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'\ "" ^ ^ • ♦ '. r i -'^^ liEo-BasrxJs or th E SEA.. 39 Me I^ FOE OIE WOMAI: AN EPISODE OP THE COLONIZATION OP CANADA. TBANSI^T^ltS FBOH THB FltENOH C» / / H. EMILE** CHEVALIER, ' BT , E. L SEARS, ^M., SMTOB Ol- "HAIIOWAL QpABTIBLT BOTHW." M -qnr^^ NEW YORK: (SUOCEBSOB TO K. ioOLADT,) 40 "WALKBB BTBBEI^ 1862. »>J ,jjgg|MM^mM|y|jK!?3n.rT»,T«.T-««S6|^g|r-j^^irj'l5» PS^^^ 77 8 oil *?.'■■ Entered according to Act of CongreM, In the year 1862, by JOHN BRADBURN, [n the Clerk's Office ofthe District Court of the United States for the Soutlia District of New York. / LAIfOB * BBOTHBB, « Trlntcrs and Btei^type»i no Grand Street. "''"-;r-';A INTRaDXJCTION. 4^' « Itates for the Southen j M. Hj JL GARNBlAtT, QtBBEO, LOWZB OakaDA. • \ .. -nx ■, Monsieur,— Jn the second chapter of your excellent His- |>ry 6f Canada, "one of the best productions of the human id," after having recounted the jealousies which the ^phews of James Cartier had to encounter on the shores * the St. Lawrence, you say : " In order to avoid being exposed any longer to those attacks ley solicited from the crown the renewal of the privileges, which Id been accorded to their undo, namely, fhe exclusive right of fcdmg with the savages, and to work the mines which they had covered. In consideration of the services of the great navigator Iters-patent were granted to them in 1588. But as soon as the' fair was kno^vn, the merchants of St. Malo petitioned the hyy council to have those privileges revoked, and they succeed- !m doing so; but without profiting much by it themselves ; for m 1598, the year of the establishment of peace, the Marquis de la Dche, of the province of Brittany, caused himself to be confirmed r the king m the office of Lieutenant-Qeneral of Canada of Acadia Id the adjacent countries, which Hemy III. had ah-eady granted I him, but which the troubles of the kingdom had prevented him bm enjoying, with powers which had the same extent as thbse » Koberval, and which annihilated the Uberty accord^ to the ^:;-,:^^^;v •:r-v 1. 1 ( I tnerchants of St. Malo. He was aathorized to select in the porta «of France Buch ships, masters, and sailors as he might require ; to raise troops, to make war, and to btiild cities within the limits of his viceroyalty ; to promulgate laws in the same, and cause them to be executed ; to make grants of lands to noblemen, as fiefs, lord- ships, baronies, counties, etc. ; in short, to regulate the congimerce left now upder his absolute control. Thus clothed with an authority as complete as despotic, he sailed for the New World with sixty men. No merchant dared to raise, his voice against the monopoly of this nobleman, as had been done'against the nephews of Carticr; bis rank imposed silence on them; but other cagfi^ were destined to ruin his projects. " The Marquis de la Roche, fearing the desertion of his people, Composed of malefactors and believing that place more convenient until he had found on the main-land a territory more suitable to his design, landed them at the Isle of Sable at the entrance of the Gulf of St'. Lawrence. This island, in the form of a crescent, narrow, arid, and of wild aspect, produced neither trees nor fhiits — nothing | but a little grass and moss around a lake, situated in the centre. After having placed his colonists in this desolate place, surrounded [ by sand-banks, indented by the sea, La Roche passed into Acadia On returning, he was surprised by a furious tempest, which in ten ^ days chafed him to the shores of Fran c^jy hcre he had no sooner set foot than he found himself envelopeOTn a multitude of diffi- culties, in the midst of which the Duke de Mercoeur, who com- manded in Brittany, detained him for some tinje, as a prisoner. .It ws was not until the end of five years that he had an opportunity o! ! relating to' the king, who happened to be at Rouen,, what had be- 'I fallen him in his voyage. The king, touchpd with the fate of the unfortunate men abandoned in the Isle of Sable, ordered that the i pilot who had left them there should immediately proceed in searciij of theuL Since left to themselves, these men, accustomed to giTe| full scope to their passions, would no longer recognize any mastcL| Discord had armed them against each other, and several had; perished in quarrels, which rendered their miserable situation stil| more sad. At length, however, miseiy had subdued these fiem ) characters, so that they finally assumed habits more peaceable, ami | better calculated for their preservation. Tliey constructed huS| with the debris of a ship wrecked on the rocks of the shore ; anil they subsisted for sqme time on the aninuils which Baron de Leit| had disembarked there some twenty-fout years previously, &m ^< '?-• T. ^Ich had propagated themselves in the island. They domesticated )me which furnished them milk. But this resource had begun to I ; and all that remained for thtfm now, as a means of subsistence, a to turn their attention to fasting. When their clofhes wero om they repla«;ed them by seal-skins. On their return, Henry IV, Ished to see them dressed as they had been found. Their beard Id hair, which they had allowed to grow, hung in disorder on "eir bosoms and shoulders. Their forms had already assumed a liry and savage appearance, which made Uiem resemble Indians Iher than civilized men. The king caused fifty crowns to be ^tributed to each, and permitted them to return to their families ^h the privilege of being exempt from all puhisfiment for their "Tier offenses. " The Marquis de la Roche, who had mvested all his fortune in ^s enterprise, lost it in consequence of misfortunes, which did not se to oppress him. Ruined, and without any hope of being able ! resume a project which he had always so much at heart, griei 'zed on him, and took him slowly to his grave. The history of I voyages, and misfortunes, of colonists whtch followed him to I Isle of SablQ, form an episode worthy of exercising the pen of a nancer." There is in your narration the outline of a bea^tiful storical romance ; I am happy to have responded to the ^peal which serious literature has made to hght literature; 3uld that I could have suitably ^one it, and b6en able secure for this book sufficient success to encourage me i dramatize the most remarkable episodes of the history ^ Canada ! Accept, Monsieur, with my sentiments of high con- Jeration, the assurance of my sincere friendship, H. EMILE CHEVALIER kris, January, 29 18G0. .\l f ' .»■ ^ . J, '^:,- "-, ■4 J" 'hi y^ ~-^. t»^'^jet^>^ y TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. ^ rhere are many well meaning people who would infer ftt)nf the le of thlB novel that it is immoral; but such are assured that fre 18 not a word in it, from beginning to end, "which angeta kht not hear, and virgins tell ;» and I may be permitted to add V had it been' of a different character, I should have had nothing ■flo with-it. To translate a vicious Ubok, would iU become one o, in his Review, and elsewhere, has denounced in elaborate ar- les the efforts of certain publishers, to introduce to the mothen. " ¥e8 and daughters of America, a chss of French novels which ^resent female virtue and fidelity, so fdr as they recognize the ex- ace of those qualities at all, as superstiUons worthy oiUy of the 'ar and uncultivated. fut the work of Chevallier is not the less lively and fascinatimr fbeing scrupulously chaste in its moral tone. It was no predelic- . of mmethat selected it from the mass of recent French novels- las presented to me with the wish that I would translate if I Wd of it. aaer it had been r^pmtnended to the published by pral competent persons who «xamined it A glance at its .satisfied me that, apart froJ {he light It sheds on the early Ini^tion of Canada, it is such as would be eminently accept I to themass of novel readers in this country, especially to those ► hke to trace the facts of history in the light, att«ictive garb of Jill notforesta^Uhe interest of the reader by giving any analy- If the plot. Suffice it to observe that the story abounds in inoi- I and adventure; its descrifcdbs of natural scenery and port- hres of character are lively, graphic, and truthful ; and thecharm te narrative i> -ureases as the story proceeds. Guyonhe (the One ban forTh^-ty-Nh.eMen.) is a true heroine, and presents an . "tible illusu-ation of female devoUon, fid^tf, and self-denial. V. '^■*' / s%^t^k. '^j^2SM:i^M,.u'jto, ,j, i.A. ^^^^^!i\ . ".fe^ ^ ■ ir r^fi^s^H^- TU«» charactcre of Iho./Marquls de la Roche, Laura dc Kcrskocn, ViBCOunt de Ganay,.the Pilot-Chodotcl, the sailor, Francccur.^tc.,- each the type of a dasB, I leave the reader to discover for himself. , merely remarking that the relations of all, both to the heroine and - to^each other, are dcyeloped with considerable artistic skill and In- genuity. _ , , . Althot^gh the intervals I have been able to devote to the mfrk, would have been little enough^ transcribe an equal number 51 pages from aiT English book,! think it will be found that there is not much of th« spirit of the original lotft iathe trah^lation. There are, indeed, ^me typographical errors here and there, but U iB due to the honest printer to say Ihat he is les? to blame for tjiia " than my illegible pcrawl. My greatest trouble, however, has been with the orthographical inijovations of Webster, which confronted me in every proof sheet like a genius of evil wishing to give all the annoyance in his power. I make the remark, however, not by way of feult finding, biit because many wUl read this book who are not aware that the spelUng of Webster, in almost all the words whose orthbgrapliy he has attempted to alter, is much more French thait English. Thus, in words in which we use e, the French use », and vice wrsa, tJi in sympathize, baptiw, spiritualise, etc., eta, which m French are sympathiaer, baptiaer, spirituallier, etc., etc., and the Bamem Webster's English; an observation whicli would apply with equal force t Arent other cWes'of wdrds that are a Bource of so much trduble to pfoof-readers and editors. Then, if in ^ two or three instances the same word is found spelt alternately ac- cording to Webster and Worcester, or according to the French and English systems, let the reader be good enough to retoemter the cause of the anomaly.— , s. L a ^ \ ^ U BW YOBK, October 27. l^^.i^.-'.V.^I feS^Sfe^'-s' ^" -^Si •"'■-''' \^ j» .-■ ^ !'■'.■■ "w* * '. ' • I ■ ' < ' - \ • . ■:• • \ ' ■ - r ^ • '\ " \. ' . ■ " - ' , CONTENTS.'' ji . „ ' latroduction. . ''•s*-; *-: • • • - . . 19 I^ROLOGUE. Chapteb I, The Bandits, ....'' ". 'II., Laura de Kerskoen, . * * * . " III, The Manor, . . .'/'/' .' '• IV, The Uncle ahd his Niece, . ,* v ' ' „„ V, The Troubadour /* ' ' " VL, TheAttaofc, . ' * * * . * ?i • " VII:, Bertrand, / • ' . * .- * * , * ' ^ " Vp., TheEva'sion, . .'.*.* * * /^ "** ' *\ IX., Before the Departure, . . ' ^^ . / ■ i <^ 1* =8^ « I '- /* ' ^jft-*"' « ' **:. Part L ■A.T SEA. Chapteb I, Guyonne.thePisherwoman.'f . . , 53 n.^ The Embarkment * . ' ^q •• m., The Castor, . . . . . , \ ^g " rV., The Storm, ' * gg v., The Conspiracy, gg " VI., Revolt on Board gg " VII., ThQ Execution, . . .*.'*.*. 105 Vin., The Lore of a FIsherwomap, wd the Love of a Pilot, ....... 109 " IX., Famine, ...... ijg X., Land, ^ ^ ^^ " ^ XI., The Arrival .130 ■4 ^ Past IL Chapteb I, The Isle of Sable, . .00 " IL, The Forty, j^j ni., First Day on the Isle of Sable, 147 . « IV., Brise-tout, . . . . . ' .. * . . 153 " v.. The Legend, jgg " VI., The Shipwreck, . . . ' ' j^g " Vn., The Wreck ' . * . * '185 " Vin., The Erable, ... 191 : I^.TheCoffer, . . .*.■.:.• ,,, X., Mysterious, . . . . ^ ^ .204 . ", ._&P ig oove ry ,^. . 1. __^_l,Jl^L ^ ^ ^ ^ [z [CHAPTEnXn., DeathofBrise-tout, . . . . • . 217 " XIII., A Pejplexity, 233 " XIV., The Intrigue, 228 " XV., The Insurrection, , . ' . . . 233 " XVL, The Combat .237 FIVE "2r3=!.A.'RS AJPOTEH. / Chapter XVTL, The Mute, . . . .^k . .244 " . Xym, Philip and Guyonne, .. . . . . '255 ** XIX., Fragments of a Journal, . . "^ , , 203 " XX., The Surprise . 274 ** XXI., Questions and Responses 280 *• XXIL, Guyonne and John, . . . . 289 « . XXm., Love, ... . . . . .296 •♦ XXIV., Return of the Castor 800 " XXV., Conclusion, ^ 811 \x 'JS.K1 Ii?«» ^ ,-/ .|f« %r ^ ^ t t ^1; 'i^-- f.j / ■^BSSBE'' amiliS.JJi^S£j£ --IT- i;-':;-^ THIBTT-lriNE MEN FOR ONE WOMm " I'ROLOGUE IN BRITTAKY. »**- CHAPTER L \ l^V ^l T"^^ ^ '^' "^"'^^^ ^^^^3^' 15^8, two cava. Irs st^ from the city of St. Malo, took the overland hte which led to the South, and advanced towards a steep Bteao. I * Jese two cavaliers wore a costume half military, half tly. The elder appeared to be forty-five years. he other was a yomig man clad with a taste, at once bre ^ddminguS. Although armed like his companion, Beemed as if returning from a fete, or going to some ^ce remuon of lords. His physiognomy had an air of amme jnteepidity wMGteh«»eteria^ ti^o^oots I nobihty J his features were deUfl||^ but ^s eye sparkled ' iMt^Jt 1 *..lA 3 iV'-i^fii*^ t^iifX /3/ with pride ; his face was white as marble, but large an ;' full; his nose finely designed, but bold in its cast; hi; mouth small, but sarcastic ; his chin agreeable, but elongat ed ; his body slim, but muscular and vigorously formed In a word, he was the type of that Frankish race whic; imposed itself on Gaul, by brute force, after the decay c the Roman Empire, The first was William, Marquis de la Roche-Gommard | the second, John, Viscount de Ganay. The fioipier was; Breton, the latter a Burgundian. Both numbered coronets among their ancestors, and a though the feudal ice had begun to thaw beneath the sui j of royalty, the De la Roches and De Ganays were forc& to follow the superannuated traditions of their fathers Hence it was that John had been sent into Brittany by th | Count Germain de Ganay, his father, there to learn his firj 3 lessons in the use of arms under the patronage of the Mai I quis de la Roche, with whom he had formed a friendly in I timacy during the wars of the League. After having diil charged the duties of a page, John caused himself to b I promoted to the rank of grand equerry, and under thi f title served William de la Roche. For half an hour the two cavaliers rode on without saj ing a word. The road they passed was zigzag and rugged and deeply incased between a double hedge of hawthon and cherry-trees in blossom. The marquis, grave aaj thoughtful, abandoned himself to the easy gait of charger ; the viscount, not less thoughtful, looked close at t he horizon , and no doubt would fain have presst ward the hands of his watch, but a sentiment of defereni^ ;i/^. 8 trained Jiim from leaving his companion, who foDowed at short distance. Suddenly, as they reached a place where le road formed an angle, five cavaUers, fuUy armed, dashed It before them, and ordered them to halt. By the masp, what does this mean ?" excslaimed Wil- im de la Roche, drawing his sword. « Surrender, or you are dead men!" commarided one of i,Q cavaUers, whose hehnet was surmounted with a black lunjie. « By my word," retorted De la Roche ; « the invitation as curious as it is courteous. Who are you, my good m, that you come into our presence without permission? ick, clown I if you don't, I will have you hung high and lort, both you and the cowardly bandits who accompany Du [This menace did not intimidate the assailants, for they Iplied only with a shout of derisive laughter, during which le chief resumed his summons. [^« I am of a good family, Marquis de la Roche," said he; " I declare you my jJrisoner." j« Wait till you have captured me before you indulge in ch bragadocia, chevalier-traitor and felon. Now, I wiU lock you down, or fire on you, as on a mad dog." pe la Roche, after a sign to De ^anay, rapidly replaced sword in the scabbard, and raised a pistol in each hand, ke young man 'imitated this movement with no less "aptitude. 'Come ottlC^e oaf Srew the mscre^t^Sp ^ves 1" shouted the chief of the ruflians. ■piipiPiipiiHI " Coward I Come down and measure yourself with me at arm's length !" " A hundred crowns of gold for you if you bring me the marquis living," he contented himself by saying to one of his underlings. ♦^Receive this, at all events, on account," replied De h Roche, pointing one of his pistols at his adversary. But, although he took deliberate aim, the shot had no effect. The ball reboimded from the cuirass of the cheT- i alier without even indenting it, and the bandits sought tc :| surround our heroes, in order to cut off their retreat. Thret more shots were heard mmost instantaneously. John had fired with his two pistols, andDe la Roche with the one h had left. In the midst of the smoke, produced by the triplf explosion, it was impossible to tell the extent of the result ^ However, a man vacated his stirrups, roUed on the ground | and the issue of the combat was worse than doubtful whei a troop of gens d^armea debpuched from a neighborius. underwood. " Mine, mine !" exclaimed William de la Rtoche," di»t| tinguishing the colors of his flag, and the newcomers im i mediately put spurs to their horses, but the bandits fore seeing that they would be overwhelmed by numbers, tumei their reins and rode off at a gallop. The marquis selected some men to pursue them, then It i alighted to ascertain who was the victim of the attempt «;; his person. John de Ganay wished to aid him in the in ^ vest igation, but a glance prevented him. Co vere d witj blood and dust, the wounded man panted heavily uude ^ v''* e yourself with me IS envelop of iron. He was struck on the right shoidder, le cuirass being defective in that part, and writhed his 'hole body a prey xjo horrible tortures. William de la loche approached ^m, rested his knee on his breast, un- ickled the ties of His hehnet, Ufted his cap, and for an in- fant exMnined the face of the bandit. « " Who are you ?» he asked. "I want a drink— Fm thirsty— Fm burning; for th^ •ve of Heaven, give me something to drink 1" replied the iknown, in a chokmg voice. By order of WilHam de la Roche, one of the armed men to a neighboring spring, took some water in his helmet id brought it to the wounded man, who drank with avid- the refreshing liquor. ** Ah I» said he, '« that does me good I" But who are you ? To whom do you belong ?» reiter- id the marquis. The stranger remained silent. Speak, or I will perforate you like a miserable heretic ;" ided Pe h. Roche, with a significant gesture. "Monseigneurl" said the unfortunate, trembling wiUi light. "Will you speak?" I" Well," stammered he in a tone so low that William obhged to stoop almost to his mouth, m order to hear I, " I am in the pay of the Duke de Mercceur." ♦Duke de Mercceur I Aht 1 ^nbfedTt. W¥a8 he^ 10 wore the dark plume. Was it not?'* f .i.^m "I don't know." ' ' « My God, you lie, soldier !" « No, monseigneur; I swear it to you on the bones of my happy patron." " Do you think you can deceive me by these impostures ?'* "lam suffering; oh, I am suffering infernal pains and chastisements!" groaned the soldier, the convulsions of pain suffocating him. ** "Let his cuirass be taken ofi; and let him be put on a horse," ordered De la Roche, jumping into his'saddle. We are but a short distance from the manor ; there he will be Bhaved^by our barber, and to-morrow he will have to un- dergo an examination. You will answer for it tome on your neck." ,/ Immediately the little troop commenced its march, head- ed by the two noblemen. "The scoundrel!" muttered the marquis between his teeth, " attempting to capture me by an ambuscade I He has no more courage than a wet hen. Why not call me to the field, and then, if he has so many griefs agamst me, we shall see."f- TumirSg himself suddenly towards John de Ganay, he added : **I hope, my friend, you have received no hurt." "Vo^fiir, thanks to Heaven; the wretches failed to touch me. :But do you know the trdtor-chevalier whom they obeyed?" ( Thft «v^i^ ma regarded his interlo^tor wi^i^everity, and^ lowered his eyebrows. vt I «Pardon!'» said John, disconcerted by the scrutiny of this cutting look. " Your curiosity is excusable, viscount," replied De la Roche, changing his tone. "Besides, if, is time that I should initiate you into the secrets of the fanuly into whii you desire' to enter. Do not blush; I know you are attached to my niece, Laura de Kerskoen : and I beUeve the young lady does not look on you with any unfriendly eye. I feel, therefore, that I ought to confide to you certain affairs, of a very grave nature, before accomplishing a project which will perhaps cost me my life. Will you swear to me that, in case I perish, you will take Laura for your legitimate wife." " I swear it, on the guard of my sword 1" said John de Ganay, solemnly. » ** Your oath satisfies me. Learn then, that I have in the Duke de Mercoeur, governor of the beautiful province of Brittany, an implacable enemy, who for twenty-five years has done all in his power to sully the escutcheon of De la Roche, and dishonor its chief I will explain to you the motive of this hatred:— The duke was smitten by my young- est sister, Adelaide de la Roche, the mother of Laura. As he was a man of dissolute and perverse habits, my father refused him the iiand of his daughter, whom he married to Count Alfred de Kerskoen. Thenceforward, De Mercoeur breathed an enmity, which time only increases. After hav- ing circulated odious reports about my sister, he challenged her husband to single combat, and lolled him. Then, with his hand, dripping with the blood of my brother-in-law, he dared to renew his propositions to the widox. She re- dox. A . « ■ (8 pulsed him with hoi+or, and died almost immediately giv- ing birth to Ladra. This took place in 1581 ; I was at the siege of Cambray. On my return to Brittany I received this sad news. Without waiting to change my' dress, I proceeded to Rennes, ■ where the duke held his court, and there, before all his fierce barons, I insulted him grossly. Next day we foughl on horseback, determined that one or- the other should die; He having been dismounted, we re- commenced the combat on foot. His sword broke againpt mine ; and he was at my mercy, when by a sentiment of compassion, for which I shall ever reproach myself, •! granted him his life. Far fromjmanifesting any gratitude • for this act of generosity, he dreamed no longer but of Tengeance, and such is also the sotirce of his profound ani- madversion against our glorious Henry IV. After the as- sassination of the late King Henry HI., I espoused the carfse of the League against the Be^mais, and the Duke de Mer- coeur, although a fervent Catholic secretly promised his support to the Calvinists. More recently, Mayenne commi^ ted an irreparable fault in order- to conceal his ambitious designs ; he caused the Cardinal of Bourbon to be pro- claimed under the name of Charles X., the seventh of Au- gust, 1589. Then, seeing i^to what an abyss of evils, anar- chy was going to lead ol|- dear France, and bearing in mind the usurping intentions of Philip H., who, under the ^ doak of religion, looked forward to nothing less than the monarchical unity of all Europe, and the degradation of the pontifical throne, I united myself frankly with the par- tisans of Henry. The Duke de Mercceur, on the other liaaa, turned about, entered into a coalition against that ■ • \ prince with the Dukes de Longiieville, do Moptpensier, d'Eperon, d'Aumont, the Baron d'O, anfl proclaimed to all who would listen to him that I was a renegade, a re- lapse, a heretic. But it was in vain, that he distilled his venom of calumny to alienate from me the affections of . the vassals of Brittany; my prmciples were too well known. I was able to say that I had a large part in the abjuration of Henry IV. The excommnnioation, of Gregory XIV. did not frighten me, because I was sure to gain a soul for heaven, and a good sovereign for my country. And whenj:;iement VII., yielding to the solicitations of my^ friends, D'Ossat and Duperron, accorded absolution to our well-beloved king, I bleSsed Providence for the favor vouchsafed to France by the .interposition of the holy pon- tiff. But the jealousy of the Duke de Mercoeur increased with all. his failures. Furious at the triumph of the cause which I had sustained, he tried to pass himself off here as the heir of the ancient dukes, plotted with Phihp 11., a^d refused his allegiance to Henry IV. However, he feared me, and not daring to attack me openly, he disguises him- ^ self to attack me with a band of agpassins at the comer of a wood.'* " What !" said John surprised, " it was—** " Hush I Let tis - advance nothing which we can not prove; the Church forbids it ; and we, though excited by anger, must not sin'; besides, to-morrow all doubt will be removed. But to conclude, you are informed of the hatred which animates the Duke de Mercceur against our house." L J* That Jiatred I despise," "firaptaly excMmed tiieyou ng man. !m .• 10 Do la Roche shook his head with a sombre air. "The duke is powerful," said he,."too powerfulP " The eredit of the king ?" hazarded the equer^. ^ " The credit of the king is. without influence over fanat- ics, and I confess I apprehend , strongly that, notwith- standing the treaty of Vervins, the edict of Nantes, of th« 13th of last April, an edict which insures to the Huguenots equity of powers, honors, and dignities with the Catho- hcsj^^ay seem wrong to the court of Rome, and entangle France in new religious wars. In -a word—" The maVquis passed over his face his large hand, whicli' was furrowed by a wound, , . " . "In a word," he re^fd, « I have the letters-patent which confirm me in the office of lieutenant-general of Can- ada. In eight days we' shall start for that virgin soil', of which so many wonders are told, and Laura will enter the convent of Blois, where she will await patiently the return of her betrothed. If I succumb, John, you will protect her, will you not?" " Oh I" exclaiiiii^ the young man with wai #. ■,',>*' ■'. wT~ ¥■'- ■ »■ . • »' , ^ . ^ ' jSftrSj2IFr;S23TT?TE2.'-»t:ft ^ J mc^ L.. ..w # CHAPTER IL ■I * ■ It was noon. Seated in a large sculptured chair, ILaura I de Kerskoeh, lady of the manor o^ Vomadeck, turned over the leaves of her beautiful missal, printed on parchment and embellished with miniatures of the Byzantine style of art, enriched with a brilliant case, having clasps of emboss- 1 ed gold, with an Oriental amethyst at the centre, encased in a silver plate afteT the manner of St. Eloi, goldsmith of I King Dagobert. Laiira jflftiKerskoen, heiress ofVomadeck, was at the :^^f illusions, seventeen simuncrs, like a rosebud, ready [ to break the pod, of which the richness of its colors was jealous of the sweetness of its perfumes. Nothing so pret- ty, and at the same time so mutinous, as her counten^^nce, where temerity and gentleness harmonized their features. „ Opposite to this yoraig lady sat her nurse, Dame Catha- nne, a native of Normandy, who, from theijifanoy of Laura, L^at^ ^ placed her mo th e r, .1 — . :::^ T. -I •M, •) ■% 12 « Tell me, nurse," suddenly asked the young lady, rest- . ing the missal on her knees, "do you know what o'clock it is ?" « I think it is near twelve," repUed Catharine, "for I hear the bugle sound to reUeve the guard at the castle. Pretty soon our good Marquis de la Roche-Gommard will be home, with his amiable equerry, the Lord of Ganay. , I am sure that your heart pants for him. Viscount John is as hand some a young man as he is an intreped cavalier." j A slight disdainful smile rose to the lips of Laura, who replied after a minute : " Were you not speaking this morning of going to see the fishergirl, who has broken her leg?" J Yes, dear girl ; I w^l go as soon as the great heat sub- Xfttofes." K y I think it would be better to go at once. If my uncle \and guardian come home in the afternoon, it will hardly »Q possible to quit the castle, nurso," - kry true, my daughter, you reason like an angel ; I will goWd get my mantle and immediately bring that poor w(|man the herbs and potions which the surgeon has prescribed^* WhUe saying so, the old dame rose from her seat and started. ^ « Ah I" joyously exclaimed Laura, as she heard the door of the apartment close after her "dudgne," as she caUed lier. « Ah, I am- then ^ee at last 1 A few minutes more and perhaps * ♦ After all, Catharine is so indulgent to *^ ^ ' 13 me I She would not breaJthe a word of me to the Marquis' de la Roche. It wiU nofe be long now untU he comes, and that John de Ganay ^h him. * * What weariness! But she too will be soon here ; she wUl come before them, my gentle messenger. What good luck 1" Bounding with gayety, the niece of the marquis ran to a narrow arch, embellished with colored glass, and raised the lower frame. An amorous ray of the sun enveloped her at once in the waves of its brilliant light, and extended softly on the ground. For twenty minutes, Laura, with hef arms resting on the Iwindow-stool, mterrogated the extent of the azure vault, stripping the petals, so to speak, Of an adorable medita- tion. She began to grow impatient, however; when, at the North; there appeared a black pomt. « Addresse I my dear Addresse I » murmured the young ilady. The point enlarged insensibly, assumed proportions, a rorm Blight and lank. It w^ a pigeon cutting the atmos- phere with its wmgs. It approaches— it approaches I Al- •eady one can distinguish its white>|umj^e and its slender leck, ^ded with a green band. " •♦ Ah 1 dear Addresse," repeated Laura j « then it is you ; was not mistaken 1" Like a skilful pilot, examining the port after a perilous oyage, the bird redoubled her zeal since she saw the beauti- ful head of Laura extending over the embrasure of the window. It had passed the waU of the castle, and glided l!^^ ^e^^emal ramparts, but had not time to receive 14 the reward of its voyage, when suddenly a report was heard, and ^e young lady grew pale, then uttered a piercmg cry. However, she immediately recovered her presence of mind. Then she projected her person outside tie wmdow-stool, and saw the bird flapping its wings, and entangled in the foHage of a moulding, a few feet above her. Below, on the waU, were soldiers laughmg loudly and fehcitatmg one of their companions, whose murderous arm \ had wounded the imiocent creature. Delighted with ««*: j dexterity, ihe soldier who did the harm laughed louder than the rest; but at the sight of the niece of their lord all were sflent, and sdon disappeared. The young heiress could then without the fear of being surprised, Wer herself more, stretch out her arm and seize the unfortunate pigeon; she took it softly, drew it to her, and returned to her seat. The bird had its thigh broken. Laura could not restrain her tears. " Poor thing !» said she, in broken accents, « it wiU never get well." However she washed the womrd carefully, drew from the rnangled Jesh the bloody down which sullied it, and after having assm-ed herself that the lead had only grazed some secondary tendons, she took from the neck of the pigeon a green ribbon, and brought it tenderly to her bed. r..T ^I'^^^y'^^SOod Succor," said she, ^^have pity on my ittle Addressel I will burn in your honor four ikJe tapers of perfumed wax, and give a beautiful napkin of Flanders linen for your altar, if you will preserve her to me I - ^ "1 ■ ■,'■. a report was len uttered a recovered her person outside its wings, and "ew feet above ng loudly and lurderous arm ;hted withld*^ tughed louder of their lord 'oung heiress rised, lower 3 unfortunate i returned to I. not restrain 15 n life and health, or else put to death the scoundrel of a loldier who has caused her death 1" This invocation bemg ended, Laura de Kerskoen unroUed le ribbon, which she had put into her bosom, introduced mto a bronze decanter, suspended from her waist by a ihain of the same metal, and withdrew it at the end of five Ws. The original color had disappeared; it was brown K marked with brown characters. In the twinkling of an We, the yomig girl- had devoured these characters, and aU \er members trembled with fright. At this moment the somid of a trumpet awakened the choes of the manor. Laura precipitated herself to the win- fow, her eyes riveted on the esplanade near the draw- Indge of the principal entrance. "The Marquis de la Roche and John de Ganay'" ex lamied she in a fright. "Holy Vii-gin! Beitrand is lostl'» it will never S drew from lUied it, and only grazed nock of the ' to her bed. pity on my four large ■ * ■-- 4 il napkin of 1 ■ e her to me 1 - J' ■:>; 1 lAiia^itiJ^it^&ir'V' It b '-'i^^l t r^L : .. . . » ^...tlnh>^*,'.-.-.^Jtt^t 4-»i CHAPTER ITL '( Bdtlt on the plateau of an abrupt rock, the manor ofJ Koche was one of the most redoubtable fortresses in Britl tany. Its general configuration resembled that of a tr J pezmm, of which the axis was directed to the northwestl . an4 of which the small side extended to the northeasj This configuration was described by a boundary of ram-^ parts, with an elevation of thirty feet. In the rear wa.1 the chateau property so caUed. Four large mnsi composed of cut stone, united to each other by sj^ towers, composed it. StiU mo«, to the rear, at the Ltri of a vast court, rose the citadel to tiie height of twenty! toises, a sort of octagonal fortress, surmounted by a diadeJ of projectm^ turrets. It was here tie arms and munitionsf were deposited, and where, in cases of necessity, the pri J oners of war were confined to prevent their being rescued A deep slopmg ditch, cut in the solid rock, and a waU ^ bHBthng with iron spikes, surrounde d the forteesa attk "■» 17 Rse. Five gates led to it ; the two first situated beneat;Ji I vault in the exterior rampart, and separated by an inter- Uaiate portculKs, or herse; the two following being in the Ddy of the inhabited edifice, equaUy separated by an inter- Udiate portcullis; and the fifth placed at the base of the brtress. No surrounding ditch protected the first line of Irtifications, which were founded on perpendiaular rocks, apossible to be scaled. One could arrive at the chateau Jy by a zigzag path, incrusted, so to speak, in the flank of lie mountam, and which crossed a drawbridge, under ^hich a very deep well had been made. Two masses of ranite, in the form of half moons, provided with numerous attlements and loop-holes, defended this bridge. The chateau of La Roche had been constructed in the leenth century by Aymon de la Roche on his return from ke crusades. To this it is needless to add that the build- Ig was of the feudal style of architecture. At the time the bugle sounded, an archer appeared the platform of the gate. "Brittany and Navarre!" cried the marquis. Immediately a rattling of chains on rollers was heard, id the bridge was promptly lowered. The cavalcade en- ked, the Marquis de la Roche taking the lead. Arrived the court of honor, he halted, gave some orders concern- k the captive, jumpe'a from his horse, and made a sign to He equerry to follow hun. Taking a large stairway, they lescended to the armory and penetrated into an apartment Tf the narrowest dimensions, contiguous to the hall. This U t h e c ham ber ^^^e M^qais de la Roche-eommard.— y N 18 It had a very Bombro and very austere air; o., might easily Jiave mistaken it for the cell of a dominicaJ Noting to gratify the eye. The furniture cQusisted o1 a camp-bed, simply covered with a bear's skin, two tables cojfered with books, cards, stools, mathematical andastr, nomical instruments, some chests, and a sealed casket ol the white-washed waU. The only ornament, worthy of aJ tention, was a large crucifix, in black wood, and of exquisit] purity of form. It was said that this crucifix was the worl of the famous Michael Angelo, wliich had been taken awa] from thq church of the Holy Spirit at the time of the civJ wars m Italy, and sold for a hmidred silver marks to th] father of WiUiamde la Roche. .' . The Marquis took a s^^t, and drew from his pocket-booli a parchment, sealed with the arms of France and Navarre ^e glanced over the contents, while John de Ganay stood J few paces distant, in a respectful attitude. The parchmej contamed these lines : - 1 «We, Henry the Fourth, of the name, by the grace o| God Kmg of France and Navarre, to our friend, and faithful subject of the Mesgomiets, chevalier of our order, comisell or m our council, and captam of fifty armed men, the Lor/ - de la Roche, Marquis de Cotemmmeal, Baron de Las Vis. comit deK:!aventon et ^St. Lo, in Normandy, Viscomit d^ Travanet, Lord de la Roche-Gommard and Quermolac, di Comae, Benteguyno et Lescuit, conformably to the wilJ of the late King Henry HI, have created Lieutenant] General of the country of Canada, Hocheleja, Newfound! land, river of the Great Bay Norembegne and the lands adjacent, on th« foUowing conditions; -\ 19 "That the Lord do la Roche vnH have particularly in kw the estabUshment of the Catholio faith; that Hs tthority will extend over aU the men of war, both on |a and land; that he will choose the captains, masters vessels, and pilots ; that he shaU have a right to com- • and them in all cases which he may deem necessary, bile they can not, under any pretext, refuse to obey that he may put the ships and crews, which he feu find in the ports of France, in a seaworthy condi- bn, raise as many troops as he may wish, to make war, lild forts and cities, give them laws and punish their ansgressors or pardon them; grant to noblemen fiefs, 'ships, manorsj counties, baronies, and other dignities, bject to our sovereignty, according as he may deem' |ndncive to the good of the service, and to the others lower condition at such charge and annual rent as it ^y please him to impose, but from which they will be |empt the six first years, and longer, if he deems it cessary; that on the return of his expedition, he can nde between those who made the voyage with him, |e third .of aU the gains and profits, retaining another frd for himself, and employing the remaining t^hird to feet the expenses of the war, fortificaUons, and other com- c»n expenses; that aU ihe noblemen, merchants, and liers who will accompany him at their own expense, or berwise, can do so U full hberty, but that they wiU Jt^be permitted to carry on commerce without his -'ssion, and that under pain of the confiscation of their Ips, merchandise, and ojjier effects ; that in case of dis- •se or djathJie cap, fey will er otherwise, name one » - 20 two lioutonanta to tako \m place ; that he will have the liberty in the whole kingdom to make a levy of workmen, and other men necessary for the success of his enterprise ; finally, that he will enjoy the same powers, privileges, im- munities, and authorities of which the Lord of Roberval had been gratified by the late King Francis L " Given at our palace of the Louvre, in our^good city of Paris, this second day of January, of the year ^f grace one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, and of our reign the ninth. Signed, " HKNEY OI* FBAXCB AND OP ITAVABBE." * " John," s^d the marquis, when he had concluded the reading. V *' Monseigneur I" *' You have read the narrative of James Cartier ?'* The equerry nodded affirmatively. " And you are still resolved to accompany me ?" added William da la Roche, closely scrutinizing the yonng man. " Yes, sir," Replied the equerry without hesitation. "The perils and dangers don't frighten you ?" *It will be nnderstoodthat the letter, which y^e have ^ven here, is but a very'««iccinct abridgment of that i^hich granted to Wil- liam de la Boche the Lieutenancy of Canada. To have given the letter entire w^uld have been a 8l^e^fluity, which would bo in- jurious to tho (framatlo iutorcet of aur recital. Ui».*i«V*-* 21 J I We descended from a &mHy in which the term fear h« ^o me^ang. On our coat of am,, ia engraved 'aZ- be^d u,hmheU mgaged in a noble enteT>ri8e " |«je. But you understand the object of oJ..^ j " To found a colony." /. " ""^ '"■"'^""•"PM tie marqnla warmly. "Oh it -otaUI Isayitiatheleastindlnent, My so^^e We to propagate the doctrines which Jesus Christ^nr Savour, ,^,^ ^ ,^^ ^^^^ ^o^ .^rry the torch of truth into the midst of ignorant and idol- atroua people, who mhabit the forests of North America ■ wemust work outoarown salvation, ,0 merit heavenmoon! vertrngU^elndianstoour religion 1 we must "(PeiaEoTe lowers h,s voice)-, prevent, the heretios-the iuguenots- you understand me, John-from distilling on New Prance the venom of their lying dogmas, as they have already tried to do at Charlefort, at the instigation of CoUgny r A&er this sortie, dictated by the religious fanaticism of the to^ De la Eoohe inclined his head on his breast, and mdulged m profbrnad meditation. Bit if he had cast his ^es on ks eq„er,7, hrf would havi been Surprised at the Aange^he had m,dergone in a few minutes. John de Gan! ay was pale to lividness; his features contracted; his muscles trembled, he seemed to combat *ith himself a;airt htter «.ger. faripusiy bit hi. )ips, .. jf ^ ,^^^ J. 22 vordsf'that flowed to his lips. By degrees^ however, he recovered his self-control, so that, ^en the marquis, had got over hlfl revery, he was calm, or at least seemed s<^ " You understobd me ?" asked the Marquis de la Jloche. "I di^'Wdly rep^ed John. " And you will come, the cross in one hand and the hoe in the other, and if I succumb — ^'* " ;^ "I will undertake the accomplishment of your la^ wishes." " Matk you, John," ssdd the marquis, rising, and taking the hand of the viscount, which he found moist and cold : "thank you, you will one day be- the glory of Chris- tianity." • W/. De Ganay retired, and William de -la Roche vfQtA to prostrate himself before huhsrucifiz. X I -ij-l i ■,», ' w -.;«; .li •vm^'^"':" ■■-'m i ' CHAPTER rV. THE XJN-OI.E J^NT> HIS NIECE. . Lauka de Kerskogn was again seated in her chair, ab- Borbed in thought. _ -« What folly I to write me that he wiU come this even, ing I Did I hot teU him that I expected my uncle ? But what signify these words : ' Fear nothing, my precautions are weU taken ; to-morrow, if you wish, we shaU be uniteJi bymdissoluble ties.' Oh, I tremble I What am I to do? Dear Bertrand! he is capable of aU-he loves me so much I Why is it that a mortal enmity divides our parents? But no, no I I shaU never be the wife of any man in the world but him I eh, I would rather berry myself in a cloister I Is not my love just, is it not legitimate? Do I not owe my existence to this brave champion ? Where should I be without him, good St. Mary? At the peril of his life he rescued me from the flames which devoured the con- vent of my aunt. How handsome he is, how brave 1 And yet so timid with me I confronting every danger, in order -kF \ 24 . • to come and respire one instant under the window of l^fl queen 1 What a difference between him and that John de Ganay, whose assiduities importune me ! Besides^ what' can the Marquis de la Roche think of him ? ho seems to me not a loyal Catholic, the Burgundian. -I cease to think of him, fifter I have^made the sign of the cross, and he always finds flome pretext for not being present at the holy sacrifice of the mass. On the contrary, "Bertrand mover fails to be present. Every Sunday, disguised as a serf, I see him piously humbled in a corner of the village church, where I go regularly since the death of our worthy chaplain. ♦ • To come this evening, whafr imprudence I Would that I could warn him I Impossible, Addresse is too seriously wounded ! What resource then I Would that I knew where he is I' * • And that equerry who is strolling incessantly on the ramparts, telling the Marquis de la Roche to double the guards, because that — because that — Bad plan, bad plan ; my uncle would suspect at once. What fatality 1 Some magician has made, a charm, that's sure. * ♦ I must implore the aid of my merciful patroness 1" " Having formed this design, the devoted young lady ran' to kneel before her crucifix. While tbuB prostrated, Wil- liam de la Roche entered, without interrupting her. Not wishing to trouble her meditations, he was about to retire, for tie rigid guardian was far from suspecting that it was ft mundane thought — a tiionght of a disobedient 'lover, which thus absorbed the attention of his ward ; but sud- denly the latter exclaimed : " Oh, thank you, thank you, happy patroness, you have granted my petitions ; he is saved 1" " ■ ■ A- tiE. f^'tf'^^m-^'v^^^ 25 . . "^ " Who is this ?" asked the mar(juis. « Monseigaeur de la Roche," stammered Laura "Well, dear child, is it^s you receivdyour uncle, after an absence of two ndonths?'