CHAPTER XXI.
"With all thy rural echoes come, Sweet comrade of the rosy day, Wafting the wild bee's gentle hum, Or cuckoo's plaintive roundelay."--CAMPBELL.
That night was passed under my own roof, in the family circle. Althoughmy presence on the estate was now generally known, to all who wereinterested in it, I cannot say that I thought much of the anti-renters,or of any risks incurred by the discovery. The craven spirit manifestedby the "Injins" in presence of the Indians, the assumed before the real,had not a tendency to awaken much respect for the disaffected, and quitelikely disposed me to be more indifferent to their proceedings than Imight otherwise have been. At all events, I was happy with Patt andMary, and my uncle's wards, and did not give the disorganizers athought, until quite at the close of the evening. The manner in whichJohn went about to barricade the doors and windows, after the ladies hadretired, struck me unpleasantly, however, and it did not fail to producethe same effect on my uncle. This seemingly important duty was done,when my faithful _maitre-d'hotel_, for such, in a measure, was theEnglishman's station, came to me and my uncle, who were waiting for hisappearance in the library, armed like Robinson Crusoe. He brought useach a revolving pistol, and a rifle, with a proper allowance ofammunition.
"Missus," so John persevered in calling my grandmother, though it wasvery unlike an English servant to do so, after he had been in thecountry three months--"Missus 'as hordered harms to be laid in, inquantities, Mr. Hugh, and hall of us has our rifles and pistols, justlike these. She keeps some for herself and Miss Martha, in her own roomstill, but as she supposes you can make better use of these than themaids, I had her orders to bring them down out of the maids' room, andhoffer them to yourselves, gentlemen. They are hall loaded, and smartweapons be they."
"Surely there has been no occasion as yet, for using such things asthese!" exclaimed my uncle.
"One doesn't know, Mr. Roger, when the hinimy may come. We have had onlythree alarms since the ladies arrived, and most luckily no blood wasshed; though we fired at the hinimy, and the hinimy fired at us. When Isays no blood was spilt, I should add, on our side; for there was no wayto know how much the anti's suffered, and they hadn't good stone wallsto cover them, as we 'ad on our side."
"Gracious Providence! I had no notion of this! Hugh, the country is in aworse state than I had supposed, and we ought not to leave the ladieshere an hour after to-morrow!"
As the ladies who came within my uncle's category, did not include MaryWarren, I did not take exactly the same view of the subject as he didhimself. Nothing further was said on the subject, however; and shortlyafter each shouldered his rifle, and retired to his own room.
It was past midnight when I reached my apartment, but I felt noinclination for sleep. That had been an important day to me, one full ofexcitement, and I was still too much under the influence of itscircumstances to think of my bed. There was soon a profound silence inthe house, the closing of doors and the sound of footsteps havingceased, and I went to a window, to gaze on the scene without. There wasa three-quarters' moon, which gave light enough to render all the nearerobjects of the landscape distinctly visible. The view had nothingremarkable in it, but it was always rural and pretty. The little river,and the broad meadows, were not to be seen from my side of the house,which commanded the carriage road that wound through the lawn--thefarm-house--the distant church--the neat and pretty rectory--thedwelling of Mary, and a long reach of farms, that lay along the valley,and on the broad breast of the rising ground to the westward.
Everything, far and near, seemed buried in the quiet of deep night. Eventhe cattle in the fields had lain down to sleep; for, like men, theylove to follow the law of nature, and divide the hours by light anddarkness. John had placed the candles in my dressing-room, and closedthe inner shutters; but I had taken a seat by a window of the bedroomand sat in no other light but that which came from the moon, which wasnow near setting. I might have been ruminating on the events of the dayhalf an hour or more, when I fancied some object was in motion on a paththat led toward the village, but which was quite distinct from theordinary highway. This path was private, indeed, running fully a milethrough my own farm and grounds, bounded for a considerable distance byhigh fences on each side of it, and running among the copses andthickets of the lawn, as soon as it emerged from the fields. It had beenmade in order to enable my grandfather to ride to his fields,uninterrupted by gates or bars; and issuing into the bit of forestalready described, it passed through that by a short cut, and enabled usto reach the hamlet by a road that saved nearly a mile in the wholedistance. This path was often used by those who left the Nest, or whocame to it, in the saddle, but rarely by any but those who belonged tothe family. Though old as the place itself, it was little known byothers, not suiting the general taste for publicity, there not being asolitary dwelling on it between the Nest House itself and the pointwhere it emerged into the highway, beyond the wood, which was quite nearto the village.
