Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 148 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

——_ ss is in a feeble condition. You bled almost to death last night from the wound you réceived from the Englishmen and are quite reduced in strength, so I shall not desert you until you are able take care of yourself. ‘Therefore you ean call me Hannah, and rest assured that 1 am the best fneénd living.” “Best triend hving?’ exclaimed Darcy, with trembling lips, at the same time closing his eyes as if to shut out some painful mental light. ‘Yes; your best friend living, Walter Gar- Jield.” A low exclamation burst from Darcy’s pe as the woman pronounced this name, 8 struggled to his feet by a desperate effort and bent his gaze upon the maiden—not upon her either, but upon the place where she had stood, for Hannah, the Maid of Michigan, had vanish- ed from the boat as if by magic. ‘Oh, Heaven!” groaned Darcy, in agony of irit; ‘“‘tell mesheis not a spirit come with that voice to haunt my soul!” And then he — down, his brain wild with a consuming CHAPTER XIX. A RETROSPECT. Wr beg the reader will bear with us while we break aside from the main thread of our story and go back three years beyond the date of which we have been writing, to narrate an incident which eventually culminated in many of the scenes and transactions already de- scribed. On a pleasant evening of the summer of 1809 two men were seated in an elegantly furnished room of a residence in Montreal, Canada, en- in stormy conversation, One of them was an elderly man, the other young, not more than twenty years of age. e former was a person whose face was stamped the signet of an evil heart and dissipated habits; while the latter was directly the opposite not only in age but in the expression of features and gene- ral character. ‘Tt is no use talking, Sir Joshua Pellington,” the young man was saying when we introduce them to the reader, ‘‘1 bave given you my an- «swer, and from it there is no appeal. “But there is, Master Imbercourt,” replied the elderly man addressed as Sir Joshua Pell- ington; ‘‘ you should remember, sir, that you are a minor and Iam your guardian, as well as Bradbury’s, and that the law of England gives me entire contr.l of you and your pro- ? ’ Per Phat may all be, Mr. Pellington, but the x does ‘not say who you shall select for my wife. “I know i, Robert, but_see here; by wed- ding your cousin, Maria Bradbury, you will unite two large Erglish estates and re-establish the name and “yin of the imbercourts.” “TIT care not a fig for the name. I have sworn nce to the American government, and I will never set foot on ee shores again. I despise that country. m there was ast father banished because he dared ex- press his opinion on the justification of the American Government in seeking redress for the injuries sustained by our commerce from English cruisers on the high seas. Moreover, I would not marry the cousin of which you because I never saw her; besides, I un- erstand she is married already to one Walter Garfield.” ; ‘‘That would make no difference, Robert; Garfield could be—” ‘I understand you, Pellington,” interrupted the youth, hotly; *‘ ou would murder eld to accomplish an end that would gratify your unecrapetien cupidity.” “Don’t be too Master Robert Imber- court; I did not say I would murder Garfield, but if you will consent to marry Maria, he shall not stand in your way.” ‘** No; you will murder him,” “* Well, let me hear your decision.” “You have it alrea y. Iwill marry no one, God willing, but HeWice Arvine.” Be lebeian American !” sneered gton. careful, Josh Pellington, how you sneer at Hellice Arvine, or by the heaven above me, I will kill you!” the youth exclaimed, his eyes blazing fire. ‘* Robert,” the villain finally remarked, “‘ you are most too bot-headed to talk ht. Go back to your hotel, think this matter all over, and to-morrow | will call and see you.” Young Imbercourt sprung to his feet, and snatching his hat from the table, left the room. Searcely had the door closed upou him when the door ofan adjoining apartment opened, and a tall, burly- man entered. “The boy is stubborn as a mad bull,” said the man. ‘Yes, major, we are now forced to the last extremity, and force must be employed to effect our plans. I am determined that Robert Im- bercourt shall wrt Maria Bradbury. Accord- ing to the will of their parents, this unites the two houses, which are worth a quarter of a million pounds each, and at their death I will become heir to all, and J will see that they do, bury One-Armed Alf. Major Mackclogan, at your hands !” and the ex- or of a demon overshadowed the man’s ace ‘Ha, ha! Sir Josh. You are a tenacious dog, and should win throu rseverance. But what course do you think of pursuing now?’ **Capture Rob Imbercourt and Maria Brad- and carry them in my ship to England _where I will imprison them upon some g | pretext until they comply with my wishes.” TTT sss nnn eee EEaEEEEIIEEnEEEE nn’ es ese “Just so; but you may have some trouble in getting Maria Bradbury, or rather Maria Gar- eld. ‘“* They reside in the settlement not far from old Fort Duquesme, and a plan is for you to take about one bundred Oj girl, dead or alive.” Josh; and in consideration of the two thou- sand right, I will take the Ojibs, an tack whenever desired.” **Give me your hand on that, Mackclogan,” said Pellington, rising to his feet and grasping his tool and confederate’s hand; “ to-morrow night I will have everything ready to leave Montreal and be I'll be ready gin the work. ‘“‘ All right, Sir Josh, all right. too. But, would it not be well to capture Im- bercourt while he is in the territory?” . ‘Yes; we will capture him this very night, and have him confined aboard the Rover.” So saying, Pellington donned his coat and hat, and, accompanied by Major Mackclogan, left the room. CHAPTER XX. MALAGUA’S TREACHERY. THE savage yell that thrilled out upon the night and forest around the old French fortress froze every heart almost with terror that was within the inclosure, and motionless as statues the fugitives stood, expecting every moment to see a horde of sayage demons come swarming over the broken, dilapidated walls to strike them down in death. But in this they were thankfully disappointed. For some reason or other the attack was never made. It is proba- ble the foe overestimated the number within the fort and was afraid to attack. They had eed to frighten the whites into a quiet sub- mission without an appeal to arms. Closely followed by Malagua; the Indian ide, Hellice Arvine and ery Bliss ran ack and joined their friends at the cabins. They found the women and children huddled in one corner like a flock of frightened deer, while the men, with blanched faces, stood with rifles in om ready for the threatened ordeal. - oe Malagua!” exclaimed Colonel Bliss, ‘“‘ what does this mean? Are we to be’ attacked and butchered alive?” “No: Injuns no strike now—will by-um-by. Lots of them, here, there, this way and that way ” answered Malagua; ** Injuns all around.” “Do you think it will be worth our while to attempt tohold out against them?’ the colonel questioned. “There are very many of them—few of us.” ‘From that I infer we are in great danger.” ‘*The darkness that hides the sun is the only help that is near us, He help us to get away. “Then you advise 4 retreat from here under cover of the night, do you?” mH) Se replied ; “T afraid we never get away from here alive,” suid one of the women, hopelessly. ““Don’t give up, ” said the col- onel; “‘ there’s as long as there is life.” By this time had grown quiet without. The Indians had kept their distance, and the silence that now prevailed convinced the fugi- tives that it was the premonition of a comin storm. So they decided to take Malagua’s ad- vice, and make their escape from the fort un- a cover of the darkness, just as soon as pos- e. Dispositions for the hazardous underta were at once It was arranged that Malagua should conduct the women and chil- dren, one or two at a time, from the fort, out to some point of safety where the men, one by one, were to join them, Malagua’s course was soon decided upon. The spring that welled from the center of the inclosure had worn a deep channel down across the open court, under the edge of the fort, and on down the hill to where it emptied into a nameless creek. The ey ors of this channel were fringed with weeds and bushes which formed an archway of foliage. Along this the red guise was to conduct the fugitives, trusting to the ripple of the water over the ston to drown all sounds that might be made in the transit. When all was ready for departure, the ques- tion arose as to which of the females shoul g° . This, however, was svon settled by t brave and peerless Hellice Arvine, who ex- pressed her desire and wi ess to depart with to the designa point of meet- ing outside of the fortress, n a minute all was ready, and as they turned to leave, M a approached Margery Bliss, who stood a little to one side, and said: 13 ‘“* Margery go too, if want to.” There was something in the guide’s voice, as well as his looks, that struck Margery as being a little singular: but, unsophisticated as she was in the Indian character, she failed to read the