* *'Pardon, pardon," said J^aura, blushing. "I ♦» aTou did not expect niVhaughty ^irl," replied William, tenderly kissmg her forehead. «*But, thank heaven we have returned safe and sound, and all is ready for our ap- proaching departure I" * ^ " Your approaching departdrel" . ' . « Ah, my friend,you tremble because I take with me the object of your thoughtsi John de Ganay will accompany me to New France. There, do not grieve, my Laura ; do not Jower your eyes to conceal your affliction. I promise to return hmi to you in a year, at Most." "But, monseigneur -" "But what, mademoiselle?" said he, sitting down and takmg her on his knee. "But » "Since J promise to return him to. you, you are not gomgtobejealousofyouroldmicle. ITxe separation wiU Wy you both, and you wiU like me aU the better for havmg kept you asunder some time. You will pass your Widowhood mider the abbess of the monastery of Blois." "But, uncle," said the yomig lady, who recovered by de- grees from her emotion, "have you not told me that you had deferred the project of founding a colony at New .*(■ '*> h' 2f ./ "Ah I" replied the marquis, smiling, "it is less my pro • ject of colonization than the colonist, whom I take with me, that calls forth this insidious question." "You hafe then obtained yonr letters-patent ?" said she, with an agitation which escaped the attention of her inter- locutor. "iBetter still," replied he, "I have escaped the trap which had been set for me by the DukQ de Mercceur." Laura started. "Dear child," said De la Roche, pressing her affection- ately to his bosom ; " you will pardon me for leaving you, but the voice of God speaks to my conscience — I must go. A new Peter the Hermit, I bear the banner of the Roman Church in the midst of infidels, and soon the opposite shores of the Atlantic will ring with the praises of the All- Powerful. Courage, my daughter I Offer your 90UI to God, this will aid you to support this trial" Laura was sensible. Brought up by William de la Roche, who had spoiled her, she cherished him as a father. If the long expeditions of her guardian had never fright-, ened her, at that epoch of civil wars, tjio idea of a voyage across the Ocean to countries supposed to be much more distant than they really were — this idea, we say, could not fMi to make her sad. She burst into tears. Persuaded that these tears had his equerry for their object much more than himself William tried to console her with caresses. Tten, imagining that he supplied a sovereign baha for the. grief of his niece,- he said, when withdrawing : 1 H w^vwr- ^Hr- ■:. , 27 -- ■ \ « Never mind, my child ; dry your tears. Yon will be betrothed before we, embark." As soon as he had left the room, Laura tapped three times on a gong with a silver wand. Her waiting-maid, a young courteous, and handsome Picardian appeared. / * "Luzette, who i^ the "sergeant of the guard at the gate of the chateau?" The abigail turned her eye with aknow- ing air and replied : , "ItisGoUathl" ' ' « Go down to the office, and tell the butler not to forget his post to-night. You understand me I" "MademoiseUe wiU be obeyed," said Luzette, bowing. "Ah, I am indisposed^I will not go to supper 1" Luiette made a second bow and retired. "By this means," exclaimed the niece of the marquis, perhaps I may succeed in securing his safety." <» CHAPTER V. ' TECE: TROTJB -A.UOTJR. " Come, Sergeant Goliath, another glass of that gener- ous cider with which we have been gratified by the noble Laura de Kerskoen." "Fill up, fill up, Hare-Ear, for by the good day my tongue is as dry as charcoal, and my stomach resounds like an empty barrel." "A brave demoiselle is our young lady of the manor!" added Hare-Ear, filling a wooden porringer, which he handed to the sergeant. "By my life, you speak truly," replied the latter; *'a brave demoiselle, without doubt!" He raised the goblet to his lips : but suddenly he stopped, and cocked his oar. "What's the matter, Goliath? It would seem that you hear something." " Surely I do, by jmgo I hear—. Don't you hear ?" 29 By the half-open door of the guard-house the evening breeze bears these weU-knowu words, chanted in slow and harmonious style : ,* • • • Li Bretons • Jadia souloUent par prouesce, Des aventures qu* ils oioient Faire des lais par remembrance Lu'on ne les mist en oubliance ... '" « Oh, oh, by jbgo, this announces to us, if I don't very much mistake, the jovial troubadour who has given us so much solace and pleasure of late. This will be a precious , wmdfall for us to receive bto our chamber. He wiU recount ,^. to us the valiant histories of the >ave Americans, and wiU not faU to relate to us once more the marvelous adven- tures of the ChevaHer Bertrand of Guesclin." « And also the expedition of the four sons of Montglave » said Hare-Ear. «At 1*e,end of .winter, when the pleasant weather of feAnmer commences, and one sees the trees flou- rish and the flowers bud." « Not so fast, comrade-not so fast I» mterposed a third halberdier; « let us haste and make merry— that's all very weU, but let us enforce the countersign. The alarm is sounded.'* « Oh, that's but a sman affair," said Goliath. *' Let our gallant minstrel be introduced. I will answer for alL" "No, indeed, sergeant; no, indeed," replied the other obstinately; "you wiU answ«r perhaps with your neck. That's your affair; but my intention is not to neglect on any account the duties for which I am responsible." M: 80 ** By Jupiter, it is my opinion, old whiner, Balafi^, that you will not be satisfied until I cool your blood with the balm of my steel." BalafiS was going to rot6rt,btttone of the halberdiers handed him the porringer, which still continued to go the rounds. The perfume of the sp^kling liquor appeased the wrath of th§ trooper, and after having drunk, he said : " At all events, do as you like ; I will wash my hands out of it as Pontius Pilate did on the occasion of pronounc- ing judgment against our Redeemer." II "Sy jingo, you are right in consenting '» "But, sergeant," objected some of the soldiers, "if our redoubtable master, the Marquis de la Roche, came to know that we had received a stranger in our guard-house.* " By my Kfe, who would dare to tell him ? has he a spy among us?" . This interrogation imposed silence on the rduotant. For thefrestjthe song of the troubadour 1^ as so poetical, so har- mmiions, that it would have softened a rock. At this mo- • ment he began to sing the old romance of Brittany, of which Thibault, Count de Champagne, has left Us a trans- lation, — accompanying himself on his fiddle : Las! si j'avais pouvoir d' oublier Sa beauts, sa beauts, son bien dire, Et scm tr6s-doux, tris-doux regarder, Flnirait mon martyi%. '^^^^^^^^;w-' 31 "There are not two throats like that in all the world, by jingo ; it is that of our bard ; he will not sleep at the tav- ern, if for that act of charity I were, to be flogged with rods until the blood began to flow. There, send for the sentinel." In a few minutes the sentry arrived in the guard-room of the chateau De la Roche, where this scene passed. "Ah, *tis you, Courtevue,'* said Goliath, "who has been singmg at sitoh an hbun under the walls of the chateau ?" " The American troubadour." "Alone.'* • ... "Alone, sergeant.?' "Xet the bridge be lowered, by Jupiter ! we have still a pitcher full, and we will spend a pleasant night.''» After these words, the commander of the post went out to meet the host that chance brought him. The enormous pannel of thick planks describe^d slowly its quarter of a circle, and re-covered the well which was at the'entrance of the fortifications. "Quivive?'' cried Goliath, perceiving a shadow cross the darkness of night. In response to his query he received this stanza: « Pour dfl)duclier, par un doux stylo, Pemme ou flUe de bon maintien, Point ne faut de vieille subtile, Frire Lubin le fera bien." ^ 82r '■■ '^* " Is it yon, by jingo, my bard ?'» Squatted befpir^ the' bridge, thp shade continued its ballad : » ■ '■ " Je presche en th^ologien ; Mais poixr boire de belle eau claire, ' Faites-la boire a votre chien : , Frtre Lubin ne le peut Mre." "Ah, bravo I bravo !" exclaimed Goliath, 'wringing bis hands. " Come, my gay nightingale, you will pump at an- other reservoir, than a cold fountain. And by the horns of the devil " Ik But before he had finished tMs phrase, ten vigorous fin- gers pressed his neck with their steel muscles^ a'poignard was placed at his breast, and he fell into the well without, uttering even a sigh, ^ . . ^ :-\ :^, 4l CHAPTER VL * THBJ ATTACK. DtmiNG this -time Viscount de Ganay promenaded on the rampart, as weU to assure himself thatthe sentinels were at their posts as to meditate. The weather, deUghtful in the morning, became gloomy m the afternoon, and at this moment the dark heavy x5louds glided lazily through the sky. The darkness was profound ; hut A short intervals a dijpling flash tore with sloping flame the thick mantle of the firmament, and iUu- minated the hjgh towers of the chateau. * No breezedisturbed the air j one respired a thick atmo- sphere, charged with electricity. In the distance the sea roared, breaking its waves against the beach, and betimes the hoarse cry of the screech-owl also disturbed the silence pf the night* The equerry felt himself overwhehned with sadness. ' rfiM'.-u.'i'j ^'i 84 "She has not come to meet me," thought he; « she has not presided at supper, under pretext -of indisposition; an4 yet, I am pretty sure, I have seen her at the window when the marquii caused the bugle to be sounded for lowering the drawbridge. It is strange I Could I be deceived? Has she not loved me? Not to love me! Oh, it is im- possible 1 A hundred times I have spoken to her of my love; never, it is true, has she avowed me. What an im- penetrable mystery is the heart of a woman I Ahl Istox foolish to make myself weary; is it not she that' sprigged the scarf I wear round my waist ? Is it not she that has • given it to me? Still these cursed suspicions! Eh, who would she love then ? Since she left the convent she has remained at the chateau, neither receiving nor seeing any- body. Bah, I am, indeed, foolish to — '• ! What's this? It seems to me that some one c^s." John, who happened to be beneath the window of Laura, raised his head. This window, we have omitted to say, opens towards the south, opposite the outside gate' of the inanor. "Bertrand, is it you?" said a voice. The viscount made a vain attempt to pierce the obscurity which enveloped him with its opaque folds; nothing; he distinguished nothing I Nevertheless, he was abdut to reply, when suddenly the west was in a blaze of phosphorescent light, followed by a formidable rolling of thunder, and a cry of terror. "Laura de KerskoSn," murmured De Ganay, who had seen the young lady crouching at the window. '■^-'■S*'^"='i ■*>, rvv/TTO "".,":- .. »- .■ ■■ ■'■ But Before he was able to account to himself for the im- pre8sio.tf pade up(in km by this incident, the celestial fire had vanished, darkness had resumed its place, nsurped only for a moment, and a second cry, vigorous, wUd, e^. citmg, disturbed the echoes of the manor : « Attention ! attention I - To arms I to arms ?* "What's this?" asked John of an archei- that passed near him. « The chateau is invested I the chajeau is invested !» re- pUed the latter, running as fast as his legs could carry him. Without troubling himself, the equerry ran towards the upper guard-house, where was deposited the handle for raising and lowering the portcullis. The greatest confusion reigned among the soldiers. "Lower the herse!" cried the, viscount , . -"But the enemy has ah-eady passed the fortifications,'' observed one of the guards. K ' " No matter I no matter ! Let his retreat be cut off.'» And while the soldiers hastened to obey this order, John ran to the staircase, which led to the gate of the chateau proper. It debouched on the southern part of the trape- 2ium ; the equerry pressed his steps in that direction ; but, quickly as he went, he was outstripped by the assailants who rushed tumultuously towards the drawbridge. Already the noise of the attack was heard all over. The big clock of the fortress sounded the alarm. Aroused from sleep, the garrison mustered into line, and made prepara- tions tor defence, while the marqtus^terrupted in the I / 88 middle of his prayer by the first rumors, precipitated him- self into the court, where he was soon joined by the elite of his men. He was informed that a band of unknown persons had surprised and massacred the external guard. "Raise the bridge, close the gates," said he with the greatest coolness. "Let a company proceed to the plat- form, another to the towers, and let the women, children, and domestics be confined in the fortress." Immediately, without loss of time, he proceeded to the chamber of his niece, in order to take her to a place of safety, for the apartment which she occupied during peace served as an intrenchment for a detachment of archers when the fortress was besieged. But judge of the astonish- ment of the marquis 1 The chamber of Laura de Kerskoen was empty. It was not • the time to inquire into the motives of the disappearance of the young lady, since every second that passed aggravated the common danger. Suppressing his anguish, De la Roche flew to the salient gallery which projected pver the gate, of the chateau. A troop of' men were there assembled; some rained stones on the heads of the assailants j some shells ; others boiling oil; others used cannon, mortars, etc., while archers and musketeers, posted at the port-holes of the neighboring towers, riddled the enemy with arrows and balls. The scene was frightful, the combat sad as the tempest wiuch roared in the distance I By the hazy hght of i^me resin torches, frequently eclipsed by the lightning the eye / ■ V. <^ i MUl^-at J - ■■ n.-,-^l^ ,.. f-^ ^-..r.J,^^,pf:^-^n|^^ — iTfgr-ati'ltiiniiMii ll 87 caught the shadows of men running here and there, through- out the extent of the bmlding, between the interior counter- scarp and the earthworks of the J rampart. Then were heard ferocious cries, moanings, imprecations, and, sur- mounting aU, the solemn voice of the thunder rumbling in the distance. The agressors had time to break the chains of the draw- bridge before the alarm could be given, and, no'twithstand- ing theipro^ctiles of aU kinds poured on them by the de- fenders of tlD chateau, they attempted resolutely to force the gate. An enormous plank which they had found on the glacis, served them for this purpose. Twenty robust men, placed at the sides of the plank, sustained it on their extended arms, and gave it a see saw movement in d^^ing itp extremity against the gate, which made a great noi^e at each stroke of the formidAble ram. "Forward I forward I Come, come, my braves I" vo- ciferated a chevaUeis armed to the teeth, whose hehnet, adorned with a black plume, and who comm^ded this mob of d^nons. "^ "Courage I courage K' exclaimed in turn William dela Roche, who, having seized a swivel giin, fired incessantly on the enemy. But notwithstanding the valor of the besieged, notwith- stAnding the streams of boiling pitch which they poured on the enemy, the latter did not hesitate for a moment. Wounded and dead were thrown into the ditch; new hands replaced them immediately^and the improvised ram '{ »•« . 1 88 did not ceasa Shatter at the obstacle which they desired to upset.- One of the hinges of the gate had given way • the others could nbt hold out long. The enemy was bol! lowing victory, when WilUam de la Roche exclaimed : " Throw the thunderboltr* ^ The "thunderbolt" was a monstrous ninety-six-pounder, pointed at the angle of the platform. AU tjhe men around' the marquis commenced the work tod aftbr some unheard-of efforts, the colossal of bronze* was thrown fr^ the top of the gaUery on the human surge that struggled below. First, there was a horrible crackling ; then an exchma- tion of pain and terror. The bridge was broken, and aH who were on it were pre- cipitated into t^e ditch below. Then a panic ran through the ranks of the eriemyT Those who were n^rest wished to run ; but,' driven back by those most distant, who desired to take part in the action, they fell pell-mell mto the ditch, where they were torn and lacerated by the spikes of iron which garnished the scarp A large number were killed in this struggle, and the be- sieged availed themselves of the confusion by plying their adversaries with grape. An impetuous wmd had arisen, chasing the clouds tow- ards the east. Between the streaks made by their disper- sion, the moon now exhibited her sUvery disk, and anon replunged herself' behind an impenetrable curtain. These ffactuations of light and shade imparted to the siege of the chateau cdors truly fantastic , *'-ii> t 1 s V t( r ai so no th( r «9 Meantime, the chevaHer with the black plume had snc ceeded m re-establishing order among his followers. They retreated ; but at the moment when they reached ' the gate a troop of musketeers, which John do Ganay had got to- gether in haste on the rampart, made a violent attack on them. The musketeers, contrary to their expectations, were received with an intrepidity which compelled them to return. The viscount made a fruitless attempt to stimu- late their ardor ; they would-Hsteu to nothing, but dispersed m every direction, incapable of resisting the onset of those whom they had supposed they could out to pieces. TrembUng with indignation, Viscount de Ganay was gomg to precipitate himself into tte midst of the struggle to perish sword in hand, when\ he^rceived the chevalier with the black plume. To strike two men who interrupted his passage, and to seek out the chief of this cowardly expedition, was but the work of a moment for our brave equerry. "Between us bothi" exclaimed^e, extending hi» sword to stop his antagonist. "Are you a chevalier ?" "Yes, I gained my spurs at the blockade of Paris." Immediately their swords crossed, cracked, and strucK a thousand sparks out of each other, and the trumpet re- sounded, announcing a mom«>ntary truce, in order that the noble combatants might be allowed full liberty. For an arena they had the Uttle esplanade in the rear of the principal gate; for a light the moon, which shone at ' m s ■Hj^R^p V-) ''9 m" ff 40 ^ , • this moment above the scene of the combat j for witnesses a oirole of soldiers. W^^^0> ■%^ : 1 J the ' w - I m wh] son i> t - ; lii'::'.,r'^' ,..^,rl..,, ^..."' 8 - •■ v,t^' esses CHAPTER Vn. ' Thb black chevalier, as our readers have decied, was Bertrand, the favoritejover of the beautiful Laura deKers- koen. Having no hope of obtaining the hand of -his mis- tress on account of the hatred between his unde, the Duke de MercoBur, and the Marquis de la Roche,\e had resolved to profit by the absence of ^Jhe latter, in order to carry away the young lady of the manoi^ His plan was one of the most simple. Having in his pay k regiment of troopers, Bertrand was to present himself at the gate of the manor in the disguise of a troubadour, a plan, which he had often previously adopted for the purpose of securing an entrance. i A part of his soldiers were to follow him, concealmg themselves among the rocks; he was to solicit hospitality, wMcTwas never refused, because the soldiers 0/ the garri- son knew that the troubadour was agreeable to the niece .j:j'lj^ .:. i .lk^e^'^',)'t&M 't 42 of their master, and thusVen^ himself master of the fort- ress. This explains the message which he had expedited to Laura by meansf of the carrier pigeon. But scarcely iiad he sent this message, when a spy informed him that the marquis, then at St. Malo, was on his way back to the chateau. Made desperate by the disappointment which ad- journed the accompUshment of his designs, our paladm re- solved to seize the marquis. Having faUed in this attempt, he proceeded, nevertheless, with his enterprise, in which, as we have seen, he suffered a new reverse. Bertrand knew the Viscomit de Ganay weU, and if he reqmred that he should renomice his title, it was only in jest. Nor was he less aware of the pretensions of John to the heart of Laura, which explains why it was that he attacked with such blmd fury; for, stmig with jealousy, he wished to hmniliate a rival who had already distinguished hmiselfby numerous exploits. ^^ The duel lasted more than twenty minutes, with a fury which -nothmg could equal. The two antagonists were perhaps about the same strength, but to the p'^sion of his ad- versary, John opposed an impertm-bable calmness, and after the first passes it was easy to see that, except a lucky ac cident occurred, the viscount would bo the victor in this singular combat. In fact, the nephew of the Duke de Mercoem-, exasperated bythecoolnes8oftheequerry,pliedhis8wordatrandomwith. out paying any attention to the thrusts of his antagonist : it was now that John awaited him ; but as he desired rather to =^«arffi toi ^OTTO, He nepected many opportunitie. of -< -fit, -,"'«r ^;v)' 43 striking him, now that it was easy to do it in all security. FmaUy, however, grown tired himself, he gave blow for blow, and after a parry or two, he made a feint J^nd stmck Bertrand in the opening between the ouirass and armlets. The young man staggered and feU on his knees j his shouldeJ- was completely transfixed. This defeat put an'end to hostilities. The assailants sur- renderedjgjn mercy of the besieged, who had come out ""^ *^^ g(BI*y a trap-door, in order to be present at the duelT^^ William de la Roche warmly embraced his brave equer- ry, caused the captives to be put in chains to the number of sixty, and had Bertrand conducted to one of the dun- geons of the fortress. Then having given orders to double every guard, and to cover the dead bodies with quicklime, he brought John de Ganay to his apartment. « Well," said he on arriving, " was I not right, my dear •and brave friend ?" ^ "I don't know, sir." "Then you did not know Bertrand deMercoeur, nephew of the duke?" "I had heard him spoken about, a good deal, as a valiant champion " "Valiant!' Do not apply that epithet to him, my son, Bertrand is a coward, unworthy of the coronet he bears on his blazon. Do you wish a conclusive proof? It was he who attacked^ us this morning on nnr ^nrov -A-zmw g« li/r^ i he who has attacked to-night by means of a conspiracy of *, :f 44 % which I don't know the plot; he who has provoked wounded you 1" "Can it be possible?" murmured the viscount. « Only too true^" replied WiUiam ; « but what course are- we td pursue in regard to him ?'* «' To refer him to the justice of the king.'» *' So I wag^hiddng— yes, it seems to me to be the best expedient; for his crime can not remain unpunished, and our security requires that we do not keep him here. The * duke would not know how to rescue Mm. Come, good courage, John I In a*few days we shaU be^on our way to defend a more Aoble cause-the holy cause of the Chria. tian re%ion." ♦ . The Marquis de la Roche and his equerry exchanged a few words more, and then parted, the one to inform him- self as to his niece, the other to assure himself that all dan- ger had ceased. ,' < ,^ li. ^ . i*.i * lii % r\ CKAPTER Vm. Tus: ^ ^'-x V ^ q.i 6 igr. What h^d become of Laura deK|ersko5ii?"ji^y aid '^ her uncle not find Jier in her chambet ? At nine o'clock the youiig lady of tie manor opened the flash of her window, and heard the nt)ise of a fobtstep on the rampart; she sajd, as the rdader ^iU rememT^er, "Is it' you, Bertrand?" But the flash of Hghti|uig having^own her John de Ganay instead of him she Expected, Datura sud- denly retiwd in a fright, augmented by the war-cry whjch nearly at the same moment came to her ear. Trembling and terrified, she first' thought of B(}eking refuge with her uncle. An instinct— the instinct of love— stopped her. Returning to her window, shb sawthrough the darfc- ness the black plume which surmounted the helmet of her lover. I . / ,v M «BertrandI" said i^e, "merciful Heaven I is this done by* him?" ShaijAAkM^a-, Ai->- U^u said Lanra jn OTderto aHay her leais.^ '""^ ^"*~ '4 ^*. "Fear, dear mademoisellel— fearl Oh I let ub pray, my daughter; let us implore the justice of heaven that right may triumph!" Laura did not rightly know what response to m^ke to this invitation ; implied by the example of her nuSe, she prostrated herself, and both =,commenced to teU their beads, interrupting each other from time to time as the tumult increased. ' When the duel between John de'Ganay and Bertrand had ended, both the besiegers and besieged were silent. "Mercyi sweet Saviour," said Catharine, supposmg that Providence had heard her prayers, "the traitors ar6 ex- pelled." #• • ■ . "Hush I" said Laura, rising and approaching the wm- dow. "Oh, demoiselle! demoiselle! where are you goi^tg?" "Hush!" Thrusting herself out of the window, the young lady looked about anxiously; then she shuddered and bounded back; then she advanced again, passed her head outside the sash, writhed her body, and with muscles quivtering, and eyes fixed, she contemplated the drama which was bemg enaot- ed on the esplanade. I leave it to be imagined what sen- sations she experienced during this long combat, which compromised the head she loved above all expression. Twenty times she tried to scream, but her emotion made her dumb; twenty times she wished to shut her eyes and JP y^thdr awi.Jbut flu pQw e r o f at tfaetioa^ a io r o c nei^ic than her wilj, held her riveted to that plao^, ,'._jjWL_Ai- illiff^icii. ''iKivi&iJ .ick, * litiiiS,!. n '•.I .48 ■ Bertrand is struck— te falls I LnmediateJ^ the nerves of Laura distended— she -was Wt at heart— she sank down on the floorl Catharine ran to her aid. ^ * * « The next night, between eleven o'clo^ and midnight, Laura de Kerskoen, lady of Vomadeck Manor, enveloped from head to foot in a dark mantle, stealthily crossed the court of honor of the castle, proceedmg direct to the fort- ress. A sentinel was in the sentry-box at the entrance, but he had got a soporific, and he slept profoundly. Laura penetrated into the tower, mounted the first flight, and drawing a large % from her co^rset, opened, after many difficulties, the door of a chamber of triangular form. This chamber is the prison of Bertrand. <^ Chained to a block of stone, the young man was suffer- ing from a violent fever, occasioned by the wound he had received on the shoulder. « Who is there ?" asked he sadly. The young lady uncovered the lamp which she had con- cealed under her mantle, and knelt by his side. "Laural Is it a dream?" "Alas, poor Bertrand r* "But what! I do not dream! It is you, really you! Oh, approachl-yet— yet-there-that I may touch your clothes, and respire your breath! My God, yes, it is she— it is my Laura— " J rfa 'TV*4*4t' * \ ^y^SiJ^WW^ILB-*- ' "Do not pity „^ l^,^ g„„3 „g^,_ ^^_.^ J^^j ^ happy amce you hu.e given me this proof of love. Now I mU confront the worn torture, without a murmur." toai::;:^'^'"-'"'"'-^"-''^!"'"'™™™ The prisoner snuled^bitterly. -Ohl» said h., eriubiting the iron,, ,ith wMoh he was "Are you toofe^W^o sustain yourself?" * "Howistjia^^ «Wait,^aid Laura, handing him a Kttle file. BetrlT '^ •''^ ^"^^"^"^ *^' P"^' countenance of "But after ?'» Baid ho. "After I Fear nothing." And with her tiny fingers the charming ^irl began to file the chain which riveted her lover to J Jail. This work was slow and painful; tfie white -hands of Laura ^e stained with blood. But the courage of love ammated her-that courage which has rendered so many women famous by «.eir heroism-and at ti.e end of an Hour the cham was sawed. "Now, let us hasten P said she. The hope of liberty gave strength to the captive j^ii^y descended the steps of the fortress untU they aUel ^e^ound ^h^ms.l^somm.MM.c^a .^ ot wnioh was a well. ^^ ^ ./- j^ ' \>V ^^•^ f!\ T"' ^1""'",*'^*5 * :4s 50 "Come," said the lady, pointmg to the brink of the well, "we must part here. A few feet above the margin of this well a ladder is concealed, and lower down is a sub- terranean passage, which will conduct you to the northern flank of the mountam. Here is the stolen key of the postern; but^swear on your hon<^r that you will never re- veal the secret which I haVe confided to l^ou."* "Alas," said the young man in a plaintive tone, "I no longer feel any wish to leave, I would rather die I'* ° "Go, friend I" "Without you existence — ^ " Bertrand, I will never be anybody's, but yours. Take this ring; it is one bequeathed me by my dear mother—' let it be the pledge of our betrothal I" '*■ The young man took the ring, and pressed it tp his lips. "Come, let us separate, time presses," said Laura, her eyes filling with tears. Aided by his mistress, Bertrand descended into the well, put his foot on the first step of the ladderj actel bid the young lady adieu. But she stooped down, and kissed his forehead. — N^ "Oh, you will be mine, my well-beloved!" exclaimed the prisoner with transport, and holding y| his left hand the lantern which Laura had given him, he proceeded down in to the depths of the abyss. By degrees the sound of his step faded away, and when it had ceased to resound on the humid stairs, the niece of ^ ro Uiam de Ja^Bod^est oo d^i^jayi ag; ^ l"S*-t " 'T ' V -^jS^,'/. ..%• 61 "Blessed hf my merciful patroness I Bertrand is saved 1" A few mirltxtes after Laura de KerskoBn, Countess x)f Vomadeck, /returned to her apartment without having been remar] ^ ^.^ 1 well, / (f I the « dhis ♦ ■ \ ^ "t^ I the ' 1 band -, ■■ . * eded ' ' - rhen ' '■ ') ' i seof r / ^ ' * "■■■'*^ «• • •- - - -• 1^^^ Jtejiii^iiiff'iTfiirfT--- - ' .^^ olieM^kaL « I I I r- 6i CHAPTER IX. :pB3B^ORE arum UEPi^RTURBl. v- A MONTH had passed after the events we have just relat- ed, Laura is at the window, where we have already seejQ her — she is expecting something. A pigeon arrives, its white plumage recalls our gentle messenger of love. In a word, it is Addresse ; she brings a letter. This letter informs her that Bertrand is safe, recovered' from his wounds, that he proposes to carry her away, and wishes her to feign love for Viscount de Ganay, and de- clare to him that she has made a vow not to contract any engagement until she has attained her twentieth year ; in a word, to determine him to adjourn, until his return from Canada, their betrothal, which was to have taken place next day. After having read and re-read this note several times, she shed Bveet tears — Laura proceeded to the armory. The equerry promenaded, absorbed in thought, and agitated b y gloomy preseatiments. » \ Mt #4*M Si ■elat- seejQ , its In a ered' and . de- Tact tieth [ his liave ,she The ated H ■"Tott f^m very sad,^ said the young lady, in her most agreeable tone ; *^hai any misfortune befallen you f" "Ah, mademoisene," replied the vis6ount, "yes,, a great misfortune 1 so great that I -^air pf bebg able to "Indeed I should I be ^^^^HffiBking what it "^ cause of this deep affliction ?*»^l|^^^|^* , "Then, are you not grieved y^^ei^?" "Me! Holy Virgin I yes, much grieved. There is nd use in my saying that I can reconcile myself to the idea c£ his departure, and — :r* «-^d— » exclauned John. '' Laura lowered her long eye-la^es with a gesture of mod- esty, but without jpaking any reply. "Do you>^grei only the Marquis de la Roche ?" insinu- ated the equerry, whfe a prey to the most piognant emo- tion. " Do you think I would forget my friends, MasteS^?'* replied the lover of Bertrand, accompanying this question with so incendiary a glance that the poor viscount biliev^d himself loyed, and felt disposed to throw himself at the feet ' of the siren. " But," said he, with a trembling vwce, "do you num- ber m"e among your friends ?" " What ! Is it you that ask mo such a question ; you who enjoy the consideration of Monsiegneur de la Roche j you who have*^ '■i A liquid pearl, which sparkled at the comer of her eye, crowned this series of tender reproaches, ab-eady expressed by the significant emphasis which she impressed on her ■words. Women possess a marrllous talent for simulating the sentiments which they do not experience. They are often even more eloquent in affecting passion than under its real influence. -^ Is it surprising, then, that the viscount permitted him- self to fall into a snare thus strewed with roses. " Whatl Is it true ?» exclaimed he, with warmth. « I did deceive myself. You love me, Laura I You partake of the passion which overwhehns me, and you Oh I joy makes me sUly, I have been so long hoJ)ing for that avowal. Oh! mon Dim, give me the necessary strength to bear such deUght 1" He wished to seize the hand of Laura, and kiss it, but .phe resisted, gently smiling. & " Fie I The naughty chevalier will not put faith in the at- tachment of his best fri6«d8 1 You deserve. Master John, that for your pains I should bum the knot I have platted for your sword." "AswordT-knotl Ah, Laura, your kindness overwhehns me !" "A sword-knot which I have here, and whicli I wiU at- - tach myself, if yorlwill permit me, to the guardif your rapier. *«»Hencefojth be loss suspicious, or I may get vexed ^ W. ' -^9f good, B«tl have a repelFtOlSSke of you.'»^ es wmd!^r~" '""""' ^^' '?'"'= ^ »»"'™'3 that I wm do an m „,ypower to prove myself worthy of th^irst mark ofcoofidenoe you ha™ deigned to «»„rd mo. Tel- pursued he, "ask of me my life I «I.«11 l^ ^ it to you." « "y l^e, I shaU bo happy to offer His eompteioo, usually pale, was suffused ^riti .„ „. ^n.a.e Mush; his ™ice had sympathetic iutonations "r" h.m«chah„gtheperfume of true love profoundly feit. Th" was too profusely occupied to be moved by contact even f ith so ardent a passion. / >-i. even "^hat I am to request of yon would cost you much •• ^phed she. " However, I will not take advantage of yo^ tmdne^, to eHcit in advance a pledge for which you wouS perhaps afterwards reproach yourself." " No, no," interrupted De Ganay, with vehemence; "nol whatever you order, I swear by the guard of my word to execute faithfully." "■/ swora The lover of Bertraud could not repress a smile of satis- f^t,ou m „e,„g him faU into the net which she had so adroitly set for him. iecte"^'"" ""^ -"'™' "' <*=' »^-P"»«o» ." »"« Ob. ■ "Fear nothing; speak." to-Z™:""""^ ""' """" ^" '"»' - ^^^^^oti.^ "And this is my sweetest aspir ation.*' *^ThIs is what I doubted." 56 u You- i, , » ^- « Alas, sir, I have promised not to contract any engage- . ment before I aiii twenty years, and I am not yet eighteen, do yoiU know." "And this promise," stammered De Ganay, pludged in the horror of disappointment. "I have made to a person dearer to me than existence." - In pronomicing these words in a faltering tone, Laura ' rumpled the corner of her handkerchief -*' That your wish n^y be granted," said the young man, after having paused a moment to conceal the anguish which rent his heart. Then he added ; « A vow is sacred ; I viU respect vows in resp^^g my^ own. But, Laura, will you be faithful f " Oh, certainly," said the niece of the marquis, oontmu- ing mentaUy her perfidious falsehood. "Yes; I wiU be feithful to my last breath. To Bertrand," murmured she in an undertone. "Ah, ah, my young friends, a tender romance of love 1" interposed WiUiam de la Roche, who happened to be pass- ing at the moment. Laura availed herself of the opportunity \q run away like a frightened hind. Twenty-fom- hours after this conversation, a cavalcade, composed of ten armed men, a dominican, and two women, mounted oi^ palfreys, left thd manor of De la Roche. It was Laura de Kerskoen, who set out for the capital of Blesois, where she was to remain in a convent untU the >a t « i ^ % ■ !^H • ■ % i ' m^^ fei;lw;^_-i„. \ 1 . ■.;:SA^)ljM Y% AT SEA. I. * PHAPTER L . At some distance from the chateau of De la Roche, on the sea-coast, rose a cahin of a miserable and desolate ap- pearance. Stoha^, cemented with slimy clay, formed its material, and it was rudely thatched with straw. Two smaU windows, glazed with panes of oiled paper, admitted to the interior a glimmering Kght. Before the cabin ex- tended a small kitchen garden, generaUy but badly culti- vated. This was the habitation of Perrin, the fisherman, of his son Yvon, and of his step-daughter Guyonne, the fisher- woman.' * _Qne n ight , a ^the end of M^ ef th« year ICM, Perriir~- V ■ the fisherman, an old man of sixty, but still robust, not- t ». 59 ?x 3sr. I, on ap- l its [Vo tted ex- ulti- his ler- •rar lOt- withstanding his wrinkles and silvered hair, sat on a led-o ofstoneatlihedoorofthe hut, repairing a net that wL much damaged. The fisherman was sad, anxiety and despair markedjiis countenance, which was bronzed by the heat and incim- ency of the season. Frequently he gave a sad look towards the chateau; then a tear glistened in the comer of his eye; he aUowed the thread to faU, and crossing his arms on his breast, had a profound revery. He soon resumed his work, however, uttering some unintelligible words. Suddenly a young woman appeared at the comer of -the thicket, carrying on her head a wiekei- basket. The old man uttered a cry of satisfaction. " WeU, Guyonne ?» ' "Console yourself, my father," replied the woman. « Yvon will be liberated, ifnt please God to second mjLM project," added she,. mentsply^, ■ "^ "Liberated-my Yv«a derated!" sai^ the fisherman * ' with a passionate tone. «0h, m^ daughter I. Guyonne/ dear child, approach me, that I may^race you." „ "Good father," said she, abandonifig her cheeksfi^e caresses of the old miai. ,^ .^^^ . "But," said the latter, "you have th^ seen him? You have spoken to him ? The Marquis de la Roche has par- doned bim, has he n6t? Oh, I wiU pray to our Lady of . the holy Saviour to favor the enterprise «.- - ^ » listen, uiyMhtirrgrByBiy-^ssermpmi^i^ii^;!^^ no not wish to deceive you. I hate not seen Yvon." ».,i,Xi,j,i-A.LKVAii. ;-:„„■ ..^:.\: ^..,..., (( ' '^at St. Malo,;|ince this mondiriA."' 3^^ all tK^ other prtsoae^wlfe i ranee. % terrified bj^ this news, "^Qi»,pierci- Itoql^ has promised him to yott-^— " aeu* de la Roche is gone himself,t|Fith his 1^'y have ^escorted the captives." '% ie old man grew pale, and staggered. * *• %r not," said Guyonae, "I will surely save Y^; I Bveai'^t to you." "Ah!" exclaimed ^he fisherman, "can you trifle Wh meinthisway,inydaaighter? Ihave.neversdoneyouany ^ ;'" * hiirm, and still ybu reassure me only to plunge me deeper *^' and deeper in affiction."' •; "I have told you, ajid I now repeat, that I will .save •• him," ekclaimed she, in a persuasive tone; and Perrin*felt ^.^ his hope revived. J ' ' ^ « How ? What is your project ?" objected he still. « That's my business. Confide in me, my fatber ; I will keep my word. Before twelve hours Yvon will but it will be necessary to place you unde;r the p< of the Duke de^^rcoeur. Now, give me tion, for never^^^g perhaps, shall we see Whetlier it ^Wlhat he 4id not hear thHj thai he did not imderst^ad 'its meaning, Pei ^ iB^wgatively f — - — ^-- ; -; — V s ; f I'fT^"^- -A ..*■» >^y his K>n lio- ;4 ii V s reeovered "What I in twelve hours I shaU hj brave Yvon;^ ire you sure, Guyonne?" "As sure |is one can be. But time presses; give me your benediciion, my.father," replied she, kneeUng at the feet ofThe old man. " Where d6 you want t6 go ?" "To St. Malo— to Yvon. Pray to the Ahnighty to second my designs." "Go, my daughter," said the fishenrian, extending his hands over Guyonne. " Go, may God ai^ you. For my part, I commit all to your courage am^ prudence. Ah! if you succeed in saving Yvon, I camTot live long enough to prove to you my gratitude." » Standing up again, Guyonne threw herself into the arms of the old man ; then, after having exchanged with him a few words m9|e, ^e proceeded towards the seaK3oast, de- tached the cable of a small boat, jumped lightly into it, and rowed off, making a sign of^adieu to her father. The bay, usuaUy ruffled and foammg, was this evening as level ^s glass. No breeze disturbed its tranquil surface, illuminated ni 'W*^*'-: e setting sun. in the neighfeoiiood. if^^ ^ — • *• t'-- corned him habit of ev » ^ ' m^^ M:^ ' w4iiM*. 