University of Virginia Library

8. CHAPTER VIII.
THE CONSPIRATORS.

The gate at which Logan stopped was
in a garden fence on the skirts of the
town. Two large trees grew above it
and intercepted the light of the moon, so
that the spot lay in the deepest shadow.
It was owing to this deep shadow that he
was able to stand unseen close by the
gate until a relief guard marched by in
the middle of the street. When it had
passed he pulled a string that he found
on the side of the gate-post, and waited
for admission. Over the top of the gate
was visible the roof of a house, half
buried in the foliage of the enclosure.—
He waited full two minutes, when, becoming
impatient, as he was about to apply
his hand to the string a second time,
a footfall was heard within the garden,
approaching the gate.

A low voice called out to know who
was there.

`A friend, father Stephen!'

`The voice of an enemy may use the
language of a friend. What is it you
wish, and who would you see? These
are times when it is safer for men to
keep their doors fast than the hand of
welcome open.'

`I am Robert Logan,' answered the
secretary in a low voice, applying his lips
to the lock of the heavy gate.

`Is it, indeed!' repeated the priest in
tones of joyful surprise. `I should have
known the voice. Who is with thee?'

`No one.'

`I will let thee in presently;' and the
sound of a chain and bar let fall, and
then the noise of a bolt shoved back, were
followed by the cautious opening of the
door.

`Gome in quickly, my son. There are
those about who may see thee. But what,
I know thee not. Am I deeeived!'

`No, father; do not fear; this is but
a disguise.'

`Then enter.'

Logan entered, drawn kindly in by the
priest, who immediately closed the gate
and replaced bar and bolt.

`You seem to take great precaution,
father.'

`I have need to; for whipers have
reached me that public feeling is very
strong against me because I am the Roman
priest. But where have you been?
How is it that I am so happy as to see
you in safety. I can hardly realize that
it is you. This strange disguise, too,'

cried the priest, holding him where the
moon fell upon his face and dress. Were
it not that the voice were yours, I should
never know you. The face is not yours.'

`I have stained it! I escaped to the
islands! I found a fisherman who befriended
me, and through him I got this
disguise and conveyance back to the
town, where I have hastened to see what
my friends have done and are doing in
these up and down times.'

`I am glad to see you! There are
others in my house, from whom you will
find welcome, and whom you will be glad
to see. They will be as much surprised
at your coming as I am. We had strange
and painful rumors about you. Some said
you had thrown yourself into the water;
others that you were killed; others said
that you had escaped on board the ship;
while towards night a story went that you
had been seen making your way in a
fisher's skiff towards the islands.'

`The latter is the truth. But whom
shall I meet?'

`Livingstone, the Mayor, Courtlandt,
and others, firm and true Catholics, who
are fired with indignation at the usurpation
of this Leisler, and are here assembled
secretly to discuss the affairs of the
province at this crisis.'

`I am come, then, in good time. Are
there any others there that may betray
me?' he asked, as he approached the
door of the priest's abode.

`Not one.'

`Then I will throw off my fisherman's
coat, and appear before them in more
seemly apparel.'

`Leave them in my study, which we
shall first pass through, my son.'

They entered the porch of the house,
and then ths study, where Logan dropped
his disguise, appearing in his blue
undress uniform, with his sword at his
side, an attire as elegant as it was becoming
to his fine figure. The priest
stood by and witnessed the instant transformation
with surprise.

`You are aow yourself again, son,
save the complexion of yoar face.'

`That I dare not remove. My friends
must let me pass as I am.'

The priest now led the way into a
large square inner apartment, lighted by
half a dozen wax candles, placed upon a
sort of altar at one extremity. Several
pictures of saints and one of the Crucifixion
hung around. In fact, the place
was a private chapel, where not only the
Padre Stephen, but the more devout of
his parishioners were used to perform
their more strict devotions.'

About twenty persons were assembled
in this chamber, all of whom broke off
conversation and directed their eyes to
the door with glances of inquiry and suspicious
vigilance. They were all armed
and seemed men of substantial character
in the town. Three or four of the more
prominent were standing together near
the candles, conversing closely as the
priest entered leading in Logan. Every
eye was fixed upon his face expecting an
acquaintance, but his visage seemed that
of a stranger. Every one became cautiously
silent and looked at the padre to
learn from him who his visitor was.

`Gentlemen, under this Indian mask
of ochre is the nephew of Governor
Dongan, who has safely arrived among
us!'

