CHAPTER XXIV
When Edith rose on the day following the visit of poor Captain Brooks,somewhat later than was her custom--for the first half of the watchesof the night had known no comfort--Woodchuck was gone. He had waitedfor no leave-taking, and was on his way toward the mountains beforethe dawn of day.
It was better for all, indeed, that he should go, and he felt it. Notthat there was any chance of his resolution being shaken, but as hehad himself said, he wished to forget that resolution--to think nomore of his coming fate than the dark remembrance of it within his ownheart forced him to think; and the presence of Mr. Prevost and hisdaughter--the very absence of Walter from their fireside--would havereminded him constantly of the rock on which his bark was inevitablysteering. With Mr. Prevost and Edith his presence would have had theeffect of keeping up the struggle between affection for Walter and akindly sense of justice toward him. His every look, his every word,would have been a source of painful interest, and the terriblebalancing of very narrowly divided equities, where life was in thescale and affection held the beam, would have gone on, in the mind atleast, continually.
When he was gone the agitating feelings gradually subtransposethemselves, and they almost looked upon him as a thing decided; themind was relieved from a greater apprehension by a lesser, and a quietmelancholy, whenever his coming fate was thought of, took the place ofanxious alarm. In some sort the present and the past seemed totranspose themselves, and they almost looked upon him as already dead.
True, all fear in regard to Walter was not completely banished. Therewas nothing definite, there was no tangible object of apprehension.They felt perfectly sure that Woodchuck would execute his resolution,but yet the heart, like an agitated pendulum, vibrated long after themomentum had ceased. It grew quieter and quieter by degrees, however,on the part of Mr. Prevost; a change of thought and of object didmuch. All his preparations had to be made for the proper execution ofthe office he had undertaken. He had more than once to go to Albany,and on each occasion he took his daughter with him. Each change hadsome effect, and both he and Edith recovered a certain degree ofcheerfulness at last in general society. It was only in the quiet andthe silent hours, when either was left alone, when those intervalstook place during which, sleep refuses to visit the eye, when allexternal sounds are still, when all external sights are absent, andthe mind is left alone with thought, and nothing but thought for itscompanion--it was only then that the fear, and the anxiety, and thegloom returned.
Every moment that could be spared from military duties were passed byLord H---- at Edith's side, whether in her own home or in the city.
Thus passed nearly three weeks, by which time the bustle of activepreparation, the marching of several regiments toward the north, andsigns of activity and haste in every department, gave notice to theinhabitants of Albany that some important military movement was aboutto take place. The fife and drum, the lumbering roll of the cannon,were daily heard in the quiet streets. Boats were seen collecting onthe river, parades and exercises occupied the greater part of everyday; scouts and runners were hurrying about in all directions, andclouds of Indians, painted and feathered for the warpath, hoveredround the city, and often appeared in the streets. Lord H---- hadadvanced with his whole regiment to the neighborhood of Sandy Hill;other bodies of troops were following, and the commissary general,whose active energy and keen intelligence surprised all who had onlyknown him as a somewhat reserved and moody man, had advanced to a spoton the Hudson where a small fort had been built at the commencement ofwhat was called the King's road, to see with his own eyes the safedelivery and proper distribution of the stores he had collected. Longranges of huts had gathered round the fort, which was judged so farwithin the English lines as to be a place of perfect security, andmany a lady from Albany, both young and old, had gathered togetherthere to see the last of husband, brother, or father, before theyplunged into the forest and encountered the enemy.
Here everything was done, as usual, to smooth the front of war andconceal ugly features, and certainly after the arrival of LordH---- with his regiment and the wing of another, the scene wasbrilliant and lively enough. Bright dresses, glittering arms, militarymusic, fluttering flags, and prancing chargers, were beheld on everyside, and gay and lively talk, only interrupted now and then by thesolemn words of adieu, of caution, or direction from anxious heart toanxious heart, hid in a great degree the deeper, stronger, sternerfeelings that were busy underneath.
