CONTENTS。
THEHERITAGEOFDEDLOWMARSH
AKNIGHT—ERRANTOFTHEFOOT—HILLS
ASECRETOFTELEGRAPHHILL
CAPTAINJIM’SFRIEND
THEHERITAGEOFDEDLOWMARSH。
I。
ThesunwasgoingdownontheDedlowMarshes。Thetidewasfollowingitfastasiftomeetthereddeninglinesofskyandwaterinthewest,leavingtheforegroundtogrowblackerandblackereverymoment,andtobringoutinstartlingcontrastthefewhalf—filledandhalf—litpoolsleftbehindandforgotten。ThestrongbreathofthePacificfanningtheirsurfacesattimeskindledthemintoadullglowlikedyingembers。Acloudofsand—
pipersrosewhitefromoneofthenearerlagoons,sweptinalongeddyingringagainstthesunset,andbecameablackanddroppingraintoseaward。Thelongsinuouslineofchannel,fadingwiththelightandebbingwiththetide,begantogiveoffhereandtherelightpuffsofgray—wingedbirdslikesuddenexhalations。Highinthedarkeningskythelongarrow—headedlinesofgeeseand’brant’
pointedtowardstheupland。Asthelightgrewmoreuncertaintheairattimeswasfilledwiththerushofviewlessandmelancholywings,orbecameplaintivewithfar—offcriesandlamentations。AstheMarshesgrewblackerthefar—scatteredtussocksandaccretionsonitslevelsurfacebegantoloominexaggeratedoutline,andtwohumanfigures,suddenlyemergingerectonthebankofthehiddenchannel,assumedtheproportionofgiants。
Whentheyhadmooredtheirunseenboat,theystillappearedforsomemomentstobemovingvaguelyandaimlesslyroundthespotwheretheyhaddisembarked。Butastheeyebecamefamiliarwiththedarknessitwasseenthattheywerereallyadvancinginland,yetwithaslownessofprogressionanddeviousnessofcoursethatappearedinexplicabletothedistantspectator。Presentlyitwasevidentthatthisseeminglyeven,vast,blackexpansewastraversedandintersectedbyinkycreeksandsmallchannels,whichmadehumanprogressiondifficultanddangerous。Astheyappearednearerandtheirfigurestookmorenaturalproportions,itcouldbeseenthateachcarriedagun;thatonewasayounggirl,althoughdressedsolikehercompanioninshaggypea—jacketandsou’westerastobescarcelydistinguishedfromhimabovetheshortskirtthatcamehalfwaydownherhighindia—rubberfishing—boots。Bythetimetheyhadreachedfirmerground,andturnedtolookbackatthesunset,itcouldbealsoseenthatthelikenessbetweentheirfaceswasremarkable。Both,hadcrisp,black,tightlycurlinghair;bothhaddarkeyesandheavyeyebrows;bothhadquickvividcomplexions,slightlyheightenedbytheseaandwind。Butmorestrikingthantheirsimilarityofcoloringwasthelikenessofexpressionandbearing。Bothworethesameairofpicturesqueenergy;bothborethemselveswithalikegracefuleffronteryandself—possession。
Theyoungmancontinuedhisway。Theyounggirllingeredforamomentlookingseaward,withhersmallbrownhandliftedtoshadehereyes,——aprecautionwhichherheavyeyebrowsandlonglashesseemedtorenderutterlygratuitous。
\"Comealong,Mag。Whatareyewaitin’for?\"saidtheyoungmanimpatiently。
\"Nothin’。Lookin’atthatboatfromtheFort。\"Hercleareyeswerewatchingasmallskiff,invisibletolesskeen—sightedobservers,agrounduponaflatnearthemouthofthechannel。
\"Themchapswillhaveahigholetimegunnin’thar,stuckinthemud,andthetidegoin’outlikesixty!\"
\"Neveryoumindthesodgers,\"returnedhercompanion,aggressively,\"theykintakecareo’theirownpreciousskins,orUncleSamwilldoitfor’em,Ireckon。Anyhowthepeople——that’syouandme,Mag——isexpectedtopayfortheirfoolishness。That’swhatthey’resentyerfor。Yeoughtertobesatisfiedwiththat,\"headdedwithdeepsarcasm。
\"Ireckontheyain’texpectedtodomuchoffo’dryland,andtheycan’thelpbein’queeronthewater,\"returnedtheyounggirlwithareflectingsenseofjustice。
\"Thentheyain’tnocalltogogunnin’,andwastin’Guv’nmentpowderonducksinsteado’Injins。\"
\"Thet’sso,\"saidthegirlthoughtfully。\"WonderefGuv’nmentpaysforthemfrockstheKernel’sgirlswentcavortin’roundLogportinlastSunday——theylookedlikeacirkis。\"
\"LikeeznottheoldKernelgetsitoutercontracts——onewayoranother。WEpayforitallthesame,\"headdedgloomily。
\"JestthesameeziftheywereMYclothes,\"saidthegirl,withaquick,fiery,littlelaugh,\"ain’tit?Wonderhowthey’dlikemysayin’thatto’emwhentheywasprancin’round,eh,Jim?\"
Buthercompanionwasevidentlyunpreparedforthissweepingfemininededuction,andstoppeditwithmasculinepromptitude。
\"Lookyer——insteado’botherin’yourheadaboutwhattheFortgirlswear,you’dbettertrotalongalittlemorelively。It’slateenoughnow。\"
\"Butthesedarnedbootshurtlikepizen,\"saidthegirl,limping。
\"Theyswallowedaloto’wateroverthetopswhileIwaswadin’
downthere,andmyfeetgoswashin’aroundlikeinachurneverystep。\"
\"Leanonme,baby,\"hereturned,passinghisarmaroundherwaist,anddroppingherheadsmartlyonhisshoulder。\"Thar!\"Theactwasbrotherlyandslightlycontemptuous,butitwassufficienttoatonceestablishtheirkinship。
Theycontinuedonthusforsomemomentsinsilence,thegirl,I
fear,afterthefashionofhersex,takingthefullestadvantageofthisslightlysentimentalandcaressingattitude。TheyweremovingnowalongtheedgeoftheMarsh,parallelwiththelineofrapidlyfadinghorizon,followingsometrailonlyknowntotheirkeenyouthfuleyes。Itwasgrowingdarkeranddarker。Thecriesofthesea—birdshadceased;eventhecallofabelatedploverhaddiedawayinland;thehushofdeathlayovertheblackfunerealpallofmarshattheirside。Thetidehadrunoutwiththeday。Eventhesea—breezehadlulledinthisdeadslack—waterofallnature,asifwaitingoutsidethebarwiththeocean,thestars,andthenight。
Suddenlythegirlstoppedandhaltedhercompanion。Thefaintfarsoundofabuglebrokethesilence,iftheideaofinterruptioncouldhavebeenconveyedbythetwoorthreeexquisitevibrationsthatseemedbornofthatsilenceitself,andtofadeanddieinitwithoutbreakordiscord。Yetitwasonlythe’retreat’callfromtheForttwomilesdistantandinvisible。
Theyounggirl’sfacehadbecomeirradiated,andhersmallmouthhalfopenedasshelistened。\"Doyouknow,Jim,\"shesaidwithaconfidentialsigh,\"IallusputwordstothatwhenIhearit——it’ssopow’fulpretty。Itallusgoestomelikethis:’Goestheday,Faraway,Withthelight,AndthenightComesalong——Comesalong——
Comesalong——Likea—aso—o—ong。’\"Shehereliftedhervoice,asweet,fresh,boyishcontralto,insuchanadmirableimitationofthebuglethatherbrother,afterthefashionofmoreselectauditors,wasforamomentquiteconvincedthatthewordsmeantsomething。Nevertheless,asabrother,itwashisdutytocrushthisweakness。\"Yes;anditsays:’shutyourhead,Gotobed,’\"hereturnedirascibly;\"andYOU’Dbettercomealong,ifwe’regoin’tohevanysupper。There’sYellerBobhezgotaheadofusovertherewiththegamealready。\"
Thegirlglancedtowardsaslouchingburdenedfigurethatnowappearedtobeprecedingthem,straightenedherselfsuddenly,andthenlookedattentivelytowardstheMarsh。
\"Notthesodgersagain?\"saidherbrotherimpatiently。
