University of Virginia Library

10. CHAPTER X.

`Hallo, there'! called out Captain Hendee, in no
very gentle tones, as he cocked his pistols, and threw
himself into an attitude of defence. `Hallo! who
comes?'

`No enemy, to say the least,' answered the voice
without.

`Let him in, father, do let him in!' said Miss
Hendee in a low beseeching tone.

`What, without giving his name!' said the Captain.
`Why, child, I don't know that voice from
Adam's! No, no, friend or foe, he shall undergo
that ceremony.'

`Well, father, you can just ask him, without being
so rough, can't you?' interposed the daughter,
in an earnest half whisper, quietly placing her hand
on the arm of the other.

`Friend,' said Captain Hendee, softening down at
the entreaties of his daughter, and as it occurred to
him that the tones of the voice he had just heard
were entirely of a pacific character; `friend, will
you favor us with your name?'

`Captain Hendee,' said the man, seeming to hesitate
about complying, `I am wholly unattended,
your dog here seems to acknowledge my acquaintance,

and if you will not do the same, when I am
admitted,' he added in rather a jocose tone, `I will
agree to depart as peacibly as I came.'

`Humph! me know that man talk! Him no bad!'
said the Indian, with a low chuckle.

The Captain, now, evidently a little chagrined at
the suspicions he had entertained, and the parade
he had made, immediately drew out the bar, and
opened the door; when the visitor entered, but
quickly paused, after entering the threshold to receive
the scrutinizing look of the other.

`What! no—yes, 'tis!' exclaimed Hendee, between
perplexity and surprise, after looking a few
seconds into the face of the new-comer. `Well,
now, by the great Jupiter! if I am not absolutely
ashamed of myself! Mr. Howard!' he continued,
advancing, and cordially shaking the other by the
hand, `Mr, Howard, God bless you, sir, how do you
do? Apologies by the dozen are yours!—or should
be, if such moon-shine concerns were ever worth
offering. But walk in, walk in, sir. Here are my
family—all together now—they were not when
you saw us, I think. Alma, you are acquainted
with—Miss Ruth, this is Mr. Howard. And here is
another, Neshobee, we call him, a native, as you
perceive, but for all that an adopted member of our
family.'

Miss Hendee, though much embarrassed at this
meeting, in spite of all her attempts to appear composed,
managed nevertheless to exchange the customary
salutations in such a manner as to conceal
her embarrassment from all except her lover; between
whom and herself it seemed to be tacitly understood
that they should meet each other as for the
first time, without making the slightest allusion to

their late interview. There was nother of the family
group also, that came in for his share of surprise,
at least, at some of the circumstances attending this
meeting. And that was the Indian. Not expecting
to see Warrington here till he heard his voice at the
door, and never dreaming till this moment but that
the latter and his master's family were entire strangers,
the poor fellow, when he saw them meet as old
acquaintances, and above all, when he heard Captain
Hendee address the other by the name of Howard,
looked perfectly confounded, and expressed as
much unfeigned astonishment as an Indian countenance,
perhaps, ever exhibited. The instinctive prudence
of his race, howeverer, prevented him from
betraying, by words, his surprise and perplexity, or
exposing Warrington in the disguise which he supposed
was for some good reasons assumed.

`Well, Mr. Howard,' resumed the Captain, after
the usual salutations were over, `I am right happy
to renew my acquaintance with you, and have the
opportunity to express personally, my obligations to
you for your many kindnesses to us at the time of
my accident on the road. You probably thought
our departure rather abrupt on your return. But
you received my note, did you not?'

`No, sir, neither note nor message.'

`What! then that old heedless poodle of a landlady
forgot it, or more probably lost it, and to mend
the matter, thought she would conceal from you that
I gave her one. Well, well, you must have thought
us rather singular beings, as well for that as for some
other things you perhaps noticed in us. For I remember,
we kept you pretty much in the dark about
our affairs. The fact was, Mr. Howard, and I care
not now who knows it, that I was then under the apprehension

of being pursued and taken back by creditors,
before I could reach my connexions in Albany,
where I expected to obtain the means of satisfying
them, as I did, before making this purchase.'

`You did not return then?'

`No! When I arrived there, finding that sales
were making in these lands, I concluded on a life in
the woods—made a purchase—came on here the first
season with hired men, and then sent for Alma from
Albany, and the rest of the family and goods from
Connecticut.'

`And what directed you particularly to this location?'

