ItwasthevoiceofColonelStarbottle;itwasthefrilledshirtfront,thelightlybuttonedbluecoatwithitsexpandinglapels,likeburstingpetals,andthesmilingmaskofthatgentlemanrisingabovethetableandbowingtoClarenceBrantandhiswifewithinfinitecourtesy。\"The——er——humiliatingsituationinwhichwefindourselves,gentlemen,——thereluctantwitnessesof——er——whatwetrustisonlyatemporarydisagreementbetweenourcharminghostessandthe——er——gentlemanwhomsherecognizedunderthehighesttitletoourconsideration,——isdistressingtousall,andwouldseemtoamplyjustifythatgentleman’sclaimstoapersonalsatisfaction,whichIknowwewouldalldelighttogive。Butthatsituationrestsuponthesuppositionthatourgatheringherewasofapurelysocialorfestivenature!Itmaybe,\"continuedthecolonelwithablandlyreflectiveair,\"thatthespectacleofthesedecantersandglasses,andthenectarfurnishedusbyourHebe-likehostess\"(heliftedaglassofwhiskeyandwatertohislipswhilehebowedtoMrs。Brantgracefully),\"hasledthegentlemantosuchadeduction。
ButwhenIsuggesttohimthatourmeetingwasofabusiness,orprivatenature,itstrikesmethatthequestionofintrusionmaybefairlydividedbetweenhimandourselves。Wemaybeevenjustified,inviewofthatprivacy,inaskinghimifhis——er——entrancetothishousewas——er——coincidentwithhisappearanceamongus。\"
\"Withmyfrontdoorinpossessionofstrangers,\"saidClarence,moreinreplytoasuddencontemptuousglancefromhiswifethanStarbottle’sinsinuation,\"Ienteredthehousethroughthewindow。\"
\"Ofmyboudoir,whereanotherintruderoncebrokehisneck,\"
interruptedhiswifewithamockinglaugh。
\"WhereIoncehelpedthisladytoregainpossessionofherhousewhenitwasheldbyanotherpartyofillegaltrespassers,who,however,werecontenttocallthemselves’jumpers,’anddidnotclaimtheprivacyofgentlemen。\"
\"Doyoumeantoimply,sir,\"beganColonelStarbottlehaughtily,\"that\"——
\"Imeantoimply,sir,\"saidClarencewithquietscorn,\"thatI
haveneitherthewishtoknownortheslightestconcerninanypurposethatbroughtyouhere,andthatwhenyouquitthehouseyoutakeyoursecretsandyourprivacywithyouintact,withoutletorhindrancefromme。\"
\"Doyoumeantosay,Mr。Brant,\"saidJudgeBeeswinger,suppressingtheangryinterruptionofhisfellowswithadominantwaveofhishand,ashefixedhiseyesonClarencekeenly,\"thatyouhavenosympathywithyourwife’spoliticalsentiments?\"
\"Ihavealreadygivenyoutheinformationnecessarytomakeyouquitthishouse,andthatisallyouhavearighttoknow,\"
returnedClarencewithfoldedarms。
\"ButIcananswerforhim,\"saidMrs。Brant,rising,withaquiveringvoiceandcurlinglip。\"ThereISnosympathybetweenus。
Weareasfarapartasthepoles。Wehavenothingincommonbutthishouseandhisname。\"
\"Butyouarehusbandandwife,boundtogetherbyasacredcompact。\"
\"Acompact!\"echoedMrs。Brant,withabitterlaugh。\"Yes,thecompactthatbindsSouthCarolinatothenigger-worshippingMassachusetts。Thecompactthatlinkstogetherwhiteandblack,thegentlemanandthetrader,theplanterandthepoorwhite——thecompactofthoseUNITEDStates。Bah!THAThasbeenbroken,andsocanthis。\"
Clarence’sfacepaled。Butbeforehecouldspeaktherewasarapidclatteringatthegateandadismountedvaqueroenteredexcitedly。
TurningtoMrs。Branthesaidhurriedly,\"MotherofGod!thecasaissurroundedbyarabbleofmountedmen,andthereisoneamongthemevennowwhodemandsadmittanceinthenameoftheLaw。\"
\"Thisisyourwork,\"saidBrooks,facingClarencefuriously。\"Youhavebroughtthemwithyou,but,byGod,theyshallnotsaveyou!\"
HewouldhaveclutchedClarence,butthepowerfularmofJudgeBeeswingerintervened。Nevertheless,hestillstruggledtoreachClarence,appealingtotheothers:\"Areyoufoolstostandthereandlethimtriumph!Don’tyouseethecowardlyYankeetrickhe’splayeduponus?\"
\"Hehasnot,\"saidMrs。Branthaughtily。\"Ihavenoreasontolovehimorhisfriends;butIknowhedoesnotlie。\"
\"Gentlemen!——gentlemen!\"imploredColonelStarbottlewithbeamingandunctuouspersuasion,\"mayI——er——remark——thatallthisisfarfromthequestion?Arewetobealarmedbecauseanunknownrabble,nomatterwhencetheycome,demandentrancehereinthenameoftheLaw?IamnotawareofanylawoftheStateofCaliforniathatweareinfringing。Byallmeansadmitthem。\"
Thegatewasthrownopen。Asinglethick-setman,apparentlyunarmedanddressedlikeanordinarytraveler,followedbyhalfadozenotherequallyunpretentious-lookingmen,entered。Theleaderturnedtothebalcony。
\"IamtheChiefofPoliceofSanFrancisco。IhavewarrantsforthearrestofColonelCulpepperStarbottle,JoshuaBrooks,CaptainPinckney,ClarenceBrantandAlicehiswife,andotherschargedwithincitingtoriotandunlawfulpracticecalculatedtodisturbthepeaceoftheStateofCaliforniaanditsrelationswiththeFederalgovernment,\"saidtheleader,inadryofficialvoice。
Clarencestarted。Inspiteofitsmonotonousutteranceitwasthevoiceofthered-beardedcontroversialistofthestage-coach。Butwherewerehischaracteristicbeardandhair?InvoluntarilyClarenceglancedatJudgeBeeswinger;thatgentlemanwasquietlyregardingthestrangerwithanimpassivefacethatbetrayednorecognitionwhatever。
\"ButthecityofSanFranciscohasnojurisdictionhere,\"saidColonelStarbottle,turningablandsmiletowardshisfellow-
members。\"Iam——er——sorrytoinformyouthatyouaresimplytrespassing,sir。\"
\"Iamherealsoasdeputysheriff,\"returnedthestrangercoolly。
\"Wewereunabletolocatethepreciseplaceofthismeeting,althoughweknewofitsexistence。IwassworninthismorningatSantaInezbythejudgeofthisdistrict,andthesegentlemenwithmearemyposse。\"
