CHAPTER XXVIII
The owlet loves the gloom of night, The lark salutes the day, The timid dove will coo at hand-- But falcons soar away. --_Song in Duo_.
In a country settled, like these states, by a people who fled theirnative land and much-loved firesides, victims of consciences andreligious zeal, none of the decencies and solemnities of a Christiandeath are dispensed with, when circumstances will admit of theirexercise. The good woman of the house was a strict adherent to the formsof the church to which she belonged; and having herself been awakened toa sense of her depravity, by the ministry of the divine who haranguedthe people of the adjoining parish, she thought it was from hisexhortations only that salvation could be meted out to the short-livedhopes of Henry Wharton. Not that the kind-hearted matron was so ignorantof the doctrines of the religion which she professed, as to depend,theoretically, on mortal aid for protection; but she had, to use her ownphrase, "sat so long under the preaching of good Mr.----," that she hadunconsciously imbibed a practical reliance on his assistance, for thatwhich her faith should have taught her could come from the Deity alone.With her, the consideration of death was at all times awful, and theinstant that the sentence of the prisoner was promulgated, shedispatched Caesar, mounted on one of her husband's best horses, in questof her clerical monitor. This step had been taken without consultingeither Henry or his friends; and it was only when the services of Caesarwere required on some domestic emergency, that she explained the natureof his absence. The youth heard her, at first, with an unconquerablereluctance to admit of such a spiritual guide; but as our view of thethings of this life becomes less vivid, our prejudices and habits ceaseto retain their influence; and a civil bow of thanks was finally given,in requital for the considerate care of the well-meaning woman.
The black returned early from his expedition, and, as well as could begathered from his somewhat incoherent narrative, a minister of God mightbe expected to arrive in the course of the day. The interruption that wementioned in our preceding chapter was occasioned by the entrance of thelandlady. At the intercession of Dunwoodie, orders had been given to thesentinel who guarded the door of Henry's room, that the members of theprisoner's family should, at all times, have free access to hisapartment. Caesar was included in this arrangement, as a matter ofconvenience, by the officer in command; but strict inquiry andexamination was made into the errand of every other applicant foradmission. The major had, however, included himself among the relativesof the British officer; and one pledge, that no rescue should beattempted, was given in his name, for them all. A short conversation waspassing between the woman of the house and the corporal of the guard,before the door that the sentinel had already opened in anticipation ofthe decision of his noncommissioned commandant.
"Would you refuse the consolations of religion to a fellow creatureabout to suffer death?" said the matron, with earnest zeal. "Would youplunge a soul into the fiery furnace, and a minister at hand to pointout the straight and narrow path?"
"I'll tell you what, good woman," returned the corporal, gently pushingher away; "I've no notion of my back being a highway for any man to walkto heaven upon. A pretty figure I should make at the pickets, fordisobeying orders. Just step down and ask Lieutenant Mason, and you maybring in a whole congregation. We have not taken the guard from the footsoldiers, but an hour, and I shouldn't like to have it said that we knowless than the militia."
"Admit the woman," said Dunwoodie, sternly, observing, for the firsttime, that one of his own corps was on post.
The corporal raised his hand to his cap, and fell back in silence; thesoldier stood to his arms, and the matron entered.
"Here is a reverend gentleman below, come to soothe the parting soul, inthe place of our own divine, who is engaged with an appointment thatcould not be put aside; 'tis to bury old Mr.---"
"Show him in at once," said Henry, with feverish impatience.
"But will the sentinel let him pass? I would not wish a friend ofMr.--to be rudely stopped on the threshold, and he a stranger."
All eyes were now turned on Dunwoodie, who, looking at his watch, spokea few words with Henry, in an undertone, and hastened from theapartment, followed by Frances. The subject of their conversation was awish expressed by the prisoner for a clergyman of his own persuasion,and a promise from the major, that one should be sent from Fishkilltown, through which he was about to pass, on his way to the ferry tointercept the expected return of Harper. Mason soon made his bow at thedoor, and willingly complied with the wishes of the landlady; and thedivine was invited to make his appearance accordingly.