In all such expeditions, amidst the bustle and excitement, there comelapses of quiet inactivity, especially before the first blow isstruck. Some accident causes a delay; some movements have not beencombined with sufficient accuracy; one party has to wait for another,and is left unoccupied. Thus it was in the present instance. A smallbut important division of the army, to be accompanied by a large bodyof Indians, was retarded by a deficiency of boats, and the newsarrived that two days must elapse before they could reach the fort. Asuperior officer was now present, and both Lord H---- and Mr. Prevostfelt that it would be no dereliction of duty to seek leave of absence,in order to visit once more the house of the latter, and personallyescort Edith to the place where she was to remain till the object ofthe expedition was accomplished. The same day it was first made knownwhat the object of that expedition was. The word Ticonderoga waswhispered through the encampment, running from the general's quartersthrough every rank down to the private soldier, and a strange sort offeeling of joy spread throughout the force; not that many knew eitherthe importance of the object or the state of the place, but simplythat all were relieved from an uncertainty.
The comment of Lord H---- was very brief. He had long known, indeed,the fact now first published, but as he told it to Edith while seatingher on her horse to set out, he said: "The place is, luckily, near,and the business will soon be brought to an end, my love." A somethingindefinable in his heart made him add mentally, "one way or another,"but he gave no utterance to the gloomy doubt, and the little partyrode away.
A calm, quiet evening, with the wind at the south, the sun setting redin clouds, and a gray vapor stealing over the sky, with every prospectof a coming storm, and yet everything still and sober in solemntranquillity, often puts me in mind of those pauses in the busy courseof life which precede some great and decisive event.
Such an evening was that which Lord H---- and Edith and Mr. Prevostspent together at the house where so many of these scenes have beenlaid, after quitting Fort Edward in the morning. Their journey hadpassed quite peaceably. They had encountered no human being but a fewbands of friendly Indians going to join the army, and the ride, aseveryone knows, was, and still is, a very beautiful one. It hadoccupied hardly four hours, and thus the principal part of the day hadbeen spent in calm tranquillity in a scene endeared to all.
Mr. Prevost had retired to his room to write, and Lord H---- and Edithsat together in front of the house, gazing out toward the setting sun.
They talked of many things, some not at all connected with thecircumstances of the present or the future; they feared to dwell uponthem too long, and they often sought relief in indifferent topics, butstill the coming hour was vaguely present to the mind of each. It waslike sitting near a waterfall, with the quiet, melancholy murmur ofthe cataract mingling harmoniously but sadly with every other sound.
"I trust, dear Edith, that we shall see them together," said LordH----, speaking of distant lands where they both had birth. "Thereis many a lovely thing to be met with in the old world, both in natureand in art, and though I love these beautiful scenes well, and enjoyas much as anyone the magnificence of unadorned nature, yet methinksthat is no reason why we should not appreciate to the full all thatis fine and lovely, though of a different character. It is thenarrow-minded man alone, the man of an uncapacious soul, who suffersone sort of excellence to take possession of his taste or heart.Beauty and goodness are infinitely varied, and though I may love someaspects best, yet I trust ever to be capable of deriving pleasure fromeach and all."
"But
you have seen all these things, George," she answered. "Will itnot weary you to go over them all again with so untutored a companionas myself?"
He gazed at her for a moment with a look of earnest affection, andgently pressed the hand he held in his. "I take a new light with me,Edith," he replied, "a light that will give new loveliness toeverything that is beautiful. I have often thought, my beloved, thatto see our own sensations--I mean happy ones: enjoyment, admiration,satisfaction--reflected from the mind of one so dear as you are to me,must be like beholding a loved scene reflected from the bosom of acalm lake, when every fair feature and bright hue acquires a magicluster and a brightness greater in the borrowed image than even in thetangible reality. These are happy dreams, Edith; let us trust to renewthem some few weeks hence, and then, whenever this campaign is over, Iwill quit this busy, perilous game of war, if Edith will then be mine,and realize the visions we love so well. In the meanwhile, dear one,as everyone who goes into battle encounters certainly some peril, letus speak a word of the future in case the worst should befall. Youwill remember me, Edith, I am sure, if I should not return. I do notthink you will ever love another so well; but remember, I am not soselfish in my love as to wish you to sacrifice the whole comfort andhappiness of a life to the memory of one departed. Be happy when andin what way you can. Consult your own feelings solely, and I dobelieve that if spirits can look down on earth when parted from thisfrail body, your happiness, however it is attained, will add to mine;for I cannot believe that when we quit this earth we carry theselfishness of clay along with us."