\"No,\"shesaidquickly;\"butifthatdon’tbeatanythin’!I’dhevsworn,Jim,thatYellerBobwassomewherebehindus。Isawhimonlyjestnowwhen’Taps’sounded,somewhereoverthar。\"Shepointedwithahalf—uneasyexpressioninquiteanotherdirectionfromthatinwhichtheslouchingYellowBobhadjustloomed。
\"Tellyewhat,Mag,makin’poetryouterbuglecallshezkindermuddledye。THAT’SYellerBobahead,andyeorterknowInjinswellenuffbythistimetorememberthattheyalluscropupjestwhenyedon’texpectthem。Andthere’sthebreshjestaforeus。Come!\"
The’bresh,’orlowbushes,wasreallyalineofstuntedwillowsandaldersthatseemedtohavegraduallysunkintotheleveloftheplain,butincreasedinsizefartherinland,untiltheygrewtotheheightanddensityofawood。SeenfromthechannelithadtheappearanceofagreencapeorpromontorythrustupontheMarsh。
Passingthroughitstangledrecesses,withtheaidofsomeunerringinstinct,thetwocompanionsemergeduponanotherandmuchlargerlevelthatseemedasillimitableasthebay。Thestrongbreathoftheoceanlyingjustbeyondthebarandestuarytheywerenowfacingcametothemsaltandhumidasanothertide。Thenearerexpanseofopenwaterreflectedtheafter—glow,andlightenedthelandscape。Andbetweenthetwowayfarersandthehorizonrose,bleakandstartling,thestrangeoutlinesoftheirhome。
Atfirstitseemedaruinedcolonnadeofmanypillars,whosebaseandpedimentwereburiedintheearth,supportingalongparallelogramofentablatureandcornices。Butasecondglanceshowedittobeaone—storiedbuilding,upheldabovetheMarshbynumberlesspilesplacedatregulardistances;someofthemsunkenorinclinedfromtheperpendicular,increasingthefirstillusion。
Betweenthesepillars,whichpermittedafreecirculationofair,and,atextraordinarytides,eventhewatersofthebayitself,thelevelwasteofmarsh,thebay,thesurgesofthebar,andfinallytheredhorizonline,weredistinctlyvisible。Arailedgalleryorplatform,supportedalsoonpiles,andreachedbystepsfromtheMarsh,ranaroundthebuilding,andgaveaccesstotheseveralroomsandoffices。
Butiftheappearanceofthislacustrineandamphibiousdwellingwasstriking,andnotwithoutacertainrudeandmassivegrandeur,itsgroundsandpossessions,throughwhichthebrotherandsisterwerestillpickingtheirway,wereevenmoregrotesqueandremarkable。Overaspaceofhalfadozenacrestheflotsamandjetsamofyearsoftidalofferingswerecollected,andevenguardedwithacertaincare。Theblackenedhulksofhugeuprootedtrees,scarcelydistinguishablefromthefragmentsofgenuinewrecksbesidethem,weresecurelyfastenedbychainstostakesandpilesdriveninthemarsh,whileheapsofbrokenanddisjointedbambooorangecrates,heldtogetherbyropesoffibre,glistenedlikeligamentedbonesheapedinthedeadvalley。Masts,spars,fragmentsofshell—encrustedboats,binnacles,round—housesandgalleys,andpartoftheafter—deckofacoastingschooner,hadceasedtheirwanderingsandfoundrestinthisvastcemeteryofthesea。Thelegendonawheel—house,theletteringonasternorbow,servedformortuaryinscription。Wailedoverbythetradewinds,mournedbylamentingsea—birds,onceeveryyearthetidevisiteditslostdeadandleftthemwetwithitstears。
Tosuchaspotanditssurroundingstheatmosphereoftraditionandmysterywasnotwanting。SixyearsagoBooneCulpepperhadbuiltthehouse,andbroughttoithiswife——variouslybelievedtobeagypsy,aMexican,abrightmulatto,aDiggerIndian,aSouthSeaprincessfromTahiti,somebodyelse’swife——butinrealityalittleCreolewomanfromNewOrleans,withwhomhehadcontractedamarriage,withothergamblingdebts,duringawinter’svacationfromhishomeinVirginia。Attheendoftwoyearsshehaddied,succumbing,asdifferentlystated,fromperpetualwetfeet,orthemisanthropicidiosyncrasiesofherhusband,andleavingbehindheragirloftwelveandaboyofsixteentoconsolehim。HowfutilewasthisbequestmaybeguessedfromabriefsummaryofMr。
Culpepper’speculiarities。Theywerethedevelopmentofasingularformofaggrandizementandmisanthropy。OnhisarrivalatLogporthehadboughtapartoftheapparentlyvaluelessDedlowMarshfromtheGovernmentatlessthanadollaranacre,continuinghissingularinvestmentyearbyyearuntilhewastheownerofthreeleaguesofamphibiousdomain。ItwasthendiscoveredthatthispropertycarriedwithittheWATERFRONTofdiversvaluableandconvenientsitesformanufacturesandthecommercialportsofanoblebay,aswellasthenaturalembarcaderosofsome’lumbering’
inlandsettlements。BooneCulpepperwouldnotsell。BooneCulpepperwouldnotrentorlease。BooneCulpepperheldaninvincibleblockadeofhisneighbors,andtheprogressandimprovementhedespised——grantingonly,afteraroyalfashion,occasionallicense,revocableatpleasure,intheshapeoftolls,whichamplysupportedhim,withthegameheshotinhiskingfisher’seyrieontheMarsh。EventheGovernmentthathadmadehimpowerfulwasobligedto’condemn’apartofhispropertyatanequitablepriceforthepurposesofFortRedwood,inwhichtheadjacenttownofLogportshared。AndBooneCulpepper,unabletoresisttheact,refusedtoreceivethecompensationorquit—claimthetown。Inhisscantintercoursewithhisneighborshealwaysalludedtoitashisown,showedittohischildrenaspartoftheirstrangeinheritance,andexhibitedthestarryflagthatfloatedfromtheFortasaflauntinginsulttotheiryouthfuleyes。
Hated,feared,andsuperstitiouslyshunnedbysome,regardedasamadmanbyothers,familiarlyknownas’TheKingfisherofDedlow,’
BooneCulpepperwasonedayfoundfloatingdeadinhisskiff,withachargeofshotthroughhisheadandshoulders。Theshot—gunlyingathisfeetatthebottomoftheboatindicatedthe’accident’asrecordedintheverdictofthecoroner’sjury——butnotbythepeople。Athousandrumorsofmurderorsuicideprevailed,butalwayswiththeuniversalrider,’Servedhimright。’
Soinvinciblewasthisfeelingthatbutfewattendedhislastrites,whichtookplaceathighwater。Thedelayoftheofficiatingclergymanlostthetide;thehomelycatafalque——hisownboat——wasleftagroundontheMarsh,anddesertedbyallmournersexceptthetwochildren。Whateverhehadinstilledintothembypreceptandexample,whatevertookplacethatnightintheirlonelywatchbyhisbierontheblackmarshes,itwascertainthatthosewhoconfidentlylookedforanychangeintheadministrationoftheDedlowMarshwerecruellymistaken。TheoldKingfisherwasdead,buthehadleftinthenesttwoyoungbirds,morebeautifulandgraceful,itwastrue,yetasfierceandtenaciousofbeakandtalon。
II。
Arrivingatthehouse,theyoungpeopleascendedtheouterflightofwoodensteps,whichboreanoddlikenesstothecompanion—wayofavessel,andthegallery,or’deck,’asitwascalled——whereanumberofnets,floats,andbuoysthrownovertherailingcompletedthenauticalresemblance。Thispartofthebuildingwasevidentlydevotedtokitchen,dining—room,anddomesticoffices;theprincipalroominthecentreservingashallorliving—room,andcommunicatingontheothersidewithtwosleepingapartments。Itwasofconsiderablesize,withheavylateralbeamsacrosstheceiling——built,liketherestofthehouse,withacertainmaritimestrength——andlookednotunlikeasalooncabin。AnenormousopenFranklinstovebetweenthewindows,aslargeasachimney,blazingwithdrift—wood,gavelightandheattotheapartment,andbroughtintoflickeringrelieftheboardedwallshungwiththespoilsofseaandshore,andglitteringwithgun—barrels。Fowling—piecesofallsizes,fromthelongducking—gunmountedonaswivelforboatusetothelightsingle—barrelorcarbine,stoodinracksagainstthewalls;game—bags,revolversintheirholsters,huntingandfishingknivesintheirsheaths,dependedfromhooksabovethem。
