care was +apparent in the manner in which he had provided for Anneke, and her party, +which, I will take it on myself to say, was one of the most striking, for +youth and good looks, that entered the house that evening. + +Great was the curiosity, and deep the feeling, that prevailed, among the +younger portion of the audience in particular, as party after party was +seated, that important evening. The house was ornamented as a theatre, and +I thought it vast in extent; though Herman Mordaunt assured me it was +no great things, in that point of view, as compared with most of the +playhouses at home. But the ornaments, and the lights, and the curtain, the +pit, the boxes the gallery, were all so many objects of intense interest. +Few of us said anything; but our eyes wandered over all with a species of +delight, that I am certain can be felt in a theatre only once. Anneke's +sweet face was a picture of youthful expectation; an expectation, however, +in which intelligence and discretion had their full share. The orchestra +was said to have an undue portion of wind instruments in it; though I +perceived ladies all over the house, including those in our own box, +returning the bows of many of the musicians, who, I was told, were +_amateurs_ from the army and the drawing-rooms of the town. + +At length the Commander-In-Chief and the Lt. Governor entered together, +occupying the same box, though two had been provided, their attendants +having recourse to the second. The commotion produced by these arrivals had +hardly subsided, when the curtain arose, and a new world was presented to +our view! Of the playing, I shall not venture to say much; though to me +it seemed perfection. Bulstrode gained great applause that night; and I +understand that divers gentlemen, who had either been educated at home, +or who had passed much time there, declared that his Cato would have done +credit to either of the royal theatres. His dress appeared to me to be +everything it should be; though I cannot describe it. I remember that +Syphax wore the uniform of a colonel of dragoons, and Juba, that of a +general officer; and that there was a good deal of criticism expended, and +some offence taken, because the gentlemen who played these parts came out +in wool, and with their faces blacked. It was said, in answer to these +feelings, that the characters were Africans; and that any one might see, by +casting his eyes at the gallery, that Africans are usually black, and that +they have woolly hair; a sort of proof that, I imagine, only aggravated the +offence. [15] Apart from this little mistake, everything went off well, +even Marcia. It is true, that some evil-inclined person whispered that the +“virtuous Marcia” was a little how-came-you-so; but Bulstrode afterwards +assured me that his condition helped him along amazingly, and that it added +a liquid lustre to his eyes, that might otherwise have been wanting. The +high-heeled shoes appeared to trouble him; but some persons fancied it gave +him a pretty tottering in his walk, that added very much to the deception. +On the whole, the piece went off surprisingly, as I could see by Lord +Loudon and the Lt. Governor, both of whom seemed infinitely diverted. +Herman Mordaunt smiled once or twice, when he ought to have looked grave; +but this I ascribed to a want of practice, of late years, in scenic +representations. He certainly was a man of judgment, and must have known +the proper moments to exhibit particular emotions. + +During the interval between the play and the farce, the actors came among +us, to receive the homage they merited, and loud were the plaudits that +were bestowed on them. Anneke's bright eyes sparkled with pleasure as she +admitted, without reserve, to Bulstrode the pleasure she had received, and +confessed she had formed no idea, hitherto, of the beauty and power of a +theatrical representation, aided as was this, by the auxiliaries of lights, +dress and scenery. It is true, the women had been a little absurd, and the +“virtuous Marcia” particularly so; but the fine sentiments of Addison, +which, though as Herman Mordaunt observed, they had all the accuracy and +all the stiffness of a pedantic age, were sufficiently beautiful and +just, to cover the delinquencies of the Hon. Mr. Harris. She hoped the +afterpiece would be of the same general character, that they might all +enjoy it as much as they had the play itself. + +The other young ladies were equally decided in their praise, though it +struck me that Anneke _felt_ the most, on the occasion. That the Major had +obtained a great advantage by his efforts, I could not but see; and the +folly of my having any pretensions with one who was courted by such a +rival, began to impress itself on my imagination with a force I found +painful. But the bell soon summoned away the gallant actors, in order to +dress for the farce. + +The long interval that occurred between the two pieces, gave ample +opportunity for visiting one's acquaintances, and to compare opinions. I +went to my aunt's box, and found her well satisfied, though less animated +than the younger ladies, in the expression of her pleasure. My uncle was +altogether himself; good-natured, but not disposed to award any indiscreet +amount of praise. + +“Pretty well for boys, Corny,” he said, “though the youngster who acted +Marcia had better been at school. I do not know his name, but he completely +took all the virtue out of Marcia. He must have studied her character from +some of the ladies who follow the camp.” + +“My dear uncle, how differently you think from all in our box! That +gentleman is the Hon. Mr. Harris, who is only eighteen, and has a pair of +colours in the ----th, and is a son of Lord Ballybannon, or Bally-something +else, and is said to have the softest voice in the army!” + +“Ay, and the softest head, too, I'll answer for it. I tell you, Corny, the +Hon. Mr. Ballybilly, who is only eighteen, and has a pair of colours in +the ----th, and the softest voice in the army, had better been at school, +instead of undermining the virtue of the 'virtuous Marcia,' as he has so +obviously done. Bulstrode did well enough; capitally well, for an amateur, +and must be a first-rate fellow. By the way, Jane”--that was my aunt's +name--“they tell me, he is likely to marry that exceedingly pretty daughter +of Herman Mordaunt, and make her Lady Bulstrode, one of these days.” + +“Why not, Mr. Legge?--Anne Mordaunt is as sweet a girl as there is in the +colony, and is very respectably connected. They even say the Mordaunts are +of a high family at home. Mary Wallace told me that Herman Mordaunt and Sir +Henry Bulstrode are themselves related; and you know, my dear, how intimate +the Mordaunts and the Wallaces are?” + +“Not I;--I know nothing of their intimacies, though I dare say it may be +all true. Mordaunt's father was an English gentleman of some family, I have +always heard, though he was as poor as a church-mouse, when he married one +of our Dutch heiresses; and as for Herman Mordaunt himself, he proved he +had not lost the instinct by marrying another, though she did not happen to +be Dutch. Here comes Anneke to inherit it all, and I'll answer for it that +care is had that she shall marry an heir.” + +“Well, Mr. Bulstrode is an heir, and the eldest son of a baronet. I am +always pleased when one of our girls makes a good connection at home, for +it does the colony credit. It is an excellent thing, Corny, to have our +interest well sustained at home--especially before the Privy Council, they +tell me.” + +“Well, I am not,” answered my uncle. “I think it more to the credit of the +colony for its young women to take up with its young men, and its young men +with its young women. I wish Anne Mordaunt had been substituted for the +Hon. Ballyshannon to-night. She would have made a thousand times better +'virtuous Marcia.” + +“You surely would not have had a young lady of respectability appear in +public, in this way, Mr. Legge.” + +My uncle said something to this, for he seldom let “Jane” get the better of +it for want of an answer; but as I left the box, I did not hear his reply. +It seemed then to be settled, in the minds of most persons, that Bulstrode +was to marry Anneke! I cannot describe the new shock this opinion gave me; +but it seemed to make me more fully sensible of the depth of the impression +that had been made on myself, in the intercourse of a single week. The +effect was such that I did not return to the party I had left, but sought +a seat in a distant part of the theatre, though one in which I could +distinctly see those I had abandoned. + +The Beaux Stratagem soon commenced, and Bulstrode was again seen in the +character of Scrub. Those who were most familiar with the stage, pronounced +his playing to be excellent--far better in the footman than in the Roman +Senator. The play itself struck me as being as broad and coarse as could be +tolerated; but as it had a reputation at home, where it had a great name, +our matrons did not dare to object to it. I was glad to see the smiles soon +disappear from Anneke's face, however, and to discover that _she_ found +no pleasure in scenes so unsuited to her sex and years. The short, quick +glances that were exchanged between Anneke and Mary Wallace, did not escape +me, and the manner in which they both rose, as soon as the curtain dropped, +told quite plainly the haste they were in to quit the theatre. I reached +their box-door in time to assist them through the crowd. + +Not a word was said by any of us, until we reached the street, where two or +three of Miss Mordaunt's female friends became loud in the expression of +their satisfaction. Neither Anneke nor Mary Wallace said anything, and so +well did I understand the nature of their feelings, that I made no allusion +whatever to the farce. As for the others, they did but chime in with what +appeared to be the common opinion, and were to be pitied rather than +condemned. It was perhaps the more excusable in them to imagine such a play +right, inasmuch as they must have known it was much extolled at home, a +fact that gave any custom a certain privilege in the colonies. A mother +country has much of the same responsibility as a natural mother, herself, +since its opinions and example are apt to be quoted in the one case by the +dependant, in justification of its own opinions and conduct, as it is by +the natural offspring in the other. + +I fancy, notwithstanding, this sort of responsibility gives the ministers +or people of England very little trouble, since I never could discover +any sensitiveness to their duties on this score. We all went in at Herman +Mordaunt's, after walking to the house as we had walked from it, and were +made to take a light supper, including some delicious chocolate. Just as +we sat down to table, Bulstrode joined us, to receive the praises he had +earned, and to enjoy his triumph. He got a seat directly opposite to mine, +on Anneke's left hand, and soon began to converse. + +“In the first place,” he cried, “you must all admit that Tom Harris did +wonders to-night as Miss Marcia Cato. I had my own trouble with the rogue, +for there is no precedent for a tipsy Marcia; but we managed to keep him +straight, and that was the nicest part of my management, let me assure +you.” + +“Yes,” observed Herman Mordaunt, drily; “I should think keeping Tom Harris +straight, after dinner, an exploit of no little difficulty, but a task that +would demand a very judicious management, indeed.” + +“You were pleased to express your satisfaction with the performance of +Cato, Miss Mordaunt,” said Bulstrode, in a very deferential and solicitous +manner; “but I question if the entertainment gave you as much pleasure?” + +“It certainly did not. Had the representation ended with the first piece, I +am afraid I should too much regret that we are without a regular stage; but +the farce will take off much of the keenness of such regrets.” + +“I fear I understand you, cousin Anne, and greatly regret that we did not +make another choice,” returned Bulstrode, with a humility that was not +usual in his manner, even when addressing Anneke Mordaunt; “but I can +assure you the play has great vogue at home; and the character of Scrub, in +particular, has usually been a prodigious favourite. I see by your look, +however, that enough has been said; but after having done so much to amuse +this good company, to-night, I shall feel authorised to call on every lady +present, at least for a song, as soon as the proper moment arrives. Perhaps +I have a right to add, a sentiment, and a toast.” + +And songs, and toasts, and sentiments, we had, as usual, the moment we had +done eating. It was, and indeed _is_, rather more usual to indulge in this +innocent gaiety after supper, than after dinner, with us; and that night +everybody entered into the feeling of the moment with spirit. Herman +Mordaunt gave “Miss Markham,” as he had done at dinner, and this with an +air so determined, as to prove no one else would ever be got out of _him_. + +“There is a compact between Miss Markham and myself, to toast each other +for the remainder of our lives,” cried the master of the house, laughing; +“and we are each too honest ever to violate it.” + +“But Miss Mordaunt is under no such engagement,” put in a certain Mr. +Benson, who had manifested much interest in the beautiful young mistress of +the house throughout the day; “and I trust we shall not be put off by any +such excuse from her.” + +“It is not in rule to ask two of the same race for toasts in succession,” + answered Herman Mordaunt. “There is Mr. Bulstrode dying to give us another +English belle.” + +“With all my heart,” said Bulstrode, gaily. “This time it shall be Lady +Betty Boddington.” + +“Married or single, Bulstrode?” inquired Billings, as I thought with some +little point. + +“No matter which, so long as she be a beauty and a toast. I believe it +is now my privilege to call on a lady, and I beg a gentleman from Miss +Wallace.” + +There had been an expression of pained surprise, at the trifling between +Billings and Bulstrode, in Anneke's sweet countenance; for, in the +simplicity of our provincial habits, we of the colonies did not think it +exactly in rule for the single to toast the married, or _vice versa_; but +the instant her friend was thus called on, it changed for a look of gentle +concern. Mary Wallace manifested no concern, however, but gave “Mr. Francis +Fordham.” + +“Ay, Frank Fordham, with all my heart,” cried Herman Mordaunt. “I hope he +will return to his native country as straight-forward, honest, and good as +he left it.” + +“Mr. Fordham is then abroad?” inquired Bulstrode. “I thought the name new +to me.” + +“If being at home can be called being abroad. He is reading law at the +Temple.” + +This was the answer of Mary Wallace, who looked as if she felt a friendly +interest in the young Templar, but no more. She now called on Dirck for +his lady. Throughout the whole of that day, Dirck's voice had hardly been +heard; a reserve that comported well enough with his youth and established +diffidence. This appeal, however, seemed suddenly to arouse all that there +was of manhood in him; and that was not a little, I can tell the reader, +when there was occasion to use it. Dirck's nature was honesty itself; and +he felt that the appeal was too direct, and the occasion too serious, to +admit of duplicity. He loved but one, esteemed but one, felt for one only; +and it was not in his nature to cover his preference by any attempt at +deception. After colouring to the ears, appearing distressed, he made an +effort, and pronounced the name of--“Anneke Mordaunt.” + +A common laugh rewarded this blunder; common with all but the fair creature +who had extorted this involuntary tribute, and myself, who knew Dirck's +character too well not to understand how very much he must be in earnest +thus to lay bare the most cherished secret of his heart. The mirth +continued some time, Herman Mordaunt appearing to be particularly pleased, +and applauding his kinsman's directness with several 'bravos' very +distinctly uttered. As for Anneke, I saw she looked touched, while she +looked concerned, and as if she would be glad to have the thing undone. + +“After all, Dirck, much as I admire your spirit and plain dealing, boy,” + cried Herman Mordaunt, “Miss Wallace can never let such a toast pass. She +will insist on having another.” + +“I!--I protest I am well pleased with it, and ask for no other,” exclaimed +the lady in question. “No toast can be more agreeable to me than Anneke +Mordaunt, and I particularly like the quarter from which this comes.” + +“If friends can be trusted in a matter of this nature,” put in Bulstrode, +with a little pique, “Mr. Follock has every reason to be contented. Had I +known, however, that the customs of New York allowed a lady who is present +to be toasted, that gentleman would not have had the merit of being the +first to make this discovery.” + +“Nor is it,” said Herman Mordaunt; “and Dirck must hunt up another to +supply my daughter's place.” + +But no other was forthcoming from the stores of Dirck Follock's mind. Had +he a dozen names in reserve, not one of them would he have produced under +circumstances that might seem like denying his allegiance to the girl +already given; but he _could_ not name any other female. So, after some +trifling, the company attributing Dirck's hesitation to his youth and +ignorance of the world, abandoned the attempt, desiring him to call on +Anneke herself for a toast in turn. + +“_Cousin_ Dirck Van Valkenburgh,” said Anneke, with the greater +self-possession and ease of her sex, though actually my friend's junior by +more than two years; laying some emphasis, at the same time, on the word +_cousin_. + +“There!” exclaimed Dirck, looking exultingly at Bulstrode; “you see, +gentlemen and ladies, that _it_ is permitted to toast a person present, if +you happen to respect and esteem that person!” + +“By which, sir, we are to understand how much Miss Mordaunt respects and +esteems Mr. Dirck Van Valkenburgh,” answered Bulstrode gravely. “I am +afraid there is only too much justice in an opinion that might, at the +first blush, seem to savour of self-love.” + +“An imputation I am far from denying,” returned Anneke, with a steadiness +that showed wonderful self-command, did she really return any of Dirck's +attachment. “My kinsman gives me as his toast, and I give him as mine. Is +there anything unnatural in that?” + +Here there was an outbreak of raillery at Anneke's expense, which the young +lady bore with a calmness and composure that at first astonished me. But +when I came to reflect that she had been virtually at the head of her +father's house for several years, and that she had always associated with +persons older than herself, it appeared more natural; for it is certain +we can either advance or retard the character by throwing a person into +intimate association with those who, by their own conversation, manners, +or acquirements, are most adapted for doing either. In a few minutes the +interruption was forgotten by those who had no interest in the subject, +and the singing commenced. I had obtained so much credit by my attempt at +dinner, that I had the extreme gratification of being asked to sing another +song by Anneke herself. Of course I complied, and I thought the company +seemed pleased. As for my young hostess, I knew she looked more gratified +with my song than with the afterpiece, and that I felt to be something. +Dirck had an occasion to renew a little of the ground lost by the toast, +for he sang a capital comic song in Low Dutch. It is true, not half the +party understood him, but the other half laughed until the tears rolled +down their cheeks, and there was something so droll in my friend's manner, +that everybody was delighted. The clocks struck twelve before we broke up. + +I staid in town but a day or two longer, meeting my new acquaintances every +day, and sometimes twice a-day, however, on Trinity Church Walk. I paid +visits of leave-taking with a heavy heart, and most of all to Anneke and +her father. + +“I understood from Follock,” said Herman Mordaunt, when I explained the +object of my call, “that you are to leave town to-morrow. Miss Mordaunt and +her friend, Miss Wallace, go to Lilacsbush this afternoon; for it is high +time to look after the garden and the flowers, many of which are now in +full bloom. I shall join them in the evening and I propose that you young +men, take a late breakfast with us, on your way to Westchester. A cup of +coffee before you start, and getting into your saddle at six, will bring +all right. I promise you that you shall be on the road again by one, which +will give you plenty of time to reach Satanstoe before dark.” + +I looked at Anneke, and fancied that the expression of her countenance was +favourable. Dirck left everything to me, and I accepted the invitation. +This arrangement shortened my visit in Crown Street, and I left the house +with a lighter heart than that with which I had entered it. It is always so +agreeable to get an unpleasant duty deferred! + +Next day Dirck and I were in the saddle at six precisely, and we rode +through the streets just as the blacks were washing down their stoops and +side-walks; though there were but very few of the last, in my youth. This +is a commodious improvement, and one that it is not easy to see how the +ladies could dispense with, and which is now getting to be pretty common; +all the new streets, I see, being provided with the convenience. + +It was a fine May morning, and the air was full of the sweet fragrance of +the lilac, in particular, as we rode into the country. Just as we got into +the Bowery Lane, a horseman was seen walking out of one of the by-streets, +and coming our way. He no sooner caught sight of two travellers going in +his own direction, than he spurred forward to join us; being alone, and +probably wishing company. As it would have been churlish to refuse to +travel in company with one thus situated, we pulled up, walking our horses +until the stranger joined us; when, to our surprise, it turned out to be +Jason Newcome. The pedagogue was as much astonished when he recognised us, +as we were in recognising him; and I believe he was a little disappointed; +for Jason was so fond of making acquaintances, that it was always a +pleasure to him to be thus employed. It appeared that he had been down +on the island to visit a relative, who had married and settled in that +quarter; and this was the reason we had not met since the morning of the +affair of the lion. Of course we trotted on together, neither glad nor +sorry at having this particular companion. + +I never could explain the process by means of which Jason wound his way +into everybody's secrets. It is true he had no scruples about asking +questions; putting those which most persons would think forbidden by the +usages of society, with as little hesitation as those which are universally +permitted. The people of New England have a reputation this way; and I +remember to have heard Mr. Worden account for the practice in the following +way: Everything and everybody was brought under rigid church government +among the Puritans; and, when a whole community gets the notion that it is +to sit in judgment on every act of one of its members, it is quite natural +that it should extend that right to an inquiry into all his affairs. One +thing is certain; our neighbours of Connecticut do assume a control over +the acts and opinions of individuals that is not dreamed of in New York; +and I think it very likely that the practice of pushing inquiry into +private things, has grown up under this custom. + +As one might suppose, Jason, whenever baffled in an attempt to obtain +knowledge by means of inquiries, more or less direct, sought to advance his +ends through conjectures; taking those that were the most plausible, if +any such could be found, but putting up with those that had not even +this questionable recommendation, if nothing better offered. He was, +consequently, for ever falling into the grossest errors, for, necessarily +making his conclusions on premises drawn from his own ignorance and +inexperience, he was liable to fall into serious mistakes at the very +outset. Nor was this the worst; the tendency of human nature not being very +directly to charity, the harshest constructions were sometimes blended with +the most absurd blunders, in his mind, and I have known him to be often +guilty of assertions, that had no better foundation than these conjectures, +which might have subjected him to severe legal penalties. + +On the present occasion, Jason was not long in ascertaining where we were +bound. This was done in a manner so characteristic and ingenious, that I +will attempt to relate it. + +“Why, you're out early, this morning, gentlemen,” exclaimed Jason, +affecting surprise. “What in natur' has started you off before breakfast?” + +“So as to be certain not to lose our suppers at Satanstoe, this evening,” I +answered. + +“Suppers? why, you will almost reach home (Jason _would_ call this word +_hum_) by dinner-time; that is, your York dinner-time. Perhaps you mean to +call by the way?” + +“Perhaps we do, Mr. Newcorne; there are many pleasant families between this +and Satanstoe.” + +“I know there be. There's the great Mr. Van Cortlandt's at Yonker's; +perhaps you mean to stop there?” + +“No, sir; we have no such intention.” + +“Then there's the rich Count Philips's, on the river; that would be no +great matter out of the way?” + +“It's farther than we intend to turn.” + +“Oh! so you _do_ intend to turn a bit aside! Well, there's that Mr. +Mordaunt, whose daughter you pulled out of the lion's paws;--he has a house +near King's-Bridge, called Lilacsbush.” + +“And how did you ascertain that, Jason?” + +“By asking. Do you think I would let such a thing happen, and not inquire +a little about the young lady? Nothing is ever lost by putting a few +questions, and inquiring round; and I did not forget the rule in her case.” + +“And you ascertained that the young lady's father has a place called +Lilacsbush, in this neighbourhood?” + +“I did; and a queer York fashion it is to give a house a name, just as you +would a Christian being; that must be a Roman Catholic custom, and some way +connected with idolatry.” + +“Out of all doubt. It is far better to say, for instance, that we are going +to breakfast at Mr. Mordaunt's-es-es, than to say we intend to stop at +Lilacsbush.” + +“Oh! you be, be you? Well, I thought it would turn out that some such place +must have started you off so early. It will be a desperate late breakfast, +Corny!” + +“It will be at ten o'oclock, Jason, and that is rather later than common; +but our appetites will be so much the better.” + +To this Jason assented, and then commenced a series of manoeuvres to be +included in the party. This we did not dare to do, however, and all Jason's +hints were disregarded, until, growing desperate by our evasions, he +plumply proposed to go along, and we as plumply told him we would take no +such liberty with a man of Herman Mordaunt's years, position and character. +I do not know that we should have hesitated so much had we considered Jason +a gentleman, but this was impossible. The custom of the colony admitted +of great freedom in this respect, being very different from what it is +at home, by all accounts, in these particulars; but there was always an +understanding that the persons one brought with him should be of a certain +stamp and class in life; recommendations to which Jason Newcome certainly +had no claim. + +The case was getting to be a little embarrassing, when the appearance of +Herman Mordaunt himself, fortunately removed the difficulty. Jason was not +a man to be thrown off very easily; but here was one who had the power, and +who showed the disposition to set things right. Herman Mordaunt had ridden +down the road a mile or two to meet us, intending to lead us by a private +and shorter way to his residence, than that which was already known to us. +He no sooner saw that Jason was of our company, than he asked that as a +favour, which our companion would very gladly have accepted as a boon. + +[Footnote 15: In England, Othello is usually played as a black, while in +America he is played as a nondescript; or of no colour that is ordinarily +seen. It is not clear that England is nearer right than America, however; +the Moor not being a negro, any more than he is of the colour of a dried +herring.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + “I question'd Love, whose early ray + So heavenly bright appears; + And love, in answer, seem'd to say, + His light was dimm'd by tears.” + + HEBER. + + +It was not long after the explanation occurred, as respects Jason, and the +invitation was given to include him in our party, before Herman Mordaunt +opened a gate, and led the way into the fields. A very tolerable road +conducted us through some woods, to the heights, and we soon found +ourselves on an eminence, that overlooked a long reach of the Hudson, +extending from Haverstraw, to the north, as far as Staten Island, to the +south; a distance of near forty miles. On the opposite shore, rose the +wall-like barrier of the Palisadoes, lifting the table-land, on their +summits, to an elevation of several hundred feet. The noble river, itself, +fully three-quarters of a mile in width, was unruffled by a breath of air, +lying in one single, extended, placid sheet, under the rays of a bright +sun, resembling molten silver. I scarce remember a lovelier morning; +everything appearing to harmonize with the glorious but tranquil grandeur +of the view, and the rich promises of a bountiful nature. The trees were +mostly covered with the beautiful clothing of a young verdure; the birds +had mated, and were building in nearly every tree; the wild-flowers started +up beneath the hoofs of our horses; and every object, far and near, seemed, +to my young eyes, to be attuned to harmony and love. + +“This is a favourite ride of mine, in which Anneke often accompanies +me,” said Herman Mordaunt, as we gained the commanding eminence I have +mentioned. “My daughter is a spirited horse-woman, and is often my +companion in these morning rides. She and Mary Wallace should be somewhere +on the hills, at this moment, for they promised to follow me, as soon as +they could dress for the saddle.” + +A cry of something like wild delight burst out of Dirck, and the next +moment he was galloping away for an adjoining ridge, on the top of which +the beautiful forms of the two girls were just then visible; embellished by +neatly-fitting habits, and beavers with drooping feathers. I pointed out +these charming objects to Herman Mordaunt, and followed my friend, at +half-speed. In a minute or two the parties had joined. + +Never had I seen Anneke Mordaunt so perfectly lovely, as she appeared that +morning. The exercise and air had deepened a bloom that was always rich; +and her eyes received new lustre from the glow on her cheeks. Though +expected, I thought she received us as particularly acceptable guests; +while Mary Wallace manifested more than an usual degree of animation, in +her reception. Jason was not forgotten, but was acknowledged as an old +acquaintance, and was properly introduced to the friend. + +“You frequently take these rides, Mr. Mordaunt tells me,” I said, reining +my horse to the side of that of Anneke's, as the whole party moved on; “and +I regret that Satanstoe is so distant, as to prevent our oftener meeting +of a morning. We have many noted horse-women, in Westchester, who would be +proud of such an acquisition.” + +“I know several ladies, on your side of Harlem river” Anneke answered, +“and frequently ride in their company; but none so distant as any in your +immediate neighbourhood. My father tells me, he used often to shoot over +the fields of Satanstoe, when a youth; and still speaks of your birds with +great affection.” + +“I believe our fathers were once brother-sportsmen. Mr. Bulstrode has +promised to come and imitate their good example. Now you have had time to +reflect on the plays you have seen, do you still feel the same interest in +such representations as at first?” + +“I only wish there was not so much to condemn. I think Mr. Bulstrode might +have reached eminence as a player, had not fortune put it, in one sense, +beyond his reach, as an elder son, and a man of family.” + +“Mr. Bulstrode, they tell me, is not only the heir of an old baronetcy, but +of a large fortune?” + +“Such are the facts, I believe. Do you not think it creditable to him, Mr. +Littlepage, that one so situated, should come so far to serve his king and +country, in a rude war like this of our colonies?” + +I was obliged to assent, though I heartily wished that Anneke's manner had +been less animated and sincere, as she put the question. Still, I hardly +knew what to think of her feelings towards that gentleman; for, otherwise, +she always heard him named with a calmness and self-possession that I +had observed was not shared by all her young companions, when there was +occasion to allude to the gay and insinuating soldier. I need scarcely say, +it was no disadvantage to Mr. Bulstrode to be the heir of a baronetcy, in +an English colony. Somehow or other, we are a little apt to magnify such +accidental superiority, at a distance from home; and I _have_ heard +Englishmen, themselves, acknowledge that a baronet was a greater man, in +New York, than a duke was in London. These were things, that passed through +my mind, as I rode along at Anneke's side; though I had the discretion not +to give utterance of my thoughts. + +“Herman Mordaunt rode in advance, with Jason; and he led the party, by +pretty bridle-paths, along the heights for nearly two miles, occasionally +opening a gate, without dismounting, until he reached a point that +overlooked Lilacsbush, which was soon seen, distant from us less than half +a mile. + +“Here we are, on my own domain,” he said, as he pulled up to let us join +him; “that last gate separating me from my nearest neighbour south. These +hills are of no great use, except as early pastures, though they afford +many beautiful views.” + +“I have heard it predicted,” I remarked, “that the time would come, some +day, when the banks of the Hudson would contain many such seats as that of +the Philipses, at Yonkers, and one or two more like it, that I am told are +now standing above the Highlands.” + +“Quite possibly; it is not easy to foretell what may come to pass in such a +country. I dare say, that in time, both towns and seats will be seen on the +banks of the Hudson, and a powerful and numerous nobility to occupy the +last. By the way, Mr. Littlepage, your father and my friend Col. Follock +have been making a valuable acquisition in lands, I hear; having obtained a +patent for an extensive estate, somewhere in the neighbourhood of Albany?” + +“It is not so very extensive, sir, there being only some forty thousand +acres of it, altogether; nor is it very near Albany, by what I can learn, +since it must lie at a distance of some forty miles, or more, from that +town. Next winter, however, Dirck and myself are to go in search of the +land, when we shall learn all about it.” + +“Then we may meet in that quarter of the country. I have affairs of +importance at Albany, which have been too long neglected; and it has been +my intention to pass some months at the north, next season; and early in +the season, too. We may possibly meet in the woods.” + +“You have been at Albany, I suppose, Mr. Mordaunt?” + +“Quite often, sir; the distance is so great, that one has not much +inducement to go there, unless carried by affairs, however, as has been my +case. I was at Albany before my marriage, and have had various occasions to +visit it since.” + +“My father was there, when a soldier; and he tells me it is a part of the +province well worth seeing. At all events, I shall encounter the risk and +fatigue next season; for it is useful to young persons to see the world. +Dirck and myself may make the campaign, should there be one in that +direction.” + +I fancied Anneke manifested some interest in this conversation; but we rode +on, and soon alighted at the door of Lilacsbush. Bulstrode was not in the +way, and I had the supreme pleasure of helping Miss Mordaunt to alight, +when we paused a moment before entering the house, to examine the view. I +have given the reader some idea of the general appearance of the place; but +it was necessary to approach it, in order to form a just conception of its +beauties. As its name indicated, the lawn, house, and out-buildings were +all garnished or buried in lilacs, the whole of which were then in full +blossom. The flowers filled the air with a species of purple light, that +cast a warm and soft radiance even on the glowing face of Anneke, as she +pointed out to me the magical effect. I know no flower that does so much +to embellish a place, as the lilac, on a large scale, common as it is, and +familiar as we have become with its hues and its fragrance. + +“We enjoy the month our lilacs are out, beyond any month in the year,” said +Anneke, smiling at my surprise and delight; “and we make it a point to pass +most of it here. You will at least own, Mr. Littlepage, that Lilacsbush is +properly named.” + +“The effect is more like enchantment than anything else!” I cried. “I +did not know that the simple, modest lilac could render anything so very +beautiful!” + +“Simplicity and modesty are such charms in themselves, sir, as to be potent +allies,” observed the sensible but taciturn Mary Wallace. + +To this I assented, of course, and we all followed Mr. Mordaunt into +the house. I was as much delighted with the appearance of things in the +interior of Lilacsbush, as I had been with the exterior. Everywhere, it +seemed to me, I met with the signs of Anneke's taste and skill. I do not +wish the reader to suppose that the residence itself was of the very first +character and class, for this it could not lay claim to be. Still, it was +one of those staid, story-and-a-half dwellings, in which most of our +first families were, and are content to dwell, in the country; very much +resembling the good old habitation at Satanstoe in these particulars. The +furniture, however, was of a higher town-finish than we found it necessary +to use; and the little parlour in which we breakfasted was a model for an +eating-room. The buffets in the corners were so well polished that one +might see his face in them; the cellarets were ornamented with plated +hinges, locks, etc., and the table itself shone like a mirror. I know not +how it was, but the china appeared to me richer and neater than common +under Anneke's pretty little hand; while the massive and highly-finished +plate of the breakfast service, was such as could be wrought only in +England. In a word, while everything appeared rich and respectable, there +was a certain indescribable air of comfort, gentility, and neatness about +the whole, that impressed me in an unusual manner. + +“Mr. Littlepage tells me, Anneke,” observed Herman Mordaunt, while we were +at breakfast, “that he intends to make a journey to the north, next winter, +and it may be our good fortune to meet him there. The ----th expects to be +ordered up as high as Albany, this summer; and we may all renew our songs +and jests, with Bulstrode and his gay companions, among the Dutchmen.” + +I was charmed with this prospect of meeting Anneke Mordaunt at the north, +and took occasion to say as much; though I was afraid it was in an awkward +and confused manner. + +“I heard as much as this, sir, while we were riding,” answered the +daughter. “I hope cousin Dirck is to be of the party?” + +Cousin Dirck assured her he was, and we discussed in anticipation the +pleasure it must give to old acquaintances to meet so far from home. Not +one of us, Herman Mordaunt excepted, had ever been one hundred miles from +his or her birth-place, as was ascertained on comparing notes. I was the +greatest traveller; Princeton lying between eighty and ninety miles from +Satanstoe, as the road goes. + +“Perhaps I come nearer to it than any of you,” put in Jason, “for my late +journey on the island must have carried me nearly that far from Danbury. +But, ladies, I can assure you, a traveller has many opportunities for +learning useful things, as I know by the difference there is between York +and Connecticut.” + +“And which do you prefer, Mr. Newcome?” asked Anneke, with a somewhat +comical expression about her laughing eyes. + +“That is hardly a fair question, Miss;” no reproof could break Jason of +this vulgarism, “since it might make enemies for a body to speak all of his +mind in such matters. There are comparisons that should never be made, on +account of circumstances that overrule all common efforts. New York is +a great colony--a very great colony, Miss; but it was once Dutch, as +everybody knows, begging Mr. Follock's pardon; and it must be confessed +Connecticut has, from the first, enjoyed almost unheard-of advantages, in +the moral and religious character of her people, the excellence of her +lands, and the purity”--Jason called this word “poority;” but that did not +alter the sentiment--though I must say, once for all, it is out of my power +to spell every word as this man saw fit to pronounce it--“of her people and +church.” + +Herman Mordaunt looked up with surprise, at this speech; but Dirck and +I had heard so many like it, that we saw nothing out of the way on this +particular occasion. As for the ladies, they were too well-bred to glance +at each other, as girls sometimes will; but I could see that each thought +the speaker a very singular person. + +“You find, then, a difference in customs between the two colonies, sir?” + said Herman Mordaunt. + +“A vast difference truly, sir. Now there was a little thing happened about +your daughter, 'Squire Mordaunt, the very first time I saw her”--the +present was the _second_ interview--“that could no more have happened +in Connecticut, than the whole of the province could be put into that +tea-cup.” + +“To my daughter, Mr. Newcome!” + +“Yes, sir, to your own daughter; Miss, that sits there looking as innocent +as if it had never come to pass.” + +“This is so extraordinary, sir, that I must beg an explanation.” + +“You may well call it extr'ornary, for extr'ornary it would be called all +over Connecticut; and I'll never give up that York, if this be a York +usage, is or can be right in such a matter, at least.” + +“I entreat you to be more explicit, Mr. Newcome.” + +“Why, sir, you must know, Corny, here, and I, and Dirck there, went in to +see the lion, about which no doubt you've heard so much, and Corny paid for +Miss's ticket Well, _that_ was all right enough, but----” + +“Surely, Anneke, you have not forgotten to return to Mr. Littlepage the +money!” + +“Listen patiently, my dear sir, and you will get the whole story, my +delinquencies and debts included, if any there are.” + +“That's just what she did, Squire Mordaunt, and I maintain there is not the +man in all Connecticut that would have taken it. If ladies can't be treated +to sights, and other amusements, I should like to know who is to be so.” + +Herman Mordaunt, at first, looked gravely at the speaker, but catching the +expression of our eyes he answered with the tact of a perfectly well-bred +man, as he certainly was, on all occasions that put him to the proof-- + +“You must overlook Miss Mordaunt's adhering to her own customs, Mr. +Newcome, on account of her youth, and her little knowledge of any world +but that immediately around her. When she has enjoyed an opportunity of +visiting Danbury, no doubt she will improve by the occasion.” + +“But, Corny, sir--think of Corny's falling into such a mistake!” + +“As for Mr. Littlepage, I must suppose he labours under somewhat of the +same disadvantage. We are less gallant here than you happen to be in +Connecticut; hence our inferiority. At some future day, perhaps, when +society shall have made a greater progress among us, our youths will come +to see the impropriety of permitting the fair sex to pay for anything, even +their own ribands. I have long known, sir, that you of New England claim to +treat your women better than they are treated in any other portion of the +inhabited world, and it must be owing to that circumstance hat they enjoy +the advantage of being 'treated' for nothing.” + +With this concession Jason was apparently content. How much of this +provincial feeling, arising from provincial ignorance, have I seen since +that time! It is certain that our fellow-subjects of the eastern provinces +are not addicted to hiding their lights under bushels, but make the most +of all their advantages. That they are superior to us of York, in some +respects, I am willing enough to allow; but there are certainly points on +which this superiority is far less apparent. As for Jason, he was entirely +satisfied with the answer of Herman Mordaunt, and often alluded to the +subject afterwards, to my prejudice, and with great self-complacency. To +be sure, it is a hard lesson to beat into the head of the self-sufficient +colonist, that his own little corner of the earth does not contain all that +is right, and just, and good, and refined. + +I left Lilacsbush, that day, deeply in love. I hold it to be unmanly to +attempt to conceal it. Anneke had made a lively impression on me from the +very first, but that impression had now gone deeper than the imagination, +and had very sensibly touched the heart. Perhaps it was necessary to see +her in the retirement of the purely domestic circle, to give all her charms +their just ascendency. While in town, I had usually met her in crowds, +surrounded by admirers or other young persons of her own sex, and there was +less opportunity for viewing the influence of nature and the affections on +her manner. With Mary Wallace at her side, however, there was always one +on whom she could exhibit just enough of these feelings to bring out the +loveliness of her nature without effort or affectation. Anne Mordaunt never +spoke to her friend without a change appearing in her manner. Affection +thrilled in the tones of her voice, confidence beamed in her eye, and +esteem and respect were to be gathered from the expectation and deference +that shone in her countenance. Mary Wallace was two years the oldest, and +these years taken in connection with her character, entitled her to receive +this tribute from her nearest associate; but all these feelings flowed +spontaneously from the heart, for never was an intercourse between two of +the sex more thoroughly free from acting. + +It was a proof that passion was getting the mastery over me, that I now +forgot Dirck, his obvious attachment, older claims, and possible success. I +know not how it was, or why it was, but it was certain that Herman Mordaunt +had a great regard for Dirck Van Valkenburgh. The affinity may have counted +for something, and it was possible that the father was already weighing the +advantages that might accrue from such a connection. Col. Follock had the +reputation of being rich, as riches were then counted among us; and the +young fellow himself, in addition to a fine manly figure, that was fast +developing itself into the frame of a youthful Hercules, had an excellent +temper, and a good reputation. Still, this idea never troubled me. Of Dirck +I had no fears, while Bulstrode gave me great uneasiness, from the first. +I saw all his advantages, may have even magnified them; while those of my +near and immediate friend, gave me no trouble whatever. It is possible, had +Dirck presented himself oftener, or more distinctly to my mind, a feeling +of magnanimity might have induced me to withdraw in time, and leave him +a field to which he had the earliest claim. But, after the morning at +Lilacsbush, it was too late for any such sacrifice on my part; and I rode +away from the house, at the side of my friend, as forgetful of his interest +in Anneke, as if he had never felt any. Magnanimity and I had no further +connection in relation to my pretensions to Anneke Mordaunt. + +“Well,” commenced Jason, as soon as we were fairly in the saddle, “these +Mordaunts are even a notch above your folks, Corny? There was more silver +vessels in that room where we ate, than there is at this moment in all +Danbury! The extravagance amounts to waste. The old gentleman must be +desperate rich, Dirck?” + +“Herman Mordaunt has a good estate, and very little of it has gone for +plate, Jason; that which you saw is old, and came either from Holland, or +England; one home, or the other.” + +“Oh! Holland is no home for me, boy. Depend on it, all that plate is not +put there for nothing. If the truth could be come at, this Herman Mordaunt, +as you call him, though I do not see why you cannot call him _'Squire_ +Mordaunt, like other folks, but this Mr. Mordaunt has some notion, I +conclude, to get his daughter off on one of these rich English officers, of +whom there happen to be so many in the province, just at this time. I never +saw the gentleman, but there was one Bulstrode named pretty often this +forenoon,”--Jason's morning always terminated at his usual breakfast +hour,--“and I rather conclude he will turn out to be the chap, in the long +run. Such is my calculation, and _they_ don't often fail.” + +I saw a quick, surprised start in Dirck; but I felt such a twinge myself, +that there was little opportunity to inquires into the state of my friend's +feelings, at this coarse, but unexpected remark. + +“Have you any particular reason, Mr. Newcome, for; venturing such an +opinion?” I asked, a little sternly. + +“Come, don't let us, out here in the highway, begin to mister one another. +You are Corny, Dirck is Dirck, and I am Jason. The shortest way is commonly +the best way, and I like given-names among friends. Have I any particular +reason?--Yes; plenty on 'em, and them that's good. In the first place, no +man has a daughter,”--darter à la Jason,--“that he does not begin to think +of setting her out in the world, accordin' to his abilities; then, as +I said before, these folks from home” (hum) “are awful rich, and rich +husbands are always satisfactory to parents, whatever they may be to +children. Besides, some of these officers will fall heirs to titles, and +that is a desperate temptation to a woman, all over the world. I hardly +think there is a young woman in Danbury that could hold out agin' a real +title.” + +It has always struck me as singular, that the people of Jason's part of the +provinces should entertain so much profound respect for titles. No portion +of the world is of simpler habits, nor is it easier to find any civilized +people among whom there is greater equality of actual condition, which, +one would think, must necessarily induce equality of feeling, than in +Connecticut, at this very moment. Notwithstanding these facts, the love of +title is so great, that even that of serjeant is often prefixed to the name +of a man on his tombstone, or in the announcement of his death or marriage; +and as for the militia ensigns and lieutenants, there is no end to them. +Deacon is an important title, which is rarely omitted; and wo betide the +man who should forget to call a magistrate “esquire.” No such usages +prevail among us; or, if they do, it is among that portion of the people of +this colony which is derived from New England, and still retains some of +its customs. Then, in no part of the colonies is English rank more deferred +to, than in New England, generally, notwithstanding most of those colonies +possess the right to elect nearly every officer they have among them. I +allow that we of New York defer greatly to men of birth and rank from home, +and it is right we should so do; but I do not think our deference is as +great, or by any means as general, as it is in New England. It is possible +the influence of the Dutch may have left an impression on our state of +society, though I have been told that the colonies farther south exhibit +very much the same characteristics as we do, ourselves, on this head. [16] + +We reached Satanstoe a little late, in consequence of the delay at +Lilacsbush, and were welcomed with affection and warmth. My excellent +mother was delighted to see me at home again, after so long an absence, +and one which she did not think altogether without peril, when it was +remembered that I had passed a whole fortnight amid the temptations and +fascinations of the capital. I saw the tears in her eyes as she kissed me, +again and again, and felt the gentle, warm embrace, as she pressed me to +her bosom, in maternal thanksgiving. + +Of course, I had to render an account of all I had seen and done, including +Pinkster, the theatre, and the lion. I said nothing, however, of the +Mordaunts, until questioned about them by my mother, quite a fortnight +after Dirck had gone across to Rockland. One morning, as I sat endeavouring +to write a sonnet in my own room, that excellent parent entered and took +a seat near my table, with the familiarity the relation she bore me +justified. She was knitting at the time, for never was she idle, except +when asleep. I saw by the placid smile on her face, which, Heaven bless +her! was still smooth and handsome, that something was on her mind, that +was far from disagreeable; and I waited with some curiosity for the +opening. That excellent mother! How completely did she live out of herself +in all that had the most remote bearing on my future hopes and happiness! + +“Finish your writing, my son,” commenced my mother, for I had instinctively +striven to conceal the sonnet; “finish your writing; until you have done, I +will be silent.” + +“I have done, now, mother; 'twas only a copy of verses I was endeavouring +to write out--you know--that is--write out, you know.” + +“I did not know you were a poet, Corny,” returned my mother, smiling still +more complacently, for it _is_ something to be the parent of a poet. + +“I!--I a poet, mother?--I'd sooner turn school-master, than turn poet. +Yes, I'd sooner be Jason Newcome, himself, than even suspect it possible I +_could_ be a poet.” + +“Well, never mind; people never turn poets, I fancy, with their eyes open. +But, what is this I hear of your having saved a beautiful young lady from +the jaws of a lion, while you were in town; and why was I left to learn all +the particulars from Mr. Newcome?” + +I believe my face was of the colour of scarlet, for it felt as if it were +on fire, and my mother smiled still more decidedly than ever. Speak! I +could not have spoken to be thus smiled on by Anneke. + +“There is nothing to be ashamed of, Corny, in rescuing a young lady from a +lion, or in going to her father's to receive the thanks of the family. The +Mordaunts are a family any one can visit with pleasure. Was the battle +between you and the beast, a very desperate conflict, my child?” + +“Poh! mother:--Jason is a regular dealer in marvels, and he makes mountains +of mole-hills. In the first place, for 'jaws,' you must substitute 'paws,' +and for a 'young lady,' 'her shawl.'” + +“Yes, I understand it was the shawl, but it was on her shoulders, and could +not have been disengaged time enough to save her, had you not shown so much +presence of mind and courage. As for the 'jaws,' I believe that was my +mistake, for Mr. Newcome certainly said 'claws.'” + +“Well, mother, have it your own way. I was of a little service to a very +charming young woman, and she and her father were civil to me, as a matter +of course. Herman Mordaunt is a name we all know, and, as you say, his is a +family that any man may be proud of visiting, ay, and pleased too.” + +“How odd it is, Corny,” added my mother, in a sort of musing, soliloquizing +way,--“you are an only child, and Anneke Mordaunt is also an only child, as +Dirck Follock has often told me.” + +“Then Dirck has spoken to you frequently of Anneke, before this, mother?” + +“Time and again; they are relations, you must have heard; as, indeed, you +are yourself, if you did but know it.” + +“I?--I related to Anneke Mordaunt, without being too _near_?” + +My dear mother smiled again, while I felt sadly ashamed of myself at the +next instant. I believe that a suspicion of the truth, as respects my +infant passion, existed in that dear parent's mind from that moment. + +“Certainly related, Corny, and I will tell you how. My +great-great-grandmother, Alida van der Heyden, was a first cousin of Herman +Mordaunt's great-great-grandmother, by his mother's side, who was a Van +Kleeck. So, you see, you and Anneke are actually related.” + +“Just near enough, mother, to put one at ease in their house, and not so +near as to make relationship troublesome.” + +“They tell me, my child, that Anneke is a sweet creature!” + +“If beauty, and modesty, and grace, and gentleness, and spirit, and sense, +and delicacy, and virtue, and piety, can make any young woman of seventeen +a sweet creature, mother, then Anneke is sweet.” + +My dear mother seemed surprised at my warmth, but she smiled still more +complacently than ever. Instead of pursuing the subject, however, she saw +fit to change it, by speaking of the prospects of the season, and the many +reasons we all had for thankfulness to God. I presume, with a woman's +instinct, she had learned enough to satisfy her mind for the present. + +The summer soon succeeded to the May that proved so momentous to me; and I +sought occupation in the fields. Occupation, however, would not do. Anneke +was with me, go where I would; and glad was I when Dirck, about midsummer, +in one of his periodical visits to Satanstoe, proposed that we should ride +over, and make another visit to Lilacsbush. He had written a note, to say +we should be glad to ask a dinner and beds, if it were convenient, for a +day a short distance ahead; and he waited the answer at the Neck. This +answer arrived duly by mail, and was everything we could wish. Herman +Mordaunt offered us a hearty welcome, and sent the grateful intelligence +that his daughter and Mary Wallace would both be present to receive us. I +envied Dirck the manly feeling which had induced him to take this plain and +respectable course to his object. + +We went across the country, accordingly, and reached Lilacsbush several +hours before dinner. Anneke received us with a bright suffusion of the +face, and kind smiles; though I could not detect the slightest difference +in her manners to either. To both was she gracious, gentle, attentive, and +lady-like. No allusion was made to the past, except a few remarks that were +given on the subject of the theatre. The officers had continued to play +until the ----th had been ordered up the river, when Bulstrode, Billings, +Harris, virtuous Marcia, and all, had proceeded to Albany in company. +Anneke thought there was about as much to be displeased with, as there was +to please, in these representations; though her removal to the country +had prevented her seeing more than three of them all. It was admitted all +round, however, that Bulstrode played admirably; and it was even regretted +by certain persons, that he should not have been devoted to the stage. + +We passed the night at Lilacsbush, and remained an hour or two after +breakfast, next morning. I had carried a warm invitation from both my +parents to Herman Mordaunt, to ride over, with the young ladies, and taste +the fish of the Sound; and the visit was returned in the course of the +month of September. My mother received Anneke as a relation; though I +believe that both Herman Mordaunt and his daughter were surprised to learn +that they came within even the wide embrace of Dutch kindred. They did not +seem displeased, however, for the family name of my mother was good, and no +one need have been ashamed of affinity to _her_, on her own account. Our +guests did not remain the night, but they left us in a sort of a chaise +that Herman Mordaunt kept for country use, about an hour before sunset. I +mounted my horse, and rode five miles with the party, on its way back, +and then took my leave of Anneke, as it turned out, for many, many weary +months. + +The year 1757 was memorable in the colonies, by the progress of the war, +and as much so in New York as in any other province. Montcalm had advanced +to the head of Lake George, had taken Fort William Henry, and a fearful +massacre of the garrison had succeeded. This bold operation left the +enemy in possession of Champlain; and the strong post of Ticonderoga was +adequately garrisoned by a formidable force. A general gloom was cast over +the political affairs of the colony; and it was understood that a great +effort was to be made, the succeeding campaign, to repair the loss. Rumour +spoke of large reinforcements from home, and of greater levies in the +colonies themselves than had been hitherto attempted. Lord Loudon was to +return home, and a veteran of the name of Abercrombie was to succeed him in +the command of all the forces of the king. Regiments began to arrive from +the West Indies; and, in the course of the winter of 1757-8, we heard at +Satanstoe of the gaieties that these new forces had introduced into the +town. Among other things, a regular corps of Thespians had arrived from the +West Indies. + +[Footnote 16: As respects the love of titles that are derived from the +people, there is nothing-opposed to strict republican, or if the reader +will, democratic, principles, since it is deferring to the power that +appoints, and manifests a respect for that which the community chooses to +elevate. But, the deference to _English_ rank, mentioned by Mr. Littlepage, +is undeniably greater among the mass in New England, than it is anywhere +else in this country, at this very moment. One leading New York paper, +edited by New England men, during the last controversy about the indemnity +to be paid by France, actually styled the Due de Broglie “his grace,” + like a Grub Street cockney,--a mode of address that would astonish that +respectable statesman, quite as much as it must have amused every man +of the world who saw it. I have been much puzzled to account for this +peculiarity--unquestionably one that exists in the country--but have +supposed it must be owing to the diffusion of information which carries +intelligence sufficiently far to acquaint the mass with leading social +features, without going far enough to compensate for a provincial position +and provincial habits. Perhaps the exclusively English origin of the people +may have an influence. The writer has passed portions of two seasons in +Switzerland, and, excluding the small forest cantons, he has no hesitation +in saying that the habits and general notions of Connecticut are +more inherently democratical than those of any part of that country. +Notwithstanding, he thinks a nobleman, particularly an English nobleman, is +a far greater man in New England, than he is among the real middle-state +families of New York.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + “Dear Hasty-Pudding, what unpromised joy + Expands my heart to meet thee in Savoy! + Doom'd o'er the world through devious paths to roam, + Each clime my country, and each house my home, + My soul is sooth'd, my cares have found an end: + I greet my long-lost, unforgotten friend.” + + BARLOW. + + +The winter was soon drawing to a close, and my twenty-first birth-day was +past. My father and Col. Follock, who came over to smoke more than usual +that winter with my father, began to talk of the journey Dirck and I were +to take, in quest of the Patent. Maps were procured, calculations were +made, and different modes of proceeding were proposed, by the various +members of the family. I will acknowledge that the sight of the large, +coarse, parchment map of the Mooseridge Patent, as the new acquisition was +called, from the circumstance of the surveyors having shot a moose on a +particular ridge of land in its centre, excited certain feelings of avarice +within my mind. There were streams meandering among hills and valleys; +little lakes, or ponds, as they were erroneously called in the language of +the country, dotted the surface; and there were all the artistical proofs +of a valuable estate that a good map-maker could devise, to render the +whole pleasing and promising. [17] + +If it were a good thing to be the heir of Satanstoe, it was far better to +be the tenant in common, with my friend Dirck, of all these ample plains, +rich bottoms, flowing streams and picturesque lakes. In a word, for the +first time, in the history of the colonies, the Littlepages had become +the owners of what might be termed an estate. According to our New York +parlance, six or eight hundred acres are not an estate; nor two or three +thousand, scarcely, but ten, or twenty, and much more, forty thousand acres +of land might be dignified with the name of an estate! + +The first knotty point discussed, was to settle the manner in which Dirck +and myself should reach Mooseridge. Two modes of going as far as Albany +offered, and on one of these it was our first concern to decide. We might +wait until the river opened, and go as far as Albany in a sloop, of which +one or two left town each week when business was active, as it was certain +to be in the spring of the year, It was thought, however, that the army +would require mos' of the means of transportation of this nature that +offered; and it might put us to both inconvenience and delay, to wait on +the tardy movements of quarter-masters and contractors. My grandfather +shook his head when the thing was named, and advised us to remain as +independent as possible. + +“Have as little as possible to do with such people, Corny,” put in my +grandfather, now a grey-headed, venerable-looking old gentleman, who did +not wear his wig half the time, but was content to appear in a pointed +night-cap and gown at all hours, until just before dinner was announced, +when he invariably came forth dressed as a gentleman--“Have as little as +possible to do with these gentry, Corny. Money, and not honour, is their +game; and you will be treated like a barrel of beef, or a bag of potatoes, +if you fall into their hands. If you move with the army at all, keep among +the real soldiers, my boy, and, above all things, avoid the contractors.” + +It was consequently determined that there was too much uncertainty and +delay in waiting for a passage to Albany by water; for it was known that +the voyage itself often lasted ten days, or a fortnight, and it would be so +late before we could sail, as to render this delay very inconvenient. The +other mode of journeying, was to go before the snow had melted from the +roads, by the aid of which, it was quite possible to make the distance +between Satanstoe and Albany in three days. + +Certain considerations of economy next offered, and we settled down on the +following plan; which, as it strikes me, is, even now, worthy of being +mentioned on account of its prudence and judgment. It was well known that +there would be a great demand for horses for the army, as well as for +stores, provisions, &c., of various sorts. Now, we had on the Neck several +stout horses, that were falling into years, though still serviceable and +good for a campaign. Col. Follock had others of the same description, and +when the cavalry of the two farms were all assembled at Satanstoe, there +were found to be no fewer than fourteen of the venerable animals. These +made just three four-horse teams, besides leaving a pair for a lighter +load. Old, stout lumber sleighs were bought, or found, and repaired; and +Jaap, having two other blacks with him, was sent off at the head of what my +father called a brigade of lumber sleighs, all of which were loaded with +the spare pork and flour of the two families. The war had rendered these +articles quite high; but the hogs that were slaughtered at Christmas had +not yet been sold; and it was decided that Dirck and myself could not +commence our career as men who had to buy and sell from the respective +farms, in any manner more likely to be useful to us and to our parents, +than this. As Yaap's movements were necessarily slow, he was permitted to +precede Dirck and myself by two entire days, giving him time to clear the +Highlands before we left Satanstoe. The negroes carried the provender for +their horses, and no small portion of the food, and all of the cider that +was necessary for their own consumption. No one was ashamed of economising +with his slaves in this manner; the law of slavery itself existing +principally as a money-making institution. I mention these little matters, +that posterity may understand the conventional feeling of the colony, on +such points. + +When everything was ready, we had to listen to much good advice from our +friends, previously to launching ourselves into the world. What Col. +Follock said to Dirck, the latter never told me; but the following was +pretty much the form and substance of that which I received from my own +father--the interview taking place in a little room he called his “office;” + or “study,” as Jason used to term it. + +“Here, Corny, are all the bills, or invoices, properly made out,” my father +commenced, handing me a small sheaf of papers; “and you will do well to +consult them before you make any sales. Here are letters of introduction +to several gentlemen in the army, whose acquaintance I could wish you to +cultivate. This, in particular, is to my old captain, Charles Merrewether, +who is now a Lt. Col., and commands a battalion in the Royal Americans. You +will find him of great service to you while you remain with the army, I +make no doubt. Pork, they tell me, if of the quality of that you will have, +ought to bring three half joes, the barrel--and you might ask that +much. Should accident procure you an invitation to the table of the +Commander-In-Chief, as may happen through Col. Merrewether's friendship I +trust you will do full credit to the loyalty of the Littlepages Ah! there's +the flour, too; it ought to be worth two half joes the barrel, in times +like these. I have thrown in a letter or two to some of the Schuylers, with +whom I served when of your age. They are first-rate people, remember, and +rank among the highest families of the colonies; full of good old Van +Cortlandt blood, and well crossed with the Rensselaers. Should any of them +ask you about the barrel of tongues, that you will find marked T--” + +“Any of whom, sir; the Schuylers, the Cortlandts, or the Rensselaers?” + +“Poh! any of the sutlers, or contractors, I mean, of course. You can tell +them that they were cured at home, and that you dare recommend them as fit +for the Commander-In-Chief's own table.” + +Such was the character of my father's parting instructions. My mother held +a different discourse. + +“Corny, my beloved child,” she said; “this will be an all-important journey +to you. Not only are you going far from home, but you are going to a part +of the country where much will be to be seen. I hope you will remember what +was promised for you, by your sponsors in baptism, and also what is owing +to your own good name, and that of your family. The letters you take with +you, will probably introduce you to good company, and that is a great +beginning to a youth. I wish you to cultivate the society of reputable +females, Corny. My sex has great influence on the conduct of yours, at your +time of life, and both your manners and principles will be aided by being +as much with women of character as possible.” + +“But, mother, if we are to go any distance with the army, as both my father +and Col. Follock wish, it will not be in our power to be much in ladies' +society.” + +“I speak of the time you will pass in and near Albany. I do not expect you +will find accomplished women at Mooseridge, nor, should you really go any +distance with the troops, though I see no occasion for your going with them +a single foot, since you are not a soldier, do I suppose you will find +many reputable women in the camp; but, avail yourself of every favourable +opportunity to go into good company. I have procured a letter for you, from +a lady of one of the great families of this county, to Madam Schuyler, who +is above all other women, they tell me, in and around Albany. Her you +must see, and I charge you, on your duty, to deliver this letter. It is +possible, too, that Herman Mordaunt----” + +“What of Herman Mordaunt and Anneke, mother?” + +“I spoke only of Herman Mordaunt himself, and did not mention Anneke, boy,” + answered my mother, smiling “though I doubt not that the daughter is with +the father. They left town for Albany, two months since, my sister Legge +writes me, and intend to pass the summer north. I will not deceive you, +Corny, so you shall hear all that your aunt has written on the subject. +In the first place, she says Herman Mordaunt has gone on public service, +having an especial appointment for some particular duty of importance, that +is private, but which it is known will detain him near Albany, and among +the northern posts, until the close of the season, though he gives out to +the world, he is absent on account of some land he has in Albany county. +His daughter and Mary Wallace are with him, with several servants, and they +have taken up with them a sleigh-load of conveniences; that looks like +remaining. Now, you ought to hear the rest, my child, though I feel no +apprehension when such a youth as yourself is put in competition with any +other man in the colony. Yes, though your own mother, I think I may say +_that!_” + +“What is it, mother?--never mind me; I shall do well enough, depend on +it--that is--but what is it, dear mother?” + +“Why, your aunt says, it is whispered among a few in town, a very few only, +but whispered, that Herman Mordaunt got the appointment named, merely +that he might have a pretence for taking Anneke near the ----th, in which +regiment it seems there is a baronet's son, who is a sort of relative of +his, and whom he wishes to marry to Anneke.” + +“I am sorry, then, that my aunt Legge listens to any such unworthy gossip!” + I indignantly cried. “My life on it, Anneke Mordaunt never contemplated so +indelicate a thing!” + +“No one supposes Anneke does, or did. But fathers are not daughters, Corny; +no, nor mothers neither, as I can freely say, seeing you are my only child. +Herman Mordaunt may imagine all this in _his_ heart, and Anneke be every +thing that is innocent and delicate.” + +“And how can my aunt Legge's informants know what is in Herman Mordaunt's +heart?” + +“How?--I suppose they judge by what they find in their own, my son; a +common means of coming at a neighbour's failings, though I believe virtues +are rarely detected by the same process.” + +“Ay, and judge of others by themselves. The means may be common, mother, +but they are not infallible.” + +“Certainly not, Corny, and that will be a ground of hope to you. Remember, +my child, you can bring me no daughter I shall love half as well as I +feel I can love Anneke Mordaunt. We are related too, her father's +great-great-grandmother----” + +“Never mind the great-great-grandmother, my dear, good, excellent, parent. +After this I shall not attempt to have any secret from you. Unless Anneke +Mordaunt consent to be your daughter, you will never have one.” + +“Do not say that, Corny, I beseech you,” cried my mother, a good deal +frightened. “Remember there is no accounting for tastes; the army is a +formidable rival, and, after all, this Mr. Bulstrode, I think you call him, +may prove as acceptable to Anneke as to her father. Do not say so cruel a +thing, I entreat of you, dearest, dearest, Corny.” + + +“It is not a minute, mother, since you said how little you apprehended for +me, when opposed by any other man in the province!” + +“Yes, child, but that is a very different thing from seeing you pass all +your days as a heartless, comfortless old bachelor. There are fifty young +women in this very county, I could wish to see you united to, in preference +to witnessing such a calamity.” + +“Well, mother, we will say no more about it. But is it true that Mr. Worden +actually intends to be of our party?” + +“Both Mr. Worden and Mr. Newcome, I believe. We shall scarcely know how to +spare the first, but he conceives he has a call to accompany the army, in +which there are so few chaplains; and souls are called to their last dread +account so suddenly in war, that one does not know how to refuse to let him +go.” + +My poor, confiding mother! When I look back at the past, and remember the +manner in which the Rev. Mr. Worden discharged the duties of his sacred +office during the campaign that succeeded, I cannot but smile at the manner +in which confidence manifests itself in woman. The sex has a natural +disposition to place their trusts in priests, by a very simple process of +transferring their own dispositions to the bosoms of those they believe set +apart for purely holy objects. Well, we live and learn. I dare say that +many are what they profess to be, but I have lived long enough now to know +_all_ are not. As for Mr. Worden, he had one good point about him, at +any rate. His friends and his enemies saw the worst of him. He was no +hypocrite, but his associates saw the man very much as he was. Still, I am +far from wishing to hold up this imported minister as a model of Christian +graces for my descendants to admire. No one can be more convinced than +myself how much sectarians are prone to substitute their own narrow notions +of right and wrong for the Law of God, confounding acts that are perfectly +innocent in themselves with sin; but, at the same time, I am quite aware +too, that appearances are ever to be consulted in cases of morals, and +that it is a minor virtue to be decent in matters of manners. The Rev. Mr. +Worden, whatever might have been his position as to substantial, certainly +carried the external of liberality to the verge of indiscretion. + +A day or two after the conversation I have related, our party left +Satanstoe, with some _éclat_. The team belonged equally to the Follocks and +the Littlepages, one horse being the property of my father, while the +other belonged to Col. Follock. The sleigh, an old one new painted for the +occasion, was the sole property of the latter gentleman, and was consigned, +in mercantile phrase, to Dirck, in order to be disposed of as soon as we +should reach the end of our journey. On its exterior it was painted a +bright sky-blue, while its interior was of vermilion, a colour that was and +is much in vogue for this species of vehicle, inasmuch as it carries with +it the idea of warmth; so, at least, the old people say, though I will +confess I never found my toes any less cold in a sleigh thus painted, than +in one painted blue, which is usually thought a particularly cold colour to +the feet. + +We had three buffalo-skins, or, rather, two buffalo (bison) skins and one +bear-skin. The last, being trimmed with scarlet cloth, had a particularly +warm and comfortable appearance. The largest skin was placed on the +hind-seat, and thrown over the back of the sleigh, as a matter of course; +and, though this back was high enough to break off the wind from our heads +and necks, the skin not only covered it, but it hung two or three feet +down behind, as is becoming in a gentleman's sleigh. The other buffalo was +spread in the bottom of the sleigh, as a carpet for all four, leaving an +apron to come in front upon Dirck's and my lap, as a protection against the +cold in that quarter. The bear-skin formed a cushion for us in front, and +an apron for Mr. Worden and Jason, who sat behind. Our trunks had gone on +the lumber sleighs, that is, mine and Dirck's had thus been sent, while our +two companions found room for theirs in the conveyance in which we went +ourselves. + +It was March 1st, 1758, the morning we left Satanstoe, on this memorable +excursion. The winter had proved as was common in our latitude, though +there had been more snow along the coast than was usual. Salt air and snow +do not agree well together; but I had driven in a sleigh over the Neck, +most of the month of February, though there were symptoms of a thaw, and +of a southerly wind, the day we left home. My father observed this, and he +advised me to take the road through the centre of the county, and get among +the hills, as soon as possible. Not only was there always more snow in that +part of the country, but it resisted the influence of a thaw much longer +than that which had fallen near the sea or Sound. I got my mother's last +kiss, my father's last shake of the hand, my grandfather's blessing, +stepped into the sleigh, took the reins from Dirck, and drove off. + +A party in a sleigh must be composed of a very sombre sort of persons, if +it be not a merry one. In our case, everybody was disposed to good-humour; +though Jason could not pass along the highway, in York Colony, without +giving vent to his provincial, Connecticut hypercriticism. Everything was +Dutch, according to his view of matters; and when it failed of being Dutch, +why, it was York-Colony. The doors were not in the right places; the +windows were too large, when they were not too small; things had a +cabbage-look; the people smelt of tobacco; and hasty-pudding was called +“suppaan.” But these were trifles; and being used to them, nobody paid much +attention to what our puritanical neighbour saw fit to pour out, in the +humility and meekness of his soul. Mr. Worden chuckled, and urged Jason on, +in the hope of irritating Dirck; but Dirck smoked through it all, with an +indifference that proved how much he really despised the critic. I was the +only one who resented this supercilious ignorance; but even I was often +more disposed to laugh than to be angry. + +The signs of a thaw increased, as we got a few miles from home; and by the +time we reached White Plains, the “south wind” did not blow “softly,” but +freshly, and the snow in the road became sloppy, and rills of water were +seen running down the hill-sides, in a way that menaced destruction to the +sleighing. On we drove, however, and deeper and deeper we got among the +hills, until we found not only more snow, but fewer symptoms of immediately +losing it. Our first day's work carried us well into the manor of the Van +Cortlandts, where we passed the night. Next morning the south wind was +still blowing, sweeping over the fields of snow, charged with the salt +air of the ocean; and bare spots began to show themselves on all the +acclivities and hill-sides--an admonition for us to be stirring. We +breakfasted in the Highlands, and in a wild and retired part of them, +though in a part where snow and beaten roads were still to be found. We had +escaped from the thaw, and no longer felt any uneasiness on the subject of +reaching the end of our journey on runners. + +The second day brought us fairly through the mountains, out on the plains +of Dutchess, permitting us to sup at Fishkill. This was a thriving +settlement, the people appearing to me to live in abundance, as certainly +they did in peace and quiet. They made little of the war, and asked us many +questions concerning the army, its commanders, its force and its objects. +They were a simple, and judging from appearances, an honest people, who +troubled themselves very little with what was going on in the world. + +After quitting Fishkill we found a great change, not only in the country, +but in the weather. The first was level, as a whole, and was much better +settled than I could have believed possible so far in the interior. As for +the weather, it was quite a different climate from that we had left below +the highlands. Not only was the morning cold, cold as it had been a month +earlier with us, but the snow still lay two or three feet in depth on a +level, and the sleighing was as good as heart could wish. + +That afternoon we overtook Yaap and the brigade of lumber-sleighs. +Everything had gone right, and after giving the fellow some fresh +instructions, I passed him, proceeding on our route. This parting did not +take place, however, until the following had been uttered between us: + +“Well, Yaap,” I inquired, as a sort of close to the previous discourse, +“how do you like the upper counties?” + +A loud negro laugh succeeded, and a repetition of the question was +necessary to extort an answer. + +“Lor', Masser Corny, how you t'ink I know, when dere not'in but snow to be +seen!” + +“There was plenty of snow in Westchester; yet, I dare say you could give +some opinion of our own county!” + +“'Cause I know him, sah; inside and out, and all over Masser Corny.” + +“Well; but you can see the houses, and orchards, and barns, and fences, and +other things of that sort.” + +“'Em pretty much like our'n, Masser Corny; why you bother nigger with sich +question?” + +Here another burst of loud, hearty “yah--yah--yahs succeeded; and Yaap had +his laugh out before another word could be got out of him, when I put the +question a third time. + +“Well, den, Masser Corny, sin' you _will_ know, dis is my mind. Dis country +is oncomparable wid our ole county sah. De houses seem mean, de barns look +empty, de fencea be low, and de niggers, ebbery one of 'em, look cold, +sah--yes, sah--'ey look berry cold!” + +As a “cold negro” was a most pitiable object in negro eyes, I saw by this +summary that Yaap had commenced his travels in much of the same temper of +superciliousness as Jason Newcome. It struck me as odd at the time; but, +since that day, I have ascertained that this feeling is a very general +travelling companion for those who set out on their first journey. + +We passed our third night at a small hamlet called Rhinebeck, in a +settlement in which many German names were to be found. Here we were +travelling through the vast estates of the Livingstons, a name well-known +in our colonial history. We breakfasted at Claverack, and passed through +a place called Kinderhook--a village of Low Dutch origin, and of some +antiquity. That night we succeeded in coming near Albany, by making a very +hard day's drive of it. There was no village at the place where we slept; +but the house was a comfortable, and exceedingly neat Dutch tavern. After +quitting Fishkill we had seen more or less of the river, until we passed +Claverack, where we took our leave of it. It was covered with ice, and +sleighs were moving about it, with great apparent security; but we did not +like to try it. Our whole party preferred a solid highway, in which there +was no danger of the bottom's dropping out. + +As we were now about to enter Albany, the second largest town in the colony +and one of the largest inland towns of the whole country, if such a word +can properly be given to a place that lies on a navigable river, it +was thought necessary to make some few arrangements, in order to do it +decently. Instead of quitting the tavern at daylight, therefore, as had +been our practice previously, we remained until after breakfast, having +recourse to our trunks in the mean time. Dirck, Jason and myself, had +provided ourselves with fur caps for the journey, with ear-laps and other +contrivances for keeping oneself warm. The cap of Dirck, and my own, were +of very fine martens' skins, and as they were round and high, and each was +surmounted with a handsome tail, that fell down behind, they had both a +smart and military air. I thought I had never seen Dirck look so nobly and +well, as he did in his cap, and I got a few compliments on my own air in +mine, though they were only from my mother, who, I do think, would feel +disposed to praise me, even if I looked wretchedly. The cap of Jason was +better suited to his purse, being lower, and of fox-skins, though it had a +tail also. Mr. Worden had declined travelling in a cap, as unsuited to his +holy office. Accordingly he wore his clerical beaver, which differed a +little from the ordinary cocked-hats, that we all wore as a matter of +course, though not so much so as to be very striking. + +All of us had overcoats well trimmed with furs, mine and Dirck's being +really handsome, with trimmings of marten, while those of our companion +were less showy and expensive. On a consultation, Dirck and I decided that +it was better taste to enter the town in traveller's dresses, than to enter +it in any other, and we merely smartened up a little, in order to appear as +gentlemen. The case was very different with Jason. According to his idea a +man should wear his best clothes on a journey, and I was surprised to see +him appear at breakfast, in black breeches, striped woollen stockings, +large plated buckles in his shoes, and a coat that I well knew he +religiously reserved for high-days and holidays. This coat was of a light +pea-green colour, and but little adapted to the season; but Jason had not +much notion of the fitness of things, in general, in matters of taste. +Dirck and myself wore our ordinary snuff-coloured coats, under our furs; +but Jason threw aside all the overcoats, when we came near Albany, in order +to enter the place in his best. Fortunately for him, the day was mild, +and there was a bright sun to send its warm rays through the pea-green +covering, to keep his blood from chilling. As for Mr. Worden, he wore a +cloak of black cloth, laying aside all the furs, but a tippet and muff, +both of which he used habitually in cold weather. + +In this guise, then, we left the tavern, about nine in the morning, +expecting to reach the banks of the river about ten. Nor were we +disappointed; the roads being excellent, a light fall of snow having +occurred in the night, to freshen the track. It was an interesting moment +to us all, when the spires and roofs of that ancient town, Albany, first +appeared in view! We had journeyed from near the southern boundary of +the colony, to a place that stood at no great distance from its frontier +settlements on the north. The town itself formed a pleasing object, as we +approached it, on the opposite side of the Hudson. There it lay, stretching +along the low land on the margin of the stream, and on its western bank, +sheltered by high hills, up the side of which, the principal street +extended, for the distance of fully a quarter of a mile. Near the head of +this street stood the fort, and we saw a brigade paraded in the open ground +near it, wheeling and marching about. The spires of two churches were +visible, one, the oldest, being seated on the low land, in the heart of the +place, and the other on the height at no great distance from the fort; +or about half-way up the acclivity, which forms the barrier to the inner +country, on that side of the river. Both these buildings were of stone, of +course, shingle tenements being of very rare occurrence in the colony of +New York, though common enough further east. [18] + +I will own that not one of our party liked the idea of crossing the Hudson, +in a loaded sleigh, on the ice, and that in the month of March. There were +no streams about us to be crossed in this mode, nor was the cold exactly +sufficient to render such a transit safe, and we felt as the inexperienced +would be apt to feel in circumstances so unpleasant. I must do Jason the +credit to admit that he showed more plain, practical, good sense than any +of us, determining our course in the end by his view of the matter. As for +Mr. Worden, however, nothing could induce him to venture on the ice in a +sleigh, or _near_ a sleigh, though Jason remonstrated in the following +terms-- + +“Now, look here, Rev. Mr. Worden”--Jason seldom omitted anybody's +_title_--“you've only to turn your eyes on the river to see it is dotted +with sleighs, far and near. There are highways north and south, and if +that be the place, where the crossing is at the town, it is more like a +thoroughfare than a spot that is risky. In my judgment, these people who +live hereabouts ought to know whether there is any danger or not.” + +Obvious as was this truth, 'Rev. Mr. Worden' made us stop on terra firma, +and permit him to quit the sleigh, that he might cross the river on foot. +Jason ventured a hint or two about faith and its virtues, as he stripped +himself to the pea-green, in order to enter the town in proper guise, +throwing aside everything that concealed his finery. As for Dirck and +myself, we kept our seats manfully, and trotted on the river at the point +where we saw sleighs and foot-passengers going and coming in some numbers. +The Rev. Mr. Worden, however, was not content to take the beaten path, +for he knew there was no more security in being out on the ice, _near_ a +sleigh, than there was in being _in_ it, so he diverged from the road, +which crossed at the ferry, striking diagonally atwhart the river towards +the wharves of the place. + +It seemed to me to be a sort of a holiday among the young and idle, one +sleigh passing us after another, filled with young men and maidens, all +sparkling with the excitement of the moment, and gay with youth and +spirits. We passed no less than four of these sleighs on the river, the +jingling of the bells, the quick movement, the laughter and gaiety, and the +animation of the whole scene, far exceeding anything of the sort I had +ever before witnessed. We were nearly across the river, when a sleigh more +handsomely equipped than any we had yet seen, dashed down the bank, and +came whirling past us like a comet. It was full of ladies, with the +exception of one gentleman, who stood erect in front, driving. I recognised +Bulstrode, in furs like all of us, capped and _tailed_, if not plumed, +while among the half-dozen pairs of brilliant eyes that were turned with +their owner's smiling faces on us, I saw one which never could be forgotten +by me, that belonged to Anneke Mordaunt. I question if we were recognised, +for the passage was like that of a meteor; but I could not avoid turning +to gaze after the gay party. This change of position enabled me to be a +witness of a very amusing consequence of Mr. Worden's experiment. A sleigh +was coming in our direction, and the party in it seeing one who was known +for a clergyman, _walking_ on the ice, turned aside and approached him on +a gallop, in order to offer the courtesy of a seat to a man of his sacred +profession. Our divine heard the bells, and fearful of having a sleigh so +near him, he commenced a downright flight, pursued by the people in the +sleigh, as fast as their horses could follow. Everybody on the ice pulled +up to gaze in wonder at this strange spectacle, until the whole party +reached the shore, the Rev. Mr. Worden pretty well blown, as the reader may +suppose. + +[Footnote 17: Forty years ago, a gentleman in New York purchased a +considerable body of wild land, on the faith of the map. When he came +to examine his new property, it was found to be particularly wanting in +water-courses. The surveyor was sought, and rebuked for his deception, the +map having numerous streams, &c. “Why did you lay down all these streams +here, where none are to be found?” demanded the irritated purchaser, +pointing to the document. “Why?--Why who the d---l ever saw a map without +rivers?” was the answer. EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 18: In nothing was the difference of character between the people +of New England, and those of the middle colonies, more apparent than in the +nature of the dwellings. In New York, for instance, men worth thousands +dwelt in humble, low, (usually one story) dwellings of stone, having +window-shutters, frequently within as well as without, and the other +appliances of comfort; whereas the farmer farther east, was seldom +satisfied, though his means were limited, unless he lived in a house as +good as his neighbour's; and the strife dotted the whole of their colonies +with wooden buildings, of great pretension for the age, that rarely +had even exterior shutters, and which frequently stood for generations +unfinished. The difference was not of Dutch origin, for it was just as +apparent in New Jersey or Pennsylvania as in New York, and I think it +may be attributed to a very obvious consequence of a general equality of +condition, a state of society in which no one is content to wear even the +semblance of poverty, but those who cannot by any means prevent it; but, +in which all strive to get as high as possible, in appearances at +least.