University of Virginia Library

SECTION III.—Ended.

More than an hour elapsed before Bayard, after his
departure with Arnyte, returned to the apartment wherein
Colonel Sloughter and Jost Stoll had remained, and
they during that period were too busily engaged to mark
its progress, while they interchanged at once relations of
their escapes from the hands of Kid and his crew, and
their mutual congratulations on each other's safety, so
that when their host entered the room, after his temporary
absence, they were scarce aware of the length of
time that had been consumed in their intercourse. The
aspect of Bayard as he advanced towards his guests, was
calm, clear, and placid as a summer stream at mid-day,
when no breeze lives to ruffle its limpid surface; all
clouds had fled his brows, which were open and free as
innocence itself; but yet amidst all his courteous bearing
and collected manner, the keen eye of observance might
have descried, but which by his companions was unmarked,
that ever and anon an expression shot upon his
countenance—a movement of feature between a smile and
a sneer, whose indefinite meaning was hard to be read,
as whether applying in contempt to those whom he was
addressing, as the pagan worships his idol, or as the fantasy
that mingled with some wandering thought of things
not present to his vision, and perhaps ideal. In the look,
the timid and suspicious would have drawn an evil inference,
without being able to trace the reason; for it was
as the flash of a serpent's eye, caught then lost in its ambushment
in the green and deceitful grass of the savanna,
whose forest of tangled spears might in vain be searched
for a trace of the danger, the reality of which is only made
known when too late to escape the darting fang of the
treacherous animal. Bayard explained the cause of the
delay of his return, by informing Colonel Sloughter that
his absence had been occasioned by the reception of several
of his excellency's council, and many of the leading

members of the new assembly for the province, which,
according to the writs of summons issued by his excellency's
order to the sheriffs of the different counties, was to
commence its session early in the coming month, had arrived
at the mansion for the purpose of assuring his excellency
of the entire devotedness of the Legislature to
the views of the Governor, and who now remained awaiting
the presence of Colonel Sloughter for personal communication
to that purport. Bayard also mentioned that
he had taken the liberty to order a preparation for such
proper entertainment as his residence supplied, for the
use and refreshment of his excellency and his friends, and
to partake of the same, he now invited him and the ensign,
Jost Stoll; for the latter of whom was prudently
hinted that a change of apparel was in readiness.

Colonel Bayard, in thus addressing the Governor, but
slightly touched on the name of Leisler; and that only to
a direct inquiry of Colonel Sloughter,—he answered that
he had seen Arnyte depart, and that the pardon was in a
state of forwardness, and would very shortly be handed
to his excellency for approbation; but he the rather appeared
to avoid and pass over rapidly all that related to
the object of his late reconciliation, or of the condemned
parent of the stripling; he spoke but briefly and carelessly
on the matter, and shunned with evident caution a recur
rence of discourse upon the subject, by artfully directing
the governor's attention to points of political importance,
the thought and discussion of which at once engrossed his
excellency when started, to the manifest forgetfulness of
of all minor objects. Colonel Sloughter proceeded with
Bayard to meet his expectant visitors; but he was somewhat
startled on entering the apartment where they were
assembled, to behold a table spread forth with the luxu
ries of a sumptuous feast, and the arrangement of festival
which pervaded the whole chamber, and for which he
had in nowise been prepared; neither from the words
of Bayard had he drawn any thing which could intimate
the brilliance that surrounded him, when he entered the
room, as with the suddenness of magic; so much was he
taken unawares by the appearance of festivity, the gorgeous