I could see the whole line of this private path, with the exception,here and there, of intervals that were hid by trees and thickets, fromthe point where it terminated until it entered the wood. There could beno mistake. Late as was the hour, some one mounted was galloping alongthat path, winding his or _her_ way among the rails of the fences; nowplainly visible, then lost to view. I had caught a glimpse of thisphantom (for at that unusual hour, and by that delusive light, itrequired no great effort of the imagination thus to fancy theequestrian), just as it emerged from the wood, and could not well bemistaken as to the accuracy of my discovery. The path led through apretty wooded ravine in the lawn, and no sooner did I lose sight of thisstrange object than I turned my eyes eagerly to the spot where it oughtto reappear, on emerging from its cover.
The path lay in shadow for twenty rods on quitting the ravine, afterwhich it wound across the lawn to the door, for about twice thatdistance in full moonlight. At the termination of the shadow there was anoble oak, which stood alone, and beneath its wide branches was a seatmuch frequented by the ladies in the heats of summer. My eye kept movingfrom this point, where the light became strong, to that where the pathissued from the ravine. At the latter it was just possible todistinguish a moving object, and, sure enough, there I got my next viewof the person I was watching. The horse came up the ascent on agallop--a pace that was continued until its rider drew the rein beneaththe oak. Here, to my surprise, a female sprang from the saddle withgreat alacrity, and secured her steed within the shadow of the tree.This was no sooner done than she moved on toward the house, in muchapparent haste. Fearful of disturbing the family, I now left my room ontiptoe, and without a candle, the light of the moon penetrating thepassages in sufficient quantity to serve my purpose, descending as fastas possible to the lower floor. Swift and prompt as had been my ownmovement, it had been anticipated by another. To my great surprise, onreaching the little side door to which the path led, and where theladies had long been accustomed to get into the saddle, when they usedit, I found a female figure, with her hand on the massive lock, as ifready to turn its key at some expected summons. To my greatastonishment, on drawing nearer, I recognized, by the faint light thatpenetrated through a little window over the door, the person of MaryWarren!
I certainly started at this unexpected discovery, but, if she who causedthat start in me submitted to any similar emotion, I did not discoverit. She may have heard my step, however, descending the stairs, and havebeen prepared for the meeting.
"You have seen her, too, have you, Mr. Littlepage!" exclaimed Mary,though she used the precaution to speak in a suppressed tone. "What_can_ have brought her here at this late hour?"
"You know who it is, then, Miss Warren?" I answered, feeling anindescribable pleasure succeed my surprise, as I remembered the deargirl, who was fully dressed, just as she had left the drawing-room anhour before, must have been gazing out upon the moonlight view as wellas myself; a species of romance that proved something like a similiarityof tastes, if not a secret sympathy between us.
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"Certainly," returned Mary steadily. "I cannot well be mistaken in theperson, I think. It is Opportunity Newcome."
My hand was on the key, and I turned it in the lock. A bar remained, andthis I also removed, when we opened the door. Sure enough, there camethe person just named, within ten feet of the steps, which she doubtlessintended to ascend. She manifested surprise on ascertaining who were herporters, but hastened into the house, looking anxiously behind her, asif distrustful of pursuit or observation. I led the way to the library,lighted its lamp, and then returned to my two silent companions, lookinga request for explanation.
Opportunity was a young woman, in her twenty-sixth year, and was notwithout considerable personal charms. The exercise and excitementthrough which she had just gone had heightened the color in her cheeks,and rendered her appearance unusually pleasing. Nevertheless,Opportunity was not a woman to awaken anything like the passion of lovein me, though I had long been aware such was her purpose. I suspectedthat her present business was connected with this scheme, I will own,and was prepared to listen to her communication with distrust. As forOpportunity herself, she hesitated about making her disclosures, and thevery first words she uttered were anything but delicate or feminine.
"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Opportunity, "I did not expect to find youtwo alone at this time of night!"