Therewasaquickmovementofresistancebythemembers,whichwas,however,againwaivedblandlyasidebyColonelStarbottle。Leaningforwardinaslightlyforensicattitude,withhisfingersonthetableandashirtfrillthatseemedtohavebecomeofitselferectile,hesaid,withpainedbutpoliteprecision,\"Igrievetohavetostate,sir,thateventhatpositionisutterlyuntenablehere。Iamalawyermyself,asmyfriendhere,JudgeBeeswinger——
eh?Ibegyourpardon!\"
Theofficerofthelawhadmomentarilystarted,withhiseyesfixedonJudgeBeeswinger,who,however,seemedtobequietlywritingatthetable。
\"AsJudgeBeeswinger,\"continuedColonelStarbottle,\"willprobablytellyouandasajuristhimself,hewillalsoprobablyagreewithmewhenIalsoinformyouthat,astheUnitedStatesgovernmentisanaggrievedparty,itisamatterfortheFederalcourtstoprosecute,andthattheonlyofficerwecanrecognizeistheUnitedStatesMarshalforthedistrict。WhenIaddthatthemarshal,ColonelCrackenthorpe,isoneofmyoldestfriends,andanactivesympathizerwiththeSouthinthepresentstruggle,youwillunderstandthatanyactionfromhiminthismatterisexceedinglyimprobable。\"
Thegeneralmurmuroflaughter,relief,andapprovalwasbrokenbythequietvoiceofJudgeBeeswinger。
\"Letmeseeyourwarrant,Mr。DeputySheriff。\"
Theofficerapproachedhimwithaslightlyperplexedandconstrainedair,andexhibitedthepaper。JudgeBeeswingerhandeditbacktohim。\"ColonelStarbottleisquiterightinhiscontention,\"hesaidquietly;\"theonlyofficerthatthisassemblycanrecognizeistheUnitedStatesMarshalorhislegaldeputy。ButColonelStarbottleiswronginhissuppositionthatColonelCrackenthorpestillretainsthefunctionsofthatoffice。HewasremovedbythePresidentoftheUnitedStates,andhissuccessorwasappointedandsworninbytheFederaljudgeearlythismorning。\"Hepaused,andfoldingupthepaperonwhichhehadbeenwriting,placeditinthehandsofthedeputy。\"Andthis,\"hecontinuedinthesameevenvoice,\"constitutesyouhisdeputy,andwillenableyoutocarryoutyourdutyincominghere。\"
\"Whatthedevildoesthismean,sir?Whoareyou?\"gaspedColonelStarbottle,recoilingsuddenlyfromthemanathisside。
\"IamthenewUnitedStatesMarshalfortheSouthernDistrictofCalifornia。\"
CHAPTERIII。
UnsuspectedandastoundingastherevelationwastoClarence,itsstrangereceptionbytheconspiratorsseemedtohimasastounding。
Hehadstartedforward,halfexpectingthatthecomplacentandself-confessedspywouldbeimmolatedbyhisinfuriateddupes。Buttohissurprisetheshockseemedtohavechangedtheirnatures,andgiventhemthedignitytheyhadlacked。Theexcitability,irritation,andrecklessnesswhichhadpreviouslycharacterizedthemhaddisappeared。Thedeputyandhisposse,whohadadvancedtotheassistanceoftheirrevealedchief,metwithnoresistance。
Theyhadevidently,asifwithoneaccord,drawnawayfromJudgeBeeswinger,leavingaclearedspacearoundhim,andregardedtheircaptorswithsullencontemptuoussilence。ItwasonlybrokenbyColonelStarbottle:——
\"Yourdutycommandsyou,sir,touseallpossiblediligenceinbringingusbeforetheFederaljudgeofthisdistrict——unlessyourmasterinWashingtonhasviolatedtheConstitutionsofarastoremovehim,too!\"
\"Iunderstandyouperfectly,\"returnedJudgeBeeswinger,withunchangedcomposure;\"andasyouknowthatJudgeWilsonunfortunatelycannotberemovedexceptthrougharegularcourseofimpeachment,IsupposeyoumaystillcountuponhisSouthernsympathiestobefriendyou。WiththatIhavenothingtodo;mydutyiscompletewhenmydeputyhasbroughtyoubeforehimandI
havestatedthecircumstancesofthearrest。\"
\"Icongratulateyou,sir,\"saidCaptainPinckney,withanironicalsalute,\"onyourpromptrewardforyourtreacherytotheSouth,andyourequallypromptadoptionofthepeculiartacticsofyourfriendsinthewayinwhichyouhaveenteredthishouse。\"
\"IamsorryIcannotcongratulateYOU,sir,\"returnedJudgeBeeswingergravely,onbreakingyouroathtothegovernmentwhichhaseducatedandsupportedyouandgivenyoutheepaulettesyoudisgrace。NorshallIdiscuss’treachery’withthemanwhohasnotonlyviolatedthetrustofhiscountry,buteventheintegrityofhisfriend’shousehold。ItisforthatreasonthatIwithholdtheactionofthiswarrantinsofarasitaffectsthepersonsofthemasterandmistressofthishome。IamsatisfiedthatMr。BranthasbeenasignorantofwhathasbeendonehereasIamthathiswifehasbeenonlythefoolishdupeofadoubletraitor!\"
\"Silence!\"
ThewordsbrokesimultaneouslyfromthelipsofClarenceandCaptainPinckney。Theystoodstaringateachother——theonepale,theothercrimson——asMrs。Brant,apparentlyobliviousofthesignificanceoftheirunitedadjuration,turnedtoJudgeBeeswingerinthefuryofherstillstifledrageandmortification。
\"Keepyourmercyforyourfellow-spy,\"shesaid,withacontemptuousgesturetowardsherhusband;\"Igowiththesegentlemen!\"
\"Youwillnot,\"saidClarencequietly,\"untilIhavesaidawordtoyoualone。\"Helaidhishandfirmlyuponherwrist。
Thedeputyandhisprisonersfiledslowlyoutofthecourtyardtogether,thelattercourteouslysalutingMrs。Brantastheypassed,butturningfromJudgeBeeswingerincontemptuoussilence。
Thejudgefollowedthemtothegate,buttherehepaused。TurningtoMrs。Brant,whowasstillhalfstrugglinginthestronggripofherhusband,hesaid,——
\"AnycompunctionImayhavehadinmisleadingyoubyacceptingyourinvitationhereIdismissedafterIhadenteredthishouse。AndI
trust,\"headded,turningtoClarencesternly,\"Ileaveyouthemasterofit!\"
Asthegateclosedbehindhim,Clarencelockedit。Whenhiswifeturneduponhimangrily,hesaidquietly,——
\"Ihavenointentionofrestrainingyourlibertyamomentafterourinterviewisover,butuntilthenIdonotintendtobedisturbed。\"
Shethrewherselfdisdainfullybackinherchair,herhandsclaspedinherlapinhalf-contemptuousresignation,withhereyesuponherlongslimarchedfeetcrossedbeforeher。Eveninherattitudetherewassomethingofheroldfascinationwhich,however,nowseemedtostingClarencetothequick。