`Logan,' cried the gentlemen nearest
to him coming forward and grasping each
a hand while they stared in his face,
slowly recognising him. `Is it possible
we see you again? How have you escaped?'
the asked together.

`In a skiff to the islands, which I left
again at sun-down to come and see what
you are doing. I am glad Mr. Livingstone
and Mayor Courtlandt,' he added,
pressing the hands of these gentlemen,
`at finding you are here assembled, not

tamely to yield the government. You
will have my earnest co-operation in whatever
you may decide to do!'

Others now crowded round this popular
and, with all his gay errors, much
loved young man, and warmly congratulated
him upon his escape. He then
briefly gratified their curiosity by explaining
its mode, and how he had managed
to reach the priest's house, `which,
he said, `he thought would be the most
likely place to hear of what was doing in
behalf of the cause.'

`We were speaking of you and wishing
you with us not five minutes before you
rang the bell at the gate,' said Mr. Livingstone,
a small, gentlemanly looking
man of forty-five, with a high bald forehead,
a profusely powdered wig, and
dressed in a rich suit of black velvet with
lace ruffles over his hands. His face
wore an agreeably vivacious expression,
and his large full hazle eyes sparkled with
the native cheerfulness of an easy temper.
He was one of the most influential citizens
of the Catholic party; though as he
was a very liberal Catholic and favored
the Protestants not a little, the latter
claimed him quite as much as the former.
It is probable, therefore, that if they had
called upon him to take the government
instead of Jacob Leisler he might have
accepted it; and instead of being now
one in a Roman Catholic conspiracy,
been ruling the protestant party with the
fortress in his hands. But the accession
of Jacob Leisler at once drove him to the
papal opposition of which he was now
one of the leaders; but more from political
than religious motives.

By his side, and who had grasped Logan's
hand at the same time he did, stood
Courtlandt, the Mayor of the town. He
was nominally a Roman Catholic, but
had been edncated a protestant. His adherence
to the Jame's party in the provence
had given him the chief ruler-ship in
the town; and thus his interests had been
identified with the papist cause. He was
a thin, sharp-visaged man, of dark complexioned
and an air at once austere and
dominant. His influence with the Roman
Catholics was not so great as that which
was possessed by Livingstone; yet they
had full confidence in him.

The other persons of the party were
firm and unbending Romonists and men
that the priest could wield and will.—
This latter person was a man in the
prime of life. He had been educated at
Rome in the Jesuit college; and possessed
all the boldness, zeal and blind
attachment to papal supremacy that
marks that extraordinary sect of religionists.
He had been in the Province during
the four years, from the accession of
James II. to the present time. His influence
over the people of his own faith was
singnlarly powerful. He governed them
not only in matters of faith, but in politics.
He controuled all the votes of his
parishoners, and thus held the balance of
power. It was by his influence that
Courtlandt had been elected to the office
of Mayor. Had he chosen to have thrown
aside the gown and taken the sword he
would have made an efficient leader.—
Had he raised the standard of resistance
to Leisler's power and taken the field in
person he would have overturned the new
government within twenty-four hours
after its organization.

From the reception which Logan met
with by these gentlemen, it will have
been seen that he was far from being an
inconsiderable person with them. As
the Secretary of Gov. Dongan, he had the
controul of a good deal of executive patronage,
and having with his uncle much
personal influence he was courted by all
who sought place or favor from the head
of the government. Logan was of the
best blood of England, and was heir presumptive
to an Earldom. These circumstances

gave him consideration. He was
also a person of pleasing and popular address,
of a high order of talents and a
skilful diplomatist. In fact, Dongan was
only nominally the Governor. The reins
were actually in Logan's hands. Being
naturally gay and fond of pleasure he fell
into some youthful excesses which
brought the censures of the graver portion
of the citizens upon him; yet with
all this he was popular even with the protestants,
towards whom he was always
found more lenient than his uncle.

When at length the latter, from fear
of assassination, retired on board the
Swedish ship a few days prior to the
opening of our story, and surrendered his
authority into the hends of Nicholson, his
Lieutenant-Governor, he would have
prevailed on Logan to follow him on
ship-board. The latter, however, felt no
desire to go, not having any fear for his
life, and being, besides, too deeply enamoured
with the fair Bertha to leave
her and leave his heart with her without
having declared his passion.