I could have given her tongue a twitch to cure it of its propensity tospeak evil, but concern for Mary Warren induced me to turn anxiouslytoward her. Never did the steady self-possession of perfect innocencebetter assert itself than in the dear girl at this rude assault; theinnocence which can leave no latent intention, or wish, to alarm thefeelings.
"We had all retired," answered the pure-minded girl, "and everybody onmy side of the house is in bed and asleep, I believe; but I did not feelany drowsiness, and was sitting at a window, looking out upon the viewby this lovely moonlight, when I saw you ride out of the woods, andfollow the lane. As you came up to the oak I knew who it was,Opportunity, and ran down to admit you; for I was certain somethingextraordinary must bring you here at this late hour."
"Oh! nothing extraordinary, at all!" cried Miss Opportunity, in acareless way. "I love moonlight as well as yourself, Mary, and am adesperate horse-woman, as you know. I thought it would be romantic togallop over to the Nest, and go back between one and two in the morning.Nothing more, I can assure you."
The coolness with which this was said amazed me not a little, though Iwas not so silly as to believe a syllable of it. Opportunity had a greatdeal of vulgar sentimentalism about her, it is true--such as some girlsare apt to mistake for refinement; but she was not quite so bad as totravel that lane, at midnight, and alone, without some special object.It occurred to me that this object might be connected with her brother,and that she would naturally wish to make her communications privately.We had all taken seats at a table which occupied the centre of the room,Mary and myself quite near each other, and Opportunity at a distantangle. I wrote on a slip of paper a short request for Mary to leave mealone with our visitor, and laid it under her eyes, without excitingOpportunity's suspicion; talking to her, the whole time, about thenight, and the weather, and her ride. While we were thus engaged, MissWarren rose, and quietly glided out of the room. So silently was thisdone, that I do not believe my remaining companion was conscious of itat the moment.
"You have driven Mary Warren away, Miss Opportunity," I remarked, "bythe hint about our being alone together."
"Lord! there's no great harm in that! I am used to being alone withgentlemen, and think nothing of it. But, are we really alone, Mr. Hugh,and quite by ourselves?"
"Quite, as you see. Our two selves and Mary Warren I believe to be theonly persons in the house out of our beds. She has left us, a littlehurt, perhaps, and we are quite alone."
"Oh! As for Mary Warren's feelings, I don't mind them much, Mr. Hugh.She's a good critter"--yes, this elegant young lady actually used thatextraordinary word--"and as forgiving as religion. Besides, she's onlythe Episcopal clergyman's daughter; and, take your family away, that's adenomination that would not stand long at Ravensnest, I can tell you."
"I am very glad, then, my family is not away, for it is a denomination Iboth honor and love. So long as the grasping and innovating spirit ofthe times leaves the Littlepages anything, a fair portion of their meansshall be given to support that congregation. As for Miss Warren, I ampleased to hear that her temperament is so forgiving."
"I know that well, and did not speak in the hope of making any change inyour views, Mr. Hugh. Mary Warren, however, will not think much of myremark to-morrow; I do not believe she thought half as much about itto-night as I should have done, had it been made to _me_."
I fancy this was quite true; Mary Warren having listened to theinsinuation as the guileless and innocent hear innuendos that bring noconsciousness with them, while Opportunity's spirit would have been veryapt to buckle on the armor which practice had rendered well-fitting.
"You have not taken this long ride merely to admire the moon, MissOpportunity," I now carelessly remarked, willing to bring things to ahead. "If you would favor me with its real object, I should be pleasedto learn it."
"What if Mary should be standing at the keyhole, listening?" said thiselegant "critter," with the suspicion of a vulgar mind. "I wouldn't haveher hear what I've got to tell you, for a mint of money."
"I do not think there is much danger of that," I answered, risingnotwithstanding, and throwing open the door. "You perceive there is noone here, and we can converse in safety."
Opportunity was not so easily satisfied. Of a gossiping, cravingdisposition herself, in all things that pertain to curiosity, it was noteasy for her to imagine another could be less guided by that feelingthan herself. Rising, therefore, she went on tiptoe to the passage, andexamined it for herself. Satisfied, at length, that we were not watched,she returned to the room, closed the door softly, motioned for me to beseated, placed herself quite near me, and then appeared disposed toproceed to business.
