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MATILDA MONTGOMERIE:

^n.

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

)

h TALE OF THE LATE AMERICAN WAR.

BEIJSa THE SEQUEL TO '• WACOUSTA."

BY MAJOR RICPIARDSON,

KNIOHT OP THE ORDER OP »T. FERCWAND,

4lJTnOB OP "WAOOUSTA." « HARDSCRABBLB." "BOARTl," *8^ «ft

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\rvi

MATILDA MONTGOMERIE;

OH,

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED '

CHAPTER I. ;•

At the nortlicrn extremity of the small town which bears its nam(^
pituated at the head of Lake Erie, stands, or rather stood — for the fortiflcik-
tions then existing were subsequently destroyed — the small fortress of Maldoii.

Few places in America, or in the world, could, at the period embraced by
our narrative, have otiered more delightful associations than tliat which \vd
have selected for an opening scene. Atnherstburg was at that time one of th"9
loveliest spots that ever issued from the wdl of a beneficent and gorgeorfs
nature, and were the world-disgusted wanderer to have selected a homo in
which to lose all memory of conventional and artificial forms, his choice would
assiux'dly have fallen here. And insensible, indeed, to the beautiful rcalitiefS
of the sweet vild solitude that reigned around, must that man have been, who
could have gazed unmoved from the b;inks of the Erie, on the placid lake b<|-
neath his feet, nrrroring the bright stajred heavens on its unbroken surface,
or throwing into full relief the snow-white sail and dark hull of some stately
war-ship, becalmed in the offing, and only waiting the rising of the capricious
breeze, to waft her onward on her tften peaceful mission of dispatcli. Lost
indeed to all perception of the natural must he have been, who co\iUl ha^
listened, without a fjeling of voluptuous melancholy, to the plaintive notes of
the whi{>-poor-wdl, breaking on the silence of night, and harmonising with tUo
general stillness of the scene, llow often have we ourselves, in joyous boy-
hood, lingered amid the beautiful hannts, drinking in the fascinating song oi
this strange night-bird, and revelling in a feeling we were too young to ana-
lyze, yp*. cherished deeplj' — yea, frequently, up to this hour, do we in our
dreams revisit .scenes no parallel to which has met our view, even in the cou|"SO
of a life passed ni many climes ; and on awaking, our first emotion is regret
that the illusion is no more.

Such was Amherstburg. and its immediate vicinity, daring the early yeahl
of the present century, and up to the period at which our story commenced.
Not, bo it understood that even then the scenery it.sclf had lost one particlo
of its loveliness, or failed in aught to awaken and fix the same tender interest.
The same placidity tf earth and sky and lake remained, but the poor whip-
poor-will, driven from his customary abode by the noisy hum of warlike
preparation, was no longer heard, and the minds of the inhabitants, hitherto
disposed, by the quiet pursuits of their uneventful lives, to feel pleasure in its
6ong, had eye or ear for rKiught beyond what tern od to the preservation of
their threatened homes. It was the commencement of the war of 18J 2.

Let us, however introduce the reader more immediately to the scene. CloM

MATILDA MONTOOMKItlE ; OR,

in Iiis rear, as ho Ktnnrls on the elevated hank of the mapjniflcRnt river of De
troit, and about a mile from its point of junction with Lake Krio. was the fori
of Amhcrstburg, its defences consistnipj eliiell}' of stockade works, ilankcd, at
its several angles, by strong bastions, and covered by adotni-lunc of live guns,
00 placed as to command every approach by water; Distant about three luin-
dred yards on his right, was a larj^e, oblonp;, square building, resembling in
appearance the red, low-roofed blockhouses peering above the outward
defences of the fort. Surrounding this, and extending to the skirt of tho
tliinned forest, the original boundary of which was marked by an infinitude
of dingy, half blackened stumps, were to be .seen numerous huts or wig-
wams of the Indians, from the Ures before which arose a smoke that contri-
buted, with the slight haze of the atmosphere, to envelope tho tops of the tall
trees in a veil of blue vapor, rendering them almo.st invisible. Between thcso
wigwams and the extreme verge of the thickly wooded banks, which sweep-
ing in bold curvature for an extent of many miles, brought into view tbo
eastern extremity of Turkey Island, situated midway between Amherstbur^
•nd Detroit, were to be .seen, containing the accumulated Indian dead of many
years, tumuli, rudely executed, it is true, but picturesquely decorated with
euch adornments as it is the custom of these simple mannered people to bo-
stow on the last sanctuaries of their departed friends. Some three or four
mile.s, and across tho water, (for it is hero that tho river acquires her fullest
majesty of expansion.) is to be .seen the American i.sland of Gros Lsle, which,
lit the period of which we write, bore few traces of cultivation — scarcely a ha
bitation being visible throughout its extent — various necks of land, however
shoot out abruptly, and independently of the channel running between it and
the American mam shore, form small bays or harbors in which boats may
always find shelter and concealment.

Thus far the view to the right of the spectator, whom we assume to bo
facing the river. Immediately opposite to the covering demi-lune, and in front
of the fort, appeared, at a distance of less than half a mile, a blockhou.se and
battery, crowning the western extremity of the island of Bois Blanc, one mile
in length, and la.shed at its opposite extremity by the waters of Lake Erie,
which, at this precise point receives into her capacious bosom the vast tribute
of the noble river connecting her with tho higher lakes. Between this island
and the Canadian shore lies the only navigable channel for .ships of heavy ton-
nage, for although the waters of the Detroit are of vast depth every whcro
above the i.sland, they are near their point of junction with the lake, and, in
what is called the American channel, so interrupted byshallows and sandbars,
that no craft larger than tho.se of a description termed " Durham boats," can
cftcct the passage — on the other hand the channel dividing the island from tho
Canadian shore is at once deep and . apid, and capable of receiving vessels of
the largest h\zi}. The importance of such a passage was obvious ; but although
a state of war necessarily prevented aid from armed vessels t« such forts of the
Americ:ina as lay to the westward of the lake, it by no means effectually cut
off their supplies through the medium of the Durham boats already alluded to.
In ordoi to intercept those, a most vigilant watch was kept by the light gun

.,boats despatched into the lesser channel for that purpose.

*^ A blockhouse and battery crowned also the eastern extremity of the i.sland,
and both, provided with a tlagstaff for the purpose of communication by .signal
with the fort, were far fro«n being wanting in picturesque effect. Asubaltern'a
command of infant^3^ and a bombvadier's of artillery, were the only troops
Stationed there, and these were rather to look out for and report the approach
of whatever American boats might be soon stealing along th<^'ir own channel,
than with any view to the serious defence of a post already sufflciently com-
■nanded by the adjacent fortress. In every other direction the island wart
thickly wooded — not a house, not a hut arose, to diversify the wild beauty of
the scene. Frequently, it is true, along the margin of its sands might be'seen
a succ«*si6n of Indian wigwams, and the dusky and sinewy forms of ineii
glidi.Mg roimd tUoir fires, as they danced to the monotonous sound of the war

ver of De
•ns the fall
Hiuikctl, at
f five puns,
three ium-
cnibling in
e outward
kirt of the
1 infinitude
its or wig-
hat contri-
; of the tall
ween thcso
uch sweep-
to view tbo
mhcrsthurfi
;ad of many
orated with
icoplc to be-
iroe or four
^ her fullest
Isle, which,
arcely a ha
nd, however
twcen it and
I boats may

.savune to bo
and in front
jkhousc and
inc. one milo
»f Lake Erie,

vast tribute
n this island
>f heavy ton-
every whero
lake, and, in
1(1 sandbars,

boats," can
md from tho
i;; vessels of
)ut althou|;h
I forts of the

cctually cut

y alluded to.

le light gun

f the island,
on by signal
\ subaltern's
only troops
the ap])roaoh
wn channel,
cicntly com-
1 island wa.><
(1 beauty of
ight be 'seen
irnis of liieri
1 of the war

THE PUOPIIECY FULFILLED. §

dance -, but these migratory people seldom continuing long in tho same «i ot,
t!u' island was again and again left to its solitude.

Strongly contrasted with thi^;, would the spectator, whom we still s\ipp.'»w
ptan<ling on the bank where we first placed him, find the view on his loft.
Tlioro would he have behold a small town, composetl entirely of wooden
houses variously awl not inelegantly painted ; and receding gradually from
the river's edge to the slowly disappearing f(jrest, on which its latest rudo
edifice reposed. Between the town and the fort, was to be seen a<h)ckyard
of no despicable dimensions, in which the hum of human voices mingled with
tho sound of active hibor — there too might be seen, in the deep harbor of tho
nariow channel that sepuratc<l the town from the island we have just
described, some halfjozon gallant vessels bearing the colors of England,
breasting with their (rnrk j)rows the rapid current that strained their creaking
cables ni every strand, and .seemingly impatient of the curb that checked them
from gliding iuipetuou.sly into the broad lake, which, .some few hundred yards
below, appeared to court thcin to her bosom. But although in these might
be heard the bustle of warlike preparation, the chief attention would be ob-
served to be directed towards a large half finished vessel, on which numerous
workmen of all descriptions were busily employed, evidently with a view of
preparing for imniediate service.

Beyond the town again might be obtained a view of the high and cultivated
banks, sweeping in gentle curve until they at leiigth termin.ated in a low and
Kiindy spot, called, from tho name of its proprietor, Elliott's p^iint. This
iitretched itsilf towards the eastern extremity of the island, so as to leave the
outlet to the lake barely wide enough for a single vessel to pass at a time, and
that not without skilful pilotage and much caution.

Assuming the reader to be now as fully familiar with the scene as ourselves,
let him next, in imagination, people it, as on the occasion we have chosen for
his introduction It was a warm, sunny day, in the early part ol* Jul^'. The
town if jielf was as quiet as if the glaive of war repo.sed in its sheath, and the
inhabitants pursued their wonted avocations with the air of men who had no-
thing in common with the active interest which evidently dominated the more
military portions of the scene. It was clear that among these latter some
cau-se for excitement existed, for, indc])cndently of the unceasing bustle within
the dockyard — a bustle which however had but one undivided object, thecira-
pletion and e<juipment of the large vessel then on the stocks — the immediate
neighborhood of the fort presented evidence of some moro than ordinary
interest. The encampment of the Indians on the verge of the forest, had given
forth the great body of their warriors, and these clad in their gayest apparel,
covered with feathers and leggings of bright colors, decorated with small
tinkling bells that fell not inharmoniously on the ear, as they kept tune to tho
measured walk of their proud wearers, were princii)ally assemljled around and
in front of the large building wo have doscriiiel as bjing wi;h!)ut, yet adja-
cent to, the fort. These warriors might have bcL'n about a thousand in num-
ber, and amused themselves vanou>ly — (the younivr at least) — witii leaping
— wrestling — ball-playing— and the foot race — in all which exercises they are
unrivalled. The elders boro no part in these amusements, but stood, or sat
cross-legged on the edge of the bank, smoking their pipes, and expressing their
approbation of the prowess or dexterity of the victors in the gtunes. by guttu-
ral, yet rapidly uttered exclamations. Mingled with these were >-on>c six Or
seven individuals, whose glittering costume of scarl't announced them for
ofUcers of the garrison, and elsewhere disposed, soi.ic along the bank.s and
crowding the battery in front of the fort, or immediately round the buildsn^
yet quite apart from their officers, Avere a numerous body of the inferior
soldiery.

But although these distinct partl&s were assembled, to all appearance, witti
a view, tho one to perform in, the other to 'vitness. the active sports wo hayo
enumerated, a clo.se observer of the movements of all would have perce4vcd
there was something more important ia contemplation, to the enactment of

MATILDA MONTOOMEniE; OR,

which tlicse expiriscs were but the prchi'lo, Both ofllcors and men. nnd own
the pnrticipatnrs ill the sports, turm-d their paze freqmiilly up the Di'tnnt. nn
H* they expected some iinpurlaiit ajjprourli. 'I'lio liroad reach of the wido
river, aflordinp an iindisturlted view, hk we have stated, for n distance of somo
•ino or ten miles, whera commenced the near extremity of Tiirlcey island,
presented nothing, liowever, ns yet, to their gaze, ami tepealc lly were t^io
lelescopes of the ofllcers raised only to fall in di.Hai)poinlnient from the eye.
At length a nmnhcr of small dark speck.s were seen studding the tranquil
bosom of the river, n» tlicy emerged rapidly, one after the other, from tho
cover of the i.shiad. The commiiiii(;ation was made. l)y him who first disco-
Kpred them, to his companions. The elder Indians who sat near tlie spot on
which the pfHcers stoo<l, were made acquainted with^vhat even their own
Iharp sight eould not distinguish imaided by the glass. One sprang to hi.s
ftct. rai.sed the telescope to hi.s eye, and with an exclamation of wonder at tho
•trange properties of the matrument. confirmed to his followers the truth of
tjie statement. The elders, principally chiefs, spoke in various tongues to
^»eir respective warriors. The sports were abanddncd. and all crowded to tho
%Qnk with anxiety and interest depicted in their attitudes and demeaTior.

Meanwhile the dark .specks upon the water increased momentarily in size.
Presently they could be distinguished for canoes, which, rapidly impelled, nnd
aided in their course by the swift current, were not long in developing thcm-
iielves to the naked eye. These canoes, about fifty in number, were of bark,
ifuad of so light a description, that a man of ordinary strength might, without
Jindergoing serious fatigue, carry one for miles. The warriors who now pro-
|K>ned them, were naked in all save their leggings and waist cloths, their bodies
and faces begrimed with paint: and as they drew near, fifteen was observed
lo be the complement of each. They sat by twos on the narrow thwarts •, and,
Mcith their faces to the prow, dipped their paddles simultaneously into tho
•trcHin, with a regularity of movement not to be surpassed by the mostexpe-
wenced boat's crew of Europe. In the stern of each sat a chief guiding \m
liark with the same unpretending but skilful and efficient paddle, and behind
mm drooping in the brcczeless air, and trailing in the silvery tide, was to be
Wmu a long pendant, bearing the red cross of England.

It was a novel and beautiful sight to behold tliat imposing fleet of canoes,
apparently so frail in toxt)ire that the dropping of a pebble between the skel-
eton ribs might be deemed sufficient to perforate and sink them, yet withal
/JO nigeniously contrived as to bear safely not only the warriors who formed
their crews, but also their arms of all descriptions, and such light equipment
of raiment and necessaries as were uidispcnsable to men who had to voyage
.wng and far in pursuit of the goal they were now rapi<lly attaining. The In-
'iians already encamped near the fort, were warriors of nations long rendered
(Kniiliar by personal intercourse, not only with the inhabitants of the district,
"hut with the troops themselves; and these, from frequent association with the
.whites, had lo.st much of that fierceness which is socharactcristicof the North
wAniericun Indian in his ruder state. Among these, with the more intelligent
Iluron.s, were the remnants of those very tribes of Shawnees and Delawares
whom we have recorded to have l)orne, half a century ago, so prominent a
^hare in the confederacy against England, V)ut who, after the termination of
that di.sastrous war, had so far abandoned their wild hostility, as to have set-
tled in various points of contiguity to the forts to which they, periodically, re-
paired to receive those presents which a judicious policy so profusely be-
itowod.

The reinforcement just arriving was composed principally of warriors who
* had never yet pressed a soil wherein civilization had extended her influence —
men who had never hitherto beheld the f;ice of a white, unless it were that of the
Canadian trader, who, at stated periods, penetrated fearlessly into their wilds
Ibr purposes of traffic, and who to the bronzed cheek that exposure had ren-
dered nearly as swarthy as their own, united not only the language but so
wholly tho dross — or rather the unUress of those he visited, that he might

TUB PROFHBCV FOLFILLED.

n. nnil ovftn

Di'troit. as
:>f the wido
nee of somo
key island,
y wiTC l4io
m tlm eye.
he tninquil
•r. from tho

first flisco-
the spot on

their own
nmj; to his
)n(ler at tho
he truth of

tonjuics to
A-ded to tho
u'uiior.
rily in size.
npelled.nnd
ipinj; thcni-
're of bark,
;ht, without
10 now pro-
thcir bodies
IS observed
warts ; and,
iy into tlio

inostc.vpe-
guidinj: ilia

and behind
was to be

of canoea,

•n the skel-

■et withal

\o forjned

equipment

to voyage

The In-

j; rendered

ic (hstrict,

>n witli the

the North

intelligent

Delawares

romincnt a

ination of

I) have sct-

ilicaily, ro-

ifuseiy bo-

rriors who
nlUience—
that of the
Iheir wiMa
e had ren-
fiire but Ko
he might

ewfly liftvo been confounded with one of their own <lark-b]oodc(l rare. So n^
laotu, inde(*d, were the regions in which souio of these warriors had been
Kought, that they were strangers to the existence of morn than one of their
tribes, and upon these they gazed with a surprise only inferior to what they
nmniusted, when, for tho first time, they miuked the aecoutrejuunts of tho
British soldier, and turned with secret, but acknowledged awe and admiration
upon the frowning fort and stately shipping, bn tling with cannon, and vomit-
ing forth sheets offianie as tliey approaehetl the shore. In these might havo
been studied the natural dignity of nian. Firm of step — proud of mien-
haughty and j)enetrating of look, each leader olfered in his own person a model
to the scul|)tor, which he might vainly seek elsewhere. Free and unfettered
every limb, they moved in the majesty of nature, and with an air of dai'k ro-
servc, passed, on landing, through the admiring crowd.

There was one of tlie niunber, however, and his canoe was decorated with a
riclier and a larger Hug, whose costume was that of the more civilized Indians,
and who in nobleness of deportment, even surpassed tho.so wo have la,st
named. This was Tecumseh. Ho was not of the race of either of the parties
who now accompanied hiuj but of one of the nations, many of whose warriora
were assembled on the bank awaiting his arrival. As the head chief of tho
Indians, liis authority was acknowle<lged by all, even to the remotest of thesii
wild but interesting people, and the result of the exercise of his all-powerful
influence had been the gathering together of those warriors, whom lie ha<I
personally hastened to collect from tlic extreme west, passing in his courso
und with impunity, the several American posts that lay in their way.

It was amidst the blaze of a united salvo from the dcmi-luno crowning tho
bank, and from the shipping, that the noble chiefUiin. accompanied by tho
leaders of those wild tribes, leaped lightly, yet proudly to the beach ; and hav-
ing a.scended the steep bank by a flight of rude steps cut out of the earth,
finally stood amid the party of odicers waiting to receive them. It would not
a little have surprised a Bond street exquisite of that day to have witnessed
the cordiality with which the dark hand of the savage was successively presjicd
in the fairer palms of the English officers, neitiicr would his astoni.shment
have been abated, on remarking tho proud dignity of carriage maintained by
the former, in this exchange of courtesy, as though, while he joined heart to
hand wherever the latter fell, he seemed rather to bestow than to receive a
condescension.

Had none oftho.se officers ever previously beheld him, the fame of his heroic
deeds had gone sufficiently before the warrior to have insured him their wann-
est greeting and approbation, and none could mistake a fot-m that, even amid
those who were a password for native majesty, stood alone in its bearing; but
Tecumseh wag a stranger to few. Since his defeat on the Wabash he had
been nmch at Amhcrstburg where lie had rendered himself conspicuous by
one or two animated and highlj' eloquent speeches, having for their object tho
consolidation of a treaty, in which the Indian interests were subsequently
bound in clo.se union with those of England ; and, up to the moment of \m
recent expedition, had cultivated the most perfect understanding with tho
English chiefs.

It might, however, be seen that even while pleasure and satisfaction at a ro-
miion with tho.se he in turn esteemed, llaslied from his dark and eager eyo,
there was still lurking about his manner that secret jealousy of distinctioiiy
which is so characteristic of the haughty Indian. After the first warm .salu-
tations had pa.s.sed, he became-sensible of the ubf>encc of the English chief; btik
this was expressed rather by a certain outswelling of his chest, and the search*
ing glance of his restless eye, than by any words that fell from his lips. Prc-
Bently, he whom he sought, and whose person had hitherto been concealed br
the battery on tho bank, was seen advancing towards him, accompanied by
his personal staff. In a moment the shade passed away from the brow of thO'
warrior, and w irmly grasping and pressing, for the second time, the hand of a
youth — one of he group of Junior officers among whom he yet stood, aad whO'

MATILDA MONTaOMERIC; OH,

hdil nianrfe5it(!(l cTen more tlmn his companions tho nnboandcd pli>a.<;nr« h4
look in tho diicfluin's ro-nfipoarance— ho moved forwanl. with an ardor of
niiuini'r t)iat waa with (UlUculty rcstrainud hy \m sense of d'tcuity, to give ihem
the trirctmi;.

Tlio lirst of tlic ndvancinp party was a tall, martial lookinp man, wearing
the dress and insij^nia of a general ofileer. 11 is rather florid countenance wiw
♦iniiiently fine, if not handsome, oirerin<», in ifs more Roman than Grecian
contour, a model of quiet, inaidy beauty ; while the eye beaming with intelli-
pence and candor, pave, in the occasional flashes which it emitted, indication
of a miiiil of no common order. There was, notwith.standinp, a hcnevolenco
of expression about it that blended (in a manner to excite attention) with n
dipnity of deportment, as much the result of habitual .self command, as of tho
proud eminence of distinction on which ho stood. Tho se<latiTC character of
middle ti'^c, added to Ionj» acquired military habits, had given a certain rigidity
to his line form, that mifrht have made him appear to a first observer even
older than he was, hut the placidity of a countenance beaming good will and
alfubility. speedily removed the impression, and, if tho portly figure added to
hi*i years, tho nniurrowed countenance took from them in equal proportion.

At his side, hangin-^ on his arm .and habited in naval uniform, appeared ono
who, from his familiarity of aildrcss with tho General, not less than by certain
appropriate badges of distinction, might be known as the commander of tho
little fleet (hen lying in the harbor. Shorter in person than liis companion,
his frame made np in activity what it wanted in height, and there w;i3 that
easy freedom in his movements which so usually distinguishes the carriage of
the sailor, and which now offered a remarkable contrast to that rigidity wo
have stated to have attached, albeit iinaflectedly, to the military commander.
Ills eyes, of a much darker hue, sparkled witli a livelier intelligonco, and al-
though his complexion w.as also liighly florid, it was softened down by
general viv.icity of expression that pciTaded his frank and smiling countenance.
The featin-es, regular and still youthful, wore a bland and pleasing character;
while neither, m look, nor bearing, nor word could there be trace<l any of that
haughty re.wrvo usually u.scribcd to the "lords of tho .sea," There needed no
other \erald to proclaim him for one who had already Been honorable service,
tlian the inutilatcd stump of what had onco been an .arm : yet in this thero
was no boastful display, as of one who deemed ho had a right to tread moro
proudl}' because he had chanced to suffer, where all had been equally expo.sed,
III the performance of a common duty. The empty sleeve, uno.stcntatiousIy
fastened by a loop from the wrist to a button of the lappol, was suffered to
fall at his side, and by no one was the deficiency less remarked than by him-
self.

The greeting between Tecumseh and these officers, was stich as might ])c ex-
pected from warriors bound to each other by mutual esteem. Each held tho
i»ther in the highest honor, but it w.as particularly remarked that while tho
Indian (/hioflain looked up to the General with the respect he felt to bo duo
to him, his address to his companion, whom he now beheld for the first time,
\ras M'arnjcr, and more energetic ; and as ho repeatedly glancdU at thearmle.sg
■sleeve, he uttered one of those quick ejaculatory exclau.ations, peculiar to his
■ lice, and indicating, in this instance, the fullest extent of approbation. Tho
>cci-et bond of smpathy which chained his interest to the sailor, might have
i>we<l its being to another cau.se. In the countenance of the latter there waa
t.iuch of that eagerness of expression, and in the eye that vivacious fire, that
flashed, even in repose, from his own swarthier and more speaking features;
Kud this assimilation of character might have been the means of producing
( hat pr'^ference for, and devotcdne.ss to, the cause of the naval commander, that
t'lbsequently developed itself in the chieftain. In a word, the General .seemed
to claim the admiration and th.e resi)cct of the Indian — the Commodore, his
sdmiration and friendkhip.

The greeting between these generous leaders was brief. When the first
tilutations had been interchanscd, it was intimated to Tecum^seh through thf

II nnlor of
)givo them

in, wearing
jnancc \vim
in Oicciiin
rith intcllt-
, indication
icnevolcnco
on) witli a
I, as of the
larnctcr of
lin rigiility
crvcr even
xl will nnd
■c luMed to
proportion,
pcarcd ono
by ccrtiiin
ider of tho
•r>m|mnion,
u was that
carriage of
i},'idity wo
iniiiiander.
CO, and al-
rn by . .
untcnance.
character ;
iny of that
needed no
)]c service,
this thero
cad luoro
y exposed,
ntatioiisly
iiflercd to
1 by hini-

!^ht be ex-
held tho
while tho
to be duo
Pirat time,
learmlesa
iiir to his
on. Tho
ght have
lerc was
fire, that
features ;
reducing
der. that
al seemed
dore, Ilia

the first
ough tht

TIIR PROP II BOY rULPILLIiD. V

nicdinn of an intrrprnter then in nttundance on the npncral, that a wiir-
conncil had been onhfrt'd, for tho purposo of tukiii;^ into romidtTiilion the buRl
nieim.s of (IffejitinKthodesij^nsof thi; Americans, who, with a vww to oH'cnsivc
oiHTfttions. Iiad, in the interval of tho warrior's ub^ienciv pu-di-d on n conside-
rable force to the frontier. Tho oonncil, howtvi-r, had been delayed, in or<ler
thiit it mi^lit have the bmctit of his opiuionn and of his expcricnco in tho
peculiar wai f ue which was about to be coinniciicid.

Tecumseh afknowled!;»ed his si-nso of tlio conuniuiication with the bold
frankness of the inartilicial sou of nature, scornin;; to conccul his just Keif-
cstintatc beneath a veil of uU'ected niolcsty. He knew his own worth, and
while he (»verviilii(il not on iota of that worth, so di 1 he not all'cct to disclaim
a consciousness of the fact — that witlun iiis .swarthy chest and active brain,
'there beat a heart and lived a judLMnent, as prompt to conceive and execute at
those of the proudest fie that ever swii\ eii the ;iesliuies of a warlike people,
lleplyinj; to the complimentary invitation of the (icneral, he uuhi'siliUin^ly
said lie had done well to await his arrival, before he determined on the courso
of action, and tliat he .shojild now have the full benefit of hi.s opinions and
advice.

If the chief hail been forcibly prepos.cvsed in favor of the naval commandrr
the latter had not been le,s.s iufjiested. Si. his retrent arrival to assume tho
direction of the Heet, Commoiiore Barclay hi» tiad opportunities of .seeinj; such
of the chiefs as were then assembled at Ai ilurstburf; ; lint ^reat as hail been
his admiration of several of these, he ! ui bci n given ..ndirstand tic.} fell
far short, in eveiy moral and phy. d advnntiifro, „i what their renowned
leader would be found to pos.'-ess. wlicn, on ' 's return from t)ie e.vpedition in
wliich he was enJ;a^r,ed. (ittin;^ opportunity s. -dd be had of brip;;in;; them in
persona' proximity. 'i.hi.i admission w;i. ;i(, v made in the fullest .sense, and
as the warrior moved away tO{^ive the prce!.in;2;s to tho several chiefs, and con-
duct them to the council hall, tho gallant saiLi could not refrain from cxpres-
sin;j; in the warmest terms to General BrocK. as they n. * -d slowly forward
with the same intention, the eulhusi' stic admiration excited in hiin by the
per-ion, the manner, and tlie bearing, of tho noMoTecumsch.

Again the cannon from tlio battery and th(! shipping j)eak 1 forth their
thimder. Ft was the signal for the commencement of the council, and th'?
scene at that moment was ono of tho most iii-hncsque th^.t 'an well bo
im.agineil. The sky was cIoudle,s,s, and tho river, no longer riilUeil by the now
motionless barks of the recently arrived Indians, yet obeying tho action of the
tide, olfercd, as it glided onward to the lake, tlie image of a Hood of quick-
Kilvor ; white, m the distance that lake itself, smooth as a mirror, spread far
and wide. Close under the bank yet lingered the canoes, emptied only of
their helmsmen (the chiefs of the several tribo.s,) while with strange tongues
and wilder gestures, the warriors of thcs;;, as they rested on their paddles,
greeted the loud report of the cannon — now watching with eager eye the Hashes
from the vessel's .sides, and now upturning their gaze, and following with wild
surprise, tho deepening volumes of smoke that pas.sed immediately over their
heads, from the guns of the battery, hidden from their view by the elevated
and overhanging bank. l{lended with each di.scharge arose tho wild yell,
which the}-, in such a moment of novel excitement, felt it impossible to control,
and this, answered by the Indians above, and borne iu echo almost to tho
American shore, had in it .something indescribably grand and startling. On
the bank itself the scene was singuhirly picturesque. Here were to be .seen
the bright uniforms of the British officers, at the head of whom was the tall
and martial figure of Oenciid Brock, furthermore conspicuous from the full
and drooping feather that fell gracefully over his military hat, mingled with
the wilder and more fanciful head-dres.ses of the chiefs. Behind these again,
and sauntering at a pace that showed them to have no share in the del.'bera-
livo assembly, whither those wc have just named were now proceeding, amid
the roar of artillery, yet mixed together in nearly as great disKimilarity of
garbj were to be seen numbers of the infei'ior warriors and of the soldierf—

MATiLBA montoomerie; or

^whilo, in various directions, the games recently abandoned by the adalt Indians
were now resumed by mere boys. The whole picture was one of strong ani-
mation, contrasting as it did with the quiet of the little post on the Island,
where some twelve or fifteen men, composing the strength of the detachment,
\vc sitting or standing ^m the battery, crowned, as well as the fort and ship-
ping, and in compliment to the newly arrivtd Indians, with the colors of
England.

Such was the scene, varied only as the numerous actors in it varied their
movements, when the event occurred with wliich wo commence onr next
chapter.

CHAPTER II.

Several hours had passed away in the interesting discussion of their war
plans, and the council was nearly concluded, when suddenly the attention both
of the officers and chiefs was arreated by the report of a single cannon. From
the direction of the sound, it was evident that the shot had been fired from the
battery placed on the southern or lakeward extremity of the island of Bois
Blanc, and as the circumstance was unusual enough to indicate the existence
of some approaching cause for excijfcment, several of the younger of both,
who, from their youth, had been prevented from taking any active share in tho
deliberations of the day. stole, successively and unobscrvedly. through the large
folding-doorsof the building, which, owing to the great heat of the weather, had
been left open. After traversing about fifty yards of sward, intersecting the high
road, wliicli, running parallel with the river, ficparated the council-hall from the
elevated bank, tlie ofiiccrs found, collected in groups on the extreme verge of
this latter, and anxiously watching certain movements in the baKery opposite
to them, most of tlic troops and inferior Indians they had left loitering there
at the commencement of tlic council. These movements were hast}', and as
of men preparing to repeat the shot, the report of which had reached them
from the opppositc extremity of the island. Presently the forms, hitherto
intermingled, became separate and stationary — an arm of one was next extend-
ed — then was seen to rise a Uash of light, and then a volume of dense smoke.
amid which tho loud report found its sullen way, bellowmg like thuudei
through some blackening cloud, while, from the peculiar nature of the .sound,
it was recognised, by tho experienced in those matters, to have proceeded from
a shotted gun.

The war of 1812 ha<l its beginning in the manner thus described. They
were the first shots fired in that struggle, and although at an object little cal-
culated to inspire much alarm, still, as the first indications of an active
hostility, they were proportionably exciting to those whose lot it was thus to
" break ground," for operations on a larger scale.

Although many an eager chief had found it difficult to repress the strong
feeling of mingled curiosity and excitement, that lialf raised him from tho
llooron which ho sat, the first shot had been heaid without the eilect of actu
ally disturbing the assembly from its fair propriety ; but no sooner had tho
eecond report, accompaniin} as it was by the wild yell of their followers witli-
out, reached their ears, than, wholly losing sight of the dignity attached to
their position as councillors, thej' sprang wildly up, and seizing the weapons
that lay at their side, rushed confusedly forth, leaving Tecumseh, and two or
three only of the more aged chiefs, behind them. The debate thus interrupted,
tiie council was adjourned, and soon afterwards General Brock, accompanied
by his staff, and conversing, through his interpreter, with the Shawnee
chieftain as they walked, ai)proached the groups stiil crov/dcd along the bank
of the river.

MeaawhiJc, after the discharge of the last g;.n, the battery on the island had

dalt Indians
f strong ani-
1 the Island^
detachment,
art and ship-
10 colors of

varied their
ice onr next

of their war

ttention both

nnon. From

ired from tho

land of Bois

the existence

gcr of both,

sliare in tho

ugh the large

weather, had

:ting the high

liall from tho

me verge of

^ery opposite

iteriiig there

asty, and as

ached them

nis. hitherto

next cxtend-

ense smoke.

ike thundei

f the soundj

icecded from

ibcd. They
ct little cai-
>f an active
was thus to

s the strong
n from tho
ect of aclu
ler had tho
owcrs with-
attached to
he weapons
and two or
interrupted,
ccorapanied
le Shawnee
ig the bank

island had

THE PROPHECY FVLPILLBB.

been quitted by the officer in comnmntl, who, descending to tho beach, prece-
ded by two of his men, stopped into a light skiff that lay chained to tho
gnarled root of a tree overhanging the cnircnt. and close under tho battery,
A few sturdy strokes of , the oars soon brought the boat into the centre of the
stream, when the stout, broad-built figure and carbunclofl face of an officer
in ine unifonn of the fort^'^-first regiment, were Kuccessively reiiognia^id, as ho
stood upright in thu stern. *

" What the deuce Vft-ings Tom Raymond to us in such a hurry ? I thoiight
the order of the general was that ho should on no account leave his post, un-
less summoned by signal," observed one of the group of younger oflicerg
who had first quitted the council hall, and who now waited with interest for
the landing of their companion.

" What brings him here, can you ask ?" replied one at the side of the
questioner, and with a solemnity of tone and manner that caused the whole
of the group to turn their eyes upon him, as he mournfully shook his head.

" Aye, iphut brings him here ?" repeated more than one voice, while all
closed inquiringly around for information.

" Why the thing is as clear as the carbtmcles on his own face — the boat, to
be sure." And the truism was perpetrated with the same provokingly ludi-
crous, yet evidently forced, gravity of tone and manner.

''Execrable, Middlemore. — Will you never give over that vile habit of
punning 7"

" Detestable !" .said another.

" Ridiculous !" repeated a third.

" Pshaw ! tho worst yo". ever uttered !" exclaimed a fourth, and each, as ho
thus expressed himself, turned nwny with a movement of impatience.

''That anim.'il, Raymond, grows like a very porpoise," remarked a young
captain, wlio prilled himself on the excessive smallness of his waist. '• Mo-
thinks that, like the ground-hogs that abound on his is'iwnd. he must fatten on
hickory nuts. Only see how the man melts in the noonday sun. But as yo.i
say, Villiers. what can bring him here without nn order from tho general i
And then the gun last fired. Ila ! I have it. — He has discovered a Yankee
boat stealing along through the other channel.''

" No doubt there is craft of some description in the wind" pursued tho
incorrigible Middlemore, with tho same affecterl unconsciousness.

" Ila !" returned Captain Molineux, the officer who bad commented so freely
apon the fat lieutenant in the boat — " Your pun, infamous as it would l»e at
the best, is utterly without "oint now, for there has not been a breath of wind
stirring during the whole morning."

" Pun, did you say ?" exclaimed Middlemore, with well affected surprise '.t
tho charge, " my dear fellow, I meant no pun."

Further remark was checked by an impatience to learn the cause cf
Lieutenant Raymond's abrupt appearnnce. mid the officers approached tlie
principal group. The former had n(nv reached tho shore, and. shullling up the
bank as fast as his own corpulency and the abruptness of the ascent would
permit, hastened to the general, who stood at some little distance awaiting tho
expected communication of tho messenger.

" Well, Mr. Raymond, what is it — what have you discovered from youi
post?" demanded the General, who, with those around htm, found difficiiity
in repressing a smile at the heated appearance of the fat subaltern, the loud
puffing of whose lungs had been audii>le before ho himself drew near enoui'-h
to address the chief — *' something important, I should imagine, if we may judge
from the haste with which you appear to have travelled over the short dis-
tance that separates us ?"

''.Something very important. indce<l, Gener.al," answered the officer, touch-
ing his undress cap, and speaking huskily from exertion ; '• there is a larg*
bark, sir, filled with men, stealing along shore in the American channel, and
I can SCO nothing of the gun boat that should be stationed there. A shot wai
fired from the ea< crn battery, in tho hope of bringing her to, I'at, as tlie gun»

MATILDA MUNTOOMERIB: OR,

inoiintcd there arc only carronadcs, the ball foil short, and the suspicious look-
ing hoat cropt still closer to the shorr — I ordered a shot from my battery to
ho tried, hut without success, for. althoufjh within range, the boat hugs th«
laud so closely that it is impossible to distinguish her hull with the naked
eye."

" The gun boat not to be s-jen, Mr. Raymond ?" exclaimed the General ;
" h6w is tl\is. and who is the olfiror in command of her?"

'• One," q)ii('kly njoined the t'onimodore, to whom Uic last query was ad-
dressed, '• whom I had selected for that duty for the very vigilance and desire
for service attributed to him by my predecessor — of course I have not been
hmg enough here, to have much personal knowledge of him myself."

'• Mis name?" asked the (icneral.

"Lieutenant Grantham."

" Grantham ?" repeated the General, with a movement of surprise; '"'It is
indeed strange that he should forego sucli an opj)ortunity."

'• Still more strange," reniarked the commodore, "' that the boat he com-
mands should iiave disajipearecl altogether. Can there be any question of his
fidelity ? the Granthams are Canadians, I understand."

" The general smiled, wWlc the young oflicor who had been noticed so par-
ticularly by Tecumseli on his landing, colored deeply.

" If," said the former, '' the mere circumstance of their having received ex-
istence amid these wilds can make them Canadians, they C((rtainly are Cana-
(tians ; but if the blood of a proud race can make them liritons, such they are.
lie they which they may, however, I would stake my life on the lidclity of tho
Granthams — still, the cause of this young officer's absence nuist be inquired
into, and no doubt it will be satisfactorily explained. Meanwhile, let a second
gunboat be detached in pursuit."

The commodore having given the necessary instructions to a young mid-
shipman, who attende<l him in the capacity of an aid-de-camp, and the general
having dismi.ssed Lieutenant Raymond back to his post on the island, these
otikers detached themselves from the crowd, and, while awaiting the execution
of the order, engaged in earnest conversation.

'•Ry Jove, the conunodore is quite right in his observation," remarked the
ycmig and a'fectcd looking ollicer, who had been so profuse in his witticisms
on the corpulency of Lieutenant Raymond ; '" the general m.ay say what he vviR
in their favor, but this is the result of entrusting so important ii command t«
a Canadian."

" What do you mean, sir?" hastily demanded one even younger than niir>
Kcif — it was the youth already named, whose uniform attested him to Oc i
brotlver olKcer of the speaker. lie had been absent for a few minutes, htM
only now rejoined his companions, in time to hear the remark which hao jdsl
been uttered.

"What do you mean. Captain ^lolincux?" he continued, his i.a,k eye
flasiiing indignation, and his downy cheek crimsoning with warmth. " Why
this remark before me, sir. and wherefore this, reflection on tha Canadians?"

" Why really, Mr Grantham." somewhat sententiously drawitd che captain ;
"I do not altogether understand your right to question in thiM lone — nor .am
I accountable for any observations I may make. Let mo tehyou. moreover."
"that it will neither be wise nor prudent in you^ lufMng oten received into a
Briti*jh regiment to become the Don Quixotte of your cyimlrymcn."

" /iccciced into a British regiment, sir! do you then imagine that I, more
than yourself, should feel this a distinction," haugijtiiy rc-tiirned the indignant
youth. '■ But, gentlemen, your pardon," checking nin.self and glancing at the
rest of tlio group, who were silent wit'iesscs of the scene; " I confess I do feel
the distinction of being admitted into so gAl'anc t* corps — this in a way, how-
ever, that must be common to us ah. H'j;aiii 1 ask, Captain Molineux,"
tuining to that oflicer, " the tendency of the observations you have publicly
made in regard to my brother."

•• i'our question, Mr. Graham rf'igat, v.ith as much propriety, bcaddrcsscj

::ion3 look-
battery to
t hugs thfl
the naked

I General ;

ry was ad-
and dcsiro
e not been

ise:

'•' It ia

lat he com-
slion of his

ced so par-

cceived cx-
r are Cana-
h they are.
Iclity of the
DC inquired
lot a second

>^oung mid-
the general
sland, tliesc
e execution

narked the

witticisms

liat he wiR

omtnand i%

than Him-
im to Oc i
initcs, u.i\i
oh iMCi jusi

{iX.k eve
I.. " Why
aiifidians?"
he captain ;
u; — nor am
moreover."
cMvcd into a

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

hat I. more
c indignant
ncing at tho
'ss 1 do feel
, way, hovv-
Moiineux,"
vc publiclj'

ic addressed

fo any other person in tho full enjoyment of his senses, whojn you see hero,
since it is the general topie of conversation ; htit, as you seem to require an
answer from me particularly, you sliall have it. My remark referred to tho
absence of the officer in charge of tlie gun-boat from the station allotted to
him, at a moment when an arined vessel of the enemy i.s in sight. Is this tha
fact, or is it not ?"

" iiy which rcirark," returned the other, " you would imply that suKl ofSoer
is either guilty of gross neglect or — "

" I draw no inferences, Mr. Grantham, but even if I did, I should be mora
borne out by circumstances than you imagine."

"It is pltiin you would insinuate that my brother shuns the cne-ny, Captaia
Molineux — You shall answer to me for this insult, sir."

" As you please, Mr. Grantham, but on one condition only."

" Name it, sir, name it," said the young oflicer qiiickly.

"That it is satisfactorily proved your brother has not shunned the esoiny."

Bitter feelings swelled the heart of the enthusiastic Grantham, as uncon-
sciously touching the hilt of his sword, he replied : " If your hope of avoidance
rest on this, sir, it will be found to hang upon a very thread indeed."

The attention of tho group where thi*< unpleasant scene had occurred, and
indeed of all parties, was now diverted by tho sudden appearance of tho
American boat, as, shooting past the head of the island, which had hitherto
concealed her from the view of the assembled crowds, her spars and white
Kails became visible in the far distance. A slight and favorable breeze, blow-
ing oif the si .i; which she still closely hugged, had now apparently .sprung
up, and, spreading all her canvass, she was evidently making every effort to
pet beyond the reach of the battery (whither Lieutenant Raymond had re-
turned), under whose range she was unavoidably impelled by the very wind
that favored her advance. Owing to some temporary difficulty, the gun-boat,
just ordered by the commodore to follow in pursuit, was longer than suited
the emergency in getting under way, and when she had succeeded in so doing,
nearly half an hour elapsed before, owing to the utter absence of wind, a.s
well as the rapidity of the current, she could be brought by the aid of her
long and cumbrous sweeps to clear the head of the island. The American,
now discovered to have a small detachment of troops oti board, had by thU
time succeeded in getting out of the range of a fire, which although well
directed hail proved harmless, and, using every exertion of oar and sail, bade
fair, favored as she was by the breeze which reached not the canva.s.s of her
enemy, to elfect her escape.

Concern sat on every brow, and was variously expressed — loud yells mark-
ing the lierce disappointment of the Indians, and undisguised murmurs that
of the more disciplined troops. Coupled with this feel. ng, among the ofHcers
at least, naturally arose the recollection of him to whose app-irent neglect
this escape of the enemy was to be attributed, until at length the conduct of
Lieutenant Grantham was canvassed generally, and with a freedom little in-
ferior to that which, falling from the lips of Capt*ain Molinex, had so pained
his sensitive brother — with this difference, however, that in this instance they
were the candidly expressed opinions of men arraigning the conduct of one of
their feJIows apparently guilty of a gross dereliction from duty, and not, as in
in the former they had seemed to be, with any ungenerous allu;$ion to his
fidelity.

Warmly, and therefore audibly, commented on as was the unaccountable
absence of the oflicer, by individuals of almost every rank, it was impossible
that man}' of those observations could escape the attention of the cxcitetl
Henry Grantham. Mortified beyond measure at the fact, yet unable, as he
had done before, to stand forth the champion of his brother's honor, where
all (with a very few exceptions, among whom he had the consolation to find
the general) were united in opinion against him. his situation was most pain-
ful. Not that he entertained the remotest doubt of his brother Ix'aring him*
tte'f harmles.sly through the ordeal, but that liis genercus, yet haughty s{>rinit^

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

conid ill cndnra the thought of any human being daring to (/icrish, much losit
to cast the slightest aspersion on his blood.

Finding it vain to oppose himself to the torrent of openly expressed opin-
ion, tlic niortided youth withdrew to a distance, and, hastening among tho
rude tumuli we have deiicril)ed, as being scattered about the edge of tho bank,
stood watching, with folded arms and heaving chest, the gradually receding
bark 3f the enemy. Alternately, as he thus gazed, his dark eye now flashed
with the indignation of wounded pride, now dilated with the exulting con-
Bciounness of coming triumph. The assiuancc was strong within him, not
only that his brother would soon make his appearance before the assembled
proups who had had the cruelty' to impugn his conduct, but that he would
do so under circumstsii»o«,o calculated to change their warm censure into even
more vehement applause. Fully impressed with the integrity of his absent
relative, the impetuous and generous hearted youth paused not to reflect that
circumstances were such as to justify the belief — or at least the doubt — that
had been expressed, even by the most impartial of those who had condemned
liim. It seemed to him that others ought to have known and judged him as
he himself did, and. he took a secret delight in dwelling on t>ie self-reproach
which he conceived would attach to them, when it should be ibund how erro-
neous had been the estimate formed of his character.

While he thus gazed, with eyes intently bent upon the river, and manifest-
ing even a deeper interest as the fleeing bark drew momentarily nearer to
oue particular point in the distance, the young ofBcer heard footsteps ap-
proaching him. Hastily dashing away a tear which had been called up by a
varietj' of emotions, he turned and beheld the Chieftain Tecumseh, and with
liim one who, in the full uniform of the British Stalf, united, in his tall and
jtortly ligure, the martial bearing of the soldier to the more polished graces of
the habitual courtier.

'' Henry, my noble boy," exclaimed the latter, as he pressed the hand of the
youth, "you must not yield to these feelings. I have marked your impatience
at the observations caused by Gerahl's strange absence, but T have brought
you one who is too partial to you both to join in the condemnation. I have
explained every thing to him. and he it was who, remarking you to be alone,
and suspecting the cause, first proposed coming to rouse you from your
reverie."

Adectionately answering the grasp of his noble looking uncle, Henry Gran-
tham turned at the same time his eloquent eye upon that of the chieftain, and,
in a few brief but expressive sentences, conveyed, in tho language of the
warrior, the gratification he experienced in his unchanged confidence in the
absent officer.

As he concluded, with a warmth of manner that delighted him to whom ho
addressed himself, their hands met for the third time that day. Tecumseh at
length replied, by pointing significantly to the canoes which still lay floating on
the river, unemptied of their warriors, stating at the SJinje time, that had not
liis confidence In his young friend been unbounded, he would long since Iiave
despatched those canoes in pursuit ; but he was unwilling the officer should
lose asy of the credit that must attach to the capture. I know;" he concluded,
'• where h? is lying like the red skin in pursuit of the enemy. Be patient,
and we shall soon see Iwra. "

Before Henry Grantham could find time to inquire if the place of ambush
was not tho same to which his own hopes, induced by his perfect knowledge
of localities, had, throughout, pointed as the spot most likely to conceal
the hitherto invisible gun boat, his attention, and that of his immediate com-
panion, was drawn to a scene that carried a glow of exultation to the bosonns
of them all.

The American boat, long since out of range of the battery, and scudding
with a speed that mocked the useless exertions of those on board of the second
pun boat, who coiiW with diffioulty impel her through the powerful eddy
formed by the tuiand, had bsen gradually edging from her own shore icto tha

THE PROPHECY PULFILLBD.

Iftr

brought

centre of the stream. This movement, however, had the effect •( rendering
hei' more distinguishable to the eye, breasting, as she did, the rapid stream,
as while hu<rging the land, even when much nearer, she had been confound-
ed with the dark line of brushwood which connected thcforcst with the shore.
She had now arrived opposite a neck of land beyond which ran a narrow", deep
creek, the existence of which was known only to few, and here it chanced that
in the exultation of escape, they gave a cheer that was echoed back from either
shore, hoisting at the same moment the American colors. Scarcel}', however,
had tbi« cheer been uttered, when a second and more aniniatinp:, was heard
from a different point, and presently*, dashing into the river, and apparently
issuing from the very heart of the woorJ, M'as to be seen The gun-boat, which
had been the subject of so much conversation, every stitch of her white can-
vass bellying from the masts, and her dark piow buried in a wreath of foam
created by her own speed. As she neared the American a column of smoke,
followed a .second or two later by a dull report, rose from her bows, enveloping
her a moment from the view, and when next visible she was rapidly gaining
on the chase. The yells of the Indiau.s and the hurrahs of the soldiers gave
an indescribable animation to the scene.

This was indeed a moment of proud triumph to the heart of Henry Gran-
tham, lie saw his brother not only freed from every ungenerous imputation,
but placed in a situation to win to himself thfe first laurels that were to be
plucked in the approaching strife. The " Canadian," as he imagined he had
been superciliously termecl, would be the first to reap for Britain's sons tho
fruits of a war in which those latter were not only the most prominent actors,
but also the most interested. Already, in the enthusiasm of his imagination,
lie pictured to himself the honor and promotion, which bestowed upon his
gallant brother, would be reflected upon himself, and, in the deep excitement
of his feelings, he could not avoid saying aloud, heedless of the presence of his
uncle :

" Now, Captain Molineux, j'our only difficulty is removed — my brother has
revenged himself. AVith me you will have an account t-j settle on my-own
score."

" What do you mean, Henry ?" seriously inquired Colonel D'Egvillc ;
*' surely you have not been imprudent enough to engage in a quarrel with
one of your brother officeBB."

Henry briefly recountca the conversation which had taken place betweeo
Captain Molineux and himself.

'* Far be it from my intention to check the nice sense of honor which should
be inherent in the breast of every soldier," returned his uncle impressively,
" but 3'ou are too sensitive, Henry ; Captain Molineux, who is, moreover, a
very young man, may not have expressed himself in the most guarded man-
ner, but he only repeated what I have been compelled to hear myself — and
from persons not only older, but much higher in rank. Take my advice,
therefore, and let the matter rest where it is ; Gerald, you see, has given the
most practical denial to any observations which have been uttered of a nature
derogatory to his honor."

' True," quicklj' returned tho youth, with a flushing check, " Gerald is
sufficiently avenged, but you forget the taunt he uttered against Canadians !"

"And if he did utter such taunt, why acknowledge it as such ?" calmly re-
joined Colonel D'Egville ; '"are you ashamed of the name? I too am a
Canadian, but so far from endeavoring to repudiate my American birth, I feel
pride in having received my being in a land where everything attests tho
sublimity and magnificence of nature. liook around you, my nephew, and ask
vowrself what there is in the wild grandeur of those .scenes to disown. But,
ha !" — as he cast his eyes upon the water — " I fear Gerald will lose his prize
after all ; the enemy is giving him the Indian double."

During the foregoing short conversation, an important change had been
effected in the position of the adverse boats. The ttliot tired, apparently with
the view of bringing the enemy to, had produced no favorable result j but uo

MATILDA MONTOOMKRIB

UR,

Kooner had llio n^im-hofit romc (ibrcast of thn chiise, than the latter, suddenl/
clewiuor up ht'i- sails, put her lielm nhout. and plyinp; every oar with an exer-
tion propurt.oncd to the emcrsrcncy, inatlc rapidly for the coast she had re-
rently left. The intention of tlie crew was evidently to abandon the unarmed
boat, and to seek safety in the woods. Urged by the rapidity of her own
course, the c;nn-boat luul shot considerably ahead, and when at length she also
was put about, the breeze blew so immediately in her teeth that it was
found impossible to regain the advantage which had been lost. Meanwhile,
the American continued her flight, making directly for the land, with a rapidity
that promised fair to balHe every exertion on the part of her pursuer. The
moment was one of intense interest to the crowd of spectators who lined the
bank. At cacli instant it was expected the fire of the gun-boat would open
upon the fugitives; but although this was obviously the course to be adopted,
it being aparent a singlo shot was sufficient to sink her — not a flash was
visible — not a report was heard. Presently, however, while the disappoint-
ment of the spectators from the bank .vas rising into murmurs, a skiff fdled
with men was seen to pull from the gun-boat in the direction taken by the
chase, which was speedily hidden from view by the point of land from which
the latter had previously been observed torssue. Behind this her piu'suer also
disappeared, and after a lapse of a few minutes, pistol and musket shots wero
distinguished, although they came but faintly on the ear. These gradually
became more frequent and less distinct, until suddenly there was a profound
pause — then three cheers were fomtly heard — and all again was still.

CHAPTER III.

A FULL half hour had succeeded to these sounds of conflict, and 3'ct
nothfng could be seen of the contending boats. Doubt and anxiety now took
the place of the confidence that had hitherto animated the bosoms of the
Bpectators, and even Henry Grantham — hi:i heart throbbing painfidly with
emotions induced by suspense — knew not M-hat inference to draw from the
fact of his brother's protracted absence. Could (j^ be that the American,
defended as she was by a small force of armed men, had succeeded, not only
in defeating the aim of her pursuer, but also in capturing her. Such a result
was not impossible. The enemy against whom they had to contend yielded to
none in bravery ; and as the small bark which had quitted the gun-boat was
not one third of the size of that which they pursued, it followed of necessitj-,
that the assailants must be infinitely weaker in numbers than the assailed.
Still no signal of alarm was made by the gun-boat, which continued to lie to,
apparently in expectation of the return of the detached portion of her crew.
Grantham knew enough of his brother's character to feel satisfied that he was
in the absent boat, and yet it was impossible to suppose that one so imbued
with the spirit of generous enterprise should have succumbed to his enemy,
after a contest of so short duration, as, from the number of shots heard, this
had appeared to be. That it was terminated, there could be no doubt. Tho
cheers, which had been followed by an universal silence, had given evidence
of this Tact ; yet why, in that case, if his brother had been victorious, was ho
not already on his return ? Appearances, on the other hand, seemed to in-
duce an nnpression of his defeat. Tho obvious course of the enemy, if
Buocessful, was to abandon their craft, cut off from escape by the gun-boat
without, and to make the best of their way through the woods, to their place
of destination, the American fort of Detroit — and, as neither party was visibk:,
it was to be feared this object had been accomphshed.

The minds of all were more or less influenced by these doubts, but that of
Henry Grantham wr«." especially disturbed. From the first appearance of tho
gua-boat his spirits had resumed their usual tou«, for he had looked upon ttia

suddenly
i an oxcr-
e had ro-
! unarmed
' her own
:h she also
lat it was
Icanwhile,
a rapidity
ner. The
) lined the
rould open
c adopted.

flash was
lisaopoint-
skiti" filled
ten by the
rom wliich
u'suer also
shots wero

gradually
I profound
11.

;t, and yet
now took
)ms of the
nfully with
V from the
American,
, not only
ch a result
yielded to
i-boat was
necessitj',
le assailed.
;d to lie to,
her crew,
lat he was
so imbued
his enemy,
icurd. this
•ubt. Tho
n evidence
us, was ho
med to in-
enemy, if
gtin-boat
their place
ras visible,

lut that of
inceof the
upon tlia

THE fROPHKCy FULFIL LK». '»•

Bccinj; bsrk as tJie certain prize of his brother, whose conquost was to afford
the flattest denial to the insinuation that hnd bi-en urtjud airainst him. Moin.
over, his youthfn> pride had exulted in tho refk-ntion tl-at the first halo of vie
toiy would play around the brow of one for whom Ik could have made i-vory
personal sacriiice ; and now, to have those fair anticipations clouded at i;h»
very moment when he was expoctin^ their fullest accomplishment, wast
almrst unendurable. He felt, also, that, although his rt-Noliition was thuc
made to stand prominently forth, the prudence of his brother would assuredly
be called in question, for having; ^ivcn chase with so iufc rior a force, wlien a
Binp;le gun fire<l into his enemy must have stink her. In the impatience of hi.>»
feclinp;s, the excited young soldier could not refrain from addini:; his own cen-
sure of the imprudence, exclaimin';, as he played his foot nervously upon tho
f;round : '' Whv the devil did lie not lire and sink her, instead of following in
that nutshell ?"

While he was yet giviuf; utterance to his disappointment, a hasty excla-
m.ationmet his ear frcim the cliieftain at liis side, who, placin|^ one hand on tho
shoulder of the ofTicor, with a familiar and mcauina; gra p, pointed, with the
fore-lin,!2:er of the other, in tVio direction in vhich the boats ha<l disappearwl.
IJefore Grantham's eye could follow, nn exuUiiii; yell from the distant masscn
of Indians Announced an advantage that was .soon made obvious to all. The
.small dark boat of the pursuing party was now seen issuing from behind tho
point, and pulling slowly towards the gun-boat. In tlie cour.sc of a miniito
or two afterwards appeared the American, evidently following in the wake of
the former, .and attached by a tow-line to her stern. Tlie yell pealed forth by
the Indians when the second boat came in view, was deafening in tho extreme;
and everything became commotion along tho bank, while the little fleet of
canoes, which still lay resting on the beach, put olT one after the other to the
scene of action.

Meanwhile, both objects had gained the side of the gun-boat, which, favored
by a partial .'shifting of the wind, now pursuetl her cour.'^e down the river with
expanded sails. Attached to her stern, and following at quarter cable dis-
tance, was to be .seen her prize, from which the pri.'^onei.-; had been removed.

Informed of the success which had crowned the enterprise of their olli(M3r,
the crews of the several vessels in the harbor swelled the crowd assembled on
the bank near the fort, to wliich point curiosity and a feeling of interest had
moreover broiight man}- of the town's people, so that the scene finally bccamo
one of great animation.

The gun-boat had now arrived opposite the fort, when tlie small bark, which
had recently been used in pursuit, was again drawn up to the qiiarter. Into
thi.s, to the surpri.se of all, was first lowered a female, hitherto unob:-;erved ;
next followed an officer in the blue uniform of the United Stat,os regular
army ; then another individual, who.se garb announced him as being of the
militia, and whose rank as an ofiicer was only distinguishable from the cock-
ade surmounting his round hat, and an ornamented dagger thrust into a red
morocco belt encircling his waist. After these came the light and elegant
form of one, habited in the undress of a Briti'^h nav.al ofiicer, who, with one .arm
supported by a black silk handkerchief, evidently taken from his tliroat, and
suspended from his neck, and with the other grasping the tiller of the rudder,
Btood upright in the boat, which, urged by six stout rowers, now stood at Itis
command towards the landing ])lace. above wh-ch lingered, surrounded by
several officers of either service. General Brock and Commodore Barclay.

'■ Well, Commodore, what think you of your Lieutenant now ?" observed
the former to his friend ; " the young Canadian yon must arlmit, has nobly
redeemed my pledge. On the .score of hi,s fidelity there could exist no doubt,
and as for his courage, you see," pointing to the young man's arm, " his con-
quest has not been bloodless to himself, at least."

'• With all my .soul do I di.sclaim the wrong I have done him," was the em-
phatic and generous rejoinder. " He is, indeed, a spirited youth ; and well
«rorthy of the favorable report which led me to entrust him with the con*-

MATILDA MONTOOXERIB; ORf

numl — moreover ho has an easy cn'ace of carrian;e which pleased and intorefljj
nil! in liis fiivor. when I first saw him. Kven now, ohservc liow cc/iirtcouslj
he bends himself to the car of his female prisoner, as if to encouraj^c her with
words of assurance, tliat she may sustain the presence and yells of these cl*-
inorous beinj^s."

The boat had now reached the beach, hut the difTiculty of effectinn; a pa»-
roge, through the band of wild Indians that ciowded, yellini?, in every directioji,
to take a nearer view of the prisoners, would, perhaps, have proved insur-
mountable, had it not been fur the interference of one who alone possessed
the secret of restraining their lawlessness, Tecnniseh hnd descended to the
beach, eager to be the first to congratulate his young friend. Ho pressed tho
liand promptly extended to receive his, and then, at a single word, made those
give way whose presence impeded the landing of the party.

Pursuing their way up tho ruilo steps by which Lieutenant Raymond had
previously descended, the little band of prisoners .soon stood in I'hc presence
Df the group as.sembled to receive them. On alighting from the boat,- tho

ii'outhfid captor had been seen to make the tender of his uninjured arm to the
ady, who, however, had rejected it, with a movement, seemingly of indignant
surprise, clinging in the .same moment to her more elderly comj)anion. A
titter among the younger officers, at Gerald Grantham's expense had followed
this nyection of his proffered arm.

Tho young .sailor was the first to gain the summit of the bank. Respect-
fully touching his hat, and pointing to the captives, who followed a few pace»
in his rear:

" General — Commodore," he observed, his cheek flushing with a conscious
nass of the gratifying position in which he stood, '' I have the honor to present
to you the first fruits of your good fort<ine. This gentleman," pointing to
the elder officer, " is the commaiwior of the party, and the lady I believe
U "

" Certainly a non-combatniit on this occasion," interrupted the General,
raising his plumed hat, and bowing to the party alluded to ; " Gentlemen," ho
j)nrsued, addi'e.ssing the two officers, " I am worry we do not meet exactly on
the terms to which we have so long been accustomed ; but, although the for-
tune of war hns made you rather unwilling guests in the present instance, tho
rites of hospitality shall not be the less observed. But Mr. Grantham, you
have forgotten to introduce these officers by name."

" I plead guilty, General, but the truth is I have neglected to make tho in-
quiry myself"

" Major Montgomerie, sir. of the United States Infantry," interposed the
elderly officer, completely sot at his ease by the affable and attentive manner
of the British leader. " This young lady is my niece."

Again the general slightly, but courteouslj--, bowed. " I will not. Major
Montgomerie, pay you the ill timed compliment of expressing pleasure in see-
hig you on an occasion like the present, since wc must unquestionably consider
you a pri.soner of war ; but if tho yotmg lady your niece, has any desire to
continue her journo}' to Detroit. I shall feel pleasure in forwarding her thither
under a flag of truce."

"I thank you much, General, for this mark of your attention," returned
(he American ; '• but I think I may venture to answer for my niece, that sho
•will prefer remaining with me."

" Not so, sir ;" said a voice deep but femininely soft. "■ General," she con-
tinued, throwing aside her veil, which had hitherto concealed features palo
even to wanness, '' I have the strongest — the most urgent reasons — for tho
prosecution of my journey, and gladly do I accept your offer."

The earnest manner of her address struck every hearer with surprise, con*
frasting as it did, with the unchanging coldness of her look ; but the matte/
was a source of serious concern to her uncle. lie regarded her with an aur
of astonisjhment. not unmixed with displeasure*

nJ interest
• courtcovjsU
■iifje her with
of thoso cl*-

Fectinp; a pap-
ery direction,
•roved insur-
•no possessed
ccnded to the
pressed tho
d, made those

Raymond had
I'iic prcscnco
tlie boat,- tho
ed arm to th«
\f of indignant
nnpanion. A
u had followed

nk. Rcspcct-
>d a few pace*

h a consciona
nor to present
" pcintinp; tx>
ady I believe

tlie General,
cntlcmen," ho
eet exactly on
loiij^h the for-
instancc, tho

rantham. you

) make the in-
interposed tho
cntive manner

ill not, Major
easure in see-
iiably consider
any desire to
na; her thither

on," returned
litcc, that sho

iral," she con-
features palu
sons — for tho

surprise, con*
jut the matter
er with au aitT

THR PROPHECY FULFILLL9.

1»

" Ilow is this, Matilda," he asked ; " after having travelled tlms far into the
lionrt oflliis disturhc«I district would you now leave me?"

" Major Montjiomcrio," she pursued, somewhat impatiently, " wo arc in thf
prrsence of stranjiers, to whom this discussion must be uninteresting— Jiy
mind is fully made up, and I avail myself of the liritish General's offer."

*' Certainly, certainly,'' observed that officer, somewhat disconcerted by the
pceno ; '' and I can do it the more readily, as it is my intention to send an in*
Htant summons to the garrison of Detroit. Miss Montgomeric will, howevjr,
do well to consider before she decides. If the summons be not oljeyed, an-
other week will .sec our columns marching to the assault, and sho must be
prei)ared for all the horrors of such an extremity, aided, as I am compelled to
l)e, (and he glanced at thu groups of Indians who were standing aroimd, but
at some distance, looking silently yet eagerly at the prisoners.) by these wild
and ungovernable warriors. Should she, on the contrary, decide on remain-
ing here with her uncle, she will be perfectly safe."

'• General," emphatically returned Jfiss Montgomerie. '* were I certain that
the columns to which you allude wouM not be repulsed whenever they may
venture upon that assault, and were I as certain of perishing beneath tho
tomahawk and scalping knife of these savages" — and she looked fearlessly to-
wards them — •• still would my determination remain the .same."

As she conchided, a hectic spot rose to either cheek, lingered there a moment,
and thi'u left it colorless as before,

" Bo it so. Miss Montgomerie, my word is pledged and you shall go — Gra,->-
tham. I had intended sending one of my personal stalf with the .summons, but,
on reflection, you shall be the bearer. As the captor of the lady, to you shall
be awarded the charge of delivering her over to her friends."

" Friends !" involuntarily repeated the American, her cheek becoming even
paler tiian before, and her lips compressed in a way to indicate some deep and
painful emotion. Again .she dropped her veil.

No other notice wa.s taken of the interruption than what the siirpriscd
manner of Major Montgomerie manifested, and the General proceedetj ;

•'I would ask you, Major Montgomerie, to become my guest while you re-
main with us. but I fear that, as a bachelor, I have but indifferent accommodai-
tion to oH'c'i' to your niece."

'■ If Miss Montgomerie will accept it," .said Colonel D'Egvillo, interposing,
"I sliall be most happy to afford her the accommodation of a home until she
finally departs for the opposite .shore. If the attention of a family of
daughters," he continued, more immediately addressing himself to tho young
lady, •• can render yoiir temporary sojourn among us less tedious, you have
but to command them."

So friendly an offer could not well be refused. Miss Montgomerie inclined
her head in acquiescence, and Colonel D'Egville drew her arm within his own.

" It were unkind," remarked the general, good-huinoreiily, " to separate
Major j\Iontgomerie altogether from his niece. Either the young lady mnst
partake of our rude fare, or we shall consider our.selves included in your
dinner party."

'' You could not confer on me a greater pleasure, General, and indce<l T \*as
about to solicit it. Commodore Barclay, may I hope that so short and unco-
vemoniotisan invitation will be excused by the circumstances? Good. I shall
expect you. But there is yet another to be included among our gueflts.
Gerald, you will not fad to conduct this gentleman, whose name I have not
yet had the pleasure of hearing" — and he looked at tho latter, as if he expected
him to aiuiounce himself.

''I fear, sir," observed the young officer, pointedly, '• that your dinner p.arty
wo\d<l ho little honored by such an addition. Although he wears the uniform
of an Aii\oiican officer, this person is wholly unworthy of it and of a teat
at your tabic." '

Every eye was turned with an expression of deep astonishment on th*

^10

MATILDA M O N T O M K K I K : O A ■

jpcftk.T, «n(l Uienco upon the Torm of the hitherto rfarcely noticed inijil^in

♦fflccr; who, with his hend aiink suIKmiIv upon his rhoKt. and an eye now niid
''Uicn raised stealthily to siirrotin'liii? ohjcctH. m.-idc no attempt to relulo, or

even to express surprise at, the sin;j;uliir accusation of his niptor.

"This is stron)! hin;;!tmj,e to apply to a captive enemy, and that enemy appa-
rently nn oHlcer." pravely remarked the pciu'ral ; "yet I cnniiut believe Mr.

'Qranthani to he wholly without proimds for his assertion."

Befonc (Jrantham could reply, ft voice in the crowd exclaimed, as if tho
"otterer had hen thrown oH'his pnard, '• What — Pliil !"

On the mention of this name, the yonnper prisoner lookrtl suddenly wp
^from the eartli on which his gaze had been riveted, and cast a rai)id glanco
' tronnrl him.

"Nay, nay. my yotmp friend, do not, as I sec yon are, T-el hurt at my o\y-

JKJTvation." resumed the pcneral, extending liis hand to (Jerald Gmntham ;

"! confess 1 did at one moment imagine that yon had heen rash in yonrsvsser-
*'tion, but from what has this instant occurred, it is evidoit your prisoner ifl
'Jinown to others as well as to yourself. No doubt we shall have everything

.explained in due season. By the bye, of what nature is your wound 1 slight,

I shouM say. from the indillerence with which you treat it."

"Slight. General — far slighter," he continued, coloring, ''than the wound

that was sought to he affixed to my fair name in my absence."

All looked at the speaker, ajul at each otiier with sinprise, for, as yet, there
•could liavc been no communication to him of the doubts which had been enter-
'-4aiued.

" Who is it. of you all, gentlemen," purstied the young man, with the same
I'^tomposedncss of voice and manner, and turning: particularly to the olficers of
' ithe fort^'-ttrst regiment, wlio were grouped around their chief, '• Who is it, I

•sk, on whom has devolved the enviable duty of reporting me as capable of
'violating my faith as a subject, and my honor as an officer T'

There was no rejily, although the same looks of surprise were interchanged ;
"but, as he continued to glance his eye around the circle, it encountered, either
'/)by accident or design, that of Captain Molineux, on whose rather confused
■countenance the gaze of Henry Grantham was at that moment bent with an
• -^BSpression of much meaning.

" No one answers," continued tho youth ; " then the sting has been harm-
'."less. But I crave 3'our panlon, General — I am claiming an exemption from
'-•ijjensure which may not be concedefJ by all. Commodore, how shall I disjMJ.se
'.of my prisoners ?"

*' Not .so, Mr. Grantham ; you have sufficiently established your right to
'.repose, and I have already issued the necessary instructions. Yet. while you
tiiavc nobly acquitted yourself of your duty, let me also perform niiur. Gcn-
J.'itlemen," he continued, addressing the- large circle of officers, " I was the
'•first to comment on 3Ir. Grantham's sujiposed neglect of duty, and to cast a
"'doubt on his fi<lelity. That I was wrong 1 admit, but right I trust will be my
[ reparation, and whatever momentary pain he niay e.Nperience in knowing that
■he has been thus ujijustl}' judged, it will, I am sure, be more than compcn-
^Batod for, when he liears that by General Brock himself his defence was
"Undertaken, even to the jjledging of liis own honor. Mr. Grantham," con-
■'•:^uded tho gallant officer, '• how you have obtained your knowledge of tlio
•^nversation that passed here during your absence, is a mystery I will not
' 410W pause to inquire into, but I would fain apologize for the wrong I have

'done. Have I your prrdon ?"

- At the commencement of this address, the visible heaving of his full cheKt,

*^ithe curlingof his proud lip, and the burning flush of his dark check, bcti jiyecl

■•'"•the mortificatk)n Gerald felt, in having been placed in a position to be judgecl

sihus unjustly ; but, as the commodore proceeded, this fueling gradually pas.sed
' »way, and when the warm defence of his conduct by the general was alluded

10, closed as the information was with a request for pardon, his temporary

THE PROrilECY FULFILLCB,

sliced miijAi^
eyo now niid
to rduttt, or

onoiny nppa-
t believe Mr.

loil, ns if tho

■snddonly up
. riipid glancu

irt at my ol>-
1 Gn\nthnin ;
in youisisscr-
ir prisoner is
vc cvorythinp;
mnd 7 slight,

m the wound

ns yet, there
id been enter-

I'ith the sjinie
Lhe ollicers of
'• Who is it, [
as capable of

ntcrchanjreil ;
ntercd, either
:her confused
bent witli an

■> been liarm-
ein])ti(>n from
hall 1 di»i)ose

•our rifjht to
C't. while you
nniic. Gcn-
■• I was the
and to cast a
ist will be my
kiiowinj: tlial
than com pen-
defence was
ntham." con-
i led^e of tho
ry I will not
,vrong I have

his full chcKt,
eck, betraye(i
to 1)C juds'd
dually passed
was alluded
is temporary

■nnoyance was banished, and he f xperioncod only tho p:enerous triumph of on©
who is conscious of liaviii;; won liis way. throu'.'h calumny and iilander, to th<>
well merited a|>probation of all right minth'd men.

" Come, ciune," interposed the general, more touched than he was willing
to appear, Ity the exprcs-ive manner in which the only hand of tho commodore
now grasped that of liis lieutenant, and jwrceiving that the latter was about
to reply—" We will defer all fiirtlier explanation until a later jM-rioi], IJut,
before wc depart tliis person must be <iispose<l of; Major Montgf.ioerie, cx^
cuse my asking if you will be personally responsible for your fellow pri-
BO'icr?"

♦ '•Certaiidy not!" returned tho Major quickly, and with something likQ
aim ui at the required rcspon.sibility ; " that is to say, he does not belong tO
the United States regular .service, and I know nothing of him. Indeed, L
never saw him before last night, when he joined me witli a verbal messagO>
from Detroit."

Hitherto the individual spoken of had preserved an unbroken silence, keep,
ing, as we have alreaily shown, his gaze riveted upon the ground, except at-
intervals, when he looked around with an eye of suspicion, as if to measure-
the distance that separated lum from the groups of Indians in the backgrouniL
The disclaimer of the major had, however, the eilect of restoring to him the-
use of his tongue. Casting his uncertain eye on the gentlemanly person of tho
latter, he e.\clainicd, in a tone of insufferable vulgarity :

" I'll tell you what it is. Mister Major — you nuiy think yourself a devili.sh
fine feller, but I guess as how an officer of the Michigan Militia is just a9'
pood and as spry as any blue coat in the United States rig'lars j so there's that
(snapping his fingers) for pretendin' not to know me."

All ill-suppressed titter pervaded the group of British ofIicer.s — the general
alone prescrvmg his snrieiuv.

"May I ask your nanic?" he demanded.

" I guess, gin'ril. it's Paul Einiiius T heophilus Arnold!, ensign in the United
States Michigan Militia," was answered with a volubility strongly in contrasV,,
with the preceding silence of the speaker.

"Then, Mr. Arnoldi, as an oJKcer in the American militia, you .shall enjoy
your liberty on parole. I need not. I presume, sir, point out to you thtf.
breach of private honor and national faith consequent on any violation of that
parole."

"I guess not,. gin'ril, for, I taka it, the word of a Michigan militia ofllcer is
as good us that of any United States rig'lar as ever stepped in shoo leather.'*

Another very pardonal)le disposition on the part of the younger officers t6.
indulge in mirth, was interrupted by tho general, desiring a youn;j ciJo-do»
camp to procure the necessary billet and accommodation for En.sign Ar-
noldi.

These two individuals having moved away in search of tho required lodging^,
the general, with his staff and prisoner guests, withdrew towards the fort*
Their departure was tho Signal for the breaking up of the groups, and all dis-
persed to their several liomes. and in pursuit of their various duties. Th»
recently arrived Indians were distributed throughout the encampment, already
occupied as we have described, and the prisoners taken in the morning wcrs
provided with suitable accommodation.

As Colonel D'Egville was about to enter the gate of the fort, with his fair
charge leaning on his arm. Geralii Grantham approached the party, with thd
intention of addressijig the general in regard to the prisoner Arnoldi ; but
tiniling him engaged in close conversation with Major ^lontgomeric, he linger-
ed, as if awaiting a fitting opportunity to open the subject.

While he yet loitered, the eye of Mi.ss Montgomeric met his. What it
expressed we will not venture to describe, but itn effect upon the young officer
was profound. The moment before, discouraged by hei- apparent rcscrvo, hfl
had stood coldly by, but now startled into animation, he bent upon h(r an
eai-nest and corresponding look j then, with a wild tumult at his heai~, which

W MATILDA MON-rOOMKRlB ; Ot,

he neither MouRht to Htiflo nor to nnaly/p, nnd wholly for«»ftt5npj Mi»t htA
brouRlit him to the Kjjot, li« tnri>p»l and joinoU hia hrothor, who, »t ft thwrl
distance, Ktood awaiting h!s return.

CHAPTER IV.

•At the pnrrison mcss-tahic that evening the oortirrcnccs of the day natti*
rally formed a chief tojiic of conversation ; and a variety of conjwtiiroH, mop.
or less probable, reganiin}; the American lady, were hazarded by the ofi'!c(!rn,
to Romo of whom she had become an object of curiosity, as she had to othen
of interest. This conversation, necessarily parenlhineU with unirh extraneous
oaatter, in the nature of rapid demands for solids and liquids, during the uitc-
restiufij [teriod devoted to the process of mastication, finally assumed a inoro
regular character when the cloth had been removed, and the altendunts
retired.

" Apropos," remarked Captain Granville, who filled the president's chair,
"We oup;tit to have toasted your brother's gallant exploit, Henry ; gentlemen,
fill your glasses — nil full ? Then I will give you the health of Lieutenant
Qrantham, of the squadron."

The toast was responded to by all but Captain Molincux. His glass had
b<5en filled and raisca. but its contents remained untasted,

Tlif omission was too marked not to be noti(;cd by more than one of the
party ; Henry Granlham, whose eye had been fixed on Captain Molineux at
the time, of course detected the slight. Ho sat for some minutes conversing
with an unusual and evidently for'-ed animation; then, excusing his early de-
parture under the plea of a!i engagement with liis brother, rose and quitted
the mess-room.

" What have you done with the ugly lout you took chnrge of, Dc Courcy ?"
Inquired Captain Cranst(iun. interrupting the short and «neaning pause which
had succeeded to Granthai).'s departure.

" Why, I calculate, captain," rctmncd the lively aid-dc-camp, imitating the
nasal drawl and language which had called up so much mirth, oven in pres-
ence of the general — " I calculate as how I have introduced Ensign Paul,
£milius, Theophilus Arnoldi, of the United States Michigan Militia, into
pretty considerable snug quarters — I have billeted him_ at the iiui, in which
DO had scarcely set foot, when his first tlemand was for a glass of ' gin sling,*
wherewith to moisten his partick'Iar damn'd hot, baked clay."

"What a vulgar and uncouth animal," obscived St. Clair, a Captain of En-
gineers — " I am not at all siu-prisod at Major Montgomerie's disinclination to
acknowledge him us a personal acquainlanee."

" It is to be hoped," said De Courcy, " we shall not encounter matiy such
during the approa<;hing struggli-, for, since we have been driven into this war.
it will be a satisfaction to find ourselves opposed to an enemy rather more
chivalrous than this specimen seems to promise."

" Nay, nay, De Courcy," remarked Captain Granville, "you must not judge
of the American officers of the line by that standard ; as, for examjile. Major
Montgomerie and the person just alluded to. Last winter," he continued,
*' there was a continued interchange of hospitalities between the two posts, ami,
had you been here to participate in them, you would have admitted that
tmong the officers of Detroit, there were many very superior men indeed."

" Pli sv-ant ball, that last they gave," said Lieutenant Villiers, with a mali-
cious laugh, aud fixii/j; his eyes on the Captain of Grenadiers.

■• The devil take the ball," impatiently retorted Cranstoun, who did not
4oem to relish the allusion ; '• don't talk about it now, man."

" What wis it, Villiers ? do pr.iy tell us. Something good, I am sure from

THE pnnpiiRCY rut. ritr. CD.

X at a thdii

he day iiatu*
)cturoH, mop.

' the 0fi''C(M-«,

lad to olhon
It oxtranfoua
inp; the iiite-
ime'l ft tnoro
altonduntii

itlent's chair,

; pentlemen,

f Lieutenant

lis glass had

.n one of the
Molinonx ftt

L's conversing
hiscnrly dc-

i and quitted

)e Courcy ?"
pause which

imitatin<» the
ovon in pres-

nsifrn Paul,
Militia, into
nn, in which

'gin sling,'

ipfftin of En-
inclination to

r man}' such

nlo this war.

rather more

ist not jtuiRfl
luijile, Major
ic continued,
:o jjosts, and,
iiiitted that
|n indeed."
with a niali-

who did not

tn sure from

Oranstoun's manner," pax'''*ly n<sked the nid-do-cainp, his cun )sity excited by
the jreiwral titter that filiowi'd tlic riMiiark.

'• Sliall I tell liim, CninHtoiin ?" osIvimI Viliiers, in tho same haiitoring tone.

" Don't hnther nn^," petulantly returncil the otlicr, as, tlirustin^ his lonK
lotti under tho table and tiirnin;; h'\H b'lck upon thu qitestioner, he joined, or
af,\cled to join, in a conversation that wan passing, in a low tone, at his end
of ine roojii.

'• I nuiHt premise," hecjan Viliiers, addresHinrr himself to tho attentively
listening:; He Courry, " that such is the mania for dancing in tljis country
pcarrely an v' obstacle is suflicient to deter a ('iHiadian laily, particularly a
French Canadian, from indulging in her fav'»rito atnusernent. It is, lluMcforo,
hy no means imusual to see wotnon drawn in sleighs over drifting n)asses of
ico, with chasms occasionally oeeurring of froju fifteen l«» t <'enty feet — and
that at ft moment when, driven by wind and current, tho Imge fragments nro
impelled over each otlicr with a roar that can only be likened to contimioua
thuniler, forming, in various «lirections, hillocks from which the sun's rays are
rcflecte<l in a thousand fantastic sha<los and shapes, On th< se occasions tho
sleighs, or c.arioles, are drawn, not as otherwise custom.iry, by tlu' fast-trot-
ting little hor.^ies of the coimtry, but by expert natives who.se mode of trans-
portation is as follows: A strong rope i-; fastened to the extremity of tho
*hafts, and into this the French Canadian, buried to the dim in his blanket
:< ^t, and provided with a long pole terminating in an iron hook, liarne,ssc«
I. inself. by lirst drawing tho looj) of the cord over the back of fiis neck, and
then passing it under his arms. In this manner does he raversc the floatin;*
ice, stepping from mass to mass with a rapidity that all'onls no time for the
detached fragment to sink inider the weight with which it is t<>mporarily
laden. As the iron-shod runners obey tho ,»ilightest impulsion, the draught
is light ; and tho only fatigue encountered is in the act of bringing the de-
tached bodies together. Wherever an openmg intervenes, the Canadian
throws forward his |)ole, and, .securing the pointed hook in some projection
of the floating ice, (Irags it towards that on the evtremo verge of which ho
stanils. In like manner lie pas.ses on to the next, when the same oivration
remains to be performed, until the i)as,sage is fully cflected. Sometinjes it
happens that a chasm of more than ordmary extent occurs, in which case tho
pole is unavailable, and then his only alternative is to wait patiently untQ
some distant mass, moving in a direction to fill up tlie interstice, arrives with-
in his retch. In the meanwhile the ice on w! ' ;h he stands sinks slowly and
gradually, until sometimes it quite disappears beneath the surface of tho
water."

" And the women, all this time ?" demanded De Courcy, with something
of the nervousness which might be attributed to such a situation.

'' Sit as quietly and as unconcernedly, wrapped in their furs, as if they wcro
:.nerely taking their customary drive on terra firma," continuo(l Viliiers; " nay,
I am persuaded that if they ever entertain an anxiety on those occasions, it is
cither lest the absence of one of these formidable raas.ses should compel them
to abandon an entcrpriso, the bare idea of entering \ipon which woidd give an
European woman an attack of nerves, or that the delayed aid should be a
means of depriving them of one half minute of their anticipated pleasure."

" Why." interrupted Middlemore, despite of a dozon olis and ahs — '■ why,
I say, is Viliiers like a man of domestic h.abits ? Do you give it up ? IJt-
causc he is fond of dwelling on his own premises."

"Middlemore, when will 3'ou renounce that vile habit of punning ?" said
De Courcy, with an earnestness of adjuration that excited a general laugh at
his end of the table. " Come, Viliiers, never mind his nonsense, for your
premises, although a little long, are not without deep interest — but what has
all this to do with our good friend abcve ?"

" You .shall hear. After a siicces.Mon of balls last winter, to which tha
ladies on cither shore were invariabiy invited, the concluding one was given
by the officers in garrison at Detroit. This was at the x^ry clo.sc of the

ATILnA XONTOOSIERIE ; OA,

Bcafson. and it chanced that, on the prccedinj; nifiht, the river had broken xsp,
iMi that the roar and fracas of crashing ice niij^ht have been likened, during
forty-eip;Fit hours aftervvards, to some terrible disorganization of nature. No-
thinf^ daunted, howt-vor, by the circumstance, many of tlie Canadian ladies
made the usual preparations, and among; others the Miss D'Eirvilles,"

Here VilHers pausoil a moment, and with a significant '•h^ni." songlit to
prouse the attention of the greiiadicr ; but Cranstoun, insensible to the appeal,
and perhaps unwilling to listen to a story that occasioned so much mirth
whenever it was repeated, continued with his back immovably turned toward*
the speaker.

'• All very well," pursued Tilliers ; ''bnt wa know the adage — 'none sa
deaf as those who will not hear.' I have said," again turning to De Courcy,
while those who were near listened not without mterest ti) the story, familiar
«>ven as it was to them .-ill, " that the Miss D'Egvilles were of the party. At
that time our friend was doing the amiable to the lively Juda. although w&
never could persua<le him to confess his penchant ; and, on this occasion, he.
had attacheil himself to their immediate sleigh. Provided, like the Canadians^
with poles terminated by an iron hook at one end and a spike at the other,
we made our waj' afler their fashion, but in quicker time than they po.sisibly
could, harnessed as they were in the sledges. With tlie aid of these pole?,
we cleared, with facility, chasms of from ten to twelve feet, and alighting on
our moccasmed feel, .seldom incurred much risk of losing our hold. Our ball
dre.s.ses were taken in charge by the ladies, .so that our chief care wa.s the safe
passage of our own persons. We all arrived without accident, and passed a
delightful evening, the American odicers t;-\«rting themselves to give the coup
Wiclat to the last ball of the season."

'• Yes." int(!rrupted the incorrigible Middlemore, as he cracked apeccan nut,
" and the balls reserved for us this season will alsa carry with them the coup
de flossy

" The night." pursued Yilliers. no one noticing the interruption save by an
impatient ' pish,' '• gave every indication of a speedy break up. The ice j'et
lloatod along in disjoined masses, but with even greater rapidity than on tho
preceding day. Two alteinatives remained — either to attempt the crossing
before further obstacle should be interposed, or to remain in Detroit until the
river had been so far cleared of the ice as to admit of a passage in canoes.
With our leaping poles, we w to not so much at a loss, but the fear enter-
tained was principally for the safety of the sleighs. Nothing dismayed, how-
ever, by the dangerous appearance of the river, the ladies, after due delibera-
tion, courageously resolved on returning without delay, and we accondingly
Bet out on our somewhat hazardous expedition.

" Notwithstanding it wa.s, as T have already remarked, the close of winter,
the cold was intense, and we were warml}' clad. I do not know if you have
ever seen Cranstoun's huge bear sldn coat, (an affirmative nod was given by
De Courcy), well : in this formidable covering had he encased him.self. so that
when he quitted the town, surmounted as his head was moreover with a fur
cap, he presented more of the appearance of a danciqg bear than of a humaa
creature. In this guise he attached hitnself to the sleigh of tho D'Egvilles,
which, in crossing, happened to be the furthest down the river, of the group."

'• What a damn'd long time you are telling that stupid story, Vil'iers." at
length noticed Cranstoun, wheeling round and regarding the narrator with a
look of ill assumed inditVerence, " I could have told it myself in half th«
time."

•• I am afraid yon would not tell it so faithfully," replied Lieutenant Villiern,
umitl the loud laugh which was now raised at Cranstoun's expense. "Yoii
ece it is so good a thing, I like to make the most of it."

Hero Cranstoun again turned his back upon the party, and Villiers pur-
sued.

'• The main body of the expedition had got nearly half way across tho river,
when suddenly our ears were assailed by laoanings, resembling those of som«

THE PROPHECY FULFILLE*.

:2S

broken 09,
led. during
tnre. No-
idian ladica
P."

souj^ht to
the appeal,
inch mirth
ed towardf*

— ' none fw.
Do Courcy,
ry, familiar
party. At
Itiiou^^h we-
jocasion, he.
Canadians,
t the other,
ey possibly
these poles,
ilightinp; on
. Our ball
vas tlie safe
ii<] passed a
vc the coup

peccan nut,
:in the coup

save by an

riie ice yet

han on tho

le crossing

t until the

in canoes.

car cntcr-

ayed. how-

le delibcra-

iccondingly

of winter,
you havo
civcn by
If. so that
with a fur
a hnmaa
D'Egvilles,
\e group."
il'icrs." at
itor with a
n half the

n( Villiers,
se. "You

illicrs pur-

s the river,
»se of soin0

wild beast. min<rled with inressant and nn?;ovemable la»ip;hte: Check incj our
course, and tuniin;^ to behold the cause, we observed, about a hundred yards
below us, the sledfirc of the D'E;^vil!cs, from which tho almost couvulsivo
laughter proceeded, and at a consi<leiable distance beyond this again, an object
the true character of which wc were .some time in discovering.

'* It appdiirod. on sub.scquent explanation, that Oranstoun, who had l>ceTi
whispering soft nothings in the ear of Julia D'Egville, (here the captain was
observed to prick his ear without materially altering his position) hem!
Cranstoun. I say. it appeared had also taken it into his liead to giva her a spe-
cimen of his agility, by an attempt to clear a space between two m,\sses of ice
of somewhat too great a In-eadth for a heavy jurenadicr, buttoned up to the
chin in a pondei-ous bear skin coat. He succeeded in gaining tlie opposite
piece of ice, but had no .sooner reached it, than he fell, entangled in such a
manner in liis covering that he found it impossible to extricate himself. To
add to his disaster, the fcrce of hi.s flill broke olf. from the main body, tho
section of ice on which he rested. Borne down by the current, in spite of his
vain struggles to free liimself, he was unable even to cr.ll for aid. his fingers
moreover being so bentjmbed with cold that he found it impossible to unbut-
ton the straps which confnied Ins mouth. , In this emergency he could only
utter the strange and unintelligible moan which had reacluvl our ears, and
which, mingled with the bursts of laughter from Julia D'Egville, formed a
most incongruous melange.

" The best of the adventure remains, however, to be told. Numbers of the
peasantry from either sliore, provided with poles, guns, and ropes, were now
to be .seen rushing towards the half congealed Cranstoun, fully imagining —
nay exclaiming — that it was a wihl bear, which, in an attempt to cross the
river, had had its retreat cut olf, and was now, from in.sensil>ility. rendered
harmless. Disputes even arose in the distance as to whom the prize should
belong, each pursuer claiming to have seen it first. Nay, more than one gun
had been levelled with a view of terminating all dotibt by lodging a bullet in
the carcase, when, fortunately, for the subject in dispute this proposal was
overruled by the majority, who were more anxious to capture than to slay
the .supposed bear. Meanwhile the Canadian. htkrnes.scd to the sleigh of tho
D'Egvillcs, roared out with all his lungs for the two parties to hasten to the
a.s.sistancc of the drowning British oflicer. In the confusion produced by their
own voices, however, the}- did not appear to hear or understand him ; yet all
pursued the aim they had in view. Cranstoun's body was so doubled np that
it was impo.ssible for any one, who had not witne.s.sed the accident, to imagine
it anything in nature but a bear ; and this impression, the strange moaning
he continued to make, tended to confirm.

"The party of Canadians, favored by the nature of their floating ice-bridges,
wer ; die first to come up to him. A d'!sperate effort of his cramped muscles
ha ' enabled Cranstoun to extend one of his legs, at the moment when they
were about to throw a noose round his neck, and this was the first mtimation
the astonished jieasantry had of their supposed prize being a human l)eing, i -
Btead of the fat bear they had expected. Poor Cran.^toun was of course liber-
ated from his ' durance vile,' but ."io chilled from long immersion, that he could
not stand without as.sistance, and it was not until one of their companions had
approached with a .sleigh that he could be removed. He kept his bed three
days, as much I believe from vexation as illnes.s. and has never worn his un-
lucky bear skin since»; neither has he forgiven Julia D'Egville the laugh she
enjoyed at his expense. Cranstoun," he concluded, '• } ou nviy turn now, the
story is told."

But Cranstoun, apparently heedless of the laugh that followed thi.« — as in-
deed it did everv — narrratioii of the anecdote, was not to bo shaken from hia
equanimity. He continued silent and unmoved, as if he had not heard a word
of the conclusion.

"Poor Cranstoun," excbimed the joyous Do Courcy. in u strain of provok-

«tt

MATILDA MONTOOH ERI E ; OR,

jiis; banter, "what an unfortunate leap that was of yours ; and how delightixj
you must have felt when you acain stepped on terra firma."

'' I don't wonder at liis leap being unfortunate," observed Middlcmore. all
eyes fixed upon him in expectation of what was to follow, " for Julia D'Eg-
ville cau affirm that, while paying his court to her, he had not chosen a leap
uear.''^

While all were as usual abusing the far strained pun. a note was brouf^ht in
by the head waiter and handed to the punster. The oflicer read it attcntivel}',
ind then, with an air of seriousness which in him Avas remarkable, tossed it
across the table to Captain Molineux, who, since the departure of Henry
Grantham, had been sitting with his arms folded, apparently buried in pro-
found thought, and taking no part either in the conversation or the laughter
Avhich accompanied it. A fixint smile passed over his features, as, after having
read, he returned it, with an assentient nod to Middlemo:e. Sliortly after-
wards, availinghimsclf of the opportunity afforded by the introduction of somo
fresh topic of conversation, he quitted his scat, and whispering something in
the ear of Villiers, left the mess room. Soon after, the latter officer disap-
peared from the table, and in a few moments his example w^as followed by
Middlcmore.

CHAPTER V.

The dinner party at Colonel D'Egville's v?as composed m a manner to in-
spire an exclusive with irrepressible horror. At the suggestion of General
Brock, Tecumseh had been invited, and, with him, three other celebrated In-
dian chiefs, whom we beg to introduce to our readers under tlieir familiar
names — Split-log — Round head— and Walk-in-the- water — all of the formidablo
nation of the Ilurons. In his capacity of superintendent of Indian affiiirs,
Colonel D'Egvillc had been much in the habit of entertaining the .superior
chiefs, who, with a tact pcculiijr to men of their sedate and serious character,
if they displayed few of the graces of European polish, at least gave no mani-
festation of an innate vulgaritj'. As it may not be uninteresting to the
reader to have a slight sketch of the warriors, we will attempt the por-
traiture.

The chief Split-log, who indeed should rather have been named Split-ear, as
we shall presently show, was afflicted with an aldermanic rotundity of person,
by no means common among his race, and was one, who from his love of case
and naturally indolent disposition, seemed more fitted to take his scat in th(j
council than to load his warriors to battle. Yet was he not, in reality, thu
inactive character he appeared, and more than once subsequently he was en-
gaged in expeditions of a predatory nature, carrying off the customary spoil.o.
We cannot impart a better idea of the head of the warrior than by
stating, that we never recall that of the gigantic Mcmnon, in the Brit-
ish Museum, without being forcibly reminded of Split-log's. The Indian,
however, was notorious for a peculiarity which the Egyptian had not. So
enormous a head, seeming to require a corresponding portic t of the several
organs, nature had, in her great bounty, provided him with a nose, which, if
it equalled not that of Smellfungus in length, might, in height and breadth,
have laughed it utterly to scorn. Neither was it a single, but a double nose-
two excrescences, equalling in bulk a moderate sized lemon, and of the spongy
nature of a mushroom, bulging out, and lending an expression of owlish
<Fi.sdom to his otherwise heavy features. As on that of the Memnon, not a
estige of a hair was to be seen on the head of Split-log. His lips were,
iOoreover, of the same unsightly thickness, while the elephantine car had been
Blit in such a manner, that the pliant cartilage, y:' elding to the weight of sc-
Tftral ounces of leud which had for years adorned it, now lay stretched, and

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

V delightc(J

llcmore. all
fulia D'Eg-
>sen a leap

broiijrht in
attcntivel)',
le, tossed it
1 of Henry
•ied in pro-
le laughter
,ftcr having
)nly after-
ion of somo
)mcthing in
ficer disap-
followed by

inner to in-
of General
lebrated Tn-
eir familiar
2 forrnidablo
dian affairs,
he superior
s character,
vc no niani-
ting to the
3t the por-

S pi it-ear, as
of person,
love of case
5 seat in thu
reality, the
he was en-
nary spoils.
than by
the Brit-
'he Indian,
id not. So
the several
which, if
nd breadth,
able nose—
the spongy
J of owlish
nnon, not a
; lips were,
?ar had bcpij
'eic;ht of sc-
etched, an«}

coqucttin^g with the brawny shoulder on which it reposed. Sunh w.»s the
Huron, or Wyandot Chief, whose cognomon of Split-log had, in a!I proba-
bility, been derived from his facility in "suiting the action to the word ;" fur,
in addition to his gigantic nose, he possessed a fist, which in size and strength
might have disputed the palm with Maxiuiiliiin himself; although Iiis practice
had chiefly been confined to knocking down his drunken wives, instead of
oxen.

The second Chief, Round-head, who, by the way, was the principal in re-
putation after Tecumsch, we find the more difiiculty in describing from the
fact of his having had few or noue of those peculiarities which we have, hap-
pily for our powers of description, been enabled to seize hold of in Split-log.
Ilia name we believe to have been derived from that indispensable portion of
his frame. His eye was quick, even penetrating, and his stern brow denoted
intelligence and decision of character. His straight, coal-black hair, cut
square over the forehead, fell long and thickly over his face ami shoulders.
This, surmounted by a round sioucheil hat, ornamented with an eagle's
feather, which he ordinarily wore and had not even now dispensed with, added
to a blue capote or hunting frock, produced a tcmt ensemble, which cannot bo
more happily rendered than by a comparison with one of his puritanical sly-
eyed namesakes of the English Revolution.

Whether our third hero, Walk-in-the-water, derived his name from any
aquatic achievement which could possibly give a claim for its adoption, we havo
no means of ascertaining ; but certain it is, that in his features he bore a
striking resemblance to the portraits of Oliver Cromwell. The same small,
keen, searching e3'e, the same iron inflexibility of feature, together with tho
long black hair escaping from beneath the slouched hat, (for Walk-in-the-
water, as well as Round-head, was characterised by an unconscious imitation
of the Rounheads of the Revolution) — all contributed to render the resem-
blance as perfect as perfection of resemblance can be obtained, where tho
physical, and not the moral, man, forms the ground of contrast.

