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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f68080 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69036 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69036) diff --git a/old/69036-0.txt b/old/69036-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 63da2dc..0000000 --- a/old/69036-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5079 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The island Pirate, A tale of the -Mississippi, by Mayne Reid - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The island Pirate, A tale of the Mississippi - Beadle's pocket novels No. 10 - -Author: Mayne Reid - -Release Date: September 24, 2022 [eBook #69036] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern - Illinois University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ISLAND PIRATE, A TALE OF -THE MISSISSIPPI *** - - - - - - THE - - ISLAND PIRATE. - - A TALE OF THE MISSISSIPPI. - - BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, - AUTHOR OF "BLUE DICK," "SCALP HUNTERS," ETC. - - NEW YORK: - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by - BEADLE AND ADAMS, - In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - (P. N. No. 10.) - - - - -THE - -ISLAND PIRATE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -A PAYING PRISON. - - -Many long years have elapsed since I first set foot in the valley -of the Mississippi. I had strayed thither a young and enthusiastic -traveler, with scarce any other aim than adventure. - -I soon discovered that I had got into the very ground where such a -taste could be gratified. Amid scenes of softness or sublimity, or -tranquil solitude or stirring life--amid varied types of nationality, -and strange contrasts of character--scarce a day passed without its -incident, nor week wanting in some episode worthy of remembrance. Many -of them have at least proved worthy of mine; and I now look back upon -them with that romantic interest by which the past often reflects -itself in the mirror of memory. - -That I am about to record is of a mixed character--a drama in which -there are scenes of pain as well as pleasure--both of real occurrence. - -Whether interesting or no, they may be deemed improbable; though not by -those who have studied the social characteristics of the Mississippi -valley at the period to which they refer--before the "Far West" had -commenced receding from the great river, and its settlements had -refused to give shelter to those outcasts of society, who own no law -but that of the lex talionis, and no lawyer but _Lynch_. - -Unlike most travelers through Mississippian territory, I entered it -from the south--by the mouth of its main river--making my first station -in the city of New Orleans. - -It was late in the spring when I arrived there. And soon after the red -cross, beginning to show itself on the doors of the humbler dwellings -that lay "swampward," warned me of the presence of that terrible -epidemic, which there annually decimated the ranks of such strangers as -were compelled to make their summer sojourn in the place. - -Taking the hint, I bade a temporary adieu to New Orleans, intending to -return to it after the first frost in the "fall." - -Straying northward, here and there halting as chance or caprice -directed, I was at length carried into the Ohio and up the Cumberland -river to the capital of Tennessee. - -By this time the forest foliage had become tinged with red, and the -leaf was beginning to fall. My stay, therefore, in the "City of Rocks," -though pleasant, was not prolonged; and I made preparations for leaving -it: not by a steamboat, as I had come, but on horseback--a mode of -traveling I much preferred, as, in fact, the only one by which such a -country can be properly seen. - -With a stout roadster between my thighs, and a valise buckled to the -croup behind me, I took the Franklin "pike," leading southward from the -city. - -I contemplated a long ride--so long, that were I to state the distance, -it might test the credulity of my reader; as it did that of a traveler, -who shortly after overtook me. - -I had made some three miles along the dusty pike, and was nearly -opposite a large pile of building, standing to the right of the road, -when the traveler in question came gliding alongside. - -He was upon a "pacer," and could soon have passed me; but instead -of doing so, he checked his steed into a walk, and rode by my side. -Glancing toward him, I saw that he was a young man, dressed in white -linen coat and trowsers, with well-fitting boots upon his feet, and a -Panama hat upon his head. - -"A planter," was my reflection, "or the son of one;" for he did not -appear to be over twenty years of age. - -"The Penitentiary!" he said, seeing that my eyes were fixed upon the -building. "You've been in there, I suppose?" - -The question sounded so odd, that my first impulse was to answer it -with a laugh, which I did; though with no idea that it had been put -through any discourtesy. - -My interrogator, perceiving the droll interpretation his speech -permitted, joined me in the laugh. - -"Pardon me!" he said, apologizing. "Of course you know what I mean. I -take you to be a stranger in these parts, and supposed you might like -to know something of this State fortress of ours." - -"A thousand thanks!" I rejoined. "You are right. I am a traveler, and -as such not without curiosity. The State Penitentiary you say it is. I -shall feel very much indebted to you for any information you may think -proper to give me about it." - -"Suppose you go with me inside? I know the governor, and can get -admittance. It will be worth your while, if only to see Murrell." - -"Murrell--who is he?" - -"Oh! that of itself would tell you to be a stranger to Tennessee; else -you would have heard of him. Murrell is the great pirate and robber -of the Mississippi--long notorious upon the roads and rivers. He has -committed scores of murders, it is said; and several have been proved -against him. For all that, he is in for only _ten years_, and has -already served six of them. Would you like to have a look at him?" - -"By all means." - -"Come along, then!" - -With this my new acquaintance wheeled his horse into the avenue leading -up to the gate of the State Prison, whither, without another word, I -followed him. - -We were admitted, and courteously conducted through what appeared -far more like a vast manufacturing establishment than a place of -penal imprisonment; a manufactory, too, comprising almost every -trade known to the necessities of civilization. I there saw hatters, -tailors, shoemakers and carpenters; spinners and weavers, bakers and -blacksmiths; all busy at their respective employments. Among the -last-mentioned I saw the murderer Murrell--and through the coal grime -on his face, I could see the countenance of a man that by no means -belied his terrible reputation. - -His history was given me on the spot. By trade, originally, a -blacksmith--the calling to which, like Vulcan, he was now condemned--he -had forsaken it for the more profitable profession of piracy--not upon -the high seas, as the term might seem to imply, but upon the rivers -of the Mississippi valley--especially the great stream itself--his -prey, instead of ships, being the "keels" and flat-boats descending, -cargo-laden, to New Orleans, or their crews, returning along the -up-river roads, and carrying the cash obtained for their commodities. - -Murrell had been hard to catch, and harder still to convict. His -confederates could be counted by the score--among them merchants, -planters, justices of the peace, and even clergymen! The result was -that he was sentenced to _ten years_ in the Penitentiary, against at -least ten times the number of highway robberies, and perhaps twice the -count in horrid assassinations! - -I shall never forget the disgust with which I contemplated this fiend -in human shape. Not for long. I was only too glad to get out of the -blacksmiths' shop, and lay my leg once more over the saddle. - -But in that visit to the Tennessee State Prison, I became acquainted -with some facts that in part compensated for its unpleasantness. - -I there learned that _crime may become its own cure_; that the industry -proceeding from it may be so applied as to remove its _cause_, or at -all events to _release the State from taxation_! - -This fact, first discovered in the Tennessee Penitentiary, did not so -much strike me at the time. I was then but a careless student in the -science of political economy. - -Only in later years did I fully understand a statistic so astounding. -Would that the bungling jailers of other and older States could -comprehend its importance! - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A COURTEOUS INVITATION. - - -"Where are you riding to?" was the question asked by my new -acquaintance, as we once more entered upon the pike. - -"To New Orleans." - -"Not on horseback?" - -"On horseback." - -"Why, it is a thousand miles. It will take you at least a month. You -could get there by boat in a week." - -"I know it." - -"Oh! you have some object then in going by the road? Perhaps -commercial?" - -My fellow-traveler's eye rested for a moment on my valise, but -evidently unsatisfied. It did not look much like the pack of a peddler. - -"No," I said, in answer to his interrogatory. "Unfortunately for me, I -am not able to offer such a substantial excuse for my journey." - -"Well," he rejoined, "I know it's common enough to travel on horseback -across to Memphis, when the water is low in the Cumberland, and there -may not be a boat; but to ride all the way to New Orleans--that's a -different affair. Do you really mean it?" - -"I do." - -"Excuse me for appearing inquisitive. It's a privilege we Western -people assume to ourselves. I only asked because it seems so odd for -any one to undertake such a tedious journey." - -"You are perfectly welcome to know my reason for undertaking it. I have -made the up-journey from New Orleans to Nashville by boat, and for all -I have learnt by it, I might as well have been stopping at the "St. -Charles Hotel," at one end, or the "Nashville Inn" at the other. My -object is to see something of the interior of your country; and this is -not to be accomplished on board a noisy steamboat." - -"Ah! Now I perceive. No doubt you are right. As a stranger to our -country--" - -"How can you tell that?" I asked, abruptly interrupting him. - -"Oh! that is easily told," was the prompt reply. "For instance, the odd -article strapped on the crupper of your saddle." - -"Ah! The valise." - -"Valise you call it? Here we only use the saddle-bags." - -"I know it. I prefer the valise, as you see. I acknowledge your -saddle-bags may be more convenient; but they are also more heating to -the horse, and for that reason I incline to stick to my valise." - -"Ha! I perceive you are a true traveler; and since you say you are -journeying only to see the country, you can not be much pressed for -time. I have made you acquainted with the inside of a Tennessee prison. -I hope you will permit me to introduce you to something not quite so -gloomy--a Tennessee cotton plantation. Perhaps you have not yet visited -one?" - -"It is very kind of you," I replied, more than ever impressed with the -courtesy of my new acquaintance. "In truth, I have never seen a cotton -plantation in my life." - -"Well, if you will place yourself under my guidance, I shall be most -happy to show you mine, or my father's I should rather call it. It -is not one of the largest, nor do we have cotton plantations in -such perfection as you will see them further south--in Alabama and -Mississippi. We are here on the northern edge of the cotton-growing -climate, and the plants sometimes suffer from the frosts. Ours, -however, will enable you to form some idea of one of the chief sources -of Tennessee wealth; and I shall have much pleasure in taking you over -it." - -I accepted the invitation. It was, indeed, furnishing me with an -opportunity I had intended seeking; for although, further south, I -had made some acquaintance with sugar and tobacco plantations, I was -yet ignorant of the mode by which the great commercial staple of the -Southern States is produced and prepared for the market. - -I could not help repeating my thanks for such kindness shown to a -stranger--as I expressed it. - -"Well, sir," was the reply, accompanied by a significant smile, "I -have been, perhaps, taking an unfair advantage of you. You are not -altogether such a stranger to me, though I only know you through -another." - -"Another! Who?" - -"If I am not mistaken, you made the up-river voyage about a month ago, -in the steamer Sultana?" - -"I did." - -"Do you remember one of your fellow-passengers--a young lady, by name -Miss Woodley?" - -It is not likely I should have forgotten Miss Woodley, nor would -any other who had ever seen her--to say nothing of having voyaged -nearly a thousand miles in the same boat with her. She had come on -board at a landing below Vicksburg on the Mississippi--a brother -having brought her to the landing. Thence she had traveled alone -to Nashville--changing boats, as I had myself, at the mouth of -the Cumberland river. But if alone, she was not neglected. Both -on the Sultana and the smaller steamer, she had been the cynosure -of many an eye, and the theme of many a sigh. Half a score of her -fellow-passengers thought the journey too short; and I decline to say -that I was not one of the number. - -I had been honored with an introduction given me by the captain of -the Sultana; but the beautiful Cornelia Woodley was so surrounded by -admirers that I had found but slight opportunity of cultivating her -acquaintance. - -On leaving the boat at Nashville, I had bidden adieu, with but faint -hopes of ever seeing her again. Her home was fifty miles from the -capital of Tennessee. She had communicated this much, but of course -without extending an invitation. - -With this explanation the reader will not be surprised that the name -of Miss Woodley, pronounced by my new acquaintance, caused me to turn -round in my saddle, and regard him with renewed interest. - -"Certainly," I said, "I traveled on the same boat with Miss Woodley." - -"I thought so," was the prompt rejoinder. "I could tell it was you from -the description she gave me. I saw you as you rode out of town, and -made haste to follow." - -This kind of talk required explanation. In what relationship did my new -acquaintance stand to my fair fellow-voyager? Was the young planter -only a neighbor, whose intimacy had procured him the information -detailed? I did not relish the conjecture of his being her lover. He -was too good-looking to make the thought palatable. I preferred the -fancy that he might be a brother. Before I could ask, I had the answer -indirectly. - -"I'm so glad you're going our way. I'm sure my _sister_ will be most -happy to see you." - -"Oh! You are the brother of Miss Woodley then?" - -"One of them. There are two of us. I am the youngest of the lot. Henry, -who is the oldest, don't live with us here. He has a plantation in -Mississippi, below Vicksburg. That's where my sister has been. She -spends her winters with him, and only comes to Tennessee for the summer -months." - -I felt secretly glad that the summer months had not yet quite passed -away. - -We rode on; from this time calling each other by name, and conversing -as if we had been old acquaintances. More than ever did I long to -become initiated into the economy of a cotton plantation. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -NAT BRADLEY. - - -I had been for some time expecting to see my guide strike into one of -those side gates, sparsely appearing along the pike, and which I knew, -by the pretentious piers of hewn post-oak, to be the entrances to some -dwelling or plantation. - -"How far is it to your father's place?" I asked, in a careless way, so -as to conceal my impatience. - -"Oh! a long way yet," was the discouraging reply. "At least forty -miles. We can not reach it to-night. We must sleep in Columbia." - -"Beyond Columbia it is?" - -"A long way beyond. There's no cotton land on this side worth -cultivating. It lies too far north, and the frost, as I've told you, -often kills the young plants. Father's plantation is a good ways from -the road, on one of the creeks that run into Duck river. It's capital -soil for cotton, only that we have a long way to haul it to a steamboat -landing. This year we intend sending the crop to New Orleans on a flat. -Father's got an idea it will pay, and the boat's being built. You see, -the creek runs right through our plantation, and it's wide enough to -get a flat through to the Duck. Once there, it's only to float down to -the Tennessee and into the Ohio--then on to the Mississippi. We never -did it before, but some of our neighbors have tried it, and they say it -pays. Of course you know, after the crop's gathered the niggers haven't -much to do, and half a dozen of them, with one or two of the regular -river boatmen, can navigate a flat without much expense. By steamboat -there's heavy freight charges just now; besides the hauling before you -can get it aboard. There's no landing nearer our plantation than twenty -miles, and with bad roads at that. We make a hundred and fifty bales -every year, and as a team can only take four at a time, you can tell -what a tedious affair it is. With a flat we can load right on our own -land, close to the cotton-press." - -I had become so interested in these details of cotton planting that I -had almost ceased to think of that other attraction which I expected to -find upon the plantation. - -It was something so original, so American-like, a crop raised in -the very heart of a continent--amid forest-clad slopes apparently -inaccessible--to be thus transported from the spot on which it was -grown to a market more than a thousand miles distant, not by ship or -steam, or the intervention of any kind of carrier to share the profits -of transportation, but transported by the agriculturist who had grown -it--going, as it were, direct from the producer to the consumer! - -Absorbed in the contemplation of this curious problem in political -economy--important as curious--I had for the time forgotten the -traveling companion who had suggested it. - -I was aroused from my reverie by hearing him exchange a salutation -with some one who had met us on the road. On looking up I saw it was a -horseman going in the opposite direction. He, too, had the appearance -of a traveler, his horse dimmed with dust and dry sweat, with a pair of -swollen saddle-bags protruding behind his thighs. - -He was a young man--apparently twenty-five--though with a countenance -whose expression told of an experience far beyond his age--a -circumstance by no means rare in the region of the South-west. - -By his dress he would also have been taken for a planter; although -it was unlike that worn by young Woodley. Like him, he had a Panama -hat; but instead of white linen, his coat was a blouse of sky-blue -_cottonade_, plaited and close-buttoned over the breast, while his -trowsers were of the same stuff and color. It was, in fact, the dress -of the Louisianian creole, adopted by many Americans who have migrated -to lands on the lower Mississippi. - -"Well, Walt! Been to Nashville?" was the speech he had addressed to my -companion, as they reined up their horses in the middle of the road. - -"Nat Bradley!" exclaimed the young planter, evidently under some -surprise, which might be caused by an unexpected encounter. - -"Yes, Nat Bradley it is." - -"Who'd have looked for you here? Where have you been?" - -"Only out to take a squint at the old place. Mighty glad I got shet of -it. You're all a set of fools for staying in Tennessee. Talk of growin' -cotton up here! Mississippi's the place for that. Why, the meanest -nigger on my plant can make two bales to your one." - -"I've heard you have been having great success. My brother has written -to say so." - -"Has he, indeed? Well, it's a wonder he don't give up his corn-growing -and try the cotton too. For my part I go in for the weed that fetches -the ready cash--twenty cents to the pound. You've a good crop this -year, haven't you?" - -"I believe it is." - -"How many bales are you countin' on?" - -"Father thinks there will be nearly two hundred." - -"D----d handsome crop, if you can only get it safe to market. I've -heard out on Duck you intend flatting it." - -"Yes; we are building a boat for that purpose." - -"Best way in the world. Far the best. No expense, no hauling, no -freight charges of any kind. Besides, the steamers are eternally -getting blown up. There's half a score of them bu'st their boilers last -season. Recommend me to the good old-fashioned flat. I always send my -truck to Orleans that way, and would do so even if I could tumble the -bales into a steamboat right off the plantation press. Last flat I sent -down fetched me as lumber enough to pay all the expenses of takin' it -there. Come straight from Nashville?" - -"Yes." - -"Know if there's any boat about starting for below?" - -"I haven't heard." - -"Hope there is. I want to get down to Mississip. I only run up for a -little business I had in Nash, and thought when so near, I might as -well run out and have a look at the old diggin's on the Duck. Corneel's -out there, ain't she?" - -"Yes. My sister is with us." - -"Of course I didn't see her, as your old man and I hain't been on the -square ever since that--you know--. D----d hot, ain't it?" - -The last remark appeared to be by way of changing the subject, which I -could see was not at all agreeable to my young companion. - -"Very hot," was the assenting reply. - -"The sooner we get out of it the better. _You're_ bound straight for -home, I suppose?" - -"Straight." - -The emphasis on the "you're," with a look cast toward me, was evidently -meant to draw out a different answer; while in the glance, quick and -furtive as it was, I could read in Nat Bradley's mind a sentiment -hostile to myself. - -"Well!" he exclaimed, turning to conceal his dissatisfaction, "I'm off, -Woodley. Hope to see you some day in Mississippi. Good-by!" - -And with another sullen side-look at me, which I did not fail to -return, Nat Bradley struck the spur into his sweating horse, and went -clattering off along the turnpike toward Nashville. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A QUEER CHARACTER. - - -The impression produced upon me by this encounter was far from -agreeable. It was, in truth, of the very opposite character. There -was something in the style of the man we had met--both in his speech -and demeanor--that provoked a feeling of indignation, as almost -necessary to self-respect; and I had felt this from the moment of -meeting him. Though neither word nor nod had passed between us, there -was that in his regard which told me of an instinctive antagonism in -our natures, and that he also felt it as I. I could see that he was -what, in the Southern States, is termed a "bully." Its broad arrow was -upon him--unmistakably impressed on his countenance, as well as in -the way in which he carried himself. There was a swagger that seemed -intended to conceal the award. For all that, there was something in -the rounded stoop of his shoulders, and the short, thick neck, that -bespoke a courage sufficient for crime, and it did not require the -butt of a pistol, protruding from his breast pocket, nor the hilt of a -bowie-knife, shining among his shirt-ruffles, to tell that he was ready -to use either weapon upon slight provocation, or perhaps without any at -all. - -It was the sight of these ugly _insignia_, carried so ostentatiously, -that had produced my first feeling of aversion--soon strengthened, -however, by the bantering tone in which he talked to my young -companion, who appeared to treat him with more civility than he -deserved. - -More than all, the free, familiar way in which he spoke of the young -planter's sister--which the latter did not appear to relish--this -and the glances given to myself, had prepared me for a very surly -conversation, had one been commenced between us. Indeed, had the -interview lasted much longer, with the interchange of a few more such -looks, the bad blood between us would have found expression in speech. -As it was, we parted in mutual dislike, on both sides as clearly -understood as though it had been spoken. - -"Who is your swearing friend?" I asked, knowing that the question so -put was not likely to give offense. - -"Not much friend of mine." - -"Nor of your father's, I should say?" - -"Father can't bear the sight of him." - -"An old acquaintance, I suppose? He appears to be familiar with your -affairs." - -I was thinking more of the mode in which he had spoken of Miss Woodley -than of any thing else. The remark made about not having seen her, had -jarred upon my ear. Why should he have said this at all? And why had -the brother appeared to dislike it? - -"Oh, yes. He is an old acquaintance," replied the young planter; "and -ought to know a good deal of our affairs--at least until lately. I may -say we were brought up together. His plantation adjoined ours--what -once was his. That's what he meant by saying he was out to have a look -at the old place." - -"It is no longer his, you say?" - -"No, the land now belongs to us." - -"Oh, indeed!" - -"Yes. Nat has been what in Tennessee we call a "wild blood," if not -something worse. He never would keep straight, nor stay among his own -sort. He was always given to queer company--among the poor white trash, -and what between spending money at their cock-fights, 'quarter-races,' -and 'candy-pullings,' he soon went through what was left of his -father's plantation. It wasn't much, as his father before him was a -good deal given the same way. The place came to the hammer; and, as it -adjoined ours, my father bought it, along with some of the niggers. -They tell queer stories about Nat, these same darkies. If only half -be true, the less one knows of him the better. I only wonder that my -brother gives him the encouragement he does." - -"Your brother?" - -"Yes. His plantation in Mississippi is not far from that you've heard -Bradley speak of, where he can grow such crops of cotton. He appears -to be getting rich again. My brother says so in his letters. Nearly -a hundred niggers, and always a pocket full of money. How he got the -start nobody can tell; but I think one might find out if they were to -frequent the gambling-houses of New Orleans. Brother says he goes down -there every winter, stays only a short time, and comes back to his -plantation loaded down with dollars. Last year he bought no less than -fifty field hands for his plantation. You've been to Orleans, you say?" - -"I have." - -"A terrible place for gambling, ain't it?" - -"You are quite right." - -"No doubt that explains how Mr. Nat Bradley started his new plantation. -If it's 'poker' they play, there's not many will stand a chance with -him. He had the name here when a boy, of beating even his father's own -niggers at it." - -"What! was he accustomed to play with them?" - -"With any one who had a 'bit' to bet upon the game. That was before he -went away. He was poor enough then, for he hung about here long after -he had lost the plantation--cock-fighting, drinking, quarreling--some -say worse. So, stranger, after what I've told you, you won't wonder -at my being a little cool with Nat Bradley, though he has been my -school-fellow." - -"On the contrary, I think you act very properly in keeping him at a -distance." - -"I wish brother Henry would do the same." - -"What reason have you for thinking he does not?" - -"Oh! plenty of reason. Henry receives him at his house, and he has -even the impudence to talk to 'Corneel,' as you have heard him call -my sister. Down in Mississippi State they have queer ways. As you may -know, most of the Choctaw lands there, were settled by 'speculators,' -and they're not very particular as to what a man is, so long as he -makes money. Brother's an easy sort of fellow, and don't much mind -what kind he goes with, if he can only get his fill of hunting. It -was nothing else he moved to the Mississippi for; though he don't -like to own to it. We see only a stray bear upon Duck, and deer are -getting scarce, while both are still plenty in the canebrakes of -the Mississippi bottom. But come, sir, you'll no doubt think me an -inhospitable traveling companion; and our horses will have a sorry -opinion of both of us. Here's old Spicer's tavern, where we stand some -chance of getting a dinner, and in the cool of the evening we can ride -on to Columbia." - -We dismounted under the swing sign of the "Lafayette Hotel;" and, after -a little "sweetening," prevailed upon _Major_ Spicer--a Tennessee -tavern-keeper would not be of inferior grade--to consent that one of -his darkies should take care of our horses, and that we ourselves might -partake of the hospitality of the Lafayette Hotel--consisting of sweet -potatoes and "pone" bread--fried pork and apple "sass," with a stirrup -cup of peach-brandy, to strengthen us for continuing our journey. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -PLANTATION LIFE. - - -There are not many chapters in my life's experience that I can look -back upon with more satisfaction than that which records my stay upon -a Tennessee cotton plantation. With me it has ever been a pleasure -to study the ways and sources of production, more especially those -relating to the great staples, that not only interest, but influence -the conduct of mankind. And perhaps none to a greater extent than that -which, when fabricated, forms one of the most important items of our -clothing--the plant _Gossypium_, lately relied upon to control a great -national revolution. - -I was shown its glaucous wool-covered seeds, the mode of sowing it, the -way by which its young shoots were kept clear of weeds--the plant as -it appeared in its snow-white flower, and afterward, when the bursting -capsule displays the equally white staple, giving still greater delight -to the planter's eye--then the gathering, the "picking" of those seeds, -so tenacious as to require the machinery of the "gin;" and, lastly, the -packing and "pressing" of the bales, which makes them ready for the -dray, the flat, the steamboat, or the ship--ready for transport to the -remotest parts of the earth. - -All this I learnt from Walter Woodley, his fair sister supervising the -lesson. - -I remember it well, though it would be more a wonder if I had forgotten -it. - -Far was I from thinking it tedious. I could have undergone it twice -over; stayed to study its details for a second season, and another -crop; but, chance guest that I was, I could no longer intrude even upon -Tennesseean hospitality, and I prepared to take my departure. - -I had spent ten days on the plantation; and, although in the retrospect -I see only sunshine, I can also remember that at the time there was -just the suspicion of a shadow. - -In the happy house of Squire Woodley, no stranger would have looked for -a "skeleton;" and yet I suspected that there was one. It was only a -suspicion, but strong enough to give me pain. - -I had not forgotten Nat Bradley, or the free and easy fashion in which -he had talked of the affairs of the family. I had not forgotten the -confident tone in which he had alluded to "Corneel." - -Several times during my stay, the name of this gentleman had come up in -conversation. With regard to the hostility which his father entertained -for him, Walter had spoken the truth. There could be no mistaking that, -to judge from the terms the old gentleman employed when speaking of -the "scoundrel," as he plainly called Bradley; and it was clear to me -that the squire knew something to Nat Bradley's discredit--more than he -thought prudent to communicate to the younger members of his family. - -Neither of these took any pains to defend their old school fellow; for -in childhood's days, according to backwoods custom, he had been the -school companion of both. Neither ever attempted to speak a word in his -favor. Walter even indorsed the sentiments of his father, while Miss -Woodley was silent; but once or twice I fancied I could perceive in -that silence some trace of embarrassment, and a desire on her part to -escape from discussing the question. Could it be that there was some -untold and secret history between this beautiful girl and that bold -blackguard, Bradley? The thought pained me as a stranger--it pained me -still more as my acquaintance with Miss Woodley assumed the familiarity -of friendship. - -True, it was only my own imagining; but this was strengthened by an -incident that occurred previous to my leaving the plantation, and which -in my mind had a sinister signification. - -I had been several times down to the creek where the flat-boat was -being built--that craft that was to carry the cotton crop more than a -thousand miles to market. I could not help taking an interest in this -native specimen of naval architecture--a sort of Noah's ark of the -Western waters. It was being constructed under the superintendence of a -white man, a flat-boat builder by profession. - -This person--whose name I had ascertained to be Bill Black--was -assisted by a second individual, a white man like himself, who was a -regular "Mississippi boatman." - -The other "builders" were all black, the carpenters and common hands of -the plantation, some of whom were afterward to act as "hands," in the -navigation of the craft. - -I had taken considerable interest in this ark's construction, though -the Tennessee Noah, Mr. Bill Black, seemed anything but inclined to -initiate me into the mysteries of his ship-yard. Several times that -I had visited it alone, he had treated me with scant civility; and I -had set him down as a morose brute. His acolyte, Stinger, was equally -uncivil. - -The demeanor of these men would have given me a very low opinion -of what are called the "white trash" of Tennessee, but I learnt -incidentally that neither belonged to the place. - -They were, in fact, "boatmen," whose home was here to-day, there -to-morrow--wherever a chance of employment might turn up. - -One evening Walter Woodley was absent when wanted by his sister for -some purpose that required his presence upon the premises. Several -messengers had been sent forth to find him. - -Fancying he might be down at the creek, where the flat-builders -were employed, and having nothing better to do, I sauntered in that -direction to summon him. The place was half a mile from the house, and -on the land formerly possessed by the Bradleys. - -On reaching it, I found no one in the "ship-yard." It was after sunset, -and the workmen, both white and black, were gone away for the night. I -could see their tools stored in the shed. - -As I had come on the wrong track to find the missing man, there was no -reason for my hurrying home. - -"He has got there by this time," was my reflection; and lighting a -cigar, I strolled slowly back toward the house. - -I had not gone far before discovering that speed would have been -impossible had I wished making it. The path for the most part ran -through a tract of woodland--huge trees thickly set--the heavy bottom -timber of the creek. The twilight I had left behind me in the cleared -space about the boat-yard, was no longer visible. Under the trees it -was dark as the inside of a cave, only a little illuminated by the -phosphorescent coruscation of the fire-flies, or "lightning-bugs," as -the Tennesseeans term them. - -Instead of guiding me, these animated torches, with their fitful, -unsteady sparkle, only rendered the track more deceptive, and I was -compelled to proceed with circumspection, now groping my way among the -tree-trunks, and now stooping to make sure of the path, by the glow of -my cigar. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -TWO STRANGE TALKERS. - - -I had got about half-way to the plantation-house, and nearly clear of -the timber, when I heard voices, as of two men engaged in conversation. -This it turned out to be--two men upon the same path I myself trod, but -coming from the opposite direction. - -By the time I had made this observation, they were close up to me. - -They appeared to be making way faster than I--no doubt from being more -familiar with the track. Though within less than a score of yards, I -could not distinguish their figures, nor they mine, so deep was the -obscurity of the place. - -I was about to call out, so that we might not run foul of one another, -when I recognized one of their voices. It was that of the uncivil -boat-builder, Black. The other should be his assistant, Stinger? - -Not caring for an encounter with these men--even so much as to saluting -them--I stepped aside, intending to let them pass without making my -presence known. It was easily done in the darkness, by gliding behind a -tree. - -"You think ther'll be two hundred bales, Bill?" - -"Darned close on it. The old un's had an all-fired fine crop." - -"So much the better. See you make the boat big enough to carry it. -Don't let a bale be left behind." - -"Yer kin trust me for that. She'll take every bale of it." - -"Good. If neatly managed, it'll be one of the finest hauls--. Don't you -smell tobacco?" - -"Darned if I don't!" - -"Somebody's been smoking here! A cigar too. Like enough that strange -fellow, or Walt Woodley himself. They've been this way--not a great -while ago neither." - -For a short time there was silence, and I could tell that the two men -had stopped in their track, and were listening. - -Now, less than ever, did I care to accost Mr. Bill Black and his -companion, who was not Stinger, though who I could not guess. And yet -the voice did not seem altogether unfamiliar. I fancied I had heard it -before! - -I stood still as the tree-trunks around me, and equally motionless. I -had already taken the cigar from my teeth, and held it with the coal -between my fingers. - -I was in hopes of hearing something more said, for there was just a -taint of mystery in the nature of the dialogue to which I had commenced -listening. Who could the man be that took such an interest in the bulk -of the flat-boat, and the shipment of Squire Woodley's cotton? - -Perhaps the overseer of the plantation? - -This was a man I had only spoken to once or twice, but with whose voice -I was not enough familiar, to account for the fancy of my having heard -it before. - -I was forced to be satisfied with the conjecture, for the two men no -longer conversed aloud, but in a tone so low, I could not make out what -they said. - -After standing a few seconds to satisfy themselves that they were alone -on the path, they moved on again, and were soon entirely out of my -hearing. - -As I continued toward the house, I could not help dwelling upon -the incident, trifling as it might appear. The voice of the second -speaker still kept vibrating in my ear, although it otherwise defied -identification. I did not feel convinced of its being that of the -overseer. - -On reaching the plantation-house I had evidence to the contrary. The -man was there himself, standing by the gate! He could not have got to -the ground before me. - -I found Walter Woodley at home, and related to him the scraps of -conversation I had overheard. - -"Some of our neighbors," he said, with a careless laugh, "who take -this interest in our affairs, though I can not tell which of them I -am to thank for being such a well-wisher. Ah! I fancy I can explain -it. We propose to allow a percentage on every bale that reaches New -Orleans without getting wet or otherwise damaged. Likely enough it's -some friend of Black, the boatman, who's been congratulating him on his -chance of making a good thing of it. - -"By the way," continued the young planter, changing the subject, "I've -been down by Neal's ferry since dinner, and who do you suppose I should -see crossing there?" - -"How should I know, being a perfect stranger to everybody around you?" - -"Ah! true. But you've seen _him_; and heard us talk of him. Nat -Bradley." - -"Nat Bradley! He here? I thought he said he was going down the river." - -"He did; but for all that he's here again." - -"For what purpose?" I asked, inspired by an unpleasant thought. - -"Heaven only knows. He didn't seem too well pleased at seeing me. I -suppose he fancied I might think it strange, after his telling us he -was off for Mississippi. He explained, by saying, there was no boat at -Nashville ready to start. Now _that_ I know not to be true; for I've -heard elsewhere that there was one went down about ten days ago--just -in time for him to have gone by her. He's a queer fellow; and it's hard -to say what he's dodging about here for. He told me he was on the way -to a nigger trader's near the Tennessee shoals, who'd got some hands -to sell, and as he'd heard they could be had cheap, he was going to -buy some of them. From there he intended riding across to Memphis, and -taking boat for below. He must be making money, somehow, as he talked -of buying no less than twenty of the trader's lot." - -While listening to this long explanation, I imagined I had obtained a -cue as to the voice I had heard in conversation with Bill Black, the -boatman. It was the same that had jarred so disagreeably on my ear, -while pronouncing the name "Corneel." - -I stated my suspicion to the young planter. - -"Like enough," was his reply, "though I didn't know he was acquainted -with Black, nor can I see what difference it should make to him about -our having a large crop, or how we get it to market." - -Neither could I; and it was just this that continued to mystify me, -long after we had ceased to converse on the subject. - -Strange enough, no one of the neighborhood had either seen or heard of -Nat Bradley's reappearance on the place. - -During the three days that intervened before my departure from the -plantation, I had not failed to make inquiries--of course in an -indirect manner--but no one knew of a second visit of Nat Bradley. His -first I had frequently heard spoken of. There was nothing strange in -it. On the contrary, it was but natural that a man of broken fortune, -once more rebuilt, should return to his native place, to receive the -congratulations of his friends, as well as to triumph over his enemies. - -His second visit made in such secrecy--and with a falsehood for its -excuse--must have had some object of a less honest kind. - -I could not help thinking so; and more than once, the thought returned -to distress me. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -A HUNTING PLANTER. - - -Notwithstanding my reluctance to leave the Tennessean plantation, the -event could no longer be delayed. I could bear the thought with greater -equanimity that I had hope soon again to see my fair instructress in -the statistics of cotton-planting. - -"On my journey through the Mississippi State, I must call on her -brother Henry. His plantation was not much out of my way. He could give -me such sport, hunting bears and deer and panther, shooting swans, -egrets and eagles. She herself would be going down soon--perhaps Walter -too. Would I not stay till they came?" - -Who would have declined such an invitation? Not I. My difficulty was to -conceal an eagerness in its acceptance. I promised to pay this visit -to the hunting brother; and provided with the proper credentials of -introduction, I bade adieu to my Tennesseean acquaintances, and once -more set my face for the South. - -I had long since left behind me the region of turnpikes, and my -route lay over roads where the hoof struck only on the softly-turfed -surface of the earth. Now and then it coincided with the old "Natchez -trace"--that once much-traveled highway, on which Murrell had committed -many of his murders. - -In due time--and with only those slight mischances which form -rather the charms of travel--I reached the Mississippi plantation, -and presented my letters of introduction to the proprietor. I was -received with all the warmth of Western hospitality. Indeed, by my -new host, Henry Woodley, credentials would scarce have been called -for. Sufficient for him to know that I was fond of hunting, to have -insured me a warm reception. With the addition of such introduction -as I carried, it was only made the warmer; and I was received with as -much zeal as if, instead of that pretty epistle from his sister, I -had brought one from the old squire containing a check for a thousand -dollars. - -I was not long upon the plantation of Mr. Henry Woodley, till I could -tell that this last would not have been unwelcome. Here every thing was -different from the old homestead in Tennessee. - -Instead of a handsome "frame house," well filled with furniture that -approached the fashionable, I was introduced to a dwelling of a less -pretentious kind. It was a large log-cabin, comfortable enough, but -with no claim to architectural style. It stood inside of an inclosure -of rude rail fence, overshadowed by trees and surrounded by a shrubbery -of magnolias, osage orange, and other fair forms of vegetation, just as -the forest had furnished them. At the back were the cooking quarters, -standing apart; beyond them the stabling, and to one side a group of -negro-cabins at some distance from the dwelling. Despite the primitive -rudeness of the place, there was that picturesqueness that is pleasing -to the eye. - -There were, withal, sufficient signs to insure comfort, and a -kennel close by containing a score of stag-hounds--some of them -showing scars that could only have been made by the claws of bear or -panther--promised something more--that sport of which their proprietor -was so passionately fond--the grand chase. - -It was for this, in truth, that Henry Woodley had selected his new -home; for this consented, year after year, to endure the summer heats, -and breathe the miasma of the Mississippi swamps--not to make a fortune -in the culture of cotton and tobacco. His corn-growing was intended -only to feed the horses in his stable, as well as the hogs required for -the sustenance of the negro-quarters and the kennel. - -Henry Woodley was not the only man I had met who, under the pretense -of being a planter, passed three-fourths of his time in the chase--his -farming being only a pleasant fiction--a pretext, to escape from the -charge--even the self-accusation--of having nothing to do! Hundreds of -such characters there are in the Mississippi valley. - -Inside, as without, you had evidence of the house being a true hunter's -home. In the vast open porch, with its adjoining gallery, you were -surrounded by trophies of the chase--horns, skins and claws, suspended -alongside a miscellaneous assortment of guns and riding-gear, nets, -traps, and fishing-tackle. - -Soon after my arrival, my host commenced initiating me into the ways -of a Southern sportsman's life; and ere long I was introduced to the -different kinds of chase practiced upon the Mississippi. - -In less than a month I had collected, on my own account, most of -those trophies that fall to the lot of a Mississippi hunter. Among -them were skins of the black bear, the red puma or "painter" of -the backwoodsmen, the spotted lynx--better known by the name of -"wild-cat"--wolves, black and gray, with raccoons, opossums, skunks, -swamp rabbits, and other four-footed "varmints." In my collection were -the antlers of the Virginia stag, the scaly skin of the alligator, as -also the singular gar-fish, or shark of the South-western waters. - -Birds, too, figured among my trophies, including a fine specimen of the -wild turkey, whose weight, when shot, was thirty pounds in the scale. -I had obtained also the tall American crane, the trumpeter swan, the -curious snake-bird, the blue heron, the white egret, the scarlet ibis, -and many other beautiful birds, obtainable on the banks and bayous of -the lower Mississippi. - -The king of all, however--the white-headed eagle--was still wanted -to complete my museum. Several times I had seen this splendid bird -soaring aloft, or winging his way across the river. But, like most of -the falcon tribe, the white-headed eagle is shy of the approach of man; -and I had never succeeded in getting a shot at one. All the more did I -desire to add the eagle to my collection. - -My host, eager to gratify me, caused inquiries to be made. - -It ended in our hearing of a "roost" upon one of the islands, some -twenty miles down the river, where a nest had been observed in the -spring, and afterward the brood of birds--a single brace, along with -their parents. - -In the neighborhood of a nest where they have succeeded in bringing -forth their young, the eagles can more easily be approached. Where they -have been so long permitted to go undisturbed, their confidence becomes -established. Knowing this, I determined on making an excursion to the -island. - -On this occasion I was to go without my host, accompanied only by one -of his negroes, named "Jake." I had made several excursions so attended -when the young planter was otherwise occupied--Jake and the skiff being -always placed at my disposal. - -The darky knew the island in question, though he had never landed -upon it; and what I thought strange, did not seem to relish the idea -of guiding me to the place! At other times he had shown the greatest -eagerness to be my hunting companion, as it afforded him a pleasanter -time than any other employment upon the plantation. - -It would be a two hours' pull down-stream, and might take us twice that -time to return--the river here running with a rapid current, especially -in proximity to the island. - -Perhaps it was the prospect of so much toil under a hot sun that was -rendering Jake so reluctant; and with this explanation to myself, I -followed my unwilling conductor to the skiff. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE WHITE-HEAD EAGLE. - - -We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had -forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little -dangerous--especially as we approached the island. - -What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making -land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had -fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to -make fast the skiff. The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight -had hindered the current from carrying it off. - -Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot -upon _terra firma_. - -The nest I supposed could not be far off, and by the directions given -me, I could easily find it. - -The darky did not seem inclined to go ashore, or otherwise assist me in -the search. He made some excuse about taking care of the skiff, and in -the skiff I left him. - -I again thought his behavior strange, but made no objection to his -remaining. In finding the eagles, the old negro could be of no -particular service to me. The island did not appear to be of any great -superficial extent. I could soon traverse it in every direction. If the -birds were upon it, I should see or hear them, and in stalking them I -would be better alone--my sable companion not being much of a sportsman. - -Getting over the ground did not prove such an easy task. It was thickly -studded with heavy timber--cottonwood, tulip-tree, and cypress; and -between the trunks there was an undergrowth of palmettoes, in places -almost impenetrable. - -Although the sun was shining brightly--I had left it so outside the -island--under the trees it resembled twilight. In addition to their own -thick foliage, they were festooned with Spanish moss, that shut out the -sky like a curtain. - -I soon despaired of seeing any thing of the eagles. Looking overhead, -I could not see the sky--much less any object depending upon its -brightness for being made visible. - -I began to think of going back to the river-bank; and had already -stopped in my tracks, when I perceived a slender list of light stealing -through the timber beyond. It might be that I had arrived near the -other side of the island. In any case, it was worth while going on to -see; and I proceeded toward the light. - -It proved only an opening among the trees, where a gigantic deadwood, -divested of its leaves, permitted the sunlight to descend upon the -earth. - -The tree, an enormous _liriodendron_, had been struck by lightning, -and long since dead. The parasites, that would otherwise have been -sustained by its sap, had perished along with it, and dropped from its -branches, lay strewed upon the ground below. Its huge limbs, blanched -and twigless, were stretched like skeleton arms toward the sky. Its -main stem had been broken off near the summit; yet still overtopped the -surrounding forest. - -In the fork where the fracture had occurred, I could see a huge -protuberance that did not seem part of the tree. It was a collection of -dead sticks and branches, rudely wattled together, evidently the nest -for which I was searching. - -As I stood regarding it with upturned eyes, a strange sound came into -my ears, almost filling them with its harsh intonations. I can compare -it to nothing so near to what it seemed, as the filing of a huge frame -saw, or the laugh of a maniac escaped from his keeper. - -As I stood listening, it seemed to repeat itself in echoes as if the -whole island had suddenly been converted into a pandemonium. - -I was not dismayed. The sound was not unknown to me. I knew it to be -the scream of the white-headed eagle. - -I had just time to get my rifle ready for firing, when four of these -grand birds--the parents and brood of which I had heard spoken--came -sailing overhead. Their broad-spreading wings shadowed the patch of -open ground as they soared majestically above the blighted tree. - -I was in hopes that one or other of them would alight, and give me -a chance of obtaining something like a fair shot. But in this I was -disappointed. Even over their own nest they were shy. It had been long -forsaken, and the first that uttered the cry had sprung up from it, -alarmed by my presence below. - -I waited for some time, but perceiving that they did not intend to -alight, I determined to risk the chance of a flying shot. What would I -not have given at that moment for a smooth-bore, loaded with "buck." -Unfortunately I carried a rifle, with only a single bullet. - -The four eagles continued to circle around the forsaken nest. - -I observed that only two of the four had the white head and tail. The -other two were of a uniform dusky brown. The former I knew to be the -old birds with plumage matured. - -Choosing the larger of these, I took aim and fired. - -The eagle fell at my feet, crippled by a shot through the shoulder. - -But I had not yet secured my prize, and on through the palmettoes I -rushed after the wounded bird, that went screaming and fluttering -before me. - -More than a hundred yards was made in this way, when a blow from the -butt of my rifle at length put an end to the scrambling chase, and the -eagle was mine. It was the female, a fine bird, in perfect plumage. - -By this the other three had gone clear off from the island, as I could -tell by their screams heard dying away in the far distance. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE "DEVIL'S ISLAND." - - -Proud of my achievement, I shouldered the prize, and started to return -to the skiff. - -I had not gone three steps, when I again stopped, to simply ask myself -the way. I saw that I had lost it. - -The chase after the wounded eagle, both tortuous and prolonged, had -carried me out of sight of the deadwood as well as the light let down -through its leafless branches. I was once more in the midst of a -continuous twilight. - -I looked for my tracks. Taking time and pains, I might have discovered -and retraced them. But the spread-fans of the palmettoes quite covered -the ground, and I had not the patience to put them aside for such -exploration. I supposed the island to be of only some forty or fifty -acres in extent; and, by keeping straight on in any direction, I must -soon come to its edge. Following this, would in time bring me to the -skiff. - -Taking a straight shoot through the underwood, I walked briskly on, -and, as I expected, soon saw the sunlight gleaming before me. - -There was an opening with water; but, as I drew near to it, I could see -it was not the river, but a sort of lagoon or pool of stagnant water. - -I kept for a short distance along its edge, and discovered that it -communicated with a "bayou" that appeared to lead out into the river. - -I fancied that it would take me the wrong way, and was turning to make -a traverse in the opposite direction, when something down under the -bank caught my eye. I first took it for a floating log; but on closer -scrutiny it proved to be an old canoe of the kind known as a "dug-out." - -It was moored to the root of one of the great cypresses that -overshadowed the water. It was partially concealed by the outstretched -fronds of the palmettoes that grew around the root of the cypress. - -On seeing the dug-out, I supposed there was some other party upon the -island; but, stepping down and examining it, I saw that its rude hawser -of twisted grape-vine must have been holding it there for months. Some -worthless, worn-out craft, abandoned, perhaps forgotten. - -While making this reflection, my eye wandered to the opposite side of -the pool. There I observed other signs of human presence, though not -recent. There was a little spot of cleared ground, above a high bank -that looked as if it had been used for a landing. Fragments of coarse -canvas, such as is used for cotton "bagging," were strewn over it, and -there were the ashes of an old fire. - -I thought it strange to see such relics in that solitary place, and -walked away, wondering what could have taken them there. - -My speculations, however, were soon interrupted by the necessity of -finding my way back to the skiff, which proved more difficult than I -had expected. - -Not till I had wandered about for a full half-hour, and scratched -my skin among the sharp spikes of the palmettoes, did I succeed in -reaching my place of debarkation, and then only by shouting myself -hoarse, and getting a responsive shout from the skiffman. - -"I's glad, massa, you got safe 'board 'gen," said he, as I stepped into -the boat. - -"Why?" I asked, wondering at the remark as well as the alacrity with -which the darky pulled away from the cottonwood. - -"Kase I t'ink dat 'ere island a dangersome place." - -"Dangerous place! In what way?" - -"Doan' no, massa, doan' no. But folks do say de debbil hab been see'd -an' heerd dar ob nights. One ob Mass' Bradley's black people tole me -so. Mass' Bradley's plantation not far off on toder side, but none o' -dem niggas ebba goes on dat island. Nob'dy else ebba go dar. Sartin -shoo de place am ha'nted." - -I could now comprehend why my companion had shown such aversion to -accompany me in my excursion. - -I could not help smiling at his superstition, though I was not a little -chagrined at his not having sooner confided it to me, so that I might -have made a more careful exploration of the interesting locality. - -When I thought of the gloomy obscurity of its shadows, the deep, -dark lagoon, that slept stagnant under its trees, the weird drapery -of Spanish moss, that thickly festooned their branches, I did not -so much wonder at the superstitious awe with which my sable-skinned -companion had been led to regard it. It was just the kind of spot to be -"haunted;" but no doubt the abandoned dug-out, and the other _reliquiæ_ -I had observed, had I taken time to examine them, would have given a -clue to the "debbil," supposed by Jake and his colored acquaintance of -the Bradley plantation, to have made it his abiding-place. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE ISLAND PLANTATION. - - -On the subject of the Bradley plantation--suggested no doubt by its -proximity--my skiffman became communicative; and, during the long pull -up-stream made me acquainted with some facts relating to the place, and -its proprietor, that were, to say the least, a little curious. - -Mr. Bradley's clearing was upon a large island, formed by a "shute" -of the river on one side, and by an old channel, which the stream had -long since abandoned. There was nothing singular about this. I had -become already aware that there are several plantations so situated -on the South-western rivers--where the house can only be reached by a -ferry-boat, kept to communicate with the mainland. - -For hundreds of miles on both banks of the river--more especially on -the right--the bottom lands are scarred and seamed by a labyrinthine -network of creeks, bayous, and lagoons, all old channels of the river, -which the current in its caprice has long since forsaken, leaving them -in deep, dark stagnation, or only moving sluggishly to and fro, during -the season of floods. - -On one of the tracts of land so insulated Mr. Bradley had "located," -and there was nothing strange in it. What did seem strange to my -informant was that "Mass' Bradley had come dar wif only two or t'ree -darky at fuss; an' now he had amoss as many niggas as de old Squire -Woodley in Tennessee; an' all dat in less'n no time. He was always -a-buyin' new hands from de nigga dealers dat fetch 'em from up de -country, tho' he nebba bo't any jess about dar. He bo't de wuss kind -o' cusses, 's nobody else ked manage. _He_ manage 'em, _he_ do, dat -same bossy Bradley. He nebba 'low'd one o' 'em to go off dat 'ere -plantashun, cep'in' when he hab bizness; an' if dey 'teal off to any -odder house, which dey sometime do by swimin' crosst de bayou in de -night, den dey cotch it. Not offen dey try; dar's no odder place nearer -dan Mass' Woodley's, an' dat's ten mile by de ribba, an' most twenty -through de bottom! If dey ebba come dar, don't he fotch dem back, an' -don't he larrup 'em! Gollys! he do make de darky squrm! He got an -obaseeah who flog wuss dan de bery debbil hisself. Whugh!" - -From what I had myself seen, I could believe all this of Nathaniel -Bradley; and some other things equally to his discredit, of which the -black skiffman forthwith informed me. - -But I wanted to know of something that interested me much more--the -relations that existed between this insulated cotton-planter and Jake's -own master. I had learnt enough to know that they were intimate. I -wished also to know why. - -I knew enough of Mississippi planter society to know that character had -little to do with social standing. The "chivalry" that had settled down -on the late Choctaw lands was far from being without reproach. With it, -riches, and a ready use of the revolver, were often the chief titles -to respect; and Nat Bradley, bully as he was, would be just the man to -"shine" in the society of Vicksburg and its environs--a town which only -a few years before had actually been taken possession of by a score of -ruffian "sportsmen." They had for weeks held carnival in its streets, -insulting every citizen who dared to gainsay them. - -It is true these "sportsmen" were in the end punished; but the old -leaven still stayed; and at the time I write of, was almost rife -as ever. What I had heard of Bradley, both in Tennessee and since, -made him by no means an exceptional character--only a type of the -Mississippian of that time. - -It was the character of Henry Woodley that caused me to feel surprise -at the association; for the latter so far from being of the bully class -was altogether the opposite. Though living a life that might be almost -termed rough, and associating in the chase with rough men, he was of a -refined and sensitive nature--I might almost say timid. Keen hunter as -he was, it may seem a contradiction; but such was in reality the fact. - -Why should such a man find congeniality in the company of Nat Bradley? - -To talk of my host and his affairs was a delicate subject, especially -with his own slave. I should have avoided it, but for the interest I -had begun to feel in one nearly related to him. - -Thinking of her, I could not restrain myself, from that indirect -questioning that might give me satisfaction. - -"This Mr. Bradley don't appear to be much of a favorite of yours, Jake?" - -"Nor nob'dy ess's, massa. All our darky hate um like de pisen-snake." - -"Your white folks, though? They don't hate him?" - -"Doan' know, massa. Not so shoo 'bout dat." - -"For instance, your own master. He's a great friend of Mr. Bradley--is -he not?" - -"Ah, young Mass' Henry. He fr'en's wif ebberybody. He no kill a dam -'skeeter, ef it bite um on de nose; though he do like kill de b'ar, an' -de painter, an' dem odder big varmint. Daat's diff'rent. Den he 'cited -by de chase an' barkin' ob de dogs. Whugh! Don't he go changed when he -hear de gowl o' de hown's? He arn't like de same indiwiddle." - -"I know he's very fond of hunting, and hunters too; but Mr. Bradley -never hunts, and your master appears very fond of _him_?" - -"Maybe he am--maybe he ain't." - -After making this ambiguous rejoinder, Jake leant industriously to his -oars, and for some time remained silent. - -Feeling perfectly satisfied that no son of Africa could terminate a -dialogue, with such an unsatisfactory conclusion, I waited for him to -resume speech. - -I had not long to wait. Scarce a dozen strokes of the oar. - -"Dar may be a reason, sar, why Mass' Henry show fr'en'ship you 'peak -'bout. Dar am many kewrious thing down hyar in de Massissippy State; -an' maybe dat 'ere am one ob dem." - -"Ah! you think the friendship is not real? There is something--" - -"Behin' de bush. Dat dere is fo' sartin; an' dis nigger know it." - -"Some influence, perhaps?" - -"Yes, mass' 'tranger. Dar am inflooence." - -"Of what kind?" - -My heart beat quickly as I asked the question--audibly as I listened -for the answer. I expected to hear something of Miss Woodley. - -"Wal, massa," replied the skiffman, after a short while, apparently -spent in cogitation, "I know you Mass' Henry's fr'end, an' doan' know -why I shouldn't tell you all 'bout de bizness 'tween youn' Mass' Henry -an' Boss Bradley." - -"I _am_ your master's friend," I said, to encourage him. "You may trust -me, Jake." - -"Wal, sar, it war jess dis: one day dey war out in de woods, on a big -deer-drive. Dar war Mass' Henry hisself, an' Mass' Bradley--dat war -de only day I ebba know _him_ go huntin'--an dar war sebberal odder -ob de planters 'bout hya, all huntin' togedder. De drive war oba, an -dey'd all sot down to take a spell ob ress, an' eat de vittle dat de -niggas hed brought in de wag'n. Den dey got to playin' cards, an' I's -b'lieve it war de Boss Bradley dat fuss proposed dem. You know Mass' -Henry nebber play, on de cards--dat am, he nebber play fo' money. But -dey'd all been a-drinkin'--de hunters an' de planters--an' dar war -mint-julep, an' claret sangaree, an' dat 'ere stuff like ginga-beer -dey caa sham-pain. So dey all set too to de card-playin', Mass' Henry -among de ress. Dey played poker, an' dey played a French game dey caa -yuka, an' staked, golly! dey staked as high as a hundred dollar apiece! -Ob coas' Mass' Henry knowin' jess nex to nuffin' 'bout de game--he war -boun' to lose. Whugh! he did lose. Two thousan' dollars--ebbery red -cent! an' who d'ye s'pose he lose 'em to?" - -"Who?" - -"Why, dat same Bossy Bradley. Ob coas' Mass' Henry hadn't no money on -de groun', for who's agwine to be a-toatin' two thousan' dollars 'bout -'im? So he guv de planter Bradley his writin' fo' de amount--which dem -call a purmissory note. Wal, dat 'ere note arn't been paid yet; an' -it's de no-payment ob it dat make Mass' Henry 'pear sech fr'en's wi' -mass' planter Bradley. Now, sar, ye's got de explication ob de whole -sarcumstance." - -"I hope it is the true one." - -"What, massa! Why for you hope dat? You say you Mass' Henry fr'en'? -Sure you no wish 'im two thousan' dollar debt to Bossy Bradley?" - -It was not strange the negro should express surprise at my speech. I -had answered mechanically, and without thought of the interpretation -he might put upon it--thinking only of myself, and the relief his -explanation had caused me. - -It was now my turn to explain. I could not leave Jake in the belief -that I was gratified to hear of his master's indebtedness. - -"No, no!" I responded, endeavoring to explain away what I had said. "I -merely meant that I hoped it was no worse. Two thousand dollars is not -much--for a rich planter to pay." - -"Lor', massa! It am a big heap, two thousan' dollar! Great big heap fo' -young Mass' Henry. He nebba pay dat hisseff, till de ole squire die, -an' leab um some ob dat 'ere plantashun in Tennessee. He no make money -hyar like Bossy Bradley. Ah, Mass' Henry 'pend more'n he make. Dat dis -chile am sure ob. Cuss dem cards, anyhow! Dey's de ruin ob ebberybody -dat teches um, 'ceptin' de gammelin' sportsmen themselves. T'ank de -Lor'! I hear Mass' Henry sw'a he nebba tech dem no more. Dat's one bit -o' sattafacshun, it is." - -Notwithstanding that I feared being thought too inquisitive, the -intelligence displayed by my sable companion tempted me to inquire -further. - -"Does Mr. Bradley often visit your master?" - -"Well, sar, dat depend--" - -"On what?" - -"On de seezun ob de y'ar." - -"On the season of the year! You mean he comes at one time more than -another?" - -"Yes, sar; jess so." - -Jake had ceased to be communicative, and required drawing. - -"I suppose there are times when business requires him to be at your -master's plantation?" - -"Wal, ye see, dar's de summer seezun, he doan' come much den. I b'lieve -him been only twice dis summer, an' de once you see um you'seff, sar. -An dar's de winter seezun. Den Mass' Bradley go good deal down to de -grand city--Orleans. So de folks say." - -"That would leave him no time to visit your master's plantation." - -"Ah, he find time fo' dat." - -"But when?" - -"Wal, sar, I tell _you_ when; when mass'r's sister--Miss Corneel--come -down to 'tay on de plantashun. Dat am de troof." - -More than half prepared for the communication, it did not come with -such a surprise. To conceal my thoughts from him who had made it, I -said, with an air of carelessness--which cost me an effort: - -"Perhaps he is Miss Woodley's sweetheart?" - -"May be so, sar; may be so." - -Though Jake's answer was not conclusive, I forbore to question him -further. I had started a subject that was causing me pain; and further -disclosures could only increase it. - -After all, what was Miss Woodley to me? The interest I felt in her--was -it more than friendship? Why should I interfere in an affair that did -not concern me? Cornelia Woodley was no child; but an accomplished lady -of several seasons' experience. If she chose to throw herself away upon -this worthless man, why should I care? And if I did, what could I do -to prevent it? Both she and her brother were strangers to me. I had no -right to give counsel; nor would they be likely to accept it. - -My best way would be to avoid even the desire for interference; and to -do this I _must_ forsake the society into which chance had accidentally -thrown me. It was only to take horse, and continue my travels. It would -be a complete change of programme; but the circumstances required it. -The prospect of seeing Miss Woodley again, so pleasant on leaving -Tennessee, I could now only contemplate with pain. The promise I had -made could be easily broken. She would scarce care for my keeping it. - -From these gloomy reflections I was startled by the voice of the -skiffman. - -"Talk ob de debbil," said he, "an' dat genlum shoo to be clost by. Dis -time, howeber, we wa' talkin' ob de angel." - -"An angel! What do you mean, Jake?" - -"Look yonda, sar! What you see yonda?" - -"I see a steamboat." - -"Ya--jess so. An' in dat 'teamboat dar am a angel! Sartin shoo dar am." - -"I don't understand you." - -"Golly, mass'r! Doan' ye see dat de boat go stop at Mass' Woodley -landin'?" - -"Yes; I see that." - -"Wal, what she go dar for but put some'dy 'shore. She take no freight -from dar, kase we hab none to gub her. We make no cotton, nor no -corn to spare from de plantashun. Shoo, den, she land some passager; -an' sartin shoo dat passager am de young missa come down from ole -Tennessee. Tole ye so, sar. Look! de boat shove off 'gin, an' you see -'t am de Cherokee, one ob dem Cumberlan' boats dat run up to Nashville." - -About the boat he was right. In ten minutes after she came booming -past, almost swamping our eggshell of a skiff. I read upon her side the -lettering "Cherokee." - -I could not help looking with interest upon that splendid craft -in whose gilded saloon had lately sat the woman then occupying my -thoughts. But it was an interest clouded with apprehension. - - * * * * * - -On reaching Henry Woodley's house, I learned that his sister had -arrived by the Cherokee, and Nat Bradley _along with her_! - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -HOSTILE GUESTS. - - -Yes, Nat Bradley had landed from the boat along with her, and was there -at the house, apparently a welcome guest! - -It was with difficulty I could conceal my chagrin, despite the -silliness of my showing it. - -I succeeded, however, determined next day to take leave of a -hospitality that had hitherto given me pleasure, but henceforth could -only cause pain. - -Bradley did not stay for the night. He had come ashore there, because -there was no landing-place on his own plantation. He had been up to -Vicksburg on business, and had availed himself of the steamboat to -return. - -These particulars I gathered from his conversation with my host. -I regarded them as plausible excuses. No doubt he had been up to -Vicksburg; but not upon business. He had gone there to meet Cornelia -Woodley, and accompany her back in the boat. Nothing could be clearer. - -He took his leave, borrowing a horse from my host, and promising to -bring him back on the morrow. Before that time I too determined upon -being gone. - -It was easier to talk of such a determination than to carry it out. It -is not often that the singed moth succeeds in escaping from the candle, -nor the bird from the serpent that allures it. And with either of these -might my case be compared. - -My proposal of departure was met by surprise on the part of my planter -host. So abrupt! So unexpected! He would not hear of it. It would be -such a disappointment to him. He had been organizing a grand hunt--the -grandest we had yet had--a bear _battue_ in the canebrakes of the -Arkansas side, and all for my especial entertainment. Surely I would -not disappoint him? - -"You will not?" said his sister, as we were left for a moment alone. - -I scarce knew what to say. - -"Why do you leave us in such haste?" - -Still less could I make answer to this question. - -"It is very unkind of you," she continued to urge; "and not very -gallant," added she, with a provoking pout. "You appear to have been -contented here till I came. I shall think you are running away to avoid -me." - -There was truth in this, though not in the sense she intended. - -I was on the eve of making reply--of reiterating my determination to -depart--of telling her why I had taken it--perhaps of speaking some -silly reproach. - -I was prevented from making this fool of myself by a generosity I -little deserved. - -"Do stay!" she said, coming near, and almost entreating me. "My brother -will be so vexed by your leaving us; and I too. If you go I shall -always think it was my presence that had driven you away." - -What could be the meaning of that speech? It made me feel that I was -either a favored or a flattered man. If the first she who made it was -an angel; if the second, a cruel coquette. In which category should I -place Cornelia Woodley? - -To discover this, was the object of my next remark, the rudeness of -which can only be excused by the torture my suspicions were causing me. - -"Not your presence, Miss Woodley," I said, "but that of one whose -absence would no doubt cause you far greater regret than mine." - -The surprise that leaped up into her great gazelle eyes was not -unpleasing to me. There was something in it that spoke of innocence. At -least, it was not coquetry. - -"Of whom do you speak, sir?" - -I hesitated to give the name. I may have been wronging her. In any -case I had no right to interfere with her predilections. My speech -had placed me in a dilemma, from which I would have been too happy to -escape without further controversy. Fortunately there was a chance; by -her brother at that moment reappearing, to renew his solicitations. - -This time they were successful. The short conversation with his sister -had caused a change in my sentiments. It had inspired me with fresh -hope; under the whisperings of which I was easily persuaded to stay for -the grand bear-hunt. - - * * * * * - -Next day, according to promise, Bradley brought back the horse--one of -his negroes riding another. - -I felt certain it was only an excuse, as the man could as well have -returned the horse without him. - -His own was unsaddled and stabled, which told of his intention to make -a stay. - -Thus brought together, we were necessarily introduced, and for the -first time I exchanged speech with a man for whom I had felt an -instinctive aversion. - -Neither our salutes nor after-communications were cordial; but the -presence of our host and his sister relieved us from the necessity of -any direct conversation. - -I saw that there was a black cloud upon his brow, whenever Miss Woodley -appeared to take an interest in any thing I said. - -Once I had caught his eye turned upon me with a scowl so sullen and -malignant as almost to tempt me to take notice of it. - -And yet it rather gratified me to think that _he_ might be jealous. - -The situation appeared to be irksome to all the party. Our host did not -seem easy with two such ill-assorted guests, and his sister also showed -signs of constraint. - -Opportunely there came a relief. - -My late skiffman, Jake, who had been scouting through the woods, -brought in the report that "de pigeons war in clouds after de mas', up -on de ridge among de beeches." - -I was the only one present who did not clearly comprehend the -announcement. - -It was soon explained to me. The well-known migratory birds of -America--the passenger-pigeons--had arrived among some beechwood that -grew upon a ridge in the rear of the plantation. There making pause -in their irregular flight, they were filling their crops with the -scattered mast. - -Small as was the game, and tame the sport of pigeon-shooting, it is one -that can not be obtained every day, like the chase of the squirrel. The -birds stay but a short time in any particular place--excepting in those -grand roosts that are few and far between. Every one can not enjoy the -sport of destroying them wholesale at their roosting-places; but in the -autumn of the year, those who live in the neighborhood of beechen woods -may have a chance to shoot them. - -In a region where they but rarely show themselves, even the grand -bear-hunter will not disdain to spend a day or two in popping away at -pigeons. - -Such a district was that in which lay the plantation of our host. - -At the word "pigeons," Henry Woodley sprung to his gun, calling upon us -to imitate his example. - -We could not do otherwise than respond to the call, and all three -started forth--our host, Bradley and myself. - -Miss Woodley was, for the time, left alone. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE PERILS OF PIGEON-SHOOTING. - - -I do not purpose to give a description of pigeon-shooting, as practiced -in the backwoods of the West; though the sport has its peculiarities, -some of which may be worth mentioning. It is not such a slaughter as -has been represented, and the vast flocks--or "clouds," as the negro -had called them--would lead one to conclude. This is true enough of the -breeding-roosts, where the birds, inspired by the passion of love, or -acting under the instincts of generation, appear to lose all sense of -fear or self-preservation. - -Elsewhere, and at other times, they become sufficiently shy; and -though the gunner may always get within range of a single bird, or two -or three, seated upon a branch, it requires both cover and careful -stalking to obtain one of those wholesale shots poured into the thick -of the flock and counting its score of victims. Almost invariably, when -you are just upon the edge of shot-range, some old bird, wary from the -last year's experience, gives the cue to the flock, that with a loud -clapping of wings flits off to some other resting-place, a hundred -yards further on through the woods. - -The whole "gang," however, does not obey this signal of safety. -Solitary birds here and there, in twos, threes, or half-a-dozen, remain -irresolute upon the branches; and if you are contented to take aim at -these, you may keep loading and firing, almost continuously. - -For this reason they are not always pursued by shot-guns, some -sportsmen preferring the rifle, these often showing the largest bag -when the sport is over. They are sure of a bird to each shot, and as -there are always some within range, there is no time wasted in idly -following the flock. - -It was so with a party whom we found on the ridge, young planters and -others, who had preceded us there, having got word sooner than we, -of the arrival of the pigeons. Some carried shot-guns, others were -provided with the rifle. Among those provided with the latter, was Nat -Bradley; who, as is usual with planters in riding about, had brought -his gun along with him. I myself was armed with the same kind of weapon. - -As in all cover-shooting, there is some danger in this sport, -especially when the party is a large one; and at a season before the -leaves have fallen from the trees. Each sportsman pursues his own -course, without thinking of others; and, as the birds may be either -upon the ground, the wing, or perched upon the lowermost branches, guns -are not always pointed to the sky. With shot flying about, and now and -then the bullet of a rifle, one might be excused for feeling a little -nervous. - -The sport was new to me, and I did not think of this danger, until -the "z-zip" of a bullet passing close to my ear, admonished me that -pigeon-shooting might prove any thing but a safe pastime. - -So close had the thing come, that I felt the current of air sweeping -across my cheek, and turning suddenly to the tree behind me, saw the -fresh score where the ball had buried itself in the bark. At the same -instant I heard the "spang" of the piece that had discharged it. - -My first impulse was to proceed toward the incautious sportsman, and -reproach him for his carelessness. I could not tell who it was. Some -low pawpaws lay between, upon one of which I supposed the pigeon had -perched, which had tempted the incautious shot. - -The bullet seemed to have brought down its bird, for I had turned -suddenly and saw that nothing flew away. All I could see was a blue -puff of smoke, soaring up over the pawpaws. - -In no very amiable humor, I proceeded toward the spot, but on reaching -it I found no one upon whom to discharge my spleen. Guns were cracking -in other parts of the wood, and I could see men moving about at the -ends of long vistas, but not the man who had come so near shooting me! - -It was altogether an odd circumstance, and I stopped to reflect upon it. - -Was it carelessness on the part of one of my fellow-sportsmen; who, -seeing what he had done, and ashamed of it, preferred sneaking away? - -I might have thought so; but then, where was the pigeon? I had turned -so quickly, that I must have seen it fall, or fly off. - -I saw neither! - -I now reached the pawpaw thicket. I could find no bird, either dead or -wounded; but, while traversing about, I picked up the "patching" of the -bullet. It was a piece of dressed doeskin. - -There was nothing in this to guide me to the sportsman who had used it. - -I now felt a growing desire to identify him; for the longer I -reflected, the more I became convinced that the shot had not been -accidental. - -"The bullet!" thought I; "that may serve my purpose." - -I returned to the tree in which it had buried itself; and, with my -knife, carefully scooped it out of the bark. - -It was of an unusual size for a hunting-rifle, about twenty to the -pound. This would no doubt guide me to the gun from which it had been -discharged. - -Though the sportsmen were scattered through the woods, I took occasion -to place myself in contact first with one, then the other, until I had -got a glance at the caliber of their respective guns. There were five -of them exclusive of Mr. Bradley. - -Of these only two had rifles, both small bores, not larger than fifty -to the pound. - -From Bradley's rifle then had issued the bullet I had extracted from -the tree; and, I now felt convinced that my own person was the "pigeon" -at which it had been fired. - -Without making known the circumstance, or stating my suspicions to any -one, I reflected what would be best for me to do. - -To charge the man with an attempt at murdering me, would seem so -absurd. What motive could he have for such an atrocious act? We were -perfect strangers to one another, with no quarrel between us, no -circumstance to have given color to so serious an accusation. Supposing -it proved to be Bradley's bullet, he would simply have to say that -he fired it at a pigeon, and had not seen me. He might be reproached -with negligence, but not accused of a crime, so monstrous as to appear -improbable. - -On the whole I thought it more prudent to keep my suspicions to myself, -or communicate them only to my host on returning home. - -Meanwhile I determined to make myself better acquainted with the bore -of Mr. Bradley's rifle, and watch the direction in which it should be -aimed. To do this it would be necessary to keep my eye upon him. - -I now discovered that he was missing from among the sportsmen, nor was -his gun any longer heard cracking through the woods. - -Some one remarked this, and some one else added that it was not -strange, as Nat Bradley cared nothing about shooting, and had likely -gone home. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -REJECTED. - - -It is difficult to describe the thoughts at that moment passing through -my mind, about Mr. Nat Bradley and his mysterious movements. I can -well remember them as being black and bitter. More than ever was I -enraged at the man, who, failing to become my assassin, appeared to be -successful as my rival. I could no longer conceal from myself the deep -interest I felt in Cornelia Woodley. - -The disappearance of Bradley was easily explained. I did not need -to hear that he had gone back to the house. It was but the echo of -my own instinct, the moment he was missed from the sporting party. -Miss Woodley would be alone. It was no wonder he should seek such an -opportunity. No wonder either, that pigeon-shooting should no longer -seem sport to me, and that I should determine on retiring from it. - -Without communicating my intention to any one, I strayed from the -ridge, and toward the plantation-house. - -I went with irresolution, now hesitating whether I should interrupt a -scene, the very thought of which maddened me, and where I would, no -doubt, be deemed a most unwelcome intruder. - -But the madness itself stimulated me to proceed; and, on I went, like -one who despairingly offers himself upon the altar of destruction. - -Close to the house of Henry Woodley there was a clump of low timber, -that might have been likened to an orchard. It was not this, however, -only the grove of indigenous trees already mentioned, that, being of an -ornamental kind, had been left standing for show and shade. A fence had -been thrown around them, and some slight attempts made to give them the -character of a cultivated shrubbery. Walks had been traced out, and a -rustic seat or two placed at intervals among these natural arbors. - -The path leading from the beachwood ridge ran through the inclosure, -and upon this I was returning. There was a set of "bars" separating it -from the woods behind; most of these were down, as we had left them on -going out. I had stepped silently over, and was proceeding on toward -the house, when voices, heard in conversation, caused me to come to a -stop. There were two of them, both easily recognized. The first I heard -was that of Nat Bradley, loud enough for me to make out the words, as -also to tell to whom they were addressed. - -I was too much interested in what was being said to feel either shame -or reluctance at playing eavesdropper. - -"You've made up your mind to that?" - -I was not in time to catch the beginning of the speech, which appeared -to be in the form of an interrogation. - -The answer proved it to have been one. - -"I have," was the reply, in a female voice--like that of Miss Woodley. - -"I suppose you think I'm not rich enough; you intend to marry some -grand fellow with a fortune, who can show you off? That's why you -refuse _me_." - -"Permit me to tell you, Mr. Nat Bradley, it has nothing to do with my -refusing you." - -"Come, Corneel; speak the truth; if it be only that, I can promise you -that I too--" - -"You need not make promises, I have spoken the truth, and once for all, -I tell you that it is no use your asking me again. I have said it once -before, I now say it again; Nat Bradley, I _can never be your wife_." - -There was an emphasis on the words that particularly pleased me. - -A pause followed, and with a heart strangely palpitating I listened for -the rejoinder. - -It came in an accent half-agonized, half-angry. - -"You won't, Corneel? you won't! Be it so. Then by heaven! you'll never -be the wife of another man--or if you are, it will only be to become -his widow. I swear by the Eternal, that if it cost me my life, I'll -kill the man that marries you. Yes, the very day he makes you his -bride. So now you may choose for yourself: either be my wife or some -fool's widow. If I thought it was this fledgeless puppy that's staying -with you, I wouldn't let it go that far. No, by--! I'd put an end to -him before that sun should set. I'd--" - -"Nat Bradley!" broke in the voice of the indignant girl. "Do you think -I will listen to such a speech as you are addressing to me? You forget -yourself, sir; or you forget me. Let me hear no more of it, or my -brother shall be told of the liberty you are pleased to take in his -absence." - -To this speech I could hear no rejoinder, but instead, a rustling of -female dress, and the sound of light footsteps passing away. I could -tell that Miss Woodley had put an end to the interview by retiring -toward the house. - -For myself I felt contented enough to have gone back to the woods, and -enjoyed pigeon-shooting for the rest of the day. But the word "puppy" -rung in my ears, and alongside them was my cheeks, still tingling with -that queer sensation I had experienced from the passage of the bullet. - -I could not restrain myself from stepping round the tree that had -hitherto concealed the speakers from my sight, and confronting the only -one that remained upon the ground, Mr. Nat Bradley. - -Had I been my own ghost--which he supposed I was--he could not have -shown more surprise. I think now, as I thought then, that he was -under the belief that he had killed me--and this may account for his -consternation at seeing me. At all events the braggadocio to which -he had been giving vent, seemed suddenly scared out of him; and he -received me in a manner almost submissive. - -"Mr. Bradley," I said, "will you have the goodness to let me look at -your gun?" - -"My gun!" he replied with an air of assumed surprise. "Oh! certainly; -but why do you wish to see it?" - -"Because I have a bullet here, that passed within less than an inch -of my skull. I'm curious to know who came so near shooting me--by -accident." - -"My God! I hope it wasn't me." - -"Well," I replied, after placing the bullet to the muzzle of his rifle, -and satisfying myself it had come from no other, "I can only say that -it was you who fired the shot, and let me caution you the next time you -go pigeon-shooting to stick to the feathered game, and not select a -'fledgeless puppy' for your mark. I hope you understand me?" - -Without waiting for an answer, I turned upon the path, and once more -stepping over the bars, went back toward the beech-woods. - -I rejoined the pigeon-shooting party with a zest for the sport I had -not hitherto felt. - -No one was made the wiser of what had happened; nor did I care to -communicate to my host, how near he had been to having the expense of -providing a coffin for his stranger guest! - -On our return to the house we found Miss Woodley alone. - -Where was Mr. Bradley? inquired her brother. - -He had been there, but had taken his horse, and was gone. - -Henry thought this nothing strange. He was an odd sort of fellow was -Nat Bradley, and did queer things sometimes. - -I was not surprised at his unexplained departure. After that interview -with the mistress of the mansion, he would not be likely soon to show -himself there again. - -There was little said about it, and I could see that Miss Woodley had -no suspicion of my having overheard what had passed between her and her -rejected suitor. - -For my part I intended to keep her secret. I was too contented at what -I had heard to spoil my pleasure by divulging it, and unless Bradley -himself should choose to demand explanations from me, I intended to -leave the matter as it stood. Of course I could not help speculating -upon what course he would take as regarded myself. Would he submit -tamely to the treatment I had given him? Noted bully as he was, I might -have expected a challenge, or what was more likely in that land of -pseudo-chivalry, an "affair," that is, a rough fight with guns, knives, -and pistols. Why it had not come off upon the spot, I could understand, -or at all events I had conjectured. His rifle was empty, its last load -having been discharged at my own person. He appeared to be unprovided -with pistols--these weapons, perhaps, not being deemed appropriate for -making a proposal of marriage. Unarmed, and taken by surprise by my -sudden appearance, he had permitted me to depart without an encounter. - -I supposed, however, it would come off sooner or later, and I waited -for a communication. - -But the next day passed, and there was none; and the next after, till a -whole week had transpired without any word from Mr. Nat Bradley. - -I made up my mind I should hear no more of him, and concluded that in -this case the bully was also a coward. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -A SURLY SKIPPER. - - -The grand bear "battue" came off, and I participated in the sport. I -enjoyed it all the more that Nat Bradley was not one of the hunters. -Had he been so, I might have been mistaken for a bear, and got a bullet -through my body. But he was not upon the ground, and I was saved from -such apprehensions. - -For a time I saw nothing more of him, as he did not come near the -house. There were letters, moreover, received by my host, which I -fancied were from him. I thought so from having caught sight of the -messenger who carried them. He was the negro who had brought back the -horse. - -After reading them, my host appeared suddenly affected with low -spirits. I could guess the nature of the correspondence. No doubt it -related to the gambling debt of which the creditor was now spitefully -claiming payment. I was happy in thinking it was no worse. For myself -I was no longer unhappy, except in the thought of parting from that -pleasant companionship to which chance had introduced me. - -A change had come over my sentiments. So far from seeking an excuse for -hurrying away, I was now thinking of one by which I might gracefully -prolong my stay. A somewhat singular one suggested itself. I became -seized with the fancy to make a voyage upon a flat-boat! In this way I -could glide down to New Orleans, leaving my horse to be sent by steamer! - -In truth I _had_ such a fancy; though I confess I might not have gone -so far as to attempt indulging it, but for the sake of the little -stratagem that had suggested itself. I knew that the cotton-boat was -coming down from Tennessee, and was to call at the plantation. It was -to bring barrels of apples, sacks of walnuts, and other etceteras -that do not thrive in the semi-tropical lowlands of the Mississippi. -Moreover it was to take thence some packages of skins--the spoils of -bucks, bears and panthers, which the hunting planter was in the habit -of sending annually to New Orleans. - -A week or two might elapse before the flat could be expected; and if I -insisted on carrying out my caprice I could take passage upon that. - -Such was my scheme. - -It succeeded, and I found a plea for prolonging that intercourse, too -pleasant to be easily interrupted. - - * * * * * - -Another week elapsed--it seemed only a day--and the Tennessee flat -was reported at the landing. I could have wished it upon a snag, five -hundred miles up-stream. - -There was no help for it. The time had come for taking departure. - - * * * * * - -The peltries of the hunting planter were sent aboard, along with my own -traps--these consisting of a spare suit of clothes, my chase trophies -collected during my stay, and a stock of comestibles to serve me during -a three-days' river voyage. - -Bidding an adieu to Miss Woodley, which was not designed to be the -last, I walked toward the landing, my host going along with me. - -On reaching the river-bank, we found the crew of the flat engaged in -getting the peltries aboard. I was a little surprised, and more than -a little chagrined, to discover that the captain of the craft was no -other than Mr. Black, her builder, whose uncivil behavior in Tennessee -had caused mean unpleasant reminiscence. Stinger, too, was there acting -as his mate, the hands, four in number, being negroes from Squire -Woodley's plantation. - -The discovery caused me to repent of my design--a voyage of three -hundred miles in such company did not promise much pleasure, and I -regretted my rashness in having proposed it. - -It was too late, however, to recede, though I was not long in -discovering that the captain of the craft would have been delighted by -my doing so. - -Every thing had been got aboard, the packages of skins, with the large -case containing the souvenirs of my hunting achievements; but my -personal luggage and the provision-hamper still rested on the shore, -presided over by the plantation darky who had conveyed them to the -landing. - -The crew of the flat appeared to take no notice of these last, but were -standing as if ready to draw in the plank. - -"Mr. Black--I believe that is your name?" said my host, addressing -himself to the _ci-devant_ boat-builder--"I've brought you a passenger. -I hope you'll contrive to make him comfortable on the voyage." - -"A passenger!" exclaimed the man, pretending surprise, for the negroes -must have told him I was coming. "There ar'n't room for a passenger, -Mr. Woodley." - -"Oh, nonsense! You must _make_ room, somehow or other." - -"The bit o' caboose we hev air arredy crowded. Thar's me and Mr. -Stinger in't, and thar's hardly room among the bales for the niggers to -streetch themselves." - -"You can roll two or three of the bales out upon the roof. You haven't -far to take them now. By spreading a bit of tarpaulin over them, -they'll get no harm." - -"We hain't got no tarpaulin--neery a rag." - -"Have some of my skins then; they will do admirably." - -This proposal placed the captain of the flat in a dilemma. It was -evident he did not wish me to proceed in his company, while at the -same time he was at a loss for some reasonable objection that he might -urge against my going. - -What was causing his reluctance? I could guess. Neither could the -planter, who, at first surprised, soon became indignant. - -"Come! Mr. Black," he said, "this boat is my father's property, and -therefore in some sense mine. My friend has expressed a wish to go down -upon it, and I have given him a promise he shall; I must therefore -insist upon your making the arrangement I propose, and taking him. Set -your men to work and roll two or three cotton-bales out upon the roof." - -To this Mr. Black replied that the cotton would get spoiled, and that -he'd be in trouble with the broker to whom it was consigned. - -"I'll be answerable for that," was the response of the young planter. - -Since I had been his guest, I had not seen Henry Woodley in such a -temper. He seemed to think that his character as a host was at stake, -and felt the indignity of Black's behavior. - -As his blood was up, I could see it would be of no use, my proposing to -stay behind. Nor, indeed, had I any intention of doing so. Uninviting -as was the prospect of making a three hundred miles' voyage in such -surly companionship, I was now all the more determined upon it. I had -originally committed myself to it as a subterfuge for prolonging my -stay at the plantation, and although here was now an additional excuse, -I could not creditably make use of it. To trudge back with my traps, -and tell Miss Woodley the reason why, would be a humiliation I was not -prepared to undergo. Sooner than do that, I would have consented to -sleep _sub Jove_ on the roof of the flat, with only my cloak to couch -and cover me. - -I was quite as indignant at the interruption as my friend--perhaps -more determined that it should not stay me; and had the captain of the -flat-boat held out any longer, he would have heard a little bit of my -mind. - -As it was, he reluctantly yielded to the remonstrances already made to -him, and consented to receive me as a passenger. - -It was now discovered that there would be sleeping-room enough, without -disturbing the cotton-bales; and my traps were taken aboard and carried -into the "cabin." - -An apology for what had happened on the part of the young planter--a -promise on my part to revisit him in the spring--a hearty hand-shake -between us, and I was afloat upon the "Father of Waters," passenger in -a "flat." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -UNSOCIABLE COMPANIONS. - - -Slow as was our progress, it was made slower by the eccentric action of -our steersman--who, for the first six hours, was the second officer of -the boat--Mr. Stinger. Instead of keeping in the current, he appeared -desirous of shunning it, now hugging one shore, now shooting across and -holding for a time to the other. - -About five miles below the plantation we had left, he brought to -against the bank, Black leaping ashore and making the hawser fast -around a tree. There was no appearance of a landing, nor settlement of -any kind--nothing but the wild woods. - -After a whispered communication with his steersman, but without a word -to me, the captain of the craft disappeared among the palmettoes, -leaving his crew to the tender mercies of the musketoes. - -He was absent about two hours. When he returned, and the flat was once -more set free, the steersman resumed his old style of seesawing from -side to side, and keeping carefully out of the current. - -It might be from prudence at that particular part of the river; -"snags," invisible to my inexperienced eye, might be the cause of this -crooked navigation. - -I could not think so; but, from the relations that existed between us, -I was hindered from making inquiry, either as to that, or why Mr. Black -had so long absented himself. - -I addressed myself to one of the negroes, whom I remembered having seen -upon the Tennessee plantation. But the darky seemed to know no more -than myself. He replied, with a puzzled expression: - -"Doan' no why Mass' Stinger am a-toatin' de ole boat 'bout so; I 'pose -he hab some reezan. Maybe dar's danger 'bout hyar 'mong de snags an' de -sawyers." - -My own explanation was different, though, as afterward proved, not any -nearer the truth. I fancied that Mr. Black had made up his mind to -punish me for forcing my company upon him. He would do it by making -these delays and _detours_, and so playing upon my patience, drive me -ashore, at Natchez, Point Coupee, or some other stopping-place for -steamboats. - -Had this been his design, it would have succeeded. Long before night -I had become sick both of my company and quarters, and intended to -escape from them at the very first landing, where I might wait for some -down-river steamboat. - -Indeed, the thought had been in my mind at the moment of embarking. I -did not declare it, as I knew it would humiliate my late host to think -that the brute Black had beaten us. Now that I was alone, there was -no reason why I should continue to endure the inconvenience of such a -voyage. By going ashore at Natchez, I could put an end to it, and the -Woodleys need be none the wiser. - -All through the afternoon the zigzagging continued, and I think we must -have crossed and recrossed about a score of times. It seemed a slow -way of carrying Squire Woodley's cotton crop to its destination. At -the rate we were progressing, it would be midwinter before our craft -touched the levee of New Orleans. - -When the sun set, we were not ten miles below the place of my -embarkation. I conjectured this from not having seen the island where -we had shot the eagle; though it was possible we might have passed -without my recognizing it. - -During the daylight I had contrived to kill time with my gun. Waterfowl -were constantly flushing up before the boat, and land-birds flying -across the river, and I amused myself by shooting them. - -Now it was an osprey soaring above the stream; now a white egret or a -blue heron perched upon the point of some sand-bar, or sailing along -upon a drift-log. - -Once I got a shot at the great Mississippi crane, and brought the bird -down upon the water; but as the uncivil skipper would not allow his -skiff to retrieve it, I had to lose my game. - -The shooting, however, proved excellent sport. Indeed, it was partly in -expectation of this I had first thought of making such a voyage. - -When night came on I could not continue it; and I was forced to think -of some other resource for destroying time. - -There was no other. Conversation with such a crew was out of the -question, and I was without books--even had it been possible to -read them by the light of a dull tallow dip that burned in the hole -called "caboose." I could not endure to stay in this noisome hole, -in the company of four chattering negroes, who for some reason had -been ordered to remain below. The two white men kept to the roof; and -thither I repaired, intending to spend at least a portion of the night -in the open air. - -Though the day had been one of the hottest, it was now cool enough for -heavy covering--the chill air of the swamp sweeping along the surface -of the stream. - -Unpacking my cloak I threw it over my shoulders and closed the clasp. -There was sufficient breeze to make this precaution necessary. Then -igniting a cigar, I commenced pacing to and fro over the rounded roof -of the ark. - -I soon discovered there was not much comfort in this. The night was -dark, the planking uneven, and I was in danger of stumbling overboard. - -I stopped, and taking stand near the edge, bent my eyes over the broad -stream, watching the fire-flies as they flitted like sparks along the -wooded shore, whose outlines I could barely trace through the darkness. - -For a time I found distraction for my thoughts in listening to the many -voices of Nature, sonorous around me. From the bank I could hear the -barking of the wolf, and once or twice a catlike call which I supposed -to be the cougar. - -But the night-birds were more noisy, and rising above the constant -"skirl" of the crickets, I could distinguish the trumpet-like note of -the wild swan, the "honk" of the gander, and the plaintive call of the -bull-bat. - -For a long time I stood listening to these mingled voices--the psalmody -of Nature. There were no human sounds to hinder me from hearing them. -The four negroes were below, and the two white men upon the deck were -silent as specters. I could see them standing together by the shaft of -the long steering-oar, which, resting upon its pivot, traversed the -boat longitudinally, reaching almost from stem to stern. They appeared -to converse, but in a tone so low I could not hear what they were -saying. - -I had placed myself as far as possible from them, having no wish to -court the companionship of such an unsocial couple. - -Though carried on in whispers, I noticed that their conversation was of -an earnest kind. I could tell this by their attitudes. Was it about me? - -Despite the obscurity that surrounded them, I could see that their -faces were turned toward me. I knew that they were chafed at my having -come aboard against their will, though for what reason I was still -unable to guess. - -Beyond the incivility which they had already shown in every possible -way, I expected nothing more. It seemed too ridiculous to apprehend -danger. - -And yet, at that moment, something of the kind stole into my thoughts. -I had heard enough of these Mississippi boatmen to believe them capable -of any thing--even of committing murder. - -But why should these men murder me? My baggage was not big enough; and -they had no reason to believe I carried money upon my person, in a sum -sufficient to tempt them to such a crime. - -Besides, there were the negroes, Squire Woodley's own slaves; such an -attempt could not be made without their knowing of it. The thought was -preposterous; and I dismissed it from my mind as soon as conceived. - -And still I could not make out why the two were talking so earnestly. -Their gestures, too, which I could just discern through the dim light, -admonished me that some strange circumstance was being discussed -between them. It could not be the guiding of the boat. Ever since -nightfall they had ceased "quartering" the stream. The steering-oar -was at rest, and the flat was gliding smoothly on, at the rate of four -miles to the hour--the current at this place being unusually rapid. It -could not be that. - -By this time my cigar had nearly burnt out. Groping for another, I -discovered I had left my case in the cabin. In going to get it, I -passed close to where the two men were standing. Black had hold of the -oar-handle, while Stinger was lounging at his elbow. - -I had the cigar-stump still in my teeth--the remains of a good Havana, -with a red coal at the end of it. I was curious to have a look at the -fellows; and passing close to them, I increased the luminosity of the -cigar by giving it a strong puff or two. - -Never had such a faint light shone upon two more ill-favored faces. -Both appeared distorted by some passion of a criminal kind; and, -could I have imagined any motive for their murdering me, I might have -believed at that moment, that such was their intention! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A MAN OVERBOARD. - - -On descending into the "caboose," I found the four negroes stretched -out and snoring. They had worked hard at the steering-oar while making -these eccentric traverses, which even they did not understand. Poor -wretches! had they known what was in store for them, they would not -have gone to sleep. Even fatigue could not have overcome them. - -The dip was burning dimly, and by its light I had some difficulty in -finding my cigar-case. I laid my hands upon it at length, and drawing -forth a fresh weed, kindled it at the cumulus of smoking wick. - -For a moment I hesitated as to whether I should return to the roof, -or take my seat upon a chest that formed part of the furniture of the -cabin. - -The stench decided me. The odor of greasy cooking-utensils, combined -with that emanating from the shirts of four sweating Africans, was -too powerful to be put down by the perfume of the best Havana, and I -preferred returning to the roof. - -As I ascended the steps, I heard a scrambling above me, as if the two -men were struggling with the steering-oar. - -I could not guess what it meant, and was all the more surprised at -seeing them--as soon as the darkness permitted--exactly in the same -spot where I had left them. Black was still grasping the handle of the -oar, Stinger standing at his elbow. - -I was about passing on to the stem, and had got between them and the -beam, when I heard the former exclaim: "H--l fire! we'll be on a snag!" - -At the same instant I saw him rush toward me, pressing the oar in front -of him. - -Before I had time to get out of the way, the huge piece of timber -struck me in the ribs; and but that I had caught hold of it I should -have been precipitated into the water. - -My hold did not avail me, nor was it the intention of that ruffian -steersman that it should. - -"Let go!" he cried. "Let go, d--n ye, or ye'll have us on the snag!" - -As he spoke, I saw his right hand raised from the oar, and then -descending toward me. By the light of my cigar, still between my -teeth, I saw the gleaming of steel. At the same time I felt a stinging -sensation in my shoulder, the arm seemed to become suddenly paralyzed, -my grasp became relaxed, and I fell back downward into the river! - -For a second or two my cloak sustained me, but before I could turn upon -my face and strike out to swim, the huge ark swept over me, sending me -far below the surface. A loud drumming in my ears, a choking sensation -in my throat--the sensation of drowning! - -I came again to the surface, but without any clear idea of where I was, -or what had happened me. It appeared like a horrible dream from which I -was not yet awakened. - -Soon my senses returned; I remembered having fallen from the flat; and -then, that I had been pushed from it; and then, how I had struggled to -save myself from going over; and then, why I had not succeeded. - -During this process of thought, I was kept above water less by my own -efforts, than by the cloak that covered my shoulders, and the rapid -current that carried me along. But for these I might have gone back to -the bottom, never more to rise. On attempting to swim, I found that my -right arm was of no use to me. - -I looked around for the flat, though without any design to recover -footing upon it. It was no longer near me, nor in sight. Carried -swiftly on by the current, it had disappeared in the darkness. - -I did not shout to make known my situation. I had sufficiently -recovered my senses to know that on board the boat there might be -as much danger to me as in the water. Perhaps more; and I preferred -trusting to the stream. - -Working the cloak to the right side, so as to leave my left arm free, -I struck out with it; not to swim, but simply to keep my head above -water. In this way I glided on with the current. - -I could not have kept long afloat. I felt I was each moment growing -feebler; and with the utmost difficulty could save myself from sinking. - -The surging current carried me along, but not toward the bank. I saw no -bank; for that matter I might as well have been in the middle of the -ocean. - -Even had the shore been in sight, I could have done nothing to approach -it. I could have made no effort beyond that I was making--just -sufficient to sustain myself on the surface. - -I should soon sink. I began to feel certain of it--to contemplate it -with a sort of resignation. Quicker than the changes of a kaleidoscope, -the scenes of my past life came before me. Father, mother, sisters, and -brothers, were all at that moment remembered, and she whom I had late -left. Oh! it was agony to think I should never see her again! - -While giving way to this despairing thought, something struck me from -behind. I felt some hard substance pressing against my thigh. It -caused a thrill through my flesh, for it was a contact unexplained and -unnatural. I could think only of one thing, the snout of an alligator! -I knew that I was now in that part of the Mississippi where this -hideous saurian held his midnight revels. - -Instinctively I increased my speed, but to no purpose; the bony -proboscis still rubbed against my thigh. In another moment I should -feel the huge jaws harshly closing upon and crushing it like a reed! - -With an effort I turned round, to meet the monster face to face. In -this way I preferred perishing. - -In another moment I lay with my left arm clasped around it, embracing -it as I might my dearest friend, as if it had been-- - -What I had mistaken for an ugly alligator, was a floating tree-trunk; -like myself rudely flung upon the flood, but with a buoyancy far -surpassing mine. - -The log proved light enough to sustain not only itself, but faint -sinking me; and straddling it longitudinally, I gave myself up to the -current with a gratitude to God, whose hand, I could not help thinking, -had been stretched out to preserve me! - -After that, I became unconscious. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -ADRIFT. - - -My unconsciousness resembled sleep. It was not that, but syncope. I had -fainted through exhaustion. - -Fortunately the cloak, still upon my shoulders, clung around the -tree-trunk, and hindered me from slipping off. Otherwise I might have -gone to the bottom without knowing it. - -My syncope was of short duration, though how long I could not tell. I -could guess at the time afterward from knowing the distance I must have -drifted. - -I awoke to find myself lying upon the log. It was afloat, as I could -tell by its motion underneath me; and I supposed myself drifting -down-stream. - -As my senses became clearer I perceived that this was not the case. -Although the log bobbed about, as I stirred upon it, I now saw that it -was close to the bank, and held as if by a hawser. - -It was dark all around me, darker than ever; but I could see that I was -under the shadow of trees, whose moss-covered arms stretched out over -the stream. The gleaming of fire-flies upon the bank above gave me no -aid in reconnoitering the situation. Their false, fitful light only -misled me. - -After a time I discovered the cause of my having come to; and even -recognized the spot. It was the same where I had made landing from the -skiff, while eagle-shooting on the island. - -There was the huge fallen cypress with its roots upon the bank and -trunk slanting down into the river. Despite the darkness and the -confusion of my ideas, I remembered it. - -I was still lying along the log, having as yet made no attempt to leave -it. I felt too weak for the effort. Fortunate that it was so; for soon -after I discovered the singular manner in which I was moored. The -skirt of my cloak, trailing upon the water, had caught in a snag of -the cypress, and held fast. As the garment was also hooked to the log -on which I lay, the latter had been arrested in its course, and turned -round under the shelter of the tree, where the current ceased to act -upon it. Had I started suddenly up, or made any incautious movement, I -might have detached the chance fastening and gone adrift again, to be -carried God knows whither. Perceiving this danger, I took my measures -accordingly. - -Gently hauling upon the hawser of soaked broadcloth, I succeeded in -grasping one of the branches of the cypress, and drawing the log close -to its trunk, I was enabled to crawl from one to the other. - -I did not accomplish this without an effort; I had but one arm to work -with, the left. My right hung useless by my side. - -Scrambling along the slanting trunk, I got up to the level of the -bank, and then dropping off, I staggered a step or two through the -palmettoes, and fell prostrate to the earth. - -For a time I felt utterly unable to recover my feet. I wondered at my -weakness, and could not account for it. The mere fatigue could not have -caused it. I knew that I was wounded. My helpless arm, and the pain in -my shoulder, told me that I had received a stab; I had seen the knife -that had given it; but in the darkness I did not know that much of the -moisture bathing my body was my own blood. This it was that had so -utterly enfeebled me. - -I had just strength left to take off my coat, grope for the -wound--though it was easily found--and bind it up in strips torn from -my dripping shirt. - -After that I fell back into a recumbent attitude. I could sustain -myself in no other. - -But for the discomfort caused by my wet clothes I could have gone to -sleep, for I felt deathlike drowsy. Every thread was saturated, and, -with only one arm, I could not wring them out. I succeeded, however, -in expelling most of the water from my cloak, by pressing it with my -feet against the trunk of a tree, and then spreading it over me, I lay -swathed in dampness. - -The night was not cold. It had been chill only in the breeze of the -river. Under the shelter of the trees there was not a breath stirring; -and with the heat of my body, I was soon surrounded by an atmosphere -resembling a vapor-bath. - -Soothed by its warmth, my drowsiness increased, and I gradually sunk -into a slumber. - -It was not sound nor natural, only the slumber of exhaustion. I awoke -at intervals to a sort of half-consciousness, scarce knowing whether I -was sleeping or waking. - -Once I was aroused to a clearer comprehension. It was a sound that -startled me. It appeared to be a shot, instantly followed by a shriek, -like the cry of some one in extreme agony! - -I thought there were voices afterward; and I lay for a long while -listening, but I could hear only the constant "skirl" of the -grasshoppers and tree-toads, with now and then the "glucking" of the -great swamp-frog, and the hoot of the horned owl. The shot and the -shriek may have been only a fancy--the dream of a disordered brain. -I tried to think so, but could not. I had heard the first through my -sleep; but the second rung in my awakened ear, as also the voices -that succeeded it. I could not bring myself to believe that I had not -actually heard them. - -I did not think of connecting these sounds with what had occurred to -me on the flat. By that time Mr. Black and his boat would be miles -away--far out of my hearing. I knew that some hours had passed since I -had been pushed overboard. The boat going in the center current would -have forged far ahead of me, and my floating log. Besides I had now -been some time on the island. - -I lay reflecting on what had occurred. - -Though unable to account for the conduct of the ruffian, I did not -attribute it to any deep design. I had simply crossed him in some whim, -and I knew that for even so slight a cause life is often sacrificed on -the Mississippi. - -What design could he have in killing me? I could not think of any; not -even a motive. - -Kept awake by the stinging pain of my wound, I continued to reflect. I -remembered the strange behavior of the skiffman Jake, and the statement -he had made about strange sounds heard upon the island--"de debbil's -island," as he called it. There appeared to be some truth at the bottom -of what I had ridiculed as a superstition! - -I slept no more for the remainder of that night. I was filled with -horrid fear; and with joy I hailed the first gray glimmer of the moon, -as it came slowly stealing through the festoons of Spanish moss, that -curtained my ungrateful couch. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -ILL-OMENED SOUNDS. - - -With the sun fairly up, my strength had to some degree returned. I was -still feeble as a child, but able to stand upon my feet. - -My first care was to quench my thirst. It is always so with those -severely wounded, especially where there has been much loss of blood. - -Though near me there was water sufficient to have surfeited the whole -human race, I had some difficulty in drinking of it. It was only -accessible by means of the sloping tree-trunk. I succeeded in crawling -down this, and satisfying the appetite that distressed me. - -Returning to the bank, I bethought me of the next move to be made: -which of course was, how I should get off the island. I did not spend -much time in speculating about this. My eagle-shooting excursion was -still fresh in my remembrance, and along with it the lagoon to which it -had led me in the chase of the wounded bird, with the old dug-out I had -seen under the cypress. - -"How fortunate," I thought, "there is such a chance of getting off! -Otherwise I might remain on this island heaven knows how long. It might -be days before any boat would come past, near enough to be hailed, and -with nothing to eat." - -So ran my reflections as I gathered up my cloak, now nearly dry, slung -it, scarf-like over my shoulder, and with a staggering step set forth -in the direction of the dug-out. - -My course was far from being direct; I had but a slight recollection -of my former traces, which, of themselves, had been sufficiently -eccentric. I was again going by guess, and now slowly, faint, and -tottering in my steps. - -More by chance, than by guidance, they conducted me to the deadwood -where I had discovered the eagle's nest. As I came into the opening -under it, I was saluted by the screams of the bereaved birds--all three -of which, startled by my approach, circled in the air above. I could -not help thinking they recognized me, and that their screams were in -retaliation, to mock my misfortune. I hastened on, looking for the -lagoon. - -From the deadwood I could proceed directly. I had twice traversed the -ground, and remembered the trace. Sure of my direction, I walked on -more calmly, and soon came in sight of the sunflash that shot down -through the break caused by the lagoon. - -At the same moment I came suddenly to a stop--at the sound of human -voices! - -They were not loud, but heard only in low murmuring, as of men engaged -in earnest conversation. The speakers were evidently by the edge of the -lagoon to which I was tending. - -"How fortunate," thought I, "to find people upon the island. Some -hunters, perhaps?" - -I should get off without the necessity of having to take the old -dug-out, about the management of which, with my disabled arm, I had -misgivings. - -While thus congratulating myself, one of the voices was raised a little -louder--just then giving vent to an exclamation. I recognized the -voice. It was the same that had sworn at me the night before as I clung -to the steering-oar. It had been ever since ringing in my ears. It was -the voice of the boatman Black. - -My first feeling was of extreme surprise. What could the flat-boat -captain be doing on the island? And was his craft there too? It might -be. The sounds reached me direct from the lagoon. The boat might be in -it. - -Listening, I again heard the voices, mingling with the tread of heavy -boots, as of men hurrying to and fro over hollow planking. Beyond doubt -the boat was in the bayou! - -What was it doing there? Had it met with an accident, and been taken to -the lagoon for safety and repair? I had heard that the river-current -was at that point especially dangerous, and this suggested the thought. - -It never occurred to me that they had brought to on my account. I could -not suppose this. I was certain as I lived they intended taking my -life, and were under the impression that they had succeeded. Had Black -merely pushed me overboard, I might have had doubts; but the thrust -of his knife, and the fierce exclamation that accompanied it, left no -uncertainty as to his intention. - -And now, recalling this, my first feeling of surprise gave way to one -of alarm. Whatever cause of hostility these ruffians had against me -would still exist. Moreover, their design of taking my life would now -be strengthened by an instinct for their own preservation. Seeing that -I still lived, they would know that their attempt at assassination -could not go altogether unpunished, despite the lawlessness of the land -in which they lived. - -In that remote and solitary place, unseen by human eyes save their -own, they might renew it, with every chance of success considering my -crippled condition. - -True, there would be the negroes, whose presence in the daylight might -restrain them. But I was not sure of this. They might find some means -of getting the black men out of the way; and I knew that, even if -eye-witnesses of the most fearful crime, the testimony of the slave is -often controlled by the fear of the torturing cowskin. They could order -the four men below, as they had done before, and then do with me as -they pleased, drag me to a distance among the trees, and murder me at -their leisure. I felt too feeble to make the slightest resistance. - -These conjectures passed through my mind in less time than I have taken -to state them; and under a horrid apprehension, I not only hesitated to -advance, but feared to retreat, lest the rustling of the leaves might -betray my presence. - -For some minutes I remained thus irresolute, when it occurred to me -that some one might stray out among the trees and discover me. A giant -cypress stood near, whose huge buttresses, surrounded by "knees" about -my own hight, offered an excellent place for concealment; and gliding -silently into one of its dark niches, I took stand, cowering like a -fugitive, who feels that the ruthless pursuer is upon his track and -close to his hiding-place! - -For some time I remained a prey to horrid apprehensions. After my -experience of the previous night, I was justified in having them. - -They were keen enough to keep me quiet. I made no more noise than was -caused by my quick breathing. - -For nearly an hour I stood in my "stall," between the two broad -buttresses of the cypress, considering what I should do. I was still -irresolute about retreating. The whole surface of the island was beset -with palmettoes, whose stiff, fan-like fronds made a loud rustling when -touched. I could not pass through them without risk of being heard. Why -I had not been discovered while making my approach was probably because -the boatmen were busy about some matter that engrossed their attention. -They were very near me--not thirty yards off, and but for the underwood -I should have been certainly seen. If caught retreating, I should have -given them the very opportunity they would desire--that is, if they -meant to murder me. - -Besides, I could think of no way by which I was to get off the island. -I should gladly have gone back to the craft that had conveyed me -thither, the drift-log, and once more trusted myself to the current. -But I remembered that, on leaving it, it had become disentangled from -the cypress and resumed its course down the river. Even this waif was -no longer available. - -My next thought was to steal back to the side from which I had come, -watch for some passing boat, hail her to bring to and take me off. But -I knew there would be but little hope in this. I had reason to believe -that the boats did not pass on that side. Though there the channel was -wider, it was not so safe, and both steamers and flats kept to the -other. I knew nothing of how the land lay, and I was apprehensive that -by proceeding to make an exploration, I should be seen by the assassins -of the flat. Even should a steamboat appear, I dared not hail with my -voice, and any signal I should make would scarce be regarded. - -My thoughts once more reverted to the dug-out. It was not likely the -old craft would be disturbed by the crew of the cotton-boat, who had -their skiff for a tender. - -Concealed as the canoe was, under the fronds of the palmettoes, it -might even escape their notice. I could wait till they took their -departure, and then avail myself of it, to get off from the island. -This, at length, became my determination. - -I only hoped I should not be long detained; though I could form no idea -of what was causing the detention of the cotton-boat. It did not appear -to be an accident. - -There was no sound of saw, or hammers, or any thing like making -repairs--only the hum of voices, with the tramping and shuffling of -feet. - -I listened to make out what was said, but could not. The conversation -appeared to be carried on in a low tone, as if under restraint. There -were three voices taking part in the talk, but Black's was the only one -I could recognize. A second, I thought, was Stinger's; but the man was -of a taciturn habit, and I only heard it at long intervals. The third -was unknown to me. - -Nor was any of them the voice of a negro. This I thought strange. -Actively engaged as they appeared to be, if there were darkies employed -at the work their silence was inexplicable. I heard neither their -chattering nor jocund cachinnation. - -After a time a fourth voice fell upon my ear, and in a tone that seemed -to direct, or command. I was startled to think it was that of the -planter, Bradley! - -I listened more attentively than ever, straining my ears to their -utmost. I could hear nothing but sound--the low humming of human -voices, deadened in its passage through the thick shrubbery, and at -intervals drowned by the shrieking of the grasshoppers. For all this -I could tell that there were four voices, one of them I was almost -certain being that of Bradley. - -It was with something more than curiosity that I interrogated myself -as to what he could be doing there. I could only answer by conjecture. -At first it seemed very strange. But then I remembered that Bradley's -plantation was not far off. Perhaps an accident had happened to the -boat, he had been apprised of it, and come to render assistance? - -This conjecture was natural enough, and but for other circumstances -might have satisfied me. It did not, and I continued to seek for some -other explanation. If I could only get sight of the speakers, this -might be obtained. But I could not without danger of exposing myself -to their view. I might hear what they were saying by making a nearer -approach, but this would be equally perilous. - -All at once it occurred to me that I might accomplish my object by -climbing up into the cypress. The sounds would be carried upward, and -in the tree-top I might be able to understand the talk going on in the -lagoon. I saw that the ascent would be easy. One of the buttresses -offered a slanting ridge, not much more difficult to scale than the -rounds of a ladder; and by this I clambered up into the tree. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -A SINGULAR PROCEEDING. - - -Once among the branches, I felt myself safe from being seen. The -streamers of Spanish moss formed a festoonery around me thick enough to -have concealed an elephant. By keeping quiet there would be no danger -of my being detected, and I kept as still as a man may be expected to -who believes his life depends upon so slight a thing as the swishing of -a leaf, or the snapping of a twig. - -I had not been twenty minutes on my perch before becoming convinced -that _my life_ hung upon just such a thread. - -This conviction came not from any thing I heard; for still, as below, I -could only make out the murmur of the men's voices; but I was now able -to get sight of themselves. - -One of the largest limbs of the cypress extended toward the lagoon, -beyond which there was an open list communicating with that over the -water. By creeping along this branch I believed I should have a view, -not only of the bayou, but of the boat. - -With only one hand to help me, it seemed a difficult task, but under -the stimulus of something more than curiosity I attempted it. I -succeeded. - -The bayou, the boat, the crew, came under my eyes. - -Not the crew as I had noted it when taking my departure from Henry -Woodley's plantation, for the four negroes were not seen. I saw only -white men. - -There were three of them. Two were Black and his confederate, Stinger. -The other, a man unknown to me, but whose physiognomy and general -appearance rendered him a fit associate for the two already named. - -All these appeared busy as bees, though not occupied in the same -manner. I first saw Stinger, who was engaged on that end of the flat -where the steps led down into the caboose. He was scrubbing the -roof-boards and apparently, also, the slips, with a brush in hand and a -bucket standing beside him. - -Crawling a little further along the branch, the other two came in -sight. There was a staging from the flat to the shore. It sloped down -to the bottom of a sort of doorway in the side of the boat. I could see -that a half-score cotton-bales had been rolled across it, and lay upon -the land. Among these Black, in his shirt-sleeves, and the strange man, -were busy. - -The flat, after all, had met with an accident, and they were unloading -to prevent it from sinking. This was my first impression, and I began -to think there _had_ been a snag, and in some way or other I had been -mistaken about the whole business. - -I no longer wondered at the boat having been brought up the bayou. I -only wondered at not seeing the negroes. There was not one of them -visible. They might be inside the boat, assisting to get out the -cotton. But then I should have heard their voices, or some noise they -must necessarily have made, and there was none. Where could they be? - -I had not been long looking on before I discovered that Black and his -assistant were engaged in an operation that quite mystified me. As -I have said, they were busy among the cotton-bales. With inquiring -eyes I watched their proceedings. I saw the two take hold of a bale, -unloose the ropes that bound it, rip off the "bagging" from one of its -sides, and then stitch in its place another piece, after which the -binding-cords were readjusted. - -For some time I was puzzled by this singular proceeding, and it was -only after a prolonged scrutiny that I could conjecture what it -meant. At length, however, I arrived at the elucidation, strange and -improbable as it appeared. - -I observed that the pieces of canvas removed were from the sides that -carried the plantation-mark and the name of the owner. I could make -out the word "Woodley." On those that replaced them, which appeared -in other respects precisely similar, I saw that there was a different -mark, and a different name. In the large black lettering, I could read: -"N. BRADLEY." - -Up to this moment all had been conjecture. It was so no longer. The -scheme became revealed to me, as by a flash of sudden sinister light. -From my perch in the cypress tree I was looking upon a scene of piracy -such as I had heard was far from being rare upon the Mississippi river. - -The transaction was clear. The planter-pirates had taken possession of -the cotton-boat, and were making their plunder presentable for a safe -sale. That Bradley was at the back of it I had no doubt. His name going -upon the bales proved his participation, and something more--the chief -of the gang. He was not there himself, but I felt certain he had been -but a few minutes before. I could almost have sworn to hearing his -voice and that, too, giving directions to the others. - -How had the capture been effected? My thoughts now reverted to the -negroes, who had composed the crew. With increased interest, I again -looked to see if they were upon the boat. If so they must be hidden -somewhere and holding themselves unusually silent. - -My eyes wandered to the hatchway of the little cabin, in which I had -last seen them asleep. Were they asleep still, or in the slumber of -death? - -My blood ran cold at the horrid suspicion--colder as I thought of its -probability. - -There was no sign of any negro. Stinger was alone seen by the steps of -the caboose, still occupied with his scrubbing-brush. - -My attention now became particularly directed to this man. What could -be his object in washing the rough planks forming the roof of a -flat-boat? Of what was he cleansing them? And why with such care? for -he was down upon his knees, devoting himself to the task with apparent -earnestness. - -In seeking an explanation, my eye rested upon the "suds" chased to -and fro before his brush. I saw that they were of a crimson color, as -if tinged with blood! I saw this with astonishment, with trembling. I -remembered what I had heard in the night--that I had believed to be a -dream--the shot, and the shriek that succeeded. - -Had both been real? Had murder been committed? And was Stinger engaged -in eliminating its traces? - -The blacks were no longer upon the boat. Where were they? Was it their -blood I saw, and were their bodies at the bottom of the lagoon? - -Horrid as were these suspicions, I could not help having them; and the -thought that they were true gradually becoming a conviction, kept me -quiet in the tree. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -A SPELL OF PADDLING. - - -I remained silent on the limb of the cypress. Even the irksomeness of -my seat did not tempt me to descend. - -I was now sensible of being in a position of real peril. The men were -murderers--all four of them--and one more crime would be lightly added -to their last. Taking my life would be a step necessary for their own -safety, and I knew that if discovered I might expect but a short shrift -of it. It needed nothing more to secure my silence. - -I did not design remaining there forever, only until night. Then I -should descend, make my way to the dug-out, which I hoped to find in -its place, and, favored by this and the darkness, slip silently out of -the lagoon into the open river. This was the plan traced out. - -As nothing could be done before night, I summoned all my patience to -await it. And all of it was called into play. Never in my life do I -remember having spent what appeared a longer day. I thought it would -have no end--that the sun was never to set. It was still early when -I arrived at the foot of the cypress, for I had started by the first -light to go toward the lagoon. - -The time at first did not hang so heavily on my hands. I was furnished -with a sort of melancholy entertainment in watching the movements -of the three ruffians upon the flat. I still tried to catch their -conversation, though it was no longer needed to elucidate the -transaction in which they were engaged. - -In this I was unsuccessful as ever. Though at times talking with -apparent earnestness, they kept to a low key, as if themselves fearful -of being overheard. No wonder they should, considering the work in -which they were engaged. - -I became wearied watching them, and soon after lost sight of them -altogether. - -After the bales that had been rolled out upon the bank were treated -as described, all three--Stinger having completed his task of -purification--entered inside the ark, and for several hours I saw no -more of them. - -I could guess, however, how they were engaged. The bringing ashore only -the odd bales had been to make room for operations inside, where I had -no doubt that the whole cargo was receiving the Bradley brand. - -The quickness with which they appeared to execute their work of -unroping, stitching and retying, told that it was not the first time -of their having been similarly employed; and the pieces of old canvas -strewed about the place, and which I had noticed on my former visit to -the island, were now recalled to my recollection. In that solitary spot -more than one shipment of cotton had changed its plantation-mark. - -I could now understand what had appeared to puzzle his acquaintances--how -Mr. Nat Bradley had so rapidly prospered on his new plantation. His boast -of being able to make two bales in Mississippi for one in Tennessee I -could no longer look upon as an idle vaunt. Under my eyes was the -explanation. - -It was a long, tedious, terrible vigil. Astride the limb of a tree, -hungry, athirst, smarting under the pulsations of a fevered wound, -a prey to apprehensions that by some sinister chance I might be -discovered in my place of concealment, I thought that the day would -never come to an end. And even when it should end, what certainty had -I of being able to make good my escape? The dug-out on which I was -placing my dependence might be no longer there, or if it was, I might -not succeed in starting it from its moorings? I might be detected in -attempting to pass the flat, which lay between the canoe and the narrow -creek that communicated with the river. - -Besides these, there were other probable contingencies--scores of -them--to distress and keep me in constant apprehension, and in this -state I passed the remainder of the day. - -Just as the twilight gloom was beginning to darken over the island, -I saw something to cheer me. I saw the three men come forth out -of the cavernous opening in the side of the ark, each carrying an -armful of spoiled canvas, which I recognized as the cast sides of the -cotton-bales. I saw them make these up into a huge bundle, load it -with heavy mud, tie a rope round the whole mass, and fling it into the -lagoon, where, like a stone, it sunk to the bottom! After this the odd -bales were rolled aboard, the staging drawn in, the hatch-door shut to, -and the huge ark yielding to a pair of oars passed slowly and silently -from my sight! - -As soon as sure that they were gone for good, I descended from the -tree, and waiting till the darkness had come down, I groped my way -toward the place where I remembered having seen the dug-out. - -I was not disappointed. I found the old craft, still resting neglected -upon the water, either not seen, or not cared for, by the pirates, who -had passed away. - -Getting quietly aboard, and arming myself with the paddle, I unloosed -the fastening of twisted vines, and pushed on toward the river, which I -reached without hearing or seeing any one. - -Fortunately the night was a dark one, like that which preceded it. I -was further favored by a thick fog that had come on after sunset. - -Once out in the river I had no difficulty about the direction. The -current guided me, and setting the stern of the canoe straight against -it, I plied the paddle with all the strength I could command. - -I took good care to dip the blade lightly, so as to make no noise in -the water. The flat might still be within ear-shot. It might have been -brought to for some purpose, alongside that island plantation, which -I now knew to be the property of a pirate, and by the border of which -I was now slowly feeling my way. The chill fog seemed to have quieted -the night-chanters of the forest, and a slight sound could be heard far -off. The stroke of the paddle might reach the ears of the pirates, and -prompt them to follow me in their skiff that served as a tender to the -cotton-boat. - -I knew that they could easily overtake me, in which case I might count -upon certain death. They would recognize the dug-out and know whence I -had taken it. - -For the first mile or so, I made but a snail's progress. With only one -hand to work with, and it the wrong one, I had great difficulty in -keeping the canoe stern on to the stream. Several times it came round -broadside to the current, causing me to lose way before I could again -get it headed in the right direction. - -As I began to feel more confident that there was no pursuit, I also -became more adroit in the management of the craft. Further up, too, -the current was not so rapid, and I had less fear about dipping my -oar-blade into the water. - -Still I was not free from apprehension, and I moved on as silently as -ever, at intervals suspending my stroke and listening to catch any -sound from below. - -Once I fancied I heard the plunge of oars close behind me, and in fear -I gazed into the thick fog, thinking I should see the pursuing skiff. I -listened intently for the plash of an oar-blade, or the murmur of human -voices. - -I heard neither. I must have mistaken the sound that had reached me. It -may have been caused by an alligator floundering through the flood, or -some drift-tree turned suddenly over by the current. - -Though still necessarily slow, my progress improved as I got further -away from that place of horror--the Devil's Island. But I was not easy -in my mind, until by the earliest break of day, I saw before me an open -spot on the bank, which I recognized as the landing of Henry Woodley's -plantation. There was no house near it, no erection of any kind. Only -some cords of firewood upon the bank, intended for the supply of such -passing steamboats as chose to put in for it. It was part of the -industrial resources of the plantation. - -The house stood a full half-mile from the river's edge, screened from -view by the cottonwood forest. - -At that early hour, I did not expect to see any one at the landing. I -hoped not, as I did not myself wish to be seen. I had begun to reflect -on the future, more than the past, on the punishment of these murdering -pirates, and the mode of bringing it about. - -I knew that in such a lawless land, justice might not be so easily -obtained, and that despite the proofs I had, stratagem would still have -to be resorted to. At all events, it would be as well that none of the -plantation negroes should know of my return until I had first placed -myself in communication with their master. - -With the view of making my approach unobserved, I clung close along the -bank, and came to at some distance below the landing-place. - -Drawing the dug-out up under some branches that overhung the bank, I -made it secure, at the same time that it was concealed from view. I did -not intend that the old craft should drift down-stream, and perhaps -tell a tale to the pirates below. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -A TERRIFIED DARKY. - - -Once safely ashore, I walked silently through the underwood in the -direction of the landing. - -There was no one there, nothing but the parallelopipedons of cordwood -piled up in readiness for the firemen. - -The question now arose how I was to get to the house--how to get inside -it--without being seen by the negroes of the plantation. I knew that -they were up, and stirring about the place. I could hear the murmur of -their voices, with now and then the louder baying of a hound. Of course -I could not approach the dwelling without being observed--much less get -inside of it. - -My plight too! My crippled arm which I carried slung in the silk scarf -taken from my neck, with my coat hanging loose on my left shoulder. It -is true that all this could be concealed under my cloak, but the cloak -itself, and the trowsers underneath, were embrowned by the muddy water. -In short, my whole person presented such an appearance as to have -puzzled an intimate friend in identifying me. - -While reflecting on what to do, I heard footsteps coming from the -direction of the house. They were made known to me by the rustling of -the dry leaves with which the wood-road was thickly covered. - -The footfall was flat and heavy, evidently that of a negro. - -Soon after I saw the negro himself. It was Jake. - -With joy I recognized him--the very man I wanted to see. I could take -the old skiffman into my confidence, and by him send a message to -his master, to come out to me in the woods. This was the course to -be pursued. Jake had not yet discovered me. I did not intend that he -should, until I had taken steps to secure against his retreat. Were I -to appear to him before he had got fairly upon the ground, he might -mistake me for something else than I was, perhaps the spirit of that -haunted island, from which I had truly come. In my enfeebled state, he -could easily outrun me, and by reaching the house before me, spoil my -plans of secrecy. Jake must be captured by stratagem. - -Crouching behind one of the cords of firewood, I waited for him to -advance. I could see that he was _en route_ for the landing, perhaps to -embark in the skiff, which was moored in its usual place. - -He passed on without suspecting my presence. - -He did not go down to the skiff, but out to a projecting point, upon -which the steamboats usually rested their staging-plank. - -There he stopped, and looked up the river, as if expecting a boat to -come down. - -His back was toward me, as I stepped from my place of concealment. - -"Jake!" I said, "look this way!" - -He turned suddenly, and I now saw that my precaution had not been an -idle one. But for having him in a sort of peninsula, myself occupying -the isthmus, he would certainly have made good his escape. As it was, -he seemed half determined on rushing past me, and reaching the house. -He even cast his eyes toward the skiff to see if there was any chance -of retreating in that direction. - -"Jake!" I said, in a reassuring voice. "What's the matter with you? -Don't you know me?" - -"Goramity, mass'r!" he gasped out, at length recognizing the man he had -so often guided through the swamps. "Wha--wha--wha's comed oba you? -Lor' a mercy! You's all kibbered oba wif mud, like a drown rat ob de -ribba? 'Splain you'seff, mass'r. What de ole debbil hab been a-happen -to ye?" - -"Never mind, my good fellow. I have no time for explanations. I want to -see your master." - -"Come on den. He arn't up yet; but he soon rouse out for you." - -"No--no. I want to see him _down here_." - -"Down hya!" echoed the darky, with a look of increased astonishment. -"A'n't you comin' up to de big house, to get um washed, an' hab ya -close bruss'd, an' eat ya breakfass?" - -"No--not just yet, not till I've seen your master. And look here, -Jake! I don't want any one to know that I am here except your master. -You must tell him to come down without delay, and without any one -suspecting that you went back to the house on that errand. Put this in -your pocket, and let me see that you carry my message discreetly." - -In the attempt to murder me I had not been robbed; and I was able to -sharpen the zeal, also the intelligence, of my intended messenger by -the _douceur_ of a dollar. I gave it less for this, than to impress him -with the importance of the errand, and so secure greater caution in its -accomplishment. - -With some additional instructions I dismissed him; and taking seat upon -a log under cover of some underwood, I awaited the coming of Henry -Woodley. - -I little expected that before seeing him, I should shake hands with his -brother Walter. Yet such was the reality! - -While sitting upon the log reflecting how much of my story should be -told to my late host, and how much for the time kept back, I heard -the deep sonorous bark that announces the "high pressure" steamboat. -Looking up the river I saw the boat itself, rounding a sharp bend a -little way above the landing. - -When nearly opposite, her pilot-bell rung, her paddles ceased to move, -and she lay to under hissing steam. - -Presently a yawl with three men in it, shot out from her stern--two of -them rowing, the third evidently a passenger. - -I had scarce time to think who it might be, when the bow of the -row-boat struck against the bank, and the passenger stepped ashore, -carrying a carpet-bag along with him. I recognized the young Tennessean -cotton-planter, Walter Woodley. - -He did not so easily recognize me, and when he at length discovered who -was the mud-bedaubed individual that saluted him, I need scarce say -that his astonishment was extreme. - -His story was easily told. He was on his way to New Orleans to look -after the disposal of his cotton crop; and was merely making stop to -see his sister and brother, intending to go on by the next boat. - -My tale being more complicated was reserved for a later occasion--until -the two brothers could have it at one hearing. - -It was not long before we saw Henry, hurrying from the house; Jake -following at respectful distance behind him. - -The Mississippian was less surprised at seeing his brother than me. He -had heard the stoppage signal of the steamer. Walter had been expected -to come that day. It was for this the old skiffman had sauntered down -to the landing--to see if there were any signs of the boat. - -Only Jake himself was in attendance upon Henry. The negro had shown -intelligence in the accomplishment of his mission. - -By my appearance, Henry Woodley was still more astonished than his -brother had been. He had more lately seen me in a different guise. But -mingling with his astonishment, he had the suspicions of a sinister -cause, arising from antecedents he could remember. Though he could see -that something serious had occurred, he did not question me then. He -waited till we should get to the house. - -About this there was still the same difficulty. I assured him that the -servants must not see me. I had my reasons, which I promised to explain -afterward. - -Both the brothers still wondering, Walter suggested a way. A change of -clothes and hat; in short, a disguise. He had his own cloak over his -arm, with other apparel in his portmanteau. - -Mine to be rolled up, and carried as a parcel by Jake, who was in the -secret. My pantaloons to be tucked inside the tops of my boots. A -little mud was not remarkable upon the banks of the Mississippi. - -Our host would precede us to the house; and on some pretense order the -domestics out of the way, so that I might enter unobserved; or, if -seen, no one would think otherwise than that I was some stranger, who -had come ashore along with their master's brother. - -The plan was feasible enough; but even had it been less so, I should -have been disposed to adopt it. I was faint, and feeble; my wound -paining me from the want of a proper dressing. I was, moreover, hungry, -as a man may be who for two nights and a day has not tasted food; for -I had not eaten a morsel since the supper that preceded the attempt at -assassinating me. I was not loth to get under the hospitable roof of -Henry Woodley, and partake of the ample breakfast that I knew would -there be spread for me. - -A short time served for making the change required; and closely -enveloped in Walter Woodley's cloak, with trowsers, backwoods fashion, -thrust inside my boots, I entered the plantation house, without -exciting any suspicion. - -Twenty minutes spent at the toilet, my host assisting, rendered me -presentable in the drawing-room, where I was received by his sister -with that sort of surprise that caused me a secret gratification. I -was gratified by the look given me, in which pleasure at my appearance -seemed suddenly to become pain at the sight of my disabled arm. - -By the quick paling of her cheek, accompanied by an exclamation -of alarm, I felt that Cornelia Woodley had an interest in my -fate--something more than a wish for my welfare. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR. - - -My story was told to the two brothers, their sister being spared the -revelation. I deemed it too fearful to be imparted to a lady. A quarrel -with the boatman Black, ending in my defeat; my being flung overboard, -and compelled to save myself by swimming--this was sufficient to -explain the condition in which I had presented myself. I preferred, for -the time, submitting to a humiliation. - -Wondering, Miss Woodley withdrew, leaving me to be more explicit with -her brothers. To them I told the whole story in all its details. It is -not necessary to say that both listened to the tale with astonishment. -It seemed too horrid for belief, but there was no room for incredulity. -My wound was a living witness to at least a portion of its truth, and -for the rest, the circumstances were sufficient. - -There was a confirmation in the character of Bradley. Both knew the man -to be of a bad, brutal nature. Both had heard strange rumors concerning -him; conjectures as to his mode of life, and the means by which he had -so rapidly become rich, for at present he was so reputed. Gambling had -usually been given as the cause, but of late there had been whisperings -of a more sinister kind, in regard to the way in which Mr. Bradley had -become possessed of so much property. - -These had assumed no definite shape. It was only hinted in a general -way that he must be engaged in some speculation besides the planting of -cotton--something not quite so legitimate. - -We are talking of a time when New Orleans and its adjacent neighborhood -was not free from a taint of piracy on the high seas--to say nothing of -the African slave-trade--with many other combinations of crime almost -incredible. - -Which of these might be the specialty of the Mississippi planter no one -appeared definitely to know. - -My experience of the two preceding days had furnished the clue. I -had no longer a doubt that, along with the ostensible pursuit of -cotton-planting, Mr. Bradley secretly combined the calling of a -_pirate_--for by this name is the river robber familiarly known in the -region of the Mississippi. - -My opinion was adopted by my listeners as I continued to tell them -what I had seen. The facts spoke for themselves. Besides, both had -heard of circumstances corroborative of what could be no longer called -suspicion. For some years past there had been reports of flat-boats -missing upon the Mississippi. Several had been spoken of. Henry Woodley -had himself heard of an especial case, which had occurred in the -preceding year. It was that of a flat, freighted with cotton, from a -plantation somewhere up the Arkansas river. Its owner had dispatched -it in charge of a crew of negroes, his own slaves, but had never heard -more either of cotton or crew. - -Most people supposed these missing boats to have perished in squalls, -or "hurricanes," as they are called--to have gone to the bottom with -their crews along with them, an occurrence not uncommon upon the -Western rivers. But there were others who did not attribute all these -losses to the storm; people of a more suspicious way of thinking, in -whose memories were still fresh the exploits of the pirate Murrell. -This robber had somewhat innocently been assumed to be the last of his -race. Though it might be on a smaller scale, it was evident he had a -successor in the planter Bradley. - -As we continued to discuss what had occurred, and examine it in all its -bearings, the whole scheme became clear. I now learnt for the first -time that Black and his associate Stinger were complete strangers to -the Woodley family. They had presented themselves on the Tennessee -plantation as professed flat-builders and boatmen; and in this -double capacity had they been employed. I recalled the fragment of -conversation I had overheard between Black and Bradley on the wood path -of the plantation. It had puzzled me at the time. Its signification -was now clear, and I could understand the interest which Bradley had -shown in the cotton crop about to be embarked. No doubt it was by his -directions Black and Stinger had shown themselves in that quarter, and -undertaken the building of the boat. They were simply his confederates -in a good scheme of piracy, of which we had evidence of only a single -act--no doubt far from being the first. - -And there must have been murder, too! Where were the four negroes? -They could not be kept out of the way--with tongues silent in such a -transaction. Even if "run off" to Texas and sold, they could still -talk; their talking might not be worth much, but it would in time -direct suspicion upon the pirates, and put an end to the grand game -they were playing with such impunity. - -It was a frightful reflection to think of the sad fate of these -unfortunate creatures--for we could scarce have a doubt of their having -been butchered in cold blood! - -There was no time to dwell upon or talk of it. Time enough for that -when we had taken steps to be assured of its reality, and, if real, to -punish the perpetrators of such an atrocious crime. - -And what was the primary step to be taken? That was the question that -came before us. - -The intentions of the planter pirate were clear enough. His three -confederates would carry the boat on to New Orleans, where the cargo -could easily be disposed of. No doubt they had a ready way of doing -this through some _respectable_ cotton-broker in collusion with the -gang. Their object in taking so much trouble to alter the markings was -of course to prevent identification. This would be effectual, since -all cotton bales are alike--as much as eggs, peas, or sheep. The huge -parallelopipedon covered with coarse canvas "bagging," and confined in -its cording of hemp, is a thing not to be sworn to. Remove the mark, -and it may belong to anybody. The two hundred bales sent down from -Tennessee, worth over twelve thousand dollars, were for the time the -property of Nat Bradley, as could be proved by his plantation-mark! -Once sold by him, no man could reclaim them, that is without other -evidence to substantiate the claim. - -But for what I had witnessed upon the island, this would have been -wanting. The boat that carried them would be easily put aside. Like all -of its kind, it would be sold at the levee wharf, at once, to be broken -up for firewood; or, what in this case was more likely, taken down the -river, and sunk during the darkness of the night. - -Would Bradley himself go down in the flat? We thought not. It would -scarce comport with his character of rich planter and proprietor. Most -likely he would follow it in one of the steamboats, from Natchez, or -some near port. He may have taken the very one that brought Walter -Woodley to his brother's plantation. - -He could hail it from some landing below. - -What would be our best course to pursue? - -Henry's counsel was, that we should all three proceed to New Orleans, -taking advantage of the first boat that came down the river, or what -would be better still, riding post-haste to Natchez, and getting a boat -there--one of the regular packets from that place to the great city -below. By this means we might anticipate the sale of the cotton, and so -recover it, at the same time bringing to justice the scoundrels that -had stolen it. - -This scheme might have answered well enough as regarded the three -confederates. But, how about their chief? It would leave him a loophole -of escape, and this could not be thought of. For my part, I was -determined to punish the man who had twice made an attempt upon my -life. I looked upon Black as but the representative of Bradley. - -We had no proof to connect the latter with any of the crimes that had -been committed. I could not swear to having seen him at the lagoon. -My oath as to the identification of his voice would be too slight a -testimony upon which to convict him, even of connivance. He would -deny that he had been present; and as to placing his name upon the -cotton-bales, any one might do that without either his knowledge or -sanction. - -Unless one of the three confederates should turn state's evidence, the -chief pirate would escape the punishment he so justly deserved. - -It would be a pity that any of the party should have such a chance, -and there was no need for it. Let the thing take its course, let the -cotton be sold and delivered, and then whether warehoused by a broker, -or bought by a bona-fide purchaser, it would become known to whom the -purchase-money was to be paid. Then we could discover who was chief of -the pirates, and get the whole gang within the meshes of the law. - -This was my advice, warmly seconded by Walter, and when fairly set -before him, also appearing best to his brother. - -It was agreed we should all three go down to New Orleans, place -ourselves in communication with a respectable solicitor, and obtain the -assistance of the law, in the accomplishment of our purpose. - -At the close of our deliberations a surprise awaited us. Outside we -heard the hoof-stroke of a horse. On looking through the window, we -saw a man dismounting by the gate of the inclosure, and fastening his -bridle to the post. As he faced toward the house, we recognized the -piratical ruffian whose punishment we had been planning. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -WAITING FOR A BOAT. - - -Visit unexpected and ill-timed--what could be its object? This was the -thought of all three. - -I for one must not be seen by him. The sight of me would frustrate all -our plans--even the knowledge that I still lived. - -Neither should the Tennessean. His presence would require explanation; -and perhaps cause a change in the programme we had sketched out for the -pirate. - -Our host alone must receive him. There was just time for Henry to get -out of the drawing-room, and close the door after him, when Mr. Bradley -stepped into the porch. - -Uninvited he could not gracefully go further. - -Walter and I, silent inside, could hear every word that was said. - -Bradley spoke first. - -"Well, Hen," he said, after the usual exchange of salutations, "reckon -I've got here too late." - -"For what?" was the natural inquiry. - -"Boat. I want to go down to Orleans. The Yazoo City was to have left -Vicksburg yesterday evening, and I thought I might catch her at your -landing. I suppose I'm too late, as I heard a boat pass, while I was -coming through the woods. She was going down; and I reckon it must have -been the City." - -There was an interval of silence, during which we awaited Henry's -response. He made none. The presence of such a guest--under such -circumstances--had taken him by surprise; and he was no doubt -hesitating as to what he should say. - -As Bradley had put no direct interrogatory, he did not stay for an -answer; but continued: - -"She must have passed here very early--before you were out of your bed. -Do you think any of your niggers saw her? They would know if it was the -City. They could read the name I reckon?" - -"Yes," replied Henry, at length, speaking with evasion. "Some of them -did see a boat pass down. It was not the Yazoo City; but an up-river -boat from the Ohio, I believe." - -"Oh! in that case the City will be along yet. She ought to be near now. -I'll go down to the landing to look out for her. You don't mind sending -one of your niggers to fetch my horse back to the house here? There's -one of mine coming after, to take him home." - -"Certainly not," said Henry, evidently pleased at the prospect of his -visitor making such a short stay. "One of them shall go down with you -at once." - -"And look ye, Henry Woodley!" continued Bradley, with a change of tone, -"now that I'm here, I may as well tell you what I intend doing. I want -that $2,000. I want it d--d bad; and I mean to have it. I've asked -you for it half a score of times, till I'm sick of asking. And now -I'll give you till I come back from Orleans, which will be in about a -fortnight. If you can't pay then, why I must get judgment on the bill, -and take some of your niggers. I'm sorry to be sharp with you; but I -must have the money." - -"When you come back--a fortnight you say--perhaps I may have--" - -The debtor was thinking that before a fortnight's time he might be -relieved of his liability in a way his creditor little expected. - -"Oh! d--n your _perhaps_!" rudely interrupted the latter. "If you don't -have it--Hilloa! what's that?" - -As he uttered this exclamation, we could hear Bradley rushing further -out upon the porch, as if to inform himself of something that was -passing outside. - -There was an interval of profound stillness, and through a side-window -in the drawing-room, in which the casement stood open, we could -distinguish faint and far off the hollow sound of the "scape-pipe." - -"By Jove, it's the boat! Ten chances to one if I'll be in time to catch -her. Send after me for the horse!" - -As he issued this impudent command, the unwelcome visitor hurried on -through the gate, leaped into the saddle and went off at a gallop along -the road, toward the landing. - -As promised, a negro was dispatched after to take charge of his horse, -and for some time we all listened in great anxiety. If Bradley should -miss the boat, he would be sure to come back to the house and perhaps -remain there waiting for another. This would be a serious interference -with our plans, and might end in altogether defeating them, by his -discovering of our presence upon the plantation! - -It was a pleasant sound, that continued hissing of steam, that came -borne upon the breeze from the direction of the river. - -It told us that the boat was laying to, to take on board a passenger, -who could be no other than Nat Bradley. - -This was soon after confirmed by the return of his horse, ridden by the -darky with the saddle stripped of its bags. - -The planter pirate had posted to New Orleans to dispose of his late -capture, perfectly unsuspicious that the owner was so near, and at the -same time taking measures for the recovery of the spoil. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE WHITE KERCHIEF. - - -While thanking the Yazoo City for having so opportunely disembarrassed -us of the presence of Nat Bradley, we felt that he must be followed as -speedily as possible. - -If the flat had been taken on direct after leaving Devil's Island--and -in all likelihood it had--it should reach New Orleans in four days at -the furthest. Its crew would convey it as fast as possible, knowing the -danger of delay. They could assist the current with a pair of sweeps, -with which the craft was provided. - -The Yazoo City would be there before them, but how about the boat by -which we ourselves should have to make the journey? - -There was no certainty when another steamboat might come along. It -might be in an hour, but it might also be two or three days. A delay of -the latter kind would be fatal to our scheme. - -Once alongside the flat-boat-wharf on the New Orleans levee, it would -not take much time to discharge the cargo, and remove it to some safe -place of storage; and, as for the flat itself, it could be disposed of -in a single night. We might reach New Orleans to find no trace either -of boat or cotton, and as for the worthies composing the crew, it would -be ten chances to one of our ever setting eyes on any of them again. - -The cotton itself might be discovered. That was probable enough. -It could not go aboard ship without undergoing the process of the -cotton-press. This would cause delay, and it could be found either in -the shed, attached to one of the great presses, or in the storing-house -of a broker. - -But when found, what then? It bore Bradley's plantation-mark along with -his name. He would be upon the spot himself ready to swear to it, and -Walter Woodley could not do the same. - -Indeed, the young Tennessean was not so sure of being able to identify -the flat. He had taken but little notice of it, when being built and -laden, leaving all that to Black and his assistant Stinger. - -Among these boats there is as much similarity as between the bales of -cotton. - -My identification of either craft or cargo would be still more -doubtful. I could only make it good by finding the crew aboard of it, -to all three of whom I could swear distinctly. But to bring Bradley -within the power of the law, something more would be required than the -testimony I was yet able to give. It would be necessary to connect him -with the other three, either as their confederate or chief. - -This could be done by allowing him to deal with the cotton on its -arrival in New Orleans, taking care to secure the others before they -had parted from the flat. - -To do this we must reach New Orleans as soon as they, or not many hours -after. A single day behind that of their arrival, and we might be too -late. - -Walter was surprised to find that his brother owed Nat Bradley two -thousand dollars. I could see, however, that he scarce regretted it. It -explained that sinister attachment which existed between the two, and -which it had grieved him to think was a friendship. Now he knew it to -be of a different nature, and preferred the knowledge. - -"Never mind about the debt, Walt," said Henry, in answer to the inquiry -as to how it had been contracted. "It is not _honestly due_; and, if -we succeed in bringing the scoundrel to justice, I suppose I shall be -released from the liability." - -"Ah! and if our suspicions prove true, I shall lose twice the amount, -even if I recover my cotton." - -"How?" - -"Why, my negroes--four of the best hands we had. Poor fellows, I care -not so much for the money, but to think that they have been made away -with--murdered. It is fearful!" - -"It is, indeed," said the elder, and less sentimental brother. "But in -any case you will not lose by that, I mean in money. There are plenty -of likely hands on Nat Bradley's plantation, though I've never known -much of either it or them. Of course you can recover the full value of -what you have lost; and, if it all prove true, you will have to proceed -against Mr. Bradley's heirs instead of himself. There's not a moment -to be lost. In my opinion, the best way would be for you, brother, to -ride down to Natchez as fast as a horse can carry you, and see if you -can get a boat there. There might be one of the Natchez and New Orleans -packets starting at once; besides, you have still the chance of the -up-river boat. If you get one before to-morrow night you will be in -good time. Once in New Orleans, go direct to our old friend Charles -Sawyer, who's practicing law among the creoles. He's sharp enough for -what we want. You'll find his office in St. Charles street, near the -Hotel. I can stay and watch our own landing, and follow by the first -boat. Our friend here, I hope, will have no objection to go down along -with me. Without him we would be helpless. You would lose your cotton, -and I should have to pay a debt contracted with a swindler, which, but -for foul play, I should never have been owing." - -Henry Woodley seemed all at once to have changed his character, -displaying an energy for which I had not given him credit. Perhaps -it might be accounted for by his hope of getting rid of an incubus -hitherto harassing him. - -"Now, Walt!" he continued, "get ready to ride at top speed for -Natchez. I'll order you the best horse in my stable." "Yao, Dick!" he -cried, stepping out into the porch, and hailing one of the negroes seen -outside the inclosure. "Put the saddle on the sorrel mare, and bring -her round to the gate. Be quick about it." - -In a few minutes the sorrel stood by the gate, Miss Woodley wondering -about the preparations. - -"Never mind, Corneel!" said her brother, in answer to her request for -an explanation. "Walter is called to New Orleans on pressing business, -and I am going to take boat for Natchez. I shall have to go down myself -by the next snorter that comes along; and, as our young friend here -promises to accompany me, we can't leave you alone. So you must make -the trip too. On the way down I may let you into our secret. Now will -that content you?" - -Miss Woodley made no response. She smiled and seemed satisfied. The -bantering tone in which her brother spoke, implied that there could not -be much amiss. I too felt content at the prospect of having her for a -fellow-passenger, on board a Mississippi steamboat. - -I could not help remembering that it was in a similar situation I had -first surrendered to her charms. - - * * * * * - -And after all, Walter went with us. There was no need for going that -long gallop to Natchez. - -Just as he was setting foot in the stirrup, the well-known "boom" of a -steamboat was heard, awakening the echoes of the woods. It came from -the up-river direction. - -"Quick, Walt!" cried his brother. "Ride down to the landing, and signal -her to stop. A white handkerchief will do it. Have you got one?" - -"Here," said the fair "Corneel," gliding like a sylph toward the gate, -and handing him her bit of embroidered "cambric." "I suppose this will -do?" - -"Ah!" thought I, giving way to a romantic fancy, "for the possession of -such a trophy, the Spanish Armada might have come to an anchor." - -Walter posted like a thunderbolt, while his brother and sister -commenced packing their portmanteaus. I had none to pack, and remained -standing in the porch, listening for the stopping of the approaching -steamer. - -I could soon tell that the signal had been successful. The "bark" of -the boat, heard at short intervals, became changed to a hiss--a sure -sign that the play of the engine was suspended. - -Shortly after, the booming recommenced; but the frequent ringing of the -pilot's bell told that the boat was being brought in to the landing. - -This is only true of the inferior class of boats, or where the -passenger expected is supposed to be one worth consideration. There -were few captains on the river that would not have laid to for a -Woodley, and fewer still could they have told that the white signal was -the kerchief of the fair Cornelia. - -On our arrival at the landing, we found the boat, with staging-plank -out and ready. It was no humble "stern-wheel" that had thus -condescended; but the noble "Sultana," in whose luxuriant saloons we -steamed toward the "Crescent City." - -Before arriving at our destination, we had the satisfaction to know -that the planter pirate did not precede us. On passing Point Coupee, -we also passed a little steamboat, and left her pulling asthmatically -behind us. Upon her paddle-boxes we could read the lettering, "Yazoo -City." - -Still more to the purpose, we saw standing upon the hurricane-deck the -man who was causing us to make the _improvised_ voyage--the planter -pirate. - -We saw him through the green _jalousies_ of a "state-room," taking care -he should not see us. Even then, the sight of any of our party, or his -suspicion of our being aboard the Sultana, might have defeated our -plans. We gave him no chance for either one or the other. - -He was standing alone--abaft the pilot-house--apparently wrapt in -contemplation. He may have been thinking of the future--of the disposal -of his plunder. Or was his mind dwelling upon the past--upon the dark -deeds which he had no doubt committed? It might be that his thoughts -were still more bitterly occupied, with that fair being who stood by my -side, and who now regarded him only with disgust. - -I cared not to speculate on the past. I felt confident that between Nat -Bradley and Cornelia Woodley there had been no _compromise_. Whatever -there had been, enough to know that it was now over. - -The big boat passed on, leaving the Yazoo City dancing like a waif in -her wake. Behind the glass shed, that sheltered the pilot, Nat Bradley -disappeared from my sight. - - * * * * * - -In less than twenty hours after, we were passing Lafayette; and the -grand dome of the St. Charles Hotel came under our eyes, rising high -above the roofs of the Crescent City. - -"We must not go there," suggested Henry Woodley, pointing to the -conspicuous object. - -"And why?" asked Walter. "It is the best hotel in New Orleans, is it -not?" - -"True," answered the elder brother, wiser in the ways of the great -Southern city. "By all titles the best. But just for that reason must -we shun it. We should not be twenty-four hours under its roof before -finding for a fellow-guest the man we have no wish to encounter." - -"Ah! I understand you," answered the Tennesseean. "You think that he -will go there?" - -"Sure of it. I know the St. Charles to be his regular stopping-place. -I've seen him there in its grand drinking-saloon, swaggering among the -loudest of its bullies." - -"In that case we had best go elsewhere." - -"We must do so. We can stop somewhere in the French quarters--at the -St. Louis, or even some more humble hostelry. It will never do for him -to know that we are in New Orleans, and as for our young friend here, -he must keep out of sight until the time when his testimony be required -to seal the fate of these scoundrels, whose exposure will perhaps -explain why so many flats have gone to the bottom of the Mississippi. -No doubt, sir," continued the speaker, turning to me with an odd air of -jocularity, "you will be able to clear the character of the hurricane." - -By this time the Sultana had commenced sounding her pilot-bells--those -mysterious signals by which the steersman communicates his wishes to -the Vulcan-like individual who stands by the engine below. - -The effect was soon apparent by the boat rounding to in the stream, and -bringing up alongside the levee. - -With our light luggage, we were soon inside a two-horse coach, and -trotting over the oyster-shells toward the St. Louis Hotel. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -A LOUISIANA LAWYER. - - -Once installed in our hotel, we proceeded upon the business that -brought us to New Orleans. The lawyer was looked up, and the -circumstances laid before him. - -Charley Sawyer appeared far less surprised by the story than might have -been expected. Though still but a young man, he had been long enough -in the Crescent City to become acquainted with the inner secrets of -its social life. Engaged in practice at its criminal court, he had -met with those strange types of crime for which New Orleans has been -historically distinguished. As to our plan of proceeding, his advice -corresponded with what we had already conceived. - -"Although every thing seems straight for bringing the scoundrels -to justice," said he, "we must proceed with caution. The law here -is rather a rough institution as yet; and where men's liberty is -concerned--to say nothing of their lives--the testimony must be clear -and positive. If they have actually killed the poor negroes, there must -be no loophole left for them to escape--not one of them, and least of -all their chief. Bradley must be permitted to _sell the cotton_. That -will be needed to connect him with the theft, robbery, or whatever we -may have to call it." - -"But suppose he have no opportunity?" suggested Walter Woodley. "There -may not be anyone to purchase it all at once." - -"No fear of that. I shall myself find him a purchaser. By good luck -I chance to be acquainted with a cotton-broker who can be trusted in -such a delicate negotiation. He can offer such a price as will secure -a trade; and before the money be paid over we can get a warrant by -deposition, and lodge Messrs. Bradley, Black & Co. in the calaboose. -After that, the thing should be easy enough. - -"And now," continued the lawyer, "we must act; and the first thing is, -to find out whether the flat has got in. Would any of you know the -boat? You, Mr. Walter Woodley, ought to be able to identify your own -property." - -"I really don't think I can," replied the young planter; "but I should -know Black and Stinger, the men in charge. I could see them aboard." - -"True. But they might also see you, if you went near enough to -distinguish them. That would never do." - -"I fancy I can manage that part of it," I suggested. "Black can be but -slightly acquainted with my face, though I shall never forget his. By -sacrificing my mustache, and borrowing a pair of whiskers from one of -these creole _costumers_--that and a change of dress would do, would it -not?" - -"The very thing," said the astute Sawyer. "You can put on a light -camlet cloak--they are worn here. It will conceal the mark Mr. Black -has for the time put upon you. That, with a broad-brimmed palmetto -hat, and a pair of _cottonade_ trowsers, will turn you into a creole -complete. As for you, Henry Woodley, and your brother, your best plan -will be for both of you to go back to the hotel, stay within doors, and -wait till I communicate with you. It will not do for either to be seen -in the streets--at least till we get the birds safe inside the cage." - -In obedience to Sawyer's instructions the two brothers returned to -the hotel, while I remained in his office to make the transformation -required. - -In order to avoid suspicion, a razor was obtained, and I did the -shaving myself. It was not altogether pleasant to part with my pet -mustaches; but I consoled myself with two thoughts--one that they would -grow again, and the other that before they did I should see the man who -had twice attempted my life stand in the felon's dock. - -The garments necessary for my disguise were readily got at one of the -levee "clothing stores," and the whiskers from a costume shop with -which New Orleans, noted for its masked balls, is abundantly provided. - -In less than an hour I was ready to play the part of a detective. - -With Mr. Sawyer acting as guide we sallied forth, and took our way -toward the flat-boat wharf. - -Those not acquainted with the New Orleans "levee" must be told that it -is a landing full four miles in length; that only a portion of it is -provided with wharves, strong wooden platforms, supported by piles, -driven deep into the river-bank. Between, are spaces where the natural -slope of the levee is left unfurnished with such structures, and -where boats, both flats and steamers, at low water, can project their -staging-planks into the mud. - -But by certain municipality laws the levee is apportioned, so that each -kind of craft--ships, steamboats, flats, and _rafts_--has a stretch of -shore appropriated to itself. There are the shipping wharves--two sets -of them--the steamboat wharves, and, last of all, that portion of the -levee set apart for the odd-looking embarkations known as "keels" and -"flat-boats." - -Of these there is usually a large "fleet" lying along shore--especially -at that time of the year when the up-country produce is floated down -from a hundred head-waters to the great depot and entrepot of the -Mississippi Valley. - -It was just then the season; and on reaching the flat-boat wharf, we -found some hundreds of these antediluvian-like structures lying against -the wharf, and so closely packed together that a man might have stepped -from the roof of one to the other, throughout the whole conglomeration. - -Sauntering along, without appearing to be particularly interested in -any of them, Mr. Sawyer and I proceeded to make our reconnoissance. -Most of them had their stagings out and were delivering their cargoes -on shore--hogsheads of sugar and tobacco, barrels of pork, and bags -of Indian corn. Some appeared to have been already emptied, and to be -watching for a purchaser who would break them up for firewood. - -There were a few lying a little way off from the levee, as if crowded -out of place, and waiting for a chance to come in. - -One of these particularly drew my attention. I fancied I had seen it -before. It was only a vague conjecture, but I could not help thinking -that it was the same craft on board of which I had spent some very -unpleasant hours, and from which I had been so unceremoniously ejected. -No one appeared above decks. Else I might have more easily identified -it. - -For some time my companion and I sauntered back and forward along -the levee, keeping an eye on this particular flat. I had already -communicated to him my suspicion that it was the one we were in search -of. We watched the hatch-door of the caboose; but, though standing -open, no one came out or went in; and no face could be seen. - -It at length occurred to me that if we could get aboard, I might find a -trace to satisfy me. There was no plank communicating with the shore; -but there was one to the adjacent boat, which was engaged in getting -out its cargo, and by using this, we could step to the roof of the -craft suspected. - -Sawyer led the way. A slight apology to the owner of the discharging -flat was sufficient to frank us; and we passed on over its roof, and -stepped across the chasm dividing the two. - -I had just time to see that Stinger, with his scrubbing-brush, had not -altogether effaced that hideous stain, when a head popped up through -the hatch, and a rough voice demanded "what we were doing there?" The -demand was prefaced by an oath. I had seen enough to satisfy me, before -perceiving that the speaker was Mr. Black; and without staying to hear -the reply, which I left the lawyer to make, I averted my face, and -returned, apparently unconcerned, to the shore. - -I could hear Mr. Sawyer making some excuse--that we were only exploring -out of idle curiosity; and then overtaking me, we sauntered from the -spot. - -"From your behavior," said he, as soon as we had got to a safe -distance, "I took it that our polite friend is one of the pirates. Is -it so?" - -"The man who gave me this," I replied, flirting up the corner of the -camlet cloak, and showing my slung limb. - -"So far good! We've treed the jackals; now for the lion himself. But -first let us make sure of the birds in hand, before going after that in -the bush. You stay here till I return to you." - -And without further speech the lawyer walked hurriedly away in the -direction of the houses. I did not quite comprehend the meaning of his -figurative language. - -It was soon made known, on his returning to me accompanied by a man -of that peculiar cast of countenance not easily mistaken. In his keen -inquiring eye, I could recognize the detective. - -"You see that flat," said Sawyer, at the same time casting his eyes in -a different direction--across the river to "Algiers." "I mean the one -next to that unloading the Cincinnati pork-barrels." - -"Ay, ay!" responded the detective, just glancing at the object spoken -of, and then also appearing interested in something supposed to be on -the opposite shore. - -"Very well," muttered the lawyer; "you will keep it under your eye, -take note of who comes ashore--who goes on board; and don't lose sight -of it, either by day or night, till it begins to get out its cargo, -which is cotton. As soon as you see the first bale rolled upon the bank -you come to my office as quick as your legs can carry you." - -"All right," signified the man, rather by a nod of the head than any -expressed speech; while Sawyer by a sign summoned me to follow him. - -"Now," said he, as we walked off together, "the first chapter is -complete, and we must proceed to the second. We've done, for the -time, with the flat. Let us go in for higher game, to be found upon a -steamboat." - -Saying this, Mr. Sawyer directed his steps toward the steamboat -wharves. I made no inquiry as to his purpose. It was plain to me; and I -accompanied him without making remark. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -THE SPY-GLASS. - - -Ten minutes' brisk walking brought us alongside that portion of -the levee set apart for steamboats--those huge embarkations of the -Mississippi, many of which are not inappropriately styled "floating -palaces." - -At least two score of them lay opposite the landing; some coming in, -others going out; some taking cargo aboard, and others discharging it -on the wharf. - -It was a crowded and busy scene; but unlike as among the flats, we -anticipated no difficulty in identifying the particular boat with which -we had business. We were in search of the "Yazoo City." - -A single stroll along the line, and we saw she was not there. Scarce -expecting her, we were pleased to discover she had not yet come in. It -was just what we wanted. - -"And now," said Mr. Sawyer, "we must stay till she does come in, and -follow on the track of the expected passenger. Where was it you passed -her?" - -"Near Point Coupee." - -"Let me see," said the lawyer, taking out his watch, and calculating -the time that had transpired since the arrival of the Sultana. - -"The Yazoo boat should have been in; she can not be long now, unless -indeed she has stopped somewhere along the coast to take in cargo. In -that case we may have a protracted vigil of it. It's not very pleasant -standing in this hot sun. Besides it looks rather queer you carrying -your cloak about your shoulders. Unfortunately we can not do this -business by deputy, as it wants some one who knows our man by sight. -For myself, I never saw Mr. Nat Bradley, though I've heard some strange -stories about him, almost as strange as that you've told me. Confound -that cloak! Those fellows appear to take notice of it. Stay! I have it. -I think I see a better place from which to make observation--at all -events we shall escape it ourselves. This way." - -Without knowing the intention of my chaperone, I followed him. He had -turned short off from the steamboat-wharf, and was proceeding in the -direction of the houses that fronted upon the levee some two hundred -yards from the river's bank. - -"You see that restaurant?" he said, pointing to a large establishment -toward which we were wending. - -I answered in the affirmative. - -"There is a saloon on the second floor, with open windows. Go up there -and call for a couple of 'sherry cobblers.' I will be with you by the -time they are mixed." - -I did as directed, passing inside the restaurant, making my way -up-stairs, and ordering the iced drinks. - -The lawyer came in along with them. I could see that he had a telescope -in his hand, fresh purchased from a "store." - -"The very place for our purpose," he said, walking to one of the -windows and glancing at the steamboats. "The Yazoo City can't come in -without our seeing her from here, and with the help of this magnifier -we may bring Mr. Bradley near enough to recognization. What!" he -continued, placing the telescope to his eye, and looking along the -levee; "have we a view of the flat as well? By my word we have. I can -see the pork-boat--the flat itself, and Riggs, on post where we left -him, as plain as the dome of St. Charles. Good! We shall now know the -movements both of Mr. Bradley and his confederates, without getting out -of our chairs. So no more about them for the present. Let's see how we -can kill time with our sherry cobblers." - -We had not much time to kill. We had only just commenced sipping -through our straws, when we heard a "chuck, chuck" in the direction of -Lafayette; and, looking up the river, we beheld a small boat making -down for the wharves. - -Her straight sides told she was a "stern-wheeler," but as she forged -round in the crescent-like bend from which New Orleans derives one -of its well-known names, my companion, with the glass at his eye, -pronounced her the Yazoo City. - -"Here!" he said, as the boat began to draw toward the wharf, "it's -your turn with the telescope. Get Mr. Bradley in your field of vision, -and keep him there till he comes near enough for the naked eye. What -a divine conception my thinking of the spy-glass--quite a new idea in -detection. We're not only saved exposure to the hot sun, but my man -will never suspect the presence of a spy. If he should see us looking -out of the window, he'd be cunning to guess our object." - -The lawyer continued to talk, but I paid only slight attention to what -he was saying. I knew it was only to fill up the time. I had got the -Yazoo City in the field-view of the telescope and was raking her fore -and aft in search of our pirate passenger. - -I soon discovered the object of my search. He was upon the guards, near -the top of the stairs leading down to the boiler-deck. I could make out -a pair of saddle-bags hanging over his arm. I knew it was the whole of -his luggage, and that he was prepared to step ashore as soon as the -staging was shot out. - -I announced my discovery to my companion. - -"Let me have a squint at him," he requested. "It may be as well for -me to get acquainted with the phiz of the interesting gentleman, and -see how it will figure in a court of justice. In a Panama hat and blue -cottonades, you say?" - -"Yes; on the saloon deck, close to the head of the stairway." - -"I have got his precious picture in my eye. Dressed like a dandy, too! -Patent boots, and grand ruffled shirt! What a flash swaggerer! Let me -see--let me see. I think I've seen that fellow before." - -While my companion still kept his eye to the telescope, as if to -familiarize himself with the person of the pirate planter, the little -boat struggled into her place, shoved out her staging, and gave the -impatient passengers a chance of stepping ashore. - -Now that I had recognized him I no longer required the glass, and I -could see that Mr. Bradley was among the first to take advantage of it. - -As soon as he had reached the crest of the levee, he turned along it in -the direction of the flat-boat landing. - -"Good!" whispered Sawyer. "Just as I expected. We shall not have long -to wait before something turns up that will enable us to trap him." - -"Should we not follow him?" - -"Not yet. Better let him first go down to the flat--aboard if he -intends it. We can see what he does through this. When he comes ashore -again, then it will be time enough to track him to his hotel. Such a -grand fellow as that, unless he have some secret haunt of his own, will -be sure to put up at the St. Charles. Yes! he's making direct for the -flat!" - -I could see this myself; but after a time, though the distance was -still near enough for the naked eye, the pirate became mixed among the -levee crowd of promenaders, and was lost to my sight. - -"Good again!" muttered my companion. "He's going aboard the boat.... -No! one of the crew coming ashore to meet him. It's the same who so -politely received us.... Now they are together on the levee, and -engaged in conversation. I wish we could only hear it. No doubt it -would help our testimony a bit. Riggs has got his eyes upon them; -askant, like a drake listening to thunder. Come! we must quit this, or -he may escape us. As he's not going aboard, he won't stay long on the -levee. We shall get down there about the time he has finished that bit -of private conversation. Come!" - -Tossing off what remained of the "cobblers," without the intervention -of the straw, we paid the score, passed out into the street, and turned -toward the flat-boat landing. - -The lawyer had guessed the time truly. As we advanced along the line -of shop fronts, we came once more in sight of him in the ruffled shirt -and sky-blue cottonades. He was just parting from Black, who, having -received his instructions, hurried back to the cotton-boat. - -Bradley himself came crossing toward the houses, on his way to a hotel, -which proving to be the St. Charles, once more made good the conjecture -of my companion. - -As we dogged him up Poydras street, across Tchoupatoulas and Camp, and -into the great domed hostelry of St. Charles, he little dreamt that the -spies of justice were treading so close upon his heels. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -THE DEPOSITIONS. - - -I was curious to know what would be the next step in the strategy of -the New Orleans lawyer. I was not left long to speculate upon it. - -"Now," he said, hurrying off once more in the direction of the levee, -"I want a man willing to buy two hundred bales of cotton, without -losing any time or making cavil as to price." - -"You will not find such a man, I should think." - -"I will! and in ten minutes' time, if I mistake not. Come and see!" - -After passing two or three blocks in less than the time stipulated, my -chaperone entered the door of a large warehouse-like building, on the -front of which appeared, painted in large black letters, "CHEETHAM, -COTTON-BROKER." - -I had just deciphered this lettering as Mr. Sawyer came out, bringing -the cotton-broker along with him. - -After hastily introducing me to Mr. Cheetham, the lawyer led off -through the street in the direction of his office, my new acquaintance -and myself close following. - -The office was not far off, and we were soon inside it. Mr. Cheetham -was told the reason why he had been dragged from his desk, and, for the -third time making good the words of my singular companion, consented at -once to make purchase of the cotton. - -I was not so much surprised at this, having taken part in the -explanation. Of course the cotton-broker was told the whole story, and -the scheme by which the pirates were to be punished. - -I was far more astonished at the matter-of-fact manner in which Mr. -Cheetham listened to the details of the piracy, and the suspected -assassination of the negroes, events which to me seemed tragical enough -to startle the coldest imagination. - -But I knew it was only caused by the commonness of such crimes, in a -land then almost lawless, and not by any want of feeling on the part of -Mr. Cheetham. - -On the contrary, he entered warmly into the scheme for the conviction -of the malefactors. - -While we were still discussing it, a man entered the outer door, and -soon after protruded his face inside that of the office. It was the -vidette we had left on the levee. - -"Well, Riggs," asked the lawyer, "what movements?" - -"Thar rolling the cotton ashore." - -"Good; we must go and buy it." - -"You'll have to be quick, then. They've engaged a lot of drays. I -reckon they're about taking it to a storage." - -The lawyer seemed to reflect. - -"After all, let them," he said; "we can follow it there. But no," -he continued, after another spell of considering; "you must see it, -Cheetham, as it comes out of the boat. If you go too soon to where they -are storing it, it might cause suspicion. Your best way is to drop down -to the wharf, ask for a sample of the cotton, say you are ready to buy, -and then you will ascertain who has the selling of it. After that you -can conclude the bargain anywhere--at the St. Charles Hotel, if Mr. -Bradley prefer it. Meanwhile, I must be off to a magistrate to get out -a warrant against the fellows upon the flat, lest they give us the slip -as soon as their ark is empty. - -"Riggs, you first show Mr. Cheetham the cotton, then take a coach to -the St. Louis Hotel, ask for Mr. Henry Woodley, and tell him and his -brother to come here at once. After that, coach it back to the wharf, -and see where they are taking the stuff to. You can follow the drays at -a distance, and don't be seen in company with Mr. Cheetham. Old birds, -such as these appear to be, may scent the lime about you. Go, Cheetham; -buy the cotton; pay what price you choose--on a credit. But don't pay -cash for it, till you draw upon me!" - -Smiling at these jocular instructions, the cotton-broker went off to -obey them, Riggs going before him to point out the commodity he was to -purchase. - -"Now, sir," said the lawyer, turning to me, "we shall want your -assistance--the most important of all. Without it our case might come -to nothing. We must wait for the Woodleys. Walter can make a charge, as -the owner of the cotton and the negroes. God help us! Henry's testimony -won't be worth much, still it will strengthen the depositions you are -able to make. Once we get the lot in limbo, we shall find plenty of -evidence. We shall make a trip to the Devil's Island, and see what's at -the bottom of the lagoon. It's terrible to think of it. Take a cigar, -and let's talk about something else." - -I did as desired, and lighting our cigars, we conversed upon lighter -subjects. - -In due time the Woodleys made their appearance; and we all went to the -office of an alderman. - -The depositions were formally made, and we obtained a warrant for -Black, Stinger, and the third individual whose name was unknown. We -regretted not being able to include the name of Nathaniel Bradley, but -we hoped soon to return to the seat of justice, better provided with -data for an affidavit. - -The alderman was asked to keep our secret until the time came off for -committal, which of course he promised to do, and we returned to the -office of the attorney to await the action of Cheetham. - -We had not been there many minutes when the cotton-broker came in. His -countenance betokens success. - -"Well?" inquired Sawyer. - -"I've bought it--every bale." - -"From whom?" - -"From a Mississippi planter, by name Nathaniel Bradley." - -"Cheap?" jokingly inquired the lawyer. - -"So cheap that I wish it was a bona-fide purchase. I found Mr. Bradley -by no means exacting as to price. He closed with my first bid. I'm to -meet him at the St. Charles to-morrow, and pay down the cash. Meanwhile -the cotton is being sent to the Empire Press subject to my orders, -on its being paid for. I suppose you have no objection to that, Mr. -Woodley?" - -"Not the slightest," replied the Tennessee planter; "any press so long -as I can recover it." - -"Now, gentlemen," said Sawyer, "I want you all to go with me to the -alderman's office; but let us scatter, and march two, two and one. -Five such formidable people in the streets together might look as if -we intended storming the municipality. Cheetham, you know the place; -take Mr. Henry Woodley. And you, sir," continued the lawyer, addressing -himself to me, "have not forgotten it. May I request you to become the -guide of your friend Walter? As for myself you will find me at the -fountain of justice." - -We started from the lawyer's office, going as directed; and soon after -returned to it armed with the authority we had sought. - -That night, Nathaniel Bradley, William Black, James Stinger, and a man -whose name we were able to insert into the warrant as Lemuel Croucher, -and whose condition we discovered to be that of overseer on the -aforesaid Bradley's plantation, found lodgings in the common calaboose -of the Crescent City. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -CONVICTION. - - -I shall not wear the patience of my reader with the details of the -trial that followed. Enough for him to know that we succeeded in -securing a conviction, against all four of the accused. They were -convicted not only of piracy, but murder, of which we found the proofs, -alas too clear! - -In dragging the lagoon to strengthen our testimony with the scraps of -cotton-bagging I had seen the pirate sinking below the surface, an -appalling object was brought up on the prongs of the drag--the body of -a negro that had been kept at anchor below by a bag of iron tied around -the neck. - -His face was disfigured by the slashes of a knife; but not so much as -to hinder Walter Woodley from identifying him as one of the four who -had been sent to assist in the navigation of the flat. - -There was a bullet-hole through his breast, no doubt from the shot I -had heard fired when half asleep, followed by that death shriek that so -long rung in my ears. - -We searched for the other three, dragging the whole lagoon, as well as -the strait that led into it. They could not be found. In all likelihood -their bodies had been sunk in the deep channel of the river--a safer -place of concealment. - -Why one had been brought up the lagoon we could not tell, unless it was -that he had been killed outside, and allowed to lie upon the flat, for -the want of time, while turning out of the current, to dispose of his -body by flinging it overboard. - -We succeeded in fishing up the bundles of cast bagging, that carried -the Woodley mark; and, along with them, two other lots of older date, -and bearing a different brand. One set of these was gone to rottenness -and rags; on the other could still be deciphered a name and mark that -led to its identification. It had covered the cotton of that missing -boat belonging to the Arkansas planter, of which Henry Woodley had -heard. - -How many of these horrid tragedies had been enacted on the Devil's -Island it was impossible to say, but certainly one every year. No -wonder at planter Bradley becoming rapidly rich! No wonder at the -Devil's Island being deemed a haunted spot, inspiring terror among the -black-skinned creatures who had occasion to go near it. To many of -them, its gloomy lagoon, or the swift current sweeping around it, had -proved more destructive than the fancied demon of their superstitious -fears. - - * * * * * - -We had no difficulty in making out the case clear against the pirates; -but, although we proved them guilty of the double crime--robbery and -murder--to say nothing of the attempt at assassinating myself--the -severest sentence that could be obtained was _penitentiary for life_! -There was no proof of their having murdered _a white man_! - -Bradley did not submit long to his confinement. In less than a year -afterward, I heard that he had put an end to his life. - -As to Black, Stinger, and Croucher, for what I know to the contrary, -all three may be still inside the strong walls of the Louisiana State -prison, working out their tedious term of compulsory penitence. - - * * * * * - -I might turn to other themes, and describe scenes of a more tranquil -character. But no doubt, by this time the reader is tired of my -narrative. He will not care to listen to the oft-told tale, the old, -old story, as it was told to Cornelia Woodley. Suffice it to say, that -she listened to, liked it, and said "Yes." - - -THE END. - - - - -A MARVEL OF BEAUTY! - -_A New Series by the New Art!_ - -THE ILLUMINATED DIME - -POCKET NOVELS! - -Comprising the best works only of the most popular living writers -in the field of American Romance. 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A Romance of Pike's Peak and - New York. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. Ready. - - No. 6--The White Tracker; or, The Panther of the Plains. By the author - of "The Boy Miners." Ready. - - No. 7--The Outlaw's Wife; or, The Valley Ranche. A Tale of California - Life. By Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. Ready. - - No. 8--The Tall Trapper; or, The Flower of the Blackfeet. By Albert W. - Aiken. Ready. - - No. 9--Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Santa Fe Trail. By Capt. J. F. - C. Adams. Ready - - No. 10--The Island Pirate. A Tale of the Mississippi. By Capt. Mayne - Reid. Ready. - - No. 11--The Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress of the Golden Horn. By Oll - Coomes. Ready Nov. 24th. - - No. 12--Bess, the Trapper. A Tale of the Far South-west. 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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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The island Pirate, A tale of the Mississippi</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>Beadle's pocket novels No. 10</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Mayne Reid</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: September 24, 2022 [eBook #69036]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David Edwards, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois University Digital Library)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ISLAND PIRATE, A TALE OF THE MISSISSIPPI ***</div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">THE</p> - -<p class="ph1">ISLAND PIRATE.</p> - -<p class="ph5" style="margin-top: 5em;">A TALE OF THE MISSISSIPPI.</p> - -<p class="ph3" style="margin-top: 5em;">BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID,</p> -<p class="ph5">AUTHOR OF "BLUE DICK," "SCALP HUNTERS," ETC.</p> - -<p class="ph5" style="margin-top: 10em;">NEW YORK:</p> -<p class="ph4">BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,</p> -<p class="ph5">98 WILLIAM STREET.</p> - - - - - - -<p class="ph5" style="margin-top: 10em;">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by</p> -<p class="ph4">BEADLE AND ADAMS,</p> -<p class="ph5">In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p> - -<p class="ph6">(P. N. No. 10.)</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">THE<br /> - -ISLAND PIRATE.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER I.</p> - -<p class="center">A PAYING PRISON.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Many</span> long years have elapsed since I first set foot in the valley -of the Mississippi. I had strayed thither a young and enthusiastic -traveler, with scarce any other aim than adventure.</p> - -<p>I soon discovered that I had got into the very ground where such a -taste could be gratified. Amid scenes of softness or sublimity, or -tranquil solitude or stirring life—amid varied types of nationality, -and strange contrasts of character—scarce a day passed without its -incident, nor week wanting in some episode worthy of remembrance. Many -of them have at least proved worthy of mine; and I now look back upon -them with that romantic interest by which the past often reflects -itself in the mirror of memory.</p> - -<p>That I am about to record is of a mixed character—a drama in which -there are scenes of pain as well as pleasure—both of real occurrence.</p> - -<p>Whether interesting or no, they may be deemed improbable; though not by -those who have studied the social characteristics of the Mississippi -valley at the period to which they refer—before the "Far West" had -commenced receding from the great river, and its settlements had -refused to give shelter to those outcasts of society, who own no law -but that of the lex talionis, and no lawyer but <i>Lynch</i>.</p> - -<p>Unlike most travelers through Mississippian territory, I entered it -from the south—by the mouth of its main river—making my first station -in the city of New Orleans.</p> - -<p>It was late in the spring when I arrived there. And soon after the red -cross, beginning to show itself on the doors of the humbler dwellings -that lay "swampward," warned me of the presence of that terrible -epidemic, which there annually decimated the ranks of such strangers as -were compelled to make their summer sojourn in the place.</p> - -<p>Taking the hint, I bade a temporary adieu to New Orleans, intending to -return to it after the first frost in the "fall."</p> - -<p>Straying northward, here and there halting as chance or caprice -directed, I was at length carried into the Ohio and up the Cumberland -river to the capital of Tennessee.</p> - -<p>By this time the forest foliage had become tinged with red, and the -leaf was beginning to fall. My stay, therefore, in the "City of Rocks," -though pleasant, was not prolonged; and I made preparations for leaving -it: not by a steamboat, as I had come, but on horseback—a mode of -traveling I much preferred, as, in fact, the only one by which such a -country can be properly seen.</p> - -<p>With a stout roadster between my thighs, and a valise buckled to the -croup behind me, I took the Franklin "pike," leading southward from the -city.</p> - -<p>I contemplated a long ride—so long, that were I to state the distance, -it might test the credulity of my reader; as it did that of a traveler, -who shortly after overtook me.</p> - -<p>I had made some three miles along the dusty pike, and was nearly -opposite a large pile of building, standing to the right of the road, -when the traveler in question came gliding alongside.</p> - -<p>He was upon a "pacer," and could soon have passed me; but instead -of doing so, he checked his steed into a walk, and rode by my side. -Glancing toward him, I saw that he was a young man, dressed in white -linen coat and trowsers, with well-fitting boots upon his feet, and a -Panama hat upon his head.</p> - -<p>"A planter," was my reflection, "or the son of one;" for he did not -appear to be over twenty years of age.</p> - -<p>"The Penitentiary!" he said, seeing that my eyes were fixed upon the -building. "You've been in there, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>The question sounded so odd, that my first impulse was to answer it -with a laugh, which I did; though with no idea that it had been put -through any discourtesy.</p> - -<p>My interrogator, perceiving the droll interpretation his speech -permitted, joined me in the laugh.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me!" he said, apologizing. "Of course you know what I mean. I -take you to be a stranger in these parts, and supposed you might like -to know something of this State fortress of ours."