4 68 • One morning he disappeared, and remained several years absent. This flight proved ahnost fatal to Perrin.' Such was his grief, that he attempted suicide; butGuyonne pre- vented him. Yvon, who had gone to the war, rettirned suddenly as he had left, and the joy which his return caused to the old fisherma,n, was also well-nigh proving fatal to the latter. Alas! this joy was not of long dura- tion, for Yvon, whose inherent slothfuhiess had inclined him to the life of a soldier, and who saw in the Marquis de la Roche an enemy to the Catholic religion, enlisted in a troop of bandits, in the pay of the Duke de Mercosur. Having taken part in the attack on the^Chateau de la Roche, he was taken prisoner,S^ith all of his companions, who had 'escaped the missiles of .the garrison. The mar- quis, who was then recruiting men for'tho expedition which he had projected, asted and obtained permission to trans- port his captives toj the colony of New France,^most of them being fugitive^ from justice,' or malefactors. Master Yvon was but Iitt|fe reconcUed to the fate that awaited him. A v6yage of ;twelve or fifteen hundred leagues, after that an unlimited practice at the hatchet, the spade, and the hoe, had but little charm for his imagination. Know- ing that his father had formerly rendered service to the Marquis de la Roche, he informed Perrin of his situation, ?^d beggedj^m to solicit his pardon. Certainly there was no ne^^^upplicating the fisherman. At the news that his welFUeloved son was about to be torn from him, he hastened to the chateau, and William de la Roche wel- ^ith a go rdialit y which M was littli in^^&ftLl= jing towards his vassals. Blit as soon as the V 9. \ t % - visit, he lowered "baitwold fihare the old man let him know the his eyebrows, aad.drily r P'lnJshmenfr of hig accompliijes. #'>The fisherman retumed^eart-broken to his cabin. Tk^ tientive soUcitude of Qnyonne was needed to allay the t*emes8 of his grie^ and to re-animate the hope of his eart. * "^ « not Iost^» said she; "Danje Catharine loves j»e hke&m^er. You are aware that she ii the nurse ^>^^j|modify a relation olS made. He made this infle^bi% his point <^lonc^ ^ ^ « AU I can dd for you, m^ riri,!^^ ;;^;« j^ ^contrive an interviei^ ^th Apoor YVon, when he goes ^StMalo. ViscountdeG^P&^argeofthep™^^^^ mm not refule h oblig|us. I wiU have a talk with hun; return to-morrow." ^^ Guyomie spen|; the night thmking and praying; the dawn found her prostrated before the grave of her mother ' Sh^ was stiU melancholy ; but the veU pf. "anxiety which «. ^% r ;,.«f»V"T?'^% >■?»;■ «. % .0 An inconceivable determination germinated in the brain of the fisherwc^nan. She went up to the chat(^u. " They are in route for St. Malo, and are to embark t.». has 0' #. *\ ■v.'-*' ) set • erty* self. mie said « md lay rou 3ur ^ .1^- k: # ^ '\ J ' M. ♦ . .^.I^_^^&. _ — ♦* ','' ' •* ""■' ■ ,W ' ''■ ■■ ■' - \" '^ ' \ '*'■■ \ r-^ coi ^ ! ■ » ■ hu ' V tio ~— 1 1 on* ^ ^ on • ex< , . • ' , the J sen • CHAPTER n. Ro THE mMBi!i.RK:M:ENT. nui r hai fon ed, and spon the prisoners were drawn up in two ranks in I the yard of the monastery, in order to undergo an inspec- eye f '^ tion. This band of persons belonged to all nationalities, " ine bin and eaoh wore his native costume, or at least the qiost characteristic part of it, forming j& strange and picturesque I * spectacle. - pit( Here stood the portly German with his bland face, flank* nar ed on the right by a slim Spaniard^ dry, of an olive com- pie plexion ; on the left by a gigantic, fat, red4aced Englishman, ava covered with a red helmet. There one distinguished a Btai \ j Swiss armed to the teeth, elbowing a Langudocian with tret a swaggering air, ftnd a Augh halberdier ; further on was ^ Jthe observed the slou6hed hat of the ItaUan, the green helmet n of the mountaineer, the streaked doublet of the Tyi'oleaft, ci 1; ' the crafty snout of the Norman, the rubicund and jovial earl :'■ fa6e of the Bourguignon, ^ In sliort, it was a pell-mell of . ; . '- 1^ '. , it £,^^. • w-----^^^ irA|i«;i:^^»^-..^v;'.c;r•^;■'^».i;#■^.,-■■";■'^™.W^4^^T■•.■■"i^^ *-k«v.^- ■, ...'„.; ft -■ 1\ t I .11 contrasts, an amalgam of ;heterogeniti«s, a profusion of human antitheses, a variety; of portraits (Jf which no descrip- tion could . give any adequate idea. Thiere was, however, one point of similarity between all — audlacity was engraven on their countenances in indelible chartacters. With this exception, the troogers differed as much in their moral as in their physical characteristics. ^ ■. A subaltern officer called the roll ; noi one was found ab- sent, and as the officer terminated his report, WiUiam de la Roche, accompanied by John de Ganaynn mariner and a numerous suit entered the yard of the convent. This seaman was forty years; his disposition was as hardened as his countenance ; one for^t the Liliputian fonn' nature had given him as if with rcfflbet ; for his gray eye sparkled, his tajiering face, his dejectm qhm, his prom- inent upper-lip, his nose, like the beak of a. raven, gave him the grotesque air of a bird of prey. I^p -was clad with liordid niggardliness, Wilh a stfaw hat pitched and tarred, a jacket torn almost to ilbbong^ and a narrow hroeck. His foot- ware consisted of ja pair of boots pieced at every seam. Rapacity flowing ilit^i the moulA of avarice was clearly pourtrayed in this nian ; but, notwith- standing his physiognomy, the haughty Marquis de la ROohe treated him with particular deference, as m£^ be ISeen from jthe following dialogue : - ,' ** What think youOf these fellows, Mr. Pilbt?"- "Humph I" replied the sailor, " sad maburei to enrich the earth." " Do you think they will become iaccliinatied ?'* 1 r^- M. -i?*'.-j._-,"\»"f « Acclimated 1 These cattle will become acclimated fmy- "wherief/ when they get sufficient of thb leather thong." "Then you don't approve of the cargo which chance has confided to me ?" j* ^ "JEumph! to tell the trtith, I should have preferred twCTity rustics from Brittany to the whole lot." " Then you disapprove of my choice ?" *'I disapprove nothing ; you question me, I answer." De la Roche, hurt by the tone of this impertinence, took a long step to the rear, but his interlocutor did not observe his gesture. "Humph !" said he,, pinching his nose, a^ovement which with him spoke volumes, "I believe the wind is veer- ing to the southeast or northeast. It is necessary for us to hasten, if we wish ta profit by the b^eze in leaving port" V ; . • " "Then let the <^&the8 be distributed to tliese people,'* 8add the marquis in aloud tone. 1 Immediately chests, filled with clothing, were brought into the yard, and a sub-officer presented to each of the condetiuied ft fuU suit of unifbrm. This xmiform consisted of a bonnet, a Bmockfftock, and pantalocms, all of brown linen, and marked with a figure, rudely worked* In losing their liberty, the transport J also lost theMT names ; they became 4™pJy tm§ or tihat number. ^ . It was now about'sLx o*olodk in the moxfiin^. .f - V ■ ■f . -iltf .i.' ; ^tte ■■ f~ ''•.2^ 'k... • .- /*,» {my. has rred took erve bicli reer- >r us ving aght Fthe and jure, fche# 78 A laijgB aninjated crowd encumbered the streets of St. ]\|alo, anxious to be present at the embarkment of the ad- venturers. On th^alconies, at the windows, and even on the tops of the hduses, were to be seen groups of the cu- ridhs. It was no shght event in 1598 to witness the de- parture of a ship f(w America. Fifty years had scarcely passed since Cartier had weighed anehor in thdftarme port to explore the part of the gr'eat American continent known as Newfoundland, had discovered St. Lawrence, and on their return from^ theif different voyages the companic^s of the immortal navigator related so piany -vi^onders of the magnificent couiitj:y of Canada thg,t ever^Body wished to see those who were destined to civiUze it. Thus every available place on their way was crowded ; but it was par- *ticularly at the qtiays that th^ ^traltitude pressed intumultu- otsui^ waves. Ii^ Among the transports ther^was one who attracted parti- cular attention. The contrast between him and the one to whom he was chained, contributed powerfully to exhibit the nobleness of his behavior, ai|d the manly beauty of Jiis countenance. '/ "^ "But, St. Theresa, how genteel he is/ murmured • piquant Brit tanian. " Is it not a 8hame,'Martha, tp carry so brave a youth beyond4he ocean ?" < " Ah, m&'m I yes, indeed ; he is far too handsome to be beside tfieseliasty bears whp look as if tiiey had just made their e8caj)e from hell"." ' • • „ " It seems as if an angel had been chained to a • ^ Jt /. • ' ' braced t^ie doctrines » of the reformed religion. If he did not dare to avow his faith at this epoch, when the abjurar tiOn of Henry TV, had fallen like an anathema on the Cal- . vinists, ^ohn remained fail^ul to the doctrines Of his con- victions, and secretly conformed to the rites which he could not practice in public. . It was easy for him to retijre where there was such a multitude. Mass being over, the embaij^ent proceeded. The two ships Castor and |5rable were moored at some • hundreds of yards from the shore. In less than twenty ' minutes the passengers were transferred on board\ A discharge of cannon gave the signal for departure. / On the Castor were William de la Roche-Gomraard, Governor-General of^tlanada ; John Viscount de Ganay, his equerry ; Aleiis Chedotel, pflot-lockman ; Guyonne, the ' fisherwoman, and a considerable number of future col- onistB. — «., ,-*. 1 ft CHAPTER ra. TJEIB3 CASTOR. / EvBN at the present day, wonderful as are the improve- ments made in the art of ng^igation, it is not without a sort of indefinable dread that we undertake a \royage across the Ocean; although the enormous and magnificent ships which literally furrow the seas ofier almost as much Security and ac- corambdation as our houses and chateaux. What gigantic pro^ gress navigation has made during four centuries ! What a difference between these immense vessels which are construct- ed stt present, and those which then ventured intrepidly in searph of unknown lands ! When one remembers that it was with thpee vessels, of which two -weTfTicithout decks, and 6{ which the third was one of only two hundred tons burden, that Columbus sailed from Palos tife 1st of August, 1492, to discover America the 1 2th of October of the same year ; when one bears in mind that it was with two miserable schoon- ers of sixty tons burden that Cartier cpssed the Atlantic, to be the first to explore the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Labra- ^ A \ r" ^ ■ r yrvrr^ t-^ F'lTT' 'i \^y K^ A * t (" -^ '77 dor, Newfoundland!, etc.; when we bear in mind that it was with two vessels nearly similar, that the successors of these great men have achieved the discovery of the Xew World, how much does our admiration increase for the immortal regenerators of America I The Castor, which hore William de la Roche an'^ the gi'eater pait of the heroes to Acadia, was so small that a co- temporary aflSrms that from the cords of the gunwale one could dip his hands into the sea. The capacity of the Castor was estimated at a himdred tons.^ For the-f est, the vessel was handsoine, solid at bottom, a fast sailor, find bearing Tier mdsts ptoudly, firm as steel, flexible as whale- ' bone. She contained a hold, a steerage, and two cabins. The hold contained the provisions and Aunitions of war. In the steerage were packed the tranMM|;ts. ♦The forward cabin had for a host the Marquis Wu^m de la Roche, the Viscount ^e Ganay, the pilot-lockAan^ Alexis Chetodel, and some others. The cabin of the prow was occupied by the sailors. When she left, the harbor of St. Male, the Castor ^ad on^ board ninety-two -men, including the Governor-General of Canada, his aj^aff, and some cadets froni noble families. Several transpbrtf had obtained pevmis|ion ftpm the marquis to remain on deck, in ord0r«6 co»template as long as possible the shores of that beautiful France, which they quitted, perhaps, forever. The others had descended to the steeraige, so that they shaiuld not interrupt the naove- mentsof the jailors. • AH, however, would have wimBto enjoy the privilege accorded only to a fey, dor how< ^ yXcious was their na- 78 ture, however coarse their appetites, however hardened by the fluctuations of fortune, they were profoundly grieved • by tho^ought of this tedious voyage so fiir from their counwy. It is said that the love of place is a prejudice ; bnt, oh, let us admit that it is a magnificent one, superior, in our opinion, to the most poble affections. ' And the proof is that a man sometimes leaves his parents without regret ; that he parts with his wife and children withou^^orse ; that he will resist the storms of adver- sity ^i^^^Rck does the ftiry of the tempest ; that the loss of linjHK^Jt ^^ persons that are dear to him, does not aflaipPi^pDut that he will grieve and sob like a woman if he is foi^ced to bid an eternal adieu to his country. Guyonne mscribed under the name of Yvon, number 40, enjoyed the advantage accorded only to a small her companions. Standing at the foot of the mainmast, she saw the shores of her adored Brittany fading gradusdly like a mist, whilst the sun shed its golden rays on the harbor of St. Malo» and the propitious wind filled the sails of the Castor. Who could tell what were the thoughts of Guoynne? for, from .time to time, a siient tear coursed along her cheek, and her head drooped sadly on her breast. Noble girl, had she calculated too much on her courage, and already reproached herself with her heroic sacrifice ? No ; Guyonne was as strong in mind as she was in body ; the perils of her sitnation did not frighten her ; the fate reserved for herself gave her but little anxiety ; but she \\ .- Vv thought of the tomb of her dear mother; that tomb she used to watch with solicitude, and which she adorned daily with new flowers, and upon which the Jjkrs and thorns would now soon grow ; she thought of OTTold father, who was going to be, deprived of her attentive cares; of her young brother, without a guide to direct him over the sand-banks of life. Poor Guyonne thought of her friends, of the evening song, of the lowing of her heifer, which she was to hear no mo^e; of the chapel of the village, of her little chamber, to irvhich, perchance, she would never return. Then she thought of— I bjow not what— of what is nothing, and what is alL Infl'ont of her, leaning against the mizzen-mast, John de seemed also absorbed in profound meditati6n. His reflections were full of bitterness. Had he not broken thetie which attached him to happiness? and did not each knot sailed by the Castor bear him farther and farther from her whom be loved ? Besides, a strangQ presentiment tortured the nund of the viscount, Notwithstanding the pledges of tenderness which he had received from Laura, he doubted whether she would ever redeem them. All' attempts to banish these painful suspicions were fruitless ; they returned incessantly and overwhelmed him like a nightmare. John remained six consecutive hours in this situation, motionless, and insensible to all that surrounded him. But when the ealrth is completely veiled, the equerry turns his attention to the prow of the vessel. I > ^>*..s, b ■1^; \ r> A « .HI \<^^ ■^■■4,^ £^- X r IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) # 1.0 f>. ■ ft ■^12^ §2.5 2.0 IL25 ■ 1.4 u 1.6 k \ A '- .^' V] <^ /a / ♦«.- I%otogpa^ii& Sciences ., CarpoMon 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 iV :^^ iV <^ '<» t-.Vm^Vi;k.'\S£J.\t>^^JL'ti,- 4 Kaj'.'J!?-.\J.;*V ^3ti»»^w^^irrflv:i.«VMiH!p«,fi^fiiJS»^"KwQi iMUiilJ'P' *%- 88 " A fishennan," repeated she, aflaijmtively. " And what age are you ?*' " I shall be twenty-five at Candlemas." "Twenty-five years! You seem to.be scarcely seven- teen." " I don't know how to lie, monseigneur." "But you were with the bandits who assailed the cha- teau?" The young girl stammered an unintelligible phrase. "And you have a [|ister ?" continued John de Ganay, . The reply of Guyonne was rendered" inaudible by the clock of the Castor, which announced dinner. The viscoujpt parted immediately from his protege to proceed to the front cabin, where were al^|M||^united the Marquis de la Roche, the pilot Chedotel,'^4|B^e principal officers of the ship. » ^ " As to the step-daughter of Perrin,^ although she had taken no kind of food since thje^ previous evening, she felt too niuch overwhelmed with gr^ef to care to eat, and she remiuned on deck. i IT ■ '?■ <^ ■i / tliii: , 1^- • — T-< :^a5 ^Wftgg^^Tgl SM^^M^SiteM Si.-^'iii»i4.^: 4.4 2^^...,. -. -.. . tt',. ..,.-■' U:^ ;■ -...■.. ;■■"-■ .-"'.-ir^ ■ CHAPTER IV. ■ >" THK ST ORM:. TowAJBDs.the evening of the same day, Chedotel prome- naded witt precipitate step on the deck. His angular and coarse features were more^epulsive than ever ; he torment- ed his ni>8e mth his hooked nails with an inconceivable perseverkiyjet and sounds frequently escaped from his throat which il would be difficult to translate. At every instant the eyes of the pilot were attracted to- wards the sky, and he stamped with his feet like a man who foresaw danger without finding any means of avoid- ing it. However, nothing m the atmosphere seemed to annonnce any change ; the sun set illuminating the waters of the bay with his rays, and the wind whistled with unaltered equal- ity. The Castor cut the waves as rapidly as a bird, and to all others than an experienced mariner the nig&t seemed des- tined to be as calm and delightful as the day had been. <-♦■ ^tii^s'TTO'^-'.Tr^r •^\ : - 84 All the convicts were shut up in the Steerage; whSa the hatchway was opened a confused hum was heard as from abeehbe. Lying about the masts, the sailors chatted, slept, and played at dominoes. John de Ganay was seated on the platform of the ship, curiously examining the foaming of the waves as they broke, and darted liquid pearls at the flanks of the Castor, The Marquis de la Roche had not quitted the cabin since dinnen Suddenly he proceeded on deck and approached Chedo- tel. ' « Well, Master Pilot, fine weather isn't it ? God has blessed our expedition." " Humph I fine weather — humph !'* '"You » Chedotel, whose eyes were attentively fixed on the horizon, suddenly interrupted the marquis. "TakeinsaU!" "What's the matter?" said the marquis, astonished at " this order, of which he understood the signification, but which, he thought, was not prompted by any apparent cause. The sun had extingma^ied its last rays in the sea; one could remark that its disk had a copper hue. "Tack to windward!" cried Chedotel, with a piercing voice. The change of course had scarcely been ^ected when a violent blast wbistled in the rigging of the Castor. , 85 . ^_ Soon lifter a rolling was heard like that of distant thun- der, and the sky was streaked with sombre clouds. All the sailors had suspended their pastime to run to the rudder, some to the saU-yards, some to the capstan. "Furl the sails I furl aUl" thundered the speaking trumpet of the pilot. But before tie manoeuvre was executed, a second swell assaUed the Castor, and gave her such a push to the lar- board that the lower rigging plunged deep into the water. This unexpected seesaw precipitated the marquis against the poop. , The works of the Castor, cracked with a horrible datter. "Return, monsieur!" said Chedotelto the marquis j "re- turn to your cabin, this is not your place." ; In saying this, the pilot was no longer that Aan of astute and sulky countenance, whom we have presented to the reader: he became the mariner in his sphere, the mari- ner who measured his strength with that of infuriated na- ture, and recognized no other counselor than his eye, no other master than hiis own will. On land the human being rarely fbrgets his character; at sea he debases or exalts it according,to circumstances. Lazy, drunken, libertine, vile, the sailor is, however, sus- ceptible of accomplishing prodigies of labor, endurance, nobleness. The commander of a ship, though he may be a stupid brut© in calm weather, becomes a genius in a storm. His \ f-'^wrnv^JV^^ 88 voice dominates evto that of the tempest, his will controls the rage of the elements, and his person becomes incarnate with ne\» life to struggle against the three formidable enemies — fire, air,and water 1 Like an artist seized with inspiration, Chetodel, his speak- ing trumpet in one hand his telescope in the other, had grown ten inches taller. The sea swelled more and more. The waves, high as mountains and fierce as nndiaiaed tigresses, rushed tu- multuously against the carene and the gunwale. The squalls succeeded each other with frightful rapidity. It was said that the Castor danced a sort of fairy dance on the abyss. Now, si^e mounted on the extremity of sen immense wave, and ^non she plunged into a shroud of waves, noth- ing around\ her than humid plies ; then, rushing above the water, pi^nting, she freed herself from her aquatic wind- ing sheet, and recommenced, after encountering a thousand perils, her checquered course. j^ Fortunately all her sails were closely reefed ; four robust men had charge of the rudder, and Chetodel finn at his post directed the ship with the ease of a skilful equerry who dashes his charger through the middle ofVavines. fprds, and precipices. " T^e sailors forgot the danger of the situation in admiring the extraordinary coolness of the pilot. The storm continued to rage with alarming obstinacy. It was to be feared that the Castor would strike against one of i^ose numerous sand-banks with which t>h« bay \ 1 * \ aboonds. \ * A xc \ A \ ■' .^> ^^w^ SS&££^sislffiitf4i-S=fiSr:*ai:S^ (/,-■&:>£':•■ :^i-it!^:^-: \ 87 ^ , Night approached apace, and the convicts in the steerage, with the exception of & very small number, surrendered themselves to all the transports of terror, when a terrible cry brought their anguish to a climax. ^ "Fire! fire!" \ Almost at the same moment John de Ganay. appeared at the top of the steps which descended into the interior of the Castor. . \ r "Ten men with good-vnUl'* asked he. \ More than twenty precipitated themselves on the steps of the ladder. \ The viscount made his choice rapidly^ And ordered those selected to mount and close the panel. \ In executing all this, he spent less time than we can de- scribe it m.'> t^ ' The fire had orin^nated in the kitchen, and already ]^ was completely enveloped in flames when the co rived on deck. The wind redoubled its impetuosity. The Castor flew over the foaming waves with such rolling and pitching that scarcely were the men employed at the pumps able to preserve their equilibrium. " Reef the shrouds at the toggels I" cried the pilot, who with his quadrant followed the disordered movements of the bai'k without emotion, and displayed a presence of mind that was surprising, in the multiplicity of his orders. When sometimes a wave, after having washed the deck, menaced the forecastle, furious and pale with rage, our ar-\ ,\ ■ft ■-v-iid..v..,-..j,..'F|J|-j^-:-'^ :£.fi&;^,i-J ■ IT' "i"^ ^-.y^^rs^- v'iy^^ij^jp- # / 88 pUot put hia arms around the mlzzen-mast, and without bowing, his head, without constraining for a second the posture of his body, he continued to transmit the orders necessary to the safety of the ship. Meantime the fire continued to make progress, the pumps, but ill-mamied, were insufficient to combat its greedy appe- tite. "I beKeve, we shall be burned," said one of the sailors. " Fried like gudgeons in a stove," replied another. " But the Erable should come to our assistance at least in an hour." ' * "Ah, yes," added a fourth; "but with such squ^s of wind I defy her to come near us.'* , "Are we then lost?" demanded the Marquis de h» Roche, who had left the cabin, and mad6 his appearance on decL ' « Hum !" replied Chetodel ; " Lost I Hum I It may be 1" "But " De la Roche, whom his dry answers an- noyed, was disposed to object. "But," exclaimed the former, stamping with his foot, "Monsieur, retire 1 "your presence interrupts me, your questions are unreasonable." \ " Whal do you mean ?" sai^ De la Roche, wounded to the quick. -^ t "Once more, I say, leave; or I will give' up the direction of the vessel."" .,- T^ "This tone I" ■ - 1 1 89 -% " But do you not see that every second you mak6 me lose, compromisea our safety ?" said Chtetodel with a de- termined voice, seizing and shaking in his hands the fist of the n^rquis. . "Clown !" objected the great lord. » A swell of the sea, as large as a mountain, as strong as an avalanche, siN^ck the starboard in an oblique line, and in an instant covered the flames, 'out short the speech of the marquis, and would certainly have carried him off, had not the steel muscles of the pilot disputed with it the vio- lence of the shock. Although all the men then on deck were carefully on their guard, two among them were torn from their embrace of the mizzen-mast by the irruption of the waves, and dis- appeared in the inexorable abyss, . y •' Withoot a grave, nnkncll'd, imcofHn'd, and unknown." Surprised by the sudden arrival of this swell, John de Gan^ who worked at the pumps, had only time to snatch the end of the halyai^^^ order to save himself from being precipitated over the oulwark ; but the rope broke, and the unfortunate young man was about to die a frightfUl death, when Guyonne, supporting herself with one hand round the mizzen-mast, extended the othdr to him, succeeded, thanks to the extraordinary vigor with which nature had endowed her, in dragging him up the bulwark where he could easily entef^the ship again as soon as the swell had passed away. Guyonne then rose ^er head. Her long hair fell in dis- hevelled folds on her cheeks, and ^ water streamed from -y- 00 •s her clothes; "bat oontentmcnt was piotured in her beautiful. , face. ■ » Before setting her foot again on deck She piously eroded . herself, and carried to her lips a little leather purse, which' probably contained some pious relia "Hum, it is Qnly a squaU afler all 1'* n^finnured Ched*- tel, remarking that the rain oomh^nced^ fall, and that the fire had been eztinguidhed by that enormous wave which might have engulfed die Castor if" it had struck her either at the prow or poop. De la R6cheha!d prostrated himself in prayer..'- ' Some of the sailors and transports imitated his example. "Rise, rise, rabble!" cried Chedotel m a commanding ^.tone; "and you, Monsieur," added he, addressing himself to the marquis, "I summon you for the security of all on this vessel to retire immediately into your cabin, for y6ur acta demoralize my crew and aggravate the cojwnon dan- ger." -^v, The marquis left without Uttering a word. Thefemi- nence of the peril from which Chedotelhad rescuediiim 'was still too fresh in his m^nory not to impose silence npon him. But, nevertheless, from that day forward, he vowed mortal hatred against the pilot. While he retired, the latter, profitmg by the first symp- toms of an approaching calm, caused the main-sail to be hoisted once more. At ten o'clock at night, the Castor, favored with a fan* wind, had resumed her ordinary rate of Billing, and glided rapidly towards her destinations' The sky was disengaged from clouds; the starg sparkled, y -«~^nd wh< twc N 'L Ssfe— — — ./ ^ -.. > L ■f /I 91 v-^nd nothing was heard on board, but the step of Ch«dotel, who rapidly pae^d the poop, and the whifipering of the two sailors who 'watched at the prow. l N "ivm u -^ "T ■' ^. ; ~*A teol 1 ■ •, - - ' \ The / n' - kled, / ■u - * '■ ■ * \. ** * i-,.i,....-.- i •....;...-"., ... ■-.1. „ . ., .. ^■i^>'^t^A^^^^.^^l'•luMiXillJ: 1 u -.-j:'."-J.-.feJ&yiV^"J^ * "rfi^ -.-TV CHAPTER V.' rt- THE CONSPIRACY. FiFTEBN days h^d passed after the departure of the ex- pedition for New France, and with the exception of the tempest of wMch we have just been speaking, thfl weather was almost constantly favorable. * The Castor and the Erable were in close proximity, and were approaching the Banks of Newfoundland.. On board of the first of these ships all seemed peaceable, and often the song of the sailors and convicts mingled with the murmurs of the waves ; pleasant stories excited foars of laughter, and the sombre legends caused a stikess for hours together. The calm was but apparent however. As the Atlantic conceals mider its torpidity abysses and terrible an^^er, BO beneath her tranquillity the Castor concealed abysses of frightful passions. The countenances are gay, but the hearts'are sad; the lips utter kind words, but the mind •/ 03 cherishes sinister plots ; some pray, some dance, some amuse* themselves by other means ; but the prayer is false, the dance is affected; the amusement forced; in the interior of the bark are inclosed the elements of discord ; let only a spark be evolved, and the volcano would commence its eruption. Meantime the Castor movd^long this evening before the breeze, Uke a bashful maiden before her mother, to use the picturesque expression of the sailor NoeL Why then did Master Chedotel, seated near the cabin table, his elbow supported on the back of a chair, appear sombre ? Why was the Marquis- de la Roche loading his pistols in the neighboring cabin ? Why did John de Ganay pace hurried- ly up and down the saloon, heaving convulsive sighs ? Why did Guyonne weep silently in the separate appartment which she occupied smce the day after the storm ? Why, in a word, instead of sleeping, did the bandits seat them< selves around the main-mast in the steerage, and whisper? Before answering the first questions, let us hear what the exiles say ; perhaps, we may thereby catch the thread of the mystery : "My dear friends, I believe, it is time now, if ever^ that we rid ourselves of that marquis cUque, which shuts us up here like rabbits in a rabbit-hole. Does he take us for moles that he does not wish us to see the light of the sun by day, or the moon by night. Sandiou/ this goes beyond all bounds of courtesy due to brave fellows like us. For my part I assure you that I am tired in this undergroimd dun- geon, like a moiue in a trap, and I ani quite disposed to fQ^' . t!si»ja| 94 ' give a plunge to moaseigneur, the Marquis de la Roche. What does my friend Tronchard think ?" "I," responded theFlemming; "by the beard of the burgomaster, I think that my friend Molin is right; and that we are fools to mould in this cabin like codfish in a barrel.'* «i>.r Tmfdr objected a Swiss; "but we are without arms ' " What ?" inteiposed the German. " Without some good carbines," resumed the other, « we should only be cut up into mince-meat. Prudence is the mother of safety, remember 1" "Armslpou dioi^ said a Basque; ««are we not in num- bers, and can't we,4Sy a sudden rush, make ouflselves mas- ters of the crew?" , . " Then, by jingo, has not each a knife-blade ?» added the ProvencaL 'And arms?" pursued the Wurtembergian, exhibiting his athletic trunk. "We are sixty against thirty, mordieur maintained Molin. "All that is very fine; still," interposed the trembler, ^"but « But, but ; you have always buts. Tou mutton-hearted fellowl" retorted Tronchard, with an impatient air. " Come, quick I what signifies your buts ? or I wiU hurl you by the starboard among the fish tribe." "Hush J Let us not get excited at all, my very dear friend," said the MarseilJai*,. « Anger is a bad counsellor. Let us ohat like people used to g^d company." "J • 06 'J ' " Por ctioa /" rosomed the Basque, " it is time to com- mence the work." " Yes, yes !" exclaimed several voices. " I approve of you, my brave I" ** And after, what shall we do?" grumbled the reluctant Swiss. ^ „] ,^^^ These words fell like a refrigerator on the &rdor of th^ rebels. " After I Time enough for that ; we will consult with each other. When the dish is served one eats ; nothing more natural." "If it is not a poisoned dish." "How is that?" "Eh I Suppose we have dispatched all the equipage ad patres, the pilot at their 3iead " "The pilot, nonsense I It is not for thfe pilot we are preparing the sauce j quite the contrary. The ^ilot I love and esteem.*' "Bravo, Molin, bravo, por diosP* said the Basque. "You have as much wit as a doctor of arts, and I promise you a CEOwn of hemp as aipccompense — ^■" *'lSro jesting now," interrupted the Marseillais, who had coAsXituted himself chief of the plot. " This ia what I pro- pose. Open your ears as wide as the hatches, my gentle lainbs. We are to arm ourselves with all the pieces of iron we can find, then force the hatchway, and handsomely precipitate ourselves on the first cabin, while the remainder attend to the second cabin. The latter will seize the sail- ors. But no noise — no blood. The others follow me. Do all agree to this ?** t--.,--- 9d u Yes," wis the nnaniinons reply. "Very well, my adored jewels," continued Molin ; "you will await the word like angels, and I am sure we shall do up our little affair in excellent style." "But all this does not tell US what we are to do," said the Swiss. • " By Bacchus I" replied the SiciUan, « what will the rats do when there are no more cats ?" "What will they dor "Yes, what will they do?" -->' "Oh, my faith— —" *' They govern, imbecile." "Superb. Pepolil Your reasoning is superb. You are worth your own weight in gold," exclaimed Tronchard. " Come here, imtil I embrace you." "It is not absolutely necessary. I hare manners," re- torted Pepoli, with the gesture of an offended maiden. "Are all determined?" asked Molin, whom these digres- sions wearied. " Yes," shouted the whole crowd of convicts. "Death to the Marquis de la Roche I" " Silence, silence I" said the Marseillais, extending his hand. "Let us pl-oceed without noise. This is the only way we can succeed. Gome here. Wolf." The German bowed his colossi form, theheight of which would extend at least a foot above the steerage, and ap- proached the chief conspirator. "You see this pannel?" said the latter, indicatmg with his finger the lid of the hatchway. A Bort of grunt would translate the reply of the ^ant. .. jtH^v.&^jf.ii.t'H,' l-fM 97 " Well,' by jingo, my brave ! don't you think this pannel will annoy us tlevilislily ?" ' " Oh, oh, der Teu/ei;' said Wolf. "It is not difficult to remove it." ' ° "* Pronouncing these words, he made an arch of himself under. the trap-door, so that his broad shoulders touched the extremities of it. He expanded his lower limbs, and gradually straightening his spine, made the irons fly out 'of the boards. A crackUng, and au " om/" of satisfaction, angounced his victory. The clatter of the waves against the sides of the Castor, smothered the noise of the rupture. While this terrible stonn was acciraiulating in the steer- age, Chedotel was the prey of a conflict scarcely less ter- rible. ^ His hair stood of an end, large drops of perspiration flowed down his forehead, and his niils beat his breast. All of a sudden he seemed to arm himself with a desperate resolution ; he left his cabin and proceeded to thi^t of Guy- onne. Extended in her day clothes ou a pallet, the young girl was falling asjigep. A smoking lamp afforded a glimmering light. Chedotel trembled so much in entering that he was obliged to support himself against the wainscoting to pre- vent himself from falling. Here thei-e was a minute of hesi- tation ; his heart beat as if it woxild break his chest. Struck by the glimmei'ing light of the lamp, the profile of the pilot was frightful to look at; he might easily have f been taken for one of those demons whose horrible fifjures are found., sculptured in the granite of the old basilisks of die Middle Ages. -^ "J I ■tJl^^^&^^iJ^iLi^^i^S:^: '(^gJi^i^iti^^^jai^^' n^Jtl' Jiti^ ~ajitMaF£i.! E**i«f-'T; • »**' 98 Suddenly the pretended Tvon moved herself feebly on her. couch, her arm around her beautiful neck, a.sweet smile phyed on her halfclosed lips, which allowed the name •' John," to escape. Immediately the hesitation of Chedotel ceased, a wild enthusiasm seized him ; he extinguished the light and pre- cipitated himself towards the bed. Awaking in surprise, Guyonne prepared for a determ- ined resistance, when frightful imprecations reverberated above the cabm. "Death to the Marquis de la Rochol Death to the Marquis de la Roche 1" St/xia^ ^1 s Hwiw^ t' ' t^ .-?■■ CHAPTER VL RB3"VOIjX ON" BOA.IlI>. "Well, with sixty months shouted " Death to the !Mar- quis de la Roche I" and the immensity of God, with its solemn voice, echoed "Death to the Marquis de la Roche!" The night was still bright and beautiful, like a maiden on a hohday, and the Castor gUded on gayly without caring any more for the frightful vociferations alluded to than the eagle does for the roaring of the tempest. ^ On land a revolt has always something in it that inspires secret flight ; but on sea, it creates terror. On land it can be avoided oir suppressed by a thousand different means ; on sea, flight is impossible. The abyss is under your feet, the unknown over your head, and death around you. The revolt must be confronted, grappled, crushed by the force which produced it — ^by strength of mind, or its fury sub* - mitted to. Behold I A thousand lightnings flash, red, like the sun, extmguishing themselves in the dark rage of an approach* Xt ^•iL.^ ^■^■ikiit."* i.a i-Lil. i A.i^ ^ ■«■ ■«i'4(jf.^i(i(l.1*.j ■l^lM^l ^\ 100 ing tempest, stifle their smoky flames on the deck of the Castor, and spread over the vessc^l colors as lugubrious as those of a conflagration. Through this light appeared strange figures, savage types, whi(|h seemed as if vomited from the gloomy empire in, an access of fury. These' men brandislied in one hand torches, in the other oars, bars of wood and iron, pieces of chain; instruments of every kind. In short, they miglit be regarded as a satanic' assembly re- turning from an infernal orgie. ' They surge tumultuously dn the sides of the Castor, rush to the main-mast and divide themselves into two bands, one led by the German, T^^olf, towards the forecastle, occupied by the sailors, the other by the Mars^illais, Molin, towards the rear, occupied by thelMarqois lie la Roche^and his suite. ^ Already the man atrthe helm, intiniidated by the explo-^ sion of the revolt, abandoned his post, to seek refuge in the rigging. The barque, left without direction to the whistling of the wmds, roUed about and threatened to founder, when Chedotel debouched on the deck. Wilham de la Roche, John de Ganay, several other gen- ^tlemen and Guyonne, arrived there at the same time. w Death to the marquis I Death to the marquis I" shouted -the piercing voice ofMoIin. l And a sinister voice repUed: "Death to the marquis I ' Death to the marquis I" " By Christ I we shall succumb to the band !" exclaimed C^iddotel, remarking, that the Castor had come to the wind, and that the main-sail was h^ loose. ij. <^i -* w 101 ■ • lie ran immediately to the bar, and gave it a vigorous movement. By degrees the s|iip recovered herself, and continued her former course. Diffing this t^o De la Roche addressed the rebels. " Retire, dogs ! or I will have you all hanged to the yard- ann, to servo as food for the vultures." The first summons was rendered inaudible by the howl- ing of the insurrection. "You do not understand this language," pursued the marquis. " Well, you will perhaps understand this bet- ter !" In pronouncing these words, he fired with, one of tho pistols he held in his hand. " By the beard of my respectable burgomaster, I believe 'I have received all," said Tronchard, extending his arm and leaning his face against the side of the ship. Struck with fear, the crowd of insurgents retreated, but only to return proipptly, electrified by the cry of their chief: " Nonsense, are you going to retreat now like scabby ■ sheep I Let us revenge our friend — our friend Tronchard, on this ruflian of a marquis, and his satanic company." " Yes,^or Dies" replied the Basque ; " let us be revenged, let us be revenged, comrades!" The clamors rose higher and higher. It seemed as if the Castor had been transformed into a pandemonium. Pressed •by the human sea which mounted still behind him, Molin found himself suddenly transported to the halyard, within two feet of De la Roche. The former was armed with a :l tfkA^ J- *1Q2 \ long cutlaflfl, the blade of which darted yellow scintiUations by the light of the torchcH. William de la Uoche, absorbed wholly in tho attitude of the rebels, had not observed tho movement of his enemy. The eyes of Molin sparkled like carbuncJt'S, and he rushed at thQ marquis. But before ho was able to perpetrate the homicide whicli he projected a stroke of a hatchet, energetically applied, cut off his arm ; tho ,pnin caused the b»ndit to groan. "Ah," murmured he, perceiving Guyonne, "it is you, snake, that has maimed me I You have a solid fist, my calf,— but " ■ ' . ' He fainted from loss of blood. ' A discharge of musketiy attracted tho attention of tho agsailants at the same moment. This volley emanated from the pww, where, the sailors sustained a violent assault from . Wolf and bis party. At the first signal of the enieute, the man at the catheads gave a shout of alarm. All tho sailors quitted their ham- mocks at once, and seized such arms as were nearest to hand. Then by order of the master of the crew they formed themselves in battle iftray, and waited in silence,broke the door of their cabin, in order to receive them with a cross-fire. Such a reception was well calculated to rout the uncertain people who had hoped that the sailors, far from opposmg their en- tei-prise, Avould jWn them. Five victims made bythis vol- ley,, filled them with consternation. Some retreated in confusion, the band headed by Molin, others ran to take re- Inge in the steerage, others finally, with the Wurtembergian, Wolf at their head, attempted to stonn the entrenchment of the marines. ^ •I'V p. !!#'■' " ■ 3; » " V - ^ L 10% ^ The diflorder was at its height on tho dock of the Caatdr ; for in tho melee tho greater part of tho torohca had been extinguished, and thoUhadcs of night began to regain their predominance. Some pieces of rope, forgotten by the he- roes of the drama, liarasscd them in turn, tripping them as they attempted fresh attacks on the sailors * "A/a/o<," exclaimed tho marquis. Guyonno deaccnded to the store-room, and returned with the object demanded. Do la Rociie lighted a match, and approaching a swivel-gim which John de Ganay had just pointed against the rebels. "Nqw," said he, "let all retura to ^e stcer&ge, or I will- fire this piece." 