The person who was ushered into the apartment, preceded by Caesar, andfollowed by the matron, was a man beyond the middle age, or who mightrather be said to approach the downhill of life. In stature he was abovethe size of ordinary men, though his excessive leanness mightcontribute in deceiving as to his height; his countenance was sharp andunbending, and every muscle seemed set in rigid compression. No joy orrelaxation appeared ever to have dwelt on features that frownedhabitually, as if in detestation of the vices of mankind. The brows werebeetling, dark, and forbidding, giving the promise of eyes of no lessrepelling expression; but the organs were concealed beneath a pair ofenormous green goggles, through which they glared around with afierceness that denounced the coming day of wrath. All was fanaticism,uncharitableness, and denunciation. Long, lank hair, a mixture of grayand black, fell down his neck, and in some degree obscured the sides ofhis face, and, parting on his forehead, fell in either direction instraight and formal screens. On the top of this ungraceful exhibitionwas laid impending forward, so as to overhang in some measure the wholefabric, a large hat of three equal cocks. His coat was of a rusty black,and his breeches and stockings were of the same color; his shoes withoutluster, and half-concealed beneath huge plated buckles. He stalked intothe room, and giving a stiff nod with his head, took the chair offeredhim by the black, in dignified silence. For several minutes no one brokethis ominous pause in the conversation; Henry feeling a repugnance tohis guest, that he was vainly endeavoring to conquer, and the strangerhimself drawing forth occasional sighs and groans, that threatened adissolution of the unequal connection between his sublimated soul andits ungainly tenement. During this, deathlike preparation, Mr. Wharton,with a feeling nearly allied to that of his son, led Sarah from theapartment. His retreat was noticed by the divine, in a kind of scornfuldisdain, who began to hum the air of a popular psalm tune, giving it thefull richness of the twang that distinguishes the Eastern [Footnote: By"Eastern" is meant the states of New England, which, being originallysettled by Puritans, still retain many distinct shades ofcharacter.] psalmody.
"Caesar," said Miss Peyton, "hand the gentleman some refreshment; hemust need it after his ride."
"My strength is not in the things of this life," said the divine,speaking in a hollow, sepulchral voice. "Thrice have I this day heldforth in my Master's service, and fainted not; still it is prudent tohelp this frail tenement of clay, for, surely, 'the laborer is worthy ofhis hire.'"
Opening a pair of enormous jaws, he took a good measure of the profferedbrandy, and suffered it to glide downwards, with that sort of facilitywith which man is prone to sin.
"I apprehend, then, sir, that fatigue will disable you from performingthe duties which kindness has induced you to attempt."
"Woman!" exclaimed the stranger, with energy, "when was I ever known toshrink from a duty? But 'judge not lest ye be judged,' and fancy notthat it is given to mortal eyes to fathom the intentions of the Deity."
"Nay," returned the maiden, meekly, and slightly disgusted with hisjargon, "I pretend not to judge of either events, or the intentions ofmy fellow creatures, much less of those of Omnipotence."
"'Tis well, woman,--'tis well," cried the minister, moving his head withsupercilious disdain; "humility becometh thy sex and lost condition; thyweakness driveth thee on headlong like 'unto the bosom of destruction.'"
Surprised at this e
xtraordinary deportment, but yielding to that habitwhich urges us to speak reverently on sacred subjects, even when perhapswe had better continue silent, Miss Peyton replied,--
"There is a Power above, that can and will sustain us all in well-doing,if we seek its support in humility and truth."
The stranger turned a lowering look at the speaker, and then composinghimself into an air of self-abasement, he continued in the samerepelling tones,--
"It is not everyone that crieth out for mercy, that will be heard. Theways of Providence are not to be judged by men--'Many are called, butfew chosen.' It is easier to talk of humility than to feel it. Are youso humble, vile worm, as to wish to glorify God by your own damnation?If not, away with you for a publican and a Pharisee!"
Such gross fanaticism was uncommon in America, and Miss Peyton began toimbibe the impression that her guest was deranged; but remembering thathe had been sent by a well-known divine, and one of reputation, shediscarded the idea, and, with some forbearance, observed,--
"I may deceive myself, in believing that mercy is proffered to all, butit is so soothing a doctrine, that I would not willingly be undeceived."