Inonecornerstoodaharpoon;inanother,twoorthreeIndianspearsforsalmon。Thecarpetlessfloorandrudechairsandsettleswerecoveredwithotter,mink,beaver,andaquantityofvaluableseal—skins,withafewlargerpeltsofthebearandelk。
Theonlyattemptatdecorationwasthedisplayedwingsandbreastsofthewoodandharlequinduck,themuir,thecormorant,thegull,thegannet,andthefemininelydelicatehalf—mourningofpetrelandplover,nailedagainstthewall。Theinfluenceoftheseawasdominantaboveall,andasserteditssalineodorseventhroughthespiceofthecurlingdrift—woodsmokethathalfveiledtheceiling。
Aberry—eyedoldIndianwomanwiththecomplexionofdriedsalmon;
herdaughter,alsowithberryeyes,andwithafacethatseemedwhollymadeofamoistlaugh;’YellowBob,’aDigger’buck,’socalledfromtheprevailingochremarkingsofhischeek,and’Washooh,’anex—chief;anondescriptinablanket,lookinglikeacheapanddirtydollwhosefibroushairwasbadlynailedonhiscarvedwoodenhead,composedtheCulpepperhousehold。Whilethetwoformerwerepreparingsupperintheadjacentdining—room,YellowBob,relievedofhisburdenofgame,appearedonthegalleryandbeckonedmysteriouslytohismasterthroughthewindow。JamesCulpepperwentout,returnedquickly,andafteraminute’shesitationandanuneasyglancetowardshissister,whohadmeantimepushedbackhersou’westerfromherforehead,andwithouttakingoffherjackethaddroppedintoachairbeforethefirewithherbacktowardshim,tookhisgunnoiselesslyfromtherack,andsayingcarelesslythathewouldbebackinamoment,disappeared。
Lefttoherself,Maggiecoollypulledoffherlongbootsandstockings,andcomfortablyopposedtothefiretwoveryprettyfeetandankles,whosedelicatepuritywasslightlyblue—bleachedbyconfinementinthetepidsea—water。Thecontrastoftheirwaxenwhitenesswithherbluewoolenskirt,andwitheventheskinofhersunburnthandsandwrists,apparentlyamusedher,andshesatforsomemomentswithherelbowsonherknees,herskirtsslightlyraised,contemplatingthem,andcurlinghertoeswithevidentsatisfaction。Thefirelightplayingupontherichcoloringofherface,thefringeofjet—blackcurlsthatalmostmetthethicksweepofeyebrows,andleftheronlyawhitestripofforehead,hershortupperlipandsmallchin,roundedbutresolute,completedapiquantandstrikingfigure。Therichbrownshadowsonthesmoke—stainedwallsandceiling,theoccasionalstartingintoreliefofthescutcheonsofbrilliantplumage,andthemomentaryglitterofthesteelbarrels,madeaquaintbackgroundtothischarmingpicture。
Sittingthere,andfollowingsomelingeringmemoryofhertrampontheMarsh,shehummedtoherselfafewnotesofthebuglecallthathadimpressedher——atfirstsoftly,andfinallywiththefullpitchofhervoice。
Suddenlyshestopped。
Therewasafaintandunmistakablerappingonthefloorbeneathher。Itwasdistinct,butcautiouslygiven,asifintendedtobeaudibletoheralone。Foramomentshestoodupright,herfeetstillbareandglistening,ontheotterskinthatservedasarug。
Thereweretwodoorstotheroom,onefromwhichherbrotherhaddisappeared,whichledtothesteps,theothergivingonthebackgallery,lookinginland。Withaquickinstinctshecaughtuphergunandrantothatone,butnotbeforearapidscrambleneartherailingwasfollowedbyacautiousopeningofthedoor。Shewasjustintimetoshutitontheextendedarmandlightbluesleeveofanarmyovercoatthatprotrudedthroughtheopening,andforamomentthrewherwholeweightagainstit。
\"Adhropofwhiskey,Miss,fortheloveofGod。\"
Sheretainedherhold,cockedherweapon,andsteppedbackapacefromthedoor。Thebluesleevewasfollowedbytherestoftheovercoat,andabluecapwiththeinfantryblazoning,andtheletterHonitspeak。Theywereforthemomentmoredistinguishablethanthemanbeneaththem——grimedandblackenedwiththeslimeoftheMarsh。Butwhatcouldbeseenofhismud—
stainedfacewasmoregrotesquethanterrifying。Acombinationofweaknessandaudacity,insinuationandtimiditystruggledthroughthedirtforexpression。Hissmallblueeyeswerenotill—natured,andeventheintrudingarmtrembledmorefromexhaustionthanpassion。
\"On’yadhrop,Miss,\"herepeatedpiteously,\"andavyepleeze,quick!aforeI’mstharvedwiththecoldentoirely。\"
Shelookedathimintently——withoutloweringhergun。
\"Whoareyou?\"
\"Thin,it’sthetruthI’lltellye,Miss——whisththen!\"hesaidinahalf—whisper;\"I’madesarter!\"
\"ThenitwasYOUthatwasdoggin’usontheMarsh?\"
\"ItwasthesarjintIwaslavin’,Miss。\"
Shelookedathimhesitatingly。
\"Stayoutsidethere;ifyoumoveastepintotheroom,I’llblowyououtofit。\"
Hesteppedbackonthegallery。Sheclosedthedoor,boltedit,andstillholdingthegun,openedacupboard,pouredoutaglassofwhiskey,andreturningtothedoor,openeditandhandedhimtheliquor。
Shewatchedhimdrainiteagerly,sawthefierystimulantputlifeintohisshiveringframe,tremblinghands,andkindlehisdulleye——
and——quietlyraisedhergunagain。
\"Ah,putitdown,Miss,putitdown!Fwhot’stheuse?Surethebulletsyeecarryinthemoiyesofyoursismoredeadly!It’southereoi’llsthand,glorybetoGod,allnight,withoutmovin’afuttillthesarjintcomestotakeme,avyewon’tlevilthemoiyesatmelikethat。Ah,whirra!lookatthatnow!butit’sagooddesssheis——thelivin’Jaynusofwarr,standin’therelikeastatoo,widheralybasterfutputforward。\"
Inherprideandconscioussuperiority,anysuggestionofshameatthusappearingbeforeacommonmanandamendicantwasasimpossibletohernatureasitwouldhavebeentoaqueenorthegoddessofhissimile。Hispresenceandhiscomplimentalikepassedhercalmmodestyunchallenged。Thewretchedscamprecognizedthefactandfeltitspower,anditwaswithasuperstitiousreverenceassertingitselfthroughhisnativeextravagancethatheraisedhisgrimyhandtohiscapinmilitarysaluteandbecamerespectfullyrigid。
\"Thenthesodgerswerehuntin’YOU?\"shesaidthoughtfully,loweringherweapon。
\"Thrueforyou,Miss——theyworr,andit’smeselfthatwaslyin’
flatintheditchwidmefayturesmakin’anilligantcastinthemud——morebetoken,asyeseeevennow——andthesarjintandhisdaytailthrampin’roundme。Itwasthinthatthemortialcoldsthruckthro’memouth,andmademewakeforthewhiskeythatwouldresthoreme。\"
\"Whatdidyoudesertfer?\"
\"Ah,listtothatnow!FwhatdidIdesartfer?Shureevtherewastheghostofaninemyround,it’smeselfthatwouldbeinthefrontnow!Butitwastheletthersfrommeouldmother,Miss,thatissthruckwidamortialillness——longlifetoher!——inCountyClare,andmesisthersinNinthAvenueinNewYork,fornintthedaypo,thatisbrekkentheirharrutsovermelistin’intheFourthInfanthrytododutyinahaythenwilderness。Avitwasthecavalry——andit’smeownfatherthatwasintheInnishkillenDthragoons,Miss——oiwouldn’tmoind。Widahorsebetunemelegs,it’sonparadeoi’dbenow,Miss,andnotwandheringoverthebareflureoftheMarsh,stharvedwidthecold,thethirst,andhunger,widthemudandthemoirethickonme;facin’anilligantyoungleddyasistheekalovaFayldMarshal’sdarter——nottosphakeovKernalPreston’s——ezcouldn’tholdacandletoher。\"