0t His gesture and accent were irresistible. To doubt that bo was ready to accomplish his threat, would be folly. The rebels obeyed in silence, with tho exception of Wolf, Pepoli, and five or six others. The latter, however^ had not heard the injunction ; but had they done po, they probably would have paid no attention to it. Rushing against the sailors, before they had time to reload their^uskets, they were attacked with stocks and barrels. The only weapon the German "^iant had, was a bar of the capstan, which he used asa club, and with so much dexterity that each 'of his blows was equivalent to a passport to eternity. The Sici- lian on his part did wonders with a sabre, picked up during the fight. Their other companions seconded them worthi- ly, so that the victory would have undoubtedly turned in favor of the convicts, had it not been for the cowardipfe of those %ho retired. «@ ■L^ 1 wi^ijUf- 104 "You, brigand, rj», ■Htf *- ■ -r-'^ 'i'i^^^i'''^^^'mMi^^^m&4r>A ^-IP la ro- sling mrg- ^ - 1 l^t \ IMUAI.^ ^> 'v.' ' ..-v*. CTTAPTKR Vn T H K K X K C TJ X I O N. Next day in the afternoon the Castor presented a sad spectacle. The day was, indeed, beautiful, tlio firmament pure and sefenc, the sun warm and viviying. T\\e greatness of God displayed itself in all its magnificence aroubd the ship, bat the very contrast of these majestic beauties enhanced the molaiicholy of the scene which wo are about to describe. Seated on an estrade, dressed in his costume as Gover- nor-General of Canada, and having at his right the pilot Ch»- dotel, at his left Viscount de Ganay, the Marquis de la Roche passed a sad glance over the ocean. At his feet, chained two by two, and guarded by sailors with loaded muskets, were all the convicts; with the exception of Yvon. Abovfe tlieir heads, suspended from the rigging, were eight corpses, f among which were observed those of the Flemming, Xron- chard, and of the German, Wolf. \ \ \ ,vi. %.\ - it''- 4. _^',„ 1 *.*■ J- J1.1.S.., vs nf rr 'i^i: I' ■$'':, i A' * :!<:. '1/'. '%' 9 W-^ %- yi:- <^iS?* '-\» 106 - Birds of prey hovcrccTaround the ship, piercing the air with their cries, and m the foamy furrows made by the Castor one could distinguish a dark, scaly object, following the bark with stubborn persistence. It was a shark thai scented the dead. After two hours the drum was beaten; thenceforth the undertone conversation and whispering ceased; aU eyes turaed towards a trap-door at the prow. First PepoK, the Sicilian, was seen with his hands tied behind his back, then the Marseillais Molin, carried by two sailors, and finaUy the Basque, and a Burgunclian, named Francis, nicknamed the " Toper." Molin, notwithstanding the loss of his right arm, retain- ed his full consciousness. His features, contracted by suf- still bespoke pride, and a sardonic smile played corner of his discolored lips. ^'epoli and Francis," said the Topei^ 'i#re always fond S(f jokes." - ^for rope," said the former, "it always seemed to me that I mW finish with a rope; but, on my soul, I h^d no idea that l)shouId have the chance of dying in the arms of a virgm.'* «In fact,^' said the latter, "there is some hemp that does honor to the soil where it was produced." " And to the shuttle where it was twisted." Vust see, Pepoli, how the brave Wolf draws up his tongue! Will it be saidthatie is waiting for a draught of beer to quench his thirst ?" ferin^ •^i^ tmi '/H Y' vmf g^? 107 " The drunken German goes F' "And that^nimal, Tronchard, who has caused himself to be flmncd b^^the birds of heaven." " Slill more refineriient than that !" , A second rolling of the di'um put an end to these low jokes. I De la Roche stood up and ordered: "iNTumbers 31, 43, 50." ,, "Present!" replied Molin, Pepoli, and Francis in turn. " You are each condemned to be hanged," replied the marquis. " Recommend your souls to God. You have but half an hour. May this example serve as a lesson to those who. would in future attempt to revolt against my au- thority." \ On the delivery of this inexorable sentence a shudder of fright passed over the crowd of convicts ; the victim^ alone manifested no emotion. " This is what I call precision," said Pepoli. " In my view of it, it is a good way to prevent people from languishing," added Francis. " Por DioSy it is long since I wished to have a tete-a-tete with Monsieur Satan ; how things will come about !" " Holy Bacchus, my divine patron, that the wine below may be as generous as in Burgundy I" added Francis. A third rolling of the drum announced that the fatal hour had arrived. All the exiles kneeled, and two minutes after the grating of pulleys, the croaking of frightened birds of prey, and some inarticulate sounds, formed the funeral knell of the criminals. .■ 1.. \ ■ ( .^"^ - M% 108 Meantime the day was beautiful, the firmament pure and ^erene, the sun warm and vivifying, and the greatness of God displayeditself in aU its magnificence around the ship '*■■ Vs**' a A , %•. -.fr-.-*- /^l V^ * fl -fi r y^WW-^rV* ■ i'~f^'' 1 -^ \ (- 'T^rT^« re and less of 3 ship. >■ ti^ D ' ^ ciiAPTER ym. THE LOVE Oin A. miSHKR'WOMA.N AND We now return to one or two of our principal personages whom the incidents we have just related have forced us to leave under a sort of veU. It will doubtless be remembered that Cuyonne had saved the life of Viscount de Ganay during a storm ; it will also be remembered feat she saved the life of William de la Roche duiing the revolt. These two traits prove that to the heroism of the heart the step-daughter of Perrin united the heroism gf courage, and presence of mind : a tiinity of virtues which unfortunately are not conmion among men. The viscount and the marquis paid, in turn, to the pre- tended Yvon the debt of their gratitude. The former in admitting her among the waiters of the cabin ; the latter in rendering homage to her bravery in presence of the whole crew, by promising to send her back to France free. .Ik- etiii x^t, \, . ? «-3* 110 The young girl had, therefore, attained a better position than she had ever dared to hope for; and she could con- template the future M'ithout much apprehension. But too often, fortune does things by halves. In giving us a fuU hand on one side, she dips our wings on the other. Two passions already struggled with each other in the4ouc.hts of Guyonne : she loved Viscount de Ganay, and she hated the pilot Chedotel. These two passions were engendered in her breast at the same time, took root together, and gained strength in sup- porting each other. The day of embarkation, Chedotel had brutalized the young girl ; John de Ganay had taken her under his protec- tion; such was the commencement of this double senti- ment. First, Guyonne mismiderstood herself as to the nature of her penchant for the equerry.. She reg^r^fef it as the result of a hvely gratitude, but she had passed the age at which one can not comprehend himself; if her soul had remained free from all tenderness, foreign to her family, a penetrat- mg intelligence had taught her to seek and find the cause of the feeling she experienced. Guyonne, in short, dis- cerned promptly that it was love which made her fear and desire the presence of John de Ganay; and that it was love which impurpled her cheeks when she spoke to him, and caused her voice to tremble when she replied. This discovery filled her with fright. mat an abyss separated her, the poor daughter of a fisherman and of a serf, from the wealthy Viscount de *-v'"W 111 Ganay, son ci one of the most powerful lofSs of lower Burgundy — ^how was this abyss to be crossed ? To think of it seemed the climax of insanity; besides, did not John love another, the beautiful Laura of Kerskoen, the manoress of munerous vassals, the unrivaled beauty, the pearl of Brittany? Surely it seemed impudent effrontery on the part erf a poor girl like Guyonne to aspire to the hand of the equerry of Monseigneur de la Roche. But love reasons in vain ; when the object which excites it is worthy, the more it aacumulates reasons to extinguish itself, the more it acquu'es life and consistence. The less reason it has to be, the stronger it is ; the greater the so- cial distance between the lover and the beloved, the greater the force of attraction between the former and the latter. Guyonne sought a remedy in prayer; prayer inflamed her imagination, and exalted her love. But the course of that love had changed. She resolved to devote herself to tlie happiness of the young man. This determination re- stored calmness to her mind ; without, however, establish- ing lasting peace. She accustomed herself to the idea of one day serving the wife off the viscount, and nursing their children. Certamly, it required robust piety, and a resolute character to consecrate one's self to such a martyrdom ; but as we have already said, Guyonne was the type of incarnate moral purpose. It is not strange, then, that in the course of two weeks, the love of the fisher-girl for the viscount assumed such \ ast proportions. At sea,- where the circle of impressions is limited, all the movements of the heart are for this very 112 ' r2T "'°" "t"'' "'"' ""= "'°^' "'""^ -■— t-ee ao- qmres over our facuUies the pcver of a veritable event . _ae^ of has liberator. Perhaps, had he not been undo, the Thr: °'r*^' ^^'™'' *" -' -">" >»- been astln! .shed at certam movements of Tvon; perhaps he would have remarked, that sometimes wheu he thought he 2 no seen, ie regarded him with laognid and moist eyes; eal^' "".T I^anra. always interposed between th equeny and the pretended bandit, and never did the idea ur o hm. that the heart of a loving young g^ ^^at Z der that masculme bostume. , Nevertheless, having one day «T>nsed her before a erucifi., and in an attitude.^ devo^ tion, wh,ch attested the warmth of her reUgiouB sentiment, ho could not help saying: ""kuis, " Then you believe in God f" "In God, monscigneurl Who does not?" "Too many ingrates," replied the equerry j "but when we believe in God we are afraid of offending him." " This, indeed, is my greatest fear." John deGanay smiled, and this smile brought the pmple to the cheeks of the young girl. - »' r " , . "How. did you ally yom- fear of God with your relations to these miserable wrecks of vice and debauchery ?» At this 4„estion the comitenance of Guyonne changed from purple to crimson, and 'burning tears sparkled on her eyebds. "It is aU the more strange," pursued te, "because you belonged to an honest fenrily, in the midst of which you had only to imbibe -good principles," - • , .-..KaUittlaiu. ..^ i*ijws ^ T 113 One can imagine the wound which this accusation gave poor Guyonne, unfortunately justified as it was by appear-' ances. Incapable of restraining herself any longer, sne , sobbed aloud. "Come, don't cry, child," said he, interpreting, errone- ously, the expression of her afiliction; "try to repept, and God wiU pardon you, as those you have offendcdrpn earth have already done." A painftJ sign was the sole response of the poor girl. The accusation under which she labored, was, however, the least of her sorrows ; she had a much heavier burden to carry ; her aversion for Chedotel, and the absurd passion ofthelatter for her. This passion commenced the very day they embarked. It is necessary, in order to understand our narrative, to relate here some anterior events. When John de Ganay was wrested from death by Guy- onne, the clothes of both were drenched with water. The equerry, having changed his costume, ordered another tini- form to be given to Yvon. The latter hastened to take off the wet clothes, and to put on those brought her by the valet of the viscount. This done, Guyonne returned on deck, in order to set her smock-frock to dry. A pocket of the frock contained the note given her by Johnde Ganay, to visit her brother Yvon, at the prison of St. Malo. By chance this pass, which simply contained the name of the af»plicant, written with red ink, and the coat of arms of the viscount, by chance, we say, this pass had dropped from the pocket which concealed it, on the rigging, where it re- I 114 mtoea ai night Ne.t earning, Chedotel, while having the deck washed, perceived the object, picked it up, a„d .w e a„ oath on «ecihg .hat it inclosed. At t>,L„. ment Guyonne came for her frock. Master Chedotel wa, . "truck w.th her foe form and beauty; of which certain appearances indicated a feminine nature. RecalUng then Wwn remarks on the name he had seen on the ^s, he' conceived some suspicion. The espionage cost him nothing- . „ he watched the disguised convict, and the same night Us sasp.c.o„s were justified. He knew the se. of number 40. _ The Idea of a generous sentiment can no more germinate m «ome mmds than a grain of com can grow "on sld and Chedotel's was one of those minds. Guyonne could be nothing more in his opinion than a Male, had des,red to transport her miserable existence, and Idea of the plot was to pat the ma,qds on his guard in order to obviate, by an immediate incarceration of the gir the d,so,.de™ which her presence would occasion if she happened to be discovered. Then a thought occm-red to "Huml" said he, scratching his head, " God pardon me, she .s no. ug^y; she has a temptmg form-it would be ^ good ,dea .f I could reserve this pnBet for myself -' But he soon discovered that h4 was strangely mistaken 7 '^S"d to the young girl, /o his infamou! p™poSf„ ^ .1.0 rephed with a firmness that stupefied him. Kesi an" l:r W .r/^'-"-P-i™.the passion intH dehMum. We will not report either his promises or ijs j 115 threats to Guyonne. it has been seen what a crime Che- dotel would have conimitted, in order to satisfy his brutal liV^t, had not the breaking out of the insurrection just at tiie moment cut short his odious attempt. It is now easy to miderstand the hatred of Guyonne for the pilot. Ilad she not even loved John de Ganay with that pure and en- thusiastic love which we have endeavored to portray, his gross sensuality would have fjKv^^olted her. This brute, with a human face, could inspire npthing but contempt; whether he loved, or hated, he could only inspire invincible disgust. Poor Guyonne I She often wished to discard the aver- sion against this monster; yes, one hour after the revolt of the convicts, she implored God in fevor of the scoundrel, who had done his best to make her his victim. Her situa- tion was frightful — to love and not b(p known to detest and be loved ! There are moral tortures a thousand times more cruel than physical tortures. ce • i ■•■ . _ ■ a is / ■ • v J !-»' ■■ t t rau^f^.-l-'N .. . w ■sJ5e* i \- i / CHAPTER IX ^P'-A.MIN It seems as jf misfortune had extended its saWe win^ over the expedition of the Marquis de la Roche, as over the majority of those that preceded it. As much'as the discovery and colonization of South America were favored by fortune, as much were those of North America disfavored by fate. It is not,surprising that the French G6vemment treated with great negligence, not to say iU-will, efforts to found estabhshments on the banks of the St. Lawrence. When Cartier saikd from St.Malo, the 20th of April, 1534 to ex plore Labrador, it was generaUy thought that, according, to the example of Columbus, Cortez, Vespucius, Pizarro" ct<^, he would plant the flag of his king over countries, rich m mmes of gold and sUver; when, on his return, he broughtnothingbutchagrined,exhaustedsailorswho,asthey said, had only found "black forests, deep snow, and thick ice » ^rancis I. felt so much annoyed that he refused the bold^ rT7''i^,i:?^'*r 117 navigator a private audience. Thanks, however, to the so- licitations of Philip de Cabot, Charles de Mouy, and some other noblemen, Cartier was able to resume his explora- tions the following year. It is suffidieSitly known what dangers he confronted in the course of this second voyage, Avhich led to the discovery of the country,, since known under the general name of Canada ; it is also known what a^terrible winter these adventurers passed on the banks of , theSt. Lawrence, and whafra concert of maledictions saluted the disembarkation of their chief in France, whither he hastened to return the following spring. Certain authors, Champlain among others, pretended that he was disgusted by this check, but this is not probable; if he conceived ' any disgust, it was not because he did not succeed to his wish, for hi^ mind was too strongly fortified to permit him to be discouraged by reverses, and he had too much wis- dom, not to imderstand what a source of wealth he had bequeathed to posterity. ^^ * . At all events, as Charlevoix remarks, it was useless for him to boast of the country he had discovered', the little he had brought from it, and the sad condition to which his ' people were reduced, by cold and by scurvy, persuaded the m^ority that he could never be of any use to France. Particular stress was laid on the fact that he had seen no appearance of mines ; for then much more than at present, a ^ foreign land that produced neither gold nor silver was worth nothing. Nevertheless, four years after, in 1540, Cartier triumphed over all difficulties, and agam set sail, accompanied by Francis d« U Roque, Lord of R^bervaL Thia expeditio»-^ / :- .'" ■■ 118 had no bettor fortufio than its predecessors. Cold and famine dedicated the ranks of the /colonists, and James Cartier disappeared irora the theatre of history. Political quarrels and refligious dissensions caused North VVmerica to be forgotten, until 1549. At this time Rober- val, encouraged by his previous efforts, fitted out a ship, and sailed in, the vestiges of his predecessor ; but the vessel was lost, including men and merchandise, and nothing was heard, of him after. ^ This was sufficient to divert public opinion from the pro- ject which had occupied him for some time. About half a century passed, before any one thought of trying again. We have depicted the departure ofDelaRoch^; We have seen him, aided by Chedotel, struggle against the fury of the elements, and of men; now, we are about to see him battling against a still more redoubtable scourge, against " famine. The Castor had' brought provisions only for fifty days • he had calculated 6n the Erable, whose cargo included i- vast supply of mimitions of all kinds. But attacked by the tempest, she deviated from her course, and forty days had already passed without thJre being any sign of land. As a climax of misfortune, thi Erable was lost m a storm. It was rieoessary then to dijuinish the rations of water, and soon after the rations of flour. These measures commanded by imperious necessity, could not be i^arried out without exciting serious discontent among the convicts ; but the fate of the leaders of the first revolt had intimitated them too much to venture to rebel ^ sec ond time. B esides ■' i^Z '■ 119 the orcw ^nv^ that the marqnis and his staff shared thoir minerics; tlris was sufllcicnt to. stop tho most seditions. Such is man's nature : ho suffers voluntarily with those who suffer, but does-not ejicusc his privations, when surrounded by those who revel in Abundance. All onr existence is^^nst in spccnlatifig on comparison. Sorrow had then ^xtinded its crape over tho Castor ; none were met but emaciated and sunken countenances. William de la Rochfe rarely left his cabin ; he feared that his thouglitful physiognomy might betray the anguish which agitated him, and he consumed his hours in prayer and meditation. John de Ganay was not less sad than his master. In proportion as their position became more crit- ical, the eqii6rry regretted more and more his having abandoned the mild sky of France. He dreamed of the idol of his thoughts. Sinister presentiments gnawed on his heart like asps. A thousand circumstances passed ^per- ceived, while the rays from the beautiful eyes of Laura dazzled him and pressed on his memory. Now, feeling l^imself not loved, he sighed with grief; anon believing his love reciprocated, he mourned the folly which had drawn him so far from the object of his passion ; then, to these poignant emotions were united the remembrance of his cherished Burgundy, with its climate so temperate, its fields 80 green, its sun so pure. He recalled the manor where his infancy and early youth were passed ; he sat in imagina- tion mider the great mantle-piece, heard the recital of the brave deeds of his ancestors ; supported his head on the kaees of his mother, and went asleep with the song of c are ssing rpmanoe. , ■/. «a^ ^' 120 Two only of our personages had preserved the moral force, indispensable to defy adversity. Thesewere Guyonne and Chedotel. Brought up side by side .with want, having frequently felt the pangs of hunger, the 'sister of Yvon did not feel, like her companions, that want of nourishment, which was increased by the shackles that opposed its being satisfied; and although the convicts were reduced to a few ounces of biscuit a day and*some salt meat, she was as fresh and as serene as the day she took her departure from St. Malo. ' As for the pilot, what he was at the commencement df this recital, he was the same when the famine was at its height; hardened, morose, sarcastic, vicious,"as the geniu» of evil. Unable to gratify his infamous desires in regard to Guyonne, he resolved to be revenged. But Chedotel . was not a man to revenge himself in an ordinary way. He wished an atrocious, frightful vengeance. In the morning, after having made observations with his quadrant, and found that the Castor approached the paral- lels of 42 degrees longi|ude, and 63 degrees latitude, a fiendish smile lurked at the corner of his hps. * Having given some orders relative to the movement of the vessel, he hastened to the Marquis de la Roche. The latter was engaged in a conference with his officers, among whom was included John de Ganay. Chedotel apprt)ached them, affecting an air of great consternation. "What's this, now ?» exclaimed the marquis; "will not the wrath of Heaven cease to oppress its humble serv- -t a t f ^ --■— - - - — -•-" - — £ik 121 "Hum!" replied Chedotel. « At sea, one must be pre- pared for the worst. The fact is, that never had I less chance than on this occasion." "But what's ^the matter?" asked the marquis. '■ Those present examined the countenance of Chedotel with avidity. "Truly, if that damned Erable does not come to our relief, we are in great danger " "; "Well?"* ' "It is difficult to digest, although our stomachs are as supple as inflated bladders." " No such jests in my presence !" exclaimed William de la Roche, in a loud voice. "Master pilot, I order you to speak, and not to conceal anything from me." *'Hum! I did not suppose, monseign►:■ .1 ;?-.v 4il} 122 "But," said Chftdotel, who greatly enjoyed the anxiety of his auditors, "perhaps there is stiU a means left whereby to escape the frightful death which menace^ all ; for it is a horrible tiling, gentlemen, to die of hunger, between sky and water. Hum! I remember a time, when we had a sh,pwreck-it was on board of the Amphitrite, and in order to save ourselves from the frightful death of which I epeak, we were obliged to eat one of our comrades ^» "That's enough, pilot. Keep you? reminiscences for yourself and your equals. Are we far from land ?" " Hum ! One caA not tell precisely. The sounding gives twenty-four fathoms, and a bottom of shells. Stop! do you hear the sailors shouting, Vlveleroi! This announces'^ the Banks, and that we are banking, which means, that we are entering on the Banks of Newfoundland." "Then, the shores of Acadia " « Monseigneur, the currents are numerous in these seas • the winds very variable. I can affirm nothing_at least until you consent to adopt a plan." "Let us see what it is? Be brief." "At some hundreds of knots from us, there is an island, which contains a sm^ll lake of fresh water. We could dis- embark, this rabble there, if such were your good pleasure, and go to procure provisions among the savage tribes of Acadia. Then we could seek a favorable place to found the new colonial establishment, and afterwards return to our people." « By the mass ! this is wisely thought, Master Che dotel ," said Me^rSlo noblemen. ''>M.J.\,. mt^i: f.Jc.' ^ ^ "w r >--7— •■ "■^/^', 123 "Yes," replied De la Roche, crossing his arms; "but ■what will support these people during our absence ?" «Huml'* rejoined the pilot, "they will not want; the island abounds with game and fish !" ^e marquis rose from his seat, walked about three or four times, and addressing himself to Chedotel : "May God assist us I Do as you think best I'* Ci8 yji. "1 )und 1 'n to 'rl "^ H tel," ' r i i. pi| fe^ fi ii^ ,j'" ■ ' / ;^^ . .',-_4iai.l2^ ■ «,, ) CHAPTER X. li AND. ^ FivB days after tliis conversation the dawn appeared through cold and compact fogs. A strong favorable breeze whistled in the rigging of the Castor, and the faces of all the passengers looked joyful ; for already those silver glob* ules ranged in paralW lines, which indicate the proximity of land, were seen to bubble around the vessel. At the same time all da^igers were.not avoided; the " Castor pui-sued a course that brought her into the mi4dle of ice-mountains, which at every moment threatened to overwhelm her. But the news that they wert near land and would soon disembark, was sufficient to reanimate the spii'its of those most discouraged. Let us contemplate thescenewhiohisnowbeingenacted on the deck of the Castor. The fog envelops the barque with an impenetrable veil; itja^fifteen^houro since all thes e nn- ^^t«n»te V^^tmmmra morsel ;the horizon is hidT^ . « U^^K* 125 den from their view; yet some sing, some leap, some run about, weep, embrace each other— all because • they have Icarne^d that they have arrived at their destination. ■( " By St. James, I salute thee, the happiest day of my life, although your face looks as gloomy as that of a draper who has surprised his wife, sinning tete-a-tete with a cornet of light horse,*' exclaimed a Spaniard, agitating his blue linen t;a^. " I will burn three candles in honor of my patron," said a native of Brittany. "And I," added a Crerman, " will make a vow not to drink a single pot of beer this year, .if we arrive at a good port." "I imagine, my boy, this abstinence will not be very difficult," said the mate; "do you suppose that beer flows here like the waves?" "It is not the less true," said the son of Germany, some- what cooled, "that if there be hops we can brew beer; that if one can brew it he can drink; that if one can drink " Chedotel, whose peevish and jealous humor made him the enemy of the amusements of others, wished to prevent the fun of the exiles; but De la Roche interposed, and al- though the pilot alleged that the noise and confusion they ^ade e mba rr asse d 4he ere w, tfae^ marquis ^id not l ike t» interrupt the slender amusements of the unfortunate peo- m 126 ^ « The ship sails well,"' said he ; « the wind is propitious. It will cause no inconvienience to allow them to divert thems^ves for an hour or two." . " No iuconvenience I" ■ , At this moment, Guyonne, attracted by the discussion, appeared on deck. Chedotel, perceiving, her, went direct to her, and taking her rudely by the hand dragged her along towards the forecastle. ^ The young girl coui^ easily have torn herself from his grasp, but her false position on boa,rd of the Castor pre- cluded her from, making any resistance. She ?-esolutely followed ChedoteL A. ' "Listen to me," said he, in an earnest, passionate voice, "and remember what I tell you; (or in two hours my determ- ination will be irrevocable, I love you, and you knot^ it. For one word of love from you^ I would sink this vessel and all it contains ; for one kiss from your lips, I would give worlds ; for your possession " The voice of the pilot became tremulous ; all his muscles quivered like the chords of an instrument of music durin^ ^ storm. ^ "For your possession," continued he, " for your posses- sion, Guyonne, I would damn my bouII I would sacrifice all humanity ! You see how I love you — ^you are in my power— and I respect you f I, who have in my hands the Meora hundred mdivldualsyijbef^^^^ Marquis de la Roche bends the knee ; I, who despise the '-I'-f^'-'.r.'i-^^ ''■'■ufMUi ^' ."^ 127 • fury of men, disdain the fury of the waves; I, who am . more a master here', than the king is in France — I implore your pity I implore your compassion,' Guyonne! I sup- plicate you to consent to be my wife, to give me one word of hope. Come, do^ you wish me to prostrate myself at your feet, in presence of the whole crew ? Say, do you wish it?" - "No," coldly replied Giiyonne. " What, then, can I do. to please you ?" exclaimed the pilot, impetuously attempting to embrace the yoimg girl by the waist. " Nothing," replied she, starting Iback. " Then you don't love me ?" Guyonne made no reply. "And^you never Avill love me," continued Chedotel, wiping away the cold perspiration which batlied his tem- ples, " and you will never consent — you vile outcast of society, to be the legitimate " " Never !" replied she, firmly. "Do you not know Jiiat you are under my absolute authority; that by a word or a, gesture I can sign your r death-warrant ?" "Never!" " Ah ! have I not sovereign command here ? And you . dare to say never ! Have I understood you aright? But, unfortunate woman, who must be tited of life ! Never I s-\ XimaticT Then yoa feel yourself strong against tormenitT Never 1 •" :1k ,,JV- i'-~N t ■-•:<..;f*,v'!~^i'.'...v..'3ri'^-' 128 In articulating these imprecations, the pilot pressed her hand as if he would break it. There was a pause of a few secohds in this solitary dra^^f ma in the midst of a crowd; in that drama, of which the dance and noise rendered the vociferations inaudible, an observer would have been able to see then that the pilot struggled between two divergent passions, each exalted to a paroxysm. " You do not love the old sea- wolf, my fine girl ?" ^ «I detest you!" retorted the young girl, her patience be- ing exhausted. "Hum! you detest me! This frankness rather pleases me. By the rigging, confidence for confidence, I will be as frank as you, demoiseUe. Do you distinguish this point at the west ?" "Yes." "There, then, know from this moment will be your grave, and Satan may have you under his protection !" Soon after this blasphemy Cheddtel went to rejoin the Marquis de la Roche, who paced^up and down the quai-ter- deck, chatted for some minutes, and went in person to the nidder. Thesunmountingtoitszenyth,had,bydegrees, disengaged its dazzling face from the veils which covered the empy- fean. Some clouds stiU wandered here and there on the foamy waves; but already the celestial dome unveUed its =jpleBdQra,^^Bd ^-tiift^dtstenee were grouped l^lue masses "^ which assumed vaiious forms, scattered and again re-united /,♦. / jj. i\J.j juIi jCiSJu J». vg^ -" TT ^.-^ 120 at each knot made by the Castor toAvards the shore. This was cape Canceau, the island of Acadia, now Kova Scotia. '.« / s. y,j*£> CHAPTER XL THE ARRIVAL. Chedotel, without quitting the heH seized one of those little telescopes which had recently been invented by a German, named Jansen, and examined the shore. % "Hrnn!" murmured he, "this devil. Castor, knew her way; but I am not satisfied to disembark my freight on this' side." Then returning the glass to its place, and raising his voice : "Another tack!" he cried with a piercing cry. The chains were heard to grate on the pulleys; the sails loosened, flapped heavily against the masts; the sun seemed rapidly to describe the arc of a circle : the chains j:Medaj^oaJhepull^ysi the sail* ea«ghtthe-»nnd,aar^ the "barque resumed her former gait. I i ^=-»"iu&^i^U^>£^«\^''Jb«. 131 The amusetnents had ceased, and for some minutes the convicts, mute and^ palpitating with hope, were eagerly ex- amining the shores. The tijm of the Castor filled t^em with surprise, but attributing it to, an urgent cause, they abstained from' all comments', and contented themselves with feeling a little disappointed at seeing the shore of New France vanish like an illusive mirage. William de la Roche consulted one of the map^^ 4^*^^^ ^y Cartier, and of which the fidelity was truly incortceiv- able. He was quite astonished at the course steered by the pilot. "Are we not proceeding after the manner of the craw- fish?", said he with a smile, "I thought we should keep the cape to the north; and here \he needle of the compass tiuTis towards the south." "To the north," replied Chedotel; "hum! yes, oiir course is to the north ; but the shortest way is not always the best." "Nor, is it the promptest, is it, pilot?" "Hum!" ' *' Nevertheless, I should like to know, why it is that we are returning. Are there reefs or sand-banks?" \ "Hum! reefs, sand-banks, you are right, there are both! the coast is surrounded with them." " It is the coast of Acadia, is it not ?" "Hum! the coiast of Acadia ; no, it is not the coast of keadia,^^?e^ied^hedotel eooly, ^Ht^is^^>a islaiid l^^ .. -» «e "An island I" said tJiemaj^quis. .rtlMS . '» 132 "An island 1" " What do you call it ?" "Hum I I don't ktiow that it has received any name. "It is strange that neither Cartier nor llobcrval have distinguished it." « Plum I that need not astonish you ; this island is a mass of sand which is most of the time covSred with water. The navigatoF|j^whom you cite might have saUod by it with- out observing it'V But itfc too lat^. With the exception of a point al- most imperceptible, the Governor-General of Canada dis- tmgmshed nothing at the horizon. "Are we going to the other shore of which you have * spoken?" « Chedlt'eT^ ^' '" '^°' ''^'' '° ^^^"' ^"' ^''''''" ''^^'^ " Then-have you passed it ?" "Several times I" "And are you certain that om- people can live there durmg the few days we must be absent ?" "Live therel By the cross, the ruffians were never in a place where they could be more jovial. They have only to stretch out their hands, in order, to have cod-fish, hares, rabbits, partridges, etc." "Do you remember, pilot, that you will answer to me for them on your head ?" "On my head? Hum! lvalue my head more than a milhon of theseryrofligates ; but no Mnttef, T will anfl.v.i T A. .iW- S«J J^-^ S>ri* ■l^l 133 Whether it was that he did not "unrlerataiKl, or whether he did not hear, he look no notice of this impertinence ; he descended into the inteiior of t^e Castor, while Chedotel muttered with a sinister sneer : " Take care whether they will get food ; the island is as barren as the deck of a vessel. Ah, monseigneur, you have treated me rudely during the voyage ; you have treated me like a clown I I, Chedotel, who have been at sea thirty years. Ah, Mr. Governor, you will govern — the Hurons and the Esquimaux — if you can * * And that abigail ! Ah I ah I Hum ! if I could be witness * * Come, what does he want;, ?" <», A rolling of ^^u^i^had drawn this exclamation from the pilot. ^: ^^ At this summoijis the transports assembled in order, and William de„ la Roche, followed by his staff, appeared on the quarter-deck. " Reef the top-sail and the bow-sprit," shouted Chedotel, whose vigilant eye lost no movement b€ the Castor. While the sailors executed the order of the pilot, Wil- liam made the following speech to the convicts : "Boys I "You know that, notwithstanding all my cares, misfortune has hitherto marked our expedition. Provisions came shorten board. Had we been some days longer at sea, we should have been reduced to the last extremity. I have shared your miseries and privations. Like you, I have sul- -fered firom f^radjae] and hadl^net^eaferieosfidraaee m"ttar= goodness of God, I might, perhaps, have given way to' <^ «s .Jl*^ .M. .^s ■■,,>. ^^^::'.?^*>i^J:S^ ' 134 ' hopeless despair. But, he who believes in the infinite mer- cy of the All-powerful, he who disposes every night the burden of his tribulations at the feet of the Redeemer of the world, is strong even in adversity. "We now approach land, not the continent, as you may have supposed, but a fertile island, where, with a little labor and ingenuity you can provide for your iiatural wants. I will explain to you here that the want of provisions, an im- perious necessity, has forced me to land you on a neighbor- ing island. I will disembark with you provisions for two days, divers tools, bedding, hunting and fishing imple- ments ; then the Castor will set sail again to seek on the shores of New France a suitable place for the establishment of the colony ^hich I have projected. As som as Mave found it I will return for you, and take you thither." f As De la Roche proceeded, a loud murmur, thi precursor of a storm, rose in the ranks of the convicts, A spark was sufficient to produce an explosion, nor was the sparkVant- ing. "It is intended to abandon us in the. middle of the ocean !" shouted an individual, lost in the crowd. V; "It is intended to abandon us !" exclaimed the echo of twenty voices, with an accent of terror, and of unqualified menace. " Yes, to abandon us 1" rejoined the first voice ; « to aban- don us on some unknown shore; there, to become thq vie- tims of famine and wild beasts." :^ ^'^^^^^ l^ ^Q^** welcomed this declaj-fttinn ; and in lei* than a second, as if impelled by an eleotrio shook, all k ».». 1-35 the convicts were pressing tumultuously under the poop, with the intention of scaling it. Chedotel laughed in his sleeve, and continued to steer towards the northeast. De la Roche felt that it was necessary for him to lay aside his habitual pride, in order to put down the insurrec- tion. "Listen," said he, "I have every right over you; the punishment of the ringleaders of your first mutiny must have convinced you of this. But I am opposed to violent executions, and I pardon you this moment of insubordina- tion, but with the understanding that any similar attempt in future will be punished with death." "Yes, with hangings, like those of Molin, Tronchard, and others I" interposed again the same individual in a tone of bitterness which revived the irritation. " In order to show you," continued the marquis, " that I have no intention of abanddfcing you, as certain suspici- ous persons among you fear, my equerry, Viscount de Ganay, will remain among you, and command you in my absence. Are you satisfied ?" *' Yes, yes," replied several bandits. " Well, then, return to the steerage, and make your pre- parations. ■Riis promise immediately suppressed the eflfervescence which rose in every head. "Lord de Ganay, I shall depend on you," said the marquis, tu r ning t owar d s his equerry^ "^eur^ s a ilora will a e rve yoB, . as a guard." d :4^ •A S««i(aa»j««irJi,»,iaOi,;-,„ 'ik^'^'^Z i^vm \": ^'^ \ 'i % 186 "IwiUobey, monseigneur," replied the viscount with •* indifferenoe. Chedotel reefed the sails, with the exception of the mizzen, and with sounding-Une in hand, steered the CastoF across the battures which encumbered the passage where he was then sailing. Soon after some miles, an island was obsei-ved covered with smaU trees, which in the distance produced an agree- able effect. '( The order was given to bring the vessel to and cast an- chor. Then William de la Roche, accompanied by his prin- cipal officers, descended into a smalbboat, and landed. He was the first to disembark, plant a cross, and the flag of France and Navarre in the sand, and take possession of the - island in the name of the king, his master.,^ The sun set behind a thick gray cloud, which stained the azure of the firmament as a spot of ink would stain a hoU- day robe, .when the smaU boat bringing back William de la Roche came for jLhn de Ganay, the four sailors, charged with watclufig-di^r his personal safety, and the pretended Yvon wjip served'ihim as a domestic. In this \capacit| Gi^yonne proceeded to cross the bul- wark to take part j^ thfi landing, when Chedotel seized her by the hand, and eKclaitoed with concentrated fury: kour wish I Well, you wiU be the prey of antiches who a^kit you yonder. Adieu!" added he al- -^oBt biting^ef^lefiV "Do not forpt Sbelrst andlast kiss of your laver, Chedotell" •^l^d /fe,t; r >v^yj« 137 Guyonne trembled with fright under the infernal gaze of the pilot, and mechanically jumped into the boat which set off at once. It had but touched the shore when a sudden gust of wind whistled in the rigging of the Castor. A rolling of thunder succeeded to this sinister presage. The bark mado three piccessive lurches, and receded as if driven by an ir- ^HJBftible power. Wi^^lood and death!" said Chedotel. "hell seconds my designs! "We will weigh anchor. — Raise the anchor, and take a reef in the mizzen-sail I" " What's the reason of this ?" asked William de la Roche. ' "Do you see these phosphorescent egrets which dance at the extremity of the cacatois ?" replied Chetodel ; " it is St. Ehne's fire. It is necessary to regain the deep sea at once, if we don't wish to be wrecked on the shoals, or against the rocks. Forty persons, including Guyonne and John de Ganay, remained on the island of Sable. Qded bul- I her \ ■ prey \ ♦ ■■■', e al- I last m 1 ^ 'i^ ■ 4^Min^l• ... im&i^AdjZ^' ■ -^ ■'■■.*',''% 'SiJi'^/ ^ f: ' _|L tPA-HT II. CHAPTER L , THE ISLK OI' SABI.E. The I^le of Sable, a wild and arid plain, is situated in latitude 43 degrees, 56 minutes, 42 Seconds; and in longi- tude 60 degrees, 17 minutes, 16 seconds, on the great oceanic route taken hy vessels to gain the northern ports both of the Old and of the New World. Its distance on this side of Neadie (Nova Scotia), and Cape Britain, is about eighty-five miles. As its name indicates, hills of sa^nd, mdented by the waves, compose it. It scarcely rises abovJ the elevation of the sea; although it contains some hills which consist also of saud. The best known at the present day 18 Mount LutreU, situated at the western extremity towards the south. The Isle of Sable is in the foi-m of a crescent. Its greatest length from east to west does not .^"^^^ ^i" leagues ; its breadtb fiv a^ lea g ues. Haoed^ , -' -v WS% .