\"Ihavenothingtosaytoyouinregardtowhathasjustpassedinthishouse,exceptthataslongasIremainevennominallyitsmasteritshallnotberepeated。AlthoughIshallnolongerattempttoinfluenceorcontrolyourpoliticalsympathies,Ishallnotallowyoutoindulgethemwhereinanywaytheyseemtoimplymysanction。ButsolittledoIopposeyourliberty,thatyouarefreetorejoinyourpoliticalcompanionswheneveryouchoosetodosoonyourownresponsibility。ButImustfirstknowfromyourownlipswhetheryoursympathiesarepurelypolitical——oranameforsomethingelse?\"
Shehadalternatelyflushedandpaled,althoughstillkeepingherscornfulattitudeashewenton,buttherewasnomistakingthegenuinenessofhervaguewondermentathisconcludingwords。
\"Idon’tunderstandyou,\"shesaid,liftinghereyestohisinamomentofcoldcuriosity。\"Whatdoyoumean?\"
\"WhatdoImean?WhatdidJudgeBeeswingermeanwhenhecalledCaptainPinckneyadoubletraitor?\"hesaidroughly。
Shesprangtoherfeetwithflashingeyes。\"Andyou——YOU!daretorepeatthecowardlylieofaconfessedspy。This,then,iswhatyouwishedtotellme——thistheinsultforwhichyouhavekeptmehere;becauseyouareincapableofunderstandingunselfishpatriotismordevotion——eventoyourowncause——youdaretojudgemebyyourownbase,Yankee-tradingstandards。Yes,itisworthyofyou!\"Shewalkedrapidlyupanddown,andthensuddenlyfacedhim。\"Iunderstanditall;Iappreciateyourmagnanimitynow。YouarewillingIshouldjointhecompanyofthesechivalrousgentlemeninordertogivecolortoyourcalumnies!Sayatoncethatitwasyouwhoputupthisspytocorrespondwithme——tocomehere——inordertoentrapme。Yesentrapme——I——whoamomentagostoodupforyoubeforethesegentlemen,andsaidyoucouldnotlie。Bah!\"
Struckonlybythewildextravaganceofherspeechandtemper,Clarencedidnotknowthatwhenwomenaremostillogicaltheyareapttobemostsincere,andfromaman’sstandpointherunreasoningdeductionsappearedtohimonlyasanaffectationtogaintimeforthought,oratheatricaldisplay,likeSusy’s。Andhewasturninghalfcontemptuouslyaway,whensheagainfacedhimwithflashingeyes。
\"Well,hearme!Iaccept;Ileavehereatonce,tojoinmyownpeople,myownfriends——thosewhounderstandme——putwhatconstructiononitthatyouchoose。Doyourworst;youcannotdomoretoseparateusthanyouhavedonejustnow。\"
Shelefthim,andranupthestepswithasingularreturnofheroldoccasionalnymph-likenimbleness——themovementofawomanwhohadneverbornechildren——andaswishofherlongskirtsthatherememberedformanyadayafter,asshedisappearedinthecorridor。Heremainedlookingafterher——indignant,outraged,andunconvinced。Therewasarattlingatthegate。
Herememberedhehadlockedit。HeopenedittotheflushedpinkcheeksanddancingeyesofSusy。Therainwasstilldrippingfromherwetcloakassheswungitfromhershoulders。
\"Iknowitall!——allthat’shappened,\"sheburstoutwithhalf-
girlishexuberanceandhalftheactress’sdeclamation。\"Wemetthemallintheroad——posseandprisoners。ChiefThompsonknewmeandtoldmeall。Andsoyou’vedoneit——andyou’remasterinyouroldhouseagain。Clarence,oldboy!Jimsaidyouwouldn’tdoit——
saidyou’dweakenonaccountofher!ButIsaid’No。’Iknewyoubetter,oldClarence,andIsawitinyourface,forallyourstiffness!ha!ButforallthatIwasmightynervousanduneasy,andIjustmadeJimsendanexcusetothetheatreandwerusheditdownhere!Lordy!butitlooksnaturaltoseetheoldhouseagain!
Andshe——youpackedheroffwiththeothers——didn’tyou?Tellme,Clarence,\"inheroldappealingvoice,\"youshookher,too!\"
Dazedandastounded,andyetexperiencingavaguesenseofreliefwithsomethinglikehisoldtendernesstowardsthewillfulwomanbeforehim,hehadsilentlyregardedheruntilherallusiontohiswiferecalledhimtohimself。
\"Hush!\"hesaidquickly,withaglancetowardsthecorridor。
\"Ah!\"saidSusy,withamalicioussmile,\"thenthat’swhyCaptainPinckneywaslingeringintherearwiththedeputy。\"
\"Silence!\"repeatedClarencesternly。\"Gointhere,\"pointingtothegardenroombelowthebalcony,\"andwaittherewithyourhusband。\"
Hehalfled,halfpushedherintotheroomwhichhadbeenhisbusinessoffice,andreturnedtothepatio。Ahesitatingvoicefromthebalconysaid,\"Clarence!\"
Itwashiswife’svoice,butmodifiedandgentler——morelikehervoiceashehadfirstheardit,orasifithadbeenchastenedbysomereminiscenceofthosedays。Itwashiswife’sface,too,thatlookeddownonhis——palerthanhehadseenitsinceheenteredthehouse。Shewasshawledandhooded,carryingatraveling-baginherhand。
\"Iamgoing,Clarence,\"shesaid,pausingbeforehim,withgentlegravity,\"butnotinanger。IevenaskyoutoforgivemeforthefoolishwordsthatIthinkyourstillmorefoolishaccusation\"——shesmiledfaintly——\"draggedfromme。IamgoingbecauseIknowthatI
havebrought——andthatwhileIamhereIshallalwaysbebringing——
uponyoutheimputationandeventheresponsibilityofmyownfaith!WhileIamproudtoownit,——andifneedsbesufferforit,——Ihavenorighttoruinyourprospects,orevenmakeyouthevictimoftheslursthatothersmaycastuponme。Letuspartasfriends——separatedonlybyourdifferentpoliticalfaiths,butkeepingallotherfaithstogether——untilGodshallsettletherightofthisstruggle。Perhapsitmaybesoon——Isometimesthinkitmaybeyearsofagonyforall;butuntilthen,good-by。\"
Shehadslowlydescendedthestepstothepatio,lookinghandsomerthanhehadeverseenher,andasifsustainedandupheldbytheenthusiasmofhercause。Herhandwasoutstretchedtowardshis——
hisheartbeatviolently——inanothermomenthemighthaveforgottenallandclaspedhertohisbreast。Suddenlyshestopped,heroutstretchedarmstiffened,herfingerpointedtothechaironwhichSusy’scloakwashanging。
\"What’sthat?\"shesaidinasharp,high,metallicvoice。\"Whoishere?Speak!\"
\"Susy,\"saidClarence。
Shecastascathingglanceroundthepatio,andthensettledherpiercingeyesonClarencewithabittersmile。
