Matilda Montgomerie; Or, The Prophecy Fulfilled

by Major Richardson

  CHAPTER XII.

  At day-break on the morning of Sunday, the 16th of August, the fire fromthe batteries was resumed, and with a fury that must have satisfied theAmericans, even had they been ignorant of the purpose, it was intendedto cover some ulterior plan of operation on the part of the BritishGeneral. Their own object appeared rather to make preparation of defenceagainst the threatened assault, than to return a cannonade, which,having attained its true range, excessively annoyed and occasioned themmuch loss. Meanwhile every precaution had been taken to secure the safetransport of the army. The flotilla, considerably superior at the outsetof the war, to that of the Americans, had worked up the river during thenight, and, anchored in the middle, lay with their broadsides ready toopen upon any force that might appear to oppose the landing of thetroops, while numerous scows, for the transport of a light brigade ofhorse artillery, and all the boats and batteaux that could be collected,added to those of the fleet, lay covering the sands, ready to receivetheir destined burdens. At length the embarkation was completed, and thesignal having been given, the several divisions of boats moved off inthe order prescribed to them. Never did a more picturesque scene presentitself to the human eye, than during the half hour occupied in thetransit of this little army. The sun was just rising gloriously andunclouded, as the first division of boats pushed from the shore, andevery object within the British and American line of operation, tendedto the production of an effect that was little in unison with theanticipated issue of the whole. Not a breeze ruffled the fair face ofthe placid Detroit, through which the heavily laden boats now made theirslow, but certain way; and a spectator who, in utter ignorance ofevents, might have been suddenly placed on the Canadian bank, would havebeen led to imagine that a fete, not a battle, was intended. Immediatelyabove the village of Sandwich, and in full view of the American Fort,lay the English flotilla at anchor, their white sails half clewed up,their masts decked with gay pendants, and their taffrails with ensignsthat lay drooping over their sterns in the water, as if too indolent tobear up against the coming sultriness of the day. Below these,glittering in bright scarlet that glowed not unpleasingly on the silverystream, the sun's rays dancing on their polished muskets andaccoutrements, glided, like gay actors in an approaching pageant, thecolumns destined for the assault--while further down, and distributedfar and wide over the expanse of water, were to be seen a multitude ofcanoes filled with Indian warriors, whose war costume could not, in thedistance, be distinguished from that of the dance--the wholecontributing, with the air of quietude on both shores, and absence ofall opposition on the American especially, to inspire feelings ofjoyousness and pleasure, rather than the melancholy consequent on aknowledge of the final destination of the whole. Nor would the incessantthunder of the cannon in the distance, have in any way diminished thisimpression; for as the volumes of smoke, vomited from the opposingbatteries, met and wreathed themselves together in the centre of thestream, leaving at intervals the gay colors of England and Americabrightly displayed to the view, the impression, to a spectator, wouldhave been that of one who witnesses the exchange of military honorsbetween two brave and friendly powers, preparing the one to confer, theother to receive all the becoming courtesies of a chivalroushospitality. If anything were wanting to complete the illusion, thesound of the early mass bell, summoning to the worship of that God whomno pageantry of man may dispossess of homage, would amply crown andheighten the effect of the whole, while the chanting of the hymn ofadoration would appear a part of the worship of the Deity, and of thepageantry itself.

  Vying each with the other who should first gain the land, the exertionsof the several rowers increased, as the distance to be traverseddiminished, so that many arrived simultaneously at the beach. Forming inclose column of sections as they landed, the regular troops occupied theroad, their right flank resting on the river, while a strong body ofIndians under Round-head, Split-log, and Walk-in-the-water, scouring theopen country beyond, completely guarded their left from surprise. Amongthe first to reach the shore, was the gallant General, the planner ofthe enterprise, who with his personal staff, crossed the river in thebarge of the Commodore, steered by that officer himself. During theshort period that the columns were delayed for the landing of theartillery, necessarily slower in their movements, a short conferenceamong the leaders, to whom were added Tecumseh and Colonel D'Egville, asto their final operations, took place. Never did the noble Indian appearto greater advantage than on this occasion. A neat hunting dress, ofsmoked deer-skin, handsomely ornamented, covered his fine and athleticperson, while the swarthiness of his cheek and dazzling lustre of hiseye were admirably set off, not only by the snow-white linen which hungloose and open about his throat, but by a full turban, in which waved asplendid white ostrich feather, the much prized gift, as we have alreadyobserved, of Mrs. D'Egville. Firmly seated on his long-tailed greycharger, which he managed with a dexterity uncommon to his race, hiswarrior and commanding air might have called up the image of aTamerlane, or Genghis Khan, were it not known that, to the more savagequalities of these, he united others that would lend lustre to the mostcivilized potentates. There was, however, that ardor of expression inhis eye which rumor had ascribed to him, whenever an appeal to armsagainst the deadly foe of his country was about to be made, that couldnot fail to endear him to the soldier hearts of those who stood around,and to inspire them with a veneration and esteem, not even surpassed bywhat they entertained for their own immediate leader, who in his turn,animated by the inspiriting scene and confident in his own powers,presented an appearance so anticipatory of coming success, that theleast sanguine could not fail to be encouraged by it.