- vS - - - »• 189 . rounded by large banks, such as are generally to be found at the confluence of rivers. A broad beach, covered by the sea when the tide is in, and left dry when the tide ii out, surrounds the island throughout its whole circumfer- ence. If nature had made it productive and habitable, this would have proved a better and more formidable de- fence than a line of ramparts and bastions, for not only are large ships precluded from approaching ; but even coasting vessels can arrive only with the aid of their boats. At the centre is a lake, now called Lake Wallace, whieh is five miles in circumference. The shores of this alone 6njoy a sort of sickly fertility. Here are to be seen some stunted^ consumptive trees, or rather shrubs, and occasionally shreda of down ; also some plants qf pale color an^ yfreak stemip. It is, in short, an utter desolation, forgotj;en by some latality, in a corner of the Atlantic. ^ » " Kever," says Charlevoix, in his History of .New France^ " was land less fitted to be the abode of men." , ^ I' From time immemorial, ihe Isle of Sable has been the terror of mariners engaged in fishing, or in collecting furs in the waters of Acadia. Long before the expedition of John Cartrer^it was ki^own and feared by the Basques,' the Normans, and the Britons. The sea constantly pours it& stormy waves around its coast, and the impenetrable fogs which brood over it render landing on ijt a difficulty inmost insurmountable. Even at the present day, it seems a som- bl4 presage to all who approach it. The mariners, in their figurative language, liWe given It the name-of **^fldl Avenue." 4' »l*W'-;'^*.-?^ 4.^ I> .=" 140 In 1804 the British Government, actuated by a philan- thropxc sohctude which cannot be too much praised, estab- Lshed a station there, the object of which ^as to pick up any that happened to be shipwrecked j and in 1853 it erected houses, supplied with aU things necessary to afford assistonce to the iU-fated persons cast on its shores every month, nay, every week. _ With the exception of a few sea-birds, no kind of game' IS to be met with on the Isle of Sable. Let us now return to the forty individuals whom the Marqms de la Roche had left in this frightful solitude. " i V !_ '■» ' * * • - * i- ] % 1 ' •iJ nkx^'^ h #-^^ ^ ghAiter n. T H K F" O R X Y. As the Castor, after having veered about, steered with rapidity towards the east, a cry rose from the Isle of Sable. A spontaneous, terrible, immense cry;' a cry of despair, which drove from their retreat a flock of seagulls, and rose for a moment above the rumbling of the angry w^aves. It was a cry from thirty-eight human breasts; one that concentrated the apprehensions of thirty-eight human beings; expressed the anguish of thirty-eight hYiman souls, which saw departing the last tie which united them to civilized society. . , Then were seen frightful individual scenes. As many in a rage as there were men ; as many violent damors as there were voices ; as many imprecations against ai-ms! 142 -> The pencil has not /sufficient colots, nor has the pen suf- ficient graphic force to reproduce this horrible picture. After long days of puffering and privation in the entrails of a vessel, where they w^ huddled together like negroes at the bottom of the hold; after having seen land, and having saluted it with the enthusiasm of a prisoner saluting the hour of his deliverance ; after having formed a thousand projects of future felicity, tasted the imaginaiy pleasures of V soon being able to eat and drink at discretion ; after so many emotions, to fall suddenly on an unknown shore, to all appearance sterile, at the beginning of a storm, without any coverirf^^ainSt rain, without food to revive their strength, exhausted by famine I Could stoicism incarnate have resisted assaults so made? ' To try to calm them, or make them listen to reason, was like casting oil on a blazing fire in order to extinguish it. • Viscount de Ganay, notwithstanding his youth, had too much experience of men and things, to excite still more those savage natures by any precipitate effort. Believing, besides, that the Castor had only weighed anchor to seek a safer mooring, he waited calmly until the efiervescence should appease itself. The predictions of the equerry in regard to his com- panions were realized. Wearied with blaspheming and swinging their arms, in yarn the best disposed concluded to make the best of their situation. Accompanied by Ouyonne, and the four sailors that served him as an escort, John, believing that the time "iad come to act, approached^ the groups. ', i * ^^^x^^ ousand ares of ifter so ore, to athout 5 their sarnate ♦ H3 , The bandits, in their excitement, had not remarked the presence of the viscount amongst them. When it was known, hope revived in those susceptible hearts ; and they instantly gave way to the most divergent sensations. John de Ganay appeared to them as a sacred hostage; as a cer- tain proof tftit the Governor of New France did not intend to abandon them. Towards them, reproved by the world, a great and povj^erful lord had the right of pei-fidy ; but the " viscount^;wr^a true nobleman; his arms attested the fact; an^^c6rtainly the Marquis de^a Roche would not have had le audacity to play such a nasty trick on a member of the distinguished Burgundian family of the De Ganays. These natural reflections soon found expression, and the viscount found every ear ready to listen to him, and every hand ready to obey his orders. The night rapidly unfolded its gloomy mantle ; the rain fell in torrents, and the wind took masses of Avater from the surge, and dashed them about on the beach. " Come, my braves," said the equerry to the exiles who surrounded him, " as it is not likely that we shall hear any- thing of the Castor before to-morrow morning, we had bet- ter encamp here as best we can. Form yourselves in groups of ten each; my sailors will give each group rations of wine and salt-meat, which I have landed in my boat; then, by cutting some branches, and inserting them in the sand, and covering them with your linen sheets, you can construct • tents which will be passable for valiant troopers, more ac- customed to lie under the canopy of the stars than under ^ecoi-ate d wainsco ts. YiveMonsel^aevLV d(j la Roghe, Goy- , : ernor of New France !" — f;Fjfi'''. 144 « H«e Monseigneur d^-la Roche, Governor of New France I" unanimously repeated the convicts ; for in appeal- ing to the valor of the bandits, John de Ganay took them at their.weak side. To flatter the self-love of the masses is the secret of the eloquence of the great popular orators. The rations of wine and provisions were scrupulously distributed, and promptly swallowed, and each group com- menced ^he duty of preparing a refuge against the storm which stiil raged furiously. Enveloped in his mantle, John de (Janay superintended the works, while his saUors and Guyonne prepared a tent in the centre of the httle camp. Towards nine o'clock aU thai was necessary, was done, and the rain ceased by de- grees ; but it was succeeded by a piercing cold, so that the poor bandits, drenfched to the skin, had a very disagreeable night in perspective, when an old mariner, who had taken part in the expeilition of Roberval, asked suddenly, addressing himself to the viscount : " Would monseigneur permit us toUight a fire ?" "Light it, my brave," replied the equerry, "but I am afraid, you dannot succeed. The two barrels of powder I have brought here from the Castor are damaged ; and as it may happen that I may require my pistols for some more pressing business ^" " No matter for that, monseigneur I I learned from the savages of Acadia how to Hght a fire without either pow- der or flint." " Truly, that is curious I How do you do it ?" ^ Nothing more simple, as you will seo.** h.^^','j L -^ ' hA'-:^'r-i^.'^^^h --^^ *«' V ' ^ ^••^^^^^^r^^f^!??ws 145 The sailor retired, and, guided by the moon which emerged at intervals from behind a curtain ohhick clouds, succeeded in discovering in the cavities of the shore somo dry sesrweed and two branches of rotten beech. Having brought both into the tent of the viscount, ho cut a hole into the thickest of the pieces of wood, sharpen- ed the other, and introduced it into the whole which he had made, and rubbed the two branches against each other simultaneously, untU they began to emit sparks. At the sight of the sparks the bandits were astonished. Some believing it witchcraft, and devoutly crossing them- selves ; others resolutely crying out a miracle ; others, still more fanatical, denounced it as an exhibition of the black art— a terrible charge in that age of superstition, when physical phenomena were considered as magic, and those who produced them were punished with butchery. Fortunately for the ingenious sailor, John de Ganay did not partake of the prejudice? of the precept: "Be aware of exhibiting your science to the ignorant; for of tea who ;^ill witness it, there will be nine who will deny it, one who will refute it, and ten who will be jealous of it." With the exception of the viscount, of the three other sailors, and of Guyonne, aU refused for a long time to warm themselves at this fire, "kindled by hell." Finally, however, the cold increasing in intensity, a few ventured, the rest imitated them, Uke the sheep of Panurge ; but the equerry, having advised them to take some coals out of ^le fire, and lig ht o thei- M for themselvesTnone daredTo ven- ture. These men, who, as they said themselves, feaied ','3i(li^„ / m lU- 146 ^, neither God nor the devil, and who cared little for divine or human, had all horror of the sdpeniatui-al. From this night forth, as will be seen in the course of our narrative, the sailor Philip Francoeur, suraaraed the MaleJicieuXj was an object of ayirsion, dread, and respect to the entire troop of convicts.' ■♦ ' '' « >■' • ¥^ f ■ ( k ,, « « cnAPTER in. ^RSX DAY OT^ THE ISI^Aim OF SABLB:. Tu^night passed .vithout" accident., Ear^ next mom- ing the convicts, standing on the heists on the shore Bought a/xiouslj^ a glance at the ship* that had brought them. Vain attempt, although no fog g^ed its mantle over the face of the Ocean ; although th^ shone bright- ly, notlung interposed between the eye Shd the impenetrable iamre of the horizon. \ » "Venison stomach !» said an ex-lancer who had sei-ved under Maycnne, and affected the manners and the favorite expressionsofthecelebrated covenanter. "Venison stomach I believe, we are closer prisoners than paroquets in a cage. "Da you believe it, Grosbec ?" " BTis my melancholy opinion. No more of the Castor, _^,^^_lP^^g"auid,mM . y ^ J^ " Yes, but she ia ooiuing." ■/ ■ t^ ■^ . 148 :k "Who is?" « The Castor." *' Calculate on that, my brave German, and in the mean time hold your topgue." *' Ah, I perceive ^ " What do you perceive ?" " Down there, at the South V* " Ninny, it is a sea-gull.". " Yes, it is a sea-gull," gravely observed a large man, asort of Hercules, who had hitherto remamed silent. • \ " A sea-gull," repeated the ex -lancer, « and I am afraid I vWhat do you think, father Francis Rivet ?" said Brise-tout. " What I say, is," said "the colossus, striking his foot against the ground, « that you ar^ right, Grosbec, we are left like rats in a trap, brutally abandoned here to perish with hunger. Ah, Molin, although the devil may have him, predicted rightly. Do you know, said lie to me, that we are to be abandoned, in order that our carcasses may serve as food%r fishes, or ravens; not a doubt of it?" "Fr(?m the point of view in which he regarded it he was ndt deceived, poor Molin," said Gr j Grofibgn, ;„j l ,_ ** Nabot," replied several voioeB meering. 149 "Nabot is an imbecile," said Brise-tout with impar tiencG. » "An imbecile! who is he that has called me that name," exclaimed a little man, scarcely three feet and a half high, stepping over the legs of the spectatiprs, and advancing towards the giant. "The imbecile who has given you his name, is I," re- joined Brise-tout. "You?" said the dwarf, striking his fists proudly against' his haunches. "Alas I yes, my fine miscaniage." The face of Nabot grew pale with fury. "Then you imagine, you are very strong." " Mordieu /" I am as strong, in any case, as an embryo like you." "Yes, but say that again I" This was received with general laughter. "You do not know, p'erhaps," said Nabot, "that, small as it is, the hatchet fells the largest oak, and the sword- fish kills the whale." "After?—" "After? — let you take care I" In finishing these words, the dwarf jumped on his belly, seized Brise-tout by the leg, and before the latter had thought of opposing his design, threw him at full length on the sand to the great amusement of the lookers-on. The colossus rose, muttering menacing Avords between T Ins dencbed teeth, and proceeded to chastiso his tiny ad* versary; but Nabot prudently hid liimself. I ■ -5, ISO Thp murmurs suspended by this joke, recommenced with renewed bitterness. Brise-tout, as much to cause the trick played upon him, to be forgotten, as from natural taste, constituted himself the mouthpiece of these murmurs. " Since we are abandoned," resumed he with that guttural accent, characteristic of him, « I think, we ought to divide all the munitions, and that afterwards each person may mnke what disposition of himself he may think proper, liv ing here or leating it." « That's right, that's right !" replied several bandits, givinc. eenous glances at the tent of John de G^ay. « No priv^ lege, no chief; let us divide !" '^' " Yes, divide, pack of dogs !" said a sailor who suddenly made his appearance in the midst of the mutineers. "What is he muttering there?" said Brise-tout, break- ing a round shuffle-boai'd between his fingers as a past- time. f "I am muttering that you are more beasts, than the porp'oises, you especiaUy, descendant of Goliath," continued Malificieux. "What, you grumble because the Castor is not yet returned I But do you not know that a squall may chase a vessel a hundred leagues out of her course? And I, who have been twenty yeai-s at sea, told you that the Castor could not be here before to-morrow. But.' here comes Lord de Ganay, I advise you to keop gniaf Jf j^^ -value your skin. Come, silenw ia the ranks I Do you not *« 151 remember the dance of Molin, Tropchard, tepoli, and company^ eh ?" « This question, asked with sarcastic irony, was more than sufficient to impose silence oa the mutineers who feared that their conduct might be regarded as a revolt. So when Viscount de Ganay made his appearance in the midst of the groups, he found the bandits genera^ disposed to listen to him. i*» ^# The equerry ha| profoundly reflected during the night. The conclusion he cam^Jo was that he must act with ener- gy towards the perturl>ed and vicious spirits placed under his control, if he wished to make them obey him in the end. Consequently, having assured himself that his four sailors would devote themselves to him to the last, he re- solved to explore the island, then to establish his camp in a convenient place. * He then divided his men into fo^tr bands of ten, each of ^ which he placed under the authori^jr of a sailor. A half a doz«n pairs \ "My nose!" replied the ex-lancer, raising his hand to t^iat organ, which was unduly prominent. ' "Eh I without doubt, the Indians have a great fancy for tie nose; ask Malifioieux." ■ ^ ^ m ^ "Be sUent, you- insect," replied Francis Rivet, pulling the ear of the dwarf. "Ah I" exclaimed the latter, "do you think, I am deaf??' "Stop, earth-worm," said Grosbee, "venison stomach I what famous odor one respures at home." . "Excuse I the odor of a corrupted spouse," said the dwarf. *' Some vervain, brute I" " That depends on the nose." "On what?" . /' . « On the nese,Tenison stomacb I" retorted Nabot, imitat- ing the Gascon accent oj^Grosbec. ^ ^^V^ This bad pun had a fooWsuccess, and^ited peals of laughter. m^ •-^^ .<'•% '.'•'. "Silence!" interposed MaUficieux, "this is neither the hour nor the place to joke^ school-boy fashion. Let us see, what is that ?" At the c all of the sailor John de Ganay stopped, and 4'' T -was inritatea by the other mn, whose eyes tumed^nxT^^ iously towards the point which Philip F*ranc^ jj^ "wi-jLh his finger, ers, appeared a ff''^ .with th^ utr^o.|^tranqui!|iy. ^| ^^ istfed it, and fired, but mt I the braA^eaaf some junip. te bod^Tj'^rjiicfe. passed lol^g on. rseen to^ound off at Onl, ^i^^Uch, i,,ter ^ ^*' ^'^^ immediateiy resumed. At 1^ reached a lake, and ^h»l]b was ordered. . » - y V B^^ ^^ remarked ; and althe places visited ^^^'^W^W^i^^, the^ island was not^ly deserted, but ^^ ^de^l^tite/ of everything .necessary for the%sistence of our '- racp: However, the sight of the lake reanilated his hope ; the shored were found green; and their soil seemed suit- '■ able for culture. Desirous of pursuing hig ' obsei-vations, the equerry lomjged on the bank of the lake, While his com- panions rested themselves, or made^war on the inhabit- ants of the water. He an-ived* thus/ at a grove of birch ; having passed it, fee suddenly fouD4 himself before a hut! coarsely constructed of branches. At the noise of his foot- stef), an individual, covered with skins, who had been squatting on the threshold, uttered a sharp cry, and plung- ed into the Jake. John knew not what fear was ; but a wise prudence counseled him not to venture any farther suspecting that the beech grovemight be haynted by a tribe of savages. He even detemined not covery known to the bandits /for the prei avoid "M^ing their discontent. P'^^'^ooy^miodest repast of fish, w ronrrjit them back to. '0"s ev ening, \)utKttle impressed in had seen. e his dis-^ order to them, lip had propar- of the pKc- LWhat tjiey_ V. :m s ^ • 't\ i^E "i^» ftAJhlfc 'i!!'."i".'!" ' ."y^' -" -•.»— ..^t... ^wf'* \ \ ~,y ' CHAPTER rv. B RISE-TOUT, JShn- pe Ganat alone felt some* uneasiness for the alj- sence"o!' number 40. The rest of the band -^Ve naturally Joo selfish and too well used to the vicissitudes of fortune to care about her. Besides, the pretended Yvon, far fl-om inspiring the affection of the bandits, had rather excited Hheu- jealousy, on accoupt of the interest which the viscount did not cease to take in her welfare. In all places, in all positions, matf sees with displeasure one of his equals more favored than himself; but it is epecially in the heart of the unfortunate that envy has established the seat of its empire. As to the equerry, two reasond caiised him to re- gret the disappearance of Guyonne ; first, the attachment which he felt towards the pretended young man; then the fear that her disappearance was to be attributed to the pers ona ge he had seen at the brink of the la ke. . Ho wev er, he concealed his fears, and^tried to seem gayer than usual^ m "4. UP \ .167 • in order to reassure the convicts. Those who had remain- - ed at the encampment had spent the day in constraqtb^ as comfortable tents as possible. The debris of a tfils^d / ship had served them for this purpose; and when tfie ex^ plorers returned, those tents were in a state sufficiently^V advanced to inspire the hope that they would pass a bettw- night than the first. Each of the departments had procur- ed some edibles during their expeditioii,.somo ordinary ^ fish, and others shell fish. The supper was prepared, and it was disposed of merrily; for before commencing his re- past, Maleficieux made the remark, that the wind havftfe veered to the southeast, it was t6 be presumed that the Castor would reappear next morning. "If your prediction proves true, sailor," said Grosbec, " I swear to make you king of libertines." "And I," said Nabot, "I demand t^at the very illus- trious Brise-tout be nominated pope of fools." " Well done !" exclaimed the guests, who suspended their noisy mastication to give a mocking look at the hi countenance of the colossus. "Omelette!" said the latter, without lodng a mouthful. "He will pay for it to me." "In monkey coin!" retorted the dwar^ with a look of SQDJttLat Brise-tout. Set you take care of yourself," said Grosbec; " when ■ thyelfiphant is tired playing with a cur he crushes him." %"Fshawj"_Bneered^the little man, «ij»8 ^araeter^of^iy nd Brise-tout is too delicately conformed to big face. «r 9. y '^ -^ 158 There is no danger thgy||yg)fe ke my sweets for absynth. Not the son of VeWlheUgTy !'» - <^' '- ^^Satane diabolieuP'' said Pl)i]ip FranccDur, tapi)ing Na- bot on the cheek with the handle pf his knife. '^,' ■ "Yes, a devil, whom I'll reduce to the state of an aiigel," grumbled the colossus^. ■ / "Plague ! the reduction will not be the more.to be dis- *^ained. I, who have never been worth, a farthing, shall |pot see myself mptat^oi-phosed without pleasure. Oh, what's the matter? A bucket of water I J^er Poly- , l^tis finds himself unwell. Quick, quick! Don't you" B»e'|ie puts out his tongue like one balancing on the gal- lows?" Nabot spoke tri!fl|. Brise-tout, whose anger co^d not restrain a frightful voracity, had*|tt8t swallowed a fish-bone, aftd A\^^ak|^ unheard-of efforts to deliver himself of the borie sralc in his throat. He gesticulated, became enraged, pei^j)i|ed, wept, frothed, but in vain. 'The bone, far from fdin§«^fs attempts #^, expecto^e, stuek deeper and deepen irito the flesh. * ^4., ^^ ai^ ^ - I leave the readej of the spectators. "A pdr 6f pencllSo all our Hercules," said one. *. " Noi do not deprive him of the merit of accomplishing alone, and without assistance, this third labor," replied tho ex-lancer. ^^SaeramenteP^ ad ded the German, " h e is just g oing if you donH onliatton him." ^ ^ 9m,- •»■* vK ■ ^me- how great was the hilarity «* ^' ^% \ 'i Jii.\ ■m-' vmVim,' •* W^f :-'f -.^i-^iiY"^ ^,^^„^,rf? -^ .^ ibsynth. ins Na- % 't 169 *' Poor dear," continued Nabot, laughing to tears, " don't .. be discouraged. Valor 1 Yet another grant I Stronger I there— well — that's the way !" " He will conquer !— He will not ! I told you ho would conquer !-|t told fou not— Let ,U3 bet— There, hp is choking!" , " ' ^ " For God's sake, my love, at least do not break that bone. I will keep it ; I will preserve it as a reUc, in order to make a tooth-pick !" * ' . , The peals of laughter were redoubled. However, the aftliir was not laughable in itself; and Francis Rivet did not laugh. His countenance, Uvid, and marked with re^^spots, contracted with pain, his mouth yjk open and inundated with saliva aiid blood, his large Staryig ^^▼ey«8i of which the pupils hid under the lids ; his body agitated with spasmodic movements, presented a homble ^ picture, whilst the cavernous sounds which grated in escaping from his breast, would have #^zen with fright any other spectators than those whicfe |i&unded " What a head !" said the incorrigible dwarf. " Is there r^^np painter among us ?" ^? T "Why is Signor Titian dead?" added a Piedraontese. "Ah, but," pursued Nabot, " Christian charity requires us to pray for those in pain. Let us, then, pray for our uufortimate companion drawing his last breath." "-^g profundi Qj^mmQl stammerei ftrnsbec, " To l die of a fish-bone is a lamentable destiny. Regretted Brise- ^ 160 tout, I will oompoBO an elegy on his death. I mil sing of hia stoicism in suffering. I will deliver his funeral oration with th^- accompaniment of a Jew's harp and a wooden corn-creak." "There is your epitaph, dear cherubim," said Nabot. "Hear and judge, before sacrificing yourself in the prima of life, to the worms of thie grave," Gf&ss as this buffoonery was, it had the effect of bringing to a climax the gpod humor of the bandits, who clapped their hands with frenzy; for nothing is more acceptable to the vulgar than that which humbles a superior being. But the thing had bebn carried too far. Irritated by ex- crutiatmg pain, the ^ctim of their farce suddenly pounced on his tormentors, like a bull exasperated by the lances of the picadors, seized Grosbeo by one hand, and Nabot with the other, lifted them off the ground, held them a moment in the air, and with his eye covered with blood, l^Ups with foam, he was going to knock their heads against each other, when an insupportable spasm forced him to loosen his grasp. Brise-tout returned, uttering a suffocat- ing cry. Behind him stood Maleficieux, who, armed with a burning stick, thought it well to apply the extremity to the cheek of the giant, as the only moans of saving the im- prudents fallen in the power of his rage. Insanity com- menced to gain on Francis Rivet. He saw no more ; heard no more. The veins of his temples were swoUen beyond measure. A delirious fever raged in his brain. Incapable -of^xcflcctioa, guided uj^ i^^tfee iraTnct of aalrnfeted ?*« " 16X animal, he leaped at the new enemy who dared to bravfi his fnry. But Philip Fraricoeur was as agile as a squirrel. He threw away his brand, precipitated himself on Brise- tout, leaped on his back, seized him vigorously by the neck, and aided by some other bandits who wished to join him, threw the giant on the ground. There a terrible struggle took place, the struggle of a bear attacked by a pack of hounds ; but succumbing Hi the end to the number of his assailants, Brise-tout made a desperate effort to free him- self; and while all his muscles Were distended, all bis phys- ical faculties in full play, a terrible bellowing burst from his larynx, with streams of blood. The bone had disen^ gaged itself ia this supreme convulsion, and Francis llivet signalized in his own way the ternrfnation of his suffering. ISfevertheless, he got rid of one evilonly to exchange it for one a hundred times woi-se; for his adversaries, exasperated by the blows he had given them, were by no means dis- posed to abandon* him ; but the arrival of John de Ganay was the signal of his ddiverance. The row had attracted the attention of the viscount, who was promenading alone on the beach. He hastened to pacify the combatants ; and returned after having been as- sured by Malkmi^^ that order would be maintamed. The night had^ilready veiled the Isle of Sable. How- ever, the convicts felt no inclination to sleep. The scene jnst referred to had excited them too much to compose themselves so soon. The fire was revived ; each took his place around it wi th the exce ption of B rls^to ut, who per- sisted In grumbling in a corner; and yitiding to the solicit- ^ mm "-<.•, 162 ations of Lis cortirades, who begged him to tell a stot-y, the sailor, Philip Fradcojux, expressed hiniSQlf in these terms: '^v J \6» Y k^ . \ "i. X '■-fV ■ I « / i^' V- i, i? /• * • a stoi-y, in these <■ <.^ a % ' CHAPTER V. T H fc r. :q: G E 3sr D. \^ *^^ Webl, by boys, open yotrf- hatches, for I am going to linfold a long cf^)le. Not to bewilder you in a maze of phrsjises, there are no doubt soflie among you Avho have beat about the Rue du Poss^dd, at St. Malo ; a narrow, ' tortuous street, as sombre as the stetrage of the Castor. By Neptune, it is well named the Rue du Possdtti? (Street of the Possessed). When onfe W^s its delapidated worm- eaten houses, he feels ready t*' commit his soul to God. What stench ! What a foretaste of hell ! And it is haunted even at the present day only-iby emissaries of thef-i'-i* ♦^evil. It is here, then, we are about to cast anchor for a moment. . • ' • 7 o„' *' Forty years have now passed slftce thf} Rue du Possi^Jd was the terror of^the brave, devoted people of St. Malo, "who regularly paid their tithes, an(H nevev;failed, on returur' ing from a 8ea-voyage,-.to pfler a farge yellow wax candlo ^ 'j^ /«,. StkkL^iX,^!,. 'Vi^ , i^ 1 .,;.*„ M. ■'-^ 164 to our Lady of Good-Succor. But Lucifer is a cunning chap. No doubt you have heard how he bewitched the soul of a poor fisherman of the Rue du Poss^d^. " Well, by the trident of Xeptune I You will see how the fisherman became amorous, yes, amorous, my boys ; and of the most beautiful girl in St. Malo! But she was as. proud as a duchess. Yes, indeed, by the trident of Nep-' tune; and James tried in vain, he could not anchor in the heart of his beloved. This rendered him sad and sombre as a tempest ; so touch so that he finally shut himself up in his steerage of the Rue du Possddd, and that it was soon discussed in the neighborhood every Sunday. Yes, indeed by the trident of Neptune 1 "In the mean time, Dame Louison pemitted herself to heijourted by the son of a currier, who was very rich, and so good a fellow that it was regarded as a real pleasure to see them dance together Sundays, after vespers. "It had been agreed that they would get married after Easter ; but when the old people were spoken to about the marriage, they shook their heads, saying: " ' The poor children 1 the poor children ! Ah, it is much to be feared that Jacot will play them a bad trick !' "Ay, and the old people were right;, for do you see, my boys, those who have navigated on the ocean have an ex- perience of whicli youth is ignorant. Yes, indeed, by the trident of Neptune. *Tho fact is, that those who remarked Jacot, could not be mistaken in regard to his designs. One day he wsS^ pale as a new sail; another, green as the leaves of a sa^:" 165 3 how the oys; and 5 was as. of Nep-t lor in the I sombre 5elf up in was soon }, indeed, see, my e an ex- , by the v ling; another, as red as blood; and always, always his eyes sparkled like coals of fire. ♦' Some went so far as to say that streams of snlphur and Vtumen flowed from his mouth; others had it that peals of thunder issued from his house at night, even when the sky was pure and serene ; some had seen hkn make the sign of the cross with his leh hand; so that the Rue du Poss<^d^ was abandoned by degrees, and he remained alone, in company with demons. Yes, indeed, by the trident of Jupiter I ** It happened that on the Sunday evening before she was to be married t6 the son of the leather dresser, he invited her to take a sail with him in his boat. " The weather was delightful, ahd ibame Louison had the misfortune to accppt. They stari|ed at two o'clock, gay and joyous, in a little bark almost covered with ribbons. But the moment they quitted the j|}each, a black boat was observed in the distance, which h^i^ted sail, and seemed to watch the young people. Immediately all at the shore were overwhelmed with friglit. - " TWe black boat was that of James. "Dame Louison who was the first to distinguish it, felt the chilness of death running in her veifts. " ' Let us return, iet us return to land,' 6aid she to hef lover. ^ . "'Return to land, Why?* ' ' . - . , "♦I tremble!' . " , i( ( But ► I* ya ■^'^ii. ■' -'■-' -/"^^j'^-^i v< 166 * See,' said she, showing him with the point of her fiir- ger the skiff, from the hull of, which flowed^uch a stream Of light that it made the rays of the sun seem pale— *'What,sacrameuto? theskia'burnediu the midst of the sea!" . , « Burned!" repUed Maleficeux, " who has told you that it " burned ?" ^ , *' Since it was on fire !** V. • "Ah! novice, does the fire of hell burn the demons?" "Brute of a Gei-man," said Grosbec, shruggin<. his shoulders. " You have neverseen anything. CoaUaue'^your story, sailor." _^"Yes, indeed, by the trident of Neptune," resumed , Phihp FrancoDur, " burning flames streamed from the black skiff; and James stood up in the middle of it as tall as the mast of a man^f-wai-f his mouth voriiiting torrents of smoke, "All on the beach mw him, with the exception bf the currier's son, whxi,. far from listening to the prayers of ^ Louison, commenced to row exactly iu'the direction of the black skiff. "The latter receded towards, the north, and the currier's boat followed. The bbck skiff having tacked about, tho other tacked .also. It was said that the former must be i loadstone, and the latter iron so faithfully did they perfoi^m t^e same evolutions. .. ^ f »♦ However, the l^oat approached the Wack *kiff by dfe. 6i-ee8,aati after an bftur^s manffiu^ring in.the.^bay they ' ■h ^ .(r^ A, - -"i '.- V 167 tuped suddenly towards the north, and both steered in that direction. "In a shod; iinie they almost touched each other. The ea roai agitated se/>oared on the rocks, and flocks of griffins, larger than vultures, cut the air with their wings, utterhig lugubrious cries^ "" ^ "The two boats still appeared'; but only^lke a camp-^re \t the confines of the horizon. Then all of a sudden, a frightful peal of thunder Vas heard, and after that nothing was seen-exQept the sea white with foam, extended along" the beach, . . ^ ■ .'■•.. ^ - #-■ ' . . "The people of St. Malo went to the church, and prayed to the Holy Virgin to save Louison and the son of the leather-dresser. The day passed .vithout any news having been heard in regard to them; but jgwards midnight/ when, the storm was at its height, the mariners reiparked by the flashes of lightning th'at a small boat entered ^e harbor. It was. observed to contain two persons, a man and a ^voman: ' Inlanding,the man put Ws'arm about the woman's neck,and said : ' You will swear to me, §L the salvation of-$'our soul,: that you are mine.' 'Yes, yours, nobody's but yours; ^ ways' - yours I' replied the woman. The unknown then,jtoo^d his head, and embraced the woman. She uttered a ciy, and the saHors saw a glistening circle at the place where the maa had put his lips. The sailors ^d horror-stricken! ♦♦Next day it was reported at St. Malo that, swaUowe^ ' np with his boat during the storm; t;he son of i)xe currier h^d perished, and that Loiiisoa was saved bynames thQ ■■*• ■^ «*■ -t *» fr 0\ 1» \ *i ,- T- rj^'v*^*'?"*^'* 15^*^ '^^ 168 "Some believed the recital ; others regarded the fad as a magical charm ; yes, indeed, by the trident of Neptune ! "What is certain is, that in one month after Louispii married James, the poor fisherman became a rich captain, and receive4 ^om the king a commission to go with two ships to reconnoitre the shores of Newfouna^d. /' Not possible !" said the German. ' * "Itwas, then, James Cartier,^'«ddedGrosbec. ^ "It was James,. and that's all I know of it, my boys," replied Maleficieux witfi a knowing air. " My grandfather, from whom I got the story, did not tell me any more." "But what waj^did your James die ?" asko.] Nabot, who had listened attentively to the legend of the sailor, with his elbows on his knees, and his face resting on the palm, of his hand. "In what way did he die; yes, how did he die ?" added the ex-lancer. - All eyes were turned towards Philip Francceur. • "Ah ! there it is," said he, with the complaisance of a narrator who has captivated the attention of his audience; "that is something that has never been found out, and never will bd; yes, indeed, by the trident of Neptune!" Each of the bandits made & gesture of disappointment " However," resumed Maleficieux, seeming to collect his souvenirs, "I will relate what I have been assured by my grandfather, who was weU acquainted with James: "A certain evening, the fisherman having m^t Louison, begged her to consent to become his wile. 1 : mil :n added * 169 ■ «'I will accc<1e to your wishes when you can give me a hundred crowns in gold,' replied-she, - « A hundred crowns in gold ! it is mOrd than James cmild amass by twenty year^' labor." He returned to his cabin in despair, and dccicfed to commit suicide. But just as he was -passing his- neck into the cord which was to deprive him of a life that had become insupportable, a little man, clad m black, suddenly entei^ed his chamber. " ' What's that you are doing ?' "James made no reply. The appearance okhe little man terrified him. , \ "'You want to hang yourself, imbecile,' continue^he stranger. * Muck -rather burn that rope, and marry the one you love.' J * ■ ./ " ' Marry Louison!' Yes, certainly, would you not prefer that ?' "'Oh! yes but-' " ' But you want? a hundred crowns in gold, do you not ? and I will give you a thousand.' / "'You J' , . \ "'Why not?' _ "The looks of the little man were not well calculated to inspire conMence ; for through the port-holes of his blact .coat was to be seen his dirty, hairy skin ; then he felt iU. " 'Well,' said he with a sort of titter, ' follow me. V "James hardly knew whether he was dead or alive, however, he approached the stranger. " TVTiere will we go ?' asked he "^"JX,'"^ ,.. 'L Ife X ."■-■ ' ■.'■ -■'^^'^^^-•'■5.^'^?■ ;iS;r>>.sr-: 170 '* ' Get on my shoulders.* ** ' I am too heavy ; I shall break your back.' " ' Never mind that — get up !' "He obeyed. The little man tittered again, and said : " ' Are you up ?' . "' Yes,' replied the fisliermanj^embling all over, form crossing his arms round the neck of the stranger it seemed as if he had applied them to a red iron ; James wished to jump on the ground; he could not ; his fingers were rivet- ed to each other, and his thighs fastened to the haunches of the little mah, who immediately ^lasphemed the name of God, rose to the ceiling, which opened to make a passage for him, and in less- than a second transported the poor fishei-man to the top of a precipice twenty leagues from St. Malo ; yes, inde^, by the trider^t of Neptune I "There a crowd of monsters of all kinds growled about a large pot in which the members of a human being .were ' cooking. , .,^' \ \ "The little man placed James ne^r the pot, apd said to him : ' Look !' " The unfortunate man, although half dead with fright, looked and recognized the^Jiead of the currier's son, his rival, which the water, in boiling, caused to rise to the sur- face. V , " ♦ Horror !' exclaimed he. " * You will drinK a part of this broth, my friend,' hideous old wocHan, covered w>th wrinkles, who s the pot. -w/ ' id said : ver, for m it seemed K'ished to '^ere rivet- unches of ! name of a passage the poor jues from i about a sinff were '^ A V d said to Lh fright, son, his • the sur- ^ "* No, no I never r' "The monsters broke out into vociier^ns, and com- menced a Satanic dance around the fire. « A cold perspiration sufmsed the hmbs of James- and strange to say, the blood ran through his veins a^ cold as frozen lead. T '"I am thirsty,' stammered he. ' " v « The imprecations of the monsters redoubled. "'Plere is some broth} drink I' said the old ^man. . " He jumped, back with horror, but in an instant after ex- claimgd: \ Some drink ; oh, give me something to drink !' ^ " ' The broth is ready ; drink !' 'repeated the ojd woman. "James lost his senses ; his burning®^ ^Iciaed his teeth, and his saUva was transformed into vHrlbl; ' " ' I want a drink ; give me something to- drink !' " ' Here, irink, my love !'' said the old woman, presentin.. him a spoon fiUed with the infamous beverage; 'drinl^ and yoa wiU wed the beautiful Louison.' ^ "James, not knowing any longei^'what he was doincr took the spoon raised it to his lips, but seized witha remorrj of conscience, he threw it away, as f^r^s L could. But " alas, it was too late ^ a drop of thp brffii' which fell on his tongue sealed for aU eternity his compact with the demons. Yes, ui(feed, by the trident of JJ-eptuue! , - ' ^ "Immediately the monsters a|)g||gched James, kissed him in turn on both cheeks, and frightfiil clatter. * M^ 4 '■'spfy rmi(K •'^y^'n Tjen- 'rj. ' ^""W* 172 "James found himself alone on the precipice, with the little man. '"Well, noAv, what do you wish ?' asked the devil ; for it was Satan. Yes, indeed, by the trident of 2Jeptime I " 'To wedLouison,' replied the fisherman, who no Ipnger entertained any fear of Satan. " ' You will wed herj but then?* " ' To be rich.' '".You will; but then?' '"Cause me to bo spoken of throughout the world for turics to come.' ' „ ,y' " The Prince of Darkness made the usual sneering grim- ace. " ' It will be done according to your will ;• "'Nothing.' " ' You are not ambitious, indeed ! Rarely haye I got any soul so cheap a^ yours. But as short accounta make long friends, first sign this paper.' . • ' "'What is it?' *' ' Oh, a trifle ! Only the sale of your soul for love, for- .tune, and glory. Sign, please ; time presses.' . ", James shuddered. Two pictures unrolled' themselves before his eyes. Here his mother and his guardian angel ,^ conjuring him not to abandon the path of virtuej there Pleasure, shoAving him her allurements, leanmg on the arms of Luxury and Renown. i ■ ' ■ ?^-M-' , with the evil ; for it we I no Ipnger world for ring grim- I got any aake long lov«, for- lemselves ian angel, uej there r on the 173 ^ James signed I Get on my back once more,' tt < SHrtl the devil r " Raising > him like a feather, they crossed the bay, the ocean, and arrived at a savage country, covered with snows and ice, inhabited by men who no longer resembled otlier human beings any more than a land Wolf resembles a sea wolf. When they had arrived, the devU said to ^Jack: " ' Do you know whafthis coimlry is ?♦ "'No.' .: ■ ■"It is a country into which I have not yet extended my dominion, but into wliich I shall extend it in two hundred years, with your aid. You know your route. Return h9me; for it is not .good for me to be here yet a while; and When you wish you can immortalize j^urself Dig under the gate of your garden, and you will find the thou- sand crowns of gold I promfised you. Yours, then, bo love, glory, wealth. Mine, your soul 1' "Fear returned to James. He made a violent effort to separate from Satan, and found himself alone in his house in the Rue du Possedd. " It was broad daylight. Yes, indeed, by the trident of Neptune I "Satan had not deceived him. Having dug in the garden, as directed, he found a casket contaming a thousand crowns ofgold. n :i;SP- ?■ .^..s. f^- ■ • * IW gj H I 1 Hi »■ ' * . ' 4 » . *^- -• <• * :tl „ ■*„ ^' ■« ■''* . ."* " •fc • ■\ ,"' >- •■ ' . / 1 r^ • ■., > < » « ■" \ • ; f ■- / — „ . '• (> \ ^ »> i ■V- X IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) & 1.0 I.I 11.25 t 1^ M 22 lA ill 1.6 **, >" ^j Sciences Corporation ^ if V ^ :\ \ ^Q^^ ^^ 33 WEST AAAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) S73-4503 '^ L6> V-' \ i "N !^ jpv- T-r ^-^■^.^f^sj.^fyr p)JJmTT5>Spn?«'-7»^- M f.^,.,v,j.. -r.. > ■ t .-. ■■ - A ; how he set \t present, it refound the he wayi and lertaken his appeared to 175 Malificieux did not finish liis oath, of which a glofioas snoring took th« place of the/nafe - He was sound asleep. > .** ice of Dark- ly >y which he is mine ; the •t- "^V main-mast ; f the vessel, all she con- 0^ le trident of good-night, od preserve #1 /« 11 CHAPTER VL Q> f ' T JI E S H I r w R :K O K. Th^ next and following clays it rained so incessantly ^. that the convicts were oblig^ed to remain ha the vicinity of their encampment. John de Ganay would have prefer^l^ that the weather wonld allow him to reconnoitre the yAWF island, but finding it impossible to do so, he wished the bandits to occupy theirtime m some useful labor. I^ noth- ing proved that the Castor would soon return for them It was equally true that nothing proved the contrary.' Who knows? Weeks might pass before her return. It was important, therefore, to prepare for the worst. Be- sides, John knew that idleness is a bad counselor. When occupied, his men reflected less on the uncettainty of their fate, and habituated themselves by degrees to colonial life and labgrs. He commenced by causing a. sort of intrenchment to be made around the tents. Large piles, sharpened' at the end, .f~ -».l,. 