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diff --git a/16345-h/16345-h.htm b/16345-h/16345-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1274f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/16345-h/16345-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2798 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ellen Walton, by Alvin Addison. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ellen Walton, by Alvin Addison + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Ellen Walton + The Villain and His Victims + +Author: Alvin Addison + +Release Date: July 22, 2005 [EBook #16345] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELLEN WALTON *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<p><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a></p> +<h1>ELLEN WALTON;</h1> + +<h2>OR, THE VILLAIN AND HIS VICTIMS.</h2> + + +<h3>BY ALVIN ADDISON,</h3> + +<h4>AUTHOR OF THE RIVAL HUNTERS, ETC.</h4> + +<p> +CINCINNATI:<br /> +H.M. RULISON, QUEEN CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE, 115-1/2 MAIN STREET.<br /> +PHILADELPHIA:<br /> +QUAKER CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE, 32 SOUTH THIRD STREET.<br /> +1855.<br /> +</p> + +<p><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a>Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by</p> + +<p>H.M. RULISON,</p> + +<p>In the Clerk's Office of the District Court, for the Southern District of Ohio.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><i>Transcriber's note: Transcriber has added a table of contents and moved the footnotes to the end of the document.</i></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CONCLUSION"><b>CONCLUSION.</b></a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a></p> +<h2>THE VILLAIN AND HIS VICTIMS.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>FLEMING'S HOTEL.</h3> + + +<p>In the year 1785, as, also, prior and subsequent to that time, there was a hotel situated +in one of the less frequented streets of Pittsburg, then the largest town west of the +mountains, and kept by one Fleming, whence it derived the name of "Fleming's Hotel." This +house, a small one, and indifferently furnished, was a favorite resort of the Indians who +visited the town on trading expeditions. Fleming had two daughters, who possessed +considerable personal attractions, and that pride of a vain woman—<i>beauty</i>. History does +not, to the best of our knowledge, give us the first names of the two girls; and we will +distinguish them as Eliza and Sarah. Unfortunately for these young females, they had ever +been surrounded by unfavorable circumstances, and exposed to the vices of bad +associations; and that nice discrimination between propriety and politeness, which is a +natural characteristic of the modest woman, had become somewhat obliterated, and the hold +which virtue ever has by nature in the heart of the gentler sex, had been somewhat +loosened. In short, the young Misses Fleming failed at all times to observe that degree of +propriety which should ever characterize the pure in heart, and were, by many, accused of +immorality. How far this accusation was true, we shall not attempt to say, but, doubtless, +there were not wanting many tongues to spread slanderous reports.</p> + +<p>In early years of womanhood, Eliza had given her affections to one who sought her love +under the guise of a "gentleman of fortune." He proved to be what such characters usually +are—a libertine, whose only motive in seeking to win her confidence and <a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a>young affections +was to gratify his hellish passions in the ruin of virtue and a good name. Under the most +solemn assurances of deep, abiding, unalterable love for her, and the most solemn promises +of marriage at an early day, which if he failed to perform, the direst maledictions of +heaven, and the most awful curses, were called down upon his own head, even to the eternal +consuming of his soul in the flames of perdition, he succeeded in his design. Virtue was +overcome, and the jewel of purity departed from the heart of another of earth's daughters. +Vain were the tears of the repentant girl to induce a performance of the promises so +solemnly made; false had been and still were the vows of the profligate; but he continued +to make them all the more profusely; and hope, at first unwavering, then fainter and +fainter, filled the heart of his victim. Once conquered, and the victory was ever after +comparatively easy; and having taken something of a fancy to this lady, he was for a long +time attached to her, and, in his way, remained faithful.</p> + +<p>Such were the mutual relations sustained by these two toward each other, when, one day, +the betrayer entered the presence of the betrayed, and, in some agitation, said:</p> + +<p>"Eliza, my dear, you have always been a kind, dear girl to me, and I have resolved to +repay your constancy and devotion by making you my bride in a few days; but first I must +demand of you a service, an important service. Can I depend on you?"</p> + +<p>"You know you can; let me know how I can aid you in such a manner as will insure me your +hand, and I will serve you unto death."</p> + +<p>"Bravely spoken! Just what I expected of your devoted love! But the service I shall +require will sorely try that love!"</p> + +<p>"Then let me prove its strength."</p> + +<p>"Eliza, do you doubt my truth? my sincerity?"</p> + +<p>"Have I not given you stronger proof than a thousand asseverations, or the strongest +oaths, that my confidence is unbounded? Without this trust, I should be wretched beyond +endurance!"</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear you talk so. Still I fear you will not consent to serve me as I shall +wish."</p> + +<p>"Try me and see."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a>"Are you of a <i>jealous</i> disposition, my love?"</p> + +<p>"Jealous? What a question for <i>you</i> to ask!"</p> + +<p>"It may appear strange, yet I would be pleased to have you answer me truly, and without +reserve. Tell me your real sentiments without reserve or disguise. Much depends thereon."</p> + +<p>"Truly, I cannot say, never having been tried; but I can verily believe that intense +hatred would arise in my heart toward one of my sex who would attempt to supplant me in +your affections."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I should disregard their efforts, what then?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing. If sure of your attachment, I would care for nothing beside."</p> + +<p>"'Tis well! But suppose that I should tell you that I once loved another than you?"</p> + +<p>"As you love me?"</p> + +<p>"No; with a boyish affection, soon forgotten."</p> + +<p>"Then I would care nothing for it."</p> + +<p>"Not if it left an incurable wound?"</p> + +<p>"Did it?"</p> + +<p>"It did!"</p> + +<p>"My God! How have I been deceived."</p> + +<p>"Don't be alarmed, my dear, the wound was not in the heart—it was in pride."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"I was not troubled at heart, but the girl I fancied gave me mortal offense, and I would +be revenged!"</p> + +<p>"How so? What is this? Don't love, and wish revenge! Revenge for what? And that dark +frown—what means all this?"</p> + +<p>"Be calm; you are excited; you fear my truth; and where there is no confidence, love soon +departs. I can soon explain all. In my young days I fell in love with a beautiful girl of +my own age; but soon learned that she was not virtuous, and with this knowledge my love +changed into desire. As the least return for my love, to gain which she had recourse to +all the wiles and blandishments of a coquette, I wished to possess her for a time; but she +spurned me from her presence as she would a dog! From that hour I have sworn to have my +revenge and gain my point.<a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a> My hour has now come, and I can accomplish my oath, provided I +am secure of one thing."</p> + +<p>"And what is that?"</p> + +<p>"Your co-operation."</p> + +<p>"Me aid in such a scheme!"</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Why not?</i> Shall I turn the enemy of my own sex, and aid in the destruction of one who +has never injured me?"</p> + +<p>"She <i>has</i> injured you."</p> + +<p>"In what way?"</p> + +<p>"By destroying, in a good degree, my confidence in the sex. Had that confidence been +unshaken, you would, long ere this time, have been my wife; but how could I trust my +happiness with woman when woman had proved treacherous? I had been once deceived, and +distrust had taken the place of faith, when I met you. You know the result. Now tell me, +has not this girl injured you deeply?"</p> + +<p>"It may be so; but why not let her go? What good can it do to pursue her with vengeance? +Perhaps she has repented. How wicked, then, to destroy her peace of mind."</p> + +<p>"Dream not that such as she will ever repent. But to satisfy you on this point, I can say, +<i>I know she has not changed from what she was</i>; and it is this knowledge that, above all +things, urges me on in my plans."</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you wish me to do?"</p> + +<p>"Listen. I have just learned that this girl, in company with her family, will be in town +to-day, on their way to Ohio or Kentucky, and will put up at this house. Now I wish you to +so place the young lady, that I can have access to her sleeping apartment; this is all."</p> + +<p>"I cannot do it."</p> + +<p>"You can; I will take number eighteen for the night; put her in seventeen, and it is all I +ask. I am sure this is easily done."</p> + +<p>"And thus bring about my own shame and her dishonor?"</p> + +<p>"I tell you she is already dishonored; and instead of bringing shame upon yourself, you +take it away forever."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>"Do not tempt me to do wrong! Alas, I have done too much evil already! I pray God I may +be forgiven!"</p> + +<p>"Come, now, be a good girl, and do me this <i>one</i> favor; it is the last I shall require of +you until I give you my name."</p> + +<p>"I cannot. Such conduct would disgrace our house."</p> + +<p>"It need not be known."</p> + +<p>"It is hard to prevent such things being spread abroad."</p> + +<p>"I will take care of that point. Your house shall not be injured one particle by the +occurrence, I give you my word for it. Now do you consent?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you still love this girl, and are trying to deceive me."</p> + +<p>"I swear that I do not, that I love only you."</p> + +<p>"Why, then, seek the society of this other?"</p> + +<p>"I have sworn it, as I have already told you; and this oath <i>must</i> be performed. Will you +aid me or not?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot. I pray you again, do not tempt me!"</p> + +<p>"But you <i>must</i> help me. I cannot do without you."</p> + +<p>"For God's sake say no more! Every feeling of my heart revolts at the thought! Just think, +for a moment, what it is you ask of me! Think what would be my feelings! Love is +incompatible with your request. How can I see you debase yourself and me by such an act?"</p> + +<p>"I only desire you to decide between this and a worse debasement. Which will you choose?"</p> + +<p>"What mean you?"</p> + +<p>"That I will only marry you on condition you will accede to my present proposition."</p> + +<p>"Have you not told me, time and again, that you looked upon me as your wife by the highest +of all laws, the laws of nature and of God? How, then, can you talk of not making me +legally yours, in the sight of men?"</p> + +<p>"I will, I tell you, if you will do as I wish in the present instance. Come, be kind, be +gentle and loving, as you ever have been, and we will soon be completely happy by +acknowledging our love before men, at the altar."</p> + +<p>"This again! Oh, tempter, betray me not!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a>"You have your choice. I will <i>never</i> marry you if you refuse my present offer, NEVER! +Whose, then, will be the shame? Which will you be, an honorable wife, or a despised +offcast? Your destiny is in your own hands, make your election."</p> + +<p>"Oh, God! I am in your power!"</p> + +<p>"Then you consent?"</p> + +<p>"What assurance have I that this promise will make me your wife? Have you not promised the +same thing scores of times?"</p> + +<p>"Require any form of obligation, and I will give it; as I mean what I say, make your own +conditions."</p> + +<p>"Give me a written promise."</p> + +<p>He gave it as she dictated it:</p> + +<p>"I hereby promise to marry Eliza Fleming within one month from this 12th day of April, +1786. This promise I most solemnly give, calling on heaven to witness it, and if I fail in +its performance, may the curses of God rest upon my soul in this world and in the world to +come.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Louis Durant</span>."</p> + +<p>"That will do," she said.</p> + +<p>"And I may depend on you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am no longer free. But mind, all must be done quietly and kept a profound secret."</p> + +<p>"Leave that to me; I will be responsible for the result."</p> + +<p>Thus was a net woven for an unsuspecting victim. Who was she, and what the cause for this +unrelenting and revengeful feeling on the part of Durant? Time must show.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>A VILLAIN UNMASKED.</h3> + + +<p>In a beautiful district of the "Old Dominion," bordering on the Rappahannock, there lived, +just previous to the time of the opening of our story, a planter, who had once been +wealthy, but whose princely fortune had become much reduced by indiscriminate kindness. +Possessed of a noble heart, a generous disposition, and the finest sympathies, he could +never find it in his heart to say "no" to an application for assistance. Thousands had +thus gone to pay debts of security; and, at last, he resolved to move to the West, as a +means of retrieving his affairs, as well as to cut loose from the associations which were +rapidly diminishing the remains of his wealth.</p> + +<p>This planter, whom we shall call General Walton, (the last name assumed, the title one +given him by common consent,) had one son, and an only daughter, the former twenty-one, +the latter eighteen, at the time we wish to introduce them to the reader's notice. Both +were worthy, the one as a man, the other as a woman. He was noble, intellectual, manly; +she was beautiful, accomplished, intelligent; both possessed those higher and nobler +qualities of mind and heart which dignify and ally it to divinity.</p> + +<p>Ellen Walton, an heiress, jointly with her brother, in prospective, and reputed the +wealthiest fair one in all the district, (the world don't always know the true situation +of a man's affairs,) was not left to pine away in solitude with the dismal prospect in +view of becoming that dreaded personage—<i>an old maid</i>. No, she was <i>beset</i> with admirers; +some loving <i>her</i>, some her <i>wealth</i>, and some <i>both</i>. To all but one she turned a deaf +ear; that one, though the least presuming of the many, and too diffident to urge his claim +until impelled by the irresistable violence of his love, possessed, unknown to himself, a +magnetic power over the heart of the fair being. Many were the doubts and fears of +both—natural accompaniments of true, sincere, devoted, but unacknowledged, love—but <a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>all +were dispelled by the mutual exchange of thoughts, and the mutual plighting of faith. Vows +once made by the pure in heart, are seldom, if ever, broken, and then by some higher duty +or demand.</p> + +<p>For a time the youthful lovers were happy—happy in themselves, and the joys of the new +existence opened up to them by the magic wand of <span class="smcap">Love</span>. But love has its trials, +as all can testify who have tasted its potency in the heart; and so these two learned. +Their engagement was a family secret, not yet to be developed. Hence, many of her admirers +still offered their attentions, in the vain hope of ultimate success. Particularly was +this the case with those who had an eye to the fortune rather than the heiress, taking the +latter as the only means of obtaining the former; and first among this number was Louis +Durant, a man of corrupt principles, and deeply depraved feelings. A sprig of a noble +family of small pretensions, whose pride far exceeded their means, he was desirous of +obtaining wealth; and being too indolent to enter a profession, too poor to become a +merchant, and too proud to work, as a last resort, he wished to <i>marry</i> a fortune. Like +most of his class, he was unscrupulous as to <i>means</i> so the <i>end</i> was attained. It was, +therefore, an easy matter to conform, in outward appearance, to the society he was in. +This he never failed to do. When with the Waltons, he was a pattern of generosity, and a +pitying angel. When with the gambler, or the <i>roue</i>, he was equally at home—a debauchee, +or a handler of cards.