He, therefore, remained with Nicholson,
who, finding the excitement growing
stronger after the resignation of the
Governor, and getting news of the accession
of William of Orange, he lost all
courage, and followed, under the cover
of night, his predecessor. In vain he
urged Logan to accompany him. `No,'
said he firmly; `I will not desert the
government in this cowardly manner. I
will stay behind, and, by maintaining the
citadel, obtain an honorable capitulation.
King James's authority shall not
expire in the province in such disgrace.
I will remain and give the body deeent
burial, if die it must. But I shall keep
life in it so long as I can. Make my respects
to my uncle, and tell him that i
shall not give up tha authority of King
James until I can surrender it with
honor.'

The manner in which he held the fort,
and the means by which he lost it, are
already known to the reader.

After some minutes' conversation
touching Logan's escape, Father Stephen
said,

`We were speaking, my son, about
this usurpation of Leisler, and the manner
in which we can overthrow his power.
You have come in good time to give
us the aid of your sword, if need be.'

`Is Leisler, then, so strongly established
as I hear?' asked Logan with deep
interest, speaking among the gentlemen
with the quick air of one who felt himself
a leader equally with the chief of those
present.

`Yes,' answered Courtlandt, of whom
the inquiry had been more particularly
made, `he took possession of the fort
about nine o'clock this morning; by ten
he had a garrison of his own men in it,
under arms, and his officers chosen. By
eleven he had issued a command for five
train-band companies to be organised;
and by noon he was at the head of a force
of full four hundred men, and the supreme
authority in his hand.'

`He has moved with activity the most
extraordinary,' continued Mr. Livingstone.
`He has placed the town under
martial law, and established, in fact, a
military despotism. He this afternoon
sent a deputatiou to Mayor Courtlandt to
know if he would acknowledge his authority
and that of the Orange King.'

`And what reply was returned?' asked
Logan, who listened with the deepest
attention.

`I replied,' answered Mr. Courtlandt,
with his brow darkening, `that I should
acknowledge no usurper, nor an usurper
of a usurper. I defied him.'

`What then?' said Logan eagerly.

`He issues a proclamation, commanding
all Roman Catholics, “Papists,” as
he terms us, to remain in our dwellings,

unless we choose to appear abroad without
arms, and wearing in our hats the
badge of the heretical king—a yellow
ribbon.'

`And some have done this?'

`A few base fellows. But I am glad
Leisler has given us this opportunity of
knowing who are not our friends. All
who would have been false to us have
gone out from us under this yellow flag.
We now know who are our friends, and
can trust them one and all.'

`And, Mr. Livingstone,' said Logan,
`what is it you purpose?—in what way
are you to trust our friends?'

`Are you to be told that this is a conspiracy,
Robert Logan,' said Father Stephen,
`to overthrow Leisler and hold the
government till this news be confirmed.'

`What news?'

`Of William of Orange's succession.
There has been no official notice of it.
For what we know King James II. still
sits on the Catholic throne of England.'

`True, it is but a rumor by the way of
Boston; but I am convinced it will be
confirmed. Andross was overthrown and
imprisoned wholly on account of this intelligence.
The Boston citizens must
have known it to be sure; and, though
we got it by rumor thence, it will turn
out to be trne. Still, my friends, I am
ready to act with you. I came back to the
city to-night mainly to consult with you.
Our honor is concerned most intimately
in the recovery of the citadel and the reestablishment
of the Catholic domination
as it was until we are called upon by a
British King to transfer it to another.—
We will then acquiesce. We cannot be
branded as traitors or rebels by doing
this.'

`The power,' said the priest, `is still
lawfully ours; legally it is in the hands
of the Catholics. Leisler's government
is an usurpation. He is a rebel, and will
be declared so by the King he professes
to serve, if we can overthrow his power
and hold it. You, Robert Logan, represent
Nicholson, and so long as you have
not resigned the authority Nicholson left
with you, the authority is in your own
hand. The new King must receive from
you. Leisler has no power to surrender
it; for he has not received but usurped it.
By overthrowing him, we can, if we can
do no more, get him declared as a rebel
and a traitor.'

`The new Governor seems to have
acted with decision,' remarked Logan.

`He has established himself firmly. It
will be difficult to overthrow him. The
fort will stand a vigorous defence.'

`Yes, if we attempt to carry it by assault,'
answered Courtlandt. `But father
Stephen has suggested a mode that will
be successful if we are true to ourselves.'