'U-z 177 y of ' incessantly e vicinity of MA -e prefer e the v^lj! wished the ►r. I^noth- 1 for themj 5 contrary. return. It iv'orst. Be- ov. "When ity of their Jolonial life went to be It the end, hardened in the fire, and intertwined with flexib]. i u - served for this purpose. '^^' ^'•^°^^««' The equerry would have wished to dig a ditch for m secunty; but all his efforts were fruitress. T e Tonr the opening he had made. ^"^ Several times John conceived tho r^i /• • on each occasion some fear prevented him. ' "' . ■ In order to guide the course of the P„..„ ■ other successively at every hour °"™™'7'»«''«'«deach ther post wa, fo^ed nelr the '"'1 "'""'• ^"°- confided the eommaud oT • , "' '"^ "^'*" ^' «'«"'y - found to ::z:z%trz: r """" -- judicious as they were able Tt. T ^ "' '''™ "' of aumn'qo if 1. oDviated the danircr surpiise, if, perchance, the island" was inh.j,-, j ,. ravages, or by wUd beasts. ^''""' '•^ »i.l> &hes S tt "'^^-I'Po^el themselves Win.- d 1 det h , ' T"' '" '"^ ''°"°*'"« — = out ,L "^ "" ""= ^^^ ''•'"« the tWe was out, they s„.ro„nded then, with osier, hm-dies, and IZ / 1 *. 4— _J Hlllrf gm^^^ ^^ia^^^ ,^. . inion ? And if I said that I who speak to you, have seen with my own eyes what is called—" A sharp gust, followed by a crackling and an irruption of air in to the cabin, cut short the speech of the sailor. '■■A: ■;.«*■>*■ 180 e storm had already carried away the roof of the '^ai^-house; and almost at the same moment the convict ivho Vas on sentry at U^foot of the great inast, shouted: \ "A ship! I see a ship 1" \Surprise and joy responded to this exclamation! i^l who happened to be in the guard-room rushed out. The quarter-deck of a ship appeared in front towards the west. But the condition of this vessel, whatever she might be, was evidently frightful. Three cannon shots andablack flag, displayed from the extremity of a poll, announced al- most immediately th^ distress of those on board. "Bjr the trident of Neptunp,ahe looks like the Erable jfia, indeed !" said Philip Francceuf. , Tlie iteports of the three cannons had resounded tlirough the tenti, occupied by the bandits. Sleep, conversations, songs, stories, all were immiediately interrupted, and every body raii to the beach. '^ The storm foamed with fury. Large copper-colored clouds chased each other*'through the sky with fearful rap- idity. Occasional flashes of lightfiing lit up the meridian witli their forked tongues. The wind, impetuous on^o- ment, was silent the next, abandoning the atmosphere to a mortal silence, and the water to its own convulsions; then, panting, irritated, burst forth like a thunderbolt, whirled in immense columns, mixing, confounding, annihilating, rais- ing mountains of sand, elevating the waves, breaking against each other, or transporting them to considerable distances. John de Ganay was one of 'the first to arrive at the rums of the guard-house. i$M>':'i 181 " What's the matter ?" "A ship was in view a moment since," replied Malofi- cieux. "The waves hide it just now, but it Mill s<$gn show Itself," "Is it the Castor f' asked the viscount, adjusting to hh ' eye a little telescope he held in his hand. " Ido not know, sir; but I rather think it is the Erable." ^^^TheErable, that, God pardon.me, would be excellent The satisfaction of the equerry brightened up every fea- ture; and certainly it would have been very great to have ehcited from him such an exclamation, a severe Huguenot as he Avas, * " tos, she must be the Erable, by the trident of Nep- tune," continued the sailor. « Is not her bidwark red ?" « Red, bordered with blue, I remember her perfectly •» replied John de Ganay. v " Red bordered with blue ; it is she- then j, you can be as certam of it as that my name is Philip Francceur, surnamed the Maleficieux." "Let us go an our knees, and thank the Lord, for we are about to be saved," said John. " Saved ? not so fast master." " What do you mean ?" . « I mean that it is necessary to make a sign to that ship at onco to avoid-if that is now possible. Otherwise-" The sailor raised his eyes to the sky. '' " Otherwise she is lost !" exclaimed the viscount 'iVf > m^f0\ 182 "Lost, yes, I can assure you." ^ " But how are the signs to be made ?" *ilt is .very easy, master." Closing his right hand, Philip Francoeur whistled be- tween his fingers, and in half a minute after the three other sailors, his companions, were at his side. They conferred briefly together, then one of them climb- ed up the adjacent mast, and attached two poles to it, in the form of a cross, to the ends of which were fixed pieces of calico of various shades of color, and' cords that reached the ground; and having finished the work, he descended. Tn the mean time the vessel had re-appeared on the foam of the waves. John de Ganay saw her fully. It was, indeed, the Erable; but in what a md ^ate ! Her masts broken, her bulwark washed away, her rigging in pieces, her prow fractured— all told of a long and terrible * struggle with the elements. Groups of men encumbered the deck. Among these men were some who danced like demons; others who cried hke women; others avUo, prostrate, seemed to implore with crossed hands the aid of Providence ; others who, armed with large jugs, were drinking to intoxication; others who laughed fiercely, or rather grinned ; others who struck each other, and yet others who vainly endeavored to pacify them. ' The viscount, ho^rifie^ at this spectacle, imagined he had seen a cargo of the damned. His face grew pale, and his eyes filled with tears. , ' .wcAjs-'Afe^ fef.fe, i ■''^■''"''''^^'^■'''ww^^FfW?'?^^ I^K" lai bistled be- hree other lera climb- :?8 to it, in fed pieces It reached icended. the foam ate! Her igging in i terrible * hese men 3ried like ore with o, armed lers who uck each ify them. d he had t and his -v«See!" said he, handing the telescope to Philip Fran- ' cceur. The latter examined carefully, but his countenance con- tinued as immovable as marble. Stooping to the ear of the , viscount : ~ ^v. "Not a \vord, master," whispered he, putting his finger on his lips. "They ifust have revolted on board of the Erable, and made themselves masters; but if it bathe will of God that they land here, wo can mAe their h^ds pay for it, provided that our people suspect nothing." "Does anybody direct the vessel?" asked the Burgun- dian. "I distingyish nobody; however, there may be a pilot at the helm; for the bark does^ not roll very much. I am going to arrange a signal." ' But as he pushed this remark, » gust of wind, as sudden ^ as it was forfnidable, broke in two the mast, at the top of which he had established his telegraphic materials. . " No chance, by the trident of M|bune !" " What a clatter !" added GrosbS/ The EraJ)le approached nearer and nearer to the shore. The night began to fall, and while one distinctly per- ceived the disabled hull, a monstrous wave bore ^v over the mouth of an abyss to another wave; anon she is pre- cipitated into a deep gorge, pressed by sweUinga of the sea which seemed bent on her 45struction "Can we render them no assistance?" ventured the vis- count with a melancholy apprehension. "The weather-side! the .weather-side!" shouted Malifi- cieux, putting his hands before his lips as a speaking tube. / ;?*•?*• "■»»'f7.*^:':: ■*? ^ 184 «*■ V* •Ifothing was hen^d from the sTiip. * A gigantic wave'stnick her prow on the larboard side, and, almost at the eamo instant, a mournful cracking was hc^rd, which told that the ressel had stcack on a aand-^ . bank. An afwful cry of savage energy struggled with the crieK of; the tempest; at the surface of the water were to be seen unfortunates whom the ocean tore iagainst the rocks, as if for amusement, until the darkness covered with its veil the ' death Struggle of the Erable. ' • , '' ^ -^' T'^ ,J W-- I ■ ^ ♦■ ^K^*--"" > '.- .^ •. ^ jt . ' f , — 1 ^^l^'^»ii?2i^^l^i^Jij'v ' aa^;, ■„.■'■./ 2^M kMi^A' 'M .^ .,'J J •d side, ng was a aand-^ K le cries >e Been s, as if eil the ' ^ r^ V . ^ CHAPTER VIL THK ^V^RECICv ^. The sun, beautiful ai^/^adiant, raising its golden globe fiom the waves of the Atlantic, illuminated on the Isle %. , ^'i- 188 «^i Heart-rending obsequies these were I One sobbed, ano- ther tried to distinguish the features of a friend in the cold, inert, and lacerated body; and at the same tmie removed from him his miserable convict dress. John de Ganay presided at the funerals. His counte-' nance was pale, his eyes were red and dry. He did not weep; but what efforts he made to suppress the burning tears I^ Sensibility would have been weakness under such circumstances? he knew tliis, and imposed saence on the emotions which wrung his heart. "Come, friends," said he, "let us hasten to accomplish, this melancholy duty, and let us avail ourselves of the low tide, in order to secure such objects as high tide has brought us. Philip !-' Malificieux approached him respectfully. "Has the body of the captain, or of any of the officers been found ?" "No, sir," replied the sailor, bowing. "Do you think «ey have escaped from the wreck?" "Escaped the wreck, master!" exclaimed Philip, with surprise, which was equivalent to the most energetic nega- tive. " It is singular, however," murmured the viscount, "that the waves have cast up the remains of most of the convicts who were on board the Erable, without as much as one of the crew. It is singular!" jcA^K'' rftiv-fr.^'*-»v -jffp r- y <^- ;, "that ODvicts ;i one of / 189 "Let ns not accuse those who are no more," said Ualii ficeux, man undertone; "but I have seen what I have Been. We shaU soon have low tide, if I mistake not; and then, If you wish, we can clear up this mystery" "How is that P'*. The sailor indicated with his finger the red line traced by the Erable in the surface of the Atkntic. "WeU,?" - "^ "I wiU undertake to go with a raft; and if tlio walla don t speak, perliaps the planks would." "1 understand," rephed the equerry, thoughtfuUy. The burial being terminated, the convicts knelt on the bnnk of the ditch, and the ex-musketeer h,toned the pray, ers for the dead, the remainder of the band making the re- ^pon^^wahout noticing that the viscount did not knee. ^After this sad office, sjjemn even from its simplicity, a ^c^den cross was planted tempora,% at the head of tho TWs work was superintended by the three sailors, and a guard, composed x^,re men, had the mission of seeing that none of the various a,ticles scattered about would 1^ removed. The viscount had rightly deemed it necessary to take these precaution,, in order to prevent the uilfering of pi cous effects, and to prevent quarrels and^ „f ^£,^ ^^e !( \,i it^ALt ^WliR if '.> 190 convicts were under the influence of a deep melancholy; but by degrees their light and jovial nature resumed its wonted hilarity, and they commenced a characteristic dia- logue. I i .£. 4./ V » , l*(i6U5>..vi^V .\j„._,. CHAPTER Vm. Br unexpected good luck, a large quantity of carpenter's and smith's tools were found among the articles saved from the wreck. An inventory of these articles brought also the discovery of several weapons, and many barrels con- tainmg seeds and grains of various kinds. Malificieux commenced immediately to construct a raft with which he proposed to conpened ?" ' ♦"ftiere has been a revolt," replied the sailor; "the rebels were the strongest; they killed the officers, garrdted the commander, and abandoned the vessel to the mercy of the Ocean." ^ 'i:*!.':^'i. -■■ f 193 of the traces of the revolt i, Z , "'S' P*"^ We been horriMe. TiZ:ZT7 ^T "'' *" " "■-" verity. Whirh n/^ ^'^^^ ^^^^ P^ons s^ «oy Of the officere who were on boardP . ^ ■^■ 104 Us r The convicts either shut them up in the hold, or threw them into the eea. At this moment the timbers of the vessel shook from stem to stern. , "Let us hasten, master J" exclaimed Malificieux. " Hasten r \ "Yes, the Erable threatens ^p fall astmder altogether. " Let us leave, then, for J see nothing here — ** " In th6 captain's apartment perhaps — ^* " You are right." John made his way throijgh a mass of rags, but onlj went a short distance, where he saw at a glance that there was -"nothing there, but a broken trunk. He was going to leave, when the sailor who had observed the trunk, called him, telling him that it inclosed a small chest, and plunging in his hand, he took out a coffer which he put.into the hands of the viscount. The latter took it, examined it with a sort of curious satisfaction, and said to Philip : " Without doubt, the steerage is entirely submerged." . " Entirely, master, even to the wing-transoms." ' "Then let us ^o on shore, and take the body of the cap- tain with us. It is my wish that he receives funeral hon- n ors. Philip FranccBur carried to excess the sentiment of obe- dience to his chie&. Although he did not relish the idea of burying the captain elsewhere than from the deck of the Erable, he abstained from making any remark, and, seizing a sabre, he cut the cords that fksteded the corpse to the rigging. He then knelt down, put it on his shoulders, and r; »■■ ■ ■ •;,■>, -. -;. •'",■■■/■ - "" - ■ 19C said to the viscount who saw him do so, Vith his arms crossed, and his head inchned nioumfi41y on Lis breast : " Now, if you will deign to believe me, i&aster, we should not remain here one minute longer. Do you hear that crackling in the interior of the vessel ?" The advice came in good time. Shattered by the terrible shocks she had received, and incapable of longei^ resistance, the keel of the Erable was disjointed by the retummg tid?, and ah-eady the water had rushed in with a crash. John de Ganay went onUhe raft with a bound. Not- withstanding the weight of his load, Malificieux made an effort to leap also ; but whether he had miscalculated the fiKstance, or whether his, load was too heavy, he fell into the sea. The viscount gave a scream. " Let go the cable ! for the love of heaven, let go the cable, master I" said the sailor, re-appearing on the surface. The equerry obeyed mechanically, and almost imme- diately the hull of the wrecked vessel broke into a multi- tude of fragments which became the sport of the waves. Philip FrancoBur still clung to the body of the captam. With one hand he dragged it along; and with the other he swam vigorously towards the raft. When he reached it," he caught hold of one of the pieces of wood which com- posed it, and tried to place himself astride on it with his I, but this was out of his power. ^t " Abandon the body !" said John de Ganay. ^^ . \ r- «, Vi.. t ft£>ds^^si»f^^^1^ VJK,^I^J^^'i.'J^>j^&;A<'£. it / 196 / The sailor allowed the inoft mass to go, which floated for a few seconds, and then disappeared in the abyss. * * * ' * * The sun, like an immense blazing furnace, illuminated the confines of the horizon, and embraced with red tenta the plains of the Isle of Sabre, when John do Ganay and Malificieux rejomed their companions who awaited them impatiently along the shore. I ' If ■r 4 V CHAPTER IX. THE C O I" B' E R. In the mean time the coaVicts had not remained inactive. Directed by the three sailors, they had repaired their tents, and constructed a sort of pavillion for John de Ganay ; a coarse one, it is true, but very comfortable, considering the circumstances., Johti thanked them heartily for this atten- tion which he had not expedted. After supping in common, our hero retired into his new lodging, followed by Malificieux, whom he rega;rded hence- forth rather as a friend, than asia vassal. Misfortune has ttis one good quality that it brings to- gether the most opposite characters, equalizes the most di- verse conditions, and levels the most distinct classes. In proportion as riches and happiness form lines of demarca- tioii between individuals, misery and misfortime have a tendency to cover the abyss which separates them. "Grief," says the Abb^ Constant, "is the fatigue of humanity in its. progress." Tliis profound and just opinion confirms those 'f. tr.. ^ ^' -: ^ - 198 (I we just expt^fessed. In order that humanity may march rapidly in the road to perfefttion, it is necessary to destroy secular prejudices, to extinguish the firebrand of hatred, lighted by the division of castes, to write in one harmonious whole all the scattered fragments of a community, and e^juapojse their forces ; and for this purpose it is necessary that the mqitnbers of that society suffer ; that the best pro- vided may have need (if those who are called the disinherit- ed. Tl^o latter ctLn rarely elevate themselves at a boimd ; but the former can always dpscend. Generally the moral faculties ^e more developed in the oUe than in the others, —their sensibility is greater. When thejL-jlifrer from an evil, they suffer doubly in comparison witb^others; TTiis is the reason they call thera, or go to them ; for we always «eek toridourselvesoftheburdens of our afflictions on those who seem to jyi, stronger to bear them than ourselves, and even to prop them up with the indifference of otketB. Overwhtil«|i ' ij ■" ''■■",», «ti -'5?' -r '''<'''^ ,■ '^'^f^.^!-':^,!;! •.Hi- .'c'*- ;'^';#-^., ^ 'i ■* > ?* fe ; Is- : !■-■ i: I' ?5-, ^t. te .->■ « .200 Malificieux took it^ examined it attentively, turned it at)Out in his fingers for nearly a quarter of an hour, and al- ready the equerry had begun to laugh at his vain efibrts, . when suddenly Philip exclaimed with joy j« Ah k J have found it I"J "Indeed!" exclaimed John de Ganay, in a half incredulous tona " Wait, master," replied Francoeur triufhjph^ntly. " Let us see," said the former, approaching the sailor, who, by dint of fingering, at last found a small, almost in- perceptible button in the middle of the chasing, and pressed it with his thumb. "Well ?" asked John. ** Well, I have found itJ Here is your casket opened." At the same momeiit tie lid, disengaged by an internal Spring, suddenly rose. V " Give it to me 1" sa^d the viscount in an excited tone. Francis handed him the dasket, and discreetly withdrew a few steps. \ -^ • John de Ganay ran to the ta/ble, and looked into the cof- fer. First he only found some /yellow papers, which he took out. They were parchments ; then some letters which must have been read and re-read many a time, judging from the folds and the spots with which they were stained. The viscount asked himself, if he would read them in turn. He hesitated ; but the address of one of them attracted his at- tention, in reminding him of the name ofthe D% la Roche family, into which he was to enter. Overcoming his :1 ,• A,,! . s^^l^^^^^^^^S^-- ^. #v fe ff' '^2 "It b strange I I know some one, -tho, if I don't mis- take, greatly resembles this person. It is not the mother of Lam-a de Kerskoen ; no, she was more slender, morer delicate. Who is it, then ? But where— where ?" Resuming the portrait, he examined it again with re- doubled attention, buried his face in his hands to reflect, and inadvertently let the medallion fall. Philip, who observed him silently, hastened to pick up the object, upon which, in presenting it to the viscouut, he cast a glance, which elicited fjrom him an exclamation. "Is she not very beautiful?" said the latter, responding to his own thoughts. " Good master, but one would almost say that it is Tvon," replied the sailor. "Yvon! that exile. Ah I I know I'* rejoined John de Ganay, like a man who had found the thread of an idea, vainly sought for a long time. "Is it not, master?" " Yes, in fact, there is a resemblance — a striking resem- blance. It is truly extraordinary. The more I look at it, the more I am persuaded — It seems as if this lady was his mother ; and that young man was a female " " And why not, master ?" said the sailor, with a knowing look. "What do you say, PhUip?" " Eh, master, I can smfeU well ; and I will wager ten years of my U£e against nothing, that our Yvon would make a finer figure'under a bonnet than under a helmet." "Ah, bah! foolish dream of my imagination," exclaimed "^irvlickltunt, ma££ig a sign to Philip to go toiwd. .,u^^-^&' >^M ' '*-^'^>V*^ '^h'%! '^^'s'J'' * ■: 203 Tlie latter stretched on his bed, and was soon fast asleep. " John de Ganay would gladly have imitated him, but in spite of himself he was the prey of a thousand preoccupa- tions, and he could not close eyes durmg the rest of the V »!>(»■ h w&^m^^ >. .^ft ^^L &^##&i;j^l "^tA^ i..s«Ezr 1 rM^I -Ik- ' '5-^ <■-,' mkr \ ^ ^(rV J 1* 208 "It will not leave me night or day,'' replied Malificieux, taking off his hat. ^ ^' Thank you, Philip," exclaimed the viscount, extending to the former his hand which, at first, he did-not dare to touch, brft which he shook warmly, throwing himself on his knees, when De Ganay said : . "What, Philip, do you refuse to give me a token of' fi'iendship ?" The^preparations for the expedition were promptly made. Those*of the convicts who wfere sick, or least robust, were left at the camp; and the rest, armad.with provisions, agri- cultural implements, hatches, and pick-axes, set out gayly on their march. John de Ganay advanced at the head of the column, with his musket on his shoulder. In the ranks they sang, laughed, and chatted. The in- defatigable N-abot teased his good friend Biise-tout, who swore, raged, and threatened. The ex-trooper attempted to adapt an impossible air to a verse, not less unpossible; in short, notwithstanding the gloominess of the weather* which was cloudy and moist, ^he little troop seemed ahnost satisfied with its fate. John de Ganay alone did not participate in the general/ loquacity. He reflected. The viscount seemed growing tired of life. In his animated eyes there was, I knoVnot what that ^as mysterious, like the titles of certain books. Without- doubt, John's was no vulgar mind. ySingnlar and critical as was his situation in the midst of that band of ^dissolute a n d furious eoaviets, he had shawn no weaknessr— i*A.'^ii "w'^i^itei '■"ff'^vw^w^^WKm^^-^-^v^^ w<-- ^4^^"''^^^:^ ''■■r/fsf!ir< 209 It was natural, however, that discouragement should relax his energy, and d^en his countenance. Why then did a feverish anxietiimpUrple his cheeks; whence this fire in his eyes? Why does he look about so eagerly from one side to another ? Why are his steps now slow, now pre- cipitato ? What is the reason of these hurried movements, this uncertainty? What emotions give him pain ? What does he wish? What does he doubt ?— ^^■^T •!*!. . . '!> "»<-1«JlU|uii(^ Lj^ . ■^s^ ' J jjtk -^^ %ST'Y.-^A iifS^fciui ; V W V-/i^ , V ,OfBiv?*>^'i>J».^'.'..W.-7-"r"-. ^ . / CHAPTER XL I5ISCOVERY. Spddenxt, the ex-Iancer interrupted himself in the mid- dle of a chromatic gamut, and running from the front to the rear of the column : "Pardon, monseigneur!" said he, in approaching John de Ganay. "What's the matter?" asked the viscomit, somewhat sharply, feeling annoyed at being interrupted in his rev- erie. "Look, master, ifyou please," replied Grosbecj "there in the direction of my finger." ' The troop halted, and was silent. "I see nothing," said the viscount. "He has hidden behind this bush; but he will soon re- appear. Wait— now do you see?" .''X>^\M^''-JlttlJ£^'i::>.%2^''^::.''^^^S;fS^^^ 211 « WeU,» gaid John, ordering him to be silent by a ges- ture of the loft hand, while with the right he seized his musket.. At a distance of fifty paces an animal was distinctly ob- served eating grass. The equerry adjusted his gun and fired. The quadruped • bounded on its four feet with^ cry of pain, and fell ou the mossy carpet. It was dead. « A sheepi it is a sheep," exclaimed one of the convicts, triumphantly, who immediately after the riiot was fired, rushed forward to seize the game. Nor was het mistaken j it, was a sheep, and one of a mag- , nificent breed. .. The cry of joy elicited by this discovery can easily be understood. Never were spoUs won by a conqueror more welcdmed than the body of the poor member ol^ the ovine race. \ Evidently it was not alone. One pretended that he had seen the marks of a large flock ; another was sure that he had seen several running through the bushes; but that fearing to lure his companions with a false hope, he said nothing on the subject. John de Ganay did not know what to think; although his satisfaction equaUed, if it did not surpass, the wUd joy of his subordinates. A painful fear had ceased to corrode his mind; smce the island contained sheep, they were no longer in danger a''^*!^^ i^«.,^ ^\ i.^ ,1-Ji/S t% ■f 'r " t| ',212 ^ .• :■• "Forwardl" said tie equerry. "Let oAeof you tak« charge of this anuual; let it be skinned and roasted, on the ' brink of the lake." . • - , " mu Then he reloaded his musket, and the little troop re- Bumed their' march. ". ^ By thelTme they reached their journey's end, the sun haddisengagedxtself from the humid vapors which had veied U .Covered with sparkling dewdrops, the shore! of the lake reflected from between the blades of grass m" hons of d^onds, lit up a. they were by the firs! rays f the morhmg em,. This sight, especially after they had traveled through such sterile tra.cts, was truly enchZtin^ It was hke an oasis in the desert. ^' After some moments of repose, the viscount, havin<. given orders to prepare breakfast, caUed Grosbec to him " You are going to accompany me," said he ; " arm your selfwith a hatchet." 'irmyour. " Yes, monseigneur.'* <' ■nen they proceeded along the shore, in the direction of :nr:LrTr°'''"T'^ '^™ ^-^^ "'"- "men It was. The equerry renewed the nrim »g m h,s n^nslet before proceeding any farther, and w^ nse^bectobe „o hi, gnard, advanced wii canlT etep across the wood. '»uuous ^ " Oh !» suddenly exclaimed the ex-lancei^ discovering th« ' cabm. "What's this?" ^ coveringthe ^ ^ush!;>saidh iBguide,^dMbIing lusprecau^s. . |£'i^gt| of you tako asted, ontho ' le troop re- nd, the 8un which had the shores f grass mil- irst rays of r they had inchanting; iitj havinsr ■c to him. ' arm your- irection of his former thicket, in [ the prim- and wam- cautious Bering the' tionst ~^ 213 The zephyr caressed the foliage of the trees with a soft trembling, and a streamlet mingled its silvery voice with thp murmurs of the air. No other voice was heard. With one hand on the hilt of his sword, and the other' on the trigger of his musket, the viscount arrived at the door of the hut. It was wide open, and John de Ganay entered courageously. No window illuminated the interior. First the equerry found himself enveloped in thick darknes^ ; but by degrees, his eyes becoming accustomed , to' the oljscurity, perceived the objects which surrounded him. . Theie consisted chiefly of rude fishing implemeuts.. J John de Ganay was not a little gurprisLd, when the sou^d of agitated respiration made him awari thaj he was not alone in the cabin. Turning towards the place whence the ' sound proceeded, he observed a persoi lying on a bed of ^ branches. « "Be careful," said he, to Grosbec, wlho remained at the door. » ■ Then he approached the bed, coughpg loudly. The in- dividual, who was asleep, awoke. "I am suffering," said he, with a feiLble voice. " Who are you?" asked John de Ginay. ^ " Ah I Monseigneur de Ganay I" excjlaimed she, endeavor- ing to sit up. " Can this be you, Yvon ?" "Yes, monseigneur. Oh, heaven, Uat happiness I My -ioly patronea^ias granted my ferveilt prayers. " " -— ■^ r<; :.. h^. ' ? a^wy»T!»-.r.. ^«.^C-"^ -•*' ^ iiX^T'^^'^ '*> ^' ^' /y '>.i^l^H£'. rtA j-« ^ Iff-*- > 216 "Wait tiU this evening; I will come back for you to bring you to the camp." After having again exchanged some words with the pre- tended Yvon, John de Ganay left the tent, and returned towards his companions, telling Grosbec to say nothing about the adventure. 41 . ,-.*,■ -.;>i.Hl"lJ.i,iy'ii you to ihe pre- Jturned Jothing I Y' ^ CHAPTER Xn. : "^^ *\ -X- 223 sheep, deer, and other domestic animals, which had prob- ably been left there" by colonists who had previously in- habited the island. Yet, the causes of affliction abounded ; for the majority, the absolute ignorance of the situation of the island wliich they occupied, the obligation of attending to labors to which they had not been^accustomed, the se- verity of the discipline to which they were subjected by the viscount, the monotony of their relations were sufficient motives for corroding cares; for, some, for the better na- ture8,the sterility of the soil, isolation, and uncertainty/ were sufficient reasons for disgust ; and besides the pros- pect of a winter in these sav'^ge regions, excited terrible apprehensions. Viscount de Ganay himself was a prey to doubt and fear. His faithfid sailor, Philip Francoeur, tried in vain to reas- sure him. The equerry triumphed with difficulty over ]^b regrets ; for a thousand anguishes lacerated his heart. Xhe ^ recollection of his dear Burgundy, of his family^ of his friends, of the gay romances which youthful imagination had embroidered with flowers, often recurred to his mind. Nevertheless, he thought but seldom of Laura de Kers- ' kocn, the object of his former love; and when her image did retm-n, he hastened to dispel it as an illusion. Wishing to be prepared against all attempts which the convicts were likely to make, the equerry proceeded with Maleficieux to the camp at the lake. Some, he thought, are enemies of agriculture, who prefer to devote themselves exclusively to fishing and the chase, ' jivMejOtherswerewillmgLta remain with him to ^aiavate-= the soil. By this means, as soon as there is a hah^t, the 4 '¥■■ iff S^^ ^*^V, j-^^^li; .i/jf: m , /■ W 224 two bands mil exchange their products. But in reflecting on this.plan, he thought that after aUit might produce dis- astrous results. After having promenaded for some minutes amongst the groups, the viscount approached a tent, at the door of which Maleficieux was engaged in making mats. « WeU ?» said the equerry, with a mysterious air. FrancoQur glanced around him before makbg any re- «ponse. . " "Is there any improvement?" pursued the viscount. "Improvement? no master. Alas I the fever is rather -^ on the increase; and nothing grieves me more than to ' thmk -» "Hush !» said the equerry, putting his finger to his lips, at the sight of a convict who lounged about the cabin. The saUor understood the gesture, and addressed the bandit: " Oh, Porturin ! go and draw the net I left this morning at the bottom of the lake ; you know. It ought to be weU freighted now." " Yes, indeed, by the trident of Neptune !" When the intruder was gone, Philip said in a loud voile to the viscount ; « However, there is still some hope— much hope-I know something about medical afl[airs, master « " Has the delirium ceased ?" "IbeUeveso. See for you rself. J will Vatk while von "^iffe away." ; , — — "' ■ ' ^.-^ ..-..-.. .:=afc==:- ^y^. ■,"•*<*■ '^' ' ,- ■"■-,-«■ -^r'-f.' 225 . . The viscount put aside some platted osjers which served as a door for the hut, and entered. The interior was ^.aked, but remarkably neat. Filtrating through an opening in the top, and passing through a linen screen placed before that opening, the sun shed a soft and rosy light through the cabm. Opposite to the window, on a bed of heathe^, lay a woman. She seemed in a sound sleep, although her respi- ration was somewhat d^cult; a coarse, but neat cloth, was spread over her. % The viscount advanced slowly, holding his breath. He regarded the patient in silence for some minutes. Need we say that it was Guyonne ? She had been transferred tb the camp. Fever and deli- rium had seized her the very evening of her arrival, and had not since quitted her. Philip Francoeur, the first charged with taking care of %2r, had discovered the sex of the pretended Yvon. In- formed of this discovery, John de Ganay enjoined the strictest secresy. Suffering had committed cruel ravages on the features' of the poor girl. A morbid paleness replaced the^oses on her complexion, and her cheeks were hoUow, her eyeballs inflamed, and her parched lips scaled with yeUow pellicles. Still, her beauty had not disappeared; it had only altered its character. The languor had removed all that was mas- cuhne in her features, to replace it with that femuiine expression, more characteristic of woman. Thus, seen in this cabin by the feeble light of the setting lV inH^^uyoirae presentea: an adinirable incarnation of jhyl ical suffering, ^'-K Ki^ 926 In hor sleep she murmured incoherent words, in the midst of which the first name^f the viscount frequently occurred, accompanied with sighs. John took her by^he arm and examined her pulse ; it beat quick, but the pulsations were not irregular. This examination seemed a good auguryto theViscount, for a ' ray of joy crossed his eyes. Then, taking from his pocket the portrait which he had found in the coffer, he began to ■ study its details, contemplating in turn th\ physiognomy . of the great lady, and that of tjie exile. "It is, indeed, she," thought he; « the resemblance is com- plete: nothing is wanting ; not even that httle red mole under her right ear. What an enigma I Oh, I must ques-' tion her, and tell her how ^" The young woman move(J in her couch, and the viscount promptly put up the medallion. , "Do you stm suffer from the fracture?" asked the vis- count? Guyonne did not reply ait once; and observmg that she tned to move her leg, in order, doubtless, to see whether It was healing, John added : "No, no 1 don't stir. Moving may hurt it; remain still. . - -" After these remarks, there was a sflence of several min- utes between the young people. They avoided looking at each other, and seemed as if they were afraid to communi. cate to each other their thoughts. John de Ganay remained in ^e same position. Pros- J rafe d b e fore G uy o im t, lie hd d Oie right iiand of the pa- *■«» ."^^v- ■•=:"fj |- 227 tient in his left, and leaning on the bed with his elbow concealed his face in his right hand. The beating of his heart beat in unison with that of the heart o^ the youn^ woman; and burning sighs escaped from tJieir surcharged «► ,', L 4 M Of.''' '%,-f, '^-'vjj^^.. iJKltt?''**^'''''""' W t>S '\^ CHAPTER Xiy. *>^ ' ■ ' . ' ■\ THE 1 N X R I C3HJ E. This movement having disarranged the cloth that cov- ered Guyonne, her arms, shoulders, and neck, appeared so . ^hite as mvoluntarily to remind one of alabaster. John de Ganay lowered his eyes, his countenance assumed a purple hue, and an indescribable tremor pervaded his whole frame. '^^M^l^rsty,'.' murmured Guyonne, with a voice ex- -^ pi^ssive of pain. The viscount gave a hurried glance around. "rm thirsty," repe^ed the young woman, opening her eyes for the first time. First she did not know the equerry, who, in a corner of the cabm, poured some water iu a wooden mug; but re- ^*ao 4J10U1, ^wimh would tetraylier mo^sty. i-^ ' ^, 229 cov- 5d so John ed a his I ex- her rof t re- sted The viscount returned to the bed, bringing the only drink he could give the poor patient. While approaching, he trembled all over ; a lively carna- tion suffused his cheeks', and the perspiration flowed from his face. He seemed as if about to commit a bad action. Guyonne made an exclamation on seeing him ; then bash- ful and confused, she closed her eyes without venturing to utter a word. " Take a drink," said he, in a low tone, more timid, more frightened, perhaps, than his pr'ot^g^e. And while she hesitated, or rather did not understand what he said, he added, kneeling before the bed, and put- , ting the mug to her lips : "Drink! This water will appease the thirst which de- vours you. Would that I could offer you something bet- ter." s» " Thank you, monseigneur; your kindness to me is very great,". stammered the pretended Yvon, with a voice ^eeply moved. Was the malady of Guyonne contagious? had John con- tracted it ? and were both now laboring under fever ? Suddenly the viscount seized the hand of Guyonne pas- sionately, and bent forward as if going to kiss it, then as suddenly repressing the thought which prompted him, he stood up abruptly £|»"*/commenced to walk up and down in the cabin. Had the obscurity not prevented Iier, Guyonne might have remarked, that the features of the lover of Laura de Ke i T s kocu were diacompose d , andth a t buming tcara g«d>ed- ^ t r from bis eyes. TTTt* J«*^ 1 * 280 John de Ganay might also have perceived that the pre- tended .Guyonne wept. A quarter of an hour had passed before they exchanged ^a word. A world of thoughts struggled in the mind of the viscount; Guyonne awaited with feverish impatience the end of this scene. An involuntary sob escaped her ; at this ebulhtion of grief, the equerry started. He paused, made a violent effort against his emotion, and then, with a tran- ^ qml and firm step, he went and sat down beside the patient Silence was resumed, but it ^aa of short duration. Soon John de Ganay, who seemed a prey to an internal struggle triumphed over his hesitation; and with a voice almost solemn, he asked the young woman : "Have you not said that you are the son of a fisherman who was a vassal of the Marquis de la Roche ?" ' « Yes, sir," murmured Guyonne, in an unintelligible tone intimidated by the tenor of the question. "His son,'* repeated the viscount, without disguising the discontent which her reply caused him. Guyomie made no reply. She waa nfr^id ; she saw that her position was no longer a secret to tiet viscomit; and when the latter repeated the third time "hiswn," inca- pable of dissimulating any longer, she exclaimed, wringing her hands ; ^ "Oh, messire, pardon, pardon, pardon a poor girl I I will teU you aU—the whole truth/^. / Overwhelmed with tiiis oonfe8sion,Ve heived a deep / 281 It waa now night; the objects in the cabin could no longer be distingtiished. John de Ganay, astonished, and frightened at not hear- ing her voice any more, called : "YvonI Yvqhr, .ft His call elicited no reply. Tr«mbling, in turn, the young man laid his haM on tK|^#of Guyonne; it was as cold as marble. *>* " Great God !" exclalR^e, « has my brutality hastened the death of the unfortunate girl !" Then he added, running towards the door : "Philip, Plulipl a light— a torch!" But at the same instant, Maleficieux entered abruptly, shouting : * "To arms, messire! to arms I Our men have re- volted." A discharge of musketry, accompanied with frightful vociferations, immediately confirmed the assertion of Philip Francoeur. Forgetting everything else,^ the viscount bounded rather than ran outside. He had drawn his sword, and while his right hand brand- ished the glittering blade in the darkness, his left was armed with a pistol. Behind him, but finding it diflScult to keep up with him, so precipitate were his movements, ran Philip Francceur. The sailor, too, was, so to speak, armed to t he teeth. , .f-1 m t"*-* ty "J- ^ \ ' c^ »* ''■'' > '-" '''''Tin A thousand strange cries broke the stilness of the night ; and then occasional detonations, preceded by flashes,liad added to the horror of the scene. ' ^ « Death ! death I death to the tyrant ! Death to Viscount ^ohn de Ganay," howled distant voices. "H^ihelpI Saintl>ennisl Montjoy! Toannslto arms!" exclauned other voices, more coi^venient. h ♦ 'M!^^is^bi^^^S.i±f^^ Si£kik:^'-OE3&iif«LL i/.u«-.v^' ... CHAPTER XV. a?H:E INSTTRRE C T I O N'. ■ ,1 '■A Before reporting the events of that night, so remark-^ ' able in the lives of the convicts abandoned on the Isle of Sable, by the Marquis de la Roche, let us mention in a few- words what had passed the preceding days. The reader will doubtless remember, that the viscount * had deemed it advisable to divide his people into two bands ; the one to remain in the Q^^ c^^ Hav ing lef t under the detatchment commanded by the sailor Pierie but a small number of aims, he thought himself safe against all '•'i •■*i ''-'^t'::.1^i^' :^",' i %, «i" 4 4^ 234 i. T t "™"' ™.?'* ^ "<' «"»« ''io» ke rightly -^rded fJthe moat ?„di.oipK„ed of the foop. ifh!' leen observed in . p„„edi„g „„„p,er, that at th! .i„e of «^e wreok of the E,.We, the sai.0. Pie„e had oWeati,;, , ..me the Ba,l„r was eagaged in getting up a conspiracy. Sullen and an,b,tio„,, he aspired to overthrow John de Ganay no matter how, and place himself in comi«.„d. If , Pftrre had not thai vigor of mind and musenlar force which overawe the masses, he possessed in a high deg,.ee ihe art of iss.muIat.on, and of fostering around him the bad design. • f""7-"yh.mself. He suspicions of John de Gan^y fouLtr"' *" '^ ''^'""'' ""'" '^"''^"'^ ""■' '°° *^^> ' * • . Although he lulled himself into no false sense of security bat suspected a part of the truth, he did not believe that a revolt was possible, much less so near. The day the events were aeoomplished, which we are about to note here, he had condemned one of the soldiers to corporal punishment, ''.7-g P^^ok^d- assaulted, and seriously wom,ded a colonist. The punishment was just, but not from the point ofvew of the soldiers. In thoevening, as was theircustom, hey „et together and threatened Ae colonists, whom the^ 6a,d the v,seou„t was constantly fav„.ing at their expense m, m^t not be, thought they; it must be put an end to; and rf they were put to i,, they would show that they had ^bod m the.r veins. The orator of the band, an Man, qnetorLong-croe, mounted an empty barrel afad harangued ^'.&^i*.t:\f,/.i -!.. *>,ir4t.-'i-.5 .■ -j.i^.^. I ,^-7fr^^ r 235 the crowd. ' He recalled the sentence which had been paascd in the morning, demonstrated, in animadverting on the in- cidents of the quarrel between the soldier and the colonist, that the punishment inflicted on tjie former, should have been on the latter, passed in review several previous sen- tences passed by the viscount against his brave companions, for the benefit of the privileged, recapitulated a hundred imaginary wrongs, spofce of courage, valor, equality, and finaUy wound up with protesting, that in the name of jus- tice they were aU bound to demand, to exact, and to obtain reparation. Ludqvico improvised warmly; his eloquence was well calculated to vibrate the susceptible chords of such an audience. Thunders of applause welcomed his peroration. The opportunity was good, and Pierre did not fail to avail himself of it. "Yes," said he, when Ruggi had finished his speech, "yes, I begin to perceive that at last we are treated, as if we had the'leprosy, and that we are but the Serfs of the colonists. Hitherto I had closed my eyes against the light ; but now I am forced to open them. * ♦ * i trem- ble to think that my good faith has been })asely imposed* upon, • * and like our dear friend Long-croc, I am con- vinced that, in the name of justice, we arebound to demand, Slact, and obtain, a prompt and decisive reparation for our grievances." " ^ The speech of the sailor was received with cheers not less energetic or less enthusiastic than that of Ruggi. JOs repetita placet. ___JJut^^4tbe^asy to make speeeires,irls"nTJt bo eaayTo"^ act. Pierre was not ignorant of this. When one of th^ <*- "^ -^ilrj - V T ,^,j niWW^ Wr- Kl. \ .286 ' malcontents exclaimed, "How are we to have a repara- tion?" there was a profound sUence in the assembly, Tne Italian twirled his mustache, interrogating Pierre by his looks. The latter pinched his nose with anfmbarrassed au-, not that he was not prepared for that question. He had combined his tactics in advance; but he was a poI- troon ; he did not like to compromise himself; ho preferred to wait until another would take the initiative; then he would direct every part of the programme ; what he ex- pected happened. The ice was broken. Timid ^nd uncertain at first, but Boon violent and menacing impre-gjitions were heard on oU sides, against Viscount de Ganay. S ^ .