\"Already!\"
Clarencefeltthebloodrushtohisfaceashestammered,\"Sheknewwhatwashappeninghere,andcametogiveyouwarning。\"
\"Liar!\"
\"Stop!\"saidClarence,withawhiteface。\"ShecametotellmethatCaptainPinckneywasstilllingeringforyouintheroad。\"
Hethrewopenthegatetoletherpass。Asshesweptoutsheliftedherhand。Asheclosedthegatetherewerethewhitemarksofherfourfingersonhischeek。
CHAPTERIV。
ForonceSusyhadnotexaggerated。CaptainPinckneyWASlingering,withthedeputywhohadchargeofhim,onthetrailnearthecasa。
Ithadalreadybeenprettywellunderstoodbybothcaptivesandcaptorsthatthearrestwassimplyalegaldemonstration;thatthesympathizingFederaljudgewouldundoubtedlyorderthedischargeoftheprisonersontheirownrecognizances,anditwasprobablethatthedeputysawnoharmingrantingPinckney’srequest——whichwasvirtuallyonlyadelayinhisliberation。ItwasalsopossiblethatPinckneyhadworkeduponthechivalroussympathiesofthemanbyprofessinghisdisinclinationtoleavetheirdevotedcolleague,Mrs。Brant,atthemercyofherantagonisticandcold-bloodedhusbandatsuchacrisis,anditistobefearedalsothatClarence,asareputedlukewarmpartisan,excitednopersonalsympathy,evenfromhisownparty。Howbeit,thedeputyagreedtodelayPinckney’sjourneyforapartinginterviewwithhisfairhostess。
HowfarthisexpressedtherealsentimentsofCaptainPinckneywasneverknown。WhetherhispoliticalassociationwithMrs。Branthaddevelopedintoawarmersolicitude,understoodorignoredbyher,——
whatwerehishopesandaspirationsregardingherfuture,——werebythecourseoffateneverdisclosed。Amanofeasyethics,butrigidartificialitiesofhonor,flatteredandpamperedbyclassprejudice,aso-called\"manoftheworld,\"withnoexperiencebeyondhisownlimitedcircle,yetbraveanddevotedtothat,itwerewellperhapstoleavethislastactofhisinefficientlifeasitwasacceptedbythedeputy。
Dismountingheapproachedthehousefromthegarden。Hewasalreadyfamiliarwiththelowarcheddoorwaywhichledtothebusinessroom,andfromwhichhecouldgainadmittancetothepatio,butitsochancedthatheenteredthedarkpassageatthemomentthatClarencehadthrustSusyintothebusinessroom,andhearditsdoorshutsharply。ForaninstanthebelievedthatMrs。
Branthadtakenrefugethere,butashecautiouslymovedforwardheheardhervoiceinthepatiobeyond。Itsaccentsstruckhimaspleading;anintensecuriositydrewhimfurtheralongthepassage。
Suddenlyhervoiceseemedtochangetoangrydenunciation,andtheword\"Liar\"ranguponhisears。ItwasfollowedbyhisownnameutteredsardonicallybyClarence,theswiftrustleofaskirt,theclashofthegate,andthen——forgettingeverything,heburstintothepatio。
Clarencewasjustturningfromthegatewiththemarksofhiswife’shandstillredonhiswhitecheek。HesawCaptainPinckney’seyesuponit,andthefaint,half-malicious,half-
hystericsmileuponhislips。Butwithoutastartorgestureofsurprisehelockedthegate,andturningtohim,saidwithfrigidsignificance,——
\"Ithankyouforreturningsopromptly,andforrecognizingtheonlythingInowrequireatyourhand。\"
ButCaptainPinckneyhadrecoveredhissuperciliouseasewiththesignificantdemand。
\"Youseemtohavehadsomethingalreadyfromanother’shand,sir,butIamatyourservice,\"hesaidlightly。
\"YouwillconsiderthatIhaveaccepteditfromyou,\"saidClarence,drawingclosertohimwitharigidface。\"Isupposeitwillnotbenecessaryformetoreturnit——tomakeyouunderstandme。\"
\"Goon,\"saidPinckney,flushingslightly。\"Makeyourterms;Iamready。\"
\"ButI’mnot,\"saidtheunexpectedvoiceofthedeputyatthegrilleofthegateway。\"Excusemyinterfering,gentlemen,butthissorto’thingain’tdowninmyschedule。I’veletthisgentleman,\"
pointingtoCaptainPinckney,\"offforaminittosay’good-by’toalady,whoIreckonhasjustriddenoffinherbuggywithherservantwithoutsayingbyyourleave,butIdidn’tcalkelatetolethiminteranotherbusiness,which,likeasnot,maypreventmefromdeliveringhisbodysafeandsoundintocourt。Youhearme!\"AsClarenceopenedthegateheadded,\"Idon’twantterspoilsportbetweengents,butit’sgottocomeinafterI’vedonemyduty。\"
\"I’llmeetyou,sir,anywhere,andwithwhatweaponsyouchoose,\"
saidPinckney,turningangrilyuponClarence,\"assoonasthisfarce——forwhichyouandyourfriendsareresponsible——isover。\"
HewasfuriousattheintimationthatMrs。Branthadescapedhim。
Adifferentthoughtwasinthehusband’smind。\"ButwhatassurancehaveIthatyouaregoingonwiththedeputy?\"hesaidwithpurposelyinsultingdeliberation。
\"Myword,sir,\"saidCaptainPinckneysharply。
\"Andifthatain’tenuff,there’smine!\"saidthedeputy。\"ForifthisgentlemanswervestotherightorleftbetwixtthisandSantaInez,I’llblowaholethroughhimmyself。Andthat,\"headdeddeprecatingly,\"issayingagooddealforamanwhodoesn’twanttospoilsport,andforthematterofthatiswillingtostandbyandseefairplaydoneatSantaInezanytimeto-morrowbeforebreakfast。\"
\"ThenIcancountonyou,\"saidClarence,withasuddenimpulseextendinghishand。
Themanhesitatedamomentandthengraspedit。
\"Well,Iwasn’texpectingthat,\"hesaidslowly;\"butyoulookasifyoumeantbusiness,andifyouain’tgotanybodyelsetoseeyouthrough,I’mthar!Isupposethisgentlemanwillhavehisfriends。\"
\"Ishallbethereatsixwithmyseconds,\"saidPinckneycurtly。
\"Leadon。\"
Thegateclosedbehindthem。Clarencestoodlookingaroundtheemptypatioandthesilenthouse,fromwhichitwasnowplainthattheservantshadbeenwithdrawntoinsurethesecrecyoftheconspiracy。Coolandcollectedasheknewhewas,heremainedforamomentinhesitation。Thenthesoundofvoicescametohisearfromthegardenroom,thelightfrivolityofSusy’slaughandHooker’shuskieraccents。Hehadforgottentheywerethere——hehadforgottentheirexistence!