`What is this?' asked Logan, with
strong manifestations of interest.

`Next Sabbath,' said father Stephen,
`the protestant citizens are to go to the
conventicle within the fort to have service
and offer thanks for their victory
and the accession of the Protestant
Prince. Then, gentlemen, is your time
to act. Till that day keep perfectly quiet
and seem to submit to the new rule. On
Sunday send to Leisler to ask permission
to attend the services. If he consents,
which he may do on condition that you
come unarmed and wearing the orange
badge —'

`I will not even put on the yellow ribbon
and wear it an hour to get posssession
of the fort,' answered Logan with
flashing eyes. `No, no, father Stephen,
I will not wear the Orange badge, not I.

`It may be policy.'

`No. Some other mode must be suggested.'

`Well, hear me through, son. I was
about to propose that by adopting the
orange badge you might obtain access to
the interior of the fort and once there

with a select number of bold partizans
get it into your hands. But as this
course is objected to by you, I propose
now what was to have been the alternative,
viz: that after they are assembled
in the fort at their prayers you invest it,
enclose them in it and thus compel them
to such terms as you see best to dictate.'

`This is better,' answered Logan.—
`When do you say?'

`Next Sabbath.'

`Four days hence. How many armed
men can be relied on to engage in this?'

`Three hundred,' answered Mr. Livingstone.

`Are you to organize them?'

`Yes, we will see that all is ready,' answered
father Stephen, `if you pledge
yourself to lead, and resume the government
in the name of your uncle!'

`You require from me no pledge. I
am ready to do it as soon as may be. I
must redeem my disgrace in letting the
fort slip out of my hands as it did!'

`Then all is settled for action,' answered
father Stephen. `In my capacity
as priest I shall to-morrow send to Leisler
to request permission to go forth at
my pleasure to visit the sick. He will
not deny this I am sure, if I know the
man! Under this pretence I will hold
speech with every Catholic in the town,
and on Saturday night give you the
names of all who will engage in the conspiracy!'

`Once get the government back we
shall find no difficulty in presenting Leisler
in the light of a rebel to the new
king,' said Courtlandt; `for he is bound
to recognize the commissioners of the
crown, and as Leisler has seized his
Province without authority he will come
under censure if not lose his head! He
will find that too much zeal has eaten
him up. You, Robert Logan, are the
only authorised person, as having been
left the government by Nicholson, to hold
it till news came from England, and then
to surrender it to a new Governor.'

`I am ready, gentlemen, to do my part
in this matter.'

`Gentlemen,' said father Stephen, `before
we break up I would suggest that a
message be at once sent to the king by
Mayor Courtlandt, protesting against
Leisler's usurpation. There is a ship to
sail from Boston next week; and it will
be a wise policy to get the king's ear
first!'

`This by all means,' exclaimed several.
`Once get him prejudiced and Leisler is
a lost man!' cried Livingstone `Father
Stephen, you draw up the address as most
capable.'

`But it occurs to me that if we could
get the co-operation of Colonel Bayard
and his protestant friends,' said the priest,
`that our end would be more effectually
gained. We are all aware that this gentleman
with the protestants of the English
church are opposed most strongly to this
protestant Dutch dynasty of Leisler's!'

`Yes; I saw Bayard and had an hour's
talk with him this afternoon,' answered
Livingstone. `He is very violent against
Leisler and calls him as stoutly a rebel as
we do!'

`This division in the protestant ranks
will favor us,' said father Stephen. `If
word could be had with Colonel Bayard
and his countenance given to an address
of remonstrance it would have weight
with King William as coming from one
of his own faith.'

`This is a good thought of yours, father
Stephen,' said Logan. `I will see
Colonel Bayard myself to-night. Although
we may not get him to join us in
all points, there is little doubt but that he
will be easily prevailed upon to send a
protest to the king against the usurpation
of the Dutch party! Then Leisler's fate
is sealed!'

This plan met with general favor; and

it was decided that Logan should wait
upon him at once. Livingstone proposed
to accompany him, observing that he had
come through the streets and would return
so disguised as a soldier, having got
the countersign, as Logan had done by
listening.

He then resumed his diguise, which
was as perfect as that which Logan once
more put on, and the two went together
from the house and were let out of the
garden by the priest. The rest of the
conspirators left the garden one by one
by another gate that opened upon the
fields, and, having the pass-word and being
variously disguised, each found his
way homeward without suspicion.