</p> - -<p>"A thousand thanks!" I rejoined. "You are right. I am a traveler, and -as such not without curiosity. The State Penitentiary you say it is. I -shall feel very much indebted to you for any information you may think -proper to give me about it."</p> - -<p>"Suppose you go with me inside? I know the governor, and can get -admittance. It will be worth your while, if only to see Murrell."</p> - -<p>"Murrell—who is he?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! that of itself would tell you to be a stranger to Tennessee; else -you would have heard of him. Murrell is the great pirate and robber -of the Mississippi—long notorious upon the roads and rivers. He has -committed scores of murders, it is said; and several have been proved -against him. For all that, he is in for only <i>ten years</i>, and has -already served six of them. Would you like to have a look at him?"</p> - -<p>"By all means."</p> - -<p>"Come along, then!"</p> - -<p>With this my new acquaintance wheeled his horse into the avenue leading -up to the gate of the State Prison, whither, without another word, I -followed him.</p> - -<p>We were admitted, and courteously conducted through what appeared -far more like a vast manufacturing establishment than a place of -penal imprisonment; a manufactory, too, comprising almost every -trade known to the necessities of civilization. I there saw hatters, -tailors, shoemakers and carpenters; spinners and weavers, bakers and -blacksmiths; all busy at their respective employments. Among the -last-mentioned I saw the murderer Murrell—and through the coal grime -on his face, I could see the countenance of a man that by no means -belied his terrible reputation.</p> - -<p>His history was given me on the spot. By trade, originally, a -blacksmith—the calling to which, like Vulcan, he was now condemned—he -had forsaken it for the more profitable profession of piracy—not upon -the high seas, as the term might seem to imply, but upon the rivers -of the Mississippi valley—especially the great stream itself—his -prey, instead of ships, being the "keels" and flat-boats descending, -cargo-laden, to New Orleans, or their crews, returning along the -up-river roads, and carrying the cash obtained for their commodities.</p> - -<p>Murrell had been hard to catch, and harder still to convict. His -confederates could be counted by the score—among them merchants, -planters, justices of the peace, and even clergymen! The result was -that he was sentenced to <i>ten years</i> in the Penitentiary, against at -least ten times the number of highway robberies, and perhaps twice the -count in horrid assassinations!</p> - -<p>I shall never forget the disgust with which I contemplated this fiend -in human shape. Not for long. I was only too glad to get out of the -blacksmiths' shop, and lay my leg once more over the saddle.</p> - -<p>But in that visit to the Tennessee State Prison, I became acquainted -with some facts that in part compensated for its unpleasantness.</p> - -<p>I there learned that <i>crime may become its own cure</i>; that the industry -proceeding from it may be so applied as to remove its <i>cause</i>, or at -all events to <i>release the State from taxation</i>!</p> - -<p>This fact, first discovered in the Tennessee Penitentiary, did not so -much strike me at the time. I was then but a careless student in the -science of political economy.</p> - -<p>Only in later years did I fully understand a statistic so astounding. -Would that the bungling jailers of other and older States could -comprehend its importance!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER II.</p> - -<p class="center">A COURTEOUS INVITATION.</p> - - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Where</span> are you riding to?" was the question asked by my new -acquaintance, as we once more entered upon the pike.</p> - -<p>"To New Orleans."</p> - -<p>"Not on horseback?"</p> - -<p>"On horseback."</p> - -<p>"Why, it is a thousand miles. It will take you at least a month. You -could get there by boat in a week."</p> - -<p>"I know it."</p> - -<p>"Oh! you have some object then in going by the road? Perhaps -commercial?"</p> - -<p>My fellow-traveler's eye rested for a moment on my valise, but -evidently unsatisfied. It did not look much like the pack of a peddler.</p> - -<p>"No," I said, in answer to his interrogatory. "Unfortunately for me, I -am not able to offer such a substantial excuse for my journey."</p> - -<p>"Well," he rejoined, "I know it's common enough to travel on horseback -across to Memphis, when the water is low in the Cumberland, and there -may not be a boat; but to ride all the way to New Orleans—that's a -different affair. Do you really mean it?"</p> - -<p>"I do."</p> - -<p>"Excuse me for appearing inquisitive. It's a privilege we Western -people assume to ourselves. I only asked because it seems so odd for -any one to undertake such a tedious journey."</p> - -<p>"You are perfectly welcome to know my reason for undertaking it. I have -made the up-journey from New Orleans to Nashville by boat, and for all -I have learnt by it, I might as well have been stopping at the "St. -Charles Hotel," at one end, or the "Nashville Inn" at the other. My -object is to see something of the interior of your country; and this is -not to be accomplished on board a noisy steamboat."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Now I perceive. No doubt you are right. As a stranger to our -country—"</p> - -<p>"How can you tell that?" I asked, abruptly interrupting him.</p> - -<p>"Oh! that is easily told," was the prompt reply. "For instance, the odd -article strapped on the crupper of your saddle."</p> - -<p>"Ah! The valise."</p> - -<p>"Valise you call it? Here we only use the saddle-bags."</p> - -<p>"I know it. I prefer the valise, as you see. I acknowledge your -saddle-bags may be more convenient; but they are also more heating to -the horse, and for that reason I incline to stick to my valise."</p> - -<p>"Ha! I perceive you are a true traveler; and since you say you are -journeying only to see the country, you can not be much pressed for -time. I have made you acquainted with the inside of a Tennessee prison. -I hope you will permit me to introduce you to something not quite so -gloomy—a Tennessee cotton plantation. Perhaps you have not yet visited -one?"</p> - -<p>"It is very kind of you," I replied, more than ever impressed with the -courtesy of my new acquaintance. "In truth, I have never seen a cotton -plantation in my life."</p> - -<p>"Well, if you will place yourself under my guidance, I shall be most -happy to show you mine, or my father's I should rather call it. It -is not one of the largest, nor do we have cotton plantations in -such perfection as you will see them further south—in Alabama and -Mississippi. We are here on the northern edge of the cotton-growing -climate, and the plants sometimes suffer from the frosts. Ours, -however, will enable you to form some idea of one of the chief sources -of Tennessee wealth; and I shall have much pleasure in taking you over -it."</p> - -<p>I accepted the invitation. It was, indeed, furnishing me with an -opportunity I had intended seeking; for although, further south, I -had made some acquaintance with sugar and tobacco plantations, I was -yet ignorant of the mode by which the great commercial staple of the -Southern States is produced and prepared for the market.</p> - -<p>I could not help repeating my thanks for such kindness shown to a -stranger—as I expressed it.</p> - -<p>"Well, sir," was the reply, accompanied by a significant smile, "I -have been, perhaps, taking an unfair advantage of you. You are not -altogether such a stranger to me, though I only know you through -another."</p> - -<p>"Another! Who?"</p> - -<p>"If I am not mistaken, you made the up-river voyage about a month ago, -in the steamer Sultana?"</p> - -<p>"I did."</p> - -<p>"Do you remember one of your fellow-passengers—a young lady, by name -Miss Woodley?"</p> - -<p>It is not likely I should have forgotten Miss Woodley, nor would -any other who had ever seen her—to say nothing of having voyaged -nearly a thousand miles in the same boat with her. She had come on -board at a landing below Vicksburg on the Mississippi—a brother -having brought her to the landing. Thence she had traveled alone -to Nashville—changing boats, as I had myself, at the mouth of -the Cumberland river. But if alone, she was not neglected. Both -on the Sultana and the smaller steamer, she had been the cynosure -of many an eye, and the theme of many a sigh. Half a score of her -fellow-passengers thought the journey too short; and I decline to say -that I was not one of the number.</p> - -<p>I had been honored with an introduction given me by the captain of -the Sultana; but the beautiful Cornelia Woodley was so surrounded by -admirers that I had found but slight opportunity of cultivating her -acquaintance.</p> - -<p>On leaving the boat at Nashville, I had bidden adieu, with but faint -hopes of ever seeing her again. Her home was fifty miles from the -capital of Tennessee. She had communicated this much, but of course -without extending an invitation.</p> - -<p>With this explanation the reader will not be surprised that the name -of Miss Woodley, pronounced by my new acquaintance, caused me to turn -round in my saddle, and regard him with renewed interest.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," I said, "I traveled on the same boat with Miss Woodley."</p> - -<p>"I thought so," was the prompt rejoinder. "I could tell it was you from -the description she gave me. I saw you as you rode out of town, and -made haste to follow."</p> - -<p>This kind of talk required explanation. In what relationship did my new -acquaintance stand to my fair fellow-voyager? Was the young planter -only a neighbor, whose intimacy had procured him the information -detailed? I did not relish the conjecture of his being her lover. He -was too good-looking to make the thought palatable. I preferred the -fancy that he might be a brother. Before I could ask, I had the answer -indirectly.</p> - -<p>"I'm so glad you're going our way. I'm sure my <i>sister</i> will be most -happy to see you."</p> - -<p>"Oh! You are the brother of Miss Woodley then?"</p> - -<p>"One of them. There are two of us. I am the youngest of the lot. Henry, -who is the oldest, don't live with us here. He has a plantation in -Mississippi, below Vicksburg. That's where my sister has been. She -spends her winters with him, and only comes to Tennessee for the summer -months."</p> - -<p>I felt secretly glad that the summer months had not yet quite passed -away.</p> - -<p>We rode on; from this time calling each other by name, and conversing -as if we had been old acquaintances. More than ever did I long to -become initiated into the economy of a cotton plantation.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER III.</p> - -<p class="center">NAT BRADLEY.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I had</span> been for some time expecting to see my guide strike into one of -those side gates, sparsely appearing along the pike, and which I knew, -by the pretentious piers of hewn post-oak, to be the entrances to some -dwelling or plantation.</p> - -<p>"How far is it to your father's place?" I asked, in a careless way, so -as to conceal my impatience.</p> - -<p>"Oh! a long way yet," was the discouraging reply. "At least forty -miles. We can not reach it to-night. We must sleep in Columbia."</p> - -<p>"Beyond Columbia it is?"</p> - -<p>"A long way beyond. There's no cotton land on this side worth -cultivating. It lies too far north, and the frost, as I've told you, -often kills the young plants. Father's plantation is a good ways from -the road, on one of the creeks that run into Duck river. It's capital -soil for cotton, only that we have a long way to haul it to a steamboat -landing. This year we intend sending the crop to New Orleans on a flat. -Father's got an idea it will pay, and the boat's being built. You see, -the creek runs right through our plantation, and it's wide enough to -get a flat through to the Duck. Once there, it's only to float down to -the Tennessee and into the Ohio—then on to the Mississippi. We never -did it before, but some of our neighbors have tried it, and they say it -pays. Of course you know, after the crop's gathered the niggers haven't -much to do, and half a dozen of them, with one or two of the regular -river boatmen, can navigate a flat without much expense. By steamboat -there's heavy freight charges just now; besides the hauling before you -can get it aboard. There's no landing nearer our plantation than twenty -miles, and with bad roads at that. We make a hundred and fifty bales -every year, and as a team can only take four at a time, you can tell -what a tedious affair it is. With a flat we can load right on our own -land, close to the cotton-press."</p> - -<p>I had become so interested in these details of cotton planting that I -had almost ceased to think of that other attraction which I expected to -find upon the plantation.</p> - -<p>It was something so original, so American-like, a crop raised in -the very heart of a continent—amid forest-clad slopes apparently -inaccessible—to be thus transported from the spot on which it was -grown to a market more than a thousand miles distant, not by ship or -steam, or the intervention of any kind of carrier to share the profits -of transportation, but transported by the agriculturist who had grown -it—going, as it were, direct from the producer to the consumer!</p> - -<p>Absorbed in the contemplation of this curious problem in political -economy—important as curious—I had for the time forgotten the -traveling companion who had suggested it.</p> - -<p>I was aroused from my reverie by hearing him exchange a salutation -with some one who had met us on the road. On looking up I saw it was a -horseman going in the opposite direction. He, too, had the appearance -of a traveler, his horse dimmed with dust and dry sweat, with a pair of -swollen saddle-bags protruding behind his thighs.</p> - -<p>He was a young man—apparently twenty-five—though with a countenance -whose expression told of an experience far beyond his age—a -circumstance by no means rare in the region of the South-west.</p> - -<p>By his dress he would also have been taken for a planter; although -it was unlike that worn by young Woodley. Like him, he had a Panama -hat; but instead of white linen, his coat was a blouse of sky-blue -<i>cottonade</i>, plaited and close-buttoned over the breast, while his -trowsers were of the same stuff and color. It was, in fact, the dress -of the Louisianian creole, adopted by many Americans who have migrated -to lands on the lower Mississippi.</p> - -<p>"Well, Walt! Been to Nashville?" was the speech he had addressed to my -companion, as they reined up their horses in the middle of the road.</p> - -<p>"Nat Bradley!" exclaimed the young planter, evidently under some -surprise, which might be caused by an unexpected encounter.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Nat Bradley it is."</p> - -<p>"Who'd have looked for you here? Where have you been?"</p> - -<p>"Only out to take a squint at the old place. Mighty glad I got shet of -it. You're all a set of fools for staying in Tennessee. Talk of growin' -cotton up here! Mississippi's the place for that. Why, the meanest -nigger on my plant can make two bales to your one."</p> - -<p>"I've heard you have been having great success. My brother has written -to say so."</p> - -<p>"Has he, indeed? Well, it's a wonder he don't give up his corn-growing -and try the cotton too. For my part I go in for the weed that fetches -the ready cash—twenty cents to the pound. You've a good crop this -year, haven't you?"</p> - -<p>"I believe it is."</p> - -<p>"How many bales are you countin' on?"</p> - -<p>"Father thinks there will be nearly two hundred."</p> - -<p>"D——d handsome crop, if you can only get it safe to market. I've -heard out on Duck you intend flatting it."</p> - -<p>"Yes; we are building a boat for that purpose."</p> - -<p>"Best way in the world. Far the best. No expense, no hauling, no -freight charges of any kind. Besides, the steamers are eternally -getting blown up. There's half a score of them bu'st their boilers last -season. Recommend me to the good old-fashioned flat. I always send my -truck to Orleans that way, and would do so even if I could tumble the -bales into a steamboat right off the plantation press. Last flat I sent -down fetched me as lumber enough to pay all the expenses of takin' it -there. Come straight from Nashville?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Know if there's any boat about starting for below?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't heard."</p> - -<p>"Hope there is. I want to get down to Mississip. I only run up for a -little business I had in Nash, and thought when so near, I might as -well run out and have a look at the old diggin's on the Duck. Corneel's -out there, ain't she?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. My sister is with us."</p> - -<p>"Of course I didn't see her, as your old man and I hain't been on the -square ever since that—you know—. D——d hot, ain't it?"</p> - -<p>The last remark appeared to be by way of changing the subject, which I -could see was not at all agreeable to my young companion.</p> - -<p>"Very hot," was the assenting reply.</p> - -<p>"The sooner we get out of it the better. <i>You're</i> bound straight for -home, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"Straight."</p> - -<p>The emphasis on the "you're," with a look cast toward me, was evidently -meant to draw out a different answer; while in the glance, quick and -furtive as it was, I could read in Nat Bradley's mind a sentiment -hostile to myself.</p> - -<p>"Well!" he exclaimed, turning to conceal his dissatisfaction, "I'm off, -Woodley. Hope to see you some day in Mississippi. Good-by!"</p> - -<p>And with another sullen side-look at me, which I did not fail to -return, Nat Bradley struck the spur into his sweating horse, and went -clattering off along the turnpike toward Nashville.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER IV.</p> - -<p class="center">A QUEER CHARACTER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> impression produced upon me by this encounter was far from -agreeable. It was, in truth, of the very opposite character. There -was something in the style of the man we had met—both in his speech -and demeanor—that provoked a feeling of indignation, as almost -necessary to self-respect; and I had felt this from the moment of -meeting him. Though neither word nor nod had passed between us, there -was that in his regard which told me of an instinctive antagonism in -our natures, and that he also felt it as I. I could see that he was -what, in the Southern States, is termed a "bully." Its broad arrow was -upon him—unmistakably impressed on his countenance, as well as in -the way in which he carried himself. There was a swagger that seemed -intended to conceal the award. For all that, there was something in -the rounded stoop of his shoulders, and the short, thick neck, that -bespoke a courage sufficient for crime, and it did not require the -butt of a pistol, protruding from his breast pocket, nor the hilt of a -bowie-knife, shining among his shirt-ruffles, to tell that he was ready -to use either weapon upon slight provocation, or perhaps without any at -all.</p> - -<p>It was the sight of these ugly <i>insignia</i>, carried so ostentatiously, -that had produced my first feeling of aversion—soon strengthened, -however, by the bantering tone in which he talked to my young -companion, who appeared to treat him with more civility than he -deserved.</p> - -<p>More than all, the free, familiar way in which he spoke of the young -planter's sister—which the latter did not appear to relish—this -and the glances given to myself, had prepared me for a very surly -conversation, had one been commenced between us. Indeed, had the -interview lasted much longer, with the interchange of a few more such -looks, the bad blood between us would have found expression in speech. -As it was, we parted in mutual dislike, on both sides as clearly -understood as though it had been spoken.</p> - -<p>"Who is your swearing friend?" I asked, knowing that the question so -put was not likely to give offense.</p> - -<p>"Not much friend of mine."</p> - -<p>"Nor of your father's, I should say?"</p> - -<p>"Father can't bear the sight of him."</p> - -<p>"An old acquaintance, I suppose? He appears to be familiar with your -affairs."</p> - -<p>I was thinking more of the mode in which he had spoken of Miss Woodley -than of any thing else. The remark made about not having seen her, had -jarred upon my ear. Why should he have said this at all? And why had -the brother appeared to dislike it?</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. He is an old acquaintance," replied the young planter; "and -ought to know a good deal of our affairs—at least until lately. I may -say we were brought up together. His plantation adjoined ours—what -once was his. That's what he meant by saying he was out to have a look -at the old place."</p> - -<p>"It is no longer his, you say?"</p> - -<p>"No, the land now belongs to us."</p> - -<p>"Oh, indeed!"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Nat has been what in Tennessee we call a "wild blood," if not -something worse. He never would keep straight, nor stay among his own -sort. He was always given to queer company—among the poor white trash, -and what between spending money at their cock-fights, 'quarter-races,' -and 'candy-pullings,' he soon went through what was left of his -father's plantation. It wasn't much, as his father before him was a -good deal given the same way. The place came to the hammer; and, as it -adjoined ours, my father bought it, along with some of the niggers. -They tell queer stories about Nat, these same darkies. If only half -be true, the less one knows of him the better. I only wonder that my -brother gives him the encouragement he does."</p> - -<p>"Your brother?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. His plantation in Mississippi is not far from that you've heard -Bradley speak of, where he can grow such crops of cotton. He appears -to be getting rich again. My brother says so in his letters. Nearly -a hundred niggers, and always a pocket full of money. How he got the -start nobody can tell; but I think one might find out if they were to -frequent the gambling-houses of New Orleans. Brother says he goes down -there every winter, stays only a short time, and comes back to his -plantation loaded down with dollars. Last year he bought no less than -fifty field hands for his plantation. You've been to Orleans, you say?"</p> - -<p>"I have."</p> - -<p>"A terrible place for gambling, ain't it?"</p> - -<p>"You are quite right."</p> - -<p>"No doubt that explains how Mr. Nat Bradley started his new plantation. -If it's 'poker' they play, there's not many will stand a chance with -him. He had the name here when a boy, of beating even his father's own -niggers at it."</p> - -<p>"What! was he accustomed to play with them?"</p> - -<p>"With any one who had a 'bit' to bet upon the game. That was before he -went away. He was poor enough then, for he hung about here long after -he had lost the plantation—cock-fighting, drinking, quarreling—some -say worse. So, stranger, after what I've told you, you won't wonder -at my being a little cool with Nat Bradley, though he has been my -school-fellow."</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, I think you act very properly in keeping him at a -distance."</p> - -<p>"I wish brother Henry would do the same."</p> - -<p>"What reason have you for thinking he does not?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! plenty of reason. Henry receives him at his house, and he has -even the impudence to talk to 'Corneel,' as you have heard him call -my sister. Down in Mississippi State they have queer ways. As you may -know, most of the Choctaw lands there, were settled by 'speculators,' -and they're not very particular as to what a man is, so long as he -makes money. Brother's an easy sort of fellow, and don't much mind -what kind he goes with, if he can only get his fill of hunting. It -was nothing else he moved to the Mississippi for; though he don't -like to own to it. We see only a stray bear upon Duck, and deer are -getting scarce, while both are still plenty in the canebrakes of -the Mississippi bottom. But come, sir, you'll no doubt think me an -inhospitable traveling companion; and our horses will have a sorry -opinion of both of us. Here's old Spicer's tavern, where we stand some -chance of getting a dinner, and in the cool of the evening we can ride -on to Columbia."</p> - -<p>We dismounted under the swing sign of the "Lafayette Hotel;" and, after -a little "sweetening," prevailed upon <i>Major</i> Spicer—a Tennessee -tavern-keeper would not be of inferior grade—to consent that one of -his darkies should take care of our horses, and that we ourselves might -partake of the hospitality of the Lafayette Hotel—consisting of sweet -potatoes and "pone" bread—fried pork and apple "sass," with a stirrup -cup of peach-brandy, to strengthen us for continuing our journey.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER V.</p> - -<p class="center">PLANTATION LIFE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">There</span> are not many chapters in my life's experience that I can look -back upon with more satisfaction than that which records my stay upon -a Tennessee cotton plantation. With me it has ever been a pleasure -to study the ways and sources of production, more especially those -relating to the great staples, that not only interest, but influence -the conduct of mankind. And perhaps none to a greater extent than that -which, when fabricated, forms one of the most important items of our -clothing—the plant <i>Gossypium</i>, lately relied upon to control a great -national revolution.</p> - -<p>I was shown its glaucous wool-covered seeds, the mode of sowing it, the -way by which its young shoots were kept clear of weeds—the plant as -it appeared in its snow-white flower, and afterward, when the bursting -capsule displays the equally white staple, giving still greater delight -to the planter's eye—then the gathering, the "picking" of those seeds, -so tenacious as to require the machinery of the "gin;" and, lastly, the -packing and "pressing" of the bales, which makes them ready for the -dray, the flat, the steamboat, or the ship—ready for transport to the -remotest parts of the earth.</p> - -<p>All this I learnt from Walter Woodley, his fair sister supervising the -lesson.</p> - -<p>I remember it well, though it would be more a wonder if I had forgotten -it.</p> - -<p>Far was I from thinking it tedious. I could have undergone it twice -over; stayed to study its details for a second season, and another -crop; but, chance guest that I was, I could no longer intrude even upon -Tennesseean hospitality, and I prepared to take my departure.</p> - -<p>I had spent ten days on the plantation; and, although in the retrospect -I see only sunshine, I can also remember that at the time there was -just the suspicion of a shadow.</p> - -<p>In the happy house of Squire Woodley, no stranger would have looked for -a "skeleton;" and yet I suspected that there was one. It was only a -suspicion, but strong enough to give me pain.</p> - -<p>I had not forgotten Nat Bradley, or the free and easy fashion in which -he had talked of the affairs of the family. I had not forgotten the -confident tone in which he had alluded to "Corneel."</p> - -<p>Several times during my stay, the name of this gentleman had come up in -conversation. With regard to the hostility which his father entertained -for him, Walter had spoken the truth. There could be no mistaking that, -to judge from the terms the old gentleman employed when speaking of -the "scoundrel," as he plainly called Bradley; and it was clear to me -that the squire knew something to Nat Bradley's discredit—more than he -thought prudent to communicate to the younger members of his family.</p> - -<p>Neither of these took any pains to defend their old school fellow; for -in childhood's days, according to backwoods custom, he had been the -school companion of both. Neither ever attempted to speak a word in his -favor. Walter even indorsed the sentiments of his father, while Miss -Woodley was silent; but once or twice I fancied I could perceive in -that silence some trace of embarrassment, and a desire on her part to -escape from discussing the question. Could it be that there was some -untold and secret history between this beautiful girl and that bold -blackguard, Bradley? The thought pained me as a stranger—it pained me -still more as my acquaintance with Miss Woodley assumed the familiarity -of friendship.</p> - -<p>True, it was only my own imagining; but this was strengthened by an -incident that occurred previous to my leaving the plantation, and which -in my mind had a sinister signification.</p> - -<p>I had been several times down to the creek where the flat-boat was -being built—that craft that was to carry the cotton crop more than a -thousand miles to market. I could not help taking an interest in this -native specimen of naval architecture—a sort of Noah's ark of the -Western waters. It was being constructed under the superintendence of a -white man, a flat-boat builder by profession.</p> - -<p>This person—whose name I had ascertained to be Bill Black—was -assisted by a second individual, a white man like himself, who was a -regular "Mississippi boatman."</p> - -<p>The other "builders" were all black, the carpenters and common hands of -the plantation, some of whom were afterward to act as "hands," in the -navigation of the craft.</p> - -<p>I had taken considerable interest in this ark's construction, though -the Tennessee Noah, Mr. Bill Black, seemed anything but inclined to -initiate me into the mysteries of his ship-yard. Several times that -I had visited it alone, he had treated me with scant civility; and I -had set him down as a morose brute. His acolyte, Stinger, was equally -uncivil.</p> - -<p>The demeanor of these men would have given me a very low opinion -of what are called the "white trash" of Tennessee, but I learnt -incidentally that neither belonged to the place.</p> - -<p>They were, in fact, "boatmen," whose home was here to-day, there -to-morrow—wherever a chance of employment might turn up.</p> - -<p>One evening Walter Woodley was absent when wanted by his sister for -some purpose that required his presence upon the premises. Several -messengers had been sent forth to find him.</p> - -<p>Fancying he might be down at the creek, where the flat-builders -were employed, and having nothing better to do, I sauntered in that -direction to summon him. The place was half a mile from the house, and -on the land formerly possessed by the Bradleys.</p> - -<p>On reaching it, I found no one in the "ship-yard." It was after sunset, -and the workmen, both white and black, were gone away for the night. I -could see their tools stored in the shed.</p> - -<p>As I had come on the wrong track to find the missing man, there was no -reason for my hurrying home.</p> - -<p>"He has got there by this time," was my reflection; and lighting a -cigar, I strolled slowly back toward the house.</p> - -<p>I had not gone far before discovering that speed would have been -impossible had I wished making it. The path for the most part ran -through a tract of woodland—huge trees thickly set—the heavy bottom -timber of the creek. The twilight I had left behind me in the cleared -space about the boat-yard, was no longer visible. Under the trees it -was dark as the inside of a cave, only a little illuminated by the -phosphorescent coruscation of the fire-flies, or "lightning-bugs," as -the Tennesseeans term them.</p> - -<p>Instead of guiding me, these animated torches, with their fitful, -unsteady sparkle, only rendered the track more deceptive, and I was -compelled to proceed with circumspection, now groping my way among the -tree-trunks, and now stooping to make sure of the path, by the glow of -my cigar.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VI.</p> - -<p class="center">TWO STRANGE TALKERS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I had</span> got about half-way to the plantation-house, and nearly clear of -the timber, when I heard voices, as of two men engaged in conversation. -This it turned out to be—two men upon the same path I myself trod, but -coming from the opposite direction.</p> - -<p>By the time I had made this observation, they were close up to me.</p> - -<p>They appeared to be making way faster than I—no doubt from being more -familiar with the track. Though within less than a score of yards, I -could not distinguish their figures, nor they mine, so deep was the -obscurity of the place.</p> - -<p>I was about to call out, so that we might not run foul of one another, -when I recognized one of their voices. It was that of the uncivil -boat-builder, Black. The other should be his assistant, Stinger?</p> - -<p>Not caring for an encounter with these men—even so much as to saluting -them—I stepped aside, intending to let them pass without making my -presence known. It was easily done in the darkness, by gliding behind a -tree.</p> - -<p>"You think ther'll be two hundred bales, Bill?"</p> - -<p>"Darned close on it. The old un's had an all-fired fine crop."</p> - -<p>"So much the better. See you make the boat big enough to carry it. -Don't let a bale be left behind."</p> - -<p>"Yer kin trust me for that. She'll take every bale of it."</p> - -<p>"Good. If neatly managed, it'll be one of the finest hauls—. Don't you -smell tobacco?"</p> - -<p>"Darned if I don't!"</p> - -<p>"Somebody's been smoking here! A cigar too. Like enough that strange -fellow, or Walt Woodley himself. They've been this way—not a great -while ago neither."</p> - -<p>For a short time there was silence, and I could tell that the two men -had stopped in their track, and were listening.</p> - -<p>Now, less than ever, did I care to accost Mr. Bill Black and his -companion, who was not Stinger, though who I could not guess. And yet -the voice did not seem altogether unfamiliar. I fancied I had heard it -before!</p> - -<p>I stood still as the tree-trunks around me, and equally motionless. I -had already taken the cigar from my teeth, and held it with the coal -between my fingers.</p> - -<p>I was in hopes of hearing something more said, for there was just a -taint of mystery in the nature of the dialogue to which I had commenced -listening. Who could the man be that took such an interest in the bulk -of the flat-boat, and the shipment of Squire Woodley's cotton?</p> - -<p>Perhaps the overseer of the plantation?</p> - -<p>This was a man I had only spoken to once or twice, but with whose voice -I was not enough familiar, to account for the fancy of my having heard -it before.</p> - -<p>I was forced to be satisfied with the conjecture, for the two men no -longer conversed aloud, but in a tone so low, I could not make out what -they said.</p> - -<p>After standing a few seconds to satisfy themselves that they were alone -on the path, they moved on again, and were soon entirely out of my -hearing.</p> - -<p>As I continued toward the house, I could not help dwelling upon -the incident, trifling as it might appear. The voice of the second -speaker still kept vibrating in my ear, although it otherwise defied -identification. I did not feel convinced of its being that of the -overseer.</p> - -<p>On reaching the plantation-house I had evidence to the contrary. The -man was there himself, standing by the gate! He could not have got to -the ground before me.</p> - -<p>I found Walter Woodley at home, and related to him the scraps of -conversation I had overheard.</p> - -<p>"Some of our neighbors," he said, with a careless laugh, "who take -this interest in our affairs, though I can not tell which of them I -am to thank for being such a well-wisher. Ah! I fancy I can explain -it. We propose to allow a percentage on every bale that reaches New -Orleans without getting wet or otherwise damaged. Likely enough it's -some friend of Black, the boatman, who's been congratulating him on his -chance of making a good thing of it.</p> - -<p>"By the way," continued the young planter, changing the subject, "I've -been down by Neal's ferry since dinner, and who do you suppose I should -see crossing there?"</p> - -<p>"How should I know, being a perfect stranger to everybody around you?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! true. But you've seen <i>him</i>; and heard us talk of him. Nat -Bradley."</p> - -<p>"Nat Bradley! He here? I thought he said he was going down the river."</p> - -<p>"He did; but for all that he's here again."</p> - -<p>"For what purpose?" I asked, inspired by an unpleasant thought.</p> - -<p>"Heaven only knows. He didn't seem too well pleased at seeing me. I -suppose he fancied I might think it strange, after his telling us he -was off for Mississippi. He explained, by saying, there was no boat at -Nashville ready to start. Now <i>that</i> I know not to be true; for I've -heard elsewhere that there was one went down about ten days ago—just -in time for him to have gone by her. He's a queer fellow; and it's hard -to say what he's dodging about here for. He told me he was on the way -to a nigger trader's near the Tennessee shoals, who'd got some hands -to sell, and as he'd heard they could be had cheap, he was going to -buy some of them. From there he intended riding across to Memphis, and -taking boat for below. He must be making money, somehow, as he talked -of buying no less than twenty of the trader's lot."</p> - -<p>While listening to this long explanation, I imagined I had obtained a -cue as to the voice I had heard in conversation with Bill Black, the -boatman. It was the same that had jarred so disagreeably on my ear, -while pronouncing the name "Corneel."</p> - -<p>I stated my suspicion to the young planter.</p> - -<p>"Like enough," was his reply, "though I didn't know he was acquainted -with Black, nor can I see what difference it should make to him about -our having a large crop, or how we get it to market."</p> - -<p>Neither could I; and it was just this that continued to mystify me, -long after we had ceased to converse on the subject.</p> - -<p>Strange enough, no one of the neighborhood had either seen or heard of -Nat Bradley's reappearance on the place.</p> - -<p>During the three days that intervened before my departure from the -plantation, I had not failed to make inquiries—of course in an -indirect manner—but no one knew of a second visit of Nat Bradley. His -first I had frequently heard spoken of. There was nothing strange in -it. On the contrary, it was but natural that a man of broken fortune, -once more rebuilt, should return to his native place, to receive the -congratulations of his friends, as well as to triumph over his enemies.</p> - -<p>His second visit made in such secrecy—and with a falsehood for its -excuse—must have had some object of a less honest kind.</p> - -<p>I could not help thinking so; and more than once, the thought returned -to distress me.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VII.</p> - -<p class="center">A HUNTING PLANTER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Notwithstanding</span> my reluctance to leave the Tennessean plantation, the -event could no longer be delayed. I could bear the thought with greater -equanimity that I had hope soon again to see my fair instructress in -the statistics of cotton-planting.</p> - -<p>"On my journey through the Mississippi State, I must call on her -brother Henry. His plantation was not much out of my way. He could give -me such sport, hunting bears and deer and panther, shooting swans, -egrets and eagles. She herself would be going down soon—perhaps Walter -too. Would I not stay till they came?"</p> - -<p>Who would have declined such an invitation? Not I. My difficulty was to -conceal an eagerness in its acceptance. I promised to pay this visit -to the hunting brother; and provided with the proper credentials of -introduction, I bade adieu to my Tennesseean acquaintances, and once -more set my face for the South.</p> - -<p>I had long since left behind me the region of turnpikes, and my -route lay over roads where the hoof struck only on the softly-turfed -surface of the earth. Now and then it coincided with the old "Natchez -trace"—that once much-traveled highway, on which Murrell had committed -many of his murders.</p> - -<p>In due time—and with only those slight mischances which form -rather the charms of travel—I reached the Mississippi plantation, -and presented my letters of introduction to the proprietor. I was -received with all the warmth of Western hospitality. Indeed, by my -new host, Henry Woodley, credentials would scarce have been called -for. Sufficient for him to know that I was fond of hunting, to have -insured me a warm reception. With the addition of such introduction -as I carried, it was only made the warmer; and I was received with as -much zeal as if, instead of that pretty epistle from his sister, I -had brought one from the old squire containing a check for a thousand -dollars.</p> - -<p>I was not long upon the plantation of Mr. Henry Woodley, till I could -tell that this last would not have been unwelcome. Here every thing was -different from the old homestead in Tennessee.</p> - -<p>Instead of a handsome "frame house," well filled with furniture that -approached the fashionable, I was introduced to a dwelling of a less -pretentious kind. It was a large log-cabin, comfortable enough, but -with no claim to architectural style. It stood inside of an inclosure -of rude rail fence, overshadowed by trees and surrounded by a shrubbery -of magnolias, osage orange, and other fair forms of vegetation, just as -the forest had furnished them. At the back were the cooking quarters, -standing apart; beyond them the stabling, and to one side a group of -negro-cabins at some distance from the dwelling. Despite the primitive -rudeness of the place, there was that picturesqueness that is pleasing -to the eye.</p> - -<p>There were, withal, sufficient signs to insure comfort, and a -kennel close by containing a score of stag-hounds—some of them -showing scars that could only have been made by the claws of bear or -panther—promised something more—that sport of which their proprietor -was so passionately fond—the grand chase.</p> - -<p>It was for this, in truth, that Henry Woodley had selected his new -home; for this consented, year after year, to endure the summer heats, -and breathe the miasma of the Mississippi swamps—not to make a fortune -in the culture of cotton and tobacco. His corn-growing was intended -only to feed the horses in his stable, as well as the hogs required for -the sustenance of the negro-quarters and the kennel.</p> - -<p>Henry Woodley was not the only man I had met who, under the pretense -of being a planter, passed three-fourths of his time in the chase—his -farming being only a pleasant fiction—a pretext, to escape from the -charge—even the self-accusation—of having nothing to do! Hundreds of -such characters there are in the Mississippi valley.</p> - -<p>Inside, as without, you had evidence of the house being a true hunter's -home. In the vast open porch, with its adjoining gallery, you were -surrounded by trophies of the chase—horns, skins and claws, suspended -alongside a miscellaneous assortment of guns and riding-gear, nets, -traps, and fishing-tackle.</p> - -<p>Soon after my arrival, my host commenced initiating me into the ways -of a Southern sportsman's life; and ere long I was introduced to the -different kinds of chase practiced upon the Mississippi.</p> - -<p>In less than a month I had collected, on my own account, most of -those trophies that fall to the lot of a Mississippi hunter. Among -them were skins of the black bear, the red puma or "painter" of -the backwoodsmen, the spotted lynx—better known by the name of -"wild-cat"—wolves, black and gray, with raccoons, opossums, skunks, -swamp rabbits, and other four-footed "varmints." In my collection were -the antlers of the Virginia stag, the scaly skin of the alligator, as -also the singular gar-fish, or shark of the South-western waters.</p> - -<p>Birds, too, figured among my trophies, including a fine specimen of the -wild turkey, whose weight, when shot, was thirty pounds in the scale. -I had obtained also the tall American crane, the trumpeter swan, the -curious snake-bird, the blue heron, the white egret, the scarlet ibis, -and many other beautiful birds, obtainable on the banks and bayous of -the lower Mississippi.</p> - -<p>The king of all, however—the white-headed eagle—was still wanted -to complete my museum. Several times I had seen this splendid bird -soaring aloft, or winging his way across the river. But, like most of -the falcon tribe, the white-headed eagle is shy of the approach of man; -and I had never succeeded in getting a shot at one. All the more did I -desire to add the eagle to my collection.</p> - -<p>My host, eager to gratify me, caused inquiries to be made.</p> - -<p>It ended in our hearing of a "roost" upon one of the islands, some -twenty miles down the river, where a nest had been observed in the -spring, and afterward the brood of birds—a single brace, along with -their parents.</p> - -<p>In the neighborhood of a nest where they have succeeded in bringing -forth their young, the eagles can more easily be approached. Where they -have been so long permitted to go undisturbed, their confidence becomes -established. Knowing this, I determined on making an excursion to the -island.</p> - -<p>On this occasion I was to go without my host, accompanied only by one -of his negroes, named "Jake." I had made several excursions so attended -when the young planter was otherwise occupied—Jake and the skiff being -always placed at my disposal.</p> - -<p>The darky knew the island in question, though he had never landed -upon it; and what I thought strange, did not seem to relish the idea -of guiding me to the place! At other times he had shown the greatest -eagerness to be my hunting companion, as it afforded him a pleasanter -time than any other employment upon the plantation.</p> - -<p>It would be a two hours' pull down-stream, and might take us twice that -time to return—the river here running with a rapid current, especially -in proximity to the island.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was the prospect of so much toil under a hot sun that was -rendering Jake so reluctant; and with this explanation to myself, I -followed my unwilling conductor to the skiff.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VIII.</p> - -<p class="center">THE WHITE-HEAD EAGLE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had -forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little -dangerous—especially as we approached the island.</p> - -<p>What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making -land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had -fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to -make fast the skiff. The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight -had hindered the current from carrying it off.</p> - -<p>Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot -upon <i>terra firma</i>.</p> - -<p>The nest I supposed could not be far off, and by the directions given -me, I could easily find it.</p> - -<p>The darky did not seem inclined to go ashore, or otherwise assist me in -the search. He made some excuse about taking care of the skiff, and in -the skiff I left him.</p> - -<p>I again thought his behavior strange, but made no objection to his -remaining. In finding the eagles, the old negro could be of no -particular service to me. The island did not appear to be of any great -superficial extent. I could soon traverse it in every direction. If the -birds were upon it, I should see or hear them, and in stalking them I -would be better alone—my sable companion not being much of a sportsman.</p> - -<p>Getting over the ground did not prove such an easy task. It was thickly -studded with heavy timber—cottonwood, tulip-tree, and cypress; and -between the trunks there was an undergrowth of palmettoes, in places -almost impenetrable.</p> - -<p>Although the sun was shining brightly—I had left it so outside the -island—under the trees it resembled twilight. In addition to their own -thick foliage, they were festooned with Spanish moss, that shut out the -sky like a curtain.</p> - -<p>I soon despaired of seeing any thing of the eagles. Looking overhead, -I could not see the sky—much less any object depending upon its -brightness for being made visible.</p> - -<p>I began to think of going back to the river-bank; and had already -stopped in my tracks, when I perceived a slender list of light stealing -through the timber beyond. It might be that I had arrived near the -other side of the island. In any case, it was worth while going on to -see; and I proceeded toward the light.</p> - -<p>It proved only an opening among the trees, where a gigantic deadwood, -divested of its leaves, permitted the sunlight to descend upon the -earth.</p> - -<p>The tree, an enormous <i>liriodendron</i>, had been struck by lightning, -and long since dead. The parasites, that would otherwise have been -sustained by its sap, had perished along with it, and dropped from its -branches, lay strewed upon the ground below. Its huge limbs, blanched -and twigless, were stretched like skeleton arms toward the sky. Its -main stem had been broken off near the summit; yet still overtopped the -surrounding forest.</p> - -<p>In the fork where the fracture had occurred, I could see a huge -protuberance that did not seem part of the tree. It was a collection of -dead sticks and branches, rudely wattled together, evidently the nest -for which I was searching.</p> - -<p>As I stood regarding it with upturned eyes, a strange sound came into -my ears, almost filling them with its harsh intonations. I can compare -it to nothing so near to what it seemed, as the filing of a huge frame -saw, or the laugh of a maniac escaped from his keeper.</p> - -<p>As I stood listening, it seemed to repeat itself in echoes as if the -whole island had suddenly been converted into a pandemonium.</p> - -<p>I was not dismayed. The sound was not unknown to me. I knew it to be -the scream of the white-headed eagle.</p> - -<p>I had just time to get my rifle ready for firing, when four of these -grand birds—the parents and brood of which I had heard spoken—came -sailing overhead. Their broad-spreading wings shadowed the patch of -open ground as they soared majestically above the blighted tree.</p> - -<p>I was in hopes that one or other of them would alight, and give me -a chance of obtaining something like a fair shot. But in this I was -disappointed. Even over their own nest they were shy. It had been long -forsaken, and the first that uttered the cry had sprung up from it, -alarmed by my presence below.</p> - -<p>I waited for some time, but perceiving that they did not intend to -alight, I determined to risk the chance of a flying shot. What would I -not have given at that moment for a smooth-bore, loaded with "buck." -Unfortunately I carried a rifle, with only a single bullet.</p> - -<p>The four eagles continued to circle around the forsaken nest.</p> - -<p>I observed that only two of the four had the white head and tail. The -other two were of a uniform dusky brown. The former I knew to be the -old birds with plumage matured.</p> - -<p>Choosing the larger of these, I took aim and fired.</p> - -<p>The eagle fell at my feet, crippled by a shot through the shoulder.</p> - -<p>But I had not yet secured my prize, and on through the palmettoes I -rushed after the wounded bird, that went screaming and fluttering -before me.</p> - -<p>More than a hundred yards was made in this way, when a blow from the -butt of my rifle at length put an end to the scrambling chase, and the -eagle was mine. It was the female, a fine bird, in perfect plumage.</p> - -<p>By this the other three had gone clear off from the island, as I could -tell by their screams heard dying away in the far distance.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER IX.</p> - -<p class="center">THE "DEVIL'S ISLAND."</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Proud</span> of my achievement, I shouldered the prize, and started to return -to the skiff.</p> - -<p>I had not gone three steps, when I again stopped, to simply ask myself -the way. I saw that I had lost it.</p> - -<p>The chase after the wounded eagle, both tortuous and prolonged, had -carried me out of sight of the deadwood as well as the light let down -through its leafless branches. I was once more in the midst of a -continuous twilight.</p> - -<p>I looked for my tracks. Taking time and pains, I might have discovered -and retraced them. But the spread-fans of the palmettoes quite covered -the ground, and I had not the patience to put them aside for such -exploration. I supposed the island to be of only some forty or fifty -acres in extent; and, by keeping straight on in any direction, I must -soon come to its edge. Following this, would in time bring me to the -skiff.</p> - -<p>Taking a straight shoot through the underwood, I walked briskly on, -and, as I expected, soon saw the sunlight gleaming before me.</p> - -<p>There was an opening with water; but, as I drew near to it, I could see -it was not the river, but a sort of lagoon or pool of stagnant water.</p> - -<p>I kept for a short distance along its edge, and discovered that it -communicated with a "bayou" that appeared to lead out into the river.</p> - -<p>I fancied that it would take me the wrong way, and was turning to make -a traverse in the opposite direction, when something down under the -bank caught my eye. I first took it for a floating log; but on closer -scrutiny it proved to be an old canoe of the kind known as a "dug-out."</p> - -<p>It was moored to the root of one of the great cypresses that -overshadowed the water. It was partially concealed by the outstretched -fronds of the palmettoes that grew around the root of the cypress.</p> - -<p>On seeing the dug-out, I supposed there was some other party upon the -island; but, stepping down and examining it, I saw that its rude hawser -of twisted grape-vine must have been holding it there for months. Some -worthless, worn-out craft, abandoned, perhaps forgotten.