BroughtupontheSpanishfrontier,MaggieCulpepperwasoneofthefewAmericangirlswhowasnotfamiliarwiththeIrishrace。Theraresmilethatmomentarilylitupherpetulantmouthseemedtojustifytheintruder’spraise。Butitpassedquickly,andshereturneddryly:
\"Thatmeansyouwantmoredrink,suthin’toeat,andclothes。
Supposemybrothercomesbackandketchesyouhere?\"
\"Shure,Miss,he’sjustnowhuntenme,alongwidhistwohaythenDiggers,beyondthelaygoonthere。Itworrtheyellaronethatsphottedmelyin’thereintheditch;itworronlyyourownoiyes,Miss——morepowertotheirbeautyforthat!——thatsawmefollyhimunbeknownsthere;andthatdesavedthem,yesee!\"
Theyounggirlremainedforaninstantsilentandthoughtful。
\"We’renofriendsoftheFort,\"shesaidfinally,\"butIdon’treckonforthatreasonmybrotherwillcottontoYOU。Stayouttharwhereyeare,tillIcometoye。Ifyouhearmesingin’
again,you’llknowhe’scomeback,andye’dbetterscootwithwhatyou’vealreadygot,andbethankful。\"
Sheshutthedooragainandlockedit,wentintothedining—room,returnedwithsomeprovisionswrappedinpaper,tookacommonwickerflaskfromthewall,passedintoherbrother’sbedroom,andcameoutwithaflannelshirt,overalls,andacoarseIndianblanket,and,reopeningthedoor,placedthembeforetheastonishedanddelightedvagabond。Hiseyeglistened;hebegan,\"GlorybetoGod,\"butforoncehishabitualextravagancefailedhim。Naturetriumphedwithamoreeloquentsilenceoverhiswell—wornart。Hehurriedlywipedhisbegrimedfaceandeyeswiththeshirtshehadgivenhim,andcatchingthesleeveofherroughpea—jacketinhisdirtyhand,raisedittohislips。
\"Go!\"shesaidimperiously。\"Getawaywhileyoucan。\"
\"Avitvasmelastwords——it’sspeechlessoiam,\"hestammered,anddisappearedovertherailing。
Sheremainedforamomentholdingthedoorhalfopen,andgazingintothedarknessthatseemedtoflowinlikeatide。Thensheshutit,andgoingintoherbedroomresumedherinterruptedtoilette。Whensheemergedagainshewassmartlystockingedandslippered,andeventhebluesergeskirtwasexchangedforabrightprint,withawhitefichutiedaroundherthroat。AnattempttosubdueherrebelliouscurlshadresultedintheconstructionfromtheirruinsofalowNormanarchacrossherforeheadwithpillaredabutmentsofringlets。Whenherbrotherreturnedafewmomentslatershedidnotlookup,butremained,perhapsalittleostentatiously,bendingoverthefire。
\"BoballowedthattheFortboatwashuntin’MEN——deserters,I
reckon,\"saidJimaggrievedly。\"WantedmetobelievethatheSAW
oneontheMarshhidin’。On’yanInjinlie,Ireckon,togitalittleextrafire—water,fortotingmeouttothebreshonafool’serrand。\"
\"Oh,THAT’Swhereyouwent!\"saidMaggie,addressingthefire。
\"SincewhenhevyoutukpartnershipwiththeGuv’nmentandKernelPrestontohuntupandtakekeeroftheirproperty?\"
\"Well,Iain’tgoin’tohevsuchwreckageastheypickupandenlistsetadriftonourmarshes,Mag,\"saidJimdecidedly。
\"Whatwouldyouhevdonehadyouketchedhim?\"saidMaggie,lookingsuddenlyintoherbrother’sface。
\"Givenhimadoseofsnipe—shotthathe’dremember,andbethankfulitwasn’tslugs,\"saidJimpromptly。Observingadeeperseriousnessinherattitude,headded,\"Why,ifitwasinwar—timehe’dgetaBALLfromthemsodgersonsight。\"
\"Yes;butYOUain’tgotnocalltointerfere,\"saidMaggie。
\"Ain’tI?Why,he’snobetterthananoutlaw。Iain’tsurethathehasn’tbeenstealin’orkillin’somebodyovertheer。\"
\"Notthatman!\"saidMaggieimpulsively。
\"Notwhatman?\"saidherbrother,facingherquickly。
\"Why,\"returnedMaggie,repairingherindiscretionwithfemininedexterity,\"notANYmanwhomighthaveknockedyouandmeoveronthemarshesinthedusk,andgrabbedourguns。\"
\"Wishhe’dhevtriedit,\"saidthebrother,withasuperiorsmile,butaquicklyrisingcolor。\"Whered’yesupposeI’Dhevbeenallthewhile?\"
Maggiesawhermistake,andforthefirsttimeinherliferesolvedtokeepasecretfromherbrother——overnight。\"Supper’sgettin’
cold,\"shesaid,rising。
Theywentintothedining—room——anapartmentasplainlyfurnishedastheonetheyhadquitted,butinitsshelves,cupboards,andcloselyfittingboardingbearingoutthegeneralnauticalsuggestionofthehouse——andseatedthemselvesbeforeasmalltableonwhichtheirfrugalmealwasspread。Inthistete—a—tetepositionJimsuddenlylaiddownhisknifeandforkandstaredathissister。
\"Hello!\"
\"What’sthematter?\"saidMaggie,startingslightly。\"Howyoudoskeerone。\"
\"Who’sbeenprinkin’,eh?\"
\"Myha’rwasinkinksallalongo’thathat,\"saidMaggie,withareturnofhighercolor,\"andIhadtostraightenit。It’saboy’shat,notagirl’s。\"
Butthatnecktieandthatgown——andallthosefrillsandtuckers?\"
continuedJimgeneralizing,witharapidtwirlingofhisfingersoverher。\"Areyouexpectin’JudgeMartin,ortheExpressmanthisevening?\"
JudgeMartinwasthelawyerofLogport,whohadprovenherfather’swill,andhadsinceravedabouthissingleinterviewwiththeKingfisher’sbeautifuldaughter;theExpressmanwasayoungfellowwhowaspopularlysupposedtohavelefthisheartwhiledeliveringanothervaluablepackageonMaggieinperson,andhad\"neverbeenthesamemansince。\"Itwasawell—wornfraternalpleasantrythathaddonedutymanyawinter’sevening,asahappycombinationofmoraladmonitionandcheerfulness。Maggieusuallypaiditthetributeofaquicklittlelaughandasisterlypinch,butthateveningthosemarksofapprobationwerewithheld。
\"Jimdear,\"saidshe,whentheirSpartanrepastwasconcludedandtheywerereestablishedbeforetheliving—roomfire。\"WhatwasittheRedwoodMillKempanyofferedyouforthatpiecenearDeadMan’sSlough?\"
Jimtookhispipefromhislipslongenoughtosay,\"Tenthousanddollars,\"andputitbackagain。
\"Andwhatdoyekalkilateallourproperty,lettingalonethisyerhouse,andthedriftwoodfront,isworthalltogether?\"
\"Includin’wottheGov’nmentowesus?——forthat’sallours,yeknow?\"saidJimquickly。
\"No——leavin’thatout——jestforgreens,youknow,\"suggestedMaggie。
\"Wellnighonterahundredandseventy—fivethousanddollars,I
reckon,byandlarge。\"
\"That’saheapo’money,Jim!IreckonoldKernelPrestonwouldn’traisethatinahundredyears,\"continuedMaggie,warmingherkneesbythefire。
\"Infivemillionyears,\"saidJim,promptlysweepingawayfurtherdiscussion。Afterapauseheadded,\"Youandme,Mag,kinseeanybody’spile,andgo’emfiftythousandbetter。\"
Therewereafewmomentsofcompletesilence,inwhichMaggiesmoothedherknees,andJim’spipe,whichseemedtohavebecomegorgedandapoplecticwithitsowner’swealth,snoredunctuously。
\"Jimdear,whatif——it’son’yanideaofmine,youknow——whatifyousoldthatpiecetotheRedwoodMill,andwejesttukthatmoneyand——and——andjestliftedtheha’rofferthemfolksatLogport?