Far above these in nobleness of person, as well as in brillianc}' of intellect,
was the graceful Tecumseh. Unlike his companions, whose dress was exceed-
ingly plain, he wore his jerkin or hunting coat of the most beautifully soft
and pliant deer-skin, on which w?ro visible a variety of tasteful devices, exqui-
sitely embroidered with the stained quills of the porcupine. A shirt of
dazzling whiteness was carefully drawn over his expansive chest, and in hii?
equally white shawl-turban was placed an ostrich feather, the prized gift of tho
lady of the mansion. On all occasions of festivity, and latterly in the field,
he was wont thus to decorate himself ; and never did the noble warrior appear
to greater advantage than when habited in this costume. Tho contrast it
offered to his swarthy cheek and mobile features, animated as they were by
the frequent flashiag of his eagle eye, seldom failed to excite admiration m tho
bo.soms of all who .saw him.

The half hour that elapsed between the arrival of the several guests and tho
announcement of dinner, was passed under the influence of feelings almost aft
various in kind as the party itself. Messieurs Split-rock, Round-head, and
Walk-in-the-water, fascinated by tho eagles on the buttons of Major Mont-
gomeric's uniform, appeared to regard that officer as if they ,saw no just cause
or impediment why certain weapons dangling at their siilcs should not be
made to perform, and that without delay, an incision into the cranium of their
proprietor. True, there was a difFictilty. Tlie veteran major was partially
bald, and wanted the top knot or scalping tuft, which to a true warrior was in-
dispensabb ; not that we mean to insinuate, that either of these chiefs would
so far havo forgotten the position in which that gentleman stood, as to havo
been .tempted into any practical demonstration of hostility : but there vas a
restlessness about the eye of each, that — much like the insMnct of the cat,
which regards with natural avidity tho bird that is suffered to go at largo
within his reach, without daring openly to attack it — betrayed the internal
effort it cost them to lose sight of the enemy in the prisoner and friend of the

MATILDA MONTGOMERIE; OR

supcrintcmicnt. The majors on the other haTid, although sativsflcd he rai
under the roof of hospitality, did not at first appear aitogcthei at his case,
but, while he conversed with the En'jjlish oillccrs, turned ever and anon an eye
of distrust on the movements of his swarthy fellow guests. On the arrival
of Tecumseh, who, detained until a late hour by the arrangements he had
been making for the encampment and supplies of his new force, was the
last 10 make his appearance, the major's doubts passed entirely away. It was
impossilile to be in the presence of this cliieftain. and fail, even without any
other mdex to his soul than what the candor of his expression afforded, to
entertain all the security that man may repose on man. lie had in him, it is
true, too much of the sincerity of nature, to make anything like a friendly ad-
vance to one of a people on whom be charged all the misfortunes of his race, and
for whom he had avowed an inextinguishable hostility of heart and purpose ;
but, unless when this might with sti'ict propriety be exercised, the spirit of
his vengeance extended not ; and not only would he have scorned to harm a
failen foe, but his arm would have been tlie first uplifted in his defence.

Notwithstanding the glance of intelligence which Captain Granvilh had re-
marked, and which we have previously stated to have been directed by Miss
Montgomerie to her captor a few hours before, there was nothing in her man-
ner during dinner to convey the semblance of a prepossession. True, that in
the tumultuous glow of gratified vanity and dawning love, Gerald Grantham
had executed a toilet, into which, with a view to the improvement of tho
advantage he imagined himself to have gained, all the justifiable coquetry of
personal embellishment had been thrown ; but neitb(;r the handsome bhio
uniforui with its glittering epaulette, nor tho beautiful hair on which more
than nsual pams had been bestowed, nor the sparkling of his dark eye, nor
the expression of a cheek, rendered doubly animated by excitement, nor tho
interestingly displayed arm en echarpe — none of these attractions, we repeat,
seemed to claim even a partial notice from her they were intended to capti •
vate. Cold, colorless, passionless, Miss Montgomerie met him with tha
calmness of an absolute stranger ; and when, with the '•ocollection of the
'ndescribable look she had bestowed upon him glowing at his heart, Gerald
again .sought in her eyes some trace of the expression that had stirred every
vein into transport, he four<^ there indifferqjjce tho most complete. IIow
great his mortification was, wo will not venture to describe, but the arch and
occasional raillery of his li\-ely cousin, Julia D'Egville, seemed to denote most
plainly that the conqueror and the conquered had exchanged positions.

Nor was this surprising ; Miss Montgomerio's travelling habit had been
discarded for the more decorative ornaments of a dinner toilet, in which, how-
ever, the most marked simplicity was ob.scrved. A plain white muslin dress
pave full development to a person which was of a perfection that no dress
could have disguised. It was the bust of a Venus, united to a form, to create
which woyld liavc taxed tho imaginative powers of a Praxiteles — a form so
faultlessly moulded, that every movement presented some new and unpreme-
ditated grace. What added to the surpassing richness of her licauty was her
hair, which, black, glossy, and of eastern luxuriance, and seemingly disdaining
the girlishness of curls, reposed in broad Grecian bands across a brow, tho
intellectual expression of which they contributed to form. Yet never did
■woman exhibit in her person and face more opposite exti-emes of beauty. I*"
the one was strikingly characteristic of warmtii, the other \vas no less indi^
cative of coldness. Fair, even to paleness, were her cheek and forehead, which
wore an appearance of almost marble immobility, save when, in moments of
oft recurring abstraction, a slight but marked contraction of tho brow betray-
ed the existence of a feeling, indefinable indeed to the observer, but certamly
unallied to softness. Still she was beautiful — coldly, classically, beautiful—
eminently calculated to inspire passion, but seemingly incapable of feeling it.

The coldness of Miss Montgomerie's manner was no Jess remarkable. Her
whole demeanor was one of abstraction. It seemed as it heedless, not only
of ccremonyj but of courte.sy, her thoughts and feelings were far from th»

icd he rai
it hi« case,
)K)n an eye
the arrival
tits lie had
;e, was the
ly. It was
ithont any
iifrordeil, to
n him, it is
Vicndly ad-
lis race, and
id purpose ;
he spirit of
1 to harm a
jncc.

illo had re-
ed by Miss
n her man-
rue, that in
[ Grantham
nent of tho
:oquctry of
J.some bhio
ivhicli inoro
,ik eye, nor
int, nor tho
, we repeat,
ed to capti •
n witii tho
Lion of tho
art, Gerald
irred every
ete. IIow
le arch and
enote most
ons.
had been
hich, how-
uslin dress
at no dress
, to create
-a form so
unpremo-
ty was her
lisdainin^
brow, tho
never did
eauty. I*"
less indi-
cad, which
onients of
9w bctray-
t certamly
jeautiful—
feeling it.
ble. Il<5r
s, not only
from thi

THK PROPHECY FULflT.llSD. IP

board of whose hospitality she was partiikinij. Tmhwl. the very few remnrka
she made during dinner referred to the periofl of departure of the boirt, in
which she was to be conveyed to Detroit, and on this subject she displayed
an earnestness, which, even Grantham thou'^ht. mi'j;ht have been suppressed
in the presence of his uncle's family. Perhaps he felt j>iq»ed at her readiness
to leave him.

Under these circumstances, tho dinner was not. as might be expected, par-
ticularly gay. There was an embarrassment among all, which even tho
circulating wine did t wholly remove. Major Montgomorie w.rs nearly as
silent as liis niece. s. D'Egvillc. although evincing all the kindness of her

really benevolent naiurc— a task in which she was assisted by her amiable
daughters — still felt that the reserve of hor guest insensibly produced a
corresponding effect upon herself; while Colonel D'Egvillc, gay. polislied, and
attentive, as he usually was, could not wholl}' overcome an apprehension that
the introduction of the Indian chiefs had given oft'encc to both uncle and niece.
Still, it was impossible to have acted otherwise. lndej)endently of his strong
personal attachment to Tecumseh, considerations involving the saft-ty of tho
province, threatened as it was, strongly demanded that the leading chiefs
should be treated with the rc=!pect due to their station ; and moreover, while
General Brock and Commodore Barclay wore present, there could be no
ground for an impression that .slight was intended. Both these oHicors saw tho
difficulty under which their host labored, and .sought l)y every gentlemanly
attention, to remove whatever unpleasantness might lurk in the feelings of his
American guests.

The dessert brought with it but little addition to the animation of the party,
and it was a relief to all, when, after a toast proposed by the general to the
" Ladies of America," Mrs. D'Egvillc made the usual signal for withdrawiug.

As soon as they had departed, followed a moment or two afterwards by
Tecumseh and Gerald Grantham, Messicui-s Split-log, llound-head, and Walk-
jn-the-water, deliberately taking their pi|)e-bo\vl tomahaw'ks from tlieir \n:lt<,
proceeded to fill them with kinni-kinnick, a mi.xture of Virginia tobacco and
odoriferous herbs, than which no perfume can be more fragrant. Amid tho
clouds of smoke pulled from these at the lower end of the table, where had
been placed a supply of whiskey, their favorite liquor — did Colonel D'Egvillo
and his more civilized guests quafl" their claret ; more gratified than annoyed
by the savoury atmosphere wreathing around them, while, taking advantage
of the early departure of the abstemious Tecumseh, they discussed tlu; merits
of that chief, and the policy of employing the Indians as allies, as will be seen
in the following chapter.

CHAPTER VI.

"What a truly noble looking being !" observed Major Montgomcrie, as ho
followed with his eye the receding form of the athletic but graceful Tecum.seli,
" Do you know, Colonel D'Egvillc, I could almost forgive your nephew his
success of this morning, in consideration of the pleasure he has procured mo
in this meeting.''

Colonel D'Egvillc looked tho gratification he felt at the avowal. " I am
delighted. Major Montgomcrie, to hear you sa\' so. My only fear was that,
in making those chieftains my guests at the same moment with yourself and
riiece, I might have "unconsciously appeared to slight, where slight was cor-
tainlynot intended. You must be aware, however, of the rank held bv them
among their respective nations, and of their consequent claim upon the atten-
tion of one to whom the Indian interests have been flelegated."

" My dear sir," interrupted the Major, eager to disclaim, '• I trust j^ou liavo
not mistaken mo so far, as to have imputed a reserve of .speech and manner

MATILDA MON'TOOMERIE; Oft,

tlurinj dinner, to wliich T cannot but plcarl pnilty, to a fastidiousnewfl whidb.
Ritiiated as f ajn, (and lie bowed to the general and commodore.) would have
bepn wholly misplaced. My distraction, pardonable perhaps under all tho
circumstances, was produced entirely by a recurrence to certain inconveniences
which I ll'It might arise to mc from my imprisonment. The captive bird," he
pursued, while a smile for the first time animated his very fine countenance,
'will fine within its cage, however gilded the wires which compose it. In
every sense, my experience of to-day onl}' leads mc to the expression of a
hope, that all whom the chances of war may throw into a similar position,
ihay meet with a similar reception."

'• Since," observed the General, "' your private affairs arc of the importance
vou exj)rcss. Major Montgomeric, you shall depart with j-our niece. Perhaps
I am rather exceeding my powers in this respect, but, however this may be,
I sh.ill take the responsibility on myself. You will hold yourself pledged, of
course, to take no part against us in the forthcoming struggle, until 3^011 have
been regularly exchanged for whatever ofDcer of 3'our own rank, may happen
to fall into the hands of your countrymen. I .shall dispatch an express to the
Commander iii-('liief, to intimate this fact, requesting at the same time, that
yotir name may be i)ut down in the first list for exchange."

Major Montgomeric warmly thanked the General for his kind ofTor, of which
he .said he should be glad to avail himself, as he did not like the idea of his
niece proceeding without him to Detroit, where she was an entire stranger.
This, he admitted, determined as she had appeared to be, was one of the un-
pleasant subjects of his reilcction during dinner.

With a view of turning the conversation, and anxious moreover, to obtain
every information on the subject, the general now inquired in what estimation
Tecumseh was gencrall3' held in the United St.»tes.

"Among the more inte'.'igent classes of our citizens, in the highest possible,'
was the reply ; " but by those who are not .so capable of judging, and who only
see. in the iiuloinitable courage .and elevated talents of the patriot hero, the
stubborn inflexibility of tho mere savage, he is looked upon far less flatter-
ingly. J{y all, however, is he admitted to be formidable without parallel, in
the history of Indian warfare. His deeds are familiar to .all. and Irs name is
iriucli such a bugbear to American childhood, as Marlborough's was in Franco,
and Napoleon's is in England. It is a source of much regret to our Govern-
ment never to have been enabled to conciliate this cxtrnordinarv man."

'• Wl'.at more feasible." remr.J'ked the General, but with a tone and manner
that could not possibl3'^ give oflencc; •' had not the difficult3' been of its own
creation? Treaty after treaty, you must admit, major, had been made and
violated under various pretexts, while the real motive — the aggrandizement of
territories already embracing a vast portion of their early possessions — waa
carefully sought to be concealed from these unfortunate people. IIow was it
to be expected then that n man, whom the necessities of his country had
raised up to itself in the twofold character of statesman and warrior — one
gifted with a power of analyzing motives which has never been surpassed m
sav.agc life — how, I ask, was it to be expected that lie, with all these injuries
of aggression staring him in the face;, should have been won over by a show
of conciliation, wliicli long experience, independently of his matured judgment,
must have assured him was onl\' held forth to hoodwink, until fitting oppor-
tunity should bo found for again throwing off tho mask."

'' I'o the charge of violating treaties," returned Major Montgomeric. who
took the opposite argument in perfectly good jiai't, " I fear, general, our Gov-
ernment must to a certain extent plead guilty — much, however, remains to be
Biiid in excuse. In the first pi.ace, it must be borne in mind that the territory
of the United States, unlike the kingdom of Europe, has no fixed or settled
boundary whereby to determine its own relative bear.ng. True it is, that we
have the Canadas on one portion of our frontier, but this being a fixed lino of
demarcation, there can exist no question as to a mutual knowledge of the tcr-
ritarial claims of both couutr'cs. Unlike that of the old world, however oui

;ncM) whidb.
would have
nder all the
:;onvt'nionces
ivc bird," he
Muntonance,
ipose it. In
)ression of a
ilar position,

J importance
;e. Perhaps
this may he,
f pledged, of
itil you have
may happen
xprcss to the
ne time, that

fler, of which
c idea of his
:irfc stranger,
le of the un-

ver, to obtain
lat estimation

est possible,'
and who only
riot hero, the
less flatter-
it parallel, in
d Irs name is
iras in France,
» our Govcrn-
nian."
and manner
en of its own
n made and
ndizcmcnt of
lessions — was
IIow was it
country had
warrior — one
surpassed m
icse injuries
r by a show
ed judgment,
fitting oppor-

gomeric.

who

ral, our Gov-
romains to be
the territory
ed or settled
it is, that wo
fixed lino of
ge of the tor-
however oui

THE rROPHECY FDLFILLBO.

population is rapidly progressing, and whore are wc to fmd an outlet for the
surplus of that population unless, unwilling as we are to come into collision
with our more civilized neighbors, we can ])iisirthom forward into the interior.
In almost all the contracts entered into by our (Tovernmcnt with the Indians,
large sums have been given for the lands ceded by the latter. This was at
once, of course, a tacit and mutual revocation of any antecedent nrranj-emeiits,
and if instances have occurred wherein the sacrechiess of treaty has been vio-
lated, it has only been where the Indians have refused to part with their .ands
for the proffered consideration, and when those lands have been absolutely in-
dispensable to our agricultural purposes. Then indeed has it been found ne-
cessary to resort to force. That this principle of '' might being the right," may
he condemned in limine it is true, but how otherwise, with a superabundant
population, can we possibly act ?"

" A superabundance of territory, I grant you, but surely not of population,"
remarked the commodore ; " were the citizens of tlie United States condensed
into the space allotted to Europeans, 3't)U might safely dispense with half the
Union at this moment."

" And what advantages should wc then derive from the possession of nearly
a Vviiole continent to ourselves?"

"Every advantage that may be reaped consistently with common justice.
What would be thought in Europe, if, for instance to illustrate a point, and
ass'iniing tlie-e two countries to be in a state of profound peace, Spain, on the
principle of might, should push her surplus population into Portugal, compel-
ling the latter kingdom to retire back on herself, and crowd her own subjects
into the few provinces that might yet bo left to them."

'•I cannot admit the justice of your remark, commodore," returned Major
Montgomerie, gradually warming into animation ; ''Jjoth are civilized powers,
holding the same rank and filling nearly the same scale among the nations of
Europe. Moreover, there does not exist the same diiferenee in the natural
man. The uneducated negro is. from infancy and long custom, doomed to
slavery, wherefore should the copper colored Indian be more free ? 15ut my
argument points not at their subjection. I would merely show that, ini;apa-
ble of benefitting by tl;e advantages of the soil they inherit, they should learn
to 3'ield it with a good grace to those who can. Their wants are few, and in-
terminable woods yet remain to them, in which their hunting pursuits may bo
indulged without a fear of interruption."

"That it will be long," observed the General, "before, in so vast a conti-
nent, they will be without a final resting place, I readily admit ; but the hard-
ship consists in this — that they are driven from particular positions to which
their early associations lend a preference. What was it that stirred into a
flame, the fierce hostility o'f Tecnmseh but the determination evinced by your
(Jovernment to wrest, fi'oin the hands of his tribe, their last remaining favorite
haunts on the Wabash ?"

'• This cannot be denied, but it was utterly impo.ssiblc we could forego the
possession of countries bordering so immediately on our settlements. Ilad we
pushed our colonization further, leaving the tribes of the Wabash in interme-
diate occupation, we ran the risk of having our .settlers cut olfin detail, at the
slightest assumed provocation. Nay, pretexts would have been sought for
the purpose, and the result of this would have been the very war into which
we were unavoidably led. The only difference was, that, instead of taking up
arms to avenge our slaughtered kinsmen, we anticipated the period that must
■ooncr or later have arrived, by ridding ourselves of the proiJnce of those frooi
whose hostility we had cverytliing to apprehend."

" The expediency of the.se measures," .said the General, " no one, Major, can
of course doubt; the only question at i.s.sue is their ju.stice, and in making this
remark it must be obvious there is no particular allusion to the United States,
further than that country serves to illustrate a general principle. I am
merely arguing against the right of a strong pcwer to wrest from a weakei

MATILDA MONTOOMEnin; OR,

what mny bo essential to its own interest, without reference to theccmfcrt, ai
wrislics, or convonicnce of the latter.

•' In supIi lijrlit assuredly do I take it," observed Major Montjromoric, how-
inp; IiIm siiisc of the disclaimer. " ]iut to prove to yon, penerai, that we arc
only following in the course pursued hy every other people of the world, let
iis. without ;j;oin!r back to the days of baibarisin, when the several kin;z;doinH
of Kurope ware overrun by the strongest, and when your own country in par-
ticular became in turn the prey of Saxons, Danes. Normans, &c., merely
plance our eyes upou those provinces which have been subjugated by luoru
civilized Fluropc. Look nt South America, for instance, and then .say what
we liave done that has not been far e.xceedcd by the Spaniards, in that por-
tion of the heuusphere — and yet, with this vast diflerence in tlie balance, that
there tlie European drove before him and mercilessly destroyed an unofTeud-
ti\^ race, wliile we. on the contrary, have had fierce liostility and treachery
everywhere opposed to our progress. The Spaniards, moreover, offered no
equivalent for the country subdued ; now we liave ever done .so, and only
■where that equivalent has been rejected, have we found ourselves compelled
to resort to force. Look ai^ain at the islands of the West Indies, the chief of
which are conquests by England. W'hero are the people to whom I*rovidenco
had originally assigned those countries, until the European, in his thirst for
ftggrandizenunt. on th.at very principle of might which you condemn, tore
theiii violently away. Gone, extirpated, tnitil scarce a vestige of their existence
remauis, even as it must be, in the course of time, with the Lidians of those
•wilds — perh.aps not in this century or the next, but soon or late assuredly.
These two people — the South Americans and Caribs — I particularly instance,
for the very reason that they otfer the most striking parallel with the imme-
diate subject under discussion. But shall I go further than this, gentlemen.
tnd niiiintain that we, the United States, are only following in the course
originally pointed out to us b}'' England."

'• 1 should be glad to hear your argument,'' said the Commodore, drawing
his chair closer to the table.

•'And L" added the General, ''consider the position too novel not to fe<^l
interested in the manner in which it will be maintained."

" I will not exactly say," observed Colonel D'Egville, smiling one of hi.H
blandest smiles, and few men understood the winning art better than himself,
"that Major Monlgomerie has the happy talent of making the worse appear
the better cause ; but certainly, I never remember to have heard that cause
more ably advocated."

'' More subtly perhaps you would say. Colonel ; but seriously, I speak from
conviction alone. It is true, as a citizen of the L^ipted States, and therefore one
interested in the fair fame of its public acts, that conviction may partake in
pome degree of partial influences ; still it is sincere. But to ni)' argument.
What I would maintain is, as I have before stated, that in all we have done
we have only followed the example of England. For instance, when the
colonisation of the Eastern and Southern states of the Union took place, that
is to say, when our common ancestors first settled in this coimtr}'. how was
their object etlected ? Why, by driving from their possessions near the sea. in
order ta make room for themselves, those very nations whom we arc accused
of a desire to exterminate, as if out of a mere spirit of wantonness. Did
either English or Dutch then hesitate fts to what course they should pursue,
or sutler any qualms of conscience to interfere with their colonial i)lans 7
No; as a measure of policy — as a means of secnritj? — they sought tocouciliato
the Indians, but not the less determined were they to attain their end. Who,
then, among Englishmen, would have thought of blaming their fellow countr}--
men, when the object in view was the aggrandizement of the natiovial power,
»nd the furtherance of individual interests ? AVhilc the colonists continued
tributary to England the)' could do no wrong — they incurred no censure. Eaclj
■uoceeding year saw them, with a .spirit that was then deemed worthy of c«>m-

fV 4 PROPHECY fVLFILLRD.

inerie, how-
thiit w(! nro
n worlfl. let
il kin?;cloinH
ntry in pur-
&c., im-rcly
ed by moro
n say what
in that por-
inliince. that
m unoflcnd-
d tronchory
r, olRTcd no
;o, and only
'S compelled
♦he chief of
, I^rovidenco
lis thirst for
ndomn, tore
eir existence
ans of these
e assuredly.
r!y instance,
h the inime-
, pentlenM-n.
I the course

)re, drawing

I not to fed

one of hif*
an liimself,
e appear
that cause

peak fronj
ercfore one
lartiike in
argument,
have done
when the
place, that
. liow wa»
the sea. in
arc accused
noRs. Did
uld pursue,
lial i)lans 1
o conciliate
nd. Who,
wcoinitr)--
nal power,
continued
ure. Eacli
tliy of com-

mendation, pushi'\p -heir advantages an 1 extendins; their possessions, to the
utter 2xclusi')p i^u at tlic expense of the orif,'ii\al possessors of the soil. For
tliis they •n'"i»'"\.'d no blame. But mark the rh:ine;e : no sooner had the war
of the '■ev']"*ion terminated in our emanoipation from the loadinp; strinj^s of
'^hiidho'-d -no sooner had we taiven runk anionu; the ar-knowlcdtjed nations of
<h") '"0''.u — no sooner had \vc, in a word, started into existence as an ori^iinal
<j<»op'e — than the course we had undeviatinjuly pursued in infancy, and from
•v^iich we ilid not dream of swerving in manhood, Ijecaine a subject for un-
iualified censure. What had been considered laudable enterprise in tha
cInQ;lisli coloinst, became unpardonable aml>ition in the American republican ;
and acts aflectini; the national prosperity, that carried with them tlie appro-
bation of society and good government during our nonage, were stigmatized
as odious and grasping the moment we had attained our majority."

" Most ably and eloquently argued, M.ijor." interrupted the general, '' and
I fear with rather more truth than we Englishmen are quite willing \o
acknowledge: still it must be admitted, that what in the first instance was n
necessity, partook no longer of that character at a later period. In order to
colonize the country original!}', it was necessary to select such i)ortious as
were, by their proximity to the sea, indispensable to the perfection of the plan.
If the English colonists drove the Indians into the interior, it was only for a
period. They had still vast tracts to traverse, which have since, figuratively
speaking, been reduced to a mere span: and their very sense of the dilferente
of the motive — that is to say, of the dilTercnce between him who merely sevk.i
whereon to erect Ins dwelling, and him who is anxious to usurp to hin»se!f the
pos.sc.ssion of an almost illimitable tenitor}- — cannot be better expressed than
by the dilferent degrees of enmity manifested against the two several peoj)fc.
When <lid the fierceness of Indian hatred bl'>7.c forth against theEng'isli colo-
nists, who were limited in their views, as it has since against tlie subjects of
the United States, who, since the Kcvolution, have more than tripled their
territorial .acquisitions?"

'"Nay, general." replied the American, his lip partiall}'' curling with a smile,
indicatiiig consciou.sness oi' triumphant argument ; •' I sl.all defeat you on your
own ground, and th.at by going back to a period anterior to the rcvolution^-
to the very period you describe as being characterised by less intense hostility
lo your own government."

'■ What, for instance, have we .seen in modern times, to equal the famotis
Indian league, which, under the direction of the celebrated Poutiac, a chieftaia
only surpassed by Tecumseh, consigned so many of the European posts lo
destruction, along this very line of district, about the middle of the last celi-
lur}'. It has been held up as a reproach to us, that wo have priticipally
subjected ourselves to the ran'^orous enmity of the Indians, in consecpience of
having wrested from them their favorite and beautiful hunting grounds. (Ken
tucky in particular,) to whicii their early associations had linked them. Bdt
to this I answer, that in Pontiac's time this country was still tlieir own. as
well as Ohio, Louisiana. Indiana, etc., and yet the war of fierce extermination
was not the less waged towards the Engii.sli ; not because these latter h.'id
appropriated their principal haunts, but because they h.ad driven them from
their original possessions near the si>a. The hatred of the Indians has c\''er
been the same towards those wlio first secured a footing on their continent,
and, although we arc a distmct people in the eyes of the civilized woild, .still
we are the same in those of the natives, who see in us, not the emancipated
American, but merely the descendant of the original colonist. That their
hostility has progressed in proportion with our extension of territory, I can-
not altogether admit, for although our infant settlement.s liave in a great
degree suffered from occasional irruptions of the savages, w hen men. women
and children, have alike been devoted to the murderous tomahawk, in no
way have our fortresses been systcmaticallv assailed, as during the time- of
Pontiac." *

' For this," interrupted the general, " there are two obvious r'^asons. In tha

MATILDA MONTOONERIK; OR,

fli"st instance, your fortrosscs arc less isolated tlmii ours wore at tl.At ficrtct?,
irtvl secondly, no snch intelligent hoin,.; as the cliieftain yon have named, hn(i
ittarted up anionj!: the Indian nations until now. What Tcnunsch may not
e(re('t in course of time, sJioiild he not perish in the stnipgle for his country's
libcrfy. ought to be a matter jf serious consideration with your Oovernuient."

" Of his great talents and dauntless determination they aro fully aware,"
replied the major ; " but as I have already said, nothinj,; short, not merely of
Itiviny up all claim to future advantages, but of restoring the cotmtry wrested
fronj him on the Wabash, can ever win him from his hostility ; and this is a
sacrifice the Government will never consent to n)ako."»

At this point of the argument, Messieurs Split-log, Round-head, and Walk-
in-the-water, having finished their kinni-kinnick, ami imbibed a due quantum
of whiskey ; possibly, moreover, not much entertained by the conversation
that was carried on in a language neither of them undei-stood bnt imperfectly,

nto take their leave. They successively shook hands with the British
ers, then ailvanoing tosvards Major Montgomerie, with a guttural "' Ugh,"

:«o accentuated as to express good will and satisAirtion. tendered their dark
jpalms to (hat officer also, muttering as they did something aVjout "good Che-
mocomon." They then with becoming dignity withdrew, followed by Colonel
D'F.gville, who had risen to conduct them to the door.
, The conversation, thus temporarily interrupted, was resumed on that offl-

...eer'.s return.

.._ " Admitting the truth of your position, Jfajor Montgomcrie," remarked tho
Commodore, "that the Government of the United States is justified, both by
•xpediency and example, in the course it has pursued, it will not at least ho
denied, that Tecumseh is, on the very same jn-inciple, borne out in the
hatred and spirit of hostility evinced by him towards the oppressors of his
count '•y."

'• Granted," returr:ed the Major, " but this point has no reference to my
argument, wl'.ieh tends to m:\intain, thai, in all wo have done, we have been
justified by necessity and example."

'• Tho fact is, however, that this position of things is one unavoidably grow-
ing out of the clashing of adverse interests — the Indians being anxious to
chock, we to extend, our dominion and power as a people ; and the causes
existing now were in being nearly a century ago, and will, in all probability
continue, until all vestige of Indian existence shall have passed Utterly away.
"'tVhen the French were in the occupancy of the Canadas, having nothing to

. gain from them, they cultivated tlie alliance and friendship of the several
nations, and by fostering their fierce hostility against the English colonists,
rendered them subservient to their views. To-day the English stand precisely

" where the French did. Having little to expect from the Indians but assistance
in a case of need, they behold, and have for yeiu-s beheld, with anything but
jjidiflerence, the struggle continued by the United States which was com-

. menced by themselves. I hope I shall not be understood as expressing my

r.own oi)inion, when I ad<l, that in the United States, the same covert influence
i» attributed to the commanders of the British fortresses that was imputed
to the French. Indeed it is a general belief! among the lower classes particu-

. larly, that, in all the wars undertaken against the American out-posts and
Bettlements, the Indians have been instigated to the outrage by liberal distri-

1 feutions of money and presents from the British Government."

j> " It will hardly be neccssnry to deny the justice of such an imputation to

- Sfajor Montgoinerie," remarked the General, with a smile, " especially after
i having disavowed the opinion as his own. Tho charge is too alsurd for

- wsrious contradiction — yet we are not altogether ignorant that such animprcs
^ Bion has gone abroad."

*' Few of the more enlightened of our citizens give into the belief," said tho
% Major ; "still it will give me especial pleasure to have it in my power to con-
tradict the assertion from the lips of General Brock himself."
" That we have entered into a treaty of alliance with the Indians," ob^fiTed

at U.«t yicricfl,
avc named, hiul
ninsch inrvy not
3r his country's
r Governinont."
•e fully aware,"
t, not merely of
•ountry wrested
^ ; and this is a

ic!u], anrl Walk-
a due quantum
he convoTSition
but imperfectly,
nth the British
2;uttural '' Ugh,"
lored their dark
bout " good Che-
)wecl by Colonel

lied on that ofR-

;," remarked tho
ustified, both by
i not at least bo
orne out in tho
(pprcssors of liia

reference to my
J, we have been

avoidably grow-
ling anxious to
and the causes
all probability
1 utterly away.
iviiig nothing to
) of t!>e several
nglish colonists,
1 stand precisely
IS but assistance
th anything but
vliich was corn-
expressing my
covert influence
at was imputed
;!as.ses particu-
in out-posts and
by liberal distri-

in imputation to

■' especially after

too absurd for

such an impres-

bclief." said tho
ly power to con-

dians." ob-viTed

THE P n O F H E C Y F U I. F I L .. E D .

nolrinel TVEgvillo. "is most certainly true; but it is an allianco w'loily de-
fensive. T must further oliservo, that in whatever light tho policy of the
fJovcrnment of the tTnitod State:, in its relations witli the Tndli^tis. may Iw
j)riviitely viewed, \vc are, nniler all circumstances, the last people in the worlfl
who should condemn it as injurious to our public interests, since it hits been
productive of results aflecting the very cxistehcn of these provinces. Hiid the
American Govorrimf-nt stmliod conciliation ratlicr than extension of territory,
it is difTlcult to s^y to what side the great body of the Tudians wortltj, m ilic
hupending struggle, have leaned, Tlje possibility of some such event »s the
present had not only been foreseen, but anticipated. It has tort^ been
obvious to us that (he sj);rit of acquisition manifested by the United Staten,
would not confine itself to its customary channels; but on tho contrary, thfit,
not contented with the appropriation of the huntmg grounds of the Indians,
it would Jlnally extend its views to Canada. Such a crisis has long been pr(>-
vitled against. Presents, to a large amount, have certainly been distributed
among the Tndi;ms. and not only this, but every courtesy, consistent at onco
with our dignity and our interest, has been shown to them. You have; seen,
f )r instance," continued he with a smile, " my three friends who have just left
the room ; they are not exactly the happiest specimens of Indian grace, bnt
they have great Weight in the council, and are tho leading men m the alliance
to which yon alltidofl, although not wholly for tho same purpos'c. In the wars
of t'ontiae — and these are still fresh in tiie recollection of certain members o'f
my own family — the English commanders, with one or two' exceptions,
brought those disasters upon themselves. Forgetting that the Indians wcto
a ]iroud people, whom to neglect was to stir into hatred, they treated thcra
v.itli indiilerenoe, if not with contempt ; ami dearly did they paiy the peUaltT
of their fault. As we all know, they, with only one exception, were destroyed.
In their fall expired the hostility they themselves had provoked, ami time had
wholly obliterated the sense of injustice from tho minds of the several nations.
^Vere we then, with these f(;arful examples yet fresh in our recollection, to
fall into a similar error ? No: a cour.so of conciliation wa.-* adopted, and hn3
been ]tur.sued for years ; and nc"-' 'io '..o reap the fruit of what, after all, la
but an n'-t of j-ustifiablc policy. In my capacity of Superintendent of Indian
alfairs. Major Montgomorie, even more than as a Canadian brought up among
them. I liave had opportunities of studying the characters of the h-ea<ls of tho
several nations. The most bitter enmity animates the bo.soms of all against
the Oovernment and people of the United States, from whom, according to
their own showing, they have to record injury upon injury ; whereas from ua
they have received but beuellts. I repeat, this is at once politic and ju.st.
What could Canada have hoped to accomplish in tho approaching struggle,
had tho conduct of the American Government been such as tohave>icutraiizecl
the interest we had excited in and for ourselves ? She m\i.st h.'ivo succumbed j
and my llrm impression i,s. that at whatever epoch of her existence, the United
States may extend tho hand of conquest over these colonies, with the Indian
tribes tiiat are now leagued with us crowdinc^ to her own standard, not
all the armies that England may choo.sc to send to their defcQce will bo able
to prevent it."

'•Filling the situation you now occupy. Colonel, there can be no doubt yoo
are in every way enabled to arrive at a full knowledge of Indian feelings and
Indian interests ; and we have but too much reason to fear, that the strong
hatred to the Unite<l States yon describe as existing on the part of their seve-
ral leaders, has ha<l a tcndimcy to unite them more cordially to the British
v''au.«;e. But your course of ob.scrvation .suggests another question. Why is
it that, with the knowledge j)0s.sessed by the British Government of the cruel
natiue of Indian warfare, it can consent to enlist them as allies? To prevent
their taking up arms against the Canadas may be well, but in my opinion,
(■\m\ it is one generally entertained through tho United States.) the iniluenca
of the British a\ithorilie.s should have been contined to neutralizing theil
ser-iees."

MATILDA MONTOONF. Rrc; On,

*' Nnv," Major Moritp;<»morii\" observed tic Cinicrnl. 'Mtwotilrl in./cod htt
•xnctiiij; too much tomniiio th;it wo should oiler om-srltws iinri'siNiiH); vic-
tims In joiir (Jovcrninciit 5 iukI what Init Hclf-imniolutiun \vo; Id it In- to iih-
•taiii from the only mfniis l>v whifh wo can hopo to savo iht-sc thioatcnc*!
rroviiirc". "? Coluiicl D'Kgvilli'lins just ;:nid thit. willi ihe Indians ()| |m)s( ij
to us, Canada wonld fall. I };!;» farther, nnd aver tlnit, without lli<' aid of thu
Indian^, cirrinnstanccd ns Kni^land now in. Canaihi must l»e lost to us. It \h
% painful ttUornativi'. I admit, for tlint n wai, which i^ not cnrrit'd on with tho
conventional courtesies of civilized helli;;erent nations, is littlo Miiled to our
toste, you will do ns the justice to helievc ; hut l>y whom have we heen forced
Into the dilemma ? Had w(! heen miilty of rousnij^ tlie Indian spirit a'-ninst
yon, with a view to selfish advanta};t>; or ha<l we in any way conni^eil at llio
destruction of your settlements, from either dread or jealousy of u)nr too
close proximity, then should we have deserved all the odium of such comlnct.
But this we ui>e(juivocally deny.

" I wonld ask yon, on the other hand, if you arc awnro of thepreat exertion:*
made hy your (Joveraiment, to induce them to take an active part in this very
war. If not, I can nc<inaint you that several of the chiefs, now here, havo
been strongly urged to declare u^^ainst «js ; and. not very lonji; since, an im-
portant council was held amon^ tho several trihes, wherein some few. who
ha<l been won over hy lari^e brihes, discu'^sed the |)ro|)riety of dcsiiiin'r tho
British cause, in consideration of atlvawtajics which were promise<l them by
the United States. These of course were overruled h_, the majoiity. who ex-
prcs.sed tho utmo.st indi}!;nati(m at the proposal ; hut the attempt to .secuie
their active .services was not the less made. Wo certainly havo every reason
to congratulate ourselves on its riihirc."

I. "This certainly partakes of the ari^umfiitmn ad /lomhtevt" said the ^fa-
jor, pood humoredly ; " I do confess, I am aware lliaf, since the idea of war
against En;;land was first entertained, great ellorts have been made to altiich
the Indians to our interests; and in all probaliilily. hud any other man than
Tecumseh presided over ^hoir dcstmies, our fJovernment woidd have ixen

» iucccssful. I however, for one. am no advocate for their employment on <'ither
side; for it must be admitted they arc a terrible and a cruel enemy, .sparin;:;
neither age n(M- .sex."

I "Again, Major," returned tho General, "do wo shield ourselves under o>ir
ibrnvr plea — that, as an as.sailcd party, wo have a riiiht to avail ourselves of
whatever means of defence are within our reach. One of two thiu'^s — either
we nnist retain tho Indians, wlio are bound to us in one common interest. <>.••
Wc must, by discarding them, quietly surrender the Uanailas to your armies.

j Few will be Quixotic cnou;.:;h to hesitate as to wir.ch of tho alternatives wc
Sliould adopt."

; " And if wc fihonlii be accused of neglecting the means of preventing un-
necessary criiolty," tvbserved Colonel D'lviville. "the pi;o{)le of the United
States will do n; i'-anite wrong. This very cinMUustauce has been fi)re.seen
and provided avaiifst. Without the power to jwevent the Indians iVoni enter-
ing upon these expeditions, we have at least done ail that experience and a

{. thorough knowledge of their character admits, to restrain theii' vcugeance. by

?, the promi.se of head money. It has been made generally known to them
that every prisoner that is brought in and delivered up, shall entitle the cajjlor
to a certain .sum. This pronii.se, I have no doubt, will have th.e ell'ccjt. not

(■ only of saving the lives of those who are attacked in their settlements, but al.so

i; of chocking any disposition to nnneces,sary outrage in the hoin- of conliict."
m ''The idea is one certainly reflecting credit on the humanity of the Diitis'i

,t, •nthoritios," returned Major Montgomerie ; ''IjUt I confess I doubt its clli-

'.cacy. We nil know the nature of an Indian too well to hoj>o that in tho
career of his vengeance, or the full flush of victory, he will waive his war
troj)hy in consideration of a few dollars. Tho scalp ho may fering, but .seldom
a living head with it."

'*lt is, I fear, the horrid estiiaation in which the .scalp is held, that too fro

IllirC'.SIsllll;^ VIC-
l:.l(l it i>l' to till-

lu'sc tliieiitcnt'il
Imliniis (>||)()s*'il
It tli>' niil of thu
list (i> us. It \H
riod on with tliu
lo hiiitcil to our
} we Ik'cii forcid
kii spii it ii'ninst
('oiiiiiu-d III tlio
isy nf \ our toi*
i>f ,siu;li coudnct.

• jLMcat o.vorlion.'j
mrt in this vt-ry
now lii'if. hiivo
■^ sincL'. iin ini-
souu' fi'W, who
)f d('si'rliii;i tlio
>Miisfd them hy
iijiirit}'. who v\-
Llcnijit to srcine
ivo every reason

t," Kiiid the lAfn-
thi' idea of war
niadi' lo attach
other man than
MiM have i)( on
vmenl on cither
I'lieuiy. sparin;^

clvos under onr
ail oinselves of
) tliin;;.s — cither
lion isitcrest. or
to your armies,
altciiialives wc

preventing; im-

e of the United

s heen furi'secn

a lis iiimi cnter-

.xpericnee and u

r vcnf^tance. I»y

siiown tv) llieni

ititle tlio captor

tl'.e elli'ct. not

iiu'iits. hnt also

I- of conflict."

V of tlic Dritis'i

douht its efli-

ojiu tliat in tlio

waive; lus war

in'' but .sel(h)iij

Id, that too fro

TDK PRUrilECV rUL FILLED.

l|Uent1y whols lh<» hh»dcs of thcso jKoph-," ohscrved th«i Coinniodorc. " Wor*
it not ronsidered a Inipliy, nioro hvcn \^(lill(^ he stmred ; hut un IndiMi, from
all I can understand, takes ftrentcr prido in exhihitinf; tho Kcalp of n Nhtin en-
emy, thnn a knight of nncicnt timoM did in displaying in his helmet Iho glov«
that had lieen hcstowed on him nn n, mark of favor hy his lady-Iuvc."

'• .\fter all." saiil the (teiieral. " nc<Tssiiry ns it is to <lisoo)iru(;(> it hy every
po4sihl<> mark of disappridtiili'in, I do not Neo, iii the mere net of .sculping;, half
the horn»rs nsimlly atta;;h(!<l to the |»iacli(:e. The motive ninst Ikj considereiL
It is not the mere desire to inHi<'t wanton torture that iidhienoeH the warrior
hut an anxiety i > possess himself of that which (iives undisputed evidince of
hisconra'j:e and .11 :ccss in war. The jirejudice of Knropeuns is stnmjj; u^^aini/
the custom, however, and we look upon it in a li^ht very dill'erent, I am sure
fnim that in which it is viewed hy the Indmns themselves. The hurniii'.'s f>l
prisoners, which were practised niany years a'^o, no lon;;er continue ; and th»«
inllietion of the tortun- has p;issed away, so that, after all, Indian cruelty dovu
not exceeil that which is practi.s<'d even at this day in Kiirope, and by a na-
tion heariii;>; high rank amon^ the t.'atholic jKiwers of Kuro|H'. I have nu-
merous letters, recently reciiivtnl from ollhrers of my a(vpiaintaiK"e now s«^rv-
iutc in Spain, all of which a'^ree in statiinc that the mutilatioas fM'rjK'traled hy
the Gnerilia hands, on the bodies of such of the unfortunate French detach-
ments as they siux'eeiled in overpowering;, far exceeded anythiuf!; imfinted to
the Indians of America ; and, as several of these letters are from individuatM
who joined the Peninsular Army from this country, in wdii<rh they had passed
many years, the Kfateiuent ma)' he relicvl on as c<miin<; from men who liavft
hud more than hearsay know!ed)j;e of both partie.s."

Here a tall, nuedookin^ black, wearinj; the livery of Colonel I)'Kp;villo, en-
t<'rin;; to nimounce that cijffee was waiting for them iu aa adjoininj; room—
Jie party rose aud retired to the ladies.

../;■

r*t

OII^PTEK VIL

Many of onr readers will doubtless boar in mind the spot called Elliott's
Point, at the western extremity of Lake Erie, to which we have already in-
troduced them. At a consiilerahle dist&nce beyond that a^aiu (its interme-
diate shores washed hy the silver waves of the Erie) stretches a second, called
also, from the name of its proprietor, Hartley's Point. lietweeii the.se two
jiecks are three or four fiirms ; one of which, and adjoining' Hartley'.s. w.as, at
the i>eri<»d of which we treat, occupied hy an individual of whom, unfortu-
nately for the interests of Canada, too many of the species had been sullorcd
to take root within her soil.

This person had his residence near Hartley's Point Uulikctho.se however
whose dwellin;.;s rose at a distance, lew and far between, hemmed in by tho
fruits of prosperous a<rrictilture, he appeared to have paid but little attention
to the cultivation of a .sod, which in every part was of exceed in;; fertility. A
rude log hut. situated in a clcarinv; of the forest, the imperfect work of lazy
labor, was his only habitation, and here he had for j-ears resided without its
bein;; known how he contrived to procure the necessary means of subsistence ;
yet, ill defiance of tlie appai'cnt absence of all resources, it was subject ot gene-
ral lemark, that he not only never wanted money, but liad been enabled to
bestow somethinjr like an educiition on a s<in, who had, at the ein>ch opened
by our narrative, been absent from him upwards of five years. From his fro*
ijuent voya.avs. and the direction his canoe was seen to take, it was inferred by
his immediate neighbors, that he dealt in contraband, procuring; various ar-
ticles on the Acnoric.tii coast, which he Kubse(iuently dispcsctl of in the small
town of Aniherstburg (one of the principal Enu;lish poots) ainonp; certain
Mubjects domiciliated there, who were 6U.spected of no very .scrupulous desire

NATIt, tfA K«t n I IK) K W II I K ; 0N«

ii\)v«>v UU o)tiM'ii(iiMn, 0»nl ln» l> III H^vvnyn <iin|ij«iiil in wliiih* iji liM-iiun luiii,
ftit^itn^h ^n-^hiyioii ttHni»lioil to l»i«i ciiniliu'l, In im Im'<I«ii<i" \w\ l|if o|»»'iily <''»(H'
n(l)(iM| hinHolC i'l\(> ntiMi lilhtiitir lull, n'lHil, iiii>l ol )i f^irlfiiMntir lo'Mt, wa4
•f n RhuIoj»« nml ivk<»IhU« I'luMUKh'i, nn I If !»' iwitiiliiil lo I'tiuijiup;, II win Im'
onuip i'»\i«ti>jt rtlniio tiHiM «»»i-vi» )>)« |»ni|»itrtt»M ill ft i.'imiiirj', tlio lawfi of ii.liii;)i

««\Mt» >Wt l))M»nly ti> b>' lU'llotl

>N>i' ft ptfilo.i «r y>rtr«i iiHci' llU ni'il\*fll, U« htvl wntilHvi'il li» »>viii|i> luldnn (liit
W<UMnti»v oiIUh ornll»»p,inni>i> { IniMliin, pvmiIuhIIv nwftliitiiiiiii; llin Biii!|i!i'ii»iH
<kf Hu* Hu»<^-{<ttirtov, l>«'<>imlil lilu» iiuMi* ii|iiiu'tli!>lplv iiiiil»»r tli<»ir i»inv(>illiiiii'i>,
«l)v*n \«*i»v nnt'i' )i»nr, lii» «•«■< t'»in>|((»l|itil i<i « vmKfwnl »»! Iliti imlli, Tot tlii» iiii|iii
m'tiiM) i»r wl\' '^v l( \vn» ihiMiiilU, l\i» nv»i'i| niim> (Sion iim* of llmsif iiiii(»i 'I»(»I"'hii
fiiivlav, 0\\ im» bn'iiKiiiiv iml of <li<< wnr, li>> f)lil| r«iMfii|ii>i| ju tinilislinbi'il
|m>'»!«'H»liMi of hi"* \M\\<^ ilwt'llhu):, wntrluvl m \vt>ll iim i<iiiitiin(iliiiitii>H wmiltl |>>n -
i[tH, H (<( Inic, hot tiot >40 linirowh' ii» lo Ix* Iriiroil ii« I|ii4 vhi'idu i iii|i<loi mil
♦xvuvsimv* b,v \v»iftM\ NoMtiiijt oooltl lii» (OHi'iMvcij ioini> iiiii>oii<li ill ni«'tiii>r
%\\\\ ft|>|>i'^nrftl\.v <Urtn {\\\* men oiMliloir oioro villntiooM llmt lln» i'V|in's:iit)ii
of \\\s t\v\ N«» oi»i< hiUMV iVoni wlml |ii»rl!i'olni- poiiii of llitt lJ(iili(i| MlntcH \\t)

hk\\wn»^ ftU:) \vU<'<lvor YtiiiKi^o oi' Koolo- Klmi. II woiilit hw» imiaaIoiI i)if,< ui*
Iftftt iniv of l>oiu>\!*. i»o pi*ov(>ibmI RMrtonmnii'~tt IMiilniiitlpliliii liiv\i,v«r -lo huv«
f<Mt''miim\{.

11^i> «<«v fi>tlowin)t tl>«( of Uv i'i\|»fnii>of llii> Ann'iii'iin iltvlfti-'miiMil wu« inik
^M^iuointt *»» «luvn. t\H two inilivliloiiNrtpin'iii'iMl on llin Hliiit of Uio rinji) ijIimii -
♦l\jl n» MftU'Utho hot of th«» \\\t\\\ wo hnvi' joul. <l(>HiMi)»ml, hivl '••'cii oiccloil,

H^^O ptMst^rt"* ofhoill tlu>M\ VVI'i»p|li'il i« hloi» UUlllUW t'loilIlM, rt>|>'WH'il lljMIII llio

dftiK f\»lift!xv' ill ft mnntvM to imiuI»1(> Humo (o oI)noivii, witlniol. bt'tniv Uii'imolvi .>♦
l!N>iM\. ftU tjut mssod wtlhiu tivo ctonviiitr. IVom Iho loji; liiU It) tlio Miuitl of tlio
UKo shons Tlioiv ]\t\\\ bcoo no i\»ilici«li\>n liy ooo of (lioso of n <li'i~intl lo MJcp
forth l.»u\ his «^Mv<vrtll«o\\t m(o llic i>ltiiuioi<, mvl ixilvinri" hoMly lowiudt llio
honsv { h\\\ (Ills liftil luH ,1 olKvKoilhy liH ootn|v»oion, wlio, iuyinir IiIm Iwtnil
m^n los slhuil.Jor, nnvslotl i\u* inovor.ioMl, poiiilino out n\ llu< huiiik tinii>, tlio
Irisoivlv loit o.uitioos .i(lv«\\iM> of (wo ni.>n fumi llic linl IowiikIm iIio "lnot', on
fil\?oh Uv ft «>.»ni>i> lijilf (Inuvn op oo i\\o Numl'<, Kni-li, on i'<';ooi;r fioni tint
^^\lU 'i;itl »lrp>vsil\Ml n rillo !KrtiM"<l (lu' jmU* oNttniio' of tlio tlwollin'!;, Him bolter
I© wtxib'i? (hoin hi i-Onwy ft bjilil mast, nuII. |v\iIiIIom, Hovornl blmiUoln luiil i\
f«>mm«)n vs»» n Kij?;. i»p|uivntly «^^uliUllinf]r |)i'rtvi,sion», wilb wbiiih llicy jiiiKmoUinl
|fi)\v,ii>!s tho Os>HO,\

1^^ ''80." Mitl tho trtlltM- of thi" Hrst paily. in n \vliiM|vr, " Ihoio Im Ibiil, il -~— d
fASv^ftl IVsboiMOiih soMtnjr out on *>no of lii^oontrubunil oxonrsioim. Hi< wnnii/i
|o bA\*» ft b>n;i; absonvv in viow. if wo nv!>y jotlgt? from tlio ooutontti of liiw pro-
vision ssi'k."

'" Ih^t.'' r(;jv>in(sl bis companion, "tborois nnm' b(>ro tbiui inootn thu oyM.
In tb*" t\>"sJ in>t^»ntv, tvmovp tbo pisloh f^-»un tbo onsu, uiul bo ptopuroU U) i»l'
|Im\1 nv' s•.■^i^;t;uu^^ sbouUl ! ivqoiiv it,''

'■ \Vb;»t tbodoMl an' \on o.x^injr to <b» ?'' «)«KmvI tbf tbsil Hptfnkor. foIUnvin;;
l^owovor tao hint tb;\t hfA bivn jxivon biui, niiil voinovinjt u pair of ibiDlliii^
j>3sl»Ms fn>m their n^nhojrnny ortso.

\Vi\ile bo wfts in tbo aot of doing this, bis ooinjvnnion bml, « itbont roplyin;?,
guittoil biN .<i>lo. and <\'>ntiou>5ly svnd ooisolossly lulvunood to tbo hot. In ilwi
frMirse »>f ft fow tnnvuti\s bo ajrjim j\ppo»>»vii tit tbo point wiiouoo lu< bad .slurlod,
•Mspinit in cilbor band the ritlos so nnvntly di positoti tboro.

" Wdl, what is the m«>anina: of tl\i«> foi\t ? yon <<o not intotui, Ynnkoo fiishion,
|» oxcbani^v ft U'»nc shot with poor MoliiuMU. I bopo — if so, my ilonr follow, 1
^'v off. for HjHni my honor, I cannot onsnjjo in nnytbinit tbiii is not staolly
frihiviox."

*■ lit*, thns ftibircsstsl. (\njbl soarooly restrain ft buvj:h at tb« sorion.s tono i\i
irhvh Rj* c\>m|«nior. oxprcsstxl himself, as if bu vorily hdievod ho biul that
»bj<vt in TJfW.

" Wcmbi von not like." bo a^kod. •• to bo in some doirroo instruinentnl i:i

T II I! •' l( (• V » II t' V ptn.ttt.tnif.

|i li'iliitn - ttiid,

il^tiir Imi)k, wm
linn, " ^Vdl )»"<
\nwii i>r ti liit.'ll

•till" lnKiiiK (111

iU» Rllf:|)!cill||>4
i|' »»)ll VcilluiUMJj

It, lot till* iiii|ii>'
\> liiii^ti'^lfnl'-'Hit
ill liiiili'^liii 1)1x1

'(l»H WiMllil |».||

itiii I iii|i<lni Hill
illli ill iiin'iiiDl*

lIlK «*V|)l't>HHil)l|
llilljll iMll|(,l'f4 III)

MIA«Iim| i)I»" iif
w.vur -lit Ikvvu

|l«|lMtl WllN |im(

(l)o riidi! irji'ui -
IlOt'll cici'loil.

XWimI ItjHItl tlxt

inn lli»>iin','lv(<f»
Im> Hiiiut of IIm)
»li'i-ilnl\ Ik nIi'P
ly linvunl'i llii»
\ inir lii(4 Iwiitil

NlUtlO lillll', lIlll
M llu< mIidI'K, (III

iiiii}!; riom tlm

\\\>y, llii< hiMtor

litiilvclM niiil n

ii\V |iit»<!mHlt)iI

llmta-

lU of lii;4 |»rU'

»iP<*lM tlm i>v««.
ii'imrcd tv> 111

1<<M', followiii';
Lir of (Itioliiu;^

in\it ri'plyinjr,
hilt. In l|)(i
h;ulKlarl«'il,

uiki'c fishidii,
• liar IVlio'.v, 1
s not slrirlly

I'rious tono Im
ho hntl thiit

>trii mental in

l.iitil'^liintf <vli«|ly fV'itn Mi" fitnittv « iti'iti wIcmii w nil iiii«»fiwl*»f lr<'»*/»ii,4»H
niM i'<tiM|ii'lli-il lit lulcliid' rintij liiiiidlify III |'i(iifi» IiIh ^ttilt — Uiirt Miiiri<i itritorioiii
lli'NliiMntli^ll /"

" NimV (litil v"ii li'i I'tfiK'"'' "|i»>mI< iiihI ii''t In (HirMlilon, t »*ii»( fiii'l««rfil»i»i<1 yWi.
(•r I'lMii'n I kIumiIiI, )miI witiit |)i»><if »»f ItiM liiomon nfc w« ('» iliw/»v»r is
<lii> tiU'i'i* Ti"! itf liiM ilcjiui liiijjr iiti rt'liiil li«» limy ilin'iio I'mhII n U\iuiiinr flecur
n\i\\[1 I'vi'ii n>liiiilliii|r j|(. h B|iMi/lnHM(r iti llitt cirilriiliiiiKl, t/mf rntitinf ImniMh
film j ntnl If II iiiiiM, wi- wmil'l ifvi'i' ili'mi>ir! Ii.' lit'CMHi" iii("(iriii»'r«."

"Ntthihif iif Mil' Idml Im ii-f)iii(i't1 of iim -'lii», 'rfiiwmi will <*iii>ti iiuf'.Id ilA«)f.
itm! Iliiil ill ft imiiinci li> i|i'iiiiiiii|, ft'; nil iiii|iM(illvi> 'Inly, II, mI w»- niMirc ihi
IniilMr, fi'or Miln Imvi' I l'"iiiiiv('i| I In- iIH'm wIiu'Ii iiiiiy, in ii luniffrit nf (|#)»-
)iVi'iiM'tii, III* liiri|i<i| III. lini'liwiiii'lHitifin'n 'nlili fitrnliiit our (lintoU. l/c> ut i»ImI
jji'iiMv I'mvmhIm Milt Itixifli, iiiifl Mifii yiiii kIimII wiM' fy ytirwlf; hul I tiift
lii'iitlv riii|iiilli>n MM|i{iiiiii> Mii<i)lli'>f jm'ly «iliolil(| rt,i»iv««'/"

" Tlf'ti llii-y iiiii'«l III Mi'-ir liiifi >V'»"' f'"" ••«' '"117 httvw «ilr«>«vly f<ii*n^iU4
Mii«li' lillll' U>t\ iiiImiiIii«,"

" liimU," i'<tiliiiiii('(l IiIm i'iiiii[iniil»iii, »« ji« pll^/lilly ^ritMrif><l Mia NliriiilM(<r 4m
whii'li liin linml liii'l ii'mIkiJ, " li«» lu i<'liiMiiii(i: fur llic liflcn "

Oi«|\ iitiK nfMin Iwii lillll iiiiw ii'IiikI hit ij|i'|i'i fiiiin lli" lifiirh fov/nr'ln th<;
Jiiif, hill Willi n tiHiri* linnii'fl ui^Moii Miimi hi-furi-, A« hi' \m<t»f<\ wh«r» t)}0
fili'inlfi I'HII liii(u>iii|, h" (fiivi' « nliif'l fif t(iirfiri«»', «(ifiiiri riMy firin\u'v*i Uy ifi*
nh'iflK'i' iif Ml" |•iHl'<^ A im»>iii"iiIVj I''(I"ii|.i'(ii Ki"iiiiii(^ Ut unt>u.fi/ hmi »!, WM

Iinniilili. Iiji) uii'iiiMi V lillll rnil'"l liitii, iiii'l Mill) Mil y hii'l hi'Mi I'-lt, wiMrifi th»
iiiililiiiff, h" hull it'll fiii'wnnJ In imviiri' hiiimflf, AlWfi ftitw riioni'vfils r>f Ajr]m
f'i'iiMv Ihi-IIWIkiiI MMii'ih, lie Urtitiiin »iitflti liiK »i|i|»('Hfniir««, rrK(l<iii^ ihf firifiil, (4
Ml" hill (11 ilJMiiivir liii-! Iii4 wi'iipiiiin, ImiI, in vuiii ; wliMi in Mi«' flfr<vn««« of
IiIm niiii"!', li" ii'if'il iiIiHiil wiMi It hi(l,i'rii"<!«i Mini, tjiiv" <'nriii"vt, of witi/yrity,

I' |ly I \»|n|, I |,,)i| ttiaci|i-i| lliili'ih fti.inl who phiywl m" Mii^ irif^,

»iii Miilht'i' «hoii' if I WMtililii'l. '.'u-U ii<y hnifi' info hiw h —— y ('iz/,«irH, tlvri
♦n iiiv iiiiiiio tint •liTi'iiiliili t)t^«h(iii»,ic,li. Whiit III" h -II'h Io Ii« iIoik' novrl'*

'riiKiii!' iii|vMiiliii.M< III' hi'i "iiliiiiii" iiil't Ml" lull,, Ml" Iwii iiii|ivi'liiMl«, f')r<it.iUf
»iri'ih"i|. hiiil ■.♦iili'ii iniiMiMi' ly ini'lif ntvfr of Ihi' fnr"fit, until Miiy nrrivt-t\ n%
Um tt'iinltinMitn, wiMiiii nhiiiii fvvi'titv ytf.'Jn at lht> A/.ori', whum howiww t)t«r*)
WUM nil iHilwiinl iif vi'iihli' hIimi nf ih" i„'Iiviilii(il who hii'l h""n l^i-.lioroii/h'*
i'niii|iuiiiiiii. Ill Ml" hiiWM of Ml" 'I'noii with fiilivl Mn! hlj»nk«>l«<, nn'J in th<»
«'«'iil|i' Wfi'i i|"|iiiw.ili'i| Ml" |iiiivJMtoii hfiir llifif. hfi'l formi'l n {.*»rliori of th«if
iiiitfiii'.l I'lMil. 'Hi" imiimI. hn'l not )n-Mit h'listt"'), hut lay «'xt^'Tifii!/l nlons' titn
litjll, il't «!)iil loDnrnivl iinil ;>(irMiiily iv»v»!nnK t;i« h"for«"-rn«'nMouwl (jrtwl^of
fiTiirltlitir'* 'I It" how hi'J' "^r )hi' ffino*' pj(«m"( tlm hcwh. th" ofh*r lay ftonk
ill Ml" wmrr, ti|tj;i.'' ntiv in lliu iiKinii"! in whirh it jiA/| lirst 6[>}^roa<;h(;fi t)io
Intnl.

iSlill ntfrrin,': r wi^h huf in ri inoro unh'luwl ton*, n/iuriHi " thfs fi llw wUo
liatj hIoIi'i: ii; • *•■ i,JI • nri'K," Mi" nnrry Ilonhoromrli n-irs/r-'l hi«i Htifm to lint
riiiio". Mii'.i iifin dill!" h" lool<"il hftt'k to wo if lift rfri"'. <JifW/»v«r any trt»M!it
of th" fiiirlniiiiT. 'ifilil at Ii'ii'.'lh ]i\^ r;oiiiit«'naii'w Hftitnud to as^rtme an axpreih
Hiiiti of (l""p"r f niiMii foi f'onccrn, than «'VTn tho lo«» > ' ■ w«af»<";nH.

" Ha, t oxjif't «ini" (I >' f?f>y hiw hfwrn mt tJws look <mt — if ho, IiniiHtAiit

nml inn • v:un}ltU' pnrty wioi."

TIiIm appri'In'iiHion was i*.vpi"H.'!p'l ns he arrivi'd opj»o.Hit'; thf: jmut witf'te thn
fori'Kt tcniilnatcil. A Hliirht itmMin^r arn'.nsr Mi's niH"rwo«yJ rf-'lifi'A tj»At a|^-
pi'chcn^ion to oertninty. JIi« i'ri\M\)'''i] tlif: han!!" of hi.<( hnt^f knit: th»t vm
thru.st into th" j^'irill" nronnl his loinn. nn'l riwMrij^ hin jrawr on tJii; funfti
wlicnco Mm sonijil liii'l proc!}<!'l"'i, r; irfati d it; fi.rt attituflf;, .^n(*irtftr and
iMon- ilistinct rriivih of iin'l«r»vooi!. «nd ..r-. rtoof* .--till with Kurpri^, on finding
Iiitnsi'lf f;|.' to fiicc, with two niflcfiH of th" ;;.i.f;'".'n.

" Wi; Fiiivc Rlartiio'l yon, iS-Hboron ,0," Kai'l th*? youo?PT, a.«i they hcnk
advanri'd luLsnri'Iy to the U«rii. ' i>o you npprelicri'l danger from oc/
pros('iif(! ?"

A kocu searching glance flasii'.tl .* on. ',\iu ;tirric!oui eye of tint ruiIi*Q. l\

MATILDA HON TO. MERIE ; OA|

ivas but inomcntiiry. Quittin:;; Ins firm grasp of the kn'fe. he sufTeied Ivia
Hmbs to relax their tension, and aiming at carelessiicss, observed with a smilO;
that was tenfold more hideous from its being forced:

" Well now. I gue»s, who would have expected to see two officers so fur
away from the fort at this early hour of the moriiin' ?"

" Ah," said Ine taller of the two. availing himself of the first opening to a
pun which had been afforded, '• we are merely out on a aiiooting excursion."

Desborough gazed doubtingly on the speaker. " Strange sort of a dress
ihat for hhootin' I guess — them cloaks must be a great tanglement in tho
bushes."

" They serve to keep our arms warm," continued Middlemore, perpetrating
Unothcr of his cxecrablcs.

" To keep your arms warm ! well surc-/y, if that arn't droH. It may be
Komo use to keep the prirains dry, I reckon ; but I can't see the iise of keepin'
the fowlin' pieces warm. Have you met with any game yet, officers ? I ex-
pect as how I can point you out a purty spry place for pattridges and sich
like."

" Thank you, my good fellow ; but we have appointed to meet our game
here."

The dry manner in which this was observed had a visible effect on the sefc-
ilcr. He glanced an eye of suspicion around, to see if other than the two
officers were in view, aiid it was not without effort that he ass^' t'^ed au air of
unconcejn. as he replied : *

" Well, I expect I have been many a long year a hunter, as well as other
things, and yet, dang me if I ever calculated the game would cou.^ to me. It
alwavs costs me a purty good chase in the woods."

" How the fellow heats about the bush to find what game wo are driving
at." observed Middlemore, in an under tone, to his companion.

'■ Let him alone for that," returned he whom our readers have doubtless
recognised for Henry Grantham. '• I will match his punning against your
»:unning any day."

"The truth is. he h Jishing lo discover our motive for being here, and
to find out if we are in any way connected with the disappearance of his
rifles. "

During this conversation apart, the Yankee had carelessly approached his
eanoe, and was affecting to make some alteration in the disposition of the saij.
The officers, the younger especiall}"^, keeping a sharp look-out upon his move-
ments, followed at some iittle distance, until they, at length, stood on tho
extreme verge of the sands. Thejr near approach seemed to render Desbo-
rough impatient,

" I expect, officers," he said, with a hastiness that, at an}' other mor.i ;i?t,
would have called down immediate reproof, if not chastisement, "you wi''
only be losin' time here for nothin' ; about a mile beyond Hartley's there'li
be plenty of pattridges at this ho\:r, and I am jist goin to start mj self for a
Httle shootin' in the Sandusky river."

"Than I presume." said Grantham, vyith a smile, "you are well provided
^irith silver bullets, Desborough ; for, in the hurry of departure, you seem
nkely to forget the only medium through which leaden ones can be made avail-
able — not a rifle or a .shot-gun do I see."

Tho man fixed his eyes for a tno'^'^nt, with a penetrating expression, on tha
vouth, as if he would have sought a meaning deeper than the words implied.
Viis reading seemed to satisfy him that all was right.

"What." he ob.served, with a leer, half cunning, lialf insolent, "if I h-i/e
hid my riile near tho Sandu.sky swamp, the lust time I hunted there ?"

" In that case," observed the laughing Middlemore, to whom the opportvv
nity was irresistible, '"yon arc going out on ft wild goose chaise indeed. Your

f)rospccts for a good hunt, as yon call it, cannot be said to be stwe as a gim ;
or in regard to the latter, you may depend some one has discovered and lifled
tl be.'bre this."

e sufleied hia
. with a RniilO;

CQccrs so fur

opening to a

exoursion."

rt of a dress

cment in tho

!, perpetrating

I. It may be
iisc of kcepin'
icers ? I ex-
iges and sich

set our game

■t on the set-
;han the two
■'cd au air of

well as other
U'.v to me. It

c are driving

avo doubtless
against your

ig here, and
irance of his

broached his
n of the sail.
)n his move-
tood on tho
ndcr Desbo-

wr mor.i ;» t,
"yoL' wi''
ey's there'll
myself for a

•oil provided
you seem
I made avail-

9sion, on tho
•rds implied.

''if I h-ire
re ?"
he opportu-
deed. Your
e asa giin ;
d and riJleJ

THE PROPHECY FULFIL LEO.

" You seem to have laid in a store of provisions for this trip, T3osborongh,"
remarked Ilonry Grantham ; '• liow long do you purpose being absent?"

'• I guess three or four days," was tl)e sullen reply.

" Three or four days ! why your bag contains" — and the officer partly raised
ft corner of the sail, "' provisions for a week, or, at least, for two for half that
period."

The manner in which the twn was emphasised did not escape the attention
of the settler. lie was visibly disconcerted, nor was he at all reassured when
the younger officer proceeded :

" By tlie bye, Desbocotigh. wo saw you leave the hut with a companion —
what has become of him ?"

The settler, who had now recovered his self-polsciision, met the question
without the slightest .show of hesitation :

•• I e.xpect you mean, young man," he said, with insufferable insolence, " a
help as I had from Hartley's farm, to assist gittin' djwn the thiji.js. lie took
home along shore when t went back to the hut for the small bores."

" Oh ho, sir ! the rifles are not then concealed near the Sandusky swamp,
I find?"

For once the wily settler felt his cunning had overreached it."?elf. In the first
fury of his subdued rage, he muttered something amounting to a desire that
he could produce them at that moment, as he would well know where to
lodge the bullets — but, recovering himself, he said aloud :

'• The rale fact is, I've a long gun hid, as I said, near the swamp, but ray
small bore I always carry with mo — only think, jist as I and IIartle3's help
loft the hut, I pit ni}' rifle against the outside wall, not boing able to carry it
down with the other things, and when I went back a minute or two after, drot
me if .some tarnation rascal hadn't stole it.''

" And if 3'ou had the British rascal on t'other shore, j'ou wouldn't be long

in tucking a knife into his gizzard, would you ?" asked Middlemore. m a

nearly verbatim repetition of the horrni oath originally uttered by Desborough.

' I see nothing to warrant our interfering with him," he continued in an under

'jone to his companion.

Not a little surprised to hear his words repeated, the man lost somewhat
of his confidence as he replied, '• Well now, sure-/y. you officers didn't t'link
nothin' o' that — I expect I was in a mighty rage to find my small bore gone,
and I did curse a little hearty, to be sure."

"The small bore multiplied in your absence," ob.served Grantham ; "when
T looked ?t the hut there were two."

'• Then n\ay be j'ou can tell me who was the particular d d ra.scal that

stole them,"' said the settler eagerly.

Middlemore laughed heartily at his companion, who observed :

" The particular d d rascal who removed, not stole them thence, stands

b'. fore you."

Again tho settler looked disconcerted. After a moment's hesitation ho
continued, with a forced grin that gave an atrocious expression to his wholo
countenance:

" Well now, you officers are i)laying a purty considerable spry trick — it's a
pood lark, I calculate — but you know, as the .saying is, enough's as good as a
feast. Do tell me, Mr. Grantham," and his discordant voice became more
offensive in its effort at a t»ne of entreaty, " Do tell me where you've hid my
8raall bore ; you little Lhink." he concluded, with an emphasis then unnoticed
by the officers, but subs '.'quently remembered to have been perfectly ferocious,
" what reason I have to -ally it."

" We never descend to larks of the kind," coolly observed Grantham r
''but as you say you value j'our rifle, it shall be restored to you on on*
condition."

"And what may that be?" asked the settler, somewhat startled at the
serious manner of the officer.

FTT!'

MATILDA M'JNTOOMERIE; OR,

" Tliiit you show us what your canoe is freighted with. Ilore in the bctrsi,

I mCMM."

*• Why." rcjoinQd tlie Yaiilvoc; quiclrly, but, as if without design, intercepting
the olliccrs' nour ai)])roach, ••that J);ig, I culculatc, contains my provisions. and
these hcie hiiU)l\et,s tliat you see, peepin' lilve from under the sail, are wl>at I
makes my bed ofwhile out luuitiu'."

" And are you quite certain there i.s nothin;; tmdcr tliose blankets ? — nay
do not protest — you cannot answer for what may have occurred while your
back was turned, on your »vay to the hut for the rifle."

•' By hell." exclaimed the settler, blusterin<j;ly, '• were any man to tell me,
•fereniiah Desborough, tha|: there was anythin" beside them blankets in tho
canoe, 1 would lick liim into a jelly, even though ho could whfii his own
weight in wild cats."

'• So is it? Now then, Jeremiah Desborough, although I have never yet
iried to whip my own weight in wild cats, I tell you there is something moro
than those blankets ; and wha,t is more, I insist upon seeing wliat that
something is."

" « settler stood confounded. His eye rolled rapidly from one to the other
ofi.je ofTicer-;, nt the boldness and determination of this language. Singly, he
cou! ruslicd Henry Grantham in his gripe, even as one of the bears of

the fore' near the outskirt of which they stood ; but there were two, and
while attu ig the one, he was sure of being assailed by the other — na}',
what was worse, the neighborhood might be alarmed. Moreover, although
they had kept their cloaks carefully wrapped arouud their persons, there could
be little doubt that both officers were armed, not, as the}' had originally given
him to understand, with fowling pieces, but with (at the present close quarters
at least) fdr more efficjnit weapons — pistols. He was relieved from his embar-
rassment by Middlemorc exclaiming :

" Na)', do not press the poor devil, (Jrantham ; T dare sa}' the story of his
hunting is all a hum, and that the fact is, he is merely going to earn an honest
penny in one of his free commercial speculations — a little contraband," point-
ing his finger to the l)Ows. '• is it not, Desborough ?"

•' Why now, officer," said the settler, rapidly assuming a dogged air. as if
ashamed of the di.scover}' that h.ad been so acutely made, •• you won't hurt
.1 poor feller for <loin' a little in this way. Drot me, these are hard times, and
this here war jist beginnin' quite pits one to one's shifts."

" This might do, Desborough. were your present freight an arrival instead
of a departure, but we all know that contraband is imported, not exported."

'• flighty cute a'ou are. 1 guess," replie<l the settler wanly, with something
like the savage grin of the wild cat to which he had so recently alluded ; •' but
I expect it would be none so strange to have packed up a few dried hog skins
to stow away tlie goods I am goin' for."

<" I should like to try the effect of a bullet among the skins," said Grantham,
leisurely drawing forth and cocking a pistol, after having whispered something
in the ear of his companion.

"Nay, otlicer," said Desborough. now for the first time manifesting
eerious alarm, "'you sure-/// don't mean to bore a hole through them innocent
$kius?"

" True !" said Middlemore, imitating. " If he fires, the hole will be .some-
thing more than skin deep, I reckon — these pistols, to my knowledge, send a
bullet through a two inch plank at twenty paces."

As Middlemore thus expressed himself, both he and Grantham finw, or fan-
cied they saw, the blankets slightly agitated.

" Good place for a hide that !" said the former, addressing his pun to tho
«ettlor, on whom it w.is totally lost. " show us those said skins, my good
f»:dow. and if we find they arc not filled with anything it would be treason in
u professed British subject to cxpf^rt thu.i clandestinely, we promise t\at y^i
shall depart without further hindrance.^'

THB PROPHECY FULFILLKD.

the bctva^

jterceptinj*
isions. and
ire wluit I

ttfj ? — nay
ivhilc your

to tell me,
eta in tho
£} his own

never yet
hing moro
what that

1 the other
Singly, he
HI bears of
i two, and
ther — nay,
•, although
there could
[lally given
w quarters
his embar-

tory of liis
an honeyt

id," point-
air, as if

won't hurt

times, and

al instead

xportcd."

soinethinu

ded ; •' but

hog skins

jrunthara,
something

lanifcstin^
1 innocent

be Kome-
ge, send a

w, or fan-

un to tho

my good

treason in

) t^at y j!|

** Indeed, officer," mnttorod T>esborou2;\i sollenl'' and doggc-<Hy, "T shan't
do no sidi thing. You don't U-long to tlm (Mistoni-nouse, I nc.Ui)n, and w> I
msh you a good day, for I have a oonsiderixhk' long course to rnn.nii'l must
1>e movin'." Then seizin.: the paddlos that were lying on tlie satid, hi; pre-
pared to shove the canoe from the beach.

" Not at least before I have sent a bullet to ascertain the true quality of yonr
"»kins." said Gri*nthain, levelling his pistol.

"Sure-/y," said Desborough, as ho turned and drew himself to tho full
height of his bony and muscular figure, while his eye m(!a>ured the officer
from head to foot, with a look of concentrated but sup])res>K.'d fury, •' you
wouldn't rlnrc to do this — you wouldn't dare to fire into my canoe — besides,
consider." he said, ina tone somewhat deprecating, "your bullet may pfo
through her, and yeu would hardly do a feller tho injury to make him lose tlui
chance of a good cargo."

"Then why provoke siich a disaster by refusing to show us what is beneath
those blanket? ?"

" Uecause it'.s my pleasure to do .'jo," fiercely retorted the other, "and I
won't show them to no man."

'• Then it is my pleasure to fire," said Grantham. *■ The injury be on your
own head, Desborough — one — two — " '

At this moment the sail w.'is violently agitated — something, struggling for
freedom, cast the blankets on one side, and presently the figure of a man stood
upright in the bows of the canoe, and gazed around him with un air of stiipid
astonishment.

'• What," exclaimed ^liddlemore, retreating back a pace or two. in unfeigned
surprise ; " has that pistol started up, like the ghost in Hamlet. Ensign Paul
Emilius TheopliilusArnoldi. of the United States Michigan Militia — a pri>so!ier
on his parole of honor ? and yet attempting a clandestine departure from tho
country — how is this ?"

" Not this merely," exclaimed Orantham, " but a traitor to his countrj',
and a deserter from our service. 'I'his feilow," he pursued, in answer to an
inquiring look of his companion, ''is a .scoundrel, who deserted three yeans
since from the regiment a^ou relieved. I recognised him yesterday on hi;j
landing, as ipy brother Gerald, who propo.sed making his report to the gene-
ral this morning, had done before. Iict us secure both, Middlemore ; for,
thank heaven, we have been enabled to detect the traitor at last in that which
will excuse his final expulsion from the BOil, even if oo worse befall him.
I have only tampered with him tiuis long to render his conviction more com-
plete."

"Secure me! secure Jeremiah Desborough?" exclaimed the settler, with
rage m vn fest in the clenching of his teeth and the tension of every muscle of
his iron frame, "and that for jist tryin'.to savo a countryman — well, we'll
see who'll have the best of it."

Before Grantham could anticipate the movement, tho active and powerful
Desborough hivd closed with him in a manner to prevent his makn>g use of
his pistol, had he even .so desired. In the next instant it was wrested fnwu
him, and thrown far from tlie spot on which he struggled with his adversary,
but at fearful odds against himself. Henry Grantham, although well an<l »g-
tivcly made, was of slight proportion, and yet in boyhood. Desborough, f»i
the contrary, was in the full foice of a vigorous manhood. A struggle, h<ind
to hand, between two con.batants so disproportioned, could not, consequently,
be long doubtful as to its i,ssue. No sooner had the formidable .settler closed
with his enemy, than pres.sing the knuckles of his iron hand, which met
roupd the body of the officer, with violence against his spine, he threw him
backward with force upon the sands. Grasping his victim with one hand as
he lay upon him. ho seemed, as Grantham afterwards declared, to be groping
for his knife with the other. He was evidently anxious to despatch one en-
emy, in order that he might fly to the asssistance of his son. for it was l»o
whom Middlemove, with a powerful eilbrt, had dragged from tho canoe to tlw

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

Beach, While his right h<an(l was still gropinj; for tho knife — an objoot vvhicU
the powerful resistincc of the yet unsubdued, tliouijh prostrate, officer ren-
dered somewhat difficult of attainment — the report of a pistol was heard, fired
evidently by one of tho other combatants. Immediately the .settler looked up
to sec who was the triumphant party. Neither had fallen, and ^fidaiemon-,,
if anything, had the advantage of his enemy ; but to his infinite dismay, De.s-
borough beheld a horseman, evidently attracted by tho report of the' pistol,
urging his course with the rapidity of lightning, along the finn sand.s, and ad-
vancing with cries and vehement. jesticulations to the rescue.

Springing with the quickness of thought from his victiui. the settler was in
the next moment at the side of Middlemore. Seizing him from behind by
tho arm within his nervous grasp, he pressed the latter with such prodigious
force as to cause him to relinquish, by a convulsive movement, the firm hold
he had hitherto kept of his adversary.

'' In, boy, to the canoe for your life," he exclaimed, hurriedl}'', as, following
up his advantage, he s{)un the officer round, and sent him tottering to the spot
where Grantham lay, still stupifled and half throttled. The next instant saw
liim heaving the canoe from the shore, with all the exertion called for bj' his
desperate situation. And all this was done so rapidly, in so much less timo
than it will take our readers to trace it, that before the horseman, so oppor-
tunely arriving, had reached the spot, the canoe, with its inmates, had pushed
from the shore.

' ;thout pausing to consider the rashness and apparent impracticability of
Hv; undertaking, the strange horseman, checking his rein, and burying tho
rowels of his spurs deep into the flanks of his steed, sent him bounding and
jilunging into the lake, in pursuit of the fugitives.

^<i h ' .Lb. f evinced every symptom of one in a state of intoxication. Bran-
dishing ik stout cudgel over his head, and pealing forth a shout of defiance, he
rolled from side to side on his spirited charger, like some laboring bark
careeiing to the violence of the winds, but ever, like that bark, regaining an
equilibrium that was never thoroughly lo&t. Shallow as the lake was at thi.^
point for a considerable distance, it was long before the noble animal lost its
footing; and thus had its rider been enabled to arrive within a few piices of
the canoe, at tho very moment when the increasing depth of tlie water, in
compelling the horse to tho less expeditious process of swimming, gave a
proportionate advantage to the pursued. No sooner, however, did the Cen-
laur-like rider find that he was losing ground, than, again darting r Is spurs
into the flanks of his charger, he made every effort to reach the canoe. Mad-
dened by the pain, the snorting beast half rose upon the calm element, liko
some monster of the deep, and, making two or three desperate plunges with
his fore feet, succeeded in reaching the stem. Then commenced a short but
extraordinary conflict. Bearing up his horse as he swam, with the bridle in
his teeth, the bold rider threw his Ij-ft hand upon the stern of the vessel, and
brandishing his cudgel in the right, seemed to provoke both parties to the
combat. Desborough, who had risen from the stern at his approach, stood
upright in the centre, liis companion still paddling at the bows ; and between
these two a singular contest now ensued. Armed with the formidable knife
which he had about liis person, the settler made the most desperate and in-
furiated efforts to reach his assailant ; but in so masterly a manner did his
adversary use his simple weapon, that every attempt was foiled, and more than
once did the hard iron-wood descend upon his shoulders, in a manner Jto bo
heard from the shore. Once or twice the .settler stooped to evade some fall-
ing blow, and, rushing forward, .sought to sever the hand which st.ll retained
its hold of the stern ; but, with an activity remarkable in so old a man as his
assailant, for ho was upwards of sixty j-ears of ago, the hand was removed—
«nd the settler, defeated in his object, was amply repaid for liis attempt, b}' n
severe collision of his bones with the cudgel. At length, apparently enjoined
by liis companion, the younger removed his paddle, and, standing up also in
the canoe, aimed a blow with its knobbed hardlc at the heal of the horse, at

bjoot whicli
officcT ren-
lieard, fired
r looked up
lidaiemoib,
ismay, Des-
the pistol,
ids, and ad-

itlcr was in

I behind by

prodifiious

e Arm hold

s, followin!»
: to the spot
nstant saw
1 for b}' his
!h less timo
I. so oppor-
tiad pushed

icability of
urying tho
landing and

on. Bran-

lefiance, ha

oring bark

^gaining an

ivas at this

nal lost its

vv paces of

) water, in

rig, gave a

1 the Con-

i is spurs

loe. !Mad-

;ment, liko

ingos with

short but

c bridle in

ve.ssel, and

ties to the

ach, stood

1 between

able knife

ite and in-

ler did his

more than

tincr io bo

some fall-

1 retained

nan as hia

craoved—

mpt, b}' n

y tiijoined

up also in

i horse, at

THE PROPHECY PULFItLBD.

• moment when his rider was fully engaged with Desborough. The quick-
Bighted old man saw tho action, ami, as the p.uldle descended, an upward
stroke from his own heavy weapon sent it Hying in fragments in the air. while
a rapid and returning blow f<!ll upon the heiid of the padler, and prostrated
him at length in the canoe. The opportunity afforded by this diversion, mo-
mentary as it was, was not lost upon Desborough, The horseman, who. in
his impatience to avenge the injury oflered to the animal, which sceuied to
form a part of himself, had utterly forgotten the peril of his hand ; and be-
fore he could return from the double blow that had been so skilfully wielded,
to iiis first enemy, the knife of tlic latter had jienetrated his hand, which, thus
rendered poworleso, now relinquished its grasp. Desborough, whose object —
desperate character as he usually was — seemed now rather to fly than to
.Ight, availed himself of this advantage to hasten to the bows of the canoe,
where, striding across the body of his insensible companion, he with a few
vigorous strokes of the remaining paddle, urged the lagging bark rapidly
ihead. In no way intimidated by Ins disaster, the courageous old man, again
brandishing his cudgel, and vociferating taunts of defiance would have con-
tinued the pursuit ; but panting as he was. not only with the exertion he had
made, but under the weight of his impatient rider, in an element in whi(;h ho
was supported merely by his own buoyancy, the strength and spirit of the
animal began now perceptibly to fail him, and he turned, despite of every
effort to prevent him, towards the shore. It was fortunate for he former that
there were no arms in the canoe, or neither he nor the hor.se would, in all
probability, have I'eturned alive ; such was the opinion, at least, pronounced
by those who were witnesses of the strange scene, and who remarked tho
infuria'vcd but impotent gestures of Desborough, as tho old man, having once
more gotten his steed into depth, slowly pursued his course to the shore, but
with the .same wild brandishing of his enormous cudgel, and the same rock-
ing from side to side, until his body was often at right angles with that of his
jaded, but sure-footed beast. As he is, however, a character meriting ratlier
more than the casual notice we have bestowed, we shall take the opportunity,
while he is h*^.stening to the discomfited ollicers on the beach, more particu-
larly to describe him.

^..'.:., .. -/".,..^.,;vV:-..: "-' ^, CHAPTER YITI. ^ _ '_' ' "-y ; :' . '/"'T' ■

Nearly mid\^ay between Elliott's and Hartley's points, both of which are
remarkable for the low and .sandy nature of the .soil, the land, raising gradu-
ally towards the centre, assumes a more healthy and arable aspect; and, on
us highest elevation, stood a snug, well cultivated property, called, Girty's
farm. From this height, crowned on its extreme summit by a neat and.com-
modious farm-house, the far reaching sands, forming the points above-named,
arc distinctly visible. Immediately in the rear, and commencing beyond tho
orchard which surrounded the house, stretched forestward, and to a consider-
able distance, a tract of rich and cultivated .soil, separated into strips b^- zig-
zag enclosures, and offering to the eye cff the traveller, in appropriate seas'on,
the several species of American produce, such as Indian corn, buck wheat, itc,
with here and there a few patches of indifferent toh.acco. Thus far of the pro-
perty, a more minute description of which is unimportant. The proprietors
of this neat little place were a father and son. to the latter of whom was con-
signed, for reasons which will appear presently, the sole management of the
farm. Of him we will merely sa}', that, at the period of which we treat, he
was a fine, strapping, dark curJey-haired, white-teethed, rod-lipped, broad-
shoulderen, and altogether comely and gentle tempered youth, of about
twenty, who had. although tinconsciously, monopulizeii the affections of al-
most every well favored maiden of his class, for miles around him — advantagcii

MATiLnA hontoomkrie; or,

*>f iiattiro from wliirh had rosultod a union with ono of tlie prettiest of the fair
competitors for roriniihini hni»|tinesH.

Till' fiith<'r wo may not dismiss so hastily, lie was— 'btit, before attempt-
in,'^ Uw portraiture of his character, we will, in the best of our ability, sketch
his pt'i-soii.

l-ct the reador fancy an old man of about sixty, possessed of that eomforl-
nbl(! auii)titu(lt' of p'rson wliicli is the result rather of a mind at pi'aee with
itself, and iindisturluiil by worldly care, than (»f any marked iudnlKcnc! in in-
ddlent habits. Let him next invest tliis eomfortahle person in a sort of Oxford
prey, roarse eafjote, or frock, of rapacious si/o, tied closeFy round the wai«t
with OIK! of those-parti-colornd worsted sashes, we have, on a fornu-r occasion
desoiilied as p^vMiliar to the hour!j;eois Settlers of tlie country. Next, suffering
the eye to descend on and ailmiro the rotunf! and fleshy thiph, let it drop gra-
dually to the stout and nius(;ular Ie.rs, which he must invest in a pair of
closely fittinij; leathern trowsoiv;, tin- wide-seamed edjres of which are slit into
innumerable 5niall strips, much after the fasl. .n\ of the American IruHan.
When he has cotnpleted the survey of (he lower extremities, to which he must
not f^iii (o subjoin a loot of proportionate dunensions, tightl}' nioccasined, and,
moreover, furnished with a pair of old English hunting s[)urs, the reader must
then examine the head with which this heavy piece of animated machinery is
surmounted. From beneath a coarse felt hat, p;arnished with an ineh-wido
band or ribbon, let him imajjine he sce.s the yet vi}j;orous p;roy hair, descending;
over a forehead not alt,o^:;cther wantin<» in a certain dignity of expression, and
terniinalin;;; in a bectlin*!; brow, silvered also with the frost of years, and
.sliadowinp; a sharp, pre)', intellip;ent eye, the vivacity of whose expression de-
notes its i)ossessor U) be far in advance, in spirit, even of his still active and
powerfid frame. With these must be connected a snub nose — a dotihle cldn,
adorned with grizzly honors, which are borne, like the fleece of the lamb,
only occasionally to the shears of the shearer — and a small, and not unhand-
some, mouth, at certain periods pursed into an expression of irresiHtihlo
humor, but more frequently expressing; a sense of lofty in(iependence. The
grisly neck, little more or less bared, ns the season may demand — a kerchief
loosely tied around the collar of a checkered shirt — aiwl a knotted cudgel in
his hand — and we think our sketch of Simon Girty is complete.

Nor must the reader picture to himself this combination of animal proper-
ties, eith'*r standing, or lying, or walking, or sitting ; but in a measure glued,
('entaur-like. to the back of a nobdc .stallion, vigorous, active, and of a dark
chestnut color, with silver mane and tail. In the course of many years that
Simon had resided in the neighborhood, no Oiie could remember to have seen
him stand, or lie. or walk, or sit, while away from his home, unless absolutely
comix'lled. I'oth horse and rider seemed as though they could not exist wliilo
separateil. and yet Silvertail (thus was the stallion named) was not more re-
markable in sleekness of coat, soundness of carcase, and ileetness of pace, than
liis rider was in the characteristics of corpulcn(;y and joviality.

Simon (Jirty had pass(!d the greater part of his younger days in America,
lie had borne arms in the revolution, and was one of those faithful loyalists,
Avbo. jireferring rather to abandon a soil which, after all, was one of adoption,
than the Hag under which they had been nurtured, had, at the termination
of that contest, passed over into Cijnada. Having .served in one of those irre-
pular corps, several of which had been employed with the Indians, during the
revolutionary contest, ho had acquired much of the language of these latter,
and to this knowledge was indebted for the situation of interpreter which ho
hail (or years cnjoyerl. Unhappily for himself, however, the salary attached
to the office was suflicient to keep him in independence, and, to the idleness
consequent on this, (for the duties of an interpreter weiv; only occasional,)
might have been attributed the rapid growth of a vice — an addiction to liquor
—which unchecked indulgence bad now rip'-'ned into positive di.sease.

(treat was the teiTor that Simon was wont to excite in the goml people of
Amherstburg. With Silvertail at his speed ho would gallop into the town,

I; of the fuif

attompt-
lity, sketch

at coinftrrt-
pi-arc witli
'S'uc- in in-
t of Oxford

1 tlio wnifit
er occasion
;t. HiifFcrinjjj
t drop f;;rn-

a p;iir of
iro siit into
an Iridinn.
oh ho must
isiiicd, and,
eadir must
iichinory is

inoh-wHlo
di'scoiidiiij^
ession, and
years, and
irossion do-

artivc and
otihio cliin,

tho lamb,
:)t nnliand-
irresistiblo
?n(M'. Tlio
a korcyiit'f

cudgol in

lal proper-
lire ghiod,
of a (hirk
years that
liave seen
absolutely
pxist whilo
t more re-
pace, than

I America.

loyalists,
adoption,
nnination
those irre-
durina; the
L'se latter,
which lio
' attached

idleness
x;nsional,)

1 to liquor

people of
the town,

THE PROPIIKCy FULFILLKD.

brnndishin;]; liis ciidi'ol, ami reeling from side to siflo, cxhildtin;; ftt ono mo-
ment the joyotis olu'raetcr of a Sileniis, at another, as WO have already shown
— that of an iniihriated Cetitaur. Oeeasionally he woidd make Iris a|)pearanee.
holding his sides convulsed witli laughter, as he reeled and tott^rc^l in vvny
di cction, hut without ever h>siu;^ liis efiuiiihriuin. At other tiihes he woidd
utter a loud shout, and, hrandishin;^ liis cu Ifrd, dart at full sjjeed alon;? the
Ktreels, as if he purposed singly to carry the t(»\vu hy (what Midillemorc often
facetiously called) a coup dc main. At these moui.nts wertJ to be seen
nmthers rushin;^ into tho street to look for, and hurry away, their loiterinjr
ollsprinij;, while even adults were <;lad to hasten their luoviMiicuts, in order to
escape collision with tho formidable Simon ; not that eitlicr aj»prcliended tl»u
slifthtest act of personal violence from tin; old man, for he was harndcss of
evil as a chiM, but l)ecause they feared the polished hoofs of Silvertail, which
Rhone amid tho clouds of <hist thoy raised as he passed, like rinfjsof binnished
silver. ICvcn the very Indians, with whom the streets W(!re at this period
habitually crowded, were glad to Im.;: tho sid(;s of the houses, while Simon
passed ; and they who, on other oeeasions, would havi^ deenuHl it in tlu* hi'^h-
est (h\a;reo derogatory to their dignity to have stepped aside at the ai)proa(;li
of dangor, or to have relax'iMl a mu-icle of their stern countenance, would then
open a passage witli a rapidity which in them was remarkable, and hurst into
loud laughter as thoy lied from side to side to make way for Simon. Some-
times, on these occasions, the latter woidd suddenly check Silvertail, while in
fidl career, and, in a voice that could h<*. he.ard from .almost every qunrter of
the little town, harangue them for half an hour together in their ow'n lan-
puage, and with an air of authority that w!m ludicrous to those who witiiesseil
it — and must have been witnesseil to bo conceived. Occasionallj'- a guttural
"ugh" would In! responded in mock approval of the spee:;h. but more fre-
quently a laugh, on tho part of the more youthful of his red auditors, was the
only notice taken. His lecture concluded, Simon would again brandish his
cuilgel, and vociferate another shout ; then betaking himsislf to tlie nearest
{Store, he would urge Silvertail upDu the f()otw;iy, anrl with a tap of his rude
cudgel against the door, summon whoever was within, to jipjiear with a glass
of his favorite beverage. And this would he repeat, until lie had drained what
he called his stirrup cup, at every shop in the place where t!ie poisonous
liquor was vended.

Were such a cliaracter to make liis aippearanre in the Mother Country, en-
dangering, to all perception, the lives of the Sovereign's liege subjects, ho
would, if in London, be hunted to death like a wild beast, by at least one half
of the Metropolitan police ; and, if in a provincial town, would be beset by a
posse of constables. No one, however — not even the solitary constable of
Amherstburgh, ever ventured to interfere with Simon Girty, who w.as in some
degree a privileged character. Nay, strange as it m.ay appear, notwithstand-
ing his confirmed habit of inebriety, tho old man stood high in the neighbor-
hood, not only with sim])ie but with gentle, for there were seasons when he
evinced himself "a ration.al being," ami there was a dignity of manner about
him. which, added to his then quietude of demeanor, insensibly interested in
his favor, those oven who were most forward to condemn the vice to whicli ho
was unfortunately addicted. Not, be it understood, that in naming seasons of
rationality, we u>ean .seasons of positive abstemiousness ; nor can this well be,
seeing that Simon never passed a day of strict sobriety during the last twenty
years of his life. But. it might be .said, that his three divisions of day — morn-
mg. noon and night — were characterise<l by three corresponding divisions of
dnmkennoss — namely, drunk, drunker, and most drunk. It was, therefore,
in the first stage of his graduated .'icale, that Simon appeared in his most ami-
able and winning, because his least unproarious. mood. His libations com-
menced at early moi^, and his inebriety became progressive to the close of the
day. To one who could ride home at night, as he invariably did, after .some
twelve hours of hard and continued drinking, without rolling from his horse,
it would not be diflicult to enact the sober man in its earlier stages. As his

MATILDA MONTOOMF. RIE

OR.

intnxicntion was relative to Itiniscir, so was liis sr.bricty in r..jj;,'ii<' k» MiWS"
and all.lioiij»1i, at mid-day, he iiii,'j;lit have swall(<Wfd sunicient to have caiisiv.i
mother jn;iTi to bite the (hist, he looked and spoke, and actc \ as if lie hnd
been a niojel of temperance. I( ho passed a laily in the street, or saw her at
her window Simon (Jirty's hat was instaiit'y removed from his venerable
head, and his body inclined forward over his saddle-bow, witli all the easy
prace of a well-born f;entleman, and one .icctistomed from infancy to pay de-
ference to wojiinn ; nav, this at an hour >i'lien he had inbibed enon]tich of hi.l
favorite liquor to have rendered most men insensible even to their presence.
These habits of conrtesy, exteiideil ir.on'over to the oHicers of the parrison.
and sndi otliers amonj; the civilians .is Simon felt to be wortliy of liis notice.
llis tones of salutation, at these moments, were soft, his manner resjicctfiil,
even {^rawfiil ; aul while there was nothin}; of the abashedness of the inferior,
tlicre was also no olfensive famili.trity, in the occasional conversations held by
liim with the dilicrent mdivithials, or grou()S, who surrounded anil accosted
him.

Such M'as Simon Girty, in tho first staf^o of his inebriety, no outward sifrn
of which was visiljle. In the second, his p.-rception became more obscured, his
voice loss distinct, his tone^ less {gentle and msinuatinjji;, and occasionally tho
cndj!;el would rise in rapid flourish, while now and then a loud lialloo would
burst /roin lun;!;s, which the oceans of whiskey tliey had imbibed had not yet,
Apparently, much ad'ected. These were infallible indices of the more feverish
.sta<;o, of which the <!;alljpinirs of Silvertail — the vociferations of his master —
the increasiii'j; lioiirisljinR of theciid'j,*'! — the supposed danger of oliildren — an<l
the consequent alarm of mothers, to;;;etlier witli the harangues to the Indian
auditory, were the alia'.)st daily results.