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Bid physicians talk our veins to temper, + And with an argument new-set a pulse, + Then think, my lord, of reasoning unto love. + + YOUNG. + + +As the road from the ferry into the town ran along the bank of the river, +we reached the point where the Rev. Mr. Worden had landed precisely at +the same instant with his pursuers, who had been obliged to make a little +circuit, in order to get off the ice. I do not know which party regarded +the other in the greatest astonishment,--the hunted, or the hunters. The +sleigh had in it two fine-looking young fellows, that spoke English with a +slight Dutch accent, and three young women, whose bright coal-black eyes +betokened surprise a little mitigated by a desire to laugh. Seeing that we +were all strangers, I suppose, and that we claimed the runaway as belonging +to our party, one of the young men raised his cap very respectfully, and +opened the discourse by asking in a very civil tone-- + +“What ails the reverent gentleman, to make him run so fast?” + +“Run!” exclaimed Mr. Worden, whose lungs had been playing like a +blacksmith's bellows--“Run! and who would not run to save himself from +being drowned?” + +“Drowned!” repeated the young Dutchman, looking round at the river, as if +to ascertain whether the ice were actually moving--“why does the Dominie +suppose there was any danger of _that?_” + +As Mr. Worden's bellows were still hard at work, I explained to the young +Albanians that we were strangers just arrived from the vicinity of New +York; that we were unaccustomed to frozen rivers, and had never crossed +one on the ice before; that our reverend companion had chosen to walk at a +distance from the road, in order to be in less danger should any team break +in, and that he had naturally run to avoid their sleigh when he saw it +approaching. The Albanians heard this account in respectful silence, though +I could see the two young men casting sly glances at each other, and that +even the ladies had some little difficulty in altogether suppressing +their smiles. When it was through, the oldest of the Dutchmen--a fine, +dare-devil, roystering-looking fellow of four or five-and-twenty, whose +dress and mien, however, denoted a person of the upper class,--begged a +thousand pardons for his mistake, quitting his sleigh and insisting on +having the honours of shaking hands with the whole of us. His name was +'Ten Eyck,' he said; 'Guert Ten Eyck,' and he asked permission, as we were +strangers, of doing the honour of Albany to us. Everybody in the place knew +him, which, as we afterwards ascertained, was true enough, for he had +just as much reputation for fun and frolic as at all comported with +respectability; keeping along, as it were, on the very verge of the pale +of reputable people, without being thrown entirely out of it. The young +females with him were a shade below his own natural position in society, +tolerating his frolics on account of this circumstance, aided as it was by +a singularly manly face and person, a hearty and ready laugh, a full purse, +and possibly by the secret hope of being the happy individual who was +designed by Providence to convert 'a reformed rake into the best of +husbands.' In a word, he was always welcome with them, when those a little +above them felt more disposed to frown. + +Of course, all this was unknown to us at the time, and we accepted +Guert Ten Eyck's proffers of civility in the spirit in which they +were offered. He inquired at what tavern we intended to stop, and +promised an early call. Then, shaking us all round by the hand again +with great cordiality, he took his leave. His companion doffed a very +dashing, high, wolf-skin cap to us, and the black-eyed trio, on the +hind-seat, smiled graciously, and away they drove at a furious rate, +startling all the echoes of Albany with their bells. By this time Mr. +Worden was seated, and we followed more moderately, our team having +none of the Dutch courage of a pair of horses fresh from the stable. +Such were the circumstances under which we made our entrance into the +ancient city of Albany. We were all in hopes, the little affair of +the chase would soon be forgotten, for no one likes to be associated +with a ridiculous circumstance, but we counted without our host. +Guert Ten Eyck was not of a temperament to let such an affair sleep, +but, as I afterwards ascertained, he told it with the laughing +embellishments that belonged to his reckless character, until, in +turn, the Rev. Mr. Worden came to be known, throughout all that +region, by the nick-name of the “Loping Dominie.” + +The reader may be assured our eyes were about us, as we drove through the +streets of the second town in the colony. We were not unaccustomed to +houses constructed in the Dutch style, in New York, though the English mode +of building had been most in vogue there, for half a century. It was not so +with Albany, which remained, essentially, a Dutch town, in 1758. We heard +little beside Dutch, as we passed along. The women scolded their children +in Low Dutch, a use, by the way, for which the language appears singularly +well adapted; the negroes sang Dutch songs; the men called to each other +in Dutch, and Dutch rang in our ears, as we walked our horses through the +streets, towards the tavern. There were many soldiers about, and other +proofs of the presence of a considerable military force were not wanting; +still, the place struck me as very provincial and peculiar, after New York. +Nearly all the houses were built with their gables to the streets, and each +had heavy wooden Dutch stoops, with seats, at its door. A few had small +court-yards in front, and, here and there, was a building of somewhat more +pretension than usual. I do not think, however, there were fifty houses in +the place, that were built with their gables off the line of the streets. +[19] + +We were no sooner housed, than Dirck and I sallied forth to look at the +place. Here we were, in one of the oldest towns of America; a place that +could boast of much more than a century's existence, and it was natural to +feel curious to look about one. Our inn was in the principal street,--that +which led up the hill towards the fort. This street was a wide avenue, that +quite put Broadway out of countenance, so far as mere width was concerned. +The streets that led out of it, however, were principally little better +than lanes, as if the space that had been given to two or three of the main +streets had been taken off of the remainder. The High Street, as we English +would call it, was occupied by sleds filled with wood for sale; sleds +loaded with geese, turkeys, tame and wild, and poultry of all sorts; +sleds with venison, still in the skin, piled up in heaps, &c.,--all these +eatables being collected, in unusual quantities as we were told, to meet +the extraordinary demand created by the different military messes. Deer +were no strangers to us; for Long Island was full of all sorts of game, +as were the upper counties of New Jersey. Even Westchester, old and well +settled as it had become, was not yet altogether clear of deer, and nothing +was easier than to knock over a buck in the highlands. Nevertheless, I had +never seen venison, wild turkeys and sturgeons, in such quantities as they +were to be seen that day in the principal street of Albany. + +The crowd collected in this street, the sleighs that were whirling past, +filled with young men and maidens, the incessant jingling of bells, the +spluttering and jawing in Low Dutch, the hearty English oaths of serjeants +and sutlers'-men and cooks of messes, the loud laughs of the blacks, and +the beauty of the cold clear day, altogether produced some such effect on +me, as I had experienced when I went to the theatre. Not the least striking +picture of the scene, was Jason, in the middle of the street, gaping +about him, in the cocked-hat, the pea-green coat, and the striped woollen +stockings. + +Dirck and myself naturally examined the churches. These were two, as has +been said already,--one for the Dutch, and the other for the English. The +first was the oldest. It stood at the point where the two principal streets +crossed each other, and in the centre of the street, leaving sufficient +passages all round it. The building was square, with a high pointed roof, +having a belfry and weathercock on its apex; windows, with diamond panes +and painted glass, and a porch that was well suited both to the climate and +to appearances. [20] + +We were examining this structure, when Guert Ten Eyck accosted us, in his +frank, off-hand way-- + +“Your servant, Mr. Littlepage; your servant, Mr. Follock,” he cried, again +shaking each cordially by the hand. “I was on the way to the tavern to +look you up, when I accidentally saw you here. A few gentlemen of my +acquaintance, who are in the habit of supping together in the winter time, +meet for the last jollification of the season to-night, and they have all +express't a wish to have the pleasure of your company. I hope you will +allow me to say you will come? We meet at nine, sup at ten, and break up at +twelve, quite regularly, in a very sedate and prudent manner.” + +There was something so frank and cordial, so simple and straight-forward in +this invitation, that we did not know how to decline it. We both knew that +the name of Ten Eyck was respectable in the colony; our new acquaintance +was well dressed, he seemed to be in good company when we first met him, +his sleigh and horses had been actually of a more dashing stamp than usual, +and his own attire had all the peculiarities of a gentleman's, with the +addition of something even more decided and knowing than was common. It is +true, the style of these peculiarities was not exactly such as I had seen +in the air, manners and personal decorations of those of Billings and +Harris; but they were none the less striking, and none the less attractive; +the two Englishmen being “macaronis,” from London, and Ten Eyck being a +“buck” of Albany. + +“I thank you, very heartily, Mr. Ten Eyck,” I answered, “both for myself +and for my friend”-- + +“And will let me come for you at half-past eight, to show you the way?” + +“Why, yes, sir; I was about to say as much, if it be not giving you too +much trouble.” + +“Do not speak of tr-r-ouple”--this last word will give a very good +notion of Guert's accent, which I cannot stop to imitate at all times in +writing--“and do not say your _fre'nt_, but your _fre'ntz_.” + +“As to the two that are not here, I cannot positively answer; yonder, +however, is one that can speak for himself.” + +“I see him, Mr. Littlepage, and will answer for _him_, on my own account. +Depent on it, _he_ will come. But the Dominie--he has a hearty look, and +can help eat a turkey and swallow a glass of goot Madeira--I think I can +rely on. A man cannot take all that active exercise without food.” + +“Mr. Worden is a very companionable man, and is excellent company at a +supper-table. I will communicate your invitation, and hope to be able to +prevail on him to be of the party.” + +“T'at is enough, sir,” returned Ten Eyck, or Guert, as I shall henceforth +call him, in general; “vere dere ist a vill, dere ist a vay.” Guert +frequently broke out in such specimens of broken English, while at other +times he would speak almost as well as any of us. “So Got pless you my dear +Mr. Littlepage, and make us lasting friends. I like your countenance, and +my eye never deceives me in these matters.” + +Here, Guert shook us both by the hand again, most cordially, and left us. +Dirck and I next strolled up the hill, going as high as the English church, +which stood also in the centre of the principal street, an imposing and +massive edifice in stone. With the exception of Mother Trinity, in New +York, this was the largest, and altogether the most important edifice +devoted to the worship of my own church I had ever seen. In Westchester, +there were several of Queen Anne's churches, but none on a scale to compare +with this. Our small edifices were usually without galleries, steeples, +towers, or bells; while St. Peter's, Albany, if not actually St. Peter's, +Rome, was a building of which a man might be proud. A little to our +surprise, we found the Rev. Mr. Worden and Mr. Jason Newcome had met at the +door of this edifice, having sent a boy to the sexton in quest of the key. +In a minute or two, the urchin returned, bringing not only the key of the +church, but the excuses of the sexton for not coming himself. The door was +opened, and we went in. + +I have always admired the decorous and spiritual manner in which the Rev. +Mr. Worden entered a building that had been consecrated to the services of +the Deity. I know not how to describe it; but it proved how completely he +had been drilled in the decencies of his profession. Off came his hat, of +course; and his manner, however facetious and easy it may have been the +moment before, changed on the instant to gravity and decorum. Not so with +Jason. He entered St. Peter's, Albany, with exactly the same indifferent +and cynical air with which he had seemed to regard everything but money, +since he entered “York Colony.” Usually, he wore his cocked-hat on the back +of his head, thereby lending himself a lolloping, negligent, and, at the +same time, defying air; but I observed that, as we all uncovered, he +brought his own beaver up over his eye-brows, in a species of military +bravado. To uncover to a church, in his view of the matter, was a sort of +idolatry; there might be images about, for anything he knew; “and a man +could never be enough on his guard ag'in being carried away by such evil +deceptions,” as he had once before answered to a remonstrance of mine, for +wearing his hat in our own parish church. + +I found the interior of St. Peter's quite as imposing as its exterior. +Three of the pews were canopied, having coats of arms on their canopies. +These, the boy told us, belonged to the Van Rensselaer and Schuyler +families. All these were covered with black cloth, in mourning for some +death in those ancient families, which were closely allied. I was very much +struck with the dignified air that these patrician seats gave the house of +God. [21] + +There were also several hatchments suspended against the walls; some being +placed there in commemoration of officers of rank, from home, who had died +in the king's service in the colony; and others to mark the deaths of some +of the more distinguished of our own people. + +Mr. Worden expressed himself well pleased with appearances of things, in +and about this building; though Jason regarded all with ill-concealed +disgust. + +“What is the meaning of them pews with tops to them, Corny?” the pedagogue +whispered me, afraid to encounter the parson's remarks, by his own +criticism. + +“They are the pews of families of distinction in this place, Mr. Newcome; +and the canopies, or tops, as you call them, are honourable signs of their +owners' conditions.” + +“Do you think their owners will sit under such coverings in paradise, +Corny?” continued Jason, with a sneer. + +“It is impossible for me to say, sir; it is probable, however, the just +will not require any such mark to distinguish them from the unjust.” + +“Let me see,” said Jason, looking round and affecting to count; “there are +just three--Bishop, Priest, and Deacon, I suppose. Waal, there's a seat +for each, and they can be comfortable _here_, whatever may turn up +_herea'ter_.” + +I turned away, unwilling to dispute the point, for I knew it was as +hopeless to expect that a Danbury man would feel like a New Yorker, on such +a subject, as it was to expect that a New Yorker could be made to adopt +Danbury sentiments. As for the _argument_, however, I have heard others of +pretty much the same calibre often urged against the three orders of the +ministry. + +On quitting St. Peter's, I communicated the invitation of Guert Ten Eyck to +Mr. Worden, and urged him to be of the party. I could see that the notion +of a pleasant supper was anything but unpleasant to the missionary. Still +he had his scruples, inasmuch as he had not yet seen his reverend brother +who had the charge of St. Peter's, did not know exactly the temper of his +mind, and was particularly desirous of officiating for him, in the presence +of the principal personages of the place, on the approaching Sunday. He +had written a note to the chaplain; for the person who had the cure of the +Episcopalians held that rank in the army, St. Peter's being as much of an +official chapel as a parish church; and he must have an interview with that +individual before he could decide. Fortunately, as we descended the street, +towards our inn, we saw the very person in question. The marks of the +common office that these two divines bore about their persons in their +dress, sufficed to make them known to each other at a glance. In five +minutes, they had shaken hands, heard each man's account of himself, had +given and accepted the invitation to preach, and were otherwise on free and +easy terms. Mr. Worden was to dine in the fort, with the chaplain. We then +walked forward towards the tavern. + +“By the way, Mr. ----,” said Mr. Worden, in a parenthesis of the discourse, +“the family of Ten Eyck is quite respectable, here in Albany.” + +“Very much so, sir--a family that is held in much esteem. I shall count on +your assisting me, morning and evening, my dear Mr. Worden.” + +It is surprising how the clergy do depend on each other for 'assistance!' + +“Make your arrangements accordingly, my good brother--I am quite fresh, and +have brought a good stock of sermons; not knowing how much might remain +to be done in the army. Corny,” in a half-whisper, “you can let our new +friends know that I will sup with them; and, harkee--just drop a hint to +them, that I am none of your puritans.” + +Here, then, we found everything in a very fair way to bring us all out in +society, within the first two hours of our arrival. Mr. Worden was engaged +to preach the next day but one; and he was engaged to supper that same day. +All looked promising, and I hurried on in order to ascertain if Guert Ten +Eyck had made his promised call. As before, he was met in the street, and +the acceptance of the Dominie was duly communicated. Guert seemed highly +pleased at this success; and he left me, promising to be punctual to his +hour. In the mean time, we had to dine. + +The dinner proved a good one; and, as Mr. Worden remarked, it was quite +lucky that the principal dish was venison, a meat that was so easy of +digestion, as to promise no great obstacle to the accommodation of the +supper. He should dine on venison, therefore; and he advised all three of +us to follow his example. But, certain Dutch dishes attracted the eye and +taste of Dirck; while Jason had alighted on a hash, of some sort or other, +that he did not quit until he had effectually disposed of it. As for +myself, I confess, the venison was so much to my taste, that I stuck by the +parson. We had our wine, too, and left the table early, in order not to +interfere with the business of the night. + +After dinner, it was proposed to walk out in a body, to make a further +examination of the place, and to see if we could not fall in with an army +contractor, who might be disposed to relieve Dirck and myself of some +portion of our charge. Luck again threw us in the way of Guert Ten +Eyck, who seemed to live in the public street. In the course of a brief +conversation that took place, as a passing compliment, I happened to +mention a wish to ascertain, where one might dispose of a few horses, and +of two or three sleigh-loads of flour, pork, &c., &c. + +“My dear Mr. Littlepage,” said Guert, with a frank smile and a friendly +shake of the hand, “I am delighted that you have mentioned these matters +to me; I can take you to the very man you wish to see; a heavy +army-contractor, who is buying up everything of the sort he can lay his +hands on.” + +Of course, I was as much delighted as Guert could very well be, and left +my party to proceed at once to the contractor's office, with the greatest +alacrity; Dirck accompanying me. As we went along, our new friend advised +us not to be very backward in the way of price, since the king paid, in the +long run. + +“Rich dealers ought to pay well,” he added; “and, I can tell you, as a +useful thing to know, that orders came on, no later than yesterday, to buy +up everything of the soil that offered. Put sleigh and harness, at once, +all in a heap, on the king's servants.” + +I thought the idea not a bad one, and promised to profit by it. Guert was +as good as his word, and I was properly introduced to the contractor. My +business was no sooner mentioned, than I was desired to send a messenger +round to the stables, in order that my conveyance, team, &c., might make +their appearance. As for the articles that were still on the road, I had +very little trouble. The contractor knew my father, and he no sooner heard +that Mr. Littlepage, of Satanstoe, was the owner of the provisions, than +he purchased the whole on the guaranty of his name. For the pork I was to +receive two half-joes the barrel, and for the flour one. This was a good +sale. The horses would be taken, if serviceable, as the contractor did not +question, as would the lumber-sleighs, though the prices could not be set +until the different animals and objects were seen and examined. + +It is amazing what war will do for commerce, as well as what it does +against it! The demand for everything that the judgment of my father had +anticipated, was so great, that the contractor told me very frankly the +sleighs would not be unloaded in Albany at all, but would be sent on north, +on the line of the expected route of the army, so as to anticipate the +disappearance of the snow and the breaking up of the roads. + +“You shall be paid liberally for your teams, harness and sleighs,” he +continued, “though no sum can be named until I see them. These are not +times when operations are to be retarded on account of a few joes, more +or less, for the King's service must go on. I very well know that Major +Littlepage and Col. Follock both understand what they are about, and have +sent us the right sort of things. The horses are very likely a little old, +but are good for one campaign; better than if younger, perhaps, and were +they colts we could get no more than that out of them. These movements in +the woods destroy man and beast, and cost mints of money. Ah! There comes +your team.” + +Sure enough, the sleigh drove round from the tavern, and we all went out +to look at the horses, &c. Guert now became an important person. On the +subject of horses he was accounted an oracle, and he talked, moved, and +acted like one in all respects. The first thing he did was to step up to +the animal's head, and to look into the mouth of each in succession. The +knowing way in which this was done, the coolness of the interference, +and the fine, manly form of the intruder, would have given him at once a +certain importance and a connection with what was going on, had not his +character for judgment in horse-flesh been well established, far and near, +in that quarter of the country. + +“Upon my word, wonderfully good mouths!” exclaimed Guert, when through. +“You must have your grain ground, Mr. Littlepage, or the teeth never could +have stood it so well!” + +“What age do you call the animals, Guert?” demanded the contractor. + +“That is not so easily told, sir. I admit that they are aged horses; but +they may be eight, or nine, or even ten, as for what can be told by their +teeth. By the looks of their limbs, I should think they might be nine +coming grass.” + +“The near-horse is eleven,” I said, “and the off-horse is supposed to +be----” + +“Poh! poh! Littlepage,” interrupted Guert, making signs to me to be +quiet--“you may _think_ the off-horse ten, but I should place him at about +nine. His teeth are excellent, and there is not even a wind-gall on his +legs. There is a cross of the Flemish in that beast.” + +“Well, and what do you say the pair is worth, Master Guert,” demanded +the contractor, who seemed to have a certain confidence in his friend's +judgment, notwithstanding the recklessness and freedom of his manner. +“Twelve half-joes for them both?” + +“That will never do, Mr. Contractor,” answered Guert shaking his head. “In +times like these, such stout animals, and beasts too in such heart and +condition, ought to bring fifteen.” + +“Fifteen let it be then, if Mr. Littlepage assents. Now for the sleigh, and +harness, and skins. I suppose Mr. Littlepage will part with the skins too, +as he can have no use for them without the sleigh?” + +“Have _you_, Mr. Contractor?” asked Guert, a little abruptly. “That +bear-skin fills my eye beautifully, and if Mr. Littlepage will take a +guinea for it, here is his money.” + +As this was a fair price, it was accepted, though I pressed the skin on +Guert as a gift, in remembrance of our accidental acquaintance. This +offer, however, he respectfully, but firmly resisted. And here I will take +occasion to say, lest the reader be misled by what is met with in works of +fiction, and other light and vain productions, that in all my dealings, +and future connection with Guert, I found him strictly honourable in +money matters. It is true, I would not have purchased a horse on his +recommendation, if he owned the beast; but we all know how the best men +yield in their morals when they come to deal in horses. I should scarcely +have expected Mr. Worden to be orthodox, in making such bargains. But, on +all other subjects connected with money, Guert Ten Eyck was one of the +honestest fellows I ever dealt with. + +The contractor took the sleigh, harness, and skins, at seven more +half-joes; making twenty-three for the whole outfit. This was certainly +receiving two half-joes more than my father had expected; and I owed the +gain of sixteen dollars to Guert's friendly and bold interference. As soon +as the prices were settled, the money was paid me in good Spanish gold; +and I handed over to Dirck the portion that properly fell to his father's +share. As it was understood that the remaining horses, sleighs, harness, +provisions, &c., were to be taken at an appraisal, the instant they +arrived, this hour's work relieved my friend and myself from any further +trouble on the subject of the property entrusted to our care. And a relief +it was to be so well rid of a responsibility that was as new as it was +heavy to each of us. + +The reader will get some idea of the pressure of affairs, and how necessary +it was felt to be on the alert in the month of March--a time of the year +when twenty-four hours might bring about a change in the season--by the +circumstance that the contractor sent his new purchase to be loaded up from +the door of his office, with orders to proceed on north, with supplies for +a depot that he was making as near to Lake George as was deemed prudent; +the French being in force at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, two posts at the +head of Champlain; a distance considerably less than a hundred miles from +Albany. Whatever was forwarded as far as Lake George while the snow lasted, +could then be sent on with the army, in the contemplated operations of the +approaching summer, by means of the two lakes, and their northern outlets. + +“Well, Mr. Littlepage,” cried Guert, heartily; “_that_ affair is well +disposed of. You got goot prices, and I hope the King has got goot horses. +They are a little venerable, perhaps; but what of that? The army would +knock up the best and youngest beast in the colony, in one campaign in the +woots; and it can do no more with the oldest and worst. Shall we walk rount +into the main street, gentlemen? This is about the hour when the young +ladies are apt to start for their afternoon sleighing.” + +“I suppose the ladies of Albany are remarkable for their beauty, Mr. Ten +Eyck,” I rejoined, wishing to say something agreeable to a man who seemed +so desirous of serving me. “The specimens I saw in crossing the river this +morning, would induce a stranger to think so.” + +“Sir,” replied Guert, walking towards the great avenue of the town, “we are +content with our ladies, in general, for they are charming, warm-hearted +and amiable; but there has been an arrival among us this winter, from your +part of the colony, that has almost melted the ice on the Hudson!” + +My heart beat quicker, for I could only think of one being of her sex, as +likely to produce such a sensation. Still, I could not abstain from making +a direct inquiry on the subject. + +“From _our_ part of the colony, Mr. Ten Eyck!--You mean from New York, +probably?” + +“Yes, sir, as a matter of course. There are several beautiful English women +who have come up with the army; but no colonel, major, or captain, has +brought such paragons with him, as Herman Mordaunt, a gentleman who may be +known to you by name?” + +“Personally too, sir. Herman Mordaunt is even a kinsman of Dirck Follock, +my friend here.” + +“Then is Mr. Follock to be envied, since he can call cousin with so +charming a young lady as Anneke Mordaunt.” + +“True sir, most true!” I interrupted, eagerly; “Anne Mordaunt passes for +the sweetest girl in York!” + +“I do not know that I should go quite as far as that, Mr. Littlepage,” + returned Guert, moderating his warmth, in a manner that a little surprised +me, though his handsome face still glowed with honest, natural admiration; +“since there is a Miss Mary Wallace in her company, that is quite as much +thought of, here in Albany, as her friend, Miss Mordaunt.” + +Mary Wallace! The idea of comparing the silent, thoughtful, excellent +though she were, Mary Wallace, with Anneke could never have crossed my +mind. Still, Mary Wallace certainly _was_ a very charming girl. She was +even handsome; had a placid, saint-like character of countenance that had +often struck me, singular beauty and development of form, and, in any +other company than that of Anneke's, might well have attracted the first +attention of the most fastidious beholder. + +And Guert Ten Eyck admired,--perhaps loved, Mary Wallace! Here, then, was +fresh evidence how much we are all inclined to love our opposites; to form +close friendships with those who resemble us least, principles excepted, +for virtue can never cling to vice, and how much more interest novelty +possesses in the human breast, than the repetition of things to which we +are accustomed. No two beings could be less alike than Mary Wallace and +Guert Ten Eyck; yet the last admired the first. + +“Miss Wallace is a very charming young lady, Mr. Ten Eyck,” I rejoined, as +soon as wonder would allow me to answer, “and I am not surprised you speak +of her in terms of so much admiration.” + +Guert stopped short in the street, looked me full in the face with an +expression of truth that could not well be feigned, squeezed my hand +fervently, and rejoined with a strange frankness, that I could not have +imitated, to be master of all I saw-- + +“Admiration, Mr. Littlepage, is not a word strong enough for what I feel +for Mary! I would marry her in the next hour, and love and cherish her for +all the rest of my life. I worship _her_, and love the earth she treads +on.” + +“And you have told her this, Mr. Ten Eyck?” + +“Fifty times, sir. She has now been two months in Albany, and my love was +secured within the first week. I offered myself too soon, I fear; for Mary +is a prutent, sensible young woman, and girls of that character are apt +to distrust the youth who is too quick in his advances. They like to +be served, sir, for seven years and seven years, as Joseph served for +Potiphar.” + +“You mean, most likely, Mr. Ten Eyck, as Jacob served for Rachel.” + +“Well, sir, it may be as you say, dough I t'ink that in our Dutch Bibles, +it stands as Joseph served for Potiphar--but you know what I mean, Mr. +Littlepage. If you wish to see the ladies, and will come with me, I will go +to a place where Herman Mordaunt's sleigh invariably passes at this hour, +for the ladies almost live in the air. I never miss the occasion of seeing +them.” + +I had now a clue to Guert's being so much in the street. He was as good as +his word, however, for he took a stand near the Dutch church, where I soon +had the happiness of seeing Anneke and her friend driving past, on their +evening's excursion. How blooming and lovely the former looked! Mary +Wallace's eye turned, I fancied understandingly, to the corner where Guert +had placed himself, and her colour deepened as she returned his bow. But, +the start of surprise, the smile, and the lightening eye of Anneke, as she +unexpectedly saw me, filled my soul with delight, almost too great to be +borne. + +[Footnote 19: The population of Albany could not have reached 4000 in +1758. Its Dutch character remained down to the close of this century, +with gradual changes. The writer can remember when quite as much Dutch +as English was heard in the streets of Albany, though it has now nearly +disappeared. The present population must be near 40,000. + +Mr. Littlepage's description was doubtless correct, at the time he wrote; +but Albany would now be considered a first-class country town, in Europe. +It has much better claims to compare with the towns of the old world, in +this character, than New York has to compare with their capitals.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 20: There were two churches, of this character, built on this +spot. The second, much larger than the first, but of the same form, was +built _round_ the other, in which service was held to the last, when it +was literally thrown out of the windows of its successor. The last edifice +disappeared about forty years since.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 21: I cannot recollect one of these canopied pews that is now +standing, in this part of the Union. The last, of my knowledge, were in St. +Mark's, New York, and, I believe, belonged to the Stuyvesants, the patron +family of that church. They were taken down when that building was +repaired, a few years since. This is one of the most innocent of all our +innovations of this character. Distinctions in the House of God are opposed +to the very spirit of the Christian religion; and it were far more fitting +that pews should be altogether done away with, the true mode of assembling +under the sacred roof, than that men should be classed even at the foot of +the altar. + +It may be questioned if a hatchment is now hung up, either on the dwelling, +or in a church, in any part of America. They were to be seen, however, in +the early part of the present century. Whenever any such traces of ancient +usages are met with among us, by the traveller from the old world, he is +apt to mistake them for the shadows “that coming events cast before,” + instead of those of the past.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + “Then the wine it gets into their heads, + And turns the wit out of its station; + Nonsense gets in, in its stead, + And their puns are now all botheration.” + + _The Punning Society._ + + +Guert Ten Eyck looked at me expressively, as the sleigh whirled round an +angle of the building and disappeared. He then proposed that we should +proceed. On ascending the main street, I was not a little surprised at +discovering the sort of amusement that was going on, and in which it seemed +to me all the youths of the place were engaged. By youths, I do not mean +lads of twelve and fourteen, but young men of eighteen and twenty, the +amusement being that of sliding down hill, or “coasting,” as I am told +it is called in Boston. The acclivity was quite sharp, and of sufficient +length to give an impetus to the sled, that was set in motion at a short +distance above the English church; an impetus that would carry it past the +Dutch church--a distance that was somewhat more than a quarter of a mile. +The hand-sleds employed, were of a size and construction suited to the +dimensions of those that used them; and, as a matter of course, there was +no New Yorker that had not learned how to govern the motion of one of these +vehicles, even when gliding down the steepest descent, with the nicest +delicacy and greatest ease. As children, or boys as late in life as +fourteen even, every male in the colony, and not a few of the females, had +acquired this art; but this was the first place in which I had ever known +adults to engage in the sport. The accidental circumstance of a hill's +belonging to the principal street, joined to the severity of the winters, +had rendered an amusement suited to grown people, that, elsewhere, was +monopolized by the children. + +By the time we had ascended as high as the English church, a party of young +officers came down from the fort, gay with the glass and the song of the +regimental mess. No sooner did they reach the starting-point, than three +or four of the more youthful got possession of as many sleds, and off +they went, like the shot starting from its gun. Nobody seemed to think it +strange; but, on the contrary, I observed that the elderly people looked +on with a complacent gravity, that seemed to say how vividly the sight +recalled the days of their own youth. I cannot say, however, that the +strangers succeeded very well in managing their sleds, generally meeting +with some stoppage before they reached the bottom of the hill. + +“Will you take a slide, Mr. Littlepage?” Guert demanded, with a courteous +gravity, that showed how serious a business he fancied the sport. “Here +is a large and strong sled that will carry double, and you might trust +yourself with me, though a regiment of horse were paraded down below.” + +“But are we not a little too _old_ for such an amusement, in the streets of +a large town, Mr. Ten Eyck?” I answered, doubtingly, looking round me in +an uncertain manner, as one who did not like to adventure, even while he +hesitated to refuse. “Those king's officers are privileged people, you +know.” + +“No man has a higher privilege to use the streets of Albany, than Mr. +Cornelius Littlepage, sir, I can assure you. The young ladies often honour +me with their company, and no accident has ever happened.” + +“Do the young ladies venture to ride down _this_ street, Mr. Ten Eyck?” + +“Not often, sir, I grant you; though that _has_ been done, too, of a +moon-light night. There is a more retired spot, at no great distance from +this street, however, to which the ladies are rather more partial. Look, +Mr. Littlepage!--There goes the Hon. Capt. Monson, of the ----th, and he +will be down the hill and up again before we are off, unless you hurry. +Take your seat, lady-fashion, and leave me to manage the sled.” + +What could I do! Guert had been so very civil, was so much in earnest, +everybody seemed to expect it of me, and the Hon. Capt. Monson was already +a hundred yards on his way to the bottom, shooting ahead with the velocity +of an arrow. I took my seat, accordingly, placing my feet together on the +front round, “_lady-fashion_,” as directed. In an instant, Guert's manly +frame was behind me, with a leg extended on each side of the sled, the +government of which, as every American who has been born north of the +Potomac well knows, is effected by delicate touches of the heels. Guert +called out to the boys for a shove, and away we went, like the ship that is +bound for her “destined element,” as the poets say. We got a good start, +and left the spot as the arrow leaves its bow. + +Shall I own the truth, and confess I had a momentary pleasure in the +excitement produced by the rapidity of the motion, by the race we were +running with another sled, and by the skill and ease with which Guert, +almost without touching the ground, carried us unharmed through sundry +narrow passages, and along the line of wood and venison loaded sleighs, +barely clearing the noses of their horses. I forgot that I was making this +strange exhibition of myself, in a strange place, and almost in strange +company. So rapid was our motion, however, that the danger of being +recognised was not very great; and there were so many to divide attention, +that the act of folly would have been overlooked, but for a most untimely +and unexpected accident. We had gone the entire length between the +two churches with great success,--several steady, grave, and +respectable-looking old burghers calling out, on a high key, “Vell done, +Guert!”--for Guert appeared to be a general favourite, in the sense of fun +and frolic at least,--when, turning an angle of the Old Dutch Temple, in +the ambitious wish of shooting past it, in order to run still lower and +shoot off the wharf upon the river, we found ourselves in imminent danger +of running under the fore-legs of two foaming horses, that were whirling a +sleigh around the same corner of the church. Nothing saved us but Guert's +readiness and physical power. By digging a heel into the snow, he caused +the sled to fly round at a right angle to its former course, and us to fly +off it, heels over head, without much regard to the proprieties, so far as +postures or grace was concerned. The negro who drove the sleigh pulled up, +at the same instant, with so much force as to throw his horses on their +haunches. The result of these combined movements was to cause Guert and +myself to roll over in such a way as to regain our feet directly alongside +of the sleigh. In rising to my feet, indeed, I laid a hand on the side of +the vehicle, in order to assist me in the effort. + +What a sight met my eyes! In the front stood the negro, grinning from ear +to ear; for _he_ deemed every disaster that occurred on runners a fit +subject for merriment. Who ever did anything but laugh at seeing a sleigh +upset?--and it was consequently quite in rule to do so on seeing two +overgrown boys roll over from a hand-sled. I could have knocked the rascal +down, with a good will, but it would not have done to resent mirth +that proceeded from so legitimate a cause. Had I been disposed to act +differently, however, the strength and courage necessary to effect such +a purpose would have been annihilated in me, by finding myself standing +within three feet, and directly in front of Anneke Mordaunt and Mary +Wallace! The shame at being thus detected in the disastrous termination of +so boyish a flight, at first nearly overcame me. How Guert felt I do not +know, but, for a single instant, I wished him in the middle of the Hudson, +and all Albany, its Dutch Church, sleds, hill, and smoking burghers +included, on top of him. + +“Mr. Littlepage!” burst out of the rosy lips of Anneke, in a tone of voice +that was not to be misunderstood. + +“Mr. Guert Ten Eyck!” exclaimed Mary Wallace, in an accent and manner that +bespoke chagrin. + +“At your service, Miss Mary,” answered Guert, who looked a little sheepish +at the result of his exploit, though for a reason I did not at first +comprehend, brushing some snow from his cap at the same time--“At your +service, now and ever, Miss Mary. But, do not suppose it was awkwardness +that produced this accident, I entreat of you. It was altogether the fault +of the boy who is stationed to give warning of sleighs below the church, +who must have left his post. Whenever either of you young ladies will do +me the honour to take a seat with me, I will pledge my character, as an +Albanian, to carry her to the foot of the highest and steepest hill in town +without disturbing a riband.” + +Marv Wallace made no answer; and I fancied she looked a little sad. It is +possible Anneke saw and understood this feeling, for she answered with a +spirit that I had never seen her manifest before-- + +“No, no, Mr. Ten Eyck,” she said; “when Miss Wallace or I wish to ride down +hill, and become little girls again, we will trust ourselves with boys, +whose constant practice will be likely to render them more expert than men +can be, who have had time to forget the habits of their childhood. Pompey, +we will return home.” + +The cold inclination of the head that succeeded, while it was sufficiently +gracious to preserve appearances, proved too plainly that neither Guert +nor myself had risen in the estimation of his mistress, by this boyish +exhibition of his skill with the hand-sled. Had either of these young +ladies been Albanians, it is probable they would have laughed at our +mishap; but no high hill running directly into New York, the custom that +prevailed at Albany did not prevail in the capital. Small boys alone used +the hand-sled in that part of the colony, while the taste continued longer +among the more stable and constant Dutch. Of course, we had nothing to do +but to make profound bows, and suffer the negro to move on. + +“There it is, Littlepage,” exclaimed Guert, with a species of sigh; “I +shall have nothing but iced looks for the next week, and all for riding +down hill four or five years later than is the rule. Everybody, hereabouts, +uses the hand-sled until eighteen, or so; and I am only five-and-twenty. +Pray, what may be your age, my dear fellow?” + +“Twenty-one, only about a month since. I wish, with all my heart, it were +ten!” + +“Turned the corner!--well, that's unlucky; but we must make the best of +it. My taste is for _fun_, and so I have admitted to Miss Wallace, twenty +times; but she tells me that, after a certain period, men should look to +graver things, and think of their country. She has lectured me already, +once, on the subject of sliding; though she allows that skating is a manly +exercise.” + +“When a lady takes the trouble to lecture, it is a sure sign she feels some +interest in the subject.” + +“By St. Nicholas! I never thought of that, Littlepage!” cried Guert, who, +notwithstanding the great advantages he possessed in the way of face and +figure, turned out to have less personal vanity about him than almost any +man I ever met with. “_Lecture_ me she has, and that more than once, too!” + +“The lady who lectures _me_, sir, will not get rid of me, at the end of the +discourse.” + +“That's manly! I like it, Littlepage; and I like _you_. I foresee we shall +be great friends; and we'll talk more of this matter another time. Now, +Mary has spoken to me of the war, and hinted that a single man, like +myself, with the world before him, might do something to make his name +known in it. I did not like that; for a girl who loved a fellow would not +wish to have him shot.” + +“A girl who took no interest in her suitor, Mr. Ten Eyck, would not care +whether he did anything or not. But I must now quit you, being under an +engagement to meet Mr. Worden at the inn, at six.” + +Guert and I shook hands, for the tenth or twelfth time that day, parting +with an understanding that he was to call for us, to accompany our party to +the supper, at the previously appointed hour. As I walked towards the inn, +I pondered on what had just occurred, in a most mortified temper. That +Anneke was displeased, was only too apparent; and I felt fearful that her +displeasure was not entirely free from contempt. As for Guert's case, it +did not strike me as being half so desperate as my own; for there was +nothing unnatural, but something quite the reverse, in women of sense +and stability, when they admire any youth of opposite temperament--and I +remembered to have heard my grandfather say that such was apt to be the +case,--wishing to elevate their suitors in their pursuits and characters. +Had Anneke taken the pains to remonstrate with me about the folly of what I +had done, I should have been encouraged; but the cold indifference of her +manner, not to call it contempt, cut me to the quick. It is true, Anneke +seemed to feel most on her friend's account; but I could not mistake the +look of surprise with which she saw me, Cornelius Littlepage, rise from +under her sleigh, and stand brushing the snow from my clothes, like a great +calf as I was! No man can bear to be rendered ridiculous in the presence of +the woman he loves. + +Near the inn I met Dirck, his whole face illuminated with a look of +pleasure. + +“I have just met Anneke and Mary Wallace!” he said, “and they stopped their +sleigh to speak to me. Herman Mordaunt has been here half the winter, and +he means to remain most of the summer. There will be no Lilacsbush this +season, the girls told me, but Herman Mordaunt has got a house, where he +lives with his own servants, and boils his own pot, as he calls it. We +shall be at home there, of course, for you are such a favourite, Corny, +ever since that affair of the lion! As for Anneke, I never saw her looking +so beautiful!” + +“Did Miss Mordaunt say she would be happy to see us on the old footing, +Dirck?” + +“Did she?--I suppose so. She said I shall be glad to see you, cousin Dirck, +whenever you can come, and I hope you will bring with you sometimes the +clergyman of whom you have spoken.” + +“But nothing of Jason Newcome or Corny Littlepage? Tell the truth at once, +Dirck; my name was not mentioned?” + +“Indeet it was, t'ough; _I_ mentioned it several times, and told them how +long we had been on the roat, and how you trove, and how you had sold the +sleigh and horses already, and a dozen other t'ings. Oh! we talket a great +deal of you, Corny; that is, I dit, and the girls listened.” + +“Was my name mentioned by either of the young ladies, Dirck, in direct +terms?” + +“To be sure; Anneke had something to say about you, though it was so much +out of the way, I can hardly tell you what it was now. Oh! I remember: she +said 'I have seen Mr. Littlepage, and think he has grown since we last +met; he promises to make a _man_ one of these days.' What could t'at mean, +Corny?” + +“That I am a fool, a great overgrown boy, and wish I had never seen Albany; +that's what it means. Come, let us go in; Mr. Worden will be expecting us. +Ha! Who the devil's that, Dirck?” + +A loud Dutch shout from Dirck broke out of him, regardless of the street, +and his whole face lighted up into a broad sympathetic smile. I had caught +a glimpse of a sled coming down the acclivity we were slowly ascending, +which sled glided past us just as I got the words out of my mouth. It was +occupied by Jason alone, who seemed just as much charmed with the sport +as any other grown-up boy on the hill. There he went, the cocked-hat +uppermost, the pea-green coat beneath, and the striped woollens and heavy +plated buckles stuck out, one on each side, governing the movement of the +sled with the readiness of a lad accustomed to the business. + +“That must be capital fun, Corny!” my companion said, scarce able to +contain himself for the pleasure he felt. “I have a great mind to borrow a +sled and take a turn myself.” + +“Not if you intend to visit Miss Mordaunt, Dirck. Take my word for it, she +does not like to see men following the pleasures of boys.” + +Dirck stared at me, but being taciturn by nature, he said nothing, and we +entered the house. There we found Mr. Worden reading over an old sermon, +in readiness for his next Sunday's business; and sitting down, we began to +compare notes on the subject of the town and its advantages. The divine was +in raptures. As for the Dutch he cared little for them, and had seen but +little of them, overlooking them in a very natural, metropolitan sort of +way; but he had found so many English officers, had heard so much from +home, and had received so many invitations, that _his_ campaign promised +nothing but agreeables. We sat chatting over these matters until the tea +was served, and for an hour or two afterwards. My bargains were applauded, +my promptitude--the promptitude of Guert would have been more just--was +commended, and I was told that my parents should hear the whole truth in +the matter. In a word, our Mentor being in good-humour with himself, was +disposed to be in good humour with every one else. + +At the appointed hour, Guert came to escort us to the place of meeting. He +was courteous, attentive, and as frank as the air he breathed, in manner. +Mr. Worden took to him excessively, and it was soon apparent that he and +young Ten Eyck were likely to become warm friends. + +“You must know, gentlemen, that the party to which I have had the honour +of inviting you, will be composed of some of the heartiest young men in +Albany, if not in the colony. We meet once a month, in the house of an old +bachelor, who belongs to us, and who will be delighted to converse with +you, Mr. Worden, on the subject of religion. Mr. Van Brunt is very expert +in religion, and we make him the umpire of all our disputes and bets on +_that_ subject.” + +This sounded a little ominous, I thought; but Mr. Worden was not a man to +be frightened from a good hot supper, by half-a-dozen inadvertent words. He +could tolerate even a religious discussion, with such an object in view. +He walked on, side by side with Guert, and we were soon at the door of the +house of Mr. Van Brunt, the Bachelor in Divinity, as I nicknamed him. Guert +entered without knocking, and ushered us into the presence of our _quasi_ +host. + +We found in the room a company of just twelve, Guert included; that being +the entire number of the club. It struck me, at the first glance, that the +whole set had a sort of slide-down-hill aspect, and that we were likely to +make a night of it. My acquaintance with Dirck, and indeed my connection +with the old race, had not left me ignorant of a certain peculiarity in the +Dutch character. Sober, sedate, nay phlegmatic as they usually appeared +to be, their roystering was on a pretty high key, when it once fairly +commenced. We thought one lad of the old race, down in Westchester, fully a +match for two of the Anglo-Saxon breed, when it came to a hard set-to; no +ordinary fun appeasing the longings of an excited Dutchman. Tradition had +let me into a good many secrets connected with their excesses, and I had +heard the young Albanians often mentioned as being at the head of their +profession in these particulars. + +Nothing could be more decorous, or considerate, however, than our +introduction and reception. The young men seemed particularly gratified at +having a clergyman of their party, and I make no doubt it was intended that +the evening should be one of unusual sobriety and moderation. I heard the +word “Dominie” whispered from mouth to mouth, and it was easy to see the +effect it produced. Most eyes were fastened on Van Brunt, a red-faced, +square-built, somewhat dissolute-looking man of forty-five, who seemed to +find his apology for associating with persons so much his juniors, in his +habits, and possibly in the necessity of the case; as men of his own years +might not like his company. + +“And, gentlemen, it is dry business standing here looking at each other,” + observed Mr. Van Brunt; “and we will take a little punch, to moisten our +hearts, as well as our throats. Guert, yon is the pitcher.” + +Guert made good use of the pitcher, and each man had his glass of punch,--a +beverage then, as now, much used in the colony. I must acknowledge that the +mixture was very knowingly put together, though I had no sooner swallowed +my glass, than I discovered it was confounded strong. Not so with Guert. +Not only did he swallow _one_ glass, but he swallowed _two_, in quick +succession, like a man who was thirsty; standing at the time in a fine, +manly, erect attitude, as one who trifled with something that did not half +tax his powers. The pitcher, though quite large, was emptied at that one +assault, in proof of which it was turned bottom upwards, by Guert himself. + +Conversation followed, most of it being in English, out of compliment to +the Dominie, who was not supposed to understand Dutch. This was an error, +however, Mr. Worden making out tolerably well in that language, when he +tried. I was felicitated on the bargains I had made with the contractor; +and many kind and hospitable attempts were made to welcome me in a frank, +hearty manner among strangers. I confess I was touched by these honest and +sincere endeavours to put me at my ease, and when a second pitcher of punch +was brought round, I took another glass with right good-will, while Guert, +as usual, took two; though the liquor _he_ drank, I had many occasions to +ascertain subsequently, produced no more visible effect on him, in the way +of physical consequences, than if he had not swallowed it. Guert was no +drunkard, far from it; he could only drink all near him under the table, +and remain firm in his chair himself. Such men usually escape the +imputation of being sots, though they are very apt to pay the penalty of +their successes at the close of their career. These are the men who break +down at sixty, if not earlier, becoming subject to paralysis, indigestion, +and other similar evils. + +Such was the state of things, the company gradually getting into a very +pleasant humour, when Guert was called out of the room by one of the +blacks, who bore a most ominous physiognomy while making his request. +He was gone but a moment, when he returned with a certain sort of +consternation painted in his own handsome face. Mr. Van Brunt was called +into a corner, where two or three more of the principal persons present +soon collected, in an earnest, half-whispered discourse. I was seated so +near this group, as occasionally to overhear a few expressions, though +to get no clear clue to its meaning. The words I overheard were, +“old Cuyler”--“capital supper”--“venison and ducks”--“partridges and +quails”--“knows us all”--“never do”--“Dominie the man”--“strangers”--“how +to do it?” and several other similar expressions, which left a vague +impression on my mind that our supper was in great peril from some cause or +other; but what that cause was I could not learn. Guert was evidently the +principal person in this consultation, everybody appearing to listen to his +suggestions with respect and attention. At length our friend came out of +the circle, and in a courteous, self-possessed manner communicated the +difficulty in the following words: + +“You must know, Rev. Mr. Worden, and Mr. Littlepage, and Mr. Follock, and +Mr. Newcome, that we have certain customs of our own, among us youths of +Albany, that perhaps are not familiar to you gentlemen nearer the capital. +The trut' is, that we are not always as wise and as sober as our parents, +and grandparents in particular, could wish us to be. It is t'ought a good +thing among us sometimes, to rummage the hen-roosts and poultry-yards of +the burghers, and to sup on the fruits of such a forage. I do not know how +it is with you, gentlemen; but I will own, that to me, ducks and geese got +in this innocent, game-like way, taste sweeter than when they are bought in +the market-hall: our own supper for to-night was a _bought_ supper, but +it has become the victim of a little enlargement of the practice I have +mentioned.” + +“How!--how's that, friend Ten Eyck!” exclaimed Mr. Worden, in no affected +consternation. “The _supper_ a victim, do you say?” + +“Yes, sir; to be frank at once, it is gone; gone to a pullet, a steak, and +a potatoe. They have not left us a dish!” + +“They!” echoed the parson--“And who can _they_ be?” + +“That is a point yet to be ascertained, for the operation has been carried +on in so delicate and refined a way, that none of our blacks know anything +of the matter. It seems there was a cry of fire just now, and it took every +one of the negroes into the street; during which time all our game has been +put up, and has flown.” + +“Bless me! bless me! what a calamity!--what a rascally theft! Did you not +mark it down?” + +“No sir, I am sorry to say we have not; nor do we apply such hard names to +a frolic, even when we lose our supper by it. It is the act of some of our +associates and friends, who hope to feast at our expense to-night; and who +will, gentlemen, unless you will consent to aid us in recovering our lost +dishes.” + +“Aid you, my dear sir--I will do any thing you can wish--what will you have +me attempt! Shall I go to the fort, and ask for succour from the army?” + +“No, sir; our object can be effected short of t'at. I am quite certain +we can find what we want, only two or three doors from this, if you will +consent to lend us a little, a very little of your assistance.” + +“Name it--name it, at once, for Heaven's sake, Mr. Guert. The dishes +must be getting cold, all this time,” cried Mr. Worden, jumping up with +alacrity, and looking about him, for his hat and cloak. + +“The service we ask of you, gentlemen, is just this,” rejoined Guert, with +a coolness that, when I came to reflect on the events of that night, has +always struck me as singularly astonishing. “Our supper, and an excellent +one it is, is close at hand, as I have said. Nothing will be easier than to +get it on our own table, in the next room, could we only manage to call old +Doortje off duty, and detain her for five minutes at the area gate of her +house. She knows every one of _us_, and would smell a rat in a minute, did +_we_ show ourselves; but Mr. Worden and Mr. Littlepage, here, might amuse +her for the necessary time, without any trouble. She is remarkably fond of +Dominies, and would not be able to trace _you_ back to this house, leaving +us to eat the supper in peace. After _t'at_, no one cares for the rest.” + +“I'll do it!--I'll do it!” cried Mr. Worden, hurrying into the passage, in +quest of his hat and cloak. “It is no more than just that you should have +your own, and the supper will be either eaten, or overdone, should we go +for constables.” + +“No fear of constables, Mr. Worden, we never employ them in our poultry +wars. All we, who will get the supper back again, can expect, will be +merely a little hot water, or a skirmish with our friends.” + +The details of the movement were now intelligibly and clearly settled. +Guert was to head a party provided with large clothes-baskets, who were to +enter the kitchen, during Doortje's absence, and abstract the dishes, which +could not yet be served, as all in Albany, of a certain class, sat down to +supper at nine precisely. As for Doortje, a negro who was in the house, in +waiting on one of the guests, his master, would manage to get her out to +the area gate, the house having a cellar kitchen, where it would depend on +Mr. Worden to detain her, three or four minutes. To my surprise, the +parson entered on the execution of the wild scheme with boyish eagerness, +affirming that he could keep the woman half an hour, if it were necessary, +by delivering her a lecture on the importance of observing the eighth +commandment. As soon as the preliminaries were thus arranged, the two +parties proceeded on their respective duties, the hour admonishing us of +the necessity of losing no time unnecessarily. + +I did not like this affair from the first, the experiment of sliding down +hill, having somewhat weakened my confidence in Guert Ten Eyck's judgment. +Nevertheless, it would not do for _me_ to hold back, when Mr. Worden led, +and, after all, there was no great harm in recovering a supper that had +been abstracted from our own house. Guert did not proceed, like ourselves, +by the street, but he went with his party, out of a back gate into an +alley, and was to enter the yard of the house he assailed, by means of a +similar gate in its rear. Once in that yard, the access to the kitchen, and +the retreat, were very easy, provided the cook could be drawn away from her +charge at so important a moment. Everything, therefore, depended on the +address of the young negro who was in the house, and ourselves. + +On reaching the gate of the area, we stopped while our negro descended to +invite Doortje forth. This gave us a moment to examine the building. The +house was large, much larger than most of those round it, and what struck +me as unusual, there was a lighted lamp over the door. This looked as if it +might be a sort of a tavern, or eating house, and rendered the whole thing +more intelligible to me. Our roystering plunderers doubtless intended to +sup on their spoils at that tavern. + +The negro was gone but a minute, when he came out with a young black of his +own sex, a servant whom he was leading off his post, on some pretence +of his own, and was immediately followed by the cook. Doortje made many +curtsies as soon as she saw the cocked-hat and black cloak of the Dominie, +begging his pardon and asking his pleasure. Mr. Worden now began a grave +and serious lecture on the sin of stealing, holding the confounded Doortje +in discourse quite three minutes. In vain the cook protested she had taken +nothing; that her master's property was sacred in her eyes, and ever had +been; that she never gave away even cold meats without an order, and that +she could not imagine why _she_ was to be talked to in this way. To give +him his due, Mr. Worden performed his part to admiration, though it is true +he had only an ignorant wench, who was awed by his profession, to manage. +At length we heard a shrill whistle from the alley, the signal of success, +when Mr. Worden wished Doortje a solemn good-night, and walked away with +all the dignity of a priest. In a minute or two we were in the house again, +and were met by Guert with cordial shakes of the hand, thanks for our +acceptable service, and a summons to supper. It appears that Doortje had +actually dished-up everything, all the articles standing before a hot fire +waiting only for the clock to strike nine to be served. In this state, +then, the only change the supper had to undergo, was to bring it a short +distance through the alley and to place it on our table, instead of that +for which it was so lately intended. + +Notwithstanding the rapidity with which the changes had been made, it would +not have been very easy for a stranger to detect any striking irregularity +in our feast. It is true, there were two sets of dishes on the table, or +rather dishes of two different sets; but the ducks, game, &c., were not +only properly cooked, but were warm and good. To work everybody went, +therefore, with an appetite, and for five minutes little was heard beyond +the clatter of knives and forks. Then came the drinking of healths, and +finally the toasts, and the songs, and the stories. + +Guert sang capitally, in a fine, clear, sweet, manly voice, and he gave us +several airs with words both in English and in Dutch. He had just finished +one of these songs, and the clapping of hands was still loud and warm, when +the young man called on Mr. Worden for a lady, or a sentiment. + +“Come, Dominie,” he called out, for by this time the feast had produced +its familiarity--“Come, Dominie, you have acquitted yourself so well as a +lecturer, that we are all dying to hear you preach.” + +“A lady do you say, sir?” asked the parson, who was as merry as any of us. + +“A laty--a laty”--shouted six or seven at once. “The Tominie's laty--the +Tominie's laty.” + +“Well, gentlemen, since you will have it so, you shall have one. You must +not complain if she prove a little venerable,--but I give you 'Mother +Church.'” + +This produced a senseless laugh, as such things usually do, and then +followed my turn. Mr. Van Brunt very formally called on me for a +lady. After pausing a moment I said, as I flatter myself, with +spirit--“Gentlemen, I will give you another almost as heavenly--Miss Anneke +Mordaunt!” + +“Miss Anneke Mordaunt!” was echoed round the table, and I soon discovered +that Anneke was a general favourite, and a very common toast already at +Albany. + +“I shall now ask Mr. Guert Ten Eyck for his lady,” I said, as soon as +silence was restored, there being very little pause between the cups that +night. + +This appeal changed the whole character of the expression of Guert's face. +It became grave in an instant, as if the recollection of her whose name +he was about to utter produced a pause in his almost fierce mirth. He +coloured, then raised his eyes and looked sternly round as if to challenge +denial, and gave-- + +“Miss Mary Wallace.” + +“Ay, Guert, we are used to that name, now,” said Van Brunt, a little drily. +“This is the tenth time I have heard it from you within two months.” + +“You will be likely to hear it twenty more, sir; for I shall give Mary +Wallace, and nobody but Mary Wallace, while the lady remains Mary Wallace. +How, now, Mr. Constable! What may be the reason we have the honour of a +visit from you at this time of night.” [22] + +[Footnote 22: In this whole affair of the supper, the reader will find +incidents that bear a striking resemblance to certain local characteristics +portrayed by Mrs. Grant, of Laggan, in her memoirs of an American Lady; +thus corroborating the fidelity of the pictures of our ancient manners, +as given by that respectable writer, by the unquestioned authority of Mr. +Cornelius Littlepage.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + “Masters, it is proved already + That you are little better than false knaves; + And it will go near to be thought so, shortly.” + + _Dogberry_. + + +The sudden appearance of the city constable, a functionary whose person was +not unknown to most of the company, brought every man at table to his feet, +the Rev. Mr. Worden, Dirck and myself, included. For my own part, I saw no +particular reason for alarm, though it at once struck me that this visit +might have some connection with the demolished supper, since the law does +not, in all cases, suffer a man to reclaim even his own, by trick or +violence. As for the constable himself, a short, compact, snub-nosed, +Dutch-built person, who spoke English as if it disagreed with his bile, he +was the coolest of the whole party. + +“Vell, Mr. Guert,” he said, with a sort of good-natured growl of authority, +“here I moost coome ag'in! Mr. Mayor woult be happy to see you, and ter +Tominie, dat ist of your party; and ter gentleman dat acted as clerk, ven +he lectured old Doortje, Mr. Mayor's cook.” + +Mr. Mayor's cook! Here, then, a secret was out, with a vengeance! Guert had +not reclaimed his own lost supper, which, having passed into the hands of +the Philistines, was hopelessly gone; but he had actually stolen and eaten +the supper prepared for the Mayor of Albany,--Peter Cuyler, a man of note, +and standing, in all respects; a functionary who had held his office from +time immemorial;--the lamp was the symbol of authority, and not the sign of +an inn, or an eating-house;--the supper, moreover, was never prepared for +one man, or one family, but had certainly been got up for the honourable +treatment of a goodly company;--fifteen stout men had mainly appeased their +appetites on it; and the fragments were that moment under discussion among +half-a-dozen large-mouthed, shining negro faces, in the kitchen! Under +circumstances like these, I looked inquiringly at the Rev. Mr. Worden--and +the Rev. Mr. Worden looked inquiringly at me. There was no apparent remedy, +however; but, after a brief consultation with Guert, we, the summoned +parties, took our hats and followed Dogberry to the residence of Mr. Mayor. + +“You are not to be uneasy, gentlemen, at this little interruption of our +amusements,” said Guert, dropping in between Mr. Worden and myself, as we +proceeded on our way, “these things happening very often among us. You are +innocent, you know, under all circumstances, since you supposed that +the supper was our own--brought back by direct means, instead of having +recourse to the shabby delays of the law.” + +“And whose supper may this have been, sir, that we have just eaten!” + demanded Mr. Worden. + +“Why, there can be no harm, now, in telling you the truth, Dominie; and I +will own, therefore, it belonged in law to Mr. Mayor Cuyler. There is no +great danger, however, as you will see, when I come to explain matters. You +must know that the Mayor's wife was a Schuyler, and my mother has some of +that blood in her veins, and we count cousins as far as we can see, in +Albany. It is just supping with one's relations, a little out of the common +way, as you will perceive, gentlemen.” + +“Have you dealt fairly with Mr. Littlepage and myself, sir, in this +affair?” Mr. Worden asked, a little sternly. “I might, with great +propriety, lecture to a cook, on the eighth commandment, when that cook +was a party to robbing you of your supper; but how shall I answer to His +Honour, Mr. Mayor, on the charge which will now be brought against me? +It is not for myself, Mr. Guert, that I feel so much concern, as for the +credit and reputation of my sacred office, and that, too, among your +disciples of the schools of Leyden!” + +“Leave it all to me, my dear Dominie--leave it all to me,” answered Guert, +well disposed to sacrifice himself, rather than permit a friend to suffer. +“I am used to these little matters, and will take care of you.” + +“I vill answer for t'at,” put in the constable, looking over his shoulder. +“No young fly-away in All_pon_ny hast more knowletge in t'ese matters t'an +Mr. Guert, here. If any potty can draw his heat out of the yoke, Mr. Guert +can, Yaas--yaas--he know all apout t'ese little matters, sure enough.” + +This was encouraging, of a certainty! Our associate was so well known for +his tricks and frolics, that even the constable who took him calculated +largely on his address in getting out of scrapes! I did not apprehend that +any of us were about to be tried and convicted of a downright robbery; +for I knew how far the Dutch carried their jokes of this nature, and how +tolerant the seniors were to their juniors; and especially how much all men +are disposed to regard any exploit of the sort of that in which we had been +engaged, when it has been managed adroitly, and in a way to excite a laugh. +Still, it was no joke to rob a Mayor of his supper these functionaries +usually passing to their offices through the probationary grade of +Alderman. [23] Guert was not free from uneasiness, as was apparent by a +question he put to the officer, on the steps of Mr. Cuyler's house, and +under the very light of the official lamp. + +“How is the old gentleman, this evening, Hans?” the principal asked, with +some little concern in his manner. “I hope he and his company have supped?” + +“Vell, t'at is more t'an I can tell you, Mr. Guert. He look't more as like +himself, when he hat the horse t'ieves from New Englant taken up, t'an he +hast for many a tay. 'Twas most too pat, Mr. Guert, to run away wit' the +Mayor's _own_ supper! I coult have tolt you who hast your own tucks and +venison.” + +“I wish you had, Hans, with all my heart; but we were hard pushed, and +had a strange Dominie to feed. You know a body must provide _well_ for +company.” + +“Yaas, yaas; I understants it, and knows how you moost have peen nonplush't +to do sich a t'ing; put it was _mo-o-st_ too pat. Vell, we are all young, +afore we live to be olt--t'at effery potty knows.” + +By this time the door was open, and we entered. Mr. Mayor had issued orders +we should all be shown into the parlour, where I rather think, from what +subsequently passed, he intended to cut up Guert a little more than common, +by exposing him before the eyes of a particular person. At all events, the +reader can judge of my horror, at finding that the party whose supper I had +just helped to demolish, consisted, in addition to three or four sons and +daughters of the house, of Herman Mordaunt, Mary Wallace, and Anneke! Of +course, everybody knew _what_ had been done; but, until we entered the +room, Mr. Mayor alone knew _who_ had done it. Of Mr. Worden and myself +even, he knew no more than he had learned from Dootje's account of the +matter; and the cook, quite naturally, had represented us as rogues +feigning our divinity. + +Guert was a thoroughly manly fellow, and he did us the justice to enter the +parlour first. Poor fellow! I can feel for him, even at this distance of +time, when his eye first fell on Mary Wallace's pallid and distressed +countenance. It could scarcely be less than I felt myself, when I first +beheld Anneke's flushed features, and the look of offended propriety that I +fancied to be sparkling in her estranged eye. + +Mr. Mayor evidently regarded Mr. Worden with surprise, as indeed he did +me; for, instead of strangers, he probably expected to meet two of those +delinquents whose faces were familiar to him, by divers similar jocular +depredations, committed within the limits of his jurisdiction. Then the +circumstance that Mr. Worden was a real Dominie, could not be questioned +by those who saw him standing, as he did, face to face, with all the usual +signs of his sacred office in his dress and air. + +“I believe there must be some mistake here, constable!” exclaimed Mr. +Mayor. “Why have you brought these two strange gentlemen along with Guert +Ten Eyck?” + +“My orters, Mr. Mayor, wast to pring Dootje's 'rapscallion Tominie,' and +his 'rapscallion frient;' and t'at is one, and t'is ist t'ot'e.” + +“This gentleman has the appearance of being a _real_ clergyman, and that +too, of the church of England.” + +“Yaas, Mr. Mayor, t'at is yoost so. He wilt preach fifteen minutes wit'out +stopping, if you wilt give him a plack gownt; and pray an hour in a white +shirt.” [24] + +“Will you do me the favour, Guert Ten Eyck, to let me have the names of +the strangers I have the pleasure to receive,” said the mayor, a little +authoritatively. + +“Certainly, Mr. Mayor; certainly, and with very great pleasure. I should +have done this at once, had we been ushered into your house by any one but +the city constable. Whenever I accompany that gentleman anywhere, I always +wait to ascertain my welcome.” + +Guert laughed with some heart at this allusion to his own known +delinquencies, while Mr. Cuyler only smiled. I could see, notwithstanding +the severe measures to which he had resorted in this particular case, that +the last was not unfriendly to the first, and that our friend Guert had +not fallen literally among robbers, in being brought to the place where we +were. + +“This reverend dominie,” continued Guert, as soon as he had had his laugh, +and had ventured to cast a short, inquiring glance at Mary Wallace, “is a +gentleman from England, Mr. Mayor, who is to preach in St. Peter's the day +after to-morrow, by special invitation from the chaplain; when, I make no +doubt, we shall all be much edified; Miss Mary Wallace among the rest, if +she will do him the honour to attend the service--good, and angelic, and +_forgiving_, as I know she is by nature.” + +This speech caused all eyes to turn on the young lady whose face crimsoned, +though she made no reply. I now felt satisfied that Guert's manly, frank, +avowed, and sincere admiration had touched the heart of Mary Wallace, while +her reason condemned that which her natural tenderness encouraged; and the +struggle in her mind was then, and long after, a subject of curious study +with me. As for Anneke, I thought she resented this somewhat indiscreet, +not to say indelicate though indirect avowal of his feelings towards his +mistress; and that she looked on Guert with even more coldness than she had +previously done. Neither of the ladies, however, said anything. During +this dumb-show, Mr. Cuyler had leisure to recover from the surprise of +discovering that one of his prisoners was really a clergyman, and to +inquire who the other might be. + +“That gentleman, then, is in fact a clergyman!” he answered. “You have +forgotten to name the other, Guert.” + +“This is Mr. Corny Littlepage, Mr. Mayor--the only son of Major Littlepage, +of Satanstoe, Westchester.” + +The Mayor looked a little puzzled, and I believe felt somewhat embarrassed +as to the manner in which he ought to proceed. The incursion of Guert upon +his premises much exceeded in boldness, anything of the kind that had ever +before occurred in Albany. It was common enough for young men of his stamp +to carry off poultry, pigs, &c., and feast on the spoils; and cases +had occurred, as I afterwards learned, in which rival parties of these +depredators preyed on each other--the same materials for a supper +having been known to change hands two or three times before they were +consumed--but no one had ever presumed, previously to this evening, to make +an inroad even on Mr. Mayor's hencoop, much less to molest the domains of +his cook. In the first impulse of his anger, Mr. Cuyler had sent for the +constable; and Guert's club, with its place of meeting being well known, +that functionary having had many occasions to visit it, the latter +proceeded thither forthwith. It is probable, however, a little reflection +satisfied the mayor that a frolic could not well be treated as a larceny; +and that Guert had some of his own wife's blood in his veins. When he came +to find that two respectable strangers were implicated in the affair, one +of whom was actually a clergyman, this charitable feeling was strengthened, +and he changed his course of proceeding. + +“You can return home, Hans,” said Mr. Mayor, very sensibly mollified in his +manner. “Should there be occasion for your further services, I will send +for you. Now gentlemen,” as soon as the door closed on the constable, “I +will satisfy you that old Peter Cuyler can cover a table, and feed his +friends, even though Guert Ten Eyck be so near a neighbour. Miss Wallace, +will you allow me the honour to lead you to the table? Mr. Worden will see +Mrs. Cuyler, in safety, to the same place.” + +On this hint, the missionary stepped forward with alacrity, and led Mrs. +Mayoress after Mary Wallace, with the utmost courtesy. Guert did the same +to one of the young ladies of the house; Anneke was led in by one of the +young men; and I took the remaining young lady, who, I presumed, was also +one of the family. It was very apparent we were respited; and all of us +thought it wisest to appear as much at our ease as possible, in order not +to balk the humour of the principal magistrate of the ancient town of +Albany. + +To do Mr. Mayor justice, the lost time had been so well improved by +Doortje, that, on looking around the table, I thought the supper to which +we were thus strangely invited, was, of the two, the best I had seen that +evening. Luckily, game was plenty; and, by means of quails, partridges, +oysters, venison patties, and other dishes of that sort, the cook had +managed to send up quite as good a supper, at ten o'clock, as she had +previously prepared for nine. + +I will not pretend that I felt quite at my ease, as I took my seat at the +table, for the second time that night. All the younger members of the party +looked exceedingly grave, as if they could very well dispense with our +company; the old people alone appearing to enter into the scene with any +spirit. Anneke did not even look at me, after the first astounded look +given on my entrance; nor did Mary Wallace once cast her eyes towards +Guert, when we reached the supper-room. Mr. Mayor, notwithstanding, had +determined to laugh off the affair; and he and Mr. Worden soon became +excellent friends, and began to converse freely and naturally. + +“Come, cousin Guert,” cried Mr. Mayor, after two or three glasses of +Madeira had still further warmed his heart, “fill, and pledge me--unless +you prefer to give a lady. If the last, everybody will drink to her, with +hearty good-will. You eat nothing, and must drink the more.” + +“Ah! Mr. Mayor, I have toasted one lady, to-night, and cannot toast +another.” + +“Not present company excepted, my boy?” + +“No, sir, not even with that license. I pledge you, with all my heart, and +thank you, with all my heart, for this generous treatment, after my own +foolish frolic;--but, you know how it is, Mr. Mayor, with us Albany youths, +when our pride is up, and a supper must be had--” + +“Not I, Guert; I know nothing about it; but should very well like to learn. +How came you, in the first place, to take such a fancy to my cook's supper? +Did you imagine it better than Van Brunt's cook could give you?” + +“The supper of Arent Van Brunt's cook has disappeared--gone on the hill, I +fancy, among the red-coats; and, to own the truth, Mr. Mayor, it was yours, +or nothing. I had invited these gentlemen to pass the evening with us. One +of our blacks happened to mention what was going on here, and hospitality +led us all astray. It was nothing more, I do assure you, Mr. Mayor.” + +“And so your hospitable feelings made your guests work for their supper, by +sending them to preach to old Doortje, while you were dishing up my ducks +and game?” + +“Your pardon, Mr. Mayor; Doortje had dished-up, before she went to lecture. +Your cook is too well trained to neglect her duty, even to hear a sermon by +the Rev. Mr. Worden! But, these gentlemen were quite as much deceived as +the old woman; for, they supposed we were after our own lost goods, and +did not know that you dwelt here; and were as much my dupes as old Doortje +herself. Truth obliges me to own this much, in their justification.” + +There was a general clearing up of countenances, at this frank avowal; and +I saw that Anneke, herself, turned her looks inquiringly upon the +speaker, and suffered a smile to relieve the extreme gravity of her sweet +countenance. From that moment, a very sensible change came over the +feelings and deportment of the younger part of the company, and the +conversation became easier and more natural. It was certainly much in our +favour to have it known, we had not officiously and boyishly joined in +a gratuitous attempt to rob and insult this particular and unoffending +family, but that Mr. Worden and I supposed we were simply aiding in getting +back those things which properly belonged to our hosts, and getting them +back, too, in a manner of which the party we supposed we were acting +against, would certainly have no right to complain, inasmuch as they +had set the example. Guert was encouraged to go on further with his +explanations; which he did, in his own honest, candid manner, exculpating +us, in effect, from everything but being a little too much disposed +to waggery, for a minister of the church, and his pupil, who had just +commenced his travels. + +Anneke's face brightened up, more and more, as the explanations proceeded; +and, soon after they were ended, she turned to me in a very gracious +manner, and inquired after my mother. As I sat directly opposite to her, +and the table was narrow, we could converse without attracting much +attention to ourselves; Mr. Mayor and his other guests keeping up a round +of reasonably noisy jokes, on the events of the evening, nearer the foot of +the table. + +“You find some customs in Albany, Mr. Littlepage, that are not known to us, +in New York,” Anneke observed, after a few preliminary remarks had opened +the way to further communication. + +“I scarce know, Miss Anneke, whether you allude to what has occurred this +evening, or to what occurred this afternoon?” + +“To both, I believe,” answered Anneke, smiling, though she coloured, as I +thought, with a species of feminine vexation; “for, certainly, one is no +more a custom with us than the other.” + +“I have been most unfortunate, Miss Mordaunt, in the exhibitions I have +made of myself in the course of the few hours I have passed in this, to me, +strange place. I am afraid you regard me as little more than an overgrown +boy who has been permitted by his parents to leave home sooner than he +ought.” + +“This is your construction, and not mine, Mr. Littlepage. I suppose you +know--but, we will talk of this in the other room, or at some other time.” + +I took the hint, and said no more on the subject while at table. Mr. Mayor, +I suppose in consideration of our having gone through the exactions of one +feast already that evening, permitted us to leave the supper-room much +earlier than common, and the hour being late, the whole party broke up +immediately afterwards. Before we separated, however, Herman Mordaunt +approached me, in a friendly, free way, and invited me to come to his house +at eight next morning to breakfast, requesting the pleasure of Dirck's +company at the same time; the invitation to the latter going through me. +It is scarcely necessary to say how gladly I accepted, and how much I was +relieved by this termination of an adventure that, at one moment, menaced +me with deep disgrace. Had Mr. Mayor seen fit to pursue the affair of the +abstraction of his first supper in a serious vein, although the legal +consequences could not probably have amounted to anything very grave, they +might prove very ridiculous; and I have no doubt they would have brought +about a very abrupt termination of my visit to the north. As it was, my +mind was vastly relieved, as I believe was the case also with that of the +Rev. Mr. Worden. + +“Corny,” said that gentleman, after we had wished Guert good-night, and +were well on our way to the inn again, “this second supper has helped +surprisingly to digest the first. I doubt if our new acquaintance, here, +will be likely to turn out very profitable to us.” + +“Yet, sir, you appeared to take to him exceedingly, and I had thought you +excellent friends.” + +“I like the fellow well enough too; for he is hearty, and frank, and +good-natured; but there was some little policy in keeping on good terms +with him. I'm afraid, Corny, I did not altogether consult the dignity of my +holy office, this morning, on the ice! It is exceedingly unbecoming in a +clergyman, to be seen running in a public place like a school-boy, or a +youngster contending in a match. I thought, moreover, I overheard one +of those young Dutchmen call me the 'Loping Dominie;' and so, taking +altogether, it struck me it would be wisest to keep on good terms with this +Guert Ten Eyck.” + +“I see your policy, sir, and it does not become me to deny it. As for +myself, I confess I like Guert surprisingly, and shall not give him up +easily; though he has already got me into two serious scrapes in the short +time we have been acquainted; He is a hearty, good-natured, thoughtless +young fellow; who, Dutchman-like, when he does make an attempt to enjoy +life, does it with all his heart.” + +I then related the affair of the hand-sled to Mr. Worden, who gave me some +of that sort of consolation, of which a man receives a great deal, as he +elbows his way through this busy, selfish world. + +“Well, Corny,” said my old master, “I am not certain you did not look +more like a fool, as you rolled over from that sled, than I looked while +'loping' from our friends in the sleigh!” + +We both laughed as we entered the tavern; I, to conceal the vexation I +really felt, and Mr. Worden, as I presume, because he was flattered with +the belief that I must have appeared quite as ridiculous as himself. + +Next morning I proceeded to Herman Mordaunt's residence at the earliest +hour the rules of society would allow. I found the family established in +one of those Dutch edifices, of which Albany was mainly composed, and which +stood a little removed from the street--having a tiny yard in front, with +the _stoop_ in the gable, and that gable towards the yard. The battlement +walls of this house diminished towards the high apex of a very steep roof +by steps, as we are all so much accustomed to see, and the whole was +surmounted by an iron weathercock, that was perched on a rod of some +elevation. It was always a matter of importance with the Dutch to know +which way the wind blew; nor did it comport with their habits of minute +accuracy, to trust to the usual indications of the feeling on the skin, the +bending of branches, the flying of clouds, or the driving of smoke; but +they must and would have the certainty of a machine, that was constructed +expressly to let them know the fact. Smoke might err, but a weathercock +would not! + +No one was in the little parlour into which I was shown by the servant +who admitted me to the house, and in whom I recognised Herman Mordaunt's +principal male attendant, of the household in New York. How pleasantly did +that little room appear to me, in the minute or two that I was left in it +alone. There lay the very shawl that Anneke had on, the day I met her in +the Pinkster Field; and a pair of gloves that it seemed to me no other +hands but hers were small enough to wear, had been thrown on the shawl, +carelessly, as one casts aside a thing of that sort, in a hurry. A dozen +other articles were put here and there, that denoted the habits and +presence of females of refinement. But the gloves most attracted my +attention, and I must needs rise and examine them. It is true, these gloves +might belong to Mary Wallace, for she, too, had a pretty little hand, but I +fancied they belonged to Anneke. Under this impression, I raised them to my +lips, and was actually pressing them there, with a good deal of romantic +feeling, when a light footstep in the room told me I was not alone. +Dropping the gloves, I turned and beheld Anneke herself. She was regarding +me with an expression of countenance I did not then know how to interpret, +and which I now hardly know how to describe. In the first place, her +charming countenance was suffused with blushes, while her eyes were filled +with an expression of softened interest, that caused my heart to beat so +violently, that I did not know but it would escape by the channel of the +throat. How near I was to declaring all I felt, at that moment; of throwing +myself at the feet of the dear, dear creature, and of avowing how much and +engrossingly she had filled both my waking and sleeping thoughts during +the last year, and of beseeching her to bless the remainder of my days, by +becoming my wife! Nothing prevented this sally, but the remark which Anneke +made, the instant she had gracefully curtsied, in return to my confused and +awkward bow, and which happened to be this: + +“What do you find so much to admire in Miss Wallace's gloves?” asked the +wilful girl, biting her lip, as I fancied, to suppress a smile, though +her cheeks were still suffused, and her eyes continued to give forth that +indescribable expression of bewitching softness. “It is a pair my father +presented to her, and she wore them last evening in compliment to him.” + +“I beg pardon, Miss Mordaunt--Miss Anneke--that is--I beg pardon. Is there +not a very delightful odour about those gloves--that is, I was thinking so, +and was endeavouring to ascertain what it might be by the scent.” + +“It must be the lavender with which we young ladies are so coquettish as to +sprinkle our gloves and handkerchiefs--or it may be musk. Mary is rather +fond of musk, though I prefer lavender. But what an evening we had, Mr. +Littlepage! and what an introduction you have had to Albany and most of +all, what a master of ceremonies!” + +“Do you then dislike Guert Ten Eyck as an acquaintance, Miss Anneke?” + +“Far from it. It is quite impossible to _dislike_ Guert; he is so manly; so +ready to admit his own weaknesses; so sincere in all he does and says; so +good natured; and, in short, so much that, were one his sister, she might +wish him to be, and yet so much that a sister must regret.” + +“I thought last evening that all the ladies felt an interest in him, +notwithstanding the numberless wild and ill-judged things he does. Is he +not a favourite with Miss Wallace?” + +The quick, sensitive glance that Anneke gave me, said plainly enough that +my question was indiscreet, and it was no sooner put than it was regretted. +A shadow passed athwart the sweet face of my companion, and a moment of +deep, and, as I fancied, of painful thought succeeded. Then a light broke +over all, a smile illumined her features, after which a light girlish laugh +came to show how active were the agents within, and how strong was the +native tendency to happiness and humour. + +“After all, Corny Littlepage,” said Anneke, turning her face towards me +with an indescribable character of fun and feeling so blended in it, as +fairly to puzzle me, “you must admit that your exploit in the hand-sled was +sufficiently ridiculous to last a young man for some time!” + +“I confess it all, Anneke, and shall have a care how I turn boy again in +a strange place. I am rejoiced to find, however, that you look upon the +foolish affair of the slide as more grave than that of the supper, which I +was fearful might involve me in serious disgrace.” + +“Neither is very serious, Mr. Littlepage, though the last might have proved +awkward, had not the Mayor known the ways of the young men of the town. +They say, however, that nothing so bold has ever before been attempted in +that way, in Albany, great as are the liberties that are often taken with +the neighbours' hen-coops.” + +And she laughed, and this time it was naturally, and without the least +restraint. + +“I hope you will not think it shabby in me, if I seem to wish to throw +all the blame on this harum-scarum Guert Ten Eyck. He drew me into both +affairs, and into the last, in a great measure, innocently and ignorantly.” + +“So it is understood, and so it would be understood, the moment Guert Ten +Eyck was found to be connected with the affair at all.” + +“I may hope, then, to be forgiven, Anneke?” I said, holding out a hand to +invite her to accept it as a pledge of pardon. + +Anneke did not prudishly decline putting her own little hand in mine, +though I got only the ends of two or three slender delicate fingers; and +her colour increased as she bestowed this grace. + +“You must ask forgiveness, Corny,” she answered,--I believe she now used +this familiar name simply to show how completely she had forgotten the +little spleen she had certainly felt at my untoward exhibition in the +street.