  It had been arranged that, on the landing of the troops, the flotillashould again weigh anchor, and approach as near as possible to theAmerican fort, with a view, in conjunction with the batteries, to across-fire that would cover the approach of the assaulting columns. TheIndians, meanwhile, were to disperse themselves throughout the skirts ofthe forest, and, headed by the Chiefs already named, to advance underwhatever they might find in the shape of hedges, clumps of trees, orfields, sufficiently near to maintain a heavy fire from their rifles onsuch force as might appear on the ramparts to oppose the assault--a taskin which they were to be assisted by the brigade of light guns chargedwith shrapnel and grape. Tecumseh himself, accompanied by ColonelD'Egville, was, with the majority of his warriors, to gain the rear ofthe town, there to act as circumstances might require. To this, as aninferior post, the Chieftain had at first strongly objected; but when itwas represented to him that the enemy, with a view to turn the Englishflank on the forest side, would probably detach in that direction astrong force, which he would have the exclusive merit of encountering,he finally assented; urged to it, as he was, moreover, by theconsideration that his presence would be effectual in repressing anyattempt at massacre, or outrage, of the helpless inhabitants, by hiswild and excited bands.

  The guns being at length disembarked and limbered, everything was now inreadiness for the advance. The horses of the General and his staff hadcrossed in the scows appropriated to the artillery, and his favoritecharger, being now brought up by his groom, the former mounted with anactivity and vigor, not surpassed even by the youngest of hisaides-de-camp, while his fine and martial form, towered above thosearound him, in a manner to excite admiration in all who beheld him.Giving his brief instructions to his second in command, he now graspedand shook the hand of his dark brother in arms, who, putting spurs tohis horse, dashed off with Colonel D'Egville into the open country onthe left, in the direction taken by his warriors, while the General andhis staff, boldly, and without escort, pursued their way along the highroad at a brisk trot. The Commodore in his turn, sprang once more intohis barge, which, impelled by stout hearts and willing hands, was soonseen to gain the side of the principal vessel of the little squadron,which, rapidly getting under weigh, had already loosened its sails tocatch the light, yet favorable breeze, now beginning to curl the surfaceof the river.

  During all this tim
e, the cannon from our batteries, but faintlyanswered by the Americans, had continued to thunder withoutintermission, and as the columns drew nearer, each succeeding dischargecame upon the ear with increased and more exciting loudness. Hithertothe view had been obstructed by the numerous farm houses and otherbuildings, that skirted the windings of the road, but when at length thecolumn emerged into more open ground, the whole scene burst splendidlyand imposingly upon the sight. Within half a mile, and to the left, rosethe American ramparts, surmounted by the national flag, suspended from astaff planted on the identical spot which had been the scene of thefearful exploit of Wacousta in former days. Bristling with cannon, theyseemed now to threaten with extermination those who should have thetemerity to approach them, and the men, awed into silence, regarded themwith a certain air of respect.

  Close under the town were anchored the American vessels of war, which,however, having taken no part in returning the bombardment, had beenleft unmolested across the river; and in full view of all, was to beseen the high ground where the batteries had been erected, and, visibleat such intervals as the continuous clouds of smoke and flashes of firewould permit, the Union Jack of England floating above the whole; whilein the river and immediately opposite to the point the columns had nowreached, the English flotilla, which had kept pace with their movements,were already taking up a position to commence their raking fire.