^■ \-^V i^S^ «1 ' 41 iV I ' 4 -v^ r*.^ ,«.< i CHAPTER XVL TIIiacOMBA.T. ,TnE command of the rebels had been offered to the BaUor Pierre, but the latter, too cunning to assume so heavy a responsibility, had refused it. His associate, Ruggi, then called to the chief command, readily accepted it. Brag- gart and bully, but nevertheless brave, and fond of dangers, the Italian had all the necessary qualities for the chief of an insurrection. Taken by surprise, the convicts near the lakfe had ftot had time to make any preparations for defense.. Not knowing, besides, what kind of enemies thoy were to encounter, fearing that they were the Indian ^savages, of whose horrible expeditions they had,' heard, they first permitted themselves to get terribly fridhtened. But John deGanay^ew tbe aseaitoatsV With a comT manding voice he ordered his people i to follow him, and p ■^•j' -' '-.Vt- ( '4-^ 'J^ I' M 238 : defend themselves. Each person anned himself in haste • and m a few minutes the dolonists were drawn up on the brmk of the ditch which they had dug before their tents, ready to receive the aggressoi^. I^othing could be dis- -tingmshed yet, more than figures' moving in the shade. From time to time clamors resbunded in the midst of a well-supported fusilade, which issued only from the wood. The ex-lancer Grosbec, and Philip Francoeur, were ranged on each side of the viscount, near the principal entrance. Access to the camp became, 'then, difficult; for it was pro- tected by the ditch, which formed a semi-circle around it, of which the lake was the ^ord. With less, precipitation, more skiU, and combined action, the conspirators might easily have overpowered their com- panions. For this purpose it was only necessary to come to the entrance without noise, and then precipitate them- ^selves into the camp: But the first troop perceived a troop of men promenading. Caliban, the chief of this troop, be- lieved that one of these men was John de Ganay. As the object of the rebel was, above aU things, to rid himself of the viscount, he ordered his men to fire. Several shots were now^rfed in succession, but no harm was done. Whether it was that the darkness, prevented them ffL taking aim, or that they were unaccustomed to handle fire- arms, the soldiers hit nobody. John de Ganay had given orders to his faithful subor- dinates not to fire without his express command. Jemajiin^that ±he ksurgents had^aefcened-thei^ he regarded the moment as favorable to caU on them to re^ Ty^~m^- ■ "w^RprwfSfi^ir^Js-'^ [^^.AiH^jiliLi^AMBtMia^t^ 7--'-~f u 239 turn to their duty, telling them, if they l\ad grievances; to «iake them kno«m to him, and that he wUd endeavor to redresB them, This speech was rendered inaudible by ^vage cries, an a triple discharge convinced the colonists Ihat the soldi were resolved to risk aU, in order to give vtent to theuy' sions." ."Venison stomach!'* said Grosbjjc, «I fL str3|< .''?i^'''' ' *'i ic v'^■ %'^('' S41 had ordered to ftttnclc the camp in flank. Philip FranccBur oomprehenUed of what importance it would.be to prevent this movement. With his five men he ^jill^im'self in front of the Itahan Ludovico Ruggi, and^^^^km vig- orously. Having attained the brhik of th|^^M|eized him by the arm, and tried to make him a.^^^p[ui the Italian was as supple, as Malificieux Was f omFor some minutes he defied all the efibrts of the saUor to throw him. % " Sun-ender !» said he. "I am choking," stammered Ludovico. " Give me your word that you will obey mo, and I will ;give you mercy." "I swear by aU the holy reUes," replied thi ItaUan. Philip Francoeur, not doubfing the loyalty of this oath, withdrew his knee, but at the s^me moment Ri^^i drew from his breast a long stUletto, leaped at the sailor, and was going to assassinate him, when a report was heard. The ItaUan turned about two or three times, and fell. The struggle continued fierce, where Philip had left the viscount. He now ran.to him. The aurora borealis which had afforded abundant light for some time, was now ex- tinguished, and darkness resumed its empire. When Malificieux re-appeared in the meWe, he perceived an individual stooped behind a pine, who, with a musket at his shoulder, and his finger on the trigger, was taking aim at John de Ganay. To precipitate himself on this indivi- dual, and to strike the weapon violently, was but the worfc ^MfiQond for thfts a ilo rtJbu^tb^^an wei rto^andPh% - FrancoBur received the ball in hia thigh. .^l^^^^i^^^^i^'>hiMl^^^yLr^.^. . «^^('S«■'>< - r.(v J^' fet"« ' 242 Exasperated at this, the colonists rushed on the sailors, who commenced to ^fly in all directions. A quarter of an hour after, they were entirely dispersed. The revolt being suppressed, the visQount called for torches, and then proceeded to examine the losses. Hap- pily, they were not considerable. Two colonists and two soldiers remained on the field of battle. The former had besides four woimded, more or less seriously ; the latter had Carried away theirs. The victims were transferred to the camp, some to receive the care which their condition re- quired, the others to a common sepulchre. Thesi^ duties accomplished, the viscount posted sentinels f^anMgtf'i^e oapiip, and, before retii-ing, wished to re-assure JjiBwql|teriou8 protegee. ^% day was dawning. John hxmd Maleficieux extended across the door of the cabin.' '« " What arg" you doing here ?" asked Jojin. " " Master, I am on guard." " But your wound ?" .; "It is nothing. Thpse who brought me here wanted to bring me to the hospital, but—" Philip put his finger oh, his lip, and laughed. "Generous friend!" exdaimed the viscount with sincere emotion ; " oh, I will nevdr t(«rget the nobleness of your heai-fr!" # I (wVa - "Do ndt tKni ofme, masteh but ente^^ hViX .' -ite^ fea:it}lSiJ!&^£^/AJVJ^i!Liiii:.9'AM.i i ri'T.^v 243 John de Ganay opened the wicker door, and immediately a tremulous exclamation darted from his lips. • Guyonne had disappeared! \ iti!»J'?is'/ .; ^ U«r_ i-* in .:> :^ ■- > ■■^■ . jV- not ker- The BgU- fast rhis ase, that ling uns sit- the rior f{> f-t'jTVT'* ^ \k \^ 245 # When the flame of the sticks began^ grow pie before the light of day, the young woman opened her eyes. Philip, who had been watching her, immediately ap- proached her. ^' "I am well," said Guyonne, divining that ho went to in* form himself in regard to her health. «' And your limbs ?" * ^* « A little fatigued," said she, "but I can walk and— monseigneur — " * • "Noble viscount; he is cruelly charged f^'^ said Philip, with emotion. "Ah ! he is aUve !" exclaimed Gnyonne, with transport. ^ He is alive. Yes ; but sorrow and privations— Ah I sad events have passed since that night— and you ?" Guyonne made no reply; she prayed mentally. * The sailor, fearing to interrupt the pious hymn wh|^ the young girl offered from her heart to the throne of the Eternal, discreetly retired. ** * * ♦'- When he returned in a quarter of an hour, Chiyonne was up. "We are going to breakfast," said Philip, gayly, "and then, if you feel strong enough, we will set out for the camp. The viscount will be so happy " Philip ended this phrase with a significant gknce at Guyonne, who blushed. ' I ' > »•'»* ■TOxrorme prel(3n^edUuyonne ; but a sentiment of cxqui- site deUcacy prevented him from showing the young gii'I, A *v 246 even under such circumstances, that he possessed that knowledge. -Guyonne, on her part, understood very well that her secret was no longer such to FFuncceur, but her modesty prevented her from feminizing her person. It seemed that a tacit understanding guided the^e two beings, so noble, so pure, so worthy of being uniteciby the ties of a filial and paternal tenderness. ♦ * * * • At all events MaliJiSieux had served the breakfast on a wooden bench. ' \ , . . It was a frugal meal : some maise soup, and some fish, broiled on tlie coals. But hunger seasoned itj and the guests did it honor. When they had done, Philip remarked : • "Now, we are able to navigate towards the camp." " Oh, yes, yes ! let us start," replied she eagerly. -" On«*ioment, one moment I Before sailing it is neces- sary to take in ballast, yes, indeed, by the trident of Nep- tune! Come, take a mouthful R' Guyonne made a gesture of refusal. I *' Drinl^, drink !" insisted the sailor. « We have twelve full knot! to sail, and a drop of this liquor "No, I thank you." "It will do you no harm; on the contrary, yes, indeed.— It is a distillation of our invention, you see, my boy I Just a small drop !" > Much more to avoid disoblig ing Mm, thaiLon account o f. ^aste she had for it, the young girl accepted. She con- o; s^.?:-iiL'f^'i" -iL..,. f - ■* 1^ -*« 'k- '*a.i <. f' f 247 tented herself with moistening her lips with the gourd which Philip handed her., Walificieux swallowed three or four mouthfuUs, smacked his lips, and taking two clubs from the corner of'the cabin : ft "Let us weigh anchor," said he, presenting one of the sticks to Guyonne. - . , - , ' He opened the door, and a flood of dazzling light invaded the hut. \ " Let you walk in front ?" saixi thilip. ^ /'What?" ' . "By the star-board! you don't know all the devilish tricks these damned soldiers have played on us. Ah! if they could prevent the colonists from fishino- ^" While making this remark, he heaped up the snow be- fore the cabin, went on the roof, covered the chimney-hole with a plate of ice, and covered the ice, .in turi^ with snpw, so that, at a distance, the hut ,^ad tho iearanco of a large heap of ice, massed by the wind;' . After he had finislied it, he rejoined the young girh who ' looked mournfully at the sea. ^^ '4 What is the biatter with my ohp?" asked he, seeing that her eyes filled with tears. " Oh, good Philip, I am grieved,'^ replied she in broken accents. . " Come," said the sailol; in a tone of sympathy which toucliGd her .to i^4rearr, "yott will tdi me ycrnftroiibleg^ on the way, and this will console you." <* «*^< »i. f ' "^ ^J. j-i'ja iik • > m •-.■ Sh*disengftg!B(l herseff from her pai^ reverf^^^ fol- ■qupisebl^. IntiRii scted Kis golden ra^B. •andbe^ 'i>f the treeS. I£ 'April days, full of xibi&i^ilence, aS absorbed in T^e way tbe^passed was yery difficult, full of hills and iaUttws, forraei^i fragments of ice. But when they bad l^pved St little foRn the sea-shore, the route became more ' pi^i^'^B. • Then JPIiilip remarked, shaking his head: .«p|^eit'8 6go!» ! '■ "^ejiears I" repeated she, like an echo. « Ah Itbat cursed ChedoteH" ; ' ' \ ^ Hfce ^Qiing girl grew pale. ^, , "If ^er I lay my grapple upon him " Profcaibjy the Castor has been wrecked " Wrecked ? no ;" said Philip in a mournful tone ; " there is sealing that tells me that." ' . "BnPenough. By the trident of Neptune, ]the carcass ofMalificieux is still solid, yes, indeed 1" • "My God, what an existea||yFor monreigneur, the vj count I" murmured the yowh^Bm • "An existence whi^h has blanched art'd bent him like old man," flaid |^lip sadly^ "Brave young man, he has borne aH— hunger, Uiirst, cold, nakednesd, ^nd with- w I « ^ . V i^ .^'i^Gi^v^^^^i^^^TMi iuuMf^' ?s ' 249 %,l|^rmnr. He has always encouraged us ; he younjT man !" ." ' 'm sailor wiped away a tear with the cuff of his , -eoat:^^ - . • . ■ m ... -- "And you?" said he abruptly, ia order to put an end to th^e painful souvenirs. " Me !» .said she, with the tone of one inten-upted in the middle of a profound preoccupation. "Did you not disappear in the middle of the night of the revolt of the soldiers?" "The same night!" ^ ^# . "And how?" ^- ' " You remember," said Guyonne, «' that I was sick ?" " Yes, very weU j you had fever-in consequence of-" " The fall I had received whi^h l|^oke my leg.'^"' "True, I remember it as I do yesterday." "Monscigneur l,ad the kindness to come W visit me," continued Guyonne, lowering her eyes. The sailor smUed with a knowing look. "And .then," pursued jaiM44l>fen AMjil^^i**,- tm y , F">out^«^^jiuiv^jp$g3^u (Wnjffm, trying 'To ai-ms!' and I heard repor^ muskets." 4" """^ -J-v 1 >1 ^?v ■"«; "Th^ brigands! T|py wished til) «^t our throats !'^^ ' "While I Ustened, without bein^ able to movefthe V Mute — " ' m W ■ y The Mute I Who is that ?" A 'f* " % — ^\13uj maa vvW J»d prefvroi»lyi5a?gdTny1ffl^ 't)R». «Ah» yes! that sort of lat kUled Bme-tout'* ^ ^ -^t . *^ 1 1 isJL il.. _„ ««!•, . 'f^ti^yiSi.: S. / I* / i^ 250 -.y n / "I don'^inow," said Guyonne, "but- "By the tiident of Neptune ! that devil of a Camus, as Nabot called him, stabbed him to the heart, and the convjcts would have hanged him for it, but Monseigneur de 6anay . But you were saying ?" ' y "The Mute entered the cabin where I was sleeping. On seeing me, the poor man threw hfhiself on his knees, weep- ing and laughing in turn, like a fool, making signs to me, and » , ; «And«?" - ' I ' " Kissing my hands !" "Ah, the scoundrel !" exclaimed Philip. , "And," continued she, "he became more sane, opened the door, looked outside, reC^med to me, rolled me in the ^ bed-clothes, put me on his shoulder " "Yes, .truly!" said Malificieux. . " Put me on his shoulder, and began to run." "So I had suspected^" s^id Philip', beating his forehead. " It was impossible for m6 to resist. An overwhelming torpor paralyzed all my movements ;•' I had scarcely any consciousness of 'ttrhat had happened to me. The Mute proceeded on to the sea-shore. ITiere he put- me into a little skiff, and commenced to row, uttering a strange sort of cry, such as I had heard him make, when he wa& sue- cessiul in hiinting, or fishing." " But/ who was this man ?" inquired Philip. " He was my father I" replied Guyonne with emotion. ^^ "Yourfetherl" V ,,, "iTl^'V' aus, as d the igneur , J. On weep- ;o me, pened Q the '^. head. ming r any Mute nto a I sort kSUC- n. 1 ^w^ 1 --^^ 251 "Ah, I can not doubt it any longer ! He had a mark on his breast which I happened to see one day—" She burst into tears. "mat!" .aid Malificieu^ ^hen .he was somewhat calmed. Guyonne resumed in a voice, broken hj sobs. "Had been shipwrecked; he was supposed to be dead. My mother married again; but it seems, he succeeded in . reachmg the Isle of Sable, where the absence of aU com- panions doubtless made him mute, and at length an idiot.'> ^ "It is very strange-very strange—What has become* of him?" - ^ "He is dead!" "Dead!" "Yes, alas I but let me finish my narrative." "Whether it was that my fever increased, or that my fatigue overcame my resolution to remain awake until I saw where he brought me, I feU asleep. When I awoke, he was at my side, seeming to Wait until I opened my eyes to give me a drink. I was stretched on the grass, a large' bush serving to protect us from the heat of the sun. On reflection, I thought the poor lunatic had brought me to another part of the Isle of Sable. In order to be sure I made signs to ^, which he^d not miderstand, or. if L ^ did, he pretended not^' "He wa^nsane ?" saidlilsj^ilor. "Yes, alls! he had lost /is reason. He promptly con £__ltj:u|Led a cabm pfinranch*! it was^ia^^^^bib ^^^p^ '» *i: ¥ five Years I" 9 *'**.« ii." :'^,-*"^j[iI^ i&f i^i ■■• muin, n mtnmi ir r f.jfm:^am, '^k mi* ( -s^'^^ y-. 252 *' But where were you ?** "I don't know. When my health myself of his ^li^ence one morning, to examine the place, and then I fe|k|ji>nvinced that we must have left the Isle of Sable. The;,p»ce we were in was an islet of at most a league in cU-ci|^erence. This discovery frightened mo very much. I^searched for the skiff that had brought us ; but, withoutjoubt, he had sunk it, for I could see no trace' of it." „ / - Guyonne was sHent^^ and PhiUp regarded ^r with pro- found surprise. ' In a moment she resumed : "Oh, if^ only kne% Philip, how kind and devoted ho was aiwaysTto me, althouglf^e knew nothing of me. I was his idol. When he saw me grieved, he |hrew himself at my feet,.and wept; ^hen, sometime|f.J "las gay,hej^as full of joy. ♦ ♦ Poor ^^i^fortu^e, he.perished fer me! i|s life was sacrificed to 8av6 ^^uAg the five years I passed with him in that islit, he never manifested ill-humor. . — He'^d not like to see m^ wo^||oarcely wo^d he.por*^^ mit me to ac^mpany him huntip^* or fishings feor ^te, dear, bel^^ed fkther! for he was my father, I any|ji|^^|iat ' mark on hi& -breast I remember wdU. M^ibd^e mor- cy^n his soulf When I went to my d^P^nfhe knelt near me, m^^^ee&^d also to'^adaress S^ invocation to heaven '' " " Wif|i a strange adventure !» said the sailor. " And your sublistencfe ?" added he. "Oh, he provided it in abund^ce. The islet is fuU of -possessed eitraordiBaaT- skiitj ij^— ,^ tsT v-Bl &*ai|» .<', -, .^ f^ !,r ^^^^^^W^W-v'P S68 m:' ■-?^:7--;:fc'S^Sw had made a bow, and rarely did his arrows miss their ob- ject." " _ "B^i| the winter?" "We lived on smoked fish. I made my clothing of seal 8lcms. As to his, he made them Iflmself, without wisliing that I would put a hand on them." • . ' " ^'^ hV^'fuse to take you b^ck to the Isle of ^able ?" "Very often, you will understand, I made known to him that desire; but then he sobbed, and his teafs went to myhea^t " • " ^^^^^"^^® situation !'' said the sailor with emo- • "Oh, I hav||ufferel a great deal; but however painful my sufrering#-me during these long d^s of mysery and misfortune, they wef^t equal to those which I felt when I saw him disappear be^ath the waves." " Then he drowned himself?" " Yesterday morning we went to fish on the ice-bank, at the southern shore of the islet. While we we^'e fishing, an ^ enormous bear apprijached us. My father precipitated him- self before the animal, who caught him between his paws, and was crushing him in his embrace, when I ran to his assist- ance. At this moment the ice broke under his foot, and the unfortunate w^s eqgulfed in the hole with the mon-' ster." "But you?" "By chance I found myself on the detached ice," replied Guyonne, with the tears in her eyes. The bear returned to J^^ ""''^^" ^ ' ^5,l^g.°l^Q^^ ^ '<^s the piece of jop, and a ed to get up on it j I killed him with a pike, but I fell my- self into tho Bca. It was with great difficulty that I suo- ceeded in regaining tho ice." • " Poor, dear child !" exclaimed Philip, pressing the young girl to his breast. t N #.- «^aji^: ir .-, -, f'^Z"'^.' "HJ„ 8U0- )ung v^ CHAPTER XVin. #■■ PHILIP Aig^D qUIYONNE. ^ Forgetting her ro/e for |he moment, Guyonno threw - herself on the neck of the sailor, and embraced him ten- derly. . . , . "Dear child," resumed Philip, "oh, I am as happy to have found you, as if you were my owa daughter. But teU.me, how it is that you happened to be included in. the category of the transports ?'/ The young girl related her history. " Oh, it is noble, too noble !" exclaimed Malificieux, in listening to the narrative of that adnMM^^votion !" ' "But, holy Virgin, I only did i}?.4u£y,'» replied Gu- yonne with charming candor. " You don't know how much my step-father loved his son. If he had been wrested from him, he wottld have died of grief. And besides that, poor Yvon was not capable of enduring the fatigues and and privations of colonial .lifet ^o n the cor Ky^Mm^i m:i::^t.y / y*i}* ^--f,^ ^'.i^^'^'C.J'fSi^^^^^ P^.j^f-ws. -'•"', .it->f' ^ ■^t.^'^ -^/If: '-'-^Pff^Jf ^m^.. Li ' |i". 256 turally strong ; my depavtnve could oniy cause temporary affliction to old Porrin. You see then that my conduct has been simple. Had you been in my place, would you ,not liavc don\; as much, Philip ?'» "I, I!" said Malificicux, covering her with caresses "I am not quite sure about tliat. So at all events that • does not provent-Idid not believe, to tell you the truth, that there was so much virtue under a petticoat. But does Monseigneur de Ganay know all this ?" " - - "Oh," exclaimed .the youiig girl with a supplicatin!^- ^^ w 258 r- here is a citadel ^hioh it does not seem easy to storm. A good 8,gn, however, a good sign ! By the trid.nt of Ner>. tune, 1 much prefer the.e icy rocks to white frost. This at feast, indicates that ^lonsieur, Winter makes a grimace' at Monsieur Spring who responds with contempt. Com^ y von, give me your hand, and to the .^sgault !" , " «0h," said Guyonne, "thank you; I ^iU get up aJone." "Forward I then." They commenced to ascend, and aiding themselves with thexr pikes, their hands, and their knees. But the ascent ^as BtiU more difficult than the sailor had supposed. The blocks of ice had been precipitated peUmell on each pther. Guyone had occasionally to have recourse to her companion, and the latter, although he did not like to ask the assistance of the yoUlig- gid, was equally obliged to claim her services on more than one occasion. Finally they reached a sort of aufractuosity, situated nearly at the top of the ice-berg Alps. There tbey halted to rest. In order to reach tlie top, they had only to scale an enormous iceberg, standing perpendicularly on it^flank. But while •Mahficieux borrowed philosophically from his gourd a dose of vigor the ice broke under the feet of our travellers, and they fell mto a puddle. Guyonne uttered a cry of fright. But Philip, although surpnsed by the suddenness of the movement, did noMose his presence of mind. In his M he managed to cling to the brink of the excavation, afid thanks to his hairy gloves he was able to sustain himself to calculate the size of the' orifice. Remarking that it was narrow, lik^ the tunnel of f 1 i|^^--^-s,l _'•! -'l ^ ^ -tj-'^U-* »Jjj-f iX't, "11 *■«?! > storm. A Qnt of Xep- i'ost. Tliis, s a grimace pt. Come, up alone." selves with the ascent sed. The ;ach pther. se to her like to ask obliged to Finally, lily at the rest. In enormous Sut while rd a dose lle^-s, and although not»Iose cling to J gloves, e of the unnel of 269 a chimney he bent himself to the opposite side, drew out lus kmfe, fastened it between the two icebergs, set his foot on the handle, and jumped out of the well. He scarcely occupied a tninute in thus raisin<. him- self. - *^ Guyoilne remained. '^ *■ • , \ Philip immediately stretched at full length on the ice and looking down into the orifice, saw.the youn<. girl She' was more than ten feet below him. But she wis standing and spoke to him; this made him breathe easier. "The two pikes are near you, are they not?" asked he. " Here they are," ."Fasten one of them at the height of your waist, the,, other at the height of your head; you will stand on the one, usmg the other as a support for your hands. Then I will g,ve you my belt to aid 'you in getting up on the second pike, so that I can give you my hand and draw you up." .; •' " Guyonne hastened to put this plan in execution. _ It had all the des.red success; the young girl was soon m the arms of her friend. "Dear child, I hope >ou are not hurt ?" "No, t^, my brjwe Philip." ; " Jiut thi« bIoo.J !- exclaimed ^e sailor, palpitating with |ineasme8»« _ ^ ■ .\ fj -i" Oh, It is nothing! A slight scratch I gave myself &*?■ ■■^-1 J the cheei on ^ ji^ Mji^t fi^ . 4 -■^ ^ { f\ «.*' . n VI'*>^i'^<> • ■ ^ ^ a ,j^. L-*. o 260 Philip examined the wound, and found it was but Blight.; \^^ ^ "Holy Patrofless! how are we to get out of this?" asked Guyoane. The sailor reflected for a nAnute. *' There is but o|ie means," said he. \«I will put my ; bapk against the iceberg, and you will stanclon my shoul der." " ' . - "]6ut^ou, Philip?" "Oh, never mind. Ilave'nt I the foot of a mariner? Could a cat pass where Malificieux could not ?" , "It would puzzle even a cat," said Guyonne, smiling, "to make her way here."; ' * * * • * ♦ ♦ " Ouf !" criedP hilip, in joining his companion. "If the way to Hell were as.difficult as this, I should grieve sorely for my poor soul." ' , "Oh, don't blaspheme, my dear friend; It is bad to make a jest of sacred things," said Guyonne, in a tone of gentle reproach. " You are right," replied Philip. « But what do you expect ? We sea-wolves havQ always a little word to ^ive as an excuse for a laugh. Now let us proceed." Tlie southern sidfijpf the ice-mountain had a declivity sufficiently easy; and so our heroes wero soon at the base. ' ^ ,, ^ half A thousand portholes!" exclaime^ Phihp, ia a toao angi^, halfsorry-. „ "' > ^^:aJ^^ "•^ '■V> 1'- *-.^^ '"^'^f^mms' n f^i n J '■ it was but out of this ?" will put my on my ghoul a mariner ? )'5 nne, smiling. 3n. "If the jrieve sorely ''' ft 13 bad to in a tone of ^ hat do you 'ord to ^ive a declivity >on at the I JO A tono J. '■ ". f 261 "Wliat's the matter?" gi "By the trident of Neptune, my gourd remains in the hole. There is no longer any hope o^essel that has lost Its rudder. A gourd full to the bn^I I have a mind to go in search of it." * " In search of it !" " •- ' "It was quite full, repeated the saflor, piteously, looking, anxiously at the. ice-hill." ^ - - ' - ° " But Philip, you will not be gujlty of such folly." "In fact," said he, recollectingj^mso^f, "it is bi^t mis- laid for the present. When the sno.y thaws, I can g,t it. Yes, indeed! Let us proceed. It wti's a ,^'m,^s goufd, nevertheless. I Would not have changed ft for ten ingots of silver." , * ,■ "I believe you,*indeed," retorted Guyonne, ' Emilin<.. "What use would ten ingots even of gold, he to you here?" - . ■• , . ' '" ' ** "She has the wit of a demoa," ' whispered Philip. • Then he added in a loud tone : - , - ' "We are drawing near, Yvon. No one but kons^- neur de Ganay, you, and I, should know You undel stand, my child ?" "Oh, yes,^' exclaimed Guyonne, thanking l^im with her • looks. , ' , "Be|^e entering the camp* you will halt until I go and give word to the viscount." '. ► , "But," said the young girl, «are yoii all reunitcid?" " No, alas ! . that mis)wabl6 Pierre has been t^ us a fije- brabd of distjQrd^and^nmstrumbnt of evil.. It was at his / t ^: ^ "fflHi^Baii] RSi ' i' fc , A 7 ?tS|i^5^ ■■^^ > i' / ,262 ■ instigatwn that the sailors and the soldiers mutinied for the first time in five years. Since then, neither a community of i^es, nor the efforts of Viscount de Ganay have been ■^^^bring them to better sentiments. I do bdieve that M^^^^ Pierre has bewitched thtm. Twenty times we a^eea compelled to repel them by force of arms; enty times they have endeavored to surprise us. under co\3^f the night, and massacre u^. Meantime, God knoVj# . if the viscount has not beenindulgent to those bandits. Had '^ It not -been for him, all would have died'of hunger. All has been useless. At present, all that remains of that cUque, are disseminated through the island, and subsist by pillag- ing the fruits of our labors. But that P^^rre, that Pierre I Ah, if ever I get my hand on his neck » ^ A menacing gesture completed the phrase of Mahficieux, whose contracted features indicated a determined and ter- rible anger. "But I see the headquarters," resumed he, after some minutes. «Yvon, let you conceal yourself behind these pmes, while I go to- bear the news to Monseigneur de Ganay." Having affectionately pressed the hand of Guyonne, PhiUp Francoeur disappeared at a rapid pace. •■ \ I "\' w nied for the community r have been , jeheve that y times we ! of arms ; 5 us. under 5od knoVjl dits. Had'' '. All has lat chque, by pillag- at Pierre I fahficieux, d and ter- fler some ind these gneur de jruyonne, .r CHAPTER XIX. B^RAGMENTS OI^ A JOURNAL. VVE are m a little quadraffgular chamber. This chamber has an appearance more than rustic It was hung with speckled furs, in the middle of which sparkled the silvery mantle of the fox, the buckled fleece of the sheep, the short and lustrous hair of the seal and the white robe of the ermine. A plain linen cloth, become yellow by use, covered the ceiling. On the floor, instead of a carpet there was a mosaic of skins. The furniture was scarce; some wooden stools, two valises, a trunk rudely constructed, and a coarse table, composed it. A larcre mantle-piece of pebbles, not of mortar, embraced all one 6ide of the room. The ofjposite side was occupied by a bed covered with fur skins, like the walls and the floor. In the middle of one of the other sides was a window, glazed with parchment, instead of glass; and a low door oppc Site / ..;*■ ^ ^ ***' » . . il ^ :;<*■■■ - '-.-,1 r^' , ' ^ . • , 264 Arms were suspended here and there, or grouped in bundles. A man was seated near the table; his logs were crossed, ' one over the other; his left el^ow supported on his thigh, and his head sustained on the palm of his hand. Before him were spread various papers, ani* a i'opy-book, which^ he turned over mechanicafty. This man was entirely ' clothed with fui-s. A sword, with t'lie guard adorned with a faded ribbon, was" at his waist. Ije wore long hair and long beard ; hair and beard wiere br<^wn, silken, and abund- ant. His physiognomy had a typLl beauty. Visage ' . bronzed by the heat; fcatm-es regulJr, fine, the fel'mj^f a race ; expression proud, but tinged with melancholy ; eye lively, bold, and yet darkened by sloiv but continual grief; form^lim, wiry, although a httle bent, by ^abit of con- centration. Such is the portrait of 'the man whose age ' was estimated at from thii-ty-five to forty years. « With what rapidity time flies !" murmured he, tuvtiing one by one the pages of the manuscript, covered with com- ' pact hurried writing. "Soon five years !-five years of affliction! Ypt it seems to me as if it had been only yes- lerday we disemba^ed. Do we hve more, then, on hope, ^than recollection ? Goqd or bad, the past is always '^ the bayk of the* future, and rarely is the present a bill which possfesses any value for us. An inscrutable tAing ii^ human life. Awake we dream, asleep we have a reverie. How vast, tUn, is the distance which separates "our littleness from divine grandeurl One cannot even"control his oim '<£^:^if: 1T^' "^-K^'-i" ':J'J*3 ^■■^■ grouped in re crossed, his thigh, 1. Beforo ok, "which^ 3 entirely irned with ' hair and nd abund- Visacfe, ■ 3atures^f holy ; eye ual grief; it of con- hose age i, tuvriing I'ith corn- years of only yes- on hope, ys'^t the ill which 8 human . , How ittleness [lis oMm / V 265 He stopped s„d,lo„ty, and contemplated the iiamo of the '77'""" •uu.ned on the taWe; for although it Cdt day, the panes of pa,-ehme„t allowed too.li.L of The ith. .o.^.o.nde.tp„..le.e„ad.tW , " I«l« of Sable, October 29, 1S9S. Lord Lord! smite not thy humble servant! Behold! -y body . bowed down; ,,y soul ^sgrioved; I am goL^ to the abyss of despair. ^ ^ "What emotio,« agitate me! I feel, and'yet do kot' te s„ faee of bodmg ,vatcr ; everything strikes me-every: ' thmg bmds toe; tears soothe me, . bnt my eyes^ &£. o^bnr^ng. I have nU even the M.a,es'„f"plT ^ BtranWe^ Of my dear Fronee, and my dear Lanra, I think . kss. Pr.™t,ons of alilinds have mademe indite nt^^ V snffe. Mystery, ,.i„ .bo„ permit me to tear awaC tKy^ , I wa,t «U> unpafenee the retnrn of the Marquis de la • g Eoehe; and I kn,w no. why it is that I dr.ad to\ee hil *• amve. 11. island pleases m., all sterUe as it is. T Kv" hoX .r;^"."" "" '^^"■"-•^ wife,snrronndedb; w«»Ad 1 say?-What has beebme of her who was a^&V ns How, wift what object did she praee herself a^Ev- . .i^tbandofmaje^rs? She seemed good IrooTdlrf. iii^ w # • J.- f 'y- PV. **?■" 1^*^'. R#. - . 2G6 \ was exemplary; her courage, her energy, ajH-passed imag- ination; and then, what a beautiful face/ Oh, the life of that woman must veil^ profoimd secret! Without doubt Bome sublime devo^i has prompted her, * * * "But am I not foolish? This woman had perhaps a lover among the convicts ! Oh, no, no ! banish that mon- strous proposition ! She a lover! She a depraved woman— 'tis not the case; my heart tells me so; my reason proves it to me! Is it thus I honor the memory of her Avho, at the peril of her own, saved ithe life of Monseigneur de la Roche and mine ? ^||^ gratitude be manifested by an ♦'Ah, pardon, no!%^!own ! pardon, if you are dead; forgive, if you still breafi. God, how beautiful she was! What a queenly bearing ! What dignity of deportmcM.t ! What angelic sweetness in her countenance! No, that angel was not born in the cabin of a serf; I refuse to believe it. It was a manor she had for a cradle ; it was great and powerful lords she had for relatives. J' "Still that thought; it haunts me incessantly; I chase it under one foi-rn, it reappears under another.' I close my eyes, it is reflected as in a mirror; I turn about, still it is before me; I promenade, it follows me; I work, it con- tinues with my labors; I go to bed, it is at my pillosv;, I Bleep, it hovers about my head. "It is said 'that divine Providence often sends us warn- ing^, in order to instruct us. Is tliis one? Yet, what is the use in my occupying myself with it ? What is the use in searching for a thing henceforth useless? Have not '^^Cki.^, ».■»■■ ■^^x-f-v:^ ' r 3ed imag- the life of out doubt * pcrhnps a iliat mon- woman — on proves r Avho, at leur do la ed by an re dead ; sbe was! )rtnKMit ! STo, tliat o believe reat and chase it ilose ray ;ill it is it con- illoNv;. I s Warn- what is the use iVe not 2G7 njoro than two months passed since she disappoa;ed ?^ ^ Have I not caused the island to be searched from one cor'^ nor to another in the hope of iltlln, her? lU. .^t the " lake been somidcd by Philip ? * ♦ ' * "Poor, dear girl, she is dead! Perh'.ns nf n h ^^^ (l.^nfJ. t \\n 1 « ^ -remaps ot a horrible ^ iiuujKis me. lliese papers, p eked" Uaneetoher „ «, ^,iking,tius portrait; I have a.aia . -<;«tonti/.ly. The more I e„mp.^e it, the more ' n=y suspicions assume consistence. She i, her dau-Hue^- sometlung tells n.o at the bottom of my heart. Ila've ik nght ,« deceive myself. And do I not remember the laC w s e.ehan,ed between her and me; when I asked he whether .t was true that her name was Yvon, did she>t TZZ /'V'^""'"™"'^"^^' Whatalabyril I a.n m I _ Am I never to se^her again, or know the truth ■n regard to herf Lor^^ „« ^, ;„ ^^ * B.ons w ,ch burn me Uke red irons. Ke-estabUsh peace „ my mmd. and enable me to renounce reprehensible worid" mess m order to be able to fulfil my duties towards you and these poor people. wh«„ you have made it my misla ZtZ """''""' "'^'y --. -» Obedience to 2^» L .TVJ . .'.'■. ,.'i!i*4i.ai. \ ^" .#■■' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A {./ ^ .V V ^ v^< fe 'J, 1.0 I.I IJ.25 If 1^ 12.0 U IIIIII.6 <*. i «j ^ ^ O • ^-^ * 23 WEST MAIN STREE1 oaences • websternymsso yi •! . (716)873-4503 (-X)rporaton ■^ ^^ \ :\ ''V <^ '<(^"' ''/\-%^'^^^-^'' tAv ■^ jf4 I* 3< ■vi#^i ■\.i^i "'-*i'il~lV»»''* ^: ^.^■"^, *'"?^' b 1 1 • 268 The viscount had not perueed these lines without making frequent pausesr^o meditate. "My God!" exclaimed he, on fiiiisliing, " how the hours, days, weeks, months, seasons, years have flown ; and neither time that corrodes all ; physical maladies which enfeeble ,the body, nor moral maladies which obliterate sensibility, have been able to eradicate those impressions left on my mind, and on my heart. The All-Powerful has not had pity on me." He bowed his head sadly, and turned over some leaves of his journal. ** ^ i ^ X "Jannary 2, 1599. "What a sweet emotion I felt yesterday. I was far from expecting that delicious surprise. Brave Philip I what a heart, beneath his rough sailor's garb ! It is he, doubtless, who has induced the colonists to wish me a happy new year. Oh, I should indeed be happy if all would return. The certainty that I have enemies here, ■where all ought to be like brothers, has cast a cloud over that family re-union. Grant, Divine Redeemer, that the soldiers — those who strayed rather by lassitude than ma- lignity — may not persist in their hardness of heart. How much more agreeable it would have been for us all to have thanked heaven together for having hithellto provided us with subsistence, and to have supplicated Him to continu*^''"*-^ his benefits. " It was eight o'clock when my dear colonists arrived, ^ssed' in their best clothes. Philip marched at their % - f 269 head; the honest saUor tried to pay me a compliment But his eloquence di^ not equal his expectation, and he threw himself at my feet, kissed my hand, and, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed, 'Excuse me, monseigneur. I had wished— I had desired— in short, to tell you in a word, my comrades and I wish you every prosperity ^ " Well, well, Philip," replied I, seeing that he could not proceed, and addressing myself to the troop, who cried with their heads bare: 'Vive, vive! Monseigneur de Ganay !' I made a Uttle speech, which touched these good people. Then we devoted our hearts to God. " The dinner was pleasant, more bountiful than usual, and at the desert I caused to be distributed all that re- mained of our last barrel of brandy. How joyful, then, were my subjects ! In an instant they forgot the precaii- ousness of their situation, and the rigor of that horrible winter which subjected the sea itself to its dommion. Poor fellows, they forgot, that if fish failed to-nj^pWsow, we «hould die of hunger I Ah I I could not forget. * Alas 1" ^^a % .1 ' ' " Febroary 6th. "It is horrible! two of our men have been frozen this morning, going to hunt. I am told that the soldiers are a prey to famine. I am going to send them some fish. My God ! why do they refuse to take my advice." M " Pebrnary 11th. "We must fight to-day; we must defend ourselves against pillage and murder ; we must shed the blood of our brethren I- Has an evil genius taken possession of these 7 ^■nfH % \ia^*' .^$i^tMaM> ■4 - ^. 1 r ■A. - * ^' {" ' r ^^■'■ fe^ *. ^ Ife^ v-r p^ ■t: %t" 7^ L' ■r "^ -^ V^'" ■ ,•# Bfc ; 1^ '^j* <> iK: # !»' ^^ *-; .i , * .s . 270 nnfortunates ? Tbey came thus armed to the teeth, and had it not been for the bravery of our colonists, we should have fallen under the fire of the bandits. The struggle lasted two hours. We were obliged to use our muskets. Six men were killed ; two .colonists,' and four soldiers. Will this lesson teach the latter ? I doubt it. At least, except Pierre, their chief, is kiUed, they wiU return, sooner or later, to the charge." ♦ ♦ "March let. "Thedivine wrath rests* on us with all its weight. My God, may your will be done on earth as in heaven ! But I beseech you to spare these poor unfortunates. The scurvy rages in the camp." soTSmj ...^^^ "March 2nd. "A bandit, named Ludov^coTErnard, has died of scurvy this morning at ten o'clocl^.'' Two others are affected with this horrible'*malady. A soldier has deserted, in order to join us. I have giVfen orders that he be well received. Let us hope that his exalmple will find imitators." ■ "The wretch!" said the reader, rising hurriedly, "he was sent by his accomplices to assassinate me. Had not the prudence of Philip discovered the plot, he would have done so." , He walked up and down the apartment, returned to his seat, and opened his journal at random. - "April Tth. "The cold is still excessive, and |re are hungry.— Ah ! what » hideous thing hunger is I Sunken faces, irritable ,-tf j(^ f. It >:j»P^TOTi.TilSf«B»'S«l«i.5 ^^y'j ^ ' twj-' 271 ■.'*'":i*^_ minds; men who sob, or blaspheme, with such am I sur- rounded. With the exception of Francceur whose firmness and self-abnegation are proof against aU; I see only pros- tration and hatred. J feel myself that ray energy b faU- ing. I am suffering from hunger. Fisliing having failed^ we have had to eat boiled sheepskins; then we had to dig holes in the snow, in order to extract some roots, and at ' the moment I write, this last resource has failod.-Good God, I am informed that they are going to disinter the bodies of the two men, frozen to death m March. * * Lord, O Lord, grant that this profanation may ii#t take place." ' # * "April 8th. « I have fever; my head bums ; a cold sweat bedewB «iy body.-The hair stands on my head-the pen tremblePi^ my hand. * * Unfortunates, they have realized their design. They have taken? these dead, livid bodies from beneath the ice.— I dare not finish—" 1- "April Oth. "All-powerful God, cause me to die-famine devours me —There is a fire in my stomach— Oh, if I could die—." " Yes," said the young man, « I wished to die then, but r ^ it was less OQ^account of the frightful tortures I endured, than in consequence of the sinister projects w'hich hunger had excited in my brain. I trembled at these.— I was seized with the fury of a cannibal. Far from loathing human flesh, it attracted mie irresistibly. I remember that I got up from my bed, seized a poignard, and if a man had been- present that moment, f»wouId have cut his throat, to suck his blood, to tear his limbs with my teeth.— Horror^.'* J- ;.i^' ^ K 7,^ 3 i^ - vK . ' ' ' rm ' '-^ He hid his face in his hands, and remained absorbed in thought, interrupted from- time to time by spasmodic tremblings. The noise outside diverted the dreamer from his bitter reflections. lie ran to the window, and seeint? that the noise had been occasioned by the fall of an avalanche of enow from the top of his cabin, he returned to his peat. "May let. • "At last Spring has dissipated the frosts of winter ; Nature is smiUng. Ah ! who can fail to recognize the goodness of God m the magnificent scenes" around us I The sun, warm Md. vivifying, bathes its golden rays in the sea ; the sky, without a cloud, which dazzles by the purity of its azure, and then that world which becomes animate at our feet, by our sides, over our heads. * "«' Listen I these are small birds; they tell the timidities, the impatiences, the jealous- ies, and the pleasures of love, and their language fill you withecstacy. Sing, sing on, httle birds! your romances sooth my cares as formerly the ballad of my nurse put my infancy to sleep. * ♦ Wait! Will Providence guide a ship to these shores ? Has the Castor been wrecked ? Theie questions constantly recur in my mmd. But now, I wish to dispel them, * * destmies are in the hands of the Most High. I commit myself humbly to his care. With the faith, the certainty, of being again in a better world, the human creature is never unfortunate." , " Octobej M. • * * « * ,♦ ' HThis morning, during a solitary promenade, I wenjt as far as the hut, now in ruins, wWlh she inhabited with the t 1 I ,1 B tl 'ai SHTWgKSS^Tp ^X«k^i«&t^.