glitter that met his dazzled sight, and the gay,
smiling, and rich attired assemblage who pressed to greet
his entrance, that he yielded unreservedly, the very direction
of his motions, to his conductor, who appeared,
had an opportunity chanced, to have no wish for further
explanation; and he allowed himself to be ushered by
Bayard through the bowing throng, to a seat which
seemed to have been destined for him at the head of the
feast, the enjoyment of which apparently had only wanted
his sanction to have commenced; and although Colonel
Sloughter was astonished at the splendour and the crowd
to which he was introduced, yet unwarned as he was
of the least expectation, beyond the simple reception of
his friends, he could not view the spectacle that greeted
him as other than a most respectful and flattering attention
on the part of his host, secretly and delicately
planned, at once to amaze and please him with unlooked
for homage; and the more the Governor reflected on the
art with which he had been kept in ignorance of the getting
up of the entertainment, which he construed as a
celebration of his safe arrival, and success in putting
down sedition in the very outset of his government of the
province, the greater was the gratification to his vanity
—and he lent himself to the warm glances of an almost
apparent worship, that were bent upon him as he were a
superior being—a star among the men with whom he
mingled without suspicion or deeper thought. How weak
how feeble the penetration which from the outer beauty of
an object sets its intrinsic worth, or that gathers faith from
false show, nor descries the deep and wily artifice beneath
the gaud which covers but to blind the incautious
eye—cut credulity is the failing of many, and when assailed
by sycophantic hypocrisy it seems to love its own
destruction, and he that should be the most shunned is
soonest embraced, for the darkest villain too often wears
the goodliest outside, and he whose specious tongue and
bearing cloaks his foul nature, can worm into the confidence,
while the honest are scorned; and little did Colonel
Sloughter, as he scanned with the sparkling glance of
pleasure, the tasteful decorations, the rich and costly
food that loaded the tables, the red wine that bubbled to
the beakers' brim, and the livery of mirth and revel worn
by each cheek, know that the short absence of Bayard
when he conducted Arnyte to his mansion door glowing
with success at the promised preservation of his father,
had devised the dark design of which he was now the
willing yet blinded dupe.—Evil stratagems are visited by
the smiles of fortune more than honest endeavours—and
Bayard found both means, time, and persons propitious
to his wish, and not one of these seeming courtiers, who
as a lover wooes the heart of his mistress, sought the favour
of the Governor, but were the devoted partizans of
Bayard or of the principles which had doomed the death
of Leisler; and to perpetrate the deed they aimed at, no
obstacle—no tie sacred or honourable but they would
ruthless of all conscience, at once break down and destroy;—they
thirsted for the blood of their adversary—
so inveterate the rage that nought less than life could
satisfy them,—and to such fearful purport, though for the
time disguised, rather than obeisance to their new ruler,
was this concerted meeting and banquet.

The revel of the festive board, the free passage of the
rosy hued goblet, and the gay and cheering discourse of
social happiness, wore on the swift winged hours; each
visage in that apartment shone in gladsome triumph of
mirth and joy, and none could discern beneath the festal
mask the colour of the venomous and deceptive hearts
which were concealed in the bosoms of those wily revellers;—and
ever and anon, amid the pauses of that banquet,
there would burst out from the attendant musicians,
sweet strains of melody,—from trump and clarion, viol and
recorder,—making the heart bound and leap at their delicious
clamours, and drowning all discordant thoughts within
the merry sound; and when the early twilight proclaimed
the closing day, bright lamps cast down upon the
busy feasters their dazzling rays, and lit the sparkling
wine cups, as the loud song and blithe pledge passed from
lip to lip in fast and pleasant route. In the present
scene, Sloughter lost all remembrance of that which had

passed: the tears of Arnyte were forgotten in the moment
of wassail; none recalled to his recollection the pardon
which he had bound himself by word to grant to Leisler,
and even Jost Stoll, though a guest at the banquet, reminded
him not of the suffering prisoner; for though the
bright goblet stood on the board by him untasted, yet so
eager did he ply his pencil in draughting the figures at the
festal as they engaged his fancy, that his mind's eye and
ear was as one deaf and blinded to word or thought, that
could divide him from his occupation, and on the gay
group, among whom he sat, he looked with the admiring
eye of a spectator, who views the picture of some master
painter, delighted with every change of place and shadow,
colour and tint that the shifting scene presented to his
vision. The character of colonel Sloughter in most
points, hath been heretofore presented; therefore it will
not be supposed, bred up to the manners and dissipations
of a licentious court, that he was abstemious enough to
withstand the frequent presentation of the wassail bowl;
he was one of those men who in the day of adversity or
sorrow only feel repentance and form solemn resolutions,
which as the tide of their fortunes turn, are driven
to the winds, with whose pleasant waftings they are
sailing;—awakened conscience, a certain rectitude of
thought which often roused within him, had demanded of
him a reform of manners and of life, and stimulated to
a course that would give his latent and dormant energies
of mind towards the honour and happiness of the country
which he was called to govern; but he wanted
strength, he lacked firmness, to put in force against
temptation, such resolves as in the moment of reflection
he determined on. An ancient habit, particularly if dissolute,
clings to the human system like a snake when he
hath twisted around his wictim; cut the reptile in twain,
the dismembered body will still strive to enfold in death
the conquering antagonist, and perhaps with a last and
fatal stroke, even in the expiring agony in the moment
of defeat, the venomous creeper may attain the victory
and yield its latest breath, well pleased with the ruin it
effected. Often, too often in the progress of that banquet,
did the wine cup as it circled round the board, fill
with its potent yet smiling poison, the ready hand of
Sloughter—and besides, with many a guileful pledge for
his health, his happiness, and his fortunes, hollow and
empty wishes, which went no further than the formation
of the utterance, did the artful conspirators who were
around him, ply his courtesy with many a recurring
draught, compelling him in pretended friendship, to drain
goblet on goblet, until sense reeled under the influence of
the liquor he had drank, and scarce a faculty remained
over which the powerful grape did not domineer.