Jestastonished’em!Jesttukthebestroomsinthatnewhotel,gotahossandbuggy,dressedourselves,youandme,fittokill,andmadethemFortpeopletakeabackseatintheLord’sTabernacle,oncetforall。YouseewhatImean,Jim,\"shesaidhastily,asherbrotherseemedtobesuccumbing,likehispipe,inapoplecticastonishment,\"jeston’ytoSHOW’emwhatweCOULDdoifwekeerd。Lord!whenwedoneitandspentthemoneywe’djestsnapourfingersandskipbackyereznat’ralezlife!Yedon’tthink,Jim,\"shesaid,suddenlyturninghalffiercelyuponhim,\"thatI’dallowtoLIVEamong’em——tostayamenetafterthat!\"
Jimlaiddownhispipeandgazedathissisterwithstonydeliberation。\"And——what——do——you——kalkilate——tomakebyallthat?\"hesaidwithscornfuldistinctness。
\"Why,jesttoshow’emweHAVEgotmoney,andcouldbuy’emallupifwewantedto,\"returnedMaggie,stickingboldlytoherguns,albeitwithavagueconvictionthatherfirewasweakenedthroughelevation,andsomewhatalarmedatthedeliberationoftheenemy。
\"Andyoumeantosaytheydon’tknowitnow,\"hecontinuedwithslowderision。
\"No,\"saidMaggie。\"Why,theer’sthatnewschool—marmoveratLogport,youknow,Jim,theonethatwantedtotakeyourpicterinyourboatforayoungsmugglerorfancypirateorEyetalianfisherman,andallowedthatyou’rhandsomedsome,andofferedtopayyouforsittin’——doyoureckonSHE’Dbelieveyouownedthelandherschoolhousewasbuilton。No!Lotsof’emdon’t。Lotsof’emthinkswe’repoorandlowdown——andthemezdoesn’t,thinks\"——
\"What?\"askedherbrothersharply。
\"Thatwe’reMEAN。\"
ThequickcolorcametoJim’scheek。\"So,\"hesaid,facingherquickly,\"forthesakeofalotofriff—raffandscumthat’sdriftedherearoundus——jestforthesakeofcuttin’aswellbeforethem——you’llgooutamongthehoundsezallowedyourmotherwasaSpanishniggerorakanaka,ezcalledyourfatherapirateandlandgrabber,ezmuchasallowedhewasshotbysomeoneorkilledhimselfapurpose,ezsaidyouwasaheathenandalooneybecauseyoudidn’tgotoschoolorchurchalongwiththeirtrash,ezkeptawayfromMaw’ssicknessezifitwassmallpox,andDad’sfun’ralezifhewasahoss—thief,andleftyouandmetowatchhiscoffinonthemarshesallnighttillthetidekemback。Andnowyou——YOU
thatjinedhandswithmethatnightoverourfatherlyin’therecoldanddespised——ezifhewasadeaddogthrownupbythetide——
andsworethatezlongezthattideebbedandfloweditcouldn’tbringyoutothem,orthemtoyouagin!Younowwant——what?What?
Why,togoandcastyourlotamong’em,andliveamong’em,andjoinintheirGod—forsakenhollerfoolishness,and——and——and\"——
\"Stop!It’salie!IDIDN’Tsaythat。Don’tyoudaretosayit!\"
saidthegirl,springingtoherfeet,andfacingherbrotherinturn,withflashingeyes。
Foramomentthetwostaredateachother——itmighthavebeenasinamirror,soperfectlyweretheirpassionsreflectedineachline,shade,andcoloroftheother’sface。Itwasasiftheyhadeachconfrontedtheirownpassionateandwillfulsouls,andwerefrightened。Ithadoftenoccurredbefore,alwayswiththesameinvariableending。Theyoungman’seyesloweredfirst;thegirl’sfilledwithtears。
\"Well,efyedidn’tmeanthat,whatdidyemean?\"saidJim,sinking,withsullenapology,backintohischair。
\"I——only——meantit——for——for——revenge!\"sobbedMaggie。
\"Oh!\"saidJim,asifallowinghishighernaturetobetouchedbythisnobleinstinct。\"ButIdidn’tjestseewheretherevengekemin。\"
\"No?But,nevermindnow,Jim,\"saidMaggie,ostentatiouslyignoring,afterthefashionofhersex,thetroubleshehadprovoked;\"buttothink——that——that——youthought\"——(sobbing)。
\"ButIdidn’t,Mag\"——(caressingly)。
Withthisveryvagueandimpotentconclusion,Maggiepermittedherselftobedrawnbesideherbrother,andforafewmomentstheyplumedeachother’sruffledfeathers,andsmoothedeachother’sliftedcrests,liketwobeautifulyoungspecimensofthathalcyongenustowhichtheywerepopularlysupposedtobelong。AttheendofhalfanhourJimrose,and,yawningslightly,saidinaperfunctoryway:
\"Where’sthebook?\"
ThebookinquestionwastheBible。Ithadbeentheself—imposedcustomofthesetwoyoungpeopletoreadaloudachaptereverynightastheironevagueformulaofliteraryandreligiousdiscipline。Whenitwasproduced,Maggie,presumingonhisaffectionateandpenitentialcondition,suggestedthatto—nightheshouldpickout\"suthin’interestin’。\"ButthisunorthodoxfrivolitywassternlyputasidebyJim——albeit,bywayofcompromise,heagreedto\"chanceit,\"i。e。,openitspagesatrandom。
Hedidso。Generallyheallowedhimselfamoment’sjudiciouspauseforacertainchastepreliminaryinspectionnecessarybeforereadingaloudtoagirl。To—nightheomittedthatmodestprecaution,andinapleasantvoice,whichinreadingwassingularlyfreefromcolloquialinfelicitiesofpronunciation,beganatonce:
\"’CurseyeMeroz,saidtheangeloftheLord,curseyebitterlytheinhabitantsthereof;becausetheycamenottothehelpoftheLord,tothehelpoftheLordagainstthemighty。’\"
\"Oh,youlookedfirst,\"saidMaggie。
\"Ididn’tnow——honestInjin!Ijustopened。\"
\"Goon,\"saidMaggie,eagerlyshovinghimandinterposingherneckoverhisshoulder。
AndJimcontinuedDeborah’swonderfulsongofJaelandSiseratothebitterendofitsstrongmonosyllabicclimax。
\"There,\"hesaid,closingthevolume,\"that’swhatIcallrevenge。
That’stherealScripturething——nofancyfrillstheer。\"
\"Yes;but,Jimdear,don’tyouseethatshetreatedhimfirst——
sortergotroundhimwithfreemilkandbutter,andreg’larlyblandishedhim,\"arguedMaggieearnestly。
ButJimdeclinedtoacceptthisfemininesuggestion,ortopursuethesubjectfurther,andafterafraternalembracetheyseparatedforthenight。Jimlingeredlongenoughtolookafterthefasteningofthedoorandwindows,andMaggieremainedforsomemomentsathercasement,lookingacrossthegallerytotheMarshbeyond。
Themoonhadrisen,thetidewashalfup。Whateversignortraceofalienfootprintoroccupationhadbeentherewasalreadysmoothlyobliterated;eventheconfigurationofthelandhadchanged。Ablackcapehaddisappeared,alevellineofshorehadbeeneatenintobyteethofglisteningsilver。ThewholedarksurfaceoftheMarshwasbeginningtobestreakedwithshiningveinsasifanewlifewascoursingthroughit。PartoftheopenbaybeforetheFort,encroachingupontheshore,seemedinthemoonlighttobereachingawhiteandoutstretchedarmtowardsthenestoftheKingfisher。
III。
ThereveilleatFortRedwoodhadbeensupplementedfullfiveminutesbythevoiceofLieutenantGeorgeCalvert’sservant,beforethatyoungofficerstruggledfromhisbed。Hisheadwassplitting,histongueandlipsweredryandfeverish,hisbloodshoteyeswereshrinkingfromtheinsufferablelightoftheday,hismindaconfusedmedleyofthepastnightandthepresentmorning,ofcardsandwildrevelry,andthevisionofareproachfullytrimorderlystandingathisdoorwithreportsandorderswhichhenowheldcomposedlyinhishand。ForLieutenantCalverthadbeenenjoyingasymposiumvariouslyknownas\"StagFeed\"and\"AWildStormyNight\"
