CHAPTER XI.
THE PEDDLER'S CAPTURE.
In the confusion and agitation produced by the events we haverecorded, the death of the elder Birch had occurred unnoticed; but asufficient number of the immediate neighbors were hastily collected,and the ordinary rites of sepulture[74] were paid to the deceased.Birch supported the grave and collected manner that was thoughtbecoming in a male mourner.
[Footnote 74: burial.]
The muscles of the peddler's face were seen to move, and as the firstclod of earth fell on the tenement of his father, sending up thatdull, hollow sound that speaks so eloquently the mortality of man, hiswhole frame was for an instant convulsed. He bent his body down, as ifin pain, his fingers worked, while the hands hung lifeless by hisside, and there was an expression in his countenance that seemed toannounce a writhing of the soul; but it was not unresisted, and itwas transient. He stood erect, drew a long breath, and looked aroundhim with an elevated face, that seemed to smile with a consciousnessof having obtained the mastery. The grave was soon filled; a roughstone, placed at either extremity, marked its position, and the turf,whose faded vegetation was adapted to the fortunes of the deceased,covered the little hillock with the last office of seemliness.Uncovering his head, the peddler hesitated a moment to gather energy,and spoke.
"My friends and neighbors," he said, "I thank you for assisting me tobury my dead out of my sight."
A solemn pause succeeded the customary address, and the groupdispersed in silence. The peddler and Katy were followed into thebuilding by one man, however, who was well known to the surroundingcountry by the significant term of "a speculator." Katy saw him enter,with a heart that palpitated with dreadful forebodings; but Harveycivilly handed him a chair, and evidently was prepared for the visit.
The peddler went to the door, and, taking a cautious glance about thevalley, quickly returned and commenced the following dialogue:
"The sun has just left the top of the eastern hill; my time pressesme; here is the deed for the house and lot; everything is doneaccording to law."
The other took the paper, and conned its contents with a deliberationthat proceeded partly from caution, and partly from the unluckycircumstances of his education having been much neglected when ayouth. The time thus occupied in this tedious examination was employedby Harvey in gathering together certain articles which he intended toinclude in the stores that were to leave the habitation with himself.
"I'm rather timersome about this conveyance," said the purchaser,having at length waded though the covenants[75] of the deed.
[Footnote 75: agreements.]
"Why so?"
"I'm afraid it won't stand good in law. I know that two of theneighbors leave home to-morrow morning, to have the place entered forconfiscation;[76] and if I should give forty pounds and lose it all,'twould be a dead pull back to me."
[Footnote 76: forfeiting to the public treasury.]
"They can only take my right," said the peddler; "pay me two hundreddollars, and the house is yours; you are a well-known Whig,[77] andyou at least they won't trouble." As Harvey spoke, there was a strangebitterness of manner, mingled with the shrewd care expressedconcerning the sale of his property.
[Footnote 77: supporter of the American cause.]
"Say one hundred and it is a bargain," returned the man with a grinthat he meant for a good-natured smile.
"A bargain!" echoed the peddler, in surprise; "I thought the bargainwas already made."
"Nothing is a bargain," said the purchaser, with a chuckle, "untilpapers are delivered, and the money paid in hand."
"You have the paper."
"Aye, and will keep it, if you will excuse the money; come, say onehundred and fifty, and I won't be hard; here--here is just the money."
The peddler looked from the window, and saw with dismay that theevening was fast advancing, and knew well that he endangered his lifeby remaining in the dwelling after dark; yet he could not tolerate theidea of being defrauded in this manner, in a bargain that had alreadybeen fairly made; he hesitated.
"Well," said the purchaser, rising, "mayhap you will find another manto trade with between this and morning; but, if you don't, your titlewon't be worth much afterwards."
"I agree to the price," he said; and, turning to the spinster, heplaced a part of the money in her hand, as he continued, "had I othermeans to pay you, I would have lost all, rather than suffer myself tobe defrauded of part."
"You may lose all yet," muttered the stranger, with a sneer, as herose and left the building.
"Have you another house to go to?" inquired Katy.
"Providence will provide me with a home."
"Yes," said the housekeeper; "but maybe 'twill not be to your liking."
"The poor must not be difficult."[78] As the peddler spoke he droppedthe article he was packing from his hand, and seated himself on achest, with a look of vacant misery.
[Footnote 78: hard to suit.]
"It is painful to part with even you, good woman," he continued; "butthe hour has come, and I must go. What is left in the house is yours;to me it could be of no use, and it may serve to make you comfortable.Farewell--we may meet hereafter."
"In the regions of darkness!" cried a voice that caused the peddler tosink on the chest from which he had risen, in despair.
"What! another pack, Mr. Birch, and so well stuffed so soon!"
"Have you not done evil enough?" cried the peddler, regaining hisfirmness, and springing on his feet with energy; "is it not enough toharass the last moments of a dying man--to impoverish me; what morewould you have?"
"Your blood!" said the Skinner, with cool malignity.
"And for money," cried Harvey, bitterly; "like the ancient Judas, youwould grow rich with the price of blood!"
"Aye, and a fair price it is, my gentleman; fifty guineas; nearly theweight of that scarecrow carcass of yours in gold."
A figure stood in the shadow of the door, as if afraid to be seen inthe group of Skinners; but a blaze of light, aided by some articlesthrown in the fire by his persecutors, showed the peddler the face ofthe purchaser of his little domain. Occasionally there was somewhispering between this man and the Skinner nearest to him, thatinduced Harvey to suspect he had been the dupe of a contrivance inwhich that wretch had participated. It was, however, too late torepine; and he followed the party from the house with a firm andcollected tread, as if marching to a triumph, and not to a gallows. Inpassing through the yard, the leader of the band fell over a billet ofwood, and received a momentary hurt from the fall. Exasperated at theincident, the fellow sprang to his feet, filling the air withexecrations.
"The curse of heaven light on the log!" he exclaimed; "the night istoo dark for us to move in. Throw that brand of fire in yon pile oftow, to light up the scene."
"Hold!" cried the speculator; "you'll fire the house."
"And see the farther," said the other, hurling the brand in the midstof the combustibles. In an instant the building was in flames. "Comeon; let us move towards the heights while we have light to pick ourroad."
"Villain!" cried the exasperated purchaser, "is this yourfriendship--this my reward for kidnapping the peddler?"
"'Twould be wise to move more from the light, if you mean to entertainus with abuse, or we may see too well to miss our mark," cried theleader of the gang. The next instant he was as good as his threat, buthappily missed the terrified speculator and equally appalled spinster,who saw herself reduced from comparative wealth to poverty, by theblow.
Prudence dictated to the pair a speedy retreat; and the next morningthe only remains of the dwelling of the peddler was the huge chimney.