Trustingstilltohiscalmness,hecalledtoHookerinhisusualvoice。Thatgentlemanappearedwithafacewhichhisattemptstomakeunconcernedandimpassivehad,however,onlydeepenedintofunerealgravity。
\"Ihavesomethingtoattendto,\"saidClarence,withafaintsmile,\"andImustaskyouandSusytoexcusemeforalittlewhile。Sheknowsthehouseperfectly,andwillcalltheservantsfromtheannextoprovideyoubothwithrefreshmentuntilIjoinyoualittlelater。\"SatisfiedfromHooker’smannerthattheyknewnothingofhislaterinterviewwithPinckney,heturnedawayandascendedtohisownroom。
Therehethrewhimselfintoanarmchairbythedimlightofasinglecandleasiftoreflect。Buthewasconscious,eventhen,ofhisowncalmnessandwantofexcitement,andthatnoreflectionwasnecessary。Whathehaddoneandwhatheintendedtodowasquiteclear,therewasnoalternativesuggestedortobeevensoughtafter。Hehadthatsenseofreliefwhichcomeswiththeclimaxofallgreatstruggles,evenofdefeat。
Hehadneverknownbeforehowhopelessandcontinuoushadbeenthatstruggleuntilnowitwasover。Hehadnofearoftomorrow,hewouldmeetitashehadto-day,withthesamesingularconsciousnessofbeingequaltotheoccasion。Therewasevennonecessityofpreparationforit;hiswill,leavinghisfortunetohiswife,——
whichseemedaslightthingnowinthisgreaterseparation,——wasalreadyinhissafeinSanFrancisco,hispistolswereinthenextroom。Hewasevenslightlydisturbedbyhisowninsensibility,andpassedintohiswife’sbedroompartlyinthehopeofdisturbinghisserenitybysomemementooftheirpast。Therewasnodisorderofflight——everythingwasinitsplace,exceptthedrawerofherdesk,whichwasstillopen,asifshehadtakensomethingfromitasanafterthought。Therewerelettersandpapersthere,someofhisownandsomeinCaptainPinckney’shandwriting。Itdidnotoccurtohimtolookatthem——eventojustifyhimself,orexcuseher。HeknewthathishatredofCaptainPinckneywasnotsomuchthathebelievedhimherlover,ashissuddenconvictionthatshewaslikehim!Hewasthemaleofherspecies——abeingantagonistictohimself,whomhecouldfight,andcrush,andrevengehimselfupon。Butmostofallheloathedhispast,notonaccountofher,butofhisownweaknessthathadmadehimherdupeandamisunderstoodmantohisfriends。Hehadbeenderelictofdutyinhisunselfishdevotiontoher;hehadstifledhisambition,andunderratedhisownpossibilities。Nowonderthatothershadacceptedhimathisownvaluation。ClarenceBrantwasamodestman,buttheegotismofmodestyismorefatalthanthatofpretension,forithasthehauntingconsciousnessofsuperiorvirtue。
Here-enteredhisownroomandagainthrewhimselfintohischair。
Hiscalmwasbeingsucceededbyaphysicalweariness;herememberedhehadnotsleptthenightbefore,andheoughttotakesomeresttobefreshintheearlymorning。Yethemustalsoshowhimselfbeforehisself-invitedguests,——Susyandherhusband,——ortheirsuspicionswouldbearoused。Hewouldtrytosleepforalittlewhileinthechairbeforehewentdownstairsagain。HeclosedhiseyesoddlyenoughonadimdreamyrecollectionofSusyintheolddays,inthelittlemadronohollowwhereshehadoncegivenhimarendezvous。Heforgotthematurerandcriticaluneasinesswithwhichhehadthenreceivedhercoquettishandwillfuladvances,whichhenowknewwastheeffectofthegrowingdominanceofMrs。
Peytonoverhim,andrememberedonlyherbright,youthfuleyes,andthekisseshehadpresseduponhersoftfragrantcheek。Thefaintnesshehadfeltwhenwaitingintheoldrosegarden,afewhoursago,seemedtostealonhimoncemore,andtolapseintoapleasantdrowsiness。Heevenseemedagaintoinhaletheperfumeoftheroses。
\"Clarence!\"
Hestarted。Hehadbeensleeping,butthevoicesoundedstrangelyreal。
Alight,girlishlaughfollowed。Hesprangtohisfeet。ItwasSusystandingbesidehim——andSusyevenasshelookedintheolddays!