There was oneind,vi(hi;il, however, in the town of Amhorstburpjh.of whom,
despite his natural wilfulness of character. Simon Girty stood much in awe,
and that to siicli a dfirree, that if ho chanced to encounter him in his mad pro-
gres.s. llis presence had tho edectof iinnKsdiately quietmpc him. This gentleman
was the father of the Granthams, who, although then filling a civil situation,
had formerly bren a field olllcer in the corps in which Simon had served ; and
who had carried with him into private life those qualities of .stern e.xcellcnco
for which he iiad been remarkal)Ic as a soldier — qualities which had won to
him the res-.pect and aflection, not only of the little community over which, in
the capacity oitMts chief magistrate, he had presided, but also of the inhabitants
of the country gener.llly for many miles around. Temperate to an extremo
himseif, .Major Grantham held the vice of drunkenness in deserved abhor-
rence, anl so fir from sharing the general toleration extended to the old man.
whose Oi-iirinality (harmless as he ever was in his intoxication,) often proved a
motive fur encouragement; he never failed, on encountering him, to bestow
llis censure in a manner that had an immediate and obvious elFect on tho
culprit. If Simon, from one end of the street, beheld Major Grantham
approaching at the other, he was wont to turn abruptly away ; but if per-
chance the magistrate came so unexpectedly npon him as to preclude tho
possibility of retreat, he appeared as one suddenly sobered, and would rein in
his horse, fully prepared for the stern lecture which he was well aware would
ensue.

It afforded no slight amusement to tho townspeople, and particularly tho
young urchins, who usually looked up to Simon with awe. to be witnesses of
one of those rencontres. In a moment, tho shouting — galloping — rauipagin«j
cudgel- wiclder was to be seen changed, as if by some magic power, into a being
of ahnost child-like obi'diencc. while he listened attentively and deferentiallv
to the lecture of Major Grantham, whom he both loved and feared. On thcso
occasions, he would hang his head upon his chest— ^confess his error — and
promise solemnly to amend his course of life, althongli it must be needless to
Add that never was that promise heeded. Not unfrequently, after these Ice
ture.s, when Major Grantham had left him. Simon would turn his horse, and,
with his arms still folded across his chest, sutler Silvertail to pursue his homc-

W
la

}»
w
w

111
tv
r1
nil!

THE PROPHECY rULFILLKD.

<' to Miurjt' •
) Imve caiist.i

.HH if lie lind
[)r saw liiT at
liirt vciK'ralile

.ill tho easy
c.y to pay <!•-
'noii<ijh of hi.i
leir iiresciice.
tho parrison.
of his notice,
er rosppotful,
f the inferior,
tions held hy

and accosted

outward sijrn
obscured, liiii
visional ly tho
halloo would
had not yet,
more feverisli
his master —
hildren — ami
to the Indian

•gh, of whom,
much in awe,
his mad pro-
pis gentleman
vil situation,
served ; and
n excel lonco
had won to
^er which, in
inhabitants
an extrcmo
ved abhor-
the old man.
"ten jiroved a
to bestow
Ifect on tho
Grantham
but if per-
)ivclii(le tho
ould rein in
ware would

icnlarly tho

ivitnesscs of

-rampa;j;in,^

into a bein^

eferentiallv

On thcso

error — and

needless to

!r these Ice

liorse. and,

e his home-

ward course, while he himself, silent and thoughtful, and lookinj; like a cu!prit
Liken in the fact, sat steadily in Ids saddle, without however v«nturin,T; to turn
his eye either to the ri^;ht or to the left, as he ))ass','d throu'^h the crowd, who,
with faces stron<^ly expressive of mirth, marked their sense of the chaiiRO
which h.id been produced in the old interpreter. Those who had seen hitn
thus for the first time, mijiht have .suppostxl that a reformation in onesoajjpa-
ivntly touched would have ensued ; but loni;; experieucre had tauj^ht that,
»lthou;j;h a twni'jreof conscience, or more pnjbably fear of, ai\d respect for, the
maf:istrate. ntijjht induce a momentary humiliation, all traces of cau.so and
cU'ect would have vanished with the comin,::: dawn.

To the sterlin;;^ public virtues he boasted, Simon Girty united th.it o4
loyalty in no common degree. A more staunch adherent to the i'.ritish crown
li.xisted nowhere in the soveroi;^n's dominions ; and such was his devotedne.srt
to " Kinp; G('or<je," that, albeit he could not in all possibility have made the
ffacriti"Oof his love for whiskey, he would willin;;ly have suH'ercil his lefl ari)>
to be severed from his body, had si\ch proof of his attachment to the throno
been required. I'roportioned to his love for everything!; IJritish, arose, as a
natural cor.sequence, liis dislike for everyt-hin*^ anti-IJritish ; and especially for
those who. under the ji;uiao of allegiance, had conducted themselves io a way
to become objects of suspicion to the authorities. A near ni'i<ihbfu" of Des-
boroui;h. he had watched him as narrowly as his Ion;;; indulgi'd habits of
intoxication would permit, and ho had been tho means of conveyiuj^to Major
Grantham much of the information which had induced that uncitmpromisiug;
magistrate to seek tho expulsion of tlio dangerous .settler — an object which,
however, had bee:: <kfeated by the perjury of the unprincipled individual, in
taking the customary oaths of allegiance. Since the deatii of Mnj(U' Gran-
tham, for whom, notwithstanding his numerous lectures, he had ever tuit'.T-
tained that reverential esteem which is the result of the ascendnncv of

the powerful and virtuous mind over tho weak, and not alisolutely vic',o'u.s

and for whose son.s he felt almost a fatherly aifection — old Giruy had but
indiflerently troubled himself about Desborough, wdio w.is fully uwc.re of what
he had previously done to detect and expose him, and con.'J jqiu>iitlv repaid
with usury — an hostility of feeling which, however, had iwvct been broui'li-t
to any practical issue. "

As a msitter of course, Simon was of the number of anxious persons col-
lected on the bank of the river, on tho morning of th"-; cr.pture of the Araeri-
can gun-boat ; but, as ho was only then emerging from his first sta<>-e of in-
toxication (which we have already shown to be toatamount to perfect sobri*
ety in any other person), there ha<i been uo'tivne for a display of those n[>.
roarious qualities which characterised tho last, and wliich. once let loose
^icarcely even the presi^nce of tho General could have restrained. "\V ith an
acuteness, however, which is often to be remarked in habitual drunkards at
moments when their intellect is unclouded by the confusedness to whii^h they
are more couirnonly suttject, tho hawk's eye of the old man had <ietecieu sev-
eral particulars which h.id escaped the general attention. ^ '^ of which he had,
at a later period of the day. retained sutlicient recollect' • t connect with an
accic'ental, yet important discovery.

At the moment when the prisoners were landed, he had remarked Desbo-
rough, who had uttered tho hasty exclamation already recorded, stealing
cautiously through the .surrounding crowd, and apparently endeavoring to
arrest the attention of the younger of the Ameiican olTicers. An occasional
pressing of the spur into the flank of Silvertail, enabled him to turn as the
settler turned, jind thus to keep liim constantly in view ; until, at length, as
the latter approached the group of which General Brock and Commod'oro
Barclay formed the centi-e, he observed him distinctly to make a sign of intel-
ligence to the Militia Ollicer, whose eye ho at length attracted, and who now
bestowed npon him a glance of hasty and furtive recognition. Curiositv in-
duced Simon to move Silvertail a little more in advance, in orJer to be en-
abled to obtain a better view of the prisoners; but the latter, turnin"- away

MATIIOA MONTOOMb:RIR

OR,

hi's head At tlio moment, n'tlioiijih appiircnlly witliout dosi'^n, Imfflod his pen
ctration. Slill lie had ii confused and indistinct idea that tlie person was not
wholly iniknown to him.

When the piisonei-K liad hccn disposod of. and tlio crowd dispersed, Simon
ct tinned to Iinjr»'r near thecoinicii-iionse, cxchany;inp frreotuvj;s with tho newly
arrived cliiefM, and (hinkinsr from whatever whiskey holtle was olFered to liini,
until he at len;;th pive. lapid indieation of arrivin;.^ at liis tliird or p^and eli-
jiwH'terie. Then were to he heard tiio loud shontinjis of his voice, and tho
elalterin;; of Silvcrtail's hoofs, as lior.^c anil rider Hew hke lij^htninf; past tho
fort into the town, where n more than usual quantity of the favorite lifpiid
was quailed t\t the several stores, in commemoration, a.'- itl, of tho victory

of his n()l)le hoy. (Jeralil (Jrantiiam, and to tho .sucot aio IJritish arnw

generally throui^Iioiit (he war.

Amon;; tho faults of Simon Qirty, was certainly not that of nc^Iectinf^ thn
nohle animal to whom loup; liahit }iad deeply attaelied him. Silvertail was
C(iually a favoiite with the son, who had more than once ritldon him in tho
Ovicasional races that took pl.-ice upon tlio hard samis of tho lake shore, and in
wliich ho had horno everything away. As Simoji was over conscious and
rollectod ahout tliis hour, care was duly taken hy him that his liorso should
ho fed, without the trouhlo to liimself of dismouiitinj,'. Kven as Girty sat in
his saddle. Silvertail w;is in tlie <laily practice of munehinj; his corn out of :i
Hmall trouj^^h that stooil in the yard of tho inn where he usually stopped, whilo
his rider conversed with whoever chanced to ho near him — the head of his
cudgel reslin,::; im his ample thi;;h, and a glass of his favorite whiskey in his
other ami unoccui)ied hand.

Now it chanced that, on this particular d.ay, Simon neglected to pay his
customary visit to the inn. an omission which was owinj^ nitlier to tho hurry
and excitement occasioned by the stirrinf; events of the v. ^rninpr. than to any
wilAd ncjj;Iect of his steccL Nor was it until .some ' ' after dark that,
seized with a .sudden fit of care.s.sinsr Silvertail, whose neck ho patted,

until the tears of warm affectiou started to his eyes, he u^ >up;ht him of tho
omission of wliich he had heen suilt}'. Scarcely was the thou;;ht conceived,
before Silvertail was airaiii at full career, and on his -way to the inn. Tho '^ato
Btood open, p.nd, as Simon entered, ho .saw two indivi<hials retire, as if to
escape obsei-vation, within a shed adjoinin,:? the stalvle. Drimk as he was, a
vaj^iie consciousness of the trutli, connected as it was with his earlier ob.serva-
tion. Hashed across the old man's mind ; and when, in answer to his lou<l
liallooinjz;. a factotum, on whom dr\olvc(l all the numerous oflicers of the inn,
from waiter down to ostler, mrfde his appearance, Simon added to his loudly
expressed denxand for Silvcrtail's corn, a whispered injunction to return with
a light. During t!ie absence of the man. he conuuenced trolling a verso of
'•Oid King Cole." a fivorite ballad with him. and with tlie indilleronce of on«
who believes himself to be alone. Presently the light appeared, and. as the
bearer approached, its rays fell on the forms of two men, retired into the fur-
thest extremity of the .sjied and crouching to the earth as if in concealment,
vvliom Simon recognised at a glance, lie however took v^ notice of tho cir-
einnstanco to the ostler, or even gave the slightest indication, by look or move-
ment, of what he had seen.

When tho man had watered Silvertail and put his corn in the trough, ho
returned to the house, and Simon, with his arms folded across his chest, as
his hoi-sc crunched his food, listened attentively to catch whatever conver-
sation might ensue between tho loiterers. Not a word however was uttered,
and soon after he saw them emerge from their concealment — step cautiously
behind him — cross the }'ard towai'ds tho gate by which he had entered — and
then disappear altogether. During this movement the old man had kept him-
fiolf perfectly still, .so that there could be no suspicion that he had in any way
oDserved them. Nay, he even spoke once or twice coaxingly to Silvertail, as
if conscious only of the presence of that animal, and, in short, conducted him-
self in a manner well worthy of the cunning of a drunken man. The reliec

THK PliOCHKCY rULril.LSD.

n(f[ci{ Iu'h pen
KTson was not

prrscd, Simon
kitli tho newly
DHonfil to liiiii,

or pxaml rli-

voice, and tho

tniiif; past tho

fiivorito lifiuifl

of the victory

IJritish arms

ncn;I('ctinf^ thu
Silvprlail was
len hitn in tho

slioro. iind in
conscious and

liorso should
M (jirty sat in

corn out o!' :v
stopiJC'd, whilo
:ie i)oad of his
vhiskcy in hra

id to pay his
• to tho liurrv
r. than to any
tor dai'k. tliat.
I'k lit' patted,
it him of tho
;ht conceived,
m. The '^ato
"ctire. iis if to
as he was, a
liter observa-
r to liis loud
'rs of the inn,
to his loudly
return with
njj; a verse of
erence of on«
. and. as the
into the fur-
concealment,
ice of the cir-
ook or move-
he trough, ho
his chest, as
:evcr convcr
was uttered,
ep cautiously
entered — ami
ad kept hiin-
I in any way
Silvertail, as
ndnctcd him-
The rellec

Hons to which thin inddent pave rise, had the rlTcct 0)f calling: up 4 (l<'«TfwrftU
fit of loyalty, which he only awaited the termination of Silvcrtail'H hasty
meal to put into imiitrdiato activity. Another shout to tho ostler, a second
glass swallowed, tho rcckoniiii; paid. Silvertail i)itted, and awav went Simou
once more at his wpwd throujrh the now deserted town, the road out of which
to his own place, skirted partly tho hanks of tho river, and partly those of
the lake.

After paMopinp ahoiit n mile, tho old man found tho feet of Silvertail hury*
ins; themselves momentarily deeper in the sands which form the road ncir
Klliot's Point. Unwilling to distress iiim, he pulle<l hu'i uj) to a wa'k, am',
tin iwinf.:; the reins upon his nick, folded his arms as usual, rollin?; from sido
to side, at ever}' moment, and audibly musing, in the thick, liu.sky voice that
was common to him in ineljriet}'.

" Yes, by Jove, I am as true and loyal a subject as any in the service of
King George. (lod ble.ss him (here he liowed iiis head invohnifarily an<l with
resp"ct). and though, as that poor dear old (Jrantham used to say, I do drink
a little niicxMtp). still there's no great harm in that. It kee|)S a man alive. I
am I he boy. at all events, to scent a rogue. That wa.s Desborough and ois
son I saw just now. and the rascals, he ! he ! he ! — the rascals thought. 1 si;:>-
pose, I was too drunk (hiccup), too drunk to twig thotn. Wo. shall tell theia
another tale before the nij^ht is over. D — n such skulking s<'oundrels, I .say.
Whoii! Silvertail, whoa! — what do you sen there, my boy, eh 7"

Silvertail only rejilied by the sharp pricking of his ears, and a .side move-
ment, which .seemed to indicate a desire to keep as much aloof as po.ssildc from
a cluster of walnut trees, which, interspersed with wild grapo vines, may bo
'XH'u to this hour, resting in gloomv relief on the white deep .sands that
ixtend considerably in that direction

" Never mind, my boy, we shall bo at homo presently," pursued Simon,
patting the neck of his unquiet companion. " Jiut, no — [had forgotten; wo
must give cha.sc to these (hiccup) to these rascals. Now there's that son Dill
of mine fast asleep, T suppose, in the arms of his little wife. They do noCliing
hv.t lie in bed, while their poor ohl father is obliged to be up at all h<tur.s,
devising plans for tho good nf thi King'- service, God bless him! But I shall

Boon (hiccui)) — Who.a, Silvertail ! whoa, I sjiy ! 1) n yon, you brute, do

you mean to throw me ?"

The restlessness of Silvertail. despite of his rider's cares.sos, had been visibly
increasin'j; as they approached the dark cluster of walimts. Arrived opnosito
to this, his ears and (ail erect, he had evinced even more than restlessnes.s—
alarm : and something, that did not meet the eye of his rider, caused him to
take a sideward spring of .several feet. It was this action that, nearly un.seat-
ing Siitwjn. had drawn'froin hitn the impatient exclamation ju-^t recorded.

At length the thicket was passed, and Silvertail, recovered from his alarm,
moved f()i-W!ird once more on the bound, in obedience to the well known whis
tie of Ills master.

'■ Good speed have they made," again mused Simon, as he approached hi?
home : " if indeed, as I suspect, it be thein who are hiding in yonder thicket.
Silvertail could not have been more than ten minutes (inishing his (hiccup)
his corn, and the .san is had but little time to warm bein-ath his hoofs when he
did start. These Yankees arc swift footed fellows, as I have had good (hiccup)
good cxpericnco in the oM war. when I could run a little my.i^elf like the best
of them. Milt hero we are at last. Whoa. Silvertail. whoa ! and now to turn
outliill from his little wife, liill, I say, hilloa ! hilloa ! Rill, hdloa!"

Lor.g habit, which had tiiugtit the old man's truly excellent and evemplary
son tho utter hopelessness of his disease, had also familiarized him with tlu"^
nightly interruptions to his slumbers. A light was .speedily seen to flash
across the chambur in wliich he slept, and presently the princij)al door of tho
lower building w.as unbarred, ana immurmiiiing and uncomplaining, the half-
dressed young man stood in the presence of his father. Phcing tho light on
the threshold, ho prepared to asir.st him as usual to dismount, but Simon, con*

■a

M A r I I. V \ M O N r (I O M i', K ( K i O R *

ilrnrv toou^timi, rrjivtod for n lime cvn y olVcr of llit< Uiml. IIU iniiiil oanlUtp
'llutMijrli Uu' nisiht. tvii, ihIiKmI lo (ln> moiv IIihm unliumy ipiiuilily ol « liiHk».<y
i\v lind tltnt «l(iy swnllowi'vl, wos mtvv |»roiliiciii>t ilM cH'crt, niid, wliilc even
^tilinv of IiIm t'uuu(oui>ni't' inuiiifctltMl (ho cstii'tiu' of uiiiiiiiti Hlii|iiilily, lii^
♦ppnhci Miou \v;\iul('i-<'(| mill Imm voii-o Iti'i'iiiuii iili»i»'»l iiiurhrnlHfc, Willtoiil
iI»o nmv T to ncqimiitl \\\h moh willi tl\i> pmiut'io l>i< liuil in vioiv, niid of vvliit li

-W himM(>|f iK»\v vntcr-liMuoil Imt. n vt-ry iiuliwlmfl, rcrollci'tion, lie yrl nIkivo,

i|ni|n>IU'^i as l\»< WrtH l)y I>iH rO:\fiiMt>i|ito«4)» of iiid'niiou, to n>l,nin liis mi-hI, Inil \vi»n
livpiiliiullv iinln)rs,t(l \\\^\ liuinlcd ovoi- to tlu' iiuv of liis |irol)v il;iii 'liti'i m-

,Jii\v. xvlioso otlico it, WiVJ lo dispoMi' of Iniit for Uio nijjlil, wliilo lior loidtiiiiil

'ruUtii'il tlovvu, fed. rthd olhorwiso ulloudod to Hilvortuil.

\ fi'w luxii'M of Noond n1i>(>|) rosloii'd Simon to l>i'< voii'c iiitd liii riM'(»lli>(v
lion, \vliiM\ loH drsiro (o follow tlio two itidividnuh lio Imd srro in lliu
ynrd of tho iuu tl\o puTodin)', nij>lil, tvid wlionj lu> fi<l( pKisnudod lie noiKt

»pin\T p;»ssTd on (l\o roiid, WHS ntoro llinn cvfipowoi (oily revived. And ytl.

*WrtM it not lii)ihly prol>al>lo tliitt I1m> fnvori>l)lo oppmdinily Imd Imim) lo-l, iiikI

-M>.'\t, lukuij: «dvMnl!»m> of tho nij^ljl, llioy wt'n< idn-idy dopiiileil fitiiM llm
A>unti V. if suoh (and ito dotihtod it. not) wivt (Ix'ir inliMilion. " Wliil ;v rmHcd

•)R»ol," no uiutleivd (o himself " lo let n t'nnnlttefnl of lupior upset, nie on snidi

fax o*v;\sion, luit, Ht nil eviMils, hero ^oeM for another trial.'' Willi llu>
nipulient. ov«M--mdulgv'd Simon, lo determine on i\ conrsii of (letion, wus to
jttirrv d inlo CllWt.

"Hdlo,'». UillJ I Kfty. Udl n>y ht\v !'' Iu> Nhonted from the rhiunher ui'xt to
*|lJiat in which lus soti slept. Uilloa! Hill, coine here direetly."

IJill nnswonnl not, Imt ,sonnd,< were hoard in his roomusorotv slcppinir out
df hv^l, and presently the i\oise <»f llint ami steel uinionmetl that a li;;lit w.is
hif'm^ .siniek, In n fow niinnio.s tho rathor ju»lo<l-lookin};; youth opptarud at
■OUu' inslstoad of his parv'nt.

" Ihll, niy doar l>ov," said Simon, in R more snhdned voieo, "did yon son
^♦nylH>\ly |v»ss last ni}iht nfler 1 eanve homo 7 Try und rooollodt yourself; did
j*Mi s<H,> two n\on on the roul f"

'* I did, father ; jnst «,s 1 had loekod tho .stahle door, and wascoiniii'!; in for
*fchv^ «i)j;!>t, I .saw two men |mssins:down the road. Hut why do yon nsli 7"

•' Oid you speak to them — i-ould yon reeognise them V asked .^iinon, willj-
6iUstatn>>: hjsuiolivo tor ilio question.

.*• 1 wisluvJ them ijovxl niiilit ; and one of th.Mn jtrntlly h.-ide me i^ood ni'jjht
Uo<> ; hot 1 t>Mild not m.'ike out who they were, though one did for « moment
>jMrike me to he IVshoronj:;!*. ""d hoth were lallish sort of men."

" You'iY a lad of jwnetiation, ihll ; now stiddlo me Silverlail as fust as you
can."

•• S.uld'.o SdvertJiil ! Surely, Cither, you aro not ffyiu^ out vet ; it's not day-
-Hirht." ^ *

" Saddle Silvertail. l>i"d," repeated the old man. with the air of one whosv
'"mandate was not lo bo quostioued. '' But where thoilevil aro yon j;;oinj^, sir .''
~|ie a<ld(\i. iuijKiliently.

•• H'hy to. saddle Silvortail, to bo sure,'' said the youth, who was jnst ciosinjj
■iMied>H>r for that p'lrpo.se.

♦' What, and leave mo. a misorablo old man, to get up without a lijjht ? Oh
► Ho, Bill. 1 thoujrlvtyou loved your poor old father letter than to luj^het hint
SO — tluMV. th.-it will do. Now send in l.ney to dress me."

The hcht was kiudleil, l^ill went in and spoke to his wife, then descended

-to the st.-ible. A tjontlo tap nt the door of the old interpreter, and hncy

«nten:<l in her pretty nisjht dress, and, l::df asleep, half awake, hnt without a

. uhadow of discontent in her look, proeeoiled to assist him in drawiiiir on Iiis

■«ttvkin>rs. Ac. Simon's toilet was .soon completed, and Silvcrl.iil beiii;;

snnovinoed as '" all rea»ly," he, without CH^iumunicatinu; a word of his pnipuse,

issued forth from his homo just as the day was bejiinning to dawn.

Although the retlective powers of Girlie had Iven in some measure restored
kf sleep, it is by no means to be assviinod he was yet thoroughly soIkt. \Ji\'

riijiitl ijfftllwp
(>( wliiwktjy
vllilc ('Veil
tl|il>lllV, n\S
\Vitll(Ml(

(I (>r wiiH h

yrl sliovo,
■lit, Inil wart
nil tlitoi -in-
'!' hiiMhiiiiit

liM riTnlliT-
■veil ill lliu

oil III' IDIIKt

Ami yi I,

•1) III :|, mill

I IVuiti tim

i;i(. II i-iumciI

nil' I'M 'an'U

Willi (lio

on, was U>

licr ui'jit to

li'|i|iiii!;; out
u li,!;lit wiiH

Ippi'illUll III
ill von M'O

•ursoif ; dill

\iiii'!; in for
I asiv ?"
null, wilji-

i;i)OiI iii'^ltt
a iiioiiiL'iil

iist «M you
's not (lay-
one wlmsv
Din;:;, sir ?'

list closinj;

i-lil? Oh
,l(rt liim

(loscciiiloil
nii'l l.ncy
willioiil :i
ii<r 0(1 his
tail b^'iii^

S J)UIJ»U^t',
R'Stoil'd

Ik.t. Uii'

TIIIC puoriiKuv riM. VI 1. 1, Kl)<

(\3

r«!r*niii in rt'jfiiTil to Uifl nioViMiioiitM of Uiomi who lind m» ulronK'y •'Xditft'l hln
loyill Ixmlilily, (iiml, iMii,yliii|i, iit. flm Mionnnl, Iijh nnjiwity,) it (m-oihiciI to hnik
iliiit if l>< Mhiiroii^h liiul not, iilioiidy Iminiil IiIm |titrKiiii, u kiiowlotlKi^ of I lie
iiioViMiicntM iiti'l iiit('nt,ion>tor lliitt iiiilividiiul nnrjit, iii'lM'tlcr ulititiiK'd tVotii iin
ttli'idviilion oC what. wii« |iiHHiii|.i; on tlio licarli in fiuiil of hm hut. 'rtiti ohjwt
ol" thiM nHjooiiiiiNHniifo wmn, tlnrcroro, only to k<»i< it Ih" naiioti of tlio wiUlt-r
Witt Mtilt on (ho Mhoni, nnd with IIiIm olij»ct, hn Hulliri'd Silvcrtiiil to tiiUo lh«
road aloiii> III" Mikiid'M, wliilo h« liini'4t'ir with liiMunnK inlilcd and iii.M In-iid Mitiki
oil liiH I'lii'Mt., Ii'll inU) a I'ovioio with wIikIi wuh r<innf'i'l<'il IIk* niitiinfr r.iid tb9
)|li'inm of Hrt.iii'iiit.i'; iho ilisloyal UcKlioroufrli, Mhinild il h'i|i|ii'n that h" had not
;iiit dcpiirlrd. 'I'lio iK'cidi'iilal di-M'-haifj;" of ^^|ddl<'n^o^(l'f^ piHtol, at. llni vory-
luomiMtt wlu'ii Silvi'i'tail had donhlrd a point that lu pt tiio HCi'iinorcont'oition^
IVoin liiM viow, imil'tod him to luiwo hin oycM, and then th" whoKi tinlh llaKli',<«i'
hliddciily upon liim, Wo havo already Mnen how ^rallantly ho advanr,oi| t^;,
Ihcin, and how niiidly, nnd in n tiitiMiu'i- pocuiiiirly liiH own, lio r.(Mi^hl Ut at"
niMt Ihf traitor l>oMhoronp;h in hiM (lif;ht.

'Sorry I i niihln't fori'o tht< Mnonndicl hank, j^cntlomen." «nid Hiinoii, a?i( hn
now iippiitiii'hi'd tlio dHi'oinllttid olUi'i'rs'. " Not ininh hint, I hopo," pooitiii
with Ins n\ n inuiinrd ami hloi'diu}; hand to tho lc(/; <»(' Aliddhttnoro. wliicli thu'
itlHuci', f^calod on till! Hand, waM preparing to hind with a nilk liandkiwidiio
" Ah, a nii'ri' IIi'mIi woiiml, I ho<«. Moitry, llftiry tJninthiiin, my poor dfar
hov, whiil still alive aflcr the <l('Spcral(w|iitchiii":o(' Hint, fellow at your throat |?
Iliit now that we liavo roiiti'd th(^ enemy — miiHthn oil'— dremdiisd to tini wkin.
No liquor on the Ktoinaeh to keep out the «:old, ami if ( onoe, t^ct ;ui aj.inn (1^
IIm all over' with poor old Simon. Must (';allop home, and, wliilo hisi littl*'
wife wiiips a hand.'i;^' round my hand, hIwiII w-nd down Uill with a litl,«!f,,
(lood morniii';;, Mr. iMi<ldleinore, frooil hye, Henry, my hoy." And thcn^
without (;ivinK time to eithet* to reply, tho old man applied ]m r^piirH onrci^
more to the IIjinkH of Silvertail, who, with droofiinj.^ mane and tail, rewmhled'
u half drowned rat; and a|';ain hallooini.; deUaiiee to l)eHhorou(j;h, who lay Uy.^
at a di.stanee, appiici'iitly watcihiiiK the niovementH of hiH (fiiemiuH. ho r(5tnu»«Jl>
hia way aloii^ the sands atfnll ^-lallop, and waH H|)(iedily out of si)i:}it.

Hcareely had (Jirty disajipeared, when two other individuala, evidonlly o(B-
ccrs. nnd cloaked precisely Ilk« the party he had jiint ipiittod, ixsiiod from i\us
wood near the hot Upon the clearin^i;, and tluMi';e upon tho sands — their coiir*-,
tonanc.es natiunlly oxprcssinp all tho surpriso that mi;^ht he siipfjosod tonriMf
fiom the picture now offered to tlieir view.

■' What in the iiiiiiie of Heaven is th(! moaning of all tliin?" ft«ked oiks of
tho new<'oiiierH, as hotli now rapidly advanceil to the spot where Middlerrior*
was yet employed in coolly hifidin^ up his le^, while Me.nry firaiilliam, wliQ
had just riH "11, was Kaspiiif!; with almost Utdiorous elfurts to refrain hin rcspi*
ration.

" You must ask tho meaning; of our frien<l hero, answered Middlcmore, wit^
the low chnckliii'^ f:;ood-naturod lau^h that waM liahituai to him, whilo he prO«
cci'ded with his handa;i;inj;. " All I know is, that I came out as a second, arwl
here have 1 hecn made a firi-.li — a prineijial. whi<;h, hy the way, is contrary tO
ill my principle."

'' Do ho sirioiis for once, Middiomore. How ilid you p;et wounded, and whO
Rrc> those .scoundrels who have just quitted vou ? anxiously inquired Captain
M<)lineux, for it was he, and Ijieiitenant Villiers, who, (tlic jmrty alreaxl/
Ktated to have heen expectxid), h.ad at len!/;tli arriv«)d.

"Two desperate fellows in th<-ir way, f can assure you." replied Middld-
morc, more amnscMl than aniioye.l at the adventure. '■ Ensij^n I'aul. Fjiniliufl.
Theophilus, Arnold!, is, I calculate, a pretty considerahle stron}; \u:tijce iv>r%
of fellow ; and, to judj^e hy Henry Grantham's half stranc^led look, his conk
panion lacks not the sanio qualities. Why, iu the name of all that \n preciout
would vou persist in poking your nose into the rascal's skins, GrantharoY
The liflians had nearly made dried skins of ours."

MATILDA MONTOOn ERIC ; OR,

" Ha ! is that tho scoundrel wlio calls himself Arnoldi," asked Captain
Molineu" ? " I have heard," and ho glanced at Henry Granth.am as he spoko^
^a long story of his villainy from his captor within this very hour."

"Which is your apology, I suppose," said Middlemore, "for having so far
exceeded your appointment, gentlemen."

" It certainly is," said Lieutenant Villiers, " but tho fault was not ours.
We chanced to fall in with Gerald Grantham, on our way here, and that ho
detained us, should be a matter of congratulation to us all."

" Congratulation !" exclaimed Middlemore, dropping his bandage, and lifting
his eyes with an expression of indescribable humor, " Am I then to think it
matter of congratulation that, as an mnocent second, I should have had »
cursed piece of lead stuck in my flesh to spoil my next winter's dancing.
And Grantham is to think it matter of congratulation that, instead of putting
a bullet through you, Molineux, (as I intend he shall when I have linished
dressing this confounded leg, if his nerves are not too much shaken), he should
have felt the gripe of that monster Desborough around his throat, until his
eyes seem ready to start from their sockets, and ■ ' his because you did not
choose to be in time. Upon my word, I do not k .f that it is quite meet that
wc should meet j'ou. What say you, Grantham t'

"I hope,'' said Captain Molineux with a smile, " yt)ur principal will think
US you do, for should he decline the meeting, nothing will afford more satis-
faction to myself."

Both Grantham and Middlemore looked their utter surprise at the language
thus used by Captain Molineux, but neither of them spoke.

" If an apology the most ample for my observation of yesterday," continued
that officer, "an apology founded on my perfect convi'ction of error, (that con-
viction produced by certain recent explanations with your brother), can satisfy
3''ou, Mr. Granthafti, most sincerely do I make it. If, however, you hold me
to luy pledge, here am I of course to redeem it. I may as well observe to you
in the presence of our friends, (and Villiers can coroborate my statement),
that my original intention on leaving your brother, was to receive your firo
mnd then tender my apology, but, under the circumstances in which both you
and Middlemore aiv" placed at this moment, the idea would be altogether
absurd. Again I tender my apology, which it will be a satisfaction to me to
repeat this day at the mes,-^ table, where I yesterday refused to drink your
brother's health. All I can add is that when you have heard the motives for
my conduct, and learnt to what extent T have been deceived, you will readily
admit that I acted not altogether from ''aprice."

"Your apology I accept. Captain Molii^oux." said Grantham, coming for-
ward and unhesitatingly offering his hand. 'If you have seen my brotlier, I
am satisfied. Let there be no further question oi; the suliject."

'• So then I am to be the only bullcted man on tiiis occasion," interrupted
Middlemore, with ludici-ous patlios — "' the only poor devil who is to be made
to remember Hartley's point for ever. But no matter. I am not the first in-
stance of a second being shot, throngh the awkward bungling of his principal,
and certainly Grantham you were in every sense the principal in tliis affair,
for li3(l you taken my advice you would liavc let the fellows go to the devil
their own way."

" What ! knowing, as I di<l, that the traitor Oesburongh had concealeil in
his canoe a prisoner on parole — nay. Worse, a deserter from our service — witU
a view of conveying him out of the country."

" How did you know it."

" Because I at once recognised him, through the disguise in which he left
the hut. for what he was. That discovery made, there remained but on«
course to pursue."

'• Ah ! and coarse work you made of it. with a vengeance," said Middlemore,
" first stiirted him up like a fox from his cover, got the mark of his ',eeth, and
then suffered him to escape."

d Oap(.ain
^ he spoka

ving so far

s not ours,
nd that ho

and liftinf»
to think it
lave had a
s dancing.

of putting
'P linished

he should
t, until hi.s
ou did not
! meet that

THE PROPHECY FULFII. LED.

will think
nore satis-

e language

continued
(that con-
can satisfy
>u hold me
;rve to you
tatemcnt),
e your firo
h hoth you
altogether
1 to me to
irink your
notives for
rill readily

oming for-
brotlier, I

nterrupted
be made
he first in-
5 principal,
tiiis aflair,
) the devil

ncoaled in
nee — with

lich he left
d but 0D«

iddlomoro,
'.eeth, and

"Ts th^re no chance of following — no means of overtaking them?" said
Captain Mohneux — '• No, by Heaven, as he u^liinocd his eye from right to left,
not a single canoe to be seen an3'^where along the shore."

" Following !" echoed Middlcniore; •' faith the scoimdrcls would desire no-
thing better; if two of us had such indifferent piny with them on terra flrma,
you may rely upon it that double the number would have no better chanco
in one of these rickety canoes. See there how the rascals lie to within half
musket shot, apparently hailing us."

Middlemore was right. Dosborough had risen in the stern of the canoo,
and now, stretched to his full height, called leisurely, through his closed
hands, on the name of Ilcnry Grantham. AVhen he observed the attention
of that officer had, in common with that of his companions, been arrested, ho
proceeded at the full extent of his lungs.

"I reckon, young man, as how I shall pay you out for this, and drot my
fckin, if I once twists my fingers round your neck again, if anything on thin
side hell shall make me quit it. afore you squeaks your last squeak. You'vo
druv me from my home, and I'll have your curst blood for it yet. I'll .sarvo
you, as I sarved your old father. You got my small bore. I expect, and if it.*?
any good to you to know that one of its nirqeties to the pound sent the old
ra.scal to the devil — why then you have^ from Jeremiah Desborough's own
lips, and be d — d to you."

And, with this horrible admission, the settler again .seated himself in tho
stern of his canoe, and making good use of his paddle soon scudded away until
his little vessel appeared but as a speck on the lake.

Henry Grantham was petrified with astonishment and dismay at a decla-
ration, the full elucidation of which we ttuist reserve for a future opportunity.
The daring confession rang in his ears long after the voice had ceased, and it
was not until a light vehicle had been brought for Middlemore from Simon's
farm, that he could be induced to quit the shore, where he still linirered, as if
in expectation of the return of the avowed vmrderer of his Father.

• • > . ' ■ CHAPTER IX. -; ■

At the especial invitation of Captain Molincux, Gerald Grantham dined at
vhe garrison mess, on the evening of the day when tlio circumstances detailed
ill our last chapter took place. During dinner the extraordinary adventuro
of the morning formed the chief topic of conversation, for it had become ono
of general interest, not only throughout the military circles, but in the town
of Amherstburgh itself in which the father of the Granthams had been held
in .an esteem .amounting almost to veneration. Horrible as had been the an-
nouncement made by tlio detected and discomfited scttlev to him who now,
for the first time, learnt that his parent had tallen a victim to ruHian vindic-
tivcncss, too many years had elapsed since that event, to produce; more than
the ordinary emotion wh'ch might be supposed to be awakened by a know-
ledge rather of the manner than the fact of Ids death. Whatever therefore
might have been tho pain inflictixl on the hearts of the brothers, by this cruel
re-opening of a partially closed wound, there was no other evidence of suffer-
ing than the suddenly compressed lip and glistening eye, whenever allusion
was made to the villauiilHth whom each felt ho had a fearful .account to .settle.

Much indeed of the imorest of the hour was derive<l from the animated ac-
f.ount, given b}' Gerald, of the circumstances which had led to his lying in
ambuscade for the American on the preceding dav ; and as his narrative em-
braces not only the reasons for Captain Molineux s strange conduct, but other
hithtto unerrplained facl.s, we cannot do better than follow him in his detail :

"I liiink it must have been about half past eleven o'clock, on the night
preceding the capture," commenced Gerald, '" that as my gun-boat wan u(

MATILDA MONTOOHEKIE; Oit,

anchor close under the Ainericnn shore, at rather more than lialf a mile below
the farther extremity of Hois IJlanc. my fuillifiil old Sainho silently approachcil
me. while I lay wrapped in my wateh-cloak on deck, oaknilatint; the ehanee.s
of falliii!» in with some spirited l.ark of the enemy whicli would aflbrd me an
opi)ortunity of provino; tjie mettle of my crew.

"'j\fassa (Jeral,' he said, in a mysteriotis whisper — for old age and long
Morv-iees in my family have j^iven him privilejjes whi(!h I have neither the
power nor the inclination to check — • Massa Geral.' pullinn; mc by the collar,
' I dam il» he no p;o sleep when him ou<;ht to hah all him eyes about him—
him pretty fi'llow to keep watch when Yankee pass him in o channel.'

'' ' A Yankee pass mo in the channel !' " I wonld have exclaimed aloud,
startinj? to n»y feet with surprise ; but Sambo, with read)' thouj>;ht, put his
hand upon my mouth, in time to prevent more than the first word from beinj,*
uttftod.

'" Hush I datn him, jMassa Gcral. ib you make a noise, you no catch him.'

"'What do you mean, then — what have you seen?' I asked, in the saote
low whisper, the policy of wiiich his action had enjoined on me.

'" ' r.ookee dare. Massa rjeral, lookee dare !'

" FoUowiufj; the direction in which he pointed, I now saw, bat \cry indis-
tinctly, a canoe in which was a solitju-y individual stealing across the lake to
the impulsion of an apparently mullled paddle; for her course, notwithstand-
Jnfl; the stillness of the night, was utterly noiseless. The moon, which is in
her fu'st (piarter, had long since disappeared ; yet the heavens, although not
f jrticularly bright, were sullicientl}'- dotted with stars to enable me, with the
liidofanight telescope, to discover that the figure, which guided the cau-
%Jously moving bark, had nothing Indian in its outline. The crew of the gun-
boat (the watch only excepted) had long since turned in ; and even the latter
iiiy reposing on the forecastle, the sentinels only keeping the ordinary look-
out. So closely, moreover, did wo lay in shore, that but for the caution of
ihe paddler, it might have been assumed she was too nearly identified with the
dark forest against which her hull and spars reposed, to be visible. Curi-
ous to ascertain her object, I watched the canoe in silence, as, whether acci-
dentally or with design, I know not, she made the half circuit of the gun-boat
and then bore away in a direct liixe for the Canadian shore. A suspicion of
tlie truth now Hashed across my mind, and I resolved without delay to sat-
isfy myself. My iirst care was to hasten to the forecastle, and enjoin on the
fftntinels. who 1 feared might sec and hail the stranger, the strictest silence.
Then desiring Sambo to prepare the light boat, which I dare say most of you
liavo remarked to form a part of my Tiillipulian command, I proceeded to arm
uiy.self with ciitLass and i)istols. Thus equipped, I sprang lightly in ; and
having again caught sight of the chase, on which I had moreover directed one
of the sentinels to keep a steady eye as long as she was in sight, desired Sambo
to steer as noiselessly as possible in pursuit. For some time we kept the
Granger in view, but whether, owing to his superior paddling or lighter
weight, we eventnalh' lost .sight of him. The suspicion which liad at first in-
duced my following, however, served as a clue to guide me in the direction
I should take. 1 was aware that the .scoundrel Desborough was an object of
distrust — I knew that the strictness of my father, during his magistrac}', in
eompelling him to choose between taking the oaths of allegiance and quitting
the country, had inspired him with deep hatre<l to hiip«eif and disaffection to
the Covernment ; and 1 felt that if the spirit of his vongeance had not earlier
developed itself it was .solely because the opporlunil^nd the power had hith-
erto been wanting; but that now, when hostiliticsWetwecn his natural and
adopted countries had been declared, there would be ample room for the ex-
ercise of his treason. It was the strong assurance I felt that he was the sol-
itary voyager on the face of the waters, which induc(!d me to pursue him ; for
1 hud a presentiment that, could I but track him in lii.s course. I should eli«-
cover .some proof of his guilt, which would sqfTicc to rid us for ever of the
presence of so ^laugerous a subject. The adventure was moreover one that

pie;

l)oa
loa\
<ur

con

rouf

Bam

one-

disi

ofi

THE FROPIIECY FULFILLED.

&'3

niilo 1h;1ow
ipproachctt
he chancof»
lord inc an

and long
ii'ithor tlie

the collar,
out him —

nod aloud,

ht, ])ut his
Voni beinj,*

atch him.'
the saaic

,'Qry indis-
hp lake to
ivithstand-
•hich is in
haugh not
!, with the
the cau-
f the gun-
the latter
lary look-
laution of
Iwith th©
e. Curi-
thcr acci-
gun-boat
^picion of
ay to sat-
in on tho
st silence,
st of you
1 to arm
in ; and
(•fed one
.Sambo
<cpt tho
lighter
first in-
direction
ohjuct of
U;\cy. in
(uitting
ction to
>t earlier
ad iiith-
r.ral and
• the cx«
tho sol-
im ; for
)uld di8-
r of tho
nc liiat

I'd

pleaKod me, althongli perhaps T was not stricily justified in quitting my gun
boat, esiiecially as in the ingency of the niDinent, I had not even thought of
leaving orders with niy boatswain, in the event of anything unexpected oo^
( uiTing during my absence. The sentinels alone were aware of my departure.

" 'J'hc course we pursued was in the direction of Hartley's point, and so
correct had been tho steering and paddling of the ke(!n-sighted nei,; o, that
when we made the b"ach, wo found ourselves immediately opposite to Desbo-
rougb's hut.

'• ' How is this, Sambo ?' T asked in a low tone, as our canoe grated on tho
sand within a few paces of several others that lay where I expected to find but
one — 'are all these l)esl)orough's?'

" • No. Massa (Jeral — 'less hiui teal bim todors, Desborough only got one—
disa public landin' place.'

'•' (/an you tell which is his?' I inquired. ,

" ' 'I'o be sure — dis a one,' and be ]»ointcd to one nearly twice the dimensions
of its fellows.

'• • Has it been lately used. Sambo — can you tell T .

" ' I soon lind out, ^fassa Geral.'

" His device was the most simple and natural in the world, and yet I confess
it was one which I never should have dreamt of. Stooping on tlie sands, ho
passed his hand under the bottom of tlie canoe, ami then whispered :"

" ' Him not touch a water to-night, ^lassa Geral — him dry as a cliip.'

" Here I was at fault. I began to apprehend that I had been bailled in my
pursuit, and deceived in my supposition. I knew that Desborough had had
for years, one large cance offly in bis possession, and it was evident that this
had not been used for tho night. I was about to order Sambo to shove off
again, when it suddenly occurred to me. thsit, instead of returning from n
visit, the suspected settler might have received a visiter, and I accordingly
desired my JiUes Achates to submit the remainder of the canoes to the samo
inspection.

" After having passed his hand inelTcctually over several, he at length
announced, as he stooped over one whicli I recognised, from a peculiarr elevation
of tlie bow and stern, to be same we had passed. j

" 'Dis a one all drippin' wet, Massa Geral. May I nebber see a Hebben ib
ho not a same we follow.'

" A low tapping against the door of the hut. which, although evidently in-
tended to be subdueii, was now, in the .silence of night, distinctly audible, whilo
our whispers on the contrary, mingled as they were with the crisping .sound
of the waves rippling on the sands were, at that distance, undistinguishable.
It was evident that I had erred in my original conjecture. Had it been Des?-
borough liimself, living alone as he did, he would not have knocked for admis-
sion where there was no one to ailbrd it, but would have quietly let himself
in. It could then be no other than a visiter, perhaps a spy from the enetn}'— »
and tlie same to whom we had given chase.

" From the moment that the tapping commenced, Sambo and I stood
motionless on the shore, and without trusting our voices again, even to a
whisper. In a little time we hoard the door open, and the low voice of Des-
borough in conversation witli another. Presently tlie door was shut, and
soon afterwards, through an imperfi'Ctlj' closed shutter on the only floor of tho
but, we could perceive a streak of liglit relh^cted on the clearing in front, aa
if from a candle or lamp that was stationary.

••'I (ink bim dam rascal dat man, Mas^i Geral,' at length ventured my
companion. ' I 'member long time ago.' and be si-uhed, ' when Sambo no
l>igger nor dat paddle, one berry much like him. But. Mas.sa Geral, Missis
always tell me nebber talk o' dat.'

" ■ A villain he is, I believe. Sambo, but let us advance cautiously and dis-
cover what be is about.'

*• We now stole along the skirt of tlie forest, until we managed to approach
the window, through 'vhi/;h the light was still thrown iii ouo long, fixed, but

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

Kolitnry r\y. Tt wna however impossible to see who were within, fir altliongh
llio voice's of nu-n wvav (listinjj:uishahlc, their forms were so placed as not to
be visible tliroujjh the partial opcnin;<.

'■The coiiveisation had cviilently been f.omc moments commenced. Tho
first words I lieard uttered were by Dcsboroug-h.

'" A (^oinir.issary boat, and filled with ba<:!;s of eoold eagles, and a fiftieth
part oni-'n. if wo ^et her dean slick throiij^h to Detroit. Wtll-, drot mc, if
that ain't woith the trial. AVhy didn't they try it by land, boy V

'"I reckon, father, that cock wouldn't light. The Injuns are outlyin'
every where to cut olF our mails, and the ready is too much wanted to bo
thiown aw.'iy. No, no : the river work's the safest, I take it, for there they
little expect it to corne.'

'■ The voice of the last speaker excited in rao r strong desire to see the face
of Desl)orowfrh's visitor. (JnaVde, where I stood, to catch the slightest view
of either. I fancied that 1 might be more successful in rear of the hut. I
therefore moved forward, followed by Sambo, but not so cautiously as to pre-
vent my feet from crushing a fragment of decayed wood that lay in my
path.

"A bustle within, and the sudden opening ot the door announced that th«
noise had been overheard. I held up my finger impressively to Sambo, and wo
both remained motionless.

" ' Who the hell's there ?' shouted De.sborough, and the voice rang like tho
bhist of a speaking trumpet alonnj the skirt of tiie forest.

" ' Some raccoon looking out for Hartley's chickens, I expect,' said hi.s
companion, after a short pause. ' There's nothin' human, I reckon, to be seen
movin' at this hour of the night.'

" ' Who the hell's there V repeated Dcsborongh — still no answer.

" Again the door was closed, and under cover of tho slight noi.se made by
the settler in doing this, .and resuming his seat. Sambo and I accomjjlished
tho circuit of the hut. Here we had an unobstructed view of the persons of
both. A small .store room or pantry communicated with that in which they
were sitting at a table, on which was a large flagon, wo knew to contain whis-
key, and a couple of japanned drinking cups, from which, ever and anon, they
' wetted their w'histles,' as they termed it, and whettedi their di.scourse. An
they sat each with his back to the inner wall, or more correctly, the logs of tho
hut, and facing the door communicating witli the store-room, left wide open,
and in a dii-ect lino with the back window at which we had taken our stand,
we could distinctly trace every movement of their features, while, thrown into
the shade by tho gloom vrith which we were enveloped, we ran no risk of de-
tection ourselves. It is almost unnecessary to observe, after what has occurred
this morning, that the companion of Dcsborough was no other than the soi-
disant Ensign Paul Emilius Theophilus Arnoldi ; or, moi-e properly, tlie
scoundrel son of a yet more scoundrel father. He wore the dress in which
you yesterday beheld him, but beneath a Canadian blanket coat, which, when
I first .saw him in the hut, was buttoned up to the chin so closely as to conceal
everything American about the dress.

■ ' Well now, I reckon we must lay our heads to do this job ;' said tho son.

as he tossed off a portion of the liquid he hud poured into his can.
only that one gun-boat I expect in t'other channel.'
'• ' Only one. Phil — do you know who commands it V

■ There',

*' ' Ono of thera curst Granthams, to be sure. I .say, old

boy/ o.nd \m
' I see you've

eye lighted up significantly is he pointed to the opposite wall
got tlie .small bore still.'

"A knowing wink marked the father's sense of the .illusion. 'The devil's
in it.' he rejoined, ' if we can't come over that smooth-faced chap some how or
other. Did you see anythin' of him as yoti come along ?'

" ' I reckon I did. Pretty chick he is to ei^ploy for a look-out. Why T
paddled two or three times round his gun-boat as it i.ay 'gin tho shore, without
•0 much as a single livin' soul bf i\q on deck to see me.'

ru' alUio\ij2;h
cd as uol to

enced. Tho

nd a fiftieth

, drot luc, if

are outl3in'

anted to bo

r there they

Roe the face
ightest view

the hut. I
ly as to pre-
t lay in my

:cd that tlio
inbo, and wo

rang like tho

ct.' said liis
a, to be seen

!r.

rise made by
ccomplished
J persons of
; which they
)ntaia whis-
1 anon, they
;course. As
e ]o!js of tho
wide open,
our stand,
thrown into
) rislc of de-
las occurred
han the soi-
ropcrly, tho
ss in which
^dlich, when
s to conceal

aid the son,
' There's

)y;' and \m
see you've

' The devil's
ome how or

It. Why 1

>re, without

T 11 t r R O P H E C Y F U L F I L I, K D

" Tt is proverbial." continued Grantham. •' tliatlis:tcncrs never hear any jrood
of thorn -ielvcs. I paid tlic common pfUiilly. Tint if I continue 1 caluf, my
companion did not. Partly incensed at what, hud relate(' to me — but morfl
infuriated at the declaration made by the son. Uiut he had paddled , evora^
times round the gun-boat, without a .soul being on dock to .see him. he drew
near to me, his white teeth displaying themselves in the gloom, as he wliisper-
ed, but m a tone that betrayed extreme irritation.

'•'What a dam liar ra.scal, Massa Geral. IIi; nobbcr go round : I see bin*
oomo a down a ribbcr long afore he see a boat at all.'

•' ' Hush, Sambo ! hush — not a word,' I returned in the same low whisper
' The villains are at some treason, and if we stir, we shall lo.se all chance of
discovering it.'

'' ' Mo no peak. Massa Gcral ; but dam him lyin' tcef,' he continued to mut
tcr. ' I wish I had him board a gun-boat.'

" ' A dozen fellers well armed might take the d d British crafl,^

ob«';rved Desborough. ' Ilow many men may there bo aboard the Com«
niissary V

'■ ' About forty, I reckon, under some d d old rig'lar major. I've got a

letter for him hero to desire him to come on. if so be as wo gets the craft out
of the way.'

'" Drot me if T know a better way than to jump slick aboard her,' returned
Desborough, musingly, ' fort}^ genunie Kaiutucks ought to swallow her up,
crew and all.'

" ' I guess they would,' returned his companion, ' but they are not Kain-
tucks, but only rig'lars ; and then agin if they are discovered, one spry cannon
might .sink her ; and if the eagle.-: go to th'" bottom we shall lose our fiftieth.
You don't reckon that.'

" ' AVhat the hell's to be done then ?' exclaimed Desborough, resorting to
his favorite oath when in doubt.

'' ' My plan's already cut and dried by a wiser head nor }'Ours nor mine, as
you shall larn ; but first let a feller wet his whistle.' Here they boih drained
oil' another portion of the poison that stood before them.

'• Not to tire you," pursued Grantham, " with a repetition of the oaths and
vulgar and inteijectional chucklings that pa.' sed between the well-a.ssorted pair
during the disclosure of the plan, I will briefiy state that it was one of tho
most stupid that could have been conceived, and reflected but little credit oa
the stratagetic powers of whoever originateil it.

" The younger scoundrel, who since his desertion from our .service, claims to
bo a naturalized citizen of the United States, (his name of Desborough being
changed for that of Arnoldi. and his rank of full private for that of Ensign of
Militia.) had been .selected, from his knowledge of the Canadian shore and
his connexion with the disaffected .settler, as a proper person to entrust with a
stratagem, having for its object the .safe convoy of a boat with specie, of which
the American garrison, it appears, stands much in need. The renegade hiul
been instructed to see his father, to whom he was to promise a fiftieth of tho
value of the freight, provided he should by any means contrive to draw tho
gun-boat from her station. The most plausible plan suggested was, that ho
should intimate to me that a prize of value was lying between Turkey Island
and our own shore, which it required but my sudden appearance to ensure,
without even striking a blow. Here a number of armed boats were to bo
stationed in concealment in order to take me at a disadvantage, and evcti if I
avoided being captured, the great aim would be accomplished — namely, that
of getting me out of the way until the important boat should have cleared
the channel running between Uois Blanc and the American shore, and secreted
herself m one of the several deep creeks which empty themselves into tho
river. Here she was to ha\^e remained until I had returned to my station,
when her passage upward might be pursued, if not without ob.sorvation. at
least without risk. As Desborough was known to be suspected b}- us, it wa.'4
further .suggosCc i that he should appear to have been influenced in the infur-

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE ; OR,

m'lli'on rnnvoycd to mo. not by any motives of patriot'dni. which woiW h*v«
Ix'cn in the hiphcst degree tnisplaccd, hut hy the mere principle of self-interest.
He was to reqnircorine a pledge that.otit of the proceeds of the proposed cap-
ture a twentieth share should be his, or. if I would not undertake to guarantee
this from the Government or my own authority, that I should prou)isc my own
eventual sliarc should be divided with hiui. This stratagem successful, tho
yoiniger Desborough was to repair to the boat which had been lying concealed
for the last day or two, a few miles below me, with an order for her to mnkb
the best of her way during tho night if possible. If failing on the other hand.
,«he was to return to the port whence .she had sailed, until a more fitting oppor-
tunity should present itself.

" This," continued Grantham, after a slight pause, during which the bottle
Avas again circulated, '• was delightful intelligence. Distrustful as T was of
Desborough, I could not have been deceived by this advice, even had T not
thus fortunately become acquainted with the whole of the design ; hut now
that I knew my man, and coultl see my way, I at once rcsolverl to appear the
dupe they proposed to make me. Specie, too, for the payment of the garri-
son ! This was no contemptible prize with which to commence my career.
IJcsides, the boat was well manned ; and although without cannon, still, in
point of military equipment, quite able to cope with my crew, which did not
s.xceed thirty men.

" With your knowledge of Desborough's character, it will not surprise you
to learn, although I confess I boiled with indignation at the moment to hear,
that the object of the .scoundrels vva.s, with a view to the gratification of their
own jjrivate vengeance, not merely to raise a doubt of my fidelity. ':>Mt to pro-
frr against me a direct charge of treason. Thus, in their vulgar language,
ihoj' argued. If misled by tlieir representations, I quitted my station on tho
channel, and fell into the ambuscade prepared for me near Turkey Island, I
raised a suspicion of the cause of my absence, which might be confirmed by
an anonymous communication ; and if, on the other hand. T escaped that am-
bu.scade, tlie suspicion would be even stronger, as care would be taken to an-
nounce to the English garrison the fact of mv having been bribed to leave the
channel IVeo for tho passage of a boat, filled with money and necessaries for
Detroit. ISly return to my post immediately afterwards would confirm tho
assertion ; and so perfectly had they, in their wise conceit, arranged their
plans, that r» paper was prepared by the son and handed to his father, for the
purpo.so of being droppe<l in the way of one of the ofiicers — the purport of
which was an accusation against me, of holding a secret understanding with
the enemy, in proof whereof it was stated that at an important moment, I
should be found absciit from my post. I think I am correct, Captain Moli-
ncux."

" ' Perfectly,' returned that officer — ' .such indeed were the contents of the
paper which I picked up in my rounds about daylight yesterday morning, and
which I have only again to express my regret that I should hare allowed to
make on me even a momentur}' impression. Indeed, Grantham, I am suro
you will do me the ju.stice to believe, that until we actually .saw the American
boat passing, wliile you were nowhere to be scon, I never for one moment
doubted its hieing, what it has proved to be — the falsest arid most atrocious of
calumnies."

"Your alter doubt was but natural," replied the sailor, "although I confess
I could not help wincing under the thought of its being entertained. I know-
that, on my return, I .should be enabled to explain everything, but yet felt
nettled that even my short absence should, as I knew it must, give rise to anr
strictures on my conduct. It was that soreness of feeling which induced my
impatient allusion to the subject, even after my good fortune of yesterday, for
1 at once detected that the slanderous paper had been received and coiiimentcd
on ; and from the peculiar glance. I saw Ilenry direct to ycu, I was at no loss
to di.scover into whoso hands it h.ad fallen. But to resume.

" Their plan of action being finally settled, tho traitors bcg:vn to give indi*

«i
til

w
PI

ro.ild have
;lf-iiitorest. .
posed cnp-
pnarantce
^e my own
:cssfvil. tho
X concealed
3r to make
(her hand,
ing oppor-

the bottle
^ T was of
had T not
; but now
appear the
the garri-
my career.
)n, still, in
ich did not

irprisc you
nt to hear,
on of their
•"•it to pre-
Ir.nguagc,
tion on tho
y Island, I'
ifirmed by
1 that am-
l:en to an-
} leave the
ssai'ies for
mfinn tho
ged their
er, for the
)nrport of
ding with
iioment, I
tain Mou-
nts of the
ning, and
lowed to
am sure
American
moment
'ocious of

I confess
I knew
yet felt
se to any
luced my
rday, for
tnnientcd
It no losiT

nvc indi-

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

aation of scpamting — the one to hasten and annoinicc to the American boat
the removal of all impe(hM\ent to her passage upwards — tiie other to my gun-
boat, in order to play oli' the falsehood Juvised for the sucix'.>s of their strata-
gem.

" ' Here's d;imnati(>n to the curst race of Granthains.' said the son, as rais-
ing his tall and lanky body, he lifted the rude goblet to iiis lips.

" ' Amen,' responded the fiitlior, rising also and drinking to the pledge 'and,
what's more, here's to the goold eagles that'll repay us for our job. And now
Phil, let's be niovin'.'

" Tlie heavy treatl of their feet within the hut as they tnoved to and fro, to
collect the several articles bulongmg to the equipment of Dcsborotigh's canoe,
promising fi.ir to cover the sound of our footsteps, I now whispered to Sambo,
and we hastily made goDdour retreat to the point where we leff our .skill". In
a few minutes, we were again on the lake, paddling swiftly but cautiously to-
wards my gun-boat. I had instructed the .sentinels not to hail me on my ro-
turn, therefore when I gained the deck, it was without challenge or observa-
tion of any kind, which could denote to those from whom I hud so recently
parted, that any one hud bcon absent.

'' Again I had thrown myself upon the deck, and was ruminating on the
singular events of the evening, associating the rich prize, which I now already
looked upon as my own. with the rascality of those who, imagining me to be
their dujie, were .so soon to become mine; and moreover meditating such
measures as I fancied most likelj'^ to secure a result so opposite to that which
they anticipated, when the loud quick sharp hail of the .sentinels announced
that a craft of .some kind was approaching.

" ' Want to «ee the oliicer.' shouterl a voice which I knew to bo Dcsbi-»-
rough's. ' Somethin' very partick'lar to tell him, I guess.'

" Permission having been gianted, the canoe came rapidlj' up to the side,
and in the next minute, the tall heavy form of the settler stood distinctly de-
luied against the lake, as he stepped on tho gun-wale of the boat.

" It must be needless here to repeat the information of which ho was tho
bearer," pursued Grantham. Its purport was, in every sense, what I had s»
recently overheard in the hut.

" ' And how am I to know that this talc of yours is correct,' I demanded
when he had concluded, yet in a tone that .'^,eemed to admit, I was as much
his dupe as he could reasonably desire. ' You are aware. Desborough. that
your character for loyalty doos not stand very high, and this may prove bt:t
a trick to get mc out of the way. What good motive can you give for my be-
lieving you V

'" The best T calculate as can be,' he unhesitatingly answered, 'and that is
my own interest. I don't make no boast of my loyalty, as you sa\ to bo
Bure, Mr. Grantham, but I've an eye like a hawk ibr the rhino, and I han't
giv' you this piece of news without cxpectin' a promise that I shall git a purty
considerable sum in eagles, if so be as you succeeds in wallopin' the prize.'

" ' Walloping — what do you call walloping, man V

" ' \Vhat do I call wallopin' i why lickmg her slick and clean out, and gel-
tin' hold of the dust to be sure.'

" I could have knocked the scoundrel to the deck, for the familiarity of the
grin which accompanied his reply, and as for Sambo, I had more than once to
look him peremptorily into patience.

'■ I knew from what ha'l passed between father and son, that, until the for-
mer had communicated with, and impressed a conviction of the accuracy of
his report, upon me, nothing was to be attempted by the boat, the capture of
vthich was now, for a variety of reasons, an object of weighty consiiieration.
' Whatever violence I ilid to myself therefore, in abstaining from a castigation
of the traitor, 1 felt that I could not hope for success, unless, by appearing im-
plicitly to believe all he had stated. I thus set suspicion at rest.

'•'A more satisfactor;.' motive for your information you could not have given
tne, Desborough,' 1 at length replied, with a sarcasm which was bcwevcr ic-sJ

MATILDA MONTOOMERIK: OR,

upon hiin, 'and T certainly Jo you the justice to believe that to the fielf-intcr-
est you have avowed, wo shall be imiehtod for the caj)turc of the prize in
question. She lies, you say, between Turkey Island and our own .shores.'

•''I ^uoss \s how she does,' replied the .settler, with an eaprerness that
betrayed his conviction tliat the bait had taken; ' i)ut Mr. Grantham.' — and
1 could detect a lurkiu:^ sneer, ' I expect at least that when you have lick'd
the prize you will make my loyalty stand a little hi}>;her than it seems to bo
at tliis moment, for I {ruess. puttin' tho dollars out of the question, it's aright
loyal act 1 am f!;uilty of now.'

■''You may rely upon it. Desborouph, you shall have all the credit you do-
serve for your conduct on the occasion — that it shall be faithfully reported on
my return, you may take for ,a;ranted,' Here I summoned all hands up to
weif^h anchor and make sail for Turkey Island. ' Now then, De.sboroufih,
imless you wish to be a shaier in our enterpri.se, the sooner yo <■ leave us the
better, for we shall be ofl' immediately.'

"In obedience to tny order, all hands were speedily upon deck, and bu.sied
in earnest jtreparation. In pleasinj!; assurance that I was as completely his
dupe as could lie desired, tlie villain had now the audacity to demand from mo
a written promise that, in consideration of the information given, five hundred
dollars should be paid to him on the disposal of tho prize. This demand
(aware as ho was — or rather .as he purposed — that I \ms to play the part of
the captured instead of that of the captor), was intended to lull me mto even
greater reli;\nce on his veracity. I had diillculty in restraining my indigna-
tion, for I felt that tho fellow was laughing at me in his sleeve ; however, tho
rellection that, in less than twenty-four hours, the tables would be turned
upon him, operated as a check upon my feelings, and I said with u hurried
voice and air :

" ' Inipossible, Desborough, I have no time now to give the paper, for as you
perceive we are getting mider way — I however. rej)eat to you )ny j)romise,
that if your claims are not attended to elsewhere, you shall have my .share of
the prolits, if I take this prize within tho next eight and forty hours within
the boundary of Turkey Island. Will that content you ?'

'"I expect as how it must,' rctiu-ned the secretly delighted, yet seemingly
disappointed settler, as he now prejjared to recross the gun-wale into this
canoe ; ' but I guess, Mr. Grantham, 3'ou might at least advance a feller a
little money out of hand, on the strength of the prize. Jist say twenty dol-
lars.'

" • No, Desborough, not one. When the Turkey Island prize is mine,
then if the (lovernmont refuse to confirm yoin* claims, we will share equallj' ;
but as I said before, I must first capture her, before I consent to part with a
shilling.'

'" 'Well then. T guess I must w.ait,' and the scoundrel confidently believing
th.at he had gulled me to his heart's content, stepped b.oavily into his canoe,
which be directed along the lake shoj-e, while we with willing sails, glided up
the channel and speedily lost him from our view."

•' A ])erfect adventure, upon my word !" interrupted Do Courcy. '-'■ "'

" What a bold and deliberate scoundrel !" a<ldod Captain Granville. " I con-

^less, Crantham, I cannot but admire the coolness and self-possession you

evmced on this occasion. Had I been there in your stead, I should have tied

the rascal up, given him a dozen or two on the spot, and then tumbled him

head-foremost into the lake."

'• The remainder is soon told." continued Gerald. " On parting from Des-
horoug. I continued my cour.se directly up the channel, with a view of gaining
a point, where unseen myself, 1 could observe the movements of the Atneri-
can boat, which, from all I had heard, T fully expected woukl attempt the
passage in the course of the following day. ^ly pei'fect knowledge of tho
country suggested to me, as the safest and most secure hiding place, the creek
whence you saw me issue at a moment when it was supposed the American
ha'J altogether escaped. The chief object of the enemy was evidently to geJ

le Kulf-intcr-
tlic prize in

shores.'
ernc'ss that
ham,' — and

liavo lick'd
seems to bo
I, it's a right

edit yon do-
roportcd on
liiinds up to
Desboroufili,
leave us the

, and busied
iiplotely liis
and from mo
rive lumdred
.'his demand
' the part of
ine mto even
my indijrna-
lowever, the
d be turned
th a hurried

cr, for as you
)ny promise,
my share of
hours within

et secmiuf^ly

lie into this

ce a feller a

twenty dol-

ri/.c is mine,

ire equally ;

} part with a

tly believing
;o his canoe,
ils, glided up

fillc. " I con-
ssossion you
iild have tied
tumbled him

nn; fi'om Des-
!W of fraining
)r the Atrieri-
attcmpt t'ne
.vledge of the
lice, the creek
the American
idcntly to gu»

TIIR PROrilKCY FULFILLS 0.

me out of the channel. That free, it was of minor importance whet^ or I fell
into the ambu'cudu or not. so that the important boat could effect the passage
unobserved, or at least in safety. If my frun-buat should be seen rctuniin:^
unharmed from Turke}' Tshind, the American was to run into the first creek
iilonjr the shore, which she had orders to huj; unlil 1 had passed, and not until
I had af/jaiii resinned my station in the channel, was she to renew her coiirso
upwards to Detroit, which jwst it was assumed she would then gain without
dilHculty."

'•It was scarcely yet day," continiieil Grantham, " when T reached and ran
into the creek of which I have just spoken, and which, owing to the narrow-
ness of the stream and consequent <lillicuity of waring:, I was oblif^ed to enter
storn-foreuiost. That no time mijiht bo lost in .cettinp; her out at the proper
moment, I, instead of dnvppiii!; her anchor, made the pun-boat fast to a tree ;
and. desiring the men, with the exception of the watch, to take their rest as
usual, lay quietly awaiting the advance of the enemy.

The gim lircd from the lower ])attery on the island, was the first intimation
we had o^the approacli of the prize wliich I had given my gallant fellows to
understand was in reserve for us ; and presently afterwards Sambo, whom I
h,ad dispiitchi.'d on the look out. appeared on the bank, stating that a largo
boat, whi<'h had been fired at inetlectually, was making the greatest exertions
to clear the channel. A .second .shot, discharged from a nearer point, soon
after announced that the boat h.ad gained the head of the ishuid, and might
therefore be shortly cxpectcii. In the impatience of my curiosity T sprang to
tiio shore;, took the teIescoi)e out of the hands of Sambo, and hastened to
climb the tree from which he had so recently descended. I now distinctly
saw the boat, and, availing herself of the rising and partial breeze, .she steered
more into the centre of the stream ; and I thought I could observe marks of
confusion and impatience among the groujis in front of the fort, whom 1 had
justi)' imagined to have been a.s.sembled there to witness the arrival of the
ranoes we had .seen descending the river long before the first kuu was fired."

'• JJut the chase, and the firing after you doubled the point 7" inquired Cap-
tain Granville. '• We saw nothing of this."

" The American, plying his oars with vigor, gave us work enough," answer-
ed tlie young sailor, and had made considerable way up the creek, before wo
came up with liiin. An attempt was then made to oscape us l)y running
ashore, and ;il)andoniii:: the boat, but it was too late. Our bow w.'is .almost
touching his stcin. and in the desperation of the moment, the American troops
discharged their muskets, but with so uncertain an aim, in consequence of
tlicir being closely crowded upon eacli other, that only thiee of my men were
wounded by their fire. Before thoy could load again, we were enabled to
jrrapi)le with them hand to hand. A few of my men h.ad discharged their
pistols, in answer to the American volley, before I had time to interfere to
prevent them ; but the majority having reserved theirs, we had now immea-
surably the advantage. Removing the bayonets from their musk(;ts, which
at such close quarters were useless, they continued their contest a short
time with these, but the cutlass soon overpowered them, and they sur-
rendered."

"And Ihc Major, Gr.antham ; did he bch.ave well on the occasion?"

"Gallantly. It was the Major that cut down the only man I had dan-
gerously wounded in the affair, and he would have struck another fatally, had
f not disarmed him. While in the act of doing .so, I was treacherously shot
(in tlu! arm only, fortunately,) by the younger scoundrel, Desborough, whom
ill turn I saved from Sambo's vengeance, in order that he might receivo
a more fitting punishment. And now, gentlemen, you have the whole history."

"Yes, as far as regards the men portion, ' said Do Courcy, with a malicious
smile ; " but what became of the lady all this while, my conquering hero 1
Did yon find her playing a very active part in the skirmish"?"

•■ Active — no !" replied Gei'ald, slightly coloring as he remarked all ej'ea
diroctoJ '0 him at this demand, "but passively courageous she was to a dogXM

MATILDA MONTOOMCKin; OR,

f coiil'I not liavc sui)poso(l post;ihlc in woman. She siitcftlin nndrollcrtcfl ftinid
:ho din of conllict, as if she had Itccii acriistomcd to tlie tliiiiK all licr lifo. nor
Dnc«! movwl from the sent wliioh she (xrtipied in the stern, except to ninkc an
eil'ort to prevent inc from disarming her uncle. I confess that her coolnc.s.s
astonished uio, wliilo it excited my warme.«t udmirntion."

" I hope it may ho nothin;^ heyond adniinilion," ob.servcd the raj»lain of
(ircnadieis ; "I tell you as a Mend, (Jerald, T do not like this accotnit yoti
{rive of lier conduct. A woman who could show no a};itation in such a sceno
must liave cither a damn'd cold, or adamn'd black heart, and there's but littlo
claim to admiration there."

'• U|)on my word. Captain Cranstoun," and thehand.somc features of (lerald
crimsoned witli a I'eelin;^ not unmi.xed with .serious dis|)leKstn'e, •• 1 no notquito
understand you — you appear toa.ssumo .somcUiini; between Miss Montj^omerio
and myself, that should not be imputed to either — and certainly, not ihun
publicly."

" Nonsen.se, man. there's no use in makin;; a secret of the matter," returned
the jpositive grenadier. '• The subject was di.scussed after diiuier yesterday,
and there was nobody present who didn't agree, that if you liad won her heart
you had fjivcn yoiu' own in cxchau;ie."

'• God forbid !" .said ITenry CJrantbam with unusual pravity of manner,
while he looked ad'ectionately on the clianjiin;.!; and fur fnnn satisfied counte-
tenance of his conscious brother, "'for 1 repeat with Captain Cranstoun, I
like her not. Why, I know not ; still I like her not, and I shall be giaJ,
Gerald, when yon have consigned her to the place of her destination."

''Pooh ! pooh! non.seuse !" interrupted Captain Granville ; " never mind,
Gerald," he pursued, {^ood humoredly, "she is a splendid girl, and one that
you need not be ashamed to own as a contpiest. IJy heaven, .slie has a bust
to warm the bo.som of an anchorite, and dej)end upon it, all that Cranstoun
lias said arises only from pique that he is not the object preferred. Thoso
black eyes of hers have ,sct his ice blood upon the l)oil, and he would willingly
exchange jilaces with you, as I honestly confess I sliouM."

Vexed as (Jerald certainly felt at the familiar (one the conversation was now
assuming in regard to Miss Montgomerio, and idthough satisfied that mero
pleasantry was intended, it was not without a .sensation of relief that he found
it interrupted by the entrance of the several non-commissioned officers with
their order-books. Soon after the party broke up.

CHAPTER X.

BEFonE noon, on the following day, the boat that wa? to convey ]M!ijor
Montgomerie and his niece to the American .shore, pulled up to the landing-
place in front of the fort. The weather, as on the pr-o.-c'' ■ ■ dnv, was fine,
and the river exhibited the .same placidity of surfan .M: s bodies of

Indians were collected on the banks, pointin;: t -v' inarkmg on the singu-
larity of tlie white fiag wliich hung droopin . rn of the '"lat. Pres-
ently the prisoners were seen advancing to t .k. nccompani :>\ General
Brock, Commodore Barcla}'. .ind the princip ii-ers of the srar
Montgomerie appeared pleased at the prospect .

while the countc .knee of his niece, on tlie contrary, i resented an expression
of deep thought, although it was afterwards remarked by Granville and Vil-
lier.s, both close observers of her demeanor, tliat as her eye occasional!'
glanced in the direction of Detroit, it lighted up with an animation strongly
in contrast with the general calm and abstractedness of her manner. All
Iwing now ready, Genild Grantham, who had received his final instruct ;on.q
from the General, ofl'ered his arm to Miss Montgomerie. who, to all outward
appearance, took it mechanically and unconsciously, although, in the animal. '

Mnjor
hclib !ty that awaited him.

THE PROP II ROY FULril.LICD.

•nllcctpfl ftinid
1 licr lifo. nor
)t to iiinkc nn
; her cooltiu.s.s

>c rapfftin of

i account you

such a srcno

re's but liulo

rc8 of Geral<l
r no not qiiito
Montj^oini'rio
ily, not thnH

cr," rctnrncd
IT ycstcidnv,
von her heart

y of ninnnor,
isfied coiinto-
Cranslonn, I
hall be glaJ,
Lion."

■ never iniiul,
and one that
e has a bvist
at Cranstoun
nvd, Thoso
•uld willingly

ion waR now
1 that nu'ro
lat he found
onicers with

onvry JfujoT
the laiiding-

V, WHS fui(5,

s bodies of

Ti the yingu-

•'at. Pres-

i'V General

son. i\fajor

iwaitcd him,

II expression

illeand Vil-

occasionall-

ion strongly

lanner. All

iiistrnri.ona

all ontwnrd

ho uniniut

took which the yonn? .Maiior tnrncd npon her in the next instant, there wai
eviilence the contact liad thrilled elertrieally to Ins heart. After o.\chan'xiii;Jf
A cordial jtressMre of the l>and with his jrallunt entertainers, and reiteratin-.i; ti>
the CJeneral liis thanks for the especial favin- coiifcrred iipon him, the venera-
ble M ijor fuliowfd them to the boat. His departure was the signal for much
roininotioM aitvin'^ the Indians. Hitherto tliey had b.-xd noideaofwhat was
in contenipiation ; but when they saw tbeni enter and take their seats ni tho
l)oat. they raised one of those terrilic shouts whi<'h have so often Klrnck terror
an 1 dismay ; ami brandi-^bin;:; thoir weap')nM, seemed reaily to testify tlieir
disapprolxition l>y sometbintr more than words. It was bowrver niomrntry—
.% comntandiu'.; voice made itself hi'ard, eviMi amid the din of their loud yell,
and, whi'ii silence had been obtained, » i'iiW animated si-ntenees, ntterecl in a
tone of deep autliority. caused tin* tumult at once to subside. The voieo wan
that of Tecumseh. and tliere v. I're few ainon;^ his race who. Iirave and iindomi-
table as they were. cou!<l Hnd courage to thwart his will. Meaiuvliiie ibn
boat, impelled by eifiht active seamen, uri^ed iin way through tho silvery cur-
rent, ami in less than an hour from its departntv had disappcNired.

Two hours had ela])scd — the (ieneral and superior ollicers had retired— and
the luilians, fnv by few, had repaired to their .s(>veral en"ani{»inents, eNcept a
party of young warriors, who, wrapped in their blankets and mantles. lay in-
'lolently extended on the prass, smoking ttieir j)ipes, or proilucini; wild soundn
'rom tlK'ir melancholy flutes. Not far from these, sat, with their leyrs over-
hanging the edge of the steep bank, a groujt of the Junior oflii-ers of the garri-
son, who, with that inilillevencu whicJi <!har.icterized their years, were occu-
pied in casting pidibles in^i the river, and watching tho bubljles that arose to
the surfuv. .\niong the inimber was Henry (iianth.ini, and, at a short di.s-
tance from him. sat the old but athletic negro, Sambo, who, not having bceix
required to accompany Gerald, to ndiom he was especially attached, had con-
tinued to linger on tho bank long after his anxious eye had lost sight of tho
boat in which the latter had departed. While thus engaged, a new direction
was given to the interest of all parties by a peculiar cry. which reacbed thettj
from a distance over the water. ai>pnrently from beyond the near extremity
of tho island of liois IJlauc. To the oflicers the sound w;is unintelligible, for
it was tho fb'st of the kind they had ever heard ; luit tho young Indian.^
appeared fully to un lerstaud its import. Starting from their letliargv, tliev
sprang abruptly to their feet ; and giving a sliarp. answering yell, stampeil
upon the green turf and snuH'cd the hot air with distended nostri^ hko ko
n\any wild hordes let loo.se upon the desert. Nor was foe excitement conHned
to these, for, all along the line of encampment tb.e same wild notes wero
echoed, and forms came bounding,- again to the front, until the bank was onco
more peopled with .savages,

" What was tho meaning of that crj--. Sambo, and whence came it?" asked
Henry (irauthatn, who, as well as his compir.ion.s, had strained his eyes in
every direction, but in vain, to di.scover its c;».uso.

'• Dat a calp cry, Massa Henry — see he dorc a canoe not big'^er than a
hick'ry nut," and he pointed with his Anger to what in fact h.ad the appear-
aiv e of being little larger; '' I wish," he ])ursued. with bitternc-.ss, '• dey brin;»
him calp of dom billains D.'.sborough — Dam him lying tief."

" ibavo!" exclaimed Do Courcy, who, in common with his companions.
recollecting Gerald's story of the preceding day, was at no loss to understand
why the latter epithet had been so cmphaticalh' bestowed ; '" T see (winkinj;
to Henry Grantham) you have not forgiven his paddling round the gun-
boat the other night, while you and the rest of the crow were aslecn, eh.
Sambo ?"

" So help mc hobben, Obbiccr, he no sail around a gun-boat, he dam a
He come along a lake like a dam ticf in c night, and I tell a Massjk
<ieral — and Massa Geral and ine chase him all ober e water — I not asleep,
Massa Courcy," pursued the old man, with pique j " I nebber sleep — Massa
Qarii ncbbcr sleep."

Yanlcee.

MATltLDA MONTGOMERIE; OR,

" The cicvil ye don't," observed Do Contcy^ quaintly ; ' f.icn the Lord de-
liver vie from gun-boat ser\ Ice, I say."
" Amen !" responded Villiers.

'' Why," asked Middlemore, " do Gerald Grantham and old Frumpy !ier«
remind one of a certain Irish fostival 7 Do you give it up ? Because they
arc awake "

The abuse heapou ,^n the pro-emincntly vile attempt was unmeasured- -
Sambo conceived it a personal afl'ront to himself, and he said, with an air of
mortification and wounded dignity, not unmixed with ansjer :

" Sambo poor black nigger — obbiccr bcny white man, bi!t him heart all ob
ft color. lie no Frumpy — Massa Geral no like an Irish bestibal. I wonder
he no tick up for a broder, Massa Henry." His agitation here was extreme.

'•Nonsense. Sambo — don't you see we are only jesting with you ?" said the
youth, in the kindest tone — for he perceived that the faithful creature was
Htriving hard t'^ check the rising tear^" there is not an officer here who does
not respect j'ou for your long attachment to my family, and none would wil-
lingl}^ give you pain ; neither should you suppose they would say anything
oflensive in regard of my brother Gerald."

Pacified by this assurance, which was moreover corroborated by several of
his companions, really annoyed at having piiined the old man. Sambo sank
once more into respectful silence, still however continuing to occupy the same
spot. During this coUoquj^ the cry had been several times repeated, and as
often replied to from the shore ; and now a canoe was distinct!}' visible, urg-
ing its way to the beach. The warriors it contained were a scouting party,
six in number — four paddling the light bark, and one at the helm, while the
sixiii. who appeared to be the leader, stood upright in the bow, waving from
the long pole, to which it was attachcci. a human scalp. A few minutes and
the '..diole had landed, and were cncirclej on the bank by their eager and in-
quiring comrades. Ilieir story was soon told. The}' had encountered two
Americans at some distance on the opposite shore, who were evidently making
the best of their way through the forest to Detroit. I'hey called upon them to
deliver themselves up, but the only answer was an attem])t at flight. The
Indians fired, .".nd one fell dead, pierced by many balls. The other, however,
who happened to be consideral»ly in advance, threw all his energy into h'm
muscular frame ; and being untouched by the discharge that had slain his
companion, succeeded in gaining a dense underwood, through which he finally
effected his escape. The scouts continued their pursuit for upwards of an
hour, but finding it fruitless, returned to the place where they had left their
canoo. having first secured the scalp and spoils of the fallen man."

'• Dam him, debbel," exclaimed Sambo, who, as well as the ofiiccrs, had
approached the party detailing their exploit, and had fixed his dark eye on
the dangling trophy — '"May I ncbber see a hebben ib he not a calp of a
younger Desborough. I know him lying tief b}' he hair — he all yaller like a
soger's breiistplate — curse him rascal (and his white and even teeth were
exhibited in the gi'in that accomjjanieil the remark.) he nebber more say lit;
Bail round Massa Geral's gun-bofit, and i\Iassa Geral and Sambo sleep."

'■ By Jove he is right," said De Courcy. " I recollect remarking the color
of the fellow's hair yesterday, when, on calling for a glass of "gin sling," at
the inn *o which I had conducted him. he threw his slouched hat unceremo-
niously on the table, and rubbed the fingers of both hands thi'ough his
carrot ty locks, until they appeared to stand like those of the Gorgo]i, perfectly
on end."

" And were there other proof wanting," said Villiers, •' we have it hero in
the spoil his slayers arc exhibiting to their companions. There is the identical
powder horn, bullet pouch, and waist belt, which he wore when he landed on
this very spot."

'"And I," said Middlemoro, " will swear by the crooked buckhorn handlo
of that huge knife or dagger ; for in our struggle on the sands ye.sterlay
XDornuig, his blanket coat caine opei, and disovered the weapon^ on which 1

\ the Lord de*

Frumpy l»er«
Because they

intneasured —
tvith an air of

n heart all ob
al. I woniler
was extreme,
ou ?" said the
creature was
icrc who does
lie would wil-
say anything

by several of
, Sambo sank
upy the same
jeated, and as
y visible, nrg-

outing party,
;lm, while the

waving from
' minutes and
eager and in-
:ountered two
[ontly making
n])on them to
t flight. The
her. however,
lorgy into bin
had slain his
lich he finally
pwanls of an
had loft their

! officers, had '

dark e3'^c on
t a calp of a
1 yaller like a
n teeth were
more say hi*
' sleep."
ing the color
gin sling," at
lat uncoretno-
through his
gon, perfectly

lavc it here in
■i the identical
ho landed on

khorn handle
ids yostcr lay
Hj OU which 1

THE PROPHKCV lULFILLED.

kept a sharp e\'c during the whole affair. Had he but managed to plant that
monster (and he affected to shud<lcr,) under iny middle ribs, then would it
have been all over with poor Middlemoro."

"There cannot be a doubt," remarked Henry Grantham. " With Sambo
and I)e Courcy, I well recollect the hair, and I also particularly noticed
the handle of his dagger, which, as you perceive, has a remarkable twist
in it."

Ail doubt was put to rest by Sambo, who. having spoken with its possessor
for a moment, now returned, bearing the knife, at the extremity of the handle
of wliich was engraved, on a silver shield, the letters P. E. T. A. Ens. M. M-

" Patil Emilius Theophilus Arnoldi, Ensign Michigan Militia," pursued
Grantham, reading. *■ 'JMiis, then, is conclusive, and we have to congratulate
ourselves that one at least of two of the vilest scoundrels this country ever
harboreil, has at length met the fate he merited."

" Fate him merit, Mass.t Henry I" muttered the aged and privileged negro,
witli something like anger in his tones, as he returned the knife to the Indian,
" he dam 'scrter from a king ! No, no he nebber deserb a die like dis. He
ought to hah a rope roun him neck and die him lying tief like a dog."

" [ guess, however, our friend Jeremiah has got clean slick ott'," .said Vil-
liers, imitating the tone and language of that individual, "and he, I take it, is
by far the more formi<lable of the two. I expect that, before he dies, he wiL
give one of us a long shot yet, in revenge f^)r the fall of young hopeful "

'' Traitorous and revengeful scoundrel I ' asiiiratcd Henry Grantham, as the
recollection of the manner of his father's death cnmc over his mind. '• It is, at
least, some consolation to think his villainy has in part met its reward. I
confess, I exult in the death of young De.sborough, less even bec4vusc a
dangerous enemy has been removed, than because in his fall the heart of the
father will be racked in its only assailable point. I trust I am not naturally
cruel, yet do I hope the image of his slain partner in infamy may ever after re^
visit his memory, and remind him of his crime."

An exchunation of the Indians now drew the attention of the officers to a
boat that came in sight, in tlie direction in which that of Ger.ald Grantham had
Ion;; sinc3 disappeared, and as she drew nearer, a white flag floating in the
stern, became gradual!}'' distinguishable. Expressions of surprise passed
among the ollioors, by whom vai-ious motives were assigned as the cause of the
return of the Hag of truce, for that it was their own boat no one doubted,
especial!}' .as. pn approiichmg sufficiently near, tlij blue uniform of the officer
who steered tlie boat was visil)le to tlie naked eye. On a yet nearer approach,
however, it was perceived that the individual in question wore not the uniform
of the British nav)', but that of an ollicer of the American line, the sarr.e pre-
cisely, indec'l, as that of Major JMontgoinerie. It was further romarked that
tiiere wa.s no lady in the boat, and that, independently of the crew, there was
besides the oflicer already named, merely one individual, dressed in the non-
commissioned uniform, who seemed to serve as his orderly. Full evidence
bei -.g now had that this was a flag sent from the American fort, which had, in
all probability, mis.sed Gerald by descending one channel of the river formed
by Turkey Island, while the latter had ascended by the other, the aid-de-camp,
De Courcy, hastened to acquaint General Brock with the circumstance, and to
receive his orders. By the time the American reached tiie landing-place, the
youth had returned, accompanying a superior officer of the staff. Both
descended the flight of steps leading to the river, when, having saluted the
officer, after a moment or twoof conversatior., they proceeded to blindfold him.
This preciution liaving been taken, the American was then haniied over the
gun-wale of the boat, ant! ''ssisted up the flight of stops by the two British
olHcers on who.sc aims ho leaned. As they passed through the crowd, on their
way to the fort, the ears of the stra.iger were assailed by loud yells from the
bauds of Indians, who, with looks of intense curiosity and interest, gazed on
the passing, and to them in some degree inuxplicab'e. scene. Startling as waa
the flerco cry, Lhe officer pursued liis course without n)ovin<; a muscle of hi|

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR*

line and miinly form, bej'ond whsit Teas necessary to the action in wliich he
was enga<;e(!. It was a position that demanded all his collcctcdncss and
^oiiia-ro. and he seemed as thotiifh he had previously made up his mind not to
be deficient in cither. Perhiips it \vas well that he had been temporarily do-
J)rivcd of sinjht, for could he have beheld the numerous tomahawks that were
raised towards him. in pantomimic representation of what they would have
done had they been permitted, the view would in no way have assisted liis
<elf-possCssion, The entrance to the fort once f^ained by the little party, tho
clamor be<;an to subside, and the Indians, by whom they had been followed,
returned to the bank of the river to satisfy their curiositj' with a view of those
who had been left in tho boat, to which, as a security aijainst all possible out-
rage, a ser<;cant's command had meanwliile been despatched.

It was in the drawin<;-room of Colonel D'Egvillc. that the General, sur-
Ijounded by his chief olHcors, awaited tho arrival of the tlap; of truce. Into
this the American Colonel, for such was his raiik. after traversinj; the area of
the fort that lay between, was now ushered, and, the bandap;e beinj; rem.oved,
his eye encountered several to whom he was personally known, and with thes&
ffnch .salutations as became the occasion were exchanged.

" The Han; you bear, sir," commenced the general, after a few moments of
pause succeeilinu; these greetings, " relates, I presume, to the pri,soners so re-
cently fallen into our hands."

" By no means, Gencrrd," returned the American, "this is the first intima
^tion I have had of such fact — my mission is of a wholly different nature.
I am deputed by the otilcer commanding the forces of the United States to
liumnion the garrison of Aniherstburg, with all its naval dependencies, tu
•urrendor within ten days from this period."

, The General .smiled. ''A .simil.ar purpose seems to have actuiitcd us both,"
iic ob.served, " A shorter limit have I prescribed to the officer by whom I
have, this very day, sent a me.s.sage to* General Hull ; where, may I ask, did
you pass my Hag 7"

" I met with none, General," and yet my boat kept as nearly in the middle
•of the stream as possible."

, •• Then nnist ye have passed eack other on the opposite sides of Turkey
Island. The orTicei* in charge was moreover accompanied by two of the pri-
soners to whom I have alludeil — one a field officer in your own regiment."
» V iMay I ask wlio ?" interrupted the American quickly, and slightly coloring,
.V Major Montgonierie."

*' So 1 suspected. Was the other of my regiment ?"

" The other," said the General, '• bears no commission, and is simpiy a
f-oluuteer in the expedition — one, in short, whose earnest wish to reach
Detroit, was the pnncipal motive for my offering the Major his liberty on
•parole."

" And may I ask tho name of this individual, so unimportant in rank, and
tet so filled with ardor in the cause, as to be thus anxious to gain the theatre
«1 war ?"

, '• One probably not unknown to you. Colonel, as the niece of your brother
officer — Mi.ss Montgomerie."

'• Miss Montgomerie here !" faltered tho American, rising and paling as ho
^oke, while lie inechanically jjlaced on tho table a glass of wine he had tho
instant before raised to his lip,s — " surely it cannot be."

There was much to excite interest, not only in the changed tone but in the
altered ftjfttures of the American, as he thus involimtaril}' gave expression to
liis surprise. The yoi'nger oflicers winked at each other, and STniled their
conviction of U7ie affaire de caeui — while the senior were no less ready to
■ infer that tliey had now arrived at the true secret of the imi)atience of Mis.s
Montgomerie to reach tho plac^' of her destination. To the penetrating eve
^ the Genct-al, however, there was an expression of pain on the i-ountenance
6{ the otlicer, which accorded ill with the feeling which a lover might be sup-
posed to cuter taiu, who had been unexpectedly brought nearer to an object of

rema
"I

II in which he
Jctcdncss and
s mind not to
riiporai'ily <lo-
vks tlifit were
y would have
3 assisted his*
tie party, tho
ocn followed.
view of those
possible out-

General, sur-
' truco. Into
\'f the area of
my; rem.oved,
nd with those

moments of
isonors so re-

^ first intiina
ercnt nature,
ted States to
icndcncies, to

ted lis both,"
• by whom I
ay I ask, did

in the middle

s of Turkey
vo of the pri-
ei;iment."
itly coluriny.

IS snnpiy a
ish to reach
is liberty' on

in rank, and
II tlie theatre

•our brother

palinj^ as ho
e he had tho

c btit in the
'xpression to
smiled their
ess ready to
cnce of MisM
letrating eve
•"•nun tenant :e
ii,uht he snp-
an object of

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED. 0^

attachment, and ho kindly sought to relieve his evident onibarrassnicnt by ''
reiniirkin;jc: ' ■

"I can readily comprehend your surprise, Colonel. One would scarcely
have supposed that a female could have had courage to brave tho danj^ers a^
fondant on an expedition of this kind, in an open boat ; but Miss Montfromeri«
I confess, appears to me to be one whom no danger could daynt. and whosf *
resoluteness oP i)urpose, once directed, no secondary object could divert frorto ■
its original aim."

Before the officer could reply, Colonel D'Egville, who had absented himself »
during the latter part of the conversation, returned, antl addressing the fortner '■■
in terms that proved their acqviaintance toliavebccn of previou-s date, invited*
him to partake of son e refreshment that had been preptired for him in arj.
adjoining apartment. This the American at fii-st faintly declined, on tlic plea
of delay having been prohibitofl by his chief ; but, on the general jocosely ro^
marking that, sharing their hospitality on the present occasion would be nOi. '*
barrier to breaking a lance a week hence, lie assented ; and, following Coh»nel
D'Egville, passed ihrongh a short corridor into a smaller ai)artment, where*
copious but hurried refreshment had been prepared. *

The entry of the ofBcors was greeted by the presence of three ladies — Mrg.
D'Egville and her daughters — all of whom received him with the frank cordi-
ality that bespoke intimacy, while, on the countenance of one of the latter,
might be detected evidences of an interest that had its foundation in some^'
thing more than the mere esteem which dictated the conduct of her mother and '
sister. If Julia D'Egville was in reaUty the laughini", light hearted, creature
represented in the mess room conversation of the otticers of the garrison, ij-
would have been didicult for a stranger to have recognised her in the some^
what serious girl who now added her greetings to tlieir.s, but in a manner^
slightly tinctured with embarrassment.*

The American, who seemed not to notice it, directed his conver.'?ation, as ho.'
partook of the refreshment, principally to Mis. D'Egville, to whom he spoka
of various ladies at Detroit, friends of both, who were deep deplorers of thd
war and the non-communication which it occasionetl ; alluded to the many do-
liglitful parties that had taken place, yet were now interrupted ; and to thp
many warm friendships which had been formed, yet might by this event b<(
severed for ever. lie concluded by presenting a note from a very intiinatj||
friend of the family, to which, he said, he had been requested to take back 4
written answer.

A feeling of deep gratification pervaded the benevolent countenance of Mrs,
D'Egville, us, on perusal, she found that it contained the offer of an asvlui||
for herself and daughters in case Amherstburgh should be carried bv sJorni.

" Excellent, kind hearted friend !" she exclaimed when she had finished-**
"this indeed does merit an answer. Need of assistance, however, there it
none, since my noble friend, the General has pledgtul himself to anticipate .%ny
attemnt to make our soil the theatre of war — still, does it give me pleasure tb-
be enabled to reciprocate her oiler, by promising, in my turn, an asylum again.sfc
all chances of outrage on the part of the wild Indians, attached to our cause*
— and she left the room.

No sooner did the American find himself alone with tho sisters, for Colon(i| •
D'Egville had previously retired to the General, than discarding all rt'serv^
and throwing himself on his knees at the feet of her who sat next him, he ex%
claimed in accents of the most touching pathos:

'"Julia, dearest Julia! for this chiefly am I here. T volunteered to be thf
bearer of the summons to the British General, in the hope tliat some kind
chance would give you to m3' view, and now that fortune, propitious beyond
my. utmost expectations, affords me the liappiness of speaking to you whom {
had feared never to behold more, oh, tel! me that, whatever be the result of
this unliappy war, you will not forget me. For me, I shall ever chcr:sh yO|l
in my heart's core."

The glow which mantled over the check of the agitated girl, plait ly tol^

MATILDA Mv^NTOOMKRIF; OR,

that tins passionate appeal was made to no unwilling car. Slill she spoke
not.

" Dearest Julia, answer mc — the moments of my stay are few. and at each
instant we are lial)le to interruption. In one word, tliercfore, may I hoiwl
In less than a week, nniny who have lon^ hecn friends will meet as cneniicfl.
Let me then at least have the consolation to know from yoiir lijjs, that what-
ever be the event, that dearest of all ^^ifts — your love is unehan;;eahly mine."

" I do promise, Ernest," faltered the tremhling s'''- '" ^'.V" heart is youra
»nd yoins for ever — hut do not unnecessarily expose yourself," and her head
jank conndingly on the shoulder of her lover.

" Thank you, dearest," and the eneirclin;; arm of the impassioned officer
drew her form closer to his heating heart. Gertrude, you are witness of her
TOW, and before you, under more auspicious circumstances, will I claim its
fulfilment. Oh Julia, Jiilia, this indeed does recompense me for many a long
hour, of anxiety and doubt."

'• And hers too have been hours of anxiety and doubt," said the gentlo
Gertrudf. •• Ever since the war has been sj>oken of as certain, Julia has been
no longer the gay girl she was. Her dejection has been subject of remark
with all. and such is her dislike to any allusion to the past, that she never
even rallies Ca[)tain Oranstoun on his bear-skin adventure of last winter on
the ice."

