21. XXI.
CAPTAIN WAGNER GOES TO CALL ON HIS FRIENDS.
WHEN Captain Wagner undertook to perform anything,
he was accustomed to set about it with a
rapidity and energy almost fatal, in the very beginning,
to an opponent of sluggish disposition.
The Captain had come to the Valley of Virginia at the
bidding of Lord Fairfax, to assist that nobleman with his
counsel in the troublous days which were plainly lowering
on the border: and in so doing, the soldier had only acted
in conformity with his views of duty, and his war-instincts.
As the Indian attack was evidently delayed for the time,
however, as no breeze brought to the huge ears of the
frontiersman the rumor of battle, as he was doomed to inactivity
for the moment, and was not needed by his lordship—under
this state of things it seemed to the Captain
that his most rational employment would be a diligent application
of his energies to the cause of Mrs. Butterton, with
the prospective view of inducing that lady to become Mrs.
Wagner, into which changed state she would doubtless
carry with her, her thousand “desirabilities.”
These reflections had occurred to the soldier at his first
interview, and we have been present at his formal declaration
of war against Thomas, Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron,
and Lord Lieutenant of Frederick and the shires
adjacent.
The Captain, after leaving Mrs. Butterton as we have seen
him do, immediately set about his task.
He instituted inquiries upon all sides; procured a full list
of the justices, with the greater part of whom he was perfectly
well acquainted; and with this basis of operations,
and the comfortable assurance that there was quite a formidable
party against Stephensburg and Lord Fairfax, and
consequently in favor of Winchester and Mrs. Butterton,
cheerfully took to the high road, and commenced his
rounds.
It is not the purpose of this history to follow the valiant
Captain and great negotiator in his campaign, or to repeat
in detail the various and ever-ready arguments which he
used to impress his friends with the importance of selecting
the village of Winchester for the county-seat. Perhaps we
lose a most favorable opportunity of showing the tremendous
energy and conspicuous ingenuity of Captain Longknife,
by passing thus over a series of scenes in which he was impressive
and indefatigable—but, unfortunately, we are not
now writing the history of Winchester.
It is enough, then, to say that the Captain returned to the
Ordinary, three or four days afterwards, with a countenance
in which might easily have been discerned an expression of
much pride and triumph.
“Faith, madam!” he said, bending down and pressing
gallantly to his lips the plump hand of Mistress Butterton,
who smiled, and murmured, “La, Captain!” and covered
her face with her fan, “faith, madam! I begin to think that
I ought to have undertaken more in your behalf—to have
the county-seat moved to Belhaven, or, as these new-fangled
folks begin to call it, Alexandria, or even to Williamsburg,
or the village of Richmond, or any other town in which you
may have property! Be easy on the subject, my dear madam,
for this very morning I am going to finish everything.
I'm going to see Argal, and that rascal Hastyluck, and I
want company. Where's your gallant acquaintance, Falconbridge,
our mutual friend?”
The lady smiled, and with an innocent air, said:
“I think he has gone before you, Captain.”
“Gone before?”
“To Mr. Argal's.”
And the lady laughed.
“Rather to Miss Argal's,” said the Captain, frowning, and
looking thoughtful.
“Yes.”
“He's in love!”
“Is he?”
“Dead in love! What a foolish fellow!”
“Hem!” said Mrs. Butterton, gently, and with a dangerous
look, “do you think that is very foolish, Captain?”
“It would not be in your case, beautiful and”——
“Oh, Captain!”
“May the!—well, that's wrong: but I will maintain, with
fire and sword, the good sense of the individual who falls in
love with you!—that is,” added the Captain, guardedly, “I
will cut the throats of all persons, or individuals, who presume
to do anything of the sort.”
With which somewhat inconsistent declaration, Captain
Wagner again kissed the hand he held in his huge paw,
pushed up his black moustache with his finger, as was habitual
with him, and issuing forth, mounted his horse, and
took his way toward Mr. Argal's.