Bayard, with looks gleaming in the hope of anticipated
success, marked the vain struggle of Sloughter's intellect
as reason contended for mastery on its tottering
throne, shaking in its fruitless conflict like a tower shattered
by the battering of a fierce leaguer. His mental
darkness fast increased, and he quaffed now floods of
the juice of the vine, until his mind became like a wandering
bark left astray upon the ocean without a star to
guide its way, and every guard of passion and of temper
was loosened by the excess into which he was plunging
momently deeper and deeper. The wary enemies of
Leisler now deemed the time at hand to push their intrigue
to the point for which they had schemed, for
colonel Sloughter appeared fit to be worked, as an helpless
instrument, to their purposes—for such was his
situation, that it seemed as if common discretion had
fled him, and his whole soul had surrendered to the present
debauchery, like a town whose gates are opened by
a treacherous inmate, to the entrance of the foe.”

“Hast heard, Mienheer Pell,” said Bayard, to the person
who was seated next to him, and though he spoke
apart as if he meant not the governor to remark what
he discoursed, yet he perceived colonel Sloughter could
not avoid, even in the confusion of the revel, hearing
what he said, and he to whom he had addressed himself
well knew the part set out for him to perform, for he
was the devoted creature of Bayard, and by his influence
he had been returned as the member of the colonial
assembly from the county of Westchester; the ready

tool of his master, the character of John Pell of Pelham,
was depicted in his countenance—he was a short stout
man, of rather handsome features, and right bravely attired;—but
he bore a supercilious cast of visage, with
eyes that sparkled with cunning and deceit—that told
the knave and the hypocrite. “Hast heard, Mienheer
Pell,” said Bayard, “of the gracious mercy that his excellency
hath been pleased to extend to Jacobus Leisler?—why
sooth, Mienheer, you look at me in wonder;
know you not that the traitor hath received a full and
free clearance of all crime? he is pardoned by the governor's
order—or at least, his excellency hath given
promise to such end.”

“Impossible! you jest, colonel Bayard—the thing
cannot be,” quoth Pell in return, as one stricken with
wonder and alarm, “pardoned, say you? surely his excellency
hath never been so rash—so heedless, as to
set at large the caged tiger, who wants but freedom, to
spring upon the throat of his benefactor. I say, colonel
Bayard, his excellency can never have done an act so
adverse to his own safety, and that of his government;—
he must be unassuredly aware that within but a brief period
past, the authorities have discovered bloody and deadly
designs, on the part of the still existing partizans of the
rebel Leisler, which want but his liberation to be put in
force; and these designs threaten not only the over-throw
of the existing executive, but it hath been whispered,
and not I presume, without foundation, that his
life is equally compassed. I do indeed trust, though if I
heard aright from you, the thing is settled by his excellency—but
if not, that colonel Sloughter will pause, ere
he definitely decides on so unwise a measure.”

“It is most certain,” replied Bayard deceptively,
“that in the matter his excellency hath not had chance to
exercise his accustomed prudence and judgment; nor,
Mienheer, for I was present at the scene, and my heart
melted to womanish weakness, could any man, have
withstood being so assailed, the tears, cries and lamentations
of the young man, who worked on the goodness
and merciful nature of his excellency. And now the

thing is past, as I review it, I am, I must admit, somewhat
ashamed, to have been so deluded—for I much
doubt me but the stripling Leisler's an artful knave,
and acted a wily and ensnaring part—and as you have
intimated, I do somewhat fear me, at the next meeting we
have with the youth, he will have the bared knife at our
throats, demanding submission to his upstart father for
the kindness he recived from his excellency in the gift
of life. I must say it Mienheer Pell, the more I reflect,
the more I misdoubt me of its truth;—his excellency
hath not yet placed his name on the pardon. I do most
humbly and fervently pray, he will not do the thing
without consideration—the act may be his ruin.”

“Colonel Bayard—Mienheer Pell,” quoth his excellency,
interrupting the converse and struggling for words
against the potency of the wine he had drank, and although
every other feeling within him was overpowered
by its influence, still a desire for vindication of the proceeding
which mitigated the sentence of Leisler, shot
like a ray of sunlight through a cloud, upon his burthened
brain—“colonel Bayard—Mienheer Pell,” said he,
“my friends, I will tell you—that is, good sirs, I will
convince you—but you know the boy saved my life—
and—and the right I'll not dispute with you—but I could
not bring myself to sign the father's death; no matter—
while the heart's rejoicing, why strike a melancholy
chord? I drink to you, gentlemen—with this flowing
goblet, I salute ye, sirs.” Pell bowed to colonel Sloughter
as he drained his wine cup, in answer to the compliment.