"Ah," interrupted the American, "never shall I forget the evening that
preceded that adventure. It wiis then, dearest Julia, that I ventured to ex-
press the feeling with which you had inspired me. it was then 1 had first tho
delight of liearing from your lips that I need not entirely despair. I often,
often, think of that night."

•' Of course you have not yet received my note, Ernest. Perhaps you will
deem it 'uconsidorate in mo to have written, but I could not resist the desire
to alford you what I conceived would be a gratitication, by communicating in-
telligence of our.M;lvcs.

" Note ! what note ! and by whom conveyed ?"

"Have you not heard, incpiircd Gertrude, warming into animation, "that
the General has .sent a liag this morning to Detroit and, under its protection,
two prisoners captured by my cousin, who is the olliccr that conducts
them."

" And to that cousin you have confided tho letter ?" interrupted the Colonel,
somewhat cagerl}'.

'■ No, not my cousin," said Julia, "but to one [ conceived better snite<l to
the trust. You must know that my father, with his usual hospitf»lity, insisted
on Major Montgomoric and his ncice. tho parties in question, taking up their
abode with lis during tho short time they remained."

"And to Miss Montgomerie you gave your letter," hurriedly exclaimed
the Colonel, starting to his feet, and exhibiting a countenance of oxtremo
paleness.

'• Good heaven. Ernest ! what is the matter 1 Surely you do not think m#
guilty of imprudence in this atlair. 1 was anxious to write to yon. — I ima-
gined you would be glad to hear from me, and thought that the niece of one
of your oflicers would be the most suitable medium of communication. I
there f;ire confes.sed to her my .secret, and requested her to take charge of tho
letter."

'• Oh. Julia, you have been indeed imprudent. But what said she — how
looked she when you confided to her our secret ?"

" She made no other remark than to ask how long our attachment had ex-
isted, and her look and voice were calm, and her cheek underwent no variation
from Ih.i settled paleness observable there since her arrival."

'• And in what manner did she receive her trust ?" again eagerly demanded
the Colonrl.

" With a solemn assurance that it should be delivered to you with her own
hand — then, and then only, did a faint smile animate her slill but bcautifui

11 she spoke

, and ftt each
may I hoytol
t as t-neniicB.
s, that what-
;c'al)ly inino."
loart is youra
and her head

?ioncd officer
itness of her
11 I claim its
many a long

id the pr-ntlo
lulia has been
!ct of remark
hat she never
ist winter on

evening thiit
ntiired to cx-
1 had first tho
)air. I often,

haps you will
iist tlie desire
lunicating in-

nation. '• that
ts protection,
Kit conducts

d the Colonel,

ttcr suited to
f.lity, insisted
king up their

ly exclaimed
e of extreniu

not think m#
you, — I inia-
nioce of one
lUnication. I
charge of tho

lid she — how

ment had ex-
t no variation

rly demanded

witli hci own
but beautiful

T U K P II () V U r. C Y F r L F I L L E P .

features. Yet why all these questions, Ernest ? Or, can it roallybe? ToU
me,'' anil the voice of the youu':: !:;i''l brc;imi' impontive, " has Miss Monlgo*
merie any claim uprm your hand — she adniiltcd to have known you?"

" ()u my honor, none ;" impressively returned the Colonel.

'• Oh, what a weight you have removed from my heart, Ernest, hut where*
fore you alarm, and wherein consists my impruilence ?"

'• In this only, dearest Julia, that I had Tnuch rather another than she hfti
been admitted into your conlidence. T'ut as you have acted for tlie best, I
caiuiot blame yoM. Still I doubt not," and the tones of the Ameriean wer«
low anil desponduig, '" that, as shoh.as promised, she will find means to deliver
your note into my own hand.s — the seal is——?"

" A fancy one — Andromache disarminj; Hector."

"Rise, for Heaven's .sake rise," interrupted Gertrude ; "here comes mam*
ma."

One fond pressure of her sracefid form, and the Colonel had resumed his
seat. In the next moment Mrs. D'Efrviile entere<l, by one door, and immedi-
ately afterwards her husband by another. The former handed her nole, and
durinp; the remarks which accompanied its delivery, (rave the little party — for
Gertrude was scarcely less agitated than her sister — time to recover from their
cmbarra.ssment. Some casual conversation then ensued, when the American,
despite of Mrs. D'Egville's declar.atiou that he could not h;ive touched a
single thing dtu'iug her absence, expresserl his anxiety to depart. Tlie samo
testimonies of friendly grectinq:. which had marked his entrance, were ex-
changed, and, preceded by his kind host, the Colonel once more gained tho
apartment were the General still lingered, awaiting his reappearance.

Nothing remaining to be added to tho answer already given to the sum-
mons, the American, after exchanging salutations with such of the Englisli
officers as were personally known to him. acjain .submitted himself to tho
0|)cration of blindfolduig; aft(>r which he w.as reconducted to the beach, where
his boat's crew, who had in their turn been supplied wi'h rcfreshmenls. wero
ready to receive him. As, on his arrival, the loud yellings of the Indians ac-
companied his departure, but as these had been found to be harmless, they
were even less heeded than before. Within two hour.s, despite of the strong
current, the boat had disri])peare'l altogether from their view.

Late in that day, the barge; of Gerald Grantham returned from Detroit.
U.shercd into the presence of the General, the young sailor communicated tho
tlelivery of his charge into the hands of the Ameri'-an Chief who had returned
his personal acknowled'.rments for the courtesy, llis answer to the summons,
however, was that having a force fully adequate to the "purpose, he was pro-
pared to defend tho fort to tho last extremity, and waiving his own original
])lan of attack, would await the IJritish General on tho defensive, when to tho
God of liattles should be left tho decision of the contest. To a question on
the subject, the young officer added that he had seen nothing of the American
lia?r of truce, either in goimr or returninqr.

Tha^ night orders were issued to the heads of the difTcrent departments,
immediately to f)reparo material for a short siege; and. an a.s.sault at the ter-
mination of the third day.

CHAPTER XT.

Conformably with the orders ol the Briti.sh General, the siejro of the
American' fortress was commenced on the day following that of the mutual
exchange of flags. The elevated ground above the village of Sandwich, immo-
diately opposite to the »^nemy's fort, was chosen for the erection of throe bat-
teries, from which a well .sustained and well directed fire was kept up for
•"•veral suoccs.sive days, yet without ofTocting any practicable breach in thcijf

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

defences. One of these batteries, manned principally by sailors, was under
the direction of Gerald Grantham, whose look-ontondnty had been in a great
depree rendered unnecessary, by the advance of the Enpjlish flotilla up tho
river, and who had consequently been appointed to this tnore active service.

Durinp; the whole of Saturday, the 15th of August, the British guns had
continued to play upon the fort, vomiting shot and shell as from an exhaust-
Jess and angi-y volcano — and several of the latter falling short, the -town which
was of wood liad been more than once set on fire. As, howevei-, it was by
HO means the intention of the General to do injury to the inhabitants, no ob-
j?tacle was opposed to tho attempts of the enemy to get it under, and tho
flames were as often and as speedily extinguished. An advanced hour of
night at length put an end to the firing, and the artillery men and seamen,
extended on their great-coats and pea-jackets, in their several embrasures,
snatched from fatigue the repose which their unceasing exertions of the manj
previous hours had rendered at once a luxury and a want.

The battery commanded liy Gerald Grantham was the central and most
prominent of tho three, and it had been remarked by all — and especially by
the troops stationed in the rear in support of the guns — that his firing durinf^
the day ha<l been tho most ellicient, many of his shots going point blank into
the hostile fortress. an<l (as could be distinctly seen with the telescope) occa-
moning evident confusion.

The sevei-al oilioers commanding batteries were new met in that of tho
young sailor, and, habited in a garb befitting the rude duty at which they had
presided, wei-e earnestly engaged in discus.smg the contents of their haver-
8.'\cks, moisteneil by occasional drafts of rum and water from their wooden
canteens, and seasoned with frequent reference to the events of the past day,
and anticipations of wliat the morrow would bring forth. A lantern, so closctl
n.s to prevent all possibility of contact with the powder that lay strewed about,
was placed in the centre of the circle, and the dim reflexion from this upon
the unwashed hands and f;xces of the pasty, begrimed as they were with pow-
der and perspiration, contributed to give an air of wildness to the whole scene,
that found its origin in the peculiar circumstances of the moment. Nor wan
tho picture at all lessened in ferocity of cilect, by the figure of Sambo in tho
back groimd, who, dividing his time between the performances of such offices
as his young master demanded, in the course of the frugal meal of the party,
and a most assiduous application of his own white and shining teeth to a
huge piece of venison ham, might, without effort, have called up the image of
some lawless, yet obedient slave, attending on and sharing in the orgies of a
company of buccanicrs.

At length the meal was ended, and each was preparing to depart, with a
Tiew to snatch an hour or two of rest in his own battery, when the pricked
car and forward-thrown head of the old negro, accompanied by a quick,
'• Ilush, ^lassa Geral," stilled them all into attitudes of expectanc.y. Pres-
ently the sound of mnflled oars was heard, and then the liarsh grating, as of
a boat's keel upon the sands.

'• In the next minute the officers were at their posts ; but. before they could
fjucceed in awakening their jaded men. who seemed to sleep the sleep of death,
the sentinel at the first battery had received, in answer to his hurried chal-
lenge, the jiropcr countersign, and. as on closer inspection it was found that
there was only one boat, he knew it niiist be their own, and the alarm wh'ich
had seized them for the security of their trust passed away.

They were not long kept in suspense. One individual alone had ascended
from the bearh, and now stood among them, habited in a dread-nought jacket
and trousers and round hat. His salutation to each was cordijxl, and ho
expressed in warm terms the approbation he felt at the indefatigable and
ellicient n\anner in which the duty assigned to each had been conducted.

" Well, gentlemen," continued "tlie Commodore, (for it was he.) " you havo
done; fatnously to-day. JMuch has been done, but morerenuiins. To-morrow
you must work double tiiies. At daylight you must re-opoo with showers o*

THE PROPIIECV FULFILLED.

?, was uncTef
en in a great
Jtilla np tho
ivc service.
;h guns hnti
an exhanst-
•lovvn which
ei', it was by
tants, no ob-
ider, and tho
ictd hour of
and seamen,
embrasures,
of the many

al and most
"Specially by
irin^^ durinfj
it blank into
scope) occa-

that of th(>
ich they had
their haver-
heir wooden
lie past day,
rn. so closed
•ewcd about,
!u this upon
e with pow-
whole scene,
i. Nor was
ambo in the

such offices
'f the party,
: teeth to a
he image of
J orgies of a

part, with a
the pricked
by a quick,
ncy. Pres-
■ating, as of

e they could
?ep of death,
urried chal-
^ found that
ilarm which

id ascended
)ught jacket
lial. and ho
tigablo and
ducted.
I " you havo
To-morro\»
I showLTSO*

shot and shell, for it is, during the confusion caused by your fire, that the
General intends crossing his troops and advancing to the assauU. Uut this
ig not all — we have somu suspicion tho enemy may attempt your batteries thi.<»
very night, with a view of either spiking the guns, if they cannot maintain
tho position, or of turning them, if they can, on our advancing columns.
Now all tho troops destined for the assault are assembled ready to elTect their
landing' at daybreak, and none can bo spared unless tho emergency be palpable.
What I seek is a volunteer to watch tho movements of the enemy duruig the
remainder of the night — one (and he looked at Gr:intham.) whose knowledge
Df the country will enable him to approach the op{)isite coast unseen,
and whose expedition will enable us to have due warning of any hostile
attempt."

" I shall be most happy, sir, to imdertakc the task, if you consider me worthy
of it." .said Grantham, " but— — " .,, ,

'• But what ?" interrupte^l the Commodore, hastily.

'' Mv only diiTicult)', sir, is tho means. Had I my light canoe hero,
with Sambo for my helmsman. I would seek their secret even on their own
Khorcs."

" Bravo, my gallant fellow." returned the Commodore, again cordially
shaking the hand of his' Lieutenant. '' This I expected of you. and have como
prepared. I have hail the precaution to bring your canoe and paddles with

me — you wilLflml them below in my boat."

" Then is every difficulty at an end
" And our dress, sir ?"

" exclaimad the young sailor jo3'ously.

" No disguise whatever, in case of accidents — we must not have you run
the risk of being hanged for a spy."

Gerald Grantham having secured his cutlass and pistols, now descended
with tho Commodore to the beach, whither Sambo (similarly armed) had
nlready preceded him. Under tho active and vigorous hands of the latter, the
canoe had already been removed from the boat, and now rested on the sands
ready to be shoved off. The ihial instructions of the Commodore to his ofli-
cer, as to the manner of comraunicating intelligence of any movement on the
part of the Americans having been givun, the latter glided noiselessly from the
Khore into the stream, while the boat, resuming the direction by which it had
approached, was impelled down the river with as little noise as possible, and
hugging the shore for greater seci'ecy, was soon lost both to the eye and to
the ear.

It was with a caution rendered necessary by the presence of the vessels In
the harbor, that Gerald Grantham and his faithful companion, having gained
the middle of the river, now sought to approach nearer to the shore, Tho
night, although not absolutely gloomj', was yet sufficiently obscure to aid
their enterprize ; and notwithstanding they could distinctly hear the tread of
the American sentinels, as the)- paced the deck of their flotilla, such was the
stillness of Sambo's practised paddle, that the little canoe glided past thcnt
nnheard, and, stealing along the shore, was enabled to gain the farther cxtre-
r>ity of the town, where, however, despite of the most .scrupulous inspection,
not the .slightest evidence of a collective movement was to bo observed. Re-
collecting that most of tho American boats used for the transport of their
army from the Canadian .shore, which they h.ad occupied for some time, were
drawn up on tho beach at the opposite end of the town, and deeming that if
any attempt on the batteries was in contemplation, the troops ordered for that
duty would naturally embark at a point whence crossing tlio river considerably
above the object of their expedition, they miiiht drift down with the current,
and affect a landing withoutnoise — he determined to direct his course between
the raerch.antmen and ves.sels of war, and pursue his v/ay to the opposite end
of the town. The enterprize, it is true, was lioM. iunl not Viy any means with-
out hazard ; but Grantham's was a spirit that deli<r!it(!'l in oxciteuKmt, and
njoreover, he trusted much to the skill of his jiilot. the daj-kness of tho night,
and the seeming repose of the enemy. Even if seen it was by no ineana

MATILDA atONTOOMERIE; OR,

wrtairi ho shouM bo taken, for his light skifT could worm its \r«y w?)<''M
arioUiiT (larod not fullow. and as for any shot that niifijht ho sent in po'*-
suit of tlicni, its aim would, in tlio obscurity of tlio night, bo extremely
unccrtii'n.

Devoted as the, old nejrro was to Gerald's will, it was but to acquaint h'r.n
with his intention, to secure a comjdianoe ; altho igh in this case, it must ho
admitted, areiuelant one. Cautiously and silently, therefore, the}' moved be-
tween the line of vessels, keeping as dose as they could to the merchantmen,
in whioh there was apparently no guard, so that under the shadow of the hullfi
of these they might e.scapa all observation from the more watchful vessels of
war without. They had cleared all but one. when the head of the canoe
suddenly came foul of the hawser of the latter, and was by the checked motion
brought round, with her broadside completely under her stern, in the cabin
windows of which, much to the annoyance of our adventurer, a liglit was
plainly visible. Rising as gently as he could to clear the bow of the light skilT,
he found his head on a level with the windows, and as his eye naturally fell
on all within, his attention was arrested sullicieutlv to cau.se a .sign from him
to Sambo to remain still. The cabin was spacious, and filled everywhere with
female forms, who were lying in various attitudes of repose, while the wholo
character of the arrangements was such as to induce his belief that tlio vessel
had been appropriated to the reception of the families of the principal inhabit-
ants of the place, and this with a view of their being more .secure jjrom outrage
from the Indians on the ensuing day. In the midst of the profound repo.se in
which, forgetful of the dangers of the morrow, all a])pe.'ire(l to bo wrapped,
there was one striking exception. At a small table in the centre of the cabin,
sat a figure envelopi'd in a long and ample dark cloak, and covered with a
slouched hat. There was nothing to indicate sc.x in the figure, which might
have been taken either for a woman, or for a youth. It was clear, however,
that it wanted in its contour the proportions of manhood. At tlie moment
when Ger.ald's attention was first arrested, the figure was occupied in reading
a letter, which was afterwards sealed with black. The heart of tlie sailor beat
violently, he knew not wherefore, but before he could explain his feelings even
to himself, he saw the figure deposit the letter, and remove, ai>parently from
the bosom of its dress, a miniature, on which it gazed intently for upwards of
a minute. The back being turned towards the windows, he could trace no
expression on the countenance, but in the manner there was none of that emo-
tion, which usually accompanies the contemplation of the features of a beloved
object. Depositing the picture in the folds of its cloak, the figure rose, and
with a caution indicating desire not to disturb those wdio slumbered around,
moved through the straggling forms that lay at its feet, and ascending the
.stairs, finally disappeared from the cabin.

Somewhat startled, the young officer hesitated as to what course h^ .should
pursue, for it was evident that if the figure, whoever it might prove, should
come to the stern of the vessel, he and his companion must be discovered.
For a moment he continued motionless, but wi^h ear and eye keenly on tho
alert. At length he f^xncied he heard footsteps, as of one treading the loose
plank that led from the vessel's side to the wharf, lie pushed the canoe
lightly along so as to enable him to get clear of her stern, when glancing his
eye in that direction, he saw the figure, still in the same dress, quit the plank
it had been traversing, and move rapidly along the wharf towards the ccptro
of the town.

Ruminating on the singularity of what ho had observed, our adventurer
now pursued hi.s course up the river, but still without di.scovei-ing any
evidence of hostile preparation. On the contrary, a deep silence appeared to
pervade every part of the town, the r .pose of which was the more remark-
tble. as it was generally known that the attack on the fort was to be made on
the following day. Arrived opposite the point where the town terminated,
drantham could distinctly count .some twenty or thirty large boats drawn up
on tho beach, while in th' Holds beyond the drowsy guard evidently stationed

THE PROPHECY F t f . F I L L E O .

the

there foi their protection, and visible hy thi; dyinsc emlxTs of their watcli-flrn,
denoted anything hut the activity which slioiild have f;overiH!(l an ontcrpnzo
of the nature apprehended. SatislU'il tliat the iidorinition conveyctd to his
superiors was incorrect, the yoiui':; ollict-r disniis^ed from ids niiml all further .
ftnxiety on the suhjcct ; yet, im{)elk'd by recollections well Indittiiif^ the hour
and the circumstances, he could not avoid lin;j;erin;x near u spot win'cli tradition i
had invested with much to excite the itnai;ination and feeiinj;. It was fami-
har to his memory, for he had frequently heard it in boyhood, that some
dreadful tragedy had in fanner days l)een perpetrated nesir this hrid;j;e ; and
he had reason to believe that some of the actors in it were those whose blood
flowed in liis young veins. The extreme pain it seemed to j^ivo his parents,
however, wlienever allusion was made to the subject, had ever repressed
inquiry, and all 1ms knowledf;e of these events was conhned to what he had
been enabled to glean from the aged Canadians. That Sambo, who wa'-; a
very old servant of the family, had more than hear-say acquaintance with the
circumstances, he was almost certain; for he had frequently remarked, when
after having had his imagination, excited by the oft-told tale, he felt desirous
of visiting the spot, the negro, obedient in all things else, ever found some ex-
cuse to avoid accompanying him, nor, within his own recollection, had he onco
approached the scene. Certain vague allusions of late date, by the old man,
had, moreover, confirmed him in his impression, and he now called forcibly to
mind an observation made by his faithful att(!ndai\t on the night of then* pur« ,
suit of the younger Dcsborough, which evidently referred to that p(>riod. :
Even on the present occasion, he had been struck hy the urgency with which
he contended for a return to their own shore, without pursuing their course to .
the extreme end of the town ; nor was his unwillingness to apjiroach the
bridge overcome, until Gerald told him it was the positive order of the Commo- •
dore, that they .should embrace the whole of the American lines in their in-
spection, and even then it was with a relaxed vigor of arm that he obeyed thu
instruction to proceed.

Determined to sound him as to his knowledge of tlie fact. Grantham stole
gently from the bow to the stern of the canoe, and he was about to question
him, when the other, grasping his arm with an expressive touch, pointed to a
dark object moving across the road. Gerald turned his head, and beheld tho
same figure that had so recently quitted the cabin of the merchantman.
Following its movements, he saw it noiselessly enter into the grounds of a
cottage, opposite an old taimcry, where it totally disappeare(h

A new direction was nov given to the curiosity of the sailor. Expressing
in a whisper to Sambo his aetermination to follow, he desired liim to make for
the shore near the tannery, beneath the shadow of which lie might bo secure,
while he himself advanced, and tracked the movements of the mysterious
wanderer.

" Oh Massa Geral," urged tho old man in the same whisper — his teeth
chattering with fear — '"for Ilebben's .sake he no go ashore. All disa place
berry bad, and dat no a livin' ting what he see yonder. Do Ma.ssa Geral take
p",or nigger word, and not go dere att'er he ghost."

" Na)'', Sambo, it is no ghost, but flesh and blood, for I saw it in the brig wo
were foul of just now ; howev-, be under no alarm. Armed as I am, I have
nothing to fear from one indivii. lal, and if I am seen and pursued in my turn,
it is but to .spring in again, and before any one can put olf in cIksc, we shall
have nearly reached the opposite shore. — You shall remain in the canoe if you
please, but I most certainly will sec where that figure went."

" Berry well, Massa Geral," and the old man spoke piquedly. although
partly re-assured by the a.ssurance that it wiis no ghost. "If he t'.kc he poor
nigger wice he do as he like ; but I no top in he canoe while he go and have
him troat cut, or carry oflby a debbil — I dam if he go, I go too."

This energetic rejoinder being conclusive, and in no wise opposed by hi"?
master, the old man made for the shore as desired. Both having disembarked,
a 'jautious e.\am.lnatioa was made of the premises, which tending to satisfy thena

MATILDA MONTOOMERIR; OR,

tliat nil within slumbered, the canoe wns secrclcfl under the nhadow of th«
cottage, the ailvciUurers crossed tlio road in the direction taken by the figure
— .Satnho following close in tlie rear of his muster, and looking occasionally
hviiiind liiiii. not with the air of one who fears a mortal enemy, hut of ono
ratlicr who siirinks from collision with aspir"*: of another world.

The front grounls of the cottaj^e were .separated from the high road by •
fence of open pallisades, in the centre of which was a small gate of the sarao
discription. It was evidently tlirongh this latter that the figure had disap-
peared, and as its entrance ha<l been eflecfed without ellort, Gerald came to
the conclusion, on findin;;; the latter yiehl to his touch, that this was the abode
of the midnight wanderer. Peihaps some young American officer, whom in-
trigue or frolic had led forth in disguise on an ex(;ursion from which he was
now relumed. Ills curiosity was therefore on the point of yielding to tho
prudence which dictated an innnediate relinquishment of the adventure, when
lie felt his right arm sud<Ienl3' seized in the convulsed and tremt)ling gra.sp of
his attendant. Turning to ascertain the cause, he beheld as distinctly as tho
gloom of the night would permit, the featiu'cs of the old man worked into an
e.vpression of horror, while trembling in every joint, he pointed to the monntl
of earth at the far extremity of the garden, which was known to contain tho
ashes of those from whom his imagination had been so suddenly diverted by
the reappearance of the figure. This, owing to the position in which he stood,
had hitherto escaped the notice of the officer, whose surprise may be imagined,
when, looking in the direction j)ointed out to him, he beheld the same mufttea
figure rei)osing its head, apjjarently in an attitude of profound sorrow,
against one of tho white tomb-stones that ro.sc perpendicularly from the
graves.

That Sambo feared nothing which emanated not from tho world of spirits,
Grantham well knew. It therefore became his ftrst care to dismi.ss frgm tho
mind of the poor fellow the superstitious alarm that had taken care of every
faculty. From their proximity to the party, this could only be done by ener-
getic signs, the progress of which was however interrupted by their mutual
attention being diverted by a change in the position of the figure, which,
tiirowing itself at its length upon the grave, for a moment or two sobhea
audibly. Presently afterwards it rose abiaiptly. and wrapping its disgni.so
more closely around it, quitted the mound and disappeared in the rear of tho
house.

The emotion of the figure, in giving evidence of it.s materiality, had, more
than all the .signs of his ma.'^^ter, contributed to allay the agitation of the old
negro. When therefore Gerald, urged by his irrepressible curiosit}', in a
whisper declared his intention to penetrate to the rear of the hou.se, he was
enabled to answer.

'• For Goi-ramity's sake. Massa Geral. nebber go dare. Dis a place all berry
bad n)r he family. Poor Sambo hair white now b\it when he black like a
qnirrcl he .see all a dis a peop!e kill — " (and he pointed to the mound) '' oh,
berrv much blood spill here, ^lassa Geral. It makes a poor nigger heart sick
to tiiik of it."

Gerald grasped the shoulder of the old man. " Sambo." he whi.spcred, in
the same low, b>it in a determined tone, " I have long thought you acquainted
with the history of this i)laco, although j'ou have eluded my desire for infor-
mation on the subject. After the admission you have now made, however, I
expect you will tell me all and everything connected with it. Not now — fori
am resolved to see who that singular being is, whp apparently, like myself,
feds an interest in these mouldeiing bone.s. As you perceive it is no ghost,
bet flesh and blood like ourselves, stay here if you will, until I rolarn ; but
poniething more must I see of this mystery before I quit the spot.

Without waiting for reply, he gently pushed the unlatched gate before him.
It opened without noise, and quitting the pathway he moved along the green
Bv«ard in the direction in which the figure had disappeared. Love for his
lu-istcr, even more than the super ^-titious awe he felt on bcin^ left alone, in that

THE PROPUKOY FULFILLED.

mrmornblo spot, at so lute an hoiir, [mt an end to the indociKirtn of the old
man. Entering and cnntioiisly elosinjj; llu- gate. In; I'ollowed in the footstej.H
of liirt master, and botli in the m-xt minute were oppotiito to the moynd whero
the n;j,iire had Hrst been observed.

Ah lie was about to quit the grass, and enter \ipon the travelled walk that
led to tlie rejir of the cottiipe, he faueied he distiii.cuished a Hound within, si-
luilur to tliat of a door cautiously o|)(iiin.i;. Pausin;^ atrain to !i,*ten, bo saw ?.
lijrht stronnly rellected from an upper window, upon what had Ibe appear-
ance of a court yard in the rear, and in that li;;ht tlie dark shadow ol a biunan
form. This hf: at once reeognisiul, from its peculiar costume to be the myste-
rious porstm who bad so strongly excited his curiosity. Foranioment or two
nil was obscurity, when again, but fi>>ma more distant window, the saineliglit
find llguro were again n llected. Presently the (igiu'e disappeared, but tlio
light still remained. Impelled by an uncontrollable desire to l)ehoId the fea-
tures, and ascertain, if possible, the object of this strange wanderer, the young
sailor cast his eye rapidly in search of the means of raising liimself to a level
with the window, when, nuich to his satisfaction, he remarked immediately
beneath, a large water butt which wasfidly adecpiate to the ])uri)ose, and near
this a rude wooden stool which would enable bim to gain a footmgonitsedge,
without exertion, or noise. It is true there was every reason to l)elieve that
what he had seen was, an ofTicer l)elonging to the guarrl stationed in the ad-
joining lield, who had his tempor.ary residence in tliis building, and was now,
after the prosecution of .some love adventure returning home; but iJerald
could not reconcile this with the strong emotion he bad mauiiVsteil near the
tomb, and the startling si-crecy with which, even when be had entered, bo
movcil along his own apiirtments. These conlrailictions wvm stimulants to
the gratilication of his own ciu'iosity, or interest, or whatever it might l)e ; and
although he could nnt conceal from himself that be incurred no inconsiderable
risk from observation, by the jjarty itself, the desire to see into the interior of
the apartment ami learn something further, rose paramount to all considera-
tion for his personal safety. His first care now was to disencumber himself
of bis shoes and cutlass, which he gave in charge to Sambo, with directions t(»
the latter to remain Klationary on the swanl, kee[)inga good look-out to guard
against surprise. As by this arrangement his master would be l«'pt in toler-
able proximity, the old negro, whose repugnance to be left alone in that me-
lancholy spot was invincible, oifered no longer an objection, and fJerald,
bracing more tightly roimd bis loins, the belt which contained his jiistols. pro-
ceeded cautiously to ;-ieciu'e the stool, by the aiil of which he speedily found
liis feet re.:ting on the edge of the water butt, and bis face level with the win-
dow. This, owing to the activity of his profe.ssional habits, he bad been en-
abled to accomplish withotit perceptible noise.

The scene that met the fixeii gaze of the adventurous ofTit'er. was one to
startle and excite in no ordinary degree. The room into which he looked
wa.s square, with deep recesses on the side wbiu'o he lingered, formed by the
projection of a chimney in which, however, owing to the sultry season of the
year, no traces of recent fire were visible. In the space between the diiinney
and wall, forming the innermost recess, was [ilaced a rude uncurtained bed,
nui on this lay extended, and delineated ben-ath the coveri.ig, a human form,
the upper cxiremilies of v/liich were hidden fiom view by the projecting chim-
ney. The whole attitude of repose of this latter indicated the uncousoiousness
of profound slumber. On a small table near the foot, were placed several
books and papers, a id an extinguished candle. Leaning over the bed and
holding a small lamp which had evidently been brought and lighted since itr
entrance, stood the mysterious figure on whom the interest of Gerald had Iteen
■ so .strongly excited. It .seemed to be gazing inteutly on tlie features of the
sleeper, and more than once, by the convulsed movements of its form, betrayed
intcn.se agitation. Onco it made a motion as if to awaken the person on whom
it gazed, but suddenly chang-ng its purf ose, drew from its dress a letter which
G«rak' recognised to be that so recently prepared in the cabin of the bng.

MAiiLDA uon^qomekie; or*

Prcsmtl* hnih letter nnd lamp wore loposittvl on tlio hrd, and in nnoupraiRod
hiunl (if tli(« fifcurn plcainod tiio })]:vk> of a knifu or dftirpor, while the left
prasprd ;ind shook, with nn cviiicnt view to aronsi\ the sleeper. An exda-
iiijition rtf horror, nccoinpiiiiii'd by ii violent strnj,'uU' of its liinhs, proclaimed
reviviii!^ coiiscioiisnc.ss in tlio latter. A low wild laiijrh hurst in scorn '"•oin
the lips of the li;:;iir«, and the stroii{!;ly ntrved arm was already desccn liiif;; to
Ktrike its assassin lilow, wlien suddenly the pistol, wliirli CJcrald hM<l almost
uneonseionsly ooeked and raised to thu window, was disrharped with a loud
explosion. The awakened slumherer \V!». • now .wen to sji. inp from the bed to
the lloor, and in the action the lamp was overturned and extinjiui.shcd ; but
all stnia;nle appeared to have ceased.

liewildeicfl beyond measure in his reflection, yet secure in the conviction
that ho had by this desjx'rate stej) sav(»d the life of a human beinji from the
da;:<;er of the assassin, the only object of (icrald n(»w was to secure himself
from the consccpiences. Sprinj^int? from his position Ik; was soon at the sidu
of the startled Sambo, who had witnessed his last act with inconceivable dis-
may. Already were the piuard in the adjoininp; Mclil, alarmed by the rejiort
of the pistol, hurryiu'Tj to.vird the house, when they reache<l the little (rate,
and some even appeared to be makini? for their boats on the beach. With
thes(! motives to exertion, lutither (lerald nor the old ne;_'ro were likely to bo
deficient in activity. Benilin;; low as they crossed the road, they manapcd
unperceived to reach the i)art of the tanniTy where their canoe had been se-
creted, nnd Sambo having hastily launched it, they made directly' for the oppo-
site shore, unharmed by .some fifteen or twentj'^ shots that were iired at them
by the }:;uar(l, and driftini; down with the current, reached, about an hour be-
fore dawn, the battery from which they liad started.

CHAriEIl XII.

At day-break on the morninp; of Sunday, the IGth of Atigr.st, the fire from
the batteries was resumed, and with a fury that must have satisfieil the Ameri-
can.", even had they been ijnioraut of the purpose, it was intended to cover
Bome ulterior plan of operation on the part of the I'riti.sh General. Their own
object appeared rather to make prei)ara(ion of defence ugainst the thieatened
assault, than to return a cannonade, which bivvina; attained its true ran;!je. ex-
cessively atni03'ed and occasioned them much loss. Meanwhile every precau-
tion had been taken to .secure the safe transport of the army, 'i'lie flotilla,
considerabl)- supeiior at the ont.set of the war, to that of the Americans, had
worked up the river durin;j; the ni<rht. and. anchored in the middle, lay with
their broadsides ready to opi'U upon any force that might appear to oppose
the liindiu!]: of the troops, while numerous .scows, for the transport of a light
brigade of horse artillery, and all the boats nnd battcaux that could be col-
lected, added to those of the fleet, lay covei'ing the sands. rea<ly to receive
ilieir destined burdens. At length the embarkation \v;is completed, and the
signal having been given, the several divisions of boats moved oil" in the order
prescribed to them. Never diil a more picturesque .scene present ifself to the
human eye, than <luriug the half hohr occu^tiod in the transit of this little
army. The sun was just ri.sing gloriously and unclouded, as the first divi.sion
of boats pushed from the shore, nnd ever}' object within the British and
American line of operation, teifded to the production of an efl'ect that wai- little
jn unison with the anticipated issi:e of the whole. Not a breeze ruflltd the
fair face of the phu-id Detroit, through which the heavily laden boats now
made their slow, but certain way ; and a sjiectator who, in utter ignorance of
events, might have been su<Menly placed on the Canadian bank, would havo
been led to imagine that a fete, not a battle, was intended. Immediatily
above 1U3 village of Sandwich, and in full view of the American Fort, lay tiw

T H R P R O P H F, C V F U L F I I. L E D .

ISnTli"*!! nuHlla nt anchor, their white sail-< half rlc wed up, Iheir innat?* docked
^ilh gay pi-ndiuLs. iiiid their tuUVjiils with erisij^iis that lay droopiiij; over
th'ir sti riis in the water, as if too iii(|(<!f nt to hear up ajjaiti-it tlie mmiiip: sul-
triiMjasof the day. IJelosv these, t^littenii'^ in liri)j;ht scurirt tliat ^^lowed not
tinpieasinjjly on the silvery stream, llie sun's rays daiicin;; on their poli.slieil
niurtkuta aud a-'eoutrenntnts, };'liduil, like ^ay aetors in an u|)proa(*hin){ pa-
fre.mt, llie eoluniUH destined for the assault — while further down, and <listiib-
uled fii' and wide over tin) e.\[):inse of water, were to he seen a multitude of
Clio 8. (iilel with Indian wanJjrH, whose war costume could not, in the dis-
tance, bo di4tln;^iii>hed from that of the dance — the whole i-ontrihiitin};, willi
the uir of (piictude on both shores, and absence of all opposition on the Amer-
ican ospccially, to inspire feeliuirs of joyousness and pleasure, riither than tho
ini'lauciioiy c(»nse(pient on a knowled;;(! of the fuial destination of tho whole.
Nor would tho incessant thinider of the cannon in the distance, have in any
way diminished this impression; for as the volumes of smoke, vojuitcd from
tiie opp').-in,!^ batteries, n»f't and wreathed themselvs toi^ether in the centre of
the streim, leavin;; at intervals the ■ray <'olors of Kn;;Iand and America
])ri!j;htly displayed to the view, tho impression, to a spectator, would havo
been that of one who witnes,ses the e.\elian;;e of military lionors between two
br.ave and friendly powers, preparin;^ the one to coufvT. the other to receive all
the becoming courtesies of a chivalrous hospitality. If an\ thin;; were want-
inj; to complete the illusion, the .soun<l of tl>e early mass bell, sununonin;; to
tho worship of that Ood whom no pa;,;eantry of man may <lisposess of hom-
n^e, would ami)ly crown and heii^liten the elleet of tho whole, while ttu! cliant-
in;; of the hymn of adoration would appear a part of the worship of the De-
ity, and of the pa;;eantry itself.

Vying each with the otlicr who .sliould first p;ain the land, the c.vertions of
the several rowers inereaswl, as the di.tance to be traversed diininislie<l, ,so
that many arrived simultaneoii.sly at the ln'ach. Forming; in close column of
BJClions as they landed, the rou;ular troops uecujiied the road, their ri;j;lit flank
rcstin;; on the river, while a strons; body of Indians under Koinul-head, Sj)lit-
lo^, and \V'alk-in-llie-water. scouring;; the opci'. :ountry beyond, completely
guarded their l.ft from surprise. Anionj; tho liirf (o reach the shon;, was thf5
gallant (Icneral, the planner of the enterprise, who, with his personal stall",
crossed the river in the barjije of the Commodore, steero;Pby that otlicor hiin-
Belf, Dunmj; the slioit period that the columns were delayed for the landini;
of the artillery, necessarily .slower in their movements, a ,sl)ort conference
amonaj the leaders, to whom were added Tecnmseh and Oolouel D'ELTville. as
to their linal o[)erations, took place. Never did the noble Indian appear to
greater advantage than on this occasion. A neat liuntiny; dress, of smoked
deer-skin, han.lsoinely ornamented, covered his fine and athletic person, while
tlio swarthiness of his check and dazzlinp; lustre of his eye were admirably
set oil", not only by the snow-white linen which hung loose and open about
his throat, but by a full turban, in which waved a splendid white ostrich
feather, the much prized gift, as we have already (ybserved, of Mrs. D'Egville,
Firmly seated on his long-tailed grey charger, which he manaired with a dex-
ter'ty uncommon to his race, his warrior and commanding uir might have
called up the image of a Tamerlane, or fienghis Khan, were it not known that,
to the more savage qualities of these, ho united others that would lend lustre
to the most civilized potentates. There was. however, that ardor of expres-
sion in his eye which rumor had a.scribed to him, wdienevcr an appeal to arras
against the deadly foe of his country' was about to be made, that could not
fail to endear him to the soldier hearts of tlioso who stood around, and to in-
spire them with • veneration and esteem, not even surpassed by what they
entertained for their own immediate leader, who in his turn, animated by tho
inspiriting scene and conlident in his own powers, presented an appearance
BO anticipiatory of coming succos.s, that the least sanguine could not fail to bo
cuooura.2;ed by it.

It bad liQua arranged that, on the landing of the troopg the flotilla should

MATILDA MONTGOSIEniE; OR,

ftfrain vrci^h ntii^hor, anrl npjiT-oacl. a;; nnnr as po>:sibl(! to tlio American fort.
Nvith a vitM'', in conjiincuon \'', li the battorirs, to a rross-firc that would cover
th« ftpproacli of the assaultmj;; oolinnns. The Imlians, moanwhilo, were to
disperse themselves throu-rliout tie .'IJrts of (ho for.^st, and, headed \y the
Chiefs ah'eady named, to advance iukUt wliatever they might find in the
shape of liedi^es. eliimps of trees, or fields, f 'iHiciently near to maintain a
heavy tiro fi-oiii their rifles on snr^h force as ini;j:lit appear on the ran.parts to
oppose the assault — ;v taslc in whicli they wore to he assisted l)v tlie brigade
of light guns (•harge(l with shrapnoll and grape. Teenmseh himself, aceom-
panied by Colonel D'Egvillo, was. with the majority of his warrioi-s, to gain
the rear of the town, there to art as oireumstances might require. To this, as
an inferior post, the Cliieftain had at tirst strongly olijoeted ; but when it was
represented to 'mi'. that the enemy, with a view to turn the English llank on
the forest side. ..-ould probably detaeh in that direction a strong fon-e, which
ho would liavc the exclusive merit of en'^ountering. he (inallv assente.l ; urged
to it, as he was, nioreover. by tlie consiileration that liis presence wouUl be
otlVetual in repressing any attempt at massacre, or outrage, of tlio liclplus." in-
habitants, by liis wild and excited bands.

The guns being at length disembarked and liniberedj everything was now
in reauiness for the advance, 'i'hc horses of the General and his stall" had
crossed in the scows appropriated to the artillery, an<l liis favorite charger,
being now brought \ip by his groom, the former mounted with an activity and
vigor, not surpassed even by the yo . est of his aides-de-camp, while his linfl
and martial form, towered above those around him, in a manner to excite ad-
miralioii in all who beheld him. Giving his brief instructions to his scond
in command, he now grasped and shook the hand of his (iai'k brother in anns,
who, putting spiM's to his horse, dashed ofli> with Colonel D'Egvillo into tho
open coimtry on the left, in tho direction taken by his warrior.s, M-liile tho
General and his staff, boldly, and without escort, pursued their way along tho
high ro'id at a bi'isk trot. The Commodore in liis tm-n, sprang once nioro
into liis bai-ge, wliich. impelled by stout heart.', and vvillii'g hands, was soon
seen to gain the side of the principal vessel of the litt'io squadron, which,
napidl}- getting under weigh, had already loosened its sails to catch the light,
yet favorable breeze, iiow beginning to curl the surface of the river.

During all this time, the cannon from our batterios. but faintly nnswercd by
tho Americans, had continued to thunder without intermission, and as tho
columns drew nearer, each succeeding disch.avge came npon the ear with in-
creased and more exciting loudness. Hitherto the view had been obstrticted
by the numerous farm liouses and other buildings, that .skirted the windings
of the road, but when at length the colunm emerged into more open ground,
the whole scene burst splendidly and iir.posingly tipon the siglit. Within
half a mile, and to the left, rose the American ramparts, Furmounted by tho
national Hag, suspend(-d from a staff planted on the identical spot wliich had
been tli.- scene of the fearful exploit of W.acousta in former days, liristling
^rith cannon, tiier seemed now to threaten with extermination those who
should have the temerity to approach them, and the men, awed into silence,
regarded them with a certain air of respect.

Close under the town were anchored the American vessels of war, wliich,
however, having taken no jiart in rcMirning the bombardment, had been left
unmolested across the river ; and m full view of all, was to be seen the liigh
ground where the batteries had been erected, and, visible at such intervals as
the continuous clouds of smoke and Hashes of tiro would permit, the Union
Jack of England floating above the whole ; while in the river and immwlintcly
opposite to the point the columns had now reached, the English flotilla, which
had kept pace with their movements, wore already taking np a position to
commence their raking fire.

It was on reaching this point of the road, that the British "orce, obedient to
the command of the General, who. from a farm-house on the left, was then
examining the American defences, filed oil' pa.st the house iuto a large Held,

THE PROPHECY ,' U L F I L L E D.

:*ftn fort,
Id cover
wore to

'.y the
1 ill the
nuiin a
parts to
lirij^ado

aoc(t>n-
to fjain

this, as

n it was

aiik on

wliicli
; tirgod

OUIti 1)0

tic'sy In-

larji-or.

prcprvralory to formlnj; into column to attack. Scarcely, liowevor, liad tha
iHt^.icral dosccndcd to tlic field to make his dispositions, when it was observed
♦ jftt the batteries had suddenly discontiTuied tlieir lire, and on lookinij; to as-
certain the cause, a white ilaj; was .seen wavim!; on the einnience where th«
heavy jijiuis just alluded to had been placed. Wliile all were expressinj; their
surprise at this unexpected circumstan<;o. Do Courcy, who. by the direction of
his General, hail remained rccoinioitrinjj; at the top of the hon,se, announced
that an ollicer, bearins; a smaller wliite Hag, wa.s then de.sconding the road,
v.'ith an evident view to a parley.

" Ah ! is it even so ?" exclaimed the General with vivacity, as if to himself.
"Quick ! my horse — I miist po to meet hini. Captain Stanley — l)e Courcy —
mount' St. ilulian," turning; to his second in command, " linish what I hava
besrun — let the columns bo got ready in the order I have directed. Wc may
have ncc'l of them yet."

bo .'^'ying he once more sprang into his saddle, and accompanied by his
young aides-de-camp, galloped past the line of adiniring troojis, who involun-
tarily rheend lum as he passed ; and quitting the field, hastened to reach the
Hag, before the bearer could appioa 'ii suUiciently near to make an}' correct
observation respecting his force.

Nearly twenty minutes of anxious suspense had .succeeded the departure of
the ofliccr, when Do Courcy again made his appearance at full speerl.

" Ilvirrah ! hurrah !" ho shouted, as he apjjroached a group of his moro
immef'iate companions, who were canva.ssing the probable terminaLion of thi-H
pacific demonstration on the part of the cnem}' — '' the fort is our own" (then
turning to the .second m command,) "Colonel St. Julian, it is the General's
desire that tlie men pile their arn.s on the ground they occupy, and refresh
tbtmselvcs with, whatever thei" 'lavcrsacks contain."

" IIow is tl'.i.s, Do Courcy ?" — "Surely the Americans do not capitulate?"
— " Is it to be cjiild's play, after all ?" — were among the various remarks
made to the young aide-de-camp, on his return from the delivery of the last
order.

" Heaven only know.s how, Granville," said the vivacious ofliccr. in re]yly *«
the first (juerist : '• but certainly it is .'something very like it, for the General,
•ccompanied by Stanley, has entered the town under the Hag. However. l>e-
forc we di.seuss the subject further, I vote th.at we enter the farm-Iiouse, ami
discuss wherewith to .satisfy our own appetites — I saw a devilish pretty girl
just now, one who seemed to have no sort of objection to a handsome .scarlet
uniform, whatever her predilections for a blue with red facings may formerly
have been. S'le looked so cood-naturetlly on Stanley and myself, that wo
should !;;:vo o/led her into a breakfast ere this, had not the General sworn ho
would not break his fa'-t until he had planted the colors of England on yon
fortv'ss or tailed in the attempt. Of course we, as young hei-oes, could not
think t- CO ling after that. But come along — nay, Cranstoun, do not look aa
if you vere afraid to budge an inch without an order in wrilni<r. — I have it
in suggestion from Colonel St. Julian, that we go in and do the best we can."

The}' now entered and asked for breakfast, when bread, eggs, milk, fruit,
cider, -".nd whatever the remains of yesterday's meal allbrdcd, were succes-
sively brought forward by the dark-eyed daUL'hter of the farmer, who, as D«
Courcy hatl remarked, .seemed by no means indisposed towards the gay look-
ing invaders of her home. There was a recklessness about the carriage of moat
of those, and even a foppery about some, that was likely to be anything but
displeasing to a young girl, who. French Canadian by birth, although living
under the Government of the United States, possessed all the natural vivacity
of character peculiar to the original stock. Notwithstanding the pertinacity
>vith which her aged father lingered in the room, the handsome and elegiint
De Courcy contrived more than once to address her in an under tone, ami
elicit a blu.sh that greatly heightened the brilliant expression of her large black
eyes and Villiers subsequnitly declared that he had remarked the air of joy*

{«

MATILDA MONT COM KRIE; OR,

onsncsf nii<1 (liuniph tlint pcrvadi'dlier fcaturoR, on the j'otinf aulo-decamp

[mxnisiiiu: to rctiiiu to the farm as soon as the place }iatl boon entered, an(k
eisiirc allordod him.

'- Iliu tho particulars of the flap;, Do Courny." said Captain Granville, as ho
devoured a hard-lioilwi turkey cix^, whi<'h iii quantity fully made np for what
It wanted inquality. '• Wlien you have fuiislied llirtinj>;\vitii that unfortunato
pirl, come and seat yourself quietly, and tell us what jjassed between tho
General and the otiicer who bore it. Why, I thought you had a devil of an
ftpfii'fite just now."

"Ah. true!" returned (ho younp, man, takinsj; his se.it at the rude nakc<!
table which bore their meal. ''I h.ad quite forirottcn my appetite — mais pa
viemini ai i>i(m<r<'iit, n^'st ce pas ?" and he looked at the young girl.

•' Plait //, Moii.sirHi- ?"

" He silent, my daughter, they are not speaking to you," gruffly remarked
her father.

" The old boy i.s heroming .savage at your attentions," remarked Villiers,
•*yon will get the girl into a scrape."

"Bah!" ejaetdated l)e Courcy. " Well, but of the General. Who, think
you, was the bearer of tlie flag ? No otlier than that fine-looking fellow,
Colonel — wlial's his name, who came to us the other d.ay."

" Indeed, singular enough. What said the General to him on meeting ?"
asked Henry Grantham.

'• ' Well. Colonel,' said he smiling, ' you see I have kept my word. This is
tlie day on which 1 j)roniised that we should meet again.'

'•What answer did he make?" demanded Villiers.

" 'True, General, and most happily have you chosen. But one day sooner,
and we should have dared your uttnost in our strongliold. To-day,' . " ' )io
.spoke in a tone of dee[i mortification, ' we have not resolution left t( Tin' a
show even in vindication of our honor. In a word, I am here to coi^iJv.ct
you to those who will oiler terms derogatory at once to our national character,
and insulting to oui' i)i~rsonaI courage.'

" The General," pursued Dc Courcy, "respecting the humiliated manner
of the American, again bowed, but said nothing. After a moment of pause,
the latter slated that tlie Governor and Commander of th<! fortress were
waiting to receive and confer witli liim as to the terms of capitulation. All I
know further is, that, attended by Stanley, he has accompanied the fir.g into
the town, and that, having no immediate occasion for my valuable services, he
Bent me back to give to Colonel St. Julian tho order you have heard."

The deep roll of the drum summoning to fall in, drew them eagerly to their
respective divisions. Captain Stanley, the senior aide-de camp, was just re-
turned with an order for the several columns to advance and take up tlieir
ground close under the ramparts of the fort.

It was an interesting and a novel sight, to see the comparatively insignifi-
cant British cohnnns. flanked by the lialf dozen hght guns wliich constituted
their whole artillery, advance across the field, and occupy the plain or comjnon
surrounding the fort, while the Americans on tiie ramparts appeared to regard
with indignation and surprise the mere handful of men to whom they were
about to be surrendered. Such a jdienomenon in isiodorn warfare as that of a
weak besieging force bearding a 'Wronger in their hold, might well excite asto-
nishment ; and to an army, tlirice as numerous as its captors, occupying a
fortress well provided with cannon, as in this instance, must have been
e.specially galling. More than one of tlie oflicers, as he looked down from his
loftier and more advantageous position, showed by tl>e scowl that lingered on
his brow, how willingly lie would have applied the match to the nearest gini
whose ])ro\imity to his enemies- p. oniised annihiliation to their ranks. But
Mic white llag still waved in the distance, affording perfect security to those
■^'lio had wnfldoJ in their honor, and although liberty, and prosperity, and
glory were the sa:rir<ce, that honor might not be tarni.she:i

wi
wi

CI)

(1.
dr

THE PROPIIECV FULFILLED.

lule-decamp
entered, aixi

uiville, as ho

"p fur what

iinfoT'tnuato

bftweoii the

a devil of an

ru(le nako«!
e — inaia ga
girl.

y remarked

^ed Villiers,

Who, think
kin;; fellow,

meeting ?"

IxJ This 13

day sooner,
!iy,' ,," ' he
. t< M)a' a
to tOLi ret
1 character,

ed manner
it of pause,
rtress ware
ion. All I
lie lliig into
services, he
rd."

fly to their
%TSJiist ro-
te up their

y insignifi-
.'onstituted
•r compion
I to regard
they were
s that of a
xcitc aRt(v
oiipying a
lave been
I from his
ngered on
?urc.st gun
iks. Bus
y to those •
erity, anJ

At li^ngth the terms of capitulation bt-ing finally ail justed. Dc Couroy, who.
with liH lirothcr aid-de-cainp, had long since rejoined the General, came up
with instruction for a guanl to enter and take possession jireparatory to the
Americans marching out. Dclachinerits from the ilank companies, under the
comnmn I of Captain (Ivanviiie, with wiiom wore Middlemoro and Henry
(liantham. were selected for the <luty, and these now moved forward, with
drums beating and colons Hying, towards the drawbridge then lowering to
admit them.

The area of the fort in no way enlarged, and but slightly change<l in appear-
ance, since certain of our readers first madeac(iuaintance with it in WacAusta,
was filled with tr(M)ps, and otherwise exhibited all the confusion inci<ldnt to
preparations for an immediate evacuation. These preparations, however, were
made with a savageuess of mien by the irregulars, and a sullen silence by all,
that attested how little their inclination had been consulted in the decision of
their (jhitf Many an oath was muttered, and many a fierce glance wa« cat.t
by the angry back-woodsmen, upon the little detachment a.s it pursued its
way, not without difliculty, through the dense masses that seemed rafher to
oppose than aid their advance to the occupancy of the several posts a.ssigned
them.

One voice, deo[)cst and most bitter in its half suppres.sed execration, came
familiarly on the ear of Henry Grantham, who brought up the rear of the de-
tachment, lie turned quickl}' in search of the speaker, but, although he felt
persuaded it was De.sborough wlio had spoken, coupling his own name even
with his curses, the ruflian was nowhere to be seen. Satisfied that he^ mH.st
be within the Fort, and determined if possible, to .secure the murdcrcrwh*
had, moreover, the double crime of treason and desertion, to be adde<J to hia
list of ofl'encoSy the young officer moved to the head of the detachment when
lialteil, and communicated what he heard to Captain Granville. Entering at
once into the views of his subaltern, and anxious to make an example of the
traitor, yet unwilling to act whoU}' on his own responsibility, Captain Gran-
ville dispatched an orderly to Colonel St. Julien to receive his instructions.
The man soon returned with a message to say that Dcsborough was by all
means to be detaim-d. and secured, until the Geiicral, who was still absent,
should determme on his final disi)0,sal.

Meanwhile the sentinels at the .several posts having been relieved, and every
thing ready fn- thc'r departure, the American army, leaving their arms piled
in the ania. conimeiK;ed their evacuation of the Fort, the artillery and troops
of the line taking the lead. Watchfully alive to the order that had been re-
ceived, Captain Granville and Henry Grantham lingered near the prate, re-
garding, yet with an air of carelessness, every countenance among the irregular
troops as they issued forth. Hitherto their search ha<l been ineffectual, and
to their great surprise, aUhough the two la.st of the prisoners wc^e no\»
in the act of passing them, there was not the slightest trace of Dcsborough.
It was well known that the fort had no other outlet, and any man attempting
to escape over the ramiiarts, must have been seen au'l taken either by the
troops or by the Indians, who in the fir distance completely surroundeti them.
Cap.aiu Granville intimated the possibility of Henry Grantham having been
deceived in the voice, but the latter as pertinaciously declared he could not bo
mistaken, for, idependently, of his former knowledge of the man. his tones
had so jieculiarly struck him on the day when he made boastful confession
of his father's murder, that no fime could etface them from his njemory. This
short disi'ussion terminated just ;is the last few files were passing. Immedi-
ately ill the rear of these were the litters, on which were borne siTch <>f the
wounded as ckuIcI be removed from the hospital withort danger. Tlir.se
were some thirty in number, and it seemed to both officers as .somewhat sin-
puiar, that the faces of all were, in defiance of the heat of the day, covered
wi'.ii the sheets that lia<l been spread over each litter. For a moment tlie
suspicion occurred to Grantham, that DesVjorough might be of the number;
but when he rcUected on the impo.ssibility that any of the wounded men

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE: OR,

.ijOOuld he tl»c same whose voice liad sounded so recently in the full vigor of
V health in Uin car, ho ahandoned the idea. Most of the wounded,; as they
L'^^pftssed, indicated by low and feeble moaning, the inconvouience they expcri-
3,<nced from the motion to which they were subjected, and more or less ex«
'^.pressed by the contortions of their limhs^ the extent of tlieir sulfiTings. An
jl exception to this very natural conduct was remarked by Grantham, in the
\ person of one occupyins; nearly a central position in the lirtc, who was carried
^...with difliculty by the litter-men. He lay perfectly at his length, and without
^■Mny exhibition whatever of that impatient movement which escaped his com-
\ panions. , ()n the watchful eye of Grantham, this conduct was not lost. Ho
|rJ|jad felt a strong inclination from the first, to uncover the faces of the wounded
j^jrinen in succession, and had only been restrained from so doing by the presence
y^ of the American medical ofHcer who accompanied them, whom ho feared to
tjrOfFend by an interference with his charge. Struck as he was however by the
,, remarkable conduct of the individual alluded to. and the aparently m!ich
jj ^greater ellbrt with which he wa3 carried, ho could not resist the temptation
•„ which urged him to know more.

"Stay," he exclaimed to the bearers of the littei', as ihey were in the act
^;<(0f passing. The men stoppc«l. "This man, if not dead is evidently cither
,-; dying or fainting— give him air."

^ While speaking he advanced a step or two, and now extending his right
Jjrliand endeavored gently to pull down the sheet from the head of the invalid,
^.but the attempt was vain. Two strong and nervous arms were suddenly
rf.faised and entwined in the linen, in a manner to resist all hi •. cflbrts.
J,. Grantham glanced an oxpre^ssive look at Capt-ain Granville. The latter
(.fjflodded his head in a manner to show he was undt-rstood, tho.. desiring tho
i Jitter-men to step out of the line and deposit their burden, he said to the nie-
-_;4ical officer with the sarcasm that so often tinged his address.

"I beljeve, sir, your charge embraces only the wounded of the garrison
;l'^iis dead man can only be an incumbrance to you i>nd it shall be my care
i^:|Jiat his body is properly disposed of."

. , A signal was made by him to the file of men in his rpa*-, who each seizing
', on the covering of the litter, dragged it forcibly off, disc>/>ve»'ing in the act tlu
^ifobust and hculthy form of Desborough.

•J " You may pass on," continued tlie officer to the remaJnde'* of the party
•■ ** This fellow, at once a murderer and a traitor, is my prison^'r "

• " Ua !" exclaimed Middlemore, who had all this time been abscit on the

.}^' duties connected with his guard, and now approached the scere of t.h's little

jjjlkction fir the first time ; " what I do I see my friend Jeremiah Dosboi-ough —

^.^jthc prince of traitors, and the most vigorous of wrestlers! Verily my poor

i^bones ache at the sight of you. How came you to be caught in thif' trap.

^vOiy old boy? Better have been out duck-shooting with the small bores,!
,., reckon."

.^^ But Desborough was in no Inimor to endure this mirth. Finding himself

^',;di.scovered, he had risen heavily from the litter to \va feet, and now moved
;fti;-<Joggedly towards the guard-house, where the men had orders to confine him.
J ills look still wore the character of ferocity, which years had stamped there,
jj,,btit with this was mixed an expression that denoted more of the cowering
,^,fillain. whom a sudden reverse of fortune may intimidate, than the dauntless
,^.|Mlventurer to whom cnterprizes of hazard, are at onee a stimulus and a no-
"<;.<»8sity. In short, he was entirely' crest-fallen.

" Come and see the effect of Gerald's excellent fire," .said Middlemore, when
, i .JDcsboroiigh had disappeared within the guard-room. ''I will sho v you tlio

,,^^, room pointed out to me by the subaltern whom I relieved, as that in Which

J», Ibur field officers and three surgeons were killed."
Preceded by their companion, Captain Granville and Grantham entered tha
^ l^azza leading to the ofHcers' roojns, several of which were completely pierced
« with Iwenty-four pound .shot, known at once as cominu from ihc centre bat-
tery, which alone mounted guns of that calibre. After surveying the interior

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

11 vigor of
fl,;a.s ihcy
icy expcri-
:»r less ex-
rings. An
un, in the
vas carried
rid without
(i liis coin-
lost. Ho
c wounded
presonco
! feared to
i^er by the
itly much
emptatioa

in the act
itly either

: his right

be invalid,

suddenly

L'he latter
siring the
o the nio-

p:arrison
e my carf

:h seizing
le act tilt

he party

nt on thf

♦ h's little
oi'oujh —

my poor

this trap.

bores, 1

himself
i\' moved
fine him.
e(i there,
cowering
launtless
md a no-
re, when
you tho
n which

cred tha

• pierced
it re bat-

interioi

» few momnnts, tlicy passed into a small passai^e rommimicatin? with the
room in question. On openinjr the door, all were painfully struck by the
siglit which presented itself. Numerous shot-holes were vis'ible everywhere "
throughout, while the walls at the inner extremity of the apartment weie"^
completely bcspotted with blood and brains, scarcel3'yct drv anywhere, and
in several places dripping to the lloor. At one corner of the" room, and on a
niattrass, lay the form of a wounded man, whom the blue uniform and silver*
epauleties, that filled a chair near the head, attested for an American officcf '
of rank. At the foot of the bed. dressed in black, tier long hair Hcmting wildly '
over the shoulders, and with a hard embracing one of those of thO sufferer,
sat a female, apparently wholly absorbed in the contemplation of the scene "*
before her. The noise made by the odicers on entering had not cainod the '
slightest change in her position, nor was it until she lieard the foot-fall of Cap- ■
tain Granville, a., he advanced for the purpose of offering his services, that she '
turned to behold who were the intruders. The sight of tlie British uniform'*
ap')(.ared to startle her. for she immediately sprang to her feet, as if alarmed
at their presence. It was impossible they could mistake those features and
that face. It was Jliss Montgomerie. lie who lay at her feet, was her ven-
erable uncie. lie was one of the Held ofBcer* who had fallen a victim to
Gerald's fii-e, and the same ball which had destroyed his companions, had
cari'ied away his thigii, near the hip bone. The surgeons had given him over,
and he had requested to be permitted to die where he lay. His wiish had
been attended to, but in the bustle of evacuation, it had been forgotten to ac« *
quaint tho officers commanding tho British guard that he was thei-c. The last ",
agonie.s of death had not yet passed ..way, but there seemed little probability '
that he could survive another hour.

Perceiving the desperate situation of the respectablb officer, Captain Gran-
ville stayed not to question on a subject that spoke .so plainly for itself. Has- *
tening back into the piazza with his subaltern!-;, he reached the area just as"
the remaining troops intended for the occupation of the fort, were crossing'!
the drawbridge, headed by Colonel St. Julian. To this officer he communi-'"
catcd the situation of the sufferer, when an order was given for the instant
attendance of the head of the medical staff. After a careful examination and*
dressing of the wound, the latter pronounced the case not altogether despe-
rate. A great deal of blood had been lost, and extreme weakness had beeiir'
the consequence, but still the Surgeon was not without hope that his life "^
might yet bo preserved, a' though, of course, he would be a cripple foi the r©»'
mainder of his days.

It might have been assumed, that the hope yet held out, of preservation of *
life on any tern;s, would have been hailed with some manifestation of grateful
emotion, on the part of Miss Montgomerie ; but it was remarked and con>-'
mented on, by those who were present, that this unexpectedly favorable re-
port, so far from being received with gratitu<lc and delijriit, seemed to cast a ■'
deeper gloom over the spirit of this extraor.tmary girl. The contrast w.as in- "
explicable. She had tended him at the moment when he was supposed to be "
dying, wit'^ all the anxious .solicitude of a fond child ; and now that there was:'
a prospect of his recovery, there was a sadness in her manner that told toO''
plain'" the discomfort of her heart."

'"A,, unaccountable girl !" .said Cranstoun, as he sipped his wine tliat day-
after dinner, in the mess-roora at Detroit. I always said slie was the child of ■
the devil."

"Child of the devil in soul, if you will." observed Granville, '-hut a tru»
woman — a beautiful, a suix-rb woman in person at lea^t, did she appear tliis'
morning, when we tirst entered the room — did she not, Henry ?"

"Beautiful indeed," was the reply — " yet. I confes.s, she mor^ av»cd than

fileased me. I could invi aroid, oven amid that melancholy .■.«:eni', comparing;
ler to a beautiful casket, which, on opening, is found to contain not a gem of'
price, but a subtle poison, contact with which is fatal ; o.- to a fair lookit|;
fruit, which, when divided, proves to be rotten at the core."

MATILDA MOXTQOMERIE; OR,

"Allegorical, by all that is trood, bad, and indifTeront," exclaimed ViHiers,
^Hovv devilish severe yon are, Henry, upon the pule Venus. It is hardly fair
b you thus to rate Gerald' . intended."

V Gerald's intended ! God forbid."

Jhis was uttered with an energy that startled his companions. Perceiving
that the subject gave him pain, they discontinued allusion to the lady iu ques-
tion, further than to inquire how she was to be disposed of, and whether sho
was to remain iu attendance on her uncle.

In answer, they were informed, that as the Major could not b** removed,
orders had bc<^'n given by the General for every due care to be taucn of him
where lie now lay, while Miss Montgomerie, yielding to solicitation, had been
induced to retire into the family of the American General in the town, there
to. remain uutd it should be found convenient to have the whole party con-
teycd to the next American post on the frontier.

ciUPTiER xni.

It is difficult to imagine that the English General could in any wa}'- havo
anticipated so easy a conquest. He had no reason to undervalue the resolution
of the enemy, and yet he appears to havo been fully sanguine of the succe.s3
of his undertaking. Possibly he counte<i much on his own derision and judg-
ment, which, added to the confidence reposed in him by all ranks and branches
of the expedition, he might have felt fully adequate to the overthrow of tho
mere difficulty arising from inferiority of numbers. Whatever his motive, or
however foimded his expectations of success, the service he performed was
eminent, since he not merel3' relieved Amherstburgh, the key of Upper Canada,
from all immediate danger, but at a single blow annihilated tlio American
power throughout that extensive frontier. That this bold measure, powerfully
contrasted as it was with his own previous vacdlation of purpose, had greatly
tended to intimidate the American General, and to render him distrustful of
his own resources, there can be little doubt. The destructive fire from the well •
served breaching batteries, was moreover instanced as an inlhiencing cause of
the capitulation ; and there can be no question, that a humane consideration
for the defenceless town, surrounded by hordes of Indians, had much to do
with the decision of the American General.

Injustice to many, officers of rank, and to the garrison generally, it must
be admitted that the decision of their leader, if credence might be given to
their looks and language, was anything but s.atisfaf tory to them, and it must
be confes.sed that it must have been mortifying in the extreme, to have yielded
withoiit a blow a fortress so well provided with the means of defence. What
tl)e result would have been had the British rolumns jiiounted to the as.sault, it
is impossible to say. That they would have done their duty is bi'vond ali
question, but there is no reason to believe the Americans, under a suitable
commander, would have failed in theirs. Superiority of numbers and position
was on the one side : a daring Chief an ardent d( sire of distinction, and tho
impossibility of retreat without hujniliiition, on the other.

In alluding thus to the capitulation of Detroit, we beg not to be understood
as either reflecting on the American character, or doubting thoir courage.
Question of persiv..»^. bra\ery there was none, since no appeal was made to
»rms ; but the ab-M'nce of sanguinary < vent left in high relief the daring of the
British commander, whose promptitude and genius alone secured to him so
imj^wrtant yet bloodless a conquest. Ibid he evinced the slightest indecision,
or lost a moment in preparing for action, the American (leneial would have
hMt time to rally, and believ :ig him to bo not more entiTprising than bis j>rc-
decc.ssor,s, would have recovered from his panic and as,sumed an atti*- ie at
ouce, morv worthy of his trust, commensurate with hi.< means of dvfrnce, and

though
from t

•IIo
must
unhurt

Stru<
Julia
could
blush I

" Dei
more fi
turn.

"Nc
ccal the

Iler
her ow
«ould

i Viniers.
ardly fair

Perceiving
y in qucs-
lether slio

removed,

en of him

Iiad been

)vvn

there
party con-

way havo
resolution
:lic succesa
I andjndg-
d branches .
row oC tho

motive, or
)rmed was
ler Canada,

American
powerfully
Kid p;rcatly
trustful of
m the well-

j^ cause of
nsidcration
nuch to do

ly, it must
e given to
md it must
ave yielded
ce. What
i assault, it
beyond all
a suitable
nd position
>n, and tho

unders' ooJ
ir courage.
as made to
irinp of tho
1 to him so

indecision,
vould have
lan his pro-

atti'' ie at
n.', and

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

in keopinj, with his former reputation. The quick apprehension of his oppo-
nent imniL'dia^ely cau^^ht tho weaUuess, while his ready action prapplcd
intuitively with tlie advantage it presented. The batteries, as our narrative has
shown, were opened without delay — the flotilla worked up the river within
wight of the fortress — and the troops and Indians eflVcted their landing in full
view of the enemy. In f;ict. everything was conducted in a manner to ^\\avr
•A determination of the most active and undoubted description. With what
result has been seen.

It was in the evening of the day of stuTender, that the little English
squadron, freighted with the prisoners taken in Detroit, dropped slowly past
Amherstburgti, into Lake Erie. By an article in the capitulation, it had been
stipulated, that the irregular troops should be surtered to return to their
homes, under the condition that they should not again serve during tho war,
while those of the line were to be conducted to the Lower Province, there to
remain until duly exchanged. The appearance as captives of those who had,
only a few days before, been comfortably established on the Sandwich shore,
and had caused the country to feel already some of the horrors of invasion —
naturally enough drew firth most of the inhabitants to witness the sight ; and
as the Sunday stroll of the little population of Amherstburgh led in tho
direction of Elliot's point, where the lake began, the banks were soon alivo
with men, women and childnm. clad in holiday apparel, moving quickly to
keep up with the gliding vessels, and apparently, although not otfensivcly,
exulting in the triumph of that ilag, beneath which tho dense masses of their
enemies were now departing from their rescued territory.

Among those whom the passing barks had drawn in iinusual numbers to
the river's side, were the daughters of Colonel D'Egville, whose almost daily
practice it was to take the air in that direction, wdiere there was so much of
the sublime beauty of American scenery to arrest the attention. Something
more, however, than that vague curiosity which actuated the mass, seemed to
have drawn the sisters to the hank, and one who had watched them narrowdy
must liavc observed, that their interest was not divided among the m.any barlcsj
that glided onward to the lake, but was almost exclusively attracted by one,
which now lay to, with her light bows breasting tho current like a swan,
and apparently waiting either for a boat that had been dispatched to tho
shore, or with an intention to send one. This vessel was filled in every part
with troops wearing the blue uniform of the American regular army, whilu
those in advance were freighted with the irregulars and backwoodsmen.

" Is not this, Jidia, the vessel to which the Commodore jiromised to promoto
Gerald, in rew.ard of his gallant conduct last week ?" asked tl.e timid Ger-
trude, with 9. sigh, as they stood stationary for a few moments, watching tho
issue of the manoeuvre just alluded to.

" It is, Gertrude."' was the answer of one whose fixed eye and abstracted
thought, betokened an interest in the same vessel, of a nature wholly diilerent
from that of her (]uestioner.

•■ How very odd, then, he docf- not come on shore to us. I am sun; ho
must see i.s, and it would not tike him two minutes to let us know he ia
unhurt, and to shake hands with us. It is very unkind of him 1 tliink."

Struck by the peculiar tone in which the last sentence ha' i been uttered,
Julia D'Egville tuined her eyes full upon those of her sister. The lattci
could not stand the inquiring gr.ze, but sought the ground, while a consciou*
blush confirmed the suspicion.

" Dearest Gertrude," she .said, as she drew the clasped arm of her sister
more fondly within her own ; " I .see how it is ; but does he love you m i"0-
turn. lias he ever lold you .so, or hinted it. Tell me, my dear jrirl."

''Never," faltered the sensit ve Gertrude, and she hung her head, to con-
ceal the tear that trembled in 'i'.>r eye.

Her sister sigh id deeplj', an i pressed the arm she held more clo.sely within
her own. " My own own .sister, for worlds I wcuM not pain you ; but if you
would be happy, you must not yield to this preference iov our cousin. Did

MATILDA MONTaOMBRI«; OTt*

you not remark h.iw oomplctol}' he soomcd captivated by Misa Montgomcrie If
Depend upon it, his alleotions are centered in hor."

Oertriifie made no reply, but tears tri<!klcd down lier cheeks, jia they both
Mowly rosiunc'd their walk alonij; the beach. I'resently the splash of oars wan
hfcard. and turninj* (luickly to discover the cause, Julia saw a boat leave tho
vessel, at which they had just been lookinj, and pull inunediately towards
tUcin. Tn the stern stood an ofTiccr in American tuiiform. whom the eyes of
love were not slow to distina;uish, even in tlie jxrowini^ dusk of the evening.

" It is Einest." exclaimed tho excited kii*!, forj^ottinf^ for a moment her sister
Irt herself. '• 1 thought lie would not have departed without seeking to seo
me."

A few strokes of tho oars wore snfTicient to brinj^ the boat to the shore.
The American stepped out, and leavinpj the boat to follow the direction of tho
vessel, now drifting: fast with the current towards the outlet, which the re-
mainder of tho flotilla had already i)assed, pursued Ins course alonp: the .sand.i
in earnest convcrsatioji with tlie sisters, or rather with one of them, for poor
Gertrude, after the first salutation, seemed to liave lost all inclination to
i;f)cak.

'' Fate, dearest Julia," said the officer despondinpjly. " has decreed our inter-
Ttew earlier than I had expected. However, under all circumstances, I mny
esteem myself happy to have seen you at all. I am indebted for this favor to
the officer commandinp: j'onder vessel, in which our regiment is embarked, for
the satisfaction, melancholy as it is, of being enabled to bid you a temporary
tarcwell,"

" Then are we both indebted to one of my own family for tho happiness ;
for that it is a happiness, Ernest, I can answer from the depression of my
spirits just now, when 1 feared you werO about to depart without seeing mo.
ftt all. 'J'he officer in command of your vessel is, or ought to be, a cousin of
our own."

'" Tndeeed ! — then is he doubly entitled to my regard. But, Julia, let the
brief time that is given us, be devoted to tho arrangement of plans lor the
future. T will not for a moment doubt your faith, after what occurred at oui
last interview ; but .shall 1 be certain of finding you hero, when later we return
to wash away the stain this day's proceedings have thrown upon our national
honor. Forgive me, if I appear to mix up political feelings, with private grief,
l)ut it cannot be denied, (and he smiled fiiintly through the mortification evi-
dently called up by the recollection), that to have one's honor attainted, and
to lose one's mistress in the same da\', arc heavier taxes on human patience,
than it can be expected a soldier should quietly bear."

" And when I am yours at a later period, I suppose yon will expect mo
to be as interested in the national honor, as you are," replied Julia, anxious
to rally him on a subject she felt, could not but be painful to a man of high
feelings, as .she fully believed the Colonel to be. '' How are we to reconcile
Kuch clashing interests? How am I so fiir to overcome my natural love for
the country which gave me birth, so to rejoice in its subjugation by yours ;
and yet, that .seems to be the eventual object at which you hint. Your pian,
if I understand right, is to return here with an overwhelming army ; overrun
the province, and make mc your property by right of conquest, while all con-
nected with me, by blood, or friendship, are to bo borne into captivity. If
we marry, sir. we must draw lots whii;h of us shall adopt a new country.'*

" Nay, dearest Julia, this pleasantry is unseasonable. I certainly do intend,
provided I am exchanged in time to return here with the army, which I doubt-
not will bo instantly dispatched to restore our blighted fame, and then I shall
claitn you as my own. AV'ill you tlun hesitate to become mine ? Even as
the daughter forsakes the homo of her father without regi-et, to pass her day*
with him who is to her father, mother, all the charities cf life, in short — so
Bhould she foisakvV her native land adopting in prcferjnce that to which her
hu.sband is attached by every tie of honor, and of duty. However, let us liopo
that ere long, tho folly of this war will be seen, and that the result of suclt

THE PROPHECir 7ULFILLRD.

9^f.

itgomcriaiV

they both
)f ofirs was

leave tlio
y towiird.s
he eyes of

cvenin,^.
t lier si.ster
ting to seo

the sliore.
tion of tlio
ich the re-
X the sands
11, for poor
)lination to

I our intcr-
ices. I n>fiv
lis favor to
ibarked. for
temporary

happiness ;
sion of my
; seeing mo .
a cousin of

ilia, let the
ins for the
rred at oui
r we return
ur national
dvate grief,
loation evi-
;aintcd, and
in patience,

expect rao
lia, anxious
nan of high
to reconcile
ral love for
1 by yours ;

Your plan,
y ; overrun
hile all con-
ptivity. If
ountry.'*
y do intend,
rtich I doubt-
then [ shall
1 Even as
Lss her day?
1 short — ho
) which her
, let us liopo
suit of suck

perception, will be a peace Tjiinded on such permanent bases, that each shall
b. bound, by an equal tie of regard, to the lionie of the other."

•' Let us hope so," eagerl)' replied Jidia. " Ibit what has become of our
fiii:nd, Aliss Monigomcrie. in all the confusion of this day. Or am I right in
supposing that she and her uncle arc i.f the number of those embarked in my
cousin's vessel?"

The name of the interesting American, coupled as it was. with that of one
infinitely more dear to her, caused Gertrude for the first time, to look up in
the face of the ofllcer, in expectation of his reply. She was struck by tho
Biidlen paleness that came over his features again, as on the former occasion,
when allusion was made to her at bis recent visit to Amherslburgh. He saw
that his emotion was remarked, and sought to hide it under an ajipearanco of
unconcern, as he replied :

" Neither Miss Montgomerie nor her uncle are embarked. Tho latter, I
regret to say, has been one of the few victims who have fallen."

'• What ! dead — that excellent kind old man — dead, demanded the sisters
nearly in the same breath ?"

'•No; not dead — but I fear with little hope of life. IIo was desperately
wounded soon after daybreak this morning, and when I saw him half an hour
afterwards, he had been given over l>y the surgeons."

" Poor iMajor Montgomerie," sighed Gertrude ; " I felt when he was hero
the other day, that I could have loved him almost as my own father. How
broken-hearted his niece must bo .at his loss !"

A sneer of bitterness pas.sed over the line features of tho American as ho
replied with emphasis :

"Nay, dear Get trade, your sympathies arc but ill bestowed. Mis%
Montpomerie's heart will scarcely sustain the injury- you seem to apprehend."

'• What mean you. Ernest?" demanded ".Julia, with eagerness, '' How is it
that yon judge thus harshly of her character. How. in short, do you pretend
to enter into her most secret feelings, and yet deny all but a general knowledge
of her ? What can you possibly know of her heart ?"

" I merely draw my inferences from surmise," replied tho Colonel, after a
'ow moments of pause. '• The fact is, I have the v,anity to imagine myself a
c<^'Tort reader of character, and my reading of Miss Montgomcrie's has not
been the happiest."

Julia's look betrayed incredulity. •' There is evidently some mystery in all
this," she rejoined; "'but I will not seek to discover more than you chooso
at present to impart. Later I may hope to possess more of your confidence.
One question more, however, and I have done. Have you seen her since your
return to Detroit, and did she give you my letter?"

Tl).e Colonel made no answer, bi:t produced from his pocket a note, which
Julia at once recognised as her own.

•• Then." said Gertrude, '• there was not so much danger after all, in intrust-
ing it. You seemed to bo in a sad way, when you first heard that it had been
given to her."

"I 'vould have pledged myself for its safe deliverance," added her sister ;
'• for the promise was too solemnly given to be l>roken."

" And solemnly has it been kept," gravely returned the American. " But
hark ! already are they hailing the boat, and we must part."

The time occupied in conversation had brought them down to the e7:tremo
point where the river teminated and the lake commenced. Beyond this lay u
sand bar, which it was necessary to clear befoie the increasing dusk of tlie
evening rendered it hazardous. All the other vessels had already passed it,
and were spreading their white sails befi)re tho breeze, which here, unbroken
b}' the island, impelled them rapidly onward. A few strokes of the oar, and
the boat once more touched the beach. Low and fervent adieus were ex-
changed, and the American, resuming his station in the stern, was soon seen
to ascend the deck he had so recently quitted. For a short time the sisters
continued to watch the movements of the vessel, as she in turn having passed,

MATILDA mon'toomerie: on

pjironrl all l.or ranrnss to the wind, iinlil the fast fuflinp t\vili|:l t wftrninp; th?m
to (lc|mrt, tlicy rctnircd their steps iloiit^ the sands to tlie town, liolh n(.ro
sil.'iit and pi nsivc ; and whilo all mound thcin fonnd subject for rejoicinjr irt
the pnhlio events of th(! day they retired nt an early hour, to indul{»e at leisuro
in tho several painful retrospections wjjich related more particularly to
themselves.

CHAPTER XIV.

Tp the fv'w weeks prcccilinjj the fall of Detroit had hccn ch.arivctorisod hy
much hustle and excitement, those which immediately succeeded wero no les!<
remarkable for their utter inactivity and repose. With the surrender of tho
fortress vanished every vestijre of liostility in that remote territory, enabling
the sinews of watchfulness to undergo a relaxation, nor lonp:er requirinjij tlio
Kacrifice of private interests to the public pood. Scarcely liad the American
prisoners been depatched to their several destinations, when General Brock,
M-hosc activity and decision were the subject of universal remark, quitted hi»
new conquest, and nj»ain hastened to resume the command on the Niacani
frontier, which ho had only left to accomplish what had been .so happily
achieved. The Indians, too, finding tlieir .services no lon,i];er in immediate de-
mand, dispersed over the comitry or pave themselves up to the amusement of
the chase, ready, however, to come forward whenever they .sliould be re-sum-
moned to tlie confl'ct ; while the Canadians, who had abandoned theii- home;i
to assist in tho operations of the war, rctuined once more to the cultivation
of that soil tlie)' had so recently looked upon as wrested from them for ever.
Throughout the whole line of Detroit, on cither shore, the utmost quietndo
prevailed ; and although many of the inluibitants of the conquered town looked
with .an e}e of national jealousy on the English Hag that w.ivcd in security
above the fort, they submitted uncomplainingly to the change, indulging only
in .secret, yet without bitterness, in the liope of a not far distant reaction
of fortune, when their own National Stars should once more be in th(^
ascendant.

The garrison left at Detroit consisted merely of two companies — those- of
Captains Granville rind Molinenx, which included among their olticers Middle-
more, Villiers and Henry Grantham. After the first excitement produced in
tho niindsof the townspeople by their change of rulers had pa.s.sed away, theso
young men, desirous of society, sought to renew their intimacy with such of
the more respectable families as they liad been in the habit of associating
with prior to hostilities ; but although in most instances they were successful,
their reception was so diff'eient from what it had formerl}' been, that they
were glad to withdraw themselves within the rude resources of their own
walls. It happened, however, about this period, that Colonel D'Egville had
received a command to transfer tlie head of his department from Ainherstburg
to Detroit, and, with a view to his own residence on the spot, the large and
commodious mansion of the late Governor was selected for the abode of his
family. With tho daughters of that ofticer the D'Egvilles had long been inti-
mate, and as the former were to continue under the same roof until their final
departure from Detroit, it was with a mutual satisfaction the friends found
thcjnselves thus closely reunited. Added to this party were Majoi- Montgo-
merie (already fiist recovering from the eflects of his wound.) and his niece — •
both of whom only awaited the entire restoration of tho former, to embark'
immediately for the nearest American j)ort.

At Colonel D'Egville's itwill therefore be supposed the officers passed nearly
all their leisure hours ; Molinenx and Villiers llirting v>-ith the fair American

held fast by the chains with which they
his ex fcrable pi:ns with a c )olDC.sfi of

sisters, until they had nearly been
dalliedj and Middlemore uttering

THB PROPHECY rVl.TXULRV.

firomcditation tliat pxcitcl /ho Inn'zhtor of tli'- fair pirt of his nu'litora, while
ii» coiuiianions, on tin; CDiitriiry, cXfircsse 1 thvir iimir,ti,';itcil abhonono!- in a
variety of ways. Ax f)r the somu'.vhut s(;iiil (;!i|»t:iin (ininvilie, \w .son;;ht to
carry his lii)iii;i;ic to thu l't't;t of Miss Mont^ioiiiciii.'. hut tlio sevcro iiml rept'lliint
n»;umi!r in which slut recfivcil all liis a Ivaiic!.-;, anil the look whicli almost
putril'nid whore it fell, not only aweil him oIl'iTlually into distanw, hut drew
down upon him tho sarcastic felicitations of his watchful brother oHlcers.
There was one, however, on whos(! attentions her <lisapprobation fell not, and
Henry Grantham, who phiyed the part of an anxious ohserver, remarked with
pain that /i«liad been fascinated by her beauty, in u manner which showed her
conquest to be complete.

The cousins of Gerald Grantham had been in error in supposing him to bo
tlie officer in command of tho vessel on board which tho lover of Julia had
embarked. Ilis transfrr from the gun-boat had taken place, but in considera-
tion of tin* fatigue he had undergone during tho three successive days in which
he had been employed at tho batteries, tho Commodore had directed another
oiricer to take command of tho vessel in question, and charge hiuisclf with tho
custody of the prisoners on board. Finding himself at liberty until the return
of tho flotilla from this duty, the first care of Gerald was to establish himself
in lodgings in Detroit, whence ho daily sallied r)rth to tho apartments in tho
Governor's house occupied by the unfortunate Major Montgomerie, in whoso
situation ho felt an interest so much the more dee[) and lively as he knew his
conlinement to have been in some degree the work of his own hands. All that
attention and kindness could effect was c.vpL'rienc h1 by the respectable Major,
who, in return, found himself more and more attached to his youthful and
generous captor. These constant visits to tho uncle naturally brought our
hero more immcdialely into the .socioty of the niece, but although he hmX
never boon able to banish from his memory the recollection of one look which
she had bestowed upon him on a former occasion, in almost every interview
of the sort jjow, sho pi'eserved the same cold distance and reserve which wa3
peculiar to her.

A week had elapsed in this manner, when it clmnced that as they both sat
one evening, about dusk, near the couch of the invalid, the latter, after com-
plaining of extreme weakness and unusual suffering, expressed his anxiety at
the possibility of his niece being left alone and unprotected in a strango
country.

It was with a beating pulse and a glowing cheek that Gerald looked up to
observe the effect of this observation on his companion. lie was surprised,
nay, hurt, to remark that an expression of almost contemptuous loathing sat
upon her pale but beautiful countenance, lie closed his eyes for a rnouient in
bitterness of disappointment — and when they again opened and fell upon that
countenance, he scarcely could believe the evidence of^ his senses. Every fea-
ture had undergone a change. With her face half turned, as if to avoid tho
observation of her uncle, slie now exhibited a check flushed with the expres-
sion of passionate excitement, while from her eye beamed that .same unfathom-
able expression which had carried intoxication once before to the inmost soul
of the youth. Almost wild with his feelings, it was with difliculty he restrain-
ed tho impulse that would have urged him to her feet ; but even while ho
hesitated, her countenance had again undergone a change, and she sat cold
and reserved and colorless as before.

That look sealed that night tho destiny of Gerald Grantham. The coldnes.H
of the general demeanor of Matilda was forgotten in the ardor of character
which had escaped from beneath the evident and habitual disguise ; and tho
enthusiastic sailor could think of nothing but the witchery of that look. To
his surprise and joy, the following day. and ever afterwards, he found that tho
manner of the American, although reserved as usual towards others, had
undergone a complete change towards himself. Whenever he appeared alono
a smile was his welcome, and if others were present she always contrived to
iudemnify him for a coldness he now knew to be assumed, by conveying; un-

IMAGE EVALUATION
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Sciences
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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY 14580

(716) 872-4503

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Kuril. Oh. jioKTooM^niF; c»,

observed, cno cf ihose seductive glar.cec the rower or ft^tx jP« (^raed so fully
to UD.clcrstand.

Such was the state of thin;^ v.'hen the D'Ejj'. iHes arrived. Exposed to the
observations of more than ono pnxioir. friend, jt was not likely that a youth
of Gei-uJd'.s open nature couM he lon.-^ i;i concealing his prepossession ; and as
Matil(?a, although usually puarjci inner general manner, was observed some-
times to fix her eyes upon him witn the expression of one immersed in deep
and speculative thought, thd Guspicion acquired a character of greater cer-
tainty.

To Jlarry Grantham, w'.io doated upon his brother, this attachment was a
source of infinite d'iodiot* for. from the very coniinencemcnt, Miss Montgom-
erie had unfavo-obly impresseil him. Why he knew not ; yet, impelled by a
feeling he was ur^hie to analyze, he deeply lamented that they had ever be-
come acquainted, infatuatecl as Gerald appeared by her attractions. There
was anoth'jr^ too, who .saw with regret the attachment of Gerald to his fair
prisoner. It Wjis Gertrude D'Egville ; but her uncomplaining voice spoke not,
even tc he beloved sister, of the anguish she endured — she loved her cousin,
but he knew it not ; and although she felt that she was fast consumi'ig with
(ihe disnpuonitment that preyed upon her peace, she had obtained of her sister
Wip promise that her secret should never reach the ear of its object.

/n tfiis manner passed the months of August and September. October had
^nst commenced, and with it that beautiful but brief season which is well known
•p America as the Indian summer. Anxious to set out on his return to that
lomc to which his mutilation must confine him for the future. Major Mont-
jfomerie, now sufficiently recovered to admit of his travelling by water, ex-
pressed a desire to avail himself of the lovchncss of the weather, and embark
forthwith on his return.

By the officers whom the hospitality of Colonel D'Egville almost daily as-
sembled beneath his roof, this announcement avsxs received with dismay, and
especially by Molineux and Villiers, who had .so suffered themselves to b«
fii.s(*inated by the amiable daughters of General II , as to have found it ne-
cessary to hold a consultation (decided however in the negative) whether they
should or should not tempt them to remain, by making an offer of their hands.
It was also observed that these young ladies, who at first h<ad been all anxi-
ety to rejoin their parent, evinced no particular satisfaction in the intimation
of speed}' departure thus given to them, Mi.ss Montgomerie, on the contrary,
whose anxiety throughout to quit Detroit had been no less remarkable than
her former impatience to reach it, manifested a pleasure t|^at amounted almost
to exultation ; and yet it was observed that, by a strange apparent contra-
diction, her preference for Gerald from that moment became more and raoro
divested of disguise.

There are few spots in the world, perhaps, that unite so man)' inducements
to the formation of those .sociable little riuniaiis which come under the de-
nomination of pic-nicw, fts the small ij'lands adorning most of the American
rrvers. Owing to the difficulty of procuring summer carriages, and in some
degree to the rudeness of the soil, in the Upper Province especially, boats are
in much more general use ; and excursions on the water are as common to
that class "whose only toil is pleasure," as cockney trips to Richmond, or to
any other of the thousand and one places of resort which have sprung into
existence within twenty miles of the metropolis of England. Not confined,
however, to picking daisies for their '«wcethearts, as these cockneys do, or
carving their vulgar names on evev_, magnificent tree that spreads its gorgeous
arms to afford them the temporary .shelter of a home, the men generally de-
vote themselves, for a period of the day, to manlier exercises. The woods,
abounding with game, and the rivers with fish of the most delicate flavor—
the address of the hunter and the fisher, is equally called into action ; since
upon their c.vertions principally dejKjnd the party for the fish and fowl portion
of their rural dinner. Guns nnd rods are, therefore, as in<lispenSable a part ot
the freightage, 08 the dried venison and bear hams, huge turkies, pastrieSj &e.

THB PROfHECy FVLFILLKD.

ly as-'

:, and

some

;ince
tion
tot

whji.'b, tojvflhcr with wines, spirits, an.! cider, ad libitum, form tlio mass of
•Jmcntary miitter. Here is to be heard ncithor the inii»ertiiicnt coxcomb of tlie
Ruropeaa self-styled exclusive, nor the unmeaninc; twaddle of the daup;hter
of false fashion, spoiled by the example of the said exclusive, and almost be-
come a dowager in silliness, before she has atlained the first years of woman-
hood. No lack-ardaisical voice, the sex of which it is aiflicult to distingiiisli,
is attempted to bo raised in depreciation of the party to which it had be<.'n
esteemed too groat a happiness to be invited the evening before. The sneer
of contempt — the laugh of derision — is nowhere to be heard; neither is tlm
pallid brow and sunken cheek, the fruit of late hours and forced excitement.
to be scon. Conten!, is in each heart — the glow of health upon each face. AH
appear eager to be happy, pleased with each other, tnd at ease with them-
selves. Not that theirs is the enjoyment of the mere holiday mind, which
grasps with undiscerning avidity at whatever offers to its gratilication, hut
that of those in whom education, acting on innate pood breeding, has imposed
« due sense of the courtesies of life, and on whom fashion has not superseded
the kindlier emotions of nature.

Several of these pic-nics had taken place among the party at Detroit, con-
fined, with one or two exceptions, to the officers of the garrison, and the fam-
ily of Colonel D'Egville, with their American inmates ; and it was proposed
by the former, that a final one should be given a few days prior to the em-
barkation in Gerald Grantham's new command, which lay waiting in the
river for the purpose — the Major remaining as hitherto at home, nnder the
guardianship of the benevolent Mrs. D'Egville, whose habits of retu'cment di.s-
incHncd her to out-door amusenient.

Hitherto their excursions had been principally directed to some of the
Bmaller islands, which abound in the river nearer Amherstburgh. and where
game being found in abundance, the skill of the officers had more imme<liate
opportimity for display ; but on this excursion, at the Ciisual suggestion of
Miss Montgomerie, Hog Island was selected as the scene of their day's amuse-
ment. Thither, therefore, the boat which contained the party now ])rocee(led,
the ladies costumed in a manner to thread the mazes of the wood, and the
gentlemen in equally {appropriate gear, as sportsmen, their guns and fishing
rods being by no means omitted in the catalogue of orders entrusted to their
servants. In the stern of the bo^it — the trustvvorthy coxswain on this occa-
sion — sat old Sambo, whose skill in the conduct of a hohn was acknowledged
to be little inferior to his dexterity in the use of a paddle, and whose authori-
tative voice, as he issued his commands in broken English to the boatmen,
a Ided. in no small degree, to the exhilaration of the [wrty.

To reach Hog Island, it was necessary to pass by the tann'^ry and cottage
already described, which, latter, it will bo remembered, had been the scene
of a singular adventure to our hero and his servant on the night of their re-
connoitering the coast, in obedience to the order of the Commodore. By the
extraordinary and almost romantii. incidents of that night, tlie imagination of
Gerald had been deeply impressed, and on retiring to his rude couch within
the battery he had fully made up his mind to explore further into the myste-
rious alfair, with as little delay as possible after the expected fall of the .Ame-
rican fortress. In the hurry, confusion, and excitemmit, of that event how-
ever, his original intention was forgotten ; or, rather so far delayed, that it
was not until the third or fourth day of his establishment in the town, that it
occurred to him to institute inquiry. He ha'l accordingly repaired thither,
but finding the house carefully shut up. and totally uninhabited, had contented
himself with questioning the tanner and his family, in regard to its late in-
mates, reserving to a future opportunity the attempt to make himself person-
ally acquainted with all that it contained. From tins man he learnt, tliat. the
house had once been the property of an aged Canadian, at whose death (sup
posed to have been occasioned by violence) it had pa.ssed into the hands of ac
American, who led a roving and adventurous life, being frequently away for
months together, and then returninir with a canoe, but never continuing 'hi

MATILDA MONTOOMERIB: OR

more than a night or two. That latterly it l:ad been wholly deserted by its
owner, ill consequence of which it had been taken possession of. and usc<l as
ijnarters by the ofiiocrs of the Aiherican guard, stationed at this part of tho
town, for the protection of the boats, and as a ciieck upon the incursions of
tlie Indians. In all this statement, there was every appearance of truth, but
in no part of it did Gerald lind wherewith to elucidate what he himself had
witncss-;d. He described the costume, ami questioned of the mysterious
figure, but the only reply he obtained from the independent tanner, when ho
admitted to him that he had been so near a visitor on that occasion, and had
Been what he de.scril)ed, was an expressed regret that ho had not V)een "wido

- awake when any lirittainer ventured to set foot upon his grounds, otherwise,
tarnation seize him with all due respect, if he wouldn't a stuck an ounce o'

^ lead in his liver as quickly as he would tan a hide," a patriotic sentiment in

, which it may bo supposed our hero in no way coincided. With tlie tanner's as-
Burance, however, that no living thing was there at this moment, Gerald wa.s
fain to content himself for the present, full^' resolving to rsturn at another time
with Sambo, and eflect a forcible entrance into a place, with which were con-

, nected such striking recollections. lie had, however, been too much interested
aad occupied elsewhere, to find time to devote to the purpose.

CHAriER XV.

Ah the boat, which contained the party, pulled by six of the best oars-men
among the soldiers of the garrison, and steered, as we have .shown, by the

, dexterous Sambo, now glided past the spot, the recollections of the tradition
connected with the bridge drew from several of the party expressions of sym-
pathy and fitigned terror, as their .several humors dictated, llemarking that
!Miss Montgomerie's attention appeared to be deeply excited by what she
heard, while she gazed earnestly upon the dwelling in the back ground. Gerald
Granthiini thought to interest her yet more, and amuse and startle the rest
of the party, by detailing his extraordinary, and hitherto unrevealed adven-
ture, on a recent occasion. To this strange tale, as may naturally be sup-
po.sed. .some of his companfons listened with an air of almost incredulity, nor
indeed would they rest satisfied until Sambo, who kept his eyes turned
steadily away from the shore, and to whom appeal was frequently made by
his master, confirmod his statement in every particular; and with such marks
of revived horror in his looics, as convinced them, Gerald was not playing upon

■ their facility of belief. The more incredulous his brother oHicers, the more
animated had become the sailor in his description, and, on arriving at that part
of his narrative whicli detailed the reappearance and rellection of the m^'ste-

, rious iigure in the upper room, upon tho court below, every one became in-
sensibly fix(Hl in mute attention. From the moment of his commencing. Miss
Montgomerie had withdrawn her gaze from the land, and fixing it upon her
lover, manifested all the interest he could desire. Her feelings were evidently
touched by what she heard, for she grew paler as Gerald proceeded, while
her breatning was suspended, as if fearful to lose a single syllable he uttered.
At each inure exciting crisis of the narrative,. she betrayed a corresponding in-
tensity of attention, until at length, when the otHccr described his mounting
on the water butt, and obtaining a full view of all withm the room, s)ie looked
as still and rigid as if sIk; had been metamorphosed into a statue. This eager-
ness of attention, shared as it was, although not to the same extent perhaps,
by the rest of Gerald's auditory, was only remarkable in 3Iiss Montgomerie,
in as much as she was one of too much mental preoccuj)ation to feel or betray
interest in anything, and it might have been tho risk encountered by her
lover, and the share he had borne in the mysterious occurrence, that now
caused Uer to lapse 'rom her wonted inacessibility to impressions of the sort

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

i by it«
used as
L of tho
«ons of
ith, but
elf had
stcrious
,v\icn ho
and had
n "wido
.hcrwise.
ounce o'
iment in
iner's as-
rald was
ther time
yere con-
ntcrcstcd

; oars-men
i-n. by the
3 tradition
ns of sym-
rking that
what she
nd. Gcrahl
,le the rest
led advcn-
11 y be Rup-
idulity, nor
tcs turned
made by
;nch marks
laying upon
s,' the more
|vt that part
the mvHtc-
bccanie in-
ncing. Miss
t upon her
•e evidently
eded, while
he uttered.
;ponding in-
s mounting
slie looked
Thin eager-
•nt perhaps,
ontgomevie,
id or betray
ired by her
Ic, that now
1 of the sort

As the climax of the narrative approacheil. her interest became deeper, and
her absorption more profound. An involuntary shudder passwl over her
form, and a slidit contraction of the norvis of h.-r face was percejjtiolc, when
Gerald described to his attentive and shocked auditory, tlie raising of tho
arm of the assassin ; and her emotion at length assumed such a charactf?r of
•K!rvousn''ss, tliat when he oxultiugly told of tlv r.ipid discharge ot hi.s own
pistol. ,as having been the only means of averting the fate of the doomed, she
could not refrain from rising suddenl}' in the boat, and pulling her hand to
her side, with the shrinking movement of one who had been suddenly
wotmded.