--“You must ask forgiveness of those who possess the right to +pardon. If Corny Littlepage chooses to slide down hill, like a boy, what +right has Anneke Mordaunt to say him nay?” + +“Every right in the world--the right of friendship--the right of a superior +mind, of superior manners--the right that my----” + +“Hush!--that is Mr. Bulstrode's footstep in the passage, and he will not +understand this discussion on the subject of my manifold rights. It takes +him some time, however, to throw aside his overcoats, and furs, and sword; +and I will just tell you that Guert Ten Eyck is a dangerous master of +ceremonies for Corny Littlepage.” + +“Yet, he has sense enough, feeling enough, _heart_ enough to admire and +love Mary Wallace.” + +“Has he told you this, so soon! But, I need not ask, as he tells his love +to every one who will listen.” + +“And to Miss Wallace herself, I trust, among the number. The man who loves, +and loves truly, should not long permit its object to remain in any doubt +of his feelings and intentions. It has ever appeared to me, Miss Mordaunt, +as a most base and dastardly feeling in a man to wish to be certain of a +woman's returning his love, before he has the manliness to let his mistress +understand his wishes. How is a sensitive female to know when she is safe +in yielding her affections, without this frankness on the part of her +suitor? I'll answer for it that Guert Ten Eyck has dealt thus honestly and +frankly with Mary Wallace.” + +“That is a merit which cannot be denied him,” answered Anneke, in a low, +thoughtful tone of voice. “Mary has heard this from his own mouth, again +and again. Even my presence has been no obstacle to his declarations, for +three times have I heard him beg Mary to consider him as a suitor for her +hand, and entreat her not to decide on his offer until he has had a longer +opportunity to win her esteem.” + +“And this you will admit, Miss Mordaunt, is to his credit, is manly, and +like himself?” + +“It is certainly frank and honourable, Mr. Littlepage, since it enables +Miss Wallace to understand the object of his attentions, and leaves nothing +to doubt, or uncertainty.” + +“I am glad you approve of such fair and frank proceedings;--though but a +moment remains to say what I wish, it will suffice to add, that the course +Guert Ten Eyck has taken towards Mary Wallace, Cornelius Littlepage would +wish to pursue towards Anneke Mordaunt.” + +Anneke started, turned pale; then showed cheeks that were suffused with +blushes, and looked at me with timid surprise. She made no answer; though +that earnest, yet timid gaze, long remained, and for that matter, still +remains, vividly impressed upon my recollection. It seemed to express +astonishment, startled sensibility, feminine bashfulness, and maiden +coyness; but it did not appear to me that it expressed displeasure. There +was no time, however, to ask for explanations, since the voices of Herman +Mordaunt and Bulstrode were now heard at the very door, and, at the next +instant, both entered the room. + +[Footnote 23: The American Mayor is usually a different person from the +English Mayor. Until within the last five-and-twenty or thirty years, the +Mayor of New York was invariably a man of social and political importance, +belonging strictly to the higher class of society. The same was true of the +Mayor of Albany. At the present time, the rule has been so far enlarged, as +to admit a selection from all of the more reputable classes, without any +rigid adherence to the highest. The elective principle has produced the +change. During the writer's boyhood, Philip Van Rensselaer, the brother of +the late Patroon, was so long Mayor of Albany, as to be universally known +by the _sobriquet_ of “The Mayor.”--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 24: This opinion of the constable's must refer to the notion +common amongst the non-Episcopal sects, that the value of spiritual +provender was to be measured by the quantity. Preaching, however, +_might_ be overdone in the Dutch Reformed Churches; for, quite within my +recollection, a half-hour glass stood on the pulpit of the Dutch edifice +named in the text, to regulate the dominie's wind. It was said it might be +turned _once_ with impunity; but wo betide him who should so far trespass +on his people's patience as to presume to turn it _twice_.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + “My beautiful! my beautiful! that standest meekly by, + With thy proudly arch'd and glossy neck, and dark and fiery eye-- + + “Thus, thus I leap upon thy back, and scour the distant plains: + Away! who overtakes me now, shall claim thee for his pains.” + + _The Arab to his Steed_. + + +Bulstrode seemed happy to meet me, complaining that I had quite forgotten +the satisfaction with which all New York, agreeably to his account of the +matter, had received me the past spring. Of course, I thanked him for his +civility; and we soon became as good friends as formerly. In a minute or +two, Mary Wallace joined us, and we all repaired to the breakfast-table, +where we were soon joined by Dirck, who had been detained by some affairs +of his own. + +Herman Mordaunt and Bulstrode had the conversation principally to +themselves for the first few minutes. Mary Wallace was habitually silent; +but Anneke, without being loquacious, was sufficiently disposed to +converse. This morning, however, she said little beyond what the civilities +of the table required from the mistress of the house, and that little in as +few words as possible. Once or twice I could not help remarking that her +hand remained on the handle of a richly-chased tea-pot, after that hand +had performed its office; and that her sweet, deep blue eye was fixed on +vacancy, or on some object before her with a vacant regard, in the manner +of one that thought intensely. Each time as she recovered from these little +_reveries_, a slight flush appeared on her face, and she seemed anxious to +conceal the involuntary abstraction. This absence of mind continued until +Bulstrode, who had been talking with our host on the subject of the +movements of the army, suddenly directed his discourse to me. + +“I hope we owe this visit to Albany,” he said, “to an intention on your +part, Mr. Littlepage, to make one among us in the next campaign. I hear of +many gentlemen of the colonies who intend to accompany us in our march to +Quebec.” + +“That is somewhat farther than I had thought of going Mr. Bulstrode,” + was my answer, “inasmuch as I have never supposed the king's forces +contemplated quite so distant a march. It is the intention of Mr. Follock +and myself to get permission to attach ourselves to some regiment and to go +forward as far as Ticonderoga, at least; for we do not like the idea of +the French holding a post like that, so far within the limits of our own +province.” + +“Bravely said, sir; and I trust I shall be permitted to be of some +assistance when the time comes to settle details. Our mess would always be +happy to see you; and you know that I am at its head, since the Lt. Colonel +has left us.” + +I returned my thanks, and the discourse took another direction. + +“I met Harris, as I was walking hither this morning,” Bulstrode continued, +“and he gave me, in his confused Irish way--for I insist he is Irish, +although he was born in London--but he gave me a somewhat queer account +of a supper he was at last night, which he said had been borne off by a +foraging party of young Albanians, and brought into the barracks, as a +treat to some of our gentlemen. This was bad enough, though they tell me +a Dutchman always pardons such a frolic; but Harris makes the matter much +worse, by adding that the supperless party indemnified itself by making +an attack on the kitchen of Mr. Mayor, and carrying off his ducks and +partridges, in a way to leave him without even a potatoe!” + +I felt that my face was as red as scarlet, and I fancied everybody was +looking at me, while Herman Mordaunt took on himself the office of making a +reply. + +“The story does not lose in travelling, as a matter of course,” answered +our host, “though it is true in the main. We all supped with Mr. Cuyler +last evening, and know that he had much more than a potatoe on the table.” + +“All!--What, the ladies?” + +“Even to the ladies--and Mr. Littlepage in the bargain,” returned Herman +Mordaunt, casting a glance at me, and smiling. “Each and all of us will +testify he not only had a plenty of supper, but that which was good.” + +“I see by the general smile,” cried Bulstrode, “that them is a _sous +entendu_ here, and shall insist on being admitted to the secret.” + +Herman Mordaunt now told the whole story, not being particularly careful +to conceal the more ludicrous parts, dwelling with some emphasis on the +lecture Mr. Worden had delivered to Doortje, and appealing to me to know +whether I did not think it excellent. Bulstrode laughed, of course; though +I fancied both the young ladies wished nothing had been said on the +subject. Anneke even attempted, once or twice, to divert her father from +certain comments that he made, in which he spoke rather lightly of such +sort of amusements, in general. + +“That Guert Ten Eyck is a character!” exclaimed Bulstrode, “and one I am +sometimes at a loss to comprehend. A more manly-looking, fine, bold young +fellow, I do not know; and he is often as manly and imposing in his +opinions and judgments, as he is to the eye; while, at times, he is almost +childish in his tastes and propensities. How do you account for this, Miss +Anneke?” + +“Simply, that nature intended Guert Ten Eyck for better things than +accident and education, or the want of education, have enabled him to +become. Had Guert Ten Eyck been educated at Oxford, he would have been a +very different man from what he is. If a man has only the instruction of a +boy, he will long remain a boy.” + +I was surprised at the boldness and decision of this opinion, for it was +not Anneke's practice to be so open in delivering her sentiments of others; +but, it was not long ere I discovered that she did not spare Guert, in the +presence of her friend, from a deep conviction he was not worthy of the +hold he was sensibly gaining on the feelings of Mary Wallace. Herman +Mordaunt, as I fancied, favoured his daughter's views in this behalf; and +there was soon occasion to observe that poor Guert had no other ally, in +that family, than the one his handsome, manly person, open disposition, +and uncommon frankness had created in his mistress's own bosom. There was +certainly a charm in Guert's habitual manner of underrating himself, that +inclined all who heard him to his side; and, for myself, I will confess I +early became his friend in all that matter, and so continued to the last. + +Bulstrode and I left the house together, walking arm and arm to his +quarters, leaving Dirck with the ladies. + +“This is a charming family,” said my companion, as we left the door; “and I +feel proud of being able to claim some affinity to it, though it is not so +near as I trust it may one day become.” + +I started, almost twitching my arm away from that of the Major's, turning +half round, at the same instant, to look him in the face. Bulstrode smiled, +but preserved his own self-possession, in the stoical manner common to men +of fashion and easy manners, pursuing the discourse. + +“I see that my frankness has occasioned you some little surprise,” he +added; “but the truth is the truth; and I hold it to be unmanly for a +gentleman who has made up his mind to become the suitor of a lady, to make +any secret of his intentions;--is not that your own way of thinking, Mr. +Littlepage?” + +“Certainly, as respects the lady; and possibly, as respects her family; but +not as respects all the world.” + +“I take your distinction, which may be a good one, in ordinary cases; +though, in the instance of Anneke Mordaunt, it may be merciful to let +wandering young men, like yourself, Corny, comprehend the real state of the +case. I very well understand your own particular relation to the family +of the Mordaunts; but others may approach it with different and more +interested views.” + +“Am I to understand, Mr. Bulstrode, that Miss Mordaunt is your betrothed?” + +“Oh! by no means; for she has not yet made up her mind to accept me. You +are to understand, however, that I have proposed to Herman Mordaunt, with +my father's knowledge and approbation, and that the affair is _in petto_. +You can judge for yourself of the probable termination, being a better +judge, as a looker-on, than I, as a party interested, of Anneke's manner of +viewing my suit.” + +“You will remember I have not seen you together these ten months, until +this morning; and I presume you do not wish me to suppose you have been +waiting all that time for an answer.” + +“As I consider you an _ami de famille_, Corny, there is no reason why there +should not be a fair statement of things laid before you, for that affair +of the lion will ever render you half a Mordaunt, yourself. I had proposed +to Anneke, when you first saw me, and got the usual lady-like answer that +the dear creature was too young to think of contracting herself, which was +certainly truer then than now; that I had friends at home who ought to be +consulted, that time must be given, or the answer would necessarily be +'no', and all the usual substance of such replies, in the preliminary state +of a negotiation.” + +“And there the matter has stood ever since?” + +“By no means, my dear fellow; as far from that as possible. I heard Herman +Mordaunt, for he did most of the talking on that side, with the patience +of a saint, observed how proper it all was, and stated my intention to +lay every thing before my father, and then advance to the assault anew, +reinforced by his consent, and authority to offer settlements.” + +“All of which you got, by return of vessel, on writing home?” I added, +unable to imagine how any man could hesitate about receiving Anneke +Mordaunt for a daughter-in-law. + +“Why, not exactly by return of vessel, though Sir Harry is much too +well-bred to neglect answering a letter. I never knew him to do such a +thing in his life; no, not when I have pushed him a little closely on the +subject of my allowance having been out before the quarter was up, as will +sometimes happen at college, you know, Corny. To tell you the truth, my +dear boy, Sir Harry's consent did _not_ come by return of vessel, though an +answer did. It is a confounded distance across the Atlantic, and it +takes time to argue a question, when the parties are 'a thousand leagues +asunder.'” + +“Argue!--What argument could be required to convince Sir Harry Bulstrode of +the propriety of your getting Anneke Mordaunt for a wife, _if you could?_” + +“Quite plain and sincere, upon my honour!--But, I love you for the +simplicity of your character, Corny, and so shall view all favourably. If I +_could!_ Well, we shall know at the end of the approaching campaign, when +you and I come back from our trip to Quebec.” + +“You have not answered my question, in the mean time, concerning Sir Harry +Bulstrode.” + +“I beg Sir Harry's and your pardon. What argument could be required to +convince my father?--Why, you have never been at home, Littlepage, and +cannot easily understand, therefore, what the feeling is precisely in +relation to the colonies--much depends on that, you know.” + +“I trust the mother loves her children, as I am certain the children love +their mother.” + +“Yes, you are all loyal;--I will say that for you, though Albany is not +exactly Bath, or New York, Westminster. I suppose you know, Littlepage, +that the church upon the hill, yonder, which is called St. Peter's, though +a very good church, and a very respectable church, with a very reputable +congregation, is not exactly Westminster Abbey, or even St. James's?” + +“I believe I understand you, sir; and so Sir Harry proved obstinate?” + +“As the devil!--It took no less than three letters, the last of which was +pretty bold, to get him round, which I did at last, and his consent, in +due form, has been handed in to Herman Mordaunt. I contended, with some +advantages in the affair, or I never should have prevailed. But, you will +see how it was. Sir Harry is gouty and asthmatic both, and no great things +of a life, at the best, and every acre he has on earth is entailed; just +making the whole thing a question of time.” + +“All of which you communicated, of course, to Anneke and Herman Mordaunt?” + +“If I did I'll be hanged! No, no; Master Corny, I am not so green as +that would imply. You provincials are as thin-skinned as _raisons de +Fontainbleau_, and are not to be touched so rudely. I do not believe Anneke +would marry the Duke of Norfolk himself, if the family raised the least +scruple about receiving her.” + +“And would not Anneke be right, in acting under so respectable a feeling?” + +“Why, you know she would only marry the duke, and not his mother, and +aunts, and uncles. I cannot see the necessity of a young woman's making +herself uncomfortable on that account. But, we have not come to that yet +for I would wish you to understand, Littlepage, that I am not accepted, No, +no! justice to Anneke demands that I should say this much. She knows of Sir +Harry's consent, however, and that is a good deal in my favour, you must +allow. I suppose her great objection will be to quitting her father, who +has no other child, and on him it _will_ bear a little hard; and, then, +it is likely she will say something about a change of country, for you +Americans are all great sticklers for living in your own region.” + +“I do not see how you can justly accuse us of that, since it is universally +admitted among us that everything is better at home than it is in the +colonies.” + +“I really think, Corny,” rejoined Bulstrode, smiling good-naturedly, “were +you to pay the old island a visit, now, you yourself would confess that +some things _are_.” + +“I to visit!--I am at a loss to imagine why I am named as one disposed to +deny it. Had it been Guert Ten Eyck, now, or ever Dirck Follock, one might +imagine such a thing,-but I, who come from English blood, and who have an +English-born grandfather, at this moment, alive and well at Satanstoe, am +not to be included among the disaffected to England.” + +Bulstrode pressed my arm, and his conversation took a more confidential +air, as it proceeded. “I believe you are right, Corny,” he said; “the +colony is loyal enough, Heaven knows; yet I find these Dutch look on us +red-coats more coldly than the people of English blood, below. Should it +be ascribed to the phlegm of their manners, or to some ancient grudge +connected with the conquest of their colony?” + +“Hardly the last, I should think, since the colony was traded away, under +the final arrangement, in exchange for a possession the Dutch now hold in +South America. There is nothing strange, however; in the descendants of the +people of Holland preferring the Dutch to the English.” + +“I assure you, Littlepage, the coldness with which we are regarded by the +Albanians has been spoken of among us; though most of the leading families +treat us well, and aid us all they can. They should remember that we are +here to fight, their battles, and to prevent the French from overrunning +them.” + +“To that they would probably answer that the French would not molest them, +but for their quarrel with England. Here we must part, Mr. Bulstrode, as +I have business to attend to. I will add one word, however, before we +separate, and that is, that King George II. has not more loyal subjects in +his dominions, than those who dwell in his American provinces.” + +Bulstrode smiled, nodded in assent, waved his hand, and we parted. + +I had plenty of occupation for the remainder of that day. Yaap arrived with +his 'brigade of sleighs' about noon, and I went in search of Guert, in +whose company I repaired once more to the office of the contractor. Horses, +harness, sleighs, provisions and all were taken at high prices, and I was +paid for the whole in Spanish gold; joes and half-joes being quite as much +in use among us in that day as the coin of the realm. Spanish silver has +always formed our smaller currency, such a thing as an English shilling, or +a sixpence, being quite a stranger among us. Pieces of eight, or dollars, +are our commonest coin, it is true, but we make good use of the half-joe in +all heavy transactions. I have seen two or three Bank of England notes in +my day, but they are of very rare occurrence in the colonies. There have +been colony bills among us, but they are not favourites, most of our +transactions being carried on by means of the Spanish gold and Spanish +silver, that find their way up from the islands and the Spanish main. The +war of which I am now writing, however, brought a great many guineas +among us, most of the troops being paid in that species of coin; but the +contractors, in general, found it easier to command the half-joe than the +guinea. Of the former, when all our sales were made, Dirck and myself had, +between us, no less than one hundred and eleven, or eight hundred and +eighty-eight dollars in value. + +I found Guert just as ready and just as friendly on this occasion, as he +had been on the previous day. Not only were all our effects disposed of, +but all our negroes were hired to the army for the campaign, Yaap excepted. +The boys went off with their teams towards the north that same afternoon, +in high spirits, as ready for a frolic as any white youths in the colony. I +permitted Yaap to go on with his sleigh, to be absent for a few days, but +he was to return and join us before we proceeded in quest of the 'Patent,' +after the breaking up of the winter. + +It was late in the afternoon before everything was settled, when Guert +invited me to take a turn with him on the river in his own sleigh. By this +time I had ascertained that my new friend was a young man of very handsome +property, without father or mother, and that he lived in as good style +as was common for the simple habits of those around him. Our principal +families in New York were somewhat remarkable for the abundance of their +plate, table-linen, and other household effects of the latter character, +while here and there one was to be found that possessed some good pictures. +The latter, I have reason to think, however, were rare, though occasionally +the work of a master did find its way to America, particularly from Holland +and Flanders. Guert kept bachelor's hall, in a respectable house, that had +its gable to the street, as usual, and which was of no great size; but +everything about it proved that his old black housekeeper had been trained +under a _regime_ of thorough neatness; for that matter, everything around +Albany wore the appearance of being periodically scoured. The streets +themselves could not undergo that process with snow on the ground; but once +beneath a roof, and everything that had the character of dirt was banished. +In this particular Guert's bachelor residence was as faultless as if it had +a mistress at its head, and that mistress were Mary Wallace. + +“If she ever consent to have me,” said Guert, actually sighing as he spoke, +and glancing his eyes round the very pretty little parlour I had just been +praising, on the occasion of the visit I first made to his residence that +afternoon; “if she ever consent to have me, Corny, I shall have to build +a new house. This is now a hundred years old, and though it was thought a +great affair in its day, it is not half good enough for Mary Wallace. My +dear fellow, how I; envy you that invitation to breakfast this morning! +what a favourite you must be with Herman Mordaunt!” + +“We are very good friends, Guert,”--for, with the freedom of our colony +manners, we had already dropped into the familiarity of calling each other +'Corny' and 'Guert'--“we are very good friends, Guert,” I answered, “and, I +have some reason to think, Herman Mordaunt does not dislike me. It was in +my power to be of a trifling service to Miss Anneke, last spring, and the +whole family is disposed to remember it.” + +“So I can see, at a glance; even Anneke remembers it. I have heard the +whole story from Mary Wallace; it was about a lion. I would give half of +what I am worth, to see Mary Wallace in the paws of a lion, or any other +wild beast; just to let her see that Guert Ten Eyck has a heart, as well as +Corny Littlepage. But, Corny my boy, there is one thing you must do; you +are in such favour, that it will be easy for you to effect it; though I +might try in vain, for ever.” + +“I will do anything that is proper, to oblige you, Guert, for you have a +claim on me for services rendered by yourself.” + +“Pshaw!--Say nothing of such matters; I am never happier than when buying +or selling a horse; and, in helping you to get off your old cattle, why, +I did the King no harm, and you some good. But, it was about horses I was +thinking. You must know, Littlepage, there is not a young man, or an old +man, within twenty miles of Albany, that drives such a pair of beasts as +myself.” + +“You surely do not wish me to sell these horses to Mary Wallace, Guert!” I +rejoined, laughing. + +“Ay, my lad; and this house, and the old farm, and two or three stores +along the river; and all I have, provided you can sell me with them. As +the ladies have no present use for horses, however, Herman Mordaunt having +brought up with him a very good pair, that came near running over you and +me, Corny; so there is no need of any sale; but I _should_ like to drive +Mary and Anneke a turn of a few miles, with that team of mine, and in my +own sleigh!” + +“That cannot prove such a difficult affair; young ladies, ordinarily, +consenting readily enough to be diverted with a sleigh-ride.” + +“The off-one carries himself more like a colonel, at the head of his +regiment, than like an ignorant horse!” + +“I will propose the matter to Herman Mordaunt, or to Anneke, herself, if +you desire it.” + +“And the near-one has the movement of a lady in a minuet, when you rein +him in a little. I drove those cattle, Corny, across the pine-plains, to +Schenectady, in one hour and twenty-six minutes;--sixteen miles, as the +crow flies--and nearer sixty, if you follow all the turnings of the fifty +roads.” + +“Well, what am I to do? tell this to the ladies, or beg them to name a +day?” + +“Name a day!--I wish it had come to _that_. Corny, with my whole soul. They +are two beauties!” + +“Yes, I think everybody will admit _that_,” I answered innocently; “yet, +very different in their charms.” + +“Oh! not a bit more alike than is just necessary for a good match. I call +one Jack, and the other Moses. I never knew an animal that was named +'Jack,' who would not do his work. I would give a great deal, Corny, that +Mary Wallace could see that horse move!” + +I promised Guert that I would use all my influence with the ladies, to +induce them to trust themselves with his team, and, in order that I might +speak with authority, the sleigh was ordered round to the door forthwith, +with a view first to take a turn with me. The winter equipage of Guert Ten +Eyck was really a tasteful and knowing thing. I had often seen handsomer +sleighs, in the way of paint, varnish, tops and mouldings; for to these he +appeared to pay very little attention. The points on which its owner most +valued his sleigh, was the admirable manner in which it rested on its +runners--pressing lightly both behind and before. Then the traces were +nearer on a level with the horses, than was common; though not so high as +to affect the draft. The colour, without, was a sky-blue; a favourite Dutch +tint; while within, it was fiery-red. The skins were very ample: all coming +from the grey wolf. As these skins were lined with scarlet cloth, the +effect of the whole was sufficiently cheering and warm. I ought not to +forget the bells. In addition to the four sets buckled to the harness, the +usual accompaniment of every sort of sleigh-harness, Guert had provided two +enormous strings (always leathern straps), that passed from the saddles +quite down under the bodies of Jack and Moses; and another string around +each horse's neck, thus increasing the jingling music of his march, at +least fourfold beyond the usual quantity. [25] + +In this style, then, we dashed from the door of the old Ten Eyck-house; all +the blacks in the street gazing at us in delight, and shaking their sides +with laughter--a negro always expressing his admiration of anything, even +to a sermon, in that mode. I remember to have heard a traveller who had +been as far as Niagara, declare that his black did nothing but roar +with laughter, the first half-hour he stood confronted with that mighty +cataract. + +Nor did the blacks alone stop to admire Guert Ten Eyck, his sleigh and his +horses. All the young men in the place paid Guert this homage, for he +was unanimously admitted to be the best whip, and the best judge of +horse-flesh, in Albany; that is, the best judge for his years. Several +young women who were out in sleighs, looked behind them, as we passed, +proving that the admiration extended even to the other sex. All this Guert +felt and saw, and its effect was very visible in his manner as he stood +guiding his spirited pair, amid the woodsleds that still crowded the main +street. + +Our route lay towards the large flats, that extend for miles along the west +shore of the Hudson, to the north of Albany. This was the road usually +taken by the young people of the place, in their evening sleigh-rides not a +few of the better class stopping to pay their respects to Madame Schuyler, +a widow born of the same family as that into which she had married, and +who, from her character, connections and fortune, filled a high place in +the social circle of the vicinity. Guert knew this lady, and proposed that +I should call and pay my respects to her--a tribute she was accustomed to +receive from most strangers of respectability. Thither, then, we drove as +fast as my companion's blacks could carry us. The distance was only a few +miles, and we were soon dashing through the open gate, into what must have +been a very pretty, though an inartificial, lawn in the summer. + +“By Jove, we are in luck!” cried Guert, the moment his eyes got a view of +the stables: “Yonder is Herman Mordaunt's sleigh, and we shall find the +ladies here!” + +All this turned out as Guert had announced. Anneke and Mary Wallace had +dined with Madame Schuyler, and their coats and shawls had just been +brought to them, preparatory to returning home, as we entered. I had heard +so much of Madame Schuyler as not to approach this respectable person +without awe, and I had no eyes at first for her companions. I was well +received by the mistress of the house, a woman of so large a size as to +rise from her chair with great difficulty, but whose countenance expressed +equally intelligence, principles, refinement and benevolence. She no sooner +heard the name of Littlepage, than she threw a meaning glance towards +the young female friends, mine following and perceiving Anneke colouring +highly, and looking a little distressed. As for Mary Wallace she appeared +to me then, as I fancied was usually the case whenever Guert Ten Eyck +approached her, to be struggling with a species of melancholy pleasure. + +“It is unnecessary for me to hear your mother's name, Mr. Littlepage,” said +Madam Schuyler, extending a hand, “since I knew her as a young woman. In +_her_ name you are welcome; as, indeed, you would be in your own, after +the all-important service I hear you have rendered my sweet young friend, +here.” + +I could only bow, and express my thanks; but it is unnecessary to say how +grateful to me was praise of this sort, coming, as I knew it must, from +Anneke in the first instance. Still, I could hardly refrain from laughing +at Guert, who shrugged his shoulders, and turned towards me with a look +that repeated his ludicrous regrets he could not see Mary Wallace in a +lion's paws! The conversation then took the usual turn, and I got an +opportunity of speaking to the young ladies. + +After the character I had heard of Madam Schuyler, I was a good deal +surprised to find that Guert was somewhat of a favourite. But even the most +intellectual and refined women, I have since had occasion to learn, feel a +disposition to judge handsome, manly, frank, flighty fellows like my new +acquaintance, somewhat leniently. With all his levity, and his disposition +to run into the excesses of animal spirits, there was that about Guert +which rendered it difficult to despise him. The courage of a lion was +in his eye, and his front and bearing were precisely those that are +particularly attractive to women. To these advantages were added a seeming +unconsciousness of his superiority to most around him, in the way of looks, +and a humility of spirit that caused him often to deplore his deficiencies +in those accomplishments which characterize the man of study and of +intellectual activity. It was only among the hardy, active, and reckless, +that Guert manifested the least ambition to be a leader. + +“Do you still drive those spirited blacks, Guert,” demanded Madam Schuyler, +in a gentle, affable way, that inclined her to adapt her discourse to the +tastes of those she might happen to be with; “those, I mean, which you +purchased in the autumn?” + +“You may be certain of that, aunt,”--every one who could claim the most +distant relationship to this amiable woman, and whose years did not render +the appellation disrespectful, called her “aunt”--“you may be certain of +that, aunt, for their equals are not to be found in _this_ colony. The +gentlemen of the army pretend that no horse can be good that has not what +they call _blood_; but Jack and Moses are both of the Dutch breed, and the +Schuylers and the Ten Eycks will never own there is no “blood” in such a +stock. I have given each of these animals my own name, and call them Jack +Ten Eyck and Moses Ten Eyck.” + +“I hope you will not exclude the Littlepages and the Mordaunts from your +list of dissenters, Mr. Ten Eyck,” observed Anneke, laughing, “since both +have Dutch blood in their veins, too.” + +“Very true, Miss Anneke; Miss Wallace being the only true, thorough, +Englishwoman here. But, as Aunt Schuyler has spoken of my team, I wish I +could persuade you and Miss Mary to let me drive you back to Albany with +it, this very evening. Your own sleigh can follow and your father's horses +being English, we shall have an opportunity of comparing the two breeds. +The Anglo-Saxons will have no load, while the Flemings will; still I will +wager animal against animal, that the last do the work the most neatly, and +in the shortest time.” + +To this proposition, however, Anneke would not consent; her instinctive +delicacy, I make no doubt, at once presenting to her mind the impropriety +of quitting her own sleigh, to take an evening's drive in that of a young +man of Guert's established reputation for recklessness and fun, and who was +not always fortunate enough to persuade young women of the first class to +be his companions. The turn the conversation had taken, nevertheless, had +the effect to produce so many urgent appeals, that were seconded by myself, +to give the horses a trial, that Mary Wallace promised to submit the matter +to Herman Mordaunt, and, should he approve, to accompany Guert, Anneke and +myself, in an excursion the succeeding week. + +This concession was received by poor Guert with profound gratitude; and he +assured me, as we drove back to town, that he had not felt so happy for the +last two months. + +“It is in the power of such a young woman--young angel, I might better +say,” added Guert, “to make anything she may please of me! I know I am an +idler, and too fond of our Dutch amusements, and that I have not paid the +attention I ought to have paid to books; but let that precious creature +only take me by the hand, and I should turn out an altered man in a month. +Young women can do anything they please with us, Mr. Littlepage, when they +set their minds about it in earnest. I wish I was a horse, to have the +pleasure of dragging Mary Wallace in this excursion!” + +[Footnote 25: As it is possible this book may pass into the hands of others +than Americans, it maybe well to say that a sleigh-bell is a small hollow +ball, made of bell-metal, having a hole in it that passes round half of +its circumference, and containing a small _solid_ ball, of a size not to +escape. These bells are fastened to leathern straps, which commonly pass +round the necks of the horses. In the time of Guert Ten Eyck, most of the +bells were attached to small plates, that were buckled to various parts +of the harness; but, as this caused a motion annoying to the animals, Mr. +Littlepage evidently wishes his readers to understand that his friend, Ten +Eyck, was too knowing to have recourse to the practice. Even the straps are +coming into disuse, the opinion beginning to obtain that sleigh-bells are +a nuisance, instead of an advantage. Twenty years since, the laws of most +large towns rendered them necessary, under the pretence of preventing +accidents by apprising the footman of the approach of a sleigh; but more +horses are now driven, in the state of New York, without than with bells, +in winter. + +“Sleigh,” as spelt, is purely an American word. It is derived from “slee,” + in Dutch; which is pronounced like “sleigh.” Some persons contend; that +the Americans ought to use the old English words “sled,” or: “sledge.” But +these words do not precisely express the things we possess. There is as +much reason for calling a pleasure conveyance by a name different from +“sled,” as there is for saying “coach” instead of “wagon.” “Sleigh” _will_ +become English, ere long, as it is now American. Twenty millions of +people not only can make a word, but they can make a language, if it be +needed.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + “When lo! the voice of loud alarm + His inmost soul appals: + What ho! Lord William, rise in haste! + The water saps thy walls!” + + _Lord William_. + + +The visit to Madam Schuyler occurred of a Saturday evening; and the matter +of our adventure in company with Jack and Moses, was to be decided on the +following Monday. When I rose and looked out of my window on the Sunday +morning, however, there appeared but very little prospect of its being +effected that spring, inasmuch as it rained heavily, and there was a fresh +south wind. We had reached the 21st of March, a period of the year when a +decided thaw was not only ominous to the sleighing, but when it actually +predicted a permanent breaking up of the winter. The season had been late, +and it was thought the change could not be distant. + +The rain and south wind continued all that day, and torrents of water came +rushing down the short, steep streets, effectually washing away everything +like snow. Mr. Worden preached, notwithstanding, and to a very respectable +congregation. Dirck and myself attended; but Jason preferred sitting out a +double half-hour glass sermon in the Dutch church, delivered in a language +of which he understood very little, to lending his countenance to the rites +of the English service. Both Anneke and Mary Wallace found their way up +the hill, going in a carriage; though I observed that Herman Mordaunt was +absent. Guert was in the gallery, in which we also sat; but I could not +avoid remarking that neither of the young ladies raised her eyes once, +during the whole service, as high as our pews. Guert whispered something +about this, as he hastened down stairs to hand them to their carriage, +when the congregation was dismissed, begging me, at the same time, to be +punctual to the appointment for the next day. What he meant by this last +remembrancer, I did not understand; for the hills were beginning to exhibit +their bare breasts, and it was somewhat surprising with what rapidity a +rather unusual amount of snow had disappeared. I had no opportunity to +ask an explanation, as Guert was too busy in placing the ladies in the +carriage, and the weather was not such as to admit of my remaining a moment +longer in the street than was indispensably necessary. + +A change occurred in the weather during the night, the rain having ceased, +though the atmosphere continued mild, and the wind was still from the +south. It was the commencement of the spring; and, as I walked round to +Guert Ten Eyck's house, to meet him at breakfast, I observed that several +vehicles with wheels were already in motion in the streets, and that divers +persons appeared to be putting away their sleighs and sleds, as things of +no further use, until the next winter. Our springs do not certainly come +upon us as suddenly as some of which I have read, in the old world; but +when the snow and winter endure as far into March as had been the case with +that of the year 1758, the change is often nearly magical. + +“Here, then, is the spring opening,” I said to Dirck, as we walked along +the well-washed streets; “and, in a few weeks, we must be off to the bush. +Our business on the Patent must be got along with, before the troops are +put in motion, or we may lose the opportunity of seeing a campaign.” + +With such expectations and feelings I entered Guert's bachelor abode; +and the first words I uttered, were to sympathize in his supposed +disappointment. + +“It is a great pity you did not propose the drive to the ladies for +Saturday,” I began; “for that was not only a mild day, but the sleighing +was excellent. As it is, you will have to postpone your triumph until next +winter.” + +“I do not understand you!” cried Guert; “Jack and Moses never were in +better heart, or in better condition. I think they are equal to going to +Kinderhook in two hours!” + +“But who will furnish the roads with snow? By looking out of the window, +you will see that the streets are nearly bare.” + +“Streets and roads! Who cares for either, while we have the river? We often +use the river here, weeks at a time, when the snow has left us. The ice has +been remarkably even the whole of this winter, and, now the snow is off it, +there will be no danger from the air-holes.” + +I confess I did not much like the notion of travelling twenty miles on the +ice, but was far too much of a man to offer any objections. + +We breakfasted, and proceeded in a body to the residence of Herman +Mordaunt. When the ladies first heard that we had come to claim the +redemption of the half-promise given at Madam Schuyler's, their surprise +was not less than mine had been, half an hour before, while their +uneasiness was probably greater. + +“Surely, Jack and Moses cannot exhibit all their noble qualities without +snow!” exclaimed Anneke, laughing, “Ten Eycks though they be!” + +“We Albanians have the advantage of travelling on the ice, when the +snow fails us,” answered Guert. “Here is the river, near by, and never was +the sleighing on it, better than at this moment.” + +“But, it has been many times safer, I should think. This looks very much +like the breaking up of winter!” + +“That is probable enough, and so much greater the reason why we should not +delay, if you and Miss Mary ever intend to learn what the blacks can do. It +is for the honour of Holland that I desire it, else would I not presume so +far. I feel every condescension of this sort, that I receive from you two +ladies, in a way I cannot express; for no one Knows, better than myself, +how unworthy I am of your smallest notice.” + +This brought the signs of yielding, at once, into the mild countenance of +Mary Wallace. Guert's self-humiliation never failed to do this. There was +so much obvious truth in his admission, so sincere a disposition to place +himself where nature and education, or a _want_ of education had placed +him, and most of all, so profound a deference for the mental superiority of +Mary herself, that the female heart found it impossible to resist. To my +surprise, Guert's mistress, contrary to her habit in such things, was the +first to join him, and to second his proposal. Herman Mordaunt entering the +room at this instant, the whole thing was referred to him, as in reason it +ought to have been. + +“I remember to have travelled on the Hudson, a few years since,” returned +Herman Mordaunt, “the entire distance between Albany and Sing-Sing, and +a very good time we had of it; much better than had we gone by land, for +there was little or no snow.” + +“Just our case now, Miss Anneke!” cried Guert. “Good sleighing on the +river, but none on the land.” + +“Was that near the end of March, dear Papa?” asked Anneke, a little +inquiringly. + +“No, certainly not, for it was early in February, But the ice, at this +moment, must be near eighteen inches thick, and strong enough to bear a +load of hay.” + +“Yes, Masser Herman,” observed Cato, a grey-headed black, who had never +called his master by any other name, having known him from an infant; “yes, +Masser Herman, a load do come over dis minute.” + +It appeared unreasonable to distrust the strength of the ice, after this +proof to the contrary, and Anneke submitted. The party was arranged +forthwith, and in the following manner:--The two ladies, Guert and myself, +were to be drawn by the blacks, while Herman Mordaunt, Dirck, and any one +else they could enlist, were to follow in the New York sleigh. It was hoped +that an elderly female connection, Mrs. Bogart, who resided at Albany, +would consent to be of the party, as the plan was to visit and dine with +another and a mutual connection of the Mordaunts, at Kinderhook, While the +sleighs were getting ready, Herman Mordaunt walked round to the house of +Mrs. Bogart, made his request, and was successful. + +The clock in the tower of the English church struck ten, as both sleighs +drove from Herman Mordaunt's door. There was literally no snow in the +middle of the streets; but enough of it, mingled with ice, was still to be +found nearer the houses, to enable us to get down to the ferry, the point +where sleighs usually went upon the river. Here Herman Mordaunt, who was in +advance, checked his horses, and turned to speak to Guert on the propriety +of proceeding. The ice near the shore had evidently been moved, the river +having risen a foot or two, in consequence of the wind and the thaw, and +there was a sort of icy wave cast up near the land, over which it was +indispensable to pass, in order to get fairly on the river. As the top of +this ridge, or wave, was broken, it exposed a fissure that enabled us to +see the thickness of the ice, and this Guert pointed out in proof of its +strength. There was nothing unusual in a small movement of the covering of +the river, which the current often produces; but, unless the vast fields +below got in motion, it was impossible for those above materially to change +their positions. Sleighs were passing, too, still bringing to town, hay +from the flats on the eastern bank, and there was no longer any hesitation. +Herman Mordaunt's sleigh passed slowly over the ridge, having a care to the +legs of the horses, and ours followed in the same cautious manner, though +the blacks jumped across the fissure in spite of their master's exertions. + +Once on the river, however, Guert gave his blacks the whip and rein, and +away we went like the wind. The smooth, icy surface of the Hudson was our +road, the thaw having left very few traces of any track. The water had +all passed beneath the ice, through cracks and fissures of one sort and +another, leaving us an even, dry, surface to trot on. The wind was still +southerly, though scarcely warm, while a bright sun contributed to render +our excursion as gay to the eye, as it certainly was to our feelings. In +a few minutes every trace of uneasiness had vanished. Away we went, the +blacks doing full credit to their owner's boasts, seeming scarcely to touch +tke ice, from which their feet appeared to rebound with a sort of elastic +force. Herman Mordaunt's bays followed on our heels, and the sleighs had +passed over the well-known shoal of the Overslaugh, within the first twenty +minutes after they touched the river. + +Every northern American is familiar with the effect that the motion of a +sleigh produces on the spirits, under favourable circumstances. Had our +party been altogether composed of Albanians, there would probably have been +no drawback on the enjoyment, for use would have prevented apprehension; +but it required the few minutes I have mentioned to give Anneke and Mary +Wallace full confidence in the ice. By the time we reached the Overslaugh, +however, their fears had vanished; and Guert confirmed their sense of +security, by telling them to listen to the sounds produced by his horses' +hoofs, which certainty conveyed the impression of moving on a solid +foundation. + +Mary Wallace had never before been so gay in my presence, as she appeared +to be that morning. Once, or twice, I fancied her eyes almost as bright as +those of Anneke's, and certainly her laugh was as sweet and musical. Both +the girls were full of spirits, and some little things occurred that +gave me hopes Bulstrode had no reason to fancy himself as secure, as he +sometimes seemed to be. A casual remark of Guert's had the effect to bring +out some of Anneke's private sentiments on the subject; or, at least, so +they appeared to be to me. + +“I am surprised that Mr. Mordaunt forgot to invite Mr. Bulstrode to be one +of our party, to-day,” cried Guert, when we were below the Overslaugh. “The +Major loves sleighing, and he would have filled the fourth seat, in the +other sleigh, very agreeably. As for coming into this, that would be +refused him, were he even a general!” + +“Mr. Bulstrode is English,” answered Anneke, with spirit, “and fancies +American amusements beneath the tastes of one who has been presented at the +Court of St. James.” + +“Well, Miss Anneke, I cannot say that I agree with you at all, in this +opinion of Mr. Bulstrode,” Guert returned, innocently. “It is true, he is +English; that he fancies an advantage, as does Corny Littlepage, here; but +we must make proper allowances for home-love and foreign-dislike.” + +“'Corny Littlepage, here,' is only _half_ English, and that half is +colony-born and colony-bred,” answered the laughing girl, “and he has loved +a sleigh from the time when he first slid down hill--” + +“Ah! Miss Anneke--let me entreat--” + +“Oh! no allusion is intended to the Dutch church and its +neighbourhood;--but, the sports of childhood are always dear to us, as are +sometimes the discomforts. Habit and prejudice are sister hand-maidens; and +I never see one of these gentlemen from home, taking extraordinary interest +in any of our peculiarly colony usages, but I distrusted an extra amount of +complaisance, or a sort of enjoyment in which we do not strictly share.” + +“Is this altogether liberal to Bulstrode, Miss Anneke,” I ventured to put +in; “he seems to like us, and I am sure he has good reason so to do. That +he likes _some_ of us, is too apparent to be concealed or denied.” + +“Mr. Bulstrode is a skilful actor, as all who saw his Cato must be aware,” + retorted the charming girl, compressing her pouting lips in a way that +seemed to me to be inexpressibly pleasing; “and those who saw his Scrub +must be equally convinced of the versatility of his talents. No, no; Major +Bulstrode is better where he is, or will be to-day, at four o'clock--at the +head of the mess of the ----th, instead of dining in a snug Dutch parlour, +with my cousin, worthy Mrs. van der Heyden, at a dinner got up with colony +hospitality, and colony good-will, and colony plainness. The entertainment +we shall receive to-day, sweetened, as it will be, by the welcome which +will come from the heart, can have no competitor in countries where a +messenger must be sent two days before the visit, to ask permission to +come, in order to escape cold looks and artificial surprise. I would prefer +surprising my friends from the heart, instead of from the head.” + +Guert expressed his astonishment that any one should not always be glad +and willing to receive his friends; and insisted on it, that no such +inhospitable customs _could_ exist. I knew, however, that society could not +exist on the same terms, in old and in new countries--among a people that +was pressed upon by numbers, and a people that had not yet felt the evils +of a superabundant population. Americans are like dwellers in the country, +who are always glad to see their friends; and I ventured to say something +of the causes of these differences in habits. + +Nothing occurred worthy of being dwelt on, in our ride to Kinderhook. Mrs. +Van der Heyden resided at a short distance from the river, and the blacks +and the bays had some little difficulty in dragging us through the mud to +her door. Once there, however, our welcome fully verified the theory of +the colony habits, which had been talked over in our drive down. Anneke's +worthy connection was not only glad to see her, as anybody might have been, +but she would have been glad to receive as many as her house would hold. +Few excuses were necessary, for we were all welcome. The visit would retard +her dinner an hour, as was frankly admitted--but that was nothing; and +cakes and wine were set before us in the interval, did we feel hungry in +consequence of a two hours' ride. Guert was desired to make free, and go to +the stables to give his own orders. In a word, our reception was just that +which every colonist has experienced, when he has gone unexpectedly to +visit a friend, or a friend's friend. Our dinner was excellent, though not +accompanied by much form. The wine was good; Mrs. van der Heyden's deceased +husband having been a judge of what was desirable in that respect. +Everybody was in good-humour; and our hostess insisted on giving us coffee +before we took our departure. + +“There will be a moon, cousin Herman,” she said, “and the night will be +both light and pleasant. Guert knows the road, which cannot well be missed, +as it is the river; and if you quit me at eight, you will reach home in +good season to go to rest. It is so seldom I see you, that I have a +right to claim every minute you can spare. There remains much to be told +concerning our old friends and mutual relatives.” + +When such words are accompanied by looks and acts that prove their +sincerity, it is not easy to tear ourselves away from a pleasant house. We +chatted on, laughed, listened to stories and colony anecdotes that carried +us back to the last war, and heard a great many eulogiums on beaux and +belles, that we young people had, all our lives, considered as respectable, +elderly, commonplace sort of persons. + +At length the hour arrived when even Mrs. Bogart herself admitted we ought +to part. Anneke and Mary were kissed, enveloped in their furs, and kissed +again, and then we took our leave. As we left the house, I remarked that a +clock in the passage struck eight. In a few minutes every one was placed, +and the runners were striking fire from the flints of the bare ground. We +had less difficulty in descending than in ascending the bank of the river, +though there was no snow. It did not absolutely freeze, nor had it actually +frozen since the commencement of the thaw, but the earth had stiffened +since the disappearance of the sun. I was much rejoiced when the blacks +sprang upon the ice, and whirled us away, on our return road at a rate even +exceeding the speed with which they had come down it in the morning. I +thought it high time we should be in motion on our return; and in motion +we were, if flying at the rate of eleven miles in the hour could thus be +termed. + +The light of the moon was not clear and bright, for there was a haze in the +atmosphere, as is apt to occur in the mild weather of March; but there was +enough to enable Guert to dash ahead with as great a velocity as was at all +desirable. We were all in high spirits; us two young men so much the more, +because each of us fancied he had seen that day evidence of a tender +interest existing in the heart of his mistress towards himself. Mary +Wallace had managed, with a woman's tact, to make her suitor appear even +respectable in female society, and had brought out in him many sentiments +that denoted a generous disposition and a manly heart, if not a cultivated +intellect; and Guert was getting confidence, and with it the means of +giving his capacity fairer play. As for Anneke, she now knew my aim, and I +had some right to construe several little symptoms of feeling, that escaped +her in the course of the day, favourably. I fancied that, gentle as it +always was, her voice grew softer, and her smile sweeter and more winning, +as she addressed herself to, or smiled on me; and she did just enough of +both not to appear distant, and just little enough to appear conscious; at +least such were the conjectures of one who I do not think could be properly +accused of too much confidence, and whose natural diffidence was much +increased by the self-distrust of the purest love. + +Away we went, Guert's complicated chimes of bells jingling their merry +notes in a manner to be heard half a mile, the horses bearing hard on the +bits, for they knew that their own stables lay at the end of their journey, +and Herman Mordaunt's bays keeping so near us that, notwithstanding the +noise we made with our own bells, the sounds of his were constantly in our +ears. An hour went swiftly by, and we had already passed Coejeman's, and +had a hamlet that stretched along the strand, and which lay quite beneath +the high bank of the river, in dim distant view. This place has since been +known by the name of Monkey Town, and is a little remarkable as being the +first cluster of houses on the shores of the Hudson after quitting Albany. +I dare say it has another name in law, but Guert gave it the appellation I +have mentioned. + +I have said that the night had a sombre, misty, light, the moon wading +across the heavens through a deep but thin ocean of vapour. We saw the +shores plainly enough, and we saw the houses and trees, but it was +difficult to distinguish smaller objects at any distance. In the course of +the day twenty sleighs had been met or passed, but at that hour everybody +but ourselves appeared to have deserted the river. It was getting late for +the simple habits of those who dwelt on its shores. When about half-way +between the islands opposite to Coejeman's and the hamlet just named, +Guert, who stood erect to drive, told us that some one who was out late, +like themselves, was coming down. The horses of the strangers were in a +very fast trot, and the sleigh was evidently inclining towards the west +shore, as if those it held intended to land at no great distance. As it +passed, quite swiftly, a man's voice called out something on a high key, +but our bells made so much noise that it was not easy to understand him. He +spoke in Dutch, too, and none of our ears, those of Guert excepted, +were sufficiently expert in that language to be particularly quick in +comprehending what he said. The call passed unheeded, then, such things +being quite frequent among the Dutch, who seldom passed each other on the +highway without a greeting of some sort or other. I was thinking of this +practice, and of the points that distinguished our own habits from those of +the people of this part of the colony, when sleigh-bells sounded quite near +me, and turning my head, I saw Herman Mordaunt's bays galloping close to +us, as if wishing to get alongside. At the next moment the object was +effected, and Guert pulled up. + +“Did you understand the man who passed down, Guert?” demanded Herman +Mordaunt, as soon as all noises ceased. + +“He called out to us, at the top of his voice, and would hardly do that +without an object.” + +“These men seldom go home, after a visit to Albany, without filling their +jugs,” answered Guert, drily; “what could he have to say, more than to wish +us good-night?” + +“I cannot tell, but Mrs. Bogart thought she understood something about +'Albany,' and 'the river.'” + +“The ladies always fancy Albany is to sink into the river after a great +thaw,” answered Guert, good-humouredly; “but I can show either of them that +the ice is sixteen inches thick, here where we stand.” + +Guert then gave me the reins, stepped out of the sleigh, went a short +distance to a large crack that he had seen while speaking, and returned +with a thumb placed on the handle of the whip, as a measure to show that +his statement was true. The ice, at that spot, was certainly nearer +eighteen than sixteen inches thick. Herman Mordaunt showed the measure +to Mrs. Bogart, whose alarm was pacified by this positive proof. Neither +Anneke nor Mary exhibited any fear; but, on the contrary, as the sleighs +separated again, each had something pleasant, but feminine, to say at the +expense of poor Mrs. Bogart's imagination. + +I believe I was the only person in our own sleigh who felt any alarm, after +the occurrence of this little incident. Why uneasiness beset _me_, I cannot +precisely say. It must have been altogether on Anneke's account, and not in +the least on my own. Such accidents as sleighs breaking through, on our New +York lakes and rivers, happened almost every winter, and horses were often +drowned; though it was seldom the consequences proved so serious to their +owners. I recalled to mind the fragile nature of ice, the necessary effects +of the great thaw and the heavy rains, remembering that frozen water might +still retain most of its apparent thickness, after its consistency was +greatly impaired. But, I could do nothing! If we landed, the roads were +impassable for runners, almost for wheels, and another hour might carry +the ladies, by means of the river, to their comfortable homes. That day, +however, which, down to the moment of meeting the unknown sleigh, had been +the very happiest of my life, was entirely changed in its aspect, and I no +longer regarded it with any satisfaction. Had Anneke been at home, I could +gladly have entered into a contract to pass a week on the river myself, +as the condition of her safety, I thought but little of the others, to my +shame be it said, though I cannot do myself the injustice to imagine, had +Anneke been away, that I would have deserted even a horse, while there was +a hope of saving him. + +Away we went! Guert drove rapidly, but he drove with judgment, and it +seemed as if his blacks knew what was expected of them. It was not long +before we were trotting past the hamlet I have mentioned. It would seem +that the bells of the two sleighs attracted the attention of the people on +the shore, all of whom had not yet gone to bed; for the door of a house +opened, and two men issued out of it, gazing at us as we trotted past at +a pace that defied pursuit. These men also hallooed to us, in Dutch, and +again Herman Mordaunt galloped up alongside, to speak to us. + +“Did you understand these men?” he called out, for this time Guert did not +see fit to stop his horses; “they, too, had something to tell us.” + +“These people always have something to tell an Albany sleigh, Mr. +Mordaunt,” answered Guert; “though it is not often that which it would do +any good to hear.” + +“But Mrs. Bogart thinks they also had something to say about 'Albany,' and +the 'river.'” + +“I understand Dutch as well as excellent Mrs. Bogart,” said Guert, a little +drily; “and I heard nothing; while I fancy I understand the river better. +This ice would bear a dozen loads of hay, in a close line.” + +This again satisfied Herman Mordaunt and the ladies, but it did not satisfy +me. Our own bells made four times the noise of those of Herman Mordaunt; +and it was very possible that one, who understood Dutch perfectly, might +comprehend a call in that language, while seated in his own sleigh, when +the same call could not be comprehended by the same person, while seated in +Guert's. There was no pause, however; on we trotted; and another mile was +passed, before any new occurrence attracted attention. + +The laugh was again heard among us, for Mary Wallace consented to sing +an air, that was rendered somewhat ludicrous by the accompaniment of the +bells. This song, or verse or two, for the singer got no further on account +of the interruption, had drawn Guert's and my attention behind us, or away +from the horses, when a whirling sound was heard, followed immediately by +a loud shout. A sleigh passed within ten yards of us, going down, and the +whirling sound was caused by its runners, while the shout came from a +solitary man, who stood erect, waving his whip and calling to us in a loud +voice, as long as he could be heard. This was but for a moment, however, as +his horses were on the run; and the last we could see of the man, through +the misty moon-light, he had turned his whip on his team, to urge it ahead +still faster. In an instant, Herman Mordaunt was at our side, for the third +time that night, and he called out to us somewhat authoritatively to stop. + +“What can all this mean, Guert?” he asked. “Three times have we had +warnings about 'Albany' and the 'river.' I heard this man myself utter +those two words, and cannot be mistaken.” + +“I dare say, sir, that you may have heard something of the sort,” answered +the still incredulous Guert; “for these chaps have generally some +impertinence to utter, when they pass a team that is better than their own. +These blacks of mine, Herman Mordaunt, awaken a good deal of envy, whenever +I go out with them; and a Dutchman will forgive you any other superiority, +sooner than he will overlook your having the best team. That last man had a +spur in his head, moreover, and is driving his cattle, at this moment, more +like a spook than like a humane and rational being, I dare say he asked if +we owned Albany and the river.” + +Guert's allusion to his horses occasioned a general laugh; and laughter is +little favourable to cool reflection. We all looked out on the solemn and +silent night, cast our eyes along the wide and long reach of the river, in +which we happened to be, and saw nothing but the calm of nature, rendered +imposing by solitude and the stillness of the hour. Guert smilingly renewed +his assurances that all was right, and moved on. Away we went! Guert +evidently pressed his horses, as if desirous of being placed beyond this +anxiety as soon as possible. The blacks flew, rather than trotted; and we +were all beginning to submit to the exhilaration of so rapid and easy a +motion, when a sound which resembled that which one might suppose the +simultaneous explosion of a thousand rifles would produce, was heard, and +caused both drivers to pull up; the sleighs stopping quite near each other, +and at the same instant! A slight exclamation escaped old Mrs. Bogart; but +Anneke and Mary remained still as death. + +“What means that sound, Guert?” inquired Herman Mordaunt; the concern he +felt being betrayed by the very tone of his voice. “Something seems wrong!” + +“Something _is_ wrong,” answered Guert, coolly, but very decidedly; “and it +is something that must be seen to.” + +As this was said, Guert stepped out on the ice, which he struck a hard blow +with the heel of his boot, as if to make certain of its solidity. A second +report was heard, and it evidently came from _behind_ us. Guert gazed +intently down the river; then he laid his head close to the surface of +the ice, and looked again. At the same time, three or four more of these +startling reports followed each other in quick succession. Guert instantly +rose to his feet. + +“I understand it, now,” he said, “and find I have been rather too +confident. The ice, however, is safe and strong, and we have nothing to +fear from its weakness. Perhaps it would be better to quit the river +notwithstanding, though I am far from certain the better course will not be +to push on.” + +“Let us know the danger at once, Mr. Ten Eyck,” said Herman Mordaunt, “that +we may decide for the best.” + +“Why, sir, I am afraid that the rains and the thaw together, have thrown so +much water into the river, all at once, as it might be, as to have raised +the ice and broken it loose, in spots, from the shores. When this happens +_above_, before the ice has disappeared below, it sometimes causes dams to +form, which heap up such a weight as to break the whole plain of ice far +below it, and thus throw cakes over cakes until walls twenty or thirty +feet high are formed. This has not happened _yet_, therefore there is no +immediate danger; but by bending your heads low, you can see that such a +_break_ has just taken place about half a mile below us.” + +We did as Guert directed, and saw that a mound had arisen across the river +nearer than the distance named by our companion, completely cutting off +retreat by the way we had come. The bank on the west side of the Hudson was +high at the point where we were, and looking intensely at it, I saw by the +manner in which the trees disappeared, the more distant behind those that +were nearer, that we were actually in motion! An involuntary exclamation +caused the whole party to comprehend this startling fact at the same +instant. We were certainly in motion, though very slowly, on the ice of +that swollen river, in the quiet and solitude of a night in which the moon +rather aided in making danger apparent than in assisting us to avoid it! +What was to be done? It was necessary to decide, and that promptly and +intelligently. + +We waited for Herman Mordaunt to advise us, but he referred the matter at +once to Guert's greater experience. + +“We cannot land here,” answered the young man, “so long as the ice is in +motion, and I think it better to push on. Every foot will bring us so much +nearer to Albany, and we shall get among the islands a mile or two higher, +where the chances of landing will be greatly increased. Besides, I have +often crossed the river on a cake, for they frequently stop, and I have +known even loaded sleighs profit by them to get over the river. As yet +there is nothing very alarming;--let us push on, and get nearer to the +islands.” + +This, then, was done, though there was no longer heard the laugh or the +song among us. I could see that Herman Mordaunt was uneasy about Anneke, +though he could not bring her into his own sleigh, leaving Mary Wallace +alone; neither could he abandon his respectable connection, Mrs. Bogart. +Before we re-entered the sleighs, I took an occasion to assure him that +Anneke should be my especial care. + +“God bless you, Corny, my dear boy,” Herman Mordaunt answered, squeezing +my hand with fervour. “God bless you, and enable you to protect her. I was +about to ask you to change seats with me; but, on the whole, I think my +child will be safer with you than she could be with me. We will await God's +pleasure as accident has placed us.” + +“I will desert her only with life, Mr. Mordaunt. Be at ease on that +subject.” + +“I know you will not--I am _sure_ you will not, Littlepage; that affair of +the lion is a pledge that you will not. Had Bulstrode come, we should have +been strong enough to----but Guert is impatient to be off. God bless you, +boy--God bless you. Do not neglect my child.” + +Guert _was_ impatient, and no sooner was I in the sleigh than we were once +more in rapid motion. I said a few words to encourage the girls, and then +no sound of a human voice mingled with the gloomy scene. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + He started up, each limb convulsed + With agonizing fear, + He only heard the storm of night-- + 'Twas music to his ear. + + _Lord William_. + + +Away we went! Guert's aim was the islands, which carried him nearer home, +while it offered a place of retreat, in the event of the danger's becoming +more serious. The fierce rapidity with which we now moved prevented all +conversation, or even much reflection. The reports of the rending ice, +however, became more and more frequent, first coming from above, and then +from below. More than once it seemed as if the immense mass of weight that +had evidently collected somewhere near the town of Albany, was about to +pour down upon us in a flood--when the river would have been swept for +miles, by a resistless torrent. Nevertheless, Guert held on his way; +firstly, because he knew it would be impossible to get on either of the +main shores, anywhere near the point where we happened to be; and secondly, +because, having often seen similar dammings of the waters, he fancied +we were still safe. That the distant reader may understand the precise +character of the danger we ran, it may be well to give him some notion of +the localities. + +The banks of the Hudson are generally high and precipitous, and in some +places they are mountainous. No flats worthy of being mentioned, occur, +until Albany is approached; nor are those which lie south of that town, of +any great extent, compared with the size of the stream. In this particular +the Mohawk is a very different river, having extensive flats that, I have +been told, resemble those of the Rhine, in miniature. As for the Hudson, +it is generally esteemed in the colony as a very pleasing river; and I +remember to have heard intelligent people from home, admit, that even the +majestic Thames itself, is scarcely more worthy to be visited, or that it +better rewards the trouble and curiosity of the enlightened traveller. [26] + +While there are flats on the shores of the Hudson, and of some extent, in +the vicinity of Albany, the general formation of the adjacent country is +preserved,--being high, bold, and in some quarters, more particularly to +the northward and eastward, mountainous. Among these hills the stream +meanders for sixty or eighty miles north of the town, receiving tributaries +as it comes rushing down towards the sea. The character of the river +changes entirely, a short distance above Albany; the tides flowing to that +point, rendering it navigable, and easy of ascent in summer, all the way +from the sea. Of the tributaries, the principal is the Mohawk, which runs +a long distance towards the west--they tell me, for I have never visited +these remote parts of the colony--among fertile plains, that are bounded +north and south by precipitous highlands. Now, in the spring, when the vast +quantities of snow, that frequently lie four feet deep in the forests, and +among the mountains and valleys of the interior, are suddenly melted by the +south winds and rains, freshets necessarily succeed, which have been known +to do great injury. The flats of the Mohawk, they tell me, are annually +overflown, and a moderate freshet is deemed a blessing; but, occasionally, +a union of the causes I have mentioned, produces a species of deluge that +has a very opposite character. Thus it is, that houses are swept away; +and bridges from the smaller mountain streams, have been known, to come +floating past the wharves of Albany, holding their way towards the ocean. +At such times the tides produce no counter-current; for it is a usual +thing, in the early months of the spring, to have the stream pour downwards +for weeks, the whole length of the river, and to find the water fresh even +as low as New York. + +Such was the general nature of the calamity we had been so unexpectedly +made to encounter. The winter had been severe, and the snows unusually +deep; and, as we drove furiously onward, I remembered to have heard +my grandfather predict extraordinary freshets in the spring, from the +character of the winter, as we had found it, even previously to my quitting +home. The great thaw, and the heavy rains of the late storm, had produced +the usual effect; and the waters thus let loose, among the distant, as +well as the nearer hills, were now pouring down upon us in their collected +might. In such cases, the first effect is, to loosen the ice from the +shores; and, local causes forcing it to give way at particular points, a +breaking up of its surface occurs, and dams are formed that set the stream +back in floods upon all the adjacent low land, such as the flats in the +vicinity of Albany. + +We did not then know it, but, at the very moment Guert was thus urging +his blacks to supernatural efforts--actually running them as if on a +race-course--there was a long reach of the Hudson, opposite to, for a short +distance below, and for a considerable distance above the town, which was +quite clear of stationary ice. Vast cakes continued to come down, it is +true, passing on to increase the dam that had formed below, near and on +the Overslaugh, where it was buttressed by the islands, and rested on the +bottom; but the whole of that firm field, on which we had first driven +forth that morning, had disappeared! This we did not know at the time, or +it might have changed the direction of Guert's movements; but I learned it +afterwards, when placed in a situation to inquire into the causes of what +had occurred. + +Herman Mordaunt's bells, and the rumbling sound of his runners, were heard +close behind us, as our own sleigh flew along the river at a rate that I +firmly believe could not have been much less than that of twenty miles in +the hour. As we were whirled northward, the reports made by the rending of +the ice increased in frequency and force. They really became appalling! +Still, the girls continued silent, maintaining their self-command in a most +admirable manner; though I doubt not that they felt, in the fullest extent, +the true character of the awful circumstances in which we were placed. Such +was the state of things, as Guert's blacks began sensibly to relax in their +speed, for want of wind. They still galloped on, but it was no longer with +the swiftness of the wind; and their master became sensible of the folly of +hoping to reach the town ere the catastrophe should arrive. He reined in +his panting horses, therefore, and was just falling into a trot, as a +violent report was heard directly in our front. At the next instant the ice +rose, positively, beneath our horses' hoofs, to the height of several feet, +taking the form of the roof of a house. It was too late to retreat, and +Guert shouting out “Jack”--“Moses,” applied the whip, and the spirited +animals actually went over the mound, leaping a crack three feet in width, +and reaching the level ice beyond. All this was done, as it might be, in +the twinkling of an eye. While the sleigh flew over this ridge, it was with +difficulty I held the girls in their seats; though Guert stood nobly erect, +like the pine that is too firmly rooted to yield to the tempest. No sooner +was the danger passed, however, than he pulled up, and came to a dead halt. + +We heard the bells of Herman Mordaunt's sleigh, on the other side of the +barrier, but could see nothing. The broken cakes, pressed upon by millions +of tons weight above, had risen fully ten feet, into an inclination that +was nearly perpendicular; rendering crossing it next to impossible, even to +one a-foot. Then came Herman Mordaunt's voice, filled with paternal agony, +and human grief, to increase the awe of that dreadful moment! + +“Shore!--shore!--” he shouted, or rather yelled--“In the name of a +righteous Providence, to the shore, Guert!” + +The bells passed off towards the western bank, and the rumbling of the +runners accompanied their sound. That was a breathless moment to us four. +We heard the rending and grinding of the ice, on all sides of us; saw +the broken barriers behind and in front; heard the jingling of Herman +Mordaunt's bells, as it became more and more distant, and finally ceased; +and felt as if we were cut off from the rest of our species. I do not think +either of us felt any apprehension of breaking through; for use had so +accustomed us to the field of the river, while the more appalling grounds +of alarm were so evident, that no one thought of such a source of danger. +Nor was there much, in truth, to apprehend from that cause. The thaw had +not lasted long enough materially to diminish either the thickness or the +tenacity of the common river ice; though it was found unequal to resisting +the enormous pressure that bore upon it from above. It is probable that +a cake of an acre's size would have upheld, not only ourselves, but our +sleigh and horses, and carried us, like a raft, down the stream; had there +been such a cake, free from stationary impediments. Even the girls now +comprehended the danger, which was in a manner suspended over us,--as the +impending wreath of snow menaces the fall of the _avalanche_. But, it was +no moment for indecision or inaction. + +Cut off, as we were, by an impassable barrier of ice, from the route taken +by Herman Mordaunt, it was necessary to come to some resolution on our own +course. We had the choice of endeavouring to pass to the western shore, +on the upper side of the barrier, or of proceeding towards the nearest of +several low islands which lay in the opposite direction. Guert determined +on the last, walking his horses to the point of land, there being no +apparent necessity for haste, while the animals greatly needed breath. As +we went along, he explained to us that the fissure below cut us off from +the only point where landing on the western shore could be practicable. At +the same time, he put in practice a pious fraud, which had an excellent +effect on the feelings and conduct of both the girls, throughout the +remainder of the trying scenes of that fearful night; more especially on +those of Anneke. He dwelt on the good fortune of Herman Mordaunt, in being +on the right side of the barrier that separated the sleighs, in a way to +induce those who did not penetrate his motive, to fancy the rest of the +party was in a place of security, as the consequence of this accident. Thus +did Anneke believe her father safe, and thus was she relieved from much +agonizing doubt. + +As soon as the sleigh came near the point of the island, Guert gave me the +reins, and went ahead to examine whether it were possible to land. He was +absent fifteen minutes; returning to us only after he had made a thorough +search into the condition of the island, as well as of that of the ice in +its eastern channel. These were fifteen fearful minutes; the rending of the +masses above, and the grinding of cake on cake, sounding like the roar of +the ocean in a tempest. Notwithstanding all the awful accessories of this +dreadful night, I could not but admire Guert's coolness of manner, and his +admirable conduct. He was more than resolute; for he was cool, collected, +and retained the use of all his faculties in perfection. As plausible as it +might seem, to one less observant and clear-headed, to attempt escaping to +the western shore, Guert had decided right in moving towards the island. +The grinding of the ice, in another quarter, had apprised him that the +water was forcing its way through, near the main land; and that escape +would be nearly hopeless, on that side of the river. When he rejoined us, +he called me to the heads of the horses, for a conference; first solemnly +assuring our precious companions that there were no grounds for immediate +apprehension. Mary Wallace anxiously asked him to repeat this to _her_, on +the faith due from man to woman; and he did it; when I was permitted to +join him without further opposition. + +“Corny,” said Guert, in a low tone, “Providence has punished me for my +wicked wish of seeing Mary Wallace in the claws of lions; for all the +savage beasts of the Old World, could hardly make our case more desperate +than it now is. We must be cool, however, and preserve the girls or die +like men.” + +“Our fates are, and must be, the same. Do you devote yourself to Mary, and +leave Anneke to me. But, why this language; surely, our case is by no means +so desperate.” + +“It might not be so difficult for two active, vigorous young men to get +ashore; but it would be different with females. The ice is in motion all +around us; and the cakes are piling and grinding on each other in a most +fearful manner. Were it light enough to see, we should do much better; but, +as it is, I dare not trust Mary Wallace any distance from this island, +at present. We may be compelled to pass the night here, and must make +provision accordingly. You hear the ice grinding on the shore; a sign that +everything is going down stream.--God send that the waters break through, +ere long; though they may sweep all before them, when they do come. I fear +me, Corny, that Herman Mordaunt and his party are lost!” + +“Merciful Providence!--can it be as bad as that!--I rather hope they have +reached the land.” + +“_That_ is impossible, on the course they took. Even a man would be +bewildered and swept away, in the torrent that is driving down under the +west shore. It is that vent to the water, which saves us. But, no more +words.--You now understand the extent of the danger, and will know what +you are about. We must get our precious charge on the island, if possible, +without further delay. Half an hour--nay, half a minute may bring down the +torrent.” + +Guert took the direction of everything. Even while we had been talking, the +ice had moved materially; and we found ourselves fifty feet further from +the island than we had been. By causing the horses to advance, this +distance was soon recovered; but it was found impossible to lead or drive +them over the broken cakes with which the shore of the island now began to +be lined. After one or two spirited and determined efforts, Guert gave the +matter up, and asked me to help the ladies from the sleigh. Never did women +behave better, than did these delicate and lovely girls, on an occasion so +awfully trying. Without remonstrances, tears, exclamations or questions, +both did as desired; and I cannot express the feeling of security I felt, +when I had helped each over the broken and grinding border of white ice, +that separated us from the shore. The night was far from cold; but the +ground was now frozen sufficiently to prevent any unpleasant consequences +from walking on what would otherwise have been a slimy, muddy alluvion; for +the island was so very low, as often to be under water, when the river was +particularly high. This, indeed, formed our danger, after we had reached +it. + +When I returned to Guert, I found him already drifted down some little +distance; and this time we moved the sleigh so much above the point, as +to be in less danger of getting out of sight of our precious wards. To my +surprise, Guert was busy in stripping the harness from the horses, and Jack +already stood only in his blinkers. Moses was soon reduced to the same +state. I was wondering what was to be done next, when Guert drew each +bridle from its animal, and gave a smart crack of his whip. The liberated +horses started back with affright--snorted, reared, and, turning away, they +went down the river, free as air, and almost as swift; the incessant and +loud snapping of heir master's whip, in no degree tending to diminish their +speed. I asked the meaning of this. + +“It would be cruel not to let the poor beasts make use of the strength +and sagacity nature has given them to save their lives,” answered Guert, +straining his eyes after Moses, the horse that was behind, so long as his +dark form could be distinguished, and leaning forward to listen to the +blows of their hoofs, while the noises around us permitted them to be +heard. “To us, they would only be an encumbrance, since they never could +be forced over the cracks and caked ice in harness; nor would it be at all +safe to follow them, if they could. The sleigh is light, and we are strong +enough to shove it to land, when there is an opportunity; or, it may be +left on the island.” + +Nothing could have served more effectually to convince me of the manner in +which Guert regarded our situation, than to see him turn loose beasts which +I knew he so highly prized. I mentioned this; and he answered me with a +melancholy seriousness, that made the impression so much the stronger-- + +“It is possible they may get ashore, for nature has given a horse a keen +instinct. They can swim, too, where you and I would drown. At all events, +they are not fettered with harness, but have every chance it is in my power +to give them. Should they land, any farmer would put them in his stable, +and I should soon hear where they were to be found; if, indeed, I am living +in the morning to make the inquiry.” + +“What is next to be done, Guert?” I asked, understanding at once both his +feelings and his manner of reasoning. + +“We must now run the sleigh on the island; after which it will be time to +look about us, and to examine if it be possible to get the ladies on the +main land.” + +Accordingly, Guert and I applied ourselves to the task, and had no great +difficulty in dragging the sleigh over the cakes, grinding and in motion as +they were. We pulled it as far as the tree beneath which Anneke and Mary +stood; when the ladies got into it and took their seats, enveloped in the +skins. The night was not cold for the season, and our companions were +thickly clad, having tippets and muffs, still, the wolves' skins of Guert +contributed to render them more comfortable. All apprehension of immediate +danger now ceased, for a short time; nor do I think either of the females +fancied they could run any more risk, beyond that of exposure to the night +air, so long as they remained on _terra firma_. Such was not the case, +however, as a very simple explanation will render apparent to the reader. + +All the islands in this part of the Hudson are low, being rich, alluvial +meadows, bordered by trees and bushes; most of the first being willows, +sycamores, or nuts. The fertility of the soil had given to these trees +rapid growths, and they were generally of some stature; though not one +among them had that great size which ought to mark the body and branches of +a venerable tenant of the forest. This fact, of itself, proved that no one +tree of them all was _very_ old; a circumstance that was certainly owing to +the ravages of the annual freshets. I say annual; for though the freshet +which now encompassed us, was far more serious than usual, each year +brought something of the sort; and the islands were constantly increasing +or diminishing under their action. To prevent the last, a thicket of trees +was left at the head of each island, to form a sort of barricade against +the inroads of the ice in the spring. So low was the face of the land, +or meadow, however, that a rise of a very few feet in the river would +be certain to bring it entirely under water. All this will be made more +apparent by our own proceedings, after we had placed the ladies in the +sleigh; and more especially, by the passing remarks of Guert while employed +in his subsequent efforts. + +No sooner did Guert Ten Eyck believe the ladies to be temporarily safe, +than he proposed to me that we should take a closer look at the state of +the river, in order to ascertain the most feasible means of getting on the +main land. This was said aloud, and in a cheerful way, as if he no longer +felt any apprehension, and, evidently to me, to encourage our companions. +Anneke desired us to go, declaring that now she knew herself to be on dry +land, all her own fears had vanished. We went accordingly, taking our first +direction towards the head of the island. + +A very few minutes sufficed to reach the limits of our narrow domain; and, +as we approached them, Guert pointed out to me the mound of ice that was +piling up behind it, as a most fearful symptom. + +“_There_ is our danger,” he said, with emphasis, “and we must not trust to +these trees. This freshet goes beyond any I ever saw on the river; and not +a spring passes that we have not more or less of them. Do you not see, +Corny, what saves us now?” + +“We are on an island, and cannot be in much danger from the river while we +stay here.” + +“Not so, my dear friend, not at all so. But, come with me and look for +yourself.” + +I followed Guert, and did look for myself. We sprang upon the cakes of ice, +which were piled quite thirty feet in height, on the head of the island, +extending right and left, as far as our eyes could see, by that misty +light. It was by no means difficult moving about on this massive pile, the +movement in the cakes being slow, and frequently interrupted; but there was +no concealing the true character of the danger. Had not the island, and the +adjacent main interposed their obstacles, the ice would have continued to +move bodily down the stream, cake shoving over cake, until the whole found +vent in the wider space below, and floated off towards the ocean. Not only +was our island there; however, but other islands lay near us, straitening +the different channels or passages in such a way, as to compel the +formation of an icy dam; and, on the strength of this dam rested all our +security. Were it to be ruptured anywhere near us, we should inevitably be +swept off in a body. Guert thought, however, as has been said already, that +the waters had found narrow issues under the main land, both east and west +of us; and should this prove to be true, there was a hope that the great +calamity might be averted. In other words, if these floodgates sufficed, we +_might_ escape; otherwise the catastrophe was certain. + +“I cannot excuse it to myself to remain here, without endeavouring to see +what is the state of things nearer to the shore,” said Guert, after we had +viewed the fast accumulating mass of broken ice above us, as well as the +light permitted, and we had talked over together the chances of safety, +and the character of the danger. “Do you return to the ladies, Corny, and +endeavour to keep up their spirits, while I cross this channel on our +right, to the next island, and see what offers in that direction.” + +“I do not like the idea of your running all the risk alone; besides, +something may occur to require the strength of two, instead of that of one, +to overcome it.” + +“You can go with me as far as the next island, if you will, where we shall +be able to ascertain at once whether it be ice or water that separates us +from the eastern shore. If the first, you can return as fast as possible +for the ladies, while I look for a place to cross. I do not like the +appearance of this dam, to be honest with you; and have great fears for +those who are now in the sleigh.” + +We were in the very act of moving away, when a loud, cracking noise, that +arose within a few yards, alarmed us both; and running to the spot whence +it proceeded, we saw that a large willow had snapped in two, like a +pipe-stem, and that the whole barrier of ice was marching, slowly, but +grandly, over the stump, crushing the fallen trunk and branches beneath its +weight, as the slow-moving wheel of the loaded cart crushes the twig. Guert +grasped my arm, and his fingers nearly entered the flesh, under his iron +pressure. + +“We must quit this spot--” he said firmly, “and at once. Let us go back to +the sleigh.” + +I did not know Guert's intentions, but I saw it was time to act with +decision. We moved swiftly down to the spot where we had left the sleigh; +and the reader will judge of our horror, when we found it gone! The whole +of the low point of the island where we had left it, was already covered +with cakes of ice that were in motion, and which had doubtless swept off +the sleigh during the few minutes that we had been absent! Looking around +us, however, we saw an object on the river, a little distance below, that I +fancied was the sleigh, and was about to rush after it, when a voice filled +with alarm, took us in another direction. Mary Wallace came out from behind +a tree, to which she had fled for safety, and seizing Guert's arm, implored +him not to quit her again. + +“Whither has Anneke gone?” I demanded, in an agony I cannot describe--“I +see nothing of Anneke!” + +“She would not quit the sleigh,” answered Mary Wallace, almost panting +for breath--“I implored--entreated her to follow me--said you _must_ soon +return; but she refused to quit the sleigh. Anneke is in the sleigh, if +that can now be found.” + +I heard no more; but springing on the still moving cakes of ice, went +leaping from cake to cake, until my sight showed me that, sure enough, +the sleigh was on the bed of the river, over which it was in slow motion; +forced downwards before the new coating of ice that was fast covering +the original surface. At first I could see no one in the sleigh; but, on +reaching it, I found Anneke buried in the skins. She was on her knees: the +precious creature was asking succour from God! + +I had a wild but sweet consolation in thus finding myself, as it might be, +cut off from all the rest of my kind, in the midst of that scene of gloom +and desolation, alone with Anneke Mordaunt. The moment I could make her +conscious of my presence, she inquired after Mary Wallace, and was much +relieved on learning that she was with Guert, and would not be left by him, +for a single instant, again that night. Indeed, I saw their figures dimly, +as they moved swiftly across the channel that divided the two islands, and +disappear in that direction, among the bushes that lined the place to which +they had gone. + +“Let us follow,” I said eagerly. “The crossing is yet easy, and we, too, +may escape to the shore.” + +“Go you!” said Anneke, over whom a momentary physical torpor appeared to +have passed. “Go you, Corny,” she said; “a man may easily save himself; and +you are an only child--the sole hope of your parents.” + +“Dearest, beloved Anneke!