</p> + +<p>With the intuitive perception of woman, Ellen saw through his character at once; and, +though she treated him with civility, never gave him any encouragement. Blinded by her +fortune, and construing her reserve into the bashfulness of a first passion, being too +vain to acknowledge the inability of his powers of fascination to carry all before them, +he gave himself up to hope, and already counted on the half of the Walton estate as his +own, and spent many a shilling of his small funds on the strength of the anticipation.</p> + +<p>When he saw that the bottom of his purse would soon be reached, he sought an opportunity, +declared himself in love, and asked the hand of Miss Walton. The General to whom he had +always <a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>appeared a "fine fellow," would leave his daughter to decide the matter. Thus +referred, he lost no time in making Ellen the recipient of his "tale of love." All his +theatrical powers were called in action; his eloquence commanded; but the impressions made +were far different from those intended. Though the outward semblance was complete, Ellen +saw that the passion was feigned, and a still deeper dislike took possession of her +feelings. But with gentle delicacy, she told him his passion was not returned.</p> + +<p>"Then," said he, "let me win your love. I am sure your heart will yield when you are +convinced of the depth of the devotedness of my affection."</p> + +<p>"Do not flatter yourself with a vain hope. I feel that I shall never be able to love you; +and it is in kindness that I tell you so at once."</p> + +<p>"Ah, adorable, angelic being! One so kind, so considerate, so good, is too pure, too near +akin to heaven, for man to possess. I only ask to be your friend."</p> + +<p>"As such, you shall ever be welcome."</p> + +<p>"Thanks! thanks! May I but prove worthy of your friendship!"</p> + +<p>Thus terminated his first attempt to win Ellen. His fall from the lover to a friend was +the first step in a plot already matured. As a friend, he could ever have access to the +heiress, and be received more familiarly than in any other capacity, save as an +acknowledged lover. This familiarity would give him the opportunity of ingratiating +himself into her affections, of which, finally, he felt certain.</p> + +<p>He became a constant and frequent visitor at the mansion of the Waltons, and was ever +received with cordiality. He let no opportunity pass unimproved to carry out his design. +Goodness, benevolence, charity, were counterfeited most adroitly, until even Ellen began +to think she had done him injustice by her suspicions. This is a favorable moment for a +lover. Prove that you have been dealt with unjustly, and a woman's heart is opened by +sympathy to let you in. It was well for Ellen that her heart was already occupied, or this +might possibly have been her fate. As <a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>it was, she became, insensibly and unintentionally, +kind to Durant. He did not fail to notice the change, and his heart exulted in the +prospect of complete success.</p> + +<p>When he thought the proper time had arrived, he prepared the way, and again declared +himself a lover, with more eloquence than before. Again his suit was gently declined; but +this time he persevered until his importunities became unbearable, and with them, all +Ellen's old prejudices returned, strengthened ten-fold. If he could and would force +himself for weeks and months upon an unwilling victim of his importunities, and attempt by +such means to force her to accept his hand, he was depraved enough for any other +wickedness. So she plainly told him she could not and would not submit longer to his +unreasonable conduct; that he must consider himself as finally, fully and unrecallably +dismissed.</p> + +<p>"And give up all hope—the hope that has sustained and given me life so long? Oh, think, +Ellen, think of my misery, of the untold wretchedness into which you plunge me, and let +your heart, your kind, generous heart, relent!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Durant, I have told you often and often that it was impossible for me to love you, +and that it was kindness to tell you so. If you have disregarded my oft repeated +declaration, the truth of which you must long ere this have been convinced, the fault is +yours, not mine."</p> + +<p>"I know you have so spoken often, but still I have dared to hope. I loved too fervently +for the passion ever to die before you denied me hope. Think of all these things, and then +recall your words."</p> + +<p>"You have repeated them so frequently, that I could not well avoid thinking of them +whether I chose to or not. Let me now say, once for all, that importunities are utterly +useless, and can prove of no avail."</p> + +<p>"Then I am to understand you as casting me off from your presence; and this being the +<i>end</i> of your kindness, may I ask what was the <i>object</i> of that kindness?"</p> + +<p>"I always endeavor to do unto others as I would have them do to me. If you think such a +course wrong, I cannot help it."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>"Then you would wish some person, who had the power, to show you all manner of good will, +until your affections were won, and so firmly fixed as to be unalterable, and then cast +you off?"</p> + +<p>"No, I should be far from desiring such conduct on the part of any one."</p> + +<p>"And yet that is your way of 'doing as you would be done by!'"</p> + +<p>"I am not aware of ever having done so; if I have been the unwitting instrument of such +acts, I am truly sorry for it."</p> + +<p>"Then let your sorrow work repentance."</p> + +<p>"Tell me how, and I will try to do so."</p> + +<p>"You cannot be ignorant of my meaning."</p> + +<p>"I am totally at a loss to know how your remarks can apply to me, in any way."</p> + +<p>"Then I will speak plainly. Your actions for the last few months have been such as to bid +me hope for a return of my love, and allured by that hope, founded on those actions, I +have placed my affections so strongly, that I fear it will be death to tear them away. As +you have caused me to love, is it demanding more than justice that I should ask you to at +least <i>try</i> to love me in return?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Durant, you know that your accusations are untrue. Did you not just tell me that you +loved before you ever spoke to me on the subject? and have you not repeatedly, aye, a +hundred times, told me I was cold toward you, ever evincing a want of cordiality? How, +then, can you have the face to ask a return of love on this score? Since you have been at +such pains to make out so contradictory a case, I will say that you but lessen yourself in +my esteem by the attempt!"</p> + +<p>"I see, alas, you are a heartless coquette!"</p> + +<p>"Because I will not place the half of my father's wealth in your possession. I have read +your motive from the beginning, sir, and have only refrained from telling you my mind, +because I make it a rule to have the good will of a dog, in preference to his ill will, +when I can. But as your conduct to-day has removed the last thin screen from your real +character, and revealed your <a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>naked depravity of heart, I care not even for your +friendship. You know, you <i>feel</i>, that you are a degraded wretch, and that you are +unworthy of the society of the virtuous."</p> + +<p>"Madam, those words just spoken have sealed your fate! Dog as I am, I have the power to +work your ruin, and <i>I will do it</i>! I go from your presence a bitter and unrelenting foe! +The love you have rejected has turned into bitterness, and the dregs of that bitterness +you shall drink till your soul sickens unto death! I will never lose sight of you! Go +where you may, I will follow you! Hide in what corner of the world you may, I will find +you! When you meet me, remember I am an implacable enemy, seeking revenge!"</p> + +<p>"Go, vile miscreant, from my presence! Think not to intimidate me. Better an 'open enemy +than a secret foe.' I am glad you have unmasked yourself so fully. Now I know that I have +escaped the worst fate on earth."</p> + +<p>"Not the worst! To be the wife of even a villain is better than to be his victim!"</p> + +<p>"Leave my presence, sir, or I will call a slave to put you out! Infamous wretch! The curse +of God be upon you!"</p> + +<p>He went, quailing under the flash of her indignant eye, which made his guilty soul cower +in abasement.</p> + +<p>When he was fairly gone, her high strung energies relaxed, and the reaction prostrated her +strength. She sunk upon a lounge, and, giving way to her feelings, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"That man may yet work the ruin of my happiness! Oh, God, pity me, and let not the wicked +triumph! In Thee I put my trust. Let thy watchful eye be over me, and thy power protect +me. Oh, let me not fall into the hands of my enemy; but preserve me by thy right hand, and +keep me lifted up!"</p> + +<p>Prayer gave her strength, and renewed her courage. Relying, with firm faith, on the +goodness and watchful care of her Father in heaven, she became cheerful and composed.</p> + +<p>She very seldom saw or heard anything of Durant, but when she did, it always awakened +fear. For a year she heard nothing of him, and, at last, the old dread had passed from her +heart, when her father prepared to go to the West.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>As for Durant, he went from her presence muttering curses and threatening vengeance, +among which was distinguished by a slave, grated out between his clenched teeth, "I'll +make her repent this day's work in 'sack-cloth and ashes!' aye, if all h—ll oppose!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>THE VILLAIN AND HIS VICTIM.</h3> + + +<p>The reader has, doubtless, arrived at the conclusion that Durant was planning the +destruction of Ellen Walton when he so earnestly desired the assistance of Miss Fleming; +and it will now be perceived how false were his statements in relation to the <i>character</i> +of the expected guest. Though unseen himself, he had taken every precaution to make +certain of the party at the Fleming Hotel; and just at the close of day he had the +satisfaction of seeing his efforts crowned with success. General Walton, influenced by the +tales his daughter's foe had whispered to him in confidence, passed by the more elegant +houses, which, but for defaming reports, he would have preferred making his abode during +his short stay in the place, and took lodgings at the "Fleming."</p> + +<p>Eliza Fleming made the acquaintance of her young female guest, and every fresh insight +into Miss Walton's character made her regret the hard necessity she was under of doing her +an injury. She had a hard struggle in her mind, but at length her determination was fixed. +To procure the ruin of the innocent guest, (for she had thoroughly satisfied herself that +Miss Walton <i>was</i> innocent and virtuous,) whom every obligation of hospitality required +her to protect, was indeed damnable; but to forfeit the hand of Durant under the +circumstances was impossible, and not to be thought of. Poor Ellen! Heaven shield thee!</p> + +<p><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>Durant was not seen by any of the Waltons, as it was his object to keep them in entire +ignorance of his proximity until such time as he chose to reveal himself. Miss Fleming +knew where to find him; and, according to agreement, met him during the evening, to +arrange some matters connected with the plot.</p> + +<p>"Louis, you have required too much at my hands in this affair. I fear I shall not be able +to comply with the terms of agreement."</p> + +<p>"Then return my written promise of marriage, and live to be despised and a by-word among +men! I thought the matter was definitely settled, and that you had resolved to save your +own honor and name at every hazard."</p> + +<p>"But is this my only hope?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, as true as there is a God in heaven, it is. I will forsake you forever unless you +comply with my wishes in this affair."</p> + +<p>"Then I must name some conditions, to which I shall demand the strictest compliance on +your part."</p> + +<p>"Name them."</p> + +<p>"In the first place, then, to avoid the possibility of noise or mishap, I will give the +lady a potion, which will stupefy her faculties, and cause a deep sleep to lock up all her +senses for the space of three or four hours. I will so arrange it, that these hours shall +be from eleven to three o'clock, and what is done must be accomplished between those +periods of time. You shall, therefore, not enter number seventeen until after eleven +o'clock, and you must positively leave it before three; and you shall not let your victim +know what transpires at this house until after the Waltons have left the city. Do you +consent to these terms?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must."</p> + +<p>"Then the matter is settled. Remember the hours; I shall know if my injunctions are +disregarded, and you will fare the worse for it."</p> + +<p>"Fear not. Come to reflect, I like your plan better than my own, as there is less danger +in it every way."</p> + +<p>"Enough. Good night."</p> + +<p>"Hold a moment. Is there any fastening on the door between the rooms, on the side in +number seventeen?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>"There is; but I will take care of that; and you know no one, unless well acquainted with +the spot, could tell there was a door there."</p> + +<p>"True, true—I had forgotten that fact."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I forgot one prohibition. You must in no case let a ray of light into seventeen. It +might render all our precautions abortive, and defeat their object."</p> + +<p>"Very well. I will be careful."</p> + +<p>"Do so, and all will be well. Of course, no noise, even as loud as a whisper, must be +heard in the lady's room."</p> + +<p>"I will be discreet; trust me for that. I am glad you have come to the rescue; I find +there is nothing like a woman's wit."</p> + +<p>"Take care, then, that you are never <i>outwitted</i> by them!"</p> + +<p>"Not much fear of that while I have such an ingenious ally!"</p> + +<p>"Take good care to keep her an ally; as an enemy, she might be equally ingenious."</p> + +<p>And so they parted. As she left the room, she mentally exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"'Come to the rescue!' Yes, I am truly glad I have!"</p> + +<p>The guests retired to their beds, and all was still as the solemn silence of midnight. The +old clock in the corner tolled the hour of eleven, and half an hour afterward, a stealthy +tread might have been heard along the partition dividing the two rooms already named. Soon +a door slowly opened on its rusty hinges, and in the rayless darkness Durant entered the +number containing his victim. He reached the couch, and paused to assure himself that all +was as he desired. His ear was saluted with a heavy breathing, as of one in deep sleep.</p> + +<p>"All right!" he muttered within himself. "My hour has come. The vengeance of the '<i>dog</i>' +shall be complete! Oh, but how I will glory in <i>my</i> triumph, and the proud one's disgrace! +I'll make her <i>feel</i> what it is to insult a nobleman by blood! Gods, how the memory burns +my brain of that indignity! An unknown girl to scorn and cast contumely upon one of +England's line of lords! This night be the stain wiped out!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>Lost! lost! <i>lost</i>! demon! from thy presence we turn away! Villain and victim, there is a +God above!</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The morning dawned, and the sun rose as cloudless as though no deeds of crime, needing the +darkness to cover them, had been perpetrated on the earth. The Waltons left with the +company they expected to join at Pittsburg on the succeeding day, not knowing that Durant +had slept under the same roof with them. No, not so fast. One of their number <i>did</i> know +the fact—Ellen. Was it that knowledge that caused the paleness on her cheek, that aroused +the anxious solicitude of her tender and watchful parents?</p> + +<p>"Are you sick, my daughter?" was the mother's affectionate inquiry. But she was cheered by +the assurance that there was no serious cause of alarm; and that Ellen was only a little +unwell. Without any mishap, they reached their new home in Kentucky.