The tears swam in Edith's eyes, and gemmed the long, black lashesround them, but they ran not over. "I have but one wish on earth,George," she answered, "when I think of the chances that you mention.It is that I may not survive you, even for an hour. If I had not knownit could not be, I would have asked to go with you, in the hope thatif you are to fall, one hour might take us both."
Lord H---- smiled sadly, and shook his head. "That might entailgreater sorrows still," he answered, "and in no sense could it be, myEdith. No soldier should have his wife with him. While in the field heshould be detached as much as possible from every thought but that ofduty. I doubt, indeed, that he should have any tie to earth whatever,except those which God imposed upon him at birth. This is one reasonwhy I shall quit the army. I am less fit to be a soldier than I was,but I should be utterly unfit if I thought you were in peril. From allapprehension on that score, indeed, I go free. I felt some uneasiness,indeed, while I thought that you were to remain alone here, with nonebut the servants round you. As matters are arranged at present,however, you will be quite safe with Colonel Schneider and his wife.Besides his servants, the host of workmen employed in finishing hishouse and all the other works he has going on, will prove a littlebodyguard in itself."
"I should have felt myself perfectly secure here," replied Edith, "forthe familiar aspect of all things round gives a sort of confidencewhich I could feel nowhere else. These Schneiders I hardly know, butif you and my father are better satisfied, I am content to be withthem. What hour are we to set out to-morrow?"
"Between one and two o'clock," replied Lord H----, "will be quite timeenough. The distance is but six miles, and your father and I can verywell escort you thither and reach Fort Edward before night."
"I am glad of that," answered Edith. "To-morrow is the day that poorCaptain Brooks is to be here. I should much like to see him once more,and I hope that he will arrive before we go. If not, I must tell theservants to provide for him well, and show him every kindness. Oh,George, is it not terrible to think of his encountering such a fate?The very idea of providing his last meals for him when going to avoluntary death makes my heart sink with horror and regret."
"The only chance is between him and poor Walter," answered LordH----; "and we must not forget that this act of Woodchuck's has notbeen pressed or even asked by us. He judges, and judges rightly, Ithink, that it would be ungenerous to allow Walter to suffer for hisacts; and though I would not urge him to adopt the course he haschosen, I certainly would say nothing to dissuade him."
"His self-devotion only makes it more terrible," answered Edith, "atleast in my eyes, and yet I cannot help hoping," she continued,looking up inquiringly in her lover's face, "that something may occur.Why should I not say that something would be provided to rescue themboth without this awful sacrifice?"
Lord H---- would say nothing to quell a hope which he thought wouldgive relief, but yet he did not share it; for his faith was less thanEdith's--man's faith always is less than woman's.
Not many minutes more passed before Mr. Prevost rejoined them,speaking to one of the servants as he entered, in a calm but rapidtone, and giving various orders and directions for the morrow.Although not likely to be exposed so much as if entrusted with amilitary command, some danger, of course, attended the mere fact ofhis accompanying the army, and he had spent the last hour or two inmaking many arrangements, in view of probable death.
All the proceedings of the following day were then definitelyarranged. After a hasty dinner he and Lord H----, with the fourmounted men who accompanied them, and Edith's old traveling companion,Chaudo, were to escort her to the dwelling of Colonel Schneider, thenew house built that spring, even farther in the wild than that of Mr.Prevost, of which the Indians on the hill had spoken. There, leavingher at once, the two gentlemen were to return to the camp, which theycalculated upon reaching before nightfall.
The night passed quietly; day followed, and while Edith was dressingshe saw from her window the expected figure of Woodchuck walkingtoward the door, with a firmer tread and a more resolute and easybearing than he displayed when he had last appeared. On descending,she found him talking with her father and Lord H----, with perfectcalmness and ease. His look was firm and self-possessed, his air wasbold, though tranquil, and he seemed to have gained health since shesaw him last. Edith was almost tempted to believe that some happychange of circumstances had taken place, but his first words dispelledher illusion.
"No, I thank you, Mr. Prevost," he said, "I must go on. I'll just takesome breakfast with you, and then begin my march. I have calculatedwell my time, and should like to have a day or two to go and comeupon. It does not do to leave things to the last. I guess I shallleave Johnson Castle to-night. Then, mayhap, I shall get a lift up theriver in a canoe. But, at all events, even if I am obliged to foot itall the way, I shall be in time."