</p> - -<p>While making this reflection, my eye wandered to the opposite side of -the pool. There I observed other signs of human presence, though not -recent. There was a little spot of cleared ground, above a high bank -that looked as if it had been used for a landing. Fragments of coarse -canvas, such as is used for cotton "bagging," were strewn over it, and -there were the ashes of an old fire.</p> - -<p>I thought it strange to see such relics in that solitary place, and -walked away, wondering what could have taken them there.</p> - -<p>My speculations, however, were soon interrupted by the necessity of -finding my way back to the skiff, which proved more difficult than I -had expected.</p> - -<p>Not till I had wandered about for a full half-hour, and scratched -my skin among the sharp spikes of the palmettoes, did I succeed in -reaching my place of debarkation, and then only by shouting myself -hoarse, and getting a responsive shout from the skiffman.</p> - -<p>"I's glad, massa, you got safe 'board 'gen," said he, as I stepped into -the boat.</p> - -<p>"Why?" I asked, wondering at the remark as well as the alacrity with -which the darky pulled away from the cottonwood.</p> - -<p>"Kase I t'ink dat 'ere island a dangersome place."</p> - -<p>"Dangerous place! In what way?"</p> - -<p>"Doan' no, massa, doan' no. But folks do say de debbil hab been see'd -an' heerd dar ob nights. One ob Mass' Bradley's black people tole me -so. Mass' Bradley's plantation not far off on toder side, but none o' -dem niggas ebba goes on dat island. Nob'dy else ebba go dar. Sartin -shoo de place am ha'nted."</p> - -<p>I could now comprehend why my companion had shown such aversion to -accompany me in my excursion.</p> - -<p>I could not help smiling at his superstition, though I was not a little -chagrined at his not having sooner confided it to me, so that I might -have made a more careful exploration of the interesting locality.</p> - -<p>When I thought of the gloomy obscurity of its shadows, the deep, -dark lagoon, that slept stagnant under its trees, the weird drapery -of Spanish moss, that thickly festooned their branches, I did not -so much wonder at the superstitious awe with which my sable-skinned -companion had been led to regard it. It was just the kind of spot to be -"haunted;" but no doubt the abandoned dug-out, and the other <i>reliquiæ</i> -I had observed, had I taken time to examine them, would have given a -clue to the "debbil," supposed by Jake and his colored acquaintance of -the Bradley plantation, to have made it his abiding-place.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER X.</p> - -<p class="center">THE ISLAND PLANTATION.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the subject of the Bradley plantation—suggested no doubt by its -proximity—my skiffman became communicative; and, during the long pull -up-stream made me acquainted with some facts relating to the place, and -its proprietor, that were, to say the least, a little curious.</p> - -<p>Mr. Bradley's clearing was upon a large island, formed by a "shute" -of the river on one side, and by an old channel, which the stream had -long since abandoned. There was nothing singular about this. I had -become already aware that there are several plantations so situated -on the South-western rivers—where the house can only be reached by a -ferry-boat, kept to communicate with the mainland.</p> - -<p>For hundreds of miles on both banks of the river—more especially on -the right—the bottom lands are scarred and seamed by a labyrinthine -network of creeks, bayous, and lagoons, all old channels of the river, -which the current in its caprice has long since forsaken, leaving them -in deep, dark stagnation, or only moving sluggishly to and fro, during -the season of floods.</p> - -<p>On one of the tracts of land so insulated Mr. Bradley had "located," -and there was nothing strange in it. What did seem strange to my -informant was that "Mass' Bradley had come dar wif only two or t'ree -darky at fuss; an' now he had amoss as many niggas as de old Squire -Woodley in Tennessee; an' all dat in less'n no time. He was always -a-buyin' new hands from de nigga dealers dat fetch 'em from up de -country, tho' he nebba bo't any jess about dar. He bo't de wuss kind -o' cusses, 's nobody else ked manage. <i>He</i> manage 'em, <i>he</i> do, dat -same bossy Bradley. He nebba 'low'd one o' 'em to go off dat 'ere -plantashun, cep'in' when he hab bizness; an' if dey 'teal off to any -odder house, which dey sometime do by swimin' crosst de bayou in de -night, den dey cotch it. Not offen dey try; dar's no odder place nearer -dan Mass' Woodley's, an' dat's ten mile by de ribba, an' most twenty -through de bottom! If dey ebba come dar, don't he fotch dem back, an' -don't he larrup 'em! Gollys! he do make de darky squrm! He got an -obaseeah who flog wuss dan de bery debbil hisself. Whugh!"</p> - -<p>From what I had myself seen, I could believe all this of Nathaniel -Bradley; and some other things equally to his discredit, of which the -black skiffman forthwith informed me.</p> - -<p>But I wanted to know of something that interested me much more—the -relations that existed between this insulated cotton-planter and Jake's -own master. I had learnt enough to know that they were intimate. I -wished also to know why.</p> - -<p>I knew enough of Mississippi planter society to know that character had -little to do with social standing. The "chivalry" that had settled down -on the late Choctaw lands was far from being without reproach. With it, -riches, and a ready use of the revolver, were often the chief titles -to respect; and Nat Bradley, bully as he was, would be just the man to -"shine" in the society of Vicksburg and its environs—a town which only -a few years before had actually been taken possession of by a score of -ruffian "sportsmen." They had for weeks held carnival in its streets, -insulting every citizen who dared to gainsay them.</p> - -<p>It is true these "sportsmen" were in the end punished; but the old -leaven still stayed; and at the time I write of, was almost rife -as ever. What I had heard of Bradley, both in Tennessee and since, -made him by no means an exceptional character—only a type of the -Mississippian of that time.</p> - -<p>It was the character of Henry Woodley that caused me to feel surprise -at the association; for the latter so far from being of the bully class -was altogether the opposite. Though living a life that might be almost -termed rough, and associating in the chase with rough men, he was of a -refined and sensitive nature—I might almost say timid. Keen hunter as -he was, it may seem a contradiction; but such was in reality the fact.</p> - -<p>Why should such a man find congeniality in the company of Nat Bradley?</p> - -<p>To talk of my host and his affairs was a delicate subject, especially -with his own slave. I should have avoided it, but for the interest I -had begun to feel in one nearly related to him.</p> - -<p>Thinking of her, I could not restrain myself, from that indirect -questioning that might give me satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"This Mr. Bradley don't appear to be much of a favorite of yours, Jake?"</p> - -<p>"Nor nob'dy ess's, massa. All our darky hate um like de pisen-snake."</p> - -<p>"Your white folks, though? They don't hate him?"</p> - -<p>"Doan' know, massa. Not so shoo 'bout dat."</p> - -<p>"For instance, your own master. He's a great friend of Mr. Bradley—is -he not?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, young Mass' Henry. He fr'en's wif ebberybody. He no kill a dam -'skeeter, ef it bite um on de nose; though he do like kill de b'ar, an' -de painter, an' dem odder big varmint. Daat's diff'rent. Den he 'cited -by de chase an' barkin' ob de dogs. Whugh! Don't he go changed when he -hear de gowl o' de hown's? He arn't like de same indiwiddle."</p> - -<p>"I know he's very fond of hunting, and hunters too; but Mr. Bradley -never hunts, and your master appears very fond of <i>him</i>?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe he am—maybe he ain't."</p> - -<p>After making this ambiguous rejoinder, Jake leant industriously to his -oars, and for some time remained silent.</p> - -<p>Feeling perfectly satisfied that no son of Africa could terminate a -dialogue, with such an unsatisfactory conclusion, I waited for him to -resume speech.</p> - -<p>I had not long to wait. Scarce a dozen strokes of the oar.</p> - -<p>"Dar may be a reason, sar, why Mass' Henry show fr'en'ship you 'peak -'bout. Dar am many kewrious thing down hyar in de Massissippy State; -an' maybe dat 'ere am one ob dem."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you think the friendship is not real? There is something—"</p> - -<p>"Behin' de bush. Dat dere is fo' sartin; an' dis nigger know it."</p> - -<p>"Some influence, perhaps?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, mass' 'tranger. Dar am inflooence."</p> - -<p>"Of what kind?"</p> - -<p>My heart beat quickly as I asked the question—audibly as I listened -for the answer. I expected to hear something of Miss Woodley.</p> - -<p>"Wal, massa," replied the skiffman, after a short while, apparently -spent in cogitation, "I know you Mass' Henry's fr'end, an' doan' know -why I shouldn't tell you all 'bout de bizness 'tween youn' Mass' Henry -an' Boss Bradley."</p> - -<p>"I <i>am</i> your master's friend," I said, to encourage him. "You may trust -me, Jake."</p> - -<p>"Wal, sar, it war jess dis: one day dey war out in de woods, on a big -deer-drive. Dar war Mass' Henry hisself, an' Mass' Bradley—dat war -de only day I ebba know <i>him</i> go huntin'—an dar war sebberal odder -ob de planters 'bout hya, all huntin' togedder. De drive war oba, an -dey'd all sot down to take a spell ob ress, an' eat de vittle dat de -niggas hed brought in de wag'n. Den dey got to playin' cards, an' I's -b'lieve it war de Boss Bradley dat fuss proposed dem. You know Mass' -Henry nebber play, on de cards—dat am, he nebber play fo' money. But -dey'd all been a-drinkin'—de hunters an' de planters—an' dar war -mint-julep, an' claret sangaree, an' dat 'ere stuff like ginga-beer -dey caa sham-pain. So dey all set too to de card-playin', Mass' Henry -among de ress. Dey played poker, an' dey played a French game dey caa -yuka, an' staked, golly! dey staked as high as a hundred dollar apiece! -Ob coas' Mass' Henry knowin' jess nex to nuffin' 'bout de game—he war -boun' to lose. Whugh! he did lose. Two thousan' dollars—ebbery red -cent! an' who d'ye s'pose he lose 'em to?"</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"Why, dat same Bossy Bradley. Ob coas' Mass' Henry hadn't no money on -de groun', for who's agwine to be a-toatin' two thousan' dollars 'bout -'im? So he guv de planter Bradley his writin' fo' de amount—which dem -call a purmissory note. Wal, dat 'ere note arn't been paid yet; an' -it's de no-payment ob it dat make Mass' Henry 'pear sech fr'en's wi' -mass' planter Bradley. Now, sar, ye's got de explication ob de whole -sarcumstance."</p> - -<p>"I hope it is the true one."</p> - -<p>"What, massa! Why for you hope dat? You say you Mass' Henry fr'en'? -Sure you no wish 'im two thousan' dollar debt to Bossy Bradley?"</p> - -<p>It was not strange the negro should express surprise at my speech. I -had answered mechanically, and without thought of the interpretation -he might put upon it—thinking only of myself, and the relief his -explanation had caused me.</p> - -<p>It was now my turn to explain. I could not leave Jake in the belief -that I was gratified to hear of his master's indebtedness.</p> - -<p>"No, no!" I responded, endeavoring to explain away what I had said. "I -merely meant that I hoped it was no worse. Two thousand dollars is not -much—for a rich planter to pay."</p> - -<p>"Lor', massa! It am a big heap, two thousan' dollar! Great big heap fo' -young Mass' Henry. He nebba pay dat hisseff, till de ole squire die, -an' leab um some ob dat 'ere plantashun in Tennessee. He no make money -hyar like Bossy Bradley. Ah, Mass' Henry 'pend more'n he make. Dat dis -chile am sure ob. Cuss dem cards, anyhow! Dey's de ruin ob ebberybody -dat teches um, 'ceptin' de gammelin' sportsmen themselves. T'ank de -Lor'! I hear Mass' Henry sw'a he nebba tech dem no more. Dat's one bit -o' sattafacshun, it is."</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding that I feared being thought too inquisitive, the -intelligence displayed by my sable companion tempted me to inquire -further.</p> - -<p>"Does Mr. Bradley often visit your master?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sar, dat depend—"</p> - -<p>"On what?"</p> - -<p>"On de seezun ob de y'ar."</p> - -<p>"On the season of the year! You mean he comes at one time more than -another?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sar; jess so."</p> - -<p>Jake had ceased to be communicative, and required drawing.</p> - -<p>"I suppose there are times when business requires him to be at your -master's plantation?"</p> - -<p>"Wal, ye see, dar's de summer seezun, he doan' come much den. I b'lieve -him been only twice dis summer, an' de once you see um you'seff, sar. -An dar's de winter seezun. Den Mass' Bradley go good deal down to de -grand city—Orleans. So de folks say."</p> - -<p>"That would leave him no time to visit your master's plantation."</p> - -<p>"Ah, he find time fo' dat."</p> - -<p>"But when?"</p> - -<p>"Wal, sar, I tell <i>you</i> when; when mass'r's sister—Miss Corneel—come -down to 'tay on de plantashun. Dat am de troof."</p> - -<p>More than half prepared for the communication, it did not come with -such a surprise. To conceal my thoughts from him who had made it, I -said, with an air of carelessness—which cost me an effort:</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he is Miss Woodley's sweetheart?"</p> - -<p>"May be so, sar; may be so."</p> - -<p>Though Jake's answer was not conclusive, I forbore to question him -further. I had started a subject that was causing me pain; and further -disclosures could only increase it.</p> - -<p>After all, what was Miss Woodley to me? The interest I felt in her—was -it more than friendship? Why should I interfere in an affair that did -not concern me? Cornelia Woodley was no child; but an accomplished lady -of several seasons' experience. If she chose to throw herself away upon -this worthless man, why should I care? And if I did, what could I do -to prevent it? Both she and her brother were strangers to me. I had no -right to give counsel; nor would they be likely to accept it.</p> - -<p>My best way would be to avoid even the desire for interference; and to -do this I <i>must</i> forsake the society into which chance had accidentally -thrown me. It was only to take horse, and continue my travels. It would -be a complete change of programme; but the circumstances required it. -The prospect of seeing Miss Woodley again, so pleasant on leaving -Tennessee, I could now only contemplate with pain. The promise I had -made could be easily broken. She would scarce care for my keeping it.</p> - -<p>From these gloomy reflections I was startled by the voice of the -skiffman.</p> - -<p>"Talk ob de debbil," said he, "an' dat genlum shoo to be clost by. Dis -time, howeber, we wa' talkin' ob de angel."</p> - -<p>"An angel! What do you mean, Jake?"</p> - -<p>"Look yonda, sar! What you see yonda?"</p> - -<p>"I see a steamboat."</p> - -<p>"Ya—jess so. An' in dat 'teamboat dar am a angel! Sartin shoo dar am."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you."</p> - -<p>"Golly, mass'r! Doan' ye see dat de boat go stop at Mass' Woodley -landin'?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I see that."</p> - -<p>"Wal, what she go dar for but put some'dy 'shore. She take no freight -from dar, kase we hab none to gub her. We make no cotton, nor no -corn to spare from de plantashun. Shoo, den, she land some passager; -an' sartin shoo dat passager am de young missa come down from ole -Tennessee. Tole ye so, sar. Look! de boat shove off 'gin, an' you see -'t am de Cherokee, one ob dem Cumberlan' boats dat run up to Nashville."</p> - -<p>About the boat he was right. In ten minutes after she came booming -past, almost swamping our eggshell of a skiff. I read upon her side the -lettering "Cherokee."</p> - -<p>I could not help looking with interest upon that splendid craft -in whose gilded saloon had lately sat the woman then occupying my -thoughts. But it was an interest clouded with apprehension.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>On reaching Henry Woodley's house, I learned that his sister had -arrived by the Cherokee, and Nat Bradley <i>along with her</i>!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XI.</p> - -<p class="center">HOSTILE GUESTS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Yes</span>, Nat Bradley had landed from the boat along with her, and was there -at the house, apparently a welcome guest!</p> - -<p>It was with difficulty I could conceal my chagrin, despite the -silliness of my showing it.</p> - -<p>I succeeded, however, determined next day to take leave of a -hospitality that had hitherto given me pleasure, but henceforth could -only cause pain.</p> - -<p>Bradley did not stay for the night. He had come ashore there, because -there was no landing-place on his own plantation. He had been up to -Vicksburg on business, and had availed himself of the steamboat to -return.</p> - -<p>These particulars I gathered from his conversation with my host. -I regarded them as plausible excuses. No doubt he had been up to -Vicksburg; but not upon business. He had gone there to meet Cornelia -Woodley, and accompany her back in the boat. Nothing could be clearer.</p> - -<p>He took his leave, borrowing a horse from my host, and promising to -bring him back on the morrow. Before that time I too determined upon -being gone.</p> - -<p>It was easier to talk of such a determination than to carry it out. It -is not often that the singed moth succeeds in escaping from the candle, -nor the bird from the serpent that allures it. And with either of these -might my case be compared.</p> - -<p>My proposal of departure was met by surprise on the part of my planter -host. So abrupt! So unexpected! He would not hear of it. It would be -such a disappointment to him. He had been organizing a grand hunt—the -grandest we had yet had—a bear <i>battue</i> in the canebrakes of the -Arkansas side, and all for my especial entertainment. Surely I would -not disappoint him?</p> - -<p>"You will not?" said his sister, as we were left for a moment alone.</p> - -<p>I scarce knew what to say.</p> - -<p>"Why do you leave us in such haste?"</p> - -<p>Still less could I make answer to this question.</p> - -<p>"It is very unkind of you," she continued to urge; "and not very -gallant," added she, with a provoking pout. "You appear to have been -contented here till I came. I shall think you are running away to avoid -me."</p> - -<p>There was truth in this, though not in the sense she intended.</p> - -<p>I was on the eve of making reply—of reiterating my determination to -depart—of telling her why I had taken it—perhaps of speaking some -silly reproach.</p> - -<p>I was prevented from making this fool of myself by a generosity I -little deserved.</p> - -<p>"Do stay!" she said, coming near, and almost entreating me. "My brother -will be so vexed by your leaving us; and I too. If you go I shall -always think it was my presence that had driven you away."</p> - -<p>What could be the meaning of that speech? It made me feel that I was -either a favored or a flattered man. If the first she who made it was -an angel; if the second, a cruel coquette. In which category should I -place Cornelia Woodley?</p> - -<p>To discover this, was the object of my next remark, the rudeness of -which can only be excused by the torture my suspicions were causing me.</p> - -<p>"Not your presence, Miss Woodley," I said, "but that of one whose -absence would no doubt cause you far greater regret than mine."</p> - -<p>The surprise that leaped up into her great gazelle eyes was not -unpleasing to me. There was something in it that spoke of innocence. At -least, it was not coquetry.</p> - -<p>"Of whom do you speak, sir?"</p> - -<p>I hesitated to give the name. I may have been wronging her. In any -case I had no right to interfere with her predilections. My speech -had placed me in a dilemma, from which I would have been too happy to -escape without further controversy. Fortunately there was a chance; by -her brother at that moment reappearing, to renew his solicitations.</p> - -<p>This time they were successful. The short conversation with his sister -had caused a change in my sentiments. It had inspired me with fresh -hope; under the whisperings of which I was easily persuaded to stay for -the grand bear-hunt.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Next day, according to promise, Bradley brought back the horse—one of -his negroes riding another.</p> - -<p>I felt certain it was only an excuse, as the man could as well have -returned the horse without him.</p> - -<p>His own was unsaddled and stabled, which told of his intention to make -a stay.</p> - -<p>Thus brought together, we were necessarily introduced, and for the -first time I exchanged speech with a man for whom I had felt an -instinctive aversion.</p> - -<p>Neither our salutes nor after-communications were cordial; but the -presence of our host and his sister relieved us from the necessity of -any direct conversation.</p> - -<p>I saw that there was a black cloud upon his brow, whenever Miss Woodley -appeared to take an interest in any thing I said.</p> - -<p>Once I had caught his eye turned upon me with a scowl so sullen and -malignant as almost to tempt me to take notice of it.</p> - -<p>And yet it rather gratified me to think that <i>he</i> might be jealous.</p> - -<p>The situation appeared to be irksome to all the party. Our host did not -seem easy with two such ill-assorted guests, and his sister also showed -signs of constraint.</p> - -<p>Opportunely there came a relief.</p> - -<p>My late skiffman, Jake, who had been scouting through the woods, -brought in the report that "de pigeons war in clouds after de mas', up -on de ridge among de beeches."</p> - -<p>I was the only one present who did not clearly comprehend the -announcement.</p> - -<p>It was soon explained to me. The well-known migratory birds of -America—the passenger-pigeons—had arrived among some beechwood that -grew upon a ridge in the rear of the plantation. There making pause -in their irregular flight, they were filling their crops with the -scattered mast.</p> - -<p>Small as was the game, and tame the sport of pigeon-shooting, it is one -that can not be obtained every day, like the chase of the squirrel. The -birds stay but a short time in any particular place—excepting in those -grand roosts that are few and far between. Every one can not enjoy the -sport of destroying them wholesale at their roosting-places; but in the -autumn of the year, those who live in the neighborhood of beechen woods -may have a chance to shoot them.</p> - -<p>In a region where they but rarely show themselves, even the grand -bear-hunter will not disdain to spend a day or two in popping away at -pigeons.</p> - -<p>Such a district was that in which lay the plantation of our host.</p> - -<p>At the word "pigeons," Henry Woodley sprung to his gun, calling upon us -to imitate his example.</p> - -<p>We could not do otherwise than respond to the call, and all three -started forth—our host, Bradley and myself.</p> - -<p>Miss Woodley was, for the time, left alone.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XII.</p> - -<p class="center">THE PERILS OF PIGEON-SHOOTING.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I do</span> not purpose to give a description of pigeon-shooting, as practiced -in the backwoods of the West; though the sport has its peculiarities, -some of which may be worth mentioning. It is not such a slaughter as -has been represented, and the vast flocks—or "clouds," as the negro -had called them—would lead one to conclude. This is true enough of the -breeding-roosts, where the birds, inspired by the passion of love, or -acting under the instincts of generation, appear to lose all sense of -fear or self-preservation.</p> - -<p>Elsewhere, and at other times, they become sufficiently shy; and -though the gunner may always get within range of a single bird, or two -or three, seated upon a branch, it requires both cover and careful -stalking to obtain one of those wholesale shots poured into the thick -of the flock and counting its score of victims. Almost invariably, when -you are just upon the edge of shot-range, some old bird, wary from the -last year's experience, gives the cue to the flock, that with a loud -clapping of wings flits off to some other resting-place, a hundred -yards further on through the woods.</p> - -<p>The whole "gang," however, does not obey this signal of safety. -Solitary birds here and there, in twos, threes, or half-a-dozen, remain -irresolute upon the branches; and if you are contented to take aim at -these, you may keep loading and firing, almost continuously.</p> - -<p>For this reason they are not always pursued by shot-guns, some -sportsmen preferring the rifle, these often showing the largest bag -when the sport is over. They are sure of a bird to each shot, and as -there are always some within range, there is no time wasted in idly -following the flock.</p> - -<p>It was so with a party whom we found on the ridge, young planters and -others, who had preceded us there, having got word sooner than we, -of the arrival of the pigeons. Some carried shot-guns, others were -provided with the rifle. Among those provided with the latter, was Nat -Bradley; who, as is usual with planters in riding about, had brought -his gun along with him. I myself was armed with the same kind of weapon.</p> - -<p>As in all cover-shooting, there is some danger in this sport, -especially when the party is a large one; and at a season before the -leaves have fallen from the trees. Each sportsman pursues his own -course, without thinking of others; and, as the birds may be either -upon the ground, the wing, or perched upon the lowermost branches, guns -are not always pointed to the sky. With shot flying about, and now and -then the bullet of a rifle, one might be excused for feeling a little -nervous.</p> - -<p>The sport was new to me, and I did not think of this danger, until -the "z-zip" of a bullet passing close to my ear, admonished me that -pigeon-shooting might prove any thing but a safe pastime.</p> - -<p>So close had the thing come, that I felt the current of air sweeping -across my cheek, and turning suddenly to the tree behind me, saw the -fresh score where the ball had buried itself in the bark. At the same -instant I heard the "spang" of the piece that had discharged it.</p> - -<p>My first impulse was to proceed toward the incautious sportsman, and -reproach him for his carelessness. I could not tell who it was. Some -low pawpaws lay between, upon one of which I supposed the pigeon had -perched, which had tempted the incautious shot.</p> - -<p>The bullet seemed to have brought down its bird, for I had turned -suddenly and saw that nothing flew away. All I could see was a blue -puff of smoke, soaring up over the pawpaws.</p> - -<p>In no very amiable humor, I proceeded toward the spot, but on reaching -it I found no one upon whom to discharge my spleen. Guns were cracking -in other parts of the wood, and I could see men moving about at the -ends of long vistas, but not the man who had come so near shooting me!</p> - -<p>It was altogether an odd circumstance, and I stopped to reflect upon it.</p> - -<p>Was it carelessness on the part of one of my fellow-sportsmen; who, -seeing what he had done, and ashamed of it, preferred sneaking away?</p> - -<p>I might have thought so; but then, where was the pigeon? I had turned -so quickly, that I must have seen it fall, or fly off.</p> - -<p>I saw neither!</p> - -<p>I now reached the pawpaw thicket. I could find no bird, either dead or -wounded; but, while traversing about, I picked up the "patching" of the -bullet. It was a piece of dressed doeskin.</p> - -<p>There was nothing in this to guide me to the sportsman who had used it.</p> - -<p>I now felt a growing desire to identify him; for the longer I -reflected, the more I became convinced that the shot had not been -accidental.</p> - -<p>"The bullet!" thought I; "that may serve my purpose."</p> - -<p>I returned to the tree in which it had buried itself; and, with my -knife, carefully scooped it out of the bark.</p> - -<p>It was of an unusual size for a hunting-rifle, about twenty to the -pound. This would no doubt guide me to the gun from which it had been -discharged.</p> - -<p>Though the sportsmen were scattered through the woods, I took occasion -to place myself in contact first with one, then the other, until I had -got a glance at the caliber of their respective guns. There were five -of them exclusive of Mr. Bradley.</p> - -<p>Of these only two had rifles, both small bores, not larger than fifty -to the pound.</p> - -<p>From Bradley's rifle then had issued the bullet I had extracted from -the tree; and, I now felt convinced that my own person was the "pigeon" -at which it had been fired.</p> - -<p>Without making known the circumstance, or stating my suspicions to any -one, I reflected what would be best for me to do.</p> - -<p>To charge the man with an attempt at murdering me, would seem so -absurd. What motive could he have for such an atrocious act? We were -perfect strangers to one another, with no quarrel between us, no -circumstance to have given color to so serious an accusation. Supposing -it proved to be Bradley's bullet, he would simply have to say that -he fired it at a pigeon, and had not seen me. He might be reproached -with negligence, but not accused of a crime, so monstrous as to appear -improbable.</p> - -<p>On the whole I thought it more prudent to keep my suspicions to myself, -or communicate them only to my host on returning home.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile I determined to make myself better acquainted with the bore -of Mr. Bradley's rifle, and watch the direction in which it should be -aimed. To do this it would be necessary to keep my eye upon him.</p> - -<p>I now discovered that he was missing from among the sportsmen, nor was -his gun any longer heard cracking through the woods.</p> - -<p>Some one remarked this, and some one else added that it was not -strange, as Nat Bradley cared nothing about shooting, and had likely -gone home.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIII.</p> - -<p class="center">REJECTED.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is difficult to describe the thoughts at that moment passing through -my mind, about Mr. Nat Bradley and his mysterious movements. I can -well remember them as being black and bitter. More than ever was I -enraged at the man, who, failing to become my assassin, appeared to be -successful as my rival. I could no longer conceal from myself the deep -interest I felt in Cornelia Woodley.</p> - -<p>The disappearance of Bradley was easily explained. I did not need -to hear that he had gone back to the house. It was but the echo of -my own instinct, the moment he was missed from the sporting party. -Miss Woodley would be alone. It was no wonder he should seek such an -opportunity. No wonder either, that pigeon-shooting should no longer -seem sport to me, and that I should determine on retiring from it.</p> - -<p>Without communicating my intention to any one, I strayed from the -ridge, and toward the plantation-house.</p> - -<p>I went with irresolution, now hesitating whether I should interrupt a -scene, the very thought of which maddened me, and where I would, no -doubt, be deemed a most unwelcome intruder.</p> - -<p>But the madness itself stimulated me to proceed; and, on I went, like -one who despairingly offers himself upon the altar of destruction.</p> - -<p>Close to the house of Henry Woodley there was a clump of low timber, -that might have been likened to an orchard. It was not this, however, -only the grove of indigenous trees already mentioned, that, being of an -ornamental kind, had been left standing for show and shade. A fence had -been thrown around them, and some slight attempts made to give them the -character of a cultivated shrubbery. Walks had been traced out, and a -rustic seat or two placed at intervals among these natural arbors.</p> - -<p>The path leading from the beachwood ridge ran through the inclosure, -and upon this I was returning. There was a set of "bars" separating it -from the woods behind; most of these were down, as we had left them on -going out. I had stepped silently over, and was proceeding on toward -the house, when voices, heard in conversation, caused me to come to a -stop. There were two of them, both easily recognized. The first I heard -was that of Nat Bradley, loud enough for me to make out the words, as -also to tell to whom they were addressed.</p> - -<p>I was too much interested in what was being said to feel either shame -or reluctance at playing eavesdropper.</p> - -<p>"You've made up your mind to that?"</p> - -<p>I was not in time to catch the beginning of the speech, which appeared -to be in the form of an interrogation.</p> - -<p>The answer proved it to have been one.</p> - -<p>"I have," was the reply, in a female voice—like that of Miss Woodley.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you think I'm not rich enough; you intend to marry some -grand fellow with a fortune, who can show you off? That's why you -refuse <i>me</i>."</p> - -<p>"Permit me to tell you, Mr. Nat Bradley, it has nothing to do with my -refusing you."</p> - -<p>"Come, Corneel; speak the truth; if it be only that, I can promise you -that I too—"</p> - -<p>"You need not make promises, I have spoken the truth, and once for all, -I tell you that it is no use your asking me again. I have said it once -before, I now say it again; Nat Bradley, I <i>can never be your wife</i>."</p> - -<p>There was an emphasis on the words that particularly pleased me.</p> - -<p>A pause followed, and with a heart strangely palpitating I listened for -the rejoinder.</p> - -<p>It came in an accent half-agonized, half-angry.</p> - -<p>"You won't, Corneel? you won't! Be it so. Then by heaven! you'll never -be the wife of another man—or if you are, it will only be to become -his widow. I swear by the Eternal, that if it cost me my life, I'll -kill the man that marries you. Yes, the very day he makes you his -bride. So now you may choose for yourself: either be my wife or some -fool's widow. If I thought it was this fledgeless puppy that's staying -with you, I wouldn't let it go that far. No, by—! I'd put an end to -him before that sun should set. I'd—"</p> - -<p>"Nat Bradley!" broke in the voice of the indignant girl. "Do you think -I will listen to such a speech as you are addressing to me? You forget -yourself, sir; or you forget me. Let me hear no more of it, or my -brother shall be told of the liberty you are pleased to take in his -absence."</p> - -<p>To this speech I could hear no rejoinder, but instead, a rustling of -female dress, and the sound of light footsteps passing away. I could -tell that Miss Woodley had put an end to the interview by retiring -toward the house.</p> - -<p>For myself I felt contented enough to have gone back to the woods, and -enjoyed pigeon-shooting for the rest of the day. But the word "puppy" -rung in my ears, and alongside them was my cheeks, still tingling with -that queer sensation I had experienced from the passage of the bullet.</p> - -<p>I could not restrain myself from stepping round the tree that had -hitherto concealed the speakers from my sight, and confronting the only -one that remained upon the ground, Mr. Nat Bradley.</p> - -<p>Had I been my own ghost—which he supposed I was—he could not have -shown more surprise. I think now, as I thought then, that he was -under the belief that he had killed me—and this may account for his -consternation at seeing me. At all events the braggadocio to which -he had been giving vent, seemed suddenly scared out of him; and he -received me in a manner almost submissive.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Bradley," I said, "will you have the goodness to let me look at -your gun?"</p> - -<p>"My gun!" he replied with an air of assumed surprise. "Oh! certainly; -but why do you wish to see it?"</p> - -<p>"Because I have a bullet here, that passed within less than an inch -of my skull. I'm curious to know who came so near shooting me—by -accident."</p> - -<p>"My God! I hope it wasn't me."</p> - -<p>"Well," I replied, after placing the bullet to the muzzle of his rifle, -and satisfying myself it had come from no other, "I can only say that -it was you who fired the shot, and let me caution you the next time you -go pigeon-shooting to stick to the feathered game, and not select a -'fledgeless puppy' for your mark. I hope you understand me?"</p> - -<p>Without waiting for an answer, I turned upon the path, and once more -stepping over the bars, went back toward the beech-woods.</p> - -<p>I rejoined the pigeon-shooting party with a zest for the sport I had -not hitherto felt.</p> - -<p>No one was made the wiser of what had happened; nor did I care to -communicate to my host, how near he had been to having the expense of -providing a coffin for his stranger guest!</p> - -<p>On our return to the house we found Miss Woodley alone.</p> - -<p>Where was Mr. Bradley? inquired her brother.</p> - -<p>He had been there, but had taken his horse, and was gone.</p> - -<p>Henry thought this nothing strange. He was an odd sort of fellow was -Nat Bradley, and did queer things sometimes.</p> - -<p>I was not surprised at his unexplained departure. After that interview -with the mistress of the mansion, he would not be likely soon to show -himself there again.</p> - -<p>There was little said about it, and I could see that Miss Woodley had -no suspicion of my having overheard what had passed between her and her -rejected suitor.</p> - -<p>For my part I intended to keep her secret. I was too contented at what -I had heard to spoil my pleasure by divulging it, and unless Bradley -himself should choose to demand explanations from me, I intended to -leave the matter as it stood. Of course I could not help speculating -upon what course he would take as regarded myself. Would he submit -tamely to the treatment I had given him? Noted bully as he was, I might -have expected a challenge, or what was more likely in that land of -pseudo-chivalry, an "affair," that is, a rough fight with guns, knives, -and pistols. Why it had not come off upon the spot, I could understand, -or at all events I had conjectured. His rifle was empty, its last load -having been discharged at my own person. He appeared to be unprovided -with pistols—these weapons, perhaps, not being deemed appropriate for -making a proposal of marriage. Unarmed, and taken by surprise by my -sudden appearance, he had permitted me to depart without an encounter.</p> - -<p>I supposed, however, it would come off sooner or later, and I waited -for a communication.</p> - -<p>But the next day passed, and there was none; and the next after, till a -whole week had transpired without any word from Mr. Nat Bradley.</p> - -<p>I made up my mind I should hear no more of him, and concluded that in -this case the bully was also a coward.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIV.</p> - -<p class="center">A SURLY SKIPPER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> grand bear "battue" came off, and I participated in the sport. I -enjoyed it all the more that Nat Bradley was not one of the hunters. -Had he been so, I might have been mistaken for a bear, and got a bullet -through my body. But he was not upon the ground, and I was saved from -such apprehensions.</p> - -<p>For a time I saw nothing more of him, as he did not come near the -house. There were letters, moreover, received by my host, which I -fancied were from him. I thought so from having caught sight of the -messenger who carried them. He was the negro who had brought back the -horse.</p> - -<p>After reading them, my host appeared suddenly affected with low -spirits. I could guess the nature of the correspondence. No doubt it -related to the gambling debt of which the creditor was now spitefully -claiming payment. I was happy in thinking it was no worse. For myself -I was no longer unhappy, except in the thought of parting from that -pleasant companionship to which chance had introduced me.</p> - -<p>A change had come over my sentiments. So far from seeking an excuse for -hurrying away, I was now thinking of one by which I might gracefully -prolong my stay. A somewhat singular one suggested itself. I became -seized with the fancy to make a voyage upon a flat-boat! In this way I -could glide down to New Orleans, leaving my horse to be sent by steamer!</p> - -<p>In truth I <i>had</i> such a fancy; though I confess I might not have gone -so far as to attempt indulging it, but for the sake of the little -stratagem that had suggested itself. I knew that the cotton-boat was -coming down from Tennessee, and was to call at the plantation. It was -to bring barrels of apples, sacks of walnuts, and other etceteras -that do not thrive in the semi-tropical lowlands of the Mississippi. -Moreover it was to take thence some packages of skins—the spoils of -bucks, bears and panthers, which the hunting planter was in the habit -of sending annually to New Orleans.</p> - -<p>A week or two might elapse before the flat could be expected; and if I -insisted on carrying out my caprice I could take passage upon that.</p> - -<p>Such was my scheme.</p> - -<p>It succeeded, and I found a plea for prolonging that intercourse, too -pleasant to be easily interrupted.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Another week elapsed—it seemed only a day—and the Tennessee flat -was reported at the landing. I could have wished it upon a snag, five -hundred miles up-stream.</p> - -<p>There was no help for it. The time had come for taking departure.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The peltries of the hunting planter were sent aboard, along with my own -traps—these consisting of a spare suit of clothes, my chase trophies -collected during my stay, and a stock of comestibles to serve me during -a three-days' river voyage.</p> - -<p>Bidding an adieu to Miss Woodley, which was not designed to be the -last, I walked toward the landing, my host going along with me.</p> - -<p>On reaching the river-bank, we found the crew of the flat engaged in -getting the peltries aboard. I was a little surprised, and more than -a little chagrined, to discover that the captain of the craft was no -other than Mr. Black, her builder, whose uncivil behavior in Tennessee -had caused mean unpleasant reminiscence. Stinger, too, was there acting -as his mate, the hands, four in number, being negroes from Squire -Woodley's plantation.</p> - -<p>The discovery caused me to repent of my design—a voyage of three -hundred miles in such company did not promise much pleasure, and I -regretted my rashness in having proposed it.</p> - -<p>It was too late, however, to recede, though I was not long in -discovering that the captain of the craft would have been delighted by -my doing so.</p> - -<p>Every thing had been got aboard, the packages of skins, with the large -case containing the souvenirs of my hunting achievements; but my -personal luggage and the provision-hamper still rested on the shore, -presided over by the plantation darky who had conveyed them to the -landing.</p> - -<p>The crew of the flat appeared to take no notice of these last, but were -standing as if ready to draw in the plank.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Black—I believe that is your name?" said my host, addressing -himself to the <i>ci-devant</i> boat-builder—"I've brought you a passenger. -I hope you'll contrive to make him comfortable on the voyage."</p> - -<p>"A passenger!" exclaimed the man, pretending surprise, for the negroes -must have told him I was coming. "There ar'n't room for a passenger, -Mr. Woodley."</p> - -<p>"Oh, nonsense! You must <i>make</i> room, somehow or other."</p> - -<p>"The bit o' caboose we hev air arredy crowded. Thar's me and Mr. -Stinger in't, and thar's hardly room among the bales for the niggers to -streetch themselves."</p> - -<p>"You can roll two or three of the bales out upon the roof. You haven't -far to take them now. By spreading a bit of tarpaulin over them, -they'll get no harm."</p> - -<p>"We hain't got no tarpaulin—neery a rag."</p> - -<p>"Have some of my skins then; they will do admirably."</p> - -<p>This proposal placed the captain of the flat in a dilemma. It was -evident he did not wish me to proceed in his company, while at the -same time he was at a loss for some reasonable objection that he might -urge against my going.</p> - -<p>What was causing his reluctance? I could guess. Neither could the -planter, who, at first surprised, soon became indignant.</p> - -<p>"Come! Mr. Black," he said, "this boat is my father's property, and -therefore in some sense mine. My friend has expressed a wish to go down -upon it, and I have given him a promise he shall; I must therefore -insist upon your making the arrangement I propose, and taking him. Set -your men to work and roll two or three cotton-bales out upon the roof."</p> - -<p>To this Mr. Black replied that the cotton would get spoiled, and that -he'd be in trouble with the broker to whom it was consigned.</p> - -<p>"I'll be answerable for that," was the response of the young planter.</p> - -<p>Since I had been his guest, I had not seen Henry Woodley in such a -temper. He seemed to think that his character as a host was at stake, -and felt the indignity of Black's behavior.</p> - -<p>As his blood was up, I could see it would be of no use, my proposing to -stay behind. Nor, indeed, had I any intention of doing so. Uninviting -as was the prospect of making a three hundred miles' voyage in such -surly companionship, I was now all the more determined upon it. I had -originally committed myself to it as a subterfuge for prolonging my -stay at the plantation, and although here was now an additional excuse, -I could not creditably make use of it. To trudge back with my traps, -and tell Miss Woodley the reason why, would be a humiliation I was not -prepared to undergo. Sooner than do that, I would have consented to -sleep <i>sub Jove</i> on the roof of the flat, with only my cloak to couch -and cover me.</p> - -<p>I was quite as indignant at the interruption as my friend—perhaps -more determined that it should not stay me; and had the captain of the -flat-boat held out any longer, he would have heard a little bit of my -mind.</p> - -<p>As it was, he reluctantly yielded to the remonstrances already made to -him, and consented to receive me as a passenger.</p> - -<p>It was now discovered that there would be sleeping-room enough, without -disturbing the cotton-bales; and my traps were taken aboard and carried -into the "cabin."</p> - -<p>An apology for what had happened on the part of the young planter—a -promise on my part to revisit him in the spring—a hearty hand-shake -between us, and I was afloat upon the "Father of Waters," passenger in -a "flat."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XV.</p> - -<p class="center">UNSOCIABLE COMPANIONS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Slow</span> as was our progress, it was made slower by the eccentric action of -our steersman—who, for the first six hours, was the second officer of -the boat—Mr. Stinger. Instead of keeping in the current, he appeared -desirous of shunning it, now hugging one shore, now shooting across and -holding for a time to the other.</p> - -<p>About five miles below the plantation we had left, he brought to -against the bank, Black leaping ashore and making the hawser fast -around a tree. There was no appearance of a landing, nor settlement of -any kind—nothing but the wild woods.</p> - -<p>After a whispered communication with his steersman, but without a word -to me, the captain of the craft disappeared among the palmettoes, -leaving his crew to the tender mercies of the musketoes.</p> - -<p>He was absent about two hours. When he returned, and the flat was once -more set free, the steersman resumed his old style of seesawing from -side to side, and keeping carefully out of the current.</p> - -<p>It might be from prudence at that particular part of the river; -"snags," invisible to my inexperienced eye, might be the cause of this -crooked navigation.</p> - -<p>I could not think so; but, from the relations that existed between us, -I was hindered from making inquiry, either as to that, or why Mr. Black -had so long absented himself.</p> - -<p>I addressed myself to one of the negroes, whom I remembered having seen -upon the Tennessee plantation. But the darky seemed to know no more -than myself. He replied, with a puzzled expression:</p> - -<p>"Doan' no why Mass' Stinger am a-toatin' de ole boat 'bout so; I 'pose -he hab some reezan. Maybe dar's danger 'bout hyar 'mong de snags an' de -sawyers."</p> - -<p>My own explanation was different, though, as afterward proved, not any -nearer the truth. I fancied that Mr. Black had made up his mind to -punish me for forcing my company upon him. He would do it by making -these delays and <i>detours</i>, and so playing upon my patience, drive me -ashore, at Natchez, Point Coupee, or some other stopping-place for -steamboats.</p> - -<p>Had this been his design, it would have succeeded. Long before night -I had become sick both of my company and quarters, and intended to -escape from them at the very first landing, where I might wait for some -down-river steamboat.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the thought had been in my mind at the moment of embarking. I -did not declare it, as I knew it would humiliate my late host to think -that the brute Black had beaten us. Now that I was alone, there was -no reason why I should continue to endure the inconvenience of such a -voyage. By going ashore at Natchez, I could put an end to it, and the -Woodleys need be none the wiser.</p> - -<p>All through the afternoon the zigzagging continued, and I think we must -have crossed and recrossed about a score of times. It seemed a slow -way of carrying Squire Woodley's cotton crop to its destination. At -the rate we were progressing, it would be midwinter before our craft -touched the levee of New Orleans.</p> - -<p>When the sun set, we were not ten miles below the place of my -embarkation. I conjectured this from not having seen the island where -we had shot the eagle; though it was possible we might have passed -without my recognizing it.</p> - -<p>During the daylight I had contrived to kill time with my gun. Waterfowl -were constantly flushing up before the boat, and land-birds flying -across the river, and I amused myself by shooting them.</p> - -<p>Now it was an osprey soaring above the stream; now a white egret or a -blue heron perched upon the point of some sand-bar, or sailing along -upon a drift-log.</p> - -<p>Once I got a shot at the great Mississippi crane, and brought the bird -down upon the water; but as the uncivil skipper would not allow his -skiff to retrieve it, I had to lose my game.</p> - -<p>The shooting, however, proved excellent sport. Indeed, it was partly in -expectation of this I had first thought of making such a voyage.</p> - -<p>When night came on I could not continue it; and I was forced to think -of some other resource for destroying time.</p> - -<p>There was no other. Conversation with such a crew was out of the -question, and I was without books—even had it been possible to -read them by the light of a dull tallow dip that burned in the hole -called "caboose." I could not endure to stay in this noisome hole, -in the company of four chattering negroes, who for some reason had -been ordered to remain below. The two white men kept to the roof; and -thither I repaired, intending to spend at least a portion of the night -in the open air.</p> - -<p>Though the day had been one of the hottest, it was now cool enough for -heavy covering—the chill air of the swamp sweeping along the surface -of the stream.</p> - -<p>Unpacking my cloak I threw it over my shoulders and closed the clasp. -There was sufficient breeze to make this precaution necessary. Then -igniting a cigar, I commenced pacing to and fro over the rounded roof -of the ark.</p> - -<p>I soon discovered there was not much comfort in this. The night was -dark, the planking uneven, and I was in danger of stumbling overboard.</p> - -<p>I stopped, and taking stand near the edge, bent my eyes over the broad -stream, watching the fire-flies as they flitted like sparks along the -wooded shore, whose outlines I could barely trace through the darkness.</p> - -<p>For a time I found distraction for my thoughts in listening to the many -voices of Nature, sonorous around me. From the bank I could hear the -barking of the wolf, and once or twice a catlike call which I supposed -to be the cougar.</p> - -<p>But the night-birds were more noisy, and rising above the constant -"skirl" of the crickets, I could distinguish the trumpet-like note of -the wild swan, the "honk" of the gander, and the plaintive call of the -bull-bat.</p> - -<p>For a long time I stood listening to these mingled voices—the psalmody -of Nature. There were no human sounds to hinder me from hearing them. -The four negroes were below, and the two white men upon the deck were -silent as specters. I could see them standing together by the shaft of -the long steering-oar, which, resting upon its pivot, traversed the -boat longitudinally, reaching almost from stem to stern. They appeared -to converse, but in a tone so low I could not hear what they were -saying.</p> - -<p>I had placed myself as far as possible from them, having no wish to -court the companionship of such an unsocial couple.</p> - -<p>Though carried on in whispers, I noticed that their conversation was of -an earnest kind. I could tell this by their attitudes. Was it about me?</p> - -<p>Despite the obscurity that surrounded them, I could see that their -faces were turned toward me. I knew that they were chafed at my having -come aboard against their will, though for what reason I was still -unable to guess.