The start, the exclamation, and the tremor that succeeded all denoted the extent of this man"s surprise. It was some little time, even, before he could recover from his alarm, and then he let himself be known by his answer.
"Ma.s.sy!" exclaimed Joel Strides, who ordinarily gave this doric sound to the word "mercy"--"Ma.s.sy, captain, is it _you!_ I should as soon thought of seeing a ghost! What in natur" has brought you out of the stockade, sir?"
"I think that is a question I might better ask you, Mr. Strides. My orders were to keep the gate close, and for no one to quit the court- yard even, until sent on post, or called by an alarm."
"True, sir--quite true--true as gospel. But let us moderate a little, captain, and speak lower; for the Lord only knows who"s in our neighbourhood. Who"s that with you, sir?--Not the Rev. Mr. Woods, is it?"
"No matter who is with me. _He_ has the authority of my commands for being here, whoever he may be, while you are here in opposition to them. You know me well enough, Joel, to understand nothing but the simple truth will satisfy me."
"Lord, sir, I am one of them that never wish to tell you anything _but_ truth. The captain has known me now long enough to understand my natur", I should think; so no more need be said about _that._"
"Well, sir--give me the reason--and see that it is given to me without reserve."
"Yes, sir; the captain shall have it. He knows we scrambled out of our houses this afternoon a little onthinkingly, Injin alarms being skeary matters. It was an awful hurrying time! Well, the captain understands, too, we don"t work for him without receiving our wages; and I have been laying up a little, every year, until I"ve sc.r.a.ped together a few hundred dollars, in good half-joes; and I bethought me the money might be in danger, should the savages begin to plunder; and I"ve just came out to look a"ter the money."
"If this be true, as I hope and can easily believe to be the case, you must have the money about you, Joel, to prove it."
The man stretched forth his arm, and let the captain feel a handkerchief, in which, sure enough, there was a goodly quant.i.ty of coin. This gave him credit for truth, and removed all suspicion of his present excursion being made with any sinister intention. The man was questioned as to his mode of pa.s.sing the stockade, when he confessed he had fairly clambered over it, an exploit of no great difficulty from the inside. As the captain had known Joel too long to be ignorant of his love of money, and the offence was very pardonable in itself, he readily forgave the breach of orders. This was the only man in the valley who did not trust his little h.o.a.rd in the iron chest at the Hut; even the miller reposing that much confidence in the proprietor of the estate; but Joel was too conscious of dishonest intentions himself to put any unnecessary faith in others.
All this time, the major kept so far aloof as not to be recognised, though Joel, once or twice, betrayed symptoms of a desire to ascertain who he was. Maud had awakened suspicions that now became active, in both father and son, when circ.u.mstances so unexpectedly and inconveniently threw the man in their way. It was consequently the wish of the former to get rid of his overseer as soon as possible.
Previously to doing this, however, he saw fit to interrogate him a little further.
"Have you seen anything of the Indians since you left the stockade, Strides?" demanded the captain. "We can perceive no other traces of their presence than yonder fires, though we think that some of them must have pa.s.sed this way, for Whiteback"s udder is empty."
"To own the truth, captain, I haven"t. I some think that they"ve left the valley; though the Lord only can tell when they"ll be back ag"in.
Such critturs be beyond calcilation! They outdo arithmetic, nohow. As for the cow, I milked her myself; for being the crittur the captain has given to Phoebe for her little dairy, I thought it might hurt her not to be attended to. The pail stands yonder, under the fence, and the women and children in the Hut may be glad enough to see it in the morning."
This was very characteristic of Joel Strides. He did not hesitate about disobeying orders, or even to risk his life, in order to secure his money; but, determined to come out, he had the forethought and care to bring a pail, in order to supply the wants of those who were now crowded within the stockade, and who were too much accustomed to this particular sort of food, not to suffer from its absence. If we add, that, in the midst of all this prudent attention to the wants of his companions, Joel had an eye to his personal popularity and what are called "ulterior events", and that he selected his own cow for the precise reason given, the reader has certain distinctive traits of the man before him.