Forwithaflashofheroldaudacity,aidedbyherfamiliarknowledgeofthehouseandthebunchofhouseholdkeysshehadfound,whichdangledfromhergirdle,asintheoldfashion,shehaddisinterredoneofheroldfrocksfromacloset,slippediton,andunlooseningherbrownhairhadletitfallinripplingwavesdownherback。ItwasSusyinheroldgirlishness,withtheinstinctofthegrownactressinthearrangementofhershortskirtoverherprettyanklesandthehalf-consciousposeshehadtaken。
\"PoordearoldClarence,\"shesaid,withdancingeyes;\"Imighthavewonadozenpairsofglovesfromyouwhileyousleptthere。
Butyou’retired,dearoldboy,andyou’vehadahardtimeofit。
Nomatter;you’veshownyourselfamanatlast,andI’mproudofyou。\"
Halfashamedofthepleasurehefelteveninhisembarrassment,Clarencestammered,\"Butthischange——thisdress。\"
Susyclappedherhandslikeachild。\"Iknewitwouldsurpriseyou!It’sanoldfrockIworetheyearIwentawaywithauntie。I
knewwhereitwashidden,andfisheditoutagainwiththesekeys,Clarence;itseemedsolikeoldtimes。Lord!whenIwaswiththeoldservantsagain,andyoudidn’tcomedown,IjustfeltasifI’dneverbeenaway,andIjustrampagedfree。Itseemedtome,don’tyouknow,notasifI’djustcome,butasifI’dalwaysbeenrighthere,anditwasyouwho’djustcome。Don’tyouunderstand!JustasyoucamewhenmeandMaryRogerswerehere;don’tyourememberher,Clarence,andhowsheusedtodo’gooseberry’forus?Well,justlikethat。SoIsaidtoJim,’Idon’tknowyouanymore——
get!’andIjustslippedonthisfrockandorderedManuelaaroundasIusedtodo——andsheinfitsoflaughter;Ireckon,Clarence,shehasn’tlaughedasmuchsinceIleft。AndthenIthoughtofyou——perhapsworriedandflusteredasyetoverthings,andthechange,andIjustslippedintothekitchenandItoldoldfatConchitatomakesomeofthesetortillasyouknow,——withsugarandcinnamonsprinkledontop,——andItiedonanapronandbrought’emuptoyouonatraywithaglassofthatoldCatalanwineyouusedtolike。ThenIsorterfeltfrightenedwhenIgothere,andI
didn’thearanynoise,andIputthetraydowninthehallandpeepedinandfoundyouasleep。Sitstill,I’llfetchem。\"
Shetrippedoutintothepassage,returningwiththetray,whichsheputonthetablebesideClarence,andthenstandingbackalittleandwithherhandstuckedsoubrettefashioninthetinypocketsofherapron,gazedathimwithamischievoussmile。
ItwasimpossiblenottosmilebackashenibbledthecrispMexicancakeanddranktheoldmissionwine。AndSusy’stonguetrilledanaccompanimenttohisthanks。
\"Lord!itseemssonicetobehere——justyouandme,Clarence——likeintheolddays——withnobodynaggin’andswoopin’roundafteryou。
Don’tbegreedy,Clarence,butgivemeacake。\"Shetookoneandfinishedthedregsofhisglass。
Thensittingonthearmofhischair,shedartedavioletrayofhalfreproachandhalfmischievousnessintohisamusedandretrospectiveeyes。\"Thereusedtoberoomfortwointhatchair,Klarns。\"
Theuseoftheoldchildishdiminutiveforhisnameseemedtohimnaturalasherfamiliarity,andhemovedalittlesidewaystomakeroomforherwithaninstinctofpleasure,butthesamesenseofirresponsibilitythathadcharacterizedhisreflections。
Nevertheless,helookedcriticallyintothemischievouseyes,andsaidquietly,——
\"Whereisyourhusband?\"
Therewasnotraceofembarrassment,apology,orevenofconsciousnessinherprettyfaceasshereplied,passingherhandlightlythroughhishair,——
\"Oh,Jim?I’vepackedhimoff!\"
\"Packedhimoff!\"echoedClarence,slightlyastonished。
\"Yes,toFairPlains,fulltiltafteryourwife’sbuggy。Yousee,Clarence,aftertheoldcat——that’syourwife,please——left,I
wantedtomakesureshehadgone,andwasn’thangin’roundtoleadyouoffagainwithyourlegtiedtoherapronstringlikeachicken’s!No!IsaidtoJim,’Justyourideafterheruntilyouseeshe’ssafeandsoundinthedowncoachfromFairPlainswithoutherknowin’it,andifshe’sinclinedtohangbackorwobbleany,youpostbackhereandletmeknow!’ItoldhimIwouldstayandlookafteryoutoseeyoudidn’tbolttoo!\"Shelaughed,andthenadded,\"ButIdidn’tthinkIshouldfallintotheoldwayssosoon,andhavesuchanicetime。Didyou,Clarence?\"
Shelookedsoirresponsible,sittingtherewithherfacenearhis,andsochildishly,orperhapsthoughtlessly,happy,thathecouldonlyadmireherlevity,andeventheslightshockthatherflippantallusiontohiswifehadgivenhimseemedtohimonlyaweaknessofhisown。Afterall,wasnothersthetruephilosophy?Whyshouldnotthesebrighteyesseethingsmoreclearlythanhisown?
Nevertheless,withhiseyesstillfixeduponthem,hecontinued,——
\"AndJimwaswillingtogo?\"
Shestopped,withherfingersstillliftingalockofhishair。
\"Why,yes,yousilly——whyshouldn’the?I’dliketoseehimrefuse。Why,Lord!JimwilldoanythingIaskhim。\"Sheputdownthelockofhair,andsuddenlylookingfullintohiseyes,said,\"That’sjustthedifferencebetweenhimandme,andyouand——thatwoman!\"
\"Thenyoulovehim!\"
\"Aboutasmuchasyouloveher,\"shesaid,withanunaffectedlaugh;\"onlyhedon’twindmearoundhisfinger。\"
Nodoubtshewasrightforallherthoughtlessness,andyethewasgoingtofightaboutthatwomanto-morrow!No——heforgot;hewasgoingtofightCaptainPinckneybecausehewaslikeher!
Susyhadputherfingeronthecreasebetweenhisbrowswhichthissuppositionhadmade,andtriedtorubitout。
\"YouknowitaswellasIdo,Clarence,\"shesaid,withaprettywrinklingofherownbrows,whichwashernearestapproachtothoughtfulness。\"Youknowyouneverreallylikedher,onlyyouthoughtherwaysweregranderandmoreproperthanmine,andyouknowyouwerealwaysalittlebitofasnobandaprigtoo——dearboy。AndMrs。Peytonwas——blessmysoul!——aBenhamandaplanter’sdaughter,andI——Iwasonlyapicked-uporphan!That’swhereJimisbetterthanyou——nowsitstill,goosey!——evenifIdon’tlikehimasmuch。Oh,Iknowwhatyou’realwaysthinking,you’rethinkingwe’rebothexaggeratedandtheatrical,ain’tyou?Butdon’tyouthinkit’saheapbettertobeexaggeratedandtheatricalaboutthingsthatarejustsentimentalandromanticthantobesoawfullypossessedandovercomeaboutthingsthatareonlyreal?