"This has been a dreadful day, Mr. Hugh," the young woman now commenced,actually looking sorrowful, as I make little doubt she really felt. "Whocould have thought that the street-musician was you, and that old Germanpedler of watches, Mr. Roger! I declare, the world seems to be gettingupside-down, and folks don't know when they're in their right places!"
"It was a foolish adventure, perhaps; but it has let us into some mostimportant secrets."
"That's just the difficulty. I defend you all I can, and tell mybrothers that you've not done anything they wouldn't do in a minute, ifonly half a farm depended on it, while, in your case, it may be morethan a hundred."
"Your brothers, then, complain of my having appeared among theanti-renters in disguise?"
"They do, desperately, Mr. Hugh, and seem quite put out about it. Theysay it was ungenerous to come in that way into your own country, andsteal their secrets from them! I say all I can in your favor, but wordswon't pass for much with men in such a taking. You know, Mr. Hugh, I'vealways been your friend, even from our childish days, having got myselfinto more than one scrape to get you out of them."
As Opportunity made this declaration, one a little loose as to facts, bythe way, she sighed gently, dropped her eyes, and looked as consciousand confused as I believe it was at all in her nature to appear. It wasnot my cue to betray undue bashfulness at such a moment, and as for anyscruples on the subject of misleading a confiding heart, I should assoon have thought of feeding an anaconda or a boa constrictor withangle-worms. I took the young lady's hand, therefore, squeezed it withas sentimental a pressure as I knew now to use, and looked green enoughabout the eyes, I dare say.
"You are only too good, Opportunity," I answered. "Yes, I have everrelied on you as a friend, and have never doubted you would defend me,when I was not present to defend myself."
Here I released the hand, a little apprehensive I might have the younglady sobbing on my shoulder, unless some little moderation wereobserved. Opportunity manifested a relu
ctance to let go her hold, butwhat could a young woman do, when the gentleman himself exhibited somuch discretion?
"Yes, Seneky, in particular, is in a dreadful taking," she resumed, "andto pacify him, I consented to ride over myself, at this time of night,to let you know what is threatened."
"That is most kind of you, Opportunity; and, as it is so late, had younot better tell your story at once, and then go to a room and restyourself, after so sharp a ride?"
"Tell my tale I will, for it's high time you heard it; but, as for rest,I must jump on my horse and gallop back the moment the moon sets; sleepI must in my own bed this night. Of course you and Mary Warren will bothbe silent as to my visit, since it has been made for your good."
I promised for myself and Mary, and then pressed my companion to delayno longer in imparting the information she had ridden so far to bring.The story was soon told and proved to be sufficiently alarming. Oneportion of the facts I got directly from Opportunity herself, whileanother has been subsequently gleaned from various sources, all beingcertain. The particular circumstances were these:
When Seneca followed the band of "Injins" and his co-anti-renters, intheir precipitate retreat on the hamlet, his revelations produced ageneral consternation. It then became known that the young Parisspendthrift was on his own estate, that he had actually been among thedisaffected that day, had learned many of their secrets, and hadprobably made black marks against certain of the tenants, whose leaseswere nearly expired. Bad as this was, of itself, it was not the worst ofthe matter. Nothing was more certain than the fact that this younglandlord knew a few of those who had committed felony, and might havesundry highly probable suspicions as to others. The guilty lay at hismercy, as a matter of course; and there was a sufficiency of commonsense left among these conspirators, to understand that a man, who mustfeel that attempts were making to rob him of his estate, would be verylikely to turn the tables on his assailants, did an occasion offer. Whenmen embark in an undertaking as innately nefarious as that ofanti-rentism certainly is, when it is stripped of its pretentions andstands in its naked deformity, they are not apt to stop at trifles. Tothis desperate character of its mischief, the country owes the generaldepression of truth that has accompanied its career, its false anddangerous principles, its confusion between right and wrong, and finallyits murders. It has been the miserable prerogative of demagogues alone,to defend its career and its demoralization. Thus has it happened thatthe country has seen the same quasi legislators--legislators by the voteof a party and the courtesy of the country, if by no othertenure--supporting with an air of high pretension, the very doubtfulpolicy of attempting to make men moral by statute law, on the one side,while they go the full length of these property depredators, on theother! In such a state of society, it is not surprising that anyexpedient should be adopted to intimidate and bully me into silence. Itwas consequently determined, in a conclave of the chiefs, that acomplaint should be made against my uncle and myself, before ananti-rent justice of the peace, for felony under the recent statute, inappearing "disguised and armed," as a means of preventing our complaintsagainst real offenders. It is true, we were not in masks, but ourdisguises, nevertheless, were so effectual as possibly to meet thecontingency contemplated by the law, had we been armed. As to weapons,however, we had been totally and intentionally without anything of thesort; but oaths cost villains, like those engaged in this plot, verylittle. Those oaths had been taken, and warrants were actually signed bythe magistrate, of which the service was suspended at Seneca'ssolicitation, merely to enable the last to effect a compromise. It wasnot thought sufficient, however, to menace my uncle and myself with aprosecution of this nature; intimidation of another sort was to be putin requisition, to enforce the dread of the legal proceedings; a measurewhich should let us see that our assailants were in downright earnest.Opportunity had ascertained that something serious was to be attempted,and she believed that very night, though what it was precisely was morethan she knew; or knowing, was willing to communicate.