"Mercy is only for the elect," cried the stranger, with an unaccountableenergy; "and you are in the 'valley of the shadow of death.' Are you nota follower of idle ceremonies, which belong to the vain church that ourtyrants would gladly establish here, along with their stamp acts and tealaws? Answer me that, woman; and remember, that Heaven hears youranswer; are you not of that idolatrous communion?"
"I worship at the altars of my fathers," said Miss Peyton, motioning toHenry for silence; "but bow to no other idol than my own infirmities."
"Yes, yes, I know ye, self-righteous and papal as ye are--followers offorms, and listeners to bookish preaching; think you, woman, that holyPaul had notes in his hand to propound the Word to the believers?"
"My presence disturbs you," said Miss Peyton, rising. "I will leave youwith my nephew, and offer those prayers in private that I did wish tomingle with his."
So saying, she withdrew, followed by the landlady, who was not a littleshocked, and somewhat surprised, by the intemperate zeal of her newacquaintance; for, although the good woman believed that Miss Peyton andher whole church were on the highroad to destruction, she was by nomeans accustomed to hear such offensive and open avowals of their fate.
Henry had with difficulty repressed the indignation excited by thisunprovoked attack on his meek and unresisting aunt; but as the doorclosed on her retiring figure, he gave way to his feelings.
"I must confess, sir," he exclaimed with heat, "that in receiving aminister of God, I thought I was admitting a Christian; and one who, byfeeling his own weaknesses, knew how to pity the frailties of others.You have wounded the meek spirit of an excellent woman, and Iacknowledge but little inclination to mingle in prayer with sointolerant a spirit."
The minister stood erect, with grave composure, following with his eyes,in a kind of scornful pity, the retiring females, and suffered theexpostulation of the youth to be given, as if unworthy of his notice. Athird voice, however, spoke,--
"Such a denunciation would have driven many women into fits; but it hasanswered the purpose well enough, as it is."
"Who's that?" cried the prisoner, in amazement, gazing around the roomin quest of the speaker.
"It is I, Captain Wharton," said Harvey Birch, removing the spectacles,and exhibiting his piercing eyes, shining under a pair offalse eyebrows.
"Good heavens--Harvey!"
"Silence!" said the peddler, solemnly. "'Tis a name not to be mentioned,and least of all here, within the heart of the American army." Birchpaused and gazed around him for a moment, with an emotion exceeding thebase passion of fear, and then continued in a gloomy tone, "There are athousand halters in that very name, and little hope would there be leftme of another escape, should I be again taken. This is a fearful venturethat I am making; but I could not sleep in quiet, and know that aninnocent man was about to die the death of a dog, when I mightsave him."
"No," said Henry, with a glow of generous feeling on his cheek, "if therisk to yourself be so heavy, retire as you came, and leave me to myfate. Dunwoodie is making, even now, powerful exertions in my behalf;and if he meets with Mr. Harper in the course of the night, myliberation is certain."
"Harper!" echoed the peddler, remaining with his hands raised, in theact of replacing the spectacles. "What do you know of Harper? And why doyou think he will do you service?"
"I have his promise; you remember our recent meeting in my father'sdwelling, and he then gave an unasked promise to assist me."
"Yes--but do you know him? That is--why do you think he has the power?Or what reason have you for believing he will remember his word?"
"If there ever was the stamp of truth, or simple, honest benevolence, inthe countenance of man, it shone in his," said Henry. "Besides,Dunwoodie has powerful friends in the rebel army, and it would be betterthat I take the chance where I am, than thus to expose you to certaindeath, if detected."
"Captain Wharton," said Birch, looking guardedly around and speakingwith impressive seriousness of manner, "if I fail you, all fail you. NoHarper nor Dunwoodie can save your life; unless you get out with me, andthat within the hour, you die to-morrow on the gallows of a murderer.Yes, such are their laws; the man who fights, and kills, and plunders,is honored; but he who serves his country as a spy, no matter howfaithfully, no matter how honestly, lives to be reviled, or dies likethe vilest criminal!"
"You forget, Mr. Birch," said the youth, a little indignantly, "that Iam not a treacherous, lurking spy, who deceives to betray; but innocentof the charge imputed to me."
The blood rushed over the pale, meager features of the peddler, untilhis face was one glow of fire; but it passed quickly away, as hereplied,--
"I have told you truth. Caesar met me, as he was going on his errandthis morning, and with him I have laid the plan which, if executed as Iwish, will save you--otherwise you are lost; and I again tell you, thatno other power on earth, not even Washington, can save you."
