University of Virginia Library

10. CHAPTER X.
THE DISCOVERY.

`For two days,' continued the fair East Indian bride, `I remained attending
upon my father, and preserving the closest disguise. He improved
rapidly after I came to him, and more than once expressed his
gratitude for my love and care. Nevertheless he remained deeply solicitous
for my safety; and feared each moment when some untoward
circumstance should expose me to the rage of the multitude. For myself
I experienced no fears. I felt secure in my assumed costume, and
the satisfaction of being with my father and witnessing his rapid convalescence
rendered me insensible to any of the consequences by which
I purchased such sweet happiness.

`Where was Norman the meanwhile?'

`He had taken lodgings in a house directly opposite my father's and
there he watched over my safety, but without betraying his interest in
me in such a way as to draw attention. While my father slept in the
heat of the day he would come over and converse with me upon the future.
I told him that my father had determined as soon as he could be
removed to go on board the American ship, `William Grey,' then lying
in the river, and proceed to Macao for the purpose of returning me
there in safety. Norman proposed to offer his own vessel which still
lay below the town under her Spanish colors. To this I objected, and
proposed that he should permit me to return to Macao with my father,
and that he should follow me in the schooner, and visit me at my father's,
and there together we would unfold to him our union, and so explain
the motives as easily to obtain his recognition of it. To this
step Norman gave his consent; and said he would only remain where
he was until he saw me safely on board the American ship, and then
weigh anchor and follow us.

One morning while we were thus conversing earnestly together, Norman
standing in the paved passage of the house, and I leaning out to
him over a latticed window that opened from my father's room into the
passage, I suddenly heard my father call me by name. I looked round
and saw him seated up in his couch and regarding us closely, and with
a look of displeasure. I had supposed him asleep, as he did not usually
awake till an hour later. At a look from me, Norman retired,
while I hastened to my father.

`Clara, I like not this intimacy with this young Prince. Why is he
here and what do you discourse upon in such low tones? Did I not
pay him one hundred dollars for your passage in his vessel? Why
does he come here? Are you interested in him? Is he in you? If
so he knows you are not what you seem!'

`He would inquire after your health, sir,' I answered, not knowing
what to say; and I am confident my face betrayed my embarrassment

For a moment I was deliberating about confessing all to him; when to
my surprise he rose up and stood upon his feet.

`I am well, you see, Clara! Your increasing dangers have inspired
me with health. This very hour you must prepare to go on board with
me! I can bear the fatigue. I am satisfied that young Prince is
aware of your sex. The expression of his eyes as he looked upon you
was not such as men regard those of their own sex with. My confidence
in you is not moved, but I fear the worst from his knowledge of
your sex. If you repulse his attentions, and he sees fit to avenge himself
by exposing your true character, you would fall a victim to your
rashness in coming to see me, kind as was the motive.'

Thus my father spoke to me. I knew that in his present mood I
should gain nothing by revealing who the Prince was, and the dear relation
in which he stood to me; and I resolved to defer it till we should
reach Macao. Towards evening his Chinese physician came in and
expressed his astonishment at his improved appearance, but after feeling
his pulse recommended quiet. My father told him he should the
next morning go on board the ship in his palanquin. The Chinese objected
on the ground of imprudence but my father was positive. As
the Chinese came in I busied myself with my writing materials so that
I might not draw his attention too closely upon myself.

`Your secretary may destroy your will now,' he said, looking at me.

`Yes. I am getting well,' replied my father. `I shall need neither
will nor docters! You may give me your account for services!'

`In one moment it can be drawn up. With your leave I will write
the sun here,' he said, approaching me.

`No—no—not now! To-morrow,' cried my father, earnestly, and
with agitation enough to betray me, had the Chinese previously had the
least suspicion of the truth. I kept my seat and preserved the composure
of my countenance. I gave him my pen and pointed to the paper
before me! I remained perfectly quiet while he wrote. He then returned
me the pen and as he took it I saw his eye rest upon my hand
an instant.'

`What a moment of danger. He was struck with its very small size
and perfect whiteness, I have no doubt,' said Mary Hood.

`From my hand his block head-like eyes glanced at my face, and he
seemed for a moment to be scanning my features.

`Of what nature is your secretary?' he asked, looking at my father.

`Of mixed blood.'