hidden eae of the scout’s permission, and eager to be with Hellice she expressed an earn- est desire to accompany ber and the Indian. Her father, however, objected to this, but when Malagua expressed himself in favor of her go- ing, for the reason that, by going by twos, the time of getting all from the fort would be short- ened one half, the colonel gave way, and his daughter departed with the guide and Hellice. They entered the channel, before described ibways and sweep | ashort distance from the spring, and found across the border in the night, and bring the | that they could move alon at the edge of the | water dry shod. They walked quite rapidly, ‘The plan is a perfectly feasible one. Sir but in perfect silence, and were soon outside unds promised, all things working out | the’ woods. ee rr re | part of the fort and within the dense shadows of Here they advanced with less fear make theat- | of discovery, and ina few minutes more had reached the creek. Malagua now conducted them into a dense thickét at the edge of the stream; then, having enjoined the utmost silence and precaution upon them, he took his departure for the fort and in hand the maidens stood in the dense dark thicket, a thousand fearful thoughts wr Ky other erode their excited minds, while the throbbing of their young bearts seemed to stil] all else around them. Several minutes had thus passed when the soft tread of moccasined feet caught their ears; then a figure glided inte the thicket, and, approaching them, said in a low, startled whis- per: ‘*Bad Injuns on our trail—see us somehow— find us soon—come must burry away!” It was the voice of Malagua, and news he bore almost froze the hearts of the maidens with terror. **Can we not get back to the fort, Malagua?” Hellice finally asked, in a tremulous whisper. **No—foller me quick—take you where no danger—go back then and get friends.” He them almost rudely cA arms and hurried them away toward creek. When he reacbed the water’s brink he paused and drew acanoe from under some drooping willows. Into this craft he hurried the maid- ens; then entering himself, he took up the pad- oat turned the prow of the craft down-stream and sent it flying over the water. All this change had been made so quickly that the girls had scarcely time for a second thought. But, when Hellice recovered somewhat from her surprise and fear, she be- gan to grow suspicious of ’s sudden and violent actions. He did not act with his usual calm deliberation, but manifested t excitement, and took no pains to avoid making a noise with his paddle. “Will our enemies not hear the dip of your paddle, a?’ she finally asked. “Not half so quick as they will the young uaw’s voice. Let her keep still.” stern, rude reply went like a ’¢ to Hellice’s heart. had never en to fore, and she saw that her in such language all the wickedness of the Indian character was cropping out through the impulse of treacherous designs. On down the creek in baste the ed, until more than a mile had been travel when Indi the cance abruptly shore $ where the moonbeams flooded the sandy beach. Scarcely had the prow touched bank when the figure of a man, enveloped in a mili- tary overcoat and wearing a slouched hat, came from the shadows of woods and ap- proached them. The maiden saw that it was a British officer and their hearts sunk within their breasts. They saw, alas! that their suspicions bad tes ce : " was a rey He had - ecoyed them into the power o Me ’ and no telling what the consequence would be. * Well, you have got along at last, have you, Malagua, with your prizes?” asked the British officer, in a low indifferent tone. A cry arose to Hellice’s lips, but Malagua, with all the malignant triumph of a demon de- picted upon his face, placed his hand quickly over her mouth, thereby stifling her cries. the mean time the Englishman g into the canoe, and seizing Margery, who was in the act of leaping overboard, drew her down upon the seat at his side. “Do not be excited, Margery: no harm shall come to you,” he said, in a pleasant, assuring ton e. A little ery of surprise burst from the lips of the maidens, for 3 ized the voice. It was that of Captain Paul North, of the, en army, whose acquaintance they had made under circumstances of a peculiar nature over three months before. The captain, with a ‘ty of cavairy, had been scouting in the vicinity of Mackinaw and met the — who bad gone out for an evening walk and had got from the garrison es a safe distance ison. ossessed of all the nobleness and purity of heart of a true and noble man, this youn cavalier escorted the maidens to within a sho Sj GOmicooo ( EO