"This being the case," returned the captain, a good deal relieved at finding that the savages had not been the agents in this milking affair, since it left the probability of their remaining stationary--"This being the case, Joel, you had better find the pail, and go in. As soon as day dawns, however, I recommend that all the cows be called up to the stockade and milked generally. They are feeding in the lanes, just now, and will come readily, if properly invited. Go, then, but say nothing of having met me, and--"
"Who else did the captain say?" inquired Joel, curiously, observing that the other paused.
"Say nothing of having met us at all, I tell you. It is very important that my movements should be secret."
The two gentlemen now moved on, intending to pa.s.s in front of the cabins which lined this part of the valley, by a lane which would bring them out at the general highway which led from the Knoll to the mill.
The captain marched in front, while his son brought up the rear, at a distance of two or three paces. Each walked slowly and with caution, carrying his rifle in the hollow of his arm, in perfect readiness for service. In this manner both had proceeded a few yards, when Robert Willoughby felt his elbow touched, and saw Joel"s face, within eighteen inches of his own, as the fellow peered under his hat. It was an action so sudden and unexpected, that the major saw, at once, nothing but perfect coolness could avert his discovery.
"Is"t you, Dan"el"--so was the miller named. "What in natur" has brought the old man on this tramp, with the valley filled with Injins?"
whispered Joel, prolonging the speech in order to get a better view of a face and form that still baffled his conjectures. "Let"s know all about it."
"You"ll get me into trouble," answered he major, shaking off his unwelcome neighbour, moving a step further from him, and speaking also in a whisper. "The captain"s bent on a scout, and you know he"ll not bear contradiction. Off with you, then, and don"t forget the milk."
As the major moved away, and seemed determined to baffle him, Joel had no choice between complying and exposing his disobedience of orders to the captain. He disliked doing the last, for his cue was to seem respectful and attached, and he was fain to submit. Never before, however, did Joel Strides suffer a man to slip through his fingers with so much reluctance. He saw that the captain"s companion was not the miller, while the disguise was too complete to enable him to distinguish the person or face. In that day, the different cla.s.ses of society were strongly distinguished from each other, by their ordinary attire; and, accustomed to see major Willoughby only in the dress that belonged to his station, he would not be likely to recognise him in his present guise, had he even known of or suspected his visit. As it was, he was completely at fault; satisfied it was not his friend Daniel, while unable to say who it was.
In this doubting state of mind, Joel actually forgot the savages, and the risks he might run from their proximity. He walked, as it might be mechanically, to the place where he had left the pail, and then proceeded slowly towards the Knoll, pondering at every step on what he had just seen. He and the miller had secret communications with certain active agents of the revolutionists, that put them in possession of facts, notwithstanding their isolated position, with which even their employer was totally unacquainted. It is true, these agents were of that low caste that never fail to attach themselves to all great political enterprises, with a sole view to their own benefit; still, as they were active, cunning and bold, and had the sagacity to make themselves useful, they pa.s.sed in the throng of patriots created by the times, and were enabled to impart to men of similar spirits much available information.
It was through means like these, that Joel knew of the all-important measure of the declaration of independence, while it still remained a secret to captain Willoughby. The hope of confiscations was now active in the bosoms of all this set, and many of them had even selected the portions of property that they intended should be the reward of their own love of freedom and patriotism. It has been said that the English ministry precipitated the American revolution, with a view to share, among their favourites, the estates that it was thought it would bring within the gift of the crown, a motive so heinous as almost to defy credulity, and which may certainly admit of rational doubts. On the other hand, however, it is certain that individuals, who will go down to posterity in company with the many justly ill.u.s.trious names that the events of 1776 have committed to history, were actuated by the most selfish inducements, and, in divers instances, enriched themselves with the wrecks of estates that formerly belonged to their kinsmen or friends. Joel Strides was of too low a cla.s.s to get his name enrolled very high on the list of heroes, nor was he at all ambitious of any such distinction; but he was not so low that he could not and did not aspire to become the owner of the property of the Hutted Knoll. In an ordinary state of society, so high a flight would seem irrational in so low an aspirant; but Joel came of a people who seldom measure their pretensions by their merits, and who imagine that to boldly aspire, more especially in the way of money, is the first great step to success. The much talked of and little understood doctrine of political equality has this error to answer for, in thousands of cases; for nothing can be more hopeless, in the nature of things, than to convince a man of the necessity of possessing qualities of whose existence he has not even a faint perception, ere he may justly pretend to be put on a level with the high-minded, the just, the educated, and the good.