</p> + +<p>Two weeks had passed, and Eliza Fleming was still unmarried. During that time, she had +seen Durant but twice, and he appeared desirous of avoiding a private interview. She was +not slow to perceive this, and it filled her mind with misgivings of his truth, or the +sincerity of his protestations. She demanded an interview; the demand was acceded to; and +she said:</p> + +<p>"Why do you not make arrangements for our approaching marriage? It is surely time you were +about it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no hurry yet," he replied. "There is plenty of time."</p> + +<p>"Plenty of time! Yes, if all that need be done, is to call the minister, and have the +ceremony performed! But it strikes me this is <i>not</i> all. However, what day have you fixed +upon as your choice for the wedding occasion?"</p> + +<p>"I can't say as I have thought upon any day in particular; in fact, the subject had so far +escaped my mind, that I had nearly forgotten it entirely."</p> + +<p>"A devoted lover, truly! What am I to think of such unmerited coldness?" and she burst +into tears.</p> + +<p>"Come, Eliza, let us understand each other, and be friends."</p> + +<p>"Friends! Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Lovers, then."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>"Husband and wife, you mean."</p> + +<p>"Lovers only; as we have been."</p> + +<p>"Am I to understand you as saying you will not fulfill your written promise of making me +your lawful wife?"</p> + +<p>"You might be farther from the truth."</p> + +<p>"Is this the reward of my devotion? the fruits of my sacrifice? Oh, God, who shall measure +the depths of wickedness of a depraved heart? Sir, I shall enforce my rights."</p> + +<p>"You dare not do it."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"The very attempt will ruin yourself, and your father's business by bringing disgrace upon +his house."</p> + +<p>"I see it, sir; but what if I still proceed?"</p> + +<p>"You cannot."</p> + +<p>"I can."</p> + +<p>"On what plan?"</p> + +<p>"On your own written promise."</p> + +<p>"You have no such promise."</p> + +<p>"Do you deny giving it?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"Then your own hand-writing will condemn you."</p> + +<p>"Be certain of that before you proceed."</p> + +<p>"You know I <i>have</i> such a document."</p> + +<p>"I know you have <i>not</i>."</p> + +<p>"Then I will prove it."</p> + +<p>And she went in search of the paper, where she had carefully placed it away. But no paper +was to be found! What could have become of it? She returned.</p> + +<p>"Well, let me see your 'document,' as you term it," he said, in a taunting manner.</p> + +<p>"It has been misplaced by some means, but I will find it in time to answer my purpose."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Durant, you <i>know</i> I have such a paper, and what is the use of denying it?"</p> + +<p>"Again, I repeat, I know no such thing." Then after a pause, he continued: "We might as +well understand each other at once."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>He produced a paper, and went on: "Here, I suppose, is the article you speak of. I see it +is in my hand-writing, and lest by any chance it should again fall into your hands, I will +destroy it."</p> + +<p>And holding it in the candle, it was soon reduced to ashes. The outwitted girl sat dumb +with astonishment, surprise and dismay, and, for several seconds, was speechless. When +utterance came, she inquired:</p> + +<p>"How, in the name of reason, did you get that paper in your possession?"</p> + +<p>"I will be frank: I watched you putting it away, and the next day I went and took it."</p> + +<p>"And this is my reward for the signal service you demanded as the price of that written +promise?"</p> + +<p>"My continued love will be your reward."</p> + +<p>"<i>Your</i> love! Think you, vile miscreant, I would have the base semblance of affection from +such a polluted thing as you? No, sir! Now that I see your depravity, worlds would not +tempt me to wed you, degraded as I am! How I have remained blinded so long is a mystery I +cannot solve, in the overwhelming light of this hour. Thank God, I am even with you!—Yes, +thank Him from the bottom of my heart! You have deceived me, but in this instance I am not +behind you. Ellen Walton left this house as pure as she entered it! Think you I had no +object in all my restrictions of time, of secrecy and darkness? I had. One hour in the +society of Miss Walton, convinced me of her unsullied purity, and another of your +baseness. I resolved to save her at all hazards; and I did. My only regret <i>now</i> is, that +I made myself the victim instead of her!"</p> + +<p>"H—ll and furies!"</p> + +<p>"Even, am I not?"</p> + +<p>"May the devil take you!"</p> + +<p>"Better take care of the old fellow yourself; and of woman's wit, too!"</p> + +<p>"I'll have my revenge yet. I'll swear that I did stay the night with Ellen, despite your +treachery."</p> + +<p>"It will do you no good. My sister gave the young lady an attested certificate, stating +that she passed the whole time with <a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>her, the two together, that the door to their room +was locked, and that they were undisturbed during the night.—Nothing like a 'woman's +wit!'"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 501px;"> +<img src="images/image021.jpg" width="501" height="305" alt=""And drawing a pistol, which some freak had caused her to conceal in her +dress, she made it ready, and, with her finger on the trigger, aimed it at his +heart."—See page 29." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"And drawing a pistol, which some freak had caused her to conceal in her +dress, she made it ready, and, with her finger on the trigger, aimed it at his +heart."—See page 29.</span> +</div> + +<p>"I curse you! Vile, treacherous—"</p> + +<p>"Spare your epithets, inhuman monster! or, by the heavens above us, you leave not this +spot alive!"</p> + +<p>And drawing a pistol, which some freak had caused her to conceal in her dress, she made it +ready, and, with her finger on the trigger, aimed it at his heart. Like all villains of +his caste, he was a coward, and trembled with quaking fear before the flashing eye and +resolute look of the excited girl.</p> + +<p>"Now, vile, degraded, polluted <i>thing</i>! you go from my presence never to return. Hold! not +just yet, I have a parting word to say before you leave. I confess, with self-abasement, +that I once loved you, and with deep humiliation, amounting to agony, that that love was +the cause of my ruin. The vail is now torn from my eyes, and I behold you as you are, a +corrupted, debased, unfeeling demon, in the human form; and I would not even touch you +with my finger's end, so deep is my detestation and abhorrence of your depravity! Aye, +sir, even for <i>me</i> your very touch is defiling! But if ever you whisper a word concerning +the relation you once sustained toward <i>me</i>, be it but so loud as your breath, I will as +surely destroy you as I now stand before you! Remember and beware! for I call God, and +angels, and earth to witness this my vow! One so lost as <i>you</i>, shall not couple <i>my</i> name +with his!"</p> + +<p>She paused a moment, as if to collect her energies for a last effort, and then continued:</p> + +<p>"Into the darkness of this moonless, starless, sky-beclouded night, you shall soon be +driven. May it faintly prefigure the unending blackness of that eternal night you have +chosen as your future portion. As you have willfully, voluntarily, and most wickedly +called it down upon your own head, may the 'curse of God rest upon you in this world and +the world to come!' May evils betide you in this life, every cherished hope be blasted; +every plot of villainy thwarted, and you become a reproach among men, an outcast and a +vagabond on the face of the earth! And <a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>when, at last, your sinful race is run, and your +guilty soul has been ushered into that dreaded eternity you have plucked upon it, may your +polluted carcass become the prey of the carrion-crow and the buzzard, and the wild beasts +of the desert wilderness howl a requiem over your bones! Go now, and meet your doom! Go +with the curse of wretched innocence ever abiding upon you! Go with the canker-worm of +festering corruption ever hanging, like an incubus, upon your prostituted heart, and may +its fangs, charged with burning poison, pierce the very vitals of existence, till life +itself shall become a burden and a curse! Go!"</p> + +<p>And he went, with the awful curse ever burning as a flaming fire on the tablet of his +memory.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The reader must bear with us for being compelled to introduce in our pages some +exceptional characters. Had we consulted our own taste, or painted the characters ourself, +it would not have been so. In this particular, we had no choice, as the actors were +furnished to our hand in the light we have represented them, as we shall presently show by +authenticated history. For the present, however, we pass to other +scenes.—<span class="smcap">Author.</span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>MORE VILLAINY.</h3> + + +<p>From the presence of Miss Fleming, Durant went to an obscure old cabin near the river, +where he met an accomplice in villainy, a tool of his, by the name of Ramsey, whom he +often employed to do hazardous and dirty work, he himself was too cowardly or too +<i>aristocratic</i> to perform. The object of the present interview was to learn on what boat +the Waltons had taken passage. He was scheming again.</p> + +<p>"Ramsey," said he, "what boats have left in the last two weeks to go down the river?"</p> + +<p>"Only three, sir."</p> + +<p>"Three! Did you see them all?"</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"Did you know any of the passengers?"</p> + +<p>"I did. Colonel Thomas Marshall commanded one of the boats, with whom there were a number +of Virginians, several of them personally known to me."</p> + +<p>"Was there a family by the name of Walton among them?"</p> + +<p>"Walton—Walton? I don't know them."</p> + +<p>"A father, mother and daughter; the girl eighteen, and uncommonly good looking—present a +much richer appearance than is usual with emigrants."</p> + +<p>"I remember them; they went in another boat."</p> + +<p>"Do you think they have reached Maysville yet?"</p> + +<p>"If unusually lucky, they have; but most probably not."</p> + +<p>"Then there is a possibility of their being overtaken, you think?"</p> + +<p>"There <i>may</i> be; particularly if any bad luck has attended them."</p> + +<p>"Quick, then, quick! away!—Have the boat decoyed to the shore, and captured by the +Indians! You understand, <i>captured</i>: the girl must on no account be killed."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>"You don't mean that I shall start out to-night in this storm and darkness?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and without a moment's delay. Set the red dogs on the scent—capture the girl, and +you shall be rewarded on your own terms. Go, or it will be too late!"</p> + +<p>With some hesitation Ramsey obeyed, and when once in for the business, pushed it forward +with all the energy he could master. This fellow was on friendly terms with the Indians, a +band of whom—kind of renegades—whenever he could come across them, would follow his +orders, or do his bidding. With a dispatch that would have done credit to the swiftest +courier in the days of chivalry, he pushed forward through the wilderness to the usual +place of rendezvous of this band, hoping to find and enlist them in the enterprise on +hand; but they were absent on some expedition of their own. Not to be discouraged by one +disappointment, Ramsey paused only long enough to determine that his expected coadjutors +were not to be found in or about their usual lurking place, then continued his course down +the Ohio with unabated ardor, and on the second day came in sight of a boat just at dusk +of the evening. A momentary scrutiny convinced him that it was the one he was in pursuit +of, and he concluded it must have been delayed by some misfortune, as he did not expect to +come up to it so soon, if at all. However this might be, one thing was certain, the boat +was there, and more still, the crew were careless, a certain sign that they felt secure +and free from any dread of danger. So much the better for his purpose, thought the +villain.</p> + +<p>Driving on through the forest, at a speed far exceeding the slow motions of the boat, he +resolved to collect a body of savages, and intercept the prize. Fortune seemed to favor +him; for on the next day he fell in with a large force of warriors, who were "on the +war-path," and ready for any work that gave promise of blood, booty, or scalps. They were +easily induced to further the designs of Ramsey, of whose character they were well aware; +and placing themselves under his guidance, he soon posted them along the banks of the +river to watch for the coming boat. At dark it was descried, but being too far out to +admit of being <a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>attacked, the enemy silently withdrew, and hastening forward, took a +second position below the first. This was done several times, and, at last, Ramsey had the +satisfaction of seeing the boat near the Ohio shore. When within fifty yards of the bank, +the Indians, to the number of several hundred, suddenly came down to the edge of the +water, and opened a heavy fire upon the crew.</p> + +<p>The boat was commanded by Captain James Ward—was a crazy old thing, with only a single +pine board for a bulwark. The captain was at one oar, and his nephew, a young man, at the +other. Knowing that all depended on reaching the middle of the stream, the captain used +his best exertions to force the vessel out; but his nephew let go his oar, and took up his +gun to fire. As he did so, he was pierced through with a ball, and fell, mortally wounded. +His oar dropped into the river; and the exertions of the captain only tended to force the +boat nearer the shore. Seeing this, the savages gave a yell of triumph, and prepared to +take possession of the prize. Ward, however, seized hold of a board, and with it took the +place of his nephew, giving his own oar to one of the men, and made renewed exertions to +gain the current, the enemy, meanwhile, pouring upon the crew an incessant volley of +balls, thick as the falling hail of the storm, which soon riddled everything above the +plank breastwork, and killed or wounded all the horses on board—seven in number.</p> + +<p>During this time most of the crew were too badly frightened to do or be conscious of +anything, excepting danger. One large, fat old Dutchman, in particular, was so taken +aback, he threw himself down flat, with his face to the deck, hoping thus to escape with +his life. Unfortunately for his peace of mind, however, his posterior protuberance was of +such enormously aldermanic dimensions, that it projected above the defenses, and became a +fine and laughable target for the savage marksmen, who aimed the great majority of their +shots thereat. As the bullets tore through the old fellow's unmentionables, and raking his +hide, made it smart, he would shift his position, and endeavor to shield himself all over; +but it was of no use. In spite of all the efforts he could make, the young mountain +<i>would</i> remain in view in its exposed <a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>situation, to the great annoyance of its owner, and +the equally great merriment of the enemy. In this sad predicament the phlegmatic hero of +the flesh mountain lay, piteously bemoaning his fate, and cursing his foes.</p> + +<p>As the balls would rake the subnascent appendage, making it twinge with the sharp sting, +he would cry out:</p> + +<p>"Oh! oh, Lort! haf' mercy on <i>me</i> and <i>mine</i>!"</p> + +<p>But his cries availed nothing; and so losing all patience, he raised up his head, and, +looking at the enemy, called to them:</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, t'ere! quit t'at tam nonsense, will you?"</p> + +<p>The boat was, finally, saved, with all on board, except the young man and the horses. (For +further particulars of this affair, see "Western Adventure," page 275-6.)</p> + +<p>Ramsey discovered at the commencement of the fray that this was not the boat he was in +quest of, and so, leaving the Indians to accomplish its capture as they pleased, he +hastened onward in the hope of still overtaking the right vessel. In this he failed; +already had it reached its destination, and the Waltons were in their new home. He +returned, and reported his ill success to Durant, who was greatly vexed at the issue of +his undertaking, but resolved to renew his efforts to obtain possession of Ellen, or in +some way work her ruin.