`My own knowledge of the country, obtained in
the wars when I was campaigning with Put and
Rogers along the borders of this then bloody lake.
I remembered this spot well. A pitch had been
made here by some Frenchmen, who cleared up seval
acres, lived here a few years, and then deserted
the place. This was the first opening made this side
of the Connecticut river, all the rest of the country
being, at the time I first saw the spot, one broad, unbroken
wilderness. Many a weary march, and many
a cold, wet bed, have I had on these dark and
tangled shores. I have often wondered how we
could have outlived such hardships. With the constitution
and spirits I then possessed, however, I
had but little dread of the woods, or the red imps
that infested them. But my days of fighting are
now over, Mr. Howard.'

`Some, in my situation, with these evidences
around, might feel disposed to doubt that, Captain,'
smilingly observed Warrington motioning to the fire-arms,
which had not been yet replaced.

`Ah, you have me there,' gaily responded the

other; `but honestly, we were expecting visits of a
different character. If those rough dealing devils,
the Green Mountain Boys, had beset us, instead of
our peaceable old friend, Dr. Hunter, there is no
telling but even so broken down an old Trojan, as I
am, might have shown some fight on the occasion.'

`Perhaps, sir,' replied the guest in the same spirit;
`I should tender my condolence at your disappointment
in not being allowed the chance to exercise
your old vocation.'

`Not a whit, not a whit, sir: For I should extremely
regret to be forced into a quarrel with my
countrymen in defence of what I consider my rightful
possessions. And I hope it may never be the
case. But we have had some reasons to believe
otherwise within a day or two past. A friend apprised
me, that a band of these fellows was abroad,
and probably on their way to this part of the lake
shore; and our two scouts here, Neshobee and Beagle,
having successively made their reports, in their
respective fashions, to-night, that there were skulkers
in the bush, I, for one, began really to expect that
we had got to do battle for our home. Alma here,
however, I am half ashamed to own, was less apprehensive,
and bore herself more coolly than any
of the garrison, not excepting the old soldier of forty
battles at their head! Hang me! if I do'nt believe
the girl, like old Falstaf, knew by instinct who
was coming! Come, child, now be honest, was it
not so?'

But Alma, whose head suddenly dropped at the
remark, and whose fair cheek glowed like the fire
before which she was sitting, was quite too busy
with her pretty fingers in tumbling over the contents
of her work-basket for a thimble, or some other article,

that became just at that moment unaccountably
missing, to heed the question, or think of answering
it. Even Warrington appeared to be a little
discomposed at this close, though random shot
of the old Captain; but he did not forget to throw
a glance of gratitude towards his fair friend for the
confidence, which the Captain's statement seemed
to imply that she had placed in his assurances at
their late interview.

Captain Hendee, without seeming to notice the
sensation which his last remarks, intended only for
a passing joke, produced on some of his auditors,
at length resumed;

`You wandered roand the borders of the woods
some time before you found us, I conclude, sir, from
the noises that Neshobee heard previous to your arrival?'

`O, no, sir, I came direct, and without stopping.'

`I do'nt see, then, but we have as much reason
now, as before, to expect a visit from the enemy to-night,'
musingly observed the Captain.

`Me guess um what I hear no Mountain Boys,'
said Neshobee, looking significantly at Warrington,
as if he considered the latter to have the most interest
in the information thus imparted.

Neither the remark of the Indian, nor the meaning
look that accompanied it, was lost on Warrington,
as was evident from the expression of uneasiness,
that, for an instant, became visible on his countenance;
but he remained silent.

`Which way did you come, Mr. Howard?' resumed
the Captain; `I believe you have not told
us, nor, indeed, how you became apprised of our
present residence?'

Warrington, catching a forbidding glance from

Miss Hendee, was hesitating, on her account as
well as his own, what answer he should frame to
the embarrassing question, when he was suddenly
relieved from his dilemma by a bold, heavy rap at
the door.

Captain Hendee feeling more assured this time
from the reinforcement received in his friend Howard,
who as usual had his rifle with him, immediately
rose, and, with but a slight hesitation, opened the
door; when he suddenly paused, and stood a moment
gazing in mute surprise at the figure before
him. Soon recovering, however, he, in a sort of
hesitating and doubtful tone, invited the man to enter.