The object of this late visit, then, was to make terms for her brother,or brothers; to apprise me of some unknown but pressing danger, and toobtain all that influence in my breast that might fairly be anticipatedfrom services so material. Beyond a question, I was fortunate in havingsuch a friend in the enemy's camp, though past experience had taught meto be wary how I trusted my miserable and sensitive heart within themeshes of a net that had been so often cast.
"I am very sensible of the importance of your services, MissOpportunity," I said, when the voluble young lady had told her tale,"and shall not fail to bear it in mind. As for making any directarrangement with your brother Seneca, that is out of the question, sinceit would be compromising felony, and subject me to punishment; but I canbe passive, if I see fit, and your wishes will have great weight withme. The attempt to arrest my uncle and myself, should it ever be made,will only subject its instigators to action for malicious prosecutions,and gives me no concern. It is very doubtful how far we were disguised,in the sense of the statute, and it is certain we were not armed, in anysense. Without perjury therefore, such a prosecution must fail----"
"Folks take desperate oaths in anti-rent times!" interruptedOpportunity, with a significant look.
"I am quite aware of that. Human testimony, at the best, is very frail,and often to be distrusted; but in seasons of excitement, and passion,and cupidity, it is common to find it corrupt. The most material thing,at present, is to know precisely the nature of the evil they meditateagainst us."
Opportunity's eye did not turn away, as mine was fastened on her whileshe answered this question, but retained all the steadiness ofsincerity.
"I wish I could tell you, Mr. Hugh," she said; "but I can say no morethan I have. Some injury will be attempted this night, I feel certain;but what that injury will be, is more than I know myself. I must now gohome; for the moon will be nearly down, and it will never do for me tobe seen by any of the antis. The little I _have_ said in favor of theLittlepages has made me enemies, as it is; but I never should beforgiven, was this ride to be known."
Opportunity now rose, and smiling on me, as any other rover might besupposed to fire a parting broadside, in order to render therecollection of her presence as memorable as possible, she hurried away.I accompanied her to the oak, as a matter of course, and assisted herinto her saddle. Sundry little passages of country coquetry occurredduring these movements, and the young lady manifested a reluctance todepart, even when all was ready, though she was in so great a hurry. Hergame was certainly as desperate as that of the anti-renters themselves,but it was a game she was determined to play out. The moon was not yetquite down, and that circumstance served as a pretence for delay, whileI fancied that she might still have something in reserve to communicate.
"This has been so kind in you, dear Opportunity," I said, laying my handgently on the one of hers which held the bridle--"so like old times--solike yourself, indeed--that I scarce know how to thank you. But we shalllive to have old-fashioned times again, when the former communicationscan be opened among us. Those were happy days, when we all wentgalloping over the hills together; mere boys and girls, it is true, butdelighted boys and girls I hope you will allow."
"That they was"--Opportunity's education and graces did not extend togood grammar, in her ordinary discourse, which many persons among usseem to fancy is anti-republican--"That they was! And I should like tolive 'em over again. Never mind, Hugh; you'll live to put down thesepeople, and then you'll settle and marry. You mean to marry, of course?"
