30. CHAPTER XXX.
NEW FRIENDS.
Broken down in health, after ten years of close confinement in his
situation, Jerome resolved to give it up, and thereby release himself
from an employment which seemed calculated to send him to a premature
grave.
It was on a beautiful morning in summer that he started for Scotland,
having made up his mind to travel for his health. After visiting Edinburgh
and Glasgow, he concluded to spend a few days in the old town
of Perth, with a friend whose acquaintance he had made in Manchester.
During the second day of his stay in Perth, while crossing the
main street, Jerome saw a pony-chaise coming toward him with great
speed. A lady, who appeared to be the only occupant of the vehicle,
was using her utmost strength to stop the frightened horses. The footman,
in his fright, had leaped from behind the carriage, and was following
with the crowd. With that self-forgetfulness which was one of his
chief characteristics, Jerome threw himself before the horses to stop
them; and, seizing the high-spirited animals by the bit, as they dashed
by him, he was dragged several rods before their speed was checked,
which was not accomplished until one of the horses had fallen to the
ground, with the heroic man struggling beneath him.
All present were satisfied that this daring act alone had saved the
lady's life, for the chaise must inevitably have been dashed in pieces,
had the horses not been thus suddenly checked in their mad career.
On the morning following this perilous adventure, Col. G—called at
Jerome's temporary residence, and, after expressing his admiration for
his noble daring, and thanking him for having saved his daughter's life,
invited him to visit him at his country residence. This invitation was
promptly accepted in the spirit in which it was given; and three
days after, Jerome found himself at the princely residence of the
father of the lady for whose safety he had risked his own life. The
house was surrounded by fine trees, and a sweet little stream ran murmuring
at the foot, while beds of flowers on every hand shed their odors
on the summer air. It was, indeed, a pleasant place to spend the warm
weather, and the colonel and his family gave Jerome a most cordial
welcome. Miss G. showed especial attention to the stranger. He had
not intended remaining longer than the following day: but the family
insisted on his taking part in a fox-hunt that was to come off on the
morning of the third day. Wishing to witness a scene as interesting as
the chase usually proves to be, he decided to remain.
Fifteen persons, five of whom were ladies, were on the ground at the
appointed hour. Miss G. was, of course, one of the party. In vain
Jerome endeavored to excuse himself from joining in the chase. His
plea of ill-health was only met by smiles from the young ladies, and the
reply that a ride would effect a cure.
Dressed in a scarlet coat and high boots, with the low, round cap worn
in the chase, Jerome mounted a high-spirited horse, whip in hand, and
made himself one of the party. In America, riding is a necessity; in
England, it is a pleasure. Young men and women attend riding-school
in our fatherland, and consider that they are studying a science. Jerome
was no rider. He had not been on horseback for more than ten
years, and as soon as he mounted, every one saw that he was a novice,
and a smile was on the countenance of each member of the company.
The blowing of the horn, and assembling of the hounds, and finally
the release of the fox from his close prison, were the signals for the
chase to commence. The first half-mile the little animal took his
course over a beautiful field where there was neither hedge nor ditch.
Thus far the chase was enjoyed by all, even by the American rider, who
was better fitted to witness the scene than to take part in it.
We left Jerome in our last reluctantly engaged in the chase; and
though the first mile or so of the pursuit, which was over smooth
meadow-land, had had an exhilarating effect upon his mind, and tended
somewhat to relieve him of the embarrassment consequent upon his
position, he nevertheless still felt that he was far from being in his
proper element. Besides, the fox had now made for a dense forest
which lay before, and he saw difficulties in that direction which to
him appeared insurmountable.
Away went the huntsmen, over stone walls, high fences, and deep
ditches. Jerome saw the ladies even leading the gentlemen, but this
could not inspire him. They cleared the fences, four and five feet high
with perfect ease, showing they were quite at home in the saddle. But
alas for the poor American! As his fine steed came up to the first
fence, and was about to make the leap, Jerome pulled at the bridle, and
cried at the top of his voice, “Whoa! whoa! whoa!” the horse at the
same time capering about, and appearing determined to keep up with
the other animals.
Away dashed the huntsmen, following the hounds, and all were soon
lost to the view of their colored companion. Jerome rode up and down
the field looking for a gate or bars, that he might get through without
risking his neck. Finding, however, that all hope of again catching up
with the party was out of the question, he determined to return to the
house, under a plea of sudden illness, and back he accordingly went.
“I hope no accident has happened to your honor,” said the groom, as
he met our hero at the gate.
“A slight dizziness,” was the answer.
One of the servants, without being ordered, went at once for the family
physician. Ashamed to own that his return was owing to his inability
to ride, Jerome resolved to feign sickness. The doctor came, felt
his pulse, examined his tongue, and pronounced him a sick man. He
immediately ordered a tepid bath, and sent for a couple of leeches.
Seeing things taking such a serious turn, the American began to regret
the part he was playing; for there was no fun in being rubbed and
leeched when one was in perfect health. He had gone too far to recede,
however, and so submitted quietly to the directions of the doctor; and,
after following the injunctions given by that learned Esculapius, was put
to bed.
Shortly after, the sound of the horns and the yelp of the hounds announced
that the poor fox had taken the back track, and was repassing
near the house. Even the pleasure of witnessing the beautiful sight
from the window was denied to our hero; for the physician had ordered
that he must be kept in perfect quiet.
The chase was at last over, and the huntsmen all in, sympathizing
with their lost companion. After nine days of sweating, blistering, and
leeching, Jerome left his bed convalescent, but much reduced in flesh
and
strength. This was his first and last attempt to follow the fox and
hounds.
During his fortnight's stay at Colonel G.'s, Jerome spent most of his
time in the magnificent library. Claude did not watch with more interest
every color of the skies, the trees, the grass, and the water, to
learn from nature, than did this son of a despised race search books to
obtain that knowledge which his early life as a slave had denied him.