</p> - -<p>Beyond the incivility which they had already shown in every possible -way, I expected nothing more. It seemed too ridiculous to apprehend -danger.</p> - -<p>And yet, at that moment, something of the kind stole into my thoughts. -I had heard enough of these Mississippi boatmen to believe them capable -of any thing—even of committing murder.</p> - -<p>But why should these men murder me? My baggage was not big enough; and -they had no reason to believe I carried money upon my person, in a sum -sufficient to tempt them to such a crime.</p> - -<p>Besides, there were the negroes, Squire Woodley's own slaves; such an -attempt could not be made without their knowing of it. The thought was -preposterous; and I dismissed it from my mind as soon as conceived.</p> - -<p>And still I could not make out why the two were talking so earnestly. -Their gestures, too, which I could just discern through the dim light, -admonished me that some strange circumstance was being discussed -between them. It could not be the guiding of the boat. Ever since -nightfall they had ceased "quartering" the stream. The steering-oar -was at rest, and the flat was gliding smoothly on, at the rate of four -miles to the hour—the current at this place being unusually rapid. It -could not be that.</p> - -<p>By this time my cigar had nearly burnt out. Groping for another, I -discovered I had left my case in the cabin. In going to get it, I -passed close to where the two men were standing. Black had hold of the -oar-handle, while Stinger was lounging at his elbow.</p> - -<p>I had the cigar-stump still in my teeth—the remains of a good Havana, -with a red coal at the end of it. I was curious to have a look at the -fellows; and passing close to them, I increased the luminosity of the -cigar by giving it a strong puff or two.</p> - -<p>Never had such a faint light shone upon two more ill-favored faces. -Both appeared distorted by some passion of a criminal kind; and, -could I have imagined any motive for their murdering me, I might have -believed at that moment, that such was their intention!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XVI.</p> - -<p class="center">A MAN OVERBOARD.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">On</span> descending into the "caboose," I found the four negroes stretched -out and snoring. They had worked hard at the steering-oar while making -these eccentric traverses, which even they did not understand. Poor -wretches! had they known what was in store for them, they would not -have gone to sleep. Even fatigue could not have overcome them.</p> - -<p>The dip was burning dimly, and by its light I had some difficulty in -finding my cigar-case. I laid my hands upon it at length, and drawing -forth a fresh weed, kindled it at the cumulus of smoking wick.</p> - -<p>For a moment I hesitated as to whether I should return to the roof, -or take my seat upon a chest that formed part of the furniture of the -cabin.</p> - -<p>The stench decided me. The odor of greasy cooking-utensils, combined -with that emanating from the shirts of four sweating Africans, was -too powerful to be put down by the perfume of the best Havana, and I -preferred returning to the roof.</p> - -<p>As I ascended the steps, I heard a scrambling above me, as if the two -men were struggling with the steering-oar.</p> - -<p>I could not guess what it meant, and was all the more surprised at -seeing them—as soon as the darkness permitted—exactly in the same -spot where I had left them. Black was still grasping the handle of the -oar, Stinger standing at his elbow.</p> - -<p>I was about passing on to the stem, and had got between them and the -beam, when I heard the former exclaim: "H—l fire! we'll be on a snag!"</p> - -<p>At the same instant I saw him rush toward me, pressing the oar in front -of him.</p> - -<p>Before I had time to get out of the way, the huge piece of timber -struck me in the ribs; and but that I had caught hold of it I should -have been precipitated into the water.</p> - -<p>My hold did not avail me, nor was it the intention of that ruffian -steersman that it should.</p> - -<p>"Let go!" he cried. "Let go, d—n ye, or ye'll have us on the snag!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, I saw his right hand raised from the oar, and then -descending toward me. By the light of my cigar, still between my -teeth, I saw the gleaming of steel. At the same time I felt a stinging -sensation in my shoulder, the arm seemed to become suddenly paralyzed, -my grasp became relaxed, and I fell back downward into the river!</p> - -<p>For a second or two my cloak sustained me, but before I could turn upon -my face and strike out to swim, the huge ark swept over me, sending me -far below the surface. A loud drumming in my ears, a choking sensation -in my throat—the sensation of drowning!</p> - -<p>I came again to the surface, but without any clear idea of where I was, -or what had happened me. It appeared like a horrible dream from which I -was not yet awakened.</p> - -<p>Soon my senses returned; I remembered having fallen from the flat; and -then, that I had been pushed from it; and then, how I had struggled to -save myself from going over; and then, why I had not succeeded.</p> - -<p>During this process of thought, I was kept above water less by my own -efforts, than by the cloak that covered my shoulders, and the rapid -current that carried me along. But for these I might have gone back to -the bottom, never more to rise. On attempting to swim, I found that my -right arm was of no use to me.</p> - -<p>I looked around for the flat, though without any design to recover -footing upon it. It was no longer near me, nor in sight. Carried -swiftly on by the current, it had disappeared in the darkness.</p> - -<p>I did not shout to make known my situation. I had sufficiently -recovered my senses to know that on board the boat there might be -as much danger to me as in the water. Perhaps more; and I preferred -trusting to the stream.</p> - -<p>Working the cloak to the right side, so as to leave my left arm free, -I struck out with it; not to swim, but simply to keep my head above -water. In this way I glided on with the current.</p> - -<p>I could not have kept long afloat. I felt I was each moment growing -feebler; and with the utmost difficulty could save myself from sinking.</p> - -<p>The surging current carried me along, but not toward the bank. I saw no -bank; for that matter I might as well have been in the middle of the -ocean.</p> - -<p>Even had the shore been in sight, I could have done nothing to approach -it. I could have made no effort beyond that I was making—just -sufficient to sustain myself on the surface.</p> - -<p>I should soon sink. I began to feel certain of it—to contemplate it -with a sort of resignation. Quicker than the changes of a kaleidoscope, -the scenes of my past life came before me. Father, mother, sisters, and -brothers, were all at that moment remembered, and she whom I had late -left. Oh! it was agony to think I should never see her again!</p> - -<p>While giving way to this despairing thought, something struck me from -behind. I felt some hard substance pressing against my thigh. It -caused a thrill through my flesh, for it was a contact unexplained and -unnatural. I could think only of one thing, the snout of an alligator! -I knew that I was now in that part of the Mississippi where this -hideous saurian held his midnight revels.</p> - -<p>Instinctively I increased my speed, but to no purpose; the bony -proboscis still rubbed against my thigh. In another moment I should -feel the huge jaws harshly closing upon and crushing it like a reed!</p> - -<p>With an effort I turned round, to meet the monster face to face. In -this way I preferred perishing.</p> - -<p>In another moment I lay with my left arm clasped around it, embracing -it as I might my dearest friend, as if it had been—</p> - -<p>What I had mistaken for an ugly alligator, was a floating tree-trunk; -like myself rudely flung upon the flood, but with a buoyancy far -surpassing mine.</p> - -<p>The log proved light enough to sustain not only itself, but faint -sinking me; and straddling it longitudinally, I gave myself up to the -current with a gratitude to God, whose hand, I could not help thinking, -had been stretched out to preserve me!</p> - -<p>After that, I became unconscious.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XVII.</p> - -<p class="center">ADRIFT.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">My</span> unconsciousness resembled sleep. It was not that, but syncope. I had -fainted through exhaustion.</p> - -<p>Fortunately the cloak, still upon my shoulders, clung around the -tree-trunk, and hindered me from slipping off. Otherwise I might have -gone to the bottom without knowing it.</p> - -<p>My syncope was of short duration, though how long I could not tell. I -could guess at the time afterward from knowing the distance I must have -drifted.</p> - -<p>I awoke to find myself lying upon the log. It was afloat, as I could -tell by its motion underneath me; and I supposed myself drifting -down-stream.</p> - -<p>As my senses became clearer I perceived that this was not the case. -Although the log bobbed about, as I stirred upon it, I now saw that it -was close to the bank, and held as if by a hawser.</p> - -<p>It was dark all around me, darker than ever; but I could see that I was -under the shadow of trees, whose moss-covered arms stretched out over -the stream. The gleaming of fire-flies upon the bank above gave me no -aid in reconnoitering the situation. Their false, fitful light only -misled me.</p> - -<p>After a time I discovered the cause of my having come to; and even -recognized the spot. It was the same where I had made landing from the -skiff, while eagle-shooting on the island.</p> - -<p>There was the huge fallen cypress with its roots upon the bank and -trunk slanting down into the river. Despite the darkness and the -confusion of my ideas, I remembered it.</p> - -<p>I was still lying along the log, having as yet made no attempt to leave -it. I felt too weak for the effort. Fortunate that it was so; for soon -after I discovered the singular manner in which I was moored. The -skirt of my cloak, trailing upon the water, had caught in a snag of -the cypress, and held fast. As the garment was also hooked to the log -on which I lay, the latter had been arrested in its course, and turned -round under the shelter of the tree, where the current ceased to act -upon it. Had I started suddenly up, or made any incautious movement, I -might have detached the chance fastening and gone adrift again, to be -carried God knows whither. Perceiving this danger, I took my measures -accordingly.</p> - -<p>Gently hauling upon the hawser of soaked broadcloth, I succeeded in -grasping one of the branches of the cypress, and drawing the log close -to its trunk, I was enabled to crawl from one to the other.</p> - -<p>I did not accomplish this without an effort; I had but one arm to work -with, the left. My right hung useless by my side.</p> - -<p>Scrambling along the slanting trunk, I got up to the level of the -bank, and then dropping off, I staggered a step or two through the -palmettoes, and fell prostrate to the earth.</p> - -<p>For a time I felt utterly unable to recover my feet. I wondered at my -weakness, and could not account for it. The mere fatigue could not have -caused it. I knew that I was wounded. My helpless arm, and the pain in -my shoulder, told me that I had received a stab; I had seen the knife -that had given it; but in the darkness I did not know that much of the -moisture bathing my body was my own blood. This it was that had so -utterly enfeebled me.</p> - -<p>I had just strength left to take off my coat, grope for the -wound—though it was easily found—and bind it up in strips torn from -my dripping shirt.</p> - -<p>After that I fell back into a recumbent attitude. I could sustain -myself in no other.</p> - -<p>But for the discomfort caused by my wet clothes I could have gone to -sleep, for I felt deathlike drowsy. Every thread was saturated, and, -with only one arm, I could not wring them out. I succeeded, however, -in expelling most of the water from my cloak, by pressing it with my -feet against the trunk of a tree, and then spreading it over me, I lay -swathed in dampness.</p> - -<p>The night was not cold. It had been chill only in the breeze of the -river. Under the shelter of the trees there was not a breath stirring; -and with the heat of my body, I was soon surrounded by an atmosphere -resembling a vapor-bath.</p> - -<p>Soothed by its warmth, my drowsiness increased, and I gradually sunk -into a slumber.</p> - -<p>It was not sound nor natural, only the slumber of exhaustion. I awoke -at intervals to a sort of half-consciousness, scarce knowing whether I -was sleeping or waking.</p> - -<p>Once I was aroused to a clearer comprehension. It was a sound that -startled me. It appeared to be a shot, instantly followed by a shriek, -like the cry of some one in extreme agony!</p> - -<p>I thought there were voices afterward; and I lay for a long while -listening, but I could hear only the constant "skirl" of the -grasshoppers and tree-toads, with now and then the "glucking" of the -great swamp-frog, and the hoot of the horned owl. The shot and the -shriek may have been only a fancy—the dream of a disordered brain. -I tried to think so, but could not. I had heard the first through my -sleep; but the second rung in my awakened ear, as also the voices -that succeeded it. I could not bring myself to believe that I had not -actually heard them.</p> - -<p>I did not think of connecting these sounds with what had occurred to -me on the flat. By that time Mr. Black and his boat would be miles -away—far out of my hearing. I knew that some hours had passed since I -had been pushed overboard. The boat going in the center current would -have forged far ahead of me, and my floating log. Besides I had now -been some time on the island.</p> - -<p>I lay reflecting on what had occurred.</p> - -<p>Though unable to account for the conduct of the ruffian, I did not -attribute it to any deep design. I had simply crossed him in some whim, -and I knew that for even so slight a cause life is often sacrificed on -the Mississippi.</p> - -<p>What design could he have in killing me? I could not think of any; not -even a motive.</p> - -<p>Kept awake by the stinging pain of my wound, I continued to reflect. I -remembered the strange behavior of the skiffman Jake, and the statement -he had made about strange sounds heard upon the island—"de debbil's -island," as he called it. There appeared to be some truth at the bottom -of what I had ridiculed as a superstition!</p> - -<p>I slept no more for the remainder of that night. I was filled with -horrid fear; and with joy I hailed the first gray glimmer of the moon, -as it came slowly stealing through the festoons of Spanish moss, that -curtained my ungrateful couch.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XVIII.</p> - -<p class="center">ILL-OMENED SOUNDS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">With</span> the sun fairly up, my strength had to some degree returned. I was -still feeble as a child, but able to stand upon my feet.</p> - -<p>My first care was to quench my thirst. It is always so with those -severely wounded, especially where there has been much loss of blood.</p> - -<p>Though near me there was water sufficient to have surfeited the whole -human race, I had some difficulty in drinking of it. It was only -accessible by means of the sloping tree-trunk. I succeeded in crawling -down this, and satisfying the appetite that distressed me.</p> - -<p>Returning to the bank, I bethought me of the next move to be made: -which of course was, how I should get off the island. I did not spend -much time in speculating about this. My eagle-shooting excursion was -still fresh in my remembrance, and along with it the lagoon to which it -had led me in the chase of the wounded bird, with the old dug-out I had -seen under the cypress.</p> - -<p>"How fortunate," I thought, "there is such a chance of getting off! -Otherwise I might remain on this island heaven knows how long. It might -be days before any boat would come past, near enough to be hailed, and -with nothing to eat."</p> - -<p>So ran my reflections as I gathered up my cloak, now nearly dry, slung -it, scarf-like over my shoulder, and with a staggering step set forth -in the direction of the dug-out.</p> - -<p>My course was far from being direct; I had but a slight recollection -of my former traces, which, of themselves, had been sufficiently -eccentric. I was again going by guess, and now slowly, faint, and -tottering in my steps.</p> - -<p>More by chance, than by guidance, they conducted me to the deadwood -where I had discovered the eagle's nest. As I came into the opening -under it, I was saluted by the screams of the bereaved birds—all three -of which, startled by my approach, circled in the air above. I could -not help thinking they recognized me, and that their screams were in -retaliation, to mock my misfortune. I hastened on, looking for the -lagoon.</p> - -<p>From the deadwood I could proceed directly. I had twice traversed the -ground, and remembered the trace. Sure of my direction, I walked on -more calmly, and soon came in sight of the sunflash that shot down -through the break caused by the lagoon.</p> - -<p>At the same moment I came suddenly to a stop—at the sound of human -voices!</p> - -<p>They were not loud, but heard only in low murmuring, as of men engaged -in earnest conversation. The speakers were evidently by the edge of the -lagoon to which I was tending.</p> - -<p>"How fortunate," thought I, "to find people upon the island. Some -hunters, perhaps?"</p> - -<p>I should get off without the necessity of having to take the old -dug-out, about the management of which, with my disabled arm, I had -misgivings.</p> - -<p>While thus congratulating myself, one of the voices was raised a little -louder—just then giving vent to an exclamation. I recognized the -voice. It was the same that had sworn at me the night before as I clung -to the steering-oar. It had been ever since ringing in my ears. It was -the voice of the boatman Black.</p> - -<p>My first feeling was of extreme surprise. What could the flat-boat -captain be doing on the island? And was his craft there too? It might -be. The sounds reached me direct from the lagoon. The boat might be in -it.</p> - -<p>Listening, I again heard the voices, mingling with the tread of heavy -boots, as of men hurrying to and fro over hollow planking. Beyond doubt -the boat was in the bayou!</p> - -<p>What was it doing there? Had it met with an accident, and been taken to -the lagoon for safety and repair? I had heard that the river-current -was at that point especially dangerous, and this suggested the thought.</p> - -<p>It never occurred to me that they had brought to on my account. I could -not suppose this. I was certain as I lived they intended taking my -life, and were under the impression that they had succeeded. Had Black -merely pushed me overboard, I might have had doubts; but the thrust -of his knife, and the fierce exclamation that accompanied it, left no -uncertainty as to his intention.</p> - -<p>And now, recalling this, my first feeling of surprise gave way to one -of alarm. Whatever cause of hostility these ruffians had against me -would still exist. Moreover, their design of taking my life would now -be strengthened by an instinct for their own preservation. Seeing that -I still lived, they would know that their attempt at assassination -could not go altogether unpunished, despite the lawlessness of the land -in which they lived.</p> - -<p>In that remote and solitary place, unseen by human eyes save their -own, they might renew it, with every chance of success considering my -crippled condition.</p> - -<p>True, there would be the negroes, whose presence in the daylight might -restrain them. But I was not sure of this. They might find some means -of getting the black men out of the way; and I knew that, even if -eye-witnesses of the most fearful crime, the testimony of the slave is -often controlled by the fear of the torturing cowskin. They could order -the four men below, as they had done before, and then do with me as -they pleased, drag me to a distance among the trees, and murder me at -their leisure. I felt too feeble to make the slightest resistance.</p> - -<p>These conjectures passed through my mind in less time than I have taken -to state them; and under a horrid apprehension, I not only hesitated to -advance, but feared to retreat, lest the rustling of the leaves might -betray my presence.</p> - -<p>For some minutes I remained thus irresolute, when it occurred to me -that some one might stray out among the trees and discover me. A giant -cypress stood near, whose huge buttresses, surrounded by "knees" about -my own hight, offered an excellent place for concealment; and gliding -silently into one of its dark niches, I took stand, cowering like a -fugitive, who feels that the ruthless pursuer is upon his track and -close to his hiding-place!</p> - -<p>For some time I remained a prey to horrid apprehensions. After my -experience of the previous night, I was justified in having them.</p> - -<p>They were keen enough to keep me quiet. I made no more noise than was -caused by my quick breathing.</p> - -<p>For nearly an hour I stood in my "stall," between the two broad -buttresses of the cypress, considering what I should do. I was still -irresolute about retreating. The whole surface of the island was beset -with palmettoes, whose stiff, fan-like fronds made a loud rustling when -touched. I could not pass through them without risk of being heard. Why -I had not been discovered while making my approach was probably because -the boatmen were busy about some matter that engrossed their attention. -They were very near me—not thirty yards off, and but for the underwood -I should have been certainly seen. If caught retreating, I should have -given them the very opportunity they would desire—that is, if they -meant to murder me.</p> - -<p>Besides, I could think of no way by which I was to get off the island. -I should gladly have gone back to the craft that had conveyed me -thither, the drift-log, and once more trusted myself to the current. -But I remembered that, on leaving it, it had become disentangled from -the cypress and resumed its course down the river. Even this waif was -no longer available.</p> - -<p>My next thought was to steal back to the side from which I had come, -watch for some passing boat, hail her to bring to and take me off. But -I knew there would be but little hope in this. I had reason to believe -that the boats did not pass on that side. Though there the channel was -wider, it was not so safe, and both steamers and flats kept to the -other. I knew nothing of how the land lay, and I was apprehensive that -by proceeding to make an exploration, I should be seen by the assassins -of the flat. Even should a steamboat appear, I dared not hail with my -voice, and any signal I should make would scarce be regarded.</p> - -<p>My thoughts once more reverted to the dug-out. It was not likely the -old craft would be disturbed by the crew of the cotton-boat, who had -their skiff for a tender.</p> - -<p>Concealed as the canoe was, under the fronds of the palmettoes, it -might even escape their notice. I could wait till they took their -departure, and then avail myself of it, to get off from the island. -This, at length, became my determination.</p> - -<p>I only hoped I should not be long detained; though I could form no idea -of what was causing the detention of the cotton-boat. It did not appear -to be an accident.</p> - -<p>There was no sound of saw, or hammers, or any thing like making -repairs—only the hum of voices, with the tramping and shuffling of -feet.</p> - -<p>I listened to make out what was said, but could not. The conversation -appeared to be carried on in a low tone, as if under restraint. There -were three voices taking part in the talk, but Black's was the only one -I could recognize. A second, I thought, was Stinger's; but the man was -of a taciturn habit, and I only heard it at long intervals. The third -was unknown to me.</p> - -<p>Nor was any of them the voice of a negro. This I thought strange. -Actively engaged as they appeared to be, if there were darkies employed -at the work their silence was inexplicable. I heard neither their -chattering nor jocund cachinnation.</p> - -<p>After a time a fourth voice fell upon my ear, and in a tone that seemed -to direct, or command. I was startled to think it was that of the -planter, Bradley!</p> - -<p>I listened more attentively than ever, straining my ears to their -utmost. I could hear nothing but sound—the low humming of human -voices, deadened in its passage through the thick shrubbery, and at -intervals drowned by the shrieking of the grasshoppers. For all this -I could tell that there were four voices, one of them I was almost -certain being that of Bradley.</p> - -<p>It was with something more than curiosity that I interrogated myself -as to what he could be doing there. I could only answer by conjecture. -At first it seemed very strange. But then I remembered that Bradley's -plantation was not far off. Perhaps an accident had happened to the -boat, he had been apprised of it, and come to render assistance?</p> - -<p>This conjecture was natural enough, and but for other circumstances -might have satisfied me. It did not, and I continued to seek for some -other explanation. If I could only get sight of the speakers, this -might be obtained. But I could not without danger of exposing myself -to their view. I might hear what they were saying by making a nearer -approach, but this would be equally perilous.</p> - -<p>All at once it occurred to me that I might accomplish my object by -climbing up into the cypress. The sounds would be carried upward, and -in the tree-top I might be able to understand the talk going on in the -lagoon. I saw that the ascent would be easy. One of the buttresses -offered a slanting ridge, not much more difficult to scale than the -rounds of a ladder; and by this I clambered up into the tree.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIX.</p> - -<p class="center">A SINGULAR PROCEEDING.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Once</span> among the branches, I felt myself safe from being seen. The -streamers of Spanish moss formed a festoonery around me thick enough to -have concealed an elephant. By keeping quiet there would be no danger -of my being detected, and I kept as still as a man may be expected to -who believes his life depends upon so slight a thing as the swishing of -a leaf, or the snapping of a twig.</p> - -<p>I had not been twenty minutes on my perch before becoming convinced -that <i>my life</i> hung upon just such a thread.</p> - -<p>This conviction came not from any thing I heard; for still, as below, I -could only make out the murmur of the men's voices; but I was now able -to get sight of themselves.</p> - -<p>One of the largest limbs of the cypress extended toward the lagoon, -beyond which there was an open list communicating with that over the -water. By creeping along this branch I believed I should have a view, -not only of the bayou, but of the boat.</p> - -<p>With only one hand to help me, it seemed a difficult task, but under -the stimulus of something more than curiosity I attempted it. I -succeeded.</p> - -<p>The bayou, the boat, the crew, came under my eyes.</p> - -<p>Not the crew as I had noted it when taking my departure from Henry -Woodley's plantation, for the four negroes were not seen. I saw only -white men.</p> - -<p>There were three of them. Two were Black and his confederate, Stinger. -The other, a man unknown to me, but whose physiognomy and general -appearance rendered him a fit associate for the two already named.</p> - -<p>All these appeared busy as bees, though not occupied in the same -manner. I first saw Stinger, who was engaged on that end of the flat -where the steps led down into the caboose. He was scrubbing the -roof-boards and apparently, also, the slips, with a brush in hand and a -bucket standing beside him.</p> - -<p>Crawling a little further along the branch, the other two came in -sight. There was a staging from the flat to the shore. It sloped down -to the bottom of a sort of doorway in the side of the boat. I could see -that a half-score cotton-bales had been rolled across it, and lay upon -the land. Among these Black, in his shirt-sleeves, and the strange man, -were busy.</p> - -<p>The flat, after all, had met with an accident, and they were unloading -to prevent it from sinking. This was my first impression, and I began -to think there <i>had</i> been a snag, and in some way or other I had been -mistaken about the whole business.</p> - -<p>I no longer wondered at the boat having been brought up the bayou. I -only wondered at not seeing the negroes. There was not one of them -visible. They might be inside the boat, assisting to get out the -cotton. But then I should have heard their voices, or some noise they -must necessarily have made, and there was none. Where could they be?</p> - -<p>I had not been long looking on before I discovered that Black and his -assistant were engaged in an operation that quite mystified me. As -I have said, they were busy among the cotton-bales. With inquiring -eyes I watched their proceedings. I saw the two take hold of a bale, -unloose the ropes that bound it, rip off the "bagging" from one of its -sides, and then stitch in its place another piece, after which the -binding-cords were readjusted.</p> - -<p>For some time I was puzzled by this singular proceeding, and it was -only after a prolonged scrutiny that I could conjecture what it -meant. At length, however, I arrived at the elucidation, strange and -improbable as it appeared.</p> - -<p>I observed that the pieces of canvas removed were from the sides that -carried the plantation-mark and the name of the owner. I could make -out the word "Woodley." On those that replaced them, which appeared -in other respects precisely similar, I saw that there was a different -mark, and a different name. In the large black lettering, I could read: -"<span class="smcap">N. Bradley</span>."</p> - -<p>Up to this moment all had been conjecture. It was so no longer. The -scheme became revealed to me, as by a flash of sudden sinister light. -From my perch in the cypress tree I was looking upon a scene of piracy -such as I had heard was far from being rare upon the Mississippi river.</p> - -<p>The transaction was clear. The planter-pirates had taken possession of -the cotton-boat, and were making their plunder presentable for a safe -sale. That Bradley was at the back of it I had no doubt. His name going -upon the bales proved his participation, and something more—the chief -of the gang. He was not there himself, but I felt certain he had been -but a few minutes before. I could almost have sworn to hearing his -voice and that, too, giving directions to the others.</p> - -<p>How had the capture been effected? My thoughts now reverted to the -negroes, who had composed the crew. With increased interest, I again -looked to see if they were upon the boat. If so they must be hidden -somewhere and holding themselves unusually silent.</p> - -<p>My eyes wandered to the hatchway of the little cabin, in which I had -last seen them asleep. Were they asleep still, or in the slumber of -death?</p> - -<p>My blood ran cold at the horrid suspicion—colder as I thought of its -probability.</p> - -<p>There was no sign of any negro. Stinger was alone seen by the steps of -the caboose, still occupied with his scrubbing-brush.</p> - -<p>My attention now became particularly directed to this man. What could -be his object in washing the rough planks forming the roof of a -flat-boat? Of what was he cleansing them? And why with such care? for -he was down upon his knees, devoting himself to the task with apparent -earnestness.</p> - -<p>In seeking an explanation, my eye rested upon the "suds" chased to -and fro before his brush. I saw that they were of a crimson color, as -if tinged with blood! I saw this with astonishment, with trembling. I -remembered what I had heard in the night—that I had believed to be a -dream—the shot, and the shriek that succeeded.</p> - -<p>Had both been real? Had murder been committed? And was Stinger engaged -in eliminating its traces?</p> - -<p>The blacks were no longer upon the boat. Where were they? Was it their -blood I saw, and were their bodies at the bottom of the lagoon?</p> - -<p>Horrid as were these suspicions, I could not help having them; and the -thought that they were true gradually becoming a conviction, kept me -quiet in the tree.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XX.</p> - -<p class="center">A SPELL OF PADDLING.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I remained</span> silent on the limb of the cypress. Even the irksomeness of -my seat did not tempt me to descend.</p> - -<p>I was now sensible of being in a position of real peril. The men were -murderers—all four of them—and one more crime would be lightly added -to their last. Taking my life would be a step necessary for their own -safety, and I knew that if discovered I might expect but a short shrift -of it. It needed nothing more to secure my silence.</p> - -<p>I did not design remaining there forever, only until night. Then I -should descend, make my way to the dug-out, which I hoped to find in -its place, and, favored by this and the darkness, slip silently out of -the lagoon into the open river. This was the plan traced out.</p> - -<p>As nothing could be done before night, I summoned all my patience to -await it. And all of it was called into play. Never in my life do I -remember having spent what appeared a longer day. I thought it would -have no end—that the sun was never to set. It was still early when -I arrived at the foot of the cypress, for I had started by the first -light to go toward the lagoon.</p> - -<p>The time at first did not hang so heavily on my hands. I was furnished -with a sort of melancholy entertainment in watching the movements -of the three ruffians upon the flat. I still tried to catch their -conversation, though it was no longer needed to elucidate the -transaction in which they were engaged.</p> - -<p>In this I was unsuccessful as ever. Though at times talking with -apparent earnestness, they kept to a low key, as if themselves fearful -of being overheard. No wonder they should, considering the work in -which they were engaged.</p> - -<p>I became wearied watching them, and soon after lost sight of them -altogether.</p> - -<p>After the bales that had been rolled out upon the bank were treated -as described, all three—Stinger having completed his task of -purification—entered inside the ark, and for several hours I saw no -more of them.</p> - -<p>I could guess, however, how they were engaged. The bringing ashore only -the odd bales had been to make room for operations inside, where I had -no doubt that the whole cargo was receiving the Bradley brand.</p> - -<p>The quickness with which they appeared to execute their work of -unroping, stitching and retying, told that it was not the first time -of their having been similarly employed; and the pieces of old canvas -strewed about the place, and which I had noticed on my former visit to -the island, were now recalled to my recollection. In that solitary spot -more than one shipment of cotton had changed its plantation-mark.</p> - -<p>I could now understand what had appeared to puzzle his -acquaintances—how Mr. Nat Bradley had so rapidly prospered on his new -plantation. His boast of being able to make two bales in Mississippi -for one in Tennessee I could no longer look upon as an idle vaunt. -Under my eyes was the explanation.</p> - -<p>It was a long, tedious, terrible vigil. Astride the limb of a tree, -hungry, athirst, smarting under the pulsations of a fevered wound, -a prey to apprehensions that by some sinister chance I might be -discovered in my place of concealment, I thought that the day would -never come to an end. And even when it should end, what certainty had -I of being able to make good my escape? The dug-out on which I was -placing my dependence might be no longer there, or if it was, I might -not succeed in starting it from its moorings? I might be detected in -attempting to pass the flat, which lay between the canoe and the narrow -creek that communicated with the river.</p> - -<p>Besides these, there were other probable contingencies—scores of -them—to distress and keep me in constant apprehension, and in this -state I passed the remainder of the day.</p> - -<p>Just as the twilight gloom was beginning to darken over the island, -I saw something to cheer me. I saw the three men come forth out -of the cavernous opening in the side of the ark, each carrying an -armful of spoiled canvas, which I recognized as the cast sides of the -cotton-bales. I saw them make these up into a huge bundle, load it -with heavy mud, tie a rope round the whole mass, and fling it into the -lagoon, where, like a stone, it sunk to the bottom! After this the odd -bales were rolled aboard, the staging drawn in, the hatch-door shut to, -and the huge ark yielding to a pair of oars passed slowly and silently -from my sight!</p> - -<p>As soon as sure that they were gone for good, I descended from the -tree, and waiting till the darkness had come down, I groped my way -toward the place where I remembered having seen the dug-out.</p> - -<p>I was not disappointed. I found the old craft, still resting neglected -upon the water, either not seen, or not cared for, by the pirates, who -had passed away.</p> - -<p>Getting quietly aboard, and arming myself with the paddle, I unloosed -the fastening of twisted vines, and pushed on toward the river, which I -reached without hearing or seeing any one.</p> - -<p>Fortunately the night was a dark one, like that which preceded it. I -was further favored by a thick fog that had come on after sunset.</p> - -<p>Once out in the river I had no difficulty about the direction. The -current guided me, and setting the stern of the canoe straight against -it, I plied the paddle with all the strength I could command.</p> - -<p>I took good care to dip the blade lightly, so as to make no noise in -the water. The flat might still be within ear-shot. It might have been -brought to for some purpose, alongside that island plantation, which -I now knew to be the property of a pirate, and by the border of which -I was now slowly feeling my way. The chill fog seemed to have quieted -the night-chanters of the forest, and a slight sound could be heard far -off. The stroke of the paddle might reach the ears of the pirates, and -prompt them to follow me in their skiff that served as a tender to the -cotton-boat.</p> - -<p>I knew that they could easily overtake me, in which case I might count -upon certain death. They would recognize the dug-out and know whence I -had taken it.</p> - -<p>For the first mile or so, I made but a snail's progress. With only one -hand to work with, and it the wrong one, I had great difficulty in -keeping the canoe stern on to the stream. Several times it came round -broadside to the current, causing me to lose way before I could again -get it headed in the right direction.</p> - -<p>As I began to feel more confident that there was no pursuit, I also -became more adroit in the management of the craft. Further up, too, -the current was not so rapid, and I had less fear about dipping my -oar-blade into the water.</p> - -<p>Still I was not free from apprehension, and I moved on as silently as -ever, at intervals suspending my stroke and listening to catch any -sound from below.</p> - -<p>Once I fancied I heard the plunge of oars close behind me, and in fear -I gazed into the thick fog, thinking I should see the pursuing skiff. I -listened intently for the plash of an oar-blade, or the murmur of human -voices.</p> - -<p>I heard neither. I must have mistaken the sound that had reached me. It -may have been caused by an alligator floundering through the flood, or -some drift-tree turned suddenly over by the current.</p> - -<p>Though still necessarily slow, my progress improved as I got further -away from that place of horror—the Devil's Island. But I was not easy -in my mind, until by the earliest break of day, I saw before me an open -spot on the bank, which I recognized as the landing of Henry Woodley's -plantation. There was no house near it, no erection of any kind. Only -some cords of firewood upon the bank, intended for the supply of such -passing steamboats as chose to put in for it. It was part of the -industrial resources of the plantation.</p> - -<p>The house stood a full half-mile from the river's edge, screened from -view by the cottonwood forest.</p> - -<p>At that early hour, I did not expect to see any one at the landing. I -hoped not, as I did not myself wish to be seen. I had begun to reflect -on the future, more than the past, on the punishment of these murdering -pirates, and the mode of bringing it about.</p> - -<p>I knew that in such a lawless land, justice might not be so easily -obtained, and that despite the proofs I had, stratagem would still have -to be resorted to. At all events, it would be as well that none of the -plantation negroes should know of my return until I had first placed -myself in communication with their master.</p> - -<p>With the view of making my approach unobserved, I clung close along the -bank, and came to at some distance below the landing-place.</p> - -<p>Drawing the dug-out up under some branches that overhung the bank, I -made it secure, at the same time that it was concealed from view. I did -not intend that the old craft should drift down-stream, and perhaps -tell a tale to the pirates below.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXI.</p> - -<p class="center">A TERRIFIED DARKY.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Once</span> safely ashore, I walked silently through the underwood in the -direction of the landing.</p> - -<p>There was no one there, nothing but the parallelopipedons of cordwood -piled up in readiness for the firemen.</p> - -<p>The question now arose how I was to get to the house—how to get inside -it—without being seen by the negroes of the plantation. I knew that -they were up, and stirring about the place. I could hear the murmur of -their voices, with now and then the louder baying of a hound. Of course -I could not approach the dwelling without being observed—much less get -inside of it.</p> - -<p>My plight too! My crippled arm which I carried slung in the silk scarf -taken from my neck, with my coat hanging loose on my left shoulder. It -is true that all this could be concealed under my cloak, but the cloak -itself, and the trowsers underneath, were embrowned by the muddy water. -In short, my whole person presented such an appearance as to have -puzzled an intimate friend in identifying me.</p> - -<p>While reflecting on what to do, I heard footsteps coming from the -direction of the house. They were made known to me by the rustling of -the dry leaves with which the wood-road was thickly covered.</p> - -<p>The footfall was flat and heavy, evidently that of a negro.</p> - -<p>Soon after I saw the negro himself. It was Jake.</p> - -<p>With joy I recognized him—the very man I wanted to see. I could take -the old skiffman into my confidence, and by him send a message to -his master, to come out to me in the woods. This was the course to -be pursued. Jake had not yet discovered me. I did not intend that he -should, until I had taken steps to secure against his retreat. Were I -to appear to him before he had got fairly upon the ground, he might -mistake me for something else than I was, perhaps the spirit of that -haunted island, from which I had truly come. In my enfeebled state, he -could easily outrun me, and by reaching the house before me, spoil my -plans of secrecy. Jake must be captured by stratagem.</p> - -<p>Crouching behind one of the cords of firewood, I waited for him to -advance. I could see that he was <i>en route</i> for the landing, perhaps to -embark in the skiff, which was moored in its usual place.</p> - -<p>He passed on without suspecting my presence.</p> - -<p>He did not go down to the skiff, but out to a projecting point, upon -which the steamboats usually rested their staging-plank.</p> - -<p>There he stopped, and looked up the river, as if expecting a boat to -come down.</p> - -<p>His back was toward me, as I stepped from my place of concealment.</p> - -<p>"Jake!" I said, "look this way!"</p> - -<p>He turned suddenly, and I now saw that my precaution had not been an -idle one. But for having him in a sort of peninsula, myself occupying -the isthmus, he would certainly have made good his escape. As it was, -he seemed half determined on rushing past me, and reaching the house. -He even cast his eyes toward the skiff to see if there was any chance -of retreating in that direction.</p> - -<p>"Jake!" I said, in a reassuring voice. "What's the matter with you? -Don't you know me?"</p> - -<p>"Goramity, mass'r!" he gasped out, at length recognizing the man he had -so often guided through the swamps. "Wha—wha—wha's comed oba you? -Lor' a mercy! You's all kibbered oba wif mud, like a drown rat ob de -ribba? 'Splain you'seff, mass'r. What de ole debbil hab been a-happen -to ye?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind, my good fellow. I have no time for explanations. I want to -see your master."</p> - -<p>"Come on den. He arn't up yet; but he soon rouse out for you."</p> - -<p>"No—no. I want to see him <i>down here</i>."</p> - -<p>"Down hya!" echoed the darky, with a look of increased astonishment. -"A'n't you comin' up to de big house, to get um washed, an' hab ya -close bruss'd, an' eat ya breakfass?"</p> - -<p>"No—not just yet, not till I've seen your master. And look here, -Jake! I don't want any one to know that I am here except your master. -You must tell him to come down without delay, and without any one -suspecting that you went back to the house on that errand. Put this in -your pocket, and let me see that you carry my message discreetly."</p> - -<p>In the attempt to murder me I had not been robbed; and I was able to -sharpen the zeal, also the intelligence, of my intended messenger by -the <i>douceur</i> of a dollar. I gave it less for this, than to impress him -with the importance of the errand, and so secure greater caution in its -accomplishment.</p> - -<p>With some additional instructions I dismissed him; and taking seat upon -a log under cover of some underwood, I awaited the coming of Henry -Woodley.</p> - -<p>I little expected that before seeing him, I should shake hands with his -brother Walter. Yet such was the reality!</p> - -<p>While sitting upon the log reflecting how much of my story should be -told to my late host, and how much for the time kept back, I heard -the deep sonorous bark that announces the "high pressure" steamboat. -Looking up the river I saw the boat itself, rounding a sharp bend a -little way above the landing.</p> - -<p>When nearly opposite, her pilot-bell rung, her paddles ceased to move, -and she lay to under hissing steam.</p> - -<p>Presently a yawl with three men in it, shot out from her stern—two of -them rowing, the third evidently a passenger.</p> - -<p>I had scarce time to think who it might be, when the bow of the -row-boat struck against the bank, and the passenger stepped ashore, -carrying a carpet-bag along with him. I recognized the young Tennessean -cotton-planter, Walter Woodley.</p> - -<p>He did not so easily recognize me, and when he at length discovered who -was the mud-bedaubed individual that saluted him, I need scarce say -that his astonishment was extreme.</p> - -<p>His story was easily told. He was on his way to New Orleans to look -after the disposal of his cotton crop; and was merely making stop to -see his sister and brother, intending to go on by the next boat.</p> - -<p>My tale being more complicated was reserved for a later occasion—until -the two brothers could have it at one hearing.</p> - -<p>It was not long before we saw Henry, hurrying from the house; Jake -following at respectful distance behind him.</p> - -<p>The Mississippian was less surprised at seeing his brother than me. He -had heard the stoppage signal of the steamer. Walter had been expected -to come that day. It was for this the old skiffman had sauntered down -to the landing—to see if there were any signs of the boat.</p> - -<p>Only Jake himself was in attendance upon Henry. The negro had shown -intelligence in the accomplishment of his mission.</p> - -<p>By my appearance, Henry Woodley was still more astonished than his -brother had been. He had more lately seen me in a different guise. But -mingling with his astonishment, he had the suspicions of a sinister -cause, arising from antecedents he could remember. Though he could see -that something serious had occurred, he did not question me then. He -waited till we should get to the house.</p> - -<p>About this there was still the same difficulty. I assured him that the -servants must not see me. I had my reasons, which I promised to explain -afterward.</p> - -<p>Both the brothers still wondering, Walter suggested a way. A change of -clothes and hat; in short, a disguise. He had his own cloak over his -arm, with other apparel in his portmanteau.</p> - -<p>Mine to be rolled up, and carried as a parcel by Jake, who was in the -secret. My pantaloons to be tucked inside the tops of my boots. A -little mud was not remarkable upon the banks of the Mississippi.</p> - -<p>Our host would precede us to the house; and on some pretense order the -domestics out of the way, so that I might enter unobserved; or, if -seen, no one would think otherwise than that I was some stranger, who -had come ashore along with their master's brother.</p> - -<p>The plan was feasible enough; but even had it been less so, I should -have been disposed to adopt it. I was faint, and feeble; my wound -paining me from the want of a proper dressing. I was, moreover, hungry, -as a man may be who for two nights and a day has not tasted food; for -I had not eaten a morsel since the supper that preceded the attempt at -assassinating me. I was not loth to get under the hospitable roof of -Henry Woodley, and partake of the ample breakfast that I knew would -there be spread for me.</p> - -<p>A short time served for making the change required; and closely -enveloped in Walter Woodley's cloak, with trowsers, backwoods fashion, -thrust inside my boots, I entered the plantation house, without -exciting any suspicion.</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes spent at the toilet, my host assisting, rendered me -presentable in the drawing-room, where I was received by his sister -with that sort of surprise that caused me a secret gratification. I -was gratified by the look given me, in which pleasure at my appearance -seemed suddenly to become pain at the sight of my disabled arm.</p> - -<p>By the quick paling of her cheek, accompanied by an exclamation -of alarm, I felt that Cornelia Woodley had an interest in my -fate—something more than a wish for my welfare.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXII.</p> - -<p class="center">AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">My</span> story was told to the two brothers, their sister being spared the -revelation. I deemed it too fearful to be imparted to a lady. A quarrel -with the boatman Black, ending in my defeat; my being flung overboard, -and compelled to save myself by swimming—this was sufficient to -explain the condition in which I had presented myself. I preferred, for -the time, submitting to a humiliation.</p> - -<p>Wondering, Miss Woodley withdrew, leaving me to be more explicit with -her brothers. To them I told the whole story in all its details. It is -not necessary to say that both listened to the tale with astonishment. -It seemed too horrid for belief, but there was no room for incredulity. -My wound was a living witness to at least a portion of its truth, and -for the rest, the circumstances were sufficient.</p> - -<p>There was a confirmation in the character of Bradley. Both knew the man -to be of a bad, brutal nature. Both had heard strange rumors concerning -him; conjectures as to his mode of life, and the means by which he had -so rapidly become rich, for at present he was so reputed. Gambling had -usually been given as the cause, but of late there had been whisperings -of a more sinister kind, in regard to the way in which Mr. Bradley had -become possessed of so much property.</p> - -<p>These had assumed no definite shape. It was only hinted in a general -way that he must be engaged in some speculation besides the planting of -cotton—something not quite so legitimate.</p> - -<p>We are talking of a time when New Orleans and its adjacent neighborhood -was not free from a taint of piracy on the high seas—to say nothing of -the African slave-trade—with many other combinations of crime almost -incredible.</p> - -<p>Which of these might be the specialty of the Mississippi planter no one -appeared definitely to know.</p> - -<p>My experience of the two preceding days had furnished the clue. I -had no longer a doubt that, along with the ostensible pursuit of -cotton-planting, Mr. Bradley secretly combined the calling of a -<i>pirate</i>—for by this name is the river robber familiarly known in the -region of the Mississippi.</p> - -<p>My opinion was adopted by my listeners as I continued to tell them -what I had seen. The facts spoke for themselves. Besides, both had -heard of circumstances corroborative of what could be no longer called -suspicion. For some years past there had been reports of flat-boats -missing upon the Mississippi. Several had been spoken of. Henry Woodley -had himself heard of an especial case, which had occurred in the -preceding year. It was that of a flat, freighted with cotton, from a -plantation somewhere up the Arkansas river. Its owner had dispatched -it in charge of a crew of negroes, his own slaves, but had never heard -more either of cotton or crew.</p> - -<p>Most people supposed these missing boats to have perished in squalls, -or "hurricanes," as they are called—to have gone to the bottom with -their crews along with them, an occurrence not uncommon upon the -Western rivers. But there were others who did not attribute all these -losses to the storm; people of a more suspicious way of thinking, in -whose memories were still fresh the exploits of the pirate Murrell. -This robber had somewhat innocently been assumed to be the last of his -race. Though it might be on a smaller scale, it was evident he had a -successor in the planter Bradley.