There,youneedn’tstareatmeso!It’strue。You’vehadyourfillofgrandeurandpropriety,and——hereyouare。And,\"sheaddedwithalittlechuckle,asshetuckedupherfeetandleanedalittleclosertohim,\"here’sME。\"
Hedidnotspeak,buthisarmquiteunconsciouslypassedroundhersmallwaist。
\"Yousee,Clarence,\"shewentonwithequalunconsciousnessoftheact,\"yououghtnevertohaveletmego——never!Yououghttohavekeptmehere——orrunawaywithme。Andyououghtn’ttohavetriedtomakemeproper。Andyououghtn’ttohavedrivenmetoflirtwiththathorridSpaniard,andyououghtn’ttohavebeensohorriblycoldandseverewhenIdid。Andyououghtn’ttohavemademetakeupwithJim,whowastheonlyonewhothoughtmehisequal。
Imighthavebeenverysillyandcapricious;Imighthavebeenveryvain,butmyvanityisn’tabitworsethanyourpride;myloveofpraiseandapplauseinthetheatreisn’tabitmorehorridthanyourfearsofwhatpeoplemightthinkofyouorme。That’sgospeltruth,isn’tit,Clarence?Tellme!Don’tlookthatwayandthis——
lookatME!Iain’tpoisonous,Clarence。Why,oneofyourcheeksisredderthantheother,Clarence;that’stheonethat’sturnedfromme。Come,\"shewenton,takingthelapelsofhiscoatbetweenherhandsandhalfshakinghim,halfdrawinghimnearerherbrightface。\"Tellme——isn’tittrue?\"
\"IwasthinkingofyoujustnowwhenIfellasleep,Susy,\"hesaid。
Hedidnotknowwhyhesaidit;hehadnotintendedtotellher,hehadonlymeanttoavoidadirectanswertoherquestion;yetevennowhewenton。\"AndIthoughtofyouwhenIwasoutthereintherosegardenwaitingtocomeinhere。\"
\"Youdid?\"shesaid,drawinginherbreath。Awaveofdelicatepinkcolorcameuptoherveryeyes,itseemedtohimasquicklyandasinnocentlyaswhenshewasagirl。\"AndwhatDIDyouthink,Klarns,\"shehalfwhispered——\"tellme。\"
Hedidnotspeak,butansweredherblueeyesandthenherlips,asherarmsslippedquitenaturallyaroundhisneck……
ThedawnwasbreakingasClarenceandJimHookeremergedtogetherfromthegateofthecasa。Mr。Hookerlookedsleepy。Hehadfound,afterhisreturnfromFairPlains,thathishosthadanearlyengagementatSantaInez,andhehadinsisteduponrisingtoseehimoff。Itwaswithdifficulty,indeed,thatClarencecouldpreventhisaccompanyinghim。ClarencehadnotrevealedtoSusythenightbeforetherealobjectofhisjourney,nordidHookerevidentlysuspectit,yetwhentheformerhadmountedhishorse,hehesitatedforaninstant,extendinghishand。
\"IfIshouldhappentobedetained,\"hebeganwithahalfsmile。
ButJimwasstrugglingwithayawn。\"That’sallright——don’tmindus,\"hesaid,stretchinghisarms。Clarence’shesitatinghanddroppedtohisside,andwithalightrecklesslaughandahalfsenseofprovidentialreliefhegallopedaway。
WhathappenedimmediatelythereafterduringhissolitaryridetoSantaInez,lookingbackuponitinafteryears,seemedbutaconfusedrecollection,morelikeadream。Thelongstretchesofvaguedistance,graduallyopeningclearerwiththerisingsuninanuncloudedsky;themeetingwithafewearlyorbelatedtravelersandhisunconsciousavoidanceofthem,asiftheymightknowofhisobject;theblackshadowsofforeshortenedcattlerisingbeforehimontheplainandarousingthesameuneasysensationoftheirbeingwaylayingmen;thewonderingrecognitionofhousesandlandmarkshehadlongbeenfamiliarwith;hispurposelessattemptstorecallthecircumstancesinwhichhehadknownthem——allthesewerelikeadream。So,too,weretherecollectionsofthenightbefore,theepisodewithSusy,alreadymingledandblendedwiththememoryoftheirpreviouspast;hisfutileattemptstolookforwardtothefuture,always,however,abandonedwithreliefatthethoughtthatthenextfewhoursmightmakethemunnecessary。SoalsowasthesuddenrealizationthatSantaInezwasbeforehim,whenhehadthoughthewasnotyethalfwaythere,andashedismountedbeforetheCourtHousehissingularfeeling——followed,however,bynofearordistress——wasthathehadcomesoearlytotherendezvousthathewasnotyetquitepreparedforit。
Thissamesenseofunrealitypervadedhismeetingwiththedeputysheriff,atthenewsthattheFederaljudgehad,aswasexpected,dismissedtheprisonersontheirownrecognizances,andthatCaptainPinckneywasatthehotelatbreakfast。Inthelikeabstractedmannerherepliedtotheoneortwoquestionsofthedeputy,exhibitedthepistolshehadbroughtwithhim,andfinallyaccompaniedhimtoalittlemeadowhiddenbytrees,belowthehotel,wheretheotherprincipalandhissecondswereawaitingthem。Andhereheawoke——clear-eyed,keen,forceful,andintense!
Sostimulatedwerehisfacultiesthathissenseofhearinginitsacutenesstookineverywordoftheconversationbetweentheseconds,afewpacesdistant。Heheardhisadversary’ssecondssaycarelesslytothedeputysheriff,\"Ipresumethisisacasewheretherewillbenoapologyormediation,\"andthedeputy’sreply,\"I
reckonmymanmeansbusiness,butheseemsalittlequeer。\"Heheardtheothersecondlaugh,andsaylightly,\"They’reapttobesowhenit’stheirfirsttimeout,\"followedbythemoreanxiousasideoftheothersecondasthedeputyturnedaway,——\"Yes,butbyG-dIdon’tlikehislooks!\"Hissenseofsightwasalsosoacutethathavinglostthechoiceofposition,whenthecoinwastossed,andbeingturnedwithhisfacetothesun,eventhroughtheglarehesaw,withunerringdistinctnessofoutline,theblack-coatedfigureofhisopponentmovedintorange——sawtheperfectoutlineofhisfeatures,andhowtheeasy,supercilioussmile,ashethrewawayhiscigar,appearedtodropoutofhisfacewithakindofvacantaweashefacedhim。Hefelthisnervesbecomeassteelasthecountingbegan,andattheword\"three,\"knewhehadfiredbytherecoilofthepistolinhisleveledhand,simultaneouslywithitsutterance。Andatthesamemoment,stillstandinglikearock,hesawhisadversarymiserablycollapse,hislegsgrotesquelycurvinginwardsunderhim,——withouteventhedignityofdeathinhisfall,——andsosinkhelplesslylikeafelledbulltotheground。
Stillerect,andloweringonlythemuzzleofhispistol,asathinfeatherofsmokecurledupitsshiningside,hesawthedoctorandsecondsrunquicklytotheheap,trytoliftitslimpimpotenceintoshape,andletitdropagainwiththewords,\"Rightthroughtheforehead,byG-d!\"
\"You’vedoneforhim,\"saidthedeputy,turningtoClarencewithasingularlookofcuriosity,\"andIreckonyouhadbettergetoutofthismightyquick。Theydidn’texpectit;they’rejustragin’;
theymayroundonyou——and\"——headded,moreslowly,\"theyseemtohavejustfoundoutwhoyouare。\"