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>STILL AT WORK.</h3> + + +<p>An evil heart, bent on mischief, is never contented in idleness, but, like the volcanic +fires, its passions and thirst for revenge, when not in open eruption, are actively at +work in secret and darkness, preparing for new outbursts, bearing death along their path, +and leaving devastation, blight and ruin in their wake. This was much the case with Louis +Durant, after the failure of his attempt on the boat. He was resolved to accomplish the +villainy on which he had set his heart, and to this end determined to leave no means +untried, be they ever so base, which lay within his reach.</p> + +<p>To proceed openly, however, was not exactly practicable, as by so doing too many eyes +would be upon him; and he was too cowardly to face an open foe on fair ground. So he went +to work in secret.</p> + +<p>After mature deliberation, and the revolving and the re-revolving of the matter in his +mind, he concluded to join the Indians, and through their aid accomplish the consummation +of his designs. In carrying out this plan, he was very materially aided by his old +accomplice in crime, Ramsey, whose familiarity with the red men gave him at once the +facilities for introducing his friend to their notice, which he did with a flourish and +eulogium. Things went on smoothly enough while Durant was learning the language, customs, +manners and habits of his new allies. He had as much as he could do to convince them of +his bravery and undaunted courage, which qualities, believing he was deficient in them, +they as often as possible put to the test. In many of these adventures he barely came off +with credit whole, a thing he found absolutely necessary to maintain any kind of credit +with this singular people, and, for this purpose, he called into action every particle of +courage from every crack and crevice of his system, and brought the whole to bear upon one +point, the wavering of his own heart, <a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>and, with it, the staying of his almost quaking +limbs, and ready-to-run-away feet. He had just "<i>quantum sufficit</i>" for this purpose, and +<i>none to spare</i>.</p> + +<p>These achievements occupied about two years in their accomplishment, at the end of which +period, Durant, having established himself pretty fairly in the good graces of his red +brethren, felt as though the time had arrived for him to put in execution his long +intended project; for, be it known, his desire for vengeance had neither slumbered nor +died during the two years, but was the grand moving impulse to every important act. These +years, so full of restrained wrath on his part, were years of peace to his intended +victim. Ellen Walton, save the fear of Indians, and the usual trials incident to pioneer +life, had spent her time in hopeful quiet, full of love's anticipated bliss in the bright +<i>future</i>.</p> + +<p>Almost had she forgotten Durant and his threats. Pity she should ever be awakened from her +blissful dreams to dread reality.</p> + +<p>Very early in the spring of 1787, and not quite two years since her father's settlement in +the country, on a very pleasant day, she ventured to walk out a short distance into the +forest, which adjoined their dwelling. Becoming interested in her own musings, she sat +down on the trunk of a fallen tree, to give free vent and wide range to her thoughts. The +reader can, doubtless, imagine as well as we, the rainbow hues of her straying fancy, as +it reveled in the rosy bowers of love.</p> + +<p>"Miss Walton, I believe I have the honor of addressing."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 317px;"> +<img src="images/image031.jpg" width="317" height="538" alt=""Looking up, she saw a tall, dark man standing before her, his eye bent +upon hers with a look that sent the blood to her heart."—See page 36." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Looking up, she saw a tall, dark man standing before her, his eye bent +upon hers with a look that sent the blood to her heart."—See page 36.</span> +</div> + +<p>At the sound of her name, Ellen sprung to her feet, with a suppressed scream of fright on +her lips. Looking up, she saw a tall, dark man standing before her, his eye bent upon hers +with a look that sent the blood to her heart, she hardly knew why; for certainly the +individual before her was a stranger, or one with whom she had had so slight an +acquaintance, as to remember nothing concerning him. While her mind was running over all +the passing acquaintances she had ever made, and endeavoring among them to put the +personage before her, he continued to scan her countenance with a steady gaze, as if to +read her thoughts, which divining, he continued:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>"I perceive you do not remember me, though we have met before. My memory is not so +treacherous; and, beside, your looks made a lasting impression on my mind, an impression +that time can never efface or obliterate; and to this impression you are indebted for my +present visit—an unceremonious one, I must confess."</p> + +<p>At this point of his discourse Ellen made a movement as if to retrace her steps homeward, +seeing which, he went on:</p> + +<p>"Do not be impatient, fair maiden, or in haste to go, for I have that to tell thee which +is of the utmost importance both to thy present and future welfare."</p> + +<p>This adoption of the familiar and solemn style of address, had the effect rather to +increase than diminish the tremors about the girl's heart; yet she silently awaited his +words:</p> + +<p>"I am come to warn thee that great, very great and imminent danger is hanging, impended +but by a thread, over thy head."</p> + +<p>This blunt and unexpected announcement caused Ellen to start with a shudder, and sent the +blood still more forcibly upon her heart, which labored, for a moment, under the load, and +then beat so loud she was afraid the stranger would hear it. Noticing the effect of his +words, he continued:</p> + +<p>"Thou hast an enemy, a bitter enemy, who has sworn to do thee an evil, and it is in his +heart to keep the oath. I see by the pallor of thy countenance thou hast not forgotten +him."</p> + +<p>And true it was that the mention of "an enemy" called up her old foe to the most vivid +recollection of the now thoroughly alarmed Ellen. With the utmost exertion of her strength +and will, she could barely suppress the outward manifestations of her terror.</p> + +<p>"Well, this enemy, whom you had well-nigh forgotten, has never, for a single day, had thee +out of his mind. Ever since his threat, he has been laying deep schemes to ruin thee, and +once very nearly succeeded. For two years he has been at work in a new way; his plans are +about matured, and <i>you will soon be in his power!</i>"</p> + +<p>This last clause was spoken slowly, and emphasized on every word. All the time he was +speaking, Ellen's feelings became <a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>more and more intensely excited, and, at the close, had +reached the limit of control. For a moment she was overcome, and leaned against a tree for +support; but seeing the stranger make a motion as though to assist her, she rallied again, +and, becoming more composed, demanded:</p> + +<p>"How know you these things of which you speak?"</p> + +<p>"It matters but little to thee, to know more than the facts in the case; these I tell +thee, but no more."</p> + +<p>"Then you have come as a kind friend to warn me of my danger?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, and more."</p> + +<p>"Thanks! thanks! and pardon me if, at the first, I looked with suspicion on a friend. The +circumstances of our meeting is my apology for the ungenerous thought."</p> + +<p>"Thou hadst cause to suspect, if not to fear me, and for thy thought I have no need to +pardon thee. But my mission is not yet completed."</p> + +<p>"Then let us go to the house of my father, which is but a short way off, and there hear +what further is to be said."</p> + +<p>"No, I have but little time, and this place will answer my purpose quite as well as your +father's house, with the situation of which I am well acquainted."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! Then you are not a stranger in these parts?"</p> + +<p>"Not entirely so; but as my business was with you, more particularly, it was natural that +I should familiarize myself with your place of abode, that, if need be, I might render +myself efficient in a case of emergency, which may arrive but too soon."</p> + +<p>This allusion to danger re-awakened Ellen's apprehensions, which noticing, he continued:</p> + +<p>"I have told you of overhanging peril; yet I have told you but half. You are unable to +escape from the net that is woven around you—you have no means in your power to free +yourself from the unseen toils that have been secretly laid to ensnare you. Every step you +take is one of danger, and every effort you make to flee from that danger, may but drive +you nearer to destruction. Such is the nature of your enemy's operations, that while they +are secret, they are sure; and so thoroughly has every preparation <a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>been made, and so +exact has every minute particular been examined and attended to, there is no possibility +of his scheme failing, and equally no possibility for you to escape."</p> + +<p>"Your words are words of doom. How am I to interpret your enigmatical conduct? But now I +thought you a friend, come to give me timely warning to guard against threatened danger, +when, all at once, you declare my situation a hopeless one! If you <i>are</i> my friend, why +not warn me sooner, and in time?"</p> + +<p>This was said in a firm manner, and gave the stranger to understand he had no common, +timid nature to deal with. The truth was, the thought had flashed across Ellen's mind that +this man was some way connected with Durant, perhaps employed by him, and she began to +conclude it might be a trick to frighten her, after all. If so, or if not, she determined +to meet boldly what he had to say. The man perceived the change, and replied:</p> + +<p>"My seemingly enigmatical conduct is easily explained. It is true I have a long time been +known to the fact that most determined designs of mischief were entertained against you, +and that your enemy was ceaselessly at work to perfect his plans; but just as I was +preparing to come to inform you of this state of affairs, I was so unfortunate as to be +desperately wounded in battle with the Indians. I have but just recovered; the fresh scar +you can see on my temple."</p> + +<p>And brushing away the hair, he exposed a hardly healed, terrible gash. This appeared to +satisfy his listener.</p> + +<p>"I have, therefore, done the best I could, and you must charge the rest to fate—a fate +whose inexorable decree I almost rebeled against bowing to. But I am here, my warning is +given, and I can only regret that it comes so late."</p> + +<p>These words and the exhibition of the scar restored Ellen's confidence in the stranger, +and, with it, her fears returned. He perceived this, and proceeded:</p> + +<p>"Though your case is a desperate one, there is still some hope; there is a <i>possibility</i> +of your deliverance from impending peril."</p> + +<p>"Then let me know how I am to act."</p> + +<p>"I fear to do so."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>"Why fear?"</p> + +<p>"It may prove a desperate alternative."</p> + +<p>"Nothing can be so dreadful as falling into the hands of my enemy."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not; still you may be unable to choose between the evils."</p> + +<p>"Let me know them, and I will try."</p> + +<p>"As I said, it may be a desperate alternative, and I must ask of you beforehand to pardon +me for being compelled to give you only the choice between what may prove one of two +equally direful evils. Your only hope of relief from present evil <i>is in me</i>."</p> + +<p>This was an unexpected announcement; it fairly startled Ellen, and, in the moment of +bewilderment, she made no reply. He continued:</p> + +<p>"Do not consider me selfish—at least do not condemn me for my selfishness. If you have +ever loved, you know what almost omnipotent power that passion has over the mind and +heart. For long years I have loved you in secret, with a burning, consuming intensity of +feeling, which defies all efforts to describe. I cannot tell you all the joy or agony love +has awakened in my bosom; I can only say, that you have it now in your power to render me +supremely happy, or abjectly miserable. If you will cast yourself on my love, I will save +you from your plotting foe, and devote my life to your service, and to make you happy. If +I had any other means of saving you, I would not propose this one, but I have not. Just +now I have not time to explain all that I would like to make clear, and must ask you, for +the present, to take my word; for at any moment, even now, your malignant foe may come +upon us, and then all is lost. Can you accept the alternative?"</p> + +<p>"I—I thank you, but I cannot."</p> + +<p>"You say, in view of all the facts, this is your unalterable decision, from which I may +not hope to persuade you?"</p> + +<p>"It is. For all or any kind intentions and wishes you may have had or still entertain for +me, please accept my sincere thanks; but do not attempt to change my purpose, for it is +fixed, and I would save us both the pain of repeating it."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>"Then farewell, and God protect you!"</p> + +<p>"Amen!"</p> + +<p>This one word was said in such a fervent, and, at the same time, confident manner, the +stranger paused a moment as he was turning away; for a short time he seemed engaged in +deep thought, which had the effect of totally changing his former, and apparently +predetermined course of action. Turning again to Ellen, who saw his hesitancy of action, +he said:</p> + +<p>"You rely, then, in God?"</p> + +<p>"I do, most assuredly."</p> + +<p>"And you have a hope that He will deliver you from the sad situation in which you are now +placed?"</p> + +<p>"I humbly trust He will shield and protect me from harm."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that confidence induces your present course of action?"</p> + +<p>"Doubtless it does, in part."</p> + +<p>"Well, let me tell you that angels nor devils can save you!"</p> + +<p>"I have no wish to be saved by the devils."</p> + +<p>"I wonder you can be at all merry in your situation."</p> + +<p>"I begin to be less apprehensive than I was."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! and why, pray?"</p> + +<p>"To be plain, an explanation will not be very flattering to your vanity, or very +creditable to my penetration, and, therefore, I had rather not make it."</p> + +<p>"I see you suspect me, so you may as well know the truth."</p> + +<p>Saying which, he threw off some outward disguises, and stood before the astonished +maiden—<span class="smcap">Louis Durant</span> himself!</p> + +<p>"You see me, Ellen Walton, and in me your worst enemy, because you will not permit me to +be a friend. I have made the present attempt to win you by stratagem, in the not very +sanguine hope of success. I have failed—now for my revenge. Know that all I have said +concerning my plans, and the net I have woven around you, is true. You are now in my +power, and I only forbear taking you captive at this time because I wish you to live for a +short period in dread and suspense, as you once made me."</p> + +<p>"Keep to the truth, sir, in making your statements."</p> + +<p>"I intend to; and so bid you beware, and <i>to escape if you can!</i>"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>"I have a very comfortable expectation for the future, thank you."</p> + +<p>"Well, cherish it, then; hug it close, for it will be short lived, I give you fair +warning."</p> + +<p>"The warnings of a man who comes with the tissue of falsehood, are of little worth. Keep +them to yourself."</p> + +<p>"Beware how you presume on my forbearance; it may give way."</p> + +<p>"I presume on nothing but your cowardice."</p> + +<p>"Enough! enough! I will bear no more! I go, but you will see me soon again! <i>Your doom is +sealed!</i> '<i>Cowardice!</i>' This from a woman! Gods! but I'll remember this in my revenge!"</p> + +<p>He started, as if to leave the place, but turned again, and said.