The Black Eagle; or, Ticonderoga

by G. P. R. James

  CHAPTER XXXVI.

  A calm, quiet evening, with the wind at south, the sun setting red inclouds, and a gray vapour 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. It is verystrange, too, but I have remarked that it not unfrequently happensthat such an aspect of external nature comes, as it, were, toharmonize with our feelings when we take a brief pause upon the brinkof great events, destined to bring fruition or disappointment to allthe hopes of life.

  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, asevery one 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 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 towards the setting sun.There are few things really sublime on earth; but amongst the mostsublime are those moments when we sit beside a fellow-being so linkedto us by love that our existence seems but as a part of his or hers,our hopes, our fears, our happiness, our joy, identified; and yet, inthe course of mortal fate, the approach of some dark hour of partingkeeps ever whispering in our ear, "Ye are not truly one. Thoughmingling every thought and feeling; though heart beat with heart, andmind walk with mind; though each breast is open to the other, as tothe eyes of conscience and of God; though linked and bound by everyaspiration and by every sentiment, ye are two, and ye must sever." Thesensation is very painful, but it is sublime in its intensity; andsuch were the sensations of Edith and her lover as they sat there andwatched 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;still 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 it together," said LordH----, speaking of the distant land where they both had birth. "Many alovely thing is to be met with in the old world, both in nature and inart; and though I love these beautiful scenes well, and enjoy as muchas any one the magnificence of unadorned Nature, yet methinks that isno reason why we should not appreciate to the full all that is fine orlovely, though of a different kind and character. It is thenarrow-minded man--the man of an uncapacious soul, who suffers onesort of excellence alone 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 willgive new loveliness to everything that is beautiful. I have oftenthought, my beloved, that to see our own sensations,--I mean happyones, enjoyment, admiration, satisfaction,--reflected from the mind ofone so dear as you are to me, must be like beholding a lovely scenereflected from the bosom of a calm lake, where every fair feature andbright hue acquires a magic lustre, and a brightness greater in theborrowed image than even in the tangible reality. These are happydreams, Edith; let us trust to renew them some few weeks hence; andthen, whenever this campaign is over, I will quit this busy, perilousgame of war, if Edith will then be mine, and realize the visions welove so well. In the meanwhile, dear one, as every one who goes intobattle encounters certainly some peril, let us speak a word of thefuture, in case the worst should befall. You will remember me, Edith,I am sure, if I should not return. I do not think you will ever loveany other so well; but, remember, I am not so selfish in my love as towish you to sacrifice the whole comfort and happiness of a life to thememory of one departed. Be happy when and in what way you can; consultyour own feelings solely. And I do believe that, if spirits can lookdown on earth when parted from this frail body, your happiness,however it is attained, will add to mine; for I cannot think, that,when we quit this earth, we carry the selfishness of clay along withus."

  The tears swam in Edith's eyes, and gemmed the long black lashes roundthem; but they ran not over.

  "I have but one wish on earth, George," she answered, "when I think ofthe chances that you mention. It is, that I may not survive you evenan hour. If I had not known it could not be, I would have asked to gowith you, in the hope that, if you are to fall, one hour might take usboth."

  Lord H---- smiled sadly, and shook his head.

  "That might entail greater sorrows still," he rejoined, "and in nosense could it be, my Edith. No soldier should have his wife with him.While in the field, he should be detached as much as possible fromevery thought but that of duty. I doubt, indeed, that he should haveany tie to earth whatever, except those which God imposed upon him atbirth. This is one reason why I shall quit the army. I am less fit tobe a soldier than I was; but I should be utterly unfit if I thoughtyou were in peril. From all apprehension on that score I go free. Ifelt some uneasiness, indeed, while I thought that you were to remainalone here with none but the servants round you. As matters arearranged at present, however, you would be quite safe with ColonelSchneider and his wife. Besides, his servants, and the host of workmenemployed in finishing his house and all the other works he has goingon, will prove a little body-guard in itself."