While in the act of rising she had drawn the cloak, with which, like the
other ladies, she w.as provided, more closely ovlm- her shoulders — San\bo ficemed
to have caught some now idea froiu this action, for furtively touching Henry
Grantham, who sat immediaUv^ before him, and on the right of ^liss Jlont-
gomerie, he loaned forward aii 1 whispered a few sentences in his ear.

Meanwhile Miss Montgomerie was not a little rallied on tlie extreme sn.s-
oeptibility which had led her as it were to identify herself with the .scene.
Gerald remarked that on recovering her presence of mind, shu at first lookc(l
as if she fancied her.~elf the subject of sarcasm, and would have resented the
libert}' ; but finding there was nothing ])ainted in the manner of those who
addressed her. fini.shed by joining, yet with ,some ai)pearancc of conslniint, in
the laugh against herself.

•• I confess," she .said coloring. '■ that the strange incident which Mr. Gran-
tham has related, and which he h.as so well <Iescribo(l. has caii.scd n)c to bo
piilty of a rediculous emotion. I am not u.sually startled into the expression
of strong feeling, but there was so much to excite ami suri)ri,se in his cata.s-
trophe that I could not avoid in some measure identifying my.sulf with the
scene."

'"Na}', Miss Montgomerie," remarked Julia D'Egvillc, '"' there can bono
reason why such emotion should be either di.s,avowed or termcfl ridiculous. '
For my part,! own ihat I cannot sulllciently express my horror of the wretch
who could thus deliberately attoTopt the life of another. How lucky w.as it,
Gerald, that you arrived at that oritic.-d moment ; but have you no idea — not
the slightest — of the pers n of the .assassin or of his intended victim ?"

'• Not the slightest — the di.sguise of the person was too ellectual to be pene-
trated, and the face T h.ad not once an opportunitj' of beholding."

" Yet," observed ^[iss Montgomerie. '' froTn,)'our previous description of tho
figure, it is by no means a matter of certainty that it was not a woman you
pursued, instead of a man — or, was there anything to betray the vacillation
of purpose which would naturally attend one of our sex in an enterprise of
the kind."

'• What, a woman engage in so unnatural a deed !" rcmarkc 1 Henry Gran-
tham — •• surely, Miss Montgomerie," for ho always spv.';e rather at than to
her — "cannot seek to maintain a supposition so oppo-^ed to all probability—
neither will she be so unjust towards herself as toadmit the existence of such
monstrous guilt in the licart of another of her sex."

''Impossible!" said G^'rald. "' Whatever might have been my impression
when I first saw the figure in the merchantman — that is to '-ay, if '^ had then
a doubt in regard to the sc-x, it was entirely removed, when later i oeheld the
unfaltering energy with which it entered upon its murderous purpose. Tho
hand of woman never could have been armed with such fierce and unfiinching
determination as that hand."

" The cmcrgenc\- of tho occasion, it would seem, did not mucli interfere with
your study of character," observed Miss Montgonu'rie, with a faint smile—
"but you say you fired — was it with intent to kill the killer?"

" I scarcel}" know with what intent myself ; but if I can rightly understand
my own impulse, it was more with a view to divert him from his leadly object,
than to slay — and this impression acquires strength from the fact uf my haying
mibocd *iim — 1 am almost soriy now that I did."

MATILDA M0Ni03MEniB; OR.

« Porlmps," paid Miss Montgomcric, " yoti mijiht have slain one worthici
than him )oti sought to save. As one of your oKlest poets sings — ' whatever
is is right "

"What!" exclaimed the younfrer Grantham with '.'mphasis, '"Can Miss
Montgomcrie then form any idea of the persona who figured in thai
.iconc ?''

Most of the party looked at the questioner with surprise. Gerald frowned
*nd for the first time in liis life entertained a feeling of anger against his
-'jrother. In iiu way moved or piqued by the demand, Miss Montgomerie
silmly replied :

'" I can see no just reason forsncli inference, Mr. Grantham ; I merely staled
>; case of possibility, without anything which can refer to the merit of either
?f the parties."

Henry Grantham felt that he was rebuked — but although ho could not
wcid something like an apologetical explanation of his remark, he was not
flic more favoralily ilisposcd towards her who had forced it from him. In this
iteling he was confirmed by the annoyance he felt at having been visited by
Che aviger of the brother to whom he was so attached. Arrived at Hog Island,
tnd equipped with their guns and fishing rods, the gentlemen «lispersed in
l|uest of game, some threading the mazes of the wood in quest of the various
oirds that frequent the vicinity, others seeking those points of the island where
ihe dense foliage affords a shade to the numerous delicately-flavored fish which,
Itixuriating in tlic still deep water, seek rulief from the heat of summer. To
these latter sportsi^ien the ladies of the party principally attached themselves,
quitting them only at intervals to collect pebbles on the sands, or to saunter
about the wood, in .search of the wild (lowers or fruits that abounded along iti
tokirt, while the servants busied themselves in erecting the marquee and making
^reparation for dinner.

Among those who went ia pursuit of game were the Granthams, who, like
■naost Canadians, were not only ( xcellent shots, but much given to a sport in
which they had had considerable practice in early boyhood. For a short time
they had continued with tjioir oorapanions ; but as the wood became thicker,
and their object consequently more attainable by dispersion, they took a
course parallel with the point at which the fishers had assembled, wliile their
companions continued to move in an opposite direction. There was an unusual
reserve in the r'aiiner of the brothers as they now wound through the intri-
cacies of the wood. Each appeared to feel that the other had given him cause
for disj)loa.sure. and each — unwilling to introduce the subject most at heart —
availed himself with avidity rather of the several opporttniities which the
starting of the same aftbnled for conversation of a general nature. They had
gone on in this manner for some time, and having been tolerably successful
in their sport, were meditating their return to the party on the beach, when
the ear of Gerald was arrested by the drumming of a partridge at a short dis-
tance. Glancing his quick eye in the direction whence the .sound came, he
beheld a remarkably fine bird, which, while continuing to beat its wings vio-
lently against the fallen tree on which it was perched, had its neck outstretched
ftnd its ga7,e intently fixed on some object below. Tempted b\' the size and
beauty of the bird, Gerald fired and it fell to the earth. He advanced,
stooped, and was in the act of picking it up, when a sharp and well known
rattle was heard to issue from beneath the log. The warning. was suflici<mt
to save him, had he consented even for an instant to forego his prize ; but,
accustomed to meet with these reptiles on almost every excursion of the kind,
and never having sustained any injury from them, he persevered in disengag-
ing the partridge from some briers with which, in falling, it had got entangled.
Before he could again raise himself, an enormous rattlesnake had darted upon
him, and stung with rage perhaps at being deprived of its victim, had severely
bitten him above the left wrist. The instantaneous pang that darted through-
out the whole limb, caused Gerald to utter an exclamation ; and dropping th«
Vird, he sank, almost fainting, on the log whence his enemy L>,d attacked him

THB PROPHECY FU}.FILLED.

«7

worthici
whatever

^.nn Misrt
in thai

frowned
gainst his
itgomcrie

sly staied
of either

;ould not
3 was not
I. In this
isited by
)g Island,
persed in
le various
ind where
ish which,
incr. To
icmselvcs,
;o saunlcr
1 along iti
id making

who, like
a sport in
jhort time
le thicker,
3y took a
riulc their
m unusual
I the intri-
hiin cause
at heart —
which the
They had
successful
ach, when
, short dis-
1 came, he
wings vio-
itstretchcd
le size and
advanced,
'ell known
s sufliciont
prize 5 but,
if the kind,
1 discngag-
entangled.
arted upon
ad severely
jd through-
ropping th«
lacked him

The cry of agony reached Henry Gnintham aa ho was carelessly awnitln;?
hi« brother's return, ami at once forget tin;t their temporary estrangement, anrl
full of eager love and apprehension — he ik-w to ascertain the nature of the in-
jury. To his surprise and horror he r'n'rirkod that. althoiii;h not n nwnnla
had elapsed since the fings of the reptile had penetrated into the flesh, the
arm was already consideraldy inflameil and exliihiting then a dark and dis-
colored hue. Tiiat a reujedy was at hand he knew hut what it was, and how
to be applieil he was not aware, the Indians alone being in the ])osses,".ion of
the .secret. Deeming that S:unbo might have some know!ed;:e of the kind, ho
now made the woods echo with the sound of his name, in :» manner that could
not fail to startle and alarm the whole of the .scattered party. Soon after-
wards tlic rustl'ing of forms was heard in various directions, as they forct-d
themselves through the underwood, and the first who came in sight was .Miss
iMontgomerie, preceded by the old negro. The lamentation of the latter was in-
tense, and when on approaching his young master, he discovered the true na-
ture of his accident and confes.sed his ignorance of all remedy, he binst into
tears, and throwing himself upon the earth tore his gre\' woollen hair away,
regardless of all entreaty on the part of CJeraM to moderate his grief. Misi«
Montgomeric now came forward, and never did soimds of melody fall so har-
moniously on the ear, as did her voice on that of the 30unger (.Irantham an
she pledged herself to the cure, on their instant return to the spot where tho
marquee had been erected. With this promise she again liisappcared, and
seveial others of the party having now joined them, Gerald, duly supported,
once more slowly retraced his way to the .same point,

"Damn him pattridge," muttered Sambo, who lingered a moment or two in
the rear to harness himself with the apparatus of which his m.aster hail dis-
encumbered his person. '• Damn him pattridge," and he kicked the lifelc.s,<
bird indignantly with his foot, "you all he cause he dis ; what he hell ho do
here ?»

This tirade however against the pattridge did not by any means prcrcnf tho
uttererfrotn eventually con.signing it to its proper destination in the gam,- hag
an the noblest specimen of the day's sport, and thus burthened ho issne<!
from the wood, nearly at the same moment with the wounded Gerald and hi:i
friends.

The consternation of all jjarties on witnessing the disaster of the sailor,
whose arm had already swollen to a fearful .size, while the wonn<l itself began
to assume an appearance of ^.lortification, was strongly contrasted with
the calm silence of Miss Montgomcrie, who was bu.sily employed in stirring
certain herbs which she was boiling over the fire that had been kindled in tho
distance for the preparation of the dinner. The sleeve of the sufferer's shoot-
ing jacket had been ripped to the shoulder by his brother and as he now sat
on a pile of cloaks within the marquee, the rapid discoloration of tho whilo
skin, could be distinctly traced, -marking as it did the progres.s of the deadly
poison towards the vital portion of the .system. In this trying emergency all
cj'^es were turned with anxiety on the slightest movement of her who had un-
dertaken tho cure, and none more eagerly than those of Henry Granthi;m and
Gertrude D'Egville, the latter of whom, gentle even as she was, could not but
acknowledge a pang of regret that to another, and that other a favored rival —
should be the task of alleviating the anguish and preserving the life of the only
man she had ever loved.

At length Miss Montgomcrie camo forward ; and never was a beneficent
angel more welcomed than did Henry Grantham welcome her, whom an hour
since he had looked upon with aversion, when with a countenance of unwonted
paleness but confident of success, she advanced towards the opening of ths
marquee, to which interest in the .sufferer had drawn even the domestics. All
made way for her approach. Kneeling at *,he side of Gerald, and depositing
the vessel in which she had mixed her preparation, she took the wotmde^l
arm in her own fair hands with the view, it w<vs supjwscd, of holding it w hile
another applied the remedy. Scarcely however had she secured it iu a firm

MATILDA BIONTOOME RIK; OR,

prnsp wlii'n. fo the surprise and consternation of nil around, she applied hci
own liiw to the wound and continued tlif in there in despite of the efforts o(
Gerald to wilhlraw his arm. nor was it until there was alread}- a visihle re-
duction in the size, and change in the color of the Iiinh that she removed them
Tliis done she arose and retired to the skirt of the wood wluince she a;;ain re-
turned in less than a minute. Even in the short time that had elapsed, tho
arm of the sulferer had experienced an almost miraculous chanj^e. The in-
flammation had greatly subsided, while the discoloration had retired to tho
immediate vicinity of the wound, which in ita turn however had assumed a
more virulent appearance. From this it was evident that the suction had
been tho means of recalling, to the neighborhood of the injury, such portions
of the pijison as h.ad expanded, concentrating all in one mass immediately be-
neath its surface, and thereby affording fuller exposure to tho action of the
final remedy. This — consisting of certain herbs of a dark color, and spread
at lier direction by the trembling hands of Gertrude, on her wliite handker-
chief — Miss Montgomeric now proceeded to apply, covering a considerable
portion around the orilice of the two small wounds, inllicted by the fangs of
the serpent, with the dense mass of tho vegetable preparation. The relief
produced by this was effectual, and in less than an hour, so completely had
tlie poison been extracted, and the strength of tho arm restored, that GeraM
was enaV)led not merely to resume his shooting jacket, but to partake, although
fiparingly of the nieal which followed.

It may be presumed that the bold action oT Miss Montgomeric passed not
■without the apphuise it no highly merited, yet even while applauding, there
were some of the party, and particularly Henry Granth.im, who regarded it
with feelings not wliolly untinettue;! with the unpleasant, Iler coimtenance
and figure, as she stood in the midst of the forest, preparing the embrocation,
m well harmonizing with the .scene and occupation ; the avidity with which
she sucked the open wound of the sullerer, and the fearless manner in which
Khe imbibeil that which was considered death to others ; all this, combined
with a ficucral demeanor in which predominated a reserve deeply shaded with
myst«fry, threw over tlie actor and the action an air of the preternatural, 6c-

^jjCasiojiiug more of surprise and awe than prepossession. Such, especially, as
-wc have said, was the impression momentarily, produced on Henry Gran-
tham ; but when he beheld his brother's eye and cheek once more Lcaminj;
with retui-ning strength and health, he saw in her but the generous preserver
of that brother's life to whom his own boundless debt of gratitude was duo.
It was at this moment tliat, in the course of conversation on the subject, Cap-
tain Molineux inquired of Miss Montgomeric. what antidote .she possessed
Bgainst the influence of the i)oison. Every eye was turned upon her as she

^/^ vaguely answered, a smile of peculiar meaning playing over her lips, that
•* Captain Molineux must be satisfied with knowing she bore a charmed life."
Then again it was that the young soldier's feelings underwent another re-
action, and as he caugiit tho words and look which accompanied them, he
w;arcely could persuade himself she was not tho almost vampire and sorceress
that his excited imagination had represented.

Not the least deei)ly interested in the events of the morning, was the old
negro. Durina; their meal, at the Kcrvice of which he assisted, his eyes

.scarcely quitted her whom he appeared to regard witli a mingled feeling of

; awe and adoration ; nay, such was his abstraction that, in attempting to place
a dish of game on the lude taltle at which the party sat, he lodged the whole
of the contents in the lap of Jliddlemore, a clumsiness that drew from tho
latter an exciamalion of horror, followed however the instant afurwards by

■', Bambo's apology.
...J,- '"I beg a pardon, Ma.ssa Middlcmore," he exclaimed, "I let him fidl he

j^ gravey in he lap."

'• Then will you by some moans contrive to lap it up?" returned the ofliccp
quaintly.

Sambo applied his napkin and the dinner proceeded without otlier occur-

THE PROPIIF. CV FULFILLED.

iplicrl hci
efforts o(
risible rc-
k'Cil them
a»iiiii re-
ipse'l. tho
The in-
"cd to the
issumcd ft
ction hiul
\ portioiri
iately ''C-
ion of tliu
lid spread
h.indker-
iisiderablo
e fangs of
fhe relief
letcly bad
at Gerald
!, althougli

passed not
ling, there
•egardcd it
nuitenance
ibrucation,
'ith which
r in which
combined
laded with
atural, oc-
iccially, as
iry Gran-

Icaminf*

1 preserver
L' was duo.
jject, Cap-
possessed

lier as sho

lips, that

rnieil life."

nother ro-

tlieni, he

sorceress

■as th.c old

his eyes

feeling of

ig to placo

the whole

from tho

r wards by

im fcill he

the officer

hex occ'ir-

rcnre. Owing to an apprehension that the night air might tend to nrxnw the
jnHanitnation of the wounded arm, tlio boat was early m readiness for the r^
turn of the party, v/hosc day of pleasure had been in some manner turned into
a (hiy of Tnourning, so that long before sun set, they had again reached their
respective homes at Detroit. a

■ ■'*

^ ' ■> ■ < nit

CII.VrTER XVI.

A TRW day after the adventure detailed in our last chapter, the American,
party, consisting of Major and Miss Montgomerie, and the daughters of the
Governor, with their attendants, embarked in the schooner, to the command*
of which Ger.'ild had been promoted. The destination of the whole was the
American port of Buffalo, situate at the further extremity of the lake, nearly
opposite to tho fort of Erie; and thither our hero, perfectly recovered from
the efl'ects of his accident, received instructions to repair without loss of time,
land his charge, and immediately rejoin the flotilla at Amherstburg.

Iloivever pleasing the first, the latter part of the order was b}' no means s©
sfrictly in consonance with tlie views and feelings of the new commander, as
inight have been evpected from a young and enterprising spirit; but he jus-
tified his absence of zeal to himself, ni tlie fact that there was no positive ser-
vice to peifonn ; no duty in which he could have an opportunity of signaliz*
ing himself, or rendering a benefit to his countr}'.

If. however, the limited period allotted for the execution of hia duty waji a
source of mu.'h tli.sapi)ointment to Gerald, such was not the effect produced
by it on his brother, to whom it gave promise of a speedy termination of an
attachment which he h.ad all along regarded with disaptirobation. and a con-
cern .amounting almost to dread. We li.avo seen that Ilenry Grantham, on
the occasion of his brother's disaster at the pic-nic, had been wound up iilto
an enthusiasm of gratitude, which had nearly weaned him from his original
aversion; but this feeling had not outlived' the day on which the occurrence
took place. Nay. on the very next morning, he had had a long private con-
versation with Gerald in regard to Miss Montgomerie, which, cnfling as it did.
in a partial coolness, had tended to make hiin dislike tlio person who had
caused it still more. It was, therefore, not- without secret delight that he
overheard the order for the instant return of the schooner, which, although
convoyed by tho Commodore in tho mildest manner, was j^et so firm and de-
cided as to admit neither of doubt nor dispute. While tho dangerous Ameri-
can continued a resident at Detroit, there was every reason to fear that the
attachment of his infatuated brother, fed by opportunits', would lead him to
the commission of some irrevocable act of impiiidence ; whereas, on the con-
trary, when she had departed, there was every probability that pontinued ab-
sence, abided to the stirring incidents of war which might be expected shortly
to ensue, would prove effectual in restoring the tone of Gerald's mind. There
was, conseqiumtly, much to please him in t!ie order for departure. Miss
Montgomerie once landed within the American line^, and his brother returned
to his duty, tho anxious .soldier had no doubt that the feelings of tho latter
would resume their wonted channel, and that, in his desire to render himsdlf
worthy of glory, to whom he had been originally devoted, he would forget, at
least after a .season, all that was connected with love. ^

It was a beautiful autumnal morning when the schooner weighed anchor
from Detroit. Several of the officers of the garrison h.ad accompanied the
ladies on board, and having made fast their sailing boat to the st( rn, loitered
on deck with tho intention of descending the river a few miles, and then beat-
ing uj) against the current. The whole party were thus asscmblod, convcra-
ing together and watching the movements of tho sailors, Then a boat, in which

too

MATILDA HONroOMERIR; Ot»

were fiererftl armed men cjicirolinira htjj^o, rnw-honcd individim., hnhlti'd in the
fashion of an Anicricnu hackwcoilsjuiin, niiproriclu'd tlie vessel. This was no
Other than tlio traitor PcshoroiiKli, wlio, it will )k> rccniloctcd, was detained
and connued in prison at tin- surrcndtr of Detioit. lie had heen put upon
his trial for the murder of Major Grantham, hut liad heen acqiiilted through
wnnt of evidence to ctmvict. liis own ori^^inal a<hnission l)einj; negatived hy a
gidiseqncnt declaration that he liad otily made it throudi a spirit, of hravado
and revenp:c. Still, as the dian^es of desertion und treason had heen suh-
•tantiated apamst liitn. he was. hy order of tlie ronimandant of .Nmhcrstlnirtrh,
destined fur Fort Erie, in the .schoonL-r conveying the Anu'riean party to ihif-
falo, with a view to hi.n hein;; sent on to the Lower Province, there to he di-s-
poscd of as the General Commanilinc; in Chief slionld de(Mn fit.

Tlio mien of tlie settler, an he ixuv stepped over the vessel's side, partook
of the miiifrled cunning; and ferocity hy which he liad formerly heen distin-
cuished. While preparations were heinj; made for his reception and security
Dclow di-ck, he hent his sinister yet hold };Ianco on each of the little proiip in
succession, as if he would have road in their countenances the prohahle fato
tliat awaited himself. The last who fell under his scrutiny was Miss Montjro-
merie, on whom his eye liad scarcely rcstc(l when the insolent indiHeiencc of
his manner seemed to give place at once to a new feelin;jj. There wa.s
intelligence enough in the glance of hotli to show that an insensihle interest
had heen created, and yet neither gave the slightest indication hy word of what
was pa.ssinp: in the mind.

" Well, Mister Jeremiah Deshorough," Raid Middlemore, first hreakinj;
tlie silence, and in the taunting mode of address he usually adopted towards
the .settler, *' I reckon as how you'll shoot no wild ducks this f»eason. on the
Sandusky river — not likely to he much trouhled with your small bores

DOW.

The ruffian pazetl at him a moment in silence, evidently ransacking hishrain
lor something sufficiently in.solent to offer in return. At length he drew his
hut slouchingly over one side of his head, folded his arms iicro.sshis chest, and
squirting a torrent of tobacco juico from his capacious jaws, exclaimed in hit)
drawling voice :

" I guess, Mister Officer, as how you're mighty cute upon a fallen man —
but tarnation seize mo if I don't expect you'll find some one cuter still afore
long. The sogers all say," ho continued, with a low cunuing laugh, '• as how
you're a bit of a wit, and fond of a play upon words like. If so, I'll jist try you
a little at your own game, and tell you that I had a thousand to one rather he
.troubled with my small bores, than with such a confounded great bore as you
are ; and now, you may pit that down as something good in your pun book
when you plea.sc, and ax uie no more questions."

Long and fitful was the laughter which burst from Villiers and ]^foHnenx,
at this bitter retort upon their companion, which they vowed should be re-
peated at the mcss-tablu of cither garrison, whenever he again attempted onei
of his execrables.

Desborou^h took courage at the license conveyed by this plcapantry, and
pursued, winking familiarly to Captain Molineux, while he, at the same time,
•n<Klded to Middlemore,

" Mighty little time, I calculate, had he to think of aggravatin', when T
gripped him down at Hartley's pint that day. If it hadn't been for that old
heathen scoundrel, Girtie, my poor boy Phil, as the Injuns killed, and inc, I
reckon, would have sent him and young Grantham to crack their puns ujion
the fishes of the lake. How scared they were, sure/y."

" Silence,*fellow !" thundered Gerald Grantham, who now came up from tlio
hold, whither he had been to examine the fastenings prepared for his prisoner.
" How dare you open your lips here ?" — then pointing towards the steps lie
had just quitted — " descend, sir !"

Never did human countenance exhibit marks of greater rage than Desbo

i^'.

«v'

THE PROPIIBCV ruLFir.Lcn.

101

lisl in the
IS was no
(U'tained
put upi)n
I tlirouiuli
ivcd liy a
r biavmlo
hcon siib-
rsthiirirJi,
y to Biif-
to be (iis-

, partook
•en (listin-
[1 Kt'cnrity
I! frroiip ill
)nJ)l(! fiito
it Montfro-
rpionce of
I'lu're was
le interest
nJ of what

; breakiriR
1 towards
t)n. on the
nail bores

^ hisbrain
L' drew bis
chest, and
rned in his

Ion man —
Klill afore
'• as how
ist try you
; rather be
)ore as you
r pun bouk

Molinenx,

mid be re-

uiptcd on*

=ai!try, and
same time,

n', when 1

for that old

, and inc. I

puns ui)on

up from tho
lis prisoner,
he steps lis

ban Dcsbo'

rou;^h's at that montont. His eyoa soemfMl about to start frouj their nockcta
—tho lar>:;e veins of hi:^ ncok and brow swelieii almost to burstiiij», ond while
his lips were compressed with riolence, his nervous Unj^ers playu<l, as with
conTulsivp anxiety to clutch themselves around the thniat of tho olliivr —
every thin?, in sliort, marked the etibrt it cost him to restrain himself within
Fucii bounds us his natural cum iig and prudence tactated. Still, he nuilhei
8po!«' nor moved.

'• Descend, sir, instantly !" repeated Gerald, "or, by Heaven, I will have
you thrown in witliout further ceremony — descend this moment!"

The settler advanced, placed ono foot upon the ladd(T, tlien turned his ey*
gtcadfastly upon the olHcer. Every ono present shuddercil to behold its ex-
pression — it was that of fierce, inc\tin;^iishablo hatretl.

" Uy hell, you will pay me one «lay or t'other for this. I reckon." he uttered
in a hoarse and fearful whisper — "every dog has his day — it will be Jerenr.iab
Desboroii<rli's turn next."

'■ What ! do you presume to threaten, villain ?" vociferated <^erald. now
excited beyond all bounds: '" here, men. gaa; mo this fellow — tie him neck and
lieels, and throw him into the hold, as you would a baj» of ballast."

Several men, with Sambo at their head, ailvanced for the purpose of execa-
ting the command of their ofllcer, when the eldest daughtcrof the (iovernor,
who had witncs.scd the whole .scene, suddenly approached the latter, and inter-
re<led warmly for a repeal of the punishment. Mi.ss Montgomcrie also, who
had been a silent observer, glanced significantly towards the settler. What
her look implied no one was quick enough to detect ; but its ctl'ect on tho cul-
prit was evident — for, without uttcrin-j: another S3dlable. or waiting to be again
directed, he moved slowly and sullenly down tho steps that led to his place of
confinement.

Whatever the impressions produced upon the minds of the .several spectators
by this incident, they were not expressed. No comment was made, nor was
further^illusion made to the .settler. Other topics of conversation were intro-
duced. an<l it was not until the officers, having bid them a final and cordial
adieu, had ai^ain tiiken to their boats on their way back to Detroit, that
the ladies quitted the deck for the cabin which had been prei)ared for
them.

The short voyage down tho lake was performed without incident. F*-onj
tlie moment of the departure of the officers, an air of dulne.ss and abstraction,
originating in a great degree in the unpleasantness of separation— anticipated
and past — pervaded the little party. Sensitive and amiable as were tho
daughters of the American Governor, it was not to be suppose<l that they
parted without regret from men in whose .society they had recently passed bo
many agreeable hours, and for two of whom they had in.sensibly formed pre-
ferences. Not however that that parting was to be considered final, for both
]Molineux and Viliicrs had proini.sed to avail thcm.selves of the first days of
peace, to procure leave of absence, and revisit them in their native country.
The feeling of disappointment acknowledged by the sisters, was much more
perceptible in Gerald Grantham and Miss Montgomerie, both of whom bo-
came more thoughtful and abstracted as the period of separation drew
nearer.

It was about ten o'clock on the evening immediately preceding that on which
they e. pccted to gam their destination, that, as Gerald leaned ruminating over
the .side of the schooner, then going at the slow rate of two knots an hour, he
fancied he heard voices, in a subdued tone, ascending apparently from tlio
quarter of the vessel in which Desborough was confined, lie listened attcn*
lively for a few moments, but even the slight gurgling of the water, as it was
thrown from the prow, prevented further recognition. Deeming it possible
that the sounds might not proceed from the place of confinement of theseftler,
but from the cabin, which it adjoined, and with which it communicated, he
was for a time undecided whether or not he should disturb the party already
retired to rest by descending and passing into the room occupied by hiii

loa

MATILDA M () N rO^O M K K I K ; OR,

KriHoncr. Anxiety to Hftti^fy liiinKi-lf fliat the l.ittcr w.is Rcrnri* (Iplcrnilncd
iin, and lio had nlroady pliiiit(>d a fnot on tliu roniimiion-laddcr, when \\\9
fiirthiT di'scont wnn nrrosled hy Mi'-s MontKonn'rii«, wlio appoiired «Mn('r};ing
from the o]K<ning, honiieted and cloaked, an with a viuw of conliniiiii;^ on
dock.

•' What! yon, dcarcHt Mati'da?" he asked, delightedly, *' I thought yon had
lonff Hineo ivtire<l to rest."

'• To rest, (leiald I^-nn yon. then, iniaK''"-' '»'"p 'f"* "onl to slnmher, when
I know that to-morrow we jmrt — perl\ai»~) for ever?"

" No. by Heaven, not for ever !" enercetioally retnrned tho nailor, seizinj;
•nd carrying tho white liiind that pressed his own to hin hp« — "he hnt faith-
fnl to me, my own Matilda — love me t)i;t with one half the ardor witli whioli
my Houl };lows f<»r ,\on, and the ntument duty can be sacrilkcd to nU"eclion,yoa
may expect ajjain to see n>e."

• *' Duty !" repeated the American, with 8omethinf; likeroproarh in her tone,
"must the hapjiiness of her you profess so ardently to love, he sacrifieed to »
mere cold sense of dutj' ? l!ut you are ripht — yon liavc your duty to perform,
•nd I have mine. 'J'o-morrow wo separate, and for ever!"

" No, Matilda — not for ever, unless, indeed, such 1)0 your determination.
You may find the ta.sk to forget an easy one — /never can. Hope — heart —
life — happines.s — all are centered in yon. Wore it not that honor demands ni)'
service to my country, I would fly with yon to-morrow, deliglited to encounter
every difHculty fortune might oppose, if, hv successfully e(»inhutiii;; these. I
should establish a decj)er claim on your allection. Oh. Matilda !" continued
the impassioned youth, "never did I feel more than at thi.s moment, how devo-
icdly 1 could be your slave for ever."

At the commencement of this conversation. Miss Montgomerie had gently
led her lover towards the outer gangway of the vessel, over wlii« ' they both
now leaned. As (icrald made the last passionate avowal of liis underness,
a ray of triumphant ex|>ression. clearly visible in the light of tho setting nioonj
passed over the features of the American. ,

" Oerahl," she implored earnestly, '" oh, repeat mo that avowal ! Again
tell me that yo>i will he the devoted of your Matilda in all things — rjerald,
Hwear most solemnly that you will — tny every hope of happiness depends
upon it."

• Hiw could he rcfu.se, to .such a j)le,ider, the repetition of his spontaneous
row! Already* were his lips opened to swear, before High Heaven, that, in
•11 things earthly he would obey her will, when he wa.s interrupted by a well-
known voice hastilv exclaiming:

; « Who a dcbbcl dat dare ?»

Scarcely had these words been littered, when they were followed apparently
by a blow, then a bound, and then the falling of a human body npo.i the deck.
Gently di.sengaging his conip.anion, who had climg to him with nnair ofalarrnj
Gerald turned to discover the cause of tlio interruption. To hjs .cjirpri.se. ho
beheld Sambo, whose post of duty was at tho helm, lying extended on tho
deck, while at the same moment a sudden plunge was heard, as of a heavy
body falling overboard. The llrst imjjul.se of the officer was to seize the helm,
with a view to right the vessel, already swerving from her course, tho .second,
to awaken the crew, who were buried in sleep on the fon-ciastle. The.se, with
the habitual promptitude of their nature, speedily o^>eyed his call, and a light
being brought, Gerald, confiding the helm to one of his best men, proceeded
to examine the condition of Sambo.

' It wa.s tjvident that the aged negro had been stunned, but whether se-
riously injured it was impossible to decide. No external wound was visible,
•nd yet his breathing was that of one who hail received some .severe bodily
harm. In a few minutes, liowever. he recovered hi.s recollection, and the first
»4ir.ls UMittered. as he gazeil wildly arjnnd, and addro.ssed hi.s master, word
S«rr*rr!ent to explain the whole affair :

: "Lamn him debbel, Mas.*ia Geral, he p;ct safe off. him billaiu."

THE r U () P il E C Y r t) I. F I L I. K D .

103

^punds

irontly

(tt'ck.

il:ii:rii|

isc. ho

on ttio
ho.ivy
bcho,

second,
with

a li.L'ht

iccodeU

lor se»
visihle,
bodilv
Ik! first
wera

" TT;i, Dc^boroii'h ! it i.* tlicn «o 7 Quiilv. put tho hchii ahoii!— t\v<» of the
R^htcst ami nuir.t jk live into my oaivi". un 1 follow in pursuit. The fellow if
rnr.kin'^ for the nliore, no iluiiht. Now lli< ii, my hiils," a.s two of tho rrcw
^prun;^ into the eanoo thiit h;u! Iieen iii^tuntlv lowered, " lifiy dollars butwoeu
yon, rreollect, if you hrin^ liiui buck."

Allhoiinh ihiro needed no ^^reuiter spur to ev'Ttion, tli;ui :i.desii<' both to
pleiiso their olIlo'T und to ucipiit tl»cmselve« of ii duty, liio snni oU'ered WHU
not without its due vvei;;!it. In n\\ instant thu (vinoo was seen seuddni^ along
the surfiicc of thu water towards tho shore, and at nitervals, us the anxiou*
Oerahl listened lio fancied he could distin;i;uish the exertions of thu fu^iliv*
Kwiininer from thoso made by tho puildles of hiti pursuers. For a timn all
was silent, when, at length, a deridinj; lau.:li i-ame over tho surface of tho lako
tliat too plainly told the settler had reiched tho shore, and was beyond nil
chance of capture. In tho bitterness of his dJsappouitment, and heedless of
the pleasure his chan;;e of purpose ha<l procured bun, CKrald could not holp
cursni;^ his folly, in havinjj sulfered himself to bo diverted from lis oii;;inul
intention of descendin;j; to the prisoner's place of conOneinent. Ha 1 this been
done, all mi'^bt have been well, IIo hail now no doubt thai the voici-s hal
proceeded from thrnce, add h' \.n% resolved, as soon as the absent li.en camo
on board, to in«!titute a strict in ; ry mto tho atlair.

No sooner, therefore, had the canoo returned, than all bands? wero sum
moned and (piestioned. under ". threat of .srven- jumishineut ^o whoever .huuM
bo found prcvaricatin,:^ as i the miumer i!" too prisoner's escaj>c. Fich posi-
tively denied bavin* ia any way vio! ii,od the order which enjoined that u<i
communication should take pl'iee etwcon the prisoner and the<rew. to whom
indeed all i'tcss was denied, \ ith Jio exception of .Siinboj eutrusleil with tho
duty of carrviii;; the forme Ins lioal.s. Tiie denial of the men w;i-! so straij^ht-
forward anil clear, that G. raid knew not what to believe; and yet it was «;vi-
dent that t,lio sounds he had beam proceeded from human voices. Deter-
mined to satisfy himself, li's first care was to lii ,ce'"l 'tetween the decks. j»r',>
reiled b^' his boatswain, niili a lantern. At tho sternmi 't ixtreuiity of tho
little vessel there was a small room u'^ed for stores, but which, empty on this
trip, had been converted' into a cell for I)e,sborou{;h. This '.^ as usually en-
tered from the cabin ; but m order to avoid inconvonienco to the ladies, a door
bad boon elleoted in the bulk-heads, II i key of wiiich was kej)t by Sambo.
On inspection, this door was found hermetically closed, .so that it became evi-
dent, if the key had not been purloined from its keeper, th'* escape of I) rsl«)-
vouj^h must have been aecomjilished throui^h the cabin. Moreovt'r, tin re was
no opcnincj of any description to bo found, throiiiih which a knifo might bo
jias.sed to enable him to .sever tho bonds which conlined his feet. Close (o tho
partition wero swuiij; tho hammocks of two men, who had been somewhat
dilatory in obeyiiig the summons on deck, and between whom it was not im-
possible the conversation, which Gerald had detected, IkkI been carried on.
On re-ascend iuijj, be again questioned these men ; but they ino.sL s^oletnnly
assured him they had not spoken either tO!>;cthcr or to others within Jie last
two hours, bavin.'.; fallen fast asl;ep on bein;.; relieved from thi-ir watch.
Search was now made in the pocket-! of SambOj whoso injury had l)een found
to be a violent blow given on the back of the head, and whoso recovery froti
stupefaction was yet imperfect. The key being found, all suspicion of par-
ticipation was removed from the crew, who could have only communicated
from their own quarter of the vessel, and they wero accordingly dismissed ;
on", half, compiTing the llrst watch, to tlieir hammock.s — the remainder to
their oriinnal station on tho forecastle.

Tho ue.\-t care of the young Conunandor was to inspect the cabin, and in-
Ptituto a strict scrutiny as to the manner in which the escape liad been ef-
foct'j'^ The iloor that opened into the prison, ,^tood between the comjianion
ladaer r.id tho recess occupied by the daughtei-.s of tho Governor. To his .snr-
pri.se, Gcr;ild found it locked, and tho key that usually remained in a nicho
U3ar the door, removed. Ou turning to iiearch for it, he also noticed, C.jt llio

lot

MATILDA M O N T O M i; R I R ; ON,

flrst liino, (lint llio lamp, nh«|)(mii1o(I from a hcniii in the contni of tlio nnhiti,
liiiit Itct'u rxliiijidislu'ii. Sliiu"k liy tlicso rpiim "Kultln (•ircnmslniiivM, a Kus|ii-
cioii, wliicli 111' woiiM Imvo |j;ivcii much nut to huv(< cutorUiiiuMl, fonvd ils''If
upon his iiiiiiil. Ah a liisl iiu'ii«iiro, uinl thai thi<ri< mi){ht ho no ilotihl what-
rvor on the Mihjivl. ho I n>Ki« opcii (ho door. Of (•(uirso it waw nntcnanli-tl.
l^pon a small taMo lav thr rrm!iiii.'« (»f (ho si'llh r s Ias( nioal, hiitnridior luiifn
nor t'oiK, l»o(h which aiMidoK liail hooii iii(or(Iici('(l, wwo to ho (uiiikI. At. tli"
foot of (ho chair on which ho had ovitlcndv hi'on Moatod foi (lio p'lTpi.so of
fivoiii^ himsolC, lay tho hoary cordu thai liad lumnd liis ankles, 'I'hosn liiul
Invn scvorcil in (wo placet, and, as \va» discovered on clo.io oxamination, iiy
tlu' applicalioti of somo sharp ami dolicato oulliiifj; inslrumcnt. Nowhere,
howovor, WHS this visihio, U was ovidont to (jorald that ussiHlanoo liad hoen
•n'oidod from some one within (ho ciihin, and who (hat some one was. I>"
noanviy douh((-d. Willi (lii'i improssion, fully formed, ho re cnlorcfl (VonHlio
prison, and slan lini; near tho coilainod horth occupied hy (ho dan^hterH of
the (Jovcrnor, (|nes(ioncd iis to whedicr (hey woro aware that his prisoiiei
l>ONhoronf.vh hati oscapcil. !5olh expressed siirpnso in so natnral a manner,
that (icrald Knew not what to thndv ; hut when they add<>il (hat (hey had not
hoard (lie sli;^li(ost noise — nor hail spoken (hemselves, nor heard ollu'rs speak,
professimx moroov'-r i;A;noranco (hat tho l»mp oven had boon oxtinguisliod, ho
felt suspicion converted nito certainty.

Tt was impos'.ililo, ho oonceived. that 9 door which stood only two paces
fron\ ;lii> h(>d. could ho looked and unlock >d witlio\it (heir hoarin;^ it — neither
w.'is it piohahlo (hat l)oshoroui!,h would '>avo thouj^lit of thus noodh'ssly siv
<"unn<J! tho place of his hito detention. 8.k\h an idea mi}j;;ht occur to tho nidor,
<>ut no( (o (hefnjiitivo himself (o whom orory moment nmst l)oof (ho hi,';host
itniKutance. Who tlien could have assisi'vl liin» ? Kot Major Mont};oinoric,
for ho slept in the after part of (ho cahin—rot Miss Mont};omerio, for siio wan
ii|>on deck — moreover, ]\t\\\ not one of tlio*". lio had so nmch nason to siis-
jMH't. mtoroo<h>d for tho fellow only on tho \»'oco<lin!.; <hiv.

Such w.Ts the reasoninjx of (Jerald, as ho rassod rapitlly in review (he sevo-
j"al proliahilities— hut, allliou;i;h annoyed ho_»o"d meastn'o at the escape of tho
villain, and incapable of lu'lievinpi; otlior tluin Uiat tho daupihters of tho Oov-
frnor had connived at it, his was too gallant »■ natin'o to make such ii charge,
♦von hy implicatimi, a;:ainst them. AUhouf.ii extremely an^^ry, "no made no
ronuuent whatever on tho snhject. hut oontouVny; himself with wisliinji; hirt
chariio a less than usually cordial gooil night, h't\ them to their repose, and
once more (piittinl tho cabin.

Durinu; the whole of this examination, !\riss IS ioo '/vomer io liad continued on
fhvk. (Jerald found her leaninu; over tho jrangvmv at which ho had left her,
pazing intendy on tho water, through which tho ,st.W«M>nor was now gliding at
nn moreased rate. From the moment of his being Loi'ipellod to (piit her sido,
to intpiiro into die cause of Sambo's excl.unation ai\l rapidly succeeding fall,
he had not had an opportunity of again approaching ho". Feeling that some
apology was due. he hastened to make one ; but, \.'xcd and irritated as ho
viis at tho escape of the settler, his disappuinlment iniV>*»'ted to liis manner a
tlogi"oe of rostramf. and there was loss of ardor in his a(Jc!r»\ss than he liad lat-
terly been in the habit of exhibiting. Mi.>*s Montgomorvw rcmarktxl it, and
fcighod.

" I have boon reflecting.'' .she .said, •'on the lilttlo depoidofloc that i.s to ho
placed u])on the most flattering illusions of human oxistoiXii- -and here aro
you come to atTord me a painful a;i'' veritable illustration of .w theory,"

'• How, dearest Matilda ! what moan you?" askeil the oflQcer, H'^iin warmed
into tondernoss by the presonoo of tlie fascinating being.

" I'^.an you ask. Gerald 7" and her voice nsumed a tono of n.«tl*0':ho'y re-
proach — " recall but your manner — your language — you^devotea.^.^>>.' of soul,
not an hour since — compare those with your present coolness, ani\ uVr 'vun-
dcr tliat I should have rca.son for regret."

"NiM", MutiiJa, that coldness arose not from any change in im i*»»- n^I

T II K V A O r II K (; V F U I, F I I. I. F. D .

105

I'M, II NllSpi-

ncfd i(s«'If
iMilit whiit-
iiilciiiintcd.
rillicr luiifn
(I. At (ho

|)')t|li."AC of

'I'licso lind
liimlioii, liy
Nr) where,
•<« h.'i'I hi'cn
)iio \vn«. Iio
I'd IVoin Uio
ui;,'h(crs of
lis |iiisi)iii'f

II iiiiiniKT,
iicv liinl not
IhiTS sjinik,
!j;uisIioiI, ho

two pnrc.i
it — neither
'(•(Ilessly so-
o th(> iiider,
the hi,';Iiest
oiitj;()merip,
for sho wiiH
mon to sus-

'w (lio sevo-
icape of tho
of th(> (3i)V-
e)i II oharKO,
"no iniulc no
wishing hi.H
roiiose, and

onfinuod on
liid h'ft her,
V pliiling Jit
iiit luT side,
oeodin}); fall,
';:; that soino
•itatod as ho
is nmnner a
1 ho had lat-
kwl it, and

-hat is to bo
nd here aro
lu'ory."
•vin warmed

l»'>o(!o'v re-
"".^irW ofwHil,

\ ^■!>'r -vun-

towurdq yoiirKclf'--[ wim [liiined, dinfipjioiritivl, even an'^ry, at IV .1 oxlraordi-
niuy eweape of my |iriMoiiii and could not Hiillleiently play tlu) hypocritu to
(iiK;;nis(! my iiiiiioyanoe,"

'" Vet, wh^il liici I to do wilh the man'n cseapo that hiM offtnco nhould bo
visited npiiji me 7" shr deumiided iiiiickly.

'■ Can yon not find Koine ('ximiho for my vexation, knowinjj, nn yon <lo, that
the wretch was a vihi as'<as-;in— a man whosu handn have buen imliincd in th**
blood of my own (alher7"

" Whs he nut iieipiilted of tlii-charire 7"

" lie was — liut only from lack of evidence to convict ; yet, althongh acquit-
ted liy the law, net surer is fate than that hi; is an assassin."

'• Von hold assassins in threat horror," remarkod tho American thonghtfiilly,
"yon are ri;;;ht — it is l)nt natnral."

' III hurnir, said yon 7 — ayo, in Kiicli loathin;^ tliat lan'5na;;c can supji'y no
term to express it."

'• And yet you oneo attomiitnd an assassination yourself. Nay do not start,
mill liiol» the im;v;xe of a^tomshinent 7 llavi- you not told me th;it you fire I
into Hie hut, on the ni^ht of your mysterious advenlure7 What ri;;ht liad
you, if we urKue the ipiostion on its real nuirit, to attempt tho lifo of a being
who had never injuieij you ?"

'• What ri;j;ht, Matilda 7 — every ri^ht, human and diviiir;. I sou;;ht but to
Rave a victim IVom thejidiidsofa midnight murd(M-er7"

" And, to ellect this, scrupled nut to become a niidiii;^ht Fnnrderer
yourself /"

'• And is it thus you inliTjiret my conduct, ^fatilda ?" — the voifc of flerald
8|)oke bitter rejiroaidi— -'can you com[)arethu act of that man with niiti'j, and
hold mj no more blameless than hitn 7"

" Nay, I did not s;iy I l»laii\"d you." she rotnrnfld, K'V'ly, "b'lt the fact i<?,
yon had left, me so loic; to rumiiiale here alone, that I have fallen into a mood
iiinuiiii'iitative, or philosophical — whidisoeviT you may be pleased to term it
— and I am willin;; to maintain my proposition, that you might by jiossibiliiy
have been more guilty than the; culprit at whom you aimed, had your shot
ileslroyed him."

TIk! light toiir in which Matilda spoko dispelled the seriousness which bad
begun to shadow the brow of tho young commander. "'And pray how do you
make this go'>d 7" he asked.

"Supjiose, for instance, the slnmlierer you preserved had been a being of
crime, through whom the hopes, thi; happiness, the peace of mind, and abovo
nil. the fair lame of the other, bad been cruelly and irrevocaoly blasted. Let
us imagine that he had destroyed .some dear friend or relative of him with
whose vengeance you behold li nil threatened." , , ,

'•Could that be "

"Or," inlcrrupted tlie American in the same carclcs.s tone, " that he had
betrayed a wife."

'' Such a man "

" Or. what is worse, inrinitoly worse, sought to [iiit tho finishing stroke to
his villainy, by allixing to thenrime and comluct of his victim every ignominy
and rlisgrace which caw attach to insulted humanity."

" Matilda," eagerly exclaimed the 3-outh. aflvancing clo.se to her, and gazing
into her dark eyes, "'you are drawing a picture."

" No, Gerald," she rijplied calmly, '■ I am merely supposing a case. Could
you find no excuse for a man acting under a sense of so much injury ? — would
ywi still call him an assassin, if. with such provocation, ho sought to destroy
the hated life of one who had thus injiireil him ?"

Oerahl pau.sed. apparently iKJwildered. .

" Tell me, dearest Gerald." and her fair, and beautiful hand canght and
pressed his — " would you still bestow upc.n one so injiiivd the degrading epi-
tiiet of as.sassin ?"

"Assassin? iKOst undoubtedly I would IJut why this question, Matilda?"

100

MATiLDA MONI'COMERIE; OR

Tlio f(!afnrrs of tlio Atnorifan iissnmed a cliangcd expression ; sho droppoJ
the liiind s!ic luul taknn *^^he instant before, and siii'l, disappointedly:

" 1 find, flicn, my philosophy is totally at fault." i

"Wlicrciu. Matilda?'' anxioiisly asked Gerald. "

'•In this, that 1 have not hcon able to make yoi a convert to my
opinions."

"Air.I these are — ?" again question jd Gerald, his every pulse throbbing
with intense emotion.

'" Not to proiounoe too harshly on the conduct of others, seein» that we
ourselves niiiystnnd in niueh need of lenity of juli^mont. There niisjht hava
existed motives for tlie action of him whom you desicjnate as an assassinj
quite as powerful as those which led to your interference, and quite as easily
justified to himself" •■ -~ - .■ ■ ,.., =-.■..,... ,.. u.

'• But, dearest Matilda " ' ' - '

" Nay. I have done — I close at once my argument and ni}' philosophy. Tho
huuior is past, and I shall no loncjer attempt to make the worse appear the
better cause. I <Iare say you thouu;ht me in earnest," she added, with slight
sarcasm. " but a philosophical disquisition between two lovers on the eve of
parting for ever, was too novel and piqant a seduction to be rcsisterl."

That '' parting for ever" was sufficient to drive all philosophy utterly away
from our hero.

" For ever, did you say, I\Iatilda ? — no, not for ever ; yot, how coldly do you
allude to a separation winch, althotigh I trust it will be only temporary, is to
me a source of the deepest vexation. Yon did not manifest this indiirercnco
in the early part of our conversation this evening."

" And if there be a change," cmpliatically yet tenderly returned the beauti-
ful American, "am /the only one changed? Is your manner noir what it
was thi'u 1 Do you already ibrgefat whdt a moment that conversation was
interrupted ?"

(Jeiald did not forget ; and again, as they leaned over tho vessel's side, his
arm was p;issed around the waist of his companion.

The hour, the scene, tho very rippling of the water — all contibuted to lend
n character of c.vcitement to the feelings of the youth. Filled with tenderness
and admiration for the fascinating being who rejiosed thus confidingly on his
shoulder, he scarcely dared to move, lest in so doing ho should destroy the
fabric of his happiness.

'• First watcli there, liilloa! rouse up, and bo d — d to you, it's two o'clock."

Ijoth Gerald and ^Matilda, although long and silently watching the progress
of tlie vessel, had forgotten there was any sj'.ch being as a steersman to direct
her.

" Good Heaven ! can it be so late ?" whispered the American, gliding from
her lover ; " if my uncle bo awake, he will certainly chide me for my impru-
dence. Good night, dear Gerald," and drawmg her cloak more closely
aroimd her shoulders, she quickly crossed tho deck, and descended to tho
cabin.

'• What the devil's this ?" said tho relieving steersman, as, rubbing hia
heavy eyes with one liand, he stooped and lai.sed with the other something
from the deck, against which he had kicked in h's advance to take the helm
— " why, I'm blest if it arn't the apron off old Sally here. Have you been fin-
gering Sally's apron. Bill ?"

*' Not T, faith !" growled the party addressed. " I've enough to do to steer
the craft, without thinking o' meddling with Sail's apron at this time o'
night,"

" 1 should like to know who it is that has hexposed the old gal tp the night
hair in this here manner," still muttered the other, hohling up the oliject-in
question to his clo.ser scrutiny ; ''it was only this morning I gave her b pair
of bran new apron strings, and helped to dress her myself. If she doesms
hang (Ire after this, I'm a Dutchnian — that's all."

'• VYliat signifies jawing, Torn Fluke ? I suppose she got uakivcreJ in the

>l.^ !

THE PROPHECY FC-.FILLED.

107

BCtirry aflcr tho Yankcp ; but bear a haiul, and kivcr her, unless yon wish n
fellow to stay here all nifilit."

Olil Sal, onr he.ircrs ninst know, was no other than the Icn;; twenty-four
poumler formerly belonKinp: to Gerald's irun-lioit, which, now removed to lils
new command, lay amid-ships, and mounted on a pivot, constituted the wholo
battery of the schooner. The apron was the lea I'n coverinjj protecting; tho
touoh-holc. which, having nnaecountahly fallen off, had encountered the heavy
foot of Tom Fluke, in his advance alonj; the deck.

The apron was at lenp;th replaced. Tom Fluke took the liolm, and lii.s
i'jmpanion departed, as he said, to have a comfortahle snooze.

Gerald, who had been an amused listener of the ))recedin'.f dialogiie, S30n
followed, firs*, inquiring into the condition of his fiithf'ul Sambo, who, on exa-
mination, v/as found to have been stunned hy the violence of the blow he had
received. This, Gerald doubted not, had been given with the view of bettor
facilitating De-sboiough's escape, by throwing the schooner out of her course,
and occasioning a consequent confusion among the crew, which might have
the ell'ect of distracting their attention lor a time from himself.

CHAPTER XVn.

Ti" fiiilowing evening, an armed schooner was lying at anchor in tho road
stead of Duftalo, at the .southern extremity of Lnke Erie, and within a mile of
the American shore. It was past midnight — ami although the lake was calm
and unbroken as the face of a mirror, a dense fog had arisen which prevented
objects at the liead of the vessel from being seen from the stern. Two men
only were visible upon the after-deck ; the one lay reclining upon an arm chest,
nuilTled up in a dread-nought pea jacket, the other paced up and down hur-
riedly, anil with an air of pre-occupation. At intervals he would stop and lean
over the gangway, apparently endeavoring to pierce through the fog and catch
a glimpse of the adjacent shore, and, on these occasions, a profound sigh would
burst from his chest.

" Sanjbo." he at length exclaimed, addressing the man in tho pea-jacket foi
tho first time. '• 1 .shall retire to my c.ibin, but fail not to call me an hour be-
fore daybreak. Our friends being all landed, there can be nothing further to
detain us hero, we will therefore make the best of our way back to Amhei'st-
burg in the morning." *

"Yes, Massa Geral," returned tho negro, yawning and half raising hia
brawny form from his rude couch with one hand, while he rubbed hi.s heavy
eyes with the knuckles of the other. , , .

" IIow is your head to-night ?" inqm'rcd the ofliccr in a kind tone.

'• Tlerry well, Massa Geral — but bei-r}' sleepy."

'• Then sleep, Sambo ; but do not fan to awaken me in time: we shall weigh
anchor the very first thing in the morning, jjrovided tlu; fog does not continue.
By the bye, you .superintended the landing of the baggage — was everything
sent ashore ?"

'• All, Massa Geral, I sec him all pack in he wagon, for he Bubbalu
town — all, except dis here I find in Miss Mungummery cabin under ho
pillow."

As he spoke, the negro quitted his half recumbent position, and drew fi-ora
his breast a small clasped pocket book, on a steel entablature adorning tho
cover of which, were tho initials of the young lady just named.

" lIow is it Sambo, that you had not .spoken of this ? The pocket book,
contains papers that may be of importance ; and yet there is now no means of
forwarding it unless T delay the ."ichooner."

" I only find him hab an hour ago. Mas.sa Geral. when T goto make hebodg
and put he cabin to rights," said the old man. in a tone that showed he felt,

lOS

MATILDA MONTGOMERIE; OR,

and was paincfl by the reproof of his your.p: master. " Dis here too," pro-
ducin^r a small ivory handled jwuknife, "I find suine time in he (Jlubbanor's
daters' bed.

Gerald extended his hand to receive it, "A penknife in the bed of the
Governor's daughters !" he repeated with sin-prisc. Ruminatinjr a moment
he added to himself, '• By heavens, it must be so — it is then as I expected.
Would that T had had this proof of their participation before they quitted the
schooner. Very well, Sambo, no blame can attach to you — go to sleep my
good fellow, but not beyond the time I have given you."

'■ Tankee, Massa Geral," and drawing the collar of his pea jacket close
under his ears, the negro again extended himself at his full length upon the
arm chest.

In the fulness of his indignation at the young ladies' duplicity, he now came
to the resolution of staying the departure of the schooner yet a few hours,
that ho might have' an opportunity of going ashore himself, presenting this un-
doubted evidence of their guilt, and taxing them boldly with the purpose to
which it had been appropriated. Perhaps there was another secret motive
which induced this determination, and that Was, the opportunity it would af-
ford him of again seeing his beloved Matilda, and delivering her jjocket book
with his own band.

This resolution taken, without deemmg it necessary to countermand his
order to Sambo, he placed the knife in a pocket in the breast of bis uniform,
where he had already depo.sited the .souvenir ; and having retired io his own
cabin, was about to undre.ss himself, when he fancied he could distinguish,
through one of the stern windows of the schooner, sounds similar to those of
mulHed oars. While ho yet listened breathlessly to satisfy himself whether
he had not been deceived, a dark form came hurriedly, yet noi-selcssly, down
the steps of the cabin. Gerald turned, and discovered Sambo, who now per-
fectly awake, imlicated by his manner, he was the bearer of some alarming in-
telligence. Ilis report confirmed the suspicion already entertained by himself,
and at that moment he fancied he heard the same subdued sotmds but multi-
plied in several distinct points. A vague .sense of danger came over the mind
of the ofliccr, and .although his crew consisted of a mere handful of men, heat
once resolved to defend himself to the last, agamst whatever force might bo
led to the attack. While Sambo hastened to arouse the men. he girded his
cutlass and pistols around his loins, and taking down two huge blunderbusses
from a beam in the ceiling of theca^^in, loaded them heavily with musket balls.
Thus armed be sprang once more upon deck.

The alarm was soon given, and the preparation became general, but neither
among the watch, who slumbered in the forecastle, nor those who had turned
into their hammocks, was there the .slightest indication of contusion. These
latter '• tumbled up," with no other addition to the .shirts in which they liad
left their cots, than their trousers, a liglvt state of costume to which those who
were " boxed up" in their pea jackets and great coats on the forecastle, soon
reduced themselves also — not but that the fog admitted of much warmer rai-
ment, but that their activity might be unimpeded — hand kerchiefed heads and
tucked up sleeves, with the habiliments which we have named, being the most
approved fighting dress in the navy.

Manwhile. although nothing could be distinguished through the fog, the
sounds which had originally attracted the notice of the officer and his trusty
servant, increased, despite of the caution evidently used, to such a degree as
to be now audible to all on board. What most excited the astonishment of
the crew, and the suspicion of Gerald, was the exactness of the course taken
by the advancing hosts, in which not the slightest deviation was perceptible.
It was evident that they were guided hy some one wha had well studied the
distance and bearing of the schooner from the shore, and as it was impossible
to hope that even the fog would aftbrd them concealment from the approach-
ing enemy, all that was left them was to make the best defence they couUL
One other alternative remained it is true, and this was to cut their cable and

too," pro-
nbbanor'a

bed of the
a inonicnt

expected,
inittcd the

sleep my

cket close
upon the

now came
\v hours,
ic; this un-
>urpose to
•et motive
wotild af-
•cket book

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

109

rmand his

5 uniform,

o his own

istinp;nish,

o tliosp of

f whether

isl^', down

) now per-

nrming in-

)y himself,

but multi-

r the mind

men, he at

; niif^ht bo

pirded his

idcrbusscs

iskct balls.

ut neither
lad turned
n, These
thcv had
those who
istle, soon
iirmer rai-
heads and
; the most

e fog, the
his trusty
<legrec a»
:hment of
irsc taken
!rccptible.
udied the
m possible
ipproach-
ey could-
cable and

•How tliemselves to drop down silently out of the course by which the bonti?
wci* advancing, but as this step mvolved the possibility of running ashore on
tlie American coast, when the snme d;mger of captivity would awaic tl.em.
Gerald, after an instant's consider;tion. rojocted the idea, prafcrring the
worthier and more chivalrous dependence on his own and cre-y s exer-
tions.

Fiom the moment of the general arming, the long gr.n. which we have
already shown to constitute the solo defence of the schooner, was broiight
tjoarer to the inshore gangway, and beinfr motmted on an elevation, with its
formidable mu/zle overtopping and projecting above the low bulwarks, could
in an instant be brought to bear on whatever point it might be found advi-
sable to vomit forth its mass of wrath, consisting of frrape, cannister. and
chain shot. On this gun, indeed, the general expectation much depended ;
for the crew, composed of .sixteen men only, exclusive of petty ofTicers, couhl
hope to make but a poor resistance, despite all the resolution they might
bring into the contest, against a squadron of well-armed boats, unless some
very considerable rliminution in the numbers and etforts of these latter should
be made by "old Sally," before they actually came to clo.se quarters. The
weakness of the crew was in a great degree attributable to the schooner hav-
ing biien employed as a cartel — a fact which must moreover explain the want
of caution, on this occasion, on the part of Gerald, who.se reputation for vigi-
lance, in all matters of duty, was universally acknowledged. It had not
occurred to him that the instant he landed his prisoners, his ve.s.sel ceased to
be a cartel, and therefore a fit subject for the enterprise of his enemies, or the
probabilit}' is, that in the hour in which he had landed them, he would again
have weii^hed anchor, and made the best of his way back to Amherstburg.

'• Stand by your gun, men — steady," whispered the officer, as the noise of
many oars immediately abreast, and at a distance of not more than twenty
yards, announced that the main effort of their enemies was aboiit to })c made
in that quarter. " Depress a little — tljcre, you have her — now into them—
fire."

Fiz-z-z-z, and a small pyramid of liglit rose from the breech of the gun,
M'hich sufficed, dining the moment it lasted, to di.«cover throe boats filled with
armed men, advancing immediately opposite, while two others could be .seen
diverging, apparently one towards the quarter, the other towards the bows of
the devoted little vessel. The crew bent their gaze eagerly over her side to
witness the havoc they expected to ensue among their enemies. To their
surprise and mortification there was no report. The advancing boats gave
three deriding cheers.

" D — n my eyes, if T didn't say she would miss fire, from having her bi*eech
unkivered last night." shouted the man who held the match, an<l wlio was no
other than Tom Fluke. " Quick, here — give us a picker !"

A picker was handed to him, b}'' one who also held the powder-horn for

pnmmg.

•' It's no use," ho pursued, throwing away the wire and springing to the
"She's a spike in the touch-hole, and the devil him.self wouldn't get

dock.

it out now.

'■ A spike ! — what mean you ?" eagerly demanded Gerald.

'^It's too true, ^I^ Grantham " said the boatswain, who had Hown to ex-

amnie the touch-hole, " there is a great piece of steel in it, and for all the
>'s "■

world like a woman's bodkin, or some such sort of thing,"

" Ah ! it all comes o' that wench that was here on deck last night," mut-
tered the helmsman, who had succeeded Sambo on duty the precedimr nighl.
"T thouglit I see her fiddlin' about the gun, when the cha.se was made after
the Yankee, although T didn't think to say nothin' about it when you axed
Tom Fluke about Sal's apron,"

Whatever conjecture might have arisen with others, there was no time to
think of, much less to di.scuss it — the boats were already within a ft <v yards
tf the vessel.

HATIKDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

^Ut% t«f'Uitk

..I. " Steiul}'^ men — silence!" romnianded Gerald, in a low tone. "Since Sfil
has failed us, we must depend upon ourselves. Down beneath the hulwarKs,
and njovo not one of )'ou until they beyjin to board; then let each man singlo
his enemy and fire ; the cutlass must do the ;cst."

The order was obeyed. Each moment brou':;ht the crisis of action nc*/er;
the rowers liad discontinuod their oars, but the bows of tlie several t»oats
could 1)0 heard obejina; the impetus already given them, and divi(Jj«.g tho
water close to the vessel.

'• Now then, Sambo." whispered the officer. At that moment a to^ch was
raised hi^;h over the head of the nefrro and his master. Its rays foil cjpon tho
first of the three boats, the crews of which were seen standipj^ up, vtilh arms
outstretched to ;j;rapple with the schooner. Another instant, and tney would
have touched. Tlie nej2;ro dropped his light.

Gerald pulled the tri<i;.t^er of his blunderbuss, aimed into tho V(frf centre of
the boat. Shrieks, curses and plashings as of bodies ffilliiig in the water,
succeeded ; and in the confusion occasioned by the nmrdjroab fire, the first
boat evidently fell olF.

" Ajjaiu. Sambo," whispered the officer. A second time Uio torch streamed
suddenly in air. and the contents of the yet undischarged blunderbuss spread
confusion, dismay and death, into the second boat.

'■ Old Sal herself couldn't have done better : pity he. hadn't a hundred of
them," growled Tom Fluke, who, although concealed behind the bulwarks,
had availed himself of a crevice near hira, to watch the cfiect produced by the
formidable weapons.

There was a momentary indecision among the enemy, after the second de-
structive fire ; it was but momentary. Again they advanced, and closing
■with the ves.sel, evinced a determination of purpose, that left little doubt as
to the result. A few spranp: into the chains and riirging. while others sought
to enter by her bows ; but tho main effort seemed to be made at her gang-
way, at which Gerald had stationed himself with ten of his best men. the rest
being detached to make the best defence they could, agamst those who sought
to <Miter in the manner above described.

Notwithstanding the great disparity of numbers, the little crew of the
Schooner had for some time a consideral)le advantage over their enemies. At
the fir.st onset of these latter, their pistols had been di.scharged. but in so ran-
ilom a manner as to have done no injury — whereas the a.ssaiied. scrupulously
obeying the order of their commander, lired not a shot until they found them-
selves face to face with an enemy ; the consequence of which was, that every
pistol-ball killed an American, or otherwise placed him horn dii combat.
Still, in spite of their los.s, the latter was more than adequate to the capture,
unless a miracle should interpo.se to prevent it ; and, exasperated as they
were by the fall of their comrades, their efforts became at each moment inon;
resolute and successful. A deadly contest had been maintained in the grang-
way, from which, liowevtT. Gerald was compelled to retire. alMiotigh bravely"
supported by his handful of followers. His foi-ce now consisted merely of
five men remaining of his own party, anil throe of tho.se who had been de-
tached, who, ail that were left alive, had been compelled to fall back on their
commander. How long he would have continued the hopeless and desperate
struggle in this manner is doubtful, had not a fre.sli enemy appeared in hi.f
rear. These were the crews of two other boats, who, having boarded without
dilHculty, now came up to the awsistauce of their comrades. So completely
taken by sm'prise was Gerald in this quarter, that the first intimation lie had
of his danger was, in the violent seizure of his sword arm from b-!iind, and
a general rush upon and di.sarming of tho remainder of his followers. On
turning to liclrUi his enemy, he saw with concern the triumphant face of
Desborough.

" Every dog has his day. T guess," huskily chuckled tho settler, as by tliu
glare of several torches which had been siiddonly lighted, he was now seen
casting looks of savage vengeance, and holding his formidable knife threaten-

THE PROPHECY FDLFIMED.

injjly over the hoad of ths officer whom ho had prappled. '• I reckon as how
I toI<l )-oti it would be Jeremiah I)oshoron;;h's turn next."

"Silence, follow — loose your lioM," shouted one. whose authoritative voico
and manner announced him for an officer, apparently 1*10 leader of the board
ing party.

" I rep;ret much, sir," pursued the American commander, seriously, and
turning to Gerald. " that your obstinate defence should have been carried to
the len3;th it has. We were j^iven to understand that ours wotild not be an
easy conquest, yet little deemed it Avould have been purciiased with the lives
of so many of our force. Still, even while we deplore our loss, have we liearts
to estimate the valor of our foe. I cannot give you freedom, since the gift i.s
not at my disposal ; but at least I may spare you the p'lin of surrendering a
blade you have so nobly wielded. Retain vuur sword, su'."

Gerald's was not a nature to remain unlouchoil by such an act of cliivalrou.s
courtes}', and he expressed, in brief but pointed terms, his sense of the com-
pliment.

Five minutes afterwards Gerald, who had exchanged his trusty cutlass for
the sword he had been so flatteringly permitted to retain, found himself in
the leading boat of the little return squ.adron, and seated at the sidi; of his
generous captor.

'• I think you said." he observed, " that you had been informed the conquest
of the schooner would not be an easy one. Would it be seeking too much t)
know who was your informant."

Tlio American olUcor shook his head. '•' I fear T am not at liberty oxactlj
to name — but thus much I may venture to state, that the person who has ,so
rightly estimated your gallantry, is one not wholly unknown to you."

•'This is ambiguous. One question more — weiv j-ou jjrepared to expect the
failure of the schooner's principal means of defence, her long gun ?"

" If you reC'>llect the cheer that burst from my fellows at the moment when
the harmless flash was seen ascending, you will require no further elucidation
on that head," replied the American evasively.

This was sufficient for Gerald. lie folded his arms, R.ank his head ujion his
chest, and continued to muse deeply. Soon afterwards the bo;it touched the
beach, where many of the citizens were assembled to hear tidings of the enter-
prize and congratulate the victors. Thence ho was conducteil to the neat littlo
inn, wliich was the only accommodation the small town, or rather village of
Buffalo, at that time aQbrded.

CHAPTER XVIIT.

At the termination of the memoral.lc war of the Revolution — that war,
which, on the one haiid, severed the ties that bound tlie Colonies in interest
and ailcction with the parent land, and on the other, secured, as by way of
indemnification, to have riveted the Oanadas in closer love to their adopted
mother — hundreds of families who had remained staunch in their allegiance
quitted the American soil, to which they had been unwillingly transferred,
and hastened to close, on one side of the vast chain of waters that separated
the de.scend.ants of France from the descendants of flngland, the evening of an
existence, whose morning and noon had been passed on the other. Among
the number of these was Major Grantham, who. at the close of the Revolution,
had espoused a daughter (the only remaining child) of Frederick and Madelino
Dc Haldimar, whosemany vicissitudes of suffering prior to their marriage, have
been fully detailed in Wacousta. When, at that period, the different garrisons
on the frontier were given up to the American troop.s, the several British
regiment 1 crossed over into Canada, and. after a short terra of service in that
countiy, were successively relieved by fresh corps torn England. One of tho

119

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

eaalic.st recnlled of those was the regiment of Colonel Frederick Pe Tl.aldlmftr.
^ Local interests, however, nttaohinf; his son-in-hiw to Upper Can.iil.i, tljo latter
had, on the reduction of his corps, a provincial regiment, well known throiijj;h-
out the war of the Ilcvointion, for its strength, activity, and good .servico
finally fixed himself at Amhersthiirf^.

In the domestic relations of life Major Grantham was exemplar}', although
perhaps his rigid notions of right had obtained I'or him more of the respect
than of the love of those who came within their influence, and yet no mean
I)ortiun of botli. Tenderly attaclieil to his wife, whom he had lost when
(fciald was yet in his twelfth year, he had not ceased to deplore her loss ; and
this perhaps had contributed to nourish a reservcflne.ss of disposition, which,
without at all aiming at, or pur[)Osing. such eflect, insensibly tended to tho
production of a correspontling reserve on the part of his children, that increased
with their years. Indeed, on their mother all the tenderness of their young
hearts had been lavished, and, when they suddenly saw themselves deprived
other who loved and had been loved by them, with doting fondness, they felt
as if a void had been left in their aflections which the less tender evidences of
paternal love were but insufhcient wholly to sujjply. Still — although not to
the same extent — did they love their father also ; and what was wanted in
intensity of feeling was inoie than made up by tlwi deep, the exalted respect,
they entertained for his principles and conduct. It was with pride they be-
held him, not merely the deservedly idolized of the low, but the respected of
the high — the example of one class, and the revered of another ; one who.se
high position in the social circle had been attained, less by his striking exterior
advantages than tho inward worth that governed every action of his life, and
whose moral character, as completely smis taclie as his fulfilment of the social
duties was proverbially sans rfproche, could not fail, in a certain degree, to
^ reflect the respect it commanded upon themselves.

As we have before observed, however, all the fervor of their affection had
been centered in their mother, and that was indeed a melancholy night in
which the youths had been summoned to watch the pa.ssing away of her gentle
spirit for ever from their love. Lsabella I)e Ilaldimar ha(i, from ner earliest
infancy, been remarkable for her quiet and contemplative character ; and bred
amid scenes that brought at every retrospect recollections of some acted hor-
ror, it is not surprising that the bias given by nature should have been
developed and strengthened by the events that had surrounded her. Not (lis-
similar in disposition, as she was not unlike in form, to her mother, she was by
that mother carefullv endowed with those gentler attributes of goodi\ess,
which, taking root within a soil .so eminently disposed to their reception, could
not fail to render her in after life a model of excellence, both as a niothcjr and
a wife. Notwithstanding, however, this moulding of her pliant and well-
directed mind, there was about her a melancholy, which, while it gave promise
of the devoted affection of the mother, offered but little prospect of clieerful-
ness, in an union with one, who, reserved himself could not he expected to
temper that melancholy by the introduction of a gaiety th.TV was not natural
to him. And yet it was for this very melancholy, tender and fascinating in her,
that Major Grantham had .sought the hand of Isabella De Ilaldimar ; and it
was for the very austerity and reserve of his general manner, more than from
the manly beauty of his tall dark person, that he too had becotne the object
of her secret choice long before he had proposed foi- her.

The austerity which Major Grantham carried with him into public life was,
if not wholly laid aside, at least considerably softened, in the presence of his
wife, and when, later, the birth of two sons crowned their union, there wa&
nothing left ner to desire which it was in the power of circumstances to bestow.
Mrs. De Haldiniar had not taken into account the clfect likely to be produ -'d
by A separation from herself — the final severing, as it were, of every tie of
blood. Of the four children wlio had composed the family of Colonel Frederick
De Haldiniar, the two oldest (officers in his own corps) had perished in the
wsr ; the fourth, a daughter, had died youngj of a decline: uud the loss of the

Llio latter
thronj^h-
1 scrvico

althongli
10 respect
no nu'im
)st when
loss ; aii'i
n, which,
■fl to tho
increased
;!ir J'onn;:;
i tleprivod
they felt
ilcnccs of
<^h not to
\'ante(l in
1 respect,
! they bc-
pecte'i of
no wliose
<y exterior
s life, and
the social
legree, to

?tion had

nifiht in
wr jientle
r earliest

and hred
icted hor-
luvo heen

Not dis-
le was hy
j^oo'iness,
ion. could
other and
And well-
e proinisff

cheerfiil-
peoled to

t natural
n;;; in licr,
; and it

han fron\
the object

! life was,
ice of his
i,herc w-as^
o bestow,
produ' -^d
ii-y tie of
Frederick
ed in the
)S3 of the

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

113

former especially, who had j^rown up with her from chihlhooJ to youth, wu»
deeply felt by the sensitive Isabella. With the dreadful scenes perpetrated at
Detroit — scenes in which their family had been the princifial sufferers — tho
boys had been familiarized by the soldiers of their father's regiment, wiio oftea
took them to th« several points most worthy of remark from the incidents
connected with them ; and, pointinjrout the spots on which their uncle Charles
and their aunt Clara liad fallen victims to the terriljle hatred of Wacousla for
their grandfather, detailed the horrors of thossc days with a rude fidelity of
coloriuf^ that brou^rht dismay and indignation to the hearts of their wondering
and youtlii'ul auditors. On these occasions Isabella became the depository of
all they had gleaned. To her they confided, under the same pledge of secrecy
that had been exacted from.themsclves, every circumstance of horror connected
with those days ; nor were they satislled, until they had shown lier tho.se
scenes with which so many dreadful recollections were associated.

Thus was the melancholy of L:.ibelhi fed by the very silence in which she
was compelfed to indulge. Often was her pillow wotted with tears, as sha
passed in review the several fearful incidents connected with the tale in which
her brothers had so deeply interested her, and she would have given worlds
at those moments, had they been hers to bestow, to recal to life and animation
the beloved but unfortunate uncle and aunt, to whose fate, her brothers as-
sured her, even their veteran friends never alluded without sorrow. Often,
too, did she dwell on the share her own fond mother had borne in those tran-
sactions, and the angui-sh which must have pierced her heart when first appriz-
ed of the loss of her, whom she had even th^^n loved with all a mother's love.
Nay, more than once, while gazing on the face of the former, her inmost soul
piven up to the recollection of all she had endured, first at Alichillimackmac,
and afterwards at Detroit, had .she unconsciously suffered the tears to course
down her cheeks without an effort to restrain them. Ignorant of the cause,
Mrs. De Haldimar only ascribed this emotion to the natural melancholy of her
daughter's character, and then she would gently chide her. and seek, by a
variety of means, to divert her thoughts into some lively channel ; but sho
liad little success in the attempt to eradicate reflections already rooted in so
congenial a soil.

Her sister died vcr}' young, and .she scarcely felt her loss ; but when, subse-
quently, the vicissitudes of a military life had deprived her for ever of her
belovea brothers, lier melancholy increased. It was however the silent, tear-
less mclanchol}-. that knows not the paroxysm of outrageous grief The
quiet resignation of her character formed an obstacle to the inioads of all
vivacious sorrow ; yet was her health not the less effectually undermined by
the slow action of her innate feeling, unfortunatel}- too much fostered by out-
ward influences. By her marriage and tho birth of her sons, whom she loved
with all a mother's fondness, her mental malady' had been materially diminislir
cd, and indeed in a great degree superseded, but unhappily, previous to these
events, it had seriously eflected her constitution, and produced a morbid
.susceptibilitj' of mind and person, that exposed her to be overwhelmed l)y the
occurrence of any of those afllictions which otherwise she might, with ordinary
fortitude, have endured. When therefore intelligence from England announced
that her parents had both perished in a hurricane on their route to the West
Indies, wnithcr the regiment of Colonel De Haldimar had been ordered, the
shock was too great for her, mentally and physically enfeebled a» she ha4
been, to si'slain, and she sank gradually under this final infliction of Provi-
dence.

Major Grantham beheld with dismay the effect of this blow upon his bo-
loved wife. Fell consumption had now marked her for her own, and ."O rapid
was the progres? of the disease acting on a temperament already toa much pre-
disposed to its influence, that, in despite of all human preventives, the
Bonsitive Isabella, before six months had elapsed, was summoaed to a better
world.

Ill

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

"\V»! wi;J pnss over the flccp jrrii-f whifli [jroyo'l upon the hearts of thft iin-
fortiin.itc lii-olhcr.s for wcoks lU'tor they Iiiul hccn coiiipi'lled to ncknowlcdKe
tho st<TH truth that thoy were iuihrd motherh'ss.

It Uiis huou after this event, thiit the first seeds of disunion hepan to si)rinp;
Mp between lOiujIand imd the United States, the inevitahle results of which, it
wn« anticipated, would ho the involvintjof Canada in the stru^'sl'* ; "!>•• ""t-
withstandini; the ex[)losion did not take place for several years afterwatvis,
])reparations were tna<lo on cither shore, to an extent that kept the spirit of
enterprise on the alert.

[nhcritinjr the inartial spirit of their family, tho inclinations of tho youn{»
flranthanis led them to the service ; and. as their father (lould have no reason-
ahie ohjcc'tion to ojjjioso to a choice which promised not merely to secure* liiii
Kons in an eli;;il)lc |)rofession, but to render tliem ill some dcsreo of benefit to
their country, ho consented to their view.s. Oerahl's preference leadin[» him
to the navy, ho was placed on that establishment as a mitlshii)man ; whilo
Henry, several years later, obtained, throujrh th(! influence of theii; father's old
frienci (jencral T?rock, an cnsi^rncy in tlio Kini^'s Regiment.

Meanwhile. Major Granthnm. wliot^o reserve appc^ared to have increased
since the death of his wife, seemed to seek, in the active discliar<i:o of his ma-
gisterial duties, a relief from tho recollection of the loss lie had sustained ; and
it was about tlii.s period that, in consequence of many of the American settler."?
in (Canada, havinjr, in anticipation of a rupture between the two countries, .se-
cretly withdrawn themselves to the opposite .shore, liis exaction of tho
duties of JJritish .subject.s from those who remained, became more vigorou.s
thaji ever.

Wii fiave already .shown Desborough to liavo liecn tho most unruly and
disonlerly of the worthless set ; and as no opportunity was omitted of com-
peliiug him to renew his oath of allegiance, (while his general conduct wag
strictly watched), tho hatred of the uvin for the stern magistrate was daily
matured, until at length it grow into an inextinguishable desire for revenge.

'iW chief, and almost oidy recreation, in which Major Crrantham indulged,
was tiiat of fowling. An excellent shot himself he had been in .some degree
tim instructor of his sons ; and, although, owing to the wooded nature of the
country, the facilities atlbrdcd to tho enjoyment of his favorite pu&snit m the
orthodox maimer of a trua English sportsman, were few, still, a.s' game was
everywhere abundant, ho had continued to turn to account tho advantages
that were actually olfered. Both Gerald and Henry hail been his earlier
companioiLS in the sport, but, of late years and especially since the death of
their mother, ho had been in the habit of going out alone.

It was one morning in that season of tho year when the migratory pigeon.s
pursue their coiu-se towards what are termeil tho " burnt woods," on which
they feed, and in such numbers as to cover the surface of the heavens, as with
a dense and darkening cloud, that Major Grantham sallied forth at early dawn,
with his favorite dog and gun. and, as was his cus^tom, towards Hartley'.s
point. Di.sdaining, as imworthj'' of his skill, the myriads of ])igoons that
everywhere presented themselves, he passed from the skirt of the forest to-
wards an extensive swamj), in tho rear of Hartley's, which, abounding in
golden plover and .snipe, usually afforded him a plentiful supj)ly. On this oc-
casion ho was singularly successful, and, having bagged as many birds as he
c^uld conveniently carr}'. was in the act of ramming down his last charge,
when tlie report of a shot came unexpectedly from the forest. In the next in-
stant he was sensible he was wounded, and. placing his hand to his back, felt
it wet with blood. As there was at tho moment sevenil largo wild ducks
within a few yards of the spot where he .'»tood, and between himself and tho
person who had fired, he at once concluded that he had been the victim of an
accident, and, feeling the neces.sity of assistance, ho called loudly on the unseen
sportsman, to come forward to his aid ; but. although his demand was several
times rcpeatcdj no answer was returned, and no onf appeared. With soaio

THE PROrHECY rttriLLSD.

llfr

f thft iin-
.no\vloii(;e

to sprin;;;
' whicli, it

llivl. IK't-

ttT wards,
J spirit of

ho yontij;
lorojison-
sccuro liii<
bcTU'flt to
luWnff Iiiin
^n ; wliiio
ithcr's old

increased
)f his mil-
incd ; and
in settlors
intrios, so-
m of tho
vigoroii.s

nnily and
d of coin-
idiict Vt'na
was daily
r roviMipc.
. indnlfj;cd,
rue dogroo
ire of the
■;nit in the
pamo was
dvanta.i^cs
lis carli(!r
J death of

y pijjpons
on which
s, as with
irly rlawn,
Hartley's
cons that
forest to-
undin<5 in
)n this oc-
irds as he
it charjje,
e next in-
back, felt
ild ducks
If and tho
^tim of an
he unseen
•as s(weral
Tith somo

ifHTlcuIty ho rontrivoil. after disemhnrrassinfj hini-iclf of liis p^mo-baj];, to roach
the f;iruj at Hartley's, wJiere every a-^sistanco wius alfordud him, au<l, •'-^,
wa^jron hnvinj? hcon pn)cured, ho was eoiiducteil to his hoiiiu, when, on ax* i
Rinination. the wound was pronounced to l)e luortai.

On the third <lay from this event. Major Grantham bn'athcd his latt, 1)^
qmatliin};; the jruardianship of his sons to Colonel D'Ej^villc, who hod juarricd
his sister. At this epoch, (Jerald was absent with his vorscI on a cniiue. but
Henry receivcti his partincr blossmi; upon both, accompauioil by a solemn in-
jiinetion, timt they shouhl never be puilty of any act which could sully thd
memory, either of their mother or himself. This Henry promised, in tha
name of both, most reliy:ioiisly to observe ; an<l, when Gerald returned, and to
his utter dismay beheld the lifeless form of the parent, whom ho had quitteil
only a few days before in all tho viijor of health, ho not only renewcil the
[iloilfie piven by his brother, but with tho vivacity of character habitual to
him, called down the venj^eance of Heaven u{)on his head, should he ever bo
found to swerve from thoso principles of honor, which had been so sedulously
inculcated in him.

Meanwhile, there was notliinj? to throw even the faintest lifjhton tho actual
oause of Afaj(»r Grantham's death. On the ilrst probinp and dressing of tho
Wouml. the murderous lead had been extracted, and. as tt was discovered to
be a rille ball it was taken for granted that .some Indian, en^jjaged in tho cha.se,
had, in the ea!»erness of pursuit, misvsed an intermediate object at whi(;h he
had taken aim and lo(i<;cd the ball accidentally in the body of tho old gentle-
man ; and tlmt. terrified at discovery of the mischief he had done, and perhaps
apprelientliug punishment, he had hastily fled from the spot, to avoid detec-
tion, This opinion, unanimously entertained by the townspeople, was shared
by the brothers, who knowing the unbounded love an<l respect of all for their
parent, dreamt not for one moment that his death could have been the result
of preiUcditation. It was left for Desborrongh to avow, at a later period, that
he had been tho murderer; and with what startling elfect on him. to whom
the admission was exultiiigly made, we have already seen.

CHAPTER XIX.

Autumn had passed a^A'ay. and winter, the stern invigorating winter of
beautiful America had already covered the earth with enduring snows, and
the waters with bridges of seemingly eternal ice, and yet no ellbrt had been
made by the Americans to rcpos.scss themselves of tho country they had
so recently lost. The several garrisons of Detroit and Maiden, reposing under
the lauieis they had so easily won. made holiday of their con(|ucst ; and, secure
in the distance that separated them from the more populous districts of the
Union, seemed to have taken it for granted that they had played their final
part in the active operations of tho war. and would be, sullered to reinain ia
undisturbed po.sse.ssion. l)Ut the storm was already brewing in the far dis-
tance which, advancing progressively like the waves of the coming tempest,
•was destined first to .shake them in their security, and finally to overwhelm
them in its vortex. With the natural enterprise of their character, the Ame-
ricans had no sooner ascertained the fall of Detroit, than mean.s. .slow but cer-
tain, were taken for tl? re<^overy of a post, with which, their national glory
was in no slisht degree identified. The country whence they drew their re-
Rources for the occasirn, were the new states of Ohio and Kentucky, and one
who had previously travelled through tho.se immense tracts of forests, where
the dwellimr of the i)ackwood.sman is met with at long intervals, would have
marvelled at the zeal and promptitude with which these adventurous people.
abanilQiiing their homes, and nisregardiiig their personal interests, flocked to
the several ra'lying points. Armed nnd accoutred at their own expense, with

110

MATILDA MONTOn M R RIR ; OR,

Iho nnftirinp; riHc.thjt proyidml thorn with frnmc, nnd the fnithful liatrhct that
had brought down the dnrk forest into nady Kiif>j(>rtion to thnir will, ihcir
cinim npon thu piihlic w;is for thi> mere nustcnnntM! they required on .■^ervin^
It is tnio that this pnrtini infh'pemlenre of tho Oovernii.ent whom they served
rntlier in the rhiirnrter of vohinteers. than of conscripts, was in a trreiit ine,n-
■iiro fiitJiI to their discipline ; htjt in tlie pecidinr wiirfiirc of the country, nb-
nencc of dis(!ip1ine wns rather on ftilviuitn're than a «lenii)rit. siijce when
chocked, or thrown into confusion, they looked not for n n-niedy in the re-
fluniption of order, lint in the e,xorciso ouch of his own individnal exertions,
facilitated as he was by his general knowledge of lo<mlitioH, and his cunliiienco
in his own personal resources.

But, althonsh new nrniics were speedily orjranized — if orcranizo<l may bo
termed thoao who bronght with them into tho contest nuich conrni^e and do-
Totedncss, yet little discipline — tho Americans, in this instance, proceeded with
ft caution that proved their respect for tho IJritish garrison. HtronirIysnpj)Oi ted
•8 it was by a numerous force of Indians. Wifliin two motilhs after tlio
capitulation of Detroit, a considerable army. Ohioans and Ivenluekians with
some regtilar infantry, had been pushed forward as with a view to feel their
way ; but these havmg been checked by tho sudden appoaranco of a detach-
ment from Fort Maiden, had limited their advance to tho Miami lliver. on the
banks of which, and on the ruins of one of tho old English forts of Pontinc'.s
day.s, thoy had constructed new fortifications, and otherwise strongly en-
trenched themselves. It was a mistake, however, to imagine that the enemy
would bo content with establishing liimself here. Tho new fort merely served
as a nucleus for tho concentration of such resources of men ami warlike equip-
ment, as were necessary to tho subjection, firstly of Detroit, and nfterwardn
of Fort Maiden. Deprived of the means of transport, the shallow bed of tho
Miami aiding them but little, it was a matter of no mean ditiiculty with the
Americans to convey, through several hundred miles of forest, tlie heavy guns
thoy required for battering, and as it was only at intervals this could b«
efl'ected — the most patient endurance and unrelaxing perseverance being no-
cessarj' to the end. From tho inactivity of this force, or rather the confh'e-
mcnt of its operations to objects of defence, the English garrison had calcu-
lated on undisturbed security, at least throughout tho winter, if not for n
longer period ; but although it wa.s not until this latter seasoji was far ad-
Tanced, that the enemy broke up from his entrenchments on the Miami, and
pushed himself forward for tho attainment of his final view, the error of im-
puting inactivity to him was discovered at a moment when it was least ex-
pected.

It was during a public ball given at Amherstbtu-g. on the 18th of Januarj',
1813, that the first intelligence was brought of the advance of a strong Antcr*
ican force, whose object it was supposed was to push rapidly on to Detroit,
leaving Amherstburg behind to bo dispoii"d of later. The oflicer who brought
this intelligence was the fat Lieutenant Raj'mond. who. comman<ling an out-
post at the distance of some leagues, had been surprised, and aftor a resistanco
Tcry creditable under tho circumstances, driven in by the American advanced
guard with a loss of nearly half his command.

Thus was the same consternation produced in the ball-room at Amherst-
burg, that at a later period occurred in a similar place of amusement at IJrus-
aels ; and although not followed by the same momentous public results, pro-
ducing the same host of fluttering fears and anxieties in the bosoms of tho
female votaries uf Terpsichore. We believe, however, that there existed some
dissimilarity in the several modes of communication — the Duke of Welling-
. ton receiving his, with some appearance of regard on the part of tho commu-
nicator for the nerves of the ladies, while to Colonel St. Julian, commanding
ftt Amherstburg, and engaged at that moment at the whist-table, the news
was imparted in stentorian tones, whidi were audible to every one in the ad-
Joining ball-room.

But even if his voice had not ')een heard, the appearance of Lieutenant Ray-

THE I'ROPHBCY rU^FILLKD.

Ill

moiul would liavo jiistiflo<l tho npprohcii-ion of any ri-afonalilo person; for, in
tliu iiii|Kirtaiico uf tho iiioinciit, ho lin<l not ilccmuil it noccssary to inuko any
diiinac in tin; »lrfs,>< in wlticli lie had hcon siirpri.scd and driven harU Let iho
rcuTlcr ti^vno to hinisflf a mniarkahly fat, rodily faced man. of niiddiinj; n'^\
<lreKsud in a pair uf tightly llttiuK, dread-nan<;ht trowrierM, and a shell jackut
tliat ha I once hecn scjulot, but now, from use and ex|»osnrp, rather rcseinhled
th'( c )l(ir of hrickdiisi ; hoots from which all polisli had heen taken hy the
preax' cinpIoytMl to rend-r them snow-proof; a brace of pistols thrust into
tho black waist belt that encircled his hiif^e circumference, and from which
<lcp'.;nded a swortl, whoso, i.teul scabbard sliowed the, rust of tho rudest bi-
vouac. Let him, moreover, lij^ure to himself that ruddy, carbuncled face, anJ
nearly as rudily brow, sutl'usefl with perspiration, althouj^h in n desperately
cold winter's nii;ht, antl the unwasheil hands, and mouth, and lips black from
the frequent biting of the ends of cartrid};es, while ever and anon the pulJeJ
cheeks, in the ellort to procure air ami relievo tho pantiii^ chest, recul theide*
of a HacchuK, after one of his most lenj;thened ori^ies — let him figure all this.
and if he will ad<l short, curling, wiry, damp hair, surmounting a ho.-id aj«
round as a turnip, a snubby, red. rctroiumi nose, and lif.5ht fi^ny eyes ; ho will
have a toleniblo idea of the startliujj; li^^uro that thus abruptly made its ap-

{•earance in the person of Lieutenant llaymoiid, first among the dancers, and
(ustlinsly thence into the adjoininj^ card-room.

At the moment uf his entrance, every eye had been turned upon this strange
apparition, while an almost instinctive si use of the cause of his presence per-
vaded every breast. Indeed it was impo-ssible to behold him arrayed in tho
l)ivouac pari) m whi(;h we have de.scribed him, contrasted as it was with tho
clcfiant ball dresses of his brother otlicer.'J, and not attribute his presence to
some extraordijiary niotive; and as almost every one in the room was aware
of his having been absent on detachment, his mission had been half divined,
even before he h.id opened his lips to Colonel St. Julian, for whom, on enter-
ing, he had hurriedly inquired.

Hut when tho latter oHiccr was seen soon at'terwards to rise from and leave
tlie card-table, and, after communicating hurriedly with the several heads of
departments, quit altogether the scene of festivity, there could be no longer a
doubt ; and, as in all ca.ses of the sort, the danger was magnified, as it flevr
from lip to lip, even as the tiny snow-ball becomes a mountain by the acces-
sion it receives in its rolling course. , Suddenly tho dance was discontinued,
and indeed in time, for tho fingers of the non-combatant musicians, .sharing in
the general nervousness, had already given notice, by numerous falsettos, of
their inability to proceed much longer. Bonnets, cloak.s, muffs, tippets, shawls,
snow-shoes, and all the parajjliernalla of a female winter equipment peculiar
to the country, were brought unceremoniously in. and thrown en masse upon
the deserted benches of the ball-room. Then was there a -scramble among the
fair dancers, who, having secured their respective property, quitted the house ;
n't, however, without a secret fear, on the part of many, that the first object
they should encounter, on .sallying forth, would be a corps of American sharp-
Bhootera. To the confu.-iion within was added the clamor without, arising from
swearing drivers, neighing horses, jingling bells, and jostling sledges. Fi-
nally, tjie only remaining ladies of the party were tHb D'Egvilles, whose
elcdge had not yet arrived : with these lingered Captain Molineux. Middle-
more, and Henry Grantham, all of whom, having obtained leave of absence
for tho occasion, had accompanied them from Detroit. The two former, who
had just terminated one of the old fashioned cotillions, then peculiar to tlia
Canadas, stood leaning over the chairs of their partners, indulging in no very
chariiable comments on the unfortunate Raymond, to whose inopportune pre-
sence at that unseasonable hour they ascribed a host of most important mo-,
mentary evils ; as, for example, the early breaking up of the pleasantest bal!
of the season, the loss of an excellent anticipated supper that had been pre-
pared for a later hour, and. although last not least, the necessity it iniposfid
upon them of an immediate return, that titter cold night, to Detroit. Near

MATILDA MONTOaM&RIIC; OR,

tlio blazinj!; wood flrp, nt their sido, stood Tlonry Orfttitlinm, and Oajitnin St.
Cluir of the Kii^^inccrs. TI>o former with )iis tlioiichts ondently fur away
from the imssinp: scene, the Latter joiniu); in the erilin'snis on Rayhiond.

A few nioinents nflvrwnrds Colon*'! D'H^rville entered .'le room, now do
ierted save hy fhe httU> <"oterie ne;ir tlic i]re-i)hir(>. Liltr Iiieulenant Kay- i
nond's, hi;'* (h-ess was more stiited to the hivoiiac than tlie ball-room, and his
C«)nntenance otherwise bore traces of fati<rne.

His date^hters Hew to meet him. The otheers also •xronpetl aroond, <lesiron8
to hear what tidiiiL^s he brou,2;ht of the enemy, to corroborate the statement
of U:\yniond. To the great !iior(ifleation of the latter, it was now fimnd that
lie and his little detachment had had all the rimninij; to them.selves, and that, .
while they fnneie.i the whole of the ,\tneriean army to be clo.se at their he(>lH,
the latter had been so kept in check bv the force of Indians, under Colonel • <
D'Fipiville in person, as to be comj)elled to retire njion the point whence tlio
orifjinal attack had been made. 'J'hey had not followed the broken Knplish
outpost more than a mile, and yd, so convinced of close pursiiit had been Iho
latter, that for the space of six hajjoes they had .scarce relaxed in their retreat.
The information now brou;iht by Colonel D'Egville was, that the AmericanH
had not advanced a sinijjle foot beyond the outpost in question, but, on tho
contrar}', had commenced constructin!? a stockade and throwinf» up entrench-
ments. He adiled, moreover, that hehjid just dispatched an express to Sand-
wich, to Oeneral I'roctor, communicatinpj the intellipence. an(l su;.rp:estin;? tho
propriety of an attack before tliey could advance farther, and favor any move-
ment on the part of the inhabitants of Detroit. As this comiter-movement on ^
our part would require every man that couM be .spared from the latter
fortress. Colonel D'Ki::vil!e seemed to think that before the officers co»dd reach
it, its garrison would be already on the way to join the expedition, which would
doubtless be ordered to move from .Amherstburg; and as tho same impression .
appeared to exist in the mimi of Colonel St. Julian, whom he had only just

{)arted from to proceed in .search of his diiughters, the latter had taken it upon
limself to detern\ine that they .should r'en)ain where they were until the an-
swer, comnumicatin;:!: the final decision of Gen"ral Troctor, should arrive.