withseveralofhisbrotherofficers,andasickeningconvictionthatitwasnotthefirstorthelasttimehehadindulgedinthesefestivities。Atthatmomentheloathedhimself,andthenaftertheusualderelictfashioncursedthefatethathadsenthim,aftergraduating,toafrontiergarrison——thedullmonotonyofwhosedutiesmadetheBorderhorse—playofdissipationarelief。Alreadyhehadreachedthemiserablepointofenvyingtheveterancapacitiesofhissuperiorsandequals。\"IfIcoulddrinklikeKirbyorCrowninshield,oriftherewasanyothercursedthingamancoulddointhishole,\"hehadwretchedlyrepeatedtohimself,aftereachmisspentoccasion,andyetalreadyhewaslookingforwardtothemaspartofa’sub’s’dutyandworthyhisemulation。
AlreadythedreamofsocialrecreationfosteredbyWestPointhadbeenrudelydispelled。BeyondthegarrisoncircleofColonelPreston’sfamilyandtwoofficers’wives,therewasnosociety。
ThevaguedistrustandciviljealousywithwhichsomefrontiercommunitiesregardtheFederalpower,heightenedinthisinstancebytheuncompromisingattitudetheGovernmenthadtakentowardsthesettlers’severeIndianpolicy,hadkeptthepeopleofLogportalooffromtheFort。TheregimentalbandmightpipetothemonSaturdays,buttheywouldnotdance。
Howbeit,LieutenantCalvertdressedhimselfwithuncertainhandsbutmechanicalregularityandneatness,and,undertheautomatictrainingofdisciplineandduty,managedtobuttonhistunictightlyoverhisfeelings,topullhimselftogetherwithhissword—
belt,compressingastillcadet—likewaist,andtopresentthatindescribablecombinationofprecisionandjauntinesswhichhisbrotherofficerstoooftenallowedtolapseintofrontiercarelessness。Hiscloselyclippedlighthair,yetdrippingfromaplungeinthecoldwater,hadbeenbrushedandpartedwithmilitaryexactitude,andwhensurmountedbyhiscap,withthepeakinanartfulsuggestionofextrasmartnesstippedforwardoverhiseyes,onlyhispaleface——ashadelighterthanhislittleblondemoustache——showedhislastnight’sexcesses。Hewasmechanicallyreachingforhisswordandstaringconfusedlyatthepapersonhistablewhenhisservantinterrupted:
\"MajorBromleyarrangedthatLieutenantKirbytakesyoursashthismorning,asyou’renotwell,sir;andyou’retoreportforspecialtothecolonel,\"headded,pointingdiscreetlytotheenvelope。
Touchedbythisconsiderationofhissuperior,MajorBromley,whohadbeenoneoftheveteransoflastnight’sengagement,Calvertmasteredthecontentsoftheenvelopewithoutthecustomaryanathemaofspecials,said,\"Thankyou,Parks,\"andpassedoutontheveranda。
Theglareofthequietsunlitquadrangle,cleanasawell—sweptfloor,thewhitewashedwallsandgalleriesofthebarrackbuildingsbeyond,thewhiteandgreenpalisadeofofficers’cottagesoneitherside,andtheglitterofasentry’sbayonet,wereforamomentintolerabletohim。Yet,byakindofsubtleirony,neverbeforehadthegeniusandspiritofthevocationhehadchosenseemedtobeasincarnateasinthescenebeforehim。Seclusion,self—restraint,cleanliness,regularity,sobriety,theatmosphereofawholesomelife,theausterereserveofamonasterywithoutitsmysteriousorpensivemeditation,wereallthere。Toescapewhich,hehadofhisownfreewillsuccessivelyacceptedafool’sdistraction,theinevitableresultofwhichwas,theviewingofthemthenextmorningwithtremulousnervesandachingeyeballs。
Anhourlater,LieutenantGeorgeCalverthadreceivedhisfinalinstructionsfromColonelPrestontotakechargeofasmalldetachmenttorecoverandbringbackcertaindeserters,butnotablyone,DennisM’CaffreyofCompanyH,chargedadditionallywithmutinoussolicitationandexample。AsCalvertstoodbeforehissuperior,thatdistinguishedofficer,whoseoratoricalpowershadbeenconsiderablystimulatedthroughalongcourseof\"returningthanksfortheArmy,\"slightlyexpandedhischestandsaidpaternally:
\"Iamaware,Mr。Calvert,thatdutiesofthiskindaresomewhatdistastefultoyoungofficers,andareapttobeconsideredinthelightofpolicedetail;butImustremindyouthatnoonepartofasoldier’sdutycanbeheldmoreimportantorhonorablethananother,andthatthefulfilmentofanyone,howevertrifling,must,withhonortohimselfandsecuritytohiscomrades,receivehisfullestdevotion。Asergeantandafileofmenmightperformyourduty,butIrequire,inaddition,thediscretion,courtesy,andconsiderationofagentlemanwhowillcommandanequalrespectfromthosewithwhomhisdutybringshimincontact。Theunhappyprejudiceswhichthesettlersshowtothemilitaryauthorityhererenderthis,asyouareaware,adifficultservice,butIbelievethatyouwill,withoutforgettingtherespectduetoyourselfandtheGovernmentyourepresent,avoidarousingtheseprejudicesbyanyharshness,orinvitinganyconflictwiththecivilauthority。
Thelimitsoftheirauthorityyouwillfindinyourwritteninstructions;butyoumightgaintheirconfidence,andimpressthem,Mr。Calvert,withtheideaofyourbeingtheirAUXILIARYintheinterestsofjustice——youunderstand。Evenifyouareunsuccessfulinbringingbackthemen,youwilldoyourbesttoascertainiftheirescapehasbeenduetothesympathyofthesettlers,orevenwiththeirpreliminaryconnivance。Theymaynotbeawarethatincitingenlistedmentodesertisacriminaloffence;youwilluseyourowndiscretionininformingthemofthefactornot,asoccasionmayserveyou。Ihaveonlytoadd,thatwhileyouareonthewatersofthisbayandthelandcoveredbyitstides,youhavenooppositionofauthority,andareresponsibletonoonebutyourmilitarysuperiors。Good—bye,Mr。Calvert。Letmehearagoodaccountofyou。\"
ConsiderablymovedbyColonelPreston’smanner,whichwasaspaternalandrealashisrhetoricwassomewhatperfunctory,Calverthalfforgothiswoesashesteppedfromthecommandant’spiazza。
Buthehadtofaceagroupofhisbrotherofficers,whowereawaitinghim。
\"Good—bye,Calvert,\"saidMajorBromley;\"adayortwooutongrasswon’thurtyou——andachangefromcommissarywhiskeywillputyouallright。Bytheway,ifyouhearofanybetterstuffatWestportthanthey’regivingushere,sampleitandletusknow。Takecareofyourself。Giveyourmenachancetotalktoyounowandthen,andyoumaygetsomethingfromthem,especiallyDonovan。KeepyoureyeonRamon。Youcantrustyoursergeantstraightalong。\"
\"Good—bye,George,\"saidKirby。\"Isupposetheoldmantoldyouthat,althoughnopartofasoldier’sdutywasbetterthananother,yourservicewasaverydelicateone,justfittedforyou,eh?Healwaysdoeswhenhe’scutoutsomehellishscrub—workforachap。
Andtoldyou,too,thataslongasyoudidn’tgoashore,andkepttoadispatch—boat,oraneight—oaredgig,whereyoucouldn’tdeployyourmen,ordressaline,you’dbeinvincible。\"
\"Hedidsaysomethinglikethat,\"smiledCalvert,withanuneasyrecollection,however,thatitwasTHEpartofhissuperior’sspeechthatparticularlyimpressedhim。
\"Ofcourse,\"saidKirbygravely,\"THAT,asaninfantryofficer,isclearlyyourduty。\"
\"Anddon’tforget,George,\"saidRollinsstillmoregravely,\"that,whatevermaybefallyou,youbelongtoasectionofthatnumericallysmallbutpowerfullydiversifiedorganization——theAmericanArmy。Rememberthatinthehourofperilyoucanaddressyourmeninanylanguage,andbeperfectlyunderstood。Andrememberthatwhenyouproudlystandbeforethem,theeyesnotonlyofyourowncountry,butofnearlyalltheothers,areuponyou!