  It was on reaching this point of the road, that the British force,obedient to the command of the General, who, from a farm-house on theleft, was then examining the American defences, filed off past the houseinto a large field, preparatory to forming into column to attack.Scarcely, however, had the General descended to the field to make hisdispositions, when it was observed that the batteries had suddenlydiscontinued their fire, and on looking to ascertain the cause, a whiteflag was seen waving on the eminence where the heavy guns just alludedto had been placed. While all were expressing their surprise at thisunexpected circumstance, De Courcy, who, by the direction of hisGeneral, had remained reconnoitring at the top of the house, announcedthat an officer, bearing a smaller white flag, was then descending theroad, with an evident view to a parley.

  "Ah! is it even so?" exclaimed the General with vivacity, as if tohimself. "Quick! my horse--I must go to meet him. Captain Stanley--DeCourcy--mount! St. Julian," turning to his second in command, "finishwhat I have begun--let the columns be got ready in the order I havedirected. We may have need of them yet."

  So saying he once more sprang into his saddle, and accompanied by hisyoung aides-de-camp, galloped past the line of admiring troops, whoinvoluntarily cheered him as he passed; and quitting the field,hastened to reach the flag, before the bearer could approachsufficiently near to make any correct observation respecting his force.

  Nearly twenty minutes of anxious suspense had succeeded the departure ofthe officer, when De Courcy again made his appearance at full speed.

  "Hurrah! hurrah!" he shouted, as he approached a group of his moreimmediate companions, who were canvassing the probable termination ofthis pacific demonstration on the part of the enemy--"the fort is ourown" (then turning to the second in command,) "Colonel St. Julian, it isthe General's desire that the men pile their arms on the ground theyoccupy, and refresh themselves with whatever their haversacks contain."

  "How is this, De Courcy?"--"Surely the Americans do notcapitulate?"--"Is it to be child's play, after all?"--were among thevarious remarks made to the young aide-de-camp, on his return from thedelivery of the last order.

  "Heaven only knows how, Granville," said the vivacious officer, in replyto the first querist; "but certainly it is something very like it, forthe General, accompanied by Stanley, has entered the town under theflag. However, before we discuss the subject further, I vote that weenter the farm-house, and discuss wherewith to satisfy our ownappetites--I saw a devilish pretty girl just now, one who seemed to haveno sort of objection to a handsome scarlet uniform, whatever herpredilections for a blue with red facings may formerly have been. Shelooked so good-naturedly on Stanley and myself, that we should haveogled her into a breakfast ere this, had not the General sworn he wouldnot break his fast until he had planted the colors of England on yonfortress, or failed in the attempt. Of course we, as young heroes, couldnot think of eating after that. But come along--nay, Cranstoun, do notlook as if you were afraid to budge an inch without an order inwriting.--I have it in suggestion from Colonel St. Julian, that we go inand do the best we can."

  They now entered and asked for breakfast, when bread, eggs, milk, fruit,cider, and whatever the remains of yesterday's meal afforded, weresuccessively brought forward by the dark-eyed daughter of the farmer,who, as De Courcy had remarked, seemed by no means indisposed towardsthe gay looking invaders of her home. There was a recklessness about thecarriage of most of these, and even a foppery about some, that waslikely to be anything but displeasing to a young girl, who, FrenchCanadian by birth, although living under the Government of the UnitedStates, possessed all the natural vivacity of character peculiar to theoriginal stock. Notwithstanding the pertinacity with which her agedfather lingered in the room, the handsome and elegant De Courcycontrived more than once to address her in an under tone, and elicit ablush that greatly heightened the brilliant expression of her largeblack eyes, and Villiers subsequently declared that he had remarked theair of joyousness and triumph that pervaded her features, on the youngaide-de-camp promising to return to the farm as soon as the place hadbeen entered, and leisure afforded him.

  "But the particulars of the flag, De Courcy," said Captain Granville, ashe devoured a hard-boiled turkey egg, which in quantity fully made upfor what it wanted in quality. "When you have finished flirting withthat unfortunate girl, come and seat yourself quietly, and tell us whatpassed between the General and the officer who bore it. Why, I thoughtyou had a devil of an appetite just now."

  "Ah, true!" returned the young man, taking his seat at the rude nakedtable which bore their meal. "I had quite forgotten my appetite--_maisca viendra en mangent, n'est ce pas?_" and he looked at the young girl.

  "_Plait il, Monsieur?_"

  "Be silent, my daughter, they are not speaking to you," gruffly remarkedher father.

  "The old boy is becoming savage at your attentions," remarked Villiers,"you will get the girl into a scrape."

  "Bah!" ejaculated De Courcy. "Well, but of the General. Who, think you,was the bearer of the flag? No other than that fine-looking fellow,Colonel--what's his name, who came to us the other day."