--why this indifference--this apathy on your own +behalf? Are _you_ not an only child, the sole hope of a widowed father?--do +you forget _him?_” + +“No, no, no!” exclaimed the dear girl, hurriedly. “Help me out of the +sleigh, Corny: there, I will go with you anywhere--any how--to the end of +the world, to save my father from such anguish!” + +From that moment the temporary imbecility of Anneke vanished, and I found +her, for the remainder of the time we remained in jeopardy, quick to +apprehend, and ready to second all my efforts. It was this passing +submission to an imaginary doom, on the one hand, and the headlong effect +of sudden fright on the other, which had separated the two girls, and which +had been the means of dividing the whole party as described. + +I scarcely know how to describe what followed. So intense was my +apprehension on behalf of Anneke, that I can safely say, I did not think +of my own fate, in the slightest degree, as disconnected from hers. The +self-devoted reliance with which the dear girl seemed to place all her +dependence on me, would, of itself, have produced this effect, had she not +possessed my whole heart, as I was now so fully aware. Moments like those, +make one alive to all the affections, and strip off every covering that +habit or the dissembling of our manners is so apt to throw over the +feelings. I believe I both spoke and acted towards Anneke, as one would +cling to, or address the being dearest to him in the world, for the next +few minutes; but, I can suppose the reader will naturally prefer learning +what we did, under such circumstances, rather than what we said, or how we +felt. + +I repeat, it is not easy for me to describe what followed. I know we first +rather ran, than walked, across the channel on which I had last seen the +dim forms of Guert and Mary, and even crossed the island to its eastern +side, in the hope of being able to reach the shore in that quarter. The +attempt was useless, for we found the water running down over the ice like +a race-way. Nothing could be seen of our late companions; and my loud and +repeated calls to them were unanswered. + +“Our case is hopeless, Cornelius,” said Anneke; speaking with a forced +calmness when she found retreat impossible in that direction, “Let us +return to the sleigh, and submit to the will of God!” + +“Beloved Anneke!--Think of your father, and summon your whole strength. +The bed of the river is yet firm; we will cross it, and try the opposite +shore.” + +Cross it we did, my delicate companion being as much sustained by my +supporting arm, as by her own resolution but we found the same obstacle +to retreat interposing there also. The island above had turned the waters +aside, until they found an outlet under each bank--shooting along their +willowy shores, with the velocity of arrows. By this time, owing to our +hurried movement, I found Anneke so far exhausted, that it was absolutely +necessary to pause a minute to take breath. This pause was also necessary, +in order to look about us, and to decide understandingly as to the course +it was necessary now to pursue. This pause, brief as it was, moreover, +contributed largely to the apparent horrors of our situation. + +The grating, or grinding of the ice above us, cake upon cake, now sounded +like the rushing of heavy winds, or the incessant roaring of a surf upon +the sea-shore. The piles were becoming visible, by their height and their +proximity, as the ragged barriers set slowly but steadily down upon us; +and the whole river seemed to me to be in motion downwards. At this awful +instant, when I began to think it was the will of Providence that Anneke +and I were to perish together, a strange sound interrupted the fearful +natural accessories of that frightful scene. I certainly heard the bells +of a sleigh; at first they seemed distant and broken--then, nearer and +incessant, attended by the rumbling of runners on the ice. I took off my +cap and pressed my head, for I feared my brain was unsettled. There it +came, however, more and more distinctly, until the trampling of horses' +hoofs mingled in the noise. + +“Can there be others as unhappy as ourselves!” exclaimed Anneke, forgetting +her own fears in generous sympathy. “See, Littlepage!--see, _dear_ +Cornelius--yonder surely comes another sleigh!” + +Come it did, like the tempest, or the whirlwind; passing within fifty feet +of us. I knew it at a glance. It was the sleigh of Herman Mordaunt, empty; +with the horses, maddened by terror, running wherever their fears impelled. +As the sleigh passed, it was thrown on one side; then it was once more +whirled up again; and it went out of sight, with the rumbling sound of the +runners mingling with the jingling of bells and the tramp of hoofs. + +At this instant a loud, distant cry from a human voice, was certainly +heard. It seemed, to me, as if some one called my name; and Anneke said, +she so understood it, too. The call, if call it was, came from the south, +and from under the western shore. At the next moment, awful reports +proceeded from the barrier above; and, passing an arm around the slender +waist of my lovely companion, to support her, I began a rapid movement in +the direction of that call. While attempting to reach the western shore, I +had observed a high mound of broken ice, that was floating down; or rather, +was pressed down on the smooth surface of the frozen river, in advance of +the smaller cakes that came by in the current. It was increasing, in size, +by accessions from these floating cakes, and threatened to form a new dam, +at some narrow pass below, as soon as of sufficient size. It occurred to me +we should be temporarily safe, could we reach that mound, for it rose so +high as to be above danger from the water. Thither, then, I ran, almost +carrying Anneke on my arm; our speed increased by the terrific sounds from +the dam above us. + +We reached the mound, and found the cakes so piled, as to be able to ascend +them; though not without an effort. After getting up a layer or two, the +broken mass became so irregular and ragged, as to render it necessary for +me to mount first, and then to drag Anneke up after me. This I did, until +exhausted; and we both seated ourselves on the edge of a cake, in order to +recover our breath. While there, it struck me, that new sounds arose from +the river; and, bending forward to examine, I saw that the water had forced +its way through the dam above and was coming down upon us in a torrent. + +[Footnote 26: This remark of Mr. Cornelius Littlepage's, may induce a smile +in the reader. But, few persons of fifty can be found, who cannot recall +the time, when it was a rare thing to imagine _anything_ American, as good +as its English counterpart. The American who could write a book--a real, +live book--forty years since, was a sort of prodigy. It was the same with +him who could paint any picture beyond a common portrait. The very fruits +and natural productions of the country were esteemed, doubtingly; and he +was a bold man who dared to extol even canvass-back ducks, in the year +1800! At the present day, the feeling is fast undergoing an organic change. +It is now the fashion to _extol_ everything American, and from submitting +to a degree that was almost abject, to the feeling of colonial dependency, +the country is filled, to-day, with the most profound provincial +self-admiration. It is to be hoped that the next change will bring us to +something like the truth.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + My heart leaps up when I behold + A rainbow in the sky: + So was it when my Life began; + So is it now I am a man; + So be it when I shall grow old, + Or let me die! + + The child is father of the man; + And I could wish my days to be + Bound each to each by natural piety. + + WORDSWORTH. + + +Five minutes longer on the ice of the main channel, and we should have been +swept away. Even as we still sat looking at the frightful force of the +swift current, as well as the dim light of that clouded night would permit, +I saw Guert Ten Eyck's sleigh whirl past us; and, only a minute later, +Herman Mordaunt's followed; the poor, exhausted beasts struggling in the +harness for freedom, that they might swim for their lives. Anneke heard the +snorting of those wretched horses; but her unpractised eyes did not detect +them, immersed, as they were, in the current; nor had she recognised the +sleigh that whirled past us, as her father's. A little later, a fearful +shriek came from one of the fettered beasts; such a heart-piercing cry as +it is known the horse often gives. I said nothing on the subject, knowing +that love for her father was one of the great incentives which had aroused +my companion to exertion; and being unwilling to excite fears that were now +latent. + +Two or three minutes of rest were all that circumstances permitted. I could +see that everything visible on the river, was in motion downwards; the +piles of ice on which we were placed, as well as the cakes that glanced by +us, in their quicker descent. Our own motion was slow, on account of the +mass which doubtless pressed on the shoals of the west side of the river; +as well as on account of the friction against the lateral fields of ice, +and occasionally against the shore. Still, we were in motion; and I felt +the necessity, on every account, of getting as soon as possible on the +western verge of our floating island, in order to profit by any favourable +occurrence that might offer. + +Dear Anneke!--How admirably did she behave that fearful night! From the +moment she regained her entire consciousness, after I found her praying in +the bottom of the sleigh, down to that instant, she had been as little +of an encumbrance to my own efforts, as was at all possible. Reasonable, +resolute, compliant, and totally without any ill-timed exhibition +of womanly apprehension, she had done all she was desired to do +unhesitatingly, and with intelligence. In ascending that pile of ice, by +no means an easy task under any circumstances, we had acted in perfect +concert, every effort of mine being aided by one of her own, directed by my +advice and greater experience. + +“God has not deserted us, dearest Anneke,” I said, now that my companion's +strength appeared to have returned, “and we may yet hope to escape. I can +anticipate the joy we shall bring to your father's heart, when he again +takes you to his arms, safe and uninjured.” + +“Dear, _dear_ father!--What agony he must now be suffering on my +account.--Come, Corny, let us go to him at once, if it be possible.” + +As this was said, the precious girl arose, and adjusted her tippet in a +way that should cause her no encumbrance; like one ready to set about +the execution of a serious task with all her energies. The muff had been +dropped on the river; for neither of us had any sensibility to cold. The +night, however, was quite mild, for the season; and we probably should not +have suffered, had our exertions been less violent. Anneke declared herself +ready to proceed, and I commenced the difficult and delicate task of aiding +her across an island composed of icy fragments, in order to reach its +western margin. We were quite thirty feet in the air; and a fall into any +of the numerous caverns, among which we had to proceed, might have been +fatal; certainly would have crippled the sufferer. Then the surface of +the ice was so smooth as to render walking on it an exceedingly delicate +operation; more especially as the cakes lay at all manner of inclinations +to the plane of the horizon. Fortunately, I wore buckskin moccasins over my +boots; and their rough leather aided me greatly in maintaining my footing. +Anneke, too, had socks of cloth; without which, I do not think, she could +have possibly moved. By these aids, however, and by proceeding with the +utmost caution, we had actually succeeded in attaining our object, when the +floating mass shot into an eddy, and, turning slowly round, under this new +influence, placed us on the outer side of the island again! Not a murmur +escaped Anneke, at this disappointment; but, with a sweetness of temper +that spoke volumes in favour of her natural disposition, and a resignation +that told her training, she professed a readiness to renew her efforts. +To this I would not consent, however; for I saw that the eddy was still +whirling us about; and I thought it best to escape from its influence +altogether, before we threw away our strength fruitlessly. Instead of +re-crossing the pile, therefore, I told my fair companion that we would +descend to a cake that lay level on the water, and which projected from the +mass to such a distance, as to be close to the shore, should we again get +near it. This descent was made, after some trouble, though I was compelled +to receive Anneke entirely into my arms, in order to effect it. Effect it I +did; placing the sweet girl safely at my side, on the outermost and lowest +of all the cakes in our confused pile. + +In some respects this change was for the better; while it did not improve +our situation in others. It placed both Anneke and myself behind a shelter, +as respected the wind; which, though neither very strong nor very cold, +had enough of March about it to render the change acceptable. It took my +companion, too, from a position where motion was difficult, and often +dangerous; leaving her on a level, even spot, where she could walk with +ease and security, and keep the blood in motion by exercise. Then it put +us both in the best possible situation to profit by any contact with that +shore, along and near which our island was now slowly moving. + +There could no longer be any doubt of the state of the river in general. +It had broken up; spring had come, like a thief in the night; and the ice +below having given way, while the mass above had acquired too much power +to be resisted, everything was set in motion; and, like the death of the +strong man, the disruption of fields in themselves so thick and adhesive, +had produced an agony surpassing the usual struggle of the seasons. +Nevertheless, the downward motion had begun in earnest, and the centre of +the river was running like a sluice, carrying away, in its current, those +masses which had just before formed so menacing an obstacle above. + +Luckily, our own pile was a little aside from the great downward rush. I +have since thought, that it touched the bottom, which caused it to turn, as +well as retarded its movement. Be this as it might, we still remained in a +little bay, slowly turning in a circle; and glad was I to see our low cake +coming round again, in sight of the western shore. The moment now demanded +decision; and I prepared Anneke to meet it. A large, low, level cake had +driven up on the shore, and extended out so far as to promise that our own +cake would touch it, in our evolutions. I knew that the ice, in general, +had not broken in consequence of any weakness of its own, but purely under +the weight of the enormous pressure from above, and the mighty force of the +current; and that we ran little, or no risk, in trusting our persons on +the uttermost limits of any considerable fragment. A station was taken, +accordingly, near a projection of the cake we were on; when we waited for +the expected contact. At such moments, the slightest disappointment carries +with it the force of the greatest circumstances. Several times did it +appear, to us, that our island was on the point of touching the fastened +cake, and as often did it incline aside; at no time coming nearer than +within six or eight feet. This distance it would have been easy enough, for +_me_ to leap across, but, to Anneke, it was a barrier as impassable as the +illimitable void. The sweet girl saw this; and, she acted like herself, +under the circumstances. She took my hand, pressed it, and said earnestly, +and with patient sweetness-- + +“You see how it is, Corny; I am not permitted to escape; but you can easily +reach the shore. Go, then, and leave me in the hands of Providence. Go; I +never can forget what you have already done; but it is useless to perish +together!” + +I have never doubted that Anneke was perfectly sincere in her wish that I +should, at least, save my own life. The feeling with which she spoke; the +despair that was coming over her; and the movement of our island, which, at +that moment, gave signs of shooting away from the shore, altogether, roused +me to a sudden, and certainly, to a very bold attempt. I tremble, even at +this distance of time, as I write the particulars. A small cake of ice was +floating in between us and that which lay firmly fastened to the shore. Its +size was such as to allow it to pass between the two; though not without +coming nearly, if not absolutely, in contact with one, if not with both. +I observed all this; and, saying one word of encouragement to Anneke, +I passed an arm around her waist--waited the proper moment--and sprang +forward. It was necessary to make a short leap, with my precious burthen +on my arm, in order to gain this floating bridge; but it was done, and +successfully. Scarcely permitting Anneke's foot to touch this frail +support, which was already sinking under our joint weight, I crossed it +at two or three steps, and threw all my power into a last and desperate +effort. I succeeded here, also; and fell, upon the firmer cake, with a +heart filled with gratitude to God. The touch told me that we were +safe; and, in the next instant, we reached the solid ground. Under such +circumstances, one usually looks back to examine the danger he has just +gone through. I did so; and saw that the floating cake of ice had already +passed down, and was out of reach; while the mass that had been the means +of saving us, was slowly following, under some new impulse, received from +the furious currents of the river. But we were saved; and most devoutly +did I thank my God, who had mercifully aided our escape from perils so +imminent. + +I was compelled to wait for Anneke, who fell upon her knees, and remained +there quite a minute, before I could aid her in ascending the steep +acclivity which formed the western bank of the Hudson, at this particular +point. We reached the top, however, after a little delay, and pausing once +or twice to take breath; when we first became really sensible of the true +character of the scene from which we had been delivered. Dim as was the +light, there was enough to enable us to overlook a considerable reach of +the river, from that elevated stand. The Hudson resembled chaos rushing +headlong between the banks. As for the cakes of ice--some darting past +singly, and others piled as high as houses--of course, the stream was +filled with such; but, a large, dark object was seen coming through that +very channel, over which Anneke and I had stood, less than an hour before, +sailing down the current with fearful rapidity. It was a house; of no great +size, it is true, but large enough to present a singular object on the +river. A bridge, of some size, followed; and a sloop, that had been borne +away from the wharves of Albany, soon appeared in the strange assemblage, +that was thus suddenly collected on this great artery of the colony. + +But the hour was late; Anneke was yet to care for; it was necessary to seek +a shelter. Still supporting my lovely companion, who now began to express +her uneasiness on account of her father, and her other friends, I held the +way inland; knowing that there was a high road parallel to the river, and +at no great distance from it. We reached the highway, in the course of ten +minutes, and turned our faces northward, as the direction which led towards +Albany. We had not advanced far before I heard the voices of men, who were +coming towards us; and glad was I to recognise that of Dirck Follock among +the number. I called aloud, and was answered by a shout of exultation, +which, as I afterwards discovered, spontaneously broke out of his mouth, +when he recognised the form of Anneke. Dirck was powerfully agitated when +we joined him; I had never, previously, seen anything like such a burst of +feeling from him; and it was some time before I could address him. + +“Of course, your whole party is safe?” I asked, a little doubtingly; for +I had actually given up all who had been in Herman Mordaunt's sleigh for +lost. + +“Yes, thank God! all but the sleigh and horses. But where are Guert Ten +Eyck and Miss Wallace?” + +“Gone ashore on the other side of the river; we parted, and they took that +direction, while we came hither.” I said this to quiet Anneke's fears; but +I had misgivings about their having got off the river at all. “But let me +know the manner of your own escape.” + +Dirck then gave us a history of what had passed; the whole party turning +back to accompany us, as soon as I told them that their errand--a search +for the horses--was useless. The substance of what we heard was as +follows:--In the first effort to reach the western shore, Herman Mordaunt +had been met by the very obstacle which Guert had foreseen and he turned +south, hoping to find some spot at which to land, by going farther from the +dam that had formed above. After repeated efforts, and having nearly +lost his sleigh and the whole party, a point was reached at which Herman +Mordaunt determined to get his female companion on shore, at every hazard. +This was to be done only by crossing floating cakes of ice, in a current +that was already running at the rate of four or five miles in the hour. +Dirck was left in charge of the horses while the experiment was made; but +seeing the adventurers in great danger, he flew to their assistance--when +the whole party were immersed, though not in deep water. Left to +themselves, and alarmed with the floundering in the river and the grinding +of the cakes, Herman Mordaunt's bays went off in the confusion. Mrs. Bogart +was assisted to the land, and was helped to reach the nearest dwelling--a +comfortable farm-house, about a quarter of a mile beyond the point where we +had met the party. There Mrs. Bogart had been placed in a warm bed, and the +gentlemen were supplied with such dry clothes as the rustic wardrobe of +these simple people could furnish. The change made, Dirck was on his way to +ascertain what had become of the sleigh and horses, as has been mentioned. + +On inquiry, I found that the spot where Anneke and myself had landed was +quite three miles below the island on which Guert and I had drawn the +sleigh. Nearly the whole of this distance had we floated with the pile of +broken ice, in the short time we were on it; a proof of the furious rate at +which the current was setting downward. No one had heard anything of +Guert and Mary; but I encouraged my companion to believe that they were +necessarily safe on the other shore. I certainly deemed this to be very +questionable, but there was no use in anticipating evil. + +On reaching the farm-house, Herman Mordaunt's delight and gratitude may +more easily be imagined than described. He folded Anneke to his heart, and +she wept like an infant on his bosom. Nor was I forgotten in this touching +scene but came in for a full share of notice. + +“I want no details, noble young man--” I am professing to write the truth, +and must be excused for relating such things as these, but--“I want no +details, noble young man,” said Herman Mordaunt, squeezing my hand, “to +feel certain that, under God, I owe my child's life, for the second time, +to you. I wish to Heaven!--but, no matter--it is now too late--some other +way may and _must_ offer. I scarce know what I say, Littlepage; but what I +_mean_ is, to express faintly, some small portion of the gratitude I feel, +and to let you know how sensibly and deeply your services are felt and +appreciated.” + +The reader may think it odd, that this incoherent, but pregnant speech, +made little impression on me at the time, beyond the grateful conviction +of having really rendered the greatest of all services to Anneke and her +father; though I had better occasion to remember it afterwards. + +It is unnecessary to dwell more particularly on the occurrences at the +farm-house. The worthy people did what they could to make us comfortable, +and we were all warm in bed, in the course of the next half-hour. + +On the following morning a wagon was harnessed, and we left these simple +countrymen and women--who refused everything like compensation, as a matter +of course--and proceeded homeward. I have heard it said that we Americans +are mercenary: it may be so, but not a man, probably, exists in the +colonies, who would accept money for such assistance. We were two hours +in reaching Albany, on wheels; and entered the place about ten, in a very +different style from that in which we had quitted it the day before. As we +drove along, the highway frequently led us to points that commanded views +of the river, and we had so many opportunities of noting the effects of the +freshet. Of ice, very little remained. Here and there a cake or a pile +was seen still adhering to the shore, and occasionally fragments floated +downwards; but, as a rule, the torrent had swept all before it. I +particularly took notice of the island on which we had sought refuge. It +was entirely under water, but its outlines were to be traced by the bushes +which lined its low banks. Most of the trees on its upper end were cut +down, and all that grew on it would unquestionably have gone, had not the +dam given way as early as it did. A great number of trees had been broken +down on all the islands; and large tops and heavy trunks were still +floating in the current, that were lately tenants of the forest, and had +been violently torn from their places. + +We found all the lower part of Albany, too, under water. Boats were +actually moving through the streets; a considerable portion of its +inhabitants having no other means of communicating with their neighbours. A +sloop of some size lay up on one of the lowest spots; and, as the water was +already subsiding, it was said she would remain there until removed by the +shipwrights. Nobody was drowned in the place; for it is not usual for the +people of these colonies to remain in their beds, at such times, to await +the appearance of the enemy in at their windows. We often read of such +accidents destroying hundreds in the Old World; but, in the New, human life +is of too much account to be unnecessarily thrown away, and so we make some +efforts to preserve it. + +As we drove into the street in which Herman Mordaunt lived, we heard a +shout, and turning our heads, we saw Guert Ten Eyck waving his cap to us, +with joy delineated in every feature of his handsome face. At the next +moment he was at our side. + +“Mr. Herman Mordaunt,” he cried, shaking that gentleman most cordially +by the hand, “I look upon you as one raised from the dead; you and my +excellent neighbour, Mrs. Bogart, and Mr. Follock, here! How you got off +the river is a mystery to me, for I well know that the water commonly +breaks through first under the west shore. Corny and Miss Anneke--God bless +you both! Mary Wallace is in terror lest ill news come from some of you; +but I will run ahead and let her know the glad tidings. It is but five +minutes since I left her, starting at every sound, lest it prove the foot +of some ill-omened messenger.” + +Guert stopped to say no more. In a minute he was inside of Herman +Mordaunt's house--in another Anneke and Mary Wallace were locked in each +other's arms. After exchanging salutes, Mrs. Bogart was conveyed to her own +residence, and there was a termination to that memorable expedition. + +Guert had less to communicate, in the way of dangers and marvels, than I +had anticipated. It seemed, that when he and Miss Wallace reached the inner +margin of the last island, a large cake of ice had entered the strait, +and got jammed; or rather, that it went through, forced by the tremendous +pressure above; though not without losing large masses, as it came in +contact with the shores, and grinding much of its material into powder, +by the attrition. Guert's presence of mind and decision did him excellent +service here. Without delaying an instant, the moment it was in his power, +he led Mary on that cake, and crossed the narrow branch of the river, which +alone separated him from the main land, on it, dry-shod. The water was +beginning to find its way over this cake, as it usually did on all those +that lay low, and which even stopped in their progress; but this did not +offer any serious obstacles to persons who were so prompt Safe themselves, +our friends remained to see if we could not be induced to join them; and +the call we heard, was from Guert, who had actually re-crossed to the +island, in the hope of meeting us, and directing us to a place of safety. +Guert never said anything to me on the subject, himself; but I subsequently +gathered from Mary Wallace's accounts, that the young man did not rejoin +her without a good deal of hazard and difficulty, and after a long and +fruitless search for his companions. Finding it useless to remain any +longer on the river-side, Guert and his companion held their way towards +Albany. About midnight they reached the ferry, opposite to the town; having +walked quite six miles, filled with uneasiness on account of those who had +been left behind. Guert was a man of decision, and he wisely determined it +would be better to proceed, than to attempt waking up the inmates of any of +the houses he passed. The river was now substantially free from ice, though +running with great velocity. But, Guert was an expert oarsman; and, finding +a skiff, he persuaded Mary Wallace to enter it; actually succeeding, by +means of the eddies, in landing her within ten feet of the very spot where +the hand-sled had deposited him and myself, only a few days before. From +this point, there was no difficulty in walking home; and Miss Wallace +actually slept in her own bed, that eventful night if, indeed, she _could_ +sleep. + +Such was the termination of this adventure; one that I have rightly termed +memorable. In the end, Jack and Moses came in safe and sound; having +probably swum ashore. They were found in the public road, only a short +distance from the town, and were brought in to their master the same +day. Every one who took any interest in horses--and what Dutchman does +not?--knew Jack and Moses, and there was no difficulty in ascertaining to +whom they belonged. What is singular, however, both sleighs were recovered; +though at long intervals of time, and under very different circumstances. +That of Guert, wolves' skins and all, actually went down the whole length +of the river on the ice; passing out to sea through the Narrows. It must +have gone by New York in the night, or doubtless it would have been picked +up; while the difficulty of reaching it, was its protector on the descent, +_above_ the town. Once outside of the Narrows, it was thrown by the tide +and winds upon the shore of Staten Island; where it was hauled to land, +housed, and, being properly advertised in our New York paper, Guert +actually got tidings of it in time to receive it, skins and all, by one of +the first sloops that ascended the Hudson that year; which was within +a fortnight after the river had opened. The year 1758 was one of great +activity, on account of the movements of the army, and no time was then +unnecessarily lost. + +The history of Herman Mordaunt's sleigh was very different. The poor bays +must have drowned soon after we saw them floating past us in the torrent. +Of course, life had no sooner left them, than they sank to the bottom of +the river, carrying with them the sleigh to which they were still attached. +In a few days the animals rose to the surface--as is usual with all swollen +bodies--bringing up the sleigh again. In this condition, the wreck was +overtaken by a downward bound sloop, the men of which saved the sleigh, +harness, skins, foot-stoves, and such other articles as would not float +away. + +Our adventure made a good deal of noise in the circle of Albany; and I have +reason to think that my own conduct was approved by those who heard of it. +Bulstrode paid me an especial visit of thanks, the very day of my return, +when the following conversation took place between us:-- + +“You seem fated, my dear Corny,” the Major observed, after he had paid the +usual compliments, “to be always serving me in the most material way, and I +scarcely know how to express all I feel on the occasion. First, the lion, +and now this affair of the river--but, that Guert will drown, or make away +with the whole family before the summer is over, unless Mr. Mordaunt puts a +stop to _his_ interference.” + +“This accident was one that might have overtaken the oldest and most +prudent man in Albany. The river seemed as solid as the street when we went +on it; and another hour, even as it was, would have brought us all home, in +entire safety.” + +“Ay, but that hour came near bringing death and desolation into the most +charming family in the colony; and you have been the means of averting the +heaviest part of the blow. I wish to Heaven, Littlepage, that you would +consent to come into the army! Join us as a volunteer, the moment we move, +and I will write to Sir Harry to obtain a pair of colours for you. As soon +as he hears that we are indebted to your coolness and courage for the life +of Miss Mordaunt, he will move heaven and earth, to manifest his gratitude. +The instant this good parent made up his mind to accept Miss Mordaunt as a +daughter, he began to consider her as a child of his own.” + +“And Anneke--Miss Mordaunt, herself, Mr. Bulstrode---does she regard Sir +Harry as a father?” + +“Why, that must be coming by slow degrees, as a matter of course, you know. +Women are slower than us men to admit such totally novel impressions; and +I dare say Anneke fancies one father enough for her, just at this moment: +though she sends very pleasant messages to Sir Harry, I can assure you, +when in the humour! But, what makes you so grave, my good Corny?” + +“Mr. Bulstrode, I conceive it no more than fair, to be as honest as +yourself in this matter. You have told me that you are a suitor for Miss +Mordaunt's hand; I will now own to you that I am your rival.” + +My companion heard this declaration with a quiet smile, and the most +perfect good-nature. + +“So you actually wish to become the husband of Anneke Mordaunt, yourself, +my dear Corny, do you?” he said, so coolly, that I was at a loss to know of +what sort of materials the man could be made. + +“I do, Major Bulstrode--it is the first and last wish of my heart.” + +“Since you seem disposed to reciprocate my confidence you will not take +offence if I ask you a question or two!” + +“Certainly not, sir; your own frankness shall be a rule for my government.” + +“Have you ever let Miss Mordaunt know that such are your wishes?” + +“I have, sir; and that in the plainest terms--such as cannot well be +misunderstood.” + +“What! last night?--On that infernal ice!--While she thought her life was +in your hands!” + +“Nothing was said on the subject, last night, for we had other thoughts to +occupy our minds.” + +“It would have been a most ungenerous thing to take advantage of a lady's +fears--” + +“Major Bulstrode!--I cannot submit--” + +“Hush, my dear Corny,” interrupted the other, holding out a hand in a most +quiet and friendly manner; “there must be no misunderstanding between you +and me. Men are never greater simpletons, than when they let the secret +consciousness of their love of life push them into swaggering about their +honour; when their honour has, in fact, nothing to do with the matter +in hand. I shall not quarrel with you; and must beg you, in advance, to +receive my apologies for any little indecorum into which I may be betrayed +by surprise; as for great pieces of indecorum, I shall endeavour to avoid +_them_.” + +“Enough has been said, Mr. Bulstrode; I am no wrangler, to quarrel with a +shadow; and, I trust, not in the least, that most contemptible of all human +beings, a social bully, to be on all occasions menacing the sword or the +pistol. Such men usually _do_ nothing, when matters come to a crisis. Even +when they fight, they fight bunglingly, and innocently.” + +“You are right, Littlepage, and I honour your sentiments. I have remarked +that the most expert swordsman with his tongue, and the deadest shot at a +shingle, are commonly as innocent as lambs of the shedding of blood on the +ground. They can sometimes screw themselves up to _meet_ an adversary, but +it exceeds their powers to use their weapons properly, when it comes to +serious work. The swaggerer is ever a coward at heart, however well he may +wear a mask for a time. But enough of this.--We understand each other, and +are to remain friends, under all circumstances. May I question further?” + +“_Ask_ what you please, Bulstrode--I shall answer, or not, at my own +discretion.” + +“Then, permit me to inquire, if Major Littlepage has authorized you to +offer proper settlements?” + +“I am authorized to offer nothing.--Nor is it usual for the husband to make +settlements on his wife, in these colonies, further than what the law does +for her, in favour of her own. The father, sometimes, has a care for the +third generation. I should expect Herman Mordaunt to settle _his_ estate on +his daughter, and her rightful heirs, let her marry whom she may.” + +“Ay, that is a very American notion; and one on which Herman Mordaunt, who +remembers his extraction, will be little likely to act. Well, Corny, we +are rivals, as it would seem; but that is no reason we should not remain +friends. We understand each other--though, perhaps, I ought to tell you +all.” + +“I should be glad to know _all_, Mr. Bulstrode; and can meet my fate, I +hope, like a man. Whatever it may cost me, if Anneke prefer another, her +happiness will be dearer to me than my own.” + +“Yes, my dear fellow, we all say and think so at one-and-twenty; which is +about your age, I believe. At _two_-and-twenty, we begin to see that our +own happiness has an equal claim on us; and, at _three_-and-twenty, we even +give it the preference. However, I will be just, if I am selfish. I have no +reason to believe Anne Mordaunt does prefer me; though my _perhaps_ is not +altogether without a meaning, either.” + +“In which case, I may possibly be permitted to know to what it refers?” + +“It refers to the father; and, I can tell you, my fine fellow, that fathers +are of some account, in the arrangement of marriages between parties of any +standing. Had not Sir Harry authorized my own proposals, where should I +have been? Not a farthing of settlement could I have offered, while he +remained Sir Harry; notwithstanding I had the prodigious advantage of the +entail. I can tell you what it is, Corny; the existing power is always an +important power since we all think more of the present time, than of the +future. That is the reason so few of us get to Heaven. As for Herman +Mordaunt, I deem it no more than fair to tell you, he is on my side, heart +and hand. He likes my offers of settlement; he likes my family; he likes my +rank, civil and military; and I am not altogether without the hope, that he +likes _me_.” + +I made no direct answer, and the conversation soon changed. Bulstrode's +declaration, however, caused me to remember both the speech and manner of +Herman Mordaunt, when he thanked me for saving his daughter's life. I +now began to reflect on it; and reflected on it much during the next +few months. In the end, the reader will learn the effect it had on my +happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + “Good Sir, why do you start; and seem to fear + Things that do sound so fair? I' the name of truth, + Are ye fantastical, or that indeed + Which outwardly ye show?” + + _Banquo_. + +As I have said already, the adventure on the river made a good deal of +noise, in that simple community; and it had the effect to render Guert and +myself a sort of heroes, in a small way; bringing me much more into +notice, than would otherwise have been the case. I thought that Guert, +in particular, would be likely to reap its benefit; for, various elderly +persons, who were in the habit of frowning, whenever his name was +mentioned, I was given to understand, could now smile; and two or three of +the most severe among the Albany moralists, were heard to say that, “after +all, there was some good about that Guert Ten Eyck.” The reader will not +require to be told, that a high-school moralist, in a place as retired and +insulated as Albany, must necessarily be a being that became subject to a +very severe code. Morality, as I understand the matter, has a good deal of +convention about it. There is town-morality and country-morality, all over +the world, as they tell me. But, in America, our morals were, and long +have been, separated into three great and very distinct classes; viz.--New +England, or puritan-morals; middle colonies, or liberal morals; and +southern colonies, or latitudinarian morals. I shall not pretend to point +out all the shades of difference in these several schools; though that in +which I had myself been taught, was necessarily the most in conformity with +my own tastes. There were minor shades to be found in the same school; +Guert and myself belonging to different classes. His morals were of the +Dutch class; while mine more properly belonged to the English. The great +characteristic of the Dutch school, was the tendency to excess that +prevailed, when indulgences were sought. With them, it did not rain often; +but, when it did rain, it was pretty certain to pour. Old Col. Follock was +a case in point, on this scare; nor was his son Dirck, young and diffident +as he was, altogether an exception to the rule. There was not a more +respectable man in the colony, in the main, than Col. Van Valkenburgh. +He was well connected; had a handsome unencumbered estate; and money at +interest;--was a principal prop, in the church of his neighbourhood; was +esteemed as a good husband; a good father; a true friend; a kind neighbour; +an excellent, and loyal subject, and a thoroughly honest man. Nevertheless, +Col. Van Valkenburgh had his weak times and seasons. He _would_ have a +frolic; and the Dominie was obliged to wink at this propensity. Mr. Worden +often nicknamed him Col. Frolic. His frolics might be divided into two +classes; viz. the moderate and immoderate. Of the first, he had two or +three turns a year; and these were the occasions on which he commonly +visited Satanstoe or had my father with him at Rockrockarock, as his own +place, in Rockland, was called. On these visits, whether to or from, there +was a large consumption of tobacco, beer, cider, wine, rum, lemons, sugar, +and the other ingredients of punch, toddy and flip; but no outrageously +durable excesses. There was much laughing, a great deal of good feeling, +many stories, and regular repetitions of old adventures, in the way of +traditional narrations; but nothing that could be called decided excesses. +It is true, that my grand father, and my father, and the Rev. Mr. Worden, +and Col. Follock, were much in the habit of retiring to their beds a little +confused in their brains, the consequence of so much tobacco-smoke, as Mr. +Worden always maintained; but everything was decent, and in order. The +parson, for instance, invariably pulled up on a Friday; and did not take +his place in the circle until Monday evening, again; which gave him fully +twenty-four hours, to cool off in, before he ascended the pulpit. I will +say this, for Mr. Worden, that he was very systematic and methodical in the +observance of all his duties; and I have known him, when he happened to be +late at dinner, on discovering that my father had omitted to say grace, +insist on everybody's laying down their knives and forks, while he asked a +blessing; even though it were after the fish was actually eaten. No, no; +Mr. Worden was a particular person, about all such things; and it was +generally admitted, that he had been the means of causing grace to be +introduced into several families, in Westchester; in which it had never +been the practice to have it, before his examples and precepts were known +to them. + +I had not been acquainted with Guert Ten Eyck a fortnight, before I saw +he had a tendency to the same sort of excesses as those to which Col. Van +Valkenburgh was addicted. There was an old French Huguenot living near +Satanstoe--or rather, the son of one, who still spoke his father's +language--and who used to call Col. Follock's frolics his “_grands +couchers_” and his “_petit couchers_;” [27] inasmuch as he usually got +to bed at the last, without assistance; while at the first, it was +indispensable that some aid should be proffered. It was these “grands +couchers” at which my father never assisted. On these occasions, the +colonel invariably held his orgies over in Rockland, in the society of +men of purely Dutch extraction; there being something exclusive in the +enjoyment. I have heard it said that these last frolics sometimes lasted +a week, on really important occasions; during the whole of which time the +colonel and all near him were as happy as lords. These “_grands couchers_” + however, occurred but rarely--coming round, as it might be, like +leap-years, just to regulate the calendar, and adjust the time. + +As for my new friend, Guert, he made no manifestation towards a “_grand +coucher_” during the time I remained at Albany--this his attachment to Mary +Wallace forbade--but, I discovered by means of hints and allusions, that he +_had_ been engaged in one or two such affairs, and that there was still a +longing for them in his bones. It was owing to her consciousness of the +existence of such weaknesses, and her own strong aversion to anything of +the sort, that, I am persuaded, Mary Wallace was alone induced to hesitate +about accepting Guert's weekly offer of his hand. The tenderness she +evidently felt for him, now shone too obviously in her eyes, to leave any +doubt in my mind of Guert's final success; for what woman ever refused long +to surrender, when the image of the besieger had taken its place in the +citadel of her heart! Even Anneke received Guert with much favour, after +his excellent behaviour on the river; and I fancied that everything was +going on most flatteringly for my friend, while it seemed to me that I made +no advances in my own suit. Such, at least, were my notions on the subject, +at the very moment when my new friend, as it appeared, was nearly driven to +desperation. + +It was near the end of April, or about a month after our perilous adventure +on the ice, that Guert came to seek me, one fine spring morning, with +something very like despair depicted in his fine, manly face. During the +whole of that month, it ought to be premised, I had not dared to speak of +love to Anneke. My attentions and visits were incessant and pointed, but +my tongue had been silent. The diffidence of real admiration had held +me tongue-tied; and I foolishly fancied there would be something like +presuming on the services I had so lately rendered, in urging my suit so +soon after the occurrence of the events I have described. I had even the +romance to think it might be taking an undue advantage of Bulstrode, to +wish to press my claims at a moment when the common object of our suit +might be supposed to feel the influence of a lively gratitude. These were +the notions and sentiments of a very young man, it must be confessed; but +I do not know that I ought to feel ashamed of them. At all events, they +existed; and they had produced the effect I have mentioned, leaving me to +fall, each day, more desperately in love, while I made no sensible advances +in preferring my suit. Guert was very much in the same situation, with this +difference, however; he made it a point to offer himself, distinctly, each +Monday morning, invariably receiving for an answer “no;” if the lady were +to be pressed for a definite reply; but leaving some glimmering of hope, +should time be given for her to make up her mind. The visit of Guert's, to +which I have just alluded, was after one of the customary offers, and usual +replies; the offer direct, and the “no,” tempered by the doubting and +thoughtful brow, the affectionate smile, and the tearful eye. + +“Corny,” said my friend, throwing down his hat with a most rueful aspect; +for, winter having departed, and spring come, we had all laid aside our +fur-caps--“Corny, I have just been refused again! That word, 'no,' has got +to be so common with Mary Wallace, that I am afraid her tongue will never +know how to utter a 'yes!' Do you know, Corny, I have a great mind to +consult Mother Doortje!” + +“Mother who?--You do not mean Mr. Mayor's cook, surely!” + +“No; _Mother_ Doortje. She is said to be the best fortune teller that has +ever lived in Albany. But, perhaps, you do not believe in fortune-tellers; +some people I know do not?” + +“I cannot say that I have much belief, or unbelief, on the subject, never +having seen anything of that sort.” + +“Have they, then, no fortune-teller, no person who has the dark art, in New +York?” + +“I have heard of such people, but have never had an opportunity of seeing +or hearing for myself. If you _do_ go to see this Mother Dorrichy, or +whatever you call her, I should like amazingly to be of the party.” [28] + +Guert was delighted to hear this, and he caught eagerly at the offer. If +I would stand his friend he would go at once; but he confessed he did not +like to trust himself all alone in the old woman's company. + +“I am, perhaps, the only man of my time of life, in Albany, who has not, +sooner or later, consulted Mother Doortje;” he added! “I do not know how +it is, but, _somehow_, I have never liked to tempt fortune by going to +question her! One never can tell what such a being may say; and should it +be evil, why it might make a man very miserable. I am sure I want no more +trouble, as it is, than to find Mary Wallace so undetermined about having +me!” + +“Then you do not mean to go, after all! I am not only ready, but anxious to +accompany you.” + +“You mistake me, Corny. Go I will, now, though she tell me that which will +cause me to cut my throat--but, we must not go as we are; we must disguise +ourselves, in order that she may not know us. Everybody goes disguised; and +then they have an opportunity of learning if she is in a good vein, or not, +by seeing if she can tell anything about their business, or habits, in the +first place. If she fail in that, I should not care a straw for any of the +rest. So, go to work, Corny, and dress yourself for the occasion--borrow +some clothes of the people in the house, here, and come round to me, +as soon as you please; I shall be ready, for I often go disguised to +frolics--yes, unlucky devil that I am, and come back disguised, too!” + +Everything was done, as desired. By means of a servant in the tavern, I was +soon equipped in a way that satisfied me was very successful; inasmuch as +I passed Dirck, in quitting the house, and my old, confidential friend did +not recognise me. Guert was in as good luck, as I actually asked himself +for himself, when he opened the door for my admission. The laugh, and the +handsome face, however, soon let me into the secret, and we sallied forth +in high spirits; almost forgetting our misgivings concerning the future, in +the fun of passing our acquaintances in the street, without being known. + +Guert was much more artistically and knowingly disguised, than I was +myself. We both had put on the clothes of labourers; Guert wearing a +smock-frock that he happened to own for his fishing occupations in +summer--but I had my usual linen in view, and wore all the ordinary minor +articles of my daily attire. My friend pointed out some of these defects, +as we went along, and an attempt was made to remedy them. Mr. Worden coming +in view, I determined to stop him, and speak to him in a disguised voice, +in order to ascertain if it were possible to deceive him. + +“Your sarvant, Tominie,” I said, making an awkward bow, as soon as we got +near enough to the parson to address him; “be you ter Tominie, that marries +folk on a pinch?” + +“Ay, or on a handful, liking the last best.--Why, Corny, thou rogue, what +does all this mean?” + +It was necessary to let Mr. Worden into the secret; and he no sooner +learned the business we were on, than he expressed a wish to be of the +party. As there was no declining, we now went to the inn, and gave him time +to assume a suitable disguise. As the divine was a rigid observer of the +costume of his profession, and was most strictly a man of his _cloth_, it +was a very easy matter for him to make such a change in his exterior, as +completely to render him _incognito_. When all was ready, we went finally +forth, on our errand. + +“I go with you, Corny, on this foolish business,” said the Rev. Mr. Worden, +as soon as we were fairly on our way, “to comply with a promise made your +excellent mother, not to let you stray into any questionable company, +without keeping a fatherly eye over you. Now, I regard a fortune-teller's, +as a doubtful sort of society; therefore, I feel it to be a duty, to make +one of this party.” + +I do not know whether the Rev. Mr. Worden succeeded in deceiving himself; +but, I very well know, he did not succeed in deceiving me. The fact was, he +loved a frolic; and nothing made him happier, than to have an opportunity +of joining in just such an adventure as that we were on. Judging from the +position of her house, and the appearance of things in and around it, the +business of Mother Doortje was not of the most lucrative sort. Dirt and +poverty were two things not easily encountered, in Albany; and, I do not +say, that we found very positive evidence of either, here; but there was +less neatness than was usual in that ultra-tidy community; and, as for any +great display of abundance, it was certainly not to be met with. + +We were admitted by a young woman, who gave us to understand that Mother +Doortje had a couple of customers, already; but she invited us to sit down +in an outer room, promising that our turn should be the next. We did so, +accordingly, listening, through a door that was a little ajar, with no +small degree of curiosity, to what was passing within. I accidentally +took a seat in a place that enabled me to see the legs of one of the +fortune-teller's customers; and, I thought, immediately, that the striped +stockings were familiar to me; when the nasal, and very peculiar intonation +of Jason, put the matter out of all doubt. He spoke in an earnest manner; +which rendered him a little incautious; while the woman's tones were low +and mumbled. Notwithstanding, we all overheard the following discourse-- + +“Well, now, Mother Dorrichay,” said Jason, in a very confiding sort of way, +“I've paid you well, for this here business, and I want to know if there is +any chance, for a poor man, in this colony, who doesn't want for friends, +or, for that matter, merit?” + +“That's _yourself_” mumbled the female voice--in the way one announces +a discovery--“Yes, I see, by the cards, that your question applies to +yourself. You are a _young_ man, that wants not for friends; and you have +_merit!_ You have friends that you deserve; the cards tells me _that!_” + +“Well, I'll not deny the truth of what you assert; and, I must say, Dirck, +it _is_ a little strange, this woman, who never saw me before, should know +me so well--my very natur', as it might be. But, do you think, I shall do +well to follow up the affair I am now on, or that I had best give it up?” + +“Give up nothing,” answered the oracle, in a very oracular manner, +shuffling the cards as she spoke; “no, give up nothing, but keep all you +can. That is the way to thrive, in this world.” + +“By the Hokey, Dirck, she gives good advice, and I think I shall follow +it! But how about the land, and the mill-seat--or, rather, how about the +particular things I'm thinking about?” + +“You are thinking of purchasing--yes, the cards say purchasing; or is it +'disposing--'” + +“Why, as I've got none to sell, it can't very well be disposing, Mother.” + +“Yes, I'm right--this Jack of Clubs settles the matter--you are thinking +of buying some land--Ah! there's water running down-hill; and here I see a +pond--Why, you are thinking of buying a mill-seat.” + +“By the Hokey!--Who would have thought this, Dirck!” + +“Not a _mill_; no, there is _no_ mill built; but a mill-_seat_. Six, king, +three and an ace; yes, I see how it is--and you wish to get this mill-seat +at much less than its real value. _Much_ less; not less, but _much_ less.” + +“Well, this is wonderful! I'll never gainsay fortin-tellin' ag'in!” + exclaimed Jason. “Dirck, you are to say nothin' of this, or _think_ nothin' +of this--as it's all in confidence, you know. Now, jist put in a last word, +about the end of life, Mother, and I'll be satisfied. What you have told me +about my fortin and earnin's must be true, I think, for my whole heart +is in them; but I should like to know, after enjoying so much wealth and +happiness as you've foretold, what sort of an end I am to make of it?” + +“An excellent end--full of grace, and hope, and Christian faith. I see +here, something that looks like a clergyman's gown--white sleeves--book +under the arm--” + +“That can't be _me_. Mother, as I'm no lover of forms, but belong to the +platform.” + +“Oh! I see how it is, now; you dislike Church of England people, and could +throw dirt at them. Yes, yes--here _you_ are--a presbyterian deacon, and +one that can lead in a private meeting, on an occasion.” + +“Come, Dirck, I'm satisfied--let us go; we have kept Mother Doorichaise +long enough, and I heard some visiters come in, just now. Thank you, +mother--thank you, with all my heart; I think there _must_ be some truth in +this fortin-tellin' after all!” + +Jason now arose, and walked out of the house, without even deigning to look +at us--and consequently without our being recognised. But Dirck lingered a +minute, not yet satisfied with what had been already told him. + +“Do you really think I shall never be married, Mother?” he asked, in a tone +that sufficiently betrayed the importance he attached to the answer. “I +wish to know that particularly, before I go away!” + +“Young man,” answered the fortune-teller in an oracular manner; “what has +been said, has been said! I cannot _make_ fortunes, but only reveal them. +You have heard that Dutch blood is in your veins; but you live in an +English colony. _Your_ king is _her_ king; while _she_ is your _queen--_and +you are not her master. If you can find a woman of English blood that has a +Dutch heart, and has no English suitors, go forward, and you will succeed; +but, if you do not, remain as you are until time shall end. These are my +words, and these are my thoughts; I can say no more.” + +I heard Dirck sigh--poor fellow! he was thinking of Anneke--and he passed +through the outer room without once raising his eyes from the floor. He +left Mother Doortje, as much depressed in spirits, as Jason had left her +elated; the one looking forward to the future with a selfish and niggardly +hope, while the other regarded it with a feeling as forlorn as the +destruction of all his youthful fancies could render any view of his +after-life. The reader may feel disposed to smile at the idea of Dirck Van +Valkenburgh's possessing youthful fancies--regarding the young man in the +quiet, unassuming manner in which he has hitherto been portrayed by me; but +it would be doing great injustice to his heart and feelings, to figure him +to the mind, as a being without deep sensibilities. I have always supposed +that this interview with Mother Doortje had a lasting influence on the +fortunes of poor Dirck; nor am I at all certain its effects did not long +linger in the temperament of some others that might be named. + +As our turns had now come, we were summoned to the presence of this female +soothsayer. It is unnecessary to describe the apartment in which we found +Mother Doortje. It had nothing unusual in it, with the exception of a +raven, that was hopping about the floor, and which appeared to be on the +most familiar terms with its mistress. Doortje, herself, was a woman of +quite sixty, wrinkled, lean, and hag-like; and, I thought, some care had +been taken, in her dress, to increase the effect of this, certainly her +natural appearance. Her cap was entirely of black muslin; though her dress +itself, was grey. The eye of this woman was of the colour of her gown; and +it was penetrating, restless, and deep-seated. Altogether, she looked the +character well. + +On our entrance, after saluting the fortune-teller, each of us laid a +French crown on the table at which she was seated. This coin had become +quite current among us, since the French troops had penetrated into our +colony; and it was even said they purchased supplies with it, from certain +of our own people. As we had paid the highest price ever given, for these +glimpses into futurity, we thought ourselves entitled to have the pages of +the sealed book freely opened to us. + +“Do you wish to see me together; or shall I communicate with one at a +time?” demanded Doortje, in her husky, sepulchral voice; which, it struck +me, obtained its peculiar tones partly from nature, and partly from art. + +It was settled that she should commence with Mr. Worden; but, that all +might remain in the room the whole time. While we were talking over this +point, Doortje's eyes were by no means fixed, but, I remarked, that they +wandered from person to person; like those of one who was gathering +information. Many persons do not believe, at all, in the art of the +fortune-teller; but insist that there is nothing more in it than trick and +management; pretending that this very woman kept the blacks of the town +in pay, to bring her information; and that she never told anything of the +past, which was true, that had not been previously communicated to herself. +I shall not pretend to affirm that the art goes as far as many imagine; +but, it strikes me, that it is very presuming, to deny that there is some +truth in these matters. I do not wish to appear credulous; though, at the +same time, I hold it to be wrong to deny our testimony to facts that we are +convinced are true. [29] + +Doortje commenced by shuffling an exceedingly dirty pack of cards; which +had probably been used five hundred times, on similar duty. She next +caused Mr. Worden to cut these cards; when a close and musing examination +succeeded. All this time, not a syllable was said; though we were startled +by a low whistle, from the woman; which brought the raven upon her +shoulder. + +“Well, Mother,” cried Mr. Worden, with a little impatience, at what he +fancied mummery, “I am dying to hear what _has_ happened, that I may put +the more faith in what _is_ to happen. Tell me something of the crop of +wheat, I put into the ground, last autumn; how many bushels I sowed, and on +how many acres; whether on new land, or on old?” + +“Ay, ay, you have sowed!--and you have sowed!” answered the woman, on a +high key, for her; “but your seed fell among tares, and on the flinty +ground; and you'll never reap a soul among 'em all! Broadcast may you +sow--but narrow will be your harvest.” + +The Rev. Mr. Worden gave a loud hem--placed his arms akimbo--and seemed +determined to brazen it out; though, I could easily perceive, that he felt +excessively awkward. + +“How is it, with my cattle? and shall I send much mutton to market, this +season?” + +“A wolf, in sheep's clothing!” muttered Doortje. “No--no--you like hot +suppers, and ducks, and lectures to cooks more than gathering in the +harvest of the Lord!” + +“Come, this is folly, woman!” exclaimed the parson, angrily. “Give me some +common sense, for my good French crown. What do you see, in that knave of +diamonds, that you study its face so closely?” + +“A loping Dominie!--a loping Dominie!” screamed the hag, several times, +rather than exclaiming aloud. “See!--he runs, for life; but Beelzebub will +overtake him!” + +There was a sudden, and dead pause; for the Rev. Mr. Worden had caught up +his hat, and darted from the room; quitting the house, as if already busily +engaged in the race alluded to. Guert shook his head, and looked serious; +but, perceiving that the woman was already tranquil, and was actually +shuffling the cards anew, in his behalf, he advanced to learn his fate. I +saw the eyes of Doortje fastened keenly on him, as he took his stand near +the table, and the corners of her mouth curled in a significant smile. What +that meant, exactly, I have never been able to ascertain. + +“I suppose, you wish to know something of the past, like all the rest of +them,” mumbled the woman, “so that you may have faith in what you hear +about the future?” + +“Why, Mother,” answered Guert, passing his hand through his own fine head +of natural curls, and speaking a little hastily, “I do not know that it is +any great matter about the past. What is done, is done; and there is an +end of it. A young man may not wish to hear of such things, at the moment, +perhaps, when he is earnestly bent on doing better. We are all young, once +in our lives, and we can grow old only after having been so.” + +“Yes--yes--I see how it is!” muttered Doortje. “So--so--turkeys--turkeys; +ducks--ducks--quaack--quaack--quaack--gobble, gobble, gobble--” Here, the +old hag set up such an imitation of ducks, geese, turkeys, game-cocks, and +other birds, that one who was in an outer room, might well have imagined he +heard the cries of a regular poultry-yard. I was startled, myself, for +the imitation was very admirable--but Guert was obliged to wipe the +perspiration from his face. + +“That will do--that will do, Mother!” the young man exclaimed. “I see, you +know all about it; and there is no use in attempting disguises with you. +Now, tell me, if I am ever to be a married man, or not. My errand here, is +to learn that fact; and I may as well own it, at once.” + +“The world has many women in it--and fair faces are plenty, in Albany,” + once more mumbled the woman, examining her cards, with great attention. “A +youth, like you, might marry twice, even.” + +“No, _that_ is impossible; if I do not marry a particular lady, I shall +never marry at all.” + +“Yes--yes--I see how it is!--You are in love, young man.” + +“D'ye hear that, Corny! Isn't it wonderful, how these creatures can tell? I +admit the truth of what you say; but, describe to me the lady that I love.” + +Guert had forgotten, altogether, that the use of the word _lady_, +completely betrayed the fact of his disguise; since no man, truly of his +dress and air, would think of applying such a word to his sweetheart. [30] +I could not prevent these little betrayals of himself, however; for, by +this time, my companion was too much excited, to hear reason. + +“The lady that you love,” answered the fortune-teller, deliberately, and +with the manner of one that proceeded with great confidence, “is _very_ +handsome, in the first place.” + +“True as the sun in the heavens, Mother!” + +“Then, she is virtuous, and amiable, and wise, and witty, and good.” + +“The Gospel is not more certain! Corny, this surpasses belief!” + +“Then, she is _young_. Yes, she is young, and fair, and good; three things +that make her much sought after.” + +“Why is she so long reflecting on my offers, Mother, tell me that, I beg of +you; or, will she ever consent to have me?” + +“I see--I see--it is all here, on the cards. The lady cannot make up her +mind.” + +“Listen to that, now, Corny; and do not tell me there is nothing in this +art. _Why_ does she not make up her mind? For Heaven's sake, let me know +_that_? A man may tire of offering to marry an angel, and getting no +answer. I wish to know the reason of her doubts.” + +“A woman's mind is not easily read. Some are in haste, while some are not. +I am of opinion you wish to get an answer before the lady is ready to give +it. Men must learn to wait.” + +“She really seems to know all about it, Corny! Much as I have heard of this +woman, she exceeds it all! Good Mother, can you tell me how I can gain the +consent of the woman I love?” + +“That is only to be had by asking. Ask once, ask twice, ask thrice.” + +“By St. Nicholas! I have asked, already, twenty times! If asking would +do it, she would have been my wife a month since. What do you think, +Corny--no, I'll not do it--it is not manly to get the secrets of a woman's +heart, by means like these--I'll not ask her!” + +“The crown is paid, and the truth must be said. The lady you love, loves +you, and she does not love you; she will have you, and she won't have you; +she thinks _yes_, and she says _no_.” + +Guert now trembled all over, like an aspen-leaf. + +“I do not believe there is any harm, Corny, in asking whether I gained +or lost by the affair of the river? I _will_ ask her that much, of a +certainty. Tell me, Mother, am I better or worse, for a certain thing that +happened about a month ago--about the time that the ice went, and that we +had a great freshet?” + +“Guert Ten Eyck, why do you try me thus?” demanded the fortune-teller, +solemnly. “I knew your father, and I knew your mother; I knew your +ancestors in Holland, and their children in America. Generations on +generations have I known your people, and you are the first that I have +seen so ill-clad! Do you suppose, boy, that old Doortje's eyes are getting +dim, and that she cannot tell her own nation? I saw you on the river--ha! +ha! 't was a pleasant sight--Jack and Moses, too; how they snorted, +and how they galloped! Crack--crack--that's the ice--there comes the +water!--See, that bridge may hit you on the head! Do _you_ take care of +this bird, and do _you_ take care of _that_--and all will come round with +the seasons. Answer me one thing, Guert Ten Eyck, and answer me truly. Know +you ever a young man who goes quickly into the bush?” + +“I do, Mother; this young man, my friend, intends to go in a few days, or +as soon as the weather is settled.” + +“Good! go you with him--absence makes a young woman know her own mind, when +asking will gain nothing. Go you with him, I say; and if you hear muskets +fired, go near them; _fear_ will sometimes make a young woman speak. You +have your answer, and I will tell no more. Come hither, young owner of many +half-joes, and touch that card.” + +“I did as ordered; when the woman began to mumble to herself, and to +run over the pack as rapidly as she could. Kings, aces, and knaves were +examined, one after another, until she had got the Queen of Hearts in her +hand, which she held up to me in triumph. + +“That is _your_ lady. She is a queen of too many hearts! The Hudson did +that for you, that it has done for many a poor man before you. Yes, yes; +the river did you good: but water will drown, as well as make tears. Do +_you_ beware of Knights Barrownights!” [31] + +Here Mother Doortje came to a dead stand in her communications, and not +another syllable of any sort could either of us get from her; though, +between us, as many as twenty questions were asked. Signs were made for us +to depart; and when the woman found our reluctance, she laid a crown for +each of us, on the table, with a dignified air, and went into a corner, +seated herself, and began to rock her body, like one impatient of our +presence. After so unequivocal a sign that she considered her work as done, +we could not well do less than return; leaving the money behind us, as a +matter of course. + +[Footnote 27: In plain English, the “great go-to-bed,” and the “little +go-to-bed.” There may be a portion of our readers who are not aware that +the word “levee,” meaning a morning reception _by_ a great man, is derived +from the French “lever,” which means “to rise,” or “to get up.” The kings +of France were in the habit of receiving homage at their morning toilets; a +strange custom, that doubtless had its origin in the _empressement_ of the +courtier to inquire how his master had slept; which receptions were divided +into two classes, the “_grand lever_” and the “_petit lever_”--the “great +getting-up” or the “little getting-up.” The first was an occasion of more +state than the last. Even down to the time of Charles X., the court papers +seldom went a week without announcing that the king had signed the contract +of marriage--a customary compliment in France, among friends of this of +that personage--at the “grand lever,” or at the “petit lever;” the first, I +believe, but am not certain, being the greater honour of the two.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 28: Doortje--pronounced Doort-yay--means Dorothea. Mr. Littlepage +uses a sort of corruption of the pronunciation. I well remember a +fortune-teller of that name, in Albany; though it could not have been the +Doortje of 1758.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 29: It is quite evident, that Mr. Cornelius Littlepage was, to +agree at least, a believer in the fortune-teller's art. This was, however, +no more than was common, a century since. Quite within my recollection, +the Albanians had a celebrated dealer in the black art, who was regularly +consulted, on the subject of all lost spoons, and the pilfering of +servants, by the good housewives of the town, as recently as my school-boy +days. The Dutch, like the Germans, appear to have been prone to this +species of superstition; from which, even the English of education were +far from being free, a century since. Mademoiselle Normand existed in +the present century, even, in the sceptical capital of France. But, the +somnambulist is taking the place of the ancient soothsayer, in our own +times.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 30: This might have been true, in 1758; but is not true for +1845.--EDITOR.] + +[Footnote 31: In the colony of New York, there lived but one titled man, +for a considerable period. It was the celebrated Sir William Johnson, +Bart., of Johnson Hall, Johnstown, Albany, now Fulton County. The son of +Sir William Johnson was knighted during his father's life-time, and was Sir +John while Sir William was living. At the death of his father, he was Sir +John Johnson, Kt. & Bart.; and it was usual for the common class of people +to style him a Knight, of Barrow_night_.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + Virtue, how frail it is! + Friendship, too rare! + Love, how it sells poor bliss + For proud despair! + But we, though soon they fall, + Survive their joy, and all + Which ours we call. + + SHELLEY. + + +Guert Ten Eyck was profoundly impressed with what he had heard, in his +visit to the fortune-teller. It affected his spirits, and, as will be seen, +it influenced all his subsequent conduct. As for myself, I will not say +that I totally disregarded what had passed; though the effect was greatly +less on me, than it was on my friend. The Rev. Mr. Worden, however, treated +the matter with great disdain. He declared that he had never before been so +insulted in his life. The old hag, no doubt, had seen us all before, and +recognised him. Profiting by a knowledge of this sort--that was very easily +obtained in a place of the size of Albany--she had taken the occasion to +make the most of the low gossip that had been circulated at his expense. +“Loping Dominie, indeed,” he added; “as if any man would not run to save +his life! You saw how it was with the river, Corny, when it once began to +break up, and know that my escape was marvellous. I deserve as much credit +for that retreat, boy, as Xenophon did for his retreat with the Ten +Thousand. It is true, I had not thirty-four thousand, six hundred and fifty +stadia to retreat over; but acts are to be estimated more by quality, than +by quantity. The best things are always of an impromptu character; and, +generally, they are on a small scale. Then, as for all you tell me about +Guert; why, the hussy knew him--_must_ have known him, in a town like +Albany, where the fellow has a character that identifies him with all sorts +of fun and roguery. Jack, and Moses, too! Do you think the inspiration +of even an evil spirit, or of forty thousand devils, would lead a +fortune-teller to name any horse Moses? Jack might do, perhaps; but _Moses_ +would never enter the head of even an imp! Remember, lad, Moses was the +great law-giver of the Jews; and such a creature would be as apt to suppose +a horse was named Confucius, as to suppose he was named Moses!” + +“I suppose the inspiration, as you call it, sir, would lead a clever +fortune-teller to give things as they are; and to call the horses by their +real names, let them be what they might.” + +“Ay, such inspiration as this miserable, old, wrinkled, impudent she-devil +enjoys! Don't tell me, Corny; there is no such thing as fortune-telling; +at least, nothing that can be depended on in all cases--and this is one of +downright imposition. 'Loping Dominie,' forsooth!” + +Such were the Rev. Mr. Worden's sentiments on the subject of Mother +Doortje's revelations. He exacted a pledge from us all, to say nothing +about the matter; nor were we much disposed to be communicative on the +subject. As for Guert, Dirck, Jason, and myself, we did not hesitate to +converse on the circumstances of our visits, among ourselves, however; and +each and all of us viewed the matter some what differently from our Mentor. +I ascertained that Jason had been highly gratified with what had been +predicted on his own behalf; for what was wealth in his eyes had been +foretold as his future lot; and a man rarely quarrels with good fortune, +whether in prospective, or in possession. Dirck, though barely twenty, +began to talk of living a single life from this time; and no laughter +of mine could induce the poor lad to change his views, or to entertain +livelier hopes. Guert was deeply impressed, as has been said; and feeling +no restraint in the matter of his own case, he took occasion to speak of +his visit to the woman, one morning that Herman Mordaunt, the two ladies, +Bulstrode, and myself, were sitting together, chatting, in the freedom of +what had now become a very constant intercourse. + +“Are such things as fortune-tellers known in England, Mr. Bulstrode?” Guert +abruptly commenced, fastening his eyes on Mary Wallace, as he asked the +question; for on her were his thoughts running at the time. + +“All sorts of silly things are to be found in Old England, Mr. Ten Eyck, as +well as some that are wise. I believe London has one or two soothsayers; +and I think I have heard elderly people say that the fashion of consulting +them has somewhat increased, since the court has been so German.” + +“Yes,” Guert innocently replied; “I find it easy to believe that; for, +it is a common saying, among our people, that the German and Low Dutch +fortune-tellers are the best known. They have had, or pretend to have had, +witches in New England; but no one, hereabouts, puts any faith in the +pretence. It is like all the bragging of these boastful Yankees!” + +I observed that Mary Wallace's colour deepened; and that, in biting off a +thread, she profited, by the occasion, to avert her face in such a manner, +that Bulstrode, in particular, could not see it. + +“The meaning of all this,” put in Major Bulstrode “is, that our friend +Guert has been to pay a visit to Mother Doortje's; a woman of some note, +who lives on the hill, and who has a reputation, in that way, among these +good Albanians! Several of our mess have been to see the old woman.” + +“It is, Mr. Bulstrode,” Guert answered, in his manly way, and with a +gravity which proved how much he was in earnest. “I have been to see Mother +Doortje, for the first time in my life; and Corny Littlepage, here, was my +companion. Long as I have known the woman by reputation, I have never had +any curiosity to pay her a visit, until this spring. We have been, however; +and, I must say, I have been greatly surprised at the extent of the +knowledge of this very extraordinary person.” + +“Did she tell you to look into the sweetmeat-pot, for the lost spoon, Mr. +Ten Eyck,” Anneke inquired, with an archness of eye and voice, that sent +the blood to my own face, in confusion. “They say, that fortune-tellers +send all prudent, yet careless housewives, to the sweetmeat-pots, to look +for the lost spoons! Many have been found, I hear, by this wonderful +prescience.” + +“Well, Miss Anneke, I see, you have no faith,” answered Guert, fidgeting; +“and people who have no faith, never believe. Notwithstanding, _I_ put so +much confidence in what Doortje has told me, that I intend to follow her +advice let matters turn out as they may.” + +Here Mary Wallace raised her thoughtful, full, blue eyes to the face of the +young man; and they expressed an intense interest, rather than any light +curiosity, that even her woman's instinct and woman's sensitiveness could +not so far prevail, as to enable her to conceal. Still, Mary Wallace did +not speak, leaving the others present to maintain the discourse. + +“Of course, you mean to tell us all about it, Ten Eyck,” cried the Major; +“there is nothing more likely to succeed, with an audience, than a good +history of witchcraft, or something so very marvellous, as to do violence +to common sense, before we give it our faith.” + +“Excuse me, Mr. Bulstrode; these are things I cannot well mention; though, +Corny Littlepage will testify, that they are very wonderful. At any rate, +I shall go into the bush, this spring; and Littlepage and Follock, being +excellent companions, I propose to join their company. It will be late, +before the army will be ready to move; and, by that time, all three of us +propose to join you before Ticonderoga; if, indeed, you succeed in getting +so far.” + +“Say, rather, in front of Montreal; for, I trust, this new +Commander-In-Chief will find something more for us to do, than the last one +did. Shall I have a sentinel placed at Doortje's door, in your absence, +Guert!” + +The smile, this question produced, was general; Guert, himself, joining in +it; for his good-nature was of proof. When I say the smile was general, +however, I ought to except Mary Wallace, who smiled little, that morning. + +“We shall be neighbours, then,” Herman Mordaunt quietly observed; “that +is to say, if you mean, by accompanying Corny and Dirck to the bush, you +intend to go with them to the patent, lately obtained by Messrs. Littlepage +and Van Valkenburgh. I have an estate, in that quarter, which is now ten +years old; and these ladies have consented to accompany me thither, as soon +as the weather is a little more settled, and I can be assured that our army +will be of sufficient force to protect us from the French and Indians.” + +It is unnecessary for me to say with what delight Guert and I heard this +announcement! On Bulstrode, however, it produced an exactly contrary +effect. He did not appear, to me, to be surprised, at a declaration that +was so new to us; but several expressions fell from him, that showed he had +no idea the two estates, that of Herman Mordaunt's, and that which belonged +to us, lay so near together. It was by means of _his_ questions, indeed, +that I learned the real facts of the case. It appeared that Herman +Mordaunt's business, in Albany, was to make some provisions in behalf of +this property, on which he had caused mills to be erected, and some of the +other improvements of a new settlement, to be made, two or three years +before; and which, by the progress and events of the war, was getting to be +in closer proximity to the enemy, than was desirable. Even where the French +lay, at Ticonderoga, his mills, in particular, might be thought in some +danger, though forty or more miles distant; for parties of savages, led +on by white men, frequently marched that distance through the forests, in +order to break up a settlement and to commit depredations. But the enemy +had crossed Lake George, the previous summer, and had actually taken Fort +William Henry, at its southern extremity, by siege. It is true, this was +the extent of their inroad; and, it was now known, that they had abandoned +this bold conquest, and had fallen back upon Ty and Crown Point, two of the +strongest military positions in the British colonies. Still, Ravensnest, as +Herman Mordaunt's property was called, was far from being beyond the limits +of sorties; and the residence, at Albany, was solely to watch the progress +of events in that quarter, and to be near the scene. If he had any public +employment, it remained a profound mystery. A new source of embarrassment +had arisen, however; and this it was that decided the proprietor to visit +his lands in person. The fifteen or twenty families he had succeeded in +establishing on the estate, at much cost and trouble, had taken the alarm +at the prospect of a campaign in their vicinity; and had announced an +intention of abandoning their huts and clearings, as the course most +expedient for the times. Two or three had already gone off towards the +Hampshire Grants, whence they had originally come; profiting by the last of +the snow; and, it was feared, that others might imitate their caution. + +Herman Mordaunt saw no necessity for this abandonment of advantages over +the wilderness, that had been obtained at so much cost and trouble. The +labour of a removal, and a return, was sufficient, of itself, to give a new +direction to the movements of his settlers; and, as their first entrance +into the country had been effected through his agency, and aided by his +means, he naturally wished to keep the people he had got to his estate with +so much difficulty, and at so much cost, at their several positions, as +long, at least, as he conceived it to be prudent. In these circumstances, +therefore, he had determined to visit Ravensnest in person, and to pass a +part, if not most of the summer, among his people. This would give them +confidence, and would enable him to infuse new life into their operations. +It would seem, that Anneke and Mary Wallace had refused to let Mr. Mordaunt +go alone; and, believing, himself, there was no danger in the course he +was about to take, the father and guardian, for Mary Wallace was Herman +Mordaunt's ward, had yielded to the importunities of the two girls; and it +had been formally decided that they were all to proceed together, as soon +as the season should get to be a little more advanced. Intelligence of this +intention had been sent to the settlers; and its effect was to induce them +to remain at their posts, by pacifying their fears. + +I might as well add, here, what I learned subsequently, in the due course +of events. Bulstrode had been made acquainted with Herman Mordaunt's plans, +they being sworn friends, and the latter warmly in the interest of the +former's suit; and he had known how to profit by the information. It was +now time to put the troops in motion; and several parties had already +marched towards the north, taking post at different points that it was +thought desirable to occupy, previously to the commencement of the +campaign. Among other corps under orders of this nature, was that commanded +by Bulstrode; and he had sufficient interest, at head-quarters, to get +it sent to the point nearest to Ravensnest; where it gave him the double +advantage, of having it in his power to visit the ladies, on occasion, +while, at the same time, he must appear, to them, somewhat in the character +of a protector. The object of Dirck and myself, in visiting the north, +was no secret; and, it was generally understood, that we were to go to +Mooseridge; but we did not know, ourselves, that Herman Mordaunt had an +estate so near us. This intelligence, as has been said, I now ascertained, +was as new to Bulstrode as it was to myself. + +The knowledge of many little things I have just mentioned, was obtained +by me only at intervals, and by means of observation and discourse. +Nevertheless, the main points were determined on the morning on which Guert +referred to his visit to the fortune-teller, and in the manner named. The +conversation lasted an hour; nor did it cease, until all present got a +general idea of the course intended to be pursued by the different parties +present, during the succeeding summer. + +It happened, that morning, that Bulstrode, Dirck, and Guert withdrew +together, the two last to look at a horse the former had just purchased, +leaving me alone with the young ladies. No sooner was the door closed on +the retiring members of our party, than I saw a smile struggling about +the handsome mouth of Anneke; Mary Wallace continuing the whole time +thoughtful, if not sad. + +“And _you_ were of the party at the fortune-teller's, too, it seems, Mr. +Littlepage,” Anneke remarked, after appearing to be debating with herself +on the propriety of proceeding any farther in the subject. “I knew there +was such a person in Albany, and that thrifty housekeepers _did_ sometimes +consult her; but I was ignorant that men, and _educated_ men, paid her that +honour.” + +“I believe there is no exception in the way of sex or learning, to her +influence, or her authority. They tell me that most of the younger officers +of the army visit her, while they remain here.” + +“I would much like to know if Mr. Bulstrode has been of the number! He is +young enough in years, though so high in rank. A major may have as much +curiosity as an ensign; or, as it may appear, dear Mary, of a woman who has +lost her grandmother's favourite dessert-spoon.” + +Mary Wallace gave a gentle sigh, and she even raised her eyes from her +work; still, she made no answer. + +“You are severe on us, Anneke;” for, since the affair on the river, the +whole family treated me with the familiarity of a son or a brother--“I +fancy we have done no more than Mr. Mordaunt has done in his day.” + +“This may be very true, Corny, and not make the consultation the wisest +thing in nature. I hope, however, you do not keep your fortune a secret, +but let your friends share in your knowledge!” + +“To me the woman was far from being communicative, though she treated Guert +Ten Eyck better. Certainly, she told him many extraordinary things, of the +past even; unless indeed, she knew who he was.” + +“Is it probable, Mr. Littlepage,” said Mary Wallace, “that any person in +Albany should not know Guert Ten Eyck, and a good deal of his past history? +Poor Guert makes himself known wherever he is!” + +“And, often much to his advantage,” I added--a remark that cost me nothing; +but which caused Mary Wallace's face to brighten, and even brought a faint +smile to her lips. “All that is true; yet there _was_ something wild and +unnatural in the woman's manner, as she told these things!” + +“All of which you seem determined to keep to yourself?” observed Anneke, as +one asks a question. + +“It would hardly do to betray a friend's secrets. Let Guert answer for +himself; he is as frank as broad day, and will not hesitate about letting +you know all.” + +“I wish Corny Littlepage were only as frank as twilight!” + +“I have nothing to conceal--and least of all from you, Anneke. The +fortune-teller told me that the queen of my heart was the queen of +_too many_ hearts; that the river had done me no harm; and that I must +particularly beware of what she called Knights-Barrow_nights_.” + +I watched Anneke closely, as I repeated this warning of Mother Doortje; but +could not read the expression of her sweet and thoughtful countenance. She +neither smiled nor frowned; but she certainly blushed. Of course, she did +not look at me--for that would have been to challenge observation. Mary +Wallace, however, _did_ smile, and she _did_ look at me. + +“You believe all the wizzard told you, Corny?” said Anneke, after a short +pause. + +“I believed that the queen of my heart was the queen of many hearts; that +the river had done me no harm--though I could not say, or see, that it had +done me much good; and that I had much to fear from Knights-Barrow_nights_. +I believed all this, however, before I ever saw the fortune-teller.” + +The next remark that was made came from Anneke, and it referred to the +weather. The season was opening finely, and fast; and it could not be long +before the great movements of the year must commence. Several regiments +had arrived in the colonies, and various officers of note and rank had +accompanied them. Among others who had thus crossed the Atlantic for +the first time, was my Lord Howe, a young soldier of whom fame spoke +favourably, and from whom much was expected in the course of the +anticipated service of the year. While we were talking over these things, +Herman Mordaunt re-entered the room, after a short absence, and he took +me with him to examine his preparations for transporting the ladies to +Ravensnest. As we went along, the discourse was maintained, and I learned +many things from my older and intelligent companion, that were new to me. + +“New lords, new laws, they say, Corny,” continued Herman Mordaunt; “and +this Mr. Pitt, the great commoner, as some persons call him, is bent on +making the British empire feel the truth of the axiom. Everything is alive +in the colonies, and the sluggish period of Lord Loudon's command is +passed. Gen. Abercrombie, an officer from whom much is expected, is now at +the head of the King's troops, and there is every prospect of an active +and most important campaign. The disgraces of the few last years _must_ be +wiped out, and the English name be made once more to be dreaded on this +continent. The Lord Howe of whom Anneke spoke, is said to be a young man +of merit, and to possess the blood of our Hanoverian monarchs; his mother +being a half-sister, in the natural way, of his present Majesty.” + +Herman Mordaunt then spoke more fully of his own plans for the +summer--expressed his happiness at knowing that Dirck and myself were to be +what he called his neighbours--though, on a more exact computation, it +was ascertained, that the nearest boundaries of the two patents, that of +Ravensnest, and that of Mooseridge, lay quite fourteen miles apart, with a +dense and virgin forest between them. Nevertheless, this would be making us +neighbours, in a certain sense; as gentlemen always call men of their own +class neighbours, when they live within visiting distance, or near enough +to be seen once or twice in a year. And such men _are_ neighbours, in the +sense that is most essential to the term--they know each other better; +understand each other better; sympathize more freely; have more of the +intercourse that makes us judges of motives, principles, and character, +twenty-fold, than he who lives at the gate, and merely sees the owner of +the grounds pass in and out, on his daily avocations. There is, and can +be no greater absurdity, than to imagine that the sheer neighbourhood, +or proximity of position, makes men acquainted. That was one of Jason +Newcome's Connecticut notions. Having been educated in a state of society +in which all associated on a certain footing of intimacy, and in which half +the difficulties that occurred were “told to the church,” he was for ever +fancying he knew all the gentry of Westchester, because he had lived a year +or two in the county; when, in fact, he had never spoken to one in a dozen +of them. I never could drive this notion out of his head, however; for +_looking_ often at a man, or occasionally exchanging a bow with him on the +highway, he would insist was knowing him, or what he called, being “well +acquainted;” a very favourite expression of the Danbury man's; though their +sympathies, habits, opinions, and feelings, created so vast a void between +the parties, they hardly understood each other's terms, and ordinary +language, when they did begin to converse, as sometimes happened. +Notwithstanding all this, Jason insisted to the last that he _knew_ every +gentleman in the county, whom he had been accustomed to hear alluded to in +discourse, and when he had seen them once or twice, though it were only +at church. But Jason had a very flattering notion, generally, of his own +acquisitions on all subjects. + +Herman Mordaunt had made careful provision for the contemplated journey; +having caused a covered vehicle to be constructed, that could transport not +only himself and the ladies, but many articles of furniture that would be +required during their residence in the forest. Another conveyance, strong, +spacious, and covered, was also prepared for the blacks, and another +portion of the effects. He pointed out all these arrangements to me with +great satisfaction, dwelling on the affection and spirit of the girls with +a pleasure he did not affect to conceal. For my own part, I have always +been of opinion, that Anneke was solely influenced by pure, natural regard, +in forming her indiscreet resolution; while her father was governed by +the secret expectation that the movement would leave open the means of +receiving visits and communications from Bulstrode, during most of the +summer. I commended the arrangements, made one or two suggestions of my own +in behalf of Anneke and Mary, and we returned to our several homes. + +A day or two after this visit to the workshops, and the conversation +related, the ----th took up its line of march for the north. The troops +defiled through the narrow streets in the neighbourhood of the barracks, +half an hour after the appearance of the sun, preceded and followed by a +long train of baggage-wagons. They marched without tents, however, it being +well understood that they were going into a region where the axe could at +any time cover thousands of men, in about the time that a camp could be +laid out, and the canvass spread. Hutting was the usual mode of placing +an army under cover in the forest; and a dozen marches would take the +battalion to the point where it was intended it should remain, as a support +to two or three other corps still further in advance, and to keep open the +communications. + +Bulstrode, however, did not quit Albany in company with his regiment. I had +been invited, with Guert and Dirck, to breakfast at Herman Mordaunt's that +morning; and, as we approached the door, I saw the Major's groom walking +his own and his master's horse, in the street, near by. This was a sign we +were to have the pleasure of Bulstrode's company at breakfast. Accordingly, +on entering the room, we found him present, in the uniform of an officer of +his rank, about to commence a march in the forests of America. I thought +him melancholy, as if sad at parting; but my most jealous observation could +detect no sign of similar feeling on the part of Anneke. She was not quite +as gay as usual, but she was far from being sad. + +“I leave you, ladies, with the deepest regret,” said Bulstrode, while at +table, “for you have made this country more than a home to me--you have +rendered it _dear_.” + +This was said with feeling; more than I had ever seen Bulstrode manifest +before, and more than I had given him credit for possessing. Anneke +coloured a little; but there was no tremor in the beautiful hand, that held +a highly-wrought little tea-pot suspended over a cup, at that very moment. + +“We shall soon meet again, Harry,” Herman Mordaunt remarked, in a tone of +strong affection; “for, our party will not be a week behind you. Remember, +we are to be _good_ neighbours, as well as neighbours; and, if the mountain +will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain.” + +“Which means, Mr. Bulstrode,” said Mary Wallace, with one of her sweet +smiles, and one that was as open and natural as childhood itself, “that +you are Mahomet, and we are the mountain. Ladies can neither travel, with +comfort, in a wilderness, nor visit a camp, with propriety, if they would.” + +“They tell me, I shall not be in a camp at all,” answered the soldier; +“but in good, comfortable log-barracks, that have been built for us by the +battalion we relieve. I am not without hopes, they will be such as even +ladies will not disdain to use, on an emergency. There ought to be no +Mahomet, and no mountain, between such old and intimate friends.” + +The conversation then turned on the plans and expectations of the +respective parties; and the usual promises were made, of being sociable +and good neighbours, as had just been suggested. Herman Mordaunt evidently +wished to consider Bulstrode as one of his family; a feeling that might +excuse itself to the world, on the score of consanguinity; but which, it +was easy enough, for me, to see, had its origin in a very different cause. +When Bulstrode rose to take his leave, I wished myself away, on account of +the exhibition of concern it produced; while the desire to watch the effect +on Anneke, would have kept me rooted to the floor, even had it been proper +that I should retire. + +Bulstrode was more affected than I could have thought possible. He took one +of Herman Mordaunt's hands into his own, and pressed it warmly, for some +little time, before he could speak at all. + +“God only knows what this summer is to see, and whether we are ever to meet +again, or not,” he then said, “but, come what may, the past, the _happy +past_, is so much gained from the commonplace. If you never hear of me +again, my dear kinsman, my letters to England will give you a better +account of my gratitude, than anything I can say in words. They have been +written as your kindnesses have been bestowed; and they faithfully pourtray +the feelings to which your hospitality and friendship have given rise. In +a possible event, I have requested that every one of them may be sent to +America, for your special perusal--” + +“Nay, my dear Harry, this is foreboding the very worst,” interrupted +Herman Mordaunt, dashing a tear from his eye, “and is making a very short +separation, a more serious matter than one ought--” + +“Nay, sir, a soldier, who is about to be posted within striking distance of +his enemy, can never speak, with confidence, of separations that are to +be short. This campaign will be decisive, for me,”--glancing +towards Anneke--“I must return a conqueror, in one sense, or I do not +wish to return at all. But, God bless you, Herman Mordaunt, as your own +countrymen call you; a thousand years could not efface from my heart, the +remembrance of all your kindness.” + +This was handsomely expressed; and the manner in which it was uttered, was +as good as the language. Bulstrode hesitated a moment--looked at the two +girls in doubt--and first approached Mary Wallace. + +“Adieu, excellent Mary Wallace,” he said, taking her offered hand, and +kissing it with a freedom from emotion, that denoted it was only friendship +and respect which induced the act--“I believe, you are a severe critic +on Catos and Scrubs; but, I forgive all your particular backbitings, +on account of your general indulgence and probity. You may meet with a +thousand mere acquaintances, before you find another who shall have the +same profound respect for your many virtues, as myself.” + +This was handsomely said, too; and it caused Mary Wallace to remove the +handkerchief from her eyes, and to utter her adieus cordially, and with +some emotion. Strangers say that our women want feeling--passion; or, if +they have it, that it is veiled behind a mask of coldness, that takes away +from its loveliness and warmth; that they are girlish and familiar, where +they might better be reserved; and distant, and unnatural, where feeling +and nature ought to assert their sway. That they have less _manner_, in all +respects, in that of self-control, and perhaps of self-respect, in their +ordinary intercourse, and in that of _acting_, where it may seem necessary +so to do, I believe to be true; buts he who denies an American girl a +heart, knows nothing about her. She is _all_ heart; and the apparent +coldness is oftener the consequence of not daring to trust her feelings, +and her general dislike to everything artificial, than to any want of +affections. Two girls, educated, however, as had been Anneke and Mary +Wallace, could not but acquit themselves better, in such a scene, than +those who had been less accustomed to the usages of polite life, which are +always more or less, the usages of convention. + +On the present occasion, Mary Wallace was strongly affected; it would not +have been possible, for one of her gentle nature and warm affections, to be +otherwise, when an agreeable companion, one she had now known intimately +near two years, was about to take his leave of her, on an errand that he +himself either thought, or affected so well to seem to think, might lead to +the most melancholy issue. She shook hands with Bulstrode, warmly; wished +him good fortune, and various other pleasant things; thanked him for his +good opinion, and expressed her hope, as well as her belief, that they +should all meet again before the summer was over, and again be happy in +each other's society. + +Anneke's turn came next. Her handkerchief was at her eyes; and, when it was +removed, the face was pale, and the cheeks were covered with tears. The +smile that followed, was sweetness itself; and, I will own, it caused me a +most severe pang. To my surprise, Bulstrode said nothing. He took Anneke's +hand, pressed it to his heart, kissed it, left a note in it, bowed, and +moved away. I felt ashamed to watch the countenance of Miss Mordaunt, under +such circumstances, and turned aside, that observation might not increase +the distress and embarrassment she evidently felt. I saw enough, +notwithstanding, to render me more uncertain than ever, as to the success +of my own suit. Anneke's colour had come and gone, as Bulstrode stood near +her, acting his dumb-show of leave-taking; and, to me, she seemed far more +affected than Mary Wallace had been. Nevertheless, her feelings were +always keener and more active than those of her friend; and, that which my +sensitiveness took for the emotion of tenderness, might be nothing more +than ordinary womanly feeling and friendship. Besides, Bulstrode was +actually her relative. + +We men all attended Bulstrode to his horse. He shook us cordially by the +hand; and, after he had got into the saddle, he said--“This summer will be +warmer than is usual, even in your warmy-cold climate. My letters from home +give me reason to think that there is, at last, a man of talents at the +head of affairs; and the British empire is likely to feel the impulse he +will give it, at its most remote extremities. I shall expect you three +young men to join the ----th, as volunteers, as soon as you hear of our +moving in advance. I wish I had a thousand like you; for that affair of the +river tells where a man will be found when the time comes. God bless you, +Corny!” leaning forward in his saddle, to give me another shake of the +hand; “we _must_ remain friends, _coute qui couté_.” + +There was no withstanding this frankness, and so much good-temper. We shook +hands most cordially; Bulstrode raised his hat and bowed; after which +he rode away, as I fancied, at a slow, thoughtful, reluctant pace. +Notwithstanding the kindness of this parting, I had more cause than ever to +regret Bulstrode had appeared among us; and the scenes of that morning only +confirmed me in a resolution, previously adopted, not to urge Anneke to any +decision, in my case, at a moment when I felt there might be so much danger +it would be adverse. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + “Come, let a proper text be read, + An' touch it aff wi' vigour, + How graceless Ham leugh at his dad, + Which made Canaan a nigger.” + + BURNS. + + +Ten days after the departure of the ----th, Herman Mordaunt and his +family, with our own party, left Albany, on the summer's business. In that +interval, however, great changes had taken place in the military aspect of +things. Several regiments of King's troops ascended the Hudson, most of the +sloops on the river, of which there could not have been fewer than thirty +or forty, having been employed in transporting them and their stores. Two +or three corps came across the country, from the eastern colonies, +while several provincial regiments appeared; everything tending to a +concentration at this point, the head of navigation on the Hudson. Among +other men of mark, who accompanied the troops, was Lord Viscount Howe, the +nobleman of whom Herman Mordaunt had spoken. He bore the local rank of +Brigadier, [32] and seemed to be the very soul of the army. It was not his +personal consideration alone, that placed him so high in the estimation +of the public and of the troops, but his professional reputation, and +professional services. There were many young men of rank in the army +present; and, as for younger sons of peers, there were enough to make +honourables almost as plenty, at Albany, as they were at Boston. Most of +the colonial families of mark had sons in the service, too; those of the +middle and southern colonies bearing commissions in regular regiments, +while the provincial troops from the eastern were led, as was very usual, +in that quarter of the country, by men of the class of yeomen, in a great +degree; the habits of equality that prevailed in those provinces making few +distinctions, on the score of birth or fortune. + +Yet it was said, I remember, that obedience was as marked, among the +provincials from Massachusetts and Connecticut, as among those that came +from farther south; the men deferring to authority, as the agent of the +laws. They were fine troops, too; better than our own colony regiments, I +must acknowledge; seeming to belong to a higher class of labourers; while, +it must be admitted, that most of their officers were no very brilliant +representatives of manners, acquirements, or habits, that would be likely +to qualify them for command. It must have been that the officers and men +suited each other; for, it was said all round, that they stood well, and +fought very bravely, whenever they were particularly well led, as did not +always happen to be the case. As a body of mere physical men, they were +universally allowed to be the finest corps in the army, regulars and all +included. + +I saw Lord Howe two or three times, particularly at the residence of Madam +Schuyler, the lady I have already had occasion to mention, and to whom I +had given the letter of introduction procured by my mother, the Mordaunts +visiting her with great assiduity, and frequently taking me with them. As +for Lord Howe, himself, he almost lived under the roof of excellent Madam +Schuyler; where, indeed, all the good company assembled at Albany, was, at +times, to be seen. + +Our party was a large one; and, it might have passed for a small corps of +the army itself, moving on in advance; as was the case with corps, or parts +of corps, now, almost daily. Herman Mordaunt had delayed our departure, +indeed, expressly with a view to render the country safe, by letting it +fill with detachments from the army; and our progress, when we were once in +motion, was literally from post to post; encampment to encampment. It may +be well to enumerate our force, and to relate the order of our march, that +the reader may better comprehend the sort of business we were on. + +Herman Mordaunt took with him, in addition to the ladies, a black cook, and +a black serving-girl; a negro-man, to lake care of his horses, and another +as his house-servant. He had three white labourers, in addition--men +employed about the teams, and as axe-men, to clear the woods, bridge the +streams, and to do other work of that nature, as it might be required. On +our side, there were us three gentlemen, Yaap, my own faithful negro, Mr. +Traverse, the surveyor, two chain-bearers, and two axe-men. Guert Ten Eyck +carried with him, also, a negro-man, who was called Pete; it being contrary +to _bonos mores_ to style him Peter or Petrus; the latter being his true +appellation. This made us ten men strong, of whom eight were white, and two +black. Herman Mordaunt mustered, in all, just the same number, of which, +however, four were females. Thus, by uniting our forces, we made a party of +twenty souls, altogether. Of this number, all the males, black and white, +were well armed, each man owning a good rifle, and each of the gentlemen a +brace of pistols in addition. We carried the latter belted to our bodies, +with the weapons, which were small and fitted to the service, turned +behind, in such a way as to be concealed by our outer garments. The belts +were also hid by the flaps of our nether garments. By this arrangement, we +were well armed without seeming to be so; a precaution that is sometimes +useful in the woods. + +It is hardly necessary to say, that we did not plunge into the forest in +the attire in which we had been accustomed to appear in the streets of +New York and Albany. Cocked hats were laid aside altogether; forest caps, +resembling in form those we had worn in the winter, with the exception that +the fur had been removed, being substituted. The ladies wore light beavers, +suited to their sex; there being little occasion for any shade for the +face, under the dense canopies of the forest. Veils of green, however, were +added, as the customary American protection for the sex. Anneke and Mary +travelled in habits, made of light woman's cloth, and in a manner to fit +their exquisite forms like gloves. The skirts were short, to enable them to +walk with ease, in the event of being compelled to go a-foot. A feather +or two, in each hat, had not been forgotten--the offering of the natural +propensity of their sex, to please the eyes of men. + +As for us men, buckskin formed the principal material of our garments. +We all wore buckskin breeches, and gaiters, and moccasins. The latter, +however, had the white-man's soles; though Guert took a pair or two with +him that were of the pure Indian manufacture. Each of us had a coatee, made +of common cloth; but we all carried hunting-shirts, to be worn as soon as +we entered the woods. These hunting-shirts, green in colour, fringed and +ornamented garments, of the form of shirts to be worn over all, were +exceedingly smart in appearance, and were admirably suited to the woods. It +was thought that the fringes, form, and colour, blended them so completely +with the foliage, as to render them in a manner invisible to one at a +distance; or at least, undistinguished. They were much in favour with all +the forest corps of America, and formed the usual uniform of the riflemen +of the woods, whether acting against man, or only against the wild beasts. + +Neither Mr. Worden, nor Jason, moved with the main party; and it was +precisely on account of these distinctions of dress. As for the divine, he +was so good a stickler for appearances, he would have worn the gown +and surplice, even on a mission to the Indians; which, by-the-way, was +ostensibly his present business; and, at the several occasions, on which I +saw him at cock-fights, he kept on the clerical coat and shovel-hat. In a +word, Mr. Worden never neglected externals, so far as dress was concerned; +and, I much question, if he would have consented to read prayers without +the surplice, or to preach without the gown, let the desire for spiritual +provender be as great as it might. I very well remember to have heard my +father say, that, on one occasion, the parson had refused to officiate of +a Sunday, when travelling, rather than bring discredit on the church, by +appearing in the discharge of his holy office, without the appliances that +belonged to the clerical character. + +“More harm than good is done to religion, Mr. Littlepage,” said the Rev. +Mr. Worden, on that occasion, “by thus lessening its rites in vulgar eyes. +The first thing is to teach men to respect holy things, my dear sir; and a +clergyman in his gown and surplice, commands threefold the respect of one +without them. I consider it, therefore, a sacred duty to uphold the dignity +of my office on all occasions.” + +It was in consequence of these opinions, that the divine travelled in his +clerical hat, clerical coat, black breeches, and band, even when in pursuit +of the souls of red men among the wilds of North America! I will not take +it upon myself to say, these observances had not their use; but I am very +certain they put the reverend gentleman to a great deal of inconvenience. + +As for Jason, he gave a Danbury reason for travelling in his best. +Everybody did so, in his quarter of the country; and, for his part, he +thought it disrespectful to strangers, to appear among them in old clothes! +There was, however, another and truer reason, and that was economy; for +the troops had so far raised the price of everything, that Jason did not +hesitate to pronounce Albany the dearest place he had ever been in. There +was some truth in this allegation; and the distance from New York, being no +less than one hundred and sixty miles--so reported--the reader will at once +see, it was the business of quite a month, or even more, to re-furnish the +shelves of the shop that had been emptied. The Dutch not only moved slow, +but they were methodical; and the shopkeeper whose stores were exhausted in +April, would not be apt to think of replenishing them, until the regular +time and season returned. + +As a consequence of these views and motives, the Rev. Mr. Worden and Mr. +Jason Newcome left Albany twenty-four hours in advance of the rest of our +party, with the understanding they were to join us at a point where the +road led into the woods, and where it was thought the cocked hat and the +skin cap might travel in company harmoniously. There was, however, a reason +for the separation I have not yet named, in the fact that all of my own set +travelled on foot, three or four pack-horses carrying our necessaries. Now +Mr. Worden had been offered a seat in a government conveyance, and Jason +managed to worm himself into the party, in some way that to me was ever +inexplicable. It is, however, due to Mr. Newcome to confess that his +faculty of obtaining favours of all sorts, was of a most extraordinary +character; and he certainly never lost any chance of preferment for want +of asking. In this respect, Jason was always a moral enigma, to me; there +being an absolute absence, in his mind, of everything like a perception +of the fitness of things, so far as the claims and rights of persons +were connected with rank, education, birth, and experience. Rank, in the +official sense, once possessed, he understood and respected; but of the +claims to entitle one to its enjoyment, he seemed to have no sort of +notion. For property he had a profound deference, so far as that deference +extended to its importance and influence; but it would have caused him not +the slightest qualm, either in the way of conscience or feeling, to find +himself suddenly installed in the mansion of the patroons, for instance, +and placed in possession of their estates, provided only he fancied he +could maintain his position. The circumstance that he was dwelling under +the roof that was erected by another man's ancestors, for instance, and +that others were living who had a better moral right to it, would give him +no sort of trouble, so long as any quirk of the law would sustain him in +possession. In a word, all that was allied to sentiment, in matters of this +nature, was totally lost on Jason Newcome, who lived and acted, from the +hour he first came among us, as if the game of life were merely a game +of puss in the corner, in which he who inadvertently left his own post +unprotected, would be certain to find another filling his place as speedily +as possible. I have mentioned this propensity of Jason's at some little +length, as I feel certain, should this history be carried down by my own +posterity, as I hope and design, it will be seen that this disposition to +regard the whole human family as so many tenants in common, of the estate +left by Adam, will lead, in the end, to something extraordinary. But, +leaving the Rev. Mr. Worden and Mr. Jason Newcome to journey in their +public conveyance, I must return to our own party. + +All of us men, with the exception of those who drove the two wagons of +Herman Mordaunt, marched a-foot. Each of us carried a knapsack, in addition +to his rifle and ammunition; and, it will be imagined, that our day's work +was not a very long one. The first day, we halted at Madam Schuyler's, by +invitation, where we all dined; including the surveyor. Lord Howe was among +the guests, that day, and he appeared to admire the spirit of Anneke and +Mary Wallace greatly, in attempting such an expedition, at such a time. + +“You need have no fears, however, ladies, as we shall keep up strong +detachments between you and the French,” he said, more gravely, after some +pleasant trifling on the subject. “Last summer's work, and the disgraceful +manner in which poor Munro was abandoned to his fate, has rendered us all +keenly alive to the importance of compelling the enemy to remain at the +north end of Lake George; too many battles having already been fought on +this side it, for the credit of the British arms. We pledge ourselves to +your safety.” + +Anneke thanked him for this pledge, and the conversation changed. There +was a young man present, who bore the name of Schuyler, and who was nearly +related to Madam, with whose air, manner and appearance I was much struck. +His aunt called him 'Philip;' and, being about my own age, during this +visit I got into conversation with him. He told me he was attached to the +commissariat under Gen. Bradstreet, and that he should move on with the +army, as soon as the preparations for its marching were completed. He +then entered into a clear, simple explanation of the supposed plan of the +approaching campaign. + +“We shall see you and your friends among us, then, I hope,” he added, as +we were walking on the lawn together, previously to the summons to dinner; +“for, to own to you the truth, Mr. Littlepage, I do not half like the +necessity of our having so many eastern troops among us, to clear this +colony of its enemies. It is true, a nation must fight its foes wherever +they may happen to be found; but there is so little in common, between us +and the Yankees, that I could wish we were strong enough to beat back the +French alone.” + +“We have the same sovereign and the same allegiance,” I answered; “if you +can call that something in common.” + +“That is true; yet, I think you must have enough Dutch blood about you to +understand me. My duty calls me much among the different regiments; and, I +will own, that I find more trouble with one New England regiment, than with +a whole brigade of the other troops. They have generals, and colonels, and +majors, enough for the army of the Duke of Marlborough!” + +“It is certain, there is no want of military rank among them--and they are +particularly fond of referring to it.” + +“Quite true,” answered young Schuyler, smiling. “You will hear the word +'general' or 'colonel' oftener used, in one of their cantonments, in a +day, than you shall hear it at Head Quarters in a month. They have capital +points about them, too; yet, somehow or other, we do not like each other.” + +Twenty years later in life, I had reason to remember this remark, as well +as to reflect on the character of the man who had uttered it. I, or my +successors, will probably have occasion to advert to matters connected with +this feeling, in the later passages of this record. + +I had also a little conversation with Lord Howe, who complimented me on +what had passed on the river. He had evidently received an account of that +affair from some one who was much my friend, and saw fit to allude to the +subject in a way that was very agreeable to myself. This short conversation +was not worth repeating, but it opened the way to an acquaintance that +subsequently was connected with some events of interest. + +About an hour after dinner, our party took its leave of Madam Schuyler, and +moved on. The day's march was intended to be short, though by this time the +roads were settled, and tolerably good. Of roads, however, we were not long +to enjoy the advantages, for they extended only some thirty miles to the +north of Albany, in our direction. With the exception of the military +route, which led direct to the head-waters of Lake Champlain, this was +about the extent of all the avenues that penetrated the interior, in that +quarter of the country. Our direction was to the northward and eastward, +both Ravensnest and Mooseridge lying slightly in the direction of the +Hampshire Grants. + +As soon as we reached the point on the great northern road, or that which +led towards Skeenesborough, Herman Mordaunt was obliged to quit his wagons, +and to put all the females on horseback. The most necessary of the stores +were placed on pack-horses; and, after a delay of half a day, time lost in +making these arrangements, we proceeded. The wagons were to follow, but at +a slow pace, the ladies being compelled to abandon them on account of the +ruggedness of the ways, which would have rendered their motion not easy to +be borne. Our cavalcade and train of footmen made a respectable display +along the uneven road, which soon became very little more than a line cut +through the forest, with an occasional wheel-track, but without the least +attempt to level the surface of the ground by any artificial means. This +was the place where we were to overtake Mr. Worden and Jason, and where we +did find their effects; the owners themselves having gone on in advance, +leaving word that we should fall in with them somewhere on the route. + +Guert and I marched in front, our youth and vigour enabling us to do this +with great ease to ourselves. Knowing that the ladies were well cared for, +on horseback, we pushed on, in order to make provision for their reception, +at a house a few miles distant, where we were to pass the night. This +building was of logs, of course, and stood quite alone in the wilderness, +having, however, some twenty or thirty acres of cleared land around it; and +it would not do to pass it, at that time of the day. The distance from this +solitary dwelling to the first habitation on Herman Mordaunt's property, +was eighteen miles; and that was a length of road that would require the +whole of a long May day to overcome, under our circumstances. + +Guert and myself might have been about a mile in advance of the rest of the +party, when we saw a sort of semi-clearing before us, that we mistook at +first for our resting-place. A few acres had been chopped over, letting in +the light of the day upon the gloom of the forest, but the second growth +was already shooting up, covering the area with high bushes. As we drew +nearer, we saw it was a small, abandoned clearing. Entering it, voices were +heard at no great distance, and we stopped; for the human voice is not +heard, in such a place, without causing the traveller to pause, and stand +to his arms. This we did; after which we listened with some curiosity and +caution. + +“High!” exclaimed some one, very distinctly, in English. + +“Jack!” said another voice, in a sort of answering second that could not +well be mistaken. + +“There's three for low;--is that good?” put in the first speaker. + +“It will do, sir; but here are a ten and an ace. Ten and three, and four +and two make nineteen;--I'm game.” + +“High, low, Jack and game!” whispered Guert; “here are fellows playing at +cards, near us; let us go on and beat up their quarters.” + +We did so; and, pushing aside some bushes, broke, quite unexpectedly to all +parties, on the Rev. Mr. Worden and Jason Newcome, playing the game of 'All +Fours on a stump;' or, if not literally in the classic position of using +'the stump,' substituting the trunk of a fallen tree for their table. As we +broke suddenly in upon the card-players, Jason gave unequivocal signs of a +disposition to conceal his hand, by thrusting the cards he held into his +bosom, while he rapidly put the remainder of the pack under his thigh, +pressing it down in a way completely to conceal it. This sudden movement +was merely the effect of a puritanical education, which, having taught him +to consider that as a sin which was not necessarily a sin at all, exacted +from him that hypocrisy which is the tribute that vice pays to virtue! Very +different was the conduct of the Rev. Mr. Worden. Taught to discriminate +better, and unaccustomed to set up arbitrary rules of his own as the law of +God, this loose observer of his professional obligations is other matters, +made a very proper distinction in this. Instead of giving the least +manifestation of confusion or alarm, the log on which he was seated was not +more unmoved than he remained, at our sudden appearance at his side. + +“I hope, Corny, my dear boy,” Mr. Worden cried, “that you did not forget +to purchase a few packs of cards; which I plainly see, will be a great +resource for us, in this woody region. These cards of Jason's are so +thumbed and handled, that they are not fit to be touched by a gentleman, as +I will show you.--Why, what has become of the pack, Master Newcome?--It was +on the log but a minute ago!” + +Jason actually blushed! Yes, for a wonder, shame induced Jason Newcome to +change colour! The cards were reluctantly produced from beneath his leg, +and there the schoolmaster sat, as it might be in presence of his school +actually convicted of being engaged in the damning sin of handling certain +spotted pieces of paper, invented for, and used in the combinations of a +game played for amusement. + +“Had it been push-pin, now,” Guert whispered, “it would give Mr. Newcome +no trouble at all; but he does not admire the idea of being caught at +'All Fours, on a stump.' We must say a word to relieve the poor sinner's +distress. I have cards, Mr. Worden, and they shall be much at your service, +as soon as we can come at our effects. There is one pack in my knapsack, +but it is a little soiled by use, though somewhat cleaner than that. If you +wish it, I will hand it to you. I never travel without carrying one or two +clean packs with me.” + +“Not just now, sir, I thank you. I love a game of Whist, or Picquet, but +cannot say I am an admirer of All Fours. As Mr. Newcome knows no other, we +were merely killing half an hour, at that game; but I have enough of it +to last me for the summer. I am glad that cards have not been forgotten, +however; for, I dare say, we can make up a very respectable party at Whist, +when we all meet.” + +“That we can, sir, and a party that shall have its good players. Miss Mary +Wallace plays as good a hand at Whist, as a woman should, Mr. Worden; and +a very pretty accomplishment it is, for a lady to possess; useful, sir, as +well as entertaining; for anything is preferable to dummy. I do not think a +woman should play quite as well as a man, our sex having a natural claim to +lead, in all such things; but it is very convenient, sometimes, to find a +lady who can hold her hand with coolness and skill.” + +“I would not marry a woman who did not understand Picquet,” exclaimed the +Rev. Mr. Worden; “to say nothing of Whist, and one or two other games. But, +let us be moving, since the hour is getting late.” + +Move on we did, and in due time we all reached the place at which we were +to halt for the night. This looked like plunging into the wilderness +indeed; for the house had but two rooms, one of which was appropriated to +the use of the females, while most of us men took up our lodgings in +the barn. Anneke and Mary Wallace, however, showed the most perfect +good-humour; and our dinner, or supper might better be the name, was +composed of deliciously fat and tender broiled pigeons. It was the pigeon +season, the woods being full of the birds; and we were told, we might +expect to feast on the young to satiety. + +About noon the next day, we reached the first clearing on the estate of +Ravensnest. The country through which we were travelling was rolling rather +than bold; but it possessed a feature of grandeur in its boundless forests. +Our route, that day, lay under lofty arches of young leaves, the buds just +breaking into the first green of the foliage, tall, straight columns, +sixty, eighty, and sometimes a hundred feet of the trunks of the trees, +rising almost without a branch. The pines, in particular, were really +majestic, most of them being a hundred and fifty feet in height, and a few, +as I should think, nearly if not quite two hundred. As everything grows +towards the upper light, in the forest, this ought not to surprise those +who are accustomed to see vegetation expand its powers in wide-spreading +tops, and low, gnarled branches that almost touch the ground, as is the +case in the open fields, and on the lawns of the older regions. As is usual +in the American virgin forest, there was very little underbrush; and we +could see frequently a considerable distance through these long vistas of +trees; or, indeed, until the number of the stems intercepted the sight. + +The clearings of Ravensnest were neither very large nor very inviting. In +that day, the settlement of new lands was a slow and painful operation, and +was generally made at a great outlay to the proprietor. Various expedients +were adopted to free the earth from its load of trees; [33] for, at that +time, the commerce of the colonies did not reward the toil of the settler +in the same liberal manner as has since occurred. Herman Mordaunt, as we +moved along, related to me the cost and trouble he had been at already, in +getting the ten or fifteen families who were on his property, in the first +place, to the spot itself; and, in the second place, to induce them to +remain there. Not only was he obliged to grant leases for three lives, +or, in some cases, for thirty or forty years, at rents that were merely +nominal, but, as a rule, the first six or eight years the tenants were to +pay no rent at all. On the contrary, he was obliged to extend to them many +favours, in various ways, that cost no inconsiderable sum in the course of +the year. Among other things, his agent kept a small shop, that contained +the most ordinary supplies used by families of the class of the settler, +and these he sold at little more than cost, for their accommodation, +receiving his pay in such articles as they could raise from their +half-tilled fields, or their sugar-bushes, and turning those again into +money, only after they were transported to Albany, at the end of a +considerable period. In a word, the commencement of such a settlement was +an arduous undertaking, and the experiment was not very likely to succeed, +unless the landlord had both capital and patience. + +The political economist can have no difficulty in discovering the causes of +the circumstances just mentioned. They were to be found in the fact that +people were scarce, while land was superabundant. In such a condition of +society, the tenant had the choice of his farm, instead of the landlord's +having a selection of his tenants, and the latter were to be bought only on +such conditions as suited themselves. + +“You see,” continued Herman Mordaunt, as we walked together, conversing on +this subject, “that my twenty thousand acres are not likely to be of much +use to myself, even should they prove to be of any to my daughter. A +century hence, indeed, my descendants may benefit from all this outlay of +money and trouble; but it is not probable that either I or Anneke will ever +see the principal and interest of the sums that will be expended in the way +of roads, bridges, mills, and other things of that sort. Years must go +by, before the light rents which will only begin to be paid a year or two +hence, and then only by a very few tenants, can amount to a sufficient sum +to meet the expenses of keeping up the settlement, to say nothing of the +quit-rents to be paid to the crown.” + +“This is not very encouraging to a new beginner in the occupation of a +landlord,” I answered; “and, when I look into the facts, I confess, I am +surprised that so many gentlemen in the colony are willing to invest the +sums they annually do in wild lands.” + +“Every man who is at his ease in his moneyed affairs, Corny, feels a +disposition to make some provision for his posterity. This estate, if kept +together, and in single hands may make some descendant of mine a man of +fortune. Half a century will produce a great change in this colony; at the +end of that period, a child of Anneke's may be thankful that his mother +had a father who was willing to throw away a few thousands of his own, the +surplus of a fortune that was sufficient for his wants without them, in +order his grandson may see them converted into tens, or possibly into +hundreds of thousands.” + +“Posterity will, at least, owe us a debt of gratitude, Mr. Mordaunt; for I +now see that Mooseridge is not likely to make either Dirck or myself very +affluent patroons.” + +“On that you may rely. Satanstoe will produce you more than the large +tracts you possess in this quarter.” + +“Do you no longer fear, sir, that the war, and apprehension of Indian +ravages, may drive your people off?” + +“Not much at present, though the danger was great at one time. The war +_may_ do me good, as well as harm. The armies consume everything they can +get--soldiers resembling locusts, in this respect. My tenants have had the +commissaries among them; and, I am told, every blade of grass they can +spare--all their surplus grain, potatoes, butter, cheese, and, in a word, +everything that can be eaten, and with which they are willing to part, has +been contracted for at the top of the market. The King pays in gold, and +the sight of the precious metals will keep even a Yankee from moving.” + +About the time this was said, we came in sight of the spot Herman Mordaunt +had christened Ravensnest; a name that had since been applied to the whole +property. It was a log building, that stood on the verge of a low cliff of +rocks, at a point where a bird of that appellation had originally a nest on +the uppermost branches of a dead hemlock. The building had been placed, and +erected, with a view to defence, having served for some time as a sort of +rallying point to the families of the tenantry, in the event of an Indian +alarm. At the commencement of the present war, taking into view the exposed +position of his possessions on that frontier,--frontier as to settlement, +if not as to territorial limits,--Herman Mordaunt had caused some attention +to be paid to his fortifications; which, though they might not have +satisfied Mons. Vauban, were not altogether without merit, considered in +reference to their use in case of a surprise. + +The house formed three sides of a parallelogram, the open portion of the +court in the centre, facing the cliff. A strong picket served to make a +defence against bullets on that side; while the dead walls of solid logs +were quite impregnable against any assault known in forest warfare, but +that of fire. All the windows opened on the court; while the single outer +door was picketed, and otherwise protected by the coverings of plank. I was +glad to see by the extent of this rude structure, which was a hundred feet +long by fifty in depth, that Anneke and Mary Wallace would not be likely to +be straitened for room. Such proved to be the fact; Herman Mordaunt's agent +having prepared four or five apartments for the family, that rendered them +as comfortable as people could well expect to be in such a situation. +Everything was plain, and many things were rude; but shelter, warmth and +security had not been neglected. + +[Footnote 32: The ordinary American reader may not know that the rank +of Brigadier, in the British army, is not a step in the regular line of +promotion, as with us. In England, the regular military gradations are from +Colonel to Major-general, Lieut. General, General, and Field Marshal. The +rank of Brigadier is barely recognised, like that of Commodore, in the +navy, to be used on emergencies; usually as brevet, _local_ rank, to enable +the government to employ clever colonels at need.] + +[Footnote 33: The late venerable Hendrick Frey was a man well known to all +who dwelt in the valley of the Mohawk. He had been a friend, contemporary, +and it is believed an executor of the celebrated Sir William Johnson, Bart. +Thirty years since, he related to the writer the following anecdote. Young +Johnson first appeared in the valley as the agent of a property belonging +to his kinsman, Admiral Sir Peter Warren, K. B.; who, having married in +the colony, had acquired several estates in it. Among other tracts was one +called Warrens-bush, on the Mohawk, on which young Johnson first resided. +Finding it difficult to get rid of the trees around his dwelling, Johnson +sent down to the admiral, at New York, to provide some purchases with which +to haul the trees down to the earth, after grubbing and cutting the roots +on one side. An acre was lowered in this manner, each tree necessarily +lying at a larger angle to the earth than the next beneath it. An easterly +wind came one night, and, to Johnson's surprise, he found half his trees +erect again, on rising in the morning! The mode of clearing lands by +'purchases' was then abandoned.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + “And long shall timorous fancy see + The painted chief and pointed spear; + And Reason's self shall bow the knee + To shadows and delusions here.” + + FRENEAU. + + +It is not necessary to dwell on the manner in which Herman Mordaunt and his +companions became established at Ravensnest. Two or three days sufficed to +render them as comfortable as circumstances would permit; then Dirck and I +bethought us of proceeding in quest of the lands of Mooseridge. Mr. Worden +and Jason both declined going any further; the mill-seat, of which the last +was in quest, being, as I now learned, on the estate of Herman Mordaunt, +and having been for some time the subject of a negotiation between the +pedagogue and its owner. As for the divine, he declared that he saw a +suitable 'field' for his missionary labour where he was; while, it was easy +to see, that he questioned if there were fields of any sort, where we were +going. + +Our party, on quitting Ravensnest, consisted of Dirck and myself, Guert, +Mr. Traverse, the surveyor, three chain-bearers, Jaap or Yaap, Guert's man, +Pete, and one woodsman or hunter. This would have given us ten vigorous and +well-armed men, for our whole force. It was thought best, however, to add +two Indians to our number, in the double character of hunters and runners, +or messengers. One of these red-skins was called Jumper, in the language +of the settlement where we found them; and the other Trackless; the latter +_sobriquet_ having been given him on account of a faculty he possessed of +leaving little or no trail in his journeys and marches. This Indian was +about six-and-twenty years of age, and was called a Mohawk, living with the +people of that tribe; though, I subsequently ascertained that he was, in +fact, an Onondago [34] by birth. His true name was Susquesus, or Crooked +Turns; an appellation that might or might not speak well of his character, +as the Turns' were regarded in a moral, or in a physical sense. + +“Take that man, Mr. Littlepage, by all means,” said Herman Mordaunt's +agent, when the matter was under discussion. “You will find him as useful, +in the woods, as your pocket-compass, besides being a reasonably good +hunter. He left here, as a runner, during the heaviest of the snows, last +winter, and a trial was made to find his trail, within half an hour after +he had quitted the clearing, but without success. He had not gone a mile in +the woods, before all traces of him were lost, as completely as if he had +made the journey in the air.” + +As Susquesus had a reputation for sobriety, as was apt to be the case with +the Onondagoes, the man was engaged, though one Indian would have been +sufficient for our purpose. But Jumper had been previously hired; and it +would have been dangerous, under our circumstances, to offend a red-man, by +putting him aside for another, even after compensating him fully for the +disappointment. By Mr. Traverse's advice, therefore, we took both. The +Indian or Mohawk name of Jumper, was Quissquiss, a term that, I fancy, +signified nothing very honourable or illustrious. + +The girls betrayed deep interest in us, on our taking leave; more, I +thought, than either had ever before manifested. Guert had told me, +privately, of an intention, on his part, to make another offer to Mary +Wallace; and I saw the traces of it in the tearful eyes and flushed cheeks +of his mistress. But, at such a moment, one does not stop to think much of +such things; there being tears in Anneke's eyes, as well as in those of her +friend. We had a thousand good wishes to exchange; and we promised to keep +open; the communication between the two parties, by means of our runners +semi-weekly. The distance, which would vary from fifteen to thirty miles, +would readily admit of this, since either of the Indians would pass over +it, with the greatest ease to himself, in a day, at that season of the +year. + +After all, the separation was to be short, for we had promised to come over +and dine with Herman Mordaunt on his fiftieth birth-day, which would occur +within three weeks. This arrangement made the parting tolerable to us young +men, and our constitutional gaiety did the rest. Half an hour after the +last breakfast at Ravensnest saw us all on our road, cheerful, if not +absolutely happy. Herman Mordaunt accompanied us three miles; which led him +to the end of his own settlements, and to the edge of the virgin forest. +There he took his leave, and we pursued our way with the utmost diligence, +for hours, with the compass for our guide, until we reached the banks of a +small river that was supposed to lie some three or four miles from the +southern boundaries of the patent we sought. I say, 'supposed to lie,' for +there existed then, and, I believe, there still exists much uncertainty +concerning the land-marks of different estates in the woods. On the banks +of this stream, which was deep but not broad, the surveyor called a halt, +and we made our dispositions for dinner. Men who had walked as far and as +fast as we had done, made but little ceremony and for twenty minutes every +one was busy in appeasing his hunger. This was no sooner accomplished, +however than Mr. Traverse summoned the Indians to the side of the fallen +tree on which we had taken our seats, when the first occasion occurred for +putting the comparative intelligence of the two runners to the proof. At +the same time the principal chain-bearer, a man whose life had been passed +in his present occupation, was brought into the consultation, as follows. + +“We are now on the banks of this stream, and about this bend in it,” + commenced the surveyor, pointing to the precise curvature of the river on +a map he had spread before him, at which he supposed we were actually +situated; “and the next thing is to find that ridge on which the moose was +killed, and across which the line of the patent we seek is known to run. +This abstract of the title tells us to look for a corner somewhere off +here, about a mile or a mile and a half from this bend in the river--a +black oak, with its top broken off by the wind, and standing in the centre +of a triangle made by three chestnuts. I think you told me, David that you +had never borne a chain on any of these ridges?” + +“No, sir, never;” answered David, the old chain-bearer already mentioned; +“my business never having brought me out so far east.--A black oak, with +corner blazes on it, and its top broken down by the wind, and standing +atween three chestnuts, howsomedever, can be nothing so very hard to +find, for a person that's the least acquainted. These Injins will be the +likeliest bodies to know that tree, if they've any nat'ral knowledge of the +country.” + +Know a tree! There we were, and had been for many hours, in the bosom of +the forest, with trees in thousands ranged around us; trees had risen +on our march, as horizon extends beyond horizon on the ocean, and this +chain-bearer fancied it might be in the power of one who often passed +through these dark and untenanted mazes, to recognise any single member of +those countless oaks, and beeches, and pines! Nevertheless, Mr. Traverse +did not seem to regard David's suggestion as so very extravagant, for he +turned towards the Indians and addressed himself to them. + +“How's this?” he asked; “Jumper, do you know anything of the sort of tree I +have described?” + +“No,” was the short, sententious answer. + +“Then, I fear, there is little hope that Trackless is any wiser, as you are +Mohawk born, and _he_, they tell me, is at bottom an Onondago. What say +you, Trackless? can you help us to find the tree?” + +My eyes were fastened on Susquesus, as soon as the Indians were mentioned. +There he stood, straight as the trunk of a pine, light and agile in person, +with nothing but his breech-cloth, moccasins, and a blue calico shirt +belted to his loins with a scarlet band, through which was thrust the +handle of his tomahawk, and to which were attached his shot-pouch and horn, +while his rifle rested against his body, butt downward. Trackless was a +singularly handsome Indian, the unpleasant peculiarities of his people +being but faintly portrayed in his face and form; while their nobler and +finer qualities came out in strong relief. His nose was almost aquiline; +his eye, dark as night, was restless and piercing; his limbs Apollo-like; +and his front and bearing had all the fearless dignity of a warrior, +blended with the grace of nature. The only obvious defects were in his +walk, which was Indian, or in-toed and bending at the knee; but, to +counterbalance these, his movements were light, springy and swift. I +fancied him, in figure, the very _beau-idéal_ of a runner. + +During the time the surveyor was speaking, the eye of Susquesus was +seemingly fastened on vacancy, and I would have defied the nicest observer +to detect any consciousness of what was in hand, in the countenance of this +forest stoic. It was not his business to speak, while an older runner +and an older warrior was present--for Jumper was both--and he waited for +others, who might know more, to reveal their knowledge ere he produced +his own. Thus directly addressed, however, all reserve vanished, and he +advanced two or three steps, cast a curious glance at the map, even put a +finger on the river, the devious course of which it followed across the +map, much as a child would trace any similar object that attracted his +attention. Susquesus knew but little of maps, it was clear enough; but the +result showed that he knew a great deal about the woods, his native field +of action. + +“Well, what do you make of my map, Trackless,” repeated the surveyor. “Is +it not drawn to suit your fancy?” + +“Good”--returned the Onondago, with emphasis. “Now show Susquesus _your_ +oak tree.” + +“Here it is, Trackless. You see it is a tree drawn in ink, with a broken +top, and here are the three chestnuts, in a sort of triangle, around it.” + +The Indian examined the tree with some interest, and a slight smile +illumined his handsome, though dark countenance. He was evidently pleased +at this proof of accuracy in the colony surveyors, and, no doubt, thought +the better of them for the fidelity of their work. + +“Good,” he repeated, in his low, guttural, almost feminine voice, so soft +and mild in its tone. “_Very_ good. The pale-faces know everything! Now, +let my brother find the tree.” + +“That is easier said than done, Susquesus,” answered Traverse, laughing. +“It is one thing to sketch a tree on a map, and another to go to its root, +as it stands in the forest, surrounded by thousands of other trees.” + +“Pale-face must first see him, or how paint him? Where painter?” + +“Ay, the surveyor saw the tree once, and marked it once, but that is not +finding it again. Can you tell me where the oak stands? Mr. Littlepage will +give the man who finds that corner a French crown. Put me anywhere on the +line of the old survey, and I will ask favours of no one.” + +“Painted tree _there_,” said Susquesus, pointing a little scornfully at the +map, as it seemed to me. “Pale-face can't find him in wood. Live tree out +younder; Injin know.” + +Trackless pointed with great dignity towards the north east, standing +motionless as a statue the while, as if inviting the closest possible +scrutiny into the correctness of his assertion. + +“Can you lead us to the tree?” demanded Traverse, eagerly. “Do it, and the +money is yours.” + +Susquesus made a significant gesture of assent; then he set about +collecting the scanty remains of his dinner, a precaution in which we +imitated him, as a supper would be equally agreeable as the meal just +taken, a few hours later. When everything was put away, and the packs +were on our shoulders--not on those of the Indians, for _they_ +seldom condescended to carry burthens, which was an occupation for +women--Trackless led the way, in the direction he had already pointed out. + +Well did the Onondago deserve his name, as it seemed to me, while he +threaded his way through that gloomy forest, without path, mark or sign of +any sort, that was intelligible to others. His pace was between a walk and +a gentle trot, and it required all our muscles to keep near him. He looked +to neither the right nor the left, but appeared to pursue his course guided +by an instinct, or as the keen-scented hound follows the viewless traces of +his game. This lasted for ten minutes, when Traverse called another halt, +and we clustered together in council. + +“How much further do you think it may be to the tree, Onondago?” demanded +the surveyor, as soon as the whole party was collected in a circle. “I have +a reason for asking.” + +“So many minutes,” answered the Indian, holding up five fingers, or the +four fingers and thumb of his right hand. “Oak with broken top, and +pale-face marks, _there_.” + +The precision and confidence with which the Trackless pointed, not a little +surprised me, for I could not imagine how any human being could pretend to +be minutely certain of such a fact, under the circumstances in which we +were placed. So it was, however; and so it proved in the end. In the mean +time, Traverse proceeded to carry out his own plans. + +“As we are so near to the tree,” he said, for the surveyor had no doubt of +the red-man's accuracy, “_we_ must also be near the line. The last runs +north and south, on this part of the patent, and we shall shortly cross it. +Spread yourselves, therefore, chain-bearers, and look for blazed trees; +for, put me anywhere on the boundaries, and I'll answer for finding any +oak, beech, or maple, that is mentioned in the corners.” + +As soon as this order was received, all the surveyor's men obeyed, opening +the order of their march, and spreading themselves in a way to extend their +means of observing materially. When all was ready, a sign was made to the +Indian to proceed. Susquesus obeyed, and we were all soon in quick motion +again. + +Guert's activity enabled him to keep nearest to the Onondago, and a shout +from his clear, full throat, first announced the complete success of the +search. In a moment the rest of us pressed forward, and were soon at the +end of our journey. There was Susquesus, quietly leaning against the trunk +of the broken oak, without the smallest expression of triumph in either his +manner or his countenance. That which he had done, he had done naturally, +and without any apparent effort or hesitation. To him the forest had its +signs, and metes, and marks--as the inhabitant of the vast capital has his +means of threading its mazes with the readiness of familiarity and habit. +As for Traverse, he first examined the top of the tree, where he found the +indicated fracture; then he looked round for the three chestnuts, each of +which was in its place; after which he drew near to look into the more +particular signs of his craft. There they were, three of the inner sides of +the oak being blazed, the proof it was a corner; while that which had no +scar on its surface looked outward, or from the Patent of Mooseridge. +Just as all these agreeable facts were ascertained, shouts from the +chain-bearers south of us, announced that they had discovered the line--men +of their stamp being quite as quick-sighted, in ascertaining their own +peculiar traces, as the native of the forest is in finding his way to +any object in it which he has once seen, and may desire to revisit. By +following the line, these men soon joined us, when they gave us the +additional information that they had also actually found the skeleton of +the moose that had given its name to the estate. + +Thus far, all was well, our success much exceeding our hopes. The hunters +were sent to look for a spring; and, one being found at no great distance, +we all repaired to the spot, and hutted for the night. Nothing could be +more simple than our encampment; which consisted of coverings made of the +branches of trees, with leaves and skins for our beds. Next day, however, +Traverse finding the position favourable for his work, he determined to +select the spot as head-quarters; and we all set about the erection of a +log-house, in which we might seek a shelter in the event of a storm, and +where we might deposit our implements, spare ammunition, and such stores as +we had brought with us on our backs. As everybody worked with good-will at +the erection of this rude building, and the labourers were very expert with +the axe, we had it nearly complete by the setting of the next day's sun. +Traverse chose the place because the water was abundant, and good, and +because a small knoll was near the spring, that was covered with young +pines that were about fourteen or fifteen inches in diameter, while they +grew to the height of near a hundred feet, with few branches, and straight +as the Onondago. These trees were felled, cut into lengths of twenty and +thirty feet, notched at the ends, and rolled alternately on each other, +so as to enclose an area that was one-third longer than it was wide. The +notches were deep, and brought the logs within two or three inches of each +other; and the interstices were filled with pieces of riven chestnut, a +wood that splits easily and in straight lines; which pieces were driven +hard into their beds, so as to exclude the winds and the rains. As the +weather was warm, and the building somewhat airy at the best, we cut no +windows, though we had a narrow door in the centre of one of the longer +sides. For a roof we used the bark of the hemlock, which, at that season, +came off in large pieces, and which was laid on sticks, raised to the +desired elevation by means of a ridge pole. + +All this was making no more than one of the common log-houses of the new +settlements, though in a more hurried and a less artificial manner than was +usual. We had no chimney, for our cooking could be done in the open air; +and less attention was paid to the general finish of the work, than might +have been the case had we expected to pass the winter there. The floor was +somewhat rude, but it had the effect of raising us from the ground, and +giving us perfectly dry lodgings; an advantage not always obtained in the +woods. It was composed of logs roughly squared on three sides, and placed +on sleepers. To my surprise, Traverse directed a door to be made of riven +logs, that were pinned together with cross-pieces, and which was hung +on the usual wooden hinges. When I spoke of this as unnecessary labour, +occupying two men an entire day to complete, he reminded me that we were +much in advance from the settlements; that an active war was being waged +around us, and that the agents of the French had been very busy among our +own tribes, while those in Canada often pushed their war-parties far within +our borders. He had always found a great satisfaction, as well as security, +in having a sort of citadel to retreat to, when on these exposed surveys; +and _he_ never neglected the necessary precaution, when he fancied himself +in the least danger. + +We were quite a week in completing our house; though, after the first day, +neither the surveyor nor his chain-bearers troubled themselves with the +labour, any further than to make an occasional suggestion. Traverse and his +men went to work in their own pursuit, running lines to divide the patent +into its great lots, each of which was made to contain a thousand acres. +It should be mentioned that all the surveys, in that day, were made on the +most liberal scale, our forty thousand acres turning out, in the end, to +amount to quite three thousand more. So it was with the subdivisions of the +Patent, each of which was found to be of more than the nominal dimensions. +Blazed trees, and records cut into the bark, served to indicate the lines, +while a map went on _pari passu_ with the labour, the field-book containing +a description of each lot, in order that the proprietor of the estate might +have some notions of the nature of its soil and surface, as well as of the +quality and sizes of the trees it bore. + +The original surveyors, those on whose labours the patent of the King was +granted, had a comparatively trifling duty to perform. So long as they gave +a reasonably accurate outline of an area that would contain forty thousand +acres of land, more or less, and did not trespass on any prior grant, no +material harm could be done, there being no scarcity of surface in the +colony; but, Mr. Traverse had to descend to a little more particularity. It +is true, he ran out his hundreds of acres daily, duly marking his corners +and blazing his line trees, but something very like a summer's work lay +before him. This he understood, and his proceedings were as methodical and +deliberate as the nature of his situation required. + +In a very few days, things had gotten fairly in train, and everybody was +employed in some manner that was found to be useful. The surveying party +was making a very satisfactory progress, running out their great lots +between sun and sun, while Dirck and myself made the notes concerning their +quality, under the dictation of Mr. Traverse. Guert did little besides +shoot and fish, keeping our larder well supplied with trout, pigeons, +squirrels, and such other game as the season would allow, occasionally +knocking over something in the shape of poor venison. The hunters +brought us their share of eatables also; and we did well enough, in this +particular, more especially is trout proved to be very abundant. Yaap, or +Jaap, as I shall call him in future, and Pete, performed domestic duty, +acting as scullions and cooks, though the first was much better fitted to +perform the service of a forester. The two Indians did little else, for +the first fortnight, but come and go between Ravensnest and Mooseridge, +carrying missives and acting as guides to the hunters, who went through +once or twice within that period, to bring us out supplies of flour, +groceries, and other similar necessaries; no inducement being able to +prevail on the Indians to carry anything that approached a burthen, either +in weight or appearance. + +The surveying party did not always return to the hut at night, but it +'camped out,' as they called it, whenever the work led them to a distance +on the other side of the tract. Mr. Traverse had chosen his position for +head-quarters more in reference to its proximity to the settlement at +Ravensnest, than in reference to its position on the Patent. It was +sufficiently central to the latter, as regarded a north and south line, but +was altogether on the western side of the property. As his surveys extended +east, therefore, he was often carried too far from the building to return +to it each night, though his absences never extended beyond the evening of +the third day. In consequence of this arrangement, his people were enabled +to carry the food they required without inconvenience, for the periods they +were away, coming back for fresh supplies as the lines brought them west +again. Sundays were strictly observed by us all, as days of rest; a respect +to the day that is not always observed in the forest; he who is in the +solitude of the woods, like him who roams athwart the wastes of the ocean, +often forgetting that the spirit of the Creator is abroad equally on the +ocean and on the land, ready to receive that homage of his creatures, +which is a tribute due to beneficence without bounds, a holiness that is +spotless, and a truth that is inherent. + +As Jumper, or the Trackless, returned from his constantly recurring visits +to our neighbours, we young men waited with impatience for the letter that +the messenger was certain to bear. This letter was sometimes written by +Herman Mordaunt himself, but oftener by Anneke, or Mary Wallace. It was +addressed to no one by name, but uniformly bore the superscription of 'To +the Hermits of Mooseridge;' nor was there anything in the language to +betray any particular attention to either of the party. We might have liked +it better, perhaps, could we have received epistles that were a little +more pointed in this particular; but those we actually got were much +too precious to leave any serious grounds of complaint. One from Herman +Mordaunt reached us on the evening of the second Saturday, when our whole +party was at home, and assembled at supper. It was brought in by the +Trackless, and, among other matters, contained this paragraph: + +“We learn that things hourly assume a more serious aspect with the armies. +Our troops are pushing north, in large bodies, and the French are said to +be reinforcing. Living as we do, out of the direct line of march, and +fully thirty miles in the rear of the old battle-grounds, I should feel no +apprehension, were it not for a report I hear, that the woods are full of +Indians. I very well know that such a report invariably accompanies the +near approach of hostilities in the frontier settlements, and is to be +received with many grains of allowance; but it seems so probable the French +should push their savages on this flank of our army, to annoy it on the +advance, that, I confess, the rumour has some influence on my feelings. We +have been fortifying still more; and I would advise you not to neglect such +a precaution altogether. The Canadian Indians are said to be more subtle +than our own; nor is government altogether without the apprehension that +our own have been tampered with. It was said at Albany, that much French +silver had been seen in the hands of the people of the Six Nations; and +that even French blankets, knives, and tomahawks, were more plentiful among +them than might be accounted for by the ordinary plunder of their warfare. +One of your runners, the man who is called the Trackless, is said to live +out of his own tribe; and such Indians are always to be suspected. Their +absence is sometimes owing to reasons that are creditable; but far oftener +to those that are not. It may be well to have an eye on the conduct of this +man. After all, we are in the hands of a beneficent and gracious God, and +we know how often his mercy has saved us, on occasions more trying than +this!” + +This letter was read several times, among ourselves, including Mr. +Traverse. As the _oi polloi_ of our party were eating out of ear-shot, and +the Indians had left us, it naturally induced a conversation that turned on +the risks we ran, and on the probability of Susquesus's being false. + +“As for the rumour that the woods are full of Indians,” the surveyor +quietly observed, “it is very much as Herman Mordaunt says--there is never +a blanket seen, but fame magnifies it into a whole bale. There is danger +to be apprehended from savages, I will allow, but not one-half that the +settlers ordinarily imagine. As for the French, they are likely to need all +their savages at Ty; for, they tell me Gen. Abercrombie will go against +them with three men to their one.” + +“With that superiority, at least,” I answered; “but, after all, would not +a sagacious officer be likely to annoy his flank, in the manner here +mentioned?” + +“We are every mile of forty to the eastward of the line of march; and why +should parties keep so distant from their enemies?” + +“Even such a supposition would place our foes between us and our friends; +no very comfortable consideration, of itself. But, what think you of this +hint concerning the Onondago?” + +“There may be truth in _that_--more than in the report that the woods are +full of savages. It is usually a bad sign when an Indian quits his tribe; +and this runner of ours is certainly an Onondago; _that_ I know, for the +fellow has twice refused rum. Bread he will take, as often as offered; but +rum has not wet his lips, since I have seen him, offered in fair weather or +foul.” + +“T'at _is_ a bad sign”--put in Guert, a little dogmatically for him. “T'e +man t'at refuses his glass, in good company, has commonly something wrong +in his morals. I always keep clear of such chaps.” + +Poor Guert!--How true that was, and what an influence the opinion had on +his character and habits. As for the Indian, I could not judge him so +harshly. There was something in his countenance that disposed me to put +confidence in him, at the very moment his cold, abstracted manners--cold +and abstracted even for a red-skin in pale-face company--created doubts and +distrust. + +“Certainly, nothing is easier than for a man in his situation to sell us,” + I answered, after a short pause, “if he be so disposed. But, what could the +French gain by cutting off a party as peaceably employed as this? It can be +of no moment to them, whether Mooseridge be surveyed into lots this year, +or the next.” + +“Quite true; and I am of opinion that Mons. Montcalm is very indifferent +whether it be ever surveyed at all,” returned Traverse, who was an +intelligent and tolerably educated man. “You forget, however, Mr. +Littlepage, that both parties offer such things as premiums on scalps. +A Huron may not care about our lines, corners, and marked trees; but he +_does_ care, a great deal, whether he is to go home with an empty string, +or with half-a-dozen human scalps at his girdle.” + +I observed that Dirck thrust his fingers through his bushy hair, and that +his usually placid countenance assumed an indignant and semi-ferocious +appearance. A little amused at this, I walked towards the log on which +Susquesus was seated, having ended his meal, in silent thought. + +“What news do you bring us from the red-coats, Trackless?” I asked, with +as much of an air of indifference as I could assume. “Are they out in +sufficient numbers to eat the French?” + +“Look at leaves; count 'em;” answered the Indian. + +“Yes, I know they are in force; but, what are the red-skins about? Is the +hatchet buried, among the Six Nations, that you are satisfied with being a +runner, when scalps may be had near Ticonderoga?” + +“Susquesus _Onondago_”--the red-man replied, laying a strong emphasis on +the name of his tribe. “No Mohawk blood run in him. _His_ people no dig up +hatchet, this summer.” + +“Why not, Trackless? You are allies of the Yengeese, and ought to give us +your aid, when it is wanted.” + +“Count leaves--count Yengeese. Too much for one army. No want Onondago.” + +“That may be true, possibly, for we are certainly very strong. But, how +is it with the woods--are they altogether clear of red-skins, in times as +troublesome as these?” + +Susquesus looked grave, but he made no answer. Still, he did not endeavour +to avoid the keen look I fastened on his face, but sat composed, rigid, and +gazing before him. Knowing the uselessness of attempting to get anything +out of an Indian, when he was indisposed to be communicative, I thought +it wisest to change the discourse. This I did by making a few general +inquiries as to the state of the streams, all of which were answered, when +I walked away. + +[Footnote 34: Pronounced On-on-daw-ger, the latter syllable hard; or, like +ga, as it is sometimes spelled. This is the name of one of the midland +counties of New York. The tribe from which it is derived, in these later +times, has over borne a better name for morals, than its neighbours, +the Oneidas, the Mohawks, &c., &c. The Onondagoes belonged to the Six +Nations.--Editor.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + “Fear not, till Birnam Wood + Shall come to Dunsinane.” + + _Macbeth_. + + +I cannot say I was quite satisfied with the manner of Susquesus; nor, on +the other hand, was I absolutely uneasy. All might be well; and, if it were +not, the power of this man to injure us could not be very great. A new +occurrence, however, raised very unpleasant doubts of his honesty. Jumper +being out on a hunt, the Onondago was sent across to Ravensnest the next +trip, out of his turn; but, instead of returning, as had been the practice +of both, the next day, we saw no more of him for near a fortnight. As +we talked over this sudden and unexpected disappearance, we came to the +conclusion, that, perceiving he was distrusted, the fellow had deserted, +and would be seen no more. During his absence, we paid a visit to +Ravensnest ourselves, spending two or three happy days with the girls, +whom we found delighted with the wildness of their abode, and as happy as +innocence, health, and ceaseless interest in the forest and its habits, +could make them. Herman Mordaunt, having fortified his house sufficiently, +as he fancied, to remove all danger of an assault, returned with us to +Mooseridge, and passed two or three days in walking over and examining +the quality of the land, together with the advantages offered by the +water-courses. As for Mr. Worden and Jason, the former had gone to join the +army, craving the flesh-pots of a regimental mess, in preference to the +simple fare of the woods; while Jason had driven a hard bargain with Herman +Mordaunt for the possession of the mill-seat; which had been the subject of +frequent discussions between the parties, and about which the pedagogue had +deemed it prudent to draw on the wisdom of Mother Doortje. As the reader +may have some curiosity to know how such things were conducted in the +colony, in the year 1758, I will recapitulate the terms of the bargain that +was finally agreed on, signed and sealed. + +Herman Mordaunt expected no emolument to himself, from Ravensnest, but +looked forward solely to a provision for posterity. In consequence of these +views, he refused to sell, but gave leases on such conditions as would +induce tenants to come into his terms, in a country in which land was far +plentier than men. For some reason, that never was very clear to me, he was +particularly anxious to secure Jason Newcome, and no tolerable terms seemed +extravagant to effect his purpose. It is not surprising, therefore, +that our miller in perspective got much the best of the bargain, as its +conditions will show. + +The lease was for three lives, and twenty-one years afterwards. This would +have been thought equal to a lease for forty-two years, in that day, in +Europe; but experience is showing that it is, in truth, for a much longer +period, in America. [35] The first ten years, no rent at all was to be +paid. For the next ten, the land, five hundred acres, was to pay sixpence +currency an acre, the tenant having the right to cut timber at pleasure. +This was a great concession, as the mill-lot contained much pine. For the +remainder of the lease, be it longer or shorter, a shilling an acre, or +about sixpence sterling, was to be paid for the land, and forty pounds +currency, or one hundred dollars a year, for the mill-seat. The mills to be +taken by the landlord, at an appraisal 'made by men', at the expiration of +the lease; the tenant to pay the taxes. The tenant had the privilege of +using all the materials for his dams, buildings, &c., he could find on the +land. + +The policy of the owners of Mooseridge was different. We intended to sell +at low prices, at first, reserving for leases hereafter, such farms as +could not be immediately disposed of, or for which the purchaser failed to +pay. In this manner it was thought we should sooner get returns for our +outlays, and sooner 'build up a settlement,' as the phrase goes. In +America, the reader should know, everything is 'built.' The priest 'builds +up' a flock; the speculator, a fortune; the lawyer, a reputation; and the +landlord, a settlement; sometimes, with sufficient accuracy in language, he +even builds a town. + +Jason was a very happy man, the moment he got his lease, signed and sealed, +in his own possession. It made him a sort of a land-holder on the spot, and +one who had nothing to pay for ten years to come. God forgive me, if I +do the man injustice; but, from the first, I had a suspicion that Jason +trusted to fortune to prevent any pay-day from ever coming at all. As for +Herman Mordaunt, he seemed satisfied, for he fancied that he had got a +man of some education on his property, who might answer a good purpose in +civilizing, and in otherwise advancing the interests of his estate. + +Just as the rays of the rising sun streamed through the crevices of our log +tenement, and ere one of us three idlers had risen from his pallet, I heard +a moccasined foot moving near me, in the nearly noiseless tread of an +Indian. Springing to my feet, I found myself face to face with the missing +Onondago! + +“You here, Susquesus!” I exclaimed; “we supposed you had abandoned us. What +has brought you back?” + +“Time to go, now,” answered the Indian, quietly. “Yengeese and Canada +warrior soon fight.” + +“Is this true!