Joel, therefore, saw no other reason than the law, against his becoming the great landlord, as well as captain Willoughby; and could the law be so moulded as to answer his purposes, he had discreetly resolved to care for no other considerations. The thought of the consequences to Mrs. Willoughby and her daughters gave him no concern whatever; they had already possessed the advantages of their situation so long, as to give Phoebe and the miller"s wife a sort of moral claim to succeed them. In a word, Joel, in his yearnings after wealth, had only faintly shadowed forth the modern favourite doctrine of "rotation in office."
The appearance of a stranger in company with captain Willoughby could not fail, therefore, to give rise to many conjectures in the mind of a man whose daily and hourly thoughts were running on these important changes. "Who _can_ it be," thought Joel, as he crawled along the lane, bearing the milk, and lifting one leg after the other, as if lead were fastened to his feet. "Dan"el it is not--nor is it any one that I can consait on, about the Hut. The captain is mightily strengthened by this marriage of his da"ter with colonel Beekman, that"s sartain. The colonel stands wonderful well with our folks, and he "ll not let all this first-rate land, with such capital betterments, go out of the family without an iffort, I conclude--but then I calcilate on _his_ being killed--there must be a disperate lot on "em shot, afore the war"s over, and _he_ is as likely to be among "em as another.
Dan"el thinks the colonel has the look of a short-lived man. Waal; to- morrow will bring about a knowledge of the name of the captain"s companion, and then a body may calcilate with greater sartainty!"
This is but an outline of what pa.s.sed through Joel"s mind as he moved onward. It will serve, however, to let the reader into the secret of his thoughts, as well as into their ordinary train, and is essentially connected with some of the succeeding events of our legend. As the overseer approached the stockade, his ideas were so abstracted that he forgot the risk he ran; but walking carelessly towards the palisades, the dogs barked, and then he was saluted by a shot. This effectually aroused Joel, who called out in his natural voice, and probably saved his life by so doing. The report of the rifle, however, produced an alarm, and by the time the astounded overseer had staggered up to the gate, the men were pouring out from the court, armed, and expecting an a.s.sault. In the midst of this scene of confusion, the chaplain admitted Joel, as much astonished as the man himself, at the whole of the unexpected occurrence.
It is unnecessary to say that many questions were asked. Joel got rid of them, by simply stating that he had gone out to milk a cow, by the captain"s private orders, and that he had forgotten to arrange any signal, by which his return might be known. He ventured to name his employer, because he knew he was not there to contradict him; and Mr.
Woods, being anxious to ascertain if his two friends had been seen, sent the men back to their lairs, without delay, detaining the overseer at the gate for a minute"s private discourse. As the miller obeyed, with the rest, he asked for the pail with an eye to his own children"s comfort; but, on receiving it, he found it empty! The bullet had pa.s.sed through it, and the contents had escaped.
"Did you see any _thing, or person_, Strides?" demanded the chaplain, as soon as the two were alone.
"Lord, Mr. Woods, I met the captain!--The sight on him came over me a"most as cruelly as the shot from the rifle; for I no more expected it than I do to see you rise up to heaven, in your clothes, like Elijah of old. Sure enough, _there_ was the captain, himself, and--and--"
Here Joel sneezed, repeating the word "and" several times, in hopes the chaplain would supply the name he so much wished to hear.
"But you saw no savages?--I know the captain is out, and you will be careful not to mention it, lest it get to Mrs. Willoughby"s ears, and make her uneasy. You saw nothing of the savages?"