  "Indeed, singular enough. What said the General to him on meeting?"asked Henry Grantham.

  "'Well, Colonel,' said he smiling, 'you see I have kept my word. This isthe day on which I promised that we should meet again.'"

  "What answer did he make?" demanded Villiers.

  "'True, General, and most happily have you chosen. But one day sooner,and we should have dared your utmost in our stronghold. To-day,' and hespoke in a tone of deep mortification, 'we have not resolution left tomake a show even in vindication of our honor. In a word, I am here toconduct you to those who will offer terms derogatory at once to ournational character, and insulting to our personal courage.'

  "The General," pursued De Courcy, "respecting the humiliated manner ofthe American, again bowed, but said nothing. After a moment of pause,the latter stated that the Governor and Commander of the fortress werewaiting to receive and confer with him as to the terms of capitulation.All I know further is, that, attended by Stanley, he has accompanied theflag into the town, and that, having no immediate occasion for myvaluable services, he sent me back to give to Colonel St. Julian theorder you have heard."

  The deep roll of the drum summoning to fall in, drew them eagerly totheir respective divisions. Captain Stanley, the senior aide-de camp,was just returned with an order for the several columns to advance andtake up their ground close under the ramparts of the fort.

  It was an interesting and a novel sight, to see the comparativelyinsignificant British columns, flanked by the half dozen
light gunswhich constituted their whole artillery, advance across the field, andoccupy the plain or common surrounding the fort, while the Americans onthe ramparts appeared to regard with indignation and surprise the merehandful of men to whom they were about to be surrendered. Such aphenomenon in modern warfare as that of a weak besieging force beardinga stronger in their hold, might well excite astonishment; and to anarmy, thrice as numerous as its captors, occupying a fortress wellprovided with cannon, as in this instance, must have been especiallygalling. More than one of the officers, as he looked down from hisloftier and more advantageous position, showed by the scowl thatlingered on his brow, how willingly he would have applied the match tothe nearest gun whose proximity to his enemies promised annihilation totheir ranks. But the white flag still waved in the distance, affordingperfect security to those who had confided in their honor, and althoughliberty, and prosperity, and glory were the sacrifice, that honor mightnot be tarnished.

  At length the terms of capitulation being finally adjusted De Courcy,who with his brother aid-de-camp, had long since rejoined the General,came up with instructions for a guard to enter and take possessionpreparatory to the Americans marching out. Detachments from the flankcompanies, under the command of Captain Granville, with whom wereMiddlemore and Henry Grantham, were selected for the duty, and these nowmoved forward, with drums beating and colors flying, towards thedrawbridge then lowering to admit them.

  The area of the fort in no way enlarged, and but slightly changed inappearance, since certain of our readers first made acquaintance with itin Wacousta, was filled with troops, and otherwise exhibited all theconfusion incident to preparations for an immediate evacuation. Thesepreparations, however, were made with a savageness of mien by theirregulars, and a sullen silence by all, that attested how little theirinclination had been consulted in the decision of their Chief. Many anoath was muttered, and many a fierce glance was cast by the angryback-woodsmen, upon the little detachment as it pursued its way, notwithout difficulty, through the dense masses that seemed rather tooppose than aid their advance to the occupancy of the several postsassigned them.

  One voice, deepest and most bitter in its half suppressed execration,came familiarly on the ear of Henry Grantham, who brought up the rear ofthe detachment. He turned quickly in search of the speaker, but,although he felt persuaded it was Desborough who had spoken, couplinghis own name even with his curses, the ruffian was nowhere to be seen.Satisfied that he must be within the Fort, and determined if possible,to secure the murderer who had, moreover, the double crime of treasonand desertion, to be added to his list of offences, the young officermoved to the head of the detachment when halted, and communicated whathe heard to Captain Granville. Entering at once into the views of hissubaltern, and anxious to make an example of the traitor, yet unwillingto act wholly on his own responsibility, Captain Granville dispatched anorderly to Colonel St. Julien to receive his instructions. The man soonreturned with a message to say that Desborough was by all means to bedetained, and secured, until the General, who was still absent, shoulddetermine on his final disposal.