"I submit," said the prisoner, yielding to his earnest manner, andgoaded by the fears that were thus awakened anew.
The peddler beckoned him to be silent, and walking to the door, openedit, with the stiff, formal air with which he had entered the apartment.
"Friend, let no one enter," he said to the sentinel. "We are about to goto prayer, and would wish to be alone."
"I don't know that any will wish to interrupt you," returned thesoldier, with a waggish leer of his eye; "but, should they be sodisposed, I have no power to stop them, if they be of the prisoner'sfriends. I have my orders, and must mind them, whether the Englishmangoes to heaven, or not."
"Audacious sinner!" said the pretended priest, "have you not the fear ofGod before your eyes? I tell you, as you will dread punishment at thelast day, to let none of the idolatrous communion enter, to mingle inthe prayers of the righteous."
"Whew-ew-ew--what a noble commander you'd make for Sergeant Hollister!You'd preach him dumb in a roll call. Harkee, I'll thank you not to makesuch a noise when you hold forth, as to drown our bugles, or you may geta poor fellow a short horn at his grog, for not turning out to theevening parade. If you want to be alone, have you no knife to stick overthe door latch, that you must have a troop of horse to guard yourmeetinghouse?"
The peddler took the hint, and closed the door immediately, using theprecaution suggested by the dragoon.
"You overact your part," said young Wharton, in constant apprehension ofdiscovery; "your zeal is too intemperate."
"For a foot soldier and them Eastern militia, it might be," saidHarvey, turning a bag upside down, that Caesar now handed him; "butthese dragoons are fellows that you must brag down. A faint heart,Captain Wharton, would do but little here; but come, here is a blackshroud for your good-looking countenance," taking, at the same time, aparchment mask, and fitting it to the face of Henry. "The master and theman must change places for a season."
"I don't t'ink he look a bit like me," said Caesar, with disgust, as hesurveyed his young master with his new complexion.
"Stop a minute, Caesar," said the peddler, with the lurking drollerythat at times formed part of his manner, "till we get on the wool."
"He worse than ebber now," cried the discontented African. "A t'inkcolored man like a sheep! I nebber see sich a lip, Harvey; he most asbig as a sausage!"
Great pains had been taken in forming the different articles used in thedisguise of Captain Wharton, and when arranged, under the skillfulsuperintendence of the peddler, they formed together a transformationthat would easily escape detection, from any but an extraordinaryobserver.
The mask was stuffed and shaped in such a manner as to preserve thepeculiarities, as well as the color, of the African visage; and the wigwas so artfully formed of black and white wool, as to imitate thepepper-and-salt color of Caesar's own head, and to exact plaudits fromthe black himself, who thought it an excellent counterfeit in everythingbut quality.
"There is but one man in the American army who could detect you, CaptainWharton," said the peddler, surveying his work with satisfaction, "andhe is just now out of our way."
"And who is he?"
"The man who made you prisoner. He would see your white skin through aplank. But strip, both of you; your clothes must be exchanged fromhead to foot."
Caesar, who had received minute instructions from the peddler in theirmorning interview, immediately commenced throwing aside his coarsegarments, which the youth took up and prepared to invest himself with;unable, however, to repress a few signs of loathing.
In the manner of the peddler there was an odd mixture of care and humor;the former was the result of a perfect knowledge of their danger, andthe means necessary to be used in avoiding it; and the latter proceededfrom the unavoidably ludicrous circumstances before him, acting on anindifference which sprang from habit, and long familiarity with suchscenes as the present.
"Here, captain," he said, taking up some loose wool, and beginning tostuff the stockings of Caesar, which were already on the leg of theprisoner; "some judgment is necessary in shaping this limb. You willhave to display it on horseback; and the Southern dragoons are so usedto the brittle-shins, that should they notice your well-turned calf,they'd know at once it never belonged to a black."
"Golly!" said Caesar, with a chuckle, that exhibited a mouth open fromear to ear, "Massa Harry breeches fit."