--And do you, _can_ you know it to be true! Where have you +been this fortnight past?” + +“Been see--have see--know him just so. Come--call young men; go on +war-path.” + +Here, then, was an explanation of the mystery of the Onondago's absence! He +had heard us speak of an intention of moving with the troops, at the +last moment, and he had gone to reconnoitre, in order that we might have +seasonable notice when it would be necessary to quit the 'Ridge,' as we +familiarly termed the Patent. I saw nothing treasonable in this, but rather +deemed it a sign of friendly interest in our concerns; though it was +certainly 'running' much farther than the Indian had been directed to +proceed, and 'running' a little off the track. One might overlook such an +irregularity in a savage, however, more especially as I began to weary of +the monotony of our present manner of living, and was not sorry to discover +a plausible apology for a change. + +The reader may be certain, it was not long before I had communicated the +intelligence brought by the Trackless, to my companions; who received it as +young men would be; apt to listen to tidings so stirring. The Onondago was +summoned to our council, and he renewed his protestation that it was time +for us to be moving. + +“No stop”--he answered, when questioned again on the subject; “time go. +Canoe ready--gun loaded--warrior counted--chief woke up--council fire gone +out. Time, go.” + +“Well then, Corny,” said Guert, rising and stretching his fine frame like a +lion roused from his lair, “here's off. We can go to Ravensnest to sleep, +to-day; and, to-morrow we will work our way out into the highway, and fall +into the line of march of the army. I shall have another opportunity of +seeing Mary Wallace, and of telling her how much I love her. That will be +so much gained, at all events.” + +“No see squaw--no go to Nest!” said the Indian, with energy. “War-path +_this_ way,” pointing in a direction that might have varied a quarter of a +circle from that to Herman Mordaunt's settlement. “Bad for warrior to see +squaw when he dig up hatchet--only make woman of him. No; go this way--path +there--no here--scalp there--squaw here.” + +As the gestures of the Onondago were quite as significant as his language, +we had no difficulty in understanding him. Guert continued his questions, +however, while dressing, and we all soon became convinced, by the words of +the Indian, broken and abrupt as they were, that Abercrombie was on the +point of embarking with his army on Lake George, and that we must needs +be active, if we intended to be present at the contemplated operations in +front of Ticonderoga. + +Our decision was soon reached, and our preparations made. By packing and +shouldering his knapsack, and arming himself, each man would be ready; +though a short delay grew out of the absence of Traverse and his +chain-bearers. We wrote a letter, however, explaining the reason of our +intended absence, promising to return as soon as the operations in front of +Ty should be terminated. This letter we left with Pete, who was to remain +as cook, though Jaap bestirred himself, loaded his broad shoulders with +certain indispensables for our march, took his rifle, pack and horn and +was ready to move as soon as any of us. All this the fellow did, moreover, +without orders; deeming it a part of his duty to follow his young master, +even if he followed him to evil. No dog, indeed, could be truer, in this +particular, than Jaap or Jacob Satanstoe, for he had adopted the name of +the Neck as his patronymic; much as the nobles of other regions style +themselves after _their_ lands. + +When all was ready, and we were on the point of quitting the hut, the +question arose seriously, whether we were to go by Ravensnest, or by the +new route that the Onondago had mentioned. Path there was not, in either +direction; but, we had land-marks, springs, and other known signs, on the +former; while of the latter we literally knew nothing. Then Anneke and +Mary Wallace, with their bright, blooming, sunny faces--bright and +happy whenever we appeared, most certainly, of late--were in the former +direction, and even Dirck cried out 'for Ravensnest.' But, on that route +the Onondago refused to stir one foot. He stood, resembling a finger-post, +pointing north-westerly with an immovable obstinacy, that threatened to +bring the order of our march into some confusion. + +“We know nothing of that route, Trackless,” Guert observed, or rather +replied, for the Indian's manner was so expressive as to amount to a +remark, “and we would rather travel a road with which we are a little +acquainted. Besides, we wish to pay our parting compliments to the ladies.” + +“Squaw no good, now--war-path no go to squaw. Huron--French warrior, here.” + +“Ay, and they are there, too. We shall be on their heels soon enough, by +going to Ravensnest.” + +“No soon 'nough--can't do him. Path long, time short. Pale-face warrior in +great hurry.” + +“Pale-face warriors' friends are in a hurry, too--so you will do well to +follow us, as we do not intend to follow you. Come, gentlemen, we will lead +the Indian, as the Indian does not seem disposed to lead us. After a mile +or two he will think it more honourable to go in advance; and, for that +distance, I believe, I can show you the way.” + +“That road good for young men who don't want see enemy!” said Susquesus, +with ironical point. + +“By St. Nicholas! Indian, what do you mean?” cried Guert, turning short on +his heels and moving swiftly towards the Onondago, who did not wait for +the menacing blow, but wheeled in his tracks and led off, at a quick pace, +directly towards the north-west. + +I do believe that Guert pursued, for the first minute, with no other +intention than that of laying his powerful arm on the offender's shoulder; +but I dropped in on his footsteps so soon, Dirck following me, and Jaap +Dirck, that we were all moving off Indian file, or in the fashion of the +woods, at the rate of four miles in the hour, almost before we knew it. An +impulse of that angry nature is not over in a minute, and, before either of +us had sufficiently cooled to be entirely reasonable, the whole party was +fairly out of sight of the hut. After that no one appeared to think of the +necessity or of the expediency of reverting to the original intention. It +was certainly indiscreet, thus to confide absolutely in the good faith of a +savage, or a semi-savage, at least, whom we scarcely knew, and whom we had +actually distrusted; but we did it, and precisely in the manner and +under the feelings I have described. I know that we all thought of the +indiscretion of which we had been guilty, after the first mile; but each +was too proud to make the other acquainted with his misgivings. I say all, +but Jaap ought to be excepted, for nothing in the shape of danger ever gave +that negro any concern, unless it was spooks. He _was_ afraid of 'spooks,' +but he did not fear man. + +Susquesus manifested the same confidence in his knowledge of the woods, +while now leading the way, league after league through the dark forest, +as he had done when he took us to the oak with the broken top. On this +occasion, he guided us more by the sun, and the course generally, than by +any acquaintance with objects that we passed; though, three times that day +did he point out to us particular things that he had before seen, while +traversing the woods in directions that crossed, at angles more or less +oblique, the line of our present route. As for us, it was like a sailor's +pointing to a path on the trackless ocean. We had our pocket-compasses, it +is true, and understood well enough that a north-west course would bring us +out somewhere near the foot of Lake George; but I much doubt if we could +have made, by any means, as direct a line, by their aid, as we did by that +of the Indian. + +On this subject we had a discussion among ourselves, I well remember, when +we halted to eat and rest, a little after the turn of the day. For five +hours had we walked with great rapidity, much as the bird flies, so far as +course was concerned, never turning aside, unless it might be to avoid some +impassable obstacle; and our calculation was that we had made quite twenty, +of the forty miles we had to go over, according to the Onondago's account +of the probable length of our journey. We had strung our sinews and +hardened our muscles in such a way as to place us above the influence of +common fatigue; yet, it must be confessed, the Indian was much the freshest +of the five, when we reached the spring where we dined. + +“An Indian does seem to have a nose much like that of a hound,” said Guert, +as our appetites began to be appeased; “_that_ must be admitted. Yet I +think, Corny, a compass would carry a man through the woods with more +certainty than any signs on the bark of trees, or looks at the sun.” + +“A compass cannot err, of course; but it would be a troublesome thing to be +stopping every minute or two, to look at your compass, which must have time +to become steady, you will remember, or it would become a guide that is +worse than none.” + +“Every minute or two! Say once in an hour, or once in half an hour, at +most. I would engage to travel as straight as the best Indian of them all, +by looking at my compass once in half an hour.” + +Susquesus was seated near enough to us three to over hear our conversation, +and he understood English perfectly, though he spoke it in the usual, +clipped manner of an Indian. I thought I could detect a covert gleam of +contempt in his dark countenance, at this boast of Guert's; but he made no +remark. We finished our meal, rested our legs; and, when our watches told +us it was one o'clock, we rose in a body to resume our march. We were +renewing the priming of our rifles, a precaution each man took twice every +day, to prevent the effects of the damps of the woods, when the Onondago +quietly fell in behind Guert, patiently waiting the leisure of the latter. + +“We are all ready, Trackless,” cried the Albanian “give us the lead and the +step, as before.” + +“No”--answered the Indian. “Compass lead, now Susquesus no see any +longer,--blind as young dog.” + +“Oh! that is your game, is it! Well, let it be so. Now, Corny, you shall +learn the virtue there is in a compass.” + +Hereupon Guert drew his compass from a pocket in his hunting-shirt, placed +it on a log, in order to get a perfectly accurate start, and waited until +the quivering needle had become perfectly stationary. Then he made his +observation, and took a large hemlock, which stood at the distance of some +twenty rods, a great distance for a sight in the forest, as his land-mark, +gave a shout, caught up his compass, and led off. We followed, of course, +and soon reached the tree. As Guert now fancied he was well entered on the +right course, he disdained to turn to renew his observation, but called out +for us to 'come on;' as he had a new tree for his guide, and that in the +true direction. We may have proceeded in this manner for half a mile, and I +began to think that Guert was about to triumph--for, to me, it did really +seem that our course was as straight as it had been at any time that day. +Guert now began to brag of his success, talking _to_ me, and _at_ the +Indian, who was between us over his shoulder. + +“You see, Corny,” he said, “I am used to the bush, after all, and have +often been up among the Mohawks, and on their hunts. The great point is to +begin right; after which you can have no great trouble. Make certain of the +first ten rods, and you can be at ease about the ten thousand that are to +follow. So it is with life, Corny, boy; begin right, and a young man is +pretty certain of coming out right. I made a mistake at the start, and you +see the trouble it has given me. But, I was left an orphan, Littlepage, at +ten years of age; and the boy that has neither father nor money, must be +an uncommon boy not to kick himself out of the traces before he is twenty. +Well, Onondago, what do you say to following the compass, now!” + +“Best look at him--he tell,” answered Susquesus, our whole line halting to +let Guert comply. + +“This d----d compass will never come round!” exclaimed Guert, shaking the +little instrument in order to help the needle round to the point at which +he wished to see it stand. “These little devils are very apt to get out of +order, Corny after all.” + +“Try more--got three”--said the Indian, holding up the number of fingers he +mentioned, as was his wont, when mentioning numbers of any sort. + +On this hint Dirck and I drew out our compasses, and the three were placed +on a log, at the side of which we had come to our halt. The result showed +that the three 'little devils' agreed most accurately, and that we were +marching exactly south-east, instead of north-west! Guert looked, on +that occasion, very much as he did when he rose from the snow, after the +hand-sled had upset with us. There was no resisting the truth; we had got +turned completely round, without knowing it. The fact that the sun was so +near the zenith, probably contributed to our mistake; but, any one who has +tried the experiment, will soon ascertain how easy it is for him to lose +his direction, beneath the obscurity and amid the inequalities of a virgin +forest. Guert gave it up, like a man as he was, and the Indian again passed +in front, without the slightest manifestation of triumph or discontent. It +required nothing less than a thunderbolt to disturb the composure of that +Onondago! + +From that moment our progress was as swift as it had been previously to +the halt; while our course was seemingly as unerring as the flight of the +pigeon. Susquesus did not steer exactly north-west, as before, however, but +he inclined more northerly. At length, it was just as the sun approached +the summits of the western mountains, an opening appeared in our front, +beneath the arches of the woods, and we knew that a lake was near us, and +that we were on the summit of high land, though at what precise elevation +could not yet be told. Our route had lain across hills, and through +valleys, and along small streams; though, as I afterwards ascertained, the +Hudson did not run far enough north to intercept our march; or rather, by +a sudden turn to the west, it left our course clear. Had we inclined +westwardly ourselves, we might have almost done that which Col. Follock had +once laughingly recommended to my mother, in order to avoid the dangers of +the Powles Hook Ferry, gone round the river. + +A clearing now showed itself a little on our right; and thither the Indian +held his way. This clearing was not the result of the labours of man, but +was the fruit of one of those forest accidents that sometimes let in the +light of the sun upon the mysteries of the woods. This clearing was on the +bald cap of a rocky mountain, where Indians had doubtless often encamped; +the vestiges of their fires proving that the winds had been assisted by the +sister element, in clearing away the few stunted trees that had once grown +in the fissures of the rocks. As it was, there might have been an open +space of some two or three acres, that was now as naked as if it had never +known any vegetation more ambitious than the bush of the whortleberry or +the honeysuckle. Delicious water was spouting from a higher ridge of the +rocks, that led away northerly, forming the summit of an extensive range +in that direction. At this spring Susquesus stooped to drink; then he +announced that our day's work was done. + +Until this announcement, I do not believe that one of us all had taken +the time to look about him, so earnest and rapid had been our march. Now, +however, each man threw aside his pack, laid down his rifle, and, thus +disencumbered, we turned to gaze on one of the most surprisingly beautiful +scenes eye of mine had ever beheld. + +From what I have read and heard, I am now fully aware, that the grandest of +our American scenery falls far behind that which is to be found among the +lakes and precipices of the Alps, and along the almost miraculous coast +of the Mediterranean; and I shall not pretend that the view I now beheld +approached many, in magnificence, that are to be met with in those magic +regions. Nevertheless, it was both grand and soft; and it had one element +of vastness, in the green mantle of its interminable woods, that is not +often to be met with in countries that have long submitted to the sway of +man. Such as it was, I shall endeavour to describe it. + +Beneath us, at the distance of near a thousand feet, lay a lake of the most +limpid and placid water, that was beautifully diversified in shape, by +means of bluffs, bays, and curvatures of the shores, and which had an +extent of near forty miles, We were on its eastern margin, and about +one-third of the distance from its southern to its northern end. Countless +islands lay almost under our feet, rendering the mixture of land and water, +at that particular point, as various and fanciful as the human imagination +could desire. To the north, the placid sheet extended a great distance, +bounded by rocky precipices, passing by a narrow gorge into a wider and +larger estuary beyond. To the south, the water lay expanded to its oval +termination, with here and there an island to relieve the surface. In that +direction only, were any of the results of human industry to be traced. +Everywhere else, the gorges, the receding valleys, the long ranges of +hills, and the bald caps of granite, presented nothing to the eye but the +unwearying charms of nature. Far as the eye could reach, mountain behind +mountain, the earth was covered with its green mantle of luxuriant leaves; +such as vegetation bestows on a virgin soil beneath a beneficent sun. The +rolling and variegated carpet of the earth resembled a firmament reversed, +with clouds composed of foliage. + +At the southern termination of the lake, however, there was an opening in +the forest of considerable extent; and one that had been so thoroughly made +as to leave few or no trees. From this point we were distant several miles, +and that distance necessarily rendered objects indistinct; though we had +little difficulty in perceiving the ruins of extensive fortifications. A +thousand white specks, we now ascertained to be tents, for the works were +all that remained of Fort William Henry, and there lay encamped the army +of Abercrombie; much the largest force that had then ever collected in +America, under the colours of England. History has since informed us that +this army contained the formidable number of sixteen thousand men. Hundreds +of boats, large batteaux, that were capable of carrying forty or fifty men, +were moving about in front of the encampment, and, remote as we were, it +was not impossible to discover the signs of preparation, and of an early +movement. The Indian had not deceived us thus far, at least, but had shown +himself an intelligent judge of what was going on, as well as a faithful +guide. + +We were to pass the night on the mountain. Our beds were none of the best, +as the reader may suppose, and our cover slight; yet I do not remember to +have opened my eyes from the moment they were closed, until I awoke in the +morning. The fatigue of a forced march did that for us which down cannot +obtain for the voluptuary, and we all slept as profoundly as children. +Consciousness returned to me, by means of a gentle shake of the shoulder, +which proceeded from Susquesus. On arising, I found the Indian still near +me, his countenance, for the first time since I had known him, expressing +something like an animated pleasure. He had awoke none of the others, and +he signed for me to follow him, without arousing either of my companions. +Why I had been thus particularly selected for the scene that succeeded, +I cannot say, unless the Onondago's native sagacity had taught him to +distinguish between the educations and feelings of us three young men. So +it was, however, and I left the rude shelter we had prepared for the night, +alone. + +A glorious sight awaited me! The sun had just tipped the mountain-tops with +gold, while the lake and the valleys, the hill-sides even, and the entire +world beneath, still reposed in shadow. It appeared to me like the +awakening of created things from the sleep of nature. For a moment or more, +I could only gaze on the wonderful picture presented by the strong contrast +between the golden hill-tops and their shadowed sides--the promises of day +and the vestiges of night. But the Onondago was too much engrossed with his +own feelings, to suffer me long to disregard what he conceived to be the +principal point of interest. Directed by his finger, and eye, for he spoke +not, I turned my look towards the distant shore of William Henry, and at +once perceived the cause of his unusual excitement. As soon as the Indian +was certain that I saw the objects that attracted himself so strongly, he +exclaimed with a strong, guttural, emphatic cadence-- + +“Good!” + +Abercrombie's army was actually in motion! Sixteen thousand men had +embarked in boats, and were moving towards the northern end of the lake, +with imposing force, and a most beautiful accuracy. The unruffled surface +of the lake was dotted with the flotilla, boats in hundreds stretching +across it in long, dark lines, moving on towards their point of destination +with the method and concert of an army with its wings displayed. The last +brigade of boats had just left the shore when I first saw this striking +spectacle, and the whole picture lay spread before me at a single glance. +America had never before witnessed such a sight; and it may be long before +she will again witness such another. For several minutes I stood entranced; +nor did I speak until the rays of the sun had penetrated the dusky light +that lay on the inferior world, as low as the bases of the western +mountains. + +“What are we to do, Susquesus?” I then asked, feeling how much right the +Indian now might justly claim to govern our movements. + +“Eat breakfast, first”--the Onondago quietly replied; “then go down +mountain.” + +“Neither of which will place us in the midst of that gallant army, as it is +our wish to be.” + +“See, bye'm by. Injin know--no hurry, now. Hurry come, when Frenchman +shoot.” + +I did not like this speech, nor the manner in which it was uttered; but +there were too many things to think of, just then, to be long occupied by +vague conjectures touching the Onondago's evasive allusions. Guert and +Dirck were called, and made to share in the pleasure that such a sight +could not fail to communicate. Then it was I got the first notion of what I +should call the truly martial character of Ten Eyck. His fine, manly figure +appeared to me to enlarge, his countenance actually became illuminated, and +the expression of his eye, usually so full of good-nature and fun, seemed +to change its character entirely, to one of sternness and seventy. + +“This is a noble sight, Mr. Littlepage,” Guert remarked, after gazing +at the measured but quick movement of the flotilla, for some time, in +silence--“a truly noble sight, and it is a reproach to us three for having +lost so much time in the woods, when we ought to have been _there_, ready +to aid in driving the French from the province.” + +“We are not too late, my good friend, as the first blow yet remains to be +struck.” + +“You say true, and I shall join that army, if I have to swim to reach the +boats. It will be no difficult thing for us to swim from one of these +islands to another, and the troops must pass through the midst of them, 'n +order to get into the lower lake. Any reasonable man would stop to pick us +up.” + +“No need,” said the Onondago, in his quiet way. “Eat breakfast; then go. +Got canoe--that 'nough.” + +“A canoe! By St. Nicholas! Mr. Susquesus, I'll tell you what it is--you +shall never want a friend as long as Guert Ten Eyek is living, and able to +assist you. That idea of the canoe is a most thoughtful one, and shows that +a reasoning man has had the care of us. We can now join the troops, with +the rifles in our hand, as becomes gentlemen and volunteers.” + +By this time Jaap was up, and looking at the scene, with all his eyes. It +is scarcely necessary to describe the effect on a negro. He laughed in +fits, shook his head like the Chinese figure of a mandarin, rolled over on +the rocks, arose, shook himself like a dog that quits the water, laughed +again, and finally shouted. As we were all accustomed to these displays of +negro sensibility, they only excited a smile among us, and not even that +from Dirck. As for the Indian, he took no more notice of these natural, but +undignified signs of pleasure, in Jaap, than if the latter had been a dog, +or any other unintellectual animal. Perhaps no weakness would be so likely +to excite his contempt, as to be a witness of so complete an absence of +self-command, as the untutored negro manifested on this occasion. + +As soon as our first curiosity and interest were a little abated, we +applied ourselves to the necessary duty of breaking our fasts. The meal was +soon despatched; and, to say the truth, it was not of a quality to detain +one long from anything of interest. The moment we had finished, the whole +party left the cap of the mountain, following our guide as usual. + +The Onondago had purposely brought us to that look-out, a spot known to +him, in order that we might get the view of its panorama. It was impossible +to descend to the lake-shore at that spot, however, and we were obliged to +make a detour of three or four miles, in order to reach a ravine, by means +of which, and not without difficulty either, that important object was +obtained. Here we found a bark canoe of a size sufficient to hold all five +of us, and we embarked without a moment's delay. + +The wind had sprung up from the south, as the day advanced, and the +flotilla of boats was coming on, at a greatly increased rate, as to speed. +By the time we had threaded our way through the islands, and reached the +main channel, if indeed any one passage could be so termed, among such a +variety, the leading boat of the army was within hail. The Indian paddled, +and, waving his hand in sign of amity, he soon brought us alongside of the +batteau. As we approached it, however, I observed the fine, large form +of the Viscount Howe, standing erect in its bows, dressed in his Light +Infantry Forest Uniform, as if eager to be literally the foremost man of +a movement, in the success of which, the honour of the British empire, +itself, was felt to be concerned. + +[Footnote 35: It has been found that a three lives' lease, in the State of +New York, is equal to a term of more than thirty years.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + “My sons? It may + Unman my heart, and the poor boys will weep; + And what can I reply, to comfort them, + Save with some hollow hopes, and ill-worn smiles?” + + _Sardanapalus_. + + +My Lord Howe did not at first recognise us, in our hunting-shirts. With +Guert Ten Eyck, however, he had formed such an acquaintance, while at +Albany, as caused him to remember his voice, and our welcome was both frank +and cordial. We inquired for the ----th, declaring our intention to join +that corps, from the commander of which all three of us had reiterated and +pressing invitations to join his mess. The intention of seeking our friend +immediately, nevertheless, was changed by a remark of our present host if +one may use such a term as applied to the commander of a brigade of boats. + +“Bulstrode's regiment is in the centre, and will be early in the field,” he +said; “but not as early as the advanced guard. If you desire good living, +gentlemen, I am far from wishing to dissuade you from seeking the +flesh-pots of the ----th; there being a certain Mr. Billings, in that +corps, who has an extraordinary faculty, they tell me, in getting up a good +dinner out of nothing; but, if you want service, we shall certainly be the +first brigade in action; and, to such fare as I can command, you will be +most acceptable guests. As for anything else, time must show.” + +After this, no more was said about looking for Bulstrode; though we let our +noble commander understand, that we should tax his hospitality no longer +than to see him fairly in the field, after driving away the party that it +was expected the enemy would send to oppose our landing. + +Susquesus no sooner learned our decision, than he took his departure, +quietly paddling away towards the eastern shore; no one attempting to +intercept a canoe that was seen to quit the batteau that was known to carry +the commander of the advanced brigade. + +The wind freshened, as the day advanced, and most of the boats having +something or other in the shape of a sail, our progress now became quite +rapid. By nine o'clock we were fairly in the Lower Lake, and there was +every prospect of our reaching our point of destination by mid-day. I +confess, the business we were on, the novelty of my situation, and the +certainty that we should meet in Montcalm an experienced as well as a most +gallant foe, conspired to render me thoughtful, though I trust not timid, +during the few hours we were in the batteau. Perfectly inactive, it is +not surprising that so young a soldier should feel sobered by the solemn +reflections that are apt to get possession of the mind, at the probable +approach of death--if not to myself, at least to many of those who were +around me. Nor was there anything boastful or inflated in the manner or +conversation of our distinguished leader, who had seen much warm service in +Germany, in the wars of his reputed grandfather and uncle, young as he +was. On the contrary, My Lord Howe, that day, was grave and thoughtful, as +became a man who held the lives of others in his keeping, though he was +neither depressed nor doubting. There were moments, indeed, when he spoke +cheerfully to those who were near him; though, as a whole, his deportment +was, as I have just said, grave and thoughtful. Once I caught his eye +fastened on me, with a saddened expression; and, I suppose that a question +he soon after put me, was connected with the subject of his thoughts. + +“How would our excellent and respectable friend, Madam Schuyler, feel, did +she know our precise position at this moment, Mr. Littlepage? I do believe +that excellent woman feels more concern for those in whom she takes an +interest, than they often feel for themselves.” + +“I think, my lord, that, in such a case, we should certainly receive the +benefit of her prayers.” + +“You are an only child, I think she told me, Littlepage?” + +“I am, my lord; and thankful am I that my mother cannot foresee this +scene.” + +“I, too, have those that love me, though they are accustomed to think of me +as a soldier, and liable to a soldier's risks. Happy is the military +man who can possess his mind, in the moment of trial, free from the +embarrassing, though pleasing, and otherwise so grateful ties of affection. +But, we are nearing the shore, and must attend to duty.” + +This is the last conversation I held with that brave soldier; and these +were the last words, of a private nature, I ever heard him utter. From that +moment, his whole soul seemed occupied with the discharge of his duty, the +success of our arms, and the defeat of the enemy. + +I am not soldier enough to describe what followed in a very military or +intelligible manner. As the brigade drew near the foot of the lake, where +there was a wide extent of low land, principally in forest, however, some +batteaux were brought to the front, on which were mounted a number of +pieces of heavy artillery. The French had a party of considerable force +to oppose our landing; but, as it appeared they had not made a sufficient +provision of guns, on their part, to contend with success; and our grape +scouring the woods, we met with but little real resistance. Nor did we +assail them precisely at the point where we were expected but proceeded +rather to the right of their position. At the signal, the advanced brigade +pushed for the shore, led by our gallant commander, and we were all soon on +_terra firma_, without sustaining any loss worth naming. We four, that is, +Guert, Dirck, myself and Jaap, kept as near as was proper to the noble +brigadier, who instantly ordered an advance, to press the retreating foe. +The skirmishing was not sharp, however, and we gained ground fast, the +enemy retiring in the direction of Ticonderoga, and we pressing on their +rear, quite as fast as prudence and our preparations would allow. I could +see that a cloud of Indians was in our front, and will own, that I felt +afraid of an ambush; for the artful warfare practised by those beings of +the wood, could not but be familiar, by tradition at least, to one born and +educated in the colonies. We had landed in a cove, not literally at the +foot of the lake, but rather on its western side; and room was no sooner +obtained, than Gen. Abercrombie got most of his force on shore, and formed +it, as speedily as possible, in columns. Of these columns we had four, the +two in the centre being composed entirely of King's troops, six regiments +in all, numbering more than as many thousand men; while five thousand +provincials were on the flanks, leaving quite four thousand of the latter +with the boats, of which this vast flotilla actually contained the large +number of one thousand and twenty five! All our boats, however, had not yet +reached the point of debarkation; those with the stores, artillery, &c., +&c., being still some distance in the rear. + +Our party was now placed with the right centre column, at the head of which +marched our noble acquaintance. The enemy had posted a single battalion in +a log encampment, near the ordinary landing; but finding the character of +the force with which he was about to be assailed, its commandant set fire +to his huts and retreated. The skirmishing was now even of less moment than +it had been on landing, and we all moved forward in high spirits, though +the want of guides, the density of the woods, and the difficulties of the +ground, soon produced a certain degree of confusion in our march. The +columns got entangled with each other, and no one seemed to possess the +means of promptly extricating them from this awkward embarrassment. Want of +guides was the great evil under which we laboured; but it was an evil that +it was now too late to remedy. + +Our column, notwithstanding, or its head rather, continued to advance, with +its gallant leader keeping even pace with its foremost platoon. We four +volunteers acted as look-outs, a little on its flank; and I trust there +will be no boasting, if I say, we kept rather in advance of the leading +files, than otherwise. In this state of things, French uniforms were seen +in front, and a pretty strong party of the enemy was encountered, +wandering, like ourselves, a little uncertain of the route they ought to +take, in order to reach their entrenchments in the shortest time. As a +matter of course, this party could not pass the head of our column, without +bringing on a collision, though it were one that was only momentary. Which +party gave the first fire, I cannot say, though I thought it was the +French. The discharge was not heavy, however, and was almost immediately +mutual. I know that all four of us let off our rifles, and that we halted, +under a cover, to reload. I had just driven the ball down, when my eye +caught the signs of some confusion in the head of the column, and I saw the +body of an officer borne to the rear. It was that of Lord Howe! He had +fallen at the first serious discharge made by the enemy in that campaign! +The fall of its leader, so immediately in its presence, seemed to rouse the +column into a sense of the necessity of doing something effective, and it +assaulted the party in its front with the rage of so many tigers, +dispersing the enemy like chaff; making a considerable number of prisoners, +besides killing and wounding not a few. + +I never saw a man more thoroughly aroused than was Guert Ten Eyck, in this +little affair. He had been much noticed by Lord Howe, during the residence +of that unfortunate nobleman at Albany; and the loss of the last appeared +to awaken all that there was of the ferocious in the nature of my usually +kind-hearted Albany friend. He acted as our immediate commander; and he led +us forward on the heels of the retreating French, until we actually came in +sight of their entrenchments. Then, indeed, we all saw it was necessary to +retreat in our turn; and Guert consented to fall back, though it was done +surlily, and like a lion at bay. A party of Indians pressed us hard, in +this retreat, and we ran an imminent risk of our scalps; all of which, I +have ever believed, would have been lost, were it not for the resolution +and Herculean strength of Jaap. It happened, as we were dodging from tree +to tree, that all four of our rifles were discharged at the same time; a +circumstance of which our assailants availed themselves to make a rush at +us. Luckily the weight of the onset fell on Jaap, who clubbed his rifle, +and literally knocked down in succession the three Indians that first +reached him. This intrepidity and success gave us time to reload; and +Dirck, ever a cool and capital shot, laid the fourth Huron on his face, +with a ball through his heart. Guert then held his fire, and called on Jaap +to retreat. Fie was obeyed; and under cover of our two rifles, the whole +party got off; the red-skins being too thoroughly rebuked to press us very +closely, after the specimen they had just received of the stuff of which we +were made. + +We owed our escape, however, as much to another circumstance, as to this +resolution of Jaap, and the expedient of Guert. Among the provincials was a +partisan of great repute, of the name of Rogers. This officer led a party +of riflemen on our left flank, and he drove in the enemy's skirmishers, +along his own front, with rapidity, causing them to suffer a considerable +loss. By this means, the Indians before us were held in check; as there was +the danger that Major Rogers's party might fall in upon their rear, should +they attempt to pursue us, and thus cut them off from their allies. It was +well it was so; inasmuch as we had to fall back more than a mile, ere we +reached the spot where Abercrombie brought his columns to a halt, and +encamped far the night. This position was distant about two miles from the +works before Ticonderoga; and consequently at no great distance from the +outlet of Lake George. Here the army was brought into good order, and took +up its station for some little time. + +It was necessary to await the arrival of the stores, ammunition and +artillery. As the bringing up these materials, through a country that was +little else than a virgin forest, was no easy task, it occupied us quite +two days. Melancholy days they were, too; the death of Lord Howe acting +on the whole army much as if it had been a defeat. He was the idol of the +King's troops, and he had rendered himself as popular with us Americans, as +with his own countrymen. A sort of ominous sadness prevailed among us each +common man appearing to feel his loss as he might have felt that of a +brother. + +We looked up the ----th, and joined Bulstrode, as soon as we reached the +ground chosen for the new encampment. Our reception was friendly, and even +kind; and it became warmer still, as soon as it was understood that we +composed the little party that had skirmished so freely on the flank of the +right centre column, and which was known to have gone farther in advance +than any one else, in that part of the field. Thus we joined our corps with +some _éclat_, at the very outset, everybody welcoming us cordially, and +with seeming sincerity. + +Nevertheless, the general sadness existed in the ----th, as well as in all +the other corps. Lord Howe was as much beloved in that regiment, as in +any other; and our meeting and subsequent intercourse could not be called +joyful. Bulstrode had an extensive and important command, for his rank and +years, and he certainly was proud of his position; but I could see that +even his elastic and usually gay temperament was much affected by what had +occurred. That night we walked together, apart from our companions, when he +spoke on the subject of our loss. + +“It may appear strange to you, Corny,” he said, “to find so much depression +in camp, after a debarkation that has certainly been successful, and a +little affair that has given us, as they assure me, a couple of hundred +prisoners. I tell you, however, my friend, it were better for this army to +have seen its best corps annihilated, than to have lost the man it has. +Howe was literally the soul of this entire force. He was a soldier by +nature, and made all around him soldiers. As for the Commander-In-Chief, he +does not understand you Americans, and will not use you as he ought; then +he does not understand the nature of the warfare of this continent, and +will be very likely to make a blunder. I'll tell you how it is, Corny; Howe +had as much influence with Abercrombie, as he had with every one else; and +an attempt will be made to introduce his mode of fighting; but such a man +as Lord Howe requires another Lord Howe to carry out his own conceptions. +That is the point on which, I fear, we shall fail.” + +All this sounded very sensible to me, though it sounded discouragingly; I +found, however, that Bulstrode did not entertain these feelings alone, but +that most around me were of the same way of thinking. In the mean time, the +preparations proceeded; and it was understood that the 8th was to be the +day that was to decide the fate of Ticonderoga; The fort proper, at this +celebrated station, stands on a peninsula, and can only be assailed on one +side. The outworks were very extensive on that side, and the garrison was +known to be formidable. As these outworks, however, consisted principally +of a log breastwork, and it could be approached through open woods, which +of itself afforded some cover, it was determined to carry it by storm, and, +if possible, enter the main work with the retreating enemy. Had we waited +for our artillery, and established batteries, our success would have been +certain; but the engineer reported favourably of the other project; and +perhaps it better suited the temper and impatience of the whole army, to +push on, rather than proceed by the slow movements of a regular siege. + +On the morning of the 8th, therefore, the troops were paraded for the +assault, our party falling in on the flank of the ----th, as volunteers. +The ground did not admit of the use of many horses, and Bulstrode marched +with us on foot; I can relate but little of the general movements of that +memorable day, the woods concealing so much of what was done, on both +sides. I know this, however; that the flower of our army were brought into +the line, and were foremost in the assault; including both regulars and +provincials. The 42d, a Highland corps, that had awakened much interest in +America, both by the appearance and character of its men, was placed at a +point where it was thought the heaviest service was to be performed. The +55th, another corps on which much reliance was placed, was also put at the +head of another column. A swamp extending for some distance along the only +exposed front of the peninsula, these two corps were designated to carry +the log breastwork, that commenced at the point where the swamp ceases; +much the most arduous portion of the expected service, since this was the +only accessible approach to the fortress itself. To render their position +more secure, the French had placed several pieces of artillery in battery, +along the line of this breastwork; while we had not yet a gun in front to +cover our advance. + +It was said, that Abercrombie did not take counsel of any of the American +officers with him, before he decided on the attack of the 8th of July. He +had directed his principal engineer to reconnoitre; and that gentleman +having reported that the defences offered no serious scientific obstacles, +the assault was decided on. This report was accurate, doubtless, agreeably +to the principles and facts of European warfare; but it was not suited to +those of the conflicts of this continent. It was to be regretted, however, +that the experience of 1755, and the fate of Braddock, had not inculcated +a more extensive lesson of discretion among the royal commanders, than was +manifested by the incidents of this day. + +The ----th was placed in column directly in the rear of the Highlanders, +who were led, on this occasion, by Col. Gordon Graham; a veteran officer of +great experience, and of an undaunted courage. [36] Of course, I saw this +officer and this regiment, being as they were directly in my front, but I +saw little else; more especially after the smoke of the first discharge was +added to the other obstacles to vision. + +A considerable time was consumed in making the preparations; but, when +everything was supposed to be ready, the columns were set in motion. It was +generally understood that the troops were to receive the enemy's fire, then +rush forward to the breastwork, cross the latter at the bayonet's point, if +it should be necessary, and deliver their own fire at close quarters; or on +their retreating foes. Permission was given to us volunteers, and to divers +light parties of irregulars, to open on any of the French of whom we might +get glimpses, as little was expected from us in the charge. + +Nearly an hour was consumed in approaching the point of attack, owing to +the difficulties of the ground, and the necessity of making frequent halts, +in order to dress. At length the important moment arrived when the head of +the column was ready to unmask itself, and consequently to come under +fire. A short halt sufficed for the arrangements here, when the bagpipes +commenced their exciting music, and we broke out of cover, shouting and +cheering each other on. We must have been within two hundred yards of the +breastwork at the time, and the first gun discharged was Jaap's, who, by +working his way into the cover of the swamp, had got some distance ahead of +us, and who actually shot down a French officer who had got upon the logs +of his defences, in order to reconnoitre. That assault, however, was +fearfully avenged! The Highlanders were moving on like a whirlwind, grave, +silent and steady, cheered only by their music, when a sheet of flame +glanced along the enemy's line, and the iron and leaden messengers of death +came whistling in among us like a hurricane. The Scotsmen were staggered by +that shock; but they recovered instantly and pressed forward. The ----th +did not escape harmless, by any means; while the din told us that +the conflict extended along the whole of the breastwork, towards the +lake-shore. How many were shot down in our column, by that first discharge, +I never knew; but the slaughter was dreadful, and among those who fell was +the veteran Graham, himself. I can safely say, however, that the plan +of attack was completely deranged from this first onset; the columns +displaying and commencing their fire as soon as possible. No men could have +behaved better than all that I could see; the whole of us pushing on for +the breastwork, until we encountered fallen trees; which were made to serve +the purpose of chevaux-de-frise. These trees had been felled along the +front of the breastwork, while their branches were cut, and pointed like +stakes. It was impossible to pass in any order, and the troops halted +when they reached them, and continued to fire by platoons, with as much +regularity as on parade. A few minutes of this work, however, compelled +different corps to fall back, and the vain conflict was continued for four +hours, on our part almost entirely by a smart but ineffective fire of +musketry; while the French sent their grape into our ranks almost with as +much impunity as if they had been on parade. It had been far better for our +men had they been less disciplined, and less under the control of their +officers; for the sole effect of steadiness, under such circumstances, is +to leave the gallant and devoted troops, who refuse to fall back, while +they are unable to advance, only so much the longer in jeopardy. + +Guert had shouted with the rest; and I soon found that by following him for +a leader, we should quickly be in the midst of the fray. He actually led us +up to the fallen trees, and, finding something like a cover there, we three +established ourselves among them as riflemen, doing fully out share of +service. When the troops fell back, however, we were left in a manner +alone, and it was rather dangerous work to retire; and finding ourselves +out of the line of fire from our own men, no immaterial point in such a +fray, we maintained our post to the last. Admonished, after a long time, +of the necessity of retreating, by the manner in which the fire of our own +line lessened, we got off with sound skins, though Guert retired the whole +distance with his face to the enemy, firing as he withdrew. We all did the +last, indeed, using the trees for covers. Towards the close we attracted +especial attention; and there were two or three minutes during which the +flight of bullets around us might truly, without much exaggeration, be +likened to a storm of hail! + +Jaap was not with us in this sally, and I went into the swamp to look for +him. The search was not long, for I found my fellow retreating also, and +bringing in with him a stout Canadian Indian as a prisoner. He was making +his captive carry three discharged rifles, and blankets; one of which had +been his own property once, and the others that of two of his tribe, whom +the negro had left lying in the swamp as bloody trophies of his exploits. I +cannot explain the philosophy of the thing, but that negro ever appeared to +me to fight as if he enjoyed the occupation as an amusement. + +These facts were scarcely ascertained, when we learned the important +intelligence that a general retreat was ordered. Our proud and powerful +army was beaten, and that, too, by a force two-thirds less than its own! It +is not easy to describe the miserable scene that followed. The transporting +of the wounded to the rear had been going on the whole time, and, as +usually happens, when it is permitted, it had contributed largely to thin +the ranks. These unfortunate men were put into the batteaux in hundreds, +while most of the dead were left where they lay. So completely were our +hopes frustrated, and our spirits lowered, that most of the boats pulled +off that night, and all the remainder quitted the foot of the lake early +next day. + +Thus terminated the dire expedition of 1758 against Ticonderoga, and with +it our expectations of seeing Montreal, or Quebec, that season. I dare say, +we had fully ten thousand bayonets in the field that bloody day, and quite +five thousand men closely engaged. The mistake was in attempting to carry a +post that was so nearly impregnable, by assault; and this, too, without the +cover of artillery. The enemy was said to have four or five thousand men +present, and this may be true, as applied to all within the defences; +though I question if more than half that number pulled triggers on us, in +the miserable affair. There is always much of exaggeration in both the +boasting and the apologies of war. + +Our own loss, on this sad occasion, was reported at 548 slain, and 1356 +wounded. This was probably within the truth; though the missing were said +to be surprisingly few, some thirty or forty, in all; the men having no +place to repair to but the boats. Of the Highlanders, it was said that +nearly half the common men, and twenty-five, or nearly _all_ the officers, +were either killed or wounded! One account, indeed, said that _every_ +officer of that corps, who was on the ground, suffered. The 55th, also, was +dreadfully cut up. Ten of its officers were slain outright, and many were +wounded. As for the ----th, it fared a little better, not heading a column; +but its loss was fearful. Bulstrode was seriously wounded, early in the +attack, though his hurt was never supposed to be dangerous. Billings was +left dead on the field, and Harris got a scratch that served him to talk of +in after life. + +The confusion was tremendous after such a conflict and such a defeat. The +troops re-embarked without much regard to corps or regularity of movement; +and the boats moved away as fast as they received their melancholy cargoes. +An immense amount of property was lost; though I believe all the customary +military trophies were preserved. As the provincials had been the least +engaged, and had suffered much the least, in proportion to numbers, a large +body of them was kept as a rear-guard, while the regular corps removed +their wounded and _matériel_. + +As for us three or four, including Jaap, who stuck by his prisoner, we +scarcely knew what to do with ourselves. Everybody who felt any interest in +us, was either killed or wounded. Bulstrode we could not see; nor could we +even find the regiment. Should we succeed in the attempt at the last, very +few now remained in it who would have taken much, or indeed any concern +in us. Under the circumstances, therefore, we held a consultation on the +lake-shore, uncertain whether to ask admission into one of the departing +boats, or to remain until morning, that our retreat might have a more manly +aspect. + +“I'll tell you what it is, Corny,” said Guert Ten Eyck, in a somewhat +positive manner, “the less _we_ say about this campaign, and of our share +in it, the petter. We are not soldiers, in the regular way, and if we keep +quiet, nobody will know what a t'rashing we t'ree, in particular, haf +receivet. My advice is, t'at we get out of this army as we got into +it--t'at is, py a one-sided movement, and for ever after-holt our tongues +about our having had anyt'ing to do with it. I never knew a worsted man any +the more respected for his mishap; and I will own, that I set down flogging +as a very material part of a fight.” + +“I am quite sure, Guert, I am as little disposed to brag of my share in +this affair, as you or any one can possibly be; but it is much easier to +talk about getting away from this confused crowd than really to do the +thing. I doubt if any of these boats will take us in; for an Englishman, +flogged, is not apt to be very good-natured; and all our friends seem to be +killed or wounded.” + +“You want go?” asked a low Indian voice at my elbow. “Got 'nough, eh?” + +Turning, I saw Susquesus standing within two feet of me. Our consultation +was necessarily in the midst of a moving throng; and the Onondago must have +approached us, unnoticed, at the commencement of our conference. There +he was, however, though whence he came or how he got there, I could not +imagine, at the time, and have never been able to learn since. + +“Can you help us to get away, Susquesus?” was my answer. “Do you know of +any means of crossing the lake?” + +“Got canoe. That good. Canoe go, though Yengeese run.” + +“That in which we came off to the army, do you mean?” + +The Indian nodded his head, and made a sign for us to follow. Little +persuasion was necessary, and we proceeded at his heels, in a body, in the +direction he led. I will confess, that when I saw our guide proceeding +eastward, along the lake-shore, I had some misgivings on the subject of his +good faith. That was the direction which took us towards, instead of _from_ +the enemy; and there was something so mysterious in the conduct of this +man, that it gave me uneasiness. Here he was, in the midst of the English +army in the height of its confusion, though he had declined joining it +previously to the battle. Nothing was easier than to enter the throng, in +its present confused state, and move about undetected for hours, if one had +the nerve necessary for the service; and, in that property, I felt certain +the Onondago was not deficient. There was a coolness in the manner of +the man, a quiet observation, both blended with the seeming apathy of a +red-skin, that gave every assurance of his fitness for the duty. + +Nevertheless, there was no remedy but to follow, or to break with our guide +on the spot. We did not like to do the last, although we conferred together +on the subject, but followed, keeping our hands on the locks of our rifles, +in readiness for a brush, should we be led into danger. Susquesus had no +such treacherous intentions, however, while he had disposed of his canoe +in a place that denoted his judgment. We had to walk quite a mile ere we +reached the little bush-fringed creek in which he had concealed it. I have +always thought we ran a grave risk, in advancing so far in that direction, +since the enemy's Indians would certainly be hanging around the skirts of +our army, in quest of scalps; but I afterwards learned the secret of the +Onondago's confidence, who first spoke on the subject after we had left the +shore, and then only in an answer to a remark of Guert's. + +“No danger,” he said; “red-man gettin' Yengeese scalps, on the war-path. +Too much kill, now, to want more.” + +As both governments pursued the culpable policy of paying for human scalps, +this suggestion probably contained the whole truth. + +Previously to quitting the creek, however, there was a difficulty to +dispose of. Jaap had brought his Huron prisoner with him; and the Onondago +declared that the canoe could not carry six. This we knew from experience, +indeed, though five went in it very comfortably. + +“No room,” said Susquesus, “for red-man. Five good--six bad.” + +“What shall we do with the fellow, Corny?” asked Guert, with a little +interest. “Jaap says he is a proper devil, by daylight, and that he had a +world of trouble in taking him, and in bringing him in. For five minutes, +it was heads or tails which was to give in; and the nigger only got the +best of it, by his own account of the battle, because the red-skin had the +unaccountable folly to try to beat in Jaap's brains. He might as well have +battered the Rock of Gibraltar, you know, as to attempt to break a nigger's +skull, and so your fellow got the best of it. What shall we do with the +rascal?” + +“Take scalp,” said the Onondago, sententiously; “got good scalp--war-lock +ready--paint, war-paint--capital scalp.” + +“Ay, that may do better for you, Master Succetush”--so Guert always called +our guide, “than it will do for us Christians. I am afraid we shall have to +let the ravenous devil go, after disarming him.” + +“Disarmed he is already; but he cannot be long without a musket, on this +battle-ground. I am of your opinion, Guert; so, Jaap, release your prisoner +at once, that we may return to Ravensnest, as fast as possible.” + +“Dat berry hard, Masser Corny, sah!” exclaimed Jaap, who did not half like +the orders he received. + +“No words about it, sir, but cut his fastenings”--Jaap had tied the +Indian's arms behind him, with a rope, as an easy mode of leading him +along. “Do you know the man's name?” + +“Yes, sah--he say he name be Muss”--probably Jaap's defective manner of +repeating some Indian sound; “and a proper muss he get in, Masser Corny, +when he try to cotch Jaap by he wool!” + +Here I was obliged to clap my hand suddenly on the black's mouth, for the +fellow was so delighted with the recollection of the manner in which he +had got the better of his red adversary, that he broke out into one of the +uncontrollable fits of noisy laughter, that are so common to his race. I +repeated the order, somewhat sternly, for Jaap to cut the cords, and then +to follow us to the canoe, in which the Onondago and my two friends had +already taken their places. My own foot was raised to enter the canoe, when +I heard heavy stripes inflicted on the back of some one. Rushing back to +the spot where I had left Jaap and his captive, Muss, I found the former +inflicting a severe punishment, on the naked back of the other, with the +end of the cord that still bound his arms. Muss, as Jaap called him, +neither flinched nor cried. The pine stands not more erect or unyielding, +in a summer's noontide, than he bore up under the pain. Indignantly I +thrust the negro away, cut the fellow's bonds with my own hands, and drove +my slave before me to the canoe. + +[Footnote 36: Holmes's Annals say, that Lord John Murray commanded the 42d, +on this occasion. I presume, as Mr. Littlepage was there, and was posted +so near the corps in question, he cannot well be mistaken. Mrs. Grant, of +Laggan, who was at Albany at the time, and whose father was in the +battle, agrees with Mr. Littlepage, in saying that Gordon Graham led the +42d.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + “Pale set the sun--the shades of evening fell, + The mournful night-wind sung their funeral knell; + And the same day beheld their warriors dead, + Their sovereign captive and their glory fled!” + + MRS. HEMANS. + + +I shall never forget the journey of that fearful night. Susquesus paddled +the canoe, unaided by us, who were too much fatigued with the toil of the +day, to labour much, as soon as we found ourselves in a place of safety. +Even Jaap lay down and slept for several hours, the sleep of the weary. I +do not think any of us, however, actually slept for the first hour or two, +the scenes through which we had just passed, and that, indeed, through +which we were then passing, acting as preventives to such an indulgence. + +It must have been about nine in the evening, when our canoe quitted the +ill-fated shore at the south end of Lake George, moving steadily and +silently along the eastern margin of the sheet. By that time, fully five +hundred boats had departed for the head of the lake, the retreat having +commenced long before sunset. No order was observed in this melancholy +procession, each batteau moving off as her load was completed. All the +wounded were on the placid bosom of the 'Holy Lake,' as some writers have +termed this sheet of limpid water, by the time we ourselves got in motion; +and the sounds of parting boats told us that the unhurt were following as +fast as circumstances would allow. + +What a night it was! There was no moon, and a veil of dark vapour was drawn +across the vault of the heavens, concealing most of the mild summer stars, +that ought to have been seen twinkling in their Creator's praise. Down, +between the boundaries of hills, there was not a breath of air, though we +occasionally heard the sighings of light currents among the tree-tops, +above us. The eastern shore having fewer sinuosities than the western, most +of the boats followed its dark, frowning mass, as the nearest route, and we +soon found ourselves near the line of the retiring batteaux. I call it the +line, for though there was no order observed each party making the best of +its way to the common point of destination, there were so many boats in +motion at the same time, that, far as the eye could penetrate by that +gloomy light, an unbroken succession of them was visible. Our motion was +faster than that of these heavily-laden and feebly-rowed batteaux, the +soldiers being too much fatigued to toil at the oars, after the day they +had just gone through. We consequently passed nearly everything, and soon +got on a parallel course with that of the boats, moving along at a few rods +in-shore of them. Dirck remarked, however, that two or three small craft +even passed us. They went so near the mountain, quite within its shadows, +in fact, as to render it difficult to say what they were; though it was +supposed they might be whale-boats, of which there were more than a hundred +in the flotilla, carrying officers of rank. + +No one spoke. It appeared to me that not a human voice was raised among +those humiliated and defeated thousands. The plash of oars, so long as we +were at a distance from the line, alone broke the silence of night; but +that was incessant. As our canoe drew ahead, however, an hour or two after +we had left the shore, and we overtook the boats that had first started, +the moaning and groans of the wounded became blended with the monotonous +sounds of the oars. In two respects, these unfortunate men had reason to +felicitate themselves, notwithstanding their sufferings. No army could have +transported its wounded with less pain to the hurt; and the feverish thirst +that loss of blood always induces, might be assuaged by the limpid element +on which we all floated. + +After paddling for hours, Susquesus was relieved by Jaap, Dirck, Guert and +myself occasionally lending our aid. Each had a paddle, and each used it as +he saw fit, while the Onondago slept. Occasionally I caught a nap, myself, +as did my companions; and we all felt refreshed by the rest and sleep. At +length we reached the narrow pass, that separated the Upper from the Lower +Lake, and we entered the former. This is near the place where the islands +are so numerous, and we were unavoidably made to pass quite close to some +of the batteaux. I say to some, for the line became broken at this point, +each boat going through the openings it found the most convenient. + +“Come nearer with that bark canoe,” called out an officer, from a batteau; +“I wish to learn who is in it.” + +“We are volunteers, that joined the ----th, the day the army moved up, +and were guests of Major Bulstrode. Pray sir, can you tell us where that +officer can be found?” + +“Poor Bulstrode! He got a very awkward hit, early in the day, and was taken +past me to the rear. He will be able neither to walk nor to ride, for some +months, if they save his leg. I heard the Commander-In-Chief order him to +be sent across the lake, in the first boat with wounded; and some one told +me, Bulstrode, himself, expressed an intention to be carried some distance, +to a friend's house, to escape from the abominations of an army hospital. +The fellow has horses enough to transport him, on a horse-litter, to Cape +Horn, if he wishes it. I'll warrant you, Bulstrode works his way into good +quarters, if they are to be had in America. I suppose this arm of mine will +have to come off, as soon as we reach Fort William Henry; and, that job +done, I confess I should like amazingly to keep him company. Proceed, +gentlemen; I hope I have not detained you; but, observing a bark canoe, I +thought it my duty to ascertain we were not followed by spies.” + +This, then, was another victim of war! He spoke of the loss of his arm, +notwithstanding, with as much coolness as if it were the loss of a tooth; +yet; I question not, that in secret, he mourned over the calamity in +bitterness of heart. Men never wear the mask more completely than when +excited and stimulated by the rivalry of arms. Bulstrode, too, at +Ravensnest! He could be carried nowhere else, so easily; and, should his +wound be of a nature that did not require constant medical treatment, where +could he be so happily bestowed as under the roof of Herman Mordaunt? Shall +I confess that the idea gave me great pain, and that I was fool enough +to wish I, too, could return to Anneke, and appeal to her sympathies, by +dragging with me a wounded limb! + +Our canoe now passed quite near another batteau, the officer in command of +which was standing erect, seemingly watching our movements. He appeared to +be unhurt, but was probably intrusted with some special duty. As we paddled +by, the following curious conversation occurred. + +“You move rapidly to the rear, my friends,” observed the stranger; “pray +moderate your zeal; others are in advance of you with the evil tidings!” + +“You must think ill of our patriotism and loyalty, sir, to imagine we are +hastening on with the intelligence of a check to the British arms,” I +answered as drily, and almost as equivocally, in manner, as the other had +spoken. + +“The check!--I beg a thousand pardons--I see you _are_ patriots, and of the +purest water! Check is just the word; though check-_mate_ would be more +descriptive and significant! A charming time we've had of it, gentlemen! +What say you?--it is your move, now.” + +“There has been much firmness and gallantry manifested by the troops,” I +answered, “as we, who have been merely volunteers, will always be ready to +testify.” + +“I beg your pardons, again and again,” returned the officer, raising his +hat and bowing profoundly--“I did not know I had the honour to address +volunteers. You are entitled to superlative respect, gentlemen, having come +voluntarily into such a field. For my part, I find the honour oppressive, +having no such supererogatory virtue to boast of. Volunteers! On my word, +gentlemen, you will have many wonders to relate, when you get back into the +family circle.” + +“We shall have to speak of the gallantry of the Highlanders, for we saw all +they did and all they suffered.” + +“Ah! Were you, then, near that brave corps!” exclaimed the other, with +something like honest, natural feeling, for the first time exhibited in +his voice and meaning; “I honour men who were only _spectators_ of so much +courage, especially if they took a tolerably _near_ view of it. May I +venture to ask your names, gentlemen.” + +I answered, giving him our names, and mentioning the fact that we had been +the guest of Bulstrode, and how much we were disappointed in having missed +not only our friend, but his corps. + +“Gentlemen, I honour courage, let it come whence it may,” said the +stranger, with strong feeling, and no acting, “and most admire it when I +see it exhibited by natives of these colonies, in a quarrel of their own. I +have heard of you as being with poor Howe, when he fell, and hope to know +more of you. As for Mr. Bulstrode, he has passed southward, now some hours, +and intends to make his cure among some connections that he has in this +province. Do not let this be the last of our intercourse, I beg of you; but +look up Capt. Charles Lee, of the ----th, who will be glad to take each and +all of you by the hand, when we once more get into camp.” + +We expressed our thanks, but Susquesus causing the canoe to make a sudden +inclination towards the shore, the conversation was suddenly interrupted. + +By this time the Indian was awake, and exercising his authority in the +canoe, again. Gliding among the islands, he shortly landed us at the +precise point where we had embarked only five days before. Securing his +little bark, the Onondago led the way up the ravine, and brought us out on +the naked cap of the mountain, where we had before slept, after an hour of +extreme effort. + +If the night had been so memorable, the picture presented at the dawn of +day, was not less so! We reached that lofty look-out about the same time in +the morning as the Indian had awakened me on the previous occasion, and had +the same natural outlines to the view. In one sense, also, the artificial +accessaries were the same, though exhibited under a very different aspect. +I presume the truth will not be much, if any exceeded, when I say that a +thousand boats were in sight, on this, as on the former occasion! A few, a +dozen or so, at most, appeared to have reached the head of the lake; but +all the rest of that vast flotilla was scattered along the placid surface +of the lovely sheet, forming a long, straggling line of dark spots, that +extended to the beach under Fort William Henry, in one direction, and far +as eye could reach in the other. How different did that melancholy, broken +procession of boats appear, from the gallant array, the martial bands, the +cheerful troops, and the multitude of ardent young men who had pressed +forward, in brigades, less than a week before, filled with hope, and +exulting in their strength! As I gazed on the picture I could not but fancy +to myself the vast amount of physical pain, the keen mental suffering, +and the deep mortification that might have been found, amid that horde of +returning adventurers. We had just come up from the level of this scene of +human agony, and our imaginations could portray details that were beyond +the reach of the senses, at the elevation on which we stood. + +A week before, and the name of Abercrombie filled every mouth in America; +expectation had almost placed his renown on that giddy height, where +performance itself is so often insecure. In the brief interval, he was +destroyed. Those who had been ready to bless him, would now heap curses on +his devoted head, and none would be so bold as to urge aught in his favour. +Men in masses, when goaded by disappointment, are never just. It is, +indeed, a hard lesson for the individual to acquire; but, released from +his close, personal responsibility, the single man follows the crowd, and +soothes his own mortification and wounded pride by joining in the cry that +is to immolate a victim. Yet Abercrombie was not the foolhardy and besotted +bully that Braddock had proved himself to be. His misfortune was to be +ignorant of the warfare of the region in which he was required to serve, +and possibly to over-estimate the imaginary invincible character of the +veterans he led. In a very short time he was recalled, and America heard no +more of him. As some relief to the disgrace that had anew alighted on the +British arms, Bradstreet, a soldier who knew the country, and who placed +much reliance on the young man of her name and family whom I had met at +Madam Schuyler's, marched against Frontenac, in Canada, at the head of a +strong body of provincials; an enterprise that, as it was conducted with +skill, resulted in a triumph. + +But with all this my narrative has no proper connection. No sooner did we +reach the bald mountain-top, than the Onondago directed Jaap to light a +fire, while he produced, from a deposit left on the advance, certain of the +materials that were necessary to a meal. As neither of us had tasted food +since the morning of the previous day, this repast was welcome, and we +all partook of it like so many famished men. The negro got his share, of +course, and then we called a council as to future proceedings. + +“The question is, whether we ought to make a straight path to Ravensnest,” + observed Guert, “or proceed first to the surveyor's, and see how things are +going on in that direction.” + +“As there can be no great danger of a pursuit on the part of the French, +since all their boats are in the other lake,” I remarked, “the state of the +country is very much what it was before the army moved.” + +“Ask that question of the Indian,” put in Dirck, a little significantly. + +We looked at Susquesus inquiringly, for a look always sufficed to let him +comprehend us, when a tolerably plain allusion had been previously made. + +“Black-man do foolish t'ing,” observed the Onondago. + +“What I do, you red-skin devil?” demanded Jaap, who felt a sort of natural +antipathy to all Indians, good or bad, excellent or indifferent; a feeling +that the Indians repaid to his race by contempt indifferently concealed. +“What I do, red-devil, ha?--dat you dares tell Masser Corny _dat_!” + +Susquesus manifested no resentment at this strong and somewhat rude appeal; +but sat as motionless as if he had not heard it. This vexed Jaap so much +the more; and, my fellow being exceedingly pugnacious on all occasions that +touched his pride, there might have been immediate war between the two, had +I not raised a finger, at once effectually stilling the outbreak of Jacob +Satanstoe's wrath. + +“You should not bring such a charge against my slave, Onondago,” I said, +“unless able to prove it.” + +“He beat red warrior like dog.” + +“What of dat!” growled Jaap, who was only half-quieted by my sign. “Who +ebber hear it hurt red-skin to rope-end him?” + +“Warrior back like squaw's. Blow hurt him. He never forget.” + +“Well, let him remember den,” grinned the negro, showing his ivory teeth +from ear to ear. “Muss was _my_ prisoner; and what _good_ he do me, if he +let go widout punishment. I wish you tell Masser Corny _dat_, instead of +tellin' him nonsense. When he flog me, who ebber hear me grumble?” + +“You have not had half enough of it, Jaap, or your manners would be +better,” I thought it necessary to put in, for the fellow had never before +manifested so quarrelsome a disposition in my presence; most probably +because I had never before seen him at variance with an Indian. “Let me +hear no more of this, or I shall be obliged to pay off the arrears on the +spot.” + +“A little hiding does a nigger good, sometimes,” observed Guert, +significantly. + +I observed that Dirck, who loved my very slave principally because he +was mine, looked at the offender reprovingly; and by these combined +demonstrations, we succeeded in curbing the fellow's tongue. + +“Well, Susquesus,” I added, “we all listen, to hear what you mean. + +“Musquerusque chief--Huron chief--got very tender back; never forget rope.” + +“You mean us to understand that my black's prisoner will be apt to make +some attempt to revenge himself for the flogging he got from his captor?” + +“Just so. Indian good memory--no forget friend--no forget enemy.” + +“But your Huron will be puzzled to find us, Onondago. He will suppose us +with the army; and, should he even venture to look for us there, you see he +will be disappointed.” + +“Never know. Wood full of paths--Injin full of cunning. Why talk of +Ravensnest?” + +“Was the name of Ravensnest mentioned in the presence of that Huron?” I +asked, more uneasy than such a trifle would probably have justified me in +confessing. + +“Ay, something was said about it, but not in a way the fellow could +understand,” answered Guert, carelessly. “Let him come on, if he has not +had enough of us yet.” + +This was not my manner of viewing the matter, however; for the mentioning +of Ravensnest brought Anneke to my mind, surrounded by the horrors of an +Indian's revenge. + +“I will send you back to the Huron, Susquesus,” I added, “if you can name +to me the price that will purchase his forgiveness.” + +The Onondago looked at me meaningly a moment; then, bending forward, he +passed the fore-finger of his hand around the head of Jaap, along the line +that is commonly made by the knife of the warrior, as he cuts away the +trophy of success from his victim. Jaap comprehended the meaning of this +very significant gesture, as well as any of us, and the manner in which +he clutched the wool, as if to keep the scalp in its place, set us all +laughing. The negro did not partake of our mirth; but I saw that he +regarded the Indian, much as the bull-dog shows his teeth, before he makes +his spring. Another motion of my finger, however, quelled the rising. It +was necessary to put an end to this, and Jaap was ordered to prepare our +packs, in readiness for the expected march. Relieved from his presence, +Susquesus was asked to be more explicit. + +“You know Injin,” the Onondago answered. “Now he t'ink red-coats driv' away +and skeared, he go look for scalp. Love all sort scalp--old scalp, young +scalp--man scalp, woman scalp--boy scalp, gal scalp--all get pay, all get +honour. No difference to him.” + +“Ay!” exclaimed Guert, with a strong aspiration, such as escapes a man who +feels strongly; “he is a devil incarnate, when he once gets fairly on the +scent of blood! So you expect these French Injins will make an excursion in +among the settlers, out here to the south-east of us?” + +“Go to nearest--don't care where he be. Nearest your friend; won't like +that, s'pose?” + +“You are right enough, Onondago, in saying that. I shall not like it, nor +will my companions, here, like it; and the first thing you will have to do, +will be to guide us, straight as the bird flies, to the Ravensnest; the +picketed house, you know, where we have left our sweethearts.” + +Susquesus understood all that was said, without any difficulty; in proof of +which, he smiled at this allusion to the precious character of the inmates +of the house Guert told him to seek. + +“Squaw pretty 'nough,” he answered, complacently. “No wonder young man like +him. But, can't go there, now. First find friends measure land. All Injin +land, once!” + +This last remark was made in a way I did not like; for the idea seemed to +cross the Onondago's brain so suddenly, as to draw from him this brief +assertion in pure bitterness of spirit. + +“I should be very sorry if it had not been, Susquesus,” I observed, myself, +“since the title is all the better for its having been so, as our Indian +deed will show. You know, of course, that my father, and his friend, Col. +Follock, bought this land of the Mohawks, and paid them their own price for +it.” + +“Red-man nebber measure land so. He p'int with finger, break bush down, and +say, 'there, take from that water to that water.'” + +“All very true, my friend; but, as that sort of measurement will not answer +to keep farms separate, we are obliged to survey the whole off into lots of +smaller size. The Mohawks first gave my father and his friend, as much land +as they could walk round in two suns, allowing them the night to rest in.” + +“_That_ good deed!” exclaimed the Indian, with strong emphasis. “Leg can't +cheat--pen great rogue.” + +“Well, we have the benefit of both grants; for the proprietors actually +walked round the estate, a party of Indians accompanying them, to see that +all was fair. After that, the chiefs signed a deed in writing, that there +might be no mistake, and then we got the King's grant.” + +“Who give King land, at all?--All land here red-man land; who give him to +king?” + +“Who made the Delawares women?--The warriors of he Six nations, was it not, +Susquesus?” + +“Yes--my people help. Six Nation great warrior, and put petticoat on +Delawares, so they can't go on war-path any more. What that to do with +King's land?” + +“Why, the King's warriors, you know, my friend, have taken possession of +this country, just as the Six Nations took possession of the Delawares, +before they made them women.” + +“What become of King's warrior, now?” demanded the Indian, quick as +lightning. “Where he run away to? Where land Ticonderoga, now? Whose land +t'other end lake, now?” + +“Why, the King's troops have certainly met with a disaster; and, for the +present, their rights are weakened, it must be admitted. But, another day +may see all this changed, and the King will got his land again. You will +remember, he has not sold Ticonderoga to the French, as the Mohawks sold +Mooseridge to us; and that, you must admit, makes a great difference. A +bargain is a bargain, Onondago.” + +“Yes, bargain, bargain--that good. Good for red-man, good for pale-face--no +difference--what Mohawk sell, he no take back, but let pale-face keep--but +how come Mohawk and King sell, too? Bot' own land, eh?” + +This was rather a puzzling question to answer to an Indian. We white people +can very well understand that a human government, which professes, on the +principles recognised by civilized nations, to have jurisdiction over +certain extensive territories that lie in the virgin forest, and which +are used only, and that occasionally, by certain savage tribes as +hunting-grounds, should deem it right to satisfy those tribes, by purchase, +before they parcelled out their lands for the purposes of civilized life; +but, it would not be so easy to make an unsophisticated mind understand +that there could be two owners to the same property. The transaction is +simple enough to us, and it tells in favour of our habits, for we have the +power to grant these lands without 'extinguishing the Indian title,' as it +is termed; but it presents difficulties to the understandings of those who +are not accustomed to see society surrounded by the multifarious interests +of civilization. In point of fact, the Indian purchases give no other +title, under our laws, than the right to sue out, in council, a claim +to acquire by, the grant of the crown; paying to the latter such a +consideration as in its wisdom it shall see fit to demand. Still, it was +necessary to make some answer to the Onondago's question, lest he might +carry away the mistaken notion that we did not justly own our possessions. + +“Suppose you find a rifle to your fancy, Susquesus,” I said, after +reflecting a moment on the subject, “and you find two Indians who both +claim to own it; now, if you pay each warrior his price, is your right to +the title any the worse for having done so? Is it not rather better?” + +The Indian was struck with this reply, which suited the character of his +mind. Thrusting out his hand, he received mine, and shook it cordially, +as much as to say he was satisfied. Having disposed of this episode thus +satisfactorily, we turned to the more interesting subject of our immediate +movements. + +“It would seem that the Onondago expects the French Indians will now strike +at the settlements,” I remarked to my companions, “and, that our friends +at Ravensnest may need our aid; but, at the same time, he thinks we +should first return to Mooseridge, and join the surveyors. Which mode of +proceeding strikes you as the best, my friends?” + +“Let us first hear the Injin's reasons for going after the surveyors,” + answered Guert. “If he has a sufficient reason for his plan, I am ready to +follow it.” + +“Surveyor got scalp, as well as squaw,” said Susquesus, in his brief, +meaning manner. + +“That must settle the point!” exclaimed Guert. “I understand it all, now. +The Onondago thinks the Mooseridge party may be cut off, as being alone and +unsupported, and that we ought to apprise them of this danger.” + +“All perfectly just,” I replied, “and it is what they, being our own +people, have a right to expect from us. Still, Guert, I should think those +surveyors might be safe where they are, in the bosom of the forest, for +a year to come. Their business there cannot be known, and who is then to +betray them?” + +“See,” said Susquesus, earnestly. “Kill deer, and leave him in the wood. +Won't raven find carcass?” + +“That may be true enough; but a raven has an instinct, given him by nature, +to furnish him with food. He flies high in the air, moreover, and can see +farther than an Indian.” + +“Nuttin' see farther than Injin! Red-man fly high, too. See from salt lake +to sweet water. Know ebbery t'ing in wood. Tell him nuttin' he don't know.” + +“You do not suppose, Susquesus, that the Huron warriors could find our +surveyors, at Mooseridge?” + +“Why, no find him? Find moose; why no find ridge, too? Find Mooseridge, +sartain; find land-measurer.” + +“On the whole, Corny,” Guert remarked after musing a little, “we may do +well to follow the Injin's advice. I have heard of so many misfortunes that +have befallen people in the bush, from having despised Indian counsels, +that I own to a little superstition on the subject. Just look at what +happened yesterday! Had red-skin opinions been taken, Abercrombie might now +have been a conqueror, instead of a miserable, beaten man.” + +Susquesus raised a finger, and his dark countenance became illumined by an +expression that was more eloquent even than his tongue. + +“Why no open ear to red-man!” he asked, with dignity. “Some bird sing a +song that good--some sing bad song--but all bird know his own song. Mohawk +warrior use to wood, and follow a crooked war-path, when he meet much +enemy. Great Yengeese chief think his warrior have two life, that he put +him before cannon and rifle, to stand up and be shot. No Injin do so +foolish--no--never!” + +As this was too true to be controverted, the matter was not discussed; but, +having determined among ourselves to let the Onondago take us back on the +path by which we had come, we announced our readiness to start as soon as +it might suit his convenience. Being sufficiently rested, Susquesus, who +did everything on system, manifesting neither impatience nor laziness, +arose and quietly led the way. Our course was just the reverse of that +on which we had travelled when we left Mooseridge; and I did not fail to +observe that, so accurate was the knowledge of our guide, we passed many of +the same objects as we had previously gone near. There was nothing like a +track, with the exception of occasional foot-prints left by ourselves; +but it was evident the Onondago paid not the least attention to these, +possessing other and more accessible clues to his course. + +Guert marched next to the Indian, and I was third in the line. How often, +that busy day, did I gaze at my file-leader, in admiration of his figure +and mien! Nature appeared to have intended him for a soldier. Although +so powerful, his frame was agile--a particular in which he differed from +Dirck; who, although so young, already gave symptoms of heaviness, at no +distant day. Then Guert's carriage waa as fine as his form. The head was +held erect; the eye was intrepid in its glance; and the tread elastic, +though so firm. To the last hour, on that long and weary march, Guert +leaped logs, sprang across hollows in the ground, and otherwise manifested +that his iron sinews and hardened muscles retained all their powers. As he +moved in my front, I saw, for the first time, that some of the fringe of +his hunting-shirt had been cut away in the fight, and that a musket-ball +had passed directly through his cap. I afterwards ascertained that Guert +was aware of these escapes, but his nature was so manly he did not think of +mentioning them. + +We made a single halt, as before, to dine; but little was said, at this +meal, and no change in our plan was proposed. This was the point where we +ought to have diverged from the former course, did we intend to proceed +first to Ravensnest; but, though all knew it, nothing was said on the +subject. + +“We shall carry unwelcome tidings to Mr. Traverse, and his men,” Guert +observed, a minute or two before our halt was up; “for, I take it for +granted, the news cannot have gone ahead of _us_.” + +“We first,” answered the Onondago. “Too soon for Huron, yet. T'ink +so--nobody know.” + +“I wish, Corny,” pursued the Albanian, “we had thought of saying a word to +Doortje about this accursed expedition. There is no use in a man's being +above his business; and he who puts himself in the way of fortune, might +profit by now and then consulting a fortune-teller.” + +“Had we done so, and had all that has happened been foretold, do you +suppose it would have made any change in the result?” + +“Perhaps not, since we should have been the persons to relate what we had +heard. But, Abercrombie, himself, need have had no scruples about visiting +that remarkable old woman. She's a wonderful creature, Corny, as we must +allow, and a prudent general would not fail to respect what she told +him. It is a thousand pities that either the Commander-In-Chief, or the +Adjutant-General, had not paid Doortje a visit before they left Albany. My +Lord Howe's valuable life might then have been saved.” + +“In what way. Guert? I am at a loss to see in what manner any good could +come of it.” + +“In what manner?--Why, in the plainest possible. Now, suppose Doortje had +foretold this defeat; it is clear, Abercrombie, if he put any faith in the +old woman, would not have made the attack.” + +“And thus defeat the defeat. Do you not see, Guert, that the soothsayer +can, at the best, but foretell what _is_ to happen, and that which _must_ +come _will_. It would be an easy matter for any of us to get great +reputations for fortune-telling, if all we had to do was to predict +misfortunes, in order that our friends might avoid them. As nothing would +ever happen, in consequence of the precautions taken to avert the evils, a +name would be easily and cheaply maintained.” + +“By St. Nicholas! Corny, I never thought of that! But, you have been +college-taught; and a thousand things are picked up at colleges, that +one never dreams of at an academy. I see reason, every day, to lament my +idleness when a boy; and fortunate shall I be, if I do not lament it all my +life.” + +Poor Guert! He was always so humble, when the subject of education arose, +however accidentally or unintentionally on my part, that it was never +commented on, that it did not give me pain, exciting a wish to avoid it. +As the time for the halt was now up, it was easy to terminate the present +discussion, by declaring as much, and proceeding on our way. + +We had a hard afternoon's walk of it, though neither of the five manifested +the least disposition to give in. As for Susquesus, to me, he never seemed +to know either fatigue or hunger. He was doubtless acquainted with both; +but his habits of self-command were so severe, as to enable him completely +to conceal his sufferings in this, as well as in most other respects. + +The sun was near setting when we entered within the limits of the +Mooseridge estate. We ascertained this fact by passing the line-trees, some +of which had figures cut into their barks, to denote the numbers of the +great subdivisions of the property. Guert pointed out these marks; being +far more accustomed to the woods than either Dirck or myself. Aided by such +guides, we had no difficulty in making a sufficiently straight course to +the hut. + +Susquesus thought a little caution necessary, as we drew near to the end of +our journey. Causing us to remain behind, he advanced in front, himself, to +reconnoitre. A signal, however, soon took us to the place where he stood, +when we discovered the hut just as we had left it, but no one near it. +This might be the result of mere accident, the surveying party frequently +'camping out,' in preference to making a long march after a fatiguing day's +work; and Pete would be very likely to prefer going to join these men, to +remaining alone in the hut. We advanced to the building, therefore, +with confidence. On reaching it, we found the place empty, as had been +anticipated, though with every sign about it of its tenants having left it +but a short time previously; that morning, at the furthest. + +Jaap set about preparing a supper out of the regular supplies of the party; +all of which were found in their places, and in abundance. On inquiry of +the fellow, I ascertained it was his opinion Mr. Traverse had gone off that +very day, most probably to some distant portion of the Patent, taking Pete +with him, as everything was covered up and put away with that sort of care +that denotes an absence of some little time. The Indian heard the negro's +remark, to this effect, and, tossing his head significantly, he said-- + +“No need guess---go see--light enough--plenty time. Injin soon tell.” + +He quitted the hut, on the spot, and immediately set about this +self-assigned duty. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + “Thou tremblest; and the whiteness in thy cheek + Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand.” + + SHAKSPEARE. + + +Curiosity induced me to follow the Indian, in order to watch his movements. +Susquesus proceeded a short distance from the hut, quitting the knoll +entirely, until he reached lower land, where a foot-print would be most +likely to be visible, when he commenced a slow circuit of the place, with +eyes fastened on the earth, as the nose of the hound follows the scent. I +was so much interested in the Onondago's manner, as to join him, falling-in +in his rear, in order not to interfere with his object. + +Of foot-marks there were plenty, more particularly on the low, moist +ground, where we were; but they all appeared, to me, to have no interest +with the Indian. Most of our party wore moccasins; and it was not easy to +see how, under such circumstances, and amid such a maze of impressions, +it could be possible for any one to distinguish a hostile from a friendly +trail. That Susquesus thought the thing might be done, however, was very +evident by his perseverance, and his earnestness. + +At first, my companion met with no success, or with nothing that he fancied +success; but, after making half the circuit of the hut, keeping always a +hundred yards distant from it, he suddenly stopped; stooped quite to the +earth; then arose, and, sticking a broken knot into the ground, as a mark, +he signed to me to keep a little on one side, while he turned at right +angles to his former course, and moved inwards towards our dwelling. I +followed slowly, watching his movements, step by step. + +In this manner we reached the hut, deviating from a direct line, in order +to do so. At the hut, itself, Susquesus made a long and minute examination; +but even I could see, that the marks here were so numerous, as to baffle +even him. After finishing his search at this point, the Indian turned, and +went back to the place where he had stuck the knot in the ground. In doing +this, however, he followed his own trail, returning by precisely the same +deviating course as that by which he had come. This, alone, would have +satisfied me that he saw more than I did; for, to own the truth, I could +not have done the same thing. + +When we reached the knot, Susquesus followed that (to me invisible) trail +outside of the circle, leading off into the forest in a direct line from +the hut and spring. I continued near him, although neither had spoken +during the whole of this examination, which had now lasted quite half an +hour. As it was getting dark, however, and Jaap showed the signal that +our supper was ready, I thought it might be well, at length, to break the +silence. + +“What do you make of all this, Trackless?” I inquired. “Do you find any +signs of a trail?” + +“Good trail”--Susquesus answered; “new trail, too Look like Huron!” + +This was startling intelligence, certainly; yet, much as I was disposed to +defer to my companion's intelligence in such matters, in general, I thought +he must be mistaken in his fact. In the first place, though I had seen many +foot-prints near the hut, and along the low land on which the Indian made +his circuit, I could see none where we then were. I mentioned this to the +Indian, and desired him to show me, particularly, one of the signs which +had led him to his conclusion. + +“See,” said Susquesus, stooping so low as to place a finger on the +dead leaves that ever make a sort of carpet to the forest, “here been +moccasin--that heel; this toe.” + +Aided, in this manner, I could discover a faint foot-print, which might, +by aid of the imagination, be thus read; though the very slight impression +that was to be traced, might almost as well be supposed anything else, as +it seemed to me. + +“I see what you mean, Susquesus; and, I allow, it _may_ be a foot-print,” I +answered; “but then it may also have been left by anything else, which has +touched the ground just at that spot. It may have been made by a falling +branch of a tree.” + +“Where branch?” asked the Indian, quick as lightning. + +“Sure enough; that is more than I can tell you. But I cannot suppose _that_ +a Huron foot-print, without more evidence than you now give.” + +“What you call that?--this--that--t'other?” added the Indian, stepping +quickly back, and pointing to four other similar, but very faint +impressions on the leaves; “no see him, eh?--Just leg apart, too!” + +This was true enough; and now my attention was thus directed, and my senses +were thus aided, I confess I did discover certain proofs of footsteps, that +would, otherwise, have baffled my most serious search. + +“I can see what you mean, Susquesus,” I said, “and will allow that this +line of impressions, or marks, does make them look more like footsteps. At +any rate, most of our party wear moccasins as well as the red-men, and how +do you know that some of the surveyors have not passed this way?” + +“Surveyor no make such mark. Toe turn in.” + +This was true, too. But it did not follow that a foot-print was a Huron's, +merely because it was Indian. Then, where were the enemy's warriors to come +from, in so short a time as had intervened between the late battle and the +present moment? There was little question all the forces of the French, +pale-face and red-man, had been collected at Ticonderoga to meet the +English; and the distance was so great as almost to render it impossible +for a party to reach this spot so soon, coming from the vicinity of +the fortress after the occurrence of the late events. Did not the lake +interpose an obstacle, I might have inferred that parties of skirmishers +would be thrown on the flanks of the advancing army, thus bringing foes +within a lessened distance of us; but, there was the lake, affording a safe +approach for more than thirty miles, and rendering the employment of any +such skirmishers useless. All this occurred to me at the moment, and I +mentioned it to my companion as an argument against his own supposition. + +“No true,” answered Susquesus, shaking his head. “That trail--he Huron +trail, too. Don't know red-man to say so.” + +“But red-men are human as well as pale-faces. It must be seventy miles from +this spot to the foot of Lake George, and your conjecture would make it +necessary that a party should have travelled that distance in less than +twenty-four hours, and be here some time before us.” + +“We no travel him, eh?” + +“I grant you that, Trackless; but we came a long bit of the road in a +canoe, each and all of us sleeping, and resting ourselves, in turns. These +Hurons must have come the whole distance by land.” + +“No so. Huron paddle canoe well as Onondago. Lake there--canoe plenty. Why +not come?” + +“Do you suppose, Trackless, that any of the French Indians would venture on +the lake while it was covered with our boats, as was the case last night?” + +“What 'our boat' good for, eh? Carry wounded warrior--carry runaway +warrior--what he care? T'ink Huron 'fraid of boat? Boat got eye, eh? Boat +see; boat hear, boat shoot, eh?” + +“Perhaps not; but those who were in the boats can do all this, and would be +apt, at least, to speak to a strange canoe.” + +“Boat speak my canoe, eh? Onondago canoe, strange canoe, too.” + +All this was clear enough, when I began to reflect on it. It was certainly +possible for a canoe with two or three paddles, to go the whole length of +the lake in much less time than we had employed in going two-thirds of +the distance; and a party landing in the vicinity of William-Henry, could +certainly have reached the spot where we then were, several hours sooner +than we had reached it ourselves. Still, there existed all the other +improbabilities on my side of the question. It was improbable that a +party should have proceeded in precisely this manner; it was still more +improbable that such a party, coming on a war-path, from a distant part of +the country, should know exactly where to find our hut. After a moment's +pause, and while we both slowly proceeded to join our companion, I +suggested these objections to the Onondago. + +“Don't know Injin,” answered the other, betraying more earnestness of +manner than was usual with him, when he condescended to discuss any of +the usages of the tribes, with a pale-face. “He fight first; then he want +scalp. Ever see dead horse in wood--well, no crow there, eh? Plenty crow, +isn't he? Just so, Injin. Wounded soldier carry off, and Injin watch in +wood, behind army, to get scalp. Scalp good, after battle. Want him, very +much. Wood full of Huron, along path to Albany. Yengeese down in heart; +Huron up. Scalp so good, t'ink of nuttin' else.” + +By this time we had reached the hut, where I found Guert and Dirck already +at their supper. I will own that my appetite was not as good as it might +have been, but for the Onondago's conjectures and discoveries; though +I took a seat, and began to eat with my friends. While at the meal, I +communicated to my companions all that had passed, particularly asking of +Guert, who had a respectable knowledge of the bush, what he thought of the +probabilities of the case. + +“If hostile red-skins have really been here, lately,” the Albanian +answered, “they have been thoroughly cunning devils; for not an article +in or about the hut has been disturbed. I had an eye to that myself, the +moment we arrived; for I have thought it far from unlikely that the Hurons +would be out, on the road between William-Henry and the settlements, trying +to get scalps from the parties that would be likely to be sent to the rear +with wounded officers.” + +“In which case our friend Bulstrode might be in danger?” + +“He must take his chance, like all of us. But, he will probably be carried +to Ravensnest, as the nearest nest for him to nestle in. I don't half like +this trail, however, Corny; it is seldom a red-skin of the Onondago's +character, makes a mistake in such a matter!” + +“It is too late, now, to do anything to-night,” Dirck observed. “Besides, +I don't think any great calamity is likely to befall any of us, or Doortje +would have dropped some hint about it. These fortune-tellers seldom let +anything serious pass without a notice of some sort or other. You see, +Corny, we went through all this business at Ty, without a scratch, which is +so much in favour of the old woman's being right.” + +Poor Dirck! that prediction had made a deep impression on his character, +and on his future life. A man's faith must be strong, to fancy that a +negative of this nature could carry with it any of the force of a positive, +affirmative prediction. Nevertheless, Dirck had spoken the truth, in one +respect. It was too late to do anything that night, and it only remained to +prepare to take our rest as securely as possible. + +We consulted on the subject, calling on the Indian to aid us. After talking +the matter over, it was determined to remain where we were, securing the +door, and bringing everybody within the building; for the negroes and the +Indians had been much in the habit of sleeping about, under brush covers +that they had erected for themselves. It was thought that, having once +visited the hut, and finding it empty, the enemy, if enemy there were, +would not be very likely to return to it immediately, and that wo might +consider our selves as comparatively safe, from that circumstance alone. +Then, there were all the chances that the trail might have been left by +friendly, instead of hostile Indians, although Susquesus shook his head +in the negative, whenever this was mentioned. At all events, we had but +a choice of three expedients--to abandon the Patent, and seek safety in +flight; to 'camp out;' or to shut ourselves up in our fortress. Of the +first, no one thought for a moment; and of the two others, we decided on +the last, as far the most comfortable, and, on the whole, as the safest. + +An hour after we had come to this determination, I question if either of +the five knew anything about it. I never slept more profoundly in my life, +and my companions subsequently gave the same account of their several +conditions. Fatigue, and youth, and health, gave us all refreshing sleep; +and, as we lay down at nine, two o'clock came after so much time totally +lost in the way of consciousness. I say two o'clock; for my watch told me +that was just the hour, when the Indian awoke me, by shaking my shoulder. +One gets the habits of watchfulness in the woods, and I was on my feet in +an instant. + +Dark as it was, for it was deep night, I could distinguish that Susquesus +was alone stirring, and that he had unbarred the door of our cabin. Indeed, +he passed through that open space, into the air of the forest, the moment +he perceived I was conscious of what I was about. Without pausing to +reflect, I followed, and soon stood at his side, some fifteen or twenty +feet from the hut. + +“This good place to hear,” said the Indian, in a low suppressed tone. “Now, +open ear.” + +What a scene was that, which now presented itself to my senses! I can see +it, at this distance of time, after years of peaceful happiness, and years +of toil and adventure. The morning, or it might be better to say the night, +was not very dark in itself; but the gloom of the woods being added to the +obscurity of the hour, it lent an intensity of blackness to the trunks +of the trees, that gave to each a funereal and solemn aspect. It was +impossible to see for any distance, and the objects that were visible were +only those that were nearest at hand. Notwithstanding, one might imagine +the canopied space beneath the tops of the trees, and fancy it, in the +majesty of its gloomy vastness. Of sounds there were literally none, when +the Indian first bade me listen. The stillness was so profound, that I +thought I heard the sighing of the night air among the upper branches of +the loftier trees. This might have been mere imagination; nevertheless, all +above the summits of the giant oaks, maples and pines, formed a sort of +upper world as regarded us; a world with which we had little communication, +during our sojourn in the woods below. The raven, and the eagle, and the +hawk, sailed in that region, above the clouds of leaves beneath them, and +occasionally stooped, perhaps, to strike their quarry; but, to all else, it +was inaccessible, and to a degree invisible. + +But, my present concern is with the world I was in; and, what a world it +was! Solemn, silent, dark, vast and mysterious. I listened in vain, to +catch the footstep of some busy squirrel, for the forest was alive with the +smaller animals, by night quite as much as by day; but everything, at that +moment, seemed stilled to the silence of death. + +“I can hear nothing, Trackless,” I whispered--“Why are you out here?” + +“You hear, soon--wake me up, and I hear twice. Soon come ag'in.” + +It did soon come again. It was a human cry, escaping from human lips in +their agony! I heard it once only; but, should I live to be a hundred, it +would not be forgotten. I often hear it in my sleep, and twenty times have +I awoke since, fancying that agonizing call was in my ears. It was long, +loud, piercing, and the word 'help' was as distinct as tongue could make +it. + +“Great God!” I exclaimed--“some one is set upon, and calls for aid in his +extremity. Let us arouse our friends, and go to his assistance. I cannot +remain here, Susquesus, with such a cry in my ears.” + +“Best go, t'ink too,” answered the Onondago. “No need call, though; two +better than four. Stop minute.” + +I did remain stationary that brief space, listening with agonized +uncertainty, while the Indian entered the hut, and returned, bringing out +his rifle and my own. Arming ourselves, and shutting the door of the cabin, +to exclude the night-air, at least, Susquesus led off, with his noiseless +step, in a south-west direction, or that in which we had heard the sound. + +Our march was too swift and earnest to admit of discourse. The Onondago had +admonished me to make as little noise as possible; and, between the anxiety +I felt, and the care taken to comply, there was, indeed, but little +opportunity for conversing. My feelings were wrought up to a high pitch; +but my confidence in my companion being great, I followed in his footsteps, +as diligently as my skill would allow. Susquesus rather trod on air than +walked; yet I kept close at his heels, until we had gone, as I should +think, fully half a mile in the direction from which that awful cry had +come. Here Susquesus halted, saying to me, in a low voice-- + +“No far from here--best stop.” + +I submitted, in all things, to the directions of my Indian guide. The +latter had selected the dark shadows of two or three young pines for our +cover, where, by getting within their low branches, we were completely +concealed from any eye that was distant from us eight or ten feet. No +sooner were we thus posted, than the Onondago pointed to the trunk of a +fallen tree, and we took our seats silently on it. I observed that my +companion kept his thumb on the cock of his rifle, while his fore-finger +was passed around the trigger. It is scarcely necessary to say that I +observed the same precaution. + +“This good,” said Susquesus, in a voice so low and soft that it could not +attract more attention than a whisper; “this very good--hear him ag'in, +soon; then know.” + +A stifled groan _was_ heard, and that almost as soon as my companion ceased +to speak. I felt my blood curdle at these frightful evidences of human +suffering; and an impulse of humanity caused me to move, as if about to +rise. The hand of Trackless checked the imprudence. + +“No good,” he said, sternly. “Sit still. Warrior know how to sit still.” + +“But, Heavenly Providence! There is some one in agony, quite near us, man. +Did you not hear a groan Trackless?” + +“To be sure, hear him.