`He has a hand like that of an English woman, whose pulse I once
examined at Macao. I have never seen such a hand since. And what
is more his face is strikingly like hers.'

`What woman?' gasped my father.

`The Chinese named my mother by her maiden name. He said it
was eighteen years before. I thought my father would have fainted —
It was with difficulty I could command my self-possession at so trying a
moment. The Chinese flew to my father and would have applied restoratives;
but seeing my coolness my father rallied. The Chinese doctor
then returned to my desk on which he had left his bill; as he took
it up he eyed me with a close look, so strange and peculiar that it made
me shudder involuntarily. The next moment he left the apartment,

and from the lingering glance of suspicion he gave me as he went ont.
I was convinced that by some means or other he had seen through my
deception.

`Clara,' exclaimed my father, `that man has discovered your sex!
He is a physician, and a man also, singularly observing. He has penetrated
your disguise! He hastens to the authorities. You must fly
this moment. The danger is imminet! Oh, how could you be so rash
as to place yourself in such peril. Fly to the house of the American
Consul this moment. Declare who you are and apply to him to get you
conveyed to the ship without delay. I will order my palanquim and follow
with as much despatch as possible.'

I felt the whole force of my danger. I was however calm and perfectly
self-possessed. I fled to my dear father, hurriedly embraced him
and hastened from the house. On reaching the outer door I looked
earnestly towards the dwelling on the opposite side hoping to see Norman.
I crossed the street and inquired of a slave if he was in. He
said he had been out three or four hours. The secret hope of his aid
took flight at this announcement, and looking round to see that I was
not observed by the Chinese doctor, I went at as quick a pace as I
dared, (for I did not wish, in case the Doctor should see me, to appear
to be fleeing) I proceeded in the direction of the American Consul's
which I knew to be on the opposite side of the square.

I had got about half way across the square when I saw the Chinese
physician approaching followed by six men, whom from their badges
and dress I knew to be officers of the Chinese police.

I knew then that I was discovered and that they were probably going
to my father's to seize me or to ascertain if their suspicions were
correct. The Chinese saw me and shouted! I instantly turned aside
as they were between me and the consul's and tried to gain the quay
where I saw several English and American boat's crews with their
boats waiting to return to their ships. To reach them and cast myself
upon their protection was my only hope of safety. I fled like the wind.
I had all my faculties of self-possession about me. If I had been overcome
by any fear I should have fallen to the ground. The shout of
the Chinese doctor was caught up by the officers with him, and echoed
by the others; and the cry in Chinese of `A woman—an English woman!'
resounded through the square! As I was observed to be flying
as if from pursuit all eyes were directed towards me and a hundred
feet thundered behind me. I had but one object in view—to gain
the boats! Each instant I got nearer and nearer to them, but my pursuers
ran faster than I, while others crossing the square endeavored to
stop me. Behind and around me I heard louder and fiercer the terrible
cry of vengeance! I was within twenty feet of the boats! My
enemies were not half that distance behind me! The seamen had heard
the cry and understood it! They were English and French and about
twenty in all. Seizing oars and other weapons they sprang to the shore
to protect me crying `She is an English girl under false colors! Let
us keep the bloody Chinese off!' Their words sounded like the voice
of Hope! I gathered new confidence and bounded onward. But the
hand of the Chinese doctor was laid on my shoulder and I believed that
my last hour was come! At this instant my eyes fell on the form of

my husband standing up in his boat which was approaching the pier
with astonishing swiftness. He waved his hand to me in token of his
knowledge of my danger and leaping to the shore called on his men to
follow him. I heard his voice above the shouts of rage uttered by the
Chinese! I heard him cheering on the seamen! The Chinese were
dragging me away! I heard pistols fired and saw cutlasses flashing in
the air above the heads of the maddened multitude. Nearer and nearer
sounded the voice of my husband. Steel clashed against steel around
me! My eye-sight became obscured! I felt warm blood upon my
hands. Groans filled my ears. The strong grasp of the Chinese who
held me relaxed, and I retained my consciousness just long enough to
feel that I was clasped to the bosom of my husband, when I became
insensible.'

The young wife of the privateersman paused a moment as if affected
even now by the recollection of peril. Mary Hood expressed her emotions
by tears and exclamations of surprise and sympathy. After a brief
pause, the fair narrator continued her narrative.