^«^_tM'»^,^.3j- ■.i5M:^E 273 A, ho concluded this phrase, he heard a gentle tap at the door. He hastened! to close the journal, and hide it at the bottom of the coffer. . "Come in I" said he, j ' 1^ shipwrecked man. Seating myself on a beam, I had a W reverym regard to A.r. Who was .A... Where can .^ havepenshed? Night casts its shades over that extinct ^ ' "^' life, and never will any light be shed Vn it I My God if'"' BO maiyr presentiments had not deceived me I" '' ■>! U^- r :^3fM <;/.*• ' * ■ .4 ' V >*_>. "A'u. V. >} CHAPTER XX. - TECK StTRI>IMSB3. The door opened, and Philip FraQcoBu^ appeared. "Ah I it is you, my old friend," said the viscount, rising and shaking the sailor by the hand. "But what is the matter? you are quite excited — " ^f^ * * '" "Oh, monseigneur, monseigneur !" replied Philip in broken accents, " I knol^ very well, I know very well- " What did you know ?" "Ah I old Francoeur is more cunning than he seenls." " What do you mean ?" "That nearly chokes me, yes, indeed I ^* " Sit down, And get over your emotion.", "My— excitement; you have said the word. I am devil- ishly excited. The me^s of not being so too !" "Relate to me, what it is," said the viscoont, tapping him encouragingly on the shoulder. ^nk •it V ' th kni me «-^fcfciV- '^■iS&t^*' J '-Mj^^aHflS j*^-">-lX rii#.£i KjJaif^'j ^^"^^i^A,* 'M^' 276 ''• But, at least, monseigneur, you*will promise-" « All you wish." ^ ^ "It is, you see," said Philip whose eyes sparkled with joy, ' that this news is so extraordinary—" "Have you discovered a shoal of herrings?" " Not at aU." "Lordlaship— " ^ «Ko, nol" replied Philip, shaking his head; « the hour of our deliverance has not yet come." The light that illuminated the countenance of De Ganay was extinguished. ,- , " Then speak, my devoted servant," said he. " I fear this news — * ;- "Will it be bad?" exclaimed John, ki^g his brows. " " On the contrary." "Explain yourself then." ' "If I were sure that-well I can't hold out any longer yes, mdeed, by the trident of Neptune 1 She is found again I" The sailor spoke this last phrase with a vivacity, so great that one would think, the words burned his throat. - "Found again I" "Who?" asked the viscount, growing pale. ^ «OhI" exclaimed j^hilip, "pardon; I was too abrupt. I knew that if I let you know that suddenly — . Excnse me, I don't know t&w to manage such things." 'Him » * -IM^m::^^. ; ^m • 276 "But who is she?'* repeated the viscount in an excited tone. "Monseigneur, monseigneur I do not ask rao to tell," re- plied Philip frightened at the agitation df his master. " Who is she ?— for the third time." "Yvon," said the sailor, in a tone so low that John thoughj; he had misunderstood. ^ "Yvon I — ^that young girl— found again!—** " Ye8„mon8eigneur.'* j "You have found her?" " Yes, monseigneur." "Ah ( but you only deceive raerPInlip— is not that it, my friend?" pressing feverishly in his fingers the sailor's hahd. "Deceive you,? Ito deceive you, monseigneur?" "But Where is she, PhUip ? quic^ ! run 1" -^ » Then all of a sudden, the countenance of the viscount brightened up, his muscles quivered. He supported him- self against the table, to avoid falling. He made a move* ment, he opened his mouth to speak, but the sounds died on his lips. Philip was frightened at the change produced in the viscount. " Give me some water !" stap.mered John with much diffiCtilty. . V He swallowed a few drops, and moistened his temples. By degrees he seemed to become calm ; and although a vol- cano smoulder^ in his heart, he said quietly to the sailor: m:^^m^^mwm il^V MWni^KH 7 . ''Tyt ■•■J -^ f. ,"<■ ■K 2V7 / " Where have you found her ?" • "Fishing on the sea-shore." _ " Drowned," stammered the viscbunt with a painful ef- fort. "Drowned, no, monseigneur, but on the point of dvinjr with cold." ' r ^ h ■\ "Then she is^ alive 1 you say she is alive 1^ Exclaimed John in a passionate tone. "^ , \ "She is but a few steps from this.'* " ,V "Oh! thank you, my God," said he, raising towards heaven his eyes, radiant with gratitude. . The sailor briefly related to the viscount the histor^- of Guyonne, from her disappearance from tlie camp to the moment when he had so miraculously saved her. John hstenedto the recital with mute attention, suspended, so to speak, from^lg lips of the narrator. "Come, Ibfaie," said he, as soon as Philip was done. "Let us go for her; for you do not know who that young girl is.^You have no idea of what a noble family she be- longs to. But let us hasten/' "Pardon, monseigneur," said the saUor without mov- "Not^ol I am burning with impatience, all trembKng with that selfish impetuosity with which unforeseen happi- ness animates out blood." J^onseigneur, listen to me, I beg 6f you," objected I'hihp, stopping the equerry with aloofc "First of aU, it is A ''*M:i 4' i 4? ^i 'i/*- / #£. •T., ff^.v^ :>i^. ^•r'€i . •^ 878 > .;'fl y necessary for us 16 take precautions. Let us be circumi^ect. The re'tum of Guyonne might prove disastroua^o all, if her • , sex was known. Coolness, IJierefore." . " You are.j-ight, my ^ear.:^hilip, I am insane," said he, \ extending his hand to Malificieux. "Oh, I understand this^aste," replied Philip with a smile, permitted him by his age, and the numerous ser- vices he had rendered the viscount. « You will remaib here, your rank and dignity require it. I will return to Yvon, and brihg her to youT" • • "All right, my good Philip, afl is permitted to you.** "Now," said the sailor, rubbing his face, ^^« now, mon- Beigneur, you know what you have to do." j " Yes, yes, run, and bring her." , "It is Yvon, nothing but Yvon, N^ 40; don't foi'get, moriseigneur," said Philip starting. *'.♦"" ♦ • * PhiHp gay« her his arm, fearing that her epiotipns might betray her in passing the colonists, whispering "be firml" She advanced timidly. TTie viscount congratulated her with sufficient cahpness on her almost miraculous deliver- ance. She replied by an unintelligible «tammer ; and John de Ganay, in order to put an end to a soeiie that might be embarrassing* said : - ^ "Tvori, go in, and warm yourself The Qold may inj^b your health which seems to have sofiereci sq much/al- ready.^* . ' m N iK;,' > * ■ • ^i.t J ipect. if hor a he, \ . ^ ith a 3 Ber- maJb rnto tuon- 'get. ight ml" her ver- ohn ight '■t-r '-z:. room The Bailtfr conducted his pro%<5e into the sitting- , of the viscount, 'wrho- was by her side, tetHrOrMe^ in a few- minutes. ^ ' . '• . "} ^ % ^'5 4: /at /T > %• « 'sy i a^Haam4^'4:» ' i. ^^e i- 1^. v« . , ^ 'V »~ > CHAPTER XXI. QXJESTIO:SS J^NT> RESPONSES. ' - SKATEDaiear the fire, Guyonne had her eyes down. What she experienced we cannot describe. It was an indefin- able combination of timidity, fear shame and love. Jolm de Ganay was not less agitated, nor less confused. Standing near tlie table, he affected to arrange some papers to keep himself in countenance. But the shaking of his hand, the indecisive looks he gave now at the young wo- man, then to the right, then to the left, betraying the per- turbation to which he was a prey. A quarter of an hour passed in this way. The silence of the two young people was interrupted only by the crack- ling of the wood In the fire. Ten times the viscount onen- ed his mouth him. speak, and as often did his strength fiiil At last he sat near our heroine who, succumbing to tbe_ eight of her impressions, burst into tears, and hid her ~i^: A-Bf^i^'tij 281 face in her hands. This incident served ^ a re-ac Jon to the equerry. He appeased the disordered palpitations of his heart, and questioned Guyonne gently ; _ ^ " Mademoiselle " " Oh, pardon, monseigneur ! pardon, for having deceived you, sobbed the ^g girf, falling ^t his feet. "Get^p, get np-^^said he, turning his head aside to con- ceal the tears that moistened his eyes. "Xo monseigneur, it is the only posture that becomes a miserable sinner like me," replied she with emotion. «'! have gravely offended our Father who is in heaven, and you, monseigneur. But believe my word: if my brother rvon had gone, his father would have died with grief. As^' a pemtence impose on me the hardest labors. * * Oh I shall be too happy to be useful to you in any way »' ^- Noble girl!" exclaimed the viscount, forcing her to sit; dry these tears. The deed you have accomphshed, is worthy of the highest praise on earth, and of an eternal recompense in the next world. Do not bow your head, Gu- yonne, for you arfe the honor of your sex. What I I to blame such devotion, or dare to treat it as a fault ! No, nol Much rather would I proclaim before the world that you are the most virtuons, and the most heroic of women." "Then, monseigneur, you will not repel me! You ab- solve me?" said Guyonne, seizing the hand of the viscount, and kissmg it in spite of herself. "I admire you," murmured he in an enthusiastic tone It was not unta then that she ventured to raise her tear- ^ , •" "" *«*»oo ijci tear- *^eye9 t^mardt Jofin^ae GanSy, wlo, in tnni,^ei2edliOT hand, and pressed it to his lips. I'lWiy.'if^E* V- !.'' \ "^*->'»>"*l -X^'w 8^82 By this act the vfecpunt elevated to his own rank Gu- yonne, the fisher-glrl. HoM^ever, the latter was more charmea than surprised; for, with the penetration which women preserve in the most complicated positions, she knew that the young, man loved her. "Your name is Guyonne?" asked he, after a moment of silent rfeverie. '^ " Yes, monseigneur." "Where are you from?" "From the hamlet of De la Roche." "From the hamlet of De la Roche! it is not that,'? said the equerry thoughtfully. Guyonne did not understand, and the viscount added: " What occupation had your father ?" "He was a fisherman, monseigneur." "A fisherman! but did you not teU me formerly that he was a coaster ?" "It is true." "Was he engaged in both professions?" "No, monseigneur, my father-my own father— was a coaster; he was shipwrecked; he was supposed to be dead, and my mother married a fishermjin of the manor of De la Roche for her -second husband— that is oldPerrin, who has thus become my stepfather." "Ah !" exclaimed the viscount with marked satisfaction. "But you have a brother ?" _.,",^^''°' mo nseigneur. He is an issne of the second niRr-,^, mge, and he cost our mother her life." b&a % *:^r T* ^' m, 283 "And your mother's name is— ?'» "Margaret, monseigheur." "Margaret!" exclaimed the viscount, running to the table, opening a letter, reading it with avidity, and re- turninsr. " Was not your father's name Simeon ?»» "Simeon, yes, monseign^ur," repHed she with/'profouud astonishment. ^ " His surname was Leroux, was it not ?-" "Yes, indeed." -■ "He was originally from Normandy-and had estab- hshed himself in a httle village near Nantes, at Chauteray where he married your mother— " , - "Yes, yes," replied Guyonne to these questions, asked mth feverish rapidity. "But how is it that you know tnonseigneur ?" — * 1^' He resided at this village at the time of your birth ?» " Yes, monseigneur ; for I was bom in 1 5 73." "Oh, what a flood of light!" said the viscount, reading aloud the following words from a letter which he held i^ his hand. "It was the fifth of February, 1573, towards four o clock m the morning, that I gave birth to the fruit of this unfortunate love, reproved by the justice of God and man. It was a child of. the female sex. The chaplain of the chateau baptized it under the name of Guyonne, then, ^^"^^""^Sfl^^^T^rB of llie mother who asked^S™ see her daugUaf, it was carried away » 4"* "' pr^ iX - 1^ r,'3f 284 The fisher-girl heard the reading of this passage with a stupefaction which extended almost to unconsciousness. Since the previous evening, she had experienced so many commotions that she asked herself whether she was not the prey of a frightful nightmare. Incidents which in former times had seemed to her to have no importance, forgotten souvenirs, presented themselves in multitudes to her memory, classed themselves, and formed, the thread of a conductor. Thus, Avhen the viscount, interrupting himself, said : " Does not your infancy bring anything to your memory, Guyonne ?" "My infancy reminds me of strange thin^rs." John drew his stool near that of the young woman. "I was very little," continued Guyonne, " when we lived at Chauteray near Nantes. However, I recollect that a beautiful lady, richly dressed, camo to our house every Sunday after high mass." "Of tall size?" said the viscount. "Yes, monseigneur, her form was tall and majestic. Wlien my father was in, she contented herself with giving me some candies, or ginger-bread ; but if I was alone, or with my mother, si took me on her knee, and covered me with caresses. So I was very fond of her ; she was so good to us." Guyonne ceased to speak; briny tears gushed from under her long eye-lashes. J'Do yfiu remember the nam© ©f^at Jaay ?"=a8k«d the— . viscounU 1 ' iSv ■ ; t.' I'' 285 "Her name? n6lc.anno longer recall it; but my mo- ther always caUed her the Countess » ' "^^ "^°- ".Is that all?" old womnn came to „„r l,„„,e. She .poke .ome word, to my mother who nttc-od a loud cry. Then I ^^-^1 d™,od,„mybost clothes; the old woman, my Jl , and mysCf entered a carriage which ^waitU ns at J door. I .„„„«, ,,„,p. „„ ,„y„„^ j,„„„, ; I rge room, ly.n. on a bed. The boantifld lady I had seen at our house, wa, lyingbesidc me. She wa, livfd with sict ne.s, and yet an infinite tenderness lit np her eye, when she looked at me. Knelt at the foot of the bed ^y 2lt^ and the old woman sobbed and cried. The lady emb,.ced' me sighmg, then she said to my mother: dai:r'' '"" '"" '™°'"* "^ "" ■■" " ^°-^ °™ ther' ""'"'""' *'''^"^'-"' exclaimed my poor mo- " Von will take good care of her, will you not, my g„„d woman?" contmued the lady in a voice, so feeble that one could scarcely hear her. "She will be my daughter," said my mother, pressing me to her breast. ^ "Thank you, Margaret, I rely on your word. Adieu I can no^. die in peace. Adieu, then, Margaret ! Pray for me, when I am no more." *P^^e^ «.o rooh^ and^n^other took^ her arms. The same carriage took us back home. I slept \ IP s,'"^* •■:?' A A i^-jji;';"'^'^'':j^'s^^'^c.si i> •^■^■- ":. i,'^ i.^. 28e again on thft^:wray. When I asked my mother next day about the scene which I had witnessed, she told me I must have been dreaming. We left the country a few days after. My mother was sad, and drejgad in black." * * "Do you know this face ?" asked John de Ganay, show- ing Guyonne the portrait of which we have already spoken. Guyonne took it From the hand of the viscount, and went to examine it by the light of the Idrap. " My God I" she exclaimed, " itis she." "That lady, is it not?" ' "Yes, yes, I cannot^ mistaken. This is certainly her physiognomy, at once gracious and grave ; her magnificent curls, with which I played, the rt)be of bro^vn taffeta, the fine lace, and the velvet boddice which she wore habitually. ♦ * Oh, monseigneur, it is she; I would swear to it."— The doubts of the viscount vanished. His radiant coun- tenance reflected the joy that cheered his heart. Still he wished a complete assurance ; hence it was that he asked this question : "Did your mother not reveal you the secret?"— "What secret, monseigneur?" " She told you nothing ?" , .-- "Nothing." " A^ the hour of her death ?" insisted the viscount, whose looks ^ore than his words questioned Guyonne. \ "At the hour of her death the poor lady gave me a scap- ular from her neck, wishing me never to part with it, and adding in a tone that still rings in my ear : ' Remember, J5y child^that thii is the only heritage which your larfor^^ .r^ ' tunate mother, has left you.' " A. ' * :M^ ■t. '^:il T?- !^iiMa»v^.^i x^..^^. 287 The yonng girl blushing, drew from her corset two little morsels of stuff, sewed together, and suspended from her neck by a leather cord. ob"ec^^^ y^'^ ^^'^fi*^^ it to me ?» said John, examining the "I swore to my mother, never to part with it,'' replied tlie young girl. . ^ " For a few moments ?" ^ ■ -^ "I ^vo„ld not hke to refuse you, tnonseigneur, but I promised my mother— a dying woman—." "If your future, your happiness, depended on that in- fraction !" - " ' - "I would not willingly commit it." "And if I ordered it?" said the viscount, more suppliant, . tlian commandiK^r. ^i > " My duty, monsoigneur," replied she sadly, " is to obey you. I Avould obeyl" ^'Then," continued the viscount, not without some hesi- tation, « Guyonne, I order you to hand me that gcapular. and I promise to return it to you this very day." | She handed the object to the viscount with mournful resignation. The latter put it under his coat, and re- marked : " One M'ord more, Guyonne: have you not a Httle red- ness above the breast, in the form of a butterfly?". " Yes, monseignem-," said she in a low tone, while a deep blush suffused her cheeks. Immediately John de Ganay caUed: ^irp MaUficieux entered, and approached the viscount. .f^ H ti' i'^S»lJ'Sla^ >i«3 ■£ "^- ■ ■' 288 ,.'^' '. ■ *'Yvon is fatigued," said John. "Show her her cham- ber." Philii) beckoned to Guyonne, who followed him, not a little excited by the scene which had passed between her and the equerry. No sooner was the door closed, than John de Ganay cut the threads that united the two pieces of the scapular. On one of them was fqund embroidered in red silk a «®,"ontheothera"^.?'' >-,. ^ "■ V. cham- not a jn her ly cut silk a :y''-t^ CHAPTER XXn. "^ :t vr*;K »'<" OXJYONNK AND JOHN. . Love presents two distinct traits; either it sprin^^s up voluntarily, spontaneously; or it grows slowly, involun- tanly. In the former case, it results most frequently from a predisposition of the individual who has received the germ from a ray of the physiognomy, or of the esprit of the mdividual who has transmitted it. In the second case, love derives its origin from an acquaintance between the subjective and the objective; it is the fruit of a. sort of study, always of a thoughtful appreciation. It is suffi- cient to say, that one resembles those ephemeral flowers, resplendent m colors, saturated with perfumes in the morn* uig,but withered and dry in the evening; and that the other appears like a fraU plant, ahnost imperceptible at the hour of its birth, but which days mid months develop genay, until its eg|ision is compte^. Th^Tn turn ft sparkles with a^ousand colpr^its perfumes are V ■ ■ iff >r- '':$:> ^90 ^ embalmed; and far from fading with a revolntion of the flan, it preserves its freshness and its magnificence. -^ Oh, how good it is, how delightful that love which softly insinuates itself into our senses I IIow it teaches us to ap- preciate the pure and delicate I The principle of devotion, creator of self-denial, servant of harmony, torch of intelli- gence, source of ineffable felicities, it baptizes great actions, enlightens ignorance, polishes the manners, smoothes the inequalities of character, inspires the artist, civilizes the savage, disposes all nature to a holy embrace. f..**" •jy.'U V Let us, then, bless the sentiment which attracts vari6us beings towards a common pole, and while despising its vague caprices, inconstant as^meteors, falsely decorated with the name of loVe, let us admii-e the great passions which have inflamed the hearts of geniuses of generations past and present. Yea, without love we could not have possessed those inimitable paintings of Raphael, those sub- lime poems of Tasso, those profound political dissertations of Alachiaveli, and those sonnets of Petrarch, embi-oidered and pearled like the morning rose, and those thousands of ocner chefs d^cBuvre^ which are the. glory Mid the happiness of us all. Yes, let us love well, and wlien we can love a bemg worthy of us by her qualities, when we are sure that we love her with all our |j|ower, witji all our instincts, with all our will, uniting our destinies to hers, let us be attached to her as the stem is to the flower I But if she will not respond to our love without violating the divine laws u - - Vf . ( f 291 , Such were in substance the thoughts of Viscount de Ganay duritlg the first days subsequent to his interview with Guyonne, the fisher woman • * ♦ . ♦ » ^ Guyonne loved the equerry, and knew that her love waa returned. She was certain that there was a veil over her oi igin ; and her uneasiness was all the mere painful from the inflictions she had previously endured. However, she did not dare to speak ; she feared, as much »S she desired, the presence of her lover. It was not, there- fore, without inexpressible cftaotion that she Heard herself addressed: ^^ " Yvon, will you accompany me ?" Guyonne trembled from head to foot, and replied by following the viscount. ' V They followed a winding path, along the shores of the lake. John walked in front. Now, he strided on without raising his head, and anpn turning himself suddenly to cast a long look at his companiouv^This strange conduct gave a faithful transcript of the uncertainties to which the equer- By was a prey. Although the young woman kept her head do^, constantly she imitated, as if by intuition, the move- meijts of her guide. She hastened her step, when he hast- ened, and halted when he halted. After a quarter of an hour spent in this way, the visoount spoke: ' • » "Guyonne," said he, in a voice bo timid, that the in- stinct of the young woman, rather than her ear, heard her 'id THBB^ 'i>..K >kx . 'i.^Jj«>A^j&M&btiyi^£^Sall^l^^i£&Li^ ■Ajdi£S»^i!£kfaj.l1 f^-'«ff»«WPW^f>'jB?»--'^.'«'l»««>-f^*»™» fflji^ VT,l».^:T,r'«S?'^^^''^s'S|-y^-4l''!CT^ m '• ■. m.. coasin .292 She approached him. ** I have," said the equerry, " important rovelai make to you." , (■ He glanced at Guyohne, who bowed, Jff^ithil walk." • ." ' " *j8 "These revelations I ought perhaps to have macio ?he day that good Philip brought you back to the camp ; but it was of so much importance to initiate you into the secret which they embody, the Certainty of being heard only by God and yourself, was necessary. I had to wait Until time-; allowed mo to conduct you to a discreet place. That place is som^two leagues from here. Before introducing you thef#; permit me, mademoiselle, to ask pardon fpi: the sad condition into which circumstances have forced me to keep you ever since I became aware " , " Oh, mon?eigneur," exclaimed she, with emotion, " ra- ther pardon me ; Jet me bless the generous and noble mas- ter " . ' iman ted Mm as "Stop!" interrupted he. " Between you and me, there is no other master than TlUfli observing that if interdicted, he added " Come, Guyonne; Oh, come, quick." They resumed their way without saying a word, and did not stop until they reached the sea-shore. There, at the side of a clifl^ nature had formed a grotto, «ivbich afforded an extensive view of the ocekn, and of a part -^ ^Ji 294 Demoiselle -Guyonne, her whom you hSve been in the habit of calling your mother, was not such at all ; him whom you have been in the habit of calling your father, was not such either. Your mother's name was Elizabeth Guyonne de la Roche ; she was the sister of the Marquis William de la Roche-Gommard, and of Adelaide de la Roche, mother of Laura de Kerskoen. You belong, then, "TDemoiselle Guyonne, to the De la Rloche's, by the mother's side, and Monseigueur William de V^^oc^e is your mater- nal uncle." -«* "Holy Virgml Can' it be possible? Is it not a dream?" " Your father, Demoiselle Guyonne, .was a valiant cap- ^ tain. George Maximus de Pentoek, Count of St. Lo." "But how? It is a mistake. You deceive yourself, monseigneur." "Read this parchment, and you will recognize the truth." "No, no, my sweet Saviour! I could never dare " " "Well, if you will authorize me, noble demoiselle," said John de Ganay, taking back the parchment which she held in her half-opened hand. "Ah, quit that posture, monseigneur," murmured she. Tliis request was made with charming amiabiUty, but it was equivalent to an order. The young woman had recovered her feminine tact, and with that pi^mptitude with which women adapt themselves to circumstances, she knew already how to be gracious 4nd -imperative, l&oth m her maxmerflflia^ Words. " ■' " " "^ ^ ".>. u b fi w ^/tV vt The equerry rose, and remained standing, with his head uncovered. In this position his face was towards her, and his person being placed at, the entrance of the grotto, prevented her . from looking out. "Deign to sit down," said she, inviting him with her hand to sit beside her. John joyously proceeded, to obey her, when an explosion was heard, only a few paces distant. The >ascount uttered a cry, and fell, bathed in blood. • » :'tV t 4va it' it' V ■ A; y--%s> '1 CHAPTER XXm. li O VE. To the cry of the young man two other cries responded, like a higubrious echo. One heart-rending, full of anguish ; the other terrible and menacing. Guyonne had uttered the first, Philip Francoeur the Second. Debouching from a clump of fir-trees, the latter precipitated himself towards a sand-hill, behind which a man was sitting. Malificieux was pai7)le with rage ; he brandished a long cutlas. He leaped at the man, and attacked him with fury. A strug- gle commenced ; it was short and fatal. The sailor soon disarmed his adversary, who defended himself with the stock of ^ musket; then he threw him down, and plunged his knife into his heart. This combat was as rapid' as lightning. After having assured himself that liis enemy was no 'more, Philip ad- vanced towards the grotto. He found Guyonne kneeling beside the viscount, who was wounded in the shoulder by a ball . The young woman had torn De Ganay's clothes, ■ -^-sAJBiUiJiSiB / \'^'^,'^^w;j^Mm{ '-M 297 M her a„.i„™ efforts ,o stop the Wood which flowed from the open wound. " vcu iiora During this operation he smiled on her kindly; he seemed pleased wUh an aceident, whieh, more eonvinein;i, Z n avowal, proved that Guyonne loved him. thrAl''-"^!""''" ''^^ '''' ^^ P-^^ving the sailor, "itis the Alm.ghty that has sent you at this time. Con.e come quiek, monseigneur is dying. Aid me in assisting him." "Monseigneur!" repeated Philip, in a mournful tone. ^^ "Bo not uneasy, my dear friends," said the viscount: itisnothmg; no vital part has been touched. Merely ZZ '''' ''' '"' '' '^^^'^ ''' ' '"^ ^^''^^ 4 "3fy God! my God! save his life and take mine!" sob- bed poor Guyonne. "Let mo see," said Philip, stooping down. I kno^ Bomethmg of surgery myself. Yes, indeed » And turning to^vards Guyonne : "WUl'you, my child, go to the nearest spring and fetch some .water; in the mean time, I will examine the wound." It was not necessary to repeat the suggestion to the young girl; and while Philip proceeded to examine tho wound with aU the skiU of an accomplished practitioner, John de Ganay said; • "But how " "It was that miserable " ^^e^hasr€ceivediHrpuni8limeTrt,ffi6hseip^nr;I},av^ Bettled with him. Come, aU's weU; this wound is but a '- 'US Tvr 1. ^ ', ja- ,V" "'" J » "TL"' i i- I '!#'• l^'-/- ^ r la it. Yr??f i^'^^^^vi-??*-; ' "f?r.|^^^^ 298 scratch. Eight days of rest wiU be sufficient to heal it. The shoulder-blade is bruised ; but nothing has been bro- ken.^ Yes, indeed, I have done him the service of ridding the colony of him. I knew he was growling about here ; one of our people had seen him ; so this morning, when I saw you going out, I took the Uberty of following you at a distance. This was not exactly right, I know; I was pry- mg after you. Punish me, monseigneur ; I deserve it." " Good Philip ]" murmured the viscount, extending to him his hand. , "Then," resumed the pilot, «I arrived at the corner of a little grove, a few perches from this, and hke a novice, instead of mounting guard, I amused myself by pulUng grass." "Here is some water," interrupted Guyonne, bringing a Bkin pitcher filled with cold water. " But how is monseig- neur, teU me, Philip ? It is not serious, is it ? Oh, holy Virgin I how the blood flows." " Fear nothing, my daughter," replied Malificieux. "For- tunateljr, tlie awkward fellow has missed his aim." Assisted by the young girl, he washed the wound, apply. ing cold water to it, in order to stop the blood, 4ndaged all tolerably well, whUe ho continued his history ; and when he had finished it, he presented a bottle to the viscount. • "Take a small drop, monseigneur; nothing is better to restore oriels strength. This has been my vade mecum, as our late friend, Grosbec, used to say. Happily I have found it, for I h ad lost it in the snow. A famoua g onrd ~ Yeg, Inaeedj.by the tiident of Neptune! I would not give it it 4*-s Ky 2d0 for ten ingots of gold. Good, my tonic has producedits effect. What did I teU you? Does not hia color return.. , my child?" * m Guyonne's only response was to put her arm about h& neck and embrace him. « A kiss like that always does good, although fifty win- ters may press on one's shoulders," said he, gayly. Then he took.the viscount in his arms, laid him on the mossy seat, and seemed to question himself. From time to time he looked up at the sky, and murmured incoherent words. One, enfeebled by the loss of much blood, remained m a sort of voluptuous torpor, the ordinary result of an hemorrhage; the other kneeled at his side, made a pillow for him of her arms, and contemplated him with that ex- pression of divine love, which Raphael has imparted to the face of his Mary. "A thousand hatches!" suddenly exclaimed the sailof, stamping with his foot; "nothing more was needed I Rain!" This exclamation awoke Guyonno. " It rains," she repeated. " Yes, indeed, it rains. By the trident' But no mat- ter. Yon, my child, wiU stay here, with the viscount; and I wiU go for some of our men to remove him to the camp." «0h no! not you, Philip, but I; it is preferable that you remain with monseigneur. If another attempt were Tosdeon his Bfe, then remember I couid not defend him ai well as you." ' '.^r* -'5, 'A S^^sSglSSs '■ '^w whHffpWwy ^^' - '■ ■;!--#^ H^., rv< 300 "As to another attack, it is not to be feared, as you have a lighter foot than I " Hoirever, ' " Very well. Come and keep^ up the head of monseig- neur, and before4wo hours I shall be back.'* She stooped to withdraw her arms, and the viscount, profiting by the opportunity, put his left arm about her neck, gently pressed down her head, and kissed her fore- head. A burning blush protested for the modesty of the young girl ; but a sensdtion of indefinable pleasure had gained the cause of the lover. i'All right,^tart !" said Philip, pretending not to have noticed this interesting Uttle scene; Guyonne started, but not without having multiplied her recommendations to the sailor, and left as an adieu to the idol of her heart a long look. Her absence was as brief as possible. She returned, followed by four colonists, who , carried a litter covered with skins, for it rained in torrents. Towards evening, John de Ganay found himself reposlhg in his bed, at the castle of the camp ; and Guyonne watch- ing at his side. From this date, the relations between the * two young persons changed completely. The illness of John de Ganay* was the bond of union which wedded their noble souls. They mutually understood that they were kind, virtuous, and noble. Had not this accident hap- pened to the viscount, many mouths, perhaps, would have passed before Guyonne would, dare to fiimiliarize herself -■ - •wit h^beidea^^bdng teved by^ J"? fi'f^-: 301 / animated the young girl. But the hours which they passed tete-a-tete, without being disturbed by external influences, the little cares which the condition of the patient required, and the mutual efiusions of mind, succeeded ia uniting to- gether two beings so well calculated for each other. The young woman was so weary of her assumed charac ter, that she invited a thousand little frivolities to recaU her sex. A boarding-school girl could not be more chaste, a lover morfe tender, or a mother more affectionate. It might well be said that the three best qualities of the woman were united in her modesty, love, devotion. To the viscount she appeared an angel descended from heaven, 10 guide him to happiness ; and he was so happy, that he al- most feared to see himself fully recovered. What was he to do when his health was re-established ? Would he discover to his companions the sex of the false Yvon ? Would he wed her before God? Or would he continue to comport himself as he did when ignorant of all? The dilemma was frightful. He could not decide in favor of one or the other. The only chance of safety was the arrival of a ves- seV which would deliver all. But was he to wait for that illusion ? For five years, during whicli.he had clung to it, he had not learned to regard It in its true light. Poor John, these anxieties poisoned the source from whidh he derived so much pleasure. Often, in contemplating Guy- onne, overcome by fatigue, and sleeping on a stool at his bed-side, the young man groaned, and tears filled his eyes. ^^®°' i" *^® ™j*^l' °^ ™"t6 cons]iltatipns,^ the language „. •which lovers understand so well, he sighed mournfully. But Guyonne immediately divined the cause of this sigh, ^^^■/ M A W ,-!«& '.■- 1^'A^i 'i>;iri«^v^r'i-T^^f:^ +, *"* '802 and in order to dispel painfol reflections from the breast of her weU-beJoved, she smiled. As the sun dissipates t^'$ J' clouds, so did her smile dissipate the grief of the viscourf^ Their tenderness was as profound as the cause which had ' engendered it, pure as the dove's wing. They loved each other like children, sipping the honey of that first love with ardor,- and struggling to conceal their torments; for Guyonne did not feel less than John their equivocal position; and the future alarmed her. But it was at the ho.urs of this d6ubt and bitterness, that she col- ^ lected the treasures of her affection, to bestow them on the viscount; it was at these hours, especially, that she fondled him with chaste caresses, that she sang to him the divine melodies of love ; and soothed his agitated spirit in the rosy arms of Hope. ^ It was on a fine day that John de Ganay left his bed. The eight colonists, who stiU remained, came to congratu- late him, and bring him the best fruits of their hunting and fishing. Disease, privations, and revolt, had reduced to four th^ number of the soldiers. However, they would not re- join the colonists, but lived miserably in a corner of the island. / The viscount having gone into his chamber one evening, after having part^en of a 'repast, said to Guyonne, in a touching and sympatbetic tone: * "Nowf my friend, I am going to give you the heiitage _f ^^^"'' P^ ^'^^^^- ^ ^^^" '^^^^ ^e, o pe ning the coffer. _r ' '^ "^' "^ ^^^> "^"Q" "^yO pe P'ng the coffer, ^jn tie portrait of your mother, the noble Elizabeth Guyonne ■■■? -^ Tfe'TTTfi^f-S M^^ - p V ' -t*" i^jr ^v * *♦ '-,'•'•'" 803 9 de la Roche ; and here is the correspondence of your un- fortunate parents." Guyonne kissed tenderly the saicvenir yvhxc\\ the viscount presented her, and the latter continued : "You will pardon me, I hope, for having violated the secret of these letters, when you leani how they have fallen , into my hands." Having stated to her what had taken place on the wreck of the Erable, John continued: "When I forced the casket, the portrait which it con- tained impressed me very deeply. I knew well I had its , resemblance somewhere. But had it not been for Philip, who enlightened me, I should not have thought.of my weU- beloved as soon as I did." Guyonne pressed his hand by way of thanking him. " Then I had the indiscretion to road that correspondence of two unfortunate loVers here below who, without doubt, enjoy in another world that happiness which they never obtained in this. ♦ * Oh, I weep while reading these elo- quent papers, written with the tears of grief.— Your fa- ther had devoted himself to a military life at an early age. At the age of twenty he was considered one of the most distinguished officers in his profession. Coming on furlough to Nantes towards 1571, he there formed the acquaintance of your mother, Guyonne de la Roche ; but an old feud separat- edthefamiliesof DelaRocheandthatof DePentoek. At the thought of a marriage with a Pentoek, the old Marquis de la Roche knitted his brows, and your mother was con- vinced that she could never obtain the consent oT he? S-"^ thor. Obstacles only seived to inflame the passions of the ■ 1 a3 i'' .■f • la.'- i> v» - '' JiS^..tS^^A^J&3 'A- 'V- .■^>-**''*' 804 ^ / yonng people. They sworrf to e^h other eternal fidelity. A compassionate priest consented to unite them in secret. The marriage took place in the cabin of a peasant. Only one person was intrusted with the>ecret. This person, my Guyonne, was Margaret, your fofer-mother. She aidtrd h.3 mistress in concealing her b^l^-fa the family-way Which, however, soon became known! .Then, at your birth she nursed and reared you Uke her own child. During this ' ^me your father was absent at Brest. It was there he Earned that his adored wife had givep him a daughter. «h, if you Will only ^ad the letter he sent your mother then, Guyonne I How% loved her-how he knew how to alleviate her son-ows. Mon Dieuf I wish I could love you4n that way—." f "Good friend, proceed, I beg of yoij," said the youn- giri with the tear in her eye. „ * "Alas! what I have to relate you now, is very painful. The A^avarre, in which Maximus de Pentoek served re- ceived orders to go to the Indies. Four years had passed 'before anything was heard of her. Then the news came that she had been Avrecked ; this was the death-blow to your mother — ." ^ John de Ganay made a pause, in order to avoid disturb- ing the grief of the young woman who sobbed aloud; and when she had somewhat calmed, he terminated as follows that melancholy history : « Your father had not perished, however. The vessel which bore him, having been cast on the shores of the East Indias he ramained^there until he could return to France, where be-^ hope,d to- find his cherished wife, and a little angel to con- l3 ^I>*,3 l&feL , *f|psb*?aS" t ^&ia^>? 'J v^1 V ■■ -'■• delity. , secret. Only erson, aided -way, birth, g this ire he 'hter. other how- love liner nful. I, re- ssed ame r to urb- and aws \ 805 Bole him for his past misfortunes. Judge of his despair when he arrived at Nantes I— He Jhqnired for Catharine ; no one knew what had become "of her— ." . \ "My friend," murmured Guyoiine in l,roken accents, falling on her knees, "let us pray to God for those who — . _ «« are no more.' » i1v •■f> •Us «fj lich ,he he / on- :-|V<- iU.V CHAPTER XXIV. I*. In a week after, Viscount de Ganay waS completely re- eMablished. On a beautiful afternoon he proposed to go. fishing. The young woman eagerly accepted. Being duly provided with lines, thejjr embarked in a large skiff which hj»d been constructed from the debris of the Erable, they stkrted, accompanied by Malificieuk, who was to perform the duty of rowing. The young couple eat at the poop of the vessel, and Philip, not doubting that they would occupy themselves more in speaking of love affairs than in making war on the inhabitants of the water, so placed himself that . his back was towards them. In order to inconvenience them as little as possible by his pr^ence, the brave sailor began to hum an old war song. Thus pre-occu^ied with their future«»s they were them- selves by their mutual tenderness, Francoeur took no notice either of time wluch fltfw with the rapidity of an eagle, nor of the circle of smaU clouds which surrounded the setting _ ^Iffl .J-^yr^ ■■',.-j4r*|%^ ■ * s-K-,..f''i»iv> ^^:i;^*. .'-iS'i""^'''i S07 Overcome by .he effluvi, of that magpeUc fluid which ^0 c„„.m„n,catc, and receives at the same time by he than th^ converged: But this «verie wa. the ha™„„io» W^age of their hearts. They read each other'. thoZ" much more easily than if they had been written; the^!^ derstood better than they oould have spoken. ^ True love is so im„>atorial that every efcrt, every phvs. .cal movement it makes to express itself, is r-jpugnant %l and natural colors; an evening melody which one enjoys .lontly but of which the chann is destroyed by any Ir «« r i"*' '.' "'wNT'^ '' V" there, to go ire. — em dressed which they east, and on assumed a die Indians fty cfowns > retm-n to t to justice (( t CHAPTER XXV. CONCLUSION-. And John de Ganay ! John de Ganay I the brave John • reader, shakini :with exclaims disappointment. "And Guyonne, the divine, the incomparable Guyomie?" asks the mascuUne reader, with indignant impatience ' " What has become of the good Malificieux ? my God I would like to know I" demands an infantine voice. Ifot being able to resist this charming trinity, which presses him, ought the narrator to commit an indiscretion to satisfy his auditory? Let us respond. Philip FrancoBur, Guyonne de Kerskoen, and John de Ganay, after having confronted a thousand deaths, landed on the shores of Acadia. They were received by some families who had settled there. The two lovers married each other. For a year they enjoyed unalloyed happiness, but at the end of this time, Guyonne died in giving birth to a male child. • \/-> i^ ,'^j ^ii&. K-^'ii ,», i^f^^^^j, 1^ -' 4. 'I . ' * ' ^': 81 • , , ,\ j* Pardon me^my friend," said she to her'husband before expiring, «I had concealed from you the vow I had made the day I was going to die with cold on the ice, to consecrate to the worship of Jesus the remainder of my days, if he spared them. You know that I have failed in this vow; the Lord has not blessed our union ; but let his holy wilj be done ! Could the example of its mother recaU uncfeas- ingly to the poor infant who has just been born, that she should religiously observe her vows, if she wishes to be happy in this wor|d, and in the next !" Overwhelmed with grief, John de Ganay responded only with an explosion of sobs. '• "P.S. But Laura de Kerskogn ?" The chronicle reports that she was abducted, and mar- ried by Bertrand de Mercceur. "Were they happy? ^ -? ■ . . . - . 112ns. ^ W.^%±.^ ' » ?'}'k^f'£Xlsf'..^ hi:: |S ".-;* . isband before v^ I had made to consecrate 7 days, if he in this vow ; his holy wilj ■ecall unc6as- orn, that she wishes to be ponded only id, and mar- X <^! % a- m h. ■ "». Jl^^^1•% "=^7.^^**