13. CHAPTER XIII.
The attack of the insurgents upon the mansion at Ridgewood Hill.
I said, that when the conspiracy reached the
crisis mentioned before, I was suddenly seized with
terror. I began to think with what kindness I had
been treated by those I had leagued to destroy;
and the baseness and ingratitude of the whole design
struck me with such force, that I was two or
three times on the point of going to my master,
and revealing it to him while he had yet the power
to escape. But my fears of him and of my
fellow-ruffians deterred me. I thought he looked
fierce and stern; and as for my companions, I conceited
that they were watching me, dogging my every
step, prepared to kill me the moment I attempted
to play them false. It was unfortunate that my
rudeness to Master Tommy had caused me to be
banished the house; for although my master did
not beat me, he was persuaded my violence in that
case was not altogether jocose, and therefore punished
me by sending me to the fields. Hence I
had no opportunity to see him in private, unless I
had sought it, which would have exposed me to observation.
The night came, and it came to me bringing
such gloom and horror, that my agitation was observed
by Governor and others, who railed at me
for a coward, and threatened to take my life if I
did not behave more like a man. This only increased
my alarm; and, truly, my disorder of mind
became so great, that I was in a species of stupid
distraction when the moment for action arrived;
for which reason I retain but a confused recollection
of the first events, and cannot therefore give a
clear relation of them.
I remember that there was some confusion produced
by an unexpected act on the part of our master,
who, it was generally supposed, designed crossing
the creek to visit the major, having ordered
his carriage and the ferry-boat to be got ready, and it
was resolved to kill him while crossing the creek
on his return; after which we were to fire a volley
of guns, as a signal to the major's gang, and then
assault and burn our master's dwelling. Instead of
departing, however, when the night came, he remained
at home, shut up with the overseer and
young Mr. Andrews, his daughter's lover; and it
was reported that they had barred up the doors and
windows, and were sitting at a table covered with
loaded pistols; thus making it manifest that they
suspected our intentions, and were resolved to defend
themselves to the last.
For my part, I have never believed that our master
suspected his danger at all; he perceived, indeed,
that an ill spirit had got among his people,
but neither he nor any of his family really believed
that mischief was intended. Had they done so,
he would undoubtedly have procured assistance,
or at least removed his children. The windows
were barred indeed, and perhaps earlier than usual,
which may have been accidental; and as for the
fire-arms on the table, I believe they were only
fowling-pieces, which my master, Mr. Andrews,
and the overseer, who was a great fowler, and
therefore much favoured by my master, who was
a veteran sportsman, were getting ready to shoot
wild ducks with in the morning.
My companions, however, were persuaded that
our victims were on their guard; and the hour
drawing nigh at which they had appointed to strike
the first blow, and give the signal to the neighbouring
gangs, they were at a loss, not knowing
what to do; for they were afraid to attack the
house while three resolute men, armed with pistols,
stood ready to receive them. In this conjuncture
it was proposed by Governor, who, from
having been a fellow notorious for nothing save
monkey tricks and waggery, was now become a
devil incarnate, he was so bold, cunning, and eager
for blood, to fire the pile of timber where it stood
near the quarters, or negro-huts; the burning of
which would serve the double purpose of drawing
our intended victims from the house, and giving
the signal to the neighbouring estates.
The proposal was instantly adopted, and in a
few moments the pile of dry resinous wood was in
a flame, burning with prodigious violence, and
casting a bright light over the whole mansion, the
lawn, and even the neighbouring river. At the
same moment, and just as we were about to raise
the treacherous alarm, we heard a sudden firing of
guns and shouting beyond the creek at the major's
house, which made us suppose the negroes there
had anticipated us in the rising.
Emulous not to be outdone, our own party now
set up a horrid alarm of “Fire!” accompanied
with screams and yells that might have roused the
dead, and ran to the mansion door, as if to demand
assistance of their master.
Never shall I forget the scene that ensued. I
stood rooted to the ground, not twenty steps from
the house, when the door was thrown open, and
my master rushed out, followed by Andrews and
the overseer. They had scarce put foot on the
porch before six or seven guns, being all that the
conspirators could muster, and which the owners
held in readiness, were discharged at them, and
then they were set upon by others with the spears,
The light of the fire illuminated the porch, so that
objects were plainly distinguishable; yet so violent
was the rush of assailants, so wild the tumult, so
brief the contest, that I can scarce say I really witnessed
the particulars of the tragedy. I beheld,
indeed, my master's gray hairs, for he was of towering
stature, floating an instant over the heads of the
assailants; but the next moment they had vanished;
and I saw but a single white man struggling
in the hall against a mass of foes, and crying out to
Miss Isabella by name, “to escape with the children.”
Vain counsel, vain sacrifice of safety to
humanity; the faithful overseer (for it was he who
made this heroic effort to save his master's children,
his master and young Andrews lying dead
or mortally wounded on the porch) was cut down
on the spot, and the shrieks of the children as they
fled, some into the open air by a back door, and
others to the upper chambers, and the savage yells
of triumph with which they were pursued, told
how vainly he had devoted himself to save them.
