Dulcibel: A Tale of Old Salem
Page 54
CHAPTER LIII.
The Wedding Trip and Where Then.
Whether Master Mather did make any serious effort to prevent the "StormKing" from leaving the harbor, I am unable to say; but as I find noreference to this affair either in his biography or his numerous works,I am inclined to think that like a wise man, he held his peace as towhat had occurred, and resolved never to go on board another vesselafter nightfall.
Certainly no cannon ball cut the waves as the "Storm King" sailedswiftly past the castle, and no signal was displayed signifying that shemust come at once to anchor.
And the little trip to New York was as pleasant in all respects as ayoung couple on a bridal tour could desire--even if the mere relief fromthe anxieties and threatened dangers of the previous long months had notbeen of itself a cause of happiness.
Arrived at New York, Master Philip English and his wife received themwith open arms. Master Raymond had brought letters from England toGovernor Fletcher and others, and soon made warm friends among the verybest people. There was no sympathy whatever in New York at that timewith the witchcraft persecutions in Massachusetts; and all fugitiveswere received, as in the case of the Englishes, with great sympathy andkindness.
Much to my regret, at this point, the old manuscript book to which Ihave been so largely indebted, suddenly closes its record of thefortunes of Master and Mistress Raymond. Whether they went to England,and took up their residence there among Master Raymond's friends, orfound a home in this new world, I am therefore not able with absolutecertainty to say. From what I have been able, however, to gather fromother quarters, I have come to the conclusion that they were so muchpleased with their reception in New York, that Master Raymond purchasedan estate on the east side of the Hudson River, where he and thecharming Dulcibel lived and loved to a good old age, leaving three sonsand three daughters. If this couple really were our hero and heroine,then the Raymonds became connected, through the three daughters, withthe Smiths, the Joneses and the Browns. In one way, perhaps, thequestion might be set at rest, were it not too delicate a one forsuccessful handling. There is little doubt that among the descendants ofMistress Dulcibel, on the female side, the birth-mark of the serpent,more or less distinct, will be found occasionally occurring, even now,at the lapse of almost two centuries. Therefore, if among the secrettraditions of any of the families I have mentioned, there be onerelative to this curious birth-mark, doubtless that would be sufficientproof that in their veins runs the rich blood of the charming DulcibelRaymond.