</p> - -<p>As we continued to discuss what had occurred, and examine it in all its -bearings, the whole scheme became clear. I now learnt for the first -time that Black and his associate Stinger were complete strangers to -the Woodley family. They had presented themselves on the Tennessee -plantation as professed flat-builders and boatmen; and in this -double capacity had they been employed. I recalled the fragment of -conversation I had overheard between Black and Bradley on the wood path -of the plantation. It had puzzled me at the time. Its signification -was now clear, and I could understand the interest which Bradley had -shown in the cotton crop about to be embarked. No doubt it was by his -directions Black and Stinger had shown themselves in that quarter, and -undertaken the building of the boat. They were simply his confederates -in a good scheme of piracy, of which we had evidence of only a single -act—no doubt far from being the first.</p> - -<p>And there must have been murder, too! Where were the four negroes? -They could not be kept out of the way—with tongues silent in such a -transaction. Even if "run off" to Texas and sold, they could still -talk; their talking might not be worth much, but it would in time -direct suspicion upon the pirates, and put an end to the grand game -they were playing with such impunity.</p> - -<p>It was a frightful reflection to think of the sad fate of these -unfortunate creatures—for we could scarce have a doubt of their having -been butchered in cold blood!</p> - -<p>There was no time to dwell upon or talk of it. Time enough for that -when we had taken steps to be assured of its reality, and, if real, to -punish the perpetrators of such an atrocious crime.</p> - -<p>And what was the primary step to be taken? That was the question that -came before us.</p> - -<p>The intentions of the planter pirate were clear enough. His three -confederates would carry the boat on to New Orleans, where the cargo -could easily be disposed of. No doubt they had a ready way of doing -this through some <i>respectable</i> cotton-broker in collusion with the -gang. Their object in taking so much trouble to alter the markings was -of course to prevent identification. This would be effectual, since -all cotton bales are alike—as much as eggs, peas, or sheep. The huge -parallelopipedon covered with coarse canvas "bagging," and confined in -its cording of hemp, is a thing not to be sworn to. Remove the mark, -and it may belong to anybody. The two hundred bales sent down from -Tennessee, worth over twelve thousand dollars, were for the time the -property of Nat Bradley, as could be proved by his plantation-mark! -Once sold by him, no man could reclaim them, that is without other -evidence to substantiate the claim.</p> - -<p>But for what I had witnessed upon the island, this would have been -wanting. The boat that carried them would be easily put aside. Like all -of its kind, it would be sold at the levee wharf, at once, to be broken -up for firewood; or, what in this case was more likely, taken down the -river, and sunk during the darkness of the night.</p> - -<p>Would Bradley himself go down in the flat? We thought not. It would -scarce comport with his character of rich planter and proprietor. Most -likely he would follow it in one of the steamboats, from Natchez, or -some near port. He may have taken the very one that brought Walter -Woodley to his brother's plantation.</p> - -<p>He could hail it from some landing below.</p> - -<p>What would be our best course to pursue?</p> - -<p>Henry's counsel was, that we should all three proceed to New Orleans, -taking advantage of the first boat that came down the river, or what -would be better still, riding post-haste to Natchez, and getting a boat -there—one of the regular packets from that place to the great city -below. By this means we might anticipate the sale of the cotton, and so -recover it, at the same time bringing to justice the scoundrels that -had stolen it.</p> - -<p>This scheme might have answered well enough as regarded the three -confederates. But, how about their chief? It would leave him a loophole -of escape, and this could not be thought of. For my part, I was -determined to punish the man who had twice made an attempt upon my -life. I looked upon Black as but the representative of Bradley.</p> - -<p>We had no proof to connect the latter with any of the crimes that had -been committed. I could not swear to having seen him at the lagoon. -My oath as to the identification of his voice would be too slight a -testimony upon which to convict him, even of connivance. He would -deny that he had been present; and as to placing his name upon the -cotton-bales, any one might do that without either his knowledge or -sanction.</p> - -<p>Unless one of the three confederates should turn state's evidence, the -chief pirate would escape the punishment he so justly deserved.</p> - -<p>It would be a pity that any of the party should have such a chance, -and there was no need for it. Let the thing take its course, let the -cotton be sold and delivered, and then whether warehoused by a broker, -or bought by a bona-fide purchaser, it would become known to whom the -purchase-money was to be paid. Then we could discover who was chief of -the pirates, and get the whole gang within the meshes of the law.</p> - -<p>This was my advice, warmly seconded by Walter, and when fairly set -before him, also appearing best to his brother.</p> - -<p>It was agreed we should all three go down to New Orleans, place -ourselves in communication with a respectable solicitor, and obtain the -assistance of the law, in the accomplishment of our purpose.</p> - -<p>At the close of our deliberations a surprise awaited us. Outside we -heard the hoof-stroke of a horse. On looking through the window, we -saw a man dismounting by the gate of the inclosure, and fastening his -bridle to the post. As he faced toward the house, we recognized the -piratical ruffian whose punishment we had been planning.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXIII.</p> - -<p class="center">WAITING FOR A BOAT.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Visit</span> unexpected and ill-timed—what could be its object? This was the -thought of all three.</p> - -<p>I for one must not be seen by him. The sight of me would frustrate all -our plans—even the knowledge that I still lived.</p> - -<p>Neither should the Tennessean. His presence would require explanation; -and perhaps cause a change in the programme we had sketched out for the -pirate.</p> - -<p>Our host alone must receive him. There was just time for Henry to get -out of the drawing-room, and close the door after him, when Mr. Bradley -stepped into the porch.</p> - -<p>Uninvited he could not gracefully go further.</p> - -<p>Walter and I, silent inside, could hear every word that was said.</p> - -<p>Bradley spoke first.</p> - -<p>"Well, Hen," he said, after the usual exchange of salutations, "reckon -I've got here too late."</p> - -<p>"For what?" was the natural inquiry.</p> - -<p>"Boat. I want to go down to Orleans. The Yazoo City was to have left -Vicksburg yesterday evening, and I thought I might catch her at your -landing. I suppose I'm too late, as I heard a boat pass, while I was -coming through the woods. She was going down; and I reckon it must have -been the City."</p> - -<p>There was an interval of silence, during which we awaited Henry's -response. He made none. The presence of such a guest—under such -circumstances—had taken him by surprise; and he was no doubt -hesitating as to what he should say.</p> - -<p>As Bradley had put no direct interrogatory, he did not stay for an -answer; but continued:</p> - -<p>"She must have passed here very early—before you were out of your bed. -Do you think any of your niggers saw her? They would know if it was the -City. They could read the name I reckon?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Henry, at length, speaking with evasion. "Some of them -did see a boat pass down. It was not the Yazoo City; but an up-river -boat from the Ohio, I believe."</p> - -<p>"Oh! in that case the City will be along yet. She ought to be near now. -I'll go down to the landing to look out for her. You don't mind sending -one of your niggers to fetch my horse back to the house here? There's -one of mine coming after, to take him home."</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," said Henry, evidently pleased at the prospect of his -visitor making such a short stay. "One of them shall go down with you -at once."</p> - -<p>"And look ye, Henry Woodley!" continued Bradley, with a change of tone, -"now that I'm here, I may as well tell you what I intend doing. I want -that $2,000. I want it d—d bad; and I mean to have it. I've asked -you for it half a score of times, till I'm sick of asking. And now -I'll give you till I come back from Orleans, which will be in about a -fortnight. If you can't pay then, why I must get judgment on the bill, -and take some of your niggers. I'm sorry to be sharp with you; but I -must have the money."</p> - -<p>"When you come back—a fortnight you say—perhaps I may have—"</p> - -<p>The debtor was thinking that before a fortnight's time he might be -relieved of his liability in a way his creditor little expected.</p> - -<p>"Oh! d—n your <i>perhaps</i>!" rudely interrupted the latter. "If you don't -have it—Hilloa! what's that?"</p> - -<p>As he uttered this exclamation, we could hear Bradley rushing further -out upon the porch, as if to inform himself of something that was -passing outside.</p> - -<p>There was an interval of profound stillness, and through a side-window -in the drawing-room, in which the casement stood open, we could -distinguish faint and far off the hollow sound of the "scape-pipe."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, it's the boat! Ten chances to one if I'll be in time to catch -her. Send after me for the horse!"</p> - -<p>As he issued this impudent command, the unwelcome visitor hurried on -through the gate, leaped into the saddle and went off at a gallop along -the road, toward the landing.</p> - -<p>As promised, a negro was dispatched after to take charge of his horse, -and for some time we all listened in great anxiety. If Bradley should -miss the boat, he would be sure to come back to the house and perhaps -remain there waiting for another. This would be a serious interference -with our plans, and might end in altogether defeating them, by his -discovering of our presence upon the plantation!</p> - -<p>It was a pleasant sound, that continued hissing of steam, that came -borne upon the breeze from the direction of the river.</p> - -<p>It told us that the boat was laying to, to take on board a passenger, -who could be no other than Nat Bradley.</p> - -<p>This was soon after confirmed by the return of his horse, ridden by the -darky with the saddle stripped of its bags.</p> - -<p>The planter pirate had posted to New Orleans to dispose of his late -capture, perfectly unsuspicious that the owner was so near, and at the -same time taking measures for the recovery of the spoil.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXIV.</p> - -<p class="center">THE WHITE KERCHIEF.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">While</span> thanking the Yazoo City for having so opportunely disembarrassed -us of the presence of Nat Bradley, we felt that he must be followed as -speedily as possible.</p> - -<p>If the flat had been taken on direct after leaving Devil's Island—and -in all likelihood it had—it should reach New Orleans in four days at -the furthest. Its crew would convey it as fast as possible, knowing the -danger of delay. They could assist the current with a pair of sweeps, -with which the craft was provided.</p> - -<p>The Yazoo City would be there before them, but how about the boat by -which we ourselves should have to make the journey?</p> - -<p>There was no certainty when another steamboat might come along. It -might be in an hour, but it might also be two or three days. A delay of -the latter kind would be fatal to our scheme.</p> - -<p>Once alongside the flat-boat-wharf on the New Orleans levee, it would -not take much time to discharge the cargo, and remove it to some safe -place of storage; and, as for the flat itself, it could be disposed of -in a single night. We might reach New Orleans to find no trace either -of boat or cotton, and as for the worthies composing the crew, it would -be ten chances to one of our ever setting eyes on any of them again.</p> - -<p>The cotton itself might be discovered. That was probable enough. -It could not go aboard ship without undergoing the process of the -cotton-press. This would cause delay, and it could be found either in -the shed, attached to one of the great presses, or in the storing-house -of a broker.</p> - -<p>But when found, what then? It bore Bradley's plantation-mark along with -his name. He would be upon the spot himself ready to swear to it, and -Walter Woodley could not do the same.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the young Tennessean was not so sure of being able to identify -the flat. He had taken but little notice of it, when being built and -laden, leaving all that to Black and his assistant Stinger.</p> - -<p>Among these boats there is as much similarity as between the bales of -cotton.</p> - -<p>My identification of either craft or cargo would be still more -doubtful. I could only make it good by finding the crew aboard of it, -to all three of whom I could swear distinctly. But to bring Bradley -within the power of the law, something more would be required than the -testimony I was yet able to give. It would be necessary to connect him -with the other three, either as their confederate or chief.</p> - -<p>This could be done by allowing him to deal with the cotton on its -arrival in New Orleans, taking care to secure the others before they -had parted from the flat.</p> - -<p>To do this we must reach New Orleans as soon as they, or not many hours -after. A single day behind that of their arrival, and we might be too -late.</p> - -<p>Walter was surprised to find that his brother owed Nat Bradley two -thousand dollars. I could see, however, that he scarce regretted it. It -explained that sinister attachment which existed between the two, and -which it had grieved him to think was a friendship. Now he knew it to -be of a different nature, and preferred the knowledge.</p> - -<p>"Never mind about the debt, Walt," said Henry, in answer to the inquiry -as to how it had been contracted. "It is not <i>honestly due</i>; and, if -we succeed in bringing the scoundrel to justice, I suppose I shall be -released from the liability."</p> - -<p>"Ah! and if our suspicions prove true, I shall lose twice the amount, -even if I recover my cotton."</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"Why, my negroes—four of the best hands we had. Poor fellows, I care -not so much for the money, but to think that they have been made away -with—murdered. It is fearful!"</p> - -<p>"It is, indeed," said the elder, and less sentimental brother. "But in -any case you will not lose by that, I mean in money. There are plenty -of likely hands on Nat Bradley's plantation, though I've never known -much of either it or them. Of course you can recover the full value of -what you have lost; and, if it all prove true, you will have to proceed -against Mr. Bradley's heirs instead of himself. There's not a moment -to be lost. In my opinion, the best way would be for you, brother, to -ride down to Natchez as fast as a horse can carry you, and see if you -can get a boat there. There might be one of the Natchez and New Orleans -packets starting at once; besides, you have still the chance of the -up-river boat. If you get one before to-morrow night you will be in -good time. Once in New Orleans, go direct to our old friend Charles -Sawyer, who's practicing law among the creoles. He's sharp enough for -what we want. You'll find his office in St. Charles street, near the -Hotel. I can stay and watch our own landing, and follow by the first -boat. Our friend here, I hope, will have no objection to go down along -with me. Without him we would be helpless. You would lose your cotton, -and I should have to pay a debt contracted with a swindler, which, but -for foul play, I should never have been owing."</p> - -<p>Henry Woodley seemed all at once to have changed his character, -displaying an energy for which I had not given him credit. Perhaps -it might be accounted for by his hope of getting rid of an incubus -hitherto harassing him.</p> - -<p>"Now, Walt!" he continued, "get ready to ride at top speed for -Natchez. I'll order you the best horse in my stable." "Yao, Dick!" he -cried, stepping out into the porch, and hailing one of the negroes seen -outside the inclosure. "Put the saddle on the sorrel mare, and bring -her round to the gate. Be quick about it."</p> - -<p>In a few minutes the sorrel stood by the gate, Miss Woodley wondering -about the preparations.</p> - -<p>"Never mind, Corneel!" said her brother, in answer to her request for -an explanation. "Walter is called to New Orleans on pressing business, -and I am going to take boat for Natchez. I shall have to go down myself -by the next snorter that comes along; and, as our young friend here -promises to accompany me, we can't leave you alone. So you must make -the trip too. On the way down I may let you into our secret. Now will -that content you?"</p> - -<p>Miss Woodley made no response. She smiled and seemed satisfied. The -bantering tone in which her brother spoke, implied that there could not -be much amiss. I too felt content at the prospect of having her for a -fellow-passenger, on board a Mississippi steamboat.</p> - -<p>I could not help remembering that it was in a similar situation I had -first surrendered to her charms.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And after all, Walter went with us. There was no need for going that -long gallop to Natchez.</p> - -<p>Just as he was setting foot in the stirrup, the well-known "boom" of a -steamboat was heard, awakening the echoes of the woods. It came from -the up-river direction.</p> - -<p>"Quick, Walt!" cried his brother. "Ride down to the landing, and signal -her to stop. A white handkerchief will do it. Have you got one?"</p> - -<p>"Here," said the fair "Corneel," gliding like a sylph toward the gate, -and handing him her bit of embroidered "cambric." "I suppose this will -do?"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" thought I, giving way to a romantic fancy, "for the possession of -such a trophy, the Spanish Armada might have come to an anchor."</p> - -<p>Walter posted like a thunderbolt, while his brother and sister -commenced packing their portmanteaus. I had none to pack, and remained -standing in the porch, listening for the stopping of the approaching -steamer.</p> - -<p>I could soon tell that the signal had been successful. The "bark" of -the boat, heard at short intervals, became changed to a hiss—a sure -sign that the play of the engine was suspended.</p> - -<p>Shortly after, the booming recommenced; but the frequent ringing of the -pilot's bell told that the boat was being brought in to the landing.</p> - -<p>This is only true of the inferior class of boats, or where the -passenger expected is supposed to be one worth consideration. There -were few captains on the river that would not have laid to for a -Woodley, and fewer still could they have told that the white signal was -the kerchief of the fair Cornelia.</p> - -<p>On our arrival at the landing, we found the boat, with staging-plank -out and ready. It was no humble "stern-wheel" that had thus -condescended; but the noble "Sultana," in whose luxuriant saloons we -steamed toward the "Crescent City."</p> - -<p>Before arriving at our destination, we had the satisfaction to know -that the planter pirate did not precede us. On passing Point Coupee, -we also passed a little steamboat, and left her pulling asthmatically -behind us. Upon her paddle-boxes we could read the lettering, "Yazoo -City."</p> - -<p>Still more to the purpose, we saw standing upon the hurricane-deck the -man who was causing us to make the <i>improvised</i> voyage—the planter -pirate.</p> - -<p>We saw him through the green <i>jalousies</i> of a "state-room," taking care -he should not see us. Even then, the sight of any of our party, or his -suspicion of our being aboard the Sultana, might have defeated our -plans. We gave him no chance for either one or the other.</p> - -<p>He was standing alone—abaft the pilot-house—apparently wrapt in -contemplation. He may have been thinking of the future—of the disposal -of his plunder. Or was his mind dwelling upon the past—upon the dark -deeds which he had no doubt committed? It might be that his thoughts -were still more bitterly occupied, with that fair being who stood by my -side, and who now regarded him only with disgust.</p> - -<p>I cared not to speculate on the past. I felt confident that between Nat -Bradley and Cornelia Woodley there had been no <i>compromise</i>. Whatever -there had been, enough to know that it was now over.</p> - -<p>The big boat passed on, leaving the Yazoo City dancing like a waif in -her wake. Behind the glass shed, that sheltered the pilot, Nat Bradley -disappeared from my sight.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In less than twenty hours after, we were passing Lafayette; and the -grand dome of the St. Charles Hotel came under our eyes, rising high -above the roofs of the Crescent City.</p> - -<p>"We must not go there," suggested Henry Woodley, pointing to the -conspicuous object.</p> - -<p>"And why?" asked Walter. "It is the best hotel in New Orleans, is it -not?"</p> - -<p>"True," answered the elder brother, wiser in the ways of the great -Southern city. "By all titles the best. But just for that reason must -we shun it. We should not be twenty-four hours under its roof before -finding for a fellow-guest the man we have no wish to encounter."</p> - -<p>"Ah! I understand you," answered the Tennesseean. "You think that he -will go there?"</p> - -<p>"Sure of it. I know the St. Charles to be his regular stopping-place. -I've seen him there in its grand drinking-saloon, swaggering among the -loudest of its bullies."</p> - -<p>"In that case we had best go elsewhere."</p> - -<p>"We must do so. We can stop somewhere in the French quarters—at the -St. Louis, or even some more humble hostelry. It will never do for him -to know that we are in New Orleans, and as for our young friend here, -he must keep out of sight until the time when his testimony be required -to seal the fate of these scoundrels, whose exposure will perhaps -explain why so many flats have gone to the bottom of the Mississippi. -No doubt, sir," continued the speaker, turning to me with an odd air of -jocularity, "you will be able to clear the character of the hurricane."</p> - -<p>By this time the Sultana had commenced sounding her pilot-bells—those -mysterious signals by which the steersman communicates his wishes to -the Vulcan-like individual who stands by the engine below.</p> - -<p>The effect was soon apparent by the boat rounding to in the stream, and -bringing up alongside the levee.</p> - -<p>With our light luggage, we were soon inside a two-horse coach, and -trotting over the oyster-shells toward the St. Louis Hotel.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXV.</p> - -<p class="center">A LOUISIANA LAWYER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Once</span> installed in our hotel, we proceeded upon the business that -brought us to New Orleans. The lawyer was looked up, and the -circumstances laid before him.</p> - -<p>Charley Sawyer appeared far less surprised by the story than might have -been expected. Though still but a young man, he had been long enough -in the Crescent City to become acquainted with the inner secrets of -its social life. Engaged in practice at its criminal court, he had -met with those strange types of crime for which New Orleans has been -historically distinguished. As to our plan of proceeding, his advice -corresponded with what we had already conceived.</p> - -<p>"Although every thing seems straight for bringing the scoundrels -to justice," said he, "we must proceed with caution. The law here -is rather a rough institution as yet; and where men's liberty is -concerned—to say nothing of their lives—the testimony must be clear -and positive. If they have actually killed the poor negroes, there must -be no loophole left for them to escape—not one of them, and least of -all their chief. Bradley must be permitted to <i>sell the cotton</i>. That -will be needed to connect him with the theft, robbery, or whatever we -may have to call it."</p> - -<p>"But suppose he have no opportunity?" suggested Walter Woodley. "There -may not be anyone to purchase it all at once."</p> - -<p>"No fear of that. I shall myself find him a purchaser. By good luck -I chance to be acquainted with a cotton-broker who can be trusted in -such a delicate negotiation. He can offer such a price as will secure -a trade; and before the money be paid over we can get a warrant by -deposition, and lodge Messrs. Bradley, Black & Co. in the calaboose. -After that, the thing should be easy enough.</p> - -<p>"And now," continued the lawyer, "we must act; and the first thing is, -to find out whether the flat has got in. Would any of you know the -boat? You, Mr. Walter Woodley, ought to be able to identify your own -property."</p> - -<p>"I really don't think I can," replied the young planter; "but I should -know Black and Stinger, the men in charge. I could see them aboard."</p> - -<p>"True. But they might also see you, if you went near enough to -distinguish them. That would never do."</p> - -<p>"I fancy I can manage that part of it," I suggested. "Black can be but -slightly acquainted with my face, though I shall never forget his. By -sacrificing my mustache, and borrowing a pair of whiskers from one of -these creole <i>costumers</i>—that and a change of dress would do, would it -not?"</p> - -<p>"The very thing," said the astute Sawyer. "You can put on a light -camlet cloak—they are worn here. It will conceal the mark Mr. Black -has for the time put upon you. That, with a broad-brimmed palmetto -hat, and a pair of <i>cottonade</i> trowsers, will turn you into a creole -complete. As for you, Henry Woodley, and your brother, your best plan -will be for both of you to go back to the hotel, stay within doors, and -wait till I communicate with you. It will not do for either to be seen -in the streets—at least till we get the birds safe inside the cage."</p> - -<p>In obedience to Sawyer's instructions the two brothers returned to -the hotel, while I remained in his office to make the transformation -required.</p> - -<p>In order to avoid suspicion, a razor was obtained, and I did the -shaving myself. It was not altogether pleasant to part with my pet -mustaches; but I consoled myself with two thoughts—one that they would -grow again, and the other that before they did I should see the man who -had twice attempted my life stand in the felon's dock.</p> - -<p>The garments necessary for my disguise were readily got at one of the -levee "clothing stores," and the whiskers from a costume shop with -which New Orleans, noted for its masked balls, is abundantly provided.</p> - -<p>In less than an hour I was ready to play the part of a detective.</p> - -<p>With Mr. Sawyer acting as guide we sallied forth, and took our way -toward the flat-boat wharf.</p> - -<p>Those not acquainted with the New Orleans "levee" must be told that it -is a landing full four miles in length; that only a portion of it is -provided with wharves, strong wooden platforms, supported by piles, -driven deep into the river-bank. Between, are spaces where the natural -slope of the levee is left unfurnished with such structures, and -where boats, both flats and steamers, at low water, can project their -staging-planks into the mud.</p> - -<p>But by certain municipality laws the levee is apportioned, so that each -kind of craft—ships, steamboats, flats, and <i>rafts</i>—has a stretch of -shore appropriated to itself. There are the shipping wharves—two sets -of them—the steamboat wharves, and, last of all, that portion of the -levee set apart for the odd-looking embarkations known as "keels" and -"flat-boats."</p> - -<p>Of these there is usually a large "fleet" lying along shore—especially -at that time of the year when the up-country produce is floated down -from a hundred head-waters to the great depot and entrepot of the -Mississippi Valley.</p> - -<p>It was just then the season; and on reaching the flat-boat wharf, we -found some hundreds of these antediluvian-like structures lying against -the wharf, and so closely packed together that a man might have stepped -from the roof of one to the other, throughout the whole conglomeration.</p> - -<p>Sauntering along, without appearing to be particularly interested in -any of them, Mr. Sawyer and I proceeded to make our reconnoissance. -Most of them had their stagings out and were delivering their cargoes -on shore—hogsheads of sugar and tobacco, barrels of pork, and bags -of Indian corn. Some appeared to have been already emptied, and to be -watching for a purchaser who would break them up for firewood.</p> - -<p>There were a few lying a little way off from the levee, as if crowded -out of place, and waiting for a chance to come in.</p> - -<p>One of these particularly drew my attention. I fancied I had seen it -before. It was only a vague conjecture, but I could not help thinking -that it was the same craft on board of which I had spent some very -unpleasant hours, and from which I had been so unceremoniously ejected. -No one appeared above decks. Else I might have more easily identified -it.</p> - -<p>For some time my companion and I sauntered back and forward along -the levee, keeping an eye on this particular flat. I had already -communicated to him my suspicion that it was the one we were in search -of. We watched the hatch-door of the caboose; but, though standing -open, no one came out or went in; and no face could be seen.</p> - -<p>It at length occurred to me that if we could get aboard, I might find a -trace to satisfy me. There was no plank communicating with the shore; -but there was one to the adjacent boat, which was engaged in getting -out its cargo, and by using this, we could step to the roof of the -craft suspected.</p> - -<p>Sawyer led the way. A slight apology to the owner of the discharging -flat was sufficient to frank us; and we passed on over its roof, and -stepped across the chasm dividing the two.</p> - -<p>I had just time to see that Stinger, with his scrubbing-brush, had not -altogether effaced that hideous stain, when a head popped up through -the hatch, and a rough voice demanded "what we were doing there?" The -demand was prefaced by an oath. I had seen enough to satisfy me, before -perceiving that the speaker was Mr. Black; and without staying to hear -the reply, which I left the lawyer to make, I averted my face, and -returned, apparently unconcerned, to the shore.</p> - -<p>I could hear Mr. Sawyer making some excuse—that we were only exploring -out of idle curiosity; and then overtaking me, we sauntered from the -spot.</p> - -<p>"From your behavior," said he, as soon as we had got to a safe -distance, "I took it that our polite friend is one of the pirates. Is -it so?"</p> - -<p>"The man who gave me this," I replied, flirting up the corner of the -camlet cloak, and showing my slung limb.</p> - -<p>"So far good! We've treed the jackals; now for the lion himself. But -first let us make sure of the birds in hand, before going after that in -the bush. You stay here till I return to you."</p> - -<p>And without further speech the lawyer walked hurriedly away in the -direction of the houses. I did not quite comprehend the meaning of his -figurative language.</p> - -<p>It was soon made known, on his returning to me accompanied by a man -of that peculiar cast of countenance not easily mistaken. In his keen -inquiring eye, I could recognize the detective.</p> - -<p>"You see that flat," said Sawyer, at the same time casting his eyes in -a different direction—across the river to "Algiers." "I mean the one -next to that unloading the Cincinnati pork-barrels."</p> - -<p>"Ay, ay!" responded the detective, just glancing at the object spoken -of, and then also appearing interested in something supposed to be on -the opposite shore.</p> - -<p>"Very well," muttered the lawyer; "you will keep it under your eye, -take note of who comes ashore—who goes on board; and don't lose sight -of it, either by day or night, till it begins to get out its cargo, -which is cotton. As soon as you see the first bale rolled upon the bank -you come to my office as quick as your legs can carry you."</p> - -<p>"All right," signified the man, rather by a nod of the head than any -expressed speech; while Sawyer by a sign summoned me to follow him.</p> - -<p>"Now," said he, as we walked off together, "the first chapter is -complete, and we must proceed to the second. We've done, for the -time, with the flat. Let us go in for higher game, to be found upon a -steamboat."</p> - -<p>Saying this, Mr. Sawyer directed his steps toward the steamboat -wharves. I made no inquiry as to his purpose. It was plain to me; and I -accompanied him without making remark.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXVI.</p> - -<p class="center">THE SPY-GLASS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Ten</span> minutes' brisk walking brought us alongside that portion of -the levee set apart for steamboats—those huge embarkations of the -Mississippi, many of which are not inappropriately styled "floating -palaces."</p> - -<p>At least two score of them lay opposite the landing; some coming in, -others going out; some taking cargo aboard, and others discharging it -on the wharf.</p> - -<p>It was a crowded and busy scene; but unlike as among the flats, we -anticipated no difficulty in identifying the particular boat with which -we had business. We were in search of the "Yazoo City."</p> - -<p>A single stroll along the line, and we saw she was not there. Scarce -expecting her, we were pleased to discover she had not yet come in. It -was just what we wanted.</p> - -<p>"And now," said Mr. Sawyer, "we must stay till she does come in, and -follow on the track of the expected passenger. Where was it you passed -her?"</p> - -<p>"Near Point Coupee."</p> - -<p>"Let me see," said the lawyer, taking out his watch, and calculating -the time that had transpired since the arrival of the Sultana.</p> - -<p>"The Yazoo boat should have been in; she can not be long now, unless -indeed she has stopped somewhere along the coast to take in cargo. In -that case we may have a protracted vigil of it. It's not very pleasant -standing in this hot sun. Besides it looks rather queer you carrying -your cloak about your shoulders. Unfortunately we can not do this -business by deputy, as it wants some one who knows our man by sight. -For myself, I never saw Mr. Nat Bradley, though I've heard some strange -stories about him, almost as strange as that you've told me. Confound -that cloak! Those fellows appear to take notice of it. Stay! I have it. -I think I see a better place from which to make observation—at all -events we shall escape it ourselves. This way."</p> - -<p>Without knowing the intention of my chaperone, I followed him. He had -turned short off from the steamboat-wharf, and was proceeding in the -direction of the houses that fronted upon the levee some two hundred -yards from the river's bank.</p> - -<p>"You see that restaurant?" he said, pointing to a large establishment -toward which we were wending.</p> - -<p>I answered in the affirmative.</p> - -<p>"There is a saloon on the second floor, with open windows. Go up there -and call for a couple of 'sherry cobblers.' I will be with you by the -time they are mixed."</p> - -<p>I did as directed, passing inside the restaurant, making my way -up-stairs, and ordering the iced drinks.</p> - -<p>The lawyer came in along with them. I could see that he had a telescope -in his hand, fresh purchased from a "store."</p> - -<p>"The very place for our purpose," he said, walking to one of the -windows and glancing at the steamboats. "The Yazoo City can't come in -without our seeing her from here, and with the help of this magnifier -we may bring Mr. Bradley near enough to recognization. What!" he -continued, placing the telescope to his eye, and looking along the -levee; "have we a view of the flat as well? By my word we have. I can -see the pork-boat—the flat itself, and Riggs, on post where we left -him, as plain as the dome of St. Charles. Good! We shall now know the -movements both of Mr. Bradley and his confederates, without getting out -of our chairs. So no more about them for the present. Let's see how we -can kill time with our sherry cobblers."</p> - -<p>We had not much time to kill. We had only just commenced sipping -through our straws, when we heard a "chuck, chuck" in the direction of -Lafayette; and, looking up the river, we beheld a small boat making -down for the wharves.</p> - -<p>Her straight sides told she was a "stern-wheeler," but as she forged -round in the crescent-like bend from which New Orleans derives one -of its well-known names, my companion, with the glass at his eye, -pronounced her the Yazoo City.</p> - -<p>"Here!" he said, as the boat began to draw toward the wharf, "it's -your turn with the telescope. Get Mr. Bradley in your field of vision, -and keep him there till he comes near enough for the naked eye. What -a divine conception my thinking of the spy-glass—quite a new idea in -detection. We're not only saved exposure to the hot sun, but my man -will never suspect the presence of a spy. If he should see us looking -out of the window, he'd be cunning to guess our object."</p> - -<p>The lawyer continued to talk, but I paid only slight attention to what -he was saying. I knew it was only to fill up the time. I had got the -Yazoo City in the field-view of the telescope and was raking her fore -and aft in search of our pirate passenger.</p> - -<p>I soon discovered the object of my search. He was upon the guards, near -the top of the stairs leading down to the boiler-deck. I could make out -a pair of saddle-bags hanging over his arm. I knew it was the whole of -his luggage, and that he was prepared to step ashore as soon as the -staging was shot out.</p> - -<p>I announced my discovery to my companion.</p> - -<p>"Let me have a squint at him," he requested. "It may be as well for -me to get acquainted with the phiz of the interesting gentleman, and -see how it will figure in a court of justice. In a Panama hat and blue -cottonades, you say?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; on the saloon deck, close to the head of the stairway."</p> - -<p>"I have got his precious picture in my eye. Dressed like a dandy, too! -Patent boots, and grand ruffled shirt! What a flash swaggerer! Let me -see—let me see. I think I've seen that fellow before."</p> - -<p>While my companion still kept his eye to the telescope, as if to -familiarize himself with the person of the pirate planter, the little -boat struggled into her place, shoved out her staging, and gave the -impatient passengers a chance of stepping ashore.</p> - -<p>Now that I had recognized him I no longer required the glass, and I -could see that Mr. Bradley was among the first to take advantage of it.</p> - -<p>As soon as he had reached the crest of the levee, he turned along it in -the direction of the flat-boat landing.</p> - -<p>"Good!" whispered Sawyer. "Just as I expected. We shall not have long -to wait before something turns up that will enable us to trap him."</p> - -<p>"Should we not follow him?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet. Better let him first go down to the flat—aboard if he -intends it. We can see what he does through this. When he comes ashore -again, then it will be time enough to track him to his hotel. Such a -grand fellow as that, unless he have some secret haunt of his own, will -be sure to put up at the St. Charles. Yes! he's making direct for the -flat!"</p> - -<p>I could see this myself; but after a time, though the distance was -still near enough for the naked eye, the pirate became mixed among the -levee crowd of promenaders, and was lost to my sight.</p> - -<p>"Good again!" muttered my companion. "He's going aboard the boat.... -No! one of the crew coming ashore to meet him. It's the same who so -politely received us.... Now they are together on the levee, and -engaged in conversation. I wish we could only hear it. No doubt it -would help our testimony a bit. Riggs has got his eyes upon them; -askant, like a drake listening to thunder. Come! we must quit this, or -he may escape us. As he's not going aboard, he won't stay long on the -levee. We shall get down there about the time he has finished that bit -of private conversation. Come!"</p> - -<p>Tossing off what remained of the "cobblers," without the intervention -of the straw, we paid the score, passed out into the street, and turned -toward the flat-boat landing.</p> - -<p>The lawyer had guessed the time truly. As we advanced along the line -of shop fronts, we came once more in sight of him in the ruffled shirt -and sky-blue cottonades. He was just parting from Black, who, having -received his instructions, hurried back to the cotton-boat.</p> - -<p>Bradley himself came crossing toward the houses, on his way to a hotel, -which proving to be the St. Charles, once more made good the conjecture -of my companion.</p> - -<p>As we dogged him up Poydras street, across Tchoupatoulas and Camp, and -into the great domed hostelry of St. Charles, he little dreamt that the -spies of justice were treading so close upon his heels.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXVII.</p> - -<p class="center">THE DEPOSITIONS.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I was</span> curious to know what would be the next step in the strategy of -the New Orleans lawyer. I was not left long to speculate upon it.</p> - -<p>"Now," he said, hurrying off once more in the direction of the levee, -"I want a man willing to buy two hundred bales of cotton, without -losing any time or making cavil as to price."</p> - -<p>"You will not find such a man, I should think."</p> - -<p>"I will! and in ten minutes' time, if I mistake not. Come and see!"</p> - -<p>After passing two or three blocks in less than the time stipulated, -my chaperone entered the door of a large warehouse-like building, on -the front of which appeared, painted in large black letters, "CHEETHAM, -<span class="smcap">Cotton-Broker</span>."</p> - -<p>I had just deciphered this lettering as Mr. Sawyer came out, bringing -the cotton-broker along with him.</p> - -<p>After hastily introducing me to Mr. Cheetham, the lawyer led off -through the street in the direction of his office, my new acquaintance -and myself close following.</p> - -<p>The office was not far off, and we were soon inside it. Mr. Cheetham -was told the reason why he had been dragged from his desk, and, for the -third time making good the words of my singular companion, consented at -once to make purchase of the cotton.</p> - -<p>I was not so much surprised at this, having taken part in the -explanation. Of course the cotton-broker was told the whole story, and -the scheme by which the pirates were to be punished.</p> - -<p>I was far more astonished at the matter-of-fact manner in which Mr. -Cheetham listened to the details of the piracy, and the suspected -assassination of the negroes, events which to me seemed tragical enough -to startle the coldest imagination.</p> - -<p>But I knew it was only caused by the commonness of such crimes, in a -land then almost lawless, and not by any want of feeling on the part of -Mr. Cheetham.</p> - -<p>On the contrary, he entered warmly into the scheme for the conviction -of the malefactors.</p> - -<p>While we were still discussing it, a man entered the outer door, and -soon after protruded his face inside that of the office. It was the -vidette we had left on the levee.</p> - -<p>"Well, Riggs," asked the lawyer, "what movements?"</p> - -<p>"Thar rolling the cotton ashore."</p> - -<p>"Good; we must go and buy it."</p> - -<p>"You'll have to be quick, then. They've engaged a lot of drays. I -reckon they're about taking it to a storage."</p> - -<p>The lawyer seemed to reflect.</p> - -<p>"After all, let them," he said; "we can follow it there. But no," -he continued, after another spell of considering; "you must see it, -Cheetham, as it comes out of the boat. If you go too soon to where they -are storing it, it might cause suspicion. Your best way is to drop down -to the wharf, ask for a sample of the cotton, say you are ready to buy, -and then you will ascertain who has the selling of it. After that you -can conclude the bargain anywhere—at the St. Charles Hotel, if Mr. -Bradley prefer it. Meanwhile, I must be off to a magistrate to get out -a warrant against the fellows upon the flat, lest they give us the slip -as soon as their ark is empty.</p> - -<p>"Riggs, you first show Mr. Cheetham the cotton, then take a coach to -the St. Louis Hotel, ask for Mr. Henry Woodley, and tell him and his -brother to come here at once. After that, coach it back to the wharf, -and see where they are taking the stuff to. You can follow the drays at -a distance, and don't be seen in company with Mr. Cheetham. Old birds, -such as these appear to be, may scent the lime about you. Go, Cheetham; -buy the cotton; pay what price you choose—on a credit. But don't pay -cash for it, till you draw upon me!"</p> - -<p>Smiling at these jocular instructions, the cotton-broker went off to -obey them, Riggs going before him to point out the commodity he was to -purchase.</p> - -<p>"Now, sir," said the lawyer, turning to me, "we shall want your -assistance—the most important of all. Without it our case might come -to nothing. We must wait for the Woodleys. Walter can make a charge, as -the owner of the cotton and the negroes. God help us! Henry's testimony -won't be worth much, still it will strengthen the depositions you are -able to make. Once we get the lot in limbo, we shall find plenty of -evidence. We shall make a trip to the Devil's Island, and see what's at -the bottom of the lagoon. It's terrible to think of it. Take a cigar, -and let's talk about something else."</p> - -<p>I did as desired, and lighting our cigars, we conversed upon lighter -subjects.</p> - -<p>In due time the Woodleys made their appearance; and we all went to the -office of an alderman.</p> - -<p>The depositions were formally made, and we obtained a warrant for -Black, Stinger, and the third individual whose name was unknown. We -regretted not being able to include the name of Nathaniel Bradley, but -we hoped soon to return to the seat of justice, better provided with -data for an affidavit.</p> - -<p>The alderman was asked to keep our secret until the time came off for -committal, which of course he promised to do, and we returned to the -office of the attorney to await the action of Cheetham.</p> - -<p>We had not been there many minutes when the cotton-broker came in. His -countenance betokens success.</p> - -<p>"Well?" inquired Sawyer.</p> - -<p>"I've bought it—every bale."</p> - -<p>"From whom?"</p> - -<p>"From a Mississippi planter, by name Nathaniel Bradley."</p> - -<p>"Cheap?" jokingly inquired the lawyer.</p> - -<p>"So cheap that I wish it was a bona-fide purchase. I found Mr. Bradley -by no means exacting as to price. He closed with my first bid. I'm to -meet him at the St. Charles to-morrow, and pay down the cash. Meanwhile -the cotton is being sent to the Empire Press subject to my orders, -on its being paid for. I suppose you have no objection to that, Mr. -Woodley?"</p> - -<p>"Not the slightest," replied the Tennessee planter; "any press so long -as I can recover it."</p> - -<p>"Now, gentlemen," said Sawyer, "I want you all to go with me to the -alderman's office; but let us scatter, and march two, two and one. -Five such formidable people in the streets together might look as if -we intended storming the municipality. Cheetham, you know the place; -take Mr. Henry Woodley. And you, sir," continued the lawyer, addressing -himself to me, "have not forgotten it. May I request you to become the -guide of your friend Walter? As for myself you will find me at the -fountain of justice."</p> - -<p>We started from the lawyer's office, going as directed; and soon after -returned to it armed with the authority we had sought.</p> - -<p>That night, Nathaniel Bradley, William Black, James Stinger, and a man -whose name we were able to insert into the warrant as Lemuel Croucher, -and whose condition we discovered to be that of overseer on the -aforesaid Bradley's plantation, found lodgings in the common calaboose -of the Crescent City.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XXVIII.</p> - -<p class="center">CONVICTION.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">I shall</span> not wear the patience of my reader with the details of the -trial that followed. Enough for him to know that we succeeded in -securing a conviction, against all four of the accused. They were -convicted not only of piracy, but murder, of which we found the proofs, -alas too clear!</p> - -<p>In dragging the lagoon to strengthen our testimony with the scraps of -cotton-bagging I had seen the pirate sinking below the surface, an -appalling object was brought up on the prongs of the drag—the body of -a negro that had been kept at anchor below by a bag of iron tied around -the neck.</p> - -<p>His face was disfigured by the slashes of a knife; but not so much as -to hinder Walter Woodley from identifying him as one of the four who -had been sent to assist in the navigation of the flat.</p> - -<p>There was a bullet-hole through his breast, no doubt from the shot I -had heard fired when half asleep, followed by that death shriek that so -long rung in my ears.</p> - -<p>We searched for the other three, dragging the whole lagoon, as well as -the strait that led into it. They could not be found. In all likelihood -their bodies had been sunk in the deep channel of the river—a safer -place of concealment.</p> - -<p>Why one had been brought up the lagoon we could not tell, unless it was -that he had been killed outside, and allowed to lie upon the flat, for -the want of time, while turning out of the current, to dispose of his -body by flinging it overboard.</p> - -<p>We succeeded in fishing up the bundles of cast bagging, that carried -the Woodley mark; and, along with them, two other lots of older date, -and bearing a different brand. One set of these was gone to rottenness -and rags; on the other could still be deciphered a name and mark that -led to its identification. It had covered the cotton of that missing -boat belonging to the Arkansas planter, of which Henry Woodley had -heard.</p> - -<p>How many of these horrid tragedies had been enacted on the Devil's -Island it was impossible to say, but certainly one every year. No -wonder at planter Bradley becoming rapidly rich! No wonder at the -Devil's Island being deemed a haunted spot, inspiring terror among the -black-skinned creatures who had occasion to go near it. To many of -them, its gloomy lagoon, or the swift current sweeping around it, had -proved more destructive than the fancied demon of their superstitious -fears.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>We had no difficulty in making out the case clear against the pirates; -but, although we proved them guilty of the double crime—robbery and -murder—to say nothing of the attempt at assassinating myself—the -severest sentence that could be obtained was <i>penitentiary for life</i>! -There was no proof of their having murdered <i>a white man</i>!</p> - -<p>Bradley did not submit long to his confinement. In less than a year -afterward, I heard that he had put an end to his life.</p> - -<p>As to Black, Stinger, and Croucher, for what I know to the contrary, -all three may be still inside the strong walls of the Louisiana State -prison, working out their tedious term of compulsory penitence.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I might turn to other themes, and describe scenes of a more tranquil -character. But no doubt, by this time the reader is tired of my -narrative. He will not care to listen to the oft-told tale, the old, -old story, as it was told to Cornelia Woodley. Suffice it to say, that -she listened to, liked it, and said "Yes."</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class= "ph2" style="margin-top: 10em;">A MARVEL OF BEAUTY!</p> - -<p><i>A New Series by the New Art!</i></p> - -<p class="center">THE ILLUMINATED DIME</p> - -<p class="center">POCKET NOVELS!</p> - -<p>Comprising the best works only of the most popular living writers -in the field of American Romance. 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Ready.</p> - -<p>No. 5—Nat Wolfe; or, The Gold Hunters. A Romance of Pike's Peak and -New York. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. Ready.</p> - -<p>No. 6—The White Tracker; or, The Panther of the Plains. By the author -of "The Boy Miners." Ready.</p> - -<p>No. 7—The Outlaw's Wife; or, The Valley Ranche. A Tale of California -Life. By Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. Ready.</p> - -<p>No. 8—The Tall Trapper; or, The Flower of the Blackfeet. By Albert W. -Aiken. Ready.</p> - -<p>No. 9—Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Santa Fe Trail. By Capt. J. F. -C. Adams. Ready</p> - -<p>No. 10—The Island Pirate. A Tale of the Mississippi. By Capt. Mayne -Reid. Ready.</p> - -<p>No. 11—The Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress of the Golden Horn. By Oll -Coomes. Ready Nov. 24th.</p> - -<p>No. 12—Bess, the Trapper. A Tale of the Far South-west. By the author -of "Boy Miners," "White Tracker," etc. Ready Dec. 8th.</p></blockquote> - -<p>For sale by all newsdealers; or sent, <i>post-paid</i>, to any address on -receipt of price—<i>ten cents</i> each.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">98 William Street, New York</span><br /> -</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ISLAND PIRATE, A TALE OF THE MISSISSIPPI ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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