  Meanwhile the sentinels at the several posts having been relieved, andevery thing ready for their departure, the American army, leaving theirarms piled in the area, commenced their evacuation of the Fort, theartillery and troops of the line taking the lead. Watchfully alive tothe order that had been received, Captain Granville and Henry Granthamlingered near the gate, regarding, yet with an air of carelessness,every countenance among the irregular troops as they issued forth.Hitherto their search had been ineffectual, and to their great surprise,although the two last of the prisoners were now in the act of passingthem, there was not the slightest trace of Desborough. It was well knownthat the fort had no other outlet, and any man attempting to escape overthe ramparts, must have been seen and taken either by the troops or bythe Indians, who in the far distance completely surrounded them. CaptainGranville intimated the possibility of Henry Grantham having beendeceived in the voice, but the latter as pertinaciously declared hecould not be mistaken, for, independently, of his former knowledge ofthe man, his tones had so peculiarly struck him on the day when he madeboastful confession of his father's murder, that no time could effacethem from his memory. This short discussion terminated just as the lastfew files were passing. Immediately in the rear of these were thelitters, on which were borne such of the wounded as could be removedfrom the hospital without danger. These were some thirty in number, andit seemed to both officers as somewhat singular, that the faces of allwere, in defiance of the heat of the day, covered with the sheets thathad been spread over each litter. For a moment the suspicion occurred toGrantham, that Desborough might be of the number; but when he reflectedon the impossibility that any of the wounded men could be the same whosevoice had sounded so recently in the full vigor of health in his ear, heabandoned the idea. Most of the wounded, as they passed, indicated bylow and feeble moaning, the inconvenience they experienced from themotion to which they were subjected, and more or less expressed by thecontortions of their limbs, the extent of their sufferings. An exceptionto this very natural conduct was remarked by Grantham, in the person ofone occupying nearly a central position in the line, who was carriedwith difficulty by the litter-men. He lay perfectly at his length, andwithout any exhibition whatever of that impatient movement which escapedhis companions. On the watchful eye of Grantham, this conduct was notlost. He had felt a strong inclination from the first, to uncover thefaces of the wounded men in succession, and had only been restrainedfrom so doing by the presence of the American medical officer whoaccompanied them, whom he feared to offend by an interference with hischarge. Struck as he was however by the remarkable conduct of theindividual alluded to, and the apparently much greater effort with whichhe was carried, he could not resist the temptation which urged him toknow more.

  "Stay," he exclaimed to the bearers of the litter, as they were in theact of passing. The men stopped. "This man, if not dead, is evidentlyeither dying or fainting--give him air."

  While speaking he advanced a step or two, and now extending his righthand endeavored gently to pull down the sheet from the head of theinvalid but the attempt was vain. Two strong and nervous arms weresuddenly raised and entwined in the linen, in a manner to resist all hisefforts.

  Grantham glanced an expressive look at Captain Granville. The latternodded his head in a manner to show he was understood, then desiring thelitter-men to step out of the line and deposit their burden, he said tothe medical officer with the sarcasm that so often tinged his address.

  "I believe, sir, your charge embraces only the wounded of the garrison.This dead man can only be an incumbrance to you and it shall be my carethat his body is properly disposed of."

  A signal was made by him to the file of men in his rear, who eachseizing on the covering of the litter, dragged it forcibly off,discovering in the act the robust and healthy form of Desborough.

  "You may pass on," continued the officer to the remainder of the party."This fellow, at once a murderer and a traitor, is my prisoner."

  "Ha!" exclaimed Middlemore, who had all this time been absent on theduties connected with his guard, and now approached the scene of thislittle action for the first time; "what! do I see my friend JeremiahDesborough--the prince of traitors, and the most vigorous of wrestlers!Verily my poor bones ache at the sight of you. How came you to becaught in this trap my old boy? Better have been out duck-shooting withthe small bores, I reckon."

  But Desborough was in no humor to endure this mirth. Finding himselfdiscovered, he had risen heavily from the litter to his feet, and nowmoved doggedly towards the guard-house, where the men had orders toconfine him. His look still wore the character of ferocity, which yearshad stamped there, but with this was mixed an expression that denotedmore of the cowering villain, whom a sudden reverse of fortune mayintimidate, than the dauntless adventurer to whom enterprizes of hazardare at once a stimulus and a necessity. In short, he was entirelycrest-fallen.

  "Come and see t
he effect of Gerald's excellent fire," said Middlemore,when Desborough had disappeared within the guard-room. "I will show youthe room pointed out to me by the subaltern whom I relieved, as that inwhich four field officers and three surgeons were killed."