--What of that? Pain make groan come, alway, from +pale-face.” + +“You think, then, it is a white-man who suffers? if so, it must be one of +our party, as there is no one else near us. If I hear it again, I must go +to his relief, Onondago.” + +“Why you behave like squaw? What of little groan? Sartain, he pale-face; +Injin never groan on war-path. Why he groan, you t'ink? Cause Huron meet +him. That reason he groan. You groan, too, no sit still. Injin know time to +shoot--know time not to shoot.” + +I had every disposition to call aloud, to inquire who needed succour; +yet the admonitions of my companion, aided as they, were by the gloomy +mysteries of that vast forest, in the hour of deepest night, enabled me to +command the impulse. Three times, notwithstanding, was that groan repeated; +and, as it appeared to me, each time more and more faintly. I thought, +too, when all was still in the forest--when we sat ourselves in breathless +expectation of what might next reach our ears--attentive to each sighing +of the night-air, and distrustful even of the rustling leaf--that the last +groan of all, though certainly the faintest of any we had heard, was much +the nearest. Once, indeed, I heard, or fancied I heard, the word 'water,' +murmured in a low, smothered tone, almost in my ear. I thought, too, I knew +the voice; that it was familiar to me; though I could not decide, in the +state of my feelings, exactly to whom, it belonged. + +In this manner we passed what, to me, were two of the most painful hours +of my life, waiting the slow return of light. My own impatience was nearly +ungovernable; though the Indian sat, the whole of that time, seemingly as +insensible as the log which formed his seat, and almost as motionless. At +length this intensely anxious, and even physically painful watch, drew near +its end. Signs of day gleamed through the canopy of leaves, and the rays +of dull light appeared to struggle downward, rendering objects dimly +discernible. + +It was not long ere we could ascertain that we had so completely covered +ourselves, as to be in a position where the branches of the pines +completely shut out the view of objects beyond. This was favourable to +reconnoitring, however, previously to quitting our concealment, and +enabled us to have some care of ourselves while attending to the duties of +humanity. + +Susquesus used the greatest caution in looking around before he left the +cover. I was close at his side, peeping through such openings as offered; +for my curiosity was so intense, that I almost forgot the causes for +apprehension. It was not long before I heard the familiar Indian +interjection, “hugh!” from my companion; a proof that something had caught +his eye, of a more than ordinarily exciting character. He pointed in the +way I was to look, and there, indeed, I beheld one of those frightful +instances of barbarous cruelty, that the usages of savage warfare have +sanctioned, as far back as our histories extend, among the forest warriors +of this continent. The tops of two saplings had been brought down near each +other, by main force, the victim's hands attached firmly to upper branches +of each, and the trees permitted to fly back to their natural positions, or +as near them as the revolting means of junction would allow. I could scarce +believe my senses, when my sight first revealed the truth. But there hung +the victim, suspended by his arms, at an elevation of at least ten or +fifteen feet from the earth. I confess I sincerely hoped he was dead, and +the motionless attitude of the body gave me reason to think it might be so. +Still, the cries for “help,” uttered wildly, hopelessly, in the midst of a +vast and vacant forest, the groans extorted by suffering, must have been +his. He had probably been thus suspended and abandoned, while alive! + +Even the Onondago could not restrain me, after I fully saw and understood +the nature of the cruelty which had been exercised on the miserable victim +who was thus suspended directly before my eyes, and I broke out of the +cover, ready, I am willing to confess, to pull trigger on the first hostile +red-man I saw. Fortunately for myself, most probably, the place had long +been deserted. As the back of the sufferer was towards me, I could not tell +who he was; but his dress was coarse, and of the description that belongs +to the lowest class. Blood had flowed freely from his head, and I made no +doubt he had been scalped; though the height at which he hung, and the +manner in which his head had fallen forward upon his breast, prevented me +front ascertaining the fact at once, by the aid of sight. Thus much did I +perceive, however, ere the Indian joined me. + +“See!” said Susquesus, whose quick eye never let anything escape it long, +“told you so; Huron been here.” + +As this was said, the Indian pointed significantly at the naked skin, which +was visible between the heavy, coarse shoes of the victim, and the trowsers +he wore, when I discovered it was black. Moving quickly in front, so as to +get a view of the face, I recognised the distorted features of Petrus, or +Pete, Guert Ten Eyck's negro. This man had been left with the surveyors, it +will be remembered, and he had either fallen into the hands of his captors, +while at the hut, engaged in his ordinary duties, or he had been met in the +forest while going to, or coming from those he served, and had thus been +treated. We never ascertained the facts, which remain in doubt to this +hour. + +“Give me your tomahawk, Trackless,” I cried, as soon as horror would +permit me to speak, “that I may cut down this sapling, and liberate the +unfortunate creature!” + +“No good--better so,” answered the Indian. “Bear--wolf can't get him, now. +Let black-skin hang--good as bury--no safe stay here long. Look round and +count Huron, then go.” + +“Look round and count the Hurons,” I thought to myself; “and in what manner +is this to be done?” By this time, however, it was sufficiently light to +see foot-prints, if any there were, and the Onondago set about examining +such traces of what had passed at that terrible spot, as might be +intelligible to one of his experience. + +At the foot of a huge oak, that grew a few yards from the fatal saplings, +we found the two wooden, covered pails in which we knew Pete had been +accustomed to carry food to Mr. Traverse and the chain-bearers. They were +empty, but whether the provisions they unquestionably had contained fell to +the share of those for whom they were intended, or to that of the captors, +we never learned. No traces of bones, potato-skins, or other fragments were +discovered; and, if the Hurons had seized the provisions, they doubtless +transferred them to their own repositories, without stopping to eat. +Susquesus detected proof that the victim had been seated at the foot of the +oak, and that he had been seized at that spot. There were the marks of many +feet there, and some proofs of a slight scuffle. Blood, too, was to be +traced on the leaves, from the foot of the oak, to the place where poor +Pete was suspended; a proof that he had been hurt, previously to being +abandoned to his cruel fate. + +But the point of most interest with Trackless was to ascertain the number +of our foes. This might be done, in some measure, according to his view of +the matter, by means of the foot-prints. There was no want of such signs, +the leaves being much disturbed in places, though after a short but anxious +search, my companion thought it wisest to repair to the hut, lest those it +contained might be surprised in their sleep. He gave me to understand that +the enemy did not appear to be numerous at that spot, three or four at +most, though it was quite possible, nay highly probable, that they had +separated, and that their whole force was not present at this miserable +scene. + +It was broad daylight when we came in sight of the hut again, and I +perceived Jaap was up and busy with his pots and kettles near the spring. +No one else was visible, and we inferred that Guert and Dirck were still on +their pallets. We took a long and distrustful survey of the forest around +the cabin, from the height where we stood, ere we ventured to approach it +any nearer. Discovering no signs of danger, and the forest being quite +clear of underbrush or cover of any sort, large trees excepted, for some +distance from the hut, we then advanced without apprehension. This open +character of the woods near our dwelling was felt to be a very favourable +circumstance, rendering it impossible for an enemy to get very near us by +daylight, without being seen. It was owing to the fact that we had used so +much of the smaller timber, in our own operations, while the negroes had +burned most of the underbrush for fuel. + +Sure enough, I found my two friends fast asleep, and certainly much +exposed. When aroused and told all that had occurred to me and the Indian, +their surprise was great, nor was their horror less. Jaap, who, missing us +on rising, supposed we had gone in pursuit of game, had followed us into +the hut, and heard my communications. His indignation was great, at the +idea of one of his own colour's being thus treated, and I heard him vowing +vengeance between his set teeth, in terms that were by no means measured. + +“By St. Nicholas!” exclaimed Guert, who had now finished dressing, and who +accompanied me out into the open air, “my poor fellow shall be revenged, +if the rifle will do it! Scalped, too, do you say, Corny?” + +“As far as we could ascertain, suspended as he was from the tree. But, +scalped he must be, as an Indian never permits a dead captive to escape +this mutilation.” + +“And you have been out in the forest three hours, you tell me, Corny?--You +and Trackless?” + +“About that time, I should judge. The heart must have been of stone, that +could resist those cries!” + +“I do not blame you, Littlepage, though it would have been kinder, and +wiser, had you taken your friends with you. We must stick together, in +future, let what may happen. Poor Petrus! I wonder Doortje should have +hinted nothing of that nigger's fate!” + +We then held a long consultation on the subject of our mode of proceeding, +next. It is unnecessary to dwell on this conference, as its conclusions +will be seen in the events of the narrative; but it was brought to a close +by a very sudden interruption, and that was the sound of an axe in the +forest. The blows came in the direction of the scene of Pete's murder, +and we had collected our rifles, and were preparing to move towards the +suspected point, when we saw Jaap staggering along, coming to the hut, +beneath the load of his friend's body. The fellow had stolen away, unseen, +on this pious duty, and had executed it with success. In a minute or two +he reached the spring, and began to wash away the revolting remains of the +massacre from the head of the Huron's victim. + +We now ascertained that poor Pete had been badly cut by knives, as well +as scalped, and suspended in the manner related. Both arms appeared to be +dislocated, and the only relief to our feelings, was in the hope that an +attempt to inflict so much suffering must have soon defeated itself. Guert, +in particular, expressed his hope that such was the case, though the awful +sounds of the past night were still too fresh in my ears to enable me to +believe all I could wish on that subject A grave was dug, and we buried the +body at once, rolling a large log or two on the spot, in order to prevent +wild beasts from disinterring it. Jaap worked hard in the performance of +these rites, and Guert Ten Eyck actually repeated the Lord's Prayer and the +Creed over the grave, when the body was placed in it, with a fervour and +earnestness that a little surprised me. + +“He was but a nigger, Corny, it is true,” said the Albanian, a little +apologetically perhaps, after all was over, “but he was a very goot nigger, +in the first place; then, he had a soul, as well as a white man--Pete had +his merits, as well as a Tominie, and I trust they will not be forgotten in +the last great account. He was an excellent cook, as you must have seen, +and I never knew a nigger that had more of the dog-like fidelity to his +master. The fellow never got into a frolic without coming honestly to ask +leave; though, to be sure, I was not a hard master, in these particulars, +on reasonable occasions.” + +We next ate our breakfasts, with as much appetite as we could. Shouldering +our packs, and placing all around, and in the hut, as much as possible in +the condition in which we had found the place, we then commenced our march, +Susquesus leading, as usual. + +We went in quest of the surveyors, who were supposed to be in the +south-east corner of the Patent, employed as usual, and ignorant of all +that had passed. At first, we had thought of discharging our rifles, as +signals to bring them in; but these signals might apprize our enemies, +as well as our friends, of our presence, and the distance was too great, +moreover, to render it probable the reports could be heard by those for +whom alone they would be intended. + +The route we took was determined by our general knowledge of the quarter +of the Patent in which the surveyors ought now to be, as well as by the +direction in which the body of Pete had been found. The poor fellow was +certainly either going to, or coming from the party, and being in constant +communication with them, he doubtless knew where they were at work. +Then the different trails of the surveyors were easily enough found by +Trackless, and he told us that the most recent led off in the direction I +have named. Towards the south-east, therefore, we held our way, marching, +as before, in Indian file; the Onondago leading, and the negro bringing up +the rear. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + “'Tis too horrible! + The weariest and most loathed worldly life + That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment + Can lay on nature, is a paradise, + To what we fear of death.” + + _Measure for Measure._ + + +We were not long in reaching the point of the Patent in which the surveyors +had been at work, after which we could have but little difficulty in +finding their present actual position. The marked trees were guides that +told the whole story of their labours. For an hour and a half, however, we +moved rapidly forward, Susquesus on the lead, silent, earnest, watchful, +and I fear I must add, revengeful. Not a syllable had been uttered during +the whole of that time, though our senses were keenly on the alert; and we +avoided everything like a cover that might conceal an ambush. Suddenly +the Indian halted; at the next instant he was behind a tree. Each of us +imitated him, quick as thought, for this was our previous training in the +event of encountering an enemy; and we all well knew the importance of +a cover in forest warfare. Still, no foe could be seen. After examining +around us in every direction, for a minute or two, and finding the woods +vacant and silent as ever, Guert and I quitted our own trees, and joined +the Trackless, at the foot of his own huge pine. + +“Why this, Susquesus?” demanded the Albanian, sharply; for he began to +suspect a little acting, got up to magnify the Indian's usefulness; “here +is neither pale-face nor red-skin. Have done with this folly, and let us go +forward.” + +“No good--warrior been here; p'rhaps gone, p'rhaps no; soon see. Open eye, +and look.” + +As a gesture accompanied this speech, we did look again, and this time +in the right direction. At the distance of a hundred yards from us was a +chestnut, that might be seen from its roots to its branches. On the ground, +partly concealed by the tree, and partly exposed, was the leg of a man, +placed as the limb would be apt to lie, on the supposition that its owner +lay on his back, asleep. It showed a moccasin, and the usual legging of an +Indian; but the thigh, and all the rest of the frame, was concealed. The +quick eye of the Onondago had caught this small object, even at that +distance, comprehended it at a glance, when he instantly sought a cover, +as described. Guert and I had some difficulty at first, even after it was +pointed out to us, in recognising this object; but it soon became distinct +and intelligible. + +“Is that a red-skin's leg?” asked Guert, dropping the muzzle of his rifle, +as if about to try his skill on it. + +“Don't know,” answered the Indian; “got leggin, got moccasin; can't see +colour. Look most pale-face; leg big.” + +What there was to enable one, at that distance, to distinguish between the +leg of a white man and the leg of an Indian, at first greatly exceeded our +means of conjecturing; but the Onondago explained it, when asked, in his +own usual, sententious manner, by saying: + +“Toe turn out--Injin turn in--no like, at all. Pale-face big; Injin no very +big.” + +The first was true enough in walking, and it did seem probable that the +difference might exist in sleep. Guert now declared there was no use in +hesitating any longer; if asleep he would approach the chestnut cautiously, +and capture the stranger, if an Indian, before he could rise; and if a +white man, it must be some one belonging to our own set, who was taking +a nap, probably, after a fatiguing march. Susquesus must have satisfied +himself, by this time, that there was no immediate danger; for merely +saying, “all go together,” he quitted the cover, and led down towards the +chestnut with a rapid but noiseless step. As we moved in a body all five of +us reached the tree at the same instant, where we found Sam, one of our own +hunters, and whom we supposed to be with Mr. Traverse, stretched on his +back, dead; with a wound in his breast that had been inflicted by a knife. +He, too, had been scalped! + +The looks we exchanged, said all that could be said on the subject of the +gravity of this new discovery. Susquesus, alone, was undisturbed; I rather +think he expected what he found. After examining the body, he seemed +satisfied, simply saying, “kill, last night.” + +That poor Sam had been dead several hours was pretty certain, and the +circumstance removed all apprehension of any immediate danger from his +destroyers. The ruthless warriors of the woods seldom remained long near +the spot they had desolated, but passed on, like the tornado, or the +tempest. Guert, who was ever prompt when anything was to be done, pointed +to a natural hollow in the earth; one of those cavities that are so common +in the forest, and which are usually attributed to the upturning of trees +in remote ages, and suggested that we should use it as a grave. The body +was accordingly laid in the hole, and we covered it in the best manner we +could; succeeding in placing over it something like a foot deep of light +loam, together with several flat stones; rolling logs on all, as we had +done at the grave of Pete. By this time Guert's feelings were so thoroughly +aroused, that, in addition to the prayer and the creed, which he again +repeated, in a very decorous and devout manner, he concluded the whole +ceremony by a brief address. Nor was Guert anything but serious in what +he did, or said, on either of these solemn occasions; his words, like his +acts, being purely the impulses of a simple mind, which possesses longings +after devotion and scriptural truths, without knowing exactly how to +express them; and this, moreover, in spite of the mere animal propensities, +and gay habits of his physical conformation, and constitutional tendencies. + +“Deat', my friends,” said Guert, most seriously, becoming Dutch, as usual, +as he became interested; “Deat' is a sutten visiter. He comes like a thief +in the night, as you must all have often he'rt the Tominie say; and happy +is he whose loins are girlet, and whose lamp is trimmed. Such, I trust, +is the case with each of you; for, it is not to be concealet, that we are +likely to have serious work before us. Here have been Injins, beyont a +question; and they are Injins, too, that are out on the war-path, in search +of English scalps; or, what is of equal importance to Mr. Follock and +myself, Dutch scalps in the pargain; which makes it so much the more +necessary for every man to be on his guart, and to stant up to his work, +when it may come, as the pull-tog stants up to the ox. Got forpit t'at I +should preach revenge over t'e grave of a frient; but the soltier fights +none the worse for knowing t'at he has peen injuret in his feelin's, as has +certainly peen the case with ourselves. Perhaps I ought to say a wort +in behalf of the teat, as this is the last, and only time, that a +fellow-creature will ever have occasion to speak of him. Sam was an +excellent hunter, as his worst enemy must allow; and now he is gone, few +petter remain pehint. He had one weakness, which, stanting over his grave, +an honest man ought not to try to conceal; he dit love liquor; put, in +this, he was not alone. Nevertheless, he was honest; and his wort might +pass where many a man's pont would be wort'less; and I leave him in the +merciful hants of his Creator. My frients, I haf but little more to say, +and that is this--that life is uncertain, and deat' is sure. Samuel has +gone before us, only a little while; and may we all be equally preparet to +meet our great account. Amen.” + +Did any one smile at this address! Far from it! Singular, disconnected, and +unsophisticated as it may seem to certain persons, it had one great merit +that is not always discernible in the speeches of those who officiate at +the most elaborate funeral rites. Guert was sincere, though he might not +be either logical or very clear. This was apparent in his countenance, +his voice, his whole manner. For myself, I will allow, I saw nothing +particularly out of place, in this address, at the time, nor do I now +regard it as either irreverent or unseasonable. + +We left the grave of the hunter, in the depths of that interminable forest, +as the ship passes away from the spot on the ocean where she has dropped +her dead. At some future day, perhaps, the plough-share may turn up the +bones, and the husbandman ruminate on the probable fate of the lonely man, +whose remains will then again be brought to the light of day. As we left +the spot, the Indian detained us a moment, to put us on our guard. + +“Huron do that,” he said, meaningly--“No see difference, eh? Saw no hang up +like Pete.” + +“That is true enough, Susquesus,” Guert answered; for Guert, by his age, +his greater familiarity with the woods, his high courage and his +personal prowess, had now assumed, unresistingly on our part, a sort of +chieftainship over us, “Can you tell us the reason, however?” + +“Muss, you call him, back sore--that all. Know him well; don't love flog. +No Injin love flog.” + +“And you think, then, Jaap's prisoner has had a hand in this, and that the +war-path is open to revenge as well as public service--that we are hunted +less for our scalps than to put a plaster on the Huron's back?” + +“Sartain. T'ree canoe go by on lake--t'at Muss, you call him--know him, +well. He no want sleep till back get well. See how he use nigger! Hang him +on tree--only kill pale-face and take away scalp.” + +“Do you suppose that he made this difference in the treatment of his two +captives, on account of the colour? That he was so cruel to Petrus because +Jaap, another nigger, had flogged him?” + +“Sartain--just so. Back feel better after t'at. Good for back to hang +nigger. Jaap see, some time.” + +I will do my fellow the justice to say, that in the way of courage, few men +were his equals. As I have said before, he only feared spooks, or Dutch +ghosts; for the awe he had of me was so blended with love, as not to +deserve the name of fear. In general, unless the weather happened to be +cold, his face was of a deep, glistening black; coffin-colour, as the boys +sometimes called it; but, I observed, notwithstanding his nerve and +his keen desire to be revenged for the cruel treatment bestowed on his +companion and brother, that his skin now assumed a greyish hue, such as +is seen only in hard frosts, as a rule, in the people of his race. It was +evident that the Trackless' manner of speaking had produced an effect, and +I have always thought the impresssion then made on Jaap was of infinite +service to us, by setting in motion, and keeping in lively activity, every +faculty of his mind and body. I had a specimen of this, as we moved off, +Jaap walking for some distance close at my heels, in order to make me the +repository of his griefs and solicitude. + +“I hopes, Masser Corny, sah,” commenced the negro, “you doesn't t'ink +anyt'ing of what dis here Injin say?” + +“I think, Jaap, it will be necessary for you to keep you eyes open, and by +no means to fall into the hands of your friend Muss, as you call him, or he +may serve you even worse than he served poor Pete. I hope, too, this will +be warning to you, of the necessity of treating your prisoners kindly, +should you ever make another.” + +“I don't t'ink, Masser Corny, you consider pretty much, sah. What good it +do a nigger to captivate an Injin, if he let him go ag'in, and don't lick +him little? Only little, Masser Corny. Ebbery t'ing so handy too, sah--rope +all ready, back bare, and feelin' up, like, after such a time in takin' 'e +varmint, sah!” + +“Well, Jaap, what is done, is done, and there is no use in regretting it, +in words. Of one thing, however, you may be certain; no mercy will be shown +_you_, should this fellow, Muss, be actually out here, on our heels, and +should you be so unfortunate as to fall into his hands.” + +The negro growled out his discontent, and I could see that his mind was +made up to give stout battle, ere _his_ wool should be disturbed by the +knife of a savage. A moment later, he stepped aside, and respectfully +permitted Dirck to take his proper place, next to me, in the line. + +We may have proceeded two miles from the spot where we had buried Sam, the +hunter, when on rising a little hillock, the Indian tossed his arm, the +sign that a new discovery was made. This time, however, the gesture was +rather made in exultation than in horror. As he came to a dead halt at the +same instant, we all closed eagerly up, and got an early view of the cause +of this exhibition of feeling. + +The ground fell away, in a sort of swell, for some distance in our +front; and, the trees being all of the largest size, and totally without +underbrush, the place had somewhat of the appearance of a vast, forest +edifice, to which the canopy of leaves above formed the roof, and the stems +of oaks, lindens, beeches and maples, might be supposed to be the columns +that upheld it. Within this wide, gloomy, yet not unpleasant hall, a sombre +light prevailed, like that which is cast through the casements of an +edifice of the ancient style of architecture, rendering everything mellow +and grave. A spring of sweet water gushed from a rock, and near it were +seated, in a circle, Mr. Traverse and his two chain-bearers, seemingly +taking their morning's meal; or, rather, reclining after it, with the pail, +platters and fragments before them; like men reposing after appeasing their +hunger, and passing a few minutes in idle talk. Tom, the second hunter and +axe-man, lay asleep, a little apart. + +“Here has been even no alarm, thank Got,” said Guert, cheerfully, “and we +are in time to let them know their danger. I will give the call; it will +sound sweetly to their ears!” + +“No call,” said Trackless, quickly; “hollow no good, now. Soon get there, +and tell him, in low voice.” + +As this was clearly prudent, we pushed forward in a body, taking no pains, +however, to conceal our approach, but making somewhat of a measured tread, +with our footsteps. A strange sensation came over me, as we advanced, and I +found that neither of the surveyors stirred! A suspicion of the dread truth +forced itself on my mind; but I can hardly say that the shock was any the +less, when, on getting near, we saw by the pallid countenances, fixed, +glassy eyes, and fallen jaws, that all our friends were dead. The savage +ingenuity of Indians had propped the bodies in reclining positions, and +thrown them into attitudes that had a horrible resemblance to the species +of indulgence that I have just described. + +“Holy Heaven!” exclaimed Guert, dropping the butt of his rifle on the +ground; “we are too late!” + +No one else spoke. On removing the caps, it was found that each man had +been scalped, and that all of those, whom we had left a few days before, +proud of their strength and instinct with life, had departed in spirit, +soon to be seen no more. Jumper, the other Indian, alone remained to be +accounted for. Rifle-balls had been at work here, each of the four having +been shot; Mr. Traverse, in no less than three places. + +I will confess, that a suspicion of the Oneida crossed my mind, now, for +the first time; and I did not scruple to mention it to my companions, as +soon as either of us had power to speak, or listen. + +“No true,” said Trackless, positively. “Jumper poor Injin--that so--love +rum--no rascal, to kill friend. Musohoeenah warrior to do so. Just like +him. No; Jumper fool--love rum--no bad Injin.” + +Where, then, was Jumper? He alone, of all whom we had left behind us, +remained to be found. We made a long search for his body, but without any +success. Susquesus examined the trails, and the bodies, and gave it as his +opinion that the surveyor and chain-bearers might have been killed about +three or four hours; and that the murderers, for such, in our eyes, they +who had done the foul deed were to be accounted, had not been away from +the place more than twenty minutes, when we arrived. This might well have +happened, and we not hear the rifles; as the distance from the hut was +several miles; and, two hours before, we must have been not far from +the place where we had passed the night. That the attack occurred after +daylight, was reasonably certain; and, as Pete was surely seized while +alive, some intelligence might have been obtained from him, that directed +the savages to the point where the outlying party would probably be +expecting him. Nevertheless, this, was pretty much conjecture, and we never +knew which victim fell first, or whether the negro was taken at all, near +the spot where he was gibbeted. The infernal cruelty of his conquerors may +have kept him as a prisoner, for some time before the final catastrophe, +and caused them to carry him about with them as a captive, in order to +subject the wretch to as much misery as possible, for, as Susquesus said, +Muss' 'back very sore.' + +We buried poor Traverse, and his chain-bearers, near the spring, using one +of the same natural hollows in the earth as that in which we had interred +the hunter. On a search, it was ascertained that their arms and ammunition +had been carried off, and that the pockets of the dead men had been rifled. +The American Indian is seldom a thief, in the ordinary sense of the term; +but, he treats the property of those whom he slays as his own. In this +particular, he does not differ materially from the civilized soldier, I +believe, plunder being usually considered as a legitimate benefit of war. +The Hurons had laid their hands on the compass and chains, for we could +discover neither; but they had left the field-book and notes of Traverse, +as things that, to them, were useless. In other respects, the visit of the +savages to this fatal spot left the appearance of having been hurried. + +On this occasion, Guert made no attempts at morals, or eloquence. The shock +had disqualified us all for anything of the sort, and we discharged our +duties with the earnest diligence, and grave thoughtfulness, of men who did +not know but the next moment might bring themselves into the midst of a +scene of deadly strife. We worked hard, and a little hastily, and were soon +ready to depart. It was determined, on a hurried consultation, to follow +the trail of the Hurons, as the most certain method of surprising them, on +the one hand, and of preventing them from surprising us, on the other. The +Indian would have no difficulty in pursuing the very obvious trail that was +left, and which bore all the proofs of having been left by a dozen men. + +The reader, who is unacquainted with the usages of the American savage, +is not to suppose that this party had moved through the forest, in a +disorderly group, regardless of the nature of the vestiges of their passage +left behind them. The native warrior never does that; usually he marches in +a line of single files, which has obtained the name of Indian file with us; +and, whenever there are strong reasons for concealing his numbers, it is +his practice for each succeeding man to follow, as nearly as possible, +in the footsteps of the warrior who precedes him; thereby rendering a +computation difficult, if not impossible. In this manner our foes had +evidently marched; but Susquesus, who had been busy examining the marks +around the spring, the whole time we were occupied in burying the dead, +gave it as his opinion that our enemies could not number less than a dozen +warriors. This was not very pleasing intelligence, since it would render +success in a conflict next to hopeless. So, at least, I viewed the matter, +though Guert saw things differently. This highly intrepid man could not +find it in his heart to abandon the idea of driving foes so ruthless out of +the country; and, I do believe, he would have faced a hundred savages at +once when we quitted the spring. + +The Onondago had no difficulty in following the trail, which led us, at +first, for some distance in a line towards Ravensnest, then made a sudden +inclination in the direction of the hut. It was probably owing to this +circuit, and want of settled purpose in the Hurons, that we did not +encounter them on our advance towards the “bloody spring,” as the spot +where Traverse was slain has been subsequently called. + +It was not long ere we found ourselves quite near our own trail, though, +perhaps fortunately for us, we did not actually strike it. Had our movement +been discovered, doubtless the enemy would have got into our rear, a +position in which Indians are always most formidable. As it was, however, +we possessed that great advantage ourselves, and pursued our way with so +much the greater confidence, knowing full well that danger was only to be +apprehended in our front, the quarter on which all our eyes were fixed. + +Although our return-march was swift, it was silent as that of a train of +mourners. Mourners we were, indeed, for it was not possible for human +hearts to be so obdurate as to feel insensible to the amount of misery that +our late companions must have suffered, and to the suddenness of their +fates. No one spoke, and Susquesus had never found us so close on his heels +as we kept ourselves all that morning. The foot of the file-leader was +scarcely out of its place, ere that of his successor covered the same spot! + +The trail led us quite close to the hut, which we reached as near as might +be to noon. On approaching the cabin, we used the utmost caution lest our +enemies might then be in it, in ambush. The trail did not extend quite to +the building, however, but diverged in a westerly direction, from a point +that may have been a hundred yards distant from our habitation, though in +full view of it. Here we found the signs of a gathering of the party into +a cluster, and we inferred that a counsel had been held on the subject +of once more going to the hut, or of turning aside to pursue some other +object. Susquesus made a close examination at this spot, and gave it as his +opinion, again, that the hostiles must, at least, number the dozen he had +already mentioned. Leaving us to watch the signs about our dwelling, from +covers we took for that purpose, he followed the trail for half a mile, in +order to make certain it did not approach the log-house on its opposite +side. So far from this proving to be the case, however, he ascertained that +it led off in a straight line towards Ravensnest. This was, if anything, +more unpleasant news to Guert and myself, than if the Onondago had brought +back a confirmation of his first suspicion that the Hurons might be waiting +for us, in our own temporary house. Complaints were useless, however, and +we smothered our apprehensions as well as we could. + +Susquesus was not a warrior to confide entirely in the signs of an open +march. Experienced woodsmen frequently left their trails visible expressly +to deceive; and the Onondago, who personally knew Muss, as Jaap called his +prisoner, was fully aware that he had to deal with a profoundly artful foe. +Not satisfied with even what he had seen, he cautioned us about quitting +the cover, except under his guidance, and then commenced a mode of approach +that was purely Indian, and which, in its way, had much of the merit of the +approaches of more civilized besiegers, by means of their entrenchments +and zig-zags. Our advance was regulated in this way. Each man was told to +select the nearest tree that led him towards the hut, and to pass from the +old to the new cover, in as rapid and sudden a manner as his agility would +allow. By observing this precaution, and by using great activity, we had +got within twenty yards of the door of the cabin, in the course of ten +minutes. Guert could not submit to this slow, and, as he called it, unmanly +procedure any longer; but quitting his cover, he now walked straight and +steadily to the door of the cabin, threw it open, and announced to us that +the place was empty. Susquesus made another close examination around the +building, and told us he felt quite certain that the spot had not been +visited since we had left it that morning. That was grateful intelligence +to us all, since it was the only probable clue by which our enemies could +have learned our return to the Patent at all. + +The question now arose as to future proceedings. Nothing was to be gained +by remaining on the property, while prudence, and the danger of our +friends, united to call us away. We felt it would be a most hazardous thing +to attempt reaching Ravensnest; though we felt it was a hazard we were +bound to incur. While the matter was talked over, those among us who had +any appetite, profited by the halt, to dine. An Indian on a war-path, is +equally ready to eat, or to fast; his powers of endurance, both ways, more +especially when the food is game, amounting to something wonderful. + +While Susquesus, and Jaap, in particular, were performing their parts in a +very serious manner, in this way, and the rest of us were picking up a +few morsels, more like men whose moral feelings cheeked their physical +propensities, I caught a distant glimpse of a man's form, as it glided +among the trees, at some distance from us. Surprise and awe were so strong +in me, that I did not speak, but pointed with a finger eagerly in the +necessary direction, in order to let the Onondago see the same object too. +Susquesus was not slow in detecting the stranger, however; for I think +he must have seen him, even before he was descried by myself. Instead of +manifesting any emotion, however, the Onondago did not even cease to eat; +but merely nodded his head, and muttered, “Good--now hear news--Jumper +come.” + +Sure enough, it was Jumper; and his appearance in the flesh, not only +alive, but unharmed, produced a general shout among us as he came in, on +such a long, loping gait, as usually marked a runner's movement. In a +moment he was among us, calm, collected, and without motion. He gave no +salutation, but seated himself quietly on a log, waiting to be questioned, +before he spoke; impatience being a womanly weakness. + +“Jumper, my honest fellow,” cried Guert, not without emotion, for joy was +struggling powerfully with his organs of speech, “you are heartily welcome! +These devils incarnate, the Hurons, have not injured _you_, at least!” + +Liquor had rendered Jumper's faculties somewhat obtuse, in general, though +he was now perfectly sober. He gave a sort of dull look of recognition at +the speaker, and muttered his answer in a low, sluggish tone: + +“Plenty Huron,” he said; “clearin' full. Pale-face in fort send Jumper with +message.” + +We should have overwhelmed the fellow with questions, had he not unfolded +a corner of his calico shirt, and exhibited several letters, each of which +was soon in the hand of the individual to whom it was addressed. Guert, +Dirck, and myself, severally got his communication; while there was a +fourth, in the handwriting of Herman Mordaunt, that bore the superscription +of poor Traverse's name. Subsequent events have placed it in my power to +give copies of all the letters, thus received. My own was in the following +words: + + “My dearest father is so much occupied, as to desire _me_ to write + you this note. Mr. Bulstrode sent an express, yesterday, who was + bearer of the sad tidings from Ticonderoga. He also announced his + own approach; and we expect him, in a horse-litter, this evening. + Reports are flying about the settlement, that savages have been seen + in our own woods. I endeavour to hope that this is only one of those + idle rumours, of which we have had so many, lately. My father + however, is taking all necessary precautions, and he desires _me_ to + urge on _you_ the necessity of collecting all your party, should you + be again at Mooseridge, and of joining us _without delay_. We have + heard of your safety, and gallant conduct, through the man sent + forward by Mr. Bulstrode; his master having heard of you all, safe + in a canoe on the lake, the night after the battle, through a Mr. + Lee; a gentleman of great eccentricity of character, though, it is + said, of much talent, with whom papa happens to be acquainted. I + trust this note will find you at your hut, and that we shall see you + all, with the least possible delay. + + “ANNEKE.” + +This, certainly, was not a note to appease the longings of a lover; though +I had infinite gratification in seeing the pretty characters that had been +traced by Anne Mordaunt's hand, and of kissing the page over which that +hand must have passed. But, there was a postscript, the part of a letter +in which a woman is said always to give the clearest insight into her true +thoughts. It was in these words, viz.:-- + +“I see that I have underscored the 'me,' where I speak of papa's desire +that _I_ should write to you, in preference to another. We have gone +through one dreadful scene, in company, and, I confess, Corny, I should +feel far happier, if another is to occur, that _you_ and _yours_, should +be with us, here, behind the defences of this house, than exposed, as you +otherwise might be, in the forest. Come to us, then, I repeat, with the +least possible delay.” + +This postscript afforded me far more satisfaction than the body of the +note; and I was quite as ready to comply with Anneke's request, as the dear +girl, herself, could be to urge it. Guert's letter was as follows:-- + + “Mr. Mordaunt has commanded Anneke and myself to write to those of + your party, with whom he fancies each has the most influence, to + urge you to come to Ravensnest, as speedily as possible. We have + received most melancholy news; and a panic prevails among the poor + people of this settlement. We learn that Mr. Bulstrode, accompanied + by Mr. Worden, is within a few hours' journey of us, and the + families of the vicinity are coming to us, frightened and weeping. I + do not know that I feel much alarmed, myself; my great dependence is + on a merciful Providence; but, the dread Being on whom I rely, works + through human agents; and, I know of none in whom I can place more + confidence, than on Guert Ten Eyck. + + “MARY WALLACE.” + + +“By St. Nicholas! Corny, these are such summonses as a man never hesitates +about obeying,” cried Guert, rising, and beginning to replace his knapsack. +“By using great diligence, we may reach the Nest, yet, before the family +goes to bed, and make not only them, but ourselves, so much the more +comfortable and secure.” + +Guert had a willing auditor, in me; nor was Dirck at all backward about +complying. The letters certainly much quickened our impulses; though, in +fact, there remained nothing else to do; unless, indeed, we intended to lie +out, exposed to all the risks of a vindictive and savage warfare. Dirck's' +letter was from Herman Mordaunt; and it told the truth in plainer language +than it had been related by either of the ladies. Here it is. + + “Dear Dirck,--The savages are certainly approaching us, my young + kinsman; and it is for the good of us all to unite our forces. Come + in, for God's sake, with your whole party, as speedily as possible. + I have had scouts out, and they have all come in with reports that + the signs of trails, in the forest, abound. I expect, at least a + hundred warriors will be upon us, by to-morrow, and am making my + preparations accordingly. In approaching the Nest, I would advise + you to enter the ravine north of the house, and to keep within its + cover until you get to its southern termination. This will bring you + within a hundred rods of the gate, and greatly increase your chances + of entering, should we happen to be invested when you get here. God + bless you, dear Dirck, and guide you all safely to your friends. + + “HERMAN MORDAUNT. + + “Ravensnest, July 11th, 1758.” + +Guert and I read this letter hastily, before we commenced our march. Then, +abandoning the hut, and all it contained, to the mercy of any who might +pass that way, we set off for our point of destination, on a quick step, +carrying little besides our arms, ammunition, and the food that was +necessary to assure our strength. + +As before, Trackless led, keeping the Jumper a little on his flank; the +danger of encountering foes being now considered to be greatly increased. +It was true, we were still in the rear of the party that had committed +the deeds at Mooseridge; but the Onondago no longer followed its trail; +pursuing a different course, or one that led directly to his object. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + “My father had a daughter lov'd a man, + As it might be perhaps, were I a woman, + I should your lordship.” + + _Viola_. + + +As the reader must, by this time, have a pretty accurate idea of our manner +of marching in the wilderness, I shall not dwell on this part of our +proceedings any longer. On we went, and at a rapid rate, the guide having +abandoned the common route, which had got to be a pretty visible trail, and +taking another on which, as it appeared to me, he had no other clue than an +instinct. Guert had told Susquesus of the ravine, and how desirable it +was to reach it, getting for an answer a quiet nod of the head, and a low +ejaculation. It was understood, however, that we were to approach Herman +Mordaunt's fortress, by that avenue. + +It was past the turn of the day when we quitted Mooseridge, and none of us +hoped to reach Ravensnest before dark. It fell out, as we expected, night +drawing its veil over the scene, about half an hour before the Trackless +plunged into the northern, or forest-end of the ravine. Thus far, we had +got no evidence whatever of the proximity of foes. Our march had been +silent, rapid, and watchful, but it proved to be perfectly undisturbed. We +knew, however, that the critical portion of it was still before us; and +just as the sun set, we had made a halt, in order to look to our arms. It +may now be well to say a word or two on the subject of the position of +Herman Mordaunt's 'garrison,' as well as of the adjacent settlement. I call +Ravensnest the 'garrison,' for that is the word which New York custom has +long applied to the fortress itself, as well as those who defend it. Some +critics pretend there is authority to justify the practice, and I see by +the dictionaries that they are not entirely in the wrong. + +The Nest stood quite half a mile from the nearest point of the forest, a +belt of trees that fringed the margin, and which filled the cavity of +the ravine, excepted. Near it, and in plain sight, was the heart of the +settlement itself, which extended, in an east and west direction, fully +four miles. This area, however, was cleared only in a settlement fashion; +having patches of virgin forest scattered pretty profusely over its +surface. The mill-lot, as Jason's purchase was termed, lay at the most +distant extremity of the view, but, as yet, the axe had not been applied +to it. I had remarked in my last visit to the place, that, standing before +Herman Mordaunt's door, something like a dozen log cabins were to be seen +at a time in different parts of the settlement, and that this number might +have been increased to twenty, by varying the observer's position. + +Of course, the whole of the open space was more or less disfigured by +stumps, dead and girdled trees, charred stubs, log-heaps, brush, and all +the other unseemly accompaniments of the first eight or ten years of the +existence of a new settlement. This period, in the history of a country, +may be likened to the hobbledehoy condition in ourselves, when we have lost +the graces of childhood, without having attained the finished forms of men. + +Herman Mordaunt's settlement would have been thought a strong country, in +one sense, for a field fight, had there been men enough to contend with a +hostile party of any force. But, I had heard him say that he had but about +seventeen rifles and muskets that could be in the least relied on, inasmuch +as some of his people were Europeans, and had no knowledge of fire-arms, +while experience had shown that others, on the occurrence of an alarm, +invariably fled to the woods, with their families, instead of rallying +around the settlement colours. Such delinquencies usually take place, I +believe, on all emergencies; love of life being even a stronger instinct +than love of property. Here and there a sturdy fellow, however, would bar +himself in, with a determination to go for the whole, under his own bark +roof; and, occasionally, defences were made that would do credit to a hero. + +It should be apparent to those who have any accurate notion of savage +warfare, that the ravine, being, as it was, the only wooded spot near +Herman Mordaunt's fortress, would be the place of all others most likely to +contain an enemy who made his approaches against a garrison, by means of +natural facilities alone. We were aware of this; and Guert, who took an +active command among us, as we drew near to danger, issued his commands for +every man to be on the alert, in order that there might be no confusion. +We were instructed as to the manner of proceeding the moment an alarm was +given; and Guert, who was a capital mimic, had previously taught us several +calls and rallying signals, all of which were good imitations of the cries +of different tenants of the woods, principally birds. These signals had +their origin with the red-man, who often resorted to them, and were said to +be more successfully practised by our own hunters and riflemen than even by +those with whom they originated. + +On entering the ravine, the order of our march was changed. While Susquesus +and Jumper were still kept in advance, Guert, Dirck, Jaap and myself moved +abreast, and quite close together. The density of the foliage, and the deep +obscurity that prevailed in the bottom of this dell-like hollow, rendered +this precaution necessary. It soon became so dark, indeed, that our only +guide was the brook that gurgled along the bottom of the ravine, and which +we knew issued into the open ground at its termination, to join a small +river that meandered through some natural meadows to the westward of the +Nest, but which, in the language of the country, was called a 'creek.' This +abuse of good old English words, I am sorry to say, is getting to be only +too common among us; yet, I have heard Americans boast that we speak the +language better than the mother country! That we have no class among us +that uses an unintelligible dialect, like that of Lancashire or Yorkshire, +is true enough; and, that we have fewer persons who use decided vulgarisms, +in the way of false grammar, than is the case in England, may be also +accurate; but, it might be well for us to correct a great many faults into +which we have certainly fallen, before we declaim with so much confidence +about the purity of our English. [37] To return to the ravine. + +We had gone so far in the hollow, dark dell, as to have reached a point +where the faint light of the open ground and the stars in the firmament +became visible to us, when we suddenly found ourselves alongside of the +Trackless and Jumper. These Indians had halted; for their quick, jealous, +eagle-like glances had detected the signs of enemies. Nor was this +discovery very difficult to make, though some pains had actually been taken +to conceal what was going on in our front. A party of some forty savages, +every man of whom was in his war-paint, had lighted a fire beneath a +shelving rock, and were gathered around it at supper. The fire had already +done its duty, and was now merely smouldering, throwing a faint, flickering +light on the dark, fierce features of the group that was clustered round. +We might have approached the spot in any other direction, without seeing +the danger in time to avoid it; but a kind Providence had carried the two +Indians directly to a point where the dying embers immediately caught their +attention, and where they halted as has been said. I do not think we were +more than forty yards from this fearful band of savages, when they first +met my eye; and, hardened as I had certainly somewhat become, by the +service and scenes I had so lately gone through, I will confess that my +blood was a little chilled at the sight. + +Our conference was in whispers. There we stood, huddled together beneath +a huge oak, the shade of which rendered the darkness that formed our only +safeguard, so much the more intense. So close were we, in fact, that even +Jaap's body was in absolute contact with my own. Susquesus proposed making +a _détour_, by crossing the brook, which, fortunately, tumbled down some +rocks at this point, making a very favourable noise, and thus pass our +enemies, who would not probably end their meal until we had time to reach +the 'garrison.' To this Guert applied his veto. He was of opinion, and I +have always thought it was the decision of a man born to be a soldier, that +we were exactly in the position we might desire to occupy, in order to be +of great service to the family, and to strike the enemy with a panic. By +attacking, we should certainly surprise the party in our front, and might +make such an impression as would induce them to abandon the settlement. +Both Dirck and myself coincided in this opinion, which even received the +support of Jaap's voice. + +“Yes, sah!--yes, Masser Corny, now 'e time to wengeance poor Pete!” he +muttered, and that rather louder than was thought quite prudent. + +As soon as the Trackless found how things were going, he and Jumper +prepared for the conflict, as coolly as any of us. Our arrangements were +very simple, and were soon made. We were to deliver a single fire from the +spot where we stood, shout, and charge with the knife and tomahawk. No time +was to be wasted, however; and, instead of remaining near the light, small +as it was, we were to push for the mouth of the ravine, and thence make the +best of our way, singly or in company, as chance should offer, to the gate +of Ravensnest. In a moment we were in open files, and had our orders. + +“Remember Traverse!” said Guert, sternly--“remember poor Sam, and all our +murteret frients!” + +The reader knows that Guert was apt to be very Dutch, when much excited. +We _did_ remember the dead; and I have often thought, but never knew +precisely, that each of us sacrificed a victim to the manes of our lost +companions, on that stern occasion. Our rifles rang, or cracked would be +the better word, almost simultaneously; a yell arose from the savages +around the fire; our own shouts mingled with that yell, and forward we +went, endeavouring to make our numbers appear as if we were a hundred. + +One retains but very indistinct notions of a charge like that, made as it +was, in the dark, beyond its general characteristics. We swept directly +among the slain and wounded, and I heard Jaap dealing one or two awful +blows on the bodies; but no one opposed us. A moment after we had passed +the smouldering fire, three or four shot were discharged at us, but there +was no sign of their telling on any of our party. The distance from the +fire to the mouth of the ravine, might have been a hundred yards; and the +external light, or lesser darkness may be a better expression, served us +for a guide. Thither we pushed, fast as we could, though by no means in +compact order. + +For this part of the affair, I can only speak for myself. I saw men moving +swiftly among the trees, and I supposed them to be my companions; but we +had become separated, it being understood that each man was now to shift +for himself. As our rifles were discharged, and there was no time to reload +them, there was little use, indeed, in any halt. Perceiving this, I did not +issue from the ravine at the brook, but clinging more to its side, left it +at a little height above the level of the adjacent plain. Here I paused to +load, the cover being good, and the position every way favourable. While +thus employed, I found time to look around me, and to ascertain the +situation of things in the settlement, so far as the hour and the obscurity +would permit. + +The plain was glimmering with the remains of a dozen large fires, the ruins +of so many log-houses and barns. Their light amounted to no more than to +render the darkness of the night distinctly visible, and to afford some +small clues to the extent of the ravages that had been already committed. +The house of Ravensnest, however, was untouched. There it stood, looking +dark and gloomy; for, having no external windows, no other light was to +be seen than a single candle, that was probably placed in a loophole as a +signal. Profound stillness reigned in and around the building, producing +a species of mystery that was, in itself, under such circumstances, an +element of force. There was not light enough to distinguish objects at any +distance, and, having reloaded my rifle, I thought it wisest to make the +best of my way to the gate. At that moment, the stillness in my rear seemed +to possess something affirmatively fearful about it. + +It was certainly a somewhat hazardous thing to break cover, at such a +moment, and under such circumstances; but it was absolutely necessary to +incur its risks. My first leap carried me half-way down the declivity, and +I was soon on the level land. In my front were two men, one of whom seemed +to me to be in the grasp of the other. As they were moving, though slowly, +in the direction of the house, I ventured to ask 'Who goes there?' + +“Oh, Corny, my lad, is that you?” answered Guert. “Got be praised! you seem +unhurt, and are just in time to help me along with this Huron, on whom I +blundered in the dark, and have disarmed and captured. Give him a kick or a +push, if you please; for the fellow holds back like a hog.” + +I had too much knowledge of Indian vindictiveness, however, to adopt the +means recommended; but seizing the captive by one arm, while Guert held +the other, we ran him up to the _abbatis_ that covered the gate of the +“garrison,” with very little difficulty. Here we found Herman Mordaunt +and a dozen of his people, all armed, ready to receive Us. They were in +expectation of our appearance, both on account of the hour, and on account +of the clamour in the ravine, which had been distinctly heard at the house. +In less than a minute everybody was in, safe and unharmed. The fact was, +that our attack had been so sudden as to sweep everything before it, and +the enemy had not time to recover from his panic, before we were all snugly +housed. Once within the gate of Ravensnest we ran no risks, beyond those +which were common to all such log fortresses in the warfare of the +wilderness. + +It would not be easy for a pen as unskilful as mine, to portray the change, +from the gloom of the ravine, the short but bloody assault, the shouts, +the rush, and the retreat, of the outer world, to the scene of domestic +security we found within the Nest, embellished, as was the last, by woman's +loveliness and graces, and, in many respects, by woman's elegance. Anneke +and her friend received us in a bright, cheerful, comfortable apartment, +that was rendered so much the more attractive by their tears and their +smiles, neither of which were spared. I could see that both had been +dreadfully agitated; but joy restored their colour, and brought back the +smiles to their sweet faces. The situation of the place was such, perhaps, +as to render cheerfulness neither very lasting nor very lively; but the +tenderest female can find her heart suddenly so lightened from its burthen +of apprehensions, as to be able to seem momentarily happy, even when +environed by the horrors of war. Such, in a measure, was the character of +the reception we now received, together with a thousand thanks for having +so promptly answered their letters in person. The dear creatures had +the ingenuity not to seem to ascribe that prompt obedience to their own +requests, which we had manifested, to any care for ourselves, but solely +to a wish to oblige and protect them. The reader will understand that all +explanations still remained to be made, on both sides. These soon came, +however; facts pressing themselves on the attention, at such times, with +a weight that is irresistible. The ice was broken by Herman Mordaunt's +entering the room, and speaking to us, like one who felt that a great +omission had been made. + +“We had closed the gate, and set the look-out at the loops again,” he said, +“before I ascertained that all your party is not here. I see nothing of +Traverse and his chain-bearers, nor of Sam or Tom, your hunters! Surely, +they are not left behind in the forest?” + +Neither of us three spoke. Our looks must have told the sad story, for +Herman Mordaunt seemed to understand us on the instant. + +“No!” he exclaimed--“Can it be possible? Not _all_, surely!” + +“_All_, Mr. Mordaunt, even to my poor slave, Petrus,” answered Guert, +solemnly. “They were set upon, while dispersed, I suppose, and have been +murdered, while we were still absent, on our expedition.” + +The dear girls clasped their hands, and I thought Anneke's pallid lips +moved, as if in prayer. Her father shook his head, and for some time he +paced the room in silence. Then rousing himself, like one conscious of the +necessity of calmness and exertion, he resumed the discourse. + +“Thank God, Mr. Bulstrode reached us safely last evening, just after we +despatched the runner; and _he_ is beyond the reach of these demons for the +present!” + +After this we were enabled to converse more connectedly, exchanging such +statements as enabled each party to understand the precise condition of the +other. We were then carried to Bulstrode's room, for he had expressed a +desire to see us, as soon as we could be spared. Our fellow campaigner +received us in good spirits, for one in his situation, speaking of the +events in front of Ticonderoga sensibly, and without any attempt to conceal +the mortification that he felt, in common with the whole British empire. +His hurt was by no means a bad one; likely to cripple him for a few weeks, +but the leg was in no danger. + +“I have had the resolution and address, Corny, to work my way into good +quarters, this unexpected siege excepted,” he observed to me, when the +others had withdrawn, leaving us alone. “This rivalry of ours is a generous +one, and may now have fair play. If we quit this Nest of Herman Mordaunt's +without ascertaining the true state of Anneke's feelings, we shall deserve +to be condemned to celibacy for the remainder of our days. There never were +two such opportunities for wooing to advantage!” + +“I confess our situation does not strike me as being quite as favourable, +Mr. Bulstrode,” I answered. “Anneke must have too many apprehensions on +her own account, and on account of others, to be as sensible to the tender +sentiments of love, as might be the case in the peace and security of +Lilacsbush.” + +“Ah! It is very evident you know nothing of the female sex, Corny, by +that remark. I will grant you, that unwooed previously, and without any +foundation laid, if I may express myself so irreverently, your theory might +turn out to be true; but not so under actual circumstances. Here is a young +lady in her nineteenth year, who knows she is not only sought, but has long +been sought, ay warmly, ardently sought, by two reasonably unobjectionable +young men, placed in the very situation to have all her sensibilities +excited, by one or the other, and, depend on it, the matter will be +determined within this blessed week. If I should prove to be the fortunate +man, I hope to be able to manifest a generous sympathy; and, _vice versâ,_ +I shall expect the same. Though this sad, sad business before Ty has been a +good preparative for humiliation.” + +I could not avoid smiling at Bulstrode's singular views of our suit; but, +as Anneke was ever with me an engrossing theme, spite of our situation, +which certainly was not particularly appropriate to love, I did not feel +equal to quitting it abruptly. The matter was consequently pursued. As I +asked Bulstrode to explain himself, I got from him the following account of +his theory. + +“Why, I reason in this wise, Corny. Anneke loves _one_ of us two, beyond +all question. That she _loves_, I will swear; her blushes, her beaming +eyes, even her beauty is replete with the loveliness of the sentiment. Now, +it is not possible that she should love any other person than one of us +two, for the simple reason that she has no other suitor. I shall be frank +with you, and confess that I think I am the favoured fellow, while, I dare +say, you are just as sanguine and think it is yourself.” + +“I give you my honour, Major Bulstrode, so presuming, so improper a thought +has never--” + +“Yes, yes--I understand all that. You are not worthy of Anne Mordaunt's +love, and therefore have never presumed to imagine that she could bestow +it on such a poor, miserable, worthless, good-for-nothing a fellow as +yourself. I have a great deal of the same very proper feeling; but, at the +same time, each of us is quite confident of his own success, or he would +have given up the pursuit long since.” + +“I do assure you, Bulstrode, anything but confidence mingles with _my_ +feelings on this subject. _You_ may have reasons for your own security, but +I can boast of none.” + +“I have no other than self-love, of which every man has a just portion for +his own comfort and peace of mind. I say that hope is indispensable to +love, and hope is allied to confidence. My reasoning on these points is +very simple. And, now for the peculiar advantages we enjoy for bringing +matters to a crisis. In the first place, I am hurt, you will understand; +suffering under an honourable wound, received in open battle, fighting for +king and country. Then, I have been brought fresh from the field, on my +litter, into the presence of my mistress, bearing on my person the evidence +of my risk, and, I hope, of my good conduct. There is not one woman in a +thousand, if she hesitated between us, that would not decide in my favour, +on these grounds alone. You have no notion, Corny, how the hearts of these +sweet, gentle, devoted, generous little American girls melt to sympathy, +and the sufferings of a poor wretch that they know adores them! Make a +nurse of a female, and she is yours, nine times out of ten. This has been +a master-stroke of mine, but I hope you will pardon it. Stratagems are +excusable in love, as in war.” + +“I have no difficulty in understanding your policy, Bulstrode; though I +confess to some in understanding your frankness. Such as it is, however, I +trust you feel certain it will not be abused. Now, as to my situation, what +peculiar countervailing advantages do I enjoy?” + +“Those of a defender. Oh, _that_ is a battering-ram of itself! This +confounded assault on the settlement, which they tell me is rather serious, +and may keep alive apprehensions for some days yet, is a most unlucky thing +for me, while it is of great advantage to you. A wounded man cannot excite +one-half the interest he otherwise might, when there is a chance that +others may be slain, every minute. Then, the character of a defender is a +great deal; and being a generous rival, as I have always told you, Corny, +my advice is to make the most of it. I conceal nothing, and intend to do +all I can with my wound.” + +It was scarcely possible not to laugh at this strangely frank, yet, I fully +believe, strangely sincere communication; for Bulstrode was a humorist, +with all his conventionalism and London notions, and was more addicted to +saying precisely what he thought, than is common with men of his class. +After sitting and chatting with him half an hour longer, on the subject of +the late military operations, of which he spoke with both feeling and good +sense, I took my leave for the night. + +“God bless you, Corny,” he said, squeezing my hand, as I left him; “improve +the opportunity in your own way, for I assure you I shall do it in mine. It +is present valour against past valour. If it were not my own case that is +concerned, there is not a man living to whom I should more freely wish +success.” + +And I believe Bulstrode did not exceed the truth in his declarations. That +I should succeed with Anneke, he did not think, as was apparent to me by +his general manner, and the consciousness he must have possessed of his +own advantages in the way of rank and fortune, as well as in having Herman +Mordaunt's good wishes. Oddly enough, in quitting my rival, and under +circumstances so very peculiar, I was accidentally thrown into the presence +of my mistress, and that, too, alone! Anneke was the sole occupant of the +little room in which the girls habitually staid, when I returned to it; +Guert having managed to induce Mary Wallace to walk with him in the +court, the only place the ladies now possessed for exercise; while Herman +Mordaunt, Mr. Worden, and Dirck, were together in the public-room, making +some arrangement with the confused body of the settlers, who had crowded +into the Nest, for the night-watch. I shall not stop to express the delight +I felt at finding Anneke there; nor was it in any degree diminished, as +I met the soft expression of her sweet eyes, and saw the blushes that +suffused her cheek. The conversation I had just held, doubtless, had its +effect; for I determined, at once, that so favourable an occasion for +pressing my suit should not be lost. I was goaded on, if the truth must be +told, by apprehension of Bulstrode's wound. + +What I said precisely, in the commencement of that interview, is more than +I could record, did I think it would redound to my advantage, as I fear +it would not; but I made myself understood, which is more, I fancy, than +happens to all lovers in such scenes. At first I was confused and a little +incoherent, I suspect; but feeling so far got the better of these defects, +as to enable me to utter what I wished to express. Towards the end, if I +spoke in the least as warmly and distinctly as I felt, there must have been +some slight touch of eloquence about my manner and language. This being the +first occasion, too, on which I had ever had an opportunity of urging my +suit very directly, there was so much to be said, so many things to be +explained, and so many seemingly slighted occasions to account for, that +Anneke had little else to do, for the first ten minutes, but to listen. I +have always ascribed the self-possession which my companion was enabled to +command during the remainder of this interview, to the time that was thus +accorded her to rally her thoughts. + +Dear, precious Anneke! How admirably did she behave that memorable night! +It was certainly an extraordinary situation in which to speak of love; yet, +I much question if the feelings be not more likely to be true and natural +at such times, than when circumstances admit of more of the expedients of +every-day life. I could see that my sweet listener was touched, from the +moment I commenced, and that her countenance betrayed a tender interest +in what I said. Presuming on this, or encouraged by her blushes and her +downcast eyes, I ventured to take a hand, and perceived I was not repulsed. +Then it was that I found words, that actually brought tears to my +companion's eyes, and Anneke was enabled to answer me. + +“This is so unusual--so extraordinary a time to speak of such things, +Corny,” she said, “that I hardly know what ought to be my reply. Of one +thing, however, I feel certain; persons surrounded as we are by dangers +that may, at any instant, involve our destruction, have an unusual demand +on them for sincerity. Affectation, I hope, I am never much addicted to, +and prudery I know _you_ would condemn. I have a feeling uppermost, at this +instant, that I wish to express, yet scarce know how--” + +“Do not suppress it, beloved Anneke; be as generous as I am certain you are +sincere.” + +“Corny, it is this. I know we are in danger--very great danger of being +overcome; captured, perhaps slain, by the ruthless beings who are prowling +around our dwelling, and that no one in this house can count on a single +day of existence even with the ordinary vain security of man. Now, should +anything befall _you_, after this, and I survive you, I should survive +for the remainder of my days to mourn your loss, and to feel the keenest +regrets that I had hesitated to own how much interest I have long felt in +you, and how happy I have been with the consciousness of the preference +that you so frankly and honestly avowed in my favour, months ago.” + +As the tears, as well as blushes of Anneke, accompanied these admissions, +it was not possible for me to doubt what I heard. From that moment, a world +of confidence, and a flow of pure, sweet, strong, natural feeling, bound us +more and more closely together. Guert was in a happy mood to detain Mary +Wallace, and business greatly befriended me, as respected the others. More +than an hour had I Anne Mordaunt all to myself; and when the heart is open, +how much can be uttered and understood, on such a subject as love, in an +hour of unreserved confidence, and of strong feeling! Anneke admitted to +me, before we separated, that she had often thought of the chivalrous boy, +who had volunteered to do battle in her behalf, when she was little more +than a child herself, and thought of him as a generous-minded girl would be +apt to think of a lad, under the circumstances. This very early preference +had been much quickened and increased by the affair of the lion, and our +subsequent intercourse. Bulstrode, that formidable, encouraged rival, +encouraged by her father if not by herself, had never interested her in the +least, beyond the feeling natural to the affinity of blood; and I might +have spared myself many hours of anxious concern, on his account, could I +only have seen what was now so unreservedly told to me. Poor Bulstrode! +a feeling of commiseration came over me, as I listened to my companion's +assurances that he had never in the least touched her heart, while, at +the same time, blushing very red, she confessed my own power over it. An +expression to this effect even escaped her aloud-- + +“Have no concern on Mr. Bulstrode's account, Corny,” Anneke answered, +smiling archly, like one who had well weighed the pros and cons of the +whole subject, in her own mind; “he may be a little mortified, but his +fancy will soon be forgotten in rejoicing that he had not yielded to a +passing inclination, and connected himself with a young, inexperienced +American girl, who is hardly suited to move in the circles in which his +wife must live--I do believe Mr. Bulstrode prefers me, just now, to any +other female he may tappen to know; but his attachment, if it deserve the +name, has not the heart in it, dear Corny, that I know is to be found in +your's. We women are said to be quick in discovering when we are really +loved, and I confess that my own little experience inclines me to believe +that the remark does us no more than justice.” + +I then spoke of Guert, and expressed a hope that his sincere, obvious, +manly devotion, might finally touch her heart, and that my new friend, +towards whom, however, I began already to feel as towards an old friend, +might finally meet with a return for a passion that I was persuaded was as +deep and as sincere as my own; a comparison that I felt was as strong as +any I could make in Guert's behalf. + +“On this subject, you are not to expect me to say much, Corny,” answered +Anneke, smiling. “Every woman is the mistress of her own secrets on such a +subject; and, did I know fully Mary Wallace's mind or wishes in reference +to Mr. Ten Eyck, as I do not profess to know either, I should not feel at +liberty to betray her, even to you. I have no longer any secret of my own, +as respects Corny Littlepage, but must not be expected to be as weak in +betraying my whole sex, as I have been in betraying myself!” + +I was obliged to be satisfied with this sweet admission and with the +knowledge that I had been long loved. When Anneke left me, which, at +the expiration of more than an hour, she insisted on doing, under the +consciousness of all that had passed between us, I had a good deal of +difficulty in believing that I was not dreaming. This _ecclaircissement_ +was so sudden, so totally unexpected I fancy to us both, that well might it +so seem to either; yet, I fancy we did not part without a deep +conviction that both were happier than when we met. I solemnly declare, +notwithstanding, that I felt sorrow, almost regret, on behalf of Bulstrode. +The poor fellow had been so evidently confident of success, only an hour or +two before, that I could not have acquainted him with my own success, had +he been up, and able to prefer his own suit; in his actual situation, such +a procedure would have appeared brutal. + +As for Guert Ten Eyck, he rejoined me sadder and more despairing than ever. + +“It struck me, Corny, that if Mary Wallace had the smallest inclination in +my behalf, she would manifest it at a moment when we may all be said to be +hanging between life and deaf. I have often heard it said that the woman +who would trifle with a young fellow at a ball, or on a sleigh-ride, and +use him like a dog, while every one was laughing and making merry, would +come round like one of the weather-cocks on our Dutch barns, at a shift of +the wind, the instant that distress or unhappiness alighted on her suitor. +In other worts, that the very girl who would be capricious and uncertain, +in happiness and prosperity, would suddenly become tender and truthful, as +soon as sorrow touched the man who wished to have her. On the strength of +this, then, I thought I would urge Mary, to the best of my poor abilities, +and you know they are no great matter, Corny, to give me only a glimmering +of hope; but without success. Not a syllable more could I get out of her +than that the time was unseasonable to talk of such things; and I do think +I should be ready to go and meet these Huron devils, hand to hand, were it +not for the fact that the very girl who thus remonstrated, staid with me +quite two hours, listening to what I had to say, though I spoke of nothing +else. There was a crumb of comfort in that, lad, or I do not understand +human nature.” + +There was, truly. Still, I could not but compare Anne Mordaunt's generous +confessions, under the influence of the same facts, and fancy that the +prospects of the simple-minded, warm-hearted, manly young Albanian, were +far less flattering than my own. + +[Footnote 37: It is _northern_ American, to call a small 'lake' a 'pond,' a +small 'river' a 'creek,' even though it should be an 'outlet,' instead of +an 'inlet,' &c. &c. It is a more difficult thing than is commonly supposed, +to make two great nations, each of which is disposed to innovate, speak the +same language with precise uniformity. The Manhattanese, who have probably +fewer of the peculiarities of the inhabitants of a capital than the +population of any other town in the world of four hundred thousand +souls, the consequences of a rapid growth, and of a people who have +come principally from the country are much addicted to introducing new +significations for words, which arise from their own provincial habits. In +Manhattanese parlance, for instance, a 'square' is a 'park,' or, even a +'garden' is a 'park.' A promenade, on the water, is a 'battery!' It is a +pity that, in this humour for change, they have not thought of altering the +complex and imitative mine of their town.--EDITOR.