"Not a bit--the critturs lie cluss enough, if they haven"t actually tramped. _Who_ did you say was with the captain, Mr. Woods?"
"I said nothing about it--I merely asked after the Indians, who, as you say, do keep themselves very close. Well, Joel, go to your wife, who must be getting anxious about you, and be prudent."
Thus dismissed, the overseer did not dare to hesitate; but he entered the court, still pondering on the late meeting.
As for the two adventurers, they pursued their march in silence. As a matter of course, they heard the report of the rifle, and caught some faint sounds from the alarm that succeeded; but, readily comprehending the cause, they produced no uneasiness; the stillness which succeeded soon satisfying them that all was right. By this time they were within a hundred yards of the flickering fires. The major had kept a strict watch on the shanties at the report of the rifle; but not a living thing was seen moving in their vicinity. This induced him to think the place deserted, and he whispered as much to his father.
"With any other enemy than an Indian", answered the latter, "you might be right enough, Bob; but with these rascals one is never certain. We must advance with a good deal of their own caution."
This was done, and the gentlemen approached the fires in the most guarded manner, keeping the shantees between them and the light. By this time, however, the flames were nearly out, and there was no great difficulty in looking into the nearest shantee, without much exposure.
It was deserted, as proved to be the case with all the others, on further examination. Major Willoughby now moved about on the rock with greater confidence; for, naturally brave, and accustomed to use his faculties with self-command in moments of trial, he drew the just distinctions between real danger and unnecessary alarm; the truest of all tests of courage.
The captain, feeling a husband"s and a father"s responsibility, was a little more guarded; but success soon gave him more confidence, and the spot was thoroughly explored. The two then descended to the mills, which, together with the adjacent cabins, they entered also, and found uninjured and empty. After this, several other suspected points were looked at, until the captain came to the conclusion that the party had retired, for the night at least, if not entirely. Making a circuit, however, he and his son visited the chapel, and one or two dwellings on that side of the valley, when they bent their steps towards the Knoll.
As the gentlemen approached the stockade, the captain gave a loud hem, and clapped his hands. At the signal the gate flew open, and they found themselves in company with their friend the chaplain once more. A few words of explanation told all they had to say, and then the three pa.s.sed into the court, and separated; each taking the direction towards his own room. The major, fatigued with the toils of a long march, was soon in a soldier"s sleep; but it was hours before his more thoughtful, and still uneasy father, could obtain the rest which nature so much requires.
Chapter XV.
----"I could teach you, How to choose right, but then I am forsworn; So will I never be; so may you miss me; But if you do, you"ll make me wish a sin That I had been forsworn."----
_Portia_.
Captain Willoughby knew that the hour which preceded the return of light, was that in which the soldier had the most to apprehend, when in the field. This is the moment when it is usual to attempt surprises; and it was, in particular, the Indian"s hour of blood. Orders had been left, accordingly, to call him at four o"clock, and to see that all the men of the Hut were afoot, and armed also. Notwithstanding the deserted appearance of the valley, this experienced frontier warrior distrusted the signs of the times; and he looked forward to the probability of an a.s.sault, a little before the return of day, with a degree of concern he would have been sorry to communicate to his wife and daughters.
Every emergency had been foreseen, and such a disposition made of the forces, as enabled the major to be useful, in the event of an attack, without exposing himself unnecessarily to the danger of being discovered. He was to have charge of the defence of the rear of the Hut, or that part of the buildings where the windows opened outwards; and Michael and the two Plinys were a.s.signed him as a.s.sistants. Nor was the ward altogether a useless one. Though the cliff afforded a material safeguard to this portion of the defences, it might be scaled; and, it will be remembered, there was no stockade at all, on this, the northern end of the house.
When the men a.s.sembled in the court, therefore, about an hour before the dawn, Robert Willoughby collected his small force in the dining- room, the outer apartment of the _suite_, where he examined their arms by lamp-light, inspected their accoutrements, and directed them to remain until he issued fresh orders. His father, aided by serjeant Joyce, did the same in the court; issuing out, through the gate of the buildings, with his whole force, as soon as this duty was performed.