Mr. Prevost looked down, and fell into thought, while Woodchuckadvanced to Edith, shook hands with her, and spoke upon indifferentsubjects. She now remarked that he was dressed in different guise fromthat which he had assumed during the winter. A light brown huntingshirt, loose in the body and the sleeves, seemed to be his principalgarment; and in the belt which bound it round him was stuck thetomahawk and scalping knife of an Indian. His rifle stood in onecorner of the room. On his head he wore a fur cap, as usual, and apouch and powder horn, with moccasins on his feet, completed hisequipment.
"Well, general," he said, turning to Lord H----, "I saw some of yourpeople as I came up the river. There had been a fuss about batteaux,but I showed them how they could find some, for a set of knaves, moreFrench than English at their hearts, had drawn a crowd of them up thecreek. So Abercrombie and the rest are all up at Fort Edward by thistime."
Lord H---- looked toward Mr. Prevost, but he was still in thought, andonly roused himself to lead the way into the hall to breakfast.Woodchuck ate heartily; but to touch a single mouthful was a hardtask for the other three. While still at the table, however, thesound of horses' feet galloping up to the door was heard, and LordH----, starting up, looked out of the window. There were a youngofficer and a trooper of dragoons at the door; and the moment theformer saw Lord H---- he handed him in a letter by the window,dismounting and entering the moment after, himself. By this time thedespatch had been read by the young nobleman and Mr. Prevost, and thelatter exclaimed: "This is most unfortunate! An immediate recall,Edith! We must not delay a moment, for the march commences to-morrowat d
aybreak! Get ready as fast as possible, my love. We will see yousafely to Colonel Schneider's, and then gallop back to the fort."
"Excuse me for observing," said the young officer, "that the order isperemptory. Of course, his lordship will judge for himself, but I onlyfollow General Abercrombie's commands in saying that he wishes not amoment's delay."
"But my daughter, sir, my daughter!" said Mr. Prevost.
The young gentleman bowed stiffly, but made no answer, and thecountenance of Lord H---- was very grave.
"Surely," said Mr. Prevost, "'twould be no great disobedience oforders to see my daughter safely to the house of my friend, ColonelSchneider, a distance of not more than six miles?"
"Which would take nearly two hours to go and come," said the youngofficer, drily, "at least over roads such as these. But you and hislordship are the best judges. I do not presume to dictate, and onlyconvey to you the commander-in-chief's orders."
"Leave her to my care, Prevost," said Woodchuck, starting up. "I willsee her safe. It's all in my way. Some of the servants can go with us,and there is no danger."
"I am in no fear, indeed, my dear father," said Edith. "Do not risk acensure. I shall be quite safe with our friend here."
"I believe, indeed, you will," said Lord H----; "otherwise I should betempted to disobey, myself. But the terms of this despatch are sopressing that unless there were immediate and positive peril I thinkwe are bound to return to camp at once."
He spoke aloud, and very gravely; but then, advancing to Edith's side,he added a few words in a lower tone. Mr. Prevost walked up and joinedin their conversation, a sufficient indication, it might have seemed,that they wished for a few moments' privacy. Woodchuck understood, andadvanced quietly to the door, for natural delicacy of feeling is butthe reality of that of which politeness is the shadow. But the youngofficer, who was of that coarse, common stuff of which martinets areultimately made, still kept his ground, till Lord H----, somewhatprovoked, turned round and said: "Captain Lumley, you will have thegoodness to return to headquarters, and inform the commander-in-chiefthat his orders shall be peremptorily obeyed."
The young man paused a moment, with a look of surprise and discontent,and a moment or two after, when he passed Woodchuck at the door of thehouse, he was muttering: "Without asking me to take any refreshment."
His murmurs were, perhaps, natural; for those who concede least to thefeelings of others invariably exact most for their own.
It is true that Lord H----, occupied with thoughts that engrossed himaltogether, dismissed the aide-de-camp without remembrance of hisneeds, as well as without any feeling of resentment, and omitted acourtesy which no resentment, assuredly, could have curtailed. But theyoung man, swelling with indignation and offended dignity, mountedsullenly, and proceeded but slowly on his way. He had not goneone-half the distance, however, between Mr. Prevost's house and FortEdward, when Lord H---- and the commissary passed him at great speed;and he did not reach headquarters till half an hour after they hadannounced their own return.