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + “Between two worlds life hovers like a star, + 'Twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge: + How little do we know that which we are! + How less what we may be! The eternal surge + Of time and tide rolls on, and bears afar + Our bubbles: as the old burst, new emerge, + Lashed from the foam of ages; while the graves + Of empires heave but like some passing wave.” + + BYRON. + + +It was now announced by Herman Mordaunt in person, that the watch was set +for the night, and that each man might seek his rest. The crowded state of +the Nest was such, as to render it no easy matter to find a place in which +to sleep, straw being our only beds. At length we found our pallets, such +as they were; and, spite of all that had passed that evening, truth compels +me to admit that I was soon in a profound sleep. There was no exception to +this rule among the Mooseridge party, I believe, fatigue proving to to be +more powerful, than either successful love, unsuccessful love, or personal +apprehension. + +It was about three o'clock, when I felt a significant pressure of the arm, +such as one gives when he especially wishes to attract attention. It was +Jason Newcome, employed in awakening the men of the house, without giving +such an alarm as might reach the ears without. In a few minutes everybody +was up and armed. + +As the morning, just before the appearance of light, when sleep is +heaviest, is the hour when savages usually attack, no one was surprised at +these preparations, which were understood to be ordered by Herman Mordaunt, +who was a-foot, and on the look-out himself, at a place favourable to +observation. In the mean time, we men, three or four-and-twenty in all, +assembled in the court, in waiting for a summons to the gate, or the loop. +Jason had executed his trust so dexterously, that neither female nor child +knew anything of our movement; all sleeping, or seeming to sleep in +the security of a peaceful home. I took an occasion to compliment the +ex-pedagogue and new miller, on the skill he had shown; and we fell into a +low discourse, in consequence. + +“I have been thinking that this warfare may put a new face on these +settlements, Corny,” continued Jason, after we had conversed some little +time, “more especially as to the titles.” + +“I cannot see how they are to be affected, Mr. Newcome, unless the French +should happen to conquer the colony, a thing not very likely to happen.” + +“That's just it; exactly what I mean, as to principle. Have not these +Hurons conquered this particular settlement? I say they have. They are in +possession of the whull of it, this house excepted; and it appears to me +that if we ever get re-possession, it will be by another conquest. Now, +what I want to know is this--does not conquest give the conquerors a right +to the conquered territory? I have no books here, yet; but I'm dreadful +forgetful, or I _have_ read that such is the law.” + +I may say that this was the first direct demonstration that Jason ever made +on the property of Herman Mordaunt. Since that time he has made many more, +some of which I, or he who may be called on to continue this narrative, +will probably relate; but I wish to record, here, this as the first in a +long series of attempts which Jason Newcome has practised, in order to +transfer the fee-simple of the mill-lot at Ravensnest, from the ownership +of those in whom it is vested by law, to that of his own humble, but +meritorious person. + +I had little time to answer this very singular sort of reasoning; for, +just then, Herman Mordaunt appeared among us, and gave us serious duty to +perform. The explanations with which his orders were preceded, were these. +As had been anticipated, the Indians had adopted the only means that could +prove effective against such a fortress as the Nest without the aid of +artillery. They were making their preparations to set the building on fire, +and had been busy all night in collecting a large amount of pine-knots, +roots, &c., which they had succeeded in piling against the outer logs, at +the point where one wing touched the cliff, and where the formation of the +ground enabled them to approach the building without incurring much risk. +Their mode of proceeding is worthy of being related. One of the boldest and +most skilful of their number had crept to the spot, and posted himself so +close to the logs as to be safe from observation, as well as reasonably +safe from shot. His associates had then extended to him one end of a long +pole, they standing below, some on a shelf of the cliff, and the rest on +the ground; all being safe from harm so long as they kept close to their +respective covers. Thus disposed, these children of the forest passed hours +in patient toil, in forwarding by means of a basket, the knots, and 'other +combustibles, up to the warrior, who kept his position close under the +building, and who piled them in the way most favourable to his object. + +Susquesus had the merit of discovering the projected attempt, the +arrangements for which had completely escaped the vigilance of the +sentinels. It would seem that the Onondago, aware of the artifices of the +red-man, and acquainted in particular with the personal character of Jaap's +friend. Muss, did not believe the night would go by without some serious +attempt on the house. The side of the cliff was much the weakest point of +the fortress, having no other protection than the natural obstacles of the +rocks, which were not inaccessible, though somewhat difficult of ascent, +and the low picketing, already mentioned. Under such circumstances, the +Indian felt certain the assault would be made on that side. Placing himself +on watch, therefore, he discovered the first attempts of the Hurons, but +did not let them be known to Herman Mordaunt, until they were nearly +completed; his reason for the delay being the impatience of the pale-faces, +which would not have suffered the enemy to accomplish his object, so far as +preparations were concerned; the thing of all others he himself thought +to be the most desirable. By allowing the Hurons to waste their time and +strength in making arrangements for an assault that was foreseen, and which +might be met and defeated, a great advantage was obtained; whereas, by +driving them prematurely from an artifice they were known to be engaged in, +they would have recourse to another, and the difficulty of discovery would +be added to our other disadvantages. So Susquesus reasoned, as was said at +the time; and it is certain that so he acted. + +But, the time had come to meet these covert preparations Herman Mordaunt +now held a consultation, on the subject of our proceedings. The question +submitted was, whether we ought to let the Hurons go any further; whether +we should shoot the adventurous savage who was known still to be posted +under the logs of the house, and scatter his pile of knots, by a sortie; +or, whether it were wiser to let the enemy proceed to the extremity of +actually lighting his fire, before we unmasked. Something was to be said in +favour of each plan. By shooting the savage who had made a lodgment under +our walls, and scattering his pile, we should unquestionably defeat the +present attempt; but, in all probability, another would be made the +succeeding night; whereas, by waiting to the last moment, such an effectual +repulse might be given to our foes, as would at once terminate their +expedition. + +On consultation, and weighing all the points as they offered, it was +decided to adopt the latter policy. But one spot commanded a view of the +pile at all, and that was a loop, that had been cut only the day before, +and which looked directly down on the place, from a projection that existed +in the second story, and which ran around the whole building. These +projections were common enough, in the architecture of the provinces at +that day, being often adopted in exposed positions, purposely to afford the +means of protecting the inferior and external portions of the dwellings. +The Nest possessed this advantage, though the loops necessary to complete +the arrangement, had only quite recently been cut. At this loop, then, I +stationed myself, for a short time, watching what was going on below. The +night was dark, but there was no difficulty, in distinguishing the pile of +knots, which to me seemed several feet high, besides being of some length, +or in noting the movements of the Indian who had built it. At the moment I +took my stand at the loop, this man was actually engaged in setting fire to +his combustibles. + +For several minutes Guert and I watched our enemy while he was thus +employed, for the Huron was obliged to proceed with the utmost caution, +lest a light prematurely shed around should betray him. He cautiously +lighted his knots quite within the pile, having left a place for that +purpose; and his combustibles were well in flames before the latter began +to throw their rays to any distance. We had a quantity of water provided in +the room from which we beheld all these movements, and might at any time +have extinguished the fire, by pouring a stream through our loop, provided +we did not wait too long. But Guert objected to 'spoiling the sport,' as he +called it, insisting that the logs of the house would be slow to ignite, +and that we might at any moment scatter the knots, by a rapid sortie. His +wish was to let the enemy proceed in his designs, as far as would be at all +safe, in order to render his defeat more overwhelming. + +Owing to our position, directly over his head, we had no chance to see +the face of the incendiary while he was thus engaged. At length he cast a +glance upward, as if to note the effect of the flames, which were beginning +to throw their forked tongues above the pile, when we both recognised +Jaap's prisoner, Muss. The sight proved too much for Guert's philosophy, +and thrusting the muzzle of his rifle through the loop, he blazed away +at him, without much regard to aim. This report was a sort of signal for +action, the whole house, and all the outer, world appearing to be in a +clamour in an instant. I had no means of seeing Muss, but some of our +look-outs, who had him in view most of the time, told me, after all was +over, that the fellow seemed much astonished at the suddenness of +this assault; that he gazed up at the loop an instant, uttered a loud +exclamation, then yelled the war-whoop at the top of his voice, and went +bounding off into the darkness, like a buck put up unexpectedly from his +lair. The fields all around the Nest seemed to be alive with whooping +demons. Herman Mordaunt had done little towards embellishing the place; and +stumps were standing in hundreds all about it, many having been left within +twenty yards of the buildings. It now seemed as if every one of these +stumps had an Indian warrior lodged behind it, while bands of them appeared +to be leaping about in the gloom, under the rocks. At one time, I fancied +we must be surrounded by hundreds of these ruthless foes, though I now +suppose that their numbers were magnified by their activity and their +infernal yells. They manifested no intention to attack, nevertheless, but +kept screaming around us in all directions, occasionally discharging a +rifle, but, as a whole, waiting the moment when the flames should have done +their work. + +Considering the fearful circumstances in which he was placed, Herman +Mordaunt was wonderfully collected. For myself, I felt as if I had fifty +lives to lose, Anneke being, uppermost in my thoughts. The females, +however, behaved uncommonly well; making no noise, and using all the +self-command they could assume, in order not to distract the exertions +of their husbands and friends. Some of the wives of the sturdy settlers, +indeed, actually exhibited a species of stern courage that would have done +credit to soldiers; appearing in the court, armed, and otherwise rendering +themselves useful. It often happened that women of this class, by +practising on deer, and wolves, and bears, got to be reasonably expert with +fire-arms, and did good service in attacks on their dwellings. I remarked, +in all the commoner class of females, that night, a sort of fierce +hostility to their savage foes, in whom they doubtless saw only the +murderers of children, and wretches who made no distinction of sex or age, +in pursuing their heartless warfare. Many of them appeared like the dams of +the inferior animals when their young were in danger. + +An interval of ten or fifteen minutes must have occurred between the moment +when Guert discharged his rifle and that in which the battle really began. +All this time the fire was gathering head, our tardy attempts to extinguish +it proving a complete failure. But little apprehension was felt on this +account, however, the flames proving an advantage, by casting their light +far into the fields, and even below the rocks, while they did not reach the +court at all; thus placing a portion of the enemy, should they venture to +attack, under a bright light, while it left us in darkness. The only point, +however, at which we could fear a serious assault, was on the side of the +rocks, where the court had no other protection than the low, but close and +tolerably strong picket. Fortunately, the formation of the ground on that +side prevented one who stood on the meadows below from firing into the +court from any point within the ordinary range of the rifle. It was this +circumstance that had determined the site of the garrison. + +Such was the state of things when Anneke's own girl came to ask me to go to +her mistress, if it were possible for me to quit my station, were it +only for a minute. Having no particular duty to perform, there was no +impropriety in complying with a request which, in itself, was every way so +grateful to my feelings. Guert was near me at the time, and heard what the +young negress said; this induced him to inquire if there was no message for +himself; but, even at that serious moment, Mary Wallace did not relent. She +had been kinder than common in manner, the previous night, as the Albanian +had admitted; but, at the same time, she had appeared to distrust her own +resolution so much, as even to give less direct encouragement than had +actually escaped her on previous occasions. + +I found Anneke expecting me in that little parlour where I had so recently +listened to her sweet confessions of tenderness the evening before. She was +alone, the instinct of her sex teaching her the expediency of having no +witness of the feelings and language that might escape two hearts that were +united as were ours, under circumstances so trying. The dear girl was pale +as death when I entered; she had doubtless been thinking of the approaching +conflict, and of what might be its frightful consequences; but, my presence +instantly caused her face to be suffused with blushes, it being impossible +for her sensitive mind not to revert to what had so lately occurred. +This truth to the instinctive principle of her nature could hardly be +extinguished in woman, even at the stake itself. Notwithstanding the +liveliness and varying character of her feelings, Anneke was the first to +speak. + +“I have sent for you, Corny,” she said, laying a hand on her heart, as if +to quiet its throbbings, “to say one word in the way of caution--I hope it +is not wrong.” + +“You _can_ do nothing wrong, beloved Anneke,” I answered; “or, nothing that +would seem so in my eyes. Be not thus agitated. Your fears have increased +the danger, which we consider as trifling. The risks Guert, Dirck, and +myself have already run, are tenfold those which now beset us.” + +The dear girl submitted to have an arm of mine passed around her waist, +when her head dropped on my breast, and she burst into tears. Enabled by +this relief to command her feelings a little, it was not long ere Anneke +raised herself from the endearing embrace I felt impelled to give her, +though still permitting me to hold both her hands; and she looked up into +my face, with the full confidence of affection, renewing the discourse. + +“I could not suffer you to engage in this terrible scene, Corny,” she said, +“without one word, one look, one sign of the interest I feel in you. My +dear, dear father has heard all; and, though disappointed, he does not +disapprove. You know how warmly he has wished Mr. Bulstrode for a son, and +can excuse that preference; but he desired me, not ten minutes since, as he +left me, after giving me a kiss and his blessing, to send for you, and to +say that he shall hereafter look upon you as my and his choice. Heaven +alone knows whether we are to be permitted to meet again, dear Corny; but, +should that never be granted us, I feel it will relieve your mind to know +that we shall meet as the members of one family.” + +“We are the only children of our parents, Anneke, and our union will +gladden their hearts almost as much as it can gladden our own.” + +“I have thought of this, already. I shall have a mother, now; a blessing I +hardly ever knew!” + +“And one that will dearly, dearly love you, as I know by her own opinions, +again and again expressed in my presence.” + +“Thank you, Corny--and thanks to that respected parent, too. Now, go, +Corny; I am fearful this selfish gratification only adds to the danger of +the house--go; I will pray for your safety.” + +“One word, dearest;--poor Guert!--You cannot know how disappointed he is, +that I alone should be summoned here, at such a moment.” + +Anneke seemed thoughtful, and it struck me she was a little distressed. + +“What can I do to alter this?” she said, after a short pause. “A woman's +judgment and her feelings may not impel her the same way; then Mary Wallace +is a girl who appreciates propriety so highly!” + +“I understand you, Anneke. But, Guert is of so noble a disposition, and +acknowledges all his defects so meekly, and with so much candour! Man +cannot love woman better than he loves Mary Wallace. Her extreme prudence +is a virtue, in his eyes, even while he suffers by it.” + +“I cannot change Mary Wallace's nature, Corny,” said Anneke, smiling sadly, +and, as I fancied, in a way that said 'were it I, the virtues of Guert +should soon outweigh his defects;' “but Mary will be Mary, and we must +submit. Perhaps to-morrow may bring her wavering mind to something like +decision; for these late events have proved greatly Mr. Ten Eyck's friends. +But Mary is an orphan, and prudence has been taught her as her great +protection. Now, go, Corny, lest you be missed.” + +The dear girl parted from me hurriedly, but not without strong +manifestation of feeling. I folded her to my heart; that being no moment +for affectations or conventional distance; and I know _I_ was, while +I trusted Anneke might be, none the less happy for remembering we had +exchanged these proofs of mutual attachment. + +Just as I reached the court, I heard a yell without, which my experience +before Ty had taught me was the whoop the Hurons give when they attack. A +rattling fire succeeded, and we were instantly engaged in a hot conflict. +Our people fought under one advantage, which more than counter-balanced +the disadvantage of their inferiority in numbers. While two sides of the +buildings, including that of the meadows, or the one on which an assault +could alone be successful, were in bright light, the court still remained +sufficiently dark to answer all the purposes of defence. We could see each +other, but could not be distinguished at any distance. Our persons, when +seen from without, must have been confounded, too, with the waving shadows +of the pickets. + +As I approached the pickets, through the openings of which our people were +already keeping up a dropping fire on the dark-looking demons who were +leaping about on the meadows below, I learned from Herman Mordaunt, +himself, who received me by an affectionate squeeze of the hand, that a +large body of the enemy was collected directly under the rocks, and that +Guert had assumed the duty of dislodging them. He had taken with him, +on this service, Dirck, Jaap, and three or four more of the best men, +including both of our Indians. The manner in which he proposed to effect +this object was bold, and like the character of the leader of the party. +As so much depended on it, and on its success, I will explain a few of its +more essential details. + +The front of the house ranged north and south, facing westward. The two +wings, consequently, extended east and west. The fire had been built at +the verge of the cliff, and at the north-east angle of the building. This +placed the north and east sides of the square in light, while it left the +west and south in deep darkness. The gate opening to the west, it was not a +very hopeless thing to believe it practicable to lead a small party round +the south-west angle of the house, to the verge of the cliff, where the +formation of the ground would allow of a volley's being given upon those +savages who were believed to be making a lodgment directly beneath our +pickets, with a view of seizing a favourable moment to scale them. On this +errand, then, Herman Mordaunt now gave me to understand my friends had +gone. + +“Who guards the gate, the while?” I asked, almost instinctively. + +“Mr. Worden, and your old acquaintance and my new tenant, Newcome. They are +both armed, for a parson will not only fight the battles of the spirit, +but he will fight those of the field, when concerned. Mr. Worden has shown +himself a man in all this business.” + +Without replying, I left Herman Mordaunt, and proceeded to the gate myself, +since there was little to be done in the court. _There_ we were strong +enough; stronger, perhaps, than was necessary; but I greatly distrusted +Guert's scheme, the guard at the gate, and most of all the fire. + +I was soon at Mr. Worden's side. There the reverend gentleman was, sure +enough, with Jason Newcome at his elbow. Their duty was to keep the gate +in that precise condition in which it could be barred, or unbarred, at +the shortest notice, as friends or foes might seek admission. The parties +appeared to be fully aware of the importance of the trust they filled, and +I asked permission to pass out. My first object was the fire, for it struck +me Herman Mordaunt felt too much confidence in his means of extinguishing +it, and that our security had been neglected in that quarter. I was no +sooner outside the buildings, therefore, than I turned to steal along +the wall to the north-west corner, where alone I could get a view of the +dangerous pile. + +The brightness of the glare that was gleaming over the fields and stumps, +that came within the compass of the light from the fire, added to my +security by the contrast, though it did not tell well for that particular +source of danger. The dark stumps, many of which were charred by the fires +of the clearing, and were absolutely black, seemed to be dancing about in +the fields, under the waving light, and twice I paused to meet imaginary +savages ere I had gained the corner of the house. Each alarm, however, was +idle, and I succeeded in obtaining the desired view. Not only were the +knots burning fiercely, but a large sheet of flame was clinging to the logs +of the house, menacing us with a speedy conflagration. The danger would +have been greater, but a thunder-shower had passed over the settlement only +an hour before we were alarmed, and coming from the north, all that side of +the house had been well drenched with rain. This occurred after 'Muss' had +commenced his pile, or he might have chosen another side of the building. +The deep obscurity of that gust, however, was probably one of the means of +his success. He must have been at work during the whole continuance of the +storm. + +I was not absent from the gate two minutes. That brief space was sufficient +for my first purpose. I now desired Jason to enter the court, and to +tell Herman Mordaunt not to delay a moment in applying the means for +extinguishing the flames. There was greater danger from them than there +possibly could be from any other attack upon the pickets, made in the +darkness of the morning. Jason was cool by temperament, and he was a good +agent to be employed on such a duty. Promising to be quick, he left us, +and I turned my face towards Guert and his party. As yet, nothing had been +heard of the last. This very silence was a source of alarm, though it was +difficult to imagine the adventurer had met with an enemy, since such a +collision must have been somewhat noisy. A few spattering shot, all of +which came from the west side of the buildings, and the flickering light of +the fire, were the only interruptions to the otherwise death-like calm of +the hour. + +The same success attended me in reaching the south-west as in reaching +the north-west angle of the house. To me, it seemed as if the savages had +entirely abandoned the fields in my vicinity. When I took my stand at this +corner of the building, I found all its southern side in obscurity, though +sufficient light was gleaming over the meadows to render the ragged edges +of the cliff visible in that direction. I looked along the log walls to +this streak of light, but could see no signs of my friends. I was certain +they were not under the house, and began to apprehend some serious +indiscretion on the part of the bold Albanian. While engaged in +endeavouring to get a clue to Guert's movements, by devouring every dark +object I could perceive with my eyes, I felt an elbow touched lightly, and +saw a savage in his half-naked, fighting attire, at my side. I could see +enough to ascertain this, but could not distinguish faces. I was feeling +for my hunting-knife, when the Trackless's voice stayed my hand. + +“He wrong”--said the Onondago, with emphasis. “Head too young--hand +good--heart good--head very bad. Too much fire--dark here--much better.” + +This characteristic criticism on poor Guert's conduct, served to tell the +whole story. Guert had put himself in a position in which the Onondago had +refused to remain; in other words, he had gone to the verge of the cliff, +where he was exposed to the light of the fire, and where he was necessarily +in danger of being seen. Still, no signs of him were visible, and I was on +the point of moving along the south side of the building, to the margin of +the rocks, when the Trackless again touched my arm, and said “There!” + +There our party was, sure enough! It had managed to reach the verge of the +rocks at a salient point, which placed them in an admirable position for +raking the enemy, who were supposed to be climbing to the pickets, with a +view to a sudden spring, but at a dangerous distance from the buildings. +The darkness had been the means of their reaching that point, which was +about a hundred yards from the spot where I had expected to find them, and +admirably placed for the intended object. The whole procedure was so much +like Guert's character, that I could not but admire its boldness, while I +condemned its imprudence. There was, however, no time to join the party, or +to warn its leader of the risks he ran. We, who stood so far in the rear, +could see and fully appreciate all the danger, while he probably did not. +There the whole party of them stood, plainly though darkly drawn in high +relief, against the light beyond, each poising his rifle and making his +dispositions for the volley. Guert was nearest to the verge of the rocks, +actually bending over them; Dirck was close at his side; Jaap just behind +Dirck; Jumper close at Jaap's elbow; and four of the settlers, bold and +hardy men, behind the Oneida. + +I could scarcely breathe, for painful expectation, when I saw Guert and his +companions thus rising from the earth, bringing their entire figures in +front of the back-ground of light. I could have called out to warn them of +the danger they ran; but it would have done no good, nor was there time for +remonstrances. Guert must have felt he occupied a dangerous position, and +what he did was done very promptly. Ten seconds after I saw the dark forms, +all their rifles were discharged, as it might be at a single crack. One +instant passed, in death-like stillness, through all the fields, and in the +court; then came a volley from among the stumps at a little distance from +our side of the building, and the adventurers on the rocks, or those that +could, rushed towards the gate. Two of the settlers, however, and the +Oneida, I saw fall, myself. The last actually leaped upward, into the +air, and went down the cliff. But Guert, Dirck, Jaap, and the other two +settlers, had moved away. It was at that moment that my ears were filled +with such yells as I had not supposed the human throat could raise, and all +the fields on our side of the house seemed alive with savages. To render +the scene more appalling, that was the precise instant when the water, +previously provided by Herman Mordaunt, fell upon the flames, and the light +vanished, almost as one extinguishes a candle. But for this providential +coincidence, there was scarce a chance for the escape of one of the +adventurers. As it was, rifle followed rifle, from among the stumps, though +it was no longer with any certain aim. + +The battle had now become a _mélée_. The savages went leaping and whooping +forward in the darkness, and heavy blows were given and taken. Guert's +clear, manly voice was heard, rising above the clamour, encouraging his +companions to press through the throng of their assailants, in tones full +of confidence. Both the Trackless and myself discharged our rifles at the +foremost of the Hurons, and each certainly brought down his man; but it was +not easy to see what we could do next. To stand aloof and see my friends +borne down by numbers was impossible, however, and Susquesus and myself +fell upon the enemy's rear. This charge of ours had the appearance of a +sortie, and it produced a decided effect on the result, opening a passage +by which Dirck and the two settlers issued from the throng, and joined us. +This was no sooner done, than we all had to stand at bay, retreating little +by little, as we could. The result would still have been doubtful, even +after we had succeeded in reaching the south-western angle of the building, +had it not been for a forward movement on the part of Herman Mordaunt, at +the head of half-a-dozen of his settlers. This reinforcement came into the +affair with loaded rifles, and a single discharge, given as soon as we were +in a line with our friends, caused our assailants to vanish, as suddenly as +they had appeared. On reflecting on the circumstances of that awful night, +in after-life, I have thought that the force in the rear of the Hurons +began to melt away, even before Herman Mordaunts support was received, +leaving their front weak and unsustained. At any rate, the enemy fled to +their covers, as has just been related, and we entered the gate in a body, +closing and barring it, as soon as possible. + +I can scarcely describe the change that had come over the appearance of +things in that eventful night. The fire was extinguished, even to the +embers, and deep darkness had succeeded to the glimmering, waving red light +of the flames. The yells, and whoops, and screams, and shouts, for our men +had frequently thrown back the defiance of their foes in cheers, were done; +a stillness as profound as that of the grave reigning over the whole place. +The wounded seemed ashamed even to groan; but our hurt, of whom there were +four, went into the house to be cared for, stern and silent. No enemy was +any longer to be apprehended beneath the pickets, for the streak of morning +was just appearing above the forest, in the east, and Indians rarely attack +under the light of day. In a word, _that_ night, at least, was passed, and +we were yet protected by Providence. + +Herman Mordaunt now bethought him of ascertaining his precise situation, +the extent of his own loss, and, as far as possible, of that which we had +inflicted on the enemy. Guert was called for, to aid in this inquiry, but +no Guert was to be found! Jaap, too, was absent. A muster was had, and then +it was found that Guert Ten Eyck, Jaap Satanstoe, Gilbert Davis, and Moses +Mudge were all wanting. The Jumper, too, did not appear; but I accounted +for him, and for the two settlers named, having actually seen them +fall. Day returned to us slowly, while agitated by the effect of these +discoveries; but it brought no relief. We soon ventured to re-open the +gates, knowing no Indian would remain very near the building, while it was +light; and, having examined all the dangerous covers, we passed outside the +court with confidence, in quest of the bodies of our friends. Not an Indian +was seen, Jumper excepted. The Oneida lay at the foot of the rocks, dead, +and scalped; as did Davis and Mudge on the summit. Everything else human +had disappeared. Dirck was confident that six or seven of the Hurons fell +by the volley from the cliff, but the bodies had been carried off. As to +Guert and Jaap, no traces of them remained, dead or alive. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + “She looked on many a face with vacant eye, + On many a token without knowing what; + She saw them watch her without asking why, + And reck'd not who around her pillow sat; + Not speechless, though she spoke not; not a sigh + Relieved her thoughts: dull silence and quick chat + Were tried in vain by by those who served; she gave + No sign, save breath, of having left the grave.” + + BYRON. + + +It was a most painful moment to me, when Herman Mordaunt, an hour after all +these facts were established, came to summon me to the presence of Anneke +and Mary Wallace. One gleam of joy, one ray of the sunshine of the heart, +shone on Anneke's sweet countenance as she saw me unharmed enter the +room, but it quickly disappeared in the strong sympathy she felt for the +sufferings of her friend. As for Mary Wallace, death itself could hardly +have left her more colourless, or with features more firmly impressed with +the expression of mental suffering. Anneke was the first to speak. + +“God be praised that this dreadful night is passed, and you and my dearest +father are spared!” the precious girl said, with fervour, pressing the hand +that had taken one of hers, in both her own. “For this much, at least, we +can be grateful; would I could add for the safety of us all!” + +“Tell me the worst at once, Mr. Littlepage,” added Mary Wallace; “I can +bear anything better than uncertainty. Mr. Mordaunt says that you know the +facts better than any one else, and that you must relate them. Speak, then, +though it break my heart to hear it!--is he killed?” + +“I hope, through Heaven's mercy, not. Indeed, I think not; though I fear he +must be a prisoner.” + +“Thank you for that, dear, dear Mr. Littlepage! Oh! Thank you for that, +from the bottom of my heart. But may they not torture him? Do not these +Hurons torture their prisoners? Conceal nothing from me, Corny; you cannot +imagine how much self-command I have, and how well I can behave. Oh! +conceal nothing.” + +Poor girl! At the very moment she was boasting of her fortitude and ability +to endure, her whole frame was trembling from head to foot, her face was +of the hue of death, and the smile with which she spoke was frightfully +haggard. That pent-up passion, which had so long struggled with her +prudence, could no longer be suppressed. That she really loved Guert, and +that her love would prove stronger than her discretion, I had not doubted, +now, for some months; but, never having before witnessed the strength of +any feeling that had been so long and so painfully suppressed, I confess +that this exhibition of a suffering so intense, in a being so delicate, so +excellent, and so lovely, almost unmanned me. I took Mary Wallace's hand +and led her to a chair, scarce knowing what to say to relieve her mind. All +this time, her eye never turned from mine, as if she hoped to learn the +truth by the aid of the sense of sight alone. How anxious, jealous, +distrustful, and yet beseeching was that gaze! + +“Will he be tortured?” She rather whispered huskily, than asked aloud. + +“I trust, by God's mercy, not. They have taken my slave, Jaap, also; and it +is far more probable that _he_ would be the victim, in such a case, than +Mr. Ten Eyck--” + +“Why do you call him Mr. Ten Eyck? You have always called him Guert of +late--you are his friend--you think well of him--you cannot be less his +friend, now that he is miserable, than when he was happy, and the pride of +all human eyes, in his strength and manly beauty!” + +“Dear Miss Wallace, compose yourself, I do entreat of you--no one will +cling to Guert longer than I.” + +“Yes; I have always thought this--always _felt_ this. Guert cannot be +low, or mean in his sentiments, while an educated gentleman, like Corny +Littlepage, is his friend. I have written to my aunt, and we must not be +too hasty in our judgments. The spirit and follies of youth will soon be +over, and then we shall see a shining character in Guert Ten Eyck. Is not +this true, Anneke?” + +Anneke knelt at the side of her friend, folded her in her arms, drew the +quivering head down upon her own sympathising bosom, and held it there a +moment, in the very attitude of protecting, solacing love. After a brief +pause, Mary Wallace burst into tears, and I have ever thought that that +relief, under God's mercy, saved her reason. In a few minutes, the sufferer +became more calm, when she retired into herself, as was her wont, leaving +Anneke and me to discuss the subject. + +After turning all the chances and probabilities in our minds, I promised my +companions not to lose a moment, but to use immediate means of ascertaining +all that could be ascertained, in Guert's behalf, and of doing everything +that could be done, to save him. + +“You will not deceive me, Corny,” whispered Mary Wallace, pressing my hand +at leave-taking, in both her own. “I know I can depend on _you_, for he +_boasts_ of being your friend.” + +Anneke's painful smile added force to this request, and I tore myself away +unwilling to quit such a sufferer, yet unable to remain. Herman Mordaunt +was seen conversing with Susquesus, in the court, and I joined him at once, +determined to lose no time. + +“I was speaking to the Trackless on this very subject,” answered Herman +Mordaunt, as soon as I had explained my purpose, “and am now waiting for +his answer. Do you think it, then, safe to send a messenger out to the +Hurons, in order to inquire after our friends, and to treat with them!” + +“No send?--Why not?” returned the Indian. “Red man glad to see messenger. +Go when he want; come back when he want. How can make bargain, if scalp +messenger?” + +I had heard that the most savage tribes respected a messenger; and, indeed, +the necessity of so doing was, of itself, a sort of security that such +must be the case. It was true, that the bearer of a flag might be in more +danger, on such an errand, than would be the case in a camp of civilized +men; but these Canada-Indians had been long serving with the French, and +their chiefs, beyond a question, had obtained some of the notions of +pale-face warfare. Without much reflection, therefore, and under an impulse +in behalf of my friend, and my slave--for Jaap's fate was of lively +interest with me--I volunteered to bear a flag myself. Herman Mordaunt +shook his head, and seemed reluctant to comply. + +“Anneke would hardly pardon me for consenting to that,” he answered. “You +must remember, now, Corny, that a very tender and sensitive heart is bound +up in you, and you must no longer act like a thoughtless, single man. It +would be far better to send this Onondago, if he will agree to go. He +understands the red men, and will be able to interpret the omens with more +certainty, than any of us, What say you, Susquesus; will you be a messenger +to the Hurons?” + +“Sartain;--why no go, if he want? Good to be messenger, sometime. Where +wampum--what tell him?” + +Thus encouraged, we deliberated together, and soon had Susquesus in +readiness to depart. As for the Indian, he laid aside all his arms, washed +the war-paint from his face, put a calico shirt over his shoulders, and +assumed the guise of peace. We gave him a small, white flag to carry, +feeling certain that the Huron chiefs must understand its meaning; and +thinking it might be better, in bearing a message from pale-faces, that +he who carried it should have a pale-face symbol of his errand. Susquesus +found some wampum, too; having as much faith in that, probably, as in +anything else. He then set forth, being charged to offer liberal ransom to +the Hurons, for the living, uninjured bodies of Guert Ten Eyck and Jaap +Satanstoe. + +We entertained no doubt that the enemy would be found in the ravine, for +that was the point, in every respect, most favourable to the operations of +the siege; being near the house, having a perfect cover, possessing water, +wood, and other conveniences. From that point the Nest could be watched, +and any favourable chance improved. Thither, then, Susquesus was told to +proceed; though it was not thought advisable to fetter one so shrewd, with +too many instructions. Several of us accompanied the Onondago to the gate, +and saw him moving across the fields, towards the wood, in his usual loping +trot. A bird could scarcely have flown more directly to its object. + +The half-hour that succeeded the disappearance of Susquesus, in the mouth +of the ravine, was one of intensely painful suspense. We all remained +without the gate, waiting the result, including Dirck, Mr. Worden, Jason, +and half-a-dozen of the settlers. At length the Onondago reappeared; and, +to our great joy, a group followed him, in which were both the prisoners. +The last were bound, but able to walk. This party might have contained a +dozen of the enemy, all of whom were armed. It moved slowly out of the +ravine, and ascended to the fields that were on a level with the house, +halting when about four hundred yards from us. Seeing this movement, we +counted out exactly the same number of men, and went forward, halting at +a distance of two hundred yards from the Indians. Here we waited for our +messenger, who continued on, after the Hurons had come to a stand. Thus far +everything looked propitious. + +“Do you bring us good news?” Herman Mordaunt eagerly asked. “Are our +friends unhurt?” + +“Got scalp--no hurt--take prisoner--jump on 'em, ten, two, six--cotch 'em, +then. Open eyes; you see.” + +“And the Hurons--do they seem inclined to accept the ransom? Rum, rifle, +blanket and powder; you offered all, I hope, Susquesus?” + +“Sartain. No forget; that bad. Say take all that; some more, too.” + +“And they have come to treat with us? What are we to do, now, Susquesus?” + +“Put down rifle--go near and talk. You go--priest go--young chief go--that +t'ree. Then t'ree warrior lay down rifle, come talk, too. Prisoner wait. +All good.” + +This was sufficiently intelligible, and believing that anything like +hesitation might make the condition of Guert desperate, we prepared to +comply. I could see that the Rev. Mr. Worden had no great relish for +the business, but was ashamed to hang back when he saw Herman Mordaunt +cheerfully advancing to the interview. We three were met by as many Hurons, +among whom was Jaap's friend 'Muss,' who was evidently the leading person +of the party. Guert and Jaap were held, bound, about a hundred yards in the +rear, but near enough to be spoken to, by raising the voice. Guert was +in his shirt and breeches, with his head uncovered, his fine curly hair +blowing about in the wind, and I thought I saw some signs of blood on his +linen. This might be his own, or it might have come from an enemy. I called +to him, therefore, inquiring how he did, and whether he were hurt. + +“Nothing to speak of, Corny, I thank you,” was the cheerful answer; “these +red gentlemen have had me tied to a tree, and have been seeing how near +they could hurl their tomahawks without hitting. This is one of their +customary amusements, and I have got a scratch or two in the sport. I hope +the ladies are in good spirits, and do not let the business of last night +distress them.” + +“There is blessed news for you, Guert--Susquesus, ask these chiefs if I may +go near my friend to give him one word of consolation--on my honour, no +attempt to release him will be made by me, until I return here.” + +I spoke earnestly, and the Onondago interpreted what I had said into the +language of the Hurons. I had made this somewhat hardy request, under an +impulse that I found ungovernable, and was surprised, as well as pleased, +to find it granted. These savages confided in my word, and trusted to my +honour with a stately delicacy that might have done credit to the manners +of civilized kings, giving themselves no apparent concern about my +movements, although they occurred in their own rear. It was too late to +retract, and, leaving Herman Mordaunt endeavouring to drive a bargain +with Muss and his two companions, I proceeded, unconcerned myself, boldly +towards the armed men who held Guert and Jaap prisoners. I thought my +approach _did_ cause a slight movement among these savages, and there was a +question and answer passed between them and their leaders. The latter said +but a word or two, but these were uttered authoritatively, and with a +commanding toss of a hand. Brief as they were, they answered the purpose, +and I was neither molested nor spoken to, during the short interview I had +with my friend. + +“God bless you, Corny, for this!” Guert cried with feeling, as I warmly +shook his hand. “It requires a warm heart, and a bold one too, to lead a +man into this 'lion's den.' Stay but a moment, lest some evil come of it, +I beg of you. This squeeze of the hand is worth an estate to a man in my +situation; but remember Anneke. Ah! Corny, my dear friend, I could be happy +even here, did I know that Mary Wallace grieved for me!” + +“Then be happy, Guert. My sole object in venturing here, was to tell you to +hope everything in that quarter. There will be no longer any coyness, any +hesitation, any misgivings, when you shall be once restored to us.” + +“Mr. Littlepage, you would not trifle with the feelings of a miserable +captive, hanging between torture and death, is my present case! I can +hardly credit my senses; yet, you would not mock me!” + +“Believe all I say--nay, all you _wish_, Guert. It is seldom that woman +loves as _she_ loves, and this I swear to you. I go now, only to aid Herman +Mordaunt in bringing you where your own ears shall hear such proofs of what +I say, as have been uttered in mine.” + +Guert made no answer, but I could see he was profoundly affected. I +squeezed his hand, and we parted, in the full hope, on my side at least, +that the separation would be short. I have reason to think Guert shed +tears; for, on looking back, I perceived his face turned away from those +who were nearest to him. I had but a single glance at Jaap. My fellow stood +a little in the rear, as became his colour; but he watched my countenance +with the vigilance of a cat. I thought it best not to speak to him, though +I gave him a secret sign of encouragement. + +“These chiefs are not very amicably disposed, Corny,” said Herman Mordaunt, +the instant I rejoined him. “They have given me to understand that Jaap +will be liberated on no terms whatever. They must have his scalp, as +Susquesus tells me, on account of some severity he himself has shown to one +of these chiefs. To use their own language, they want it for a plaster to +this warrior's back. His fate, it would seem, is sealed, and he has only +been brought out yonder, to raise hopes in him that are to be disappointed. +The wretches do not scruple to avow this, in their own sententious manner. +As for Guert, they say he slew two of their warriors, and that their wives +will miss their husbands, and will not be easily quieted unless they see +his scalp, too. They offer to release him, however, on either of two sets +of terms. They will give up Guert for two of what they call chiefs, or for +four common men. If we do not like those conditions, they will exchange +him, on condition we give two common men for him, and abandon the Nest to +them, by marching out, with all my people, before the sun is up above our +heads.” + +“Conditions that you cannot accept, under any circumstances, I fear, sir?” + +“Certainly not. The delivery of any two is out of the question--would be +so, even to save my own life. As for the Nest and its contents, I would +very willingly abandon all, a few papers excepted, had I the smallest faith +in the chiefs' being able to restrain their followers; but the dreadful +massacre of William-Henry is still too recent, to confide in anything of +the sort. My answer is given already, and we are about to part. Possibly, +when they see us determined, they may lower their demands a little.” + +A grave parting wave of the hand was given by Muss, who had conducted +himself with great dignity in the interview, and the three Hurons walked +away in a body. + +“Best go,” said Susquesus, significantly. “Maybe want rifle. Hurons in +'arnest.” + +On this hint, we returned to our friends, and resumed our arms. What +succeeded, I learned in part by the relations of others, while a part was +witnessed by my own eyes. It seems that Jaap, from the first, understood +the desperate nature of his own position. The remembrance of his mis-deeds +in relation to Muss, whose prisoner he had more especially become, most +probably increased his apprehensions, and his thoughts were constantly bent +on obtaining his liberty, by means entirely independent of negotiation. +From the instant he was brought out of the ravine, he kept all his eyes +about him, watching for the smallest chance of effecting his purpose. It +happened that one of the savages so placed himself before the negro, who +was kept behind all near him, as to enable Jaap to draw the Huron's knife +from its sheath without being detected: He did this while I was actually +with the party, and all eyes were on me. Guert and himself were bound, by +having their arms fastened above the elbows, behind the back; and when +Guert turned aside to shed tears, as mentioned, Jaap succeeded in cutting +his fastenings. This could be done, only while the savages were following +my retreating form with their eyes. At the same time Jaap gave the knife +to Guert, who did him a similar service. As the Indians did not take the +alarm, the prisoners paused a moment, holding their arms as if still bound, +to look around them. The Indian nearest Guert had two rifles, his own and +that of Muss, both leaning negligently against his shoulder, with their +breeches on the ground. To these weapons Guert pointed; and, when the three +chiefs were on the point of rejoining their friends, who were attentive to +their movements in order to ascertain the result, Guert seized this savage +by his arm, which he twisted until the Indian yelled with pain, then caught +one rifle, while Jaap laid hold of the other. Each fired and brought down +his man; then they made an onset with the butts of their pieces on the rest +of the party. This bold assault, though so desperate in appearance, was +the wisest thing they could do; as immediate flight would have left their +enemies an opportunity of sending the swift runners of their pieces in +pursuit. + +The first intimation we had of any movement of this sort was in the reports +of the rifles. Then, I not only saw, but I heard the tremendous blow Jaap +gave to the head of Muss; a blow that demolished both the victim and the +instrument of his destruction. Though the breech of the rifle was broken, +the heavy barrel still remained, and the negro flourished it with a force +that swept all before him. It is scarcely necessary to say Guert was not +idle in such a fray. He fought for Mary Wallace, as well as for himself, +and he overturned two more of the Indians, as it might be, in the twinkling +of an eye. Here Dirck did good service to our friends. His rifle was in his +hands, and, levelling it with coolness, he shot down a powerful savage who +was on the point of seizing Guert from behind. This was the commencement of +a general war, volleys now coming from both parties; from ourselves, and +from the enemy, who were in the cover of the woods. Intimidated by the fury +of the personal assault under which they were suffering, the remaining +Indians near Guert and the negro leaped away towards their friends, +yelling; leaving their late prisoners free, but more exposed to fire than +they could have been when encircled even by enemies. + +Everything passed with fearful rapidity. Guert seized the rifle of a fallen +Indian, and Jaap obtained another, when they fell back towards us, like two +lions at bay, with rifle-bullets whizzing around them at every step. Of +course, we fired, and we also advanced to meet them; an imprudent step, +since the main body of the Hurons were covered, rendering the contest +unequal. But, there was no resisting the sympathetic impulses of such a +moment, or the exultation we all felt at the exploits of Guert and Jaap, +enacted, as they were, before our eyes. As we drew together, the former +shouted and cried-- + +“Hurrah! Corny, my noble fellow--let us charge the woot--there'll not be a +reat-skin left in it, in five minutes. Forwart, my friends--forwart, all!” + +It certainly was an exciting moment. We all shouted in our turns, and +all cried 'forward,' in common. Even Mr. Worden joined in the shout, and +pressed forward. Jason, too, fought bravely; and we went at the wood like +so many bull-dogs. I fancy the pedagogue thought the fee-simple of his +mills depended on the result. On we went, in open order, reserving our fire +for the last moment, but receiving dropping shots, that did us no harm, +until we dashed into the thicket. + +The Hurons were discomfited, and they fled. Though a panic is not usual +among those wild warriors, they seldom rally on the field. If once driven, +against their will, a close pursuit will usually disperse them for a time; +and such was the case now. By the time I got fairly into the ravine, I +could see or hear of no enemy. My friends were on my right and left, +shouting and pressing on; but there was no foe visible. Guert and Jaap were +in advance, for we could not overtake them; and they had fired, for they +got the last glimpses of the enemy. But one more shot did come from the +Hurons in that inroad. It was fired from some one of the retreating party, +who must have been lingering in its rear. The report sounded far up the +ravine, and it came like a farewell and final gun. Distant as it was, +however, it proved the most fatal shot to us that was fired in all that +affair. I caught a glimpse of Guert, through the trees, and saw him fall. +In an instant, I was at his side. + +What a change is that from the triumph of victory to the sudden approach of +death! I saw by the expression of Guert's countenance, as I raised him in +my arms, that the blow was fatal. The ball, indeed, had passed directly +through his body, missing the bones, but injuring the vitals. There is no +mistaking the expression of a death-wound on the human countenance, when +the effect is direct and not remote. Nature appears to admonish the victim +of his fate. So it was with Guert. + +“This shot has done for me, Corny,” he said, “and it seems to be the very +last they intended to fire. I almost hope there can be no truth in what you +told me of Mary Wallace!” + +That was neither the time nor the place to speak on such a subject, and +I made no answer. From the instant the fall of Guert became known, the +pursuit ceased, and our whole party collected around the wounded man. +The Indian alone seemed to retain any consciousness of the importance +of knowing what the enemy was doing, for his philosophy was not easily +disturbed by the sudden appearance of death among us. Still he liked +Guert, as did every one who could get beyond the weaknesses of his outer +character, and fairly at the noble traits of his manly nature. Susquesus +looked at the sufferer a moment, gravely and not without concern; then he +turned to Herman Mordaunt, and said-- + +“This bad--save scalp, that good, though. Carry him in house. Susquesus +follow trail and see what Injin mean.” + +As this was well, he was told to watch the enemy, while we bore our friend +towards the Nest. Dirck consented to precede us, and let the melancholy +truth be known, while I continued with Guert, who held my hand the whole +distance. We were a most melancholy procession, for victors. Not a serious +hurt had any of our party received, in this last affair, the wound of Guert +Ten Eyck excepted; yet, I question if more real sorrow would have been felt +over two or three other deaths. We had become accustomed to our situation; +it is wonderful how soon the soldier does; rendering death familiar, and +disarming him of half his terrors; but calamities can, and do occur, to +bring back an army to a sense of its true nature and its dependence on +Providence. Such had been the effect of the loss of Lord Howe, on the +troops before Ticonderoga, and such was the effect of the fall of Guert Ten +Eyck, on the small band that was collected to defend the possessions and +firesides of Ravensnest. + +We entered the gate of the house, and found most of its tenants already +in the court, collected like a congregation in a church that awaits the +entrance of the dead. Herman Mordaunt had sent an order to have his own +room prepared for the sufferer, and thither we carried Guert. He was placed +on the bed; then the crowd silently withdrew. I observed that Guert's eyes +turned anxiously and inquiringly around, and I told him, in a low voice, I +would go for the ladies myself. A smile, and a pressure of the hand, showed +how well I had interpreted his thoughts. + +Somewhat to my surprise, I found Mary Wallace, pale it is true, but +comparatively calm and mistress of herself. That instinct of propriety +which seems to form a part of the nature of a well-educated woman, had +taught her the necessity of self-command, that no outbreak of her feelings +should affect the sufferer. As for Anneke, she was like herself, gentle, +mourning, and full of sympathy for her friend. + +As soon as apprised of the object of my visit, the two girls expressed +their readiness to go to Guert. As they knew the way, I did not attend +them, purposely proceeding an another direction, in order not to be a +witness of the interview. Anneke has since told me, however, that Mary's +self-command did not altogether desert her, while Guert's cheerful +gratitude probably so far deceived her as to create a short-lived hope that +the wound was not mortal. For myself, I passed an hour in attending to the +state of things in and around the house, in order to make certain that no +negligence occurred still to endanger our security. At the end of that +time, I returned to Guert, meeting Herman Mordaunt near the door of his +room. + +“The little hope we had is vanished,” said the last, in a sorrowful tone. +“Poor Ten Eyck has, beyond a question, received his death-wound, and +has but a few hours to live. Were my people safe, I would rather that +everything at Ravensnest, house and estate, were destroyed, than had this +happen!” + +Prepared by this announcement, I was not as much surprised as I might +otherwise have been, at the great change that had occurred in my friend, +since the time I quitted his room. It was evident he anticipated the +result. Nevertheless he was calm; nay, apparently happy. Nor was he so much +enfeebled as to prevent his speaking quite distinctly, and with sufficient +ease. When the machine of life is stopped by the sudden disruption of +a vital ligament, the approaches of death, though more rapid than with +disease, are seldom so apparent. The first evidences of a fatal termination +are discovered rather through the nature of the violence, than by means of +apparent effects. + +I have said that Guert seemed even happy, though death was so near. Anneke +told me, subsequently, that Mary Wallace had owned her love, in answer to +an earnest appeal on his part, and, from that moment, he had expressed +himself as one who was about to die contented. Poor Guert! It was little he +thought of the dread future, or of the church on earth, except as the last +was entitled to, and did receive on all occasions, his outward respect. +It seemed that Mary Wallace, habitually so reserved and silent among her +friends, had been accustomed to converse freely with Guert, and that she +had made a serious effort, during her residence in Albany, to enlighten his +mind, or rather to arouse his feelings on this all-important subject, and +that Guert, sensible of the pleasure of receiving instruction from such +a source, always listened with attention. When I entered the room, some +allusion had just been made to this theme. + +“But for you, Mary, I should be little better than a heathen,” said Guert, +holding the hand of his beloved, and scarce averting his eyes from their +idol a single instant. “If God has mercy on me, it will be on your +account.” + +“Oh! no--no--no--Guert, say not, think not _thus!_” exclaimed Mary Wallace, +shocked at this excess of his attachment even for herself at such a moment. +“We all receive our pardons through the death and mediation of his Blessed +Son. Nothing else can save you, or any of us, my dear, dear Guert; and I +implore you not to think otherwise.” + +Guert looked a little bewildered; still he looked pleased. The first +expression was probably produced by his not exactly comprehending the +nature of that mysterious expiation, which baffles the unaided powers of +man, and which, indeed, is to be felt, rather than understood. The look of +pleasure had its origin in the 'dear, dear Guert,' and, more than that, in +the consciousness of possessing the affections of the woman he had so long +loved, almost against hope. Guert Ten Eyck was a man of bold and reckless +character, in all that pertained to risks, frolic, and youthful adventure; +but the meekest Christian could scarcely possess a more lowly opinion of +his own frailties and sins, than this dashing young fellow possessed of his +own claims to be valued by such a being as Mary Wallace. I often wondered +how he ever presumed to love her, but suppose the apparent vanity must +be ascribed to the resistless power of a passion that is known to be the +strongest of our nature. It was also a sort of moral anomaly that two +so opposed to each other in character; the one verging on extreme +recklessness, the other pushing prudence almost to prudery; the one so gay +as to seem to live for frolic, the other quiet and reserved should conceive +this strong predilection for each other; but so it was. I have heard +persons say, however, that these varieties in temperament awaken interest, +and that they who have commenced with such dissimilarities, but have +assimilated by communion, attachment, and habits, after all, make the +happiest couples. + +Mary Wallace lost all her reserve, in the gush of tenderness and sympathy, +that now swept all before it. Throughout the whole of that morning, she +hung about Guert, as the mother watches the ailing infant. If his thirst +was to be assuaged, her hand held the cup; if his pillow was to be +replaced, her care suggested the alteration; if his brow was to be wiped, +she performed that office for him, suffering no other to come between her +and the object of her solicitude. + +There were moments when the manner in which Mary Wallace hung over Guert, +was infinitely touching. Anneke and I knew that her very soul yearned to +lead his thoughts to dwell on the subject of the great change that was so +near. Nevertheless, the tenderness of the woman was so much stronger +than even the anxiety of the Christian, that we perceived she feared +the influence on his wound. At length, happily for an anxiety that was +beginning to be too painful for endurance, Guert spoke on the subject, +himself. Whether his mind adverted naturally to such a topic, or he +perceived the solicitude of his gentle nurse, I could not say. + +“I cannot stay with you long, Mary,” he said, “and I should like to have +Mr. Worden's prayers, united to yours, offered up in my behalf. Corny will +seek the Dominie, for an old friend?” + +I vanished from the room, and was absent ten minutes. At the end of that +time, Mr. Worden was ready in his surplice, and we went to the sick room. +Certainly, our old pastor had not the way of manifesting the influence of +religion, that is usual to the colonies, especially to those of the more +northern and eastern portion of the country; yet, there was a heartiness +in his manner of praying, at times, that almost persuaded me he was a good +man. I will own, however, that Mr. Worden was one of those clergymen who +could pray much more sincerely for certain persons, than for others. He +was partial to poor Guert; and I really thought this was manifest in his +accents, on this melancholy occasion. + +The dying man was relieved by this attention to the rites of the church. +Guert was not a metaphysician; and, at no period of his life, I believe, +did he ever enter very closely into the consideration of those fearful +questions which were connected with his existence, origin, destination, +and position, in the long scale of animated beings. He had those general +notions on these subjects, that all civilized men imbibe by education and +communion with their fellows, but nothing more. He understood it was a duty +to pray; and I make no doubt he fancied there were times and seasons in +which this duty was more imperative than at others; and times and seasons +when it might be dispensed with. + +How tenderly and how anxiously did Mary Wallace watch over her patient, +during the whole of that sad day! She seemed to know neither weariness nor +fatigue. Towards evening, it was just as the sun was tinging the summits of +the trees with its parting light, she came towards Anneke and myself, +with a face that was slightly illuminated with something like a glow of +pleasure, and whispered to us, that Guert was better. Within ten minutes +of that moment, I approached the bed, and saw a slight movement of the +patient's hand, as if he desired me to come nearer. + +“Corny,” said Guert, in a low, languid voice--“it is nearly all over. I +wish I could see Mary Wallace, once more, before I die!” + +Mary was not, _could_ not be distant. She fell upon her knees, and clasped +the yielding form of her lover to her heart. Nothing was said on either +side; or, if aught were said, it was whispered, and was of a nature too +sacred to be communicated to others. In that attitude did this young woman, +long so coy and so difficult to decide, remain for near an hour, and in +that quiet, cherishing, womanly embrace, did Guert Ten Eyck breathe his +last. + +I left the sufferer as much alone with the woman of his heart, as comported +with prudence and a proper attention on my part; but it was my melancholy +duty to close his eyes. Thus prematurely terminated the earthly career of +as manly a spirit as ever dwelt in human form. That it had imperfections, +my pen has not concealed; but the long years that have since passed away, +have not served to obliterate the regard so noble a temperament could not +fail to awaken. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + How slow the day slides on! When we desire + Time's haste, he seems to lose a match with lobsters: + And when we wish him stay, he imps his wings + With feathers plumed with thought. + + ALBAMAZAR. + + +It is unnecessary to dwell on the grief that we all felt for our loss. That +night was necessarily one of watchfulness but few were inclined to sleep. +The return of light found us unmolested, however; and an hour or two later, +Susquesus came in, and reported that the enemy had retreated towards +Ticonderoga. There was nothing more to fear from that quarter, and the +settlers soon began to return to their dwellings, or to such as remained. +In the course of a week the axe again rang in the forest, and rude +habitations began to reappear, in the places of those that had been +destroyed. As Bulstrode could not well be removed, Herman Mordaunt +determined to pass the remainder of the season at Ravensnest, with the +double view of accommodating his guest, and of encouraging his settlers. +The danger was known to be over for that summer at least, and, ere the +approach of another, it was hoped that the humiliated feelings of Great +Britain would so far be aroused, as to drive the enemy from the province; +as indeed was effectually done. + +On consultation, it was decided that the body of Guert ought to be sent, +for interment among his friends, to Albany. Dirck and myself accompanied +it, as the principal attendants, all that remained of our party going with +us. Herman Mordaunt thought it necessary to remain at Ravensnest, and +Anneke would not quit her father. The Rev. Mr. Worden's missionary +zeal had, by this trial, effectually evaporated, and he profited by +so favourable an occasion to withdraw into the safer and more peopled +districts. I well remember as we marched after the horse-litter that +carried the remains of poor Guert, the divine's making the following +sensible remarks:-- + +“You see how it is, on this frontier, Corny,” he said; “it is premature to +think of introducing Christianity. Christianity is essentially a civilized +religion, and can only be of use among civilized beings. It is true, my +young friend, that many of the early apostles were not learned, after the +fashion of this world, but they were all thoroughly civilized. Palestine +was a civilized country, and the Hebrews were a great people; and I +consider the precedent set by our blessed Lord is a command to be followed +in all time, and that his appearance in Judea is tantamount to his saying +to his apostles, 'go and preach me and my gospel to all _civilized_ +people.'” + +I ventured to remark that there was something like a direct command to +preach it to _all_ nations, to be found in the bible. + +“Ay, that is true enough,” answered Mr. Worden, “but it clearly means all +_civilized_ nations. Then, this was before the discovery of America, and +it is fair enough to presume that the command referred solely to _known_ +nations. The texts of scripture are not to be strained, but are to be +construed naturally, Corny, and this seems to me to be the natural reading +of that passage. No, I have been rash and imprudent in pushing duty to +exaggeration, and shall confine my labours to their proper sphere, +during the remainder of my days. Civilization is just as much a means of +providence as religion itself; and it is clearly intended that one should +be built on the other. A clergyman goes quite far enough from the centre of +refinement, when he quits home to come into these colonies to preach the +gospel; letting alone these scalping devils the Indians, who, I greatly +fear, were never born to be saved. It may do well enough to have societies +to keep them in view, but a meeting in London is quite near enough ever to +approach them.” + +Such, ever after, appeared to be the sentiments of the Rev. Mr. Worden, and +I took no pains to change them. I ought, however, to have alluded to the +parting with Anneke, before I gave the foregoing extract from the parson's +homily. Circumstances prevented my having much private communication with +my betrothed before quitting the Nest; for Anneke's sympathy with Mary +Wallace was too profound to permit her to think much, just then, of aught +but the latter's sorrows. As for Mary herself, the strength and depth of +her attachment and grief were never fully appreciated, until time came to +vindicate them. Her seeming calm was soon restored, for it was only under +a tempest of feeling that Mary Wallace lost her self-command; and the +affliction that was inevitable and irremediable, one of her regulated +temperament and high principles, struggled to endure with Christian +submission. It was only in after-life that I came to know how intense and +absorbing had, in truth, been her passion for the gay, high-spirited, +ill-educated, and impulsive young Albanian. + +Anneke wept for a few minutes in my arms, a quarter of an hour before our +melancholy procession quitted the Nest. The dear girl had no undue reserve +with me; though I found her a little reluctant to converse on the subject +of our own loves, so soon after the fearful scenes we had just gone +through. Still, she left me in no doubt on the all-important point of my +carrying away with me her whole and entirely undivided heart. Bulstrode she +never had, never _could_ love. This she assured me, over and over again. +He amused her, and she felt for him some of the affection and interest of +kindred, but not the least of any other interest. Poor Bulstrode! now I was +certain of success, I had very magnanimous sentiments in his behalf, and +could give him credit for various good qualities that had been previously +obscured in my eyes. Herman Mordaunt had requested nothing might be said to +the major of my engagement; though an early opportunity was to be taken by +himself, to let the suitor understand that Anneke declined the honour of +his hand. It was thought the information would best come from him. + +“I shall be frank with you, Littlepage, and confess I have been very +anxious for the union of my daughter and Mr. Bulstrode,” added Herman +Mordaunt, in the interview we had before I left the Nest; “and I trust to +your own good sense to account for it. I knew Bulstrode before I had any +knowledge of yourself; and there was already a connection between us, that +was just of a nature to render one that was closer, desirable. I shall not +deny that I fancied Anneke fitted to adorn the station and circles to which +Bulstrode would have carried her; and, perhaps, it is a natural parental +weakness to wish to see one's child promoted. We talk of humility and +contentment, Corny, though there is much of the _nolo episcopari_ about it, +after all. But you see that the preference of the child is so much stronger +than that of the parent, that it must prevail. I dare say, after all, you +would much rather be Anneke's choice, than be mine?” + +“I can have no difficulty in admitting that, sir,” I answered; “and I feel +very sensible of the liberal manner in which you yield your own preferences +to our wishes. Certainly, in the way of rank and fortune, I have little to +offer, Mr. Mordaunt, as an offset to Mr. Bulstrode's claims; but, in love +for your daughter, and in an ardent desire to make her happy, I shall not +yield to him, or any other man, though he were a king.” + +“In the way of fortune, Littlepage, I have very few regrets. As you are to +live in this country, the joint means of the two families, which, some +day, must centre in you and Anneke, will prove all-sufficient; and, as for +posterity, Ravensnest and Mooseridge will supply ample provisions. As the +colony grows, your descendants will increase, and your means will increase +with both. No, no; I may have been a little disappointed; that much I will +own; but I have not been, at any time, displeased. God bless you, then, my +dear boy; write us from Albany, and come to us at Lilacs bush in September. +Your reception will be that of a son.” + +It is needless to dwell on the melancholy procession we formed through the +woods. Dirck and myself kept near the body, on foot, until we reached the +highway, when vehicles were provided for the common transportation. On +reaching Albany, we delivered the remains of Guert to his relatives, and +there was a suitable funeral given. The bricked closet behind the chimney, +was opened, as usual, and the six dozen of Madeira, that had been placed in +it twenty-four years before, or the day the poor fellow was christened, was +found to be very excellent. I remember it was said generally, that better +wine was drunk at the funeral of Guert Ten Eyck, than had been tasted at +the obsequies of any individual who was not a Van Rensselaer, a Schuyler, +or a Ten Broeck, within the memory of man. I now speak of funerals in +Albany; for I do suppose the remark would scarcely apply to many other +funerals, lower down the river. As a rule, however, very good wine was +given at all our funerals. + +The Rev. Mr. Worden officiated, and was universally regarded with interest, +as a pious minister of the gospel, who had barely escaped the fate of the +person he was now committing 'dust to dust,' while devotedly and ardently +employed in endeavouring to rescue the souls of the very savages who sought +his life, from the fate of the heathen. + +I remember there was a very well worded paragraph to this effect in the New +York Gazette, and I had heard it said, but do not remember to have +ever seen it myself, that in one of the reports of the Society for the +Promulgation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the circumstances were alluded +to in a very touching and edifying manner. + +Poor Guert! I passed a few minutes at his grave before we went south. It +was all that was left of his fine person, his high spirit, his lion-hearted +courage, his buoyant spirits, and his unextinguishable love of frolic. A +finer physical man I never beheld, or one who better satisfied the eye, in +all respects. That the noble tenement was not more intellectually occupied, +was purely the consequence of a want of education. Notwithstanding, all the +books in the world could not have converted Guert Ten Eyck into a Jason +Newcome, or Jason Newcome into a Guert Ten Eyck. Each owed many of his +peculiarities, doubtless, to the province in which he was bred and born, +and to the training consequent on these accidents; but nature had also +drawn broad distinctions between them. All the wildness of Guert's impulses +could not altogether destroy his feelings tone, and tact as a gentleman; +while all the soaring, extravagant pretensions of Jason never could have +ended in elevating him to that character. Alas! Poor Guert! I sincerely +mourned his loss for years, nor has his memory yet ceased to have a deep +interest with me. + +Dirck Follock and I would have been a good deal caressed at Albany, on our +return, both on account of what had happened, and on account of our Dutch +connections, had we been in the mood to profit by the disposition of the +people. But, we were not. The sad events with which we had been connected +were still too recent to indulge in gaieties or company; and, as soon, as +possible after the funeral, we seized the opportunity of embarking on board +a sloop bound to New fork. Our voyage was generally considered a prosperous +one, lasting, indeed, only six days. We took the ground three times, it is +true; but nothing was thought of that, such accidents being of frequent +occurrence. Among the events of this sort, one occurred in the Overslaugh, +and I passed a few hours there very pleasantly, as it was so near the scene +of our adventure on the river. Anneke always occupied much of my thoughts, +but pleasing pictures of her gentle decision, her implicit reliance on +myself, her resignation, her spirit, and her intelligence were now blended, +without any alloy, in my recollections. The dear girl had confessed to me, +that she loved me even on that fearful night, for her tenderness in +my behalf dated much farther back. This was a great addition to the +satisfaction with which I went over every incident and speech, in +recollection, endeavouring to recall the most minute tone or expression, to +see if I could _now_ connect it with any sign of that passion, which I +was authorized in believing did even then exist. Thus aided, equally +by Anneke's gentle, blushing admissions, and my own wishes, I had no +difficulty in recalling pictures that were infinitely agreeable to myself, +though possibly not minutely accurate. + +In the Tappaan Sea, Dirck left us; proceeding into Rockland, to join his +family. I continued on in the sloop, reaching port next day. My uncle and +aunt Legge were delighted to see me, and I soon found I should be a lion, +had I leisure to remain in town, in order to enjoy the notoriety my +connection with the northern expedition had created. I found a deep +mortification pervading the capital, in consequence of our defeat, mingled +with a high determination to redeem our tarnished honour. + +Satanstoe, with all its endearing ties, however, called me away; and I +left town, on horseback, leaving my effects to follow by the first good +opportunity, the morning of the day succeeding that on which I had arrived. +I shall not attempt to conceal one weakness. As usual, I stopped at +Kingsbridge to dine and bait; and while the notable landlady was preparing +my dinner, I ascended the heights to catch a distant view of Lilacsbush. +There lay the pretty cottage-like dwelling, placed beneath the hill, amid a +wilderness of shrubbery; but its lovely young mistress was far away, and I +found the pleasure with which I gazed at it blended with regrets. + +“You have been north, I hear, Mr. Littlepage,” my landlady observed, while +I was discussing her lamb, and peas and asparagus; “pray, sir, did you +hear or see anything of our honoured neighbours, Herman Mordaunt and his +charming daughter?” + +“Much of both, Mrs. Light; and that under trying circumstances. Mooseridge, +my father's property in that part of the province, is quite near to +Ravensnest, Herman Mordaunt's estate, and I have passed some time at it. +Have no tidings of the family reached you, lately?” + +“None, unless it be the report that Miss Anneke will never return to us.” + +“Anneke not return! In the name of wonder, how do you hear this?” + +“Not as _Miss_ Anneke, but as Lady Anneke, or something of that sort. Isn't +there a General Bulstrom, or some great officer or other, who seeks her +hand, and on whom she smiles, sir?” + +“I presume I understand you, now. Well, what do you learn of him?” + +“Only that they are to be married next month--some say they _are_ married +already, and that the old gentleman gives Lilacsbush, out and out, and four +thousand pounds currency, down, in order to purchase so high an honour for +his child. I tell the neighbours it is too much, Miss Anneke being worth +any lord in England, on her own, sole, account.” + +This intelligence did not disturb me, of course, for it was tavern-tidings +and neighbours' news. Neighbours! How much is that sacred word prostituted! +You shall find people opening their ears with avidity to the gossip of a +neighbourhood, when nineteen times in twenty it is less entitled to credit +than the intelligence which is obtained from a distance, provided the +latter come from persons of the same class in life as the individuals in +question, and are known to them. What means had this woman of knowing the +secrets of Herman Mordaunt's family, that were one-half as good as those +possessed by friends in Albany, for instance? This neighbourhood testimony, +as it is called, does a vast deal of mischief in the province, and most +especially in those parts of it where our own people are brought in contact +with their fellow-subjects, from the more eastern colonies. In my eyes, +Jason Newcome's opinions of Herman Mordaunt, and his acts, would be +nearly worthless, shrewd as I admit the man to be; for the two have not a +distinctive opinion, custom, and I had almost said principle, in common. +Just appreciation of motives and acts can only proceed from those who feel +and think alike; and this is morally impossible where there exist broad +distinctions in social classes. It is just for this reason that we attach +so little importance to the ordinary reports, and even to the sworn +evidence, of servants. + +Our reception at Satanstoe was just what might have been expected. My dear +mother hugged me to her heart, again and again, and seemed never to be +satisfied with feasting her eyes on me. My father was affected at seeing +me, too; and I thought there was a very decided moisture in his eyes. As +for old Capt. Hugh Roger, three-score-and-ten had exhausted his fluids, +pretty much; but he shook me heartily by the hand, and listened to my +account of the movements before Ty with all a soldier's interest, and with +somewhat of the fire of one who had served himself in more fortunate times. +I had to fight my battles o'er and o'er again, as a matter of course, and +to recount the tale of Ravensnest in all its details. We were at supper, +when I concluded my most laboured narrative, and when I began to hope my +duties, in this respect, were finally terminated. But my dear mother had +heavier matters still, on her mind; and it was necessary that I should give +her a private conference, in her own little room. + +“Corny, my beloved child,” commenced this anxious and most tender parent, +“you have said nothing _particular_ to me of the Mordaunts. It is now time +to speak of that family.” + +“Have I not told you, mother, how we met at Albany, and of what occurred on +the river.” I had not spoken of that adventure in my letters, because I was +uncertain of the true state of Anneke's feelings, and did not wish to raise +expectations that might never be realized.--“And of our going to Ravensnest +in company, and of all that happened at Ravensnest after our return from +Ty.” + +“What is all this to me, child! I wish to hear you speak of Anneke--is it +true that she is going to be married?” + +“It is true. I can affirm that much from her own mouth.” + +My dear mother's countenance fell, and I could hardly pursue my wicked +_equivoque_ any further. + +“And she has even had the effrontery to own this to _you,_ Corny?” + +“She has, indeed; though truth compels me to add, that she blushed a great +deal while admitting it, and seemed only half-disposed to be so frank: that +is, at first; for, in the end, she rather smiled than blushed.” + +“Well, this amazes me! It is only a proof that vanity, and worldly rank, +and worldly riches, stand higher in the estimation of Anneke Mordaunt, than +excellence and modest merit.” + +“What riches and worldly rank have I, mother, to tempt any woman to forget +the qualities you have mentioned?” + +“I was not thinking of you, my son, in that sense, at all. Of course, I +mean Mr. Bulstrode.” + +“What has Mr. Bulstrode to do with my marriage with Anne Mordaunt; or any +one else but her own sweet self, who has consented to become my wife; her +father, who accepts me for a son, my father, who is about to imitate his +example, by taking Anneke to his heart as a daughter, and you, my dearest, +dearest mother, who are the only person likely to raise obstacles, as you +are now doing.” + +This was a boyish mode of producing a most delightful surprise, I am very +ready to acknowledge; and, when I saw my mother burst into tears, I felt +both regret and shame at having--practised it. But youth is the season of +folly, and happy is the man who can say he has never trifled more seriously +with the feelings of a parent. I was soon pardoned--what offence would +not that devoted mother have pardoned her only child!--when I was made to +relate all that was proper to be told, of what had passed between Anneke +and myself. It is scarcely necessary to say, I was assured of the cheerful +acquiescence in my wishes, of all my own family, from Capt. Hugh Roger, +down to the dear person who was speaking. They had set their minds on my +becoming the husband of this very young lady; and I could not possibly have +made any communication that would be more agreeable, as I was given to +understand from each and all, that very night. + +My return to Satanstoe occurred in the last half of the month of July. The +Mordaunts were not to be at Lilacsbush until the middle of September, and I +had near two months to wait for that happy moment. This time was passed as +well as it could be. I endeavoured to interest myself in the old Neck, and +to plan schemes of future happiness there, that were to be realized in +Anneke's society. It was and is a noble farm; rich, beautifully placed, +having water on more than three of its sides, in capital order, and well +stocked with such apples, peaches, apricots, plums, and other fruits, +as the world can scarcely equal. It is true that the provinces a little +further south, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, +think they can beat us in peaches; but I have never tasted any fruit that +I thought would compare with that of Satanstoe. I love every tree, wall, +knoll, swell, meadow, and hummock about the old place. One thing distresses +me. I love old names, such as my father knew the same places by; and I like +to mispronounce a word, when custom and association render the practice +familiar. I would not call my friend, Dirck Follock, anything else but +Follock, unless it might be in a formal way, or when asking him to drink a +glass of wine with me, for a great deal. So it is with Satanstoe; the name +is homely, I am willing to allow; but it is strong, and conveys an idea. +It relates also to the usages and notions of the country; and names ought +always to be preserved, except in those few instances in which there are +good reasons for altering them. I regret to say, that ever since the +appearance of Jason Newcome among us, there has been a disposition among +the ignorant and vulgar, to call the Neck, Dibbleton; under the pretence I +have already mentioned, that it once belonged to the family of Dibblees; +or, as some think, as a pious diminutive of Devil's-Town. I indignantly +repel this supposition; though, I do believe, that Dibbleton is only a +sneaking mode of pronouncing Devilton; as, I admit, I have heard the old +people laughingly term the Neck. This belongs to the “Gaul darn ye” school, +and it is not to my taste. I say the ignorant and vulgar, for this is just +the class to be squeamish on such subjects. I have been told--though I +cannot say that I have heard it myself--but I am told, there have been +people from the eastward among us of late years, who affect to call +“Hell-Gate,” “Hurl-Gate,” or “Whirl-Gate,” or by some other such +sentimental, whirl-a-gig name; and these are the gentry who would wish to +alter “Satanstoe” into “Dibbleton!” Since the eastern troops have begun to +come among us, indeed, they have commenced a desperate inroad on many of +our old, venerated Dutch names; names that the English, direct from home, +have generally respected. Indeed, change--change in all things, seems to be +the besetting passion of these people. We, of New York, are content to do +as our ancestors have done before us; and this they ridicule, making it +matter of accusation against us, that we follow the notions of our fathers. +I shall never complain that they are deserting so many of _their_ customs; +for, I regard the changes as improvements; but I beg that they may leave us +ours. + +That there is such a thing as improvement I am willing enough to admit, as +well as that it not only compels, but excuses changes; but, I am yet to +learn it is matter of just reproach that a man follows in the footsteps of +those who have gone before him. The apothegms of David, and the wisdom of +Solomon, are just as much apothegms and wisdom, in our own time, as they +were the day they were written, and for precisely the same reason--their +truth. Where there is so much stability in morals, there must be permanent +principles, and something surely is worthy to be saved from the wreck +of the past. I doubt if all this craving for change has not more of +selfishness in it than either of expediency or of philosophy; and I could +wish, at least, that Satanstoe should never be frittered away into so +sneaking a substitute as Dibbleton. + +That was a joyful day, when a servant in Herman Mordaunt's livery rode in +upon our lawn, and handed me a letter from his master, informing me of the +safe arrival of the family, and inviting me to ride over next day in time +to take a late breakfast at Lilacsbush. Anneke had written to me twice +previously to this; two beautifully expressed, feminine, yet spirited, +affectionate letters, in which the tenderness and sensibility of her nature +were barely restrained by the delicacy of her sex and situation. On the +receipt of this welcome invitation, I was guilty of the only piece of +romantic extravagance that I can remember having committed in the course +of my life. Herman Mordaunt's black was well treated, and dismissed with a +letter of acceptance. One hour after he left Satanstoe--I _do_ love that +venerable name, and hope all the Yankees in Christendom will not be able to +alter it to Dibbleton--but, one hour after the negro was off, I followed +him myself, intending to sleep at the well-known inn at Kingsbridge, and +not present myself at the Bush, until the proper hour next morning. + +I had got to the house of the talkative landlady two hours before sunset, +put up my horse, secured my lodgings, and was eating a bite myself, when +the good housewife entered the room. + +“Your servant, Mr. Littlepage,” commenced this loquacious person; “how are +the venerable Captain Hugh Roger, and the Major, your honoured father? +Well, I see by your smile. Well, it is a comfortable thing to have our +friends enjoy good health--my own poor man enjoyed most wretched health +all last winter, and is likely to enjoy very much the same, that which +is coming. I should think you had come to the wedding at Lilacsbush, Mr. +Corny, had you not stopped at my door, instead of going on direct to that +of Herman Mordaunt.” + +I started, but supposed that the news of what was to happen had leaked out, +and that this good woman, whose ears were always open, had got hold of a +neighbourhood _truth_ for once in her life. + +“I am on no such errand, Mrs. Light, but hope to be married, one of these +days, to some one or other.” + +“I was not thinking of your marriage, sir, but that of Miss Anneke, over +at the 'Bush, to this Lord Bulstrom. It's a great connection for the +Mordaunts, after all, though Herman Mordaunt is of good blood, himself, +they tell me. The knight's man often comes here, to taste new cider, which +he admits is as good as English cider, and I believe it is the only thing +which he has found in the colonies that he thinks is one-half as good; but +Thomas tells me all is settled, and that the wedding must take place right +soon. It has only been put off on account of Miss Wallace, who is in deep +mourning for her own husband, having lost him within the honey-moon, which +is the reason she still bears her own name. They tell me a widow who loses +her husband in the honey-moon is obliged to bear her maiden name; otherwise +Miss Mary would be Mrs. Van Goort, or something like that.” + +As it was very clear the neighbourhood knew little about the true state of +things in Herman Mordaunt's family, I took my hat and proceeded to execute +the intention with which I had left home. I was sorry to hear that +Bulstrode was at Lilacsbush, but had no apprehension of his ever marrying +Anneke. I took the way to the heights, and soon reached the field where I +had once met the ladies, on horseback. There, seated under a tree, I saw +Bulstrode alone, and apparently in deep contemplation. It was no part of my +plan to be seen, or to have my presence known, and I was retiring, when I +heard my name, discovered that I was recognised, and joined him. + +The first glance at Bulstrode showed me that he knew the truth. He +coloured, bit his lips, forced a smile, and came forward to meet me, +limping just enough to add interest to his gait, and offered his hand with +a frank manliness that gave him great merit in my eyes. It was no trifle +to lose Anne Mordaunt, and I am afraid I could not have manifested half so +much magnanimity. But, Bulstrode was a man of the world, and he knew how +to command the exhibition of his feelings, if not to command the feelings +themselves. + +“I told you, once, Corny,” he said, offering his hand, “that we must remain +friends, _coute qui couté_--you have been successful, and I have failed. +Herman Mordaunt told me the melancholy fact before we left Albany; and +I can tell you, _his_ regrets were not so very flattering to you. +Nevertheless, he admits you are a capital fellow, and that if it were not +for Alexander, he could wish to be Diogenes. So you have only to provide +yourself with a lantern and a tub, marry Anneke, and set up housekeeping. +As for the honest man, I propose saving you some trouble, by offering +myself in that character, even before you light your wick. Come, take a +seat on this bench, and let us chat.” + +There was something a little forced in all this, it is true, but it was +manly. I took the seat, and Bulstrode went on. + +“It was the river that made your fortune, Corny, and undid me.” + +I smiled, but said nothing; though I knew better. + +“There is a fate in love, as in war. Well, I am as well off as Abercrombie; +we both expected to be victorious, while each is conquered. I am more +fortunate, indeed; for he can never expect to get another army, while I may +get another wife. I wish you would be frank with me, and confess to what +you particularly ascribe your own success.” + +“It is natural, Mr. Bulstrode, that a young woman should prefer to live in +her own country, to living in a strange land, and among strangers.” + +“Ay, Corny, that is both patriotic and modest; but it is not the real +reason. No, sir; it was Scrub, and the theatricals, by which I have been +undone. With most provincials, Mr. Littlepage, it is a sufficient apology +for anything, that the metropolis approves. So it is with you colonists, in +general; let England say yes, and you dare not say, no. There is one thing, +that persons who live so far from home, seldom learn; and it is this: There +are two sorts of great worlds; the great vulgar world, which includes all +but the very best in taste, principles, and manners, whether it be in a +capital or a country; and the great _respectable_ world, which, infinitely +less numerous, contains the judicious, the instructed, the intelligent, +and, on some questions, the good. Now, the first form fashion; whereas the +last produce something far better and more enduring than fashion. Fashion +often stands rebuked, in the presence of the last class, small as it +ever is, numerically. Very high rank, very finished tastes, very strong +judgments, and very correct principles, all unite, more or less, to make up +this class. One, or more of these qualities may be wanting, perhaps, but +the union of the whole forms the perfection of the character. We have daily +examples of this at home, as well as elsewhere; though, in our artificial +state of society it requires more decided qualities to resist the influence +of fashion, when there is not positive, social rank to sustain it, perhaps, +than it would in one more natural. That which first struck me, in Anneke, +as is the case with most young men, was her delicacy of appearance, and her +beauty. This I will not deny. In this respect, your American women have +quite taken me by surprise. In England, we are so accustomed to associate a +certain delicacy of person and air, with high rank, that I will confess, I +landed in New York with no expectation of meeting a single female, in +the whole country, that was not comparatively coarse, and what we are +accustomed to consider common, in physique; yet, I must now say that, +apart from mere conventional finish, I find quite as large a proportion of +aristocratical-looking females among you, as if you had a full share of +dutchesses. The last thing I should think of calling an American woman, +would be coarse. She may want manner, in one sense; she may want finish, in +a dozen things; she may, and often does, want utterance, as utterance is +understood among the accomplished; but she is seldom, indeed, coarse or +vulgar, according to our European understanding of the terms.” + +“And of what is all this _ápropos_, Bulstrode?” + +“Oh! of your success, and my defeat, of course, Corny,” answered the major, +smiling. “What I mean, is this--that Anneke is one of your second class, or +is better than what fashion can make her; and Scrub has been the means of +my undoing. She does not care for fashion, in a play, or a novel, or +a dress even, but looks for the proprieties. Yes, Scrub has proved my +undoing!” + +I did not exactly believe the last; but, finding Bulstrode so well disposed +to give his rejection this turn, it was not my part to contradict him. We +talked together half an hour longer, in the most amicable manner, when we +parted; Bulstrode promising not to betray the secret of my presence. + +I lingered in sight of the house until evening, when I ventured nearer, +hoping to get a glimpse of Anneke as she passed some window, or appeared, +by the soft light of the moon, under the piazza that skirted the south +front of the building. Lilacsbush deserved its name, being a perfect +wilderness of shrubbery; and, favoured by the last, I had got quite near +the house, when I heard light footsteps on the gravel of an adjacent walk. +At the next instant, soft, low voices met my ears, and I was a sort of +compelled auditor of what followed. + +“No, Anne, my fate is sealed for this world,” said Mary Wallace, “and +I shall live Guert's widow as faithfully and devotedly, as if the +marriage-vow had been pronounced. This much is due to his memory, on +account of the heartless doubts I permitted to influence me, and which +drove him into those terrible scenes that destroyed him. When a woman +really loves, Anneke, it is vain to struggle against anything but positive +unworthiness, I fear. Poor Guert was not unworthy in any sense; he was +erring and impulsive, but not unworthy. No--no--not unworthy! I ought to +have given him my hand, and he would have been spared to us. As it is, I +can only live his widow in secret, and in love. You have done well, dearest +Anneke, in being so frank with Corny Littlepage, and in avowing that +preference which you have felt almost from the first day of your +acquaintance.” + +Although this was music to my ears, honour would not suffer me to hear +more, and I moved swiftly away, stirring the bushes in a way to apprize the +speaker of the proximity of a stranger. It was necessary to appear, and I +endeavoured so to do, without creating any alarm. + +“It must be Mr. Bulstrode,” said the gentle voice of Anneke, “who is +probably looking for us--see, there he comes, and we will meet--” + +The dear speaker became tongue-tied; for, by this time, I was near enough +to be recognised. At the next instant, I held her in my arms. Mary Wallace +disappeared, how or when, I cannot say. I place a veil over the happy +hour that succeeded, leaving the old to draw on their experience for its +pictures, and the young to live in hope. At the end of that time, by +Anneke's persuasion, I entered the house, and had to brave Herman +Mordaunt's disposition to rally me. I was not only mercifully, but +hospitably treated, however, Anneke's father merely laughing at my little +adventure, saying, that he looked upon it favourably, and as a sign that I +was a youth of spirit. + +Early in October we were married, the Rev. Mr. Worden performing the +ceremony. Our home was to be Lilacsbush, which Herman Mordaunt conveyed to +me the same day, leaving it, as it was furnished, entirely in my hands. He +also gave me my wife's mother's fortune, a respectable independence, and +the death of Capt. Hugh Roger, soon after, added considerably to my means. +We made but one family, between town, Lilacsbush, and Satanstoe, Anneke and +my mother, in particular, conceiving a strong affection for each other. + +As for Bulstrode, he went home before the marriage, but keeps up a +correspondence with us to this hour. He is still single, and is a declared +old bachelor. His letters, however, are too light-hearted to leave us any +concern on the subject; though these are matters that may fall to the share +of my son Mordaunt, should he ever have the grace to continue this family +narrative. + + +THE END. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Satanstoe, by James Fenimore Cooper + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SATANSTOE *** + +***** This file should be named 8880-0.txt or 8880-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/8/8/8880/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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