"Anything but your leg," said the peddler, coolly pursuing the toilet ofHenry. "Slip on the coat, captain, over all. Upon my word, you'd passwell at a pinkster frolic; and here, Caesar, place this powdered wigover your curls, and be careful and look out of the window, whenever thedoor is open, and on no account speak, or you will betray all."
"I s'pose Harvey t'ink a colored man ain't got a tongue like oder folk,"grumbled the black, as he took the station assigned to him.
Everything now was arranged for action, and the peddler verydeliberately went over the whole of his injunctions to the two actors inthe scene. The captain he conjured to dispense with his erect militarycarriage, and for a season to adopt the humble paces of his father'snegro; and Caesar he enjoined to silence and disguise, so long as hecould possibly maintain them. Thus prepared, he opened the door, andcalled aloud to the sentinel, who had retired to the farthest end of thepassage, in order to avoid receiving any of that spiritual comfort,which he felt was the sole property of another.
"Let the woman of the house be called," said Harvey, in the solemn keyof his assumed character; "and let her come alone. The prisoner is in ahappy train of meditation, and must not be led from his devotions."
Caesar sank his face between his hands; and when the soldier looked intothe apartment, he thought he saw his charge in deep abstraction. Castinga glance of huge contempt at the divine, he called aloud for the goodwoman of the house. She hastened at the summons, with earnest zeal,entertaining a secret hope that she was to be admitted to the gossip ofa death-bed repentance.
"Sister," said the minister, in the authoritative tones of a master,"have you in the house `The Christian Criminal's last Moments, orThoughts on Eternity, for them who die a violent Death'?"
"I never heard of the book!" said the matron in astonishment.
"'Tis not unlikely; there are many books you have never heard of: it isimpossible for this poor penitent to pass in peace, without theconsolations of that volume. One hour's reading in it is worth an age ofman's preaching."
"Bless me, what a treasure to possess! When was it put out?"
"It was first put out at Geneva in the Greek language, and thentranslated at Boston. It is a book, woman, that should be in the handsof every Christian, especially such as die upon the gallows. Have ahorse prepared instantly for this black, who shall accompany me to mybrother--, and I will send down the volume yet in season. Brother,compose thy mind; you are now in the narrow path to glory."
Caesar wriggled a little in his chair, but he had sufficientrecollection to conceal his face with hands that were, in their turn,concealed by gloves. The landlady departed, to comply with this veryreasonable request, and the group of conspirators were again left tothemselves.
"This is well," said the peddler; "but the difficult task is to deceivethe officer who commands the guard--he is lieutenant to Lawton, and haslearned some of the captain's own cunning in these things. Remember,Captain Wharton," continued he with an air of pride, "that now is themoment when everything depends on our coolness."
"My fate can be made but little worse than it is at present, my worthyfellow," said Henry; "but for your sake I will do all that in me lies."
"And wherein can I be more forlorn and persecuted than I now am?" askedthe peddler, with that wild incoherence which often crossed his manner."But I have promised _one_ to save you, and to him I have never yetbroken my word."
"And who is he?" said Henry, with awakened interest.
"No one."
The man soon returned, and announced that the horses were at the door.Harvey gave the captain a glance, and led the way down the stairs, firstdesiring the woman to leave the prisoner to himself, in order that hemight digest the wholesome mental food that he had so lately received.
A rumor of the odd character of the priest had spread from the sentinelat the door to his comrades; so that when Harvey and Wharton reached theopen space before the building, they found a dozen idle dragoonsloitering about with the waggish intention of quizzing the fanatic, andemployed in affected admiration of the steeds.
"A fine horse!" said the leader in this plan of mischief; "but a littlelow in flesh. I suppose from hard labor in your calling."
"My calling may be laborsome to both myself and this faithful beast, butthen a day of settling is at hand, that will reward me for all myoutgoings and incomings," said Birch, putting his foot in the stirrup,and preparing to mount.
"You work for pay, then, as we fight for't?" cried another of the party.
"Even so--is not the laborer worthy of his hire?"
"Come, suppose you give us a little preaching; we have a leisure momentjust now, and there's no telling how much good you might do a set ofreprobates like us, in a few words. Here, mount this horseblock, andtake your text where you please."