Evenwhilehewasspeaking,Clarence,withhisquickenedear,heardthewords,\"OneofHamiltonBrant’spups\"\"Justlikehisfather,\"
fromthegrouparoundthedeadman。Hedidnothesitate,butwalkedcoollytowardsthem。Yetacertainfiercepride——whichhehadneverknownbefore——stirredinhisveinsastheirvoiceshushedandtheyhalfrecoiledbeforehim。
\"AmItounderstandfrommysecond,gentlemen,\"hesaid,lookingroundthegroup,\"thatyouarenotsatisfied?\"
\"Thefightwassquareenough,\"saidPinckney’ssecondinsomeembarrassment,\"butIreckonthathe,\"pointingtothedeadman,\"didnotknowwhoyouwere。\"
\"DoyoumeanthathedidnotknowthatIwasthesonofamanproficientintheuseofarms?\"
\"Ireckonthat’saboutit,\"returnedthesecond,glancingattheothers。
\"Iamgladtosay,sir,thatIhaveabetteropinionofhiscourage,\"saidClarence,liftinghishattothedeadbodyasheturnedaway。
Yethewasconsciousofnoremorse,concern,orevenpityinhisact。Perhapsthiswasvisibleinhisface,forthegroupappearedawedbythisperfectionoftheduelist’scoolness,andevenreturnedhisformalpartingsalutationwithavagueandtimidrespect。Hethankedthedeputy,regainedthehotel,saddledhishorseandgallopedaway。
ButnottowardstheRancho。Nowthathecouldthinkofhisfuture,thathadnoplaceinhisreflections;eventheepisodeofSusywasforgotteninthenewandstrangeconceptionofhimselfandhisirresponsibilitywhichhadcomeuponhimwiththekillingofPinckneyandthewordsofhissecond。Itwashisdeadfatherwhohadstiffenedhisarmanddirectedthefatalshot!Itwashereditaryinfluences——whichothershadbeensoquicktorecognize——
thathadbroughtaboutthiscompletingclimaxofhistrouble。Howelsecouldheaccountforitthathe——aconscientious,peaceful,sensitiveman,tenderandforgivingashehadbelievedhimselftobe——couldnowfeelsolittlesorroworcompunctionforhisculminatingact?Hehadreadofsuccessfulduelistswhowerehauntedbyremorsefortheirfirstvictim;whoretainedaterribleconsciousnessoftheappearanceofthedeadman;hehadnosuchfeeling;hehadonlyagrimcontentmentinthewiped-outinefficientlife,andcontemptforthelimpandhelplessbody。HesuddenlyrecalledhiscallousnessasaboywhenfacetofacewiththevictimsoftheIndianmassacre,hissenseoffastidioussuperciliousnessinthediscoveryofthebodyofSusy’smother!——
surelyitwasthecoldbloodofhisfatherinfluencinghimeverthus。Whathadhetodowithaffection,withdomestichappiness,withtheordinaryambitionsofman’slife——whosebloodwasfrozenatitssource!Yetevenwiththisverythoughtcameoncemoretheoldinconsistenttendernesshehadasaboylavisheduponthealmostunknownandfugitivefatherwhohadforsakenhischildishcompanionship,andrememberedhimonlybysecretgifts。HerememberedhowhehadworshipedhimevenwhilethepiouspadresatSanJosewereendeavoringtoeliminatethisterriblepoisonfromhisbloodandcombathishereditaryinstinctinhisconflictswithhisschool-fellows。Anditwasapartofthisinconsistencythat,ridingawayfromthesceneofhisfirstbloodshed,hiseyesweredimmedwithmoisture,notforhisvictim,butfortheonebeingwhohebelievedhadimpelledhimtotheact。
ThisandmorewasinhismindduringhislongridetoFairPlains,hisjourneybycoachtotheEmbarcadero,hismidnightpassageacrossthedarkwatersofthebay,andhisre-entrancetoSanFrancisco,butwhatshouldbehisfuturewasstillunsettled。
AshewoundroundthecrestofRussianHillandlookeddownagainupontheawakenedcity,hewasstartledtoseethatitwasflutteringandstreamingwithbunting。Fromeverypublicbuildingandhotel,fromtheroofsofprivatehouses,andeventhewindowsoflonelydwellings,flappedandwavedthestripedandstarrybanner。Thesteadybreathoftheseacarrieditoutfrommastsandyardsofshipsattheirwharves,fromthebattlementsofthefortsAlcatrazandYerbaBueno。HerememberedthattheferrymanhadtoldhimthatthenewsfromFortSumterhadsweptthecitywitharevulsionofpatrioticsentiment,andthattherewasnodoubtthattheStatewassavedtotheUnion。Helookeddownuponitwithhaggard,bewilderedeyes,andthenastrangegaspandfullnessofthethroat!Forafarasolitarybuglehadblownthe\"reveille\"atFortAlcatraz。
PARTII。
CHAPTERI。
Nightatlast,andthestirandtumultofagreatfightover。Eventheexcitementthathadsweptthisportionofthebattlefield——onlyasmallsectionofavasterareaofstruggle——intowhichabrigadehadmarched,helditsown,beenbeatenback,recovereditsground,andpursuing,hadpassedoutofitforever,leavingonlyitsdeadbehind,andknowingnothingmoreofthatstrugglethanitsownimpactandmomentum——eventhiswildexcitementhadlongsinceevaporatedwiththestingingsmokeofgunpowder,theacridsmellofburningragsfromtheclothingofadeadsoldierfiredbyaburstingshell,ortheheatedreekofsweatandleather。Acoolbreaththatseemedtobringbackoncemoretheodoroftheupturnedearthworksalongthenowdumblineofbattlebegantomovefromthesuggestivedarknessbeyond。
Butintothatawfulpenetraliaofdeathandsilencetherewasnoinvasion——therehadbeennoretreat。Afewofthewoundedhadbeenbroughtout,underfire,buttheothershadbeenleftwiththedeadforthemorninglightandsuccor。Foritwasknownthatinthathorribleobscurity,riderlesshorses,franticwiththesmellofblood,gallopedwildlyhereandthere,or,maddenedbywounds,plungedfuriouslyattheintruder;thatthewoundedsoldier,stillarmed,couldnotalwaysdistinguishfriendfromfoeorfromtheghoulsofcampfollowerswhostrippedthedeadinthedarknessandstruggledwiththedying。Ashotortwoheardsomewhereinthatobscuritycountedasnothingwiththelongfusilladethathadsweptitinthedaytime;thepassingofasinglelife,moreorless,amountedtolittleinthelongroll-calloftheday’sslaughter。
Butwiththefirstbeamsofthemorningsun——andtheslowlymoving\"reliefdetail\"fromthecamp——cameaweirdhalf-resurrectionofthatghastlyfield。Thenitwasthatthelongraysofsunlight,streamingawayamilebeyondthebattleline,pointedoutthefirstharvestofthedeadwherethereserveshadbeenposted。Theretheylayinheapsandpiles,killedbysolidshotorburstingshellsthathadleapedthebattlelinetoplungeintothewaitingranksbeyond。Asthesunliftedhigheritsbeamsfellwithintherangeofmusketryfire,wherethedeadlaythicker,——evenastheyhadfallenwhenkilledoutright,——witharmsextendedandfeetatallanglestothefield。Asittouchedthesedeadupturnedfaces,strangelyenoughitbroughtoutnoexpressionofpainoranguish——
butratherasifdeathhadarrestedthemonlyinsurpriseandawe。