</p> + +<p>"Girl, I dislike to leave you in this manner. For the love I bear you, I would still see +you happy—happy as a wife and not a despised outcast—the scorn of society. You might +once have been my honorable bride; yes, you might still be. Passing by all your insults, I +would still offer you my hand, and honorable marriage."</p> + +<p>"Infamous villain! how dare you insult my self-respect by even naming such a thing? Never +dare again, to couple my name with yours! never, sir! It is the basest sacrilege to +humanity!"</p> + +<p>"Very well. Our <i>names</i> shall <i>not</i> be coupled; our <i>destinies shall be!</i> Go, with the +consoling thought to cheer you for a few fleeting hours. Here I stand and swear +it—witness my oath, ye trees! witness it, earth and sky! and, if such beings there are, +witness it, angels and devils—<i>Ellen Walton shall be mine!</i>"</p> + +<p>He was so deeply absorbed in calling on his witnesses, he noticed nothing about him, and +now looking to the spot where she stood, to observe the effect of his words, behold, Ellen +was not there. His tragic agony had been wasted on the "desert air." Turning away once +more, he left the place in a rage.</p> + +<p>Ellen, though she had left, heard his words in the distance, and notwithstanding she had +made a show of boldness, she was really alarmed, and greatly dreaded the future. She knew +that an evil-minded man, however contemptible, was capable of doing infinite harm to a +fellow-being, when determinedly set thereon. Thus, between hope and fear, her time was +passed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>PLANS FRUSTRATED—ESPIONAGE.</h3> + + +<p>Durant, who considered himself a perfect genius in contriving strategetical measures, now +turned all his attention to the execution of the secret plans he had matured. He first +accompanied a body of Indians, who were ready to march upon the settlements of Kentucky, +with a select few, to whom he had confided his intentions of capturing a white squaw. With +these villains he intended to attack the house of the Waltons, while the main body of the +savages made their onset upon the bulk of the settlement, including the block-house. This +measure failed, for the simple reason that he had mistaken the house, and a family by the +name of Scraggs suffered in the stead of his intended victim.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<p>He next resolved to go, with a few of his renegade followers, in a secret manner, and +steal Ellen at night, or during some of her daily walks, when alone. Soon after crossing +the river, he was taken sick, and his followers, mistaking his directions, went another +way, and made a worse blunder than on the first occasion; and a party of whites coming +into the vicinity of his camp, the villain hastened to recross the river to the Ohio side, +not yet knowing the fate of the expedition, that portion of the band who had been +commissioned with the execution of the plot not having returned when he was forced to +retreat. However, he was not long kept in suspense; one of his men came back, and reported +a wonderful adventure with a "big squaw, taller than the greatest warrior," who killed a +number of the Indians, he said, and when two of the others undertook to get down the +chimney, "big squaw took up mighty great wallet, all full of feathers, more than was on +all the eagles of all the hunting grounds of the red men, and tearing it open, easy as we +tear a leaf, poured them on the fire. Big black smoke puff up quick as powder <a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>flash, and +down come Indian like he shot. White squaw take up big tomahawk, and strike both on the +head. Me nearly in the door by this time; big squaw jump at me with he great tomahawk, so +big the great chief no lift it, and lifted it to strike. Me no like to be killed by old +squaw, so me come away." A very marvelous story told the Indians, full of high flourishes +and exaggerations, but founded on truth, nevertheless.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a></p> + +<p>Durant saw that some mistake had been made, and that his attempt had signally failed, +notwithstanding his confidence and boasting, and the care with which he had laid his +"hidden toils." He was greatly exasperated at the failure of his plots, on the success of +which he had built such sanguine hopes.</p> + +<p>After much reflection, and the formation and abandonment of many schemes for the +accomplishment of his object, he finally hit upon a plan which he felt sure would succeed. +This time he called into requisition the services of his old crony in crime, the infamous, +but not untainted, Ramsey. With him and a couple of trusty Indians, he set out on his +expedition, resolved to succeed at the risk of his life. Ellen he would possess at all +hazards.</p> + +<p>The party reached a point which was as near the settlement as prudence allowed them to go, +and here, in the deep forest, his three companions hid themselves, while he went forward +to make observations, and work out the details of the plot and attack. Stealthily +approaching the vicinity of the Waltons, he secreted himself in a hollow tree during the +day, from an orifice of which, at some distance from the base, he had quite a commanding +view of the adjacent country for a considerable distance either way. Here he placed +himself to make observations.</p> + +<p>It was in the early part of autumn; the weather was mild and pleasant; the forest had put +on its diadem of rich colors, purple, scarlet and yellow, and was gorgeously beautiful in +the ripened glory of its drapery. The season, the scene, the sunny warmth all invited to a +participation in the enjoyment which nature held out to those who would accept her bounty, +and refresh themselves in her sylvan bowers.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>It was on the second day of his watch, that Durant had the satisfaction of noticing the +arrival of a gentleman at the house of Mr. Walton, which was followed on the succeeding +day by a circumstance which at once gave him fresh encouragement and sanguine hopes. Ellen +made her appearance, leaning on the gentleman's arm; they were out enjoying the pleasure +of an excursion into the quiet woods, and to his infinite gratification, wended their way +to his immediate neighborhood.</p> + +<p>Fortune sometimes favors the wicked, and, in this instance, she smiled on the villain; for +the lovers, fancying the spot, seated themselves on the trunk of a fallen tree, that lay +close to the one in which he had ensconced himself, and by placing his ear near the +orifice, he could distinctly hear what passed between them.</p> + +<p>"It is so refreshing to sit in the shade of the 'gray old forest,'" said Ellen. "I have +not enjoyed such a treat these many months."</p> + +<p>"Why, with your facilities, I should think you would recreate every day in pleasant +weather."</p> + +<p>"That was my habit formerly; but the last time I ventured out alone, I met with an +unexpected streak of ill luck, which has deterred me ever since from laying myself liable +to a repetition of the same bad fortune."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! You have not informed me of this before."</p> + +<p>"For the simple reason that more agreeable thoughts and memories have occupied my mind; +and, after all, it is hardly worth relating, though it made me feel very unpleasant for a +time."</p> + +<p>"I must know of this adventure."</p> + +<p>"It was only the unlooked-for appearance of my old and sworn enemy, Durant, who made +another attempt to deceive me; but failing in his designs, finally renewed his threats of +revenge."</p> + +<p>She then, at her lover's request, narrated the incidents of her interview with Durant, as +already known to the reader.</p> + +<p>"Strange that the villain should form such an unaccountable dislike for you, when you +never injured him in the least."</p> + +<p>"I think his bad nature was excited, and his ill-will increased, by a few words of merited +rebuke I was forced, by his unmanliness, <a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>to pronounce against him, the last time he was +at our house in Virginia."</p> + +<p>"And you have heard nothing from him since the day he obtruded himself upon your notice +here in the woods?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing direct or definite, though I think he made an attempt to capture me, with the aid +of some Indians, soon afterward, but failed in his object from some cause. But +notwithstanding I have heard no direct tidings from him, I feel a constant dread of evil, +as though some impending calamity was hanging over me."</p> + +<p>"Such fears had better be banished at once from your mind."</p> + +<p>"I know it, and have tried to get rid of them, but they will, despite my efforts to the +contrary, come into my mind. I do not and will not yield to them, though I find it +impossible at all times to shake them off."</p> + +<p>"Singular, truly; I pray God, they presage no harm."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I so much wish you could always be near me; I dread nothing in your presence."</p> + +<p>"I hope the time is not far distant when this dearest wish of both our hearts will be +realized."</p> + +<p>The conversation took a tender cast at this point; and as matters of the heart are secrets +between lovers, which they dislike for third parties to look into, we will take ourselves +away, and leave them to enjoy their hour of happiness in undisturbed quiet.</p> + +<p>Several days brought a return of much the same routine of events, the lovers always +spending an hour of each afternoon in the woods. Durant kept to his tree, and the others +invariably occupied the same seat near his hiding-place. At the end of a week, Durant +learned from the conversation of the young couple that the gentleman was to return to +Virginia in a day or two, to make preparations for the coming wedding, which was to take +place about the holidays, he being now on a visit to arrange the preliminaries, and enjoy +for a brief time the society of his betrothed. When they had returned home, Durant +muttered to himself:</p> + +<p>"Now is my time! To-morrow is their last day for walking, and, like loving fools as they +are, they will be so absorbed in each <a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>others' feelings, and the silly sentimentality of +love, as to be easily surprised. Yes, to-morrow will be my time!"</p> + +<p>And gloating over the anticipated triumph, he left his burrow, and hastened to his +companions, to make known his intentions, and prepare everything for the event of the +morrow. He and one Indian were to seize and secure Ellen, while Ramsey and the other +should perform the more difficult task of capturing her lover. All the details of their +arrangements were discussed and adopted; and Durant, now that he felt certain of his +victims—for his hate of Ellen's lover was bitter, though of recent date—was almost +beside himself with malignant and hellish joy. He saw before him the speedy accomplishment +of his fiendish purpose—the gratification of his inveterate hate and long sought revenge, +by the commission of the most damnable act known this side of the "bottomless pit" of +darkness; and his sin-polluted heart actually swelled with venomous delight, and demoniac +exultation. One of the fairest flowers of earth is to be plucked by his rude hand, and +soiled by his touch and embrace! Will he succeed in his satanic designs?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE LOVERS</h3> + + +<p>Ellen Walton, ere she left the home of her childhood for the scenes of border life, was +the affianced bride of Walter Hamilton, a young man of most promising talent, +irreproachable character, and fine looking withal; and, in a word, was worthy of the high +favor he found in the eyes and the heart of his beloved. As gathered from the narrations +of the last chapter, he was now on a visit to the wilderness home of his betrothed, to +arrange for the nuptials, which were to be solemnized on Christmas Eve, the winter season +being deemed most safe from the predatory excursions of the Indians. All these particulars +their bitter adversary was familiar with; and he so exulted over the sad termination of +their plans, he could scarcely command his feelings, or act with becoming sanity.</p> + +<p>Without further ado, we will introduce the lovers at their last interview in the forest, +previous to Hamilton's return home. The same spot finds them seated again, as though fate +led them surely on into the jaws of destruction, and opened the way of triumph for the +plotting villain.</p> + +<p>"And this is the last time we shall enjoy together the sweet solitude of this sylvan +temple of love?" said Hamilton, after they had been conversing for some time on the hopes +before them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I pray it may not be the <i>last</i> time! What fatal words!" replied the fair Ellen, as a +momentary pallor overspread her beautiful face.</p> + +<p>"You know, love I only meant for this visit. Of course, I hope to enjoy the same felicity +many times when we shall mutually sustain to each other those dearest of all relations; +after that our hopes shall have been fully consummated."</p> + +<p>"I know you did not intend to say the last time for life; but the word <i>last</i> struck with +a chill to my heart, and called up old dreads, which, unbidden, sent a thrill of fear +through my spirit.<a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a> I could not avoid the thought that this <i>might be</i>, indeed, our last +meeting. Would to heaven the unwelcome thought were banished from my mind, never again to +return."</p> + +<p>"Well, love, just banish it. You are certainly in no personal danger; and there is hardly +a possibility, let alone a probability, protected as I shall be, of my encountering +serious danger on my way home."</p> + +<p>"I know all you say; I can see no cause of fear; no reason to apprehend danger; yet I <i>do</i> +feel alarmed; but it is a vague, undefined sensation, which I hope reason will soon banish +from my mind. I am not now, and never have been, a believer in presentiments, and I do not +intend to become a convert to the notion to-day."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear you speak in that manner. There are but few things in the compass of +possibility that may not be achieved, if we bring a resolute will to bear upon them. The +belief in presentiments, signs of good and bad luck, and the like, is calculated, in no +small degree, to 'make slaves of us all,' and to detract very much from the happiness we +might otherwise enjoy. I have known persons who were perfect slaves to such things, having +their evil omens and good omens, their bad days and good days, their moon signs, their owl +signs, their cat and dog signs, and I know not what all other kinds of signs, all of which +were regarded with the reverence due only to sacred things. I must confess I have often +been disgusted at the tomfoolery of some of these 'signs' people."</p> + +<p>"Really, I hope you do not intend to be <i>personal</i> in your remarks?"</p> + +<p>"My usual reply to such inquiries is, 'if the shoe fits, wear it;' but you know, love, I +had no intention of alluding to you in what I said; at least, if you did not know it, I +tell you so now."</p> + +<p>"Very well; your amusing strictures on the 'signs' have had the effect to dispel, in a +good degree, my forebodings of evil, whatever may have given rise to them. I presume, if +the sign is really reliable, I may now conclude that the danger, if any was near me, has +passed away."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>"One would naturally suppose that the more imminent the danger, the heavier would be the +pressure on the spirits."</p> + +<p>"And who knows but some unseen calamity <i>was</i> near us—a serpent, for instance, whose +deadly fangs might have proved fatal, or some other unknown or invisible foe, with power +to work us evil?"</p> + +<p>"Without entering the field of speculation, we will just suppose your snakeship has +departed, and, as your spirits have recovered their wonted elasticity, let us talk of more +pleasing and interesting matters."</p> + +<p>"With all my heart."</p> + +<p>And <i>had</i> the serpent, Durant, really withdrawn himself? Had some long buried cord of +human sympathy at last been touched in his heart, and the slumbering emotions of a better +nature awakened? Let us hope so if we can.