If the young othcers were delighted at the idea of e.scjiping the horror of an
eighteen miles drive, on one of the bitterest nights of tlie sen,son, .suppcrlcss,
and at the moment of issuing from a comfortable ball-room, their annoyaneo
at (what they termed) the ])usillajnmity of Kaymond, who liad come thus
mmccessarily in, to the utter annihilation of their evening'.s amusement — was
in equal proportion. For this, on their way home, they revenged themselves
by every sort of persiflage their humor could adapt to the occasion, until in tho
end the}' completely .•jucceeded in destroying the good lumior of Ilaymond,
who eventually quitted them under feelings of mortified pride, wliich excited ,
all the generous sympathy of the younger Grantham, while it created m lus .
breast a .sentiment of almost wrath against his inconsiderate ccmipanion.s,
Kven these latter were at length sensible that they had sonc too far. and, as
ttieir better feelings returned, they sought to a.s.sure the offended object of their
plea^'iantry that what they had uttered was merely in jest ; but finding
ne received these (ysclaimers in moody silence, they renewed their attack,
iior discontinued it until they separated for their uuitual quarter.s for tho
night.

The following dawn broke in, decked with all the sad and sober grey pecu-
liar to an American sky in the dej)th of winter, and, with the first rising of
the almost raylcss sun, commenced numerous warlike preparations, that giivc
promi.se to the inhabitants of some approaching crisis. The event justified
their expectation ; the suggi'stion of Colonel D'Egville bad been adopted, and
the same express which canied to General Proctor the informati(m of the ad-
Tance of the enemy, and the expulsion of Li- ntenant Ilaymond from his post,
was pushed on to Detroit, with an order for every man who could bo spare*'
fnmi that fortress, to be marched without a moment's delay to M:dden. At
noon the detachment had arri' fd. and the G.'neral making his appeal anee soou

T H K PROPHECY FULFILLED.

110

fiftor, Iho fixpi'ilitinn. cotnposcil of llic sitrcn;:!!! of tlic two giirrison'?, with i»
tow lip;ht f^uns, iiiul a cousidcnil^k' Itixly uf Inilians, iiiiilor the Chief Ilournl-
liciuf, wore piislicil rjipiilly iKiross tlic liiki*. iiml tho faino night occuj)ic(l the
only roiid by which the eiu'iny (!oiil(l advance!.

It was a picturesque sii^ht to thoHo wlio HH^rered on tho hanks 6f the Detroit,
to wateh tins movement of tliat ni!i-;s of puns, niumiinition, oars and sledf^cH,
jtreceditiij tho rop;ular niareh of the troops, us the whole crossed tho firm hnt
riitnhhn;!; i(;e, at the heail of tho now desert(!d Island of Uois Blanc. Nor was*
tiiis at all lessened in etfect hy tho wild and irrejrnlar movements of tho
Indians, wlio, advancing hy twos and tliroes, hnt more often singly, and hoimd-
in;:^ ninihly j-et tortnonsl^'^, alon};^ the vast wliito field witli wliieh the ontlii.j
of tlieir swarthy forms contrasted, called up, at the outset, the idea of a legion
of devils.

It was during one of tho coldest mornings in January, that this littlo army
hivouaced on tlie hanks of a small rivulet, distant littlo more than a lea;!;uo
from the position which had been taken up by tlie Americans. So unexpected
and rapid had been the advance of the expedition, that not the sliirhtest sus-
picion appeared to bo entertained by the Americans even of its dejiarture ;
and from information bron;!;ht at a late hour by the Indian scouts, who had
boon dispatched at ni;^htfall to o})serve their motions, it was feathered that, so
far from ai>prehendinf^ or being prepared for an attack, all was qn'wt in their
camp, in whicJi the; customary night-fin^s were then burniu!.'. Thus favored
by the false security of their enemies, tho liritish force, after jiartakin;; of their
rude but substantial meal, and preparing their arms, laid tljemselves down to
rest in their accoutrem'-nts and great coats ; their Jieads reclining on whatever
elevation, however small, presented itself, and their feet half buried in the em-
bers of the (ires they had with difliculty kindled on the frozen ground, from
which tho snow hacl beim removed — all .sanguine of .success, and all more or
less endeavoring to .snatcli.amid tho nipjjing f ost to which their upper pi;r.sona
were exposed, a few hours of .sleep prior to tUe final advance, which was io
take place an hour before dawn.

In tho midst of the general desolatoness of aspect which encompassed all,
there were few privations endincd by tho men that were not (;(pially shared liy
their oflicers. A .solitary an<l deserted log hut was the only thing in the sli:ipo
of a human habitation withm the bivouac, and this had been secured as tho
head(piarters of the (leneral and his staff — all besides had no other canopy
than tlie clear starry heavens, or. here and there, the leafless and nn--h'sierin;»
branches of some forest tree — and yet, ju'ound ono large and Ijiazing firo,
which continued to bo fed at intervals by masses of half-decayed wood, that,
divested of their snow, lay simmering and drying before it. was frequently to
be heard the joyous yet suppros.sed laugh, and piquant sally, as of men whoso
spirits no temporary hardship or concern for the eventful future could efl'ectu-
ally suppress.

During the whole of tho march, Raymond had evinced a serion.sne.ss of
demeanor by no means common to him, and although he had made one of tho
party in the general bivouac, ho had scarcely opened his lips, except to reply
to the most direct questions. A renewed attack at first drew from him no
comment, although it was evident he felt greatl}- pained ; but when ho had
linished smoking bis cigar, ho raised himself, not without difliculty, from tho
ground, and bcg.in with a .seriousness of maimer that, being unusual, not a
littlo t'urprised them, '' Gentlemen, you have long been pleased to select me m
your butt."

'• Of cour.so," hastily interrupted Captain Molineux, hazarding his pun, " \r«
naturally select you for what j-ou most resemble."

" Captain Alolineux — gentlomcn !" r&sumed Raymond, with greatei cm*
phasis.

'• He is getting warm on the subject," observed Middlemore. ■' Have h
care, Molineux, thui tho ^"tt docs not churn until in tho end it becomes tht

!20

MATILDA MO.VTOOMEKIE; OR,

" Ha! ha ! ha!" vociferated St. Clair, '-'good, excellent, the best you ever
made, Middlcmore."

" Gentlemen !" persevered Raymond, in a tone, and with a gesture, of impa
tience, "this trifling will bo deeply regretted by you all to-morrow; "I repeat,"
ho pursued, when he found lie had at length succeeded in procuring silence,
"you liave long been pleased to select mo as your butt, and while this was
confined to my personal appearance, painful as I have sometimes found your
hun»)r, f could still endure it ; but when T perceive those whom I have looked
upon as friends and bi-others, casting imputations upon my courage, I may bo
excused for feeling offended. You have succeeded in wounding mj' heart, and
»H)me of you will regret the hour when you did so. Another, perhaps, would
adopt a different course, but T am not disposed to return evil for evil. I wish
to believe, that in all your taunts upon this subject you have merely indulged
your bantering humor — but not the less have you pained an honest lieart.
To-mori'ow will prove that you have grievously wronged me, and I am mista-
ken if you will not deeply regret it."

So saying, he hurried away across the snow towards a distant fire, which
lighted the ruder bivouac of the adjutant and quartermaster, and was there
Keen to seat himself with the air of one who has composed himself for tho
night.

" What a silly fellow, to take the thing so .seriously 1" .said Molincux,
half vexed at himself, half moved by the reproachful tone of Raymond's
address.

" For God's sake, Grantham, call him back. Tell him we are ready to make
any — evtr}- atonement for our offence," urged St. Clair.

" And T will promise ne^^!r to utter another pun at his expense as long as I
live," added Middlemore.

But before Henry Grantham, who had been a pained and silent witness of
the scene, and who had already risen with a view to follow the wounded Ray-
mond, could take a single step on his mission of peace, the low roll of the drum,
sumnionitig to fall in, warned them that the hour of action had already ar-
rived, and each, quitting his fire, hastened to the more immediate and pressing
duties of assembling his men, and carefully examining into the state of their
appointments.

In ten minutes from the beating of the reveille — considerably shorn of its
wonted proportions, as tho occasion demanded — the bivouac had been aban-
doned, and tiie little army again upon their march. What remained tc bo
traversed of the space that separated them from the enemy, was an alternation
of plain and open forest, but so completely in juxtaposition, that the head of
the column had time to clear one wood and enter a second before its rear
tould disengage itself from tho first. The effect of this, by the dim and pecu-
liar light reflected from the snow across which they moved, was picturesque
m the extreme, nor was the interest diminished by the utter silence that had
pervatled every part of the little army, the measured tramp of whose march,
minglcfl with the hollow and unavoidable rumbhng of the light guns, being
the only .'^ounds to be heard amid that mass of living matter. The Indians,
with the exception of a party of scouts, had been th.; last to quit their rudo
encampment, and as they now, in their eagerness to get to the front, glided
utealthily by in tho deep snows on either side of the more beaten track by
which the troops advanced, and utterly without sound in their foot-falJ
they might rather have been compared to spirits of the wilds, than to
human beings.

Tho regiment having been told ofT into divisions, it so happened that Ray-
mond and Henry Grantham, although belonging to different companies, now
found themselves near eacli other. The latter had been most anxious to ap-

!)roach his loally good-hearted companion, with a view to soothe his wounded
ieclings. and to convey, in the fullest and most convincing terms, the utte?
disclaimer of liis inconsiderate brother officers, to reflect seriously on his con-
duct in the recent retreat— or. indeed, to intend their observations for any thing

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

121

beyoivl a more pleasantry. As, however, the strictest order had been com-
manded to he o>)scrved in the march, and Ilaymond and he happened to be at
opposite extremities of the division, this had l)ei'n for some time impracticable.
A temporary lialt ha vim; occurred, just as the head of the column canio
within sijrht of the enemy's fires. Grantham quitted his station on the flank,
and hastened to the head of his division, where he foinid Ilaymond with his
arms folded across his chest, and apparently absorbed in deep thought. IIo
tappe<l him lij^htly on the shoulder, and inquired in a tone of much kindness
the subject of his musinjj:.

Touched by the manner in which he was addressed, Raymond dropped his
arms and jjrasping the hand of the youth, observed in his usual voice; " Ah,
is it you Henry — Egafl, my dear boy, I was just thinlcinj^ of yen — and how
very kind you have always been ; never qui/zinj; me as those thoughtless fel-
lows have done — and certainly never insinuating anything against my
couratre — that was too bad, Henrj, too bad, I could have forgiven anything
but that."

'' Nay. nay, Raymond." answered his companion, soothingly ; " believe me,
neither Molineux, nor Middlemore. nor St. Clair meant anything beyond a
jest. I can assure you Uiey did not. for when you quitted us they asked mo
to go in search of you, but the assembly then commencing to beat. I was
compelled to hasten to my company, nor have I had an opportunity of seeing
you untd now."

'■ Very well, Henry. I forgive them, for it is not in my nature to keep anger
long ; but toll them that they should not wantonly wound the feelings of an
unoffending comrade. As I told them, they may regret their unkindness
to me before another sun has set. If so. 1 wish them no other punishment."

'' What mean you, my dear Raymond ?"

" Egad ! I scarcely know myself, but something tells me very forcibly my
hour is come."

•' Nonsense, this is but the effect of the depres.sion, produced by fatigue and
over excitement, added to the recent annoyance of your feelings."

'• Whatever it proceed from, I had ma^'e up my mind to it before we set out.
Henry, my kind good Henry, I have neither friend nor relative on earth — no
one to inherit the little property I poscss. In the event of my falhng, you
will find the key of my desk in the breast pocket of my coat. A paper in that
desk appoints yon my executor. Will you accept the trust?"

'"Most sacredly, Raymond, will I fulfil every instruction it contains,
should I myself survive ; but I cannot, will not, bring myself to anticipate
your fall."

'• Move on, move on," passed quickly in a whi.spcr from front to rear of tho
column.

'• God bless you, Henry" exclaimed Raymond, again pressing the hand of
the youth — •' remember the key."

'■ We shall tsilk of that to-night." was the light reply. " Meanwhile, dear
Raymond. God })less you," and again Grantham fell back to his place in the
rear of the division.

Five minutes later, and the troops were finally brought up in front of tho
enomy. A long line of fires marked the extent of the encampment, from
which, even then, the " all's well" of the sentinels cotdd be occasionally heard.
Except these, all profoundly slept, nor was there anything to indicate they had
the .slightest suspicion of an enemy V)eina: within twenty miles ofthom.

" What glorious cannon work we shall have presenti}-," whimpered Villiers
to Molineux, as they were brought together by their stations at the adjacent
extremities of their respective division. " Only mark how the fellows sleep."

" The devil take the cannon," mnttored VillicM-.s, the bayonet for me, " but
you are right, for see. there go the guns to the front — hark there is a shot;
the sentinels have discovered us at las; ; and now they arc starting frombeforfl
their fires, and hastening to snatch their arnis.

122

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR.

AVhist, cellist, whist, fleu' throe balls successively between their hcal3a
' Ila, here they bcgiti to talk to us in earnest, and now to our duty."

The next moment all was roar, and bustle, and confusion, and death.

Tlie sun was in the meridian ; .all sounds of combat had ceased. From the
field, in which the troops had commenced the action, numerous slcdpes were
seen departing, laden with the dead — the wounded havmg previously been
sent off. One of these sledges remained stationary at some distance within
the line, wlun-e liie ravages of death were marked by pools of blood upon the
snow, anil at this point were grouped several individuals, assembled round a
body which was about to be conveyed away.

" By Heavens, I would give the world never to have said an unkind word
to him," observed one, whose arm suspended from a sling, attested he had not
come scatheless out of the action. It was St. Clair, whose great ambition it
liad always been to have his name borne among the list of wounded — provided
there were no broken bones in the question.

" As l)rave as he was honest-hearted," added a second, " you .say, Grantham,
that he forgave us all our nonsense."

" He did, Molineux. Ho declared he could not bear resentment against you
long. Bnt still, I fear, he could not so easily forget. He observed to me,
jestingly, just before deploying into line, that he felt his time was come, but
there can be no doubt, from what wo all witnessed, that he was determined
from the outset to court his death."

Captain IMolincux turned away, apparently much affected — Middlemoro
spoke not, but it was evident he also was deeply pained. Each seemed to feel
that he had been in some degree ascessory to the catastrophe, but the past
could not be recalled. The body, covered with blood, exuding from several
wounds, was now placed on the sledge which was drawn off to join several
others just departed, and the lingering oIHcers hastened to overtake their se-
ver.al companies.

When the action was at the hottest, one of the small guns in front (all of
which had been fearfully exposed), was left without a single artilleryman.
Availing themselves of this circumstance, the cnom}', who were unprovided
with artillery of any description, made a movement as if to possess themselves
of. and turn it against the attacking force, then closing rapidly to dispute tho
possession of the breast work which covered then* riflemen. Colonel St. Julian,
seeing this movement, called out for volunteers to rescue the gun from it3
perilous situation. Scarcely had the words passed his lips when an individual
moved forward from the line, in the direction indicated. It was Lieutenant
Raymond — Exposed to the fire, both of friends and foes, the unfortunate
officer advanced calmly and unconcernedly, in the presence of the whole line,
and before the Americans could succeed in even crossing their defences,
had seized the gun by the drag rope, and withdrawn it under cover of tho
English fire. But this gallant act of self-dcvotedness, was not without its
terrible price. Pierced by many balls, which the American riflemen had im-
mediately directed at him, he fell dying within ten feet of the British line,
brandishing his sword and faintly shouting a " huzza," that was answered by
his companions with the fierce spirit of men stung to new exertion, and deter-
mined to avenge his foil.

Thus perished the fat, the plain, the carbuncled, but re.ally gallant-hearted
Raymond — whose intrinsic worth was never estimated imtil he had ceased to
e;cist. His fall, and all connected therewith, fofms a .sort of episode in our
story, yet is it one not altogether without its moral. A private monument,
on which was inscribed all that may soothe and flatter after death, was erected
to his memor}'^ by those very officers whose persiflage, attacking in this in-
Btance even his honor as a .soldier, had driven him to seek the fate he found.
Of this there could be no question ; for, brave as he unquestionably was, llay-
mond would not have acted as if courting death throughout, had he not fully
made up his mind cither to gain g' tat disfnc tion or to die under the eyes of

THE PROPHECY FUI. FILI-F. D,

123

those wlfo hf\(l. he conccivcii, so frroatly injure*! l.im. It is Init justice to add
that, for three days from his death. Middlciiioii- did not niter a sinyle pun,
ueither did St. Clair or Mohueux indulge in a satirical observation

, CHAPTER XX.

The spring of 1813 had passed nearly away, yet withont producing; any
renewed etl'ort on the part of the Americans. From information obtained
from the Indian scouts, it however appearinl that, far from bein,!;; discouraged
by their recent disaster, they had moved forward a third army to the Miami,
where they had stronj^ly entrenched themselves, until fitting opportimity
should be found to renew their attempt to recover the lost district. It was
also ascertained that, with a perseverance and industry peculiar to themselves,
they had been occupied throughout the rigorous winter in preparing a fleet of
suflicicnt force to compete with that of the British ; and that, abandoning the
plan hitherto pursued by his predecessors, the American leader of this third
army of invasion purposed transporting his troops across the lake, instead of
running the risk of being harassed and cut up in an advance by l.-md. To
efl'ect this, it was of course necessary to have the command of the lake, and
there were all the sinews of exertion called into full exercise, to obtain tho
desired ascendancy.

To defeat this intention became now the chief object of the British General.
With the close of winter had ceased tho hunting pursuits of the warriors, so
that each day brought with it a considerable accession to the strength of this
wild people, vast numbers of whom ha<l betaken themselves to their hunting
groands, shortly after the capture of Detroit, The chiefs of these several na-
tions were now summoned to a Conned, in the course of which it was decided
that a formidable expedition, accompanied by a heavy train of battering artil-
lery, should embark in Vialteaux, with a view to the reduction of tho Ameri-
can post established on the Miami — a nucleus around which was fast gr^ier-
ing a spirit of activity that threatened danger, if not annihilation, to the Eng-
lish influence in tho North Western districts. In tho event of the accomplish-
ment of this design. Detroit and Amherstburg would necessarih^ be released
from all apprehension, since, even admitting the Americans could acquire a
superiority of naval force on the lako. such superiority could only be essen-
tially injurious to us, as aineans of affording transport to, and covering tho
operations of an invading army. If, however, thiit already on the Miami could
be defeated, and their fortress razed, it was not probable that a fourth could
be equipped and pushed forward, with a view to offensive operations, in suffi-
cient time to accomplish anything decisive before the winter should set in.
Tecumseh, who had just returned from collecting new boilies of warriors,
•warmly approved the project, and undertook to bring two thousand men into
tho field, as his quota of the expedition, the departure of wliich was decided
for the seventh day from the Council.

The day on which that Council was held, was characterized by one of thoso
sudden outbursts of elemental war, so common to the Canadas in early sum-
mer, and which, in awful grandeur of desolation, are frequently scarcely infe-
rior to the hurricanes of the tropics. The morning had been oppressively
sultry, and there was that general anil heavy lethargy of nature that usually
precedes a violent reaction. About noon a small, dark speck was visible in
the hitherto cloudless horizon, and this presently grew in size until the whole
western sky was one dense mass of threatening black, which eventually spread
itself over the entire surface of the heavens, leaving not a hand's breadth any-
where visible. Presently, amid tho sultry stillness that prevailed, there camo
a slight breeze over the face of the waters, and then, as if some vast battorin:*
train had suddenly opened it;> hundred mouths of terror, vomiting forth show-

121

MATILDA. MONTOOMCRIE; OR,

ers of grape And other missiles, come astounflins; thundcr-cliips, anrl forkefl
lightnings, and rain, and hail, and whistling wind — all in such terrible union,
yet such fearful disorder, that man. the last to lake warning, or feci awed hy
the anger of the common parent. Nature, bent his head in lowliness and
silence to her voice, and awaited trembling!}' the passing away of her wrath.

Henry Grantham, whose turn of duty had again brought him to Amherst-
burg, was in the mess-room of the garrison when the storm was at the fiercest.
Notwithstanding the excitement of the council-scene, a^ which he had been
present, he had experienced an unusual depression throughout the day, origi-
nating partly in the languid state of the atuiospherc, but infinitely more in the
anxiety under which he labored in regard to liis brother, of whom no other
intelligence had been received, since his departure with his prisoners for Buf-
falo, than what vague rumor, coupled with the fact of the continued' absence
of the schooner, aiforded. That the vessel had been captui-ed by the enemy
there could be no doubt ; but, knowing as he did, the gallant spirit of Gerald,
there was reason to imagine that he had not yielded to his enemies, before
every means of resistance had been exhausted : and if so, what might not
have been the effect of his obstinacy, if such a term could be applied to un-
shaken intrepidity, on men exasperated by opposition and eager for revenge.
In the outset he had admitted his gentle cousin Gertrude to his confidence, as
one most suited, by her docility, to soothe without appearing to remark on his
alarm, but when, little suspecting the true motive of her agitation, he saw her
evince an emotion surpassing diis own, and admitting and giving way to fears
beyond any he would openly avow, he grew impatient and disappointed, and
preferring rather to hear the tocsin of alarm sounded from his own heart than
from the lips of another, he suddenly, and much to the surprise of the afTec-
tionate girl, discontinued all allusion to the subject. But Henry's anxiety
was not the less poignant from being confined within his own breast, and al-
though it gratified him to find that flattering mention was frequently made of
his brother at the mess-table, coupled with regret for his absence, it wa.'J
reserved for his hours of privacy and abstraction to dwell upon the fears
which daily became more harassing and pcrplexmg.

On the present occasion, even wliile his brother ofHcers had thought nor car
but Tor the terrible tempest that raged without, and at one moment threatened
to bury them beneath its trcTnbling roof, the mind of Henry w^as full of his
absent brother, whom, more than ever, he now seemed to regret, from the
association of the howling tempest with the wild element on which he had last
beheld him ; and so complete at last had become the ascendancy of his melan-
choly, that when the storm had be^n in some degree stilled, and the rain aba-
ted, he took an early leave of his companions, with a view to indulge in privacy
the gloou) 3' feelings by which he felt himself oppressed.

Tn passing through the gate of the fort, on his way into the town, his
attention was arrested hy several groups of 'person.s, consisting of soldiery
Indians, and inhabitants, who, notwithstanding the inclemency of the hour,
were gathered on the high bank in front of the demi-lune battery, eagerly
bending their gaze upon the river. Half curious to know what could havo
attracted them in such weather from shelter, Henry advanced and mingled in
the crowd, which gave way at his approach. Although the fur}' of the tem-
pest had spent itself, there was still wind enough to render it a matter of
neces.sary precaution that the bystander should secure a firm footing on tho
bank, while the wiiter, violently agitated and covered with foam, resembled
rather a pigmy sea than an inland river — so unu.;ual and so vast were it3
w», es. The current, moreover, increased in strength by the sudden swelling
of the waters, dashed furiously down, giving its directiDn to the leaping billo wa
that rode impatiently upon its surface ; and at the pomt of fntersectionby tho
islandof Bois Blanc, formed so violent an eddy within twenty feet of the laud,
»,s to produce the effect of a ivhirlpool. while again, between the island anr^ tho
OAnadian shore, the current, always rapid and of great force, flew boiling dowQ
its channel, and with a violence almost quadrupled.

THE PROP H EC V FULFILLED.

anrl forked

nhle union.
,'el awed by
ivliness and
' her wrath.
o Amhiirst-

the fiercest,
e liad been
.' day, onVi-
nioru in the
11 no other

rs for Buf-
led" absence

the enemy
t of Gerald,
mies. before

might not
lied to un-
• revenge,
nfidence, as
nark on liis

he saw her
,'ay to fears
ointed, and

heart than
)f the aflec-
y's anxiety
ast, and al-
ly made of
mco. it wa;j
a the fears

ght nor car
threatened
full of his
;, from the
he had last
* his melan-
ic rain aba-
) in privacy

town, his
of soldiery
' the hour,
ry, eagerly
could havo
mingled in
)f the tem-

matter of
ting on tho

resembled
st were ita
'n swelling
ing billows
tionby tho
)f the land,
nd anr^ tho
iling down

Amid this uproar of the usually placid river, there was but one bark roun\
bold cnougk to venture tipon her angered bosom, and this, although bat an
epitome of those that have subdued the world of waters, and chained them in
subservience to the will of man, now danced gallantly, almost terriiicully, fiom
billow to billow, and, with the feathery lightncssof her peculiar class, ^'emed
borne onward, less by the leaping waves themselves than by the white and
drivi.ngspra}'' that fringed their summits. This bark — a canoe evidently of tho
smallest descrij,tion— h<id been watched in its progress, from afar, by the groups
assembled ou the bank, who hail gathered at each other's call, to witness and
marvel at the gallant daring of those who had committed it to the boiling ele-
ment. Two persons composed her crew — the one seated in the stern, and
carefully guiding the bark so as to enable her to breast the threatening waves,
which, in quick succession, rose as if to accomplish her overthrow — th6 other
standing at her bows, the outline of his upper figure designed against the snow-
white sail, and, with his arms folded across his chest, apparent'}' gazing with-
out fear on the danger which surrounded him. It was evident, from their
manner of conducting the bark, that the adventurers were not Indians, and
yet there was nothing to indicate to what class of the white family they be-
longed. Both were closely wrapped in short, dark-colored pea coats, and their
heads were surmounted with glazed hats — a species of costume that more than
anything else proved their familiarity with the element whose brawling they
appeared to brave with an indifference bordering on madness.

Such was the position of the parties at the moment when Ilenrj' Grantham
gained the bank. Hitherto the canoe, in the broad reach that divided the island
from tho American mainland, had had merely the turbulence of the short
heavy waves, and a comparatively modified current, to contend against.
Overwhelming even as these difficulties would have proved to men less gifted
with the power of opposing and vanquishing them, they were but light in
comparison with what was to be overcome. The canoe was now fast gaining
the head of the island, and pursuing a direct course for the whirlpool already
described. The only means of avoiding this was by closely hugging the shore,
between which and the violent eddy without, the water, broken in its impe-
tuosity by the covering headland, presented a more even and less agitated
surface. This headland once doubled, the safety of the adventurers was en-
sured, since, although the tremendous current which swept through the inner
channel must havo borne them considerably downwards, still the canoe would
have accomplished the transit below the town in perfect safety. The fact of
this opportunity being neglected, led at once to the inference that tho adven-
t arers were total strangers, and distinct voices were now raised by those on
the bank, to warn them of their danger — but whether it was that they heard
not, or understood not, the warning was* unnoticed. Once indeed it seemed
as if ho who so ably conducted the course of the bark, had comprehended aad
would have followed, the suggestion so earnestly given, for his tiny sail was
.seen to flutter for the first time in the wind, as with the intention to alter his
course. But an impatient gesture from his companion in the bow, who was
seen to turn suddenly round and utter something, (which was however inau-
dible to those on shore,) again brought the head of the fragile vessel to her
original course, and onward she went, leaping and bounding, apparently with
the design to clear the whirlpool at a higher point of the river.

Nothing short of a miracle could now possibh' enable tho adventurers to
escape being drawn into the boiling vortex ; and, during the moments that
succeeded, every heart beat high with fearful expectation as to the result. At
length the canoe came with a sudden plunge into the very centre of the cur-
rent, which all the skill of the steersman was insufTicient to enable him to»
clear. Her bow yawed, her little sail fluttered — nnd away she flew, broadside
foremost, down the stream, with as little power of resistance as a feather or a
straw. Scarcely had tho eye time to follow her in this peculiar descent, when
•he was in the xery heart of tho raging eddy. For a moment she reeled lik<

Matilda montoomerie; qa.

A top, then rolled two or three times over, anfl finally disappeared all ogcther.
Various expressions of horror hrokc from tho several groups of whites and
luditms, all of whom had anticipated tho catastrophe without the power of
actively interposing. Beyond the advice that was given, not a word was
uttered, but every eye contmuc i fixed on the wIiirli)ooI, as though momenta-
rily ('xpecting to see something issue from its bosom. After the hipse of a
Juirmto, a dark object suddenly .prcM-nted its'^If some twenty yards below, be-
tween tho island and town. It was the canoe which, bottom upwards and
dcfuived of its little mast and sail, had again risen to the surface, and was
floating rapidly down with the current. Presently afterwards two hea<ls
were seen nearly at the point where the canoe had again emerged. They were
the unfortunate adventurers, one of whom appeared to be supporting his com-
panion with one arm, whilst with the other be dashed away the waters that
bore them impetuously along. The hats of both had fallen off, and as he who
exerted himself so strenuously, rose once or twice in the vigor of his eflbrts
above tlie element with which he contended, he seemed to present the grisly,
wooll}' hair, and the sal)le countenance of an aged negro. A vague surmise
of the truth now flashed upon the mind of the excited officer ; but when,
jiresently afterwards, he saw the jiowerfiil form once more raised, and in a
voice that made itself distinctl}' b(.'ard above the howling of the wind, exclaim,
" Help a dare !" there was no longer a doubt, and he rushed towards the
dock-yard, to gain which the exertions of tho negro were now directed.

On reaching it he found both Gerald and his faithful attendant just touch-
ing the shore. Aroused by the cry for help which Sambo had pealed forth,
neveral of the workmen had quitted the shelter of the block-houses in which
the}' were lodged, and hastened to the rescue of him whom they itnmediptely
afterwards saw struggling furiously to free himself and companion from tho
\ioIent current. Stepping to the extremity on some loose timber which lay
secured to the shore, yet floating in the river — tlie}' threw out poles, one of
which Sambo seized like an enraged mastilF in his teeth, and still supporting
the body, and repelling the water with his disengaged arm, in this manner
su'-cecfled in gaining the land. Tho crews of the little fleet, vvhich lay armed
n hundred yards lower down, had also witnessed the rapid descent of two ap-
parently drowning men, and ropes had everywhere been thrown out from the
vessels. As for lowering a boat, it was out of the question ; for no boat could
have resisted the violence of tho current, even for some hours after the storm
had wholly ceased.

It ma}' be easily conceived with what mingled emotions the generous Henry,
whose anxiety had been so long excited in regard to his Ijrother's fate, now
beheld that brother suddenly restored to him. Filled with an all'ection that
was rendered the more intense by the very fact of the danger from which he
had just .seen him rescued, ho, regardless of those around and in defiance of
his wet and dripi)ing clothes, sprang eagerly to his embrace, but Gerald re-
ceived him with a cold — almost averted air. Sufl'ering. rather than sharing,
this mark of fraternal love, he turned the instant afterward to his servant,
and. in a tone (if querulousncss, said. •'Sambo, give me wine."

Inexpressibly shocked, and not knowing what to think of this conduct,
Henry bent his glance upon the negro. The old man shook his head mourn-
fully, and even with the dripping spray that continued to full from his woolly
locks upon his cheeks, tears might be seen to mingle. A dreadful misgiving
came over the mind of the youth, and he felt his very hair rise thrillingly, as
he for a moment admitted the horrible possibili-ty, that the sliock produced by
his recent siccident had affected his brother's intellect. Sambo replied to his
master's demand, by saying '' there was no wine — the canoe and its contents
had been utterly lost."

All this passed during the first few moments of their landing. The necessity
for an immediate ch.ange of apparel was obvious, and Gerald and his servant
were led into the nearest block-house, where each of the honest fellowr occu-

\\i ogcther.
-hites and
power of
word was
inomcntn-
lapse of a
V)t'lo\v, bc-
vurds and
?, and was
two heads
They were
g his corn-
aters that
as ho who
his cllbrts
the grisly,
lie siirniise
but when,
1, and in a
\, exclaim,
wards the
ted.

ust touch-
aled forth,
s in which
micdiptely
I from tho
which lay
OS, one of
supporting
IS manner
lay armed
of two ap-
t from the
boat could
the storm

)ns Henry,
\ fate, now
action that
1 which he
lofiance of
Gerahl re-
n sharing,
is servant,

g conduct,
Eld mourn-
his woolly
misgiving
illingly, as
oduced by
ilicd to his
:,s contents

e necessity
lis servant

lowf OCCU'

THE rUOPHECY FULFILLED.

137

pyir.g it was eager in producing whatever his rude wardrobe afforded. The
itrothers then m;ulo the bcit of their way, followed by the negio, to thtir own
abode in the town.

The evening being damp and chilly, a fire was kindled in the apartment in
which Gerald dined — tiie same in which botli liad witnessed the dying mo-
ments of their mother, and Henry those of their fatlier. It had been chosen
by the former, in the he)<;ht ol her malady, for its cheerfulness, and she had
continued in it until the hour of her decease ; while Mujor (Irantliam hail se-
lected it for his chamber of death for the veiy reason that it had been that of
liis regretted wife. Henry, having already rlined, .sat at the opposite cxtre-
rait}' of the table watching his brother, whose features lie had so longed to
beliold once more ; 3'et not without a deep and bitter feeling of grief, that
those R'atures sliould have undergone so complete a change in their expression
towards himself. Gerald had thrown off the temporary and ill-fitting vest-
ments exchanged for his own wet clothing, and now that he jippeared once moro
in his customary garb, an extraordinary alteration was percei)til)le in his whole
jippearan.re. Fustcad of the blooming check, and rounded ami elegant form,
for which he hud alwa3's been remarkable, he now olfered to the eye of his
anxious brother, an emaciated figure, and a countenance pale even to wanness
— while evidence of much care and inward sulfeiing might be traced iu tho
.stern contraction of his hitherto open brow. There was also a dryness in his
sjicech that startled and perplo.ved even more than the change in his person.
The latter might be tho elfect of imprisonment, and its anxiety and privation,
.^oupled with the exhaustion arising from his recent accident ; but how wa.1
the first to be accouu-ted for, and wherefore was he, after so long a .''cparation,
and under such circumstances, thus inconununicative and unaffectionatc? All
these reflections occurred to the mind of the sensitive Henry, as ho sat watch-
ing, and occa.sionall_y addressing a remark to, his taciturn brother, r.ntil ho
beoanio fairly bewildered in his eflbrts to find a clue to Iris conduct. The
liorrible dread which had first suggested itself of the partial overthrow of intel-
lect, had passed away, but to this liad succeeded a discovery attended by quite
as much concern, although creating loss positive alarm. He had seen, with
inexpressible pain, that (Jerald ate but little, seeming rather to loathe his footl,
while on the other hand he had recourse more frequently to wine, drinking off
bumpers with greed}- avidity, until, yielding at length to the excess of hia
potations, he fell fast asleep in thenrm-chair he had drawn to the fire, over-
come by the mingled infiuence of wine, fatigue and drowsiness.

Bitter were the feelings of Henry Grantham, as thus he gazed upon his
f;leei ing brother. Fain would he have poi\suaded him.self that the effect he now
witnessed was an isolated instance, and occurring only under the peculiar
circumstances of the moment. It was impossible to rccal the manner iu wlilch
he had demanded "' wine" from their faithful old servant and friend, and^not
feel satisfied that the tone proclaimed him one who had been in the frequent
liabit of repeating that demand, as the prepared yet painful manner of the
black, indicated a sense of having been too frequently called upon to administer
to it. Alas, thought the heart-stricken Henry, can it really be, that he whom
] have cherished in my heart of hearts with moi-e than brothei''s love, has thus
fallen ? Has Gerald, formerly as remarkable for sobriety as for every liouor-
able principle, acquired even during the months I have so wretchedly mourned
his absence, tho fearful propensities of the drunkard ? The bare idea over-
powered him. and with dilViculty restraining his tears, he rose from his seat,
and pacea the room for sonic time in a state of iudescj'ibable agita^tion. Then
again ho stopped, and when he looked in the sleeping face ot his unconscious
brother, ho was more than ever struck by the strange change which had been
■wrought in his ajipearance. Finding that Gerald still slept profoundly, he took
the resolution of instantly questioning Sambo as to all that had befallen them
during their absence, and asceilaiuing, if possible, to what circumstance the
mysttry which perplexed him was attributable. Opening and rcolf sing tho
door with caution, he hastened to the room which, owing to his j pars and long

128

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

and ffiitbfnl scrvicps, hud been set npnrt for tlic acronimodation oi" the old mat.
when on sliore. Here he found Suiubo. who had disnatdicd his snhstnntiat
incil. husil}' oocnpied in dryinp: his masU'j's wit dnss biforc a hirgo bluzin;»
wood fire — and laying out. with the saino vio\r, certain papers, the contents
of a pocket-book wliich had been completely saturated witli water, A my of
satisfaction h^jhtod tho dark but intellipent face of the nepro, which theiiislnnt
beforo had worn an expression of snlfcrin!;, as the yonnj^ officer, presvinp his
hand with warmth, thanked him deeply and fervently for the noble, almost
RiiperhTiman, exertions, ho had made that day to preserve his brother's
life.

'• Oh, ^^assa Henry !" wa.s all the poor creature could say in reply, as he
returned the pressure with an emphasis that spoke his profound attachment to
both. Then leartins his white head upon his hand afrninst the chimney, and
bursting into tears — " berry much change, he poor brodcr Geral, ho not t
same at all."

Here was a sad oponinp; indeed to tho subject. The heart of the youth s.-vnk
within him, yet feeling the necessity of knowing all connected with his bro-
ther's unhappine.ss. ho .succeeded in drawing? the old man into conversation,
and finally into a narration of all their adventures, as far at least as he had
personal knowledge, from the moment of tlieir leaving Detroit in the preceding
autumn.

When, after the expiration of an hour, ho returned to the drawing-room,
Gerald was awake, and so f r restored by his sound sleep as to be. not only
moro conununicative, but more cordial towards his brother. He even reverted
to past scenes, and spoke of the mutual event.s of their youth, with a cheerful-
ness bordering on levity ; but this pained Henry tho more, for he saw m it
but the fruit of a forced excitement — as melancholy in adoption as pernicious
in elVect — and his own heart repugned all participation in so unnatural a
gaiety, although he enforced himself to share it to tho outward eye. 'Fatigue
at length comi)elled Gerald to comt the quiet of his pillow, and, overcome as
his senses were with wine, lie slept profoundly until morning.

' ." ' CHAPTER XXI. •' ' : r '

When they met at breakfast, Henry was more than over struck and afflict-
ed by the alteration in his brother's person and manner. All traces of tho
last night's excitement had disiippearc(l with the cause, and pale, haggard and
embarrassed, he seemed but the shadow of his former self while the melan-
choly of his countenance had in it something wild and even fierce. As at their
first meeting, his language was drj' and reserved, and he seemed rather impa-
tient of conversation, as though it interfered with the Indulgence of .some .se-
cret and all absorbing rellection, while, to Henry's aflectionato questioning of
liis adventuioR since they first parted, ho replied in the v.aguc unsatisfactory
manner of one who .seeks to shun the subject altogether. At another mo-
ment, this apparent prostration of the physical man might have been ascribed
tohis long immersion of the preceding day. and the efforts that were necessary
to rescue him from a watery grave ; but, fiom the account Sambo had given
him. Henry had but too much reason to 'ear that 11.0 disca.sc of body and mind
which had so completely encompassed his unfortunate brother, not only had
its being in a different cause, but might be dated from an earlier period. Al-
though burning with desire to share that confidence which it grieved him to
the soul to find thus unkindly withheld, he made no effort to remove the cloak
of reserve in which his brother had invested himself. Thj.t day they both
dined at the garrison mess, and Henry saw with additional pain, that the wariji
felicitations of his brothe" officers on his return, w^re received bv Gerald wit^
the same reserve and iudiftcrcuce which had ch uractenzed his meeting witn

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

I9U

hhn, while he evinccrl the same disiiv^lination to enter upon the solicitetl liistory
%\f his captivity, as well as tlie causes which led to his hold venture, nnd coji-
RSqiient inrrow esfnpe, of the preciHlin;» day. Findin'^ him thus incoinutuni-
cative, anil not comprehending: the clianjre in his nmntier, they rallie<l him;
*nd, as th(! hottlecnrcnlated. he seemed more and n\ore disposed to miM't their
raillery witli a cheerfulnvss and pood humor that hroiifrht even the <'iilor into
his sunken cheeks ; but when. (Inaliy, some of them proceeded to asU him, in
their taimtin;» maimer, what lie had done with his <dd Hume and fascinatins

[)risoner. Miss Montijomerie, a dead^' paleness overspread hiscouiiteinnce, niid
le lo'-,t in the moment all power of disj^nisiu;; his feelinp;s. His emotion wan
too smlden ami too palpable, not to bo observed by those who had unwillingly
called it forth, and they at once, with considerate tact. chan;j;ed the conversa-
tion. Hereupon (Jerald airain made an elfort to rally, but no one returned to
tlie subject. Piqued at this conduct, he had more freqnent recourse to the
bottle, and laujijhed and talked in a manner that proved him to be laboring
under the infhieuce of extraordinary excitement. When be took leave of hiii
brother to retire to rest, he was silent, peevish, dissatisfiefl — almost an'j:ry,

Henry passed a ni;.;ht of extreme discjuiet. It was evident front what had
occurred at thj me.ss-table in relation to the beautiful American, that to her
was to bo ascribed the wretchedness to whi(^h (Jerald had become a victim, and
he resolved on the followinji^ mornin;» to waive all false delicai^y, and throwini*
himself upon bis allection, to solicit his confidence, and otfer whatever counsel
he conceived would best, tend to promote his peace of mind.

At breakfast the conversation turned on the intended movement, which was
to taV:e place within three days, and on this subject Gerald evini;ed a vivacity
that warmed into eaj^c^rness. He had risen early that morninij;. with a vie\T
to obtain the j)ermis.sion of the commodore to make one of the ileta(!hment of
sailors who were to accompany the expedition, and. having succeeded in ob-
taininp; the commnnd of one of the two pun-boats which were destined to
a.scend the Miami, and form part of the batterinj;; force, seemed lii;.;hly
pleased. This apparent return to himself mipht have led his brother into tho
belief that his feelings bad undergone a reaction, had he not, unfortunately, hut
too much reason to Vr . ••.- tli..i, tiie tnomcntary gaiety was the result of the very
melancholy which consumed hiin. However, it pavo him a more favorahlo
opportunity to open the subject ue.xt his heart, and, as a preparatory step, he
dexterously contrived to turn the conversation into the ciianncl most suited
to his purpose.

The only ill efTect arising from Gerald's recent immersion was a .seti.se of pain
in that part of his arm which had been bitten by tho rattlesnake, on the day
of the pic-nic to Hop Island, and it chanced that this morninp especially it had
R good deal annoyed him. evincing some slight predisposition to in'lanimation.
To subdue this. Ilenry applied with his own hand a liniineiit which had been
recommended, and took occasion, when he had finished, to remark on tlio
devotedness and fearles.sncss Jliss Montgomerie h.ad manit'oted in coming 80
onportunely to his rescu(^in all probability, thereby preserving hi.s life.

At tr.o sound of this name Gerald started, and evinced the same irnpaticnco
of the subject he had manifested on the preceding day. Ilenry keenly re-
marked his emotion, and Gerald was sensible that he did.

Both sat for some minutes gazing at each other in expressive silence, tho
one as if wailing to hear, the other as i*" conscious that he was expected to
ruflbrd. some explanation of the cause of so marked an emotion. At length
Gerald said and in a tone of deep and touching despondenc}'. '■ Henry, I
fear you find me very unainiable ami much altered, but indeed I am veiy
unliappy."

Here was touched the first chord of their sympathies. Henry's, already on
the elan, flew to meet this demonstration of returning confidence, and he replied
in a voice broken by the overflowing of his full heart. ,

*• Oh, my beloved brother, changed must you indeed be, when even the »d-
missioQ that you are unhappy inspires mc with a thankfulness such as I aovr
k 9

130

MATILDA MnNTOOMERIR; OH

/Kil. flcra (I, I cntrnat, T implore you, hy tho lovo wo linvo h)i'no each other
from ii)fiiriry, to disi^iiisc iiotliin?; from mo. Toll mo what it is tliat woijjhs 8<i
hojivil y at your Iwint. 11i'I)ohc inn '''-''' ''oiill'l'''ift^ i" '"*' your hroflicr. arid li;t
ni« nssist nii'l mlviso you in your cxlromity, us my poor ability will permit,
roll me, (lorald. whcnforo arc you tliu.-i altmetl — what dreadful disappoint-
mctit lias thus turned the milk of your nature into pall?"

Gerald irazc! at him a moment intently, flo was much affected, and t. sud-
den and unhidden fi^ar stole down his jiallid check. " If yrw* have found tho
milk of my nature turned into j^all, then indcoil am 1 oven moro wretched
than T thoiinrht myself. Ihit, Henry. you ask me what I cannot yield — rnycon-
tidciu'(! — and. even were it not so, tljcyiLlilin.; would advantiii.;c neither. I am
Unhappy, as T have said, hut the cause of that uuhappiness must ever roinrtin
Imried here !" and ho pointed to his breast. Thia was said kindly, yet de-
terminedly.

'"Enough, Ocrald,"and hi.s brother spolxc in terms of deep reproach, "since
you persist in witliholdinij; your conildcnce, I will no lon;ior urge it ; but you
cannot wonder that T. who love but you alone on earth, should sorrow as ono
without hope, at bcholdinj; you subject to a prief so overwhelming as to have
driven you to secik refuse from it in an unlKvllowed prave."

" I <lo not umlerstaiul you — what moan you?" quickly interrupted Oerild,
raising his hca I from the hand which .supported it at tho break fast-table^
while he colored faintly.

" You cannot well be ij-'norant of my meaninj;;," pjirsucd Henry in tho satno

• tone. " if you but recur to the circumstances attending your arrival here.^'

*' r am still in the dark," continued Gerald, with some degree of impa-
tience.

•' Cccausc you know not that I am acquainted with all that took place on tho

melancholy occasion. Gerald," he pursued, '• forgive the apparent harshness

«f what 1 am about to observe — but was it generous — was it kind in you to

, incur the risk you did, when you must have known that 3'onr death would

" have entailed upon mean eternal grief? Was it worth}' of yourself, inore-

' over, to make the devoted fillower of your fortunes, a .sharer in the danger

. yon so eagerly and wantonly courted ?"

"Nay, my good brother," and Gerald made an attempt at levity, '"you ara

indeed an unsparing monitor ; but suppose I .should oiler in reply, that &

' spirit ofenterprize was upon mo on the occasion to which you .illude, and that.

fired by a de.^ire to astoni.sh you all with a bold feat, I had resolved to do what

■ no other had done before mo, 3-(!t without apprehending the seriou.s conso-
' quenees which ensued — or even assuming the danger to have been so great."

" All thi.s, Gerald, you might, yet would not say ; becau.se, in saying it, you
would have to charge yourself with a gross insincerity : and although you do
not deem m? worthy to share your confidence. T still have pleasure in know-
ing that my n'''?ction will not hv, repaid with deceit — however plausible tho
motive; fm ii-' Adoption may iippear — by the substitution, in short, of that
which is no! tVi- that which is." ^

" A gr.w;; ) isincerity ?" repeated Gerald, again slightly coloring.

" Yes, my brother — T say it not in anger, nor in reproach — but a gro.ss in
sincerity it wouM certainly be. Alas, Gerald. 3-our motives are but too -.veil
known to me. The danger you incurred was incurred wilfully, wantonly, and
with a view to your own destruction."

Gerald started. The color had again fled from his sunken cheek, ano
he was a.shy pale. '"And how knew you this?" he askea with a treriMui^;
'- voice.

" Even, Gerald, .n*; I know that you have been driven to .seek in wine that U[-

■ bearing again t the secret grief which consumesyon. which should be found alono
^ in the fortitude of a strong mind and tho consciousness of an untainted honoi.

Oh, Gerald, had tWcse been your supporters, you never would have steeped

• your reason so far in forgetful ness, as to have dared what you did on thai
'^ OTentful day. Good IIcavc:i 1 how little did I ever expect to see the brother

THK PnUPHKCY rUL FILLED.

cai-'h othor
t wL'i};hn to
KT, and U'.t
r\\\ permit,
lisiippoint-

nn'l >. siid-
fuuihl tho
a wrctclied
I — my con-
hor. I aui
vcr remain
y, yot do-

icli,

' smco

but you
row as OHO
an to liavo

kfiist-tablu,

II tho samo
al here."
i; of impa-

ilncc on tho
harshiioK.s
1 in you to
latli would
self, more-
the danger

you ara
ily, that &
, and that,
to do what
oiu conso-
^0 proat."

rh yoa do
; in know-
iiisiblo tho
It, of that

V gross m
t too .veil
itouly, and

hcok, anu
trer i\ luij;

le tiiatuf-
)niid alonn
led honoi .
vii gtecped
id on that
ho brother

of my loFc dp^jeneratcd so far as to border on tho character of tho drun'Kftrd
and tho siiiciilo."

Tho quick biit.iunkon cvP><of the sailor (lashcil fire; and h^prcwwd his lips,
nnd olenchufl his twtth tojr«'ther, as one stronirly utteinptinj; to restrain hi^ in-
di<4nation. It was but thu momentary flashing of the chafed and bruisMl
spirit. '

'' You rrobn mo deeply, Ilonry," he said, calmly and in a voice of m»ich
mnluticholy. Thfcxe are severe cxprcusions for a brother to use ; but you i»r©
ri};ht — I did wek oblivion of my wretchedness in that whirlpool, as tho only
means < f destroy inij the worm that feeds incessantly tipon my heart; hut
Providi I ■ • has willed it otherwise — and, morever. I had not taken the dan^rcr
of my faithful servant ntto the account. Had Sambo not saved nu'. I must
liavc perished ; for I made not the siij^htest elhu't to preserve myself. Hoter-
ever, it matters but little, the mere manner of one's death," he pursued, with
iiK'reascd despondency, " It is easy for you, Ilciiry, whoso mind is at {teoco
with itself and the world, to preach fitrtitmle and resiguation ; but, felt yon
the buri'ui<!; flamo which scorches my vitals, you would acknrtwledgo the
wide difl'erencc between theory and practice."

Ilejiry rose deeply a^^tated ; lie went to the door and secured tho bolt ;
then returniu'j. knelt at his brother's feet. Gerald had one bund coverinj; his
eyes, from whi<;h, however, t'lo tears forced them.selves throufi;h hi.s closed
finu;er,s. The other was seized and warmly pressed in his hrother's grasp.

"Cierald."hc said, in the most emphatic manner. " l)y tlie love you ever
Lore to our sainted parents, in whose chamber of death I now appeal to your
better feelings — by the friend-ship that has united our hearts from youth to
manliood — by all and every tie of aircction, let mo implore you once mor«j to
ironfi'le this dre.idful prief to mo, that I may share it with you, and counmcl
yoi; for ycnir pood. Oh, my brother, on my bended knees do I solicit your
con(i<lence. Believe me, no mean curiosity prompts my prayer. I would
soothe, console, assist you — aye. even to the very sacrifice of lifi'."

The feelinps of the sailor were evidently touched, yet he uttered not a word.
His hand still covered his faco, and tho tears seemed to flow even faster thoc
before.

"Gerald," purs\ie<l hi.s brother, with bitterness; '"I .sec, with pain, that I
have not your confidence, nnd I desist — yet answer mo one question. Fr*ra
tnc fiiitlif^ul Sambo, as you nmst perceive, 1 have learnt all connected with
your absence, and from him I have pained that, durinp your captivity, you were
much with Miss Montgomerie (he pronounced the name with an involuntary
shu(Merinp) ; all I ask, thei-eforo. is, whether your wretchednes,s proceeds from
tho rejevilion of your suit, or from any levity or inconstanc}' you may hnvo
founil in her ?"

Gerald raised his liead from hi^ supporting; hand, and turned upon his
brotiier a look in which mortified pride predominated over an infinitude of
couflictinp emotions.

' Rejected. Henr}', mij suit rejected — oh, no ! In suppo.sin,:^ my prief to orf-
pinato with her, you are correct ; but imagine not it is because my suit is re-
jected — certainly not."

'• Then," exclaimed Henry, with pcnerous emphasis, while ho pressed the
thin hand which he held more closely between his own, " Why not marrv
her?" , „ , , ;' , ■-■' ■ -^

Gerald started. '"

'Yes, marry her," continued Henry ; " marry her and be at peace. Oh 1
Gerald, jou know not what sad aponcy I attached to that insidious AmcncMn
from the first moment of her landinp on this shore — you know not liow much
I have disliked, and still dislike her — but what are all these considerations
wlien my brothcr'.s happines.s is at stake? Gerald, raarry her — and b«
happy."

■• Impossible," returned the .sailor, in a feeble voice, and again his head sank
upon the open palm of his hand.

t32

WATILI' M0J5TO0MEHIK : OR

' " Do yoa n> longer love her. then "i" eagerly questioned the astonished
vouth.

Once more Gerald r,iised his head, and fixed Ids larpe. dim eves full npon
those of his brotlier. " To m.-vlness !" he said, in a voice ami with a lodk that
made Henry shudder. There was a moment of painfid pause. The latter at
|nn;rth ventured to observe :

'• You speak in riddles. Gerald. If you love this Miss IMontgomerie to
madness, and are, as you seein to intimate, loved by her iu return, why not,
M I liave urjred, niariy her?"

•' Because." replied the sailor, turning paler than before, and p.ljnr>st jrasp-
ing for breath, there is a condition attacheil to the possession of her hand."

' .Vnd that is ?" pursued Henry, inquiringly, after ajiother long and painful
pause —

" My secret,*' and Gerald pointed significantly to his brenst. ' * ■ ■'••

"True," returnerl Henry, .slightly coloring; ''I had ftr;:ottcn — but what
condition, Gerald (and here he spoke as if piqued at the ahriipt manner in
which his brother had concluded his half confidence), what condition, I ask,
may a woman entitled to our respect, as well as to our love, jiropose. which
should be held of more account than that severest of ofl'encos against the Di-
vine will — .self-murder? Nay. look not thus surprised ; for have you not ad-
mitted that you had guiltily attempted to throw aw.ay your life — to commit
suicide, in shoa-t — rather than comply with an earthly con<liti()n ?"

" What if in this." returned Gerald, with a ^mile of bitterness, '"I havn
preferred the les.ser guilt to the greater 7"

"I can understand no condition, my brother, a woman worthy of your
esteem could impose, which should one moment weigh in the .sime scalo
against the inexpiable crime of self-destruction. But. really, all this mystery
so startles and confounds me, that I know not what to think — what inference
to draw."

" Henry." observed the sailor, with some show of impat;en(!0, " considering
jour promise "ot to urge it further, it seems to me you pu.sh the matter to aji
extremity."

The youth made no reply, but, r.ai.sing himself froii\ his knees, moved to-
wards the door, which he again unbolted. He then walked to the window
•t the further end of the apartment. '

Gerald saw that he was deeply pained ; and. impatient and angry wit.r
himself ho also rose and paced the room with hmried steps. At length he
stopped, and putting one hand upon the shoulder of his brother, who stood
gazing vacantly from the window, pointed with the other towuids that part
of the apartment in which both their parents had breathed their last.

"Henry, my kind, good Henry." ho said, with a voire faltering with emo-
tion, "'do you recollect the morning when, on our return from sc'iool. wo.
found our young holiday joy changed into heart-breaking and moinning by
the .sight of our dying mother ?"

• Remember it, Gerald ! .aye. even as though it had been yesterday. Oh,
my brother, little did I think at the moment when, with hands closely Ciaspe<l
together, we sattk, overcome with grief, upon our bended knees, to receive that
mother's blessing, a day would ever .arrive when the joy or .sorrow of the one
should form no portion of the joy or sorrow of the other."

'"It was there," pursued Gerald, and without noticing the interruption,
•that we .solemnly pledged ourselves to do the will and bidding of our lather
in all things."

*' Even so, Gerald, I remember it well." '

•' And it was there," continued the sailor, with the emphasis of stronir emo-
tion, " that, during my unfortunate absence fron» th.' death-be<l of otu" yel
surviving parent, you gave a pledge for fio/A, that no action of our lives should
rofiect dishonor on his unsullied name."

"I did. Both in your name and in my own, T gave the pledge — well knosv
ing that, in that, I merely anticipated your desire."

B astonished
cs full upon

I !\ look tllJlt

riie latter at

it^omorie to
n, why not,

iljnost jra'^p-
lor hand."
: and painful

1 — but what
it ni.'ujJisr in
lition, I iisk,
:)|)()se. which
liiist the I)i'
yoii not ad-
— to commit

iss, '"I havo

thy of your

f same scalo
this nivstei'v
liat infereiico

considering
tnattcr to an

s, moved io-
thc window

antrrv witc
\t lunjath he
. who stood
Js tliat part
ast.

r with crno-
I school, wo
iiourning by

crday. Oh,
soly clasped
receive that
y of the ono

ntorruption,
if our father

strori'.: cmo-
1 of oiu" yii

ives should

•well know

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED

133

'" Most asMHcdly ; what then would bo your sensations were you to know
that I had violated that "sacred obligation?"

'• Oeep, poi'jrnant, ceaseless regret, that my once noble and hi^h-spirited
liirther should have been so lost to respect for his father's memory and for
himself." This was uttered not without deep agitation.

" VoM aio right, Henry," added Qerald, mournfully ; ''better, far better, is
it to die than live on in the consciousness of having forfeited all claim to
cstec'Tn."

The young soldier started as if a viper had stung him. " Gerald," he said,
ciorcrly, --you have not dishonored j'ourilf. Oh no — tell me, my brother,
that yon have not."

" No," was the cold, repulsive answer; " although my peace of mind is fled,"
he pursued, rather more mildly, ' my honor, thank heaven, remains as pur«
as when vou first ple<lged yourse.f for its preservation."

"Tiianks. my brother, for that. But can it really be po.ssible, that the
mysterious condition attached to Miss Montgoinerie's love involves the losa
of honor ?"

Gerald matle no answer.

" And crin ijnu really he weak enough to entertain a pas.sion for a woman,
wlio would make the dishonoring of the fair fame of him she professes to love
the fearful price at which her affection is to he purchased ?"

Gerald seemed to wmce at the »vord " weak," which was rather emphati-
cally proiioiinced. an<l looked displeased at the concluding partof the sentenco.

'• I said not that the condition attached to her /ope," he remarked, with tho
:iq«cd expression of* wounded vanity ; " her affection is mine. I know, beyond
ner own power of control — the condition relates not to her heart, but to her
haiifl."

" Alas, my poor infituated brother. Blinding indeed must be the delusions
of passion, when a nature so sensitive and so honorable shrinks not from such
a connexion. My only surpri.se is, that, with f'uch a perversion of judgment
you have returned at all."

'■No more of this Henry. It is not in man to control his destiny, and mine
appe;irs to be to love with a fervor that must bear rae, ere long, to my grave.
Of this, however, be assured — that, whatever my weakness, or infatuation, as
you mav bo pleased to call it, (lint passion shall never be gratified at the ex-
pense of my honor. Deeply — madly as I doat upon her image, Miss Mont-
goinerie and 1 have met (or the last time."

Overcome by the emotion witli which he had thus expres.sed himself, Gerald
could not restrain a few burning tears that forced their way down his hollow
cheeks. Henry cait/M eagerly at this indication of returning softness, and
again essayed 'n n AiTonce to the concluding declaration of his brother, to urge
upon him t'o tii^^v .r:'.::i<ess of her who had thus cast her deadly spell upon
his bi-npiue.' i. But Gerald could ill cndura tho slightest allusion to the
subj'Ti.

'• n'l'iry she said. " I have already told you tha Tdiss Montgomerie and I
have partei for ever; but n'"t the less devotedly da I love her. If therefore,
you wouhi !0t farther wring a heart already u , ken with affliction, oblige
me hv ncer making th^ slightest mention of her naruo tU ray presence — or
evci r.d*".'rting again to our conversation of this mo:ning. I am sure, Henry,
you will not deny me this."

Jlenry olforod no other reply than by throw ng himself into the arms that
were extended to receive him. The ern'oTice of the brothers vas long and
fervent, and, althmigh there was perhaps more of pain than pleasure, in their
mutual sense of the causes wh>-oh hat led t-^ "t in the present instance — still
was it proiliictive of a 'uxury tut; u^o.^t her-tfelt. It seemed to Iwth as if the
gpiri; ■ of their departed jjitrents hovei'^r'. o\er, and ble.ssed them in this indi-
ciiion of their returning a'K'c'ior^ nal.lowing. with their invisible presence, «
Scene connected with tie !ii.-f. ,v' .'lonitions from their dying lips. When thcj
tiad thus given vent to I'tnir ' <-:ling'j, aUh<"ugh the sense of unhafpiness con«

194

MATILDA MONTOOMKRIB; OR,

tinu'id unfliminished, their hearts experienced a sensible relief; and vrhim they
Btiparated for the mornini^, in pursuit of their respecti re avocatic/n;!. it was with
A subdued manner on the part of Gerald, and a vapjue hope with Henry, iliat
his brother's disease would eventually yield to various influences, and that othc •
»nd happier days were yet in store for both.

CHAPTER XXII.

i." -■■„ . I.'. ■ .

Meanwiule the preparations for the departure of the expedition for the
Miami were rapidly completinpf. To the majority of the regular force of tho
two garrisons were added several companies of militia, ard u considerable body
of Indians, under Teeumseh — the two former portions o/ the force being des-
tined to advance by water, the latter by land. The spring bad been unusu-
ally early, and the whole of April remarkably warm ; on some occasions sultry
to oppressiveness — as for instance on the morning of the tempest. They were
now in the first days of the last week of that nionth, and everywhere quick
and luxuriant vegetation had .succeeded to the stubborn barrenness and mono-
tony of winter. Not a vestige of that dense mass of ice which, three months
previously, had borne them over lake and river, was now to be seen. The sun
danced joyously and sportively on the golden war.- and where rccenily
lowered the rugged surface of the tiny iceberg, the s':" r.'Un, fibrokcn level
of the mirroring lake was only visible. On the beach, just below the town,
and on a line with the little fleet, '^^hat lay at anchor bel\ ^cn the island and
the main, were drawn up numerous batteaux, ready for the reception of the
troops, while on the decks of two gun-boats, that were moored a few yanl.^
without them, were to be seen the battering train and entrenching tools in-
tended to accompany the expedition. Opposite to each battcau was kindled a
fire, around which were grouped the voyageurs composing the crew, .some di-
viding their Gait pork or salt fish upon their bread, with a greasy clasped knife,
and quenchmg the thirst excited by this with occasional libations from tin
cans, containing a mixture of water and the poi.sonous distillation of the coun-
try, miscalled whiskey. In other directions, those who had dined sat pulling
the smoke from their dingy pijjcs. while again, they v.ho had suflicicutly
luxuriated on the weed, might be seen .^'eeping, after the manner oi \}\c In-
dians, with tneir heads resting on the first rude pillow that oilercd it;;f|f, "^r.-i
their feet close upoii the embers of the fire on which they had prepared Vi. '-
Gocal. The indolence of inactivity was more or less upon all. but it wps u.c ir
dolence consequent on previous exertion, and a want of further err ploymcit.
The whole scene was characteristic of the peculiar manners of w c From h
Canadian boatmen.

Since the morning of l!io long and partial explanation between the brothors,
no further allusion had hem made to the ftu'bidden subject. Henry saw, wirh
unfeigned satisfaotion. that Clerald not only abstained from the fal.se excite-
ment to which he kad hitherto iiijd rccour.sc. but that he apparently sought to
rally against his dejection. It is true that whenever he chanced to surpri.so
him alone, he observed him pale, thoughtful, and fidl of care, but, as he in-
variably endeavored to hide tho feeling at his approach, he argued favoiT.My
even from the cflbrt. Early on the day previous to that of the .sailing of the
expedition, Gerald asked leave for a visit of a few hours to Detroit, urging a
desire to see the family of his uncle, w'lo still remained quartered at thai post,
and whom he had not met .since his retnrn from captivity. Tins had been
readily granted by the Commodore, in whom the change in the healtii aiui
spirits of his young favorite had excited both surprise and coiicern. ; id wlio.
anxious for his restoration, was ready to promote wli.itevtr might condiirc (.<
his comfort. lie had even gone so fir as to hint tl,e proj.Tietv jf his rcUii-
quishiirg hii intention of accompanying the expedition, (which was likilv U

[id whijn they
iK. ii was with
I Henry, ilitit
md that othc •

flition for the
r foroe of tho
ulerrtble body
rce being dcs-
been unnsu-
:asioiis sultry
. They wcro
vhere quick
'S8 and mono-
three months
en. The sun
tierc recently
'ibroken kivel
o\v the town,
he island and
^option of tho
a few yards
liing tools in-
was kindled a
row, some di-
clasped knife,
ons from tin
1 of the coun-
d sat pullinj»
1 suflicicntly
er 01 the In-
■cd it.flf '>:.,i
reparer' ',*.. '■-
it WPS ticir
err ploymciu
i c Fi-en( h

the brothers,
iry saw, wifh
false exci te-
lly sou;j;ht td
d to surprise
ut. as he in-
ed favorr.lily
Bailiup; of the
roit. nr;;injr a
at that post,
lis had been
(> health nitd
rn, ; id « lio,
.t coiiiliirc i.'
jf his ri'liii-
was likrlv IJ

THK PROPHECY FULFILLED.

135

be ittet.dcd with much privation and exposure to those cnfcaj^cd in it), and.
fiuifering another officer to be substituted to his commaml, while ho remained
'it homo to recruit his health. Ihit Gerald hoard the well meant proposal
with ill disguised impatience, and he rci)lied with a liurnin:; cheek, that if hia
ibsence fur a day could not be allowon without inGonvenience to the service,
he was ready to submit ; but, as far as regarded his making one of the expe-
dition, nothing short of a positive command should compel him to remain be-
hind. Fin(Ung him thtis obstinate, tho Conlmodore good humoredly called,
liim a silly, wilful, fellow, and bade him have his own way ; however ho felt
confident that, if he accompanied the Miami expedition in his then state of
hciilth, he never would reiurn from it.

Gerald submitted it was probable enough he should not, but. although ha,
deeply felt the kindness of his Commander's motive in wishing him to remain,
he was not the less determined, since the matter was left to his own choice, to
go where his duty led him. Then, promising to be back long before the hour
fixed for sailing the ensuing day, he warmly pressed the cordially extended
Land, and soon afterwards, accompanied by Sambo, whose skill as a ri<1er wa.1
in no way inferior to his dexterity as a steersman, mounted a favorite horse,
and was soon far on his road to Detroit.

Towards midni.ght of that day. two men were observed by the American
tanner, to cn*:cy by the gate that led into the grounds of the cottage, and, after
lingering; for a ^'iw moments, near the graves to which tradition had attached
fX) much of the marvellous, to disappear round the angle of the building into
tho court behind. Curiosity induced him to follow and watch their move-
monts. and, although he could not refrain from turning his head at least a
dozen times, as if expecting at each moment to encounter some dread inhabi-
tant of the tomb, he at length contrived to place himself in the very po.><ition
in which Gerald had formerly been a witness of the attempt at assassination.
From the same window now flashed a strong light upon the court below, and
by this the fi-atures of the officer and his servant were distinctly revealed to
the .astonished tanner, who. ignorant of their return, and scarcely knowing
whether he gar'.ed upon tlie living or the dead, would have fled, had he not. a.-*
ne afterward •( confes.sed. been rooted by fear, and a species of f^iscination. to
the spot. The appearance and actions of tho parties indeed seemed to justify,
no: on'jy the delusion, but the alarm of the worthy citizen. Both Ger.ald and
Sarobo were disguised in large dark cloaks, and as the light fell upon the thin
pr,-son and pale, .attenuated, sunken counten.anco of the former, ho could
scarcely persuade himself this was the living man, who a few months before,
r'ch in beauty and in health, had questioned him of the very spot in which lio
00 v, under such strange circumstances, beheld him. Nor was the appeananco
9f ihe negro more assuring. Filled with the terror that ever inspired him on
approaching this scene of past liorrors, his usually dark check wore the dingy
paleness characteristic of death in one of his color, while every muscle, stifK,
set, contracted by superstitious fear, seemed to have lost all power of relaxa-
tion. The solemnity moreover of the manner of both, was in strict keepiiv;;
with their personal appearance, so that it can s<.'arcely bo wondered that in »
mind not the strongest nor the most free from a belief in the supernatural, a
due quantum of awe and alarm should have been instilled. Fe;ir. however,
had not wholly subdued curiosity, and even while trembling to such a degroo
that he could scarcely keep his teeth from chattering, the tanner followed with
eager eye tho movements of those he knew not whether to look upon osi
ghosts 01 living beings. The room was exactly in the state in which we l.-ust
described it, with tliis difTercncc merely, that the table, on which the lamp
»r.d books had been pl.aced now lay ovcrturufd, .as if in tho course of somo
fiolent sculTIo, and its contents distributed over the foor. The bed still rc-
mait.ed, in the .same corner, unmade, and its covering tossed. It was evident
no ono»'iad entered the apartment since tho night of the attempted as.sassi-
nation.

The first act of Gerald, wlio I ore the light, followed closely by Sambo, w«

r^l^.

^KW

136

MATILDA MONT 00 M ERIE; OR,

to mtjtion the latter to raise the fallen table. When this was done he plaowJ
his tamp iipon it, and sinkin": upon the foot of the bed, and coverin;» his eyes
with liis hands, socmcd (itterly absorbed in bitter recollections. The negro,
ineanu'hilt", r,n apparent stranger to th^ scene, cast his eyes around him with
the shiinking caution of one who find* himself in a position of danger, and
fears to encounter some terrific sight, then, as if the cffbri was beyond Iris
power, ho drew the collar of his cloak over his face, and shulflinpf to get as near
as possible to the bed as though in the act ha came more immediately under
the protection of him who sat upon it, awaited, in an attitude of statue-liko
immobilit}', the awakening of his master from his reverie.

Gerald at length withdrew his hands from his pallid face, on which the
glare of the lamp rested forcibly, and, with a wild look and low, but impera-
tive voice, bade the old ncgio seat himself beside liim still lower on the
feed.

" Sambo," he inquired abruptly — '• how old were j'ou when the Indian ixir.s-
Racrc took place near this spot. You were then. I think I have heard it staged,
the servant of Sir Evcrard Vallctort?"

The old negro looked aghast. It was long since direct allusion had been
made to his unfortunate master or the events of that period. Questioned in
«uch a spot, and at s;; h an hour, ho could not repress the fooling of terror
< '• ■■ r^d up by the allusion. Scarcely daring to exceed a whi.sper, he an-
:,vV(:rod.

' '' ?>Iassa Geral, for Ilebben's sake no talkce dat. It berry long time ago,
and hi oak poor nigger heart to tink ob it "

" But I insist on knowing," returned Gerald loudly and peremptorily ;
" wore you old enough to recollect the curse that poor heart-broken woman,
Ellen Iliilloway, uttered on all our race, and if .so what was it 7"

" No, ^lassa Geral, I no sabby dat. Sambo den only piccaninny, and Sir
Ebbcred make him top in he fort — oh berry bad times dat, Massa Geral.
Poor Frank Ilallabay he shot fust, because he let he grandfadder out ob ho
fort, and don ebery ting go bad — berry bad indeed."

" But the curse of Ellen Ilalloway, Sambo, 3'ou nmst have heard of it surely
— even if you were not present at the utterance. Did she not." he continued,
finding that the other replied not: "'Did she not pray that the blood (f mj'
gi'cat grandfather's children might be spilt on the very spot that had been
moistened- with that of her ill-fated husband — and, that if any of the race
should survive, it might be only with a view to their perishing in some horrible
manner. A7as not this the case ?"

'• Oh yes, ]\Iassa Geral, berry bad tongue Ellen, affi? he lose he husband —
but. poor ting, he half mad and no sabby what he say. lie time to start for
he 2:iiii-boat. !Massa Geral."

The part Sambo had sustained in this short dialogue was a forced one. II«
had answered almost mechanically, and not altogether without embarrassment,
the few queries that were put to him. Nay, so fi\r was he governed by sur-
rouiifiing local influences, that the anguish he would, under other circum-
stances, have experienced, at this raking up of recollections he so sedulously
avoided, was lost in ter.'-or, produced by his near and midnight propinquity to
the fatal theatre of death. Ilis only idea now was to leave the spot as quickly
as he could.

GeraUl had again covered his face with his hands, and apjieared to be labor-
ing under .strong agitation of mind. At length he started abruptly up, and
Mixing the light, held it forward, stooping over the bed, as if gazing fixedly on
Bome object within.

'• No," he said with vehemence. " it .shall never be. That part of the male-
diction, at least, shall not be accomplished. For once shall the curse of thfl
izuiocent be unheede<l,"

The strange iirtion and words of the excited officer, by no means coniributed
to allay the nervousness of the brave but superstitious negro. lie had ap-
proached as near as he could to GeraUr without actually touching him but

THE PUOPHECY FOLFILLEI).

137

me lie plnoyd

rin;» his eyes

Tlie nepro.

inri him with

danger, and

beyond l>is

;o get as near

liately under

if statuc-liko

n which the

but impera-

owor on tho

' Indian rar.s-
ard it staied,

m had been
•uestioned in
ing of terror
ispcr, he an-

ong time ago,

cremptorily ;
ken woman,

ny, and Sir
lassa Geral.
*r out ob ho

d of it surely
le continued,
blood (f my
it had been
of the raco
omo horrible

I husband —
to start for

cd one. lie
larrassmont,
r.ed by sur-
lier circum-
sedulously
opinquity to
»t as quickly

to be labor-
>tly up. and
g fixedly on

of the male-
nirse of thfl

coniributcd
lie had ap-
g hitn but

when he remarked his abrupt movement, and heard the swldcn outburst of
feeling which accompanied it, he half fancied he w.ns apostrophizing some
spirit visible only to himself, and shocked and terrified at this idea, lie turned
away his head.

Sambo's alarm was not to terminate here. Scarcely had he bent his glance
upon the window when he beheld two glaring eyes, magnified by his fear into
thrice tlieir natural size, fixed intently on that part of tlie room in which they
stood. lie attempted to cry out, but the sound was stilKid in his throat, and
he sank upon his knees, holding up his hands in an attitude of prayer — his
teetli chattering, and his eyes fascinated by those which liad produced in him
this paroxysm of terror. Presently he thought he saw a mouth open, and a
row of large and ragged teeth display themselves in a grin of derision. With
a desperate clFort ho broke the spell that seemed to enchain every faculty, aixl
called piteously and imploringly on the name of Gerald. The olTiccr,.who had
continued gazing on the untenanted bed in deep abstraction, and seeming for-
getfulness of alt surrounding objects, turned hastily round, and w.as much con-
cerned t>> observe the terrified expression of the old man's countenance. Fol-
lowing the direction of liis fixed gaze, lie looked toward the window for a so-
hition of the cause. At that moment a noise was heard without, as of a fall-
ing body. Gerald .sprang towards tho window, and hastily lifting it, thrust
the lamp through ; but nothing was visible, neither was there sound of foot-
Bteps to be heard.

IJcfore daybreak on the following morning, the poor old negro, whom no
living danger could daunt, had given but too alarming evidence that his reason
was utterly alienated. His ravings were wild and fearful, and nothing could
remove the impression that the f:ice he had belield was that of tho once terri-
V.>le Wacousta — the same face wiiich had presented itself, under such extra-
ordinary circumstances, at the window of the Canadian's hut, on tho night of
the departure of his master. Sir Everard Valletort, and Captain De Ilaldimer,
for Michillimackinac in 1763. Nay, .so rooted was this belief, that, with tho
fervor of that zeal which had governed his whole life and conduct toward.s
each succeeding generation of the family, he prayed and obtained, during a
momentary gleam of reason, the promise of the much shocked Gerald,
that he would never again set foot within the precincts of these fatal
grounds.

Inexpressibly grieved as Gerald was at this sad and unexpected termina-
tion to his adventure, he had no time to linger near his unfortunate servant.
The expedition was to set out in a few liours, and he had too completely bent
his mind upon accompanying it to incur the slightest chance of a disappoint-
ment, [jcaving the faithful and unfortunate creature to the care of his uncle's
family, by every member of whom he was scarcely less loved than l)y him-
self, he took the ferry to the opposite shore within an hour after daybreak,
,tn I made such s])eed that, when Henry came down to breakfast lie found, to
his surprise, his brother alrcafly there.

Duiing his ride. Gerald had had leisure to reflect on tho events of the pre-
ceding night, aiKl bitterly did he regret having yielded to a curiosity which
had cost the unfortunate Sambo so much. lie judged oorrectly that they had
been followed in their rocturnal excursion, ami that it was the face of some
prying visitant which Sambo's superstitious dread had transformed into a
Imleous vision of the past. lie recalled the insuperable aversion the old man
had ever entertain jd to approach or even make mention of the spot, and greatly
did he blame himsslf for having persisted in oU'eriug a violence to his nature,
the extent of whicli had been made .so fearfully obvious. It brouglit no con-
solation to him to reflect that the spot itself contained nought that should
have produced so alarming an elfect on a mind pj'operly constituted. He felt
that, knowing his weakness as he did, heouglitnot to have trifled with it. and
could not deny ta himself, that in enforcing his attendance, with a view ta
obtain information on several points connected with the past, lie had been in-
directly the destroyer of his reason There had been a season vviica Vho uu

13!9

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OH

ii mi

happy Knilor wnuld hjivo felt a sorrow even deeper than he did, but Gerald
w;xs iiitlocd an altered being — too ranch rapt in himself to give heed to
others.

The paiiiiul natnro ofliis reflections, added to the fatigno he had undergone,
had given to his ooiintenamre a more tl,nn usually haggard expression. Henry
reinarlxed it and inquiied the cause, when his brother, in a few brief sentences,
explained all that Iiad occurred during his absence. Full of affection as ha
was for the (yld man. and utterly unprepared for such a communication, Henry
could not avoid expressing <leep vexation that his brother, aware as he was of
the peculiar weakness of tlitir aged friend, should have been inconsiflerato
enough to have drawn him thither. Gerald felt the reproof to be just, and
fijr that very reason grew piqued mider it. Pained as he was at the condition
of Sambo. Ilonry was even more distrcs.scd at witnessing the apparent apathy
of his brother for the fate of one wlio had not merely saved his life on a recent
occasion, but liad evinced a devoterhicss — a love for him — in every circum-
stance of life, which .seldom had had their parallel in the annals of human ser-
vitude. It was in vain that he endeavored to follow the example of Gerald,
who, having .seated himself at the breakfast table, was silently appeasing an
appetite such as he had not exhibited .since his return. Incapable of swallow-
ing his food, Henry paced up and down the room, violently agitated and sick
at heart. It .seemed to him as if Sambo had been a sort of connecting link
between themselves and the departed parents ; and now that he was suddenly
snd fearfully afllicted, he thought he could see in the vista of futurity a lon^
• lain of evils that threw their shadow.s before, and portended the consumma-
tion of some unknown, unseen affliction, having its origin in the incompre-
hensible alienation of his brother's heart from the things of his early love.

V"-; he was yet indulging in these painful thoughts, the firing of a gun
irom the harbor — the .signal for the embarkation of the troops — brought both
Gerald and himself to a sense of other considerations. The latter was tho
first to quit the house. " Ilenr}'," he said, with much emotion, " God ble.ss
3'ou. It is possible that, as our service li?s in different lines, we shall .see but
little of each other during this expedition. Of one thing, however, be as-
sured — that although I am an unhappy man. I am anything but dead to feeling
— Henry," he continued pressing his hand with warmth, " think not un-
kindly hereall;er of your poor brother Gerald." A long embrace, in which
e.ich, although in silence, seemed to blend heart with heart, ensued, and both
greatly I'elieved, as, they always were after this generous expansion of their
feelings, separated forthwith whither their respective duties summoned them.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Seldo-M has there been witnessed a more romantic or picturesque .sight
than that presented by a warlike expedition of batteaux moving across one
of the American lakes, during a season of profound calm. The uniform and
steady pull of the crew, directed in their time by the wild chaunt of the steers-
man, with whom they ever and anon join in full chorus — the measured plash
of the oars into the calm surf ice of the water — the joyous laugh and rude, but
witty, jest of the more youthful and buoyant of the soldiery, from whom, at
such moments, although in presence of their officers, the trammels of restraint
are partially removed — all the.se, added to the inspiriting .sight of their gay
scarlet unifoims, and the dancing of the sunbeams upon their polished arms,
have a tendency to call up impressions of a wild interest, tempered only by
the recollection tliat many of those who move gaily on, as if to a festivfd —
bright in hope as though the season of existence were to last for ever — may
never more set eye upon the scenes they arc fast quitting, wit the joyousness

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

130

proJnced by tho natural thirst of the human heart for advcntnic, and a love
of change.

On the second day of its departure from Mal(lcn. the expedition, prtreded
by the gun-boats, entered the narrow riv.T of thi!#Ii:i!ni. and. tfie woo is on
either shore being scoured by the Indians, ;;ai nod without opposition the point
of debarkation. Batteries having, under groat difTicultics, been erected on tlio
right bank, immediately opposite to and about six hundred yards from tho
American fort, which, had been recently and hurriedly constructed, a heavy
and destructive fire was, on the morning of the third day, opened from them,
supported by the gun-boats, one of which, commanded by Gerald Grantham,
Aad advanced so close to tho enemy's position as to have diverted upon her-
self the fire which would else h.-vve been directed to the demolition of a British
battery, hastily thrown up on the left bank. The daring manifested by tho
gallant sailor was subject of surprise and admiration at once to friemls and
foes ; and yet, although his boat lay moored within musket shot of the do-
foncos, he sustained but trifling loss. The very reckie.sstio.ss and boldness of
his advance had been the means of his preservation ; f )r. as almost all tho
shots from the battery flev over him. it was evident he owed his .safet^'to tlio
difficulty the Americans found in depressing their guns sulliciently to bear
advantageously upon the boat, wliich, if anchored fifty yards beyond, they
might have blown out of the water.

The limits of our story will not admit of a further detail of the operations
of this siege. The ojeot was foiled, and the expedition was re-embarked and
directed against Fort Sandusky, a post of the Americans situate on the river
of that name, and running also into Lake Eric.

Here, once more, was the British artillery landed, while, under a heavy firo
from the fort, tho troops advanced within range, to take posses.sion of an emi-
nence whereon it was intended to erect the batteries. Two days v/ere passed
in incessant cannonading, but, .as at the .AFiami, without making the slightest
impression. Finding all idea of a practicable breach hopeless, it was at length
resolved that an attempt at assault .should be made; and, with this view, the
troops were, on the afternoon of the second da^v, ordered to hold themselves
in immediate readiness.

In consequence of the shallowness of the river, it had been found necessary
to moor the i^un-bo.-xts at a point considerably below, and out of .sight of tho
fort. Gerald Granthnin had obtained permission to leave his command, and
take charge of one of the batteries, which, however, ho relinqtiishedon the <lay
of the assault, having successfully petitioned to be permitted to join the attack
as a volunteer. In the dress of a grenadier soldier, disabled during the siege,
lio now joined the party of animated oflicors. who, delighted at the prosjHJct
jf being brought once more in close contact with their enemies, after so many
ivearing days of inaction — were seated at a rude but plentiful repast in C.'xp-
lain Cranstoun's tent, and indulging in remarks wliich, although often uttered
without aim or. ill-nature, are as often but too bitter subject of after self-re-
proach to those who have uttered them. Of those who had originally set out
on the expedition, the only olliccr of the Forty-fiist Regiment absent was
Henry Grantham, who, having been slightly wounded at tho Miami, had,
much against his inclination, boon ordered back to Amherstburg. in charge
of the sick and wounded of the dctacliment, and this so suddenly, that he had
not had an opportunity of taking leave of his brother.

'' Ila ! Gerald, my fine fellow," cxclain:.ed Captain I\Iolineux, as the youth
now joined their circle, " so you have clapped on the true harness at last. I
always said that your figure became a red jacket a devilish deal better than a
blue. But what new freak is this ? Had you not a close enough berth to
Jonathan in the Miami, without running the risk of a broken licad with U3
tfl-dav in his trenched ?"

No suct. good luck is there in store for my juniors. I fancy," replicil
Grantham, swallowing off a goblet of wine which had been presented to him
—"but if I do fall, it will be in good company. Although the Americau

tio

MATILDA MONTGOMERIE; OR,

seems to He qnwtly within his defences, there is that about him which proniififea
us rather a hot reception."

'• So much the better," said Villicrn ; " there will be broken heads for
some of us. Who do you think we have booked for a place to the other
world ?" *

Gerald made no answer, but his look and manner implied that he under-
stood himself to be the party thus favore<l.

'• Not so," returned Villiers, " we can't afford to spare you )'ct — besides, tha
death of a blue jacket can in no way l)enefit us. What's the use of • a bloody
\rar and a .uckly season.' that standard toast at every West India mess, if tlio
juniors are to go olf, and not the seniors? — Cranstoun's tho man we've
booked."

'■ Captain Cranstonn, I have the honor cf wishinf; you a safe passage, and
'fpocdy promotion in Heaven." said Middlcmore, draining off his glass.
• Devilisli good port Tiis of yours ! By the bye as you have a better port in
view, you cannot do better than assign over wliat is left of this to ine.''

" Thank you. Mr. Middlen ore," retuir.ea Cranstonn. drily j'ot good-humor-
vlly, "yet as }'0u are attached to uiy division, you will perhaps run just tho
same risk ; and as, perhaps, ycu will not require more wine than we have
taken to-day, I will pledge you in a last cup a safe passage to Heaven, where
I trust j'ou will find credit Tor better qualities than you po.s.sess as a
punster."

" What," asked Gerald, with an unfeigned surprise, when the laugh against
Middlemore had subsided, " and is it reall}' in liis own wine that you have all
been thus courteously pledging Captain Cranstoun's death ?"

"Even so," said Middlemore, rallying and returning to the attack, " he in-
vited us all to lunch in his tent, and how could we better repa}' him for open-
ing Lis hampers, than by returning his spirit scot-free and unhampered to
Heaven ?"

'• Oh. oh. oh !" ejaculated St. Clair, stopping his ears and throwing up hi?
OA'es ; " surely, Mr. ^liddlemore, if you are not shot this day, it nuist be that
you were born to be hanged — no man can perpetrate so horrible a pun, and
expect to live."

'•I'm hanged if I am, then,"' returned the other: ''but, talking of bein'^
shot — is there a.jatkei" shot in the locker, Cranstodxi — another bottle cf
port ?"

" The shot that is reserved for you. will bring y^u acquainted with another
locker than Cranstoun's, I suspect," said Villiers, " one Mr. David Jones's
locker— hit there, eh ?"

The low roll of a muffled drum suddenly recalled the party from their tri-
fling to considerations of a graver interest. It was the signal for forming tho
columns of attack. In a moment the tone, the air of ribaldry, was exchanged
for a seriousness that befitted the occasion — and it seemed as if a momentary
reproach passed over the minds of those who had most amused themselves at
the expen,se of Cranstonn, for each, as he quitted the tent, gave his extended
hand to his host, who pressed it in a manner to show all was forgiven.

The English batteries had been constructed on the skirt of the wood sur-
rounding the fort, from which latter they were separated by a meadow covered
with long grass, about six hundred yards across at the narrowest point.
Behind these the columns of attack, three in number, were now rapidly and
silently formed. To that commanded by Captain Cranstonn, on the extreme
left, and intended to assault the fort at the strongest point, Gerald Grautbara
had attached himself, in the simple di'css, as we have observed, of a private
Boldier, and armed with a common musket. In passing, with the former offi-
cer, to take his position in front of the columr., he was struck by the utter want
of means for executing with success the duty assigned to the several divisions.
Each column was provided with a certain )iuinbcr of axemen, selected to act
jis pioneers ; but not one of the necessary iniflemonts was in a condition to
be used ; neither had a single fascine or ladder bt^n provided, although it wai

tHB PROPHECY FULFIL LED.

141

well knftsrn that a deep ditch remained to be passed before tho axes, incfRoient
u ther were, could be brouj^ht into use.

" Such." s.iid Captiiin Cranstoiin, with a sneer of mucl» bitterness, "arc tlie
pitiful thinj^s on which bani:; ilie lives of our brave fellows. No doubt tho
despatches will say a great deal abotit the excoUent arrangements for attack —
but if you do not fill, Gerald, I hope you will make a projwr representation
of tho affair. As you belong to the other service, there is little fear the GtMie-
ral can hurt your promotion for merely sj)eaking the truth. A General,
indeed ! — who'll say Fortune is not blind to make a Geueral of such as ho ?"

It was not an usual thing for Cranstomi to express himself thus in regard
to his superiors ; but he was really vexed at the idea of tho sacrifice of human
life that must attend this wantonness of neglect and imbecility of arrange-
ment. He had morover taken wine enough, not in any way to intoxicate, but
sufficient twi thaw his habituai caution and reserve. Fearless as his sword, ho
cared not for his own life ; but. althongh a strict officer, he was ever attentive
to tho interests of his men. who in their turn, admired him for his cool, un-
flinching courage, and would have dared aa3'thing under the direction of their
captain.

It was evident that tho contempt of the sailor for the capacity of the leader,
to whom it was well known all the minute arrangements were submitted, was
not one whit inferior to what was entertained by the brave and honest Crans-
toun. lie, however, merely answered, as they both assumed their places in
front, and with the air of one utterly indifferent to these disadvantages,

'• No matter, Cranstoun, the greater the obstacles we have to contend against,
the more glorious will l)o our victory. Where ; "»u lead, however, we shall
not b!> long in following."

" Hem ! since it is to be a game of follow-my-leaacr," said Middlemore. who
had now joined them, "I must not be far behind. A month's pay with either
of you I reach the stockade first."

'• Done, Middlemore, done," eagerly replied Cranstoun, and they joined
hands in confirmation of the bet.

This conversation had taken place during the interval occtipied by tho
movements of the right and centre columns along the skirt of the wood, to
equidistant points in the half circle embraced in the plan of attack. A single
olast of tho bugle now announced that the furthermost had reached its place
of destination, when suddenly a gun — the first fired since noon from the Eug-
.ish batteries — gave the signal for which all were now [)repare(l.

In the next minute the heads of the several columns debouched from tho
woods, and, the whole advancing in double quick time, with their arms at tho
trail, moved across tho meadow in the several directions assigned them. Tho
space to be traversed by Captain Cranstoun's division was consideraT)ly tho
shortest of the three ; but, on the other hand, he was opposed to that jiart of
the enemy's defences where there waa the least cover allorded to an assailing
force.

Meanwhile there was an utter repose in the fort, which for some moments
induced the belief that ttio Ameririns were preparing to surrender their trust
without a struggle, and loud yell.i from the Indians, who, from their cover in
the rear, watched the progress of the troops with admiration and sur[irise,
were pealed forth as if in encouragement to the latter to prsceed, lint tho
American Commander had planned his defence with skill. No sooner had the
several columns got within half musket shot, than a tiemondous fire of mus-
ketry and rifles was opened upon them from two distinct faces of tho stockade.
Captain Cranstoun's division, being the nearest, was the first atta(;kcd, and
suffered considerably without attempting to return a shot. At the first d^^
charge, the two leading sergeants, and many of the men, were knocked do Wii ;
but neither Cranstoun. nor Middlemore. nor Grantham, were touched.

" Forward men, forward " shouted the former, bramlishing his sword, a.'j<l
dashing down a deep ravine, that separated them from the tren'^.he^s."

" On, my gallant fellows, on ! — tho left column for cvc !" cried Middloai(n'.»,

14.2

MATILDA MONTQOHERIE; OR,

fmitfitinn; th<? example of his cantain, nnd, in liis eagerness to reach the dit(,h
lirst, Icavine; his men to follow ns they could.

Fov of thoKo, however, needed the injunction. Althotij;h palled by the so-
Vore lire of tJio enemy, thcj' followed their leaders down the ravine with a
steiidiness worthy of a better result ; then climbing up the opposite ascent,
under a .shouer of bullets, yet, without pulling a trigger themselves, made for
thc! ditch their ollicer had already gained.

Cnujstoun, still continuing in advance, was the first who arrived on tho
brink. For a moment he paused, us if uncertain what course to pursue, then,
seeing Middlemoro close behind him, he leaped in, and striking a blow of his
Kabre upon the 8ttK;ka<lc, called loudly upon the axemen to follow. While he
was yet shouting, a ball from a loop-hole not three feet above his head, entered
his brain, and he fell dead across the trench.

'• Ila I well have you won your wager, my noble Captain," exclaimed Midc'lc-
more. putting his hand to his chest, and staggering from the effects of a shot
he had that instant receiveiJ. " You arc indeed the better man" (hocontinucd,
excited beyond his usual culm by thc circumstances in which he found him-
self placed, yet imablo to resist his dominating propensity, oven at such a
moment.) •' and d(!serve the palm of honor this day. Forward, men. forward !
axemen, do yoin" dutv.— Down with the stockade, my lads, and give them a
bellyful of steel."

Scarcely had he spoken, when a second discharge from the same wall-piece
that had killed Cranstoun passed through his throat. " Forward !" he again
but more faintly shouted, with the gurgling tone of suffocation peculiar to a
wound in that region, then falling headlong into the ditch, was in the next in-
stant trodden under by the a'ivanceof the column who rushed forward, though
fimitlcssl}', to avenge the deaths of their officers.

All was now confusion, noi.se and carnage. Obcj-ing tho command of their
leader, the axemen had sprung into the ditch, and, with efforts nerved by des-
peration, applied themselves vigorously to the task alloted them. But as well
might thoy have attempted to raze thc foundations of thc e;lobo itself. Inca-
pable from their bluntucss of making the slightest impression on theobstinato
wood, the iron at each stroke lebounded o.'i", leaving to the eye no vestige of
where it had rested. Filled with disappointment and rage, the brave and
unfortunate fellows da.shed the useless metal to the earth, and endeavored to
escape from thc ditch buck into the i-avine, where, at least, there was a pros-
pect of supplying themselves with more ser'iceable weapons from among their
slain comrades ; but the ditch was deep and slimy, and tho difliculty of ascent
great. Before they could accomplish it, tlie Americans opened a fire from a
bastion, the guns of which, loaded with slugs and musket balls, raked the
trench from end to end, and swept away all that came within its range. This
was thc first check given to the division of tho unfortunate Cranstoun. Many
of the leading sections had leaped, reganiless of all obstacles, into thc trench,
with a viewof arenguig their slaughtered officers ; but these, like the axemen,
had been carried away by the discharges from the bastion, and the incessant
fire poured upon them from the loop-holes of the stocka<lc. Despairing of suc-
cess, without fascines to fill n[) the ditch, or a ladder to scale the picketing
that afforded cover to their enemies, there was no alternative, but to remain
and be cut down to a man where they stood, or to retire into the bru.shwood
that lined the ravine. The latter was finally adopted ; but not before one-
third of the column had paid the penalty of their own daring, and what the
brave Cianstoun had snecringly termed thc " General's excellent arrange-
ments?." with their lives, Thc firing at this time had now almost wholh'
r*L^5ed b(>Lv/eeu the cncmj-and the columns on the right and centre, neither of
•♦viiioh bal penetrated beyond the ravine, and at a late hour in the evening
the whole were drawn off.

McttHwhiio, steady at his post at tho head of thc division, Gerald Grantham
ha'.' continued to act with thc men as though he had been one of themselves,
l/uiiiig the whole course of thc advance, he nei the- joined in tho cheejs of tho

THE PROPIIKCY FULFIL LKD.

143

ofScers, nor uttered worl of cnouracromcnt to those who followoil. But iri
hi'i inamiT there was rciii.irk"(l a qtjietiii'ss()rdi!tcriniiii»lion,a siilh'n rlisre^ravd
of 'liui'.'cp, tliat sccinwl to donote some decjiiT rooted purpose than the. niero
desire of pr-r-^oiial distinction. His aniV/ition seemed to consist, not in hiin<»
the first to reacli or scale the fort, hut in placin;; himself wherever the balls of
tlie enetii}' llew thickest. 'J'licre was no enthusiasm '\;\ his mien, no excite-
incnt in his eye ; neither had his step the huoyancy that marks the youn;»
heart wedded to valorous achievement, hut was, on tlie contrary, heavy, mea-
8ured, yet firm. His wholo manner and actions, in short, as reported to his
brother, on the return of the expedition, hy those who had been near him
throuj^hout the atT'air, was that of a man who courts not victory hut death.
Planted on tliC brow of the ditch at the moment when Middlemore fell, he had
(lelil»crately disehar;:;ed his pistol into the loop-hole whence the shot had b^'en
fired ; btit although, as ho seemed to expect, the next instant brought .several
barrels to play upon himself, not one of these had taken effect. A moment,
after ami ho was in the ditch, follo\Ved by some twenty or thirty of the leading
men of the column, and advancing towards the bastion, then preparing to vo-
mit forth its fire upon the devoted axemen. Even here. Fate, or Destiny, or
whatever power it be that wills the nature of the end of man, turned aside tho
death with which ho already seemed to grapple. At tho very moment when
the flash rose from tlie liavoc-dealing gun, lie chanced to stumble over tho
dead body of a soldier, and fell flat upon his face. Scarcely had he touched
the ground wiicn he was again upon his fjet; but even in that short space of
time, he alone, of those who had entered the ditch, had been left unscathed.
IJefore him came bellying along the damp trench, tho dense smoke from tho
fatal bastion, as it were a funeral .shroud for its victims ; and behind him were
to bo seen the mangled and distorted forms of his companions, some dead,
others writhing with acute agony, and filling the air with .shrieks, and groan.s,
nnd pnaycrs for water to soothe their buining lips, that mingled fearfully yet
characteristically, with the unsubdued rrmr of small arms.

It was now, for the first time, that Gerald evinced anything like excite-
ment, but it was the excitement of bitter disappointment. He saw those to
whom the presentation of life would have been a blessing, cut down and
slaughtered ; while ho, whoso object it was to lay it down for ever, was, by
some strange fatality, wholly exempt.

The reflections that passed with lightning quickness tlirough his mind, only
nerved to stimulate his determination the more. Scarcely had the smoko
which had hitherto kept him concealed from tho battery, passed beyond him,
when, rusljing forward and shouting, "To the bastion, men — to the bastion !''
he planted himself in front of the gun, and not three j'ards from its muzzle.
Prevented by the dense smoke that choked up the trench, from a.sccrtaining
the extent of execution produced by their dLsohargO; the American artillery-
men, who had again loaded, wore once more on the alert and preparing to
repeat it. Already was the match in the act of descending, which would have
blown tho unfortunate Gerald to atoms, when suddenly an oflicer, who.se uni-
form l)cspoke him to be of some rank, and to whor,e quick eye it was apparent
the rash assaihuit was utterly unsupr . 1, sprang upoii the bastion, and,
da.shing the fuze from the hand of the ;^ ' r, commanded that a small sally-
port, which opened into the trench a few yard.s beyond the point where ho
stood, should be opened, and the brave .soldier taken prisoner without harm.
So prompt was tho execution of this order, that,*beforo Gerald could succeed
in clambering up the ditch, which, with the instinctive dread of captivity, ho
tttempted, he was seized by half a dozen soldiers, and by thcKO borne 'juiricdly
back through the sally-port, which was again closed.