This was a pretty plain demonstration; but I was used to it, as whatyoung man of fortune is not?--and a danger known is a danger avoided. Ipressed the hand I held gently, relinquished it, and then observed, in asomewhat disappointed tone----
"Well, I ought not to ask again, what is the particular injury I am toexpect to-night. A brother is nearer than a friend, I know; and I canappreciate your difficulties."
Opportunity had actually given the spirited beast she rode the rein,
andwas on the point of galloping off, when these last words touched herheart. Leaning forward, and bending her head down, so as to bring ourfaces within a foot of each other, she said, in a low voice----
"_Fire_ is a good servant, but a hard master. A teakettle of waterthrown on it, at first, would have put out the last great conflagrationin York."
These words were no sooner uttered than the bold young woman struck herhorse a smart blow, and away she went galloping over the turf with analmost noiseless hoof. I watched her for a moment, and saw her descendinto the ravine; when, left quite alone, there was abundant opportunityfor reflection, though no longer any Opportunity to look at.
"Fire!"--That _was_ an ominous word. It is the instrument of the lowvillain, and is an injury against which it is difficult, indeed, toguard. It had been used in these anti-rent troubles, though less,perhaps, than would have been the case in almost any other country; theinstitutions of this, even if they have introduced so many false andexaggerated notions of liberty, having had a most beneficial effect inlessening some of the other evils of humanity. Still, fire _had_ beenresorted to, and the term of "barn-burner" had got to be common amongus; far more common, I rejoice to say, than the practice which gave itbirth. Nevertheless, it was clearly of the last importance to certainpersons at Ravensnest to frighten me from complaining, since theircrimes could only lead them to the State's prison, were justice done. Idetermined, therefore, not to lay my head on a pillow that night, untilassured that the danger was past.
The moon had now set, but the stars shed their twinkling rays on thedusky landscape. I was not sorry for the change, as it enabled me tomove about with less risk of being seen. The first thing was to seeksome auxiliaries to aid me in watching, and I at once decided to lookfor them among my guests, the Indians. If "fire will fight fire,""Indian" ought to be a match for "Injin" any day. There is just thedifference between these two classes of men, that their names wouldimply. The one is natural, dignified, polished in his way--nay,gentleman-like; while the other is a sneaking scoundrel, and as vulgaras his own appellation. No one would think of calling these lastmasquerading rogues "Indians;" by common consent, even the mostparticular purist in language terms them "Injins." "_Il y a chapeau etchapeau_," and there are "Indian" and "Injin."
Without returning to the house, I took my way at once toward thequarters of my red guests. Familiar with every object around me, I keptso much within the shadows, and moved across the lawn and fields by aroute so hidden, that there was not much risk of my being seen, even hadthere been enemies on the lookout. The distance was not great, and Isoon stood at the foot of the little knoll on which the old farm-housestood, sheltered in a manner by a dark row of aged currants, which linedthe bottom of an old and half-deserted garden. Here I paused to lookabout me, and to reflect a moment, before I proceeded any further.
There stood the good old substantial residence of my fathers, in shadowyoutline, looming large and massive in its form and aspect. It might befired, certainly, but not with much facility, on its exterior. With theexception of its roof, its piazza, and its outside doors, little woodwas exposed to an incendiary without; and a slight degree ofwatchfulness might suffice against such a danger. Then the law punishedarson of an inhabited dwelling with death, as it should do, and yoursneaking scoundrels seldom brave such a penalty in this country. Much issaid about the impotency of the punishment of the gallows, but no mancan tell how many thousand times it has stayed the hand and caused theheart to quail. Until some one can appear among us, who is able toreveal this important secret, it is idle to talk about the few cases inwhich it is known that the risk of death has been insufficient toprevent crime. One thing we all know; other punishments exist, and crimeis perpetrated directly in _their_ face, daily and hourly; and I cannotsee why such a circumstance should not be just as much of an argumentagainst the punishment of the penitentiary, as against punishment by thegallows. For one, I am clearly for keeping in existence the knowledgethat there is a power in the country, potent to sweep away the offender,when cases of sufficient gravity occur to render the warning wholesome.