  "I should have felt myself perfectly secure here," returned Edith;"for the familiar aspect of all things round gives a sort ofconfidence which I could feel nowhere else. These Schneiders I hardlyknow; but, if you and my father are better satisfied, I am content tobe with them. 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 choice 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," returned Edith, "atleast in my eyes; and yet I cannot help hoping," she continued,looking up inquiringly in her lover's face, "that something mayoccur--why should I not say that something will be provided?--torescue them both, without this awful sacrifice."

  Lord H---- would say nothing to quell a hope which he thought wouldgive comfort; 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 spe
nt the last hour or two inmaking many arrangements in view of probable death. Though a man of aquick imagination and susceptible temperament, death had never had anygreat terrors for him. He was personally, constitutionally,courageous; and in whatever aspect or under whatever circumstances hecontemplated the mere passing from one life to another, he could notbring his mind to fear it. Yet, strange to say, he was in somerespects of an apprehensive turn of mind. He feared difficulty, hefeared disgrace, he feared the slightest imputation on his honour orhis character; he was exceedingly apprehensive when any danger menacedthose he loved. Thus, as far as he himself was concerned, he had satdown that day to contemplate his own death as calmly as any otherevent inseparable from life; but when the thought of Edith and Walter,and their future fate, mingled with his reflections, his courage wasshaken, and he felt much agitated. He had pursued his task steadily,however; had arranged all things so as to leave neither obscurity nordifficulty in his affairs; and then, casting all sombre thoughts fromhim, came down and joined his daughter and his friend below, with atranquil, nay, a cheerful face.

  All the proceedings of the following day were then definitelyarranged. After an early and hasty dinner, he and Lord H----, with thefour mounted men who accompanied them, and Edith's old travellingcompanion, Chando, were to escort her to the dwelling of ColonelSchneider, the new house built that spring even further in the wildthan that of Mr. Prevost, and of which the Indians on the hill hadspoken. There, leaving her at once, the two gentlemen were to returnto the camp, which they calculated upon reaching before nightfall.Vain arrangements,--vain preparations! How continually are wefrustrated, even in the smallest and most insignificant plans, by thatobdurate, over-ruling will of Fate!

  The night passed quietly, day dawned, and, while Edith was dressing,she saw from her window the expected figure of Woodchuck, walkingtowards the door with a firmer tread and 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. Edith was almost tempted to believe that some happy change ofcircumstances had taken place; but his first words dispelled theillusion.

  "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 I should like to have a day or two to come and goupon. It doesn't do to push things to the last. I guess I shall reachJohnson Castle to-night. Then, mayhap, I shall get a lift up the riverin a canoe; but, at all events, even if I am obliged to foot it allthe 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 brownhunting-shirt, loose in the body and the sleeves, seemed to be hisprincipal garment; and in the belt which bound it round him was stuckthe tomahawk and scalping-knife of an Indian. His rifle stood in onecorner of the room. On his head he wore a fur cap as usual; a pouchand powder-horn, with moccassins on his feet, completed his equipment.

  "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 bateaux,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 towards Mr. Prevost; but he was still in thought,and only roused himself to lead the way into the hall to breakfast.Woodchuck ate heartily; but to touch a single mouthful was a hard taskfor each of 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. A young officer and atrooper of dragoons were at the door; and the moment the former sawLord H----, he handed him a letter in at the window, dismounting andentering soon after. By this time, the despatch had been read both bythe young nobleman and Mr. Prevost; and the latter exclaimed, "This ismost unfortunate! An immediate recall, Edith. We must not delay amoment, for the march commences to-morrow at daybreak. Get ready asfast as possible, my love; we will see you safely to ColonelSchneider'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; I 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 myselfshould be tempted to disobey. But the terms of this despatch are sopressing, that, unless there were immediate and positive peril, Ithink we 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 consultation--a sufficient indication, it might have seemed,that they wished, for a few moments' privacy. Woodchuck understood,and walked 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 the goodness to return tohead-quarters, and inform the commander-in-chief that his orders shallbe punctually 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, 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 would 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 head-quarters till half an hour after they hadannounced their own return.