“May God preserve your excellency,” said Bayard
as the governor drank, “and knowing my affection,” he
continued, “you will surely pardon my pressing this subject
untimely, even at the social board, for I seek of you not to
spare against the counsel of your friends, the life of a
traitor, lest you rue such clemency; revoke the promise
which you have given, I beseech you, and which but
disgraces the firmness and impartial action of your station,
and sign instead of the pardon, this, the death warrant,
which will release for ever your excellency and

the province of the worst foe you have. It becomes
your excellency to act with decision—let not then, a
false pity interfere with a correct administration of justice;
let not the grave sentence of a court of law, be
a mockery—a shallow breath for criminals to laugh at
as a maygame, and not a reality—let it not be a proverb,
that the law hath sentenced, but your excellency hath
made its solemn decree an idle word. If your excellency
spare the life of Jacob Leisler, it were well you
burn your statutes—for it will not be in consistency—
nay, it will be a commission of a crime in your excellency,
to visit murther, felony—yea, the worst of iniquities
that human hand can do, or mind suggest, with the
severity of their appointed punishment. I call on your
excellency for your own honour's sake, to write your
sanction on this warrant, which approves the judgment
of the court against the rebellious traitor Leisler.” And
as he spoke, Bayard produced the death warrant, which
he had about him for the occasion. But though the
brain of Sloughter was too much heated and disordered
by his dissipation for a capability of thought or care,
memory or reflection, yet as Bayard presented him the
parchment and he comprehended that which was sought
of him, an involuntary shudder ran through him, and
with a tremulous motion he put aside the band which
offered him the warrant, as awakened somewhat to his
conscious inability of mind, and his unfit state to perform
so serious a duty of his office.

“Not now, colonel Bayard, not now,” exclaimed he
rapidly, “to-morrow I will be more at leisure to hear
and think—yes, to follow what you advise—but now, the
cheery goblet waits and chides my laggard lip; you
would not have one doom a life away over this wine cup
—that which foams within its circlet is of a ruddy hue,
but let it not be blood—blood—blood—that were a vain
conceit—I thirst not for blood, but I pledge ye again and
again, by the bright and glowing bowl.”

Bayard perceiving the attempt as yet premature to
induce colonel Sloughter to consent to Leisler's execution,
desisted from his persuasion for the time, and eagerly,

in spite of his years, by new excess and increased
debauch, endeavoured to drown the governor's few remaining
senses in utter imbecility, anxious to finish the
work of destruction which had been resolved against
the hated enemy of his party. Nor was he defeated in
his treacherous object—for besides the conquering bowl
to advance the evil purpose of his wily brain, having by
lascivious converse inflamed the soul and passions of
Sloughter to a callousness of all virtue, he introduced to
aid a completion of his work the loose and wanton presence
of the courtezan, who by the witcheries and spells of
pretended love wound him to their wish, subduing him by
their artful smiles to very bondage. And soon warm and
flushed by wassail and the banquet—bewildered by music
and the voluptuous songs of women, whose sorceries
pervaded every sense—entranced to madness by the deluding
light of sparkling eyes, whose brightness told of
heaven, but in which neither truth nor faith existed—but
shone in beauty and enchantment as the false mirage on
Arabian sands to the thirsting pilgrim, who meets a dreary
waste where he deemed there flowed the cool and lucid
water—giddy with the happiness of the hour, rewarded
by the kiss of a leman, and applauded by the praise of
the rioter, Colonel Sloughter affixed his signature to the
fatal deed which condemned Jacob Leisler to the scaffold,
almost ignorant at the moment of the purport of that
which he had done—although at another period he would
rather have had the right hand severed from the limb
than it should have guided the pen to the execution of
that instrument. But though after that revel closed, his
midnight rest was troubled, and feverish, and broken
with wild dreams, that started him in fear and horror
from his hot and uncomfortable couch, yet morning's light
that dawned on his sallow cheek and sunken eye, and
aspect worn and sicklied as with care and age, found him
unconscious of the act that he had lent his power to, on
the preceding evening—he knew not he had signed the
death warrant—though 'mid bright dreams and images of
loveliness, of flowers, garlands, music, rose odours, and
smiles, and all the ravishing brilliance of the past banquet,
there would come vague and gloomy thoughts that floated
like clouds before the face of the bright heavens athwart
his soul—a heaviness on his heart—a damp like death
would rise upon his forehead, and with the melody of
song that stole upon his enraptured memory, there would
mingle that which his chilled spirit construed as a solemn
knell foreboding death or sorrow, and for an instant the
warm current of his blood would chill until he laughed
that which he deemed but folly from him, and his brow
was clear again, and his bosom calm and tranquil in forgetfulness.