The men now gathered in eager delight around the peddler, who, glancinghis eye expressively towards the captain, who had been suffered tomount, replied,--
"Doubtless, for such is my duty. But, Caesar, you can ride up the roadand deliver the note--the unhappy prisoner will be wanting the book, forhis hours are numbered."
"Aye, aye, go along, Caesar, and get the book," shouted half a dozenvoices, all crowding eagerly around the ideal priest, in anticipationof a frolic.
The peddler inwardly dreaded, that, in their unceremonious handling ofhimself and garments, his hat and wig might be displaced, when detectionwould be certain; he was therefore fain to comply with their request.Ascending the horseblock, after hemming once or twice, and castingseveral glances at the captain, who con
tinued immovable, he commenced asfollows:--
"I shall call your attention, my brethren, to that portion of Scripturewhich you will find in the second book of Samuel, and which is writtenin the following words:--'_And the king lamented over Abner, and said.Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet putinto fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. Andall the people wept again over him_.' Caesar, ride forward, I say, andobtain the book as directed; thy master is groaning in spirit even nowfor the want of it."
"An excellent text!" cried the dragoons. "Go on--go on--let thesnowball stay; he wants to be edified as well as another."
"What are you at there, scoundrels?" cried Lieutenant Mason, as he camein sight from a walk he had taken to sneer at the evening parade of theregiment of militia. "Away with every man of you to your quarters, andlet me find that each horse is cleaned and littered, when I come round."The sound of the officer's voice operated like a charm, and no priestcould desire a more silent congregation, although he might possibly havewished for one that was more numerous. Mason had not done speaking, whenit was reduced to the image of Caesar only. The peddler took thatopportunity to mount, but he had to preserve the gravity of hismovements, for the remark of the troopers upon the condition of theirbeasts was but too just, and a dozen dragoon horses stood saddled andbridled at hand, ready to receive their riders at a moment's warning.
"Well, have you bitted the poor fellow within," said Mason, "that he cantake his last ride under the curb of divinity, old gentleman?"
"There is evil in thy conversation, profane man," cried the priest,raising his hands and casting his eyes upwards in holy horror; "so Iwill depart from thee unhurt, as Daniel was liberated from thelions' den."
"Off with you, for a hypocritical, psalm-singing, canting rogue indisguise," said Mason scornfully. "By the life of Washington! it worriesan honest fellow to see such voracious beasts of prey ravaging a countryfor which he sheds his blood. If I had you on a Virginia plantation fora quarter of an hour, I'd teach you to worm the tobacco withthe turkeys."
"I leave you, and shake the dust off my shoes, that no remnant of thiswicked hole may tarnish the vestments of the godly."
"Start, or I will shake the dust from your jacket, designing knave! Afellow to be preaching to my men! There's Hollister put the devil inthem by his exhorting; the rascals were getting too conscientious tostrike a blow that would raze the skin. But hold! Whither do you travel,Master Blackey, in such godly company?"
"He goes," said the minister, hastily speaking for his companion, "toreturn with a book of much condolence and virtue to the sinful youthabove, whose soul will speedily become white, even as his outwards areblack and unseemly. Would you deprive a dying man of the consolation ofreligion?"
"No, no, poor fellow, his fate is bad enough; a famous good breakfasthis prim body of an aunt gave us. But harkee, Mr. Revelation, if theyouth must die _secundum arlem_, let it be under a gentleman'sdirections, and my advice is, that you never trust that skeleton ofyours among us again, or I will take the skin off and leave you naked."
"Out upon thee for a reviler and scoffer of goodness!" said Birch,moving slowly, and with a due observance of clerical dignity, down theroad, followed by the imaginary Caesar. "But I leave thee, and thatbehind me that will prove thy condemnation, and take from thee a heartyand joyful deliverance."
"Damn him," muttered the trooper. "The fellow rides like a stake, andhis legs stick out like the cocks of his hat. I wish I had him belowthese hills, where the law is not over-particular, I'd---"
"Corporal of the guard!--corporal of the guard!" shouted the sentinel inthe passage to the chambers, "corporal of the guard!--corporal ofthe guard!"
The subaltern flew up the narrow stairway that led to the room of theprisoner, and demanded the meaning of the outcry.