Acknowledging the proffered courtesy with a
stately bow, the stranger advanced, with a bold,
free step, and a fearless air, into the middle of the
room, where he paused, and bowed slightly to each
of the assembled group, most of whom, however,
were too much surprised, and over-awed at the singular
and formidable appearance of the man to return
his salutations. And indeed his appearance
was of so unique and striking a character as well
to warrant the sensation which his presence seemed
to produce. Of an uncommon height, and with
an extraordinary breadth of chest, supplied with
large brawny limbs, his whole frame constituted a
figure of the most Herculean cast; while his large,
darkly bright eyes, and the air of inteligence that
marked the general expression of his coarse, lion-like
features, gave evidence, that his intellectual
powers were not, as frequently occurs in such instances,
wholly incommensurate with his physical
proportions. A modern phrenologist, indeed, while
comparing his high, and remarkably expansive forehead,

with the vast volume which composed the
back part of his head, might be much puzzled to
decide whether his intellectual or animal nature
would most predominate in his character. His
dress, which was likewise somewhat singular for the
times, consisted of high, heavy boots, buff breeches
and doublet, with a high collared, white shag
coat of the frock kind, all of which was surmounted
by a fine, though much worn beaver, slouched,
except the front part, which was turned up so as to
give an additional boldness to his large features, and
to impart somewhat of a bandit aspect to his appearance.
This, to ordinary observation, completed
his outward equipment; though a closer inspection
might have revealed the shape of a stout pistol
swelling the smooth and snugly s tting leather over
each of his breeches pockets, while the buck-horn
handle of a large war-knife might occasionally be
seen protruding from its sheath attached to the side
lining of his coat.

Placing the heavy rifle which he bore in his hand
in a corner, the stranger now advanced, and, with
an air of easy unconcern, seated himself by the side
of his host in the family circle round the fire.

`My name is Hendee,' at length said the Captain,
evidently not wholly at case in the presence
of his bold and fearful looking visitor, `my name is
Hendee, and being no great stickler for ceremony,
I hope I shall be excused, Sir, in saying that it always
affords me pleasure to know by what name I
may address my guests.'

That's right?' bluntly commenced the stranger in
reply, `and you got at it ingeniously too, by George!'

`I meant no offence, Sir.'

`O, no, but let me see—it is now May, is it not?'

`Yes, Sir.'

`Well, then, for the month of May, my name is
Smith.'

`Sir?—did I rightly understand you, Sir?'

`I presume so—I said Smith, because there are
more of that name than any other.'

`Yes Sir, but what follows from that?'

`Why, of course Sir, that you stand a better
chance to get my right name: men will lie like the
devil, sometimes, you know!

`Really, Sir! said the Captain,' his eyes beginning
to shoot fire at this apparently intended insult, `really,
Sir, I cannot understand your drift, if you do
not mean to offer us an affront.'

`Ha! ha! ha! roared the stranger in a voice that
shook the house, `well, now, if that ain't a good
one! ha! ha! ha! Why, no, friend,' he continued
familiarly turning towards the other, and giving him
a rough slap on the shoulder, `no, no, friend; but
you just said you was no great stickler for ceremony
—no ain't I, as you see. So let us be honest and
live up to our professions.'

`Agreed to that. And yet'—rejoined the Captain,
perfectly at a loss what to make of his strange guest,
and though still veved, yet now half ashamed of the
feeling he had shown—`and yet, Sir, I have met, in
the course of my life, but with few honest men, who
were afraid to tell their names.'

`Why, the truth is,' replied the other with an air
of much seriousness, `that you are all such quarrelsome
curses, down here in the Grants, that a stranger,
like myself, can't safely travel among you by
any other name than Smith, if he had one. As to
myself I don't exactly know, in the strictly legal
sense of the thing, that I have any name—to speak

of, except Smith; for I still stick to Smith, mind ye
—that is, for the month of May.'

`Well, well, have it as you will, man,' observed
Hendee, now softening down, and beginning to be
amused in spite of himself at the blunt drollery of
the other. `But I must say you are the greatest oddity
I have met with, for many a day.'

`That may be friend,' said the stranger, his countenance
assuming the cast of sincerity; `but as you,
like a wise man, have concluded not be offended at
nonsense, let us talk sense a little: Captain Hendee,
a man of your intelligence and observation cannot but
have long since noticed the quarrel that has been
brewing between us colonists, and the mother country?'

`I have, Sir; and with the most painful regret,'
was the guarded reply.

`And those Bostonians and Virginians, who have
taken the lead in the resistance to the King's authority,'
resumed the stranger again assuming an
equivocal look, and fixing his eyes keenly on the
countenance of the other, `those fellows are a set of
Chritless knaves, for their rebellion, you agree?'