</p> + +<p>The lovers continued to converse of their hopes for the future, and regrets for the +immediate separation; and their attention became so fixed in each other, that it would +have required some extraordinary occurrence or sound to arouse them. In reply to a remark +of his companion, Hamilton said:</p> + +<p>"Yes, but four months, and our probation will be ended. Would that they would speed away +as rapidly as the past week. Four months, and then shall our happiness be—"</p> + +<p>The sentence was never finished. At that precise moment rude hands grasped each lover. A +smothered cry arose to Ellen's lips, but was hushed by a covering which was placed and +fastened over her mouth. They were both secured with thongs, and led away into captivity. +As Ellen was being secured, the miscreant captor hissed in her ear:</p> + +<p>"Be of good cheer, you are in the hands of Durant, the '<span class="smcap">dog</span>!' who distinctly +remembers your former kindness and amiability!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE CAPTIVES.</h3> + + +<p>With all the speed possible, Durant hurried off toward the Ohio, determined as soon as it +could be done, to place that river between himself and captives and any pursuers that +might follow them, when it became known that the lovers were missing.</p> + +<p>It was a matter of wonder with Ellen's family what could keep her and Hamilton out so late +in the evening; and when darkness set in, and they were still absent, the wonder changed +to alarm. Search was instantly made; they were traced to their resting-place; the evident +marks of a scuffle were visible; and the unanimous opinion of all was that they were in +the hands of Indians. Preparations for pursuit were immediately instituted, and by +daylight next morning, a strong band of armed pioneers, well mounted, were on the trail of +the fugitives, determined to retake the captives, if such a feat were in the bounds of +possibility.</p> + +<p>Durant had everything so arranged, that his party need not be subjected to a moment's +delay. Every member of his band, including the prisoners, expected a vigorous pursuit, and +the lovers were not without hope that it would prove successful. In this hope, they, as +far as circumstances and ability permitted, endeavored to retard the progress of the +captors by slow movements; and Durant was finally constrained to threaten them, if they +did not step with greater alacrity; for he feared they might be overtaken.</p> + +<p>At length the hilly banks of the Ohio were reached; the clear waters of that noble stream +lay before them; and between the prisoners and despair, and no friends in sight to bid +them hope! Durant now concluded all was safe; and the malice of his heart, which the +pressure of circumstances had kept smothered, began again to display itself. Pointing to +the verdure-clad and tree-crowned hills on the other side of the river, he said:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>"Once there, amid the lovely groves of Ohio, and you are beyond the last hope of recovery +from my power, my beautiful girl! Then and there I shall have the exquisite pleasure of +informing you more particularly concerning my plans for the future. For the present, +receive my assurances, that nothing else could give me such unbounded satisfaction as the +felicity unspeakable of having won my old and dear love from all competitors for her hand +and person, and the certain assurance, that, for the time to come, she is all my own, +without fear of rivalship!"</p> + +<p>The bitter irony attempted in this malignantly polite address went to the heart of the +fair girl; but she resolutely set herself against any display of fear, or the least +manifestation of alarm, well knowing that the marks of such emotions would but increase +the revengeful feeling of delight evinced by her adversary.</p> + +<p>Just as Durant concluded his speech, the tramp of horses' feet was heard in the distance, +and the cry raised by the Indians:</p> + +<p>"White man come! white man come!"</p> + +<p>All hands sprung to unmoor the canoes, which were in readiness, concealed among the +drooping branches of some trees which overhung the margin of the stream. While thus +engaged, Hamilton, who was watching his opportunity, knocked down the Indian who guarded +him, sent Durant whirling round like a top to the distance of ten or twelve feet, seized +Ellen in his arms, and with strength almost superhuman, and a speed miraculous under the +circumstances, bounded away in the direction of the approaching horsemen, who were now +visible through the interstices of the forest, a good way off, but coming rapidly on to +the rescue, though, as yet, in ignorance of their near proximity to friends and foes.</p> + +<p>"Seize them! seize them!—shoot the infernal dog!" roared Durant, in a hoarse voice of +passion and rage, so soon as he recovered from the astonishment and fright into which the +unceremonious assault of Hamilton had thrown him.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 317px;"> +<img src="images/image049.jpg" width="317" height="533" alt=""Hamilton knocked down the Indian who guarded him, sent Durant whirling +round like a top to the distance of ten or twelve feet."—See page 54." title="" /> +<span class="caption">"Hamilton knocked down the Indian who guarded him, sent Durant whirling +round like a top to the distance of ten or twelve feet."—See page 54.</span> +</div> + +<p>His first command was not obeyed, for Hamilton and Ellen were already beyond reach when +the order was given; but the second one led to the discharge of two guns without effect, +and the leveling of a third by Ramsey, with a coolness and steadiness of nerve and aim +which gave assurance of success. His finger <a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>was on the trigger, when Durant himself threw +up the muzzle of the rifle, and sent the ball whizzing through the air, some ten feet +above the heads of the fugitives.</p> + +<p>"My revenge must be fuller than that, or not at all," he said. "The ball would have killed +both, and I would not have had that for the world."</p> + +<p>He had hardly uttered these words, when the sharp crack of the remaining Indian's rifle, +who had recovered from the blow given him by Hamilton, and was glad of the opportunity of +so speedily avenging it, rung in his ear with piercing shrillness, and looking in the +direction of the flying couple, Durant saw Hamilton stagger with his burden, and then both +fell to the earth. Instantly the demon was roused within him; every emotion of fear was +swallowed up in his usually cowardly heart by the burning thirst for revenge which rankled +in his bosom; and crying "<i>Come</i>!" he rushed to the spot where the lovers lay, followed by +his comrade. Both were wounded, but neither was dead. Lifting the bleeding Ellen in his +arms, he bore her back, while Ramsey and an Indian did the same by Hamilton. Springing +into their canoes, and bending to the oars with all the strength they could muster, they +were soon far out into the stream, and had just reached a point of safety, when the +pursuing party of whites came up to the water's brink. Several shots were fired at the +canoes without effect, and then the men tried to force their horses into the river; but by +yelling and splashing the water with their oars by the enemy, the beasts were effectually +frightened, so that no efforts of their riders could induce them to attempt the unwilling +task of swimming across.</p> + +<p>Durant could perceive the agony of the father and brother of Ellen, as they wrung their +hands in despair, still vainly striving to urge forward their stubborn steeds. Feeling +perfectly secure, now that the pursuers were effectually baffled in their designs, he gave +orders to cease the frightening demonstrations, and continue their course. In a few +minutes the Ohio shore was gained, and they soon buried themselves in the deep woods +beyond and were lost to the sight of those on the opposite bank, who reluctantly turned +their faces homeward, and, in deep and mournful silence, <a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>retraced their steps, revolving +in their minds what next could be done.</p> + +<p>Hamilton and Ellen were both severely wounded, the ball having passed through the right +side of each, but no vital part seemed to have suffered, and the wounds were not deemed +mortal of themselves, but might prove fatal if not properly attended to. Durant's first +care was to have them dressed and bound up; and he used every means within his reach to +expedite their recovery. He had them taken to a place of safety, a kind of cove, known to +himself and Ramsey, which was in an obscure and unfrequented spot, where they were +carefully nursed until in a fair way for speedy recovery.</p> + +<p>Until now, Durant had been careful to say and do nothing that might tend to excite the +minds of his captives, fearing that inflamation might ensue, and rob him of his +anticipated triumph and revenge. But so soon as their convalescence was distinctly +manifest, the crisis and the danger past, he began to torment his victims; the one of his +wounded vanity, his disappointed avarice, and his venomous hate; the other of his envy and +jealous malice. In consummating his revenge upon Ellen, he would not only gratify his +malicious and vengeful nature, but minister, also, to the basest passions of a corrupt +human heart. Seating himself in her presence one day, he said:</p> + +<p>"I now understand why it was that I found no more favor in your sight while so foolishly +attempting to win your love. Your heart was already occupied, a circumstance you took good +care to conceal. Thank my stars, my rival is now in my hands! And do you know, my dear, +that he is a doomed man? If not, permit me to inform you of the fact."</p> + +<p>"Sir, what has he ever done to you that you should wish to harm him?"</p> + +<p>"Done! Has he not robbed me of your love, your hand, and made my life a hopeless desert +and a weary waste?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, he has not. My heart was his before I saw you, and <i>you</i>, sir, attempted the +part of a robber, not Mr. Hamilton. Now judge yourself by your own rule and what fate +should be yours?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>"Ah, very fine logic, truly; but, unfortunately, you have not the power to back it up. I +presume you have never beheld the sacrifice of a victim on a funeral pile, nor more than +read of prisoners burned at the stake; how would such a spectacle affect you, think?"</p> + +<p>This was said with a peculiar expression, and was evidently intended to make a strong +impression; but whatever its real effect upon the mind of his auditor, no visible tokens +of dread or pain were manifested, and Ellen replied:</p> + +<p>"I do not know, so much would depend on circumstances; but that I would abhor the actors +in the scene of barbarous cruelty, I can well imagine."</p> + +<p>This was not the kind of a reply expected, and Durant changed his discourse from an +insinuating tone to a direct manner.</p> + +<p>"I perceive it will be necessary for me to render my meaning more explicit, and I now +change the form of my query, and beg to know how you would probably feel, were you +compelled to witness the burning of your lover at the stake?"</p> + +<p>A momentary paleness blanched the cheek of the fair girl, as this heartless interrogation +was fully comprehended, but recovering herself quickly from the rude shock, she replied:</p> + +<p>"I doubt not the sight would be a harrowing one, but I do not anticipate such an unlikely +event."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, but I may as well tell you at first, that this fate is in store for you."</p> + +<p>"Why do you persist in this attempt at refinement of cruelty? Bad as you are, I give you +credit for too much humanity to believe your words are more than an idle threat, which you +have no intention of putting into execution."</p> + +<p>"Then you have given me credit for more humanity than is justly my due; for I never was +more earnest in my life, and it is my fixed determination to do exactly what I have +intimated."</p> + +<p>Ellen, who had all the time been really alarmed, now gave way, in her reduced strength of +body, to the feelings which, until now, she had kept in subjection; and, changing her +tone, commenced pleading with the miscreant:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>"Mr. Hamilton has never harmed you, and can, therefore, only be hated by you through me; +do not, then, make him the object of your wrath, but let it fall on me. I will readily +burn at the stake to save him."</p> + +<p>This last remark, as it showed the depths and tenderness of her love for his rival, only +excited him the more, and he repeated his intention of burning Hamilton at the stake in +her presence, with many additions, purposely introduced to make a more horrifying +impression. In vain she pleaded for her lover, and offered herself as the sacrifice; the +only effect of her prayers was to render him more savage and determined in his intentions +and avowals. The excitement of the interview, however, in her case, superinduced a state +of fever, which bid fair, for a few days, to render her recovery very doubtful. This +result was not expected by Durant, and he in turn became alarmed, lest his dearly bought +vengeance should yet slip from him. Every exertion was put forth for her restoration, and +finally success crowned the well directed but ill intentioned efforts of the villain. +Ellen's fever abated, and she again began to mend. It would be some time, however, ere the +monster would dare renew his threats, and in the interim, he set his wits to work with a +little different object in view. A new thought had entered his mind, the ultimate end of +which he would endeavor to carry out.</p> + +<p>He had never fallen in love with savage life, because it was one of too much peril to suit +his natural disposition to cowardice, and he would gladly return to civilized life, if he +could do so safely—his Indian home and habits having only been adopted as a means, and +the only means, of ministering to his revengeful desires. His idea looked to the +accomplishment of this object, and he was fain to believe he saw a way to succeed. As +Ellen was to act a part in his newly formed plan, his manner toward her changed. He was +polite and respectful in his words and attentions. He was, also, very kind and considerate +toward Hamilton. They were both surprised at this unexpected change in the demeanor of +their captor, but were unable to account for it. All was explained in time. One day, after +Ellen was much restored, he ventured on the following communication:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a>"I have," he said to her, "had very serious thoughts of late. A singular dream, which +made a powerful impression on my mind, opened up to my mental vision the sinfulness of my +past life, and convinced me of the necessity of repentance and reformation. I would gladly +amend my ways, and lead a new and better life, but my way is hedged up before me. I am an +outcast of society, made so by my own acts, the dark enormity of which I now behold with +astonishment, and, unless some great influence is brought to bear in my favor, I dare not +return to a Christian community, and if I remain here among the heathens, I may give up +all hope at once, as it will be impossible for me, as one of the savages, to become a +moral and Christian man. It is in your power, fair lady, to give me the requisite +guarantee of safety. May I hope that you will extend to me the hand of salvation?"</p> + +<p>Ellen hardly knew whether to believe in the man's sincerity or not; but hoping for the +best, she replied:</p> + +<p>"If in your good intentions I can aid you in any way, I shall be most happy to do so."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I expected as much from your generous heart, though I have merited nothing but +hatred from you by my acts. I will consult Mr. Hamilton on the subject, before pointing +out more definitely the mode in which you can serve and save me."</p> + +<p>Leaving her presence, he placed himself before Hamilton, whom he addressed after this +manner:</p> + +<p>"I am aware, my good sir, that you are on somewhat intimate terms with Miss Walton, the +lady in another apartment of this rather dismal abode, and, I doubt not, have much +influence over her. If so, I very much desire the benefit of that influence, to aid me in +the best and noblest undertaking of my life."