144

MATILDA MOMTOOMERIR; ORt

CHAPTER XXIV.

DurnATKn at every point (ind with Rrent lovs, tho British rohunns liad re
tired into the hci\ of the ravine, wliore. shielih"! from the fire of the AtiirMi
ciin**. the\ lay several lioiirs shivctin'^ with eold and ankle deep in mud nu4
water; yet consol in;:; themselves with the hoji;; tliat tlie renewal of tljc assault
under cover of tho cominp darkness, would he attended with a happier iK«uo
J{ut tho pallant fjeneral, who appeared in the outset to have intended they
should make picks of their l)ayonets and scalin"-laddcrs of each other's hodie.s.
now that a mound suflicient for the latter pur, uld he raised of the slain,

had alt'.'red his miu<l, r.nd alnnned, and ma ,. conscieuco stricken at thu
profuse and unnecessary sacrifice of human life which had resulted from i\\9
first wanton attack, adopteil iho resolution of withdrawing his tioops. This
was at leuL'th finally edected, and wtliout further loss.

Fully impressed with the helief that the assailants would not he permitted to
fores;!) the advantages they still j)osscs.sed in their near conti<;uity to tho
works, without another attempt at escalade., tho Americans hud continued
calmly at their posts ; with what confidiMico in the nature of their defences,
and what positive freedom from danjrer, inay he inferred from the fact of their
havimi; lost hut one man throughout the whole allair, and that one killed im-
mediately through the loop-hole by the shot that avenged the dc:ith of poor
Middli';nore. When at a lute hour they found that the columns were jifrani
in movement, they could scarcely persuade themselves the}' wore not cluinging
their points of attack. A very few minutes, however, sufficed to show their
error; for. in tho indistinct light of a new moon, tho IJritish troops were to
be seen ascending the opposite face of the ravine and in full retreat. Too well
satisfied witli the successful nature of their dc "co, the Americans made uo
attempt to follow, hut contented themselves v ouring in a parting volley,

which however the obscurity rendered ineffect 'oon afterwards the sally-

port was again opened, and such of the imfortuuates as yet lingered alive in
thiO trenches were brought in, and tivcry attention the place could afl'ord paid
to their necessities.

An advanced hour of tho night brought most of the Atncrican officers to-
pt^ther in their rud(! mess-room, where the occurrences of tho da}' were dis-
cussed with an enthusiasm of satisfaction natural to the occasion. Kach con-
gratulated each on the imexpected success, but commendation was more thv.n
usually loud in fuvor of their leader, to whose coolness and judgmei\t, in rc-
Bcrving his fire until the approach of the enemy within pistol .shot, was to be
attributed the severe loss and consequent check they had sustained.

Next became the topic of eulugium the gallantry of those who had been
worsted in all but their honor, and all spoke with admiratic-ii of the devoted-
ncss of the two unfortumitc oflicers who had perished in the trenches — a sub-
ject wliirh. in turn, led to a recollection of the brave .soldier who had survived
the sweeping discharge from the bastion, and who had been .so opportunely
saved from destruction by tho Connnandant himself.

'* Captain .Jackson," said that officer, addressing one of the few who woro
tho regular uniform of the United States arrr}', "I should like much to con-
verso with this man, in wljom I confess, as in some degree the preserver of his
life, I feel an interest. Moreover, as the only uninjured among our prisoners,
he is the one most calculated to give ns information in regard to the actual
force of those whom we have this day had the good forttine to defeat, as well
as of the ultimate destination of the British General. Notes of both the.se
important particulars, iff can possihh- obtain them, I wish to make in u de-
spatch of whicli I intend you to be the bearer."

The Aid-de-camp, for in that capacity was he attached to tlie person of
Colonel Forrester, immediately quitted the rooni; and prcHcntly aftorwarck
returned ushering in the prisoner.

THE PRvOPHKCV FUL Fin. RO.

115

AUhouRh QcroVJ was drossod. om wo havo s^id, in Uie uniform of the pH«
*att' Kreindicr. there was llmt iihoiit him whioli. in doilancu .>f p. person ro?»
•rod fromlicad to foot with the slimy mui of thi- fr;<nchos and u moiitii .,!v;l-
as ink wiUi powder from the ctvrlridj^os he ha(^ l.ittun. Lt once hrlraycd him
for sotnisthin;^ more than ho appoareil.

Th«ro WHS a pansf for somo monvnits aftnr lio rntorod At length Colonw
Forrester iiKiuircd, in a v,oicu Mtroni;ly niurkwl hy surprise ;

"Mav I ask. sir, what rank \nn hold in the British army ?"

" Hut that I liavo unfortnnati-Iy snlfere I mnro from your mnd than your
fire." replied Gi-rald, co(»lly, and with unJisj^uisod bitttrneKS of m.vnner, ''th«
question woidd at onc-o bo answered by a rcferoncc to my uniform."

•• I umlerstand you, sir ; you would have mo to infer you are vrU«t J9V
dress, and your dress alone, deuotcs—a private? soldier ?"

(J 'raid made no answer.

'• Your imme, soldier ?" . '

" My name !"

" Yes; your name. One po.'sse.ssod of the gallantry wo witnos««cd tlrs d%j
cannot b'.; alto.^ether without a name."

The jtale cheek of (lerald was sliirhtly tinged. With nil hi'i p-ief. ho still
was ni:in. The iu'lireet i)raise lingered a moment at his heart, th^i* passed
oir with tlie sliu'ht blush tliat as momentarily dyed his cheek.

" My n.imo. sir, is a liunible <mo, and little worthy to ho cUissod with thopo
who have this day written theirs in the page of hono»' with their heart's bloo"!.
I am called Gerald Granthaln."

•'Gerald Grantham!" repeated the Commandant, musini^ly, aa though e;i-
deavoriuir to brin;;; back the i-ecollection of .such a name. i

The prisoner lo;)ked at 1 u steadfastly in return, yet without speaking. "

" Is there another of your name in the British .squadron?" continued Oolo-
»el F'orrestcr. lixin;; his eye full upon his prisoner.

'• Tii'-re are many in the British squadron whoso names aro un';nown to
me," replied Gerald, evasively, and faintly coloring:;.

'• N'ay," said Colonel Forre.ster, " that subterfujjfu more than anythinj» bc-
tra^'s yv \. Tliou':;l» n'>t aus'vered, I am satisfied. How we are to iwxount
for secin; a jrallaut sailor attackintij us in our trenches, in tlvo humble jjfarb of
a private soldier, and so out of his own element, I cuuiot understand ; but
the nxMXi of Gerald Grantliam, coupled with your luauner and appearanoo,
assuve-s us we are in ikin.; personal acquaintance with one to whose deeds wo
are not striin>;ers. Genllemjn," addressing dis ofRjcrr,, '• this is the laeuten-
nnt Grantliun, whi>se vessel was captured last autumn at IJudalo, and of
whose ;j;a'laut <lefonce my cousin, Captain Edwin Forrester, has spoken so
liii;lily. liieutenant Grantham." he pursued, advancini;; and ofTorin;^ his hand,
" when I ha I the happiness to save your lilo this day, by dashin;^ aside tho
fuze that wouM have been the a<»ent in your destruction, I saw in yon but
the brave and humble .soldier, whom it were disgrace not to have spared for
so mue'i noble darin,:.;. Judge how great iimst be my satisfaction to know
that I have been the means of preservin,^, to his family and country, on*
whose niinj stands so hij^h even in the coiisidemtion of his enemies.

Poor (Jerald ! how bitter and conflictini; must have been his feelings at
that mom 'lit. On the one .side, touched by the highest evidences of esteem a
brave and generous enemy could proffer — on the other, annoyed beyond ex-
pression at the recollection of an interposition which had thwarted him in Ids
fcndest, deurcst hope — that of losing, at the cannon's mouth, the life ho
loathed. What had been done in mercy and noble forbearance, was to him
the direst punishiuent. that could be inflicted ; yet how was it pos.sible to deny
gratitude for the motive which had impelled his preservation, or fail in ac-
knowledgment of the appreciation in which ho thus found himself personally
held,

" It would bo idle. Colonel Forrester," he said, taking the prolTered hand,
" after the manner in which you have expressed yourself, to deny ihgX I an

110

MaTILOA MOfrTOOMERIB : OR,

the oHUc^r to whom you allude. I feel deeply these marks of your rcgarfl,
Nihouj^h 1 cannot but consider any little ment tiut may attach to me very
l''.iich overrated by them. My appearance in this drexs, perhaps requires sonve
fsiplanation. Prevented by the sballowneRJ of the river from co-operatiD!?
vilh the army in my gun-boat, and tired of doing nothing, I had solicited aivi
obtained pennission t j booome one of the storming party in the quality of
volunte??, which of necessity induced the garb in which you now b«hold me.
Von know the rest."

'' And yet, Colonel," said a surly-lookir'.g back woo<Isman, vs^ho aat with one
hand thrust into the bosom of a hunting frock, and the other p?aying with the
richly ornamented hilt of a dagger, while a round hat, surmounted by a liuge
cockade, was perched knowingly over his left car, covering, or rather sha''o\v-
hig, little more than one fourtfa of his head — '• I reckon as how this here sort
of thing comes within the spy act. Here's a cor-iroissioned oflicer of Kiog
Geoige, taken not only in our lines, but in our very trenches in the disguise
of a private soger. Whnt .^ay yon, Captain Buckhorn ?" turning to one s(,.,no
■what younger and less uncouth, who sat next 5\im habitcti in a sit*iiiar maw
ner. " Don't you think it comes within tlie spv act ^"'

Captain Buckhorn. however, not choosing t^ hazard an opinion on the sno-
ject, me'-ely shrugged his shoulders, pulTsfd his cigar, and looked at tlie Colonel
as if ho expected him to decide the question.

"As I am a true Tennessee man, bred and born. Major Killdeer," said tha
Aid-de-camp Jackson, "I can't see how that can lie. 'To come within the
.spy u;t, a man must be in plain clothes, or in the fniform of hi.s enemy. Now,
Liftenant Grantham, I take it, comes in the British uniform, and what signifies
a whistle if he wears gold lace or cotton tape, provided it be stuck upon a
scarlet coat, and that in the broad face of day, with arins in his hand. — aye,
fjid a dcvil oi' a desperation to make good use of them too" — he added, with
a good uaturedly Lulicious leer of the eye towards the subject of his de-
?!'nce.

*' At all events, in my conceit, it's an attempt to undervally himself," pur-
sued the tenacious Kentuckian Major. " Supjwse his name warn't known aa
it is, he'd r.nvc passed for a private soger, and wotild have been exchanged for
one, without our being anj- the wiser ; whereby the United States, service, I
calcul.ite, would have lost a;-; (tHicer in the balance of account."

" Although there cannoi be the slightest difhculty," observed Colonel For-
Tester, '• in determining on the doubt first started by you. Major Kildeer, I
~)nf)ss, that what vou have now suggest/v;; "involves a question of some deii-
cacy. in the spirit, although not altogether m the letter, of your suggestion,
I agree ; so much so, Mr. Grantham," he added, turning to Gerald, '• that in
violence to the inclination I should othcrwi.se have felt to send you back to
your lines, on parole of honor, T shall be compelled to detain you until tho
pleasure of my government be known as to the actual rank in which you aro
to be looked upon. I should say that, taken in arms as a combatant without
rank, we have no right to know j^ou as anything else ; but as I may be in
error, 1 am suie you will see how utterly impossible it is for me to take any
such responsibility upon myself, especially after the difficulty you have juit
heard started."

Gerald, who had listened to this di.scussion with some astonishment, was
not .sorry to find the manner nf its termination. In the out.set he had not
hcin without alarm that the aero of one hour might be looked upon and
hanged as the spy of the next ; and tired as he was of life, much as he longed
to lay it down, his neck had too invincible a repugnance to anything like con-
tact with a cord to render him ambitious of closing hia existoiice in that way.
]le was not at all sorry, therefore, when he found the surly-looking Major
Killdeer wholly unsup|>fM'tcd in his sweeping estimate of what he called the
*'8py act." The genlkrnanly manner of Colonel Forrft«t?r, forming as it did
%£ decided a contrast with the unpolished — even rude f"aiilvness of his second
La command wga not with^^ut soothing influence vpi.^i his mind, and to hL«

THE PROPHECY (ULFILLBO.

14/

p-our regarfl,
to me very
equires some
co-operatiD!?
solicited aiwl
e quality of
e bfthold me,

aat with one
'^inj^with tfie
k1 by a liuge
her sha''o\v-
his here sort
icer of Kioj;
the disfuise
to one s(,.,no •
similar inaw ■

I on the sno-
t tlic Colonel

er," s!>id the
: within the
3ray. Now,
ehat signifies
tuck upon a
hand. — aye,
added, witb
It of his de-

raself," pcr-
I't knou'n aa
xchanged for
:cs, service, I

Colonel For-
3r Kildocr, I
Ljf some deii-
r suggestion,
bid, '• that in
you back to
on until the
hich you aro
.(ant without
I may be ja
to take any
ou have ju.it

ishraent, was
; lie had not
m1 upon and
as he longed
ing like con-
in that way.
oking Major
le called the
ling as it did
[>f his second
id. and to htf

last observation he replied, as he reallj'- felt, that any change in hi.s views as to
his disposal could in no way aflect him, sinc« it was a matter of total indiffer-
ence whether he returned to Atnherstburg, or was detiiinod where he was. In
neither case could he actively rcjoui the service until duly exchanged, a-.d
this was the only object embraced in any desire he might entertain of the
kind.

" Still," added the Colonel. " although I may not suifer you to return yet
into Canada, I can sec no objection to according you the privilege of parole of
honor, without at all involving the after question of whether you are to be
considered as the soldier or the officer. From this moment therefore, Mr.
Granthr.vn, you will consider yourself a prisoner at large within the fort — or,
should you jircfer journcymg into the interior, to sharing the privations and
the dullness inseparable from our isclatcd position, you are at liberty to ac-
company Captain Jackson, my Aid-de-camp, who will Ifave this within
twelve hours, charged with dispatches for the Governor of Kentucky."

Gerald had already acknowledged to himself that, if anything could add to
liis wretchedness, it would be a compulsory residence in a place not only des-
titute itself of all excitement, but calling up, at every hour, the images of his
brave conijianions in danger — men whom he had known when the sun of his
young hopes shone unclouded, and whom he had survived but to l>e made
sensible of the curse of exemption from a similar fate ; still, with that instinc-
tive delicacy of a mind whose natural refinement not even a heavy wvight of
grief could wholly deaden, he felt some hesitation in giving expression to a
wish, the eompliance with, which would, necessarily, sepriratc him from ono
who had so coTU'teously treated him, and whom he feared to wound by an ap-
pearance of indifference.

'• I think, ]\Ir. Grantham," pursued Colonel Forrester, remarking his hesi-
tation, •• I can understand what is passing in your mind. However I beg j'oo
will suffer no mere considerations of couitesy to interfere with your inclinsv-
tion. I can promise you will find this place most dismally' dull, especially to
one who has no positive duty to perform in it. If I may venture to recotn-
mcnd, therefore, you will accompany Captain Jackson. The ride will alibrd
you more subject for diversion than an^'thing we can furnish here.'*

Thus happily a.ssisted in his decision Gerald said, ''since, Sir, you leave it
optional witii njo. I think I shall avail m3'self of your kind offer and accom-
pany Captain Jackson. It is not a very cheering sight," he pursued, anxious
to assign a satisfactory reason for his choice, '• to have constantly before one's
eyes the r^ceno of so signal a discomfiture as that which our arras have expe-
rienced this day."

'•And yet," a^ki Colonel Forrester, "despite of that discomfiture, there
was nothing in the conduct of those engaged that should call a blush into the
cheek of the most fastidious stickler for national glory. There is not an offi-
cer here present," he continued, " who is not prepared to attest with myself,
that your cohinm jn particular behaved like heroes. IJy the way, I could
wish to know, hut your vrill use your own discj-etion in answering or do-
clinin? the question, what was the actual strength of your attacking
force ?"

•' I can really see no objection to a candid answer to your question. Colonel,"
returned Gerald, after a rnoinent's consideration. "Each division was, I be-
lieve, for 1 cannot state with certainty, little more than two hundred strong,
making in all, perhaps, from six hundred to six humjred and fifty men. In
return, may I ask the number of those who so eflectually repu!.'<ed us ?"

'' Why I guess only one hundred and fifty, and most all my volunteers,"
somewhat exultingly exclaimed Major Killdeer.

'•Only ono himdred and fifty men i" repeated Gerald, unable to disguise hi*
vexation and astonishment.

'' Tliat cre's a poser for him." said the Major, turning and addressing Cap
tain Buckhorn in an under tone, who replied to hiui inth a win k from hil
nearest eye.

148

WATILDJl MONTOOMKRIE OR,

•'•'Erci. so, Mr. Orantharn." replied tlie Colonel. "One hnndrod .ind fifty
• won of all arms, save artillery, composed my force at the moincut i\dien
your columns crossed the plain. To-night we muster one hundred auil forty-
,«inc."

" Good Heaven !" oxclaimed Gerald warming into excitement, with vexation
•and pique. '• what a disprraceful affair."

" Disj^ra^eful, yes — l>ut only in as far as regard.s those who planned, and
.provided (or rather ought to have provided) the means of attack. I can as-
jjnrc you, Mr. Grantham, that although prepared to defend my post to the
ifast, when I saw your columns first emerge from the wood. I did not expect,
with my small force, to have been enabled to hold the place one hour; for
who couhl have .supposed that even a school boy, had such been placed at the
;head of an army, would have sent forward a stormmg party, without either
:lfi.scines to fill a trench, or ladders to ascend from it when filled. Had tlicso
;been provided, there can bo no doubt of the issue, for, to repulse the attempt
4kt escalade in one quarter, I must have concentrated the whole of my littlo
.^rcc — and thereby afforded an uno' cd entrance to the other columns — or
^«%'en granting my garrison to have \. jn sufficient to keep two of 3'our divi-
,.»ions in chockj there still remained a third to turn the scale of success against
y«s."

'• T can understand the satisfaction with which you discovered this wretched
'Iffcyngling on the part of our leaders," remarked Gerald, with vexation.

■*' No sooner had I detected the deficiency," pursued Colonel Forrester,
l^an I knew the day would be my own, since the obstacles opposed to your
littempt would admit of ni)' spreading my men over the whole line embraced
jWithin the attack. The result, 3'ou see, has justified my expectation. But
«nough of this. After the fatigues of the day, you must require both food and
)|!(jst. Captain Jackson. I leave it to j-ou to do the honors of hospitality to-
wards Mr. Grantham, who will so shortly become your fellow-traveller; and
;if, when he has performed the ablutions he .seems so much to require, my
wardrobe can furnish anything your own cannot supply to transform liim
Alto a backwoodsman (in which garb I would .strongly advise him to travel).
;I bog it may be put imdcr contribution without ceremony."

4So saying, Colonel Forrester departed to the rude log-hut that served him
rftr his head-quarters, first enjoining his uncouth second to keep a suifir-ient
,«utnber of men on the alert, and take siich other precautions as wi-ro nece.s-
••ftry to guard against surprise — an event, however, of which little apprelien-
.«on was entertained, now that the British troops appeared to have been
.wholly withdrawn.

-Sick, wearied, and imhappy, Gerald was but too willing to escape to the
,<Dlitude of retirement, to refuse the offer which Captain Jackson made of his
,own bc(t, it being his intention to sit np all night in the mess-room, ready to
communicate in.stantly with the Colonel in the event of any alarm.

Declining the pressing invitation of the officers to jom in tlie repast they
were about to n<ake for the first time .since the jnorning, ami jnore particu-
larly that of Captain Buckhorn, who sf fongly urged him to '• bring himself to
■ an anchor and try a little of the AVabash," ho took a polite but hasty
(fcave of them all, and was soon installf>d for the night in the Aid-dc-camp's
;4ormitor3'.

Jt would be idle to say that Gerald Vicvcr closed his eyes that night — still

^«nore idle would it be to attempt a description of all that passed through a

naind whose extent of wretchedness maybe inferred from his several desperate

•although nnsuccessful, efforts at the utter aimihilation of all thouglit. When

^|ic met Colonel Forrester and his officers in the mess-room at bieakfast. lie

•w'as dressed, as had been recommended, in the hunting frock and belt of a

ifcackwoodsman ; and in this his gentlemanly figure looked to such advantage)

as to excite general attention — so nuich so, indeed, that Major Killdeer w.js

more than once detected in eyeing his own heavy person, as if to ascertain if

the points of cxcellen'^c were peculiar to the dress or to the man. Sick and

THE PROPHECY FOLFIl.LKD.

14a

1 and fifty
newt is'hen
aiiil forty-

th vexation

aimed, and
I can as-
post to tho
not expect,
liour; for
aced at tho
lout either
Had these
he attempt
f my littlo
)lumns — or
■ yonr divi-
;ess against

is wr itched
tion.

Forrester,
sed to your
e embraced
ition. But
th food and
^pitality to-
vellev; and
require, my
nsform liiin
, to travel).

served him

a sunir-ient

were nece.s-

apj)relien-

haTO been

;capc to tho
nade of his
n, ready to

•epast they

re parliou-

hiui'^elf to

i)iit hasty

-de-canip's

licrht — still
throu{;h a
1 desperate
ht. When
ealsfiist. h.o
d belt of a
advanta^'O
.illdeer w.js
iseertain if
Sio'c aud

<!ispirited as he was, Gerald felt the necessity of an attempt to rally, and'
however the moralist may condemn the principle, there is no doubt that hfi
was considerably aided in his cHbrt by one or two fjiasses of bitteis which^
Captain Buckhorn strongly recommended as beinu; of his wife's makinfr. and '
well calculated to put some color into a man's face — an advantage in whioh, Ij*' '
truly remarked. Grantham was singularly deficient. ^

Accurate intelligence having been obtained from a party of .scouts, who had*
been dispatched early in the ,uorning to track their course, that the Briti.sllf'
General with his troops and Indians had finally departed, preparations wer*''
made about midday for tlie interment of the fallen. Two large graves werflS'
accordingly dug on the outer brow of the ravine, and in these the bodies of" '
the fallen .soldiers were deposited, with all the honors of war. A smaller''
grave, within the fort, and near the spot where they .so nobly fell, was consi-
deratelv allotted to Cranstoun and Middlemore. There was a comj)Osednc.s!>!'
on the brow of the former that likened him, even in death, to the living mat\:||, '
while, about the good-humored mouth of poor Middlemore. playeil the .samtf
sort of self-satisfied smile that had always been observable there when iibout^
to deliver hmiself of a .sally. Gerald, who had imposed upon himself the pain-
ful duty of attending to their last committal to earth, could not help fancying" '
that Middlemore mu.st have breathed his last with an inatidible pun upon hiH-^
lips — an idea that inexpressibly affected him. Weighed down with sorrow a»-
was his own .soul, he had yet a tear for tlie occasion — not that his brave com-
lales were dead, but that they had died with so much to attach them to life-*
while he who.se hope was in death alone, had been chained, as by a cur.s^
to an existence compared with which death was the first of human blea- '

On the following morning, after an early breakfast, he and Captain Jacksoti-
quitted the fort, Colonel* Forrester — who had not failed to remark that th^'
brrisq-ie uKiuner of his aide-de-camp was not altogether understood by hia.'
charicc — taking occasion at parting, to assure the latter that, with all his eccen- '
tncily, he was a kind-hearted man. whom he had selected to be near him inorflE
for bis persontil courage, zeal, and general liberalit}' of feeling, than for any;
qu;ili(i!.atioiis of intellect he possessed.

The means provided for their transport into the interior were well assimila-
ted to the dieariness of the country through which thev passed. Two commotf'
pack-horses, lean, galled by the saddle, and callous from long acquaintanorf .
with the; admonitory influence both of whip and spur, had been selected byr
Captain Jackson as the best within the fort. Neither were the trappings outf^-
of keeping with the steeds they decked. ^loth-eaten saddles, almost bhuiik
with ago, beneath which were spread pieces of dirty blanket to prevent furthcf
excoriation of the alread}' bared and reeking back — bridles, the o'iginal thick-
iie.ss of which had been doubled by tho incrustiition of mould and dirt that
peitinaciously adhered to them — stirrups and bits, with their accompanying '
buckles — the sib.sence of curb chains being supplied by pieces of rope — all af-
forded evidence of the wretchedness of resource peculiar to a back settlemcnfe"
population. Over the hard .saddles, however, had been strapped the b'ankcts
which, when the travellers were fortunate enough to meet with a hut at tha
clo.se of their day's ride, or, as was more frequently the case, when compelled
to bivouac in the forest before the fire kindled by the industry of the hardy* •
aide-de-camp, .served them as their onl3' couch of rest, while the small leather '
valise tied to the pummel of the saddle, and containing their .scanty wardrolxi^ •
was made to do the duty of the absent pillow. The blanket Ger.ald found to •
l)e Tlie greatest advantage of his grotesque equipment — so much so, indeed^ '
that wiien compelled, b}' the heavy rains which t(jok place shortly after their '
(lepnrtuie. to n»ake it serve, after the fashion of a backwoodsman, as a covering '
for his loins and shoulders, he was obliged to own that liis mi.series, great aa
they were, were yet su.scepiible of increase.

Notwithstanding Captain Jack.son had taken what he Ton.siderod to he th6
l>est of tho two itosinantcs for himself, Gerald had no rea.son to deny tho

tso

MATILDA MO \ TOO M eric; Olt,

eharactcf for kincl-licfirtedncss given of him by Colonel rarrester. Frequently,
when winding fhroiij^h somo dense forest, or moving over sonic extensive plain
There nothing beyond thcjusclves told of the existence of innn, his companion
wt)uld endeavor to divert him from the abstraction and melancholy in which
he was usually plinigwl, and, ascribing his melandiol}' to an unreal cause, seek
to arouse him by the consolatory assurance that he was not the first man who
had been taken prisoner — adding that there was no use in snivelling, as" what
what was done couldn't be undone, and no great hai^n neither, as there was
some as pretty gals in Kaintuck Jis could be picked out in a day's ride ; and
that to a good-looking young i'ellow like himself, with nothing to do but maka
love to them, that ought to be no mean consideration, enabling him, as it
would, to while away the tedium of captivity." At other times he would
launch forth into some wild rhapsody, the invention of the moment, or seek to
entertain his companion with startling anecdotes connected witli his encOuntci-s
with the Indians on the Wabash, (where he had formerly served.) in the course
of which much of the marvellous, to call it by the moit indulgent term, was
necessarily mixed up — not perhaps that he was quite sensible of this himself,
but because he possessed a constitutional proneness to exaggeration that ren-
dered him even more credulous of the good things he uttered than those to
whom he detailed them.

But Gerald heard without being amused, and, although he felt thaukful for
the intention, v/as distressed that his abstraction .should be the subject of no-
tice, and his despondency the object of care. To avoid this he frequently
Bufiercd Jackson to take the lead, and, following some distance in the rear with
his arms folded aad the reins loose upon the horse's neck, often ran the risk
of having his own neck broken by the frequent stumbling of the unsure-footed
beast. iJiit the Captain as often returned to the chgirge, for, in addition to a
sincere desire to rally his companion, he began at length to find it exceedingly
irksome to travel with one who neither spoke himself, nor appeared to enjoy
speech in another ; and when he had amused him.self with whistling, singing,
hallooing^ and cutting a thousand antics with his arms, until he was heartily
tired of each of these several diversions, he would rein in his horse to suffer
Gerald to come up, and, after a conciliating oiler of his rum flask, accompanied
by a slice of hung beef that lined the wallet depending from his shoulder,
enter upon some new and strange exploit, of which he was as usual the hero.
Enforced in a degree to make some return for the bribe offered to his patience,
Gerald would lend — all he could — his ear to the tale ; but long before tho
completion he would give such evidence of his distraction, as utterly to discon-
cert the narrator, and cause him finally to have recourse to one of the inter-
ludes above described.

In this manner they had journeyed .some days, when the rains suddenly
commenced with a violence, and continued with a pertinacity, that might have
worn out the cheerfulness of much less impatient spirits than tho.se of our
travellers, who without any other protection than what was afforded by tho
blanket tightly girt around the loin.s, and fastened over the shoulders in front
of the chest, presented an appearance quite as wild as the waste the}' tra-
versed. It was in vain that, in order to promote a more rapid circulation, they
essayed to urge their jaded beasts out of the jog-trot in whicli they had .set
out. Accustomed to this from the time when they first emerged from colt-
hood into honsehood, the aged steeds, like many aged senatoi-s of their day.
were determined enemies to anything like innovation on thi long established
customs of their caste; and. although, unlike the .said senators, they were
made to bear all tho burdens of the state, still did they not suffer themselves
to be driven out of the .sluggish hal>its in which .ulnggish animals of evtTV de-
scription seem to feel themselves privileged to indulge. Whip and spur, there-
fore, were alike applied in vain, as to any accelarated molion in tlu'inselve.-i ;
but with this advantage at least to tlicir riders, thai while the latter toiled
vigorously for an increase of vital warmth through the instiuiuentality of theii
non -complying ha'.'ks. they found it whire they least sunned to look for It—

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

151

!"reqncntly,
insivc plain
companion
y in which

cause, seek
,t man wlio
;, as " what
••, there waa

ride ; and
) but maka

him, as it
i he would
, or seek to
encOimtci-s
1 the course

term, was
lis himself,
•n that rca-
aa those lo

havjkful for
bject of no-

frequently
le rear with
•an the risk
isure-footed
ddition to a
exceedinjxly
id to enjoy
ng, singin;^,
as he;irti!y
se to sullcr
ccompanied
is shoulder,
al the hero.
lis patience,

before the
,' to discon-
)f the inter-

is suddenly

might bavo

lose of our

(led by tho

ers in front

,e the}' tra-

Jation, they

hey had set

1 from coll-

if their day,

established

tliey were

theinselvea

af every dc-

.])ur, there-

.lu'Uiselves ;

alter toiifd

ity of tliL'ii

uuk for It-

mingled

and activity which kept them at tho fvuitlcsa

h the

task.

It WHS at the close of one of those long days of wearying; travel throughout
a vast and unsheltered plain — where only bore and there rose an occasiotiul
cluster of trees, like oases in the desert — that, drenched to the skin with tho
Gtcady rain, which commencing at the dawn had continued without a moment's
intermission, they arrived at a small log hut, situate on ihe skirt of a forest
forming one of the boimdurics of the vast savannah the^' had traversed. Such
was the unpromising appearance of this apology for a himian dwelling, that,
under any other circumstances, even the '* not very d — d particular" Jackson,
fcs the aide-de-camp often termed himself, would have passed it by without
stopping ; but after a long day's ride, and suffering from the greatest evils t»
which a traveller can well be subjected — cold, wet and hunger — even so
wretched a resting-place as this was not to be despised ; and accordingly a
determination was formed to stop there for the night. On riding up to thd
door, it was opened to their knock, when a tall man — apparent!)' its only occu-
pant — came forth, and after viewing the travellers a moment with a suspicioua
eye, inquired '• what the strangers wanted ?"

'• Why I guess," said Jackson, " it doesn't need much conjuration to tell
that. Food and lodging for our.>;elves, to be sure, atid a wisp of hay and tether
for our horses. Ilospitalit}', in short ; and that's what no true Tennessee man,
bred and born, never refused yet — no, not even to an enemy, sucii a night an
this."

'•Then you must go further in search of it," replied the woodsman, surlily,
" I don't keep no tavern, .and han't got no accommodation ; and what's more,
I reckon I'm no Tennessee man."

•' But any accommodation will do. friend. If yo\i havn't got beds, we'll sit
up all night, and warm our toes at the fire, and spin long yarns, as they tell
in the Eastern sea-ports. Anything but turn fi fellow out such a night a^
this."

"But I say, stranger," returned tho man fiercelj' and determinedly, *" I an't
got no room any how. and you shan't bide here."

" Oh, ho, my old cock ! that's the ticket, is it ? But you'll sec whether an
old stager like me is to bo turned out of any man's house such a night as this.
I havn't served two campaigns against the Ingins and the British for nothing ;
and here I rest for the night."

So saying, the determined .Jackson coolly dismo\mted from his horse, and
nnbuckling the girth, proceeded to deposit the saddle, with the valise attached
to it, within the hut, the door of which still stood open.

The woodman, perceiving his object, made a movement, as if to bar tho
passage ; but Jackson with great activity seized him by the wrist of the left
hand, and, all-powerful as tlie ruffian was, .sent him dancing some few yards
in front of the threshold before ho was aware of bis intention, or could resist
the peculiar knack with which it was accomjilished. The aide-de-camp,
meanwhile, had deposited his .saddle in a corner near the fire, and en his return
to the door, met the inhospitable woodsman advancing as if to court a perso-
nal encounter.

" Now. I'll tell you what it is, friend." he said calndy, throwing back at tho
same time the blanket that concealed his imiform and — what was more impo«
sing — a brace of large pistols stuck in his belt. " You'd better have no non-
nense with me, I promise you, or — '' and he tapped with the fore fhigor of his
right hand upon the butt of one of them, with an e.x-jiression that could not b«
misunderstood.

The woodsman scorned little awed by this demonstration. He was evidently
one on whom it might have been dangerous for one man, however well armed,
to have forced his presence, so far from every other human habitation ; and it
is probable that his forbearance then arose from t\\e fict of there being two
opposed to him, for he glanced rapidly from one to the other, nor was it until
he seemed to have mentally decided that the odds of two to one were somo

153

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

what iinoqiial, that he at length withdrew himself out of the doorway, as if la
prssive assent to the stay he could not well prevent.

" Just so. my old cook," continued Jackson, findinp: that he had p.-iincd h\n
point, "'and when you .speak of this a;^uin, don't forj^et to say it was a true
Tennessee man, bi'ed and born, that <^'ayo you a lcs.son in what no .American
over wanted — hospitality to a stranj;;cr. Suppose you begin and make your
•elf useful, by tethering and foddering old .spare bones."

" T reckon as how you've hands as well as mc," rejoined the surly woods-
man. '• and every man knows the ways of his own beast best. As for fodder,
they'll find it on the skirt of the wood, and where natur' planted it."

fierald meanwhile, finding victory declare itsalf in fuvor of his companion,
had followed his example and entered the hut with his saddle. As iie .again
qtiitted it, a .sudden (lash of light from the fire, which Jack.son was then in tho
net of stirring, fell upon the counten.ance of the woodsman who stood without,
h'lH arms folded and his brow scowling, us if planning some revenge for tho
humiliation to which he h.'id been subjected. In the indistinct dusk of the
evening ((rantharn had not been able to remark more than the outline of the
figure ; but the voice struck him as one not unknown to him, although some-
what harsher in its tones than that which his faint recollection of the past
mipplied. The glance he had now ol ained, nioni'Mitary as it was, put every
doubt to rest. What his feelings were in recognising in the woodsman tho
traitor settler of the Canadas, Jeremiah Desborough, we leave to our readers
U» infer.

CHAPTER XXV.

Thkre was a time, when to have met his father's enemy thus would have
boen to liave called into activity all the dormant fierceness of Gerald's nature ;
but since they had last parted, a new channel had been opened to his feelings,
nnd the c'eep and mysterious grief in which we have seen him shrouded had
been of so "bsorbing and selfi.sh a nature, as to leave him little consideration
for sorrows no* his own. The rash impetuosity of his fornjer character, which
had often led him to act even before he thought, and to resent an injury before
it couM wjU be said to have been offered, had moreover given place to a .self-
ronimand, the fruit of the i-ellective habits and desire of concealment which had
made him latterl}' almost a stranger to himself.

Whatever his motives for outwardly avoiding all recognition of the .settler,
certain it is that, so far from this, he sought sedulon.'5ly to conceal his own
idcntit}', by drawing the slouched hat, which formed a portion of his new
equipment, lower over his eyes. I^eft to do the duties of the rude hoslelr}',
Captain Jackson and he now quitted the hut, and leading their jaded, smoking
Htoeds, a few roils off to the verge of the plain they had so recently traversed,
prepared to dispose of them for the night. Gerald had by this time become
too experienced io the mode of travelling through an American wilderness, not
to understand, that lie who expects to find a companion in his horse in tho
morning must duly secure him with ihe tether at night. Following, therefore,
the example of tho Aide-de-camp, he applied hnnself amid the still pelting rain,
to the not very cleanly task of binding round the fetlock joints of his steed
Bcveral yards of untanned hide strij)s, with which they were severally provided
for the |:)urpose. E:ich gave his steed a p-irtiug slap on the buttock with tho
bard bridle. Jackson exclaiming, '• Go ye luxurious beasts — ye have a whole
pniiric of wet g7-ass to revel in for the night," and then left them to make tho
best of their dainty food.

AVhiic retiiruinfr. Grantham t'-ok 0''C;ipon to observe, that lie had reason
to think he kr.ew t!ie surly and iuhospifaHle woodsman, by whom however ho

wa.i not desirous of bciuj; recognised, and thcrcfoi'e

be^jgcd as u fsior that

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

153

Captain Jackson would not. in the course of the night, mention his name, or
fven alhule to liim in any way that could load to an inference that he was any
other than he seemed, a companion and brother olficer of his own ; promising:,
in conclusion, to give him, in the course of the next day's journo}', some little
history of the luan which would fully explain !iis motives. With this request
Jackson unhesitatingl}' promised compliimce, adding, good-humoredly, that ho
was not sorry to pledge himself to anythiufi; that would thaw his compauion'.s
tongue into sociahility. and render himself for the first time since their de|)art-
ure, a listener. Before entering the hut Gerald further observed in a whisper,
that, the better to escape recognition, he would, as nuich as possible, avoid
joining in any conversation which might ensue, and therefore hoped his com-
panion would not think him rude if he suflercd hun to bear the tax. Jackson
again promised to keep the attention of the woodsman directed as much as
posssible to himself observing that he thought Gerald had already, to his cost,
discovered he was one not easily tired out by couversation, should their host bo
that way inclined.

On opening the door of the cabin. they»found that the woodsman — or moro
properly the .settler, as we shall again term him — making a virtue of necessity,
had .somewhat changed its interior. A number of fine K)gs. sufficient to last
throughout the night had been heaped upon the hearth, and these, crackling
and lizzing, and emitting sparks in all the burly of a hickory wood fire, gave
promise of a night of comparative comfort. Ensconced in the farther corner
of the chimney, the .settler had already taken his seat, and, regardless of the
entrance of the strangers, (with his elbows resting on his knees, and his faco
buried in his largo palms.) kept his eyes fixed upon the fire, as if with .1 sullen
determination neither to speak nor suffer himself to be questioned. But the
Aide-de-camp was by no means disposed to humor him in his fancy. The idea
of passing some eight, or ten (.onsecutivo hours in company with two fellow
beings, without calling into full play the bump of loquacity with which nature
liad largely endowed him, was, in his view, little better than the evil from
which his perseverance had just enabled him to escape. Making himself per-
fectly at home, ho unbuckled the wet blanket from his loins and spreading it,
with that of Gerald, to dry upon the rude floor before the Vire, drew forward
a heavy uncouth-looking table, (which, with two or three equally unpolished
chairs, formed the whole of the furniture.) and deposited thereon the nallet or
haversack in which remained a portion of provision. lie then secured the last
vacant chair, uiid taking up a position on the right of the table which lay be-
tween himself and Gerald, let it fall upon the dry clay hearth." with a violenco
that caused the settler to quit his attitude of abstraction for one of anger
and surprise.

" Sorry to disturb you. friend," he said, " but these chairs of yours are so
cursed heavy, there's no handling them decently ; 'specially with cold
lingers,"

" Beggars, I reckon, have no right to be choosers," returned the settler ;
" the chairs is quite good enough forme — and no one axed you to sit on 'em."

'• I'll tell you what it is, old cock," continued the Aide-de-camp, edging hi.s
peat closer, and giving his host a smart friendly slap upon the thigh, '" this dull
life of yours don't uuich improve your ti'mper. Why, as I am a true Tennes-
see man. bred and born, I never .set eyes upon such a crab-api)le in all my lifo
—you'd turn a whole dairy of the sweetest milk th.it ever came fiom prairio-
prass sour in less than no time. I take it 3'ou must be crossed in love, old
boy-^h?"

" Crossed in hell," returned the settler, savagely ; '• T reckon as how it don't
consam you whetb.cr I look sour or sweet — what you want is
lodgin', and you've got it — so don't trouble me no more."

'' Very sorr\'. but T shall." said .Jackson, secretly congratulating liimself
that, now he had got the tongue of bis host in moliou. he had a fairchanca
of keeping it .so. • I must trouble you for some bread, iuul whatovtr cJseyour
larder may aftbrd. I'll pay you honestly for it, friend."

a night's

154

MATILDA MnNTQOMERIS; OR

'• I sho-.iM p:iti<«!s," .enifl tho sottlcr, his stern features brightening for the fir«'t
time into a smile of irony. '• jis }io\v a man who hnd served a c.itnpaign agin tho
Ingnis and anolhcr ajrin the Dritish. might contrive to do without sich a lux-
ury as bread. You'll find no bread hei-e, T reckon."

'• What, not even a bit of eorn bread ? 'I'ry, my old cock, and rummage up
n crust or two, for hung beef is devilish tight work for tho teeth, without a
little bread of some sort for a relish."

"If you'd ha' used your eyes, you'd ha' seen nothin' like a corn patch for
twenty mile round about this. Uread never entered this hut .since I have been
here. I don't cat it."

" More's the pity," replied Jackson, with infinite drollery; "but though you
may not like it yourself, your friends may."

'' I have no friends — I vish to have no friends !" was the sullen reply.

". More's the pity still," pursued the Aide-de-camp. " But what do you
live on, then, old cock if you don't eat bread ?"

'• Human flesh. Take that as a relish to your hung beef."

Scarcely liad the strange expression escaped the settler's lips, when Jack-
son, active as a deer, was at the farther end of the hut, oneliand holding tho
heavy chair as a shield before liim, the other placed upon the butt of one of
his pistols. The former at the same moment quitted his seat, and stretching
liis tall and nmscular form to its utmost height, burst into a laugh that
.sounded more like that of some wild beast than a Imman being. The involun-
tary terror produced in his guest was evidently a .source of exultation to him,
and beseemed gratified to think he had at length discovered the means of ma-
king himself looked upon with something like fear.

On entering tho hut, Gerald had taken his .seat at the opposite corner of
the fire, yet in such a manner as to admit of his features being shaded by tho
projection of the chimney. 'J'he customs of the wilderness, moreover, render-
ing it neither olfensive, nor even worthy of remark, that he should retain his
liat, he had, as in the first instance, drawn it as much over his eyes as he con-
ceived suited to his purpose of concealment, without exciting a suspicion of
his design ; and, as the alteration in his dress was calculated to deceive into a
belief of his being an American, he had been enabled to observe the settler
v/ithout nuich fear of recognition in return. A great change had taken placa
in the manner of Desborough. Ferocious he still was, but it was a ferocity
wholly unmixed with the cunning of his former years, that he now exhibited.
He had c\idently suffered much, and there was a stamp of thought on tiio
heavy countenance that Gerald had never remarked there before. There wa.s
also this anomaly in the man — that while ten years appeared to have been
added to his age, his strength was increased in the same propo'-tion — a chango
that made iiself evident by the attitude in which he stood.

" Why now I take it you must be jesting." at length exclaimed the Aid-de»
camp, donbtingly, dropping at the same time the chair upon the floor, yet
keeping it before him as though not quite safe in the presence of this self-con-
fessed anthropophagos ; " you surely don't mean to say )"ou kill and pieklo
every unfortunate traveller that comes by here. If so, I must apprehend you
in tiie name of the United States Government."

" I rather calcidate not, Jlister," sneered tho settler. " TJesides, I don't eat
the United States subjects ; consequently they've no claim to interfere."

" Who the devil do you eat, then ?" asked Jackson, gathering courage with
his curiosity, aud advancing a pace or two nearer the fire, " or is it all a
hum ?"

The settlor approached the fire, stooped a little, and applying his .shoulder
to the top of the opening, thrust his right hand and arm up the chimney.

" I reckon that's no hum," he said, producing and throwing upon the tablo

a piece of daik, dry flesh, tliat resembled in ai)pearance the ujjper part of a

human arm. " If you're fond of a relisn," he pursnied, with a fierce laugh,

'you'll find that mighty well suite'] <c the palate— qtitc as sweet as a hit o(

hijjok'd venison." , - = .

THE PROPHECY F U t. F I L I, E D .

11)5

"Why, you don't really mean to hay that's part of a irian?" deraarvled
Jackson, advancin;; caiitio'isly to tho tsihle. and tiirniivj; over thi^ shrivi'll'-d
mass with the point of his dagger. •' Why, 1 ileclare, its juat the color of my
dried heef."

" lint I do thous^h — and what's more, of my < .vn killin' and dryin'. Party
naturist you must bo, not to sec; that's olfjin Ingin's arm !"

'' Oh. an Ingin'.s only, is it?" returned tho Aid-de-canip, whor?o apprclicn-
fiion began rapidly to subside, now that he had obtained the conviction that it
was not the flesh of a white man. " Well, I'm sure ! who'd have tliought it 7
T take it. old cock, you've been in tho wars as well as myself."

'•A little or so, I reckon, and I expect to be in tliem agm .shortly — as soon
as my stock of food's out. I've only a thigh bone to pick after tliis, and then
T'm off. IJut why don't you take your .seat at the fire. There's nothin' so
out of the way in the sight of a naked arm, is there ? I reckon, if you're a
soger, you must have seen many a one lopped off in the wars."

" Yes, friend," said Jackson, altering the position of the table and placins
it between tho settlei and himself; '• a good many lopjjod off, as you say, and
in a devil of a stew, but not exactly eaten. However, bo so good as to return
this to the chimney, and when I've eaten something from my bag, I'll listen
to what )'0u have to say about it." '

" Jist so, and go without my own supper, I suppose, to plcaso you. Bui
fTtrnation, while you're eatin' a bit of your hung beef, I'll try a snack of
mine."

So saying, he deliberately took from the table the dried arm he had previ-
ously flung there, and, removing a large clasp knife from a pocket beneath his
coarse hunting frock, proceeded to help himself to several thin slices, corres-
ponding precisely in appearance with tho.so which the Aid-de-camp divided in
the same manner.

Jackson had managed to swallow three or four pieces of his fiivorite hung
beef with all the avidity of an appetite rendered keen by the absence of every
other stimuliint than hunger ; but no sooner did he perceive his host fasten-
ing with a degree of fury on hi.s unnatural food, than, sick and full of loath-
ing, his stomach rejected further aliment, and he was compelled to desist.
During all this time, Grantham, who, although he had assumed the manner
and attitude of a sleeping man, was a watchful observer of all that passed, nei-
ther moved nor uttered a syllable, except on one occasion to put away from
him the food Jackson had ollered.

''Sorry to sec your ride has given you so poor an appetite," .said the settler,
with a look expressive of the savage delight he felt in annoying his visitor,
'' I reckon that's rather unsavory stuff you've got there, that you can't eat it
without breati. I say, young man," addressing QrantL.im, " can't you lind
no appetite neither, that you sit there snorin', as if you never meant to wako
agin."

Gerald's head sunk lower on his chest, and his affectation of slumber be-
came more profound.

" Try a drop of this," said, Jackson, offering his canteen, after having drank
himself, and with a view to distract attention from his comp.anion. •' You
seem to have no liquor in the house, and I take it you j'equire sainething hot
as h-U, and strong as d — n n, after that ogre-like repast of yours,"

The settler .seized the can, and raised it to his lips. It contained some of
the flery -whiskey we have already described as the common beverage in most
parts of America. This, all powerful as it was, ho drained off as though it
had been water, and with the greedy avidity of one who finds himself sud-
denly restored to the pos.session of a favorite and long absent drink.

" lIoUo, my friend !" exclaimed the angry Aid-de-camp, who had watchetl
the rapid disappearance of his '; traveller's best companion," as he quaintly
enough termed it, down tho capacious gi;llet of tho woodman — and snatching
At the .same moment the nearly emptied canteen from his hands. I take it,
that's not handsome. As I'm a true Tennessee luan, bred and born, it aint

iGO

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; OR,

at all liospitaMo to empty off a pint of ran liquor at a spell, anfl hf.vo not rc
iimrli as a p;las.s of tn(.'tho}>;Iin to olfcr in return. What the h-!I do you sti[>.
pose xvo'rc! to do to-tnorrow for drink, diirin;: a nirst Iout rido through the
wood, and not a house of call till nijriitfill alon;; the road ?''

'i'ho ruflian drew n Itrcath Ion;; and heavy in proportion to the draujrht ho
had s-.vallo\vcd, and when his lunjrs had a!::ain recovered th(>ir play, answered,
blusterini^ly, in a voice that hetol<ened incipient intoxication:

'• Roar mc up a saplin', Mistor, but yon'ic mi},'hty .stinj^y of the Wahash.
I n.'ckon as how I inadu you a free olfer of toy food, and it warn't no fault of
mine if you diihi't choose to take it. Tt would only have been relish for rcli.sh,
after all — and that's what I call fair swap."

'■ Well, no matter," .said Jackson, .soothinirly ; '" what's done can't be un-
done, therefore I take it its no use arj^nfyinir — however, my ol<l cock, when
next yon };et the neck of a canteen of niijui 'twixt your li|)s, I hope it may do
the cockles of your heart good ; that's all. Ibit let's hear how yon came by
them pieces of nigger's (lesli. and how it is you've take'i it into your head to
turn s'(]uatter here. Yon seem," glimcing around. " to hav" no sleeping room
to spare, and one niaj' as well sit up and chat, u.s have one'.s bones bruised to
squash on the hard boards,"

'• It's a sad tale," said the .settler grufTly^and with a darkening brow, "and
brings bitter thought.s with it ; but as the liquor has cheen'd me up a bit, I
ilon't much mind if I do tell you how I .skivered the varmint. Indeed," ho
pufstKul s.ivagely, '"that always gives me a pleasure to think of fori owed
them a deperate grudge — the bloody red .skins and imps of hell. I was on my
way to Detroit, to .see the .s[Ktt once more where my poor boy Phil lay rootin,'
and one dark night (for I only ventured to move at night). I came slick upon
two Inr^ins as was lying fast asleep before their fire in a deep ravine. The one
nearest to me had his face nnkivered, and I knew the varmint for the tall dark
Deluweer chiff as made one of the party after poor Phil and me, a sight that
made me thirst for the blood of the heathens as a child for mother'.s milk.
Well, lio.v do you think I manaorcd them. I calculate you'd never gue.ss.
Why. T stole, as quiet as a fox until f got jist atween them, and then holdin'
a cocked pistol to each breast, I called out in a thnnderin' voice that made tho
woods ring agin, Kit-chimocomon. which you know, as you've been in tho
wars, signifies long knife or Yankee. You'd a lan,gb'd fit to split your sides I
guess, to .see the stupiil stare of the devils, as startin' out of tlieir .sleep, they
saw a pistol within throe indies of each orcin. ' Ugh,' says they, as if they
did'nt know well whether to take it as a joke or not. 'Yes, 'ugh' and bo
damii'd to j'ou,' say's I: you may go and 'ugh' in hell next — and with that
snap went the triggers, and into their curst carcasses went tho balls. The one
I killed outright but t'other, the Delaweer chief was by a sudden shift only
slightly wounded, and he sprung on his feet and out with his knife. But Ihad
a knife too. and all a disappointed father's rage to boot, so at it we went
closin' and strikin' with our knives Irke two fierce fiends of the forest. It was
noble sport sure/y. At last the Delaweer fell over the bleedin' body of his
warrior and I top of him. As he fell the knife dropped from liis hand and ho
could'nt reach it no how, while I still gripped n:ine fa.st. ' Ugh,' lie muttered
again, as if askin' to know what I meant to do next. 'Ugh,' and be damned
to you once more, say'.s I — and the pint of my long knife was .soon buried in
Irs black heart. Then, when I see them both dead I eat my own meal at
their fire, for I was tarnation hungry, and wliile I was eatin' a thought camo
across me that it would be good fun to make smoked meat of the vafmint, so
when I tucked it in purty considerably, what with hominy and dried bear's
meat, moistened with a little Wabash I found in the Delaweer chiePs canteen,
I .set to and regularly quartered them. The trunks I left behind, but the limbs
I packed up in the blankets that had been used to kiver them, I reckon ; and
with them slung across my .shoulder.'!, like a saddle bag acros-s a horse, I mado
tracks through the swamps and the prairies for this here hut, which T know'd
no livin' soul had been nigh for many a long year. And now " he concluded

TUB P R O l» II P. C Y r U L F I L L E D .

157

with a low (Irtinlti.'ii Inticfh, "you've tlio history of tho dried moat Thcrt-
Isn't iiuicli left hut \vlu;n nil i^ roiij I'm od'to th»; w.ir-i, for I ciu't find iv»
peace I reckon without my |>Oi>r hoy Phil." He pinisid a luomont, and tlion
08 ifsuddenly iiillnenoed hy some painful recoll'-ction. he .strucl* his hand with
fttart'ing violen-c upon the tahle. anil, while every P-ature ofliis iron counten-
ance .seemed worki-d up to a pitch of intensitv, added wjth fearful calmness,
"May (Jod's cinse lif^ht upon mj if I don't have my revcnije of them (jran-
thams yet: — yes" he conlinueil with increased cx<;itenient of voice and man-
ner, while ho kicked one of the blazinf;; hickory Io;^s in tlic chimney with all
the savay;enesK of drunken ra:^e. cansini; a multitude of sparks to spit forth as
from tlio anvil of a smith— 'jist .so wonl<l I kick them both to hell for having
inurdere<l my poor hoy."

" Why, surely, I.iftenant Orantliam, ho can't njennt you ?" ahruiitl}' ques-
tioned tlio Aiil-de-camp, drawing huck his cliair and restint; the pilms of hiy
hands upon his knees, while ho fixed hia eye keenly and inquiringly upon
Gerahl.

But Gerald had no tini'' to answer him — .Scarcely liad the iiam;^ escaped
the lips of tlu; incautious Jackson, when a yell of e.xi'.Uation from tiic wood-
man drew him (piickly to his ft;et, and in tlio next inoniLMit he felt one hand
of his enemy p;rapiiii,r at his throat, while the liuj^ors of the other wcri; rajiidly
insinnatinj^ themselves into the hair that shadowed one of his temples, with
the evident intention to "• poii;»o" hun. Weak and emaciated as ho was, Oorald
was soon made seiisihic of the disproportion of physical stivnj^th thus suddenly
brou,:,jht into the struj;i;le, and as tho sav.i;;o lau;;h of the man. as his rni2;er«
wound themselves closer aivl closer wiLliin the clusteriii!; hair, proclaim.'d his
advantaj^e, he folt that his only ch.inceuf savin;^ the threatened eye w.is hy
having recourse to .some sndilen and despjrate attemjit to free himself from liio
gripe of his opponent. Summoniii'^ all his strength into one viijrorous ellbrt,
ho ruslied forward upon his enemy with such force, raising himself at llusamo
time in a manner t,* throw the whole weight of his person upon him. that tho
latter reeled backwards several paces without tlio power of resistonce, and
falling over the table towards which he had been intentionally propelled, sank
with a heavy crash to tlie floor, still however retaining his firm liold of his
enemy, and dragging him after him.

Half trottlerl, maddened with pain, and even more bitterly stung l»y a sensy
of the humiliating position in which he found himself, the feelings of Gerald
became uncontrolahle, until his an.xiety to inllict a mortal injury upon his
enemy became in the end as intense as that of tlie settler. In their fall t!io
tabic had been overtiirneil. and with it the knife which Deshoiough had used
with his horriil repast. As the light from the blazing fb'e fell upon the blade,
it had once caught the unassailed eyo of th(! officer, and was thi;n"xt moiuent
clutched in his grasp, lie r.ii'sod it with a determination, inspired by the
agony lie endured, at once to liberate himself and to avenge his fathers UiU,-
<ler, but the idea that there was sometliinLrassasssin-Iike in the act assudd(.nlv
arrested him. and ere he had time to obo}' a fresh impul.se of his agony. 1110
knife was forcibly stricken from his hand. A laugh of triumph burst f-om
tho lips of the half inti.txiciited Desborough, but it was .scarc;!ly ulueiod bef.jre
it was succeeded by a yell of pain, and the hand that had contrived to entwine
jtself, with resistless force and terrible intent, in the waving hair of the youth,
fell suddenly from its grasp, enabling its victim at length to free him-;elf alto-
gether and start once more to his feet.

Little more than a minute had been passed in the enactment of this strange
scone. The collision, the overthrow, the upraising of the knife had followed
each other m such ra[»id succession that, until the last despeiate intention of
Gerald was ftained, the Aid-de-camp had not had time to interpose himself in
any way between tho enraged combatants. Ilis first action had been to strike
away the niurdfrons knife with the heavy butt of one of his pistols, the other
to plant such a dow upon the "jjouging" Imnd of tho settler from the .same

t'S9

MATILDA MONTOOMKRIE; OR,

Initt, fts olTectnnlly to compol him to relinquish his furocious clutch. lu hoth
ol)joctM, US we have .seen, he fully .siificecileil.

Hill ftlthoii;^h his ri'^ht hiiiid hful heon utterly disahlocl by the hlow from
Jackson's [listol, the fury of I)osl)orou>j;h, fud as it was by the fumes of tlio
liquor he had swallowed, wna ton ^I'l^fit to render him hcetlfiil of nui^htbut the
pratinoatiou of liis vengeance. Uullinj: rajjidly over to the point where the
Knife hml fallen he secured it in his left hand, nn . th(M». lcapin{; nimbly to his
feet, Ruthcred himself into a sprinyj u])on his unarmed but watchful enemy.
15ut itefore the bound could be laki'n, tlic aetive Aid-de-camp, coverin;^ Gerald
with his body and presenting n cocked pistol, had again thwarted him in his
n ten lion.

•' I say now, old cock, you'd much better be quiot T pucss, for them sort of
tantrums won't .siiit me. If this here Liftenant killed your son why he'll
answer for it later, but I can't let you murder my prisoner in that flumgusti-
ous manner. I'm responsible for him to the United States Government,
therefore just drop that knife chsan and slick upoi; the lloor, and let's have no
more of this nonsense f)r th) nii^ht."

Hut even the cocked pistol had not power to restrain the fierce — almost
brutal — ra^C! of the svoudman, whose growing intoxication added fuel to tho
fire whicli the prcsenci; of his enemy had kindled in his heart. Heedless of
the determined air and threatening posture of the Aid-de-cainp, he made a
bound forward, utterin^j; a sound that resemble(I tiie roar of a wild beast
rather than the cry of a humin beini;. and struck over Jackson's shoulder at
the cAic^t of the ofliccr. Gerald, whose watchful eye markeil the danger, had
liowcver time to step back and avoid the blow. In the next moment the Aid-
de-cam[). overborne by the violence of tho collision, fell heavily backwards
upon the 'ude floor, and in the fall the pisfol Vreut off lodginji; the I)all in the
sinewy calf of Desborough's ]v<^. Stung with acute animal pain, tho whole
raa,"' of the latter was now divertcil from Gerald to the aid-de-camp, on whom,
ftssmnin;; the wound to have been intentional, he threw himself with the fury
of a tiu:er, grapplinj:; as he closed with him at his throat. Hut flu; sailor, in his
turn, now came to the rescue of his companion, and the scene for some time,
r.s the whole party struggled together upon the door in the broad, red glaro
of the wood fire, was one of fearful and (lesperate character. At length, after
an immense ellbrt, and amid the most horrid imprecations of vengeance upoa
them, the olTicers succeeded in disarming and tying the liands of the settler
qehind his b.'ick, after which, dragging him to a distant corner of f lie hut, they
secured him firmly to one of the open ami mis-shapen logs which composed
its frame. This done. .Jackson divided the little tiiat liad been left of his
" Wabash" with his charge, and tlicn stretching himself at his length, with
}iis feet to the fire and his sa<Mle for a pillow, soon fell profoundly asleep.

Too much agitated by the scene which had just passed. Gerald, although
following the example of his companion in slretcliing himself before the cheer-
ful fire, was in no condition to enjo}' repose. Indeed, whatever his inclination,
tho atteni[)t would have been vain, fur so dreadful were the denunciations of
Desborou^h Ihroughoiit the night, that sleep bad " room to enter even into
his thoughts. Deep and appalling were the 'urses .m.. thr -ats of vengeanco
which the enraged settler uttered npni " , r\o bore the name of Grantham j
anil with these were mingled lann i'm- his son -scarcely less revolting

in their import than the cur.ses t oives. Nor \v rhe turbulence of the

enraged man confined to mereexcit ut of hu'ruage. Ifis large and muscular
fcumi struggled in every direction tu h hit 'If from the cords that secured
him to the logs, and finding these too firnil} Mund to admit of the accomplish-
ment of his end, he kicked his brawny feet against the floor with a" the fury
and imi)atiencc of a s[)irit, quickened into a livelier .sense of rcstr t by the
stimulus of intoxication. At length, exiiausteil by the efforts lie had made, his
snuggles and his imprecations became gradually less frequent and less vigor-
ous, until finally towards dawn theycea.sed altogether, and his deep and heavy
brc'itliing announced that he slept.

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED

IbO

in his

ilh, with

ATustomc'l to rise with tho dawn, tlio Ai'lo-do-ramp wns not 1«npj aflor itn
m I pen 111 11 CO in shal<iiif; oll'tlio slnmlnT in which he liiul so profoinrily irnhjliji'd.
Tho first ohjcct that mot lii.s t'vc as ho raised himself up in a sitlinp posture
from his rmlo lied, was CJi'raid stoopin;» over tlie slcopiii'^ Dcshoroiinh, ono
hand rcstinp; upon his chest, tho other i ^Idinaj tlie knife already aiindod to,
wliile every feature of hisfaco was I<indied into lonthiii),' and ahhorreiiee of lii.s
prostrat(> and .sU'epino; enemy. StartU>d hy tlie expression lie read there, nn<l
with the occurrennes of tho last nij;ht rushinj; foroihly upon his memory, tho
Aide-de-camp called cpiickly out :

" Hold, liiftenant Grantham. Well, as I'm ft truo Tonnessoo man, hred and
horn, may I ho most especially il — il. if I'd a thouglit you'd do so foul a deed.
What! assassinate a sleepin<jj dninkcn man?"

'• Assassinate, Captain Jackson ?" repeated Gerald, raisin* himself to his
full hei<?ht, while a crimson flush of indij^natiou Huccucded to tho deadly pale-
ness wiiich had overspread his cheek.

'"Yes — assassinate!" retiu'ned the Aide-de-camp, fixinjj; his eye upon that
of his prisoner, yet without perci'ivinii- that it qiiiiiled under his jKMielratin<;
plance ; " It's an ugly word. I reckon, for you to hear, as it is for tho to speak,
hut your quarrel last nij;lit — ^^\'our tlx just now— that knife — LifLeiiaut Gran
thani," and he pointed to the hlade whicih still remained in the hands of tho
accused — 'surely these things .speak for themselves ; and though the fellow
lias swallowed off all my VVahash. and he d — d to him, still I shouldn't liko
to see him murdered in that sort of way."

"I cannot hiame you, Captain Jackson," said Gerald calmly, his features
resuming their pallid hue. "These appearances. I grant, might justify the
suspicion, liorrihle as it is, in ono who had known more of me than yourself
hut was assassination even a virtue, worlds would not tempt me to assassinate
that man — wretch though ho be — or even to slay liim in fair und open
combat."

" Then T calculate one night has made a pretty considerable cliange in your
feelings, Lii'tenant," retorted the Aide-de-camp. " You were both ready
enough to go at it last night, when I knocked the knife out of your fist, and
broke the knuckles of his gouging liatid."

'• I confess," said Gerald, again coloring, " that excessive pain made me wild,
and I .should have been tempted to have had recourse to any means to thwart
h'^m in his diabolical jiurpose. As you have said, however, tlie past night has
cnected a change in my feelings towards tho man, and deiith from my hand,
under any circumstances, is the last thing ho has now to apprehend." Gerald
sank his heail upon his chest, and sighed bitterly.

'• Well," said Jackson, '■ all this is queer enough ; but what wers you
doing standing over tho man just now with that knife, if it was not to liarm
him ? And as for your countenance, it scowled .so savage and pas.sionate, I
was almost afraid to look at it myself."

" My motive lor the action I must beg you to excuse my entering upon,"
replied Gerald. " Of this, however, bo assured, Captain Jackson, that I liad
no intention to injure yon sleeping villain. On the word of an oilicer and a
gentleman, and by the kindness you have shown mo on all occasions .since our
journey commenced, do I solemnly assure you this is the fact."

'• And on the word of an ofliccr, and a tr*ie Tennessee man. bred and born,
1 am bound to believe you." returned tho American, much atl'ected. " A man
that could fight so wickedly in the Held would never find lieart. I reckon, to
stick an enemy in the dark. No, JJflenant (irantham, 3'ou were not born
to be an as.sassin. And now let's bo starting — tho day has already broke.''

" And yet." returned Gerald, with a smile of bitter melancholy, as tl^y hur-
ried towards the spot where they had left their horses, '' if any man ever had
reason to act so as to merit the imputation of being such, I have. In that
savage woodsman, Captain Jackson, you have beheld the murderer — the sclf-
icknowledged murderer of my fathei-.'"

'• God bless my soul !" cried Jackat'a droppi"; the saddle which he carried^

too

MATILDA MONTOOMKIMK: OR,

and stnnilin? still witli vory nmazntnont. " A pri'tty fix T'vo got into, to bt
*F.tirc. Hero's one man aociisos iiiiotiior ftf nninlcriii.ir his son, luul t'other, bjr
way of (jiiifs nci-nses him, in his li.rn, of murdorinj; his futlier. Why, which
am I to bi'hcvc ?"

" Whicli you plonsp, Cnptftin Jacl\s:^n." finid the sailor coolly, yet paincdly ;
and he move''. •'>r\v;vvd in pursuit c' his liorse.

" Xiiy, liifteniuit frrantlKim," said the x\id-de-carap, whohad n^nin resumed
his hunlen, and was speedily at the side of his companion, "don't l)e ollended.
I've no doubt the tliin.uj's as you s,iy ; but you must make allownnco for my
ideas, never too much of the briii;htest, bein;;; conj;lomerated, after a fashion,
by wiiat T have seen and heard, since we let loose our horses last night upon
this prairie."

" T am not olfended, only hurt," replied Gerald, shakinj; the hand that was
cordiallv tendered to him, "hurt, that you should doubt iity word, or attach
anytliino; to the assertion of that man beyond the mere ravm^s of a savago
and diseased sy)irit. Justice to my.sclf demands that I should explaiii evcry-
thinir in detail."

" Now, that's what T call all right and proper." returned the Aide-do-cnmp.
" and should be done, both for your sake and mine ; but we will leave it till
we get once 7iiore u|)on the .'oad and in sight of a tavern, for it's dry work
talking and li-tening without even so much as a gum tickler of the Waba.sh to
moisten o'lo's clay." ,

They r^ nid their horses not far from the spot where they had boon left on
the preco Jing night, and these being speedily untethere<l and saddled, the tra-
vellers 'ivuin pursued their route towards the capital of the state in which they
found tiicmselvcs. As they passed the hut which had been the scene of so
much '.JA-citement to both, the voice o^ Desborough, whom they had lefl fast
as'.eepwas heard venting curses and iuiprecations upon them both, for having
left Inm there to starve, bound and >)*capablo ofaiiling himself. Wretch as the
settler was, (Jeraid could not reconcile to himself the thought of his being left
lo pen:-h thus miserably, and he entreated the :\id-(le-camp to enter and (iivido
the cords. But Jackson d.ecl;>r"d this to be imjiolitic. urging as a powerful
reason for declining, the prebubility of his having fire-arms in the hut, with
which (if released) h '-.i'^ht follow and overtake them in their route, and sa-
crifice one or the •••' to h'h% vengeance — an ol)ject which it would be easy to
accomplish wit. l h's ever being detected. However, that the villain miglit
have sustenance unt'l rtome chance traveller should come later to hisassistance,
or he could manag? to gvt rid of his .londs himself, he consented to place withi,-:
his reach all the drie(i meat that had been left of his Indian foes, together with
n pail of water — the latter by way of pmiishmcnt for having swilled away at
his Wabash in the ungracious maimer he had.

While Jackson was busied in this office of questionable charity, the rngo
and disappointment of the settler .surpp.ssed what it had hitherto been. Each
vein of his daik brow lose distinctly and swelling from its surface, and he
kicked and stamped with a fury that proelaimed the bitter tempest raging in
his soul. When the Aide-de-camp had a.'iain mounted, his shrieks and exe-
crations became pit rcinj.r, and for many minutes after they had entered into
the heart of the forest in which the hut was situated, the .shrill sounds conti-
inied to ring npon their ears in accents so fearful, that each felt a sensible reliiif
wlien they were heard no more.

On the evening of the third day after this event. Jack.son and our hero, be
tween whom a long explanation on the subject of the settler had taken jilace,
aliglile<l ut thedjor of the principal inn in Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky,
which was their ultimate destination. To mine host Gerald was introduced
by his escort with the formality usual on fuch occasions in America, and with
the earnest recommendation to that most respectable personage, that, as his
own friend, as well as that of Captain Forrester, every indulgence should be
she wa to the prisoner that was not inconsistent with his position.

THE PROPHECY FVLFILLED.

101

Cn AFTER XXVT.

and exo-

?rc'(l into

(Is conti-

)lc relii;f

loro, 1)0
en ])liicc,
entiaky,
troiiiK'o<l
md with
t. as his
hould be

Few sitnations in life are loss enviahlc than tliat of thn isolated prisoner of
war. Far from tho home of his aflVctions, and coini)fllod by tin; absence of
all other coinimnionship, to mix with those wiio, in manners, feelings, and
national characteristics, form, as it were, a raco apart from himself, his recol-
lections, already sufliciently embittered by the doprcssin'i sense of cai)tivity.
are hourly awakened by some rude contrast woundinp; to his sensibilities, and
even thonph no source of graver irritation should exist, a thousand petty an-
noyances, incident to tho position, are ma;_^nified by cha'jjrin from mole-hilla
into mountains. Such, however, would b(! tiic eH'ix;t produced on one only,
who, thrown by the accident of war into tho situation of a captive, shouM
have no grief more profound, no sorrow deeper .seated, than what aiose from
the bein,!^ severed from old, and associated with new and >n\ lesirod ties — ono
to whom life was full of the fairest buds ofpromi.se, and whose impatience of
the present was only a burning desire to enter upon the future. Not so with
Gerald Grantham. Time, place, circumstance, condition, were alike the .'^amo
— alike miiifferent to him. In the recollection of the scenes ho h;ul so lately
quitted, and in which his fairer and unrulfled b(»yhoo 1 had been passed, h«
took no pleasm'e — while the fuMire was so enshrouded in gloom, that h«
shrank from its very contemplation. So far from trying to wring consolation
from circumstances, his object was to stupify recollection to the nttermost,
lie would fain have shut out both tVic past and the future, contenting himself
us he might with the present ; but the thing was impossible. The worm had
iiaten into his heart, and its gnawings weie too painful, not poignantly to
remind him of the manner in which it had been engendered.

Upwards of a fortnight had elapsed since his arrival, and yet, although
Oaptain Jackson, i)rior to his return to Sandusky, had personally introduced
him to many highly respectable families in Frankfort, he uniformly abstained
from cultivating their acquaiirtance, until at length he was, naturally enougb.
pronounced to be a most disagreealilc specinien of a British officer. Even
with the inmates of the hotel, many of whom were oHiccrs of his own age,
and with whom he constantly sat down to the ordinary, ho avoided every-
thing approaching to intimacy — .satisfying hini.self merely with di.vcharging
his sh.are of the commonest courtesies of life. They thought it pride: — it wan
but an ellect — an irremediable effect — of the utter sinking of his .sad and luoken
Kpirit. The only distraction in which ho eventually took plea.sure, or .sought
to indulge, was rambling through the wild pas.ses of the chain of wooded hill;<
which almost encircles the capital of Kentucky, and extends to a consideraSIo
distalice in a westerly direction. TI»o dense gloom of the.so narrow valleys ho
had reniarkeil on his entrance by the same route, and feeling them more in
unison with his sick mind than the hum and bustle of a city, wliich offered
nothing in common with his sympathies, he now frequently passed a great
portion of the day in threading their mazes — returning, however, at a certain
hour to his hotel, conformably with the term-! of his parole.

On one occasion, tempted by the mellow beauty of the .season — it was now
the beginning of October — he had strayed so far. and through passes so un-
known to him, that when the fast advancing evening warned him of the no-
ctissity of returning, lie foimd he hi-d utterly h)st his way. Abstracted as h«
usually was, ho had yet reflection enough to understand that his parole of
honor required ho should be at his hotel at an hour which it would put hia
Bpred to the proof to accomplish. Despairing of finding his way by tho cir-
cuitous route he had originally taken, and the proper clue to which he had
moreover lost, he determined, familiar as he was with the general bearings of
tiie capital, to otfect his return in a direct line acro.s*; the chain of hills already
alludeil to. Tho deepening shadow.s of the wild scene. a« he proposed to as*
fiend that immediately before him, told that tlie sun had sunk beneath (h«

102

MATILDA MONTGOMBRIR. OK,

horizon. aiiJ when he gainofl its summit, the last faint conniscation? nf lic;h»
were passint^ rapidly away in the west. Still, by the in'listinct t\vili,i;ht, he
rould porcoive that at his feet lay a small valley., completely homincd in by
the circular ridge oti which he stood. This traversed, it was but to ascend the
opposite section of the ridge, and hia destination would be (gained. Unliko
|tl)e narrow, rocky pas.ses which divided the hilh in every other direction ni
Which he had previously wandered, this valley wa.s covered with a luxm'iant
verdure, and upon this the fjct of (Jenild moved inaiidibly even to himself
As he advanced more into thor centre of the little plain, he thought he could
perceive, at its extremity on the right, the dark outline of a building — appa
rcntly a dwelling-house; and while lie yet hesitated whether he should ap
proach it and inquire his most direct way to the town, a light suddenly ap
peared at that point of the valley for which he was already making. A few
minutes sudieed to bring him to the spot whence the light had issued. It
was a small, circular building, possibly intended for a summer-house, but more
resembling a temple in its construction, and .so closcl}' bordering upon the
forest riilge, by a portion of the foliage by which it had previously been con-
cealed, as to l)e almost confounded with it. It was furni.shcd with a singlo
wmdow, the same through which the light now issued, and this, narrow, elon-
gated, and studded with iron bars, was so placed as to prevent one even taller
than our hero from gazing into the interior, without the aid of some elevation.
But Gerald, independently of his anxiety to reach the town in time to pre-
vent comment upon his absence, had no desire to occupy himself with subjects
foreign to his object. Curiosity was a feeling dead within his bosom, and ho
Was preparing, without once staying his course, to ascend the riiige at the side
of the temple, when he fiincied he heard u suppressed grorai, as of one sufier-
ing from intense agony. Not the groan, but the peculiar tone in which it was
uttered, arrested his attention, and excited a vague yet stirring interest m his
breast. Oil a]>proaching closer to the temple, he fo'.'.jid that at its immediate
basement the earth had been thrown up into a sort of mound, which so ele-
vated the footing as to admit of his reaching the bars of the window with his
hands. Active as we have elsewhere slio vn him to be, he was not long in
obtaining a full view of liie interior, when a sci'nc met his eye which riveted
him, as well it might, in utter astonishment. Upon the rude, uncarpeted
floor knelt a female, who, with clasped and uplifted hands, had her cyin lixed
upon a portrait that hung suspended from the opposite wall — her figure, clad
in a loose robe of black, developing by its attitude a contour of such rich and
Rymmetrical proportion as might be difficult for the imagination to embody.
And who was the being upon wliom his each excited sense now lingered with
an admiratian little short of idolatry 7 One wh.om. a moment before, he be-
lieved to be still far distant, whom he had only a f'^w months previously lied
from as from a pestilence, and whom he had solemnly sworn never to bchoM
a>;;ain — yet whom he continued to love with a passion that delied evtjry effort
of his judgment to subdue, making his life a wilderness— Matilda Montgom-
crie ! and if her be;iuty had then had such surpassing influence over his soul,
what was not its elfoct when he beheld her noxo, every grace of womr.uUood
exhibited in a nrinner to excite admiration the most intense !

It would be vaivi to describe all that passed through tin mind of Ger.ald
Grantham, while he thus gazed ujjou her whose beauty was the rock on which
his happiness had been wrecked, Ilis iirst impulse had been to lly, but the
fascination which riveted him to the window deprived him of all power, until
eventually, of all the host of feelings that had crowded tumultuously upon his
heart, passion alone remained triumi)bant. Unable longer to conticl iiis im-
patience, he was on the point of quitting his station, for the purpose of knock-
ing and obtaining admission by a door which he 8aw opposite to him, v/hen a
sudden change in the attitude of Matilda arrested the movement.

She had risen, and with her long and dark hair lioating over her whito
nhoulders, now a<ivanced toward"? the portrait, on which her gaze had hitherto
V«eu so repea*^edly turned. Thi.s was so placed that Gerald had not pi"©-

t\vili,^!it. he
iniuL'd in by

ascon<l the
led. Unliko
direction m

a iiixiiriant

1 to hiinsdf
jht he could
Idins — appa
c should ap
iuddenly ap
inq;. A few

issued. It
se, hut inoro
v^ upon tlio
;ly been con-
,vitl) a singlo
larrow, elon-
e even taller
r.o elevation,
time to pre-
vith subjects
)soin, and ho
;e at the side
)f one sufier-
which it was
Uerest in his
ts immediate
ivhioh so cie-
low witli his

not lonf» in
Inch riveted

uncarpeted
cr cytfi li.ved

figure, clad
uch rich and

to embody.

ngered with
>efore, lie be-
er iously fled
er to behold

every effort

I Montgom-

vcr his soul,

woni:mbood

d of Gerald

)ck on vrbiil*

lly, but the

power, until

y upon his
nil el liis iin-

of i-iuock-
liim, v/heu a

r her whito
had liitherto
lal not pi*o-

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

i6a

rfpusly an opportunity of remarking more than the indistnct outline, which
proved it to represent a human figure ; but as she for a moment raised the light
with one hand, while with the other she covered it with a veil which had been
drawn aside, he distinctly saw that it was the portrait of an officer dressed in
the American uniform ; and it even occurred to him that he had before seen
the face, although, irt his then excited state he could not recollect whera, .,
Kven had he been inclined to tax his memory, the effort would have been iuw^
pi'acticable. for another direction was now given to his interest. i

On the left and close under the window, stood a rude sofa and ruder Uibt4(
the only pieces of furniture wjjich Gerald could observe within the tcmpldi :
Upon the former Matilda had now reclined herself, and placing the candle upon
the table at her side, proceeded to unfold and peruse a letter which she had
previously taken fronl her pocket book. The same unconsciousness of obscr-»f
vation inducing the same uustudiedness of action, the whole disposition of the-
form bore a character of voluptuousness, which the presuirted isolation of her
who thus cxhibtcd herself, a model of living grace, alone could justify. But
although the form was full of the eloquence of passion, one had but to turn
to the pale and .severe face, to find th<n'e was no corresponding expression in
the heart. As heretofore, the brow of the Amori(\an wore a cast of thought —
only deeper, more decided — and even while her dark eyes llivshed fire, as if in
disappoint.nent and anger at sundry passages in the letter over which she lin-
gered, not once did the slightest color tinge her cheek, or the gloom dissipate
itself from that cold brow. Emotion she felt, for this lier heaving bosom and
occasionally compressed lip betokened. Yet never was contrast more marked
than that bi'Lween the person and the face of Matilda Montgomerie, as Gerald
Grantham then beheld her.

On one who had seen her thus for the first time, the cold, calm counten-
ance of the singular girl, would have acted as a chastenor to the emotion^
called up by ihe glowing expression of her faultless form, but although theri
was now a churaeter of severity on her features, which must have checke<l and
chilled the ardent admiration produced by that form on a mere strangefi
Gerald but too well remevnbered occasions when tlie harmony of both had
been complete, and when the countenance, rich in all those fas«ination.s, which,
even in her hours of utmost collectedness, never ceased to attach to the person^
had beamed upon him in a manner to stir his very .soul into madness. There
were other and later recollections too. that forced tliemselves upon his memory!
but tlu'so. even though they recalled scenes in wjiich the voluptuous beauty
of Matilda shone paramount, were as blots upoii the fair picture of the past,
a.nd he fain would have banished them from his Uiind for ever.

The letter on whi(;h the American was now engage<l, Grantham had rccog*
nised, fiom its fold and seal, to be one he had written prior to parting with
her, as he had .siippo.sed for ever. While ho was yet dwelling on this singUf
larity, Matilda threw the letter upon the table at her side, and leaning lier
head upon her hand, seemed as if musing deeply upon its contents. The con-
traction of her brow became dee|)cr. and there was a convulsfjd pressure of
her iips as of one forming some determination, requiring at once strong moral
and physical energy to accompli.sh. A cold shudder crept through the vein?
of G( raid, for too well did he fancy ho could divine what w.as pissing in the
sou! of that strnnge yet fa.scinating woman. For a moment a feeling of almost
loathing ciime over his heart, but when, in the next moment, he saw her rise
from the sofa, revealing the most inimitable grace, he burned with impationce
to tlirosv huuself, reckless of consequences, at her feet, and to confess hig
idolatry.

After pacing to and fro for some moments, her dark and kindling eye alone
betraying tlie excitement which her colorless cheek denied, Matilda a;>nin took
U]) the light, .'ind having once more ajiprflached the portrait, wiis in the net of'
raising t^ie veil, when a slight noise made by Gweld. who in his anxiety to
obtain a better view of lier, had made a change in his position, arrested hof
«*/ i and she turned and fl.\ed her eye upon the window, not with the di»»-

MATILDA MONTOC MER1R ; OR,

tnrbed manne; of a person who fuars observation, but with the threatening air
of one who would punish an intrusion.

■ Holding; the light above her liead, she advanced firmly across the room, and
stopping beneath the window, fixed her e3'e steadily and unslirinkinmly upon
It. The mind of Gerald had become a chaos of conflictinij: and Dpjmstte feel-
ings. Only an instant before and he vvotild have coveted reco;,miti()n. now his
tnxiety was to avoid it; bnt cramped in his attitude, ami clni^rin;:; as he was
comneiled, with his face close to the bars, his only means of doinj; so was by
^uittino; his position altO'^ether. He therefore loosened his hold, and droj.peil
himself on the mound of earth from which he had contrived to ascend, but
pot .s6 noiselessly, in the imbroken stillness of the ni-zht. .is to escape the keen
ear of the American. In the next moment Gerald heard a door open, and a
well known voice demand, in tones which betrayed neither aUrm nor indu-
Wsion.

. " Who \h there ?»

■ The qncHtlon was repeated in echo from the surrounding woods, and then
4ied away in distance.

" Who of my people," again demanded Matilda, " has dared to follow mo
■here in defiance of my orders ?" •

Another echo of indistinct sonnd.s, and all again was still.
" Whoever you are, speak," resumed the courageous girl. " Nay." she pur-
sued mor« decidedly, as having moved a pace or two from the door, she oli-
iorved a human firm standing motionless beneath the windoiv. '• Think not
to escape me. Come hither .slave that I may know you. This curiosity .sh-.iU
test you dear."

The blood of Gerald insensibly chilled at tho harsh tone in which those
fTords were 'uttei'ed, and had he followed a first iinpnlsii he would at once
! Iiave retired from the influence of a command, which undtT all t!ie circum-
stances, occurred to him as being of prophetic import. But he had 'jrazcd on
'the witching beauty of the .syren, until judgment and reason bad yielded the
rein to pa-ssion, and filled with an ungovernable desire to behold and touch
that form once more — even although he .should the next moment tear himself
from it for ever*— he approached and stood at the entrance of the temple, tl-.o
■ threshold of which Matilda had again ascended.

No exclamation of surprise escaped tho lips of tho ever-collected American ;
*nd yet, for the first time that night, her cheek was .suffused with a deep flow,
the effect of which was to give to her whole stylo of beauty a cliaracter of
, radiancv.

" Gerald Grantham !"

*' Yes. Matilda," exclaimed the youth, madly, heedless of the past, while ho
.riveted his gaze upon her dazzling loveliness with such strong excitement of
♦xprc.s.sion as to cau.se her own to sink beneath it, " A'our own Gerald — your
slave kneels before you," and he threw himself at her feet

" And what punishment does not that slave merit?" sh( asked in a tone so
different from that in which she had addressed her supp.>sod dornestio. that
Gerald could .scarcely believe it to be tho same. "What reparation i-an ho
.make for having caused so much misery to one who loved and clierished him
so well, Oh! Gerald, what days, what nights of misery have I not passed
.since you so unkindly left me." As she uttered the last aentence. she bent
herself over the still kneeling form of her lover, while her long dark hair,
falling fo.rward, completely enveloped him in its luxuriant and waving
folds.

"You will be mine, Matilda," at length murmured the youth, as he .sat at
•her side on tha sofa, to which on rising he had conducted her.

" Yours, only yours," returned the American, while she bent her face upon
his shoulder. " But you know the terms of our union."

Had a viper stung liim, -Gerald could not have recoiled with more dismay
snd horror from her embrace. Again the features of Matilda became colorles^
•ud her brow assumed an expression of care and severity.

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

105

"Then, if not to fulfil that compact, wherefore arc j'Oii here V and the quea*
tion was! put half querulously, half contempluously.

''Chance. Destiny, Fate —call it what you will," cried Gerald. oboying'*tho
stronger impulse of his feeiinss, and clasping her once more to his heaving
heart. '"Oh ! Matilda, if you knew how the idea of that fearful condition has
haunted mo in my thoughts by day, and my dreams by night, you would
only wonder that at this mouient I retain my senses, filled as my soul is withf
laaddonmj; — with inextinguishable love for you,"

'• Ani do you really entertain for mo that deep, that excessive passion yon
have just expressed," at length observed Matilda, after some moments of .si-
lence, and with renewed tenderness of voice and manner, '"and yet refuse the
racfuis by which you mny .secure mc to you for ever ?"

'• MatiMa," said Geraltl, with vehemence, '• my passion for you is one which
no eiTort of mv reason c;\n control; but let me not deceive you — it is now one
of the .senses."

An expression of triumph, not wholly unminglcd with scorn, animated the |
features of Matilda. It was succeeded by one of ineffable tenderness.

" We will talk of this no more to-night, Gerald, but to-morrow eveninq;, at
the same hour, be hero : and our mutual hopes, and fears, and doubts shall b©
then rcalizod or disappointed, as the event may show. To-morrow will deter-
mine if as I cannot but believe, Destiny has sent you to me at this important
hour. It is very singular," .she added, as if to herself, her features again be-
coming; deadly pale. " very singular iinleed !"

" What is sing\ilar. Matilda ?" asked Gerald.

'• You shall know all to-morrow," she replied ; " but mind," and her dark
eye rested on his with an expr-ossion of mucli tenderness, "that jou come prO'
pared to yield me all I ask,"

Gerald promised that ho would, and Matilda expressing a desire to hear
what had .so unexpectedly restored hmi to her presence, he entered into a dfi-
tail of all that had befallen him from the moment of their separation. She
appeared to be much touched by the relation, and in return, gave him a history
of what she too had felt and sulTered. She moreover informed him that ]M:ijor
Montgomerie had died of his wounds shortly after their parting, and that .she
Ij.ul now been nearly two months returned to her uncle's estate at Frankfort,
where she lived wholly secluded from society, and with a domestic establish-
ment consistinir of slaves. The.se short explanations having been entered into
they parted — Matilda to enter her dwelling, the same which Gerald had re-
marked in outline, in which numerous lights wore now vi.sible, and her lover
to make the best of his way to the town.

'*,.

CHAPTER xxvir.

MoRNMNG dawned, and yet no sleep had visited the eyes of Gerald Gran-
tham, The image of Matilda floated in his mind, and to the recollection of
her beauty he clung with an aching oagerac>s of delight, that attested tlio
extent ftf its inliuencc over his imagination. Had there been nothing to tar-
nish that glorious picture of womanly perfection, the feelings it called up
would have been too exqui.site for endurance; but. .alas! with the faultless
image came recollections, against which it required all tiie force of that beauty
to maintain itself. Oae ineitaccable spat was upon the soul of that fascinating
b«Mng ; and though like the spots on the sun's disk, it was hidden in the eflul-
gcnce which surrounded it, still he could not conceal from him.self that it did
exi.~t. to deface the symmetry of the wlutle^ It was his knowledge of that
foirful hlemi:-.h that hai'. driven him to seek in drunkenness, and subsequently
^ death, a release from the agonizing tortures of his mind. Virtue and a high

166

MATILDA NONIOOMBRIB; CRt

S^Rfle of honor had triumphed so far, as not mcroly to leavo liia own soul spot*
lcs», but to Hy from l)cr wlio would havo polhitiid it vj'ith criu4e; yi't, although
resjifect and lovp— the pure scntiincnts by which he liad (>ri«:iually beeu influ-
enced — liad passod away, the iiour of their departure had been that of the
incr eased domination of passion, and fir from her whoso boauty was ever pre-
sent to his mind, his imagination had drawn and linjTcrLHl on such pictures
that, assured as he was they could never t)C realized, he finally resolved to
court death wherever it might present itself.

Restored thus wuexpectedly to the presence of her who had been tlio
quoeasinj, subject of his thou;»hts, and under circumstances so well calculatfJ
to inJhnnt; liis imatjination, it cannot appear wonderful lliat Gerald should iiava
looked forward to his approaching interview willi cjnotions of the intenscst
kind. How fated, too, seemed the reunion. Ho had quitted Matilda with tho
firm determination never to behold her more, j-ct. by the very act of courtinj"
that death which would fully have accomplished his purpose, he had placed
fcimself in tho position he most wished to avoid. ProJiuming that Major
Montgomerie, who had never alluded to Frankfort as his home, was still with
bis niece, a resident in the distant State in which he l:ad left tliem. he had
l^ladly heard Colonel Forrester name the Kentucky capital as the place of hi*
destination ; for, deep and maddening as was his passion for Matilda, no
earthly consi(lerations could have induced him voluntarily to have sought her.
Even since his arrival in Frankfort, it had been a source of consolation to him
to feel that he was far removed from her who could have made him forget that,
although the heart may wither and die, while self-esteem and an approving
conscience remain to us, the soul shares not in tliQ.same decay — confesses not
the .same sting. Could he even have divined that in the temple to which hi.s
curiositv had led him. he should have beheld the being on whose imago

it, he would have avoided her

as a

ho doted, even while he shunned
pestilence.

Tlie result of this terrible struggle of his feelings was a determination to see
her once more — to yield up his whole soul to the intoxication of her presence,
»nd then, pi'ovided she should refuse to imite her fate to his, unhampered by
the teriible condition of past days, to tear himself from her for ever.

Str./ng in this resolution, Gerald, to whom the hours had appeared as days
pincc his rising, quitted Frankfort about his usual time, and, in order
to avoid observation, took tho same retired and circuitous route by which ho
had reached the valley tho preceding evening. As he de.scended into tho

!)lain, the light from the window of the temple was again perceptible. In a
cw minutes he was in the room,

'■ Gerald — my own Gerald," exclaimed Matilda, as, carefully clo.sing the door
after her lover, she threw herself into his embrace. Alas, weak man ! Like
the baseless fabric of a dream, disappeared all the lately formed resolutions
of the yoK'th.

" Yes, Matilda — j'our own Gerald. Como what will, henceforth I am
yours."

A pause of some moments ensued, during which each felt the beating of tho
Other's heart.

'■ Will you swear it, Geriild ?" at length whispered Matilda. ' ... ."

c ■ " I will — I do swear it."

Tiiere was a sudden kindling of the dark eye of tho American, and an
©ntswellmg of the full bust, that seemed to betoken exuUatisn in the power
©f her beaut}' ; but this was quickly repressed, and, sinking on the sofa at the
side of her lover, her whole countc inncc was radiant with the extraordinary
expression Gerald had, for the fust time, witnessed while she lingered on the
*rm of his uncle. Colonel D'Figvillu.

'• Gerald," she .said tenderly, " confirm tho oath which is to unite us heart
and sou' in (.ne eternal destiny. Swear \ipnn this sacred volume, that youi
hand sluvll avenure the wrongs of your Matilda — of your wife. Ha 1 your
wife — think of that," she added with sudden energy. ., , ■; yi.. -jj"

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

vy)

soul spot*
:, althoiin;!]
seen iiiflu-
lat of the.
i ever pre-
h picturei?
esolvod to

been tlio
calculated
lonld iiava
; intenscst
a with tho
f courting
lad placed
hat Major

still w'ith
m. he had
aco of his
atilda, no
ouglit hef.
on to hiiH
>rgct that,
approving;
ifesscs not
which his
osc iinago
ler as a

tion to SCO
' presence,
ipered by

?d as da3'S

in order

which ho

I into the

)Ie. In a

g the door
an ! Like
esolutions

rth I am

ing of tho

\. and an
he power
ofa at the
^ordinary
ed on the

ns heart
■hat youi
la ! \ oai

Gerald caught tho book eagerly to his lips. "I swear it, Mati'.d/ — ]t*d
bhall die.'

But scarcely had ho sworn, when a crcepin:!; cliill passed through his f/*jric.
His features lost all their animation, and, tluDwing away tho book on vf.iyh
the irnjiious oath had been taken, he tui'nel away his facci from MatlJdft, aa(2
sinking his head upon his breast, groaned and wept bitterly.

" What! already, Gerald, do you repent? Nay, tell me not tliat one t'r.ia
infirm of purpose, can be .strong of passion. You love me not, else vroald
ilic wrongs of her you love arm you with the fiercoet spirit of vengcanc
against him who has .so deeply injured her. But if you repent, it is but to ab-
Kolvc you from the oath, and then the deed must be my own."

The American spoke in tones in whicli reproach, expostulation, and woundf.<I ^
afiection, were artfully and toucliingly blended, and as she conchidcd, she lc6
dropped her head upon her chest and sighed.

" Nay, Matilda, you do me wrong. It is one thing to swerve from the guilty
purpose to which your too seductive beauty has won my soul. — another, ta
;nourn as man should mourn, the hour when virtue, honor, religion, all the no-
bler pi'inciples in which my youth iias been nurtured, have proved too weak to
stem the tide of guilty passion. You say I love you not I" and he laugheil
bitterly. " What greater proof would you requu'e than tho oath I liaro
just taken?"

" Its fulfilment." said Matilda impres.sively. ' ' - ''■

"It shall be fulfilled," he returned quickly ; but at least deny me not th?
privilege of cursing the hour when crime of so atrocious a dye could bo made
BO familiar to my soul."

" Crime is a word too indiscriminately bestowed," said ISfatilda. after a
momentary pause. " What the weak in mind class with crime, the strong
term virtue."

" Virtue ! what, to spill the blood of a man who has never injured me ; to
become a hired assassin, the price of whose guilt is the hand of her who insti-
gates to the deed ? If this be virtue. I am indeed virtuous."

"Never injured you !" returned the American, while. .she bent her dark eyo.H
reproachfully upon those of the unhappy Gerald. '• Has ho not injured
me ? — injured beyond all power of reparation, her who is to bo the partner
of your life ?"

" Nay, Matilda," and Gerald again passionataly caught and enfolded her to
his heart, "that image alone were sutlicient to mould me to your will, even
although I had not before resolved. And yet." he pursued, after a short puu.sc,
'• how base, how terrible to slay an unsuspecting enemy I Would we could
meet in single combat — and why not ? Yes it can, it shall be so. Fool that [
was not to think of it before. Matilda, my own love, rejoice with me, for
there is a means by which your honor may be avenged, and my own .soid un-
stained by guilt, i will seek this man, and fasten a quarrel upon hiin. Whac
say you, Matilda — speak to me, tell me that you consent." Gerald gasped
TFith agon}-.

" Never, Gerald !" .she returned, with startling impressivcness, while tho
color, which during the warm embrace ,pf her lover had returnetl to it oncd
more, fled from her cheek. " To challenge him would be but to ensure your
own doom, for few in the army of the United States equal him in tho use of
the pistol or tho small sword ; and, even were it otherwise," she concluded,
her eye kindling into a fierce expression, '• were he tho veriest novice in tho
exercise of both, my vengeance would be incomplete, did ho not go down to h\H
grave with all his sins on his head. No, no, Gerald, in tho fulness of the prido
of existence must he perish. He must not dream of death until he feels tho
blow that is aimed at his heart."

The agitation of Matilda was profound beyond anything she had over jet
exhibited. Her words were uttered in tones that betrayed a fixed and unbro-
ken purpose of the .soul, and when .she had finished, .she threw hor face upon
tU) booom of her lover, and ground her teeth tojjcthcr with a forco that show-

(08

MATILDA MONTOOML-RIK: Ot.

til the ofTcrt produced iipon her imagination by the very picture of the death
llic hud drawn.

A pause of Komc inomcnts ensued. Gerald was visibly disconcerted, and
the arm which cncin;led the waist of the revengeful woman dropped, as if io
disappointment, at his side.

" llow strange and inconsistent are the prejudices of man," resumed M(»-
tihla, half mournfully, half in sarcasm; " here is a warrior — aspiilur oflminun
life by profession ; his sword has been often dyed in the heail's blood of hu
fellow man, and yet he shudders at the tliought of adding one murder more to
the many .alreafly committed. What child-like weakness !"

'■ Murder ! Matilda — call you it murder to overcome the enenjies of one's
country in fair and honorable combat, and in the field of tjlory ?"

" Call i/oit it what you will — disguise it under whatever cloak you may — it
U no less murder. Nay. the worst of murders, for you but do the duty of the
l»ireling slayer. In cold blood, and for a stipend, do you put an end to the fa.r
existence of him who never injured you in thought or deed, and whom,
under other circumstances, you would pcrh.aps have taken to your heart in
friendship."

'■ This is true, but the difference of the motive, Matilda ! The one approved
of heaven and of man, the other alike condemned of both."

'■ Ai)proved of man, if you will ; but that they have the sanction of heaven,
I deny. Worldly polic}' and social interests alone have drawn the distinction,
making the one a crime, the other a virtue; but tell me not that an all-wisa
and just God sanctions and approves the slaying of his creatures, because they
jwrish, not singly at the will of one man, but in thousands and tens of thou-
sands at the will of another. AV'liat is there more sacred in the brawls of
kings and potentates, that the blood they cause to be shed in torrents for some
f)aUry breach of etiquette, should sit more lightly on their souls than the few
lioiitary drops, spilt by the hau i of revenge, on that of him whose existence is
writhing under a sense of acutcst injury '?"