The soldier was standing at the open door of the apartment, looking inwith a suspicious eye on the supposed British officer. On observing hislieutenant, he fell back with habitual respect, and replied, with an airof puzzled thought,--
"I don't know, sir; but just now the prisoner looked queer. Ever sincethe preacher has left him, he don't look as he used to do--but," gazingintently over the shoulder of his officer, "it must be him, too! Thereis the same powdered head, and the darn in the coat, where he was hitthe day we had the last brush with the enemy."
"And then all this noise is occasioned by your doubting whether thatpoor gentleman is your prisoner, or not, is it, sirrah? Who the devil doyou think it can be, else?"
"I don't know who else it can be," returned the fellow, sullenly; "buthe has grown thicker and shorter, if it is he; and see for yourself,sir, he shakes all over, like a man in an ague."
This was but too true. Caesar was an alarmed auditor of this shortconversation, and, from congratulating himself upon the dexterous escapeof his young master, his thoughts were very naturally beginning to dwellupon the probable consequences to his own person. The pause thatsucceeded the last remark of the sentinel, in no degree contributed tothe restoration of his faculties. Lieutenant Mason was busied inexamining with his own eyes the suspected person of the black, andCaesar was aware of the fact, by stealing a look through a passage underone of his arms, that he had left expressly for the purpose ofreconnoitering. Captain Lawton would have discovered the fraudimmediately, but Mason was by no means so quick-sighted as hiscommander. He therefore turned rather contemptuously to the soldier,and, speaking in an undertone, observed,
"That anabaptist, methodistical, quaker, psalm-singing rascal hasfrightened the boy, with his farrago about flames and brimstone. I'llstep in and cheer him with a little rational conversation."
"I have heard of fear making a man white," said the soldier, drawingback, and staring as if his eyes would start from their sockets, "but ithas changed the royal captain to a black!"
The truth was, that Caesar, unable to hear what Mason uttered in a lowvoice, and having every fear aroused in him by what had already passed,incautiously removed the wig a little from one of his ears, in order tohear the better, without in the least remembering that its color mightprove fatal to his disguise. The sentinel had kept his eyes fastened onhis prisoner, and noticed the action. The attention of Mason wasinstantly drawn to the same object; and, forgetting all delicacy for abrother officer in distress, or, in short, forgetting everything but thecensure that might alight on his corps, the lieutenant sprang forwardand seized the terrified African by the throat; for no sooner had Caesarheard his color named, than he knew his discovery was certain; and atthe first sound of Mason's heavy boot on the floor, he arose from hisseat, and retreated precipitately to a corner of the room.
"Who are you?" cried Mason, dashing the head of the old man against theangle of the wall at each interrogatory. "Who the devil are you, andwhere is the Englishman? Speak, thou thundercloud! Answer me, youjackdaw, or I'll hang you on the gallows of the spy!"
Caesar continued firm. Neither the threats nor the blows could extractany reply, until the lieutenant, by a very natural transition in theattack, sent his heavy boot forward in a direction that brought it indirect contact with the most sensitive part of the negro--his shin. Themost obdurate heart could not have exacted further patience, and Caesarinstantly gave in. The first words he spoke were--
"Golly! massa, you t'ink I got no feelin'?"
"By heavens!" shouted the lieutenant, "it is the negro himself!Scoundrel! where is your master, and who was the priest?" Whilespeaking, he made a movement as if about to renew the attack; but Caesarcried aloud for mercy, promising to tell all that he knew.
"Who was the priest?" repeated the dragoon, drawing back his formidableleg, and holding it in threatening suspense. "Harvey, Harvey!" criedCaesar, dancing from one leg to the other, as he thought each member inturn might be assailed.
"Harvey who, you black villain?" cried the impatient lieutenant, as heexecuted a full measure of vengeance by letting his leg fly.
"Birch!" shrieked Caesar, falling on his knees, the
tears rolling inlarge drops over his shining face.
"Harvey Birch!" echoed the trooper, hurling the black from him, andrushing from the room. "To arms! to arms! Fifty guineas for the life ofthe peddler spy--give no quarter to either. Mount, mount! to arms!to horse!"
During the uproar occasioned by the assembling of the dragoons, who allrushed tumultuously to their horses, Caesar rose from the floor, wherehe had been thrown by Mason, and began to examine into his injuries.Happily for himself, he had alighted on his head, and consequentlysustained no material damage.