</p> + +<p>He then explained his intentions and desires of reformation, and the impediments in the +way, much in the same manner as he had done to Ellen; after which he continued:</p> + +<p>"Now, to relieve me from my embarrassing situation, I deem it needful to form a connection +with some influential person or family, whose recommendation and protection will secure me +from harm, and restore me to the bosom of that society from whose enjoyments and +privileges I severed myself by a rash act, <a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>committed in an hour of passion, and followed +up by a strange course of infatuation ever since. I know of none upon whose names and aid +I would sooner cast myself than upon you and Miss Walton, as your families are of the +first respectability, and could throw an effectual shield around me. I would, therefore, +that you let me bear to the young lady the assurances that you approve my plans and +purposes, (if you really do so,) and that you are willing to aid me yourself, and hope she +will also, in carrying them out."</p> + +<p>Hamilton was still confined by his wound, which had been a much more serious one than that +inflicted upon Ellen; and in his then state of prostration, was not as well prepared to +scorn the motives of Durant, or penetrate his designs, as he might have been under more +favorable auspices; and having no reason to doubt the sincerity of the seemingly repentant +man, he entered into his plans at once, with all the warmth of a benevolent and Christian +heart. He said:</p> + +<p>"I can hardly believe it necessary that I should say a word to Miss Walton, to induce her +to put forth her best endeavors to serve you in so worthy a work; but, if need be, bear to +her the assurance of my hearty approval of your designs and wishes, and that I shall do +all in my power to aid you in the laudable efforts you are making to return to a Christian +country, and a virtuous life."</p> + +<p>"As I have, very unfortunately, laid myself liable to her distrust, will you have the +goodness to place your approval on this slip of paper?"</p> + +<p>Saying which, he handed him the paper and a pencil. He wrote as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Miss Walton</span>:—The bearer, Mr. Durant, has laid before me +his intentions and wishes, and the difficulties in the way of his +reformation. I most heartily approve his plans, as they seem to be +the most judicious that now occur to me, and hope you will assist +him to the utmost of your ability in his very worthy object.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Hamilton</span>."</p></div> + +<p>As Durant run his eye over the lines, a peculiar expression of satisfaction crossed his +features, and with the warmest thanks on <a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>his lips, he departed, and lost no time in again +presenting himself before Ellen, whom he thus addressed:</p> + +<p>"I have just laid my case before Mr. Hamilton, whose opinion on the subject you will find +here expressed in his own hand-writing."</p> + +<p>And he gave her the slip. She read the lines traced upon it, when he proceeded:</p> + +<p>"If I only dared to hope you would as readily approve and as heartily enter into my plans, +all disquiet in my heart would at once be set at rest."</p> + +<p>"I am quite sure I shall object to nothing Mr. Hamilton approves; and in all good +endeavors, I shall be most happy to render you all the assistance I can command or +bestow."</p> + +<p>"Then I need entertain no further apprehensions, and will at once make known to you the +details which seem to me necessary to be carried out. There are very few persons in the +settlements who have any knowledge of my connection with the Indians, and my first request +is that you never, under any circumstances, allude to this connection, or let it be known +that I have been here. Have I your promise?"</p> + +<p>"Most certainly."</p> + +<p>"I desire, in the second place, that you will say as much good of me as you can, (and +that, I am sorry to say, will be but little,) to those who may ask you for information +concerning me; but if you have <i>nothing</i> good to say, then that you will say no evil, and +especially if my Indian life is alluded to. May I hope for your favor in this respect?"</p> + +<p>"I will do my best to exonerate you in all cases where your reputation is at stake, and to +aid you in reaching a place of honor in society."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. I have but one additional solicitation to make, and if to this you can give +your assent, I shall be truly happy, delighted, and confident."</p> + +<p>All this time he had been driving at one point, which he had now reached, but was slow to +present. A momentary pause ensued; Ellen was in doubt as to the nature of the requirement, +and he of the propriety of making it. But he had set his all upon <a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>the desperate stake for +which he was playing, and it would not now do to leave the game. He at length went on:</p> + +<p>"I shall not feel myself safe in society unless I can form an alliance with some family of +note and respectability. I am not as extensively acquainted as some others—in a word, I +know of no young lady but yourself to whom I can offer my hand, and having loved you so +long and ardently, I can do nothing less than make this as my final request, <i>that you +consent to become my wife</i>. I make this request the only condition of release, and upon +your acceptance of my hand depends my present and future hope, my salvation in time and +eternity. My fate is in your hands, and you can raise me to heaven, or cast me down to +hell. Will you save me?"</p> + +<p>It would be quite impossible to depict the consternation this announcement created in the +mind of Ellen. In spite of her better judgment, and the precedents in the villain's former +life, she had suffered herself to be beguiled by his seeming sincerity of manner into the +hope that he was really desirous of reforming; and even now she could hardly believe her +own ears, so consummate was his hypocrisy; but as the whole truth shone out to her +comprehension, she saw through his scheme at once—that all his seeming repentance was a +pretense as hollow as his own heart. The hope that had begun to swell in her heart was +blotted out in a moment. She replied without hesitation:</p> + +<p>"I cannot accede to your last proposition."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"It is impossible."</p> + +<p>"Then you willingly consign me to wretchedness in this life, and to perdition hereafter."</p> + +<p>"I do no such thing. <i>You</i> are not responsible for <i>my</i> acts; and your repentance can be +just as sincere without a wife as with one."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken. If I am doomed to remain among the Indians, I shall never be able to +reform, however earnestly I may desire to do so; and if I go to the settlements, I shall +be slain as a foe, unless protected by family ties and influence; these I can secure in no +other way than by becoming your husband."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>"I am of an entirely different opinion; and I think your whole scheme a very thin and +flimsy contrivance, of which you ought to be ashamed."</p> + +<p>"But there are two against you. Mr. Hamilton, as you have already seen, perfectly +coincides with me in his views, and—"</p> + +<p>"I beg leave to correct you. Mr. Hamilton never consented to your last proposition, for +the very good reason that it was never mentioned to him; in this respect you have tried to +deceive me; but to put the matter to rest, at once and forever, let me say, as mistress of +my own decisions, that whether <i>he</i> should consent to your proposition or not, <i>I never +will</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Then, as you voluntarily cast me off, and consign me to infamy and hopeless wretchedness, +be the consequences upon your own head. I came to you and implored assistance in my +extremity, but you turned away, and left me in despair. Do not, therefore, accuse me of +cruelty if I demand by force that which you have denied as a free gift. You know that I +have the power of life and death over yourself and Hamilton, and I now ask you, as a last +resort, to choose between assenting to become my wife and seeing your lover at the stake! +You may well start and turn pale; for as sure as there is a sky above and the earth +beneath us, I swear that one or the other fate shall be yours. Make your own election, +and, in doing so, bear in mind that Hamilton's death will be gratuitous, if caused, for +you shall then be worse than my wife. As a lawful companion, I will use my best endeavors +to make you happy; as a companion in what the world calls <i>guilt</i>, I will bind myself by +no such promise. Think of all these things, and then decide."</p> + +<p>"Louis Durant, the very proposition you make, accompanied as it is by the alternative, is +one of such black enormity, that if nothing else were added to debase you in my +estimation, I would spurn your offer as I would the proffered hand of Satan himself or of +the vilest imp in the loathsome pit of night where he reigns! You have your answer. As +well try to pluck the sun from his place in the heavens or wrench the sparkling stars from +the firmament as to alter my resolve."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>"Perhaps you will think differently when the trying hour comes, perhaps repent when it is +too late."</p> + +<p>"Never, sir villain! Do you suppose I cannot penetrate the thin gauze that is intended to +hide your motives? Your highest aspiration is after the <i>Wealth</i> you imagine me to +possess; if I were poor, you would not even offer me your hand, let alone make such +efforts to obtain it. I see through all your devices, base miscreant, including your sham +repentance, which deserves the descent of God's just indignation upon your guilty head, +and polluted soul!"</p> + +<p>"Your perceptions are exceedingly acute, I must confess; but I leave you for the present, +to reflect on the subject, so vital to us all, and hope that reason may yet prevail."</p> + +<p>Much after the same manner he continued to persecute her, day after day, and with no +better success. In the meantime Hamilton had so far recovered as to be able to walk about. +To him Durant appealed; but his offer of freedom, on condition of using his influence to +induce Ellen to consent to become his captor's wife, was rejected with the contempt and +scorn it merited, and a brave man could give it.</p> + +<p>This was the last peg upon which the villain hung a hope of working out his purpose, and +he now resolved to fall back on his first intention, and execute his long threatened +vengeance. The stake was prepared after the most approved Indian model, and the fagots +piled high around it. The two victims were then led out to see what awaited them; and this +excess of cruelty, this torture in advance, was forced upon the lovers with a view to +shake their resolution.</p> + +<p>Again they were separately and jointly appealed to; but with the same result as before; +they were pale with hopeless despair, but firm and unwavering in purpose.</p> + +<p>"I would die a thousand deaths of torture, my beloved Ellen, rather than persuade you to +sacrifice yourself to save me," was Hamilton's language to his companion in distress. +"Life without you would be a burden; and I can now die with a pleasing hope of reunion +beyond the grave."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>Durant would not permit a continuation of such interchange of thoughts, and they were +separated.</p> + +<p>On the following day Hamilton was fastened to the stake, and an Indian stood ready with a +torch to fire the combustibles so soon as the word of command was given.</p> + +<p>"Behold the fate of him you pretend to love!" said Durant to Ellen, whom he had dragged to +the spot. "His destiny is yet in the balances; say but the word, and he shall go free!"</p> + +<p>Pale as death itself, and scarcely able to stand, Ellen replied:</p> + +<p>"The will of God be done! I am prepared for the worst!"</p> + +<p>"The worst?" and he hissed in her ear some words of infamy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, God! not that! not that!" and she reeled as if struck with a blow.</p> + +<p>"Then, in the name of reason, save yourself, save both! It is easily done."</p> + +<p>The villain's words calmed her in a moment, and she responded:</p> + +<p>"Either fate is more than I can bear; but I will not perjure my soul to save myself from +any fate it pleases God to send upon me."</p> + +<p>"And you will not be an honorable bride, then?"</p> + +<p>"Yours,—<i>never</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Fire the fagots!" he commanded in a voice of rage, and the order was instantly obeyed by +the Indian who stood impatiently awaiting the word.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE BURNING STAKE</h3> + + +<p>The material around the stake was the most highly inflammable that could be collected, and +a mighty blaze soon spread along the pile, with its fiery spires leaping high in air, and +its forked tongues hissing like serpents! Snapping, crackling, roaring! the devouring +flames rushed to their work of death!</p> + +<p>The stake was in the center of the heap, the wood being piled around it at a distance of +some feet, leaving an open space on all sides, in which the prisoner could walk, being +fastened with a cord, some ten feet in length, one end of which was lashed to the stake, a +large post, driven firmly into the ground. This vacant space was purposely left, that the +sufferings of the doomed might be prolonged, a species of cruelty common in Indian +tortures. As it would be some time before the flames would touch Hamilton, though his +sufferings from heat would be excruciating in a little while, murdering him by slow +inches, Durant hoped that the sufferings and reflections of this interval would bring +repentance at the eleventh hour, and cause his victim to plead for mercy on his own terms.</p> + +<p>The fiery circle kept drawing nearer and nearer, narrowing the space between life and +death at every moment; yet no groan escaped the lips of Hamilton; and he evinced the +steady and unflinching heroism of a martyr. At a sign from Durant, the Indians prepared +themselves with long splinters, which were to be fired at one end, and then driven into +the flesh of the sufferer; the guns were loaded with powder, to be fired against the naked +person of the prisoner when the signal should be given. Hamilton saw all these +preparations, but they shook not his firm resolve for a moment. His proud soul rose above +all the horrors of the scene, and remained calm in the dignity of its earthly despair and +eternal hopes. He knelt down by the stake and engaged in prayer:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>"Oh, Father! give me strength to endure this trial by fire! Forsake me not in this hour +of extremity, but send Thy ministering angels to strengthen and sustain my spirit, that it +faint not with the consuming flesh! And, oh, God! protect Thy persecuted daughter, and +save, oh, save her from the grasp of the destroyer! Let not the wicked triumph! my God, +let not the wicked triumph! but shield, oh, shield the innocent! Thou art He who canst do +wonders; make known Thy power in the rescue and salvation of the afflicted child of +misfortune from the hands of the spoiler! Not for myself, but for her, I implore Thee for +deliverance! Oh, hear my prayer in her behalf, and send help in the hour of need!"</p> + +<p>Durant listened to this prayer in spite of himself; there was a something about it which +held him spell-bound, fascinated; and he forgot, for the moment, that his followers were +awaiting his orders—everything, in fact, but the one scene before him, the man on his +knees at the stake. And there was another of those present no less deeply interested, +though in a different way—Ellen, who was in agony at the sight before her. A thought +entered her mind—a wild thought, which only despair could arouse. She saw the fixed +attention of her persecutor, and at the close of Hamilton's fervent prayer, she sprung +from the midst of her enemies, and ere they comprehended her design, or had time to lift a +hand to stay her progress, rushed through the flames, and fell on her knees by the side of +her lover. In a moment they were in each others' arms, shedding tears on each others' +bosoms.</p> + +<p>The spectators of this strange exhibition were struck dumb with wonder, as they beheld +this act of devoted heroism, and looked on in astonishment, then exchanged glances of +bewilderment and consternation. A solemn pause ensued, as though all were paralyzed by +such a deed of self-devotion to death.</p> + +<p>"Tear away the fire! scatter the burning embers!" at length fell from the lips of Durant, +as he aroused himself from the spell that was on him. "Quick! for your lives! for if they +are not rescued, you shall all die!"</p> + +<p>His command was obeyed with alacrity, and every one present worked as though life really +depended upon his exertions.