Good—bye,Georgey。Iheardthemajorhintsomethingaboutwhiskey。
Theysaythatoldpirate,KingfisherCulpepper,hadastockoftherealthingfromRobertsonCountylaidinhisshebangontheMarshjustbeforehedied。Pitywearen’tontermswiththem,forthecubscannotdrinkit,andmightbeinducedtosell。Shouldn’twonder,bytheway,ifyourfriendM’Caffreywashangingroundsomewherethere;healwayshadakeenscent。Youmightconfiscateitasan\"incitementtodesertion,\"youknow。Thegirl’spretty,andoughttobegrowingupnow。\"
Buthaplyatthispointthesergeantstoppedfurtherraillerybyreportingthedetachmentready;anddrawinghissword,Calvert,withaconfusedhead,aremorsefulheart,butanunfalteringstep,marchedoffhismenonhisdelicatemission。
Itwasfouro’clockwhenheenteredJonesville。Followingamatter—of—factideaofhisown,hehadbroughthismenthegreaterdistancebyacircuitousroutethroughthewoods,thusavoidingtheostentatiousexposureofhispartyontheopenbayinawell—mannedboattoanextendedviewfromthethreeleaguesofshoreandmarshopposite。Crossingthestream,whichhereseparatedhimfromtheDedlowMarshbythecommonferry,hehadthusbeenenabledtohaltunperceivedbelowthesettlementandoccupythetworoadsbywhichthefugitivescouldescapeinland。Hehaddeemeditnotimpossiblethat,afterthepreviousvisitofthesergeant,thedesertershiddeninthevicinitymightreturntoJonesvilleinthebeliefthatthevisitwouldnotberepeatedsosoon。Leavingapartofhissmallforcetopatroltheroadandanothertodeployovertheuplandmeadows,heenteredthevillage。Bytheexerciseofsomeboyishdiplomacyandacertainprepossessinggrace,whichheknewwhenandhowtoemploy,hebecamesatisfiedthattheobjectsofhisquestwerenotTHERE——however,theirwhereaboutsmighthavebeenknowntothepeople。Dividinghispartyagain,heconcludedtotakeacorporalandafewmenandexplorethelowermarsheshimself。
Thepreoccupationofduty,exercise,andperhaps,aboveall,thekeenstimulusoftheiodine—ladensaltairseemedtoclearhismindandinvigoratehisbody。HehadneverbeenintheMarshbefore,andenjoyeditsnoveltywiththezestofyouth。Itwasthehourwhenthetideofitsfeatheredlifewasatitsflood。Cloudsofduckandtealpassingfromthefreshwateroftherivertothesaltpoolsofthemarshesperpetuallyswepthispathwithflyingshadows;attimesitseemedasifeventheuncertaingroundaroundhimitselfaroseandspedawayonduskywings。Thevicinityofhiddenpoolsandsloughswasbetrayedbystartledsplashings;afewpacesfromtheirmarchingfeetarosethesunlitpinionsofaswan。
Theairwasfilledwithmultitudinoussmallcriesandpipings。Inthisvocalconfusionitwassomeminutesbeforeherecognizedthevoiceofoneofhisout—flankerscallingtotheother。
Animportantdiscoveryhadbeenmade。InalongtongueofbushesthatrandowntotheMarshtheyhadfoundamud—staineduniform,completeeventothecap,bearingtheinitialofthedeserter’scompany。
\"Isthereanyhutorcabinhereabouts,Schmidt?\"askedCalvert。
\"Dotvosschoostit,Lefdennun,\"repliedhiscorporal。\"DotvosdeshantyfromderKingvisher——oldGulbebber。Ipetadollar,pyshimminy,dotdermenhafdergekommt。\"
Hepointedthroughthebraketoalong,lowbuildingthatnowraiseditself,whiteinthesunlight,abovethemanyblackenedpiles。Calvertsawinasinglereconnoitringglancethatithadbutoneapproach——theflightofstepsfromtheMarsh。Instructinghismentofallinontheouteredgeofthebrakeandawaithisorders,hequicklymadehiswayacrossthespaceandascendedthesteps。Passingalongthegalleryheknockedatthefrontdoor。
Therewasnoresponse。Herepeatedhisknock。Thenthewindowbesideitopenedsuddenly,andhewasconfrontedwiththedouble—
muzzleofalongducking—gun。Glancinginstinctivelyalongthebarrels,hesawattheirotherextremitythebrighteyes,brilliantcolor,andsmallsetmouthofaremarkablyhandsomegirl。Itwasthefact,andtothecreditofhistraining,thathepaidmoreattentiontotheeyesthantothechallengeoftheshiningtubesbeforehim。
\"Jeststopwhereyouare——willyou!\"saidthegirldeterminedly。
Calvert’sfacebetrayednottheslightestterrororsurprise。
Immovableasonparade,hecarriedhiswhiteglovedhandtohiscap,andsaidgently,\"Withpleasure。\"
\"Ohyes,\"saidthegirlquickly;\"butifyoumoveastepI’lljestblowyouandyourglovesofferthatrailin’intertheMarsh。\"
\"Itrustnot,\"returnedCalvert,smiling。
\"Andwhy?\"
\"Becauseitwoulddeprivemeofthepleasureofafewmoments’
conversationwithyou——andI’veonlyonepairofgloveswithme。\"
Hewasstillwatchingherbeautifuleyes——respectfully,admiringly,andstrategically。ForhewasquiteconvincedthatifheDIDmoveshewouldcertainlydischargeoneorbothbarrelsathim。
\"Where’stherestofyou?\"shecontinuedsharply。
\"Aboutthreehundredyardsaway,inthecovert,notnearenoughtotroubleyou。\"
\"Willtheycomehere?\"
\"Itrustnot。\"
\"Youtrustnot?\"sherepeatedscornfully。\"Why?