The energy with which .she expressed herself, communicated a corres-
ponding excitement to her whole manner and person. Her eye sparkled and
dilated, and the visible heaving of her bosom told how strongly her own feel-
ings entered into the principles which she had advocated. Never did her
personal beauty shine forth more triumphantly or seducingly than at tho
moment when her lips were giving utterance to sentiments from which tho
heart recoiled.

•• Oh Matilda," sighed Gerald, " with what subtlety' of argument do you
seek to familiarize my soul with crime. But the attempt is vain. Although
uiy hand is pledged to do your will, my heart must ever mourn its guilt."

"Foolish Gerald," said Matilda; •• why should that .seem guilt to you. a
man, which to me, a woman, is but justice; but that unlike me you have never
entered into the calm consideration of the subject. Yes," she pursued with
greater energ}', '• what you call subtlety of argument is but force of conviction.
For two long years have I dwelt upon the deed, reasoning, and comparing,
until at length each latent prejudice has been expelled, and to avenge my har-
rowing wrongs appeared a duty as distinctly marked as any one contained in
the decalogue. You saw me once, Gerald, when my hand shrank ni)t from
what y-jti term the assa.ssin's blow, and had you not interfered then, the deed
would not now rem.ain to be accomplished."

"Oh, why did T interfere? why did my evil genius conduct me to such a
Bccuc. Then had I lived at least in ignorance of the fearful act."

" Nay, Gerald, let it rather be matter of exultation with you that you did.
Prejudiced as you are. this hand (and she extended an arm .so exquisitely
Jbrnied that one would scarce even have submitted it to the winds of Heaven)
might not .seem half so fair, had it once been dyed in human blood. Besides
who so proper to avenge a woman's wrongs upon her destroyer, as the lover
and the husband to wliom she has plighted her faith for ever 1 No, no, it in
much better as it is, and fate seems to have decreed that it should be so, elos

THE PROPHECY FULFII-LED.

wily the interruption by yourself on thnt memorable ot-casion, an;! \vhy, aflor
till your pains to avoid me, tliis onr final union, at a moment when the wretch
is about to return to his native home, inllated with pride and little (Iroaming
of the fittf that awaits liiin. — Surely. Gerald, you will admit there is something
more than mere chance in this ?"

"About to return," repeated Grantham .shuddering;. " When. Matilda?"
" AVithin a week at tlie latest — perhaps within three days. Soin >, uriim-

f)oruiit advantage wl.ich he has gained on the frontier, has been mairiiified by
lis jrenerous fellow citizens into a deed of heroism, and. from information con-
veyed to me, by a trusty and confidential servant, I find he has obtained leave
of absence, to attend a public entertainment to be given m Frankfort, on which
occasion a magnificent sword, is to be presented to him. Never. Gerald," con-
liutied Matilda, her voice dropping into a whisper, while a ghastly smile pas.scd
over and convulsed her lips, ''never shall he live to draw that sword. Tho
ii'ght of his triumph is that which I have fixed for mine."

" An unimportant advantage upon the frontier," asked Gerald eagerly and
breathlessly. " To what frontier, Matilda, do you allude ?

'• The Niagara,'" was the reply.

" Are you quite sure of this ?"

" So sure that I have long known he was there," returned Matilda.

Gerald breathed more freely— but again he questioned :

'■ Matilda, when first I saw you last night, you were gazing intently upon
yon i)()rtrait, (he pointed to that part of the temple where tlie picture hunj
suspended), and it struck me that I had an indistinct recollection of tho fea-
tures."

•' Nothing more probable," returned the American, answering his searching
look with one of equal firmness. You cannot altogether have forgotten Major
Montgomeric."

'• Nay, the face struck me not as his. May I look at it ?"

" Assuredly. Satisfy yourself,"

Gerald quitted the sofa, took up the light, and traversing the room raisofl
the gauze curtain that covered the painting. It was indeed the portrait of the
deceased Major, habited in full uniform.

"!low Strang"," he mused, " that so vague an impression should have been
conveyed to my mind last night, when now I recal without difiiculty those
Avell remembered features," Gerald sighed .as he recollected under what dif-
ferent circumstances he had first l>oheld that face. an<l dropping tho curtain
once more, crossed the room and fiung himself at the side of Matilda.

"For whom did you take it, if not for Major Montgoraerie ?" asked the
American after a pause, and again her full dark eye was bent on his.

'' Nay I scarcely know myself, yet I had thought it hau been the portrait
of him I have sworn to destroy."

There was a sudden change of expression in the countenance of Matilda, but
it speedily passed away, and she said with a faint sujile,

'• WlieLlier is it more natural to find pleasure in gazing on tho features of
those who have loved, or those who have injured us ?"

" TluMi %'bose was the miniature on which you so intently gazed, on that
cvenlful night at Detroit?" asked GeraM.

'■ That," said Matil > quickly, and paling as she spoke — " that was his — 1
gazed on it only the more strongly to detest the original — to confirm the do-
terinination I had formed to destroy him."

•' ir//te/i," returned the youth, " why not now — may I not see that portrait,
Matilda ? May I not acquire .some knowledge of the unhappy man whose
b](yy(?- will so shortly stain my soul ?"

" Irnpossible," she replied. '• The miniature T have .since destroyed. While
I thought the original within reach of my revenge, T could bear to gaze upon
it, bui no sooner ivid I been disappointed in mv aim. tii.ui it became loath>
some to me as the sight of some venomoui- reptile, aud 1 destroyed it." I'hia
was .said with undisguised bitterness.

170

Matilda montoomkrib; or

Ocnild si^hod diwply. A'^nin he onoirclod the waist of his c( npanioi unrj
oi'.t? oriiiT fiiir. soft, vulvct hanils was pressed in his.

" Matil.iii." liR oitsorvctl, •• (K'cp indued must be tho wronj? that would
prompt tho licart of womuu to so torrible a hatred. When wo last parted, you
pavu me l»uL an indistinct and'fjoneral oiitUne of tho injury you had SHstfuned.
'I'cll ni(! now ali — fell mo cvcrvthiii'.^," he continued with cner(i;y. " that can
infuse a i)ortion of the iiatred which fills your soul into mine, that my hand
may ho (irnjer — my heart more hardened to the deed."

'• The story of my wron;;H must be told in a few words, for T cannot bear to
hMi^er on it," coninr.'ncel the American, again turnin.';^ deadly palo, whilo
lier quivorin;^ lips and tremblins; voice betrayed the excitement of her feelings.
Tlie monster was the choice of my heart — judfrc how much so when I tell you
that, coiilidin'^ in /lis honor, and in tho assurance that our union would tako
j)Iaco immediately, I surrendeicd to liim mine. A constant visitor at Major
Montgomerie's. whose brother ofiicer he was, wc hail ample opportunities of
beinj; toj^ether Wc were looked upon in society as affianced lovers, and in
fact it was tfie warmest wish of Major Montgomerie that we should be uiiitud.
A day had even been fixed for tho purpose, and it wanted, but eight and forty
hours of th(! time, when an occurrence took place which blasted ali prospect
of our tmion for ever.

'• I have already told you, I think," resumed Matilda, " that this liltio
temple had been exclusively erected lor my own use. Here however my falso
lover had constant ingress, and being furnished with a key, was in the habit
of introducing himself at hours when having taken leave of tho family for tho
evening, ho was suppo.scd by Major Montgomerie and the servants to have re-
tired to his own home. On the occasion to which I have just alluded, I had
understood from him some business, connected with our approaching mar-
riage, would detain him in the town to an an hour too advanced to admit of
his paying mo his usual visit. Judge my surprise, and indeed my consterna-
tion, when at a late liour of tho night I heard the lock of the door turn, and
paw my lover a])pear at the entrance."

There was a short pau.se, and Matilda again proceeded.

" Scarcely had he shown himself, when he again vanished, closing tho door
with startling violence. I sprang from the sofa and flew forth after him. but
in vain. Ho had already departed, and with a heart sinking under an insur-
mountable dread of coming evil, I once more entered the temple, and throw-
ing myself upon the sofii, gave vent to my feelings in an agony of tears."

" liut why his departure, and whence your consternation ?" asked Gerald^
whose curiosity had been deejtly excited.

'• I was not alone," resumed Matilda, in a deep and solemn voice. " When
he entered. I wa.s hanging on the neck of another."

Gerald gave a half start of dismay, his arm dropped from the waist of tho
American, and he breathed heavily and quickly.

Matilda remarked the movement, and a sickly and half scornful smile passed
over her pale features. '• Before we last parted, Gerald, I told you. not only
that I was in no way connected with Major Montgomerie by blood, but that
I was the child of obscure parents." •

" What then ?" .'.;=.

" The man on whoso neck T hung was my own fivthor."

" It was Desborough !" said the youth, with an air and in a voice of extrerao
anguish.

" It was," returned Matilda, her face crimsoning as she reluctantly acknow-
ledged the parentage. '• But how knew you it ?"

''Behold the proof !" exclaimed Gerald, with uncontrollable bittcrneR.s, a<«
he drew from his bosom the portrait of a child which, from its striking ro-
se'rablance, could be taken for no other than htr lo whom he now present-
ed it."

*' This is indeed mine," said Matilda, mournfur.v. "It was taken :'br me. no
I have since understood, in the very year when was laid an orplan and a

THE PROPHKOY PUI. FIM. FD.

171

Anr)

iind

.^tri\nj»ei' nt tlio doar of that pjoofl man, wlio. rnllino! him»;'?]f nr,' nnr'.' . has liecn
t.o mo throti<)fh life a more than fatlicr. Thunk Goil," sho jx.iMit.i .riiK troat
niiimation, her Iar;j;e, dark eyes nuturncl. mu 1 spirkliii!? t'i'./.)w^>* the t \th
that forced thcmsolvos upwards. ';tli:mk flitl, heat lenst iiio;'( nci t<> snM'er
throu;>;h the nets of liis adopted cliild. Where ^rot you tht-s, G^'.ald 7" sho
proceeded, when, after a short struggle she had succeeded in owi coming her
emotion.

Gerald, who in hin narrative of events, had purposely omitted all mention
of Deshorough, now detailed the ocrctirrenro at the hut, and eoneluded wliat
the roader already knows, hy* stating that he had ohservod and severed froir\
the settler, as ho slept heavily on tlie iloor, the portrait in qijestion. whinh,
added to the previous declaration of Matilda as to the ohsenrity of licr birth,
connected with other cirrunistanees on hoard h\>^ <jun-hoat. on his trip to lt<jf-
falo, had left an impression little short of certainty that he was indeed tho
father of tho woman' whom he so wildly loved."

For some minutes after this explanation there was a painful silence, which
neither seemed anxious to interrupt. At length (}erald asked :

''But what had a circumstance, so capahle of exjdanation. to do with the
breaking oft' of your engagement, Matilda? or did he, more prou I — perhapj*
1 should say less dehascd — than myself, shrink from uniting his fate with tho
daughter of a murderer ?"

"•True," said Matilda, musingly; "you have said, I think, that he slow
your father. This thirst for revenge, then, would seem hereditary, '/yinl i<»
the only, because it is the noblest, inheritance 1 wpuM owe to sucli a being."

" IJut yoiu' aHair with your lover, MatiMa — how terminated that ?" de-
manded Gerald, with increasing paleness and in a faltering tone.

'' In his falsehood and my disgrace. Early the next morning T sent to hira,
and bade him seek me in the temple at the usual hour. He came, but it wad
only to blast my hopes — to disappoint th'i passion of the woman who doatej
upon him. He accused me of vile intercourse with a slave, and almost
maddened me with ignoble reproaches. It was in vain that I swore to hini
most solemnly, tho man iie hail seen was my father — a being whom motives
of prudence compelled mc to receive in private, even though my heart ai)-
horred and loathed the relationship between lis. He treated my explanation
with deriding contempt, bidding mo cither produce that father within twenty-
four hours, or Iind some easier tool to perstiade. that one wearing the hue ami
features of the black, could by human possibility be tho jiarent of a white
woman. Again I explained the seeming incongruity, b}' urging that the hasty
and imperfect view he had taken was of a mask, imitating the features of .a
negro, which my father had brought with him as a disguise, and which ho
had hastily resumed on hearing the noise of the ke}' in the door. T even ad«
mited, as an excuse for seeing liim tlnis clundestineh'', the lowly origin of my
father and the base occupation ho followed of a trcicherous spy, who, residin;*
in the Canadas, came, for the mere consideration of gold, to sell poJitioil in-
formation to the enemies of the country that gave him asylum and piotection.
I added that his visit to me was to extort moT\ev. under a threat of publishing
our consanguinity, and that dread of his (my lover's) partiality being de-
creased by the disclosure, had induced mo to throw my arms, in the earnest-
ness of entreatj', upon his neck, and implore his svcresy ; promising to reward
him generously for his silence. I moreover urged him. if he still doubted, to
make inquiry of Major Montgomerie, and asceitain from him whether I wa.1
not indeed the niece of his adoption, and not of his blood. Finally, I hum-
bled myself in the dust, and, like a fawning reptile, clasped his knees in my
arms, entreating mercy and justice. But no," and the voice of Matilda urcw
deeper, and her form became more erect; "neither mercy nor justice dwelt in
that hard heart, and he spurned me rudely from him. Nothing short of the
production of him he persisted in calling my vile paramour, would .satisfy
him ; but mv ignoble parent had received from me tho reward of his .secresy
anJ bi ^ad d- o.»rted once mere to the Canadas. And thus/' pursued Matilda,

172

MATILDA MONTaOMF. rib; OR

her voice tn«mbli:iK with emotion, "was I made thn victim of the most (lit
bolicAl Mispicion that «vor hniiiitPfl the l)n'iist .)f man."

OcralJ was Kiratl^ iH'cnted. His [lasKiun for Matilda sconiod to increase in
proportion with hi8 sympathy for her wrongs, and he ciusiwd her cneiyeti-
cally to his heart.

" Piiidiii(r him resohito in attachinj? to mo the dehasinj; iinpiitation," pur-
Kned the Amtincan, •• it suddenly Hashed upon my mind tint this was but a
I)retext to free liimself from his (!n<;ay;emLMit, and that \w was plad to accom-
plish his object throiij^h the first incans I mt odl-rfd. Oh. Gerald. 1 cannot
paint the extraordinary cliantre that came ivct jiiiy fet'Iin<cs at this tliouujhtl
much less jrive you an idea of the rapidity uuli which tlmtohan;j;e was eUtcted.
One moment before, and, altlion^h d('};;raded and unjustly accused, I had loved
him with all the ardor of whicli o w(>m;ui's heart is capable: now I hated,
loathed, detested him ; and had he sunk at my feet, I would have spurned
him from me with indignation and scorn. I could not but be conscious that
the very act of havinf^ yielded myself up to him, had armed my lover with
the power to accuse mo of infidelity, and tlic more I lin^jered on the want of
penerosity such a suspicion implied, the more rooted became my dislike, the
more profound my coutem})t for him, who could thus repay .so great a proof
of conlldinj^ness and allection.''

" It was even while I lay provellin;; at his feet," pursued Matilda, after a
momentary pause, durin;; which she evinced inten.sc ajritation, '' that this sud-
den chans^e (excited by this most unheard-of injustice) came over my mind—
1 rose and stood before him ; then asked, in a voice m which no evidence of
passion could bo traced, what excuse ho meant to make to Major Montj^om-
erie for havinaj thus broken off his en^^aRement. lh\ started at my suddeu
cftlmness ef manner, but said that he thouj»ht it mipht be as well for my sako
to name what I had already stated to him in rej^ard to the obscurity of my
birth, as a plea for his seceding from the connexion. I told him that, nmler
all the circumstances, I thought this most advisable, and then, pointing to the
door, b.ade him be >;one, and never, under any pretext whatever, aj^ain to insult
me with his presence. When he had departed, I burst into a paroxysm of
tears ; but they were teai'S shed not for tlie loss of him I now despised, but
of wild sorrow at mj' unmerited vlegr.adation. That conflict over, the weak-
ness had for ever passed away, and never, since that hour, has tear descended
cheek of mine, associated with the recollection of the villain who had thus
dared to trifle with a heart the full extent of whose passions ho has yet to
learn."

There was a tremblinj)j of the whole per.sonof Matilda which told how much
her feelinf^s had been excited by the recollection of what she narrated, and
Gerald, as ho gazed upon her beautiful form, could not but wonder at tho
apathy of the man wlio could thus have heartlessly thrown it from hira
for ever.

'■ Had the injury terminated here," resumed Matilda, " bitter as my humi-
liation was, my growing dislike fur him who had so imgonerously inflicted it,
might have enabled me to endure it. But, not satisfied witl> destroying tho
happiness of her who had sacrificed all for his sake, my perfidious lover had
yet a blow in reserve for me. compared with which hi.s antecedent conduct was
mercy. Gerald," she continued, as she pressed his arm with a convulsive
grasp. " will you believe that tho monster had the infamy to confide to one of
his most intimate associates, tliat his rupture with me was occasioned by his
having discovered me in the arms of a slave — of one oftho.se vile ))einps com-
munion with whom my soul in any sense abhorred ? How shall I describo
the terrible feeling that came over my insulted heart at that moment. But
no, no — description were impossible. This associate — this friend of his — dared
on the very strength of this infamous imputation, to pollute my ear with hiir
disrespectful passion, and when in i. transpojt of contempt and anger, I
spurned him from me, he taunied me with that which I believed confined to
the brea.st, as it had boen engendered only in the ?iiipicion, of my betrayer.

THB PROPHECY FtrLFILLRD.

Oh ! If it 1)0 drcndfiil to bo ncoiiscd by thosH whom wo have lovoil in intimnry
how iiiurli moro is it to know i\mt thoy hiivo not had oven the common iin
tninity to conocftl our .mip[> >scm1 wcjikm-sM from tin; world. From thnt m<Mn<Mt<
rovc'nj;(! took possession of my soul, and [ sworo that my divstroyor m1ioii1>I
jwrish by the nand of her whoso intiocenco luid whoso peuco ho had bliistei
for over.

**Sliortly after this event," rcHnmod Matilda, " my base lover was ordoretJ
to join iiis roi^iihent, then Htatia'U'd at Detroit. A your passwl away, nni
durin;^ tliat period my u»ind poivlored uiice:isin;:;ly on ll>e means of iK'eouiplish
inj5 my purpose of ri'.vena;e ; and so completely diil I devote myself to a coo
and nnprejudioed examination of tlic subject, tl>at what th(i vnlv:ar crowd torni
guilt, appeared to mo plain virtue. On the war breaking: out. Major Montjjo-
merie was also ordered to Dc^troit. and thither I entreated him to sutler me tg-
ncconipany liim. I fe consented, for knowinp^ nothinp; of the causes winch had
turned my love intOfrjiUJio thought it not improbable thata meetincj with my
late lover miirlit be pro luctivo of a removal of his prejudices, and our conse-
quent reunion. Little did he dream that it was with a view to plunge a ilft'j;'.'er
into my destroyei-'s fiil,-.e heart, that I evinced so much cagernes.s to undorlako
so long and so disa-^reeable a journey.

"Little more remains to be added," pursued Matilda, as she fixed her dark
C5'es with a softened expression on those of Gerald, '" since with the occurren-
ces there you are already sutliciently acquainted. Yet there is one point upon
which I would explain myself. When I tlrst became your prisoner, my mind
had been worked u]) to the highest pitch of determination, and in my cajttor I
at first behold but an evil genius who had interposed himself between me and
ray Just revenge, when on the very ove of its consummation. Hence my
petulance and impatience while in the presence of your noble (Jenera!."

•■ And whence that look, Matilda, that peculiar glance, which you bestowed
upon me even within tho same hour?"

" TSecauso in your frank and leirless mien I saw that manly honor and flde-
lity, the want of which had unlonc me."

'•Then if so, why the cold, the n\ >rtifying reserve, you manifested when we
met at dinner at my uncle's table ? ■

•• Because 1 had also recoUccte 1 that, '^ 'graded as I was, I ought not to seek
the love of an honorable man, and that to win you to my interest would be
of no avail, as, separated Vjy the national quairel, you could not by any possi-
bility be near to aid me in my plans."

'•Then," said Gerald reproachfully, "' it was merely to mako mo an instru
mcnt of vengeance that you sought me. Unkind Matilda !"

'' Nay, Gerald — recollect, that then I had not learnt to know you as I do
now — i Avili not deny that when first I .saw you, a secret instinct told me you
were one whom F, would have deeply loved had I never loved before ; but be-
trayed and disappointed as F had been, T looked upon all men with a species
of loallnng — my kind, good, excellent more than f ither. excepted — and yet,
Gerald, there were moments when I wished even him dead" (Gerald started)
— " yes ! dead — because I knew the anguish that would crush his heart, if ho
should ever learn that the false brand of the assassin had been affixed to tho
brow of his adopted child." Matilda sighed profoundly, and then resumed.
'•Later, however, when the absence of its object had in some degree abated tho
keenness of my thirst for revenge, r.nd when more frequent intercourse had
made me acquainted with tho generous qualities of youi mind. I loved you,
Gerald, although I would not avow it, with a fervor I had neyer believed my-
self a .second time capable of entertaining."

Again the counten.ance of Matilda was radiant with the expression just alln
ded io by her lover. Gerald gazed at her as though his very being hung iipon
tho continuance of that fascinating influence, and again ho clasped her to
his heart. •

" Matilda ! oh, my own betrothed Matilda !" he murmured.

"Yes. your owu betrothed," repeated the American, highly excited, " ih«

171

M A T 1 1. n \ M (t N r a (i M K ti I K ; o n «

wifi> of y..tit nfli'ctioM r.ml vnin" ohoii-o, wlio huP boon hoM lip to cvilumny and
•ooni. riitn'> v.r fill), (iiMiilil ; sin' on wli m' fond Ito'imu yon jiio to icpoMO
yoiU' Hi"' "vj; lnMii, slit' who ulorji's it\ licr ln'iiiily only Im'iiuimo it im limuly in
\m\' pyps, lins l'«»(M» lM'ti'(»y.«l. noi'iiscil of iv vilo piiMsion (or ii nliivt» ; yi«l lie—-
tlio (ii'li'l \vl\o li.is iloiii'liiiH riiovoii* vvroii,., — lio who Ims H(;»ni|i('tl your wif«
witli iciii'iiiiMv. !in 1 .'MMi |iul>lr^lii'(l IiiM- sliiiinc — wlill livo-j, Witliin n woiU, '
nll«» I'l'siinii'il m It voioo lioin<i' lioin (•Nlnmstioti. " Yom, williin n wovU, (l'>i(ilil,
li»> will l>.» Itci-c — pcili.ips (o (loiulo jui'l oonU'imi yon lor (lio i-lioioo you
luivo iivvdo."

" Wtfhin A wci'K 111' (li("<,"' ('Vi'iiiiincil llio yonlli. " Mnliltlu, rot.ii' wliiit
will, lio ilu'-J l,il>' 1 ■. (li'alh wKlioni yon, miil with yon rvi'u rriiin' may sit
lightly on iiiv soul. Unt. wo will liy iiir (Votii tlio hnliilutioiiH of men. Tho
fiM\v»t kIihU hi' n\\ hoMU', luvl wln-n llh'i) si ri'ciiiH fo im» yon hIiiiII siiiito upon
\\\o u'.h (h;U smilt', loiiK upon \\w wi(h .t.,v(, look, uii'l I will loriri't, nil. Yrn,"
ho pi.rsnoii, wilh n (lonv oxcitoinoni. siV.U'hiiijr up tho I 'v hooU, mul iicum
rrtViyin<r it (o his lips, " onco cuno I lopottt my oiith. Mo who lins (Inm
XtroM'jvd yt»n, mv own MntiMa, dies— iIiok hy tho hinul of (ioriihl (iranlhinu
—of vonr alV nn\'<l hnsh.nnt."

riic'iv' was an>'tlu M Ion •;• cmhraoo. (ilYor wh.ioh tlio plan of opcratioiiM was
distiuotly oxp'.amoit and tl.'cidod upon, 'Ihoy then wpnralod for tho ni^rhi —
tho infatnitod (Jorald. with a load offvoilf at his hoait no oHoil of his lotison
r»>nld ivmovo, rolnrniiivr l>y 'lo route iio had followod on Iho pivci'diiig ovou-
iiijj; io l\is ivsidonoo m tho ("wn.

(^iivrrKu XXVIII.

r.KXViNQ tho lost tlorald tor a time to all fho IiorrorH of his posilion, m
wh'v'h il would hi' ditViiMilt to say whothor romoiso or passion (each iiitciiscMt
rtf lis km.l) prodominalod, lot iis nuini lo tin- :mmu' whoro wo lirsl inlro-
iliwd him io t'.ii' roadt-r. and taUo a ii'\ iow of Iho military ovonls passiii}; in
t!\!tt qu.vrtor.

.\lu'r iho ili'l\:\t of tlio Unlish oolnmns at Sandiiskv. so fir from any ro-
nowod attojvpts hiin:i mado to .iilornipt tlio oiniiiy in his .stiotiL'.holi!^ it. ho-
oamo a quosOon wholhor tUo pi'siliou on tlio Mii-hi^vJm frontier could ho niui'li
laniriT prosorvod. To tho pcrsovoranoo ii'id promplitn io id' iho Anniicuns, in
hriiiL'.in;r now annios into tho tiold, wo havo alroady had tvcasion to alhido ;
bnt thviv was anotlu'r ipiartor in whioh ihoir stron;,;lh had insonsihly y,;ilhond,
«ntil it ovontnaliy nssumcd on asrcot th.'tt carried a|)piehoiision to overy lioart.
Snuv tho loss of thoir tlnCilla a! Detroit, in Iho proci'iiiiij;' year, tho Auierieans
had eommomvd with vi>:onr to O'piip one nt Huilalo, which was intended lo
surpass ilu' naval torco on l.,iko Krie ; and so silently and caniionsly Ii.vd they
n»\vmpii>hod tliis taslv. ihat it was scarcely known at Aiiihorstbiiri^ that a
pqn.idivn was in tho Ovmrso of preparation, when that stpiadron, '.o wliieh had
Iv.vn aditod tho .schooner ca|itnred I'rom txorald (Jrantham lh<' precedinjr aii-
tnnm. snddenlv ajipeaivil oil the harhur, di'lyitii;' their onemii-s lo Itu- '.'oiiih.at,
l>ut the Kns;iish ves.siis woiv in no conihtiun to copo witli .so pow<rfnl ui\
enemy. ai\.l .ilthonjih many a jrallant spirit hnrned to he led npiinst tiioso
who so evidently tannied them, tho satety of tho garri.sons depended too luiu'h
on tho issuo. for that i.ssiie to bo li;^litly tempted.

Ihit mi^iortlIno was now be^jiiniiii; to ovi roast tlie hitherto fair prosjXTt.s
of the British arms in tho Wostorn District of tlio Canada!}; nml what tho
taunts of an oitouiy. triiiniphiiis:; in tho co:':«donsness of a superior nnmericnl
fon.v. ovm'.d not oifect. an iiauerativo and mi.seiably jirovided-for luctssity
evontuaily ixiinpellod. Mainfaniinsr as they did a I;.ri:o li^dy of wild and rock-
K'ss w.irrior.s, together with their f.imilics. il may bo nitur.ally supjiosid tlie
excesses of these poo^'Jc were lut few; but ft would have veqniivd om tu

T H K r k o r H p «: V vin.v i\,i.kp.

I7.">

bav >»(»»n, f<» li:iv«* liolii'Vt'il, I.Ik^ |ii<)'li[';fil wumIo of wliich (Iioy w<'r<» oflcti I'uill^ ,
A<'Itfi(»vvl('(l)fin": no nllicr ItiW lluiii (I'l'lr own will, fullnwiu!? no uMm r Iiim« of
rniiiliii'l (liiiii lliiif, iMVin'^ti'il Itv tli'ir own riifiricn, llicy IukI ii ; JilM" ^r■^|H'(•^,
for till' ('iiiiii'li;iii iiiliiilMldiit n^ (lii'y utmld hnvfi I'lil.i rl;iii(i"irMr tlmfc of lli'i
AiiU'l'ii'iin f'luMiiy. Ami liciicn It riwnlfpil, llmt if iiti linlifiK |)i'i'l'cirntl a pi'"''"
oflVcsli, In llic KiiltiMl ini'fif iliiily kmifvl Imin Itm eommi';! unnt, iioHiirin \\n>^
itinri' nitiiiniin ilinii lor liitii !'• kill llw lii'tl. ImuiI of r-iiKJc li- (iiuiifl ''ru/ii't?
«Mi til"' '■kilt, of till' forcMt, Ncciiii" llin Hiiiull (loilion he uunlfil, mi'l It'iivo tliti
i'('m!iiii(l"i' to st'ivo iiH ciiirioii to tht! Ijinl.^ M' |in'y of Mn! roiiiitry. Niif, to
wiicli nil rxtrnt ivim MiIm wiuitoii N)io!i(iti()n nirrioil, tiint. irmtiiiic.''H hnvo ntjionlr'
i'tlly occMirciI wliiri'iii fiillli' liiivi' lifcii Mlaiii iiti'l li fl to piiliify in lln- ttiin,
iMi'ii'ly liccMiim' a wmiior lonnd it. IIm> iiiomI, ('(iiivciiii'iii, iiioilti liy whlrli t.o poA-
«i'KH liiiiiwi'lf of II powdiT lioiii. All lliirt wim <lniin opcnly—m l)i« hron'i fm-M
of iliiy, iiimI ill tin* full c'o;,riiiK!mfo of Mn" iiutlioritli'A ; yd, wim Merc lu) (no-
vision niiiilo ti) iii<M>t, llio ilillli'iilticN Ko jrnilt,y a wji'^lc vviis n'llnin (vcfilimlly
fo(nl;iil. Al, li'iij^lli IIk' fii' I'l, licifiii M) iinilc ilycif (ipiciniil, imd il, wn'«
shortly iiJIcr 111;' lir:<l, iipp'-iiinici! of tlni Aiiifii<;;iii flf't, tlinl, tlio n'!irf'it.y <if
fooii lii'Sjaii t,o l»(> HO Kciii'i'ly fnlt n.M to roinpcl llio KhuHhIi ffpiivlion, at nil
liH'/.iinN. lo Icuvc Mil" port, iti ki'iu'cIi «>f Hiii)|>Iic«.

Al, this pi'iioil, till" vi'M'-i'l i|r.",i'fil)fil in lli" (;ojrini''n'Tin<'nt, of our lit'iryr, nn
biiviii',; ('iii'iii.'i'il Ko tniicli of till' inti'rcst, iin'l nlt<'iii,ioii of nil psirticM. Iih'I just
Ih'cu lunmlu'd mul rijj;;!;!''!. I'ropcrly urin'-il xlio wun not, for tin th wi-rii no
gniis of till! tii'.'^rription ii'^ril nu wliip lionnl wlH'mwilli to iinn her; Jnit now
thut till' oi'cji'^ion hi'i'iiiiKi iiiipi'iiiiiv", rill nici'tv whm 'liKr^'i.rnnlcd in tlio cfpiii)-
men! ; iiml ;;nii'< tliiit hili'ly l)ii«Ui'ii from tiii- mtiipirt-i of tlio fort wri! worn
to 1(0 WM'n prolni'linfi: their Ion;; onil. uiu'ijuii! ijccUh from tho porti. Hho wiih
a f!;iilliuit ship, iiotwith.^tiui'liiifi; llic iiwonrmit/ of hir nriiininciit. fui'l Iki'I her
I, rave ryrw po^-jcs'-i'il liiit t'l" cNpt'rii'ii'"" of Ihn •'' who nic nurs'vl on tiw- Kalt
waves of oc'iiii, niii^ht hav(> I'oiifMit aiiiori' foi Iniiiito fijrlit (ii. Iii'ttcr <»r a hravtT
\vt\H iiiiposHiltlc) tlia:i yhi' <liil. I'lit in thl^ mIioIo of tin; Kn^^liuli Meet thcro
r"iilil not he comiti'd throo-Hcorn iihio or iispfrifiiccil Kcaincn ; th(i romninrlcr
\'v'"o < iiililrcn of Ihn (/'imndian I.nk'v;, wjirtn with Ihc dcHiru to diHtinu'.iii»^li
lIn'ins('lv('H in tin' i-yi';! of llvir more, vcti'i'im Ijiropcnii nofiifuinions, hut with-
out till- Knowltvi;^'. to inakf 'h<'ir nithusifc^ni !-.iiHi<^i' Mly uvnilnhif*. Thu
Aini'ric'ui^, on tim (•initrdrv, were all Kon;-; of thu o-'-aii and oqinlly hravc.

It, vMis II t.dori(Mis day in Si pN'mhcr, thn hcanlifui .'r'ptctii!i<T of I lanada. wh'U)
tlic i',alhiiii Coniinodorn |{,iri-lMy sailed with hi'< ll'i t, oHtcuHdiiy in fiiifilrrxint
of tlic .ni.-^.ion r)r which it wiih (lispati;h(;i|, hut in nmiil.y iind(;r tho linn «^■<-
;• cttionof hi'inj"; provokcil to action hy hin Htron^cr and hclt'.r disciplined
«•) 'iny. 'I'o say that he w<Mild liavc* sooL-ht lh;it cir'iiiv. under thn rlinadvan-
*a}?t'H hi'iiciith which hn Uww hini-.clf lo lalior, would h", to ^ay thnt M-hieJi
wiiiild reflect little credit on lii'i jiidj^ment ; hut, nlthou'.'h not in a condition
to hold forth tlic H:i'^ if deliance, wlwrc thero was an inferiority in all hut thr;
.vkill of ihc leader and thu personal r;ouraL':<: of the tncn, ho was not <nic to
shim the hattle tliat .'■Jioiild he fotved upon hitn. Still lo him it wa.s an anx-
ious luoiiu'iit. hecnii.c the I'aui'^ of other <!ay< him;^ upon an issue o'/cr which
no elforts of his own could liold nrislery ; and na he (fazed nt hi.s arnilu.^.H
bIocvc, he siij,hcil for the proseiK-e of thove wliose a;^''ni;y had coiip'i;d thfi rc-
rollc(;ti()n of past victory wilh that iniiiilated ]ii'/of of honorahle conduct.
He knew, moreover, the tna;iiiit(ide oi the slnkc for which he was thus coin-
polled to |)lay, an<i that defeat to him would he tho loss of th« whole of Ibo
Western District. Wliile tho Mritish ascendancy could l»o inaintainod on tlio
!akc. there w;i<i little fear, lined as the foiiists wen: with Indian warriors, that
the Americans wouM push any consiilerahlo force he.ond the houndan*;-. they
had assi^vned thcm-yjIvetJ at tjandusky and on the Miami ; hut a victory onco
obtained by their fie 't. there coulrl he notliing to oppose the passage of thetr
urmy in vi-ssels and hoat.s across tlie lake.

Sucii were the thoii;,:,hts that lil!e<l lh(> mind of tlie Commodore (in commoa
Willi 1)11 who calmly reasoned on the sulject , as he cro.sscU the bar that sepw

17G

MATILDA MONTOOMKUIE; OR,

rated him from his enemy ; but neither in look, nor word, nor deed, vra«
thcro aiijrht to reveal what was passini; in the inward man ; and when later
the hostile- licet was signalized as bearing down upon them, he gave his order
to prepare for action, in the iiniuiatcd voice of one who finds certain victoiy
within his reach, and exullingly hastens to secure it.

The events of that day the page of history has already recorded, in terms
alike Hattering to the conqneior and the conquered. l>et it sujiice that tho
Americans faught with determined bravery, and eventually triumphed.

The re.'-ult of the unlucky contest was. as had beeu anticipated, to open a
free passage across the lake to the American armies, whose advance b,y laud
had been so repeatedly and effectually checked on former occasions, as to leave
them little inclination f)r a renewal of an attempt in that quarter. Now how-
ever that they could forward a fleet of boats under cover of the guns of their
squadron, to the very outworks of Andierstburg, the difficulty was at onco
removed ; and an overwhelming army of not less than ten thousand men,
was speedily asseml)led near Sandusky, with a view to the final mvasion of
Amherstburg and consequent recapture of Detroit.

Under these <lisheartening circumstances — llic want of provisions bein^
daily more and more felt by the troops and inhabitants — it became necessary
to hold a council of war. to determine upon the course that .should be piu'sucd.
Acccrdingly the whole of the chiefs ami officers of the garrison met in the hall
alrea<ly descril)ed in tlie beginning of our narrative, when it was proposed by
(iencra! Proctor, at the conclusitiu of a speech in which the increasing di'li-
culties anrl privations of the garrison were emphatically enumerated, that the
fortifications sliould be razed to the ground, the dock yards and other public
woiks destroyed, and the allied forces of English and Indians make the best
of their way by land to join t'lc centre division of the army on the Niagara
frontier.

This wa.s warmly opposed by Tccuniseh, iHit despite his cloqu i tnd re-
monstrance,' a few days later, and the work of destruction was entercil upon
and soon completed. Tho little Britisli army, .scarcely -'xcceding eight hun-
dred men of all arms, coinmcnced its march at night, lighted b}'' the flames cf
the barracks which had given thcra shelter for the last time. As they pa.ssed
the fort of Detroit tho next day, dense columns of smoke and flame were to
be seen rising high in air, from the various public edifices, allbniing a melan-
choly evidence of the destruction which usually tracks a retivating arm^v.
Many an American inhabitant looked on at t!ie work of destruction, as if he
would fain have arrested the progress of an clement which at once defaced the
beauty of the tov.-n, and promised much trouble ami inconvenience to tho.se
whom they knew to be at hand, fur their final deliverance from the British
yoke. But tho garrison continued stern spectators of tlie ruin they had been
compelled to effect, mitil the flames had attained a power which rendered their
suppres.xiou an impossibility ; then and then only, did Ihc}' quit the .scene of
conflagration, and embarking in the boats which had been kept in readiness
for their transport. Joined their conuades, who wailed for them on the oppo-
site bank. The two garrisons thus united ; the whole pieccded by a lai'ge
body of Indians, were pushed forward to the position which liad been selected
on the Thames, and both .shores of the Detroit were left an unresisting con-
quest to the Americans.

Meanwhile, the.so latter had not l>een slow in profiting b}- the important
advantages which had crowned their arms on the lake. On the third day
after the retreat of the British garrison fior.i Amherstburg, a immerous fleet
of large boats was di.^covered from the town im.-hing lor llarlley's point,
uivder cover of tlic united stjuadrons. Unopposed as ti.esc were, their landing
was soon cllected, and a few hours bter the American stars were to )»c .seen
floating over the still smoking ruins of the British fortress. Endjoldeiitd f>y
the une.vpected ea.^e w ith which he had rendered him.self finally master of a
position long coveted, tho American (leneral at once resolved to follow and
bring his retreating enemy to action if possible. A force of five thousand meu

THE PROPHECY FUEFILLED.

17?

■^ con-

)ortant

iti (lay

us ik'ot

point,

aud!nj»

>f sc'oa

lied by

er of a

)\v it 11(1

(Rflccn hunilrcd of whom wctq monntcfl rifles) was jiocordin{»]y pushed for*
vrard ; and so rapid and iudefatia;able was tho march of those, that they camo
up with the rctroatinc; columns bctViro thov had succeeded in r^aininp; the villa;j;e.
at whif'h it was purposed that their final stand sliould be made. The anxiety
of General Proctor to save the bagiJiage wapi^^ons containing? liis own personal
effects, had been productive of the most culpable dela\', and at the monjent when
liis littifc army should have been under cover of eiitreiichinents. and in a posi-
tion which otfered a varict}' of natural defensive advantai^es. they found them-
selves suddenly overtaken b}' the enemy in the heart of a tliiclc wood, where,
fatigued by the long and tedious march they had made under circumstances of
groat privation, tliey had .scarcely time to form in the irrey;ular manner per-
mitted by tlieir broken position, before tlicy found themselves attacked with
(prcat spirit and on all .sides, by a force more than quadruple their own. Thd
fcsult may easily be anticipated. Abandoned by their (ieneral, wlio at tho
very first outset, drove his .spurs into the Hanks of his charj^er and fled dis-
gracefully from the .^lene of action, followed by the whole of his personal stall',
the irreirularly formed line of tho little JJritisli army, was but ill prepared to
make effectual resistance to the almost invisible enemy by whom it was en
compassed ; an<l those whom the riHe had spared, were to be seen, within an
hour fi-om the firing of the first shot, standing conquered and disarmed, be-
tween the closing lines of the victorious Americans,

But although the English troops (sacriticod as they must be pronounced to
have been, by their incapable leader) fell thus an easy prcj* to the overwhelm-
ing force brought against them, so did not their Indian allies, supported and
encouraged as the.se were by tho presence of their beloved Chieftain. It wag
with a sparkling eye and a glowing cfx'ck that, just as the English troops
had halted to give unequal battle to their pursuers, Tecumseh passed along
the line, expressing in animated language the delight lie fek at the forthcom-
ing .struegle, and when he h.ad shaken hands with most of the olliccrs ho
moved into the dense forest where his futhful bands were lying concealed,
with a bounding step that proved not only hovr much his heart had been set
upon the cast, tiut how completely he confided iii the n.-sult. And who shall
say what that result might not have been even notwithstanding the discom-
Uture of the English had the heroic Ciiieftain been spared to his devoted
country! lint this was not fated to be. Early in t!ie action lie fell by the
hand of a distinguished leader of the enemy, and his death carried, as it could
not fail to do. the deepest .sorrow and dismay into the hearts of his followers,
who although they continued the action long after his fall, and with a spirit
that proved their desire to avenge the loss of their noble leader, it was evident,
wanted the directing genius of him they mourned to sustain tlicra m their ef-
fort. For several days after the action did they continue to hang upon th»
American rear, as the army again retired with its prison-rs upon Detroit; bufc
each day their att.ack became feebler and feebler, announcing that their nunir
b«js were fast dispersing into the trackless region from which they had bee*
brought, until finally not a shot was to bo heard disturbing the night vigils
of th ! American f^entinels.

With the defeat of the IJritisIi army, and tho death of Tecumseh, perished:
tho last hopa of the Indians to .sustain themselves as a people against the in-
roads of their oppressors. Dispirited an<l dismayed, they retired back upon
the hunting grounds which still remained to them, and there gave way botb)
to the deep grief with which every heart was overwhelmed at the loss of their
truly gr'jat leader, and to the sad anticipations which the increasing ghK>i»
that clouded the horizon of Deir prospects naturally iniluced.

J?9

MATIT.DA MONTOOMKUIK: OR,

ciiAi'rEiixxrx.

Tun inti't ricw so f!ifal in its r^'snUs to CJcruM's lonjr fornittl rosolntu ns >f
Tin lions pin'poso \va>< followcvl by otli<.-i'H of tlif snun' iloscription, anil in flu?
ronrso of (li(>s(<. iVliilildu. profiliint by lior kiiowlciliv* "f <li" pijst, liml t,)i(^
nddrcss «o fo rivet, tlic cliains wli r\\ fi'ttcrdi tin' si'nscH of Iwt lovor. by n Wfll-
linicil. i>,ltlion<.rli (ipp;ivi'nHy nnintcntioniil (li-^jil.'iv of |,li(< bcimty wliicli Inul on-
8luvi'(l liiin, tli:i( so fir from sln-inl<ina: from tlio fnllilmi'nt of tlu< dnvitlfnl oh-
lijjiition lii> li;ul imposcil up(m himself, tlie rcsolntion of the yonl,Ii UccJimo
moro fonfirmed as tlio period for its enactment drew nii^lior. Thoro wero
inotnents when, Iiis pn-^sion worked nj) to intensity by the ever-varyin!:,
ovor-exeilin'_v pietnre of Hint beanlv, wonM iiav(< antii'ipateil the eondition on
wliieh lie was to beeoine possi^ssed of it for ever, bnt, on th«>se oeeasions tlio
Amerii'an wonld assnme an air of wonnded di;;;nitj', sonn'tini'VT of di-ep sorrow ;
nnd nllniinsr to the manner in which her former conllilenei* Jmd been rep!\id,
rcproaeli him with a want of "generosity, in Hcukinj; to make her past weak-
ness a pretext for his present ailvanees.

At K>n:xth the day arrived when (lerahl — the onee liich. jjenerous and noblo
mind(>d (Jer;\ld. — wivs to steep liis sonl in .c;nilt — to imbrue bis bands in tlio
life blood i)f .'i fellow c.reat ore. 'I'he sedneer of iNIatilda h:id arrived, nnd even
in the hotel in which <hvinlliam resided, the entert:»inm(>nt was t<> be jjiven
hy his apinwiii't fellow citizens, in oominenioration of the heroism which bad
won to bim troldcn opinions from every class. It bad already been arranijed
that the a^^^assniJition w;is to lake plnce on the depiirtnre of their victim from
tho liaiupiet, and conseriuently at a moment when, c.v rcome by the fum<^ of
wine, he wonld be found incvipable of opposin",!: any serious rosistaneo to thoir
♦lesijrn. The better to facilitate his close nnd nnperceived approach to llie nn-
bnppy mun, a pair of doth slioes had been made f )r her lover by the whito
liands o( Matilda, with ii sort of hood or capuchin of the same matcM'ial, to
prevent reeornition by any ouc. wlio mi'.i;ht accidentally p:iss him on the way
to the scene of the <H>ntemp!ated »n>irdcr. Much as (JeraM objectod to it,
Matilda had pevemptorilv iiisiste<l on beinii; present herself to witness tho
execution of the deed, and the same deseription of dis;:;iise had been prepared
for herself Tn this resolution the American, indep(>nd 'ntly of lier desire to
fortify tlie conrasre of lier lover by her presence, was actuated by another
jKiwerfnl nnd fearful motive, which will l)0 soon presently.

Tiio private residence of the ofVicer was situated in a remote part of thp
town, and skirting- that jtoint of the circular rid-je of bills \a liere the lisilits in
the liabitaiion of Matilda had attracted the notice of Oonald, on thetirst nii^'t
cf l>is ene()nnter. To one who viewed it from a distance, it wonhl have seemeil
that tb.e s\rnmit of the wood -crowned rid;j:e must be crossed before cotnmu-
nicalion couM be held between the two dwellinpjs which lay as it 'vero back to
ba*;k, on eitlter side of the formidable barrier; bnt on a nearer ap])n>a<"h, a
fissnie in the hill nntrht Iw observed, iopt v.ide enon;j;h to admit of a narrow
hor.se track or foot path, which wound its sinuous < ounse fnun the little valley
into tlie op;Mi space I hat verged upon the town, on fiauiin^ whidi the residcnco
of tho American ofTioer was to be seen ri.sinjjc at the tlistance of twenty yards.
It was in this patli, which liad been latterly pointed out to bim by his guilty
companion, that (icrald was to await ;he approach of the intended victim, wlio
on passin;; his place of conc.'alment. w:.s to be cautiou.sly followed and stabbed
to the heart ore he could <iain bis door.

Fallen as was (lerald from his hiirh estate of honor, it was not without n
deep sense of the atrocity of the act iie was about tocommif, that be prepareil
for its aceomplishnient. It is true that, yit Idin"; to the .sophistry of Matilda's
ai^nments, he was .sometitnes led to iinayrine the aven,irin}; of her injuries an
imperative duty ; but such was liis view of t lie subject only when the spel] of
her prosonoe wxs upon him. When restored toh'u-ahnerand more unbiiisscJ

T II V. V I! )• M r, (, V F U I. r I r. I, K D .

Juitirmonl, in Uio .solitti'Ic i»f his own clininlxT, ron«ricni:o tP«<imfvl lirr sway
Mvl iiii iilim-iiltllil V "1 pri'ti'iici' coiilil coucm^iI fr(»!ii liiiti.ieir (!i>it lio wn« ahout
<() ln'ciiriii' tliiit vik'st <iC li<'iii;.cs — a ('(tmmim nmnliT'T. Tlicn! wcro infitn''nt,<» .
ivpii ulicii llio flrt'ii'l (l('"i| to wliii'li lio liuil |tlci|'j;c(l himself iiiipcarp'l in mich'
hideous (Ir(')rtuity. th;it in* fiin uoiilil li'ivn lli'il on (he insfMiif, fur from (ho
in!liii'ucp of hvr wlio had iiiriU-d him Id its pcriftralion ; l)ut wlxm tho fortn
(•r Mililda V'>>i(' to his iiiciilal eve. ii'iiini'-o. roiiKcicncc, ovrry latciit priru-iplc
«>(' vii'liir, (Hssolvcd away— and altlion-rli hi; no h)iv^or soni'ht t,o conrcal from
himsplf that what ho miMhlalcd was crim'! of Iho hlackcst dye, his dotorminn- •
(i')ii ((» scciir" cut ire jio;is('ssion ()f tiiat hcaniy. fvon at th« ftCnirHCcI price of"
hlo'id, lii'iMiiic Itiit Uu! mort! rc-iohifc and conlli lucd.

'I'll" iii;;lit piwioiis to (hat fixed for tlio assaKsirtation was pafSMed hy Uio
(rtiilly (»(>ralil in ii state of <lrcadr.;I excitement. l/ir<!;o drops foil frotn his
f'or'hi.'ad ill ajroiiy, and when he arose at a hite hour, his pale, cnitieijited feii-
tnre-:, and waveriii;^; steji, hetrayed how litil(> tlie mind or tho hoily had t.Tsled
of repos". AccnUomod, iiowever. as hr. had latterly hein, to sustain hi.s
fiiiikiii'.; spirits hy urtificini means, lie was not lon^f in hftvinp; recoiirs« to his
<voiite(| slimiilaiifs. He called for lirandy to deaden the nentenciS of hiM
fi'i'|iii',rs. and ijive ;-tren,!ilh to his tolterin;^ limhs ; and wlien he had dranU
ir'-ely of this, he sallied fortli into the forest, where he wandered diwinp; tho
(lay. wirhoiit other aim or purpose than to hid(! the hrand of ;.;nilt, whii h fio
III most felt u(»on his hrow, from the cnrions ira/.e of his follow men. ft was
<l!irk when he returned to the hotel, and as. on his way to his own private
iijKirtmeiit, he passeil the low larj^o room chiefly used as an ordinary, the loiul
hum of voices which ni"t his ear, iniii'^led with the drawim? nf corks and ring-
lu'j, of f!,lasseSj told him tliat the entert.iiriment jirovided for his nncon'jcious
victiiii had alicady commenced. Movin'j; hastily on, he jrained liis own apart-
ment, and summoning one of the domestics, he dire<;ted that his own fnip;ar
meal (Lho I'.rst lie liad tasted that day) should bo hron;.;ht up. Ihit even for
this ho Had no apjielite, nnd ho iiad reoonrso once nioro to thcstimnlant for'
as%istance. As the iii-lit drew ,n lie p;rcw more nervous and a}!:itated, •
yet without ,"it all waverui;:; from his [luroo.sc. At leir.rth ten o'clock struck.
It was the hour at which he hafl promised to issue forth to join Matilda in tho
path, there to await the passaj:;e of his victim to his home. l[e cautiously de-
wendi'd the staircase, and. in the confusion Mir.t reiirncd amonj^ the household."
all of wliom w rr too much occuiiied with the entertainment willon to heea '
the moveiii'Mits of individuals, .succeeded in Rainiiii^ the street without notice.
The room it; which the dinner was given was en the Ki'*>"nd iioor. and lookefl '
throu;h numeroi.s low wimlows into the street, throuiijh which fJerald inn.' I
nece-;^;irily pass to reach tln' place of lii^: a[ip'«intinent. Sounds of ioud revelry
!iii.\ed with laughter and the strains of music, now i^<ued from these, atte.stinf.
that the hanquet was at its height, and the wrine fast taking; elfeet on its .seve-
ral participattu-s.

A niouieiif.u \- feeliivj:ofvau"ui'.-uriosirv caused the dc^ria !<;'' vouth to glance his
pyo fh..)U'j,h OK" of the uncurtained window.s upon the scene within, hut. scarcely
had he caught an indistinct and confused view of the company, most of wtiom •
{:;littered in the jray trappin;:!;s of tnilit;in- un^nirms, when a secret and involun-
tary dread of distiu'^uishinu; from his fliows the man whom he was about to
play, causi'd him as instantaneous!- to turn awT". Guilty as lie feit ItimRelf '
to he. he could not hear the thouj;i;t of hehoidins the features of ihe uidividn:il
he ha<l swot n to destroy. As then; were crowds of the humbler citizens of the
place collected round tlie windows to view the revelry within, neither- his ap-
pearance nor liis a(;tion hid excited siirpn--e; nor. inde<»d. wi.s it evfn suspect-
eel, habited as he was in the common ganucnts of tlic country, tha: ho was
other thiui a native of the town.

On p;ainiii;,- the narrow pass or lane, he found Matilda wrapped in her cloak,
beneath n liioh she carried the d:sq;uise prepared for boll.. The moon was in
the last quarter, nnd as the Heecy clouds pass-d iwav from before it, he rou'ul
ob.servo that the lips ami check of the American wci'J almost livid, aithoug'.

180

MATILDA M O N T a O M E K I R ; OR

her cv .'3 snarlvlcfl with docp montii! oxcitTncnt. Neither nrnko. 3-et thci»
breathing whs licavy and aiidihlo ti) each. Gerald seated liimself on a projec-
tion of the hill, and reTuovinj; hix slioes. sii))stituted those which Iiis companion
had wron^ht for Iiini. He tluMi assnmwl the hood, and dropi)ii'.j: his head
between his hands, continued for some minutes in that attitude, buried in pro-
found aI)straction.

•At len;:;th Matilda approached him. She .seated herself at his side, threw
her arms around his necic, called liiin in those rich and scarcliin^ tones wliich
were peculiarly her own — her h-'lnved and adiamed husband ; and biddin;^; hiin
ber firm of ]iurpose, as ho valued the lives and happuiess of both, i)laced in hix
hand a small daq;'j;er, the liandle of which was rich!}' niounlcd in iiilvcr.
Gerald clutched the naked weapon with a convulsive grasp, wliile a hoarse low
groan escaped him, and a<;ain he sank his lieail m silen(,'e upon his chest.

Nearly an liour had passed in this manner, neither .scekinpj to disturb iho
thoughts of the o},her. nor daring to break the profound .silence that every
where prevailed around them. At length a distant and sclitary footstep was
heard, and Matilda sjiranj to her feet, and witli her head thrown eaj^erly for-
ward, while one Kuiall foot alone supported the whole weight of lier inclined
. bo<ly. g ized intently out upon the open space, and in the direction whence the
Rounds proceeded.

*' lie comes, Gerald, lie comes !"' .she at length whispered in a quick tone.

Gerald, who had also risen, and now stood looking over the shoulder of the
American, was not slow in discovering the tall figure of a man, whose outline,
cloaked even as it was, bespoke the soldier, moving in an obiiquc direction
towards the building alrca<ly de.scril)ed.

" Jt is he — too well do I know him," continued Jfatilda, in the same eager
ret almost inaudible whisper. ' and mark how inHated with the incense which

• nas been heaped upon him this tii'iht does lie appear. His proud .■:tep tells of
the ambitious projects of his vile heart. Little does he imagine that this arm
— and she tiglitly graspcl that which held the fatal dagger — will crusli them
for ever in the bud. But hist 1"

The officer was now within a few paces of the patli, in the gloom of which
the guilty pair found ample concealnumt. and as lie drew nearer and nearer,
their very breathing was stayed to prevent the slightest chance of a discovery
of their pre.sence. Gerald suffered him to pass some yards beyond the
opening, and advanced with long j'et cautious strides across the grass towards
his victim. As he moved thus noi.selesslj- along, he fancied that there wa,s
something in the bearing of the figure that reminded him of one lie had pre-
viously known, but lie had not time to pause upon the circumstance, for the
officer was already within ten yards of his own door, and the <lclay of a single
moment would not only dejirive him of the opfvortunity on which he had

.perilled all in this world and in the ne.\t, but expo.se himself and hi.s compa-

.nion to the isrnorniny of discovery and punishment.

. A single font of ground now intervened between him and the unhappy offi-
cer, whom wine, or abstraction, or both, had rendered totally unconscious of his
danger, Alreaily was the hand of .Gerald rai.sed to .strike the tatal blow —
unother moment an<l it would have descended, but even in the very act he

.found his arm suddenly arrested. Turning quickly to sec who it was who thus

.irtterfererl with his purpose, he beheld Matilda.

'•(ine moment stay," she said in a hurried voice ; '• poor were my revenge
indeed, were he to perish not knowing who planned his death." Then in a
hoarser tone, in which cou!d be detected the action of the fiercest passions of

• the human tr.'nd. "Slanderer — villain — we meet again."

Startled J the sound of a familiar voice, the olHcer turned hastilj' round,

. •nd seeing all hi.>» danger nt a s nglc glance, made i. movement of his right hand

|o liis side, as if he would !:a^o grasped his sword — but finding no vvea|)on

there, he contented himself wiih throwing his left arm forward, covered with

the ample folds of his cloak, wi'h a view to the defiance of his pcr.son.

^'Ycs, Forrester." coui'iuucd Matil'da. in t lie same impassiojK'd v^jice, "we

THE PROlMmcY FULFILLED.

ISI

ice, " we

moet apja'm and iuark yoa," pullinej back the dissui-io from Gerald, '-'tis no
vile slave, no sahio p.inmiour l»y whose hand you die. villain." she pursued, her
voice trembling with excitement — "my own iinn should have done tlie deed,
but that he wiiose. service I have purciiaso I with tiio hand you rejected and de-
spised, once baulked me of my ven.i^eance wlicn I had deemed it most sei'ur*;,
liut enouiih I To his heart. Gerald, noiv thai in the fulness of his wine and his
ambition, he may the deeper feel the stingof death — strike tohis heart — whati
do you (alter — 'lo you turn coward 7"

Gerald neither ?iiovim1 nor spoke ; his upraised hand had sunk at his side ivt
tlie first asldress of Matilda to her enemy, and the da;;<^er had fallen from his
hau'l upon the sward, where it might bo seen plitterin^ in the rays of the palo
moon. His head was bent upon his chest in abject siiame, and he seemed as
one who \v,\<\ suddenly been turned to stone.

'' Genild, my h\i.sband !" ur^red Matilda, rapidly changinj^ her tone into that
of eaiiiest persuasion, •' wheieforc do you jiesitate ? Am I not your wife,
your own wife, ai\d is not yon monster the wretch who has consigned my fair
fame to obloquy for ever — Gerald !" she added, impetuously.

But the spell had lo.st its power, and Geraid continued immoveable — appa-
rently tixod to the spot on which he stood.

'• Gerald, Gerald !" repeated the oilicer, with the air of one endeavoring to
recollect.

At the sound of that voice Gerald looked up. The moon was at tliat mo-
ment unobscured by a single cloud, and as the eyes of the murderer and his
intended victim met, their recognition was mutual and perfect.

" I had never expected to see Lieutenant Grantham figiu'ing in tlie character
of an assassin," said Colonel Forrester, in a voice of deep and bitter reproach,
•'still less to lind his arm raised against the preserver of liis life, This^^*
he continued, as if speaking to himself. " will bo a bitter tale to recount to hia
(amilA'."

"' Almighty God, have mercy !" exclaimed Gerald as, overcome with shamo
and misery, ho threw himself upon tlieenrth at its full length, his head nearly
touching the feet of the officer. Then clasping his feet — • Oh, Colonel For-
restei', lost, degraded as I atn, believe me when I swear that T knew not against
whom my arm was to be directed. Nay. that you live at this moment is the
best evidence of the truth of what I utter, for I cama with a heart made up to
murder. But yoitr blood worlds could not tempt me to spill.''

'• [ believe you," said the American feelingly. " Well do I know the arts
of the woman who seems to have lured you into the depths of crime ; yet
low as you are fallen. Lieutenant (Jrantham — much as you liave disgraced
your country and profession, I cannot think you would willinirly have sought
the iifeof him who saved your own. And now rise, sir. and jzain tlie pl.iceof
your abode, before accident bring other eyes than my own to be witnesses of
your shame. Wo will discourse of this to-morrow. Jleanwhile, be satisfied
with my promise that your attempt shnll remain a .secret with nivsi-lf."

"Whi'.e he spoke. Colonel Forrester made a movement as if to depart.
Aroused by the apprehension of losing her victim. Matilda, who had hitherto
been an impatient listener, called wildly upon Gerald, who had now risen, to
fulfil his compact ; but the youth turned from Kor with a movement of die-
gust, exclaiming, with bitterness — •• leave me, woman, leave me !"

^fatilila looked after him for an instant wiUi an expres.sion of intcnsest
scorn ; then springing to, and snatching up the dagger, which lay glittering a
few jiaces from the spot on which she stood, she advanced silently, but rapidly
upon her retreating enemy. Colonel Fon'estei- had gained his tiircshold, and
had already knocked for admittance, when he heard the deep voice of Matilda
D,t hi^ oar, exclaiming, in a triumphant tone, .^,

" Think you twice, then, to escape your doom, traitor?"

Before he could make an attempt to shield himself th? fatal steel had en-
tered deep into his side. Uttering a groan, he sank senseless on the steps,
whither Gerald, who had watched the action of his companion, had tlowc. iu

IS2

MATILDA MONTOOHKRIK; OK

thp hone of iirrcfltinp; tho Wow. Confused voices, mingled wilh the tiamj) of
feet, were now heard within tho hall.' Presently the door ojjonc'd. and ■
crowd of Kcrvants. chielly hlftclc, appeared with lighU. The view of their
bleeding master, .vldcd to tlie disguise of Gerald, and the expression of trir-
uipph visible in the pale countenance of Matilda, at onoe revealed the truth.
fiy some the fonner was home to his apartment, while the j^reater portion
busied themselves in securini^ tho two latter, wlio, howcvor, niaile not tho
slif^htest elfort at resistance, but sufFered themselves to be borne, amid hoot-
,lnj»s and execrations. fiom the spot.

' The different groups we have described as beinp: pnthered together in front
of the hotel, liad dispersed on the breaking; up of the party, which Colonel
Forrester, in compliment to tho.sc who entertained him, had been one of tho
last to quit ; so that on passing through the streets, not an idler was found to
Bwell the sable crowd that bore the wretched prisoners onward to the common
•.prison of the town. Just as they had arrived at this latter, and a tall and
•muscular nep;ro, apparently enjoying some distinction in his master's house-
hold, was about to pull the bell for admission, a man came running breath-
les.sly to the spot, aiKl communicated to the negro just mentioned a message,
in which the name of Colonel Forrester was distineily audible to the ear of
■Gerald. A retrograde movement was the immediate consequences of this inter-
ruption, and the party came once more upon the open space they had so
.recently quitted. Stnpified with the excess of ahjectness in which he had
continued plunged, from the moment of his discovery of the identit}' of his
intended victim, Gerald had moved unconsciously and recklessly whithersoever
*his conductors led ; but now that he expected to be confronted face to faco
with the dying man, as tlie sudden alteration in the moveujent of the party
gave him reason to appreliend, he fel^/or the first time that his position, bitter
as it was, might be rendered even worse. It was a relief to him, therefore,
when he found that, instead of taking the course which led to the residence of
Colonel Forrester, the head of the party, of which Matilda and himself were
•the centre, suddenly diverged into the narrow lane which conducted to tho
residence of that unhappy woman. Instead, however, of approaching this,
• Gerald remarked that they ma<lc immediately for the fatal temple. When
they had reached this, the door was opened by the tall negro above described,
' who, with a deference in his manner not less at variance with the occasion
than with the excited conduct of tho whole party on their way to tho prison,
' motioned both his prisoners to enter. They did so, and the lock having been
' turned and the key removed, they silently withdrew.

CIIArTER XXX.

lIoiTRS passed away without either of the guilty parties finding coutk»o
4>r inclination to address the other. The hearts of both were too full for
Utterance — and yet did they acknowledge no sympathy in common, llemorse,
■shame, fear, regret, simultaneoasly assailed and weighed down the mind of
Gerald. Triumphant vengeance, unmi.\e<l with any apprehension of self,
reigned exclusively in the bosom of Matilda. Tlie intense passi(»n of the
■former, like a mist that is dissipated before the strong rays of the sim. had
•yielded before the masculine and practical display of the energetic hate of it.H
'object, while on the contrary she, whose beauty of person was now to him <i
thins: without price, acknowledged no other f(rL'Iing than contempt for tho va-
cillating character of her associate. In this onlv <lid they agree, that c.ich
looked upon each in the light of a bcins: sunk in crime — steeped in dishonor—
and while the love of the one v.-as turned to ahnost loathing at the thoncht,
the other merely wondered ho->v one so feeble of heart had ever been linlccd to
so di^terniined a purpose. ' '

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED.

183

Tlie only lipjht adrnitteil into tlio ti'mplo \nvs thron;rh the window already
described, ind this wiis so tcc^ilo as srarcc^Iy to allou' of t!ie more distant ohjcclH
in thf! roota ht'in;? snen. Gradually, as tlii> moon sunk honoath the forest
rid;re, the gloom increased, until in the end ti\e darknoss hooamtMilniost pro-
found. At tlieir first entrance Matilda, enshrouding herself in tljo folds of her
rloiik. had thrown herself upon thi^ sofi ; wiiilc (Jerald continued to p.ice uf»
hnd don'n the apartment with hurried steps, and ^ii a state of fejliniij it would
be u vain attempt to describe. It was now for the lin^t time that, nninfluenceil
l)y passion, the miserable youa;jc man liad leisure to reflect on tlie past, anti
the chain of fatality which had led to his present <lis;,^raceful position. Ila
recollected the conversation he ha<l held witli his brother on the day succeed-
in";; ins escape from tlie storm ; and as the p!ed!::;e whidi had been j;iven in hi.>»
name to his dying father, that no action of his life should reflect dishonor oii
liis family, now occurrc'l to him in all its force, he groaned in agony of spirit,
less in apprehension of the fate tliat awaited him. than in .sorrow and in shamo
that that pledge .should luve been violated. IJy a natural transition of his
feelings, his imagination recurred to the traditions connected with his family,
and the dreadful curse which had been uttered by one on whom his ancestor
was said to have heaped injtn*y to the very extinction of reason — and a.s.so-
ciating as he did Matilda's visit to the cottage at Detroit, on the memorable
niglit when ho had nncon.scioiisly saved the life of C(donel Forrester, with thti
fact of her having previously knelt and pr.ayed upon the grave that was known
to cover the ashes of the unhappy maniac, Ellen Ilalloway. he felt a shudder-
ing conviction that she was in some way connected with that wretched woman.
In the intenseness of his new desire to .satisfy his doubts — a desire wliich in it-
self partook of the character of the fatality l)y which he was beset — he over-
came the repugnance he had hitherto felt to enter into conversation with
her, and advancmj to the couch, he seated himself upon its edge at her
side.

'• Matilda," he said, after a few moments of silence, " by all the Iovb
you once bore me, I conjure you to answer me one question while thcro
is time."

"Fool," returned the American, "I never loved yon. A soul liko mino
feels passion but once. Hitherto T have played a part, but the drama ap-
proaches to a close, and disguise of plot is no longer necessary. Gerald Gran-
tham, you have been my dupe. Yen came a convenient puppet to my hands,
and such I used you until the snapped wire proclaimed you no longer ser-
viceable — no fiirthur."

Shame, angui.sh, mortification, all the most humiliating sensations natural
to man — for a moment assailed the breast of the unfortunate and guilty Gran-
tham, rendering him in.sensiblc even to tlie greater evil wliich awaited him.
In the bitterness of his agonj'-, he struck his clenched hand against his fore-
bead, uttering curses upon himself for his vreakne.ss, in one breath, and calling
upon his God, m the next, to pardon him for his crime.

'• This is good," said Matilda. '• To see you writlie thus, under the woun^i
inflicted upon your vanity, is some small atonement for the base violation of
3'our oath ; yet what question would you ask, the solution of which can so
much import one about to figure on the scaflbld for a crime he has not even
had the courage to commit?"

The taunting manner in which the concluding part of the scnten™ was con-
voyed, had the effect of restoring Gerald in some degree to himself, and ho
said with considerable firmness:

'' What I ask is of 3'our.self — namely, the relationship, if any, you bear to
tho.se who lie within the mound, on which I behold you kneeling on the night
of your first attempt on Colonel Forrester's life?"

" The very recollection of that ill-timed intrusion would prevent me from
satisfying your curiosity, did not something whisper to me that, in .so doing. I
shall add another pang to those you already experience," returned tho
AiUcrican, with bitter snrcasm.

!i4

MATILDA MONTOOMERIE; Olt«

" Voii arc riRht," hhU] Gerald hurriedly. " Mv raiscries need but tho
issuramx! of your counuxion with those inouldorins bones to be inrluod
complete."

" Then," said ATatiM.i cacjorly, and half raisinj? hor hoad, " your cup of
misery may yf-t admit of increase. My mother uud my father's mother both
Bleep within that prave."

" How know you this?" demanded Qera'.d quickly. "Instinct cnuld not
havcpjuidnd you to the sjwl. and b}' your own admission you were taken from
the pla(;e of your home while yet a mere child."

" Mot instinct, but my f ither H-'sborouc^h, pointed out th" spot, as ho ha<l
lonj? previously acquainted me with the history of my birth."

"One (piestion more — your (jrandmothpr's name?"

_" Mid Ellen she was called, an En;;lish soldier's wife, who died in giving
lirth to iny fiither — and now that you are answered, leave mo,"

" Almif^hty Providence !" aspirated Ocrald in tones of inconceivabl ','::ony,
*'it is then as I had feared, and this woman lias Destiny chosen to accorapli.'ih
my ruin."

lie ([uittpil the sofa, and paced up and down tlv room in a state of mind
bordering; on distraction. The past crowded upon his mind in all the confused
manner of a dream, and, amid the chaos of contendinj^ feelin<»s by which ho
was beset, one idea only was distinct — namely, that the wretched woman be-
fore him had been but the ?.■"^^ of Fate in effectinoj his destruction. Stranf»o
as it may appear, the idea, so far from inereasinj; the acerbity of his feelings,
had the tendency to soften his he.irt towards her. lie beheld in her but a
bein^ whoso actions hiid been fated like his own — and althou2;h every vcstigo
of passion had Had, even although her surpas.sing beauty had lost its subju-
gating influence, his heart yearned towards her as one who, wrecked on tho
siime shore, had some claim to his sympathy .ind compassion. .\11 that wan
now i'.'ft them was to make their peace with God, since with 'man their final
account would be so speeilily closed ; and with a view to impress her with a
.sense of the r(!ligirf)us aid from which alone they could hope for consolation, ho
again seated himself at her side on the edge of the sofa.

"Matilda," ho said, in a voice in which melancholy and sternness wero
Wendell, '" we liave been tho children of guilt — tho victims of onr own evil
passions ; but God is merciful, and if our penitence be sincere, we may yet bo
forgiven in Heaven, although on earth there is no hope — even if after this wo
could wish to live. Matilda, let us pray together."

Thei-e was no answer — neither did the slightest movement of her P.5rm in-
tlicate consciousness that .she was addressed. •' Matilda," repeated Gerald—
Btill there was no answer. He placed his hand upon her cheek, and thought
the touch was cold — he caught her hand, it too was cold and but for the ab-
ecnce of rigidity I\o would have deemed her dead.

Scarcely knowing what he did, yet with an indt^finable terror at his heart,
he grasped and shook her by the arm, and again, but with greater vehemence,
|)ronouu3ed her name.

" Who calls ?" she said, in a faint but deep tone, as she raised her head
k1ow1\ from the cushion which supported it. '" Ha ! I recollect. Tell me,'*
Khe added more quickly. ' was not the blow well aimed. Marked you how
the traitor fell. Villain, to acuse the woman whose only fault was loving him
lot) well, with ignominious commerce with a slave!"

" Wretched woman," exclaimed Gerald with solemn emphasis, '• instead of
exulting over the evil we have done, let ns rather make our peace with
Heaven, during the HiW hours we have yet to live. Matilda Dcsborongh —
daughter of a murderer; thyself a mtirderess — the scaffold awaits us both."

" Coward — fool — thou liest," she returned with suddenly awakened ene«gy.
"For one so changeling as thyself the .scaflbld were befitting, but know, if I
have had the heart to do this deed, I have also had the head to provide against
its wnsequenccs — see — feel — ."

Cue of her cold hands was extended in search of Gerald's. They met, anJ

S'l but the
be iiirluod

>ur c.vfi of
lothcr both

could not
taken from

as }io had

in givmg

ibl ',7on7,
nccoraplish

;o of mind
10 confused
' which ho
voman bc-
. Strange
is feelings,

her but a
cry vestigo

its suhju-
:od on tho
1 that \va»
their final
ler with a
ulation, ho

noss wero

own evil

lay yet bo

ar this wo

" hrm jn-

Geraid—
i thought
)r the ab-

his hearf,
:hemcnco,

her head
Fell me"
you how
)ving him

nstead of
'ace with
orongh —

both."
d cno»gy.

now, if I
le against

met, tini

THE PROPHECY FULFILLKD.

183

% rial placed in the palm of the latter, betrayed tho secret of her previous las*
jiitn'ie and insensibility.

Kvi'u amid all tho honors which environed him, and called so largel^r
for attention to his own personal danger, Gerald was jnoxpiussibly shockuil.

''What! poisoned 7" he exclaimed.

'"Yes — poisoned !" .she murmured, and her hand again sank heavily at her
side.

Gerald dashed the vial away from him to tho farther end of tho apartment,
and taking the cold hand of tho unha[)py woman, he continued:

'■ .Matilda — is this the manner in which you i)repare yourself to meet tho
presence of your God. What! add suicide to murder?"

But she spoke not — presently the hand ho clasped sank heavily from hiJl
tot.ch. Then there was a spi'smodic convulsion of tho whole frame. Thea
there burst a piercing shriek from her lips, as she half raised herself in agony
froi'i 'Jie sofa, and then each limb was set and motionless in th(?stern rigidity
of death.

While Gerald was yet bending over the body of his unfortunate companion,
shoL'ked, grieved and agitated beyond all expression, the door of the temple
was unloeked, and a man enveloped in a cloak, and bearing a small dark lan-
tern, suddenly appeared in the opening, lie advanced towards tho Kpot
where Gerald, stupified with the events of the past night, stood gazing upon
the corpse, almost imconscious of the presence of the intruder.

" A pretty fix you have got into, Liftenunt Grantiiam," said the well known
voice of Jackson, "and I little calculated, when I advised you to make love to
tho Kentucky gals to raise your spirits, that they would lead you into such a
ticuced scrape as this."

" Captain Jackson," said Gerald imploringly ; " I am sufHciently aware of
all the enormity of my crime, and am prepared to expiate it ; but in mercy
spare the bitterness of reproach."

•' Now as I'm a true Tenessco man, bred and born, I meant no reproach,
and why should I, since you could'nt help her doing it, and ho pointed to
iMatilda, yet you know its sometimes dangerous to bo found in bad company.
Every body might'nt believe you so innocent as we do."

" Innocent ! Captain Jackson," exclaimed Gerald, losing sight of all
other feelings in unfeigned surprise — •" I cannot say that I quite understand
you."

'• Why, the meaning's plain enough, I take it. Others might be apt, I say,
to think 3'ou had something to do with the thing as well as she, and thereforo
its just as well yo\i should make yourself scarce. The Colonel says ho
wouid'nt on any account, you should even be suspected."

'■ The Colonel says — not suspected," again exclaimed Gerald with incrca?.-
Jng astonishment — then, suddenly recollecting the situation of the latter —
•* tell me." he continued, '"is Colonel Forrester in danger — is his life despaired
of?" ' ' •

" Worth a dozen dead men yet, or yon wouid'nt see me taking the thing so
coolly. The dagger certainly let the daylight into him, but though the wound
Wci.T pretty considerably deep, the doctors say its not mortal. lie thinks it
might have been worse if you had not come uj), and partly stppped her arm
when jhe struck at him."

Gerald was deeply affected by what he had just heard. It was evident that
Colonel Forrostur had, with a generosity to which no gratitude of his own
could render adequate justice, sought to exonerate him fnmi all suspicion of
participation in the guilty design upon his life, an 1 as he glanced his eye again
for a moment upon the lifeless form of his companion, he was at once sensible
iba.t the only being who could defeat tho benevolent object of his benefactor
ivid now no longer the power to do so.

'*She sleeps sound enough now," said J.icksnn. again pointing to the ill-
fated and motionless girlj '• but she'll sleep sounder yi* before lung, I tak«
it."

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MATILDA MONTOOMERIK; OR,

" She will never sleep Rf>\in<Ier than at this moment, Captain Jackso:i," sa5d
Gcr.ilfl. wilh solemn emphasis.

" Wliy, )ou doti't moan to say she has cheated the hangman, Liftenant."

As he spoki\ .lacksoti approached the sofa, and turninq; the li^ht full upon
the face, saw indeed that she was dead. Gerald shuddered as the rays from
the lamp revealed fir'tiie first time the appallinrc change which had been
wjought upon that once beautiful countenance. The open and finely formed
brow was d"ep!y knit, and the features distorted by the acute agony which
had wrunc; tlie shriek from her heart at the very moment of dissolution, were
set in a stern expression of despair. The parted lips were drawn up at tho
corners in a manner to convey tlie idea of the severest internal pain, and thera
was already a genf ral discoloration about tho mouth, betraying the subtle in-
Uucnccs of the poison which had effected her death.

Gerald aftcivthc first glance, turned away his head in horror from the view ;
but the Aide-de-camp remained for some moments calmly regarding the re-
mains of all that had once been most beautiful in nature.

" She certainly is not like what she was when Colonel Forrester first knew
her," he said, in the abstracted tone of one talking without reference to any
other auditor than himself j but this comes of profering a nigger to a whito
man. Such imnatural courses never can prosper, I take it."

•' Captain Jackson," said Gerald, aroused by his remark, and with great
emphasis of tone, while he laid his hand impressivel}' on the shoulder of tho
other, " you do her wrong. Guilty as she has been, fearfully guilty, but not
in the sense you would imply."

" IIuw do you know this V" asked the Aide-de-camp.

" From her own solemn declaration at a moment when deception could avail
her not. Even before she swallowed the fatal poison, her liorror at tho im-
putation, which drove her to the perpetration of murder, was expressed in
terms of indignant warmth that belong to truth alone."

" If this be so," said Jackson, musingly, " she is indeed a much injured
woman, and deep I know will bo tha regret of Colonel Forrester when ho
hears it, for he himself has ever believed her guiltj'. But come, Liftenant
Grantham, we have •) time to lose. The day will soon break, and I expect
you must be a considerable way from Frankfort before sunrise."

I — from Fankfort — before sunrise !" exclaimed Gerald, in perfect astonish-
ment.

" Why, it's rather short warning to be sure ; but the Colonel thinks you'd
better start before the thing gets wind in the morning ; for so many of tho
niggers say you wore a sort of a disguise as well as the poor girl, he fears tho
citizens may suspect you of something more than an intrigue, and insult you
desperately."

" Generous, excellent man .'" exclaimed Gerald, " how can I ever repay this
most unmerited service ?" n

" Why, tho best way I take it, is to profit by the offer that is made you of
getting back to Canada as fast as you can "

" But how is this to be done, and will not tho very fact of my fight confirm
the suspicion it is intended to remove ?"

" As for the* matter of how it is to be done, Liftenant, I have as slick a
horse waiting outside for you as man ever crossed — one of the fleetest in Co-
lonel Forrester's stud. Then as for suspicion, he means to set that at rest, by
saying that he has taken tipon himself to give you leave to return en parole to
your friends, who wish to see you on a case of life and death, and now let's
be moving."

Oppressed with the weight of contending feelings, which this generous cor •
duct had inspired, Gerald waited but to cast a last look upon the ill-fated
Matilda ; and then with a slow step and a heavy heart for ever quitted a
scene fraught with tho most exciting and the most painful occurrences of hix
life. The first rays of early dawn beginning to develope themselves as they
issued from the temple, Jackson extinguished his lamp, and leading through

THE PROP H EC Y FITLFILLED.

1S1

were

the narrow pass that conducted to the tnn'n, niado the circuit of th'i ridfrc of
hills until they arrived sit a, point where a xn^'^ro (the same who hud led tho
partj' that bore Matilda an<l himself to tho temple) was in waiting, with a
horse ready saddled and the arms and accoiitrcments of a rillfmaJ).

The equipment of Gerald was soon completed, and with the shot-baj; anJ
powder-horn slung over his shoulder, and the lonq; rifle in his hand, he soon
presented the appearance of a backwoodsman hastening to tho theatre of
war.

When he had seated himself in the saddle, Jackson drew forth a wcil filled
purse, which he said he had been directed by Colonel Forrester to present him
with to defray the expenses of his journey to the frontier.

Deeply affected by this new proof of the favor of the generous American,
Gerald received the purse, saying, as he confided them to tho breast of his
hunting frock —

" Captain Jackson, tell Colonel Forrester from me, that T accept his present
merely because in doing so I give the liest evidences of my appreciation of aW
he has done for nie on this trying occasion. Tn his own heart, however, ho
must look for tho only reward to which this most noble of actions justly
entitles him."

Tho frank-hearted Aide-de-camp promised compliance with this parting
massage, and after pointing out the route it would be necessary to follow,
warmly pressed the hand of his charge in a final grasp, that told how little
ho deemed the man before him capable of the foul intention with which hia
60>il had been so recently sullied.

How often during those hours of mad infatuation, when his weakened mind
had been balancing between the pos.session of Matilda at the price of crime,
and his abandonment of her at that of happiness, had the observation of tho
Aide-de-camp, on a former occasion, that he '■ Was never born te be an assas-
sin," occurred to his mind, suffusing his cheek with shame and his .soul with
remonse. Now, too, that conscious of having fallen in all but the positive
commission of the deed, he saw that tho unsuspecting American regarded him
merely as one whom accident or intrigue had made an unwilling witness of
the deadly act of a desperate woman, his feelings were those of profound
abasement and self-contempt.

There was a moment, when urged by an involuntary impulse, he wouid
have undeceived Captain Jackson as to his positive share in the transaction ;
but pride suddenly interposed and saved him from the degra'lation cf the con«
fession. He returned the pressure of the American's hand with cmphasiH.
»nd then turning his horse in the direction which he had been recommcndea
»o take, quitted Frankfort for ever.

CHAPTER XXXT.

In October of the camo year, a numerous body of Americans, principally
troops of the line, had been collected under the orders of General Van llens-
sclaer, and advantage was taken of an extremely dark night to push them
across tho river, with a view to tho occupation of the commanding heights
above the village of Qnecnston. In this, favored by circumstances, the enemy
were eminently successful. They carried the batteries, and at day-break the
heights were to bo seen covered with their battalions, before whom wero
thrown out a considerable body of riflemen. At the first alarm, the little
detachment stationed at Quecn<to\vn marched out to dislodge them ; but such
was the impatient gallantry of General Brock, who had succeeded to the com-
mand on this line of frontier, that without waiting for the main body from
fort George to come up, he ;hrcw himself at the head of tho Hank companies

188

MAllLDA MONTOOMERIE ; OR,

of the Forty-Ninth, and moving forward in double quick time, soon c&UM
within sight of the enemy.

Anion'' the General's aides-de-camp, was Henry Grantham, vho, having
wicceeded in makinn; his escape at the fafnl defeat of the Moravian Village,
with a few men of his company, had in the absence of his regiment (then
prisoners of war), and from considerations of personal esteen), been attached
as a supernumerary to his staff. With him at this moment was the light-
hearted De Courcy, and as the youn;; men rode a little in rear of their Chief,
they were so rapt in admiration of his fine form and noble daring (as he still
kept dashing onward, far in advance even ol the handful of troops who fol-
lowed eagerly and rapidly in his rear), that they utterly forgot the dani^er to
which he was exposed.

On arriving at the ascent, the General for a moment reined in his charger,
in order to give time to the rear to close in, then removing and waving hia
plumed hat.

" Hurrah, Forty-Ninth !" he exclaimed, in language suite<l to those he ad-
dres.sed. '• Up the.se heights lies our road — on ourselves depends the victory
Not a shot tdl we gain the summit — then three cheers for old England— a
volley — and the bayonet must do the rest !"

So saying, he resumed his hat ; and wheeling his horse, once more led his
gallant little band up the hill.

T^ut it was not likely that the Americans would sufTer the approach of so
determined an enemy without attempting to check their progress in the most
efficient ti runner. Distinguished from those around him by his commanding
ttir. not less than by the military insignia that adorned him, the person of the
General was at once recognised for one bearing high rank, and as such became
an object of especial attention to the dispersed rillemon. Shot after shot flew
past the undaunted officer, carrying death into the close ranks that followed
noiselessly in his rear, yet without harming him. At length he was seen by
liis aides-de-camp, both of whom had kept their eyes upon him, to rt d in his
saddle. An instant brought the 3'oung men to his side, De Courcy on his
right and Grantham on his left hand. They looked up into his face. It was
suffused with the hues of death. A moment afterwards and he fell from his
horse, M-ith his head reclining upon the chest of Henry Grantham. Thero
was a momentary halt in the advancing column ; all were dismayed at the
dreadful event.

Dc Courcy and Grantljam, having abandoned their horses, now bore their
brloved leader to the .side of the road, and sought some spot out of reach of
the enemy's fire, wliere he might breathe his last moments in peace.

As Henry Grantham glanoad his eye towards an old untenanted building,
that lay some fifty yards off the road, and which he conceived fully adapted
to the purpose, he saw the form of a rifleman partly exposed at a corner of
the building, whose action at the moment was evidently that of one loading
his piec^. The idea that this skulking enemy might have been the same who
had given the fjita'i death-wound to his beloved Chief, addeil to the conviction
that he was prepaiing to renew the shot, filled him with the deepest desiro
of vengeance. As the bodies of several^men, picked off by the riflemen, lay
along the road (one at no great distance from the spot on which he stood),
Yiv. liastened to secure tiie nearest musket, which, as no shot had been fired )\y
the English, he knew to be loaded.

Leaving De Courcy to eupport ihe head of the General, the young Aid-de-
camp moved \vith d'le caution towards the Ivjildiif; ; but ere he had goco te»»
paces, he beheld th'j cujcct ot his pursuit issue altogether from the covei o»
the building, and advance towards him with his rifle on the trail. More and
more convinced that his design was to obtain a near approach, with a view to
» more certain aim, he suddenly halted and raised the musket to his .shoulder.
In vain was a shout to desist uttered by tho advancing man — in vain was hia
rifle thrown aside, as if in token of the absence of all hostile purposes. The
excited Henry Grantham heeded not the wo' ds — saw not the action. Hi

soon c&uM

ho, having
ian Village,
mcnt (then
'-n attached
1 tho light-
their Chief,
(as he still
ps who fol-
3 dani'er to

lis charger,
waving hia

lose he ad-
the victory
England— a

lOre led his

•oach of so
n the roost
mmanding
rson of tho
ich became
r shot flew
it followed
as seen by
rt '1 in his
rcy on his
It was
1 from his
n. Thero
ed at the

bore Ihcir
f reach of

building,
y adapted
corner of
e loading
same who
conviction
icst dcsiro
einen. lay
le stood),
a fired ]\y

g Aid-ae-
got J ten
i covei 01
More and
a view to
shoulder.
1 was hia
les. The
ion. Ht

TKB yKOrneoY FVLFtlLEA.

180

IhoagTit only of the danger of his General, and of his desire to avenge his
fall. lie fired — the rifleman staggered, and pottting liis hand to his breast—

" My brother ! oh, my unhappy brother !" ho exclaimed, and sank sense-
less to the earth.

"Who shall tell the horror of the unfortunate young Aide-de-camp, at recog-
nising in the supposed enemy his long mourned and much loved Gerald !
Motion, sense, life, seemed for tho instant annihilated by the astounding con-
sciousness of the fratricidal act : tho musket fell from his hands, and he who
had never known sorrow before, save throtigh those most close'y linked to
his warm affections, was now overwhelmed, crashed by the mountain of de-
spair that fell upon his heart. It was some moments before ho could so far
recover from the stupor into which that dear and wcll-remeu\bercd voice Imd
plunged him, as to perceive the possibility of the wound not being mortal.
The thought acted like electricity upon each stupifiud .sense and palsied limb;
and eager with the renewed hope, he bounded forward to the spot where lay
tho unfortuftate GcraW. writhing in his agony. He had fallen on his face,
but 03 Henry approached him, he raised himself with one hand, and with tho
other beckoned to his brother to draw near.

" Great God, what have 1 doii'< !" exclaimed tho unhappy Henry, throwing
himself, in a paroxysm of despair, upon the body of his bleeding brother.
" Gerald, my own beloved Gerald, is it thus we meet again? Oh! if you
would not kill me, tell mc that your wound is not mortal. Assure me that I
am not a fratricide. Oh, Gerald, Gerald ! my brother, tell mc that you aro
not dying."

A faint smile passed over the pale, haggard features of Gerald : he grasped
the hand of his brother and pressed it fervently, Siiyihg:

'' Henry, tho hand of fate is visible in all this ; therefore condemn not
yourself for that which was inevitable. I knew of the attempt of the Ameri-
cans to possess them.sclvesof the heights, and I cros«:ed over with them under
favor of this di.sguise, determined to find death, combatting at the side of our
gallant General. Detaching my.self from the ranks, I but waited the ad-
vance of the British column to remove from my concealment — you know the
rest. lit oh, Ilcnrj' ! if you could divine what a relief it is to me to part
with existence, you would not wish tho act undone. This was all I asked :
to see you once more— to embrace you — and to die I Life olForei' mo no hope
but this."

Gerald expressed himself with the effort of one laboring under strong/
bodily pain ; and as he spoke he again sank exhausted upon the ground.

*' This p.icket," he continued, taking one from tho Vjreast of the hunting-
frock he wore, and lianding it to his brother, who, silent and full of agony, had
again raised his head from the ground and supported it on his slmulder— •
" this packet, Henry, written at various times during the la.st fortnight, will
explain all that has passed since we last parted in the Miami. When I am no
more, read it ; and while you mourn over his dishonor, pity tho weakness and
the sufferings of the unhappy Gerald."

Henry was nearly fi'antic. The hot tears fell from his burning eyes upon
the pale emaciated cheek of his brother, and he groaned in ngony.

"Oh God I" he exclaimed. " how shall 1 ever survive this blow ? — my bro-
ther ! oh, my brother ! tell mo that you firgive mc."

" Most willingly ; yet what is there to be forgiven ? You took mo for an
enemy, and hence alone your error. Tt was fate. Henry. A dreadful doom
has long been prophesied to the last of O'lr race. We aie the last — and I his
is the consummation. Let it however console you to thfnk, that though your
hand had not slain me another's would. In the ranks of the enemy I should
have found — Henry, my kind, my affectionate brother— your ham! — there —
there— what dreadful faintnessat my heart — Matilda, it is my turn now — Oh,
God have mercy, oh "

"While this scene was passing by the roadside between the unfortunate
brothers. th»< main body of the British force had come up to tb? spot whern

MATILDA BIONTOOMERl K ; OR*

the General still lay cxpirinnj in thn arms of Do Oonrcy, an(i surrounded bjr
the principal of tho medical staff. Tlie majority of these were of the repmcnt
jireriously named — vcteians who had known and loved their (pliant leader
dtji'in,!? tfie wliole course of his spotless career, and more than one rude hand
ml<»ht ho soon dashin,'^ the tear tliat started involuntarily to the eye. As the
colors of the Forty-ninth passed before him, tho General made an elTort to ad-
<lrpss some lann;ua(»e of encourapremenl to his old corps, but the words died
a^rjiy in indistinct murmurs, and, wavinpj his hand in the direction of tho
hoitrhts. he sank back exhausted with the ellbrt, and rcsij^ncd UiS gallant
.'.flint for orcr.

For some minatos after life had departed, Henry Grantham continucfl to
hanj» over the body of his ill-fated brother, with an intenseness of absorption
that rendered him heedless even of the rapid fire of musketry in the advance.
Tho sound of Do Courcy's voice was the first thin,!^ that seemed to call him
to consciousness. De Courcy had heard tho cry \ittored by the latter on re-
ceiving: the fatal shot, and his imacri nation had too faithfully portrayed the
painful scone that had ensued. A friend of both brothers, and particularly
attached of late to the younj^er from the similar nature of their serv'pe, howa.-4
inexpressibly shocked, but still chori.shinj; a hope that tho wound might not
be attended with loss of life, ho expected to find his anticipations realized by
some communication from his friend. Finding however that the one rose not.
and remark ina: that tho demeanor of the other was that of profound despair,
he beprau at length to draw the most unfiivorablc conclusion, and caiisinj* tho
body of his commander to be borne under cover of the btiildinp:. until proper
means of transport could bo found, ho hastened to ascertain tho full extent of
the traprody.

Tlie horror and dismay depicted in his friend's countenance were speedily
reflected on his own, when he saw that the unfortinvate Gerald, whose blood
had completely saturated the earth on which he lay, was indeed no more.
Language at such a moment would not only have been superfluous, but an
insult. Da Courcy caught and pressed the hand of his friend in silence. Tho
unfortunate voung man pointed (o the dead body of his brother, and burst
info tears. While these were yet flowing in a fulness that promi.sed to give
relief to his oppressed heart, a loud shout from the British ra.nks arrested vho
attention of both. The sound soomed to have an electric efTect on the actions
of Henry Grantham. For the first time he appeared conscious there was such
a thing as a battle being fought.

" De Courcy," he said, starling up, and with .sudden animation, " why do
we linjor bore ? Tlie doad" — and he pointed first to the body of tho General
in the distance, and then to his brother — "the wretohcd doad Ciaim no service
from us now."

•' You are right, Henry, our interest in those beloved objcct-s has caused, tis
to be heedless of our duty to ourselves. Victory is our own — but alas ! how
Jearlv purchased !"

•' How dearly purchased, indeed !" responded Henry, in a tone of .such heart-
rcndinc: agony as cau.scd his friend to repent tlie aHwsion. " De Coiirc}',
keep this p.acket, and should I fall, let it be sent to my uncle, Colonel
D'Kgville."

De Cciircy accepted tho trust, and the young men mounted their horses,
wdiich a Canadian peasant had hold for them in the meantime, and dashing up
the ascent, soon fo.Mid themselves wiicro the action was hottest.

" Forward ! violi ry !" sliouted Henry Grantham, and his sword was plunged
deep into the side o'/liis nearest enemy. The man fell, and writhing in the
last agonies of death, rolled onward to tho precipice, and disappeared for ever
from the view.

Tho words, the action — had cxciicd the attention of a tall, muscular,
ferocious-looking rifloT.ian, who, hotly pursued by a couple of Tudians, waa
crossing the open ground at his full speed to join the main body of his com-
rades. A ball struck hiui just as he had arrived within a few feet of the spot

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED,

lUl

oundcd bjr
c repmciU
ant l(>adcr
rude hand
c. As the
Tort to ad-
k'ords died
ion of tho
iis gallant

itinuLHl to
[ibsorption
e advance,
o call him
tter on re-
Taycd the
irticularly
ce, he was
might not
calized by
3 rose not.
id despair,
fiusing the
itil proper
extent of

3 speedily
lose blood

no more.
IIS, but an
noo. Tho
ind bur .it
k1 to give
rested vho
le actions

was such

" why do

General
10 service

paused, ns
hts ! how

ich heart"

Courc}',

, Colonel

ir horses,
ishing up

; plunged
n^ in the

1 for ever

where TTonry stood, j'ct still leaping onward, lie maihf a desperate blow at tho
head of the oflicor with tlie butt end of his rifle, A quick movement disap-
pointed the American ol" his aim. yet the blow f-il so violently on the shoul-
der, that the stock snapped suddenly asunder at the small of the butt.
iStung with pain, Henry Grantham turned to behold his enemy. It w.ns
Dcshorough 1 The features of the settler expressed the most savage and vin-
dictive passions, as, with the head of the rillc upraised and clenehed in botii
his iron hands, ho was about to repeat his blow. Ere it could descend
Grantham had riishelin upon him, ayid his sword, still reeking in the blood
it had so recently spilt, was driven to the very hilt in the body of the .settler.
The latter uttered a terrific scream in which all the most inf'Tual of human
pa?si(ms were wildly bl'nded. and casting aside his rifle, seized the young ofTi-
r(T in his powerful gripe. Then ensued a contest the most strange and awful,
the settler using every endeavor to gain the cilge of the precipice, the other
strmrgling, but in vain, to release himself from his hold. As if by tacit con-
Kent, both parties discontinued the struggle, and became mere spectators of tho
•>ccne,

" Villain !" shouted T)o Conrcy, who saw with dismay tho terrible object
of tho settler, whoso person he had recognised — '" if you would have quarter,
release your hoM,"

But besborough. too much given to his revenge to heed the words of the
Aide-de-camp, continued silently, yet with advantage, to drag his victim nearer
and nearer to the fatal precipice ; and every man in the IJriti.sh ranks felt his
blood to creep, as he beheld the unhappy offlcer borne, notwithstanding a
desperate resistance, at each moment nigher to the brink.

'• For Heaven's sake, men, advance and seize him," exclaimed the terriQed
Do Courcy, leaping forward to the resene.

Acting on the hint, two or three of the most active of the light infantry
rushed from the ranks in the direction taken by the ofticer.

Desboroueh saw the movement, and his exertions to dcfi^at it became, con-
sidering the loss of blood he had sustained from his wounds, almost herculean.
ITe now stood on the extreme ver<::e of the precipice, where he paused for a
moment as if utterly exhausted by his j)revious cfferts. Do Courcy was now
within a few feet of his unhappy friend, who still struggled ineflectually to freo
himself when the settler, .suddenly coDocting all his energy into a final and
desperate effort, raised the unfortunate Gerald from the ground, and with
a loud and exulting lauih, dashed his foot violently acrninst the edge of tho
cr.ig, and threw himself backward into the hideous abyss.

Their picked and whitened l)ones may be seen even to this d.iy, confounded
together and shining through the gloom that pervades every part of tho
abyss, and often may be remarked an aged and decrepit negro, seated on a rook
a few feet above them, leaning his elbows upon his knees, and gazing eagerly
as if to distinguish the bones of the one from the bones oi'the otiior.

And thcs was the fearful rKOPiiECY of Elle.v Hallo wat. tub

MOTHER OF DesbORCUGH BY WaCOUSTA, FULFILI ED I

T^B SNn.

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the .spot