  Preceded by their companion, Captain Granville and Grantham entered thepiazza leading to the officers' rooms, several of which were completelypierced with twenty-four pound shot, known at once as coming from thecentre battery, which alone mounted guns of that calibre. Aftersurveying the interior a few moments, they passed into a small passagecommunicating with the room in question. On opening the door, all werepainfully struck by the sight which presented itself. Numerousshot-holes were visible everywhere throughout, while the walls at theinner extremity of the apartment were completely bespotted with bloodand brains, scarcely yet dry anywhere, and in several places dripping tothe floor. At one corner of the room, and on a mattress, lay the form ofa wounded man, whom the blue uniform and silver epaulettes, that filleda chair near the head, attested for an American officer of rank. At thefoot of the bed, dressed in black, her long hair floating wildly overthe shoulders, and with a hand embracing one of those of the sufferer,sat a female, apparently wholly absorbed in the contemplation of thescene before her. The noise made by the officers on entering had notcaused the slightest change in her position, nor was it until she heardthe foot-fall of Captain Granville, as he advanced for the purpose ofoffering his services, that she turned to behold who were the intruders.The sight of the British uniform appeared to startle her, for sheimmediately sprang to her feet, as if alarmed at their presence. It wasimpossible they could mistake those features and that face. It was MissMontgomerie. He who lay at her feet, was her venerable uncle. He was oneof the field officers who had fallen a victim to Gerald's fire, and thesame ball which had destroyed his companions, had carried away histhigh, near the hip bone. The surgeons had given him over, and he hadrequested to be permitted to die where he lay. His wish had beenattended to, but in the bustle of evacuation, it had been forgotten toacquaint the officers commanding the British guard that he was there.The last agonies of death had not yet passed away, but there seemedlittle probability that he could survive another hour.

  Perceiving the desperate situation of the respectable officer, CaptainGranville stayed not to question on a subject that spoke so plainly foritself. Hastening back into the piazza with his subalterns, he reachedthe area just as the remaining troops, intended for the occupation ofthe fort, were crossing the drawbridge, headed by Colonel St. Julian. Tothis officer he communicated the situation of the sufferer, when anorder was given for the instant attendance of the head of the medicalstaff. After a careful examination and dressing of the wound, the latterpronounced the case not altogether desperate. A great deal of blood hadbeen lost, and extreme weakness had been the consequence, but still theSurgeon was not without hope that his life might yet be preserved,although, of course, he would be a cripple for the remainder of hisdays.

  It might have been assumed, that the hope yet held out, of preservationof life on any terms, would have been hailed with some manifestation ofgrateful emotion, on the part of Miss Montgomerie; but it was remarkedand commented on, by those who were present, that this unexpectedlyfavorable report, so far from being received with gratitude and delight,seemed to cast a deeper gloom over the spirit of this extraordinarygirl. The contrast was inexplicable. She had tended him at the momentwhen he was supposed to be dying, with all the anxious solicitude of afond child; and now that there was a prospect of his recovery, there wasa sadness in her manner that told too plainly the discomfort of herheart.

  "An unaccountable girl!" said Cranstoun, as he sipped his wine that dayafter dinner, in the mess-room at Detroit. "I always said she was thechild of the devil."

  "Child of the devil in soul, if you will," observed Granville, "but atrue woman--a beautiful, a superb woman in person at least, did sheappear this morning, when we first entered the room--did she not,Henry?"

  "Beautiful indeed," was the reply--"yet, I confess, she more awed thanpleased me. I could not avoid, even amid that melancholy scene,comparing her to a beautiful casket, which, on opening, is found tocontain not a gem of price, but a subtle poison, contact with which isfatal; or to a fair looking fruit, which, when divided, proves to berotten at the core."

  "Allegorical, by all that is good, bad, and indifferent," exclaimedVilliers. "How devilish severe you are, Henry, upon the pale Venus. Itis hardly fair in you thus to rate Gerald's intended."

  "Gerald's intended! God forbid."

  This was uttered with an energy that startled his companions. Perceivingthat the subject gave him pain, they discontinued allusion to the ladyin question, further than to inquire how she was to be disposed of, andwhether she was to remain in attendance on her uncle.

  In answer, they were informed, that as the Major could not be removed,orders had been given by the General for every due care to be taken ofhim where he now lay, while Miss Montgomerie, yielding to solicitation,had been induced to retire into the family of the American General inthe town, there to remain until it should be found convenient to havethe whole party conveyed to the next American post on the frontier.