`Knaves! How so, Sir?' replied the Captain hastily,
and with a look that betrayed more of his feelings
than he intended should have been revealed to
a stranger, and especially to one who apparently entertained
sentiments on this subject so different from
those which he had long privately cherished.

`Aha!' eagerly exclaimed the stranger with eviident
delight, `sits the wind in that quarter, really,
and truly?' Well, I am not disappointed in you,
after all, thank God!'

Yes, but you, Sir?'—said the Captain, again confounded
at the seemingly contradictory language

and manner of the other, `what did you say but a
moment since?'

`What did I say?' O, pooh! that is nothing!'
replied the stranger. `But again, and seriously,
Captain Hendee, (for I am now satisfied that it will
do to ask you the question) should matters proceed
to open hostilities in an attempt to burst these accursed
fetters, how far could your countenance and
support be depended on?'

`Stranger,' said Captatn Hendee, looking the other
full in the face `as singular a man as you appear,
you nevertheless have an honest countenance, and
would not, I think, try, in my own house, to lead me
into a snare. But granting that your sentiments
and mine coincide on this subject, what could you
ask, or expect, from an infirm, old man, whose only
home and property lie under the very mouths of the
guns of Fort Frederick?'[1]

`I see, I see!' answered the stranger. `But it
may be worth much to us to know that your heart
is in the right spot: For the times are coming when
even what such as you can do, may be of incalculable
importance to the cause. Indeed, Sir,' he continued
with increasing carnestness, and with deep
and startling emphasis, `indeedSir, those times are
already at the door: Blood—American blood has been
shed!'

`Where? where?' simultaneously burst from the
lips of Hendee and Warrington.

`At Lexington,' resumed the stranger with clenched
fist and eye of fire. `Fifty American citizens
have been shot down like wild cattle by a foreign

soldiery! and their blood has gone up to the great
God, in cries of vengeance! All Massachusetts are
in arms! And are we here of the Green Mountains
to remain idle?' he added, with a look and a tone of
almost frightful energy; `by all the thrones of heaven
and hell, no, no!

`O, for the renovation of one year of my manhood's
vigor!' exclaimed the Captain, springing from
his chair, and hastily striding round the room.

`All that is well enough, but useless, my friend,'
observed the stranger, after a silence among the
company of a few moments, in which he seemed to
have brought his feelings back to their usual current:
`so instead of calling on Hercules, like the man of
the fable, in prayers that never can be answered, be
thinking what you can do. This Indian'—he continued,
in an under tone, approaching close to the
Captain—`he is domesticated in your family?'

`Yes, brought up by us, mostly; a cunning, prudent
and faithful fellow,' replied the Captain, in a
voice too low to be heard, as he supposed, by the rest
of the company.

`And may be made a useful friend for some emergencies,
with your permission, Captain?'

`You have it, that is for an occasional runner,
scout, or the like—I should not like to part with
him for any great length of time, however.'

`Here my friend,' said the stranger, approaching the
native, and presenting him with a valuable pocket
knife, `will you take this as a gift to remember
me by? Now look me in the face.'

`Yas—umph! Ah, him good—one very good!'
said the Indian, quickly pocketing the knife.

`Now Captain,' said the stranger, putting on his
hat, and giving other indications of his intention

to depart, `I have only to say, that I am sorry I
could not have been more frank with you in some
particulars; but circumstances forbade it. Now I
must be off; `and I have some notion,' he continued,
looking at Warrington, `of inviting your
guest here to accompany me as a guide.'

`Mr. Howard is an old acquaintance, Sir, just
called after a long separation,' said the Captain.
`We should be sorry to part with him so soon.'

`Mr. Howard will remain through the night with
us, surely?' interposed the musical voice of Miss
Hendee.

The stranger gave a scrutinizing look at the father
and the daughter, and ended by exchanging
with Warrington looks of intelligence, which very
clearly showed that the two were by no means
strangers to each other. Seeming to satisfy himself,
he was about to remark further, when the tramp of
men, now heard approaching the door, arrested the
attention of the company. The rattling of guns
announced them to be armed men, among whose
voices the quick ears of Miss Hendee recognized
that of Darrow. Instantly rising, she hastily invited
Warrington to take a seat in the other room; and
the latter complying, the lovers disappeared through
one door, just as new comers entered another.