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>Unobserved by any of the actors in this strange and exciting drama, a dark cloud had +gathered and spread over the face of heaven, black as the heralding banner of an +approaching hurricane, from whose bosom the lurid lightning leaped forth, and the +deep-toned thunder resounded. Presently the large drops of rain fell peltering on the +leaves; then the first heavy dash of the fitful storm came down, and presently +extinguished the fire, which, by this time, was pretty well scattered over the ground. +Walter and Ellen, still locked in a close embrace, were rescued from the jaws of the +devouring element, and restored to a state of life more painful to contemplate than the +prospect of ending existence in each others' arms, even at the stake.</p> + +<p>But He who had interposed to save them, was now speaking through the storm in a voice +which made the guilty Durant tremble with conscious-smitten fear. Flash followed flash in +quick succession, and the jarring thunder, loud and terrible, broke, peal after peal, on +the ear! Then the howling wind, like ten thousand furies, came crashing and roaring +through the forest, bearing whole trees on its driving wings, while others bent low before +the blasting swoop of its leveling might!</p> + +<p>Cowering like a condemned criminal, the dark-deeded villain crept toward a shelter, +dragging with him his captives. Suddenly a dazzling flood of light, blinding and +bewildering, enveloped the whole party, and, at the same instant, an earth-shaking, +sky-rending burst of sound stunned them all to prostration. It was some seconds before any +one recovered. Then Hamilton arose and lifted Ellen also. On looking around, they +perceived a large oak had been riven by the descending bolt at a short distance from them. +A splinter from the tree had struck Durant on the breast and temple, and he lay bleeding +and senseless upon the earth, but whether dead or alive, none could tell, as they had no +time to certainly determine the point at such a moment. Hastily gathering him up, Ramsey +and two of the Indians carried him to the cave, where they were all glad to congregate +themselves during the continuance of the frightful tornado.</p> + +<p>Once sheltered, Walter and Ellen gazed out upon the raging tempest in bewildered +amazement, not unmixed with awe. Never <a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>had they beheld the elements so fearfully agitated +as now! Blacker than midnight were the pall-like clouds that "hung the heavens." Loud as +thunder was the roaring of the wind. Incessantly the vivid lightnings blazed forth in +blinding flashes; while above all the mingled commotion of the storm strife, the bursting +thunders boomed. Like feathers in the breeze, great limbs of trees were wrenched from +their places, and whirled, and twirled, and borne away. The tough oaks were twisted from +their stems, or pulled up by the roots, while the smaller trees were snapped off like +brittle reeds.</p> + +<p>"Terribly grand!" said Hamilton to his companion.</p> + +<p>"A fearful display of God's power!" responded Ellen.</p> + +<p>"A mere breath of his omnipotence—nothing more!"</p> + +<p>For half an hour the tempest raged in violence, then its fury was spent, and soon after +the clouds rolled away. During its continuance, the wild passions of the savages were awed +into quiet, and their hearts filled with other thoughts and emotions than those of +vengeance and cruelty. They were silent as the grave, and harmless as silent.</p> + +<p>The party now found time to look about them. Durant had manifested signs of life, but was +evidently badly hurt. Presently he opened his eyes, and stared about, but his glances were +those of bewildered delirium. A high fever was burning in his veins; its fires penetrated +to the head, and, reveling amid the brain, unhinged reason, and let loose the fierce +passions so long time grown strong and o'ermastering.</p> + +<p>Who shall paint the darkness of a corrupt heart, when for years the basest feelings human +nature is capable of experiencing have been nourished until more than mature? It was more +dreadful to listen to the ravings of Durant than to witness the fearful war of the +elements. The tempest just over, was nothing to the one that was struggling and +out-breaking in his bosom. We shall not attempt to record all the dark revelations he made +of his own evil thoughts and deeds, as we would spare the reader's feelings from the shock +so revolting a record would produce. In his delirium he raved of the past, and unbosomed +his intentions <a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>for the future. First he seemed to be enacting over the tragic scenes of +the day.</p> + +<p>"Tear away the fagots!" he cried. "I say, tear them away! Stupid blockheads! do you not +know that I must have my revenge on the girl? Scatter the fagots! Gods! if she dies the +heart's blood of every dog of you shall be spilled! I—I must, I <i>will</i> have her alive!"</p> + +<p>During the utterance of those words his voice, gestures, and expression of countenance +were in keeping with the language itself, and truly horrible. Suddenly a change came over +his countenance; the dark lines of passion retreated, and an expression of timidity or +fear came in their place. He muttered incoherently for a time, and then, as if communing +with himself, he spoke in a subdued voice of the last scene in his conscious life. A few +sentences were audible and connected, showing how his mind was affected by the tempest:</p> + +<p>"How I dread the storm! It tells me there is a God! that the thunder is his voice, and the +fierce wind but the motion of his breath! And the lightning! oh, the lightning! how it +looks into the heart and exposes all its secrets to the eye of Deity! What a flash was +that! Come! to the cave! to the cave!"</p> + +<p>With the concluding words his quiet ceased, and he struggled as if exerting himself to do +something very hastily. A moment more and a short, frightened cry, escaped his lips, and +he sunk back, as if dead. It was plain that he was re-living and re-enacting the day, and +its scenes; and in this condition he remained for some time; then his insanity took a +wilder and wider range, recalling the past, and exposing the future of his life and +designs. He raved and cajoled, commanded and persuaded by times; was now quiet, and, anon, +in a fever of excitement, or rage. After one of his quiet moods, he slowly aroused and +addressed himself in this manner:</p> + +<p>"That oath! it was a great mistake, this worst blunder I have made. In spite of myself it +will haunt me. And the curse! that awful curse! Gods! will it never cease ringing in my +ears! night and day, sleeping and waking it never leaves me! I see her now!<a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a> How +weird-like her prophetic looks! How like the sentence of doom are her words, as, with +flashing eye and quivering lip, she says: 'As you have wilfully, voluntarily, and wickedly +called it down upon your own head, may the curse of God rest upon you in this world and +the world to come.' Gods and demons! if their should be 'a world to come!'—How her words +burn into my heart! and, worst of all, they are proving a reality! I am accused! my 'plans +of villainy' do fail, and I <i>am</i> a 'vagabond upon the face of the earth!' But I'll not +endure it longer! I'll shake myself from these haunting fears! aye, and I'll prove them +false! I'll do it if all the curses of the universe rise up before me! Avaunt, ye +specters! I'll be a man despite your efforts to frighten me by your grim presence!"</p> + +<p>Again, in another strain, he broke forth with this development of his inward thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Heigh, ho! I am on the track now, and nothing can save her! Oh, but I'll be sweetly +revenged! I'll teach the proud minx to insult a Durant! Won't she be humbled, though! ha! +ha! ha! How she will struggle and beg for mercy! But will I pity her? Yes, 'as the wolf +the lamb!' Oh, if I but possessed her now!"</p> + +<p>And again:</p> + +<p>"Proud as ever! Never mind, I'll bring her down! I'll wreathe that lofty brow with shame! +I'll strike her through her lover! To save <i>him</i> at the stake she'll yield! I'll revel in +her charms, and then—then what? Ha! ha! As a reward for her condescensions, <i>I'll burn +him alive</i>! Ha! ha! Fool, she'll be to think I'd let a <i>rival</i> live, when <i>her</i> heart was +<i>his</i>!" * * *</p> + +<p>"How pale she is! the charm works! she'll bend to my will at last. * * Not yet? Look at +his agony, have you the heart to see him suffer so? Ah, how dearly you must love him, to +stand by and see him burn to ashes when a word from your lips would rescue him from the +flames!" * * * * * * * *</p> + +<p>"Let me see, I'll not suffer him to die so soon; perhaps a little reflection will induce +him to persuade her to yield. At all events I'll try the experiment. Ho! Ramsey, cut him +loose; we'll adjourn the fun to another day."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>Having thus given a few snatches of the revelations made by the villain in his delirium, +enough to show what were his intentions toward his prisoners, and the utter blackness of +his heart, we will depict another phase of his madness, in which he imagines the swift +feet of retribution to be on his track, while the future was uncurtained to his +distempered gaze.</p> + +<p>"Coming! coming! coming! and there is no escape! * * Away! ye grinning devils! out of my +sight, ye imps of h—l! Begone! ye ghostly demons, forever pointing with your long +fingers! what would you have me see?"</p> + +<p>His eyes were wild with a horrible stare, as if fixed by the magic power of some ghastly +sight, while large drops of perspiration oozed from every pore, and stood in cold beads +upon his brow! In fixed horror he thus remained for some moments, then fell back and +covered his eyes with his hands, as if to shut out the dreadful scene!</p> + +<p>Then rousing again, he exclaimed in another key:</p> + +<p>"No! no! no! not that! I'll not come to that! Alive, and food for crawling worms! No! no! +no! Then birds of prey feasting upon my flesh! Oh, God! the curse! the curse!"</p> + +<p>This last vision seemed to overpower him, and he lay moaning most piteously for a length +of time. Then the wilder phases of a distempered mind came on, and he again resumed his +frenzied tone, manner, and language.</p> + +<p>"Begone! ye lying fiends, avaunt! I'll not believe your hissing tongues! 'Tis false! all +false! Back, or I'll smite you to the earth! Back! back!"</p> + +<p>And he fought the air furiously, for a brief period, then sunk back exhausted on his +pallet. A troubled half hour's sleep followed, from which he awoke much debilitated. With +his waning strength, the delirium took a milder form. The vail of the future seemed still +to be lifted, to give him a glimpse of coming events, but the scene that appeared was not +dreadful like the ones which had preceded it.</p> + +<p>"Happy at last, despite my oath, my vengeance unachieved! All my deep-laid schemes of no +avail! Oh, Eliza! thou art indeed revenged! Thy worst predictions are realized."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>The fever soon returned in violence, and once more his ravings were dreadful.</p> + +<p>"Ho, Ramsey! keep them safe, on your life, keep them safe! do you hear? Your life, if they +escape! I'll not be thwarted in my wishes; I'll move all h—l but I'll be revenged! ay, +I'll walk through fire, flood and storm to gain my ends and work their ruin! They shall +not escape my vengeance, I swear it in the face of earth and heaven!"</p> + +<p>But we will not dwell longer on this unpleasant picture of a wretched man exposing his own +dark soul to the eyes of others. All the night long he continued to rave in this +fever-crazed manner, Hamilton, and much of the time Ellen, too, a witness of his madness. +As morning drew near he fell into a more tranquil slumber, and the violence of the fever +seemed to have passed. With the early dawn seizing a favorable moment, when all their +enemies were asleep, the lovers made their escape. Ramsey and the Indians were so much +occupied with Durant, they did not think of the prisoners as they would have done under +other circumstances, though they did not feel desirous of seeing the deeds of the past day +re-enacted. It was some time before they noticed the escape, and then no pursuit was +instituted until after the morning meal was dispatched.</p> + +<p>Hamilton and Ellen made the best of their way down the Ohio, and early in the evening had +the good fortune to fall upon the camp of a party of whites, under the direction of +Ellen's brother, who had busied himself day and night to raise the force and go in quest +of the captives, having resolved never to cease his efforts until his sister was rescued, +or her fate learned and her death avenged.</p> + +<p>The meeting was a happy one; and as the object of the expedition was accomplished, the +party returned home, when there was a time of general rejoicing.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CONCLUSION" id="CONCLUSION"></a>CONCLUSION.</h2> + + +<p>We have little more to say. As the reader will conclude without reading the fact, Walter +and Ellen were married, according to their original arrangements, and afterward lived in +the enjoyment of that happiness which love alone can procure, and which can be found only +at the domestic fireside where peace reigns; their descendants may still be found in +Kentucky and other western states.</p> + +<p>Durant recovered from his hurt, and lived for some years to plot more mischief, and fail +in his designs. He at last quarreled with one of his savage followers, and in a fit of +anger, struck him a blow with his fist. The indignity was never forgotten or forgiven. The +Indian vowed to be revenged, and he kept his oath; dogging the steps of his foe, he found +an opportunity to inflict a wound, which felled his adversary to the earth. With proper +attention he might have recovered, but his enemy left him disabled and bound, to die by +slow inches!</p> + +<p>His wound, at first very painful, soon began to mortify, and he felt the worms in his +still living body! Vultures came to feast upon him, ere the vital spark of existence had +gone out within him, and he had not the strength left to lift a hand, or speak a word in +his own defense, though their long beaks were stretched over him and planted in his flesh +and eyes! And when death at last came, and laid his icy fingers upon his heart, for the +final stilling of its disquiet and guilty throbbing, his failing senses were suddenly and +momentarily aroused, and the curdling blood sent again with quickened impulse through his +veins, as his dull ears were saluted with the horrible sound of the howlings of wild +beasts in the distance; and the last things that his closing, almost sightless balls +beheld were the glaring eyes of the monsters of the forest, as they gloated over their +prey!</p> + +<p>The sight was enough to finish the work of dissolution, already advanced near to +completion, and the sluggish blood rushed for the last time upon his paralyzed heart with +such chilling coldness and mastering power, that it ceased to beat, and the wretch was +dead!</p> + +<p><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>Then a fight took place over his putrefying carcass, and the screech of the vulture, +mingled with the angry growl of the wolf, as they contended for the remains of the man of +crimes in their wild fury and ferocious hunger!</p> + +<p>A few hours longer, and the flesh was all torn from his frame, and only a ghostly, +grinning skeleton was left of the once proud and vicious Louis Durant; and yet fresh +beasts arriving upon the scene, disappointed in their anticipated feast, howled a dismal +requiem over his bones, which were left, without sepulture, to bleach in the winds and +storms of heaven!</p> + +<p>Such was the terrible end of the <i>villain</i>, while the <i>victims</i> of his hate and malice, +against whom he had plotted so often and so fiendishly, were happy in the enjoyment of +life's best blessings; and thus the story points its own moral.</p> + +<p>THE END</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> "Western Adventure," page 179-182.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> "Western Adventure," page 187.</p></div> + +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ellen Walton, by Alvin Addison + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELLEN WALTON *** + +***** This file should be named 16345-h.htm or 16345-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/3/4/16345/ + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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