\"Becausetheywouldbedisobeyingorders。\"
Sheloweredhergunslightly,butkeptherblackbrowslevelledathim。\"IreckonI’mamatchforYOU,\"shesaid,withaslightlycontemptuousglanceathisslightfigure,andopenedthedoor。Foramomenttheystoodlookingateachother。Hesaw,besidesthehandsomefaceandeyesthathadcharmedhim,atallslimfigure,madebroaderacrosstheshouldersbyanopenpea—jacketthatshowedaman’sredflannelshirtbeltedatthewaistoverablueskirt,withthecollarknottedbyasailor’sblackhandkerchief,andturnedbackoveraprettythoughsunburntthroat。Shesawaratherundersizedyoungfellowinajauntyundressuniform,scantofgoldbraid,andbearingonlythesinglegoldshoulder—barsofhisrank,butscrupulouslyneatandwellfitting。Light—coloredhaircroppedclose,thesmallestoflightmoustaches,clearandpenetratingblueeyes,andafewfrecklescompletedapicturethatdidnotprepossessher。Shewasthereforethemoreinclinedtoresenttheperfecteaseandself—possessionwithwhichthestrangercarriedoffthesemanifestdefectsbeforeher。
Shelaidasidethegun,putherhandsdeepinthepocketsofherpea—jacket,and,slightlysquaringhershoulders,saidcurtly,\"Whatdoyouwant?\"
\"Averylittleinformation,whichItrustitwillnottroubleyoutogiveme。MymenhavejustdiscoveredtheuniformbelongingtoadeserterfromtheFortlyinginthebushesyonder。Canyougivemetheslightestideahowitcamethere?\"
\"Whatrighthaveyoutrapseingoverourproperty?\"shesaid,turninguponhimsharply,withaslightpalingofcolor。
\"Nonewhatever。\"
\"Thenwhatdidyoucomefor?\"
\"Toaskthatpermission,incaseyouwouldgivemenoinformation。\"
\"Whydon’tyouaskmybrother,andnotawoman?Wereyouafraid?\"
\"Hecouldhardlyhavedonemethehonorofplacingmeinmoreperilthanyouhave,\"returnedCalvert,smiling。\"ThenIhavethepleasureofaddressingMissCulpepper?\"
\"I’mJimCulpepper’ssister。\"
\"And,Ibelieve,equallyabletogiveorrefusethepermissionI
ask。\"
\"AndwhatifIrefuse?\"
\"ThenIhaveonlytoaskpardonforhavingtroubledyou,goback,andreturnherewiththetide。Youdon’tresistTHATwithashot—
gun,doyou?\"heaskedpleasantly。
MaggieCulpepperwasalreadyfamiliarwiththeacceptedtheoryofthesupremejurisdictionoftheFederalSea。Shehalfturnedherbackuponhim,partlytoshowhercontempt,butpartlytoevadethedominationofhisclear,good—humored,andself—sustainedlittleeyes。
\"Idon’tknowanythin’aboutyourdeserters,norwhatragso’
theirshappentobefloateduphere,\"shesaid,angrily,\"anddon’tcareto。Youkindowhatyoulike。\"
\"ThenI’mafraidIshouldremainherealittlelonger,MissCulpepper;butmyduty\"——
\"Yourwot?\"sheinterrupted,disdainfully。
\"IsupposeIAMtalkingshop,\"hesaidsmilingly。\"Thenmybusiness\"——
\"Yourbusiness——pickin’uphalf—starvedrunaways!\"
\"And,Itrust,sometimesakindfriend,\"hesuggested,withagravebow。
\"YouTRUST?Lookyer,youngman,shesaid,withherquick,fierce,littlelaugh,\"IreckonyouTRUSTaheaptoomuch!\"Shewouldliketohaveadded,\"withyourfreckledface,redhair,andlittleeyes\"——butthiswouldhaveobligedhertofacethemagain,whichshedidnotcaretodo。
Calvertsteppedback,liftedhishandtohiscap,stillpleasantly,andthenwalkedgravelyalongthegallery,downthesteps,andtowardsthecover。Fromherwindow,unseen,shefollowedhisneatlittlefiguremovingundeviatinglyon,withoutlookingtotheleftorright,andstilllesstowardsthehousehehadjustquitted。
Thenshesawthesunlightflashoncross—beltplatesandsteelbarrels,andalightbluelineissuedfromoutthedarkgreenbushes,roundthepoint,anddisappeared。Andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtoherwhatshehadbeendoing!This,then,washerfirststeptowardsthatfancyshehadsolatelyconceived,quarrelledoverwithherbrother,andlayawakelastnighttoplaceanew,inspiteofallopposition!ThiswasherbrilliantideaofdazzlingandsubduingLogportandtheFort!Hadshegrownsilly,orwhathadhappened?Couldshehavedreamedofthecomingofthiswhipper—snapper,withhisinsufferableairs,afterthatbeggarlydeserter?IamafraidthatforafewmomentsthemiserablefugitivehadassmallaplaceinMaggie’ssympathyastheredoubtablewhipper—snapperhimself。Andnowthecherisheddreamoftriumphandconquestwasover!Whata\"looney\"shehadbeen!
Insteadofinvitinghimin,andoutdoinghimin\"companymanners,\"
and\"fooling\"himaboutthedeserter,andthenblazinguponhimafterwardsatLogportinthegloryofherfirstspentwealthandfinery,shehaddrivenhimaway!
Andnow\"he’llgoandtell——telltheFortgirlsofhishairbreadthescapefromtheclawsoftheKingfisher’sdaughter!\"
Thethoughtbroughtafewbittertearstohereyes,butshewipedthemaway。ThethoughtbroughtalsotheterribleconvictionthatJimwasright,thattherecouldbenothingbutopenantagonismbetweenthemandthetraducersoftheirparents,assheherselfhadinstinctivelyshown!Butshepresentlywipedthatconvictionawayalso,asshehadhertears。
HalfanhourlatershewasattractedbytheappearancefromthewindowsofcertainstragglingbluespotsontheuplandthatseemedmovingdiagonallytowardstheMarsh。ShedidnotknowthatitwasCalvert’ssecond\"detail\"joininghim,butbelievedforamomentthathehadnotyetdeparted,andwasstrangelyrelieved。Stilllaterthefrequentdisturbedcriesofcoot,heron,andmarsh—hen,recognizingthepresenceofunusualinvadersoftheirsolitude,distractedheryetmore,andforcedheratlastwithincreasingcolorandanuneasysenseofshynesstostealouttothegalleryforaswiftfurtivesurveyoftheMarsh。Butanutterlyunexpectedsightmethereyes,andkepthermotionless。
Thebirdswererisingeverywhereanddriftingawaywithquerulousperturbationbeforeasmallbutaugmentedbluedetachmentthatwasmovingwithmonotonousregularitytowardsthepointofbusheswhereshehadseentheyoungofficerpreviouslydisappear。Intheirmidst,betweentwosoldierswithfixedbayonets,marchedthemanwhomevenatthatdistancesheinstantlyrecognizedasthedeserteroftheprecedingnight,intheveryclothesshehadgivenhim。Tocompleteherconsternation,alittletotherightmarchedtheyoungofficeralso,butaccompaniedby,andapparentlyonthemostamicabletermswith,Jim——herownbrother!
Toforgetallelseanddartdownthesteps,flyingtowardsthepointofbushes,scarcelyknowingwhyorwhatshewasdoing,wastoMaggietheimpulseandworkofamoment。Whenshehadreacheditthepartywerenottwentypacesaway。Buthereashynessandhesitationagainseizedher,andsheshrankbackinthebusheswithaninstinctivecrytoherbrotherinarticulateuponherlips。Theycamenearer,theywereoppositetoher;herbrotherJimkeepingstepwiththeinvader,andevenconversingwithhimwithananimationshehadseldomseenuponhisface——theypassed!Shehadbeenunnoticedexceptbyone。Therovingeyeofthedeserterhaddetectedherhandsomefaceamongtheleaves,slightlyturnedtowardsit,andpouredouthiswholesoulinasingleswiftwinkofeloquentbutindescribableconfidence。