My companion's face showed admiration, but the ex pression was there only a moment; then he made a ges ture of discontent.
"We talk of making war upon one of the world's most powerful nations," he said, "and look at our capi tal! But a raw village in a wilderness, and its Govern-
THE LONE CABIN. 61
ment lives in a camp. We might at least finish that be fore we rush to disaster."
We parted as we entered Georgetown, and I was not at all sorry, for his bitter humour depressed me. I trust that the day will never come when I can see only evil in things.
I found the chiefs at the house in which we had quar tered them, but their humour was not such as a gentle man finds agreeable, and so leaving them to waste it upon each other I made a call upon some acquaintances, and then mounting my horse started upon the return ride.
It must have been about twelve o'clock when I left Georgetown, and the cold February day had turned into a most unpleasant night. A drizzle of rain was falling and the wind was raw and chilly. The dry boughs of the trees scraped together as they were blown upon each other. In the hills the wind was moaning.
The moon was a pale glimmer behind gray clouds, and I fastened my heavy cloak securely around me to protect myself alike from the cold and the sleety rain.
I turned my horse into the road, and his feet sank with a sough into the mud. With the darkness and such heavy travelling, I was in for an extremely long three miles before I reached Washington. The chilly manner in which my message had been received by the chiefs, and the sinister omens to be drawn from their conduct depressed me, and the night and rain had more influence upon my feelings than it usually does upon one who is accustomed to travel in darkness and wet weather.
The cold rain slipped down under the collar of my coat, and while I was silently abusing the chiefs for their obstinacy my horse wandered from the road in search of firmer footing. As I was desirous of finding a more di rect route to Washington, and thus shortening the jour ney, I concluded to let him go.
The lights of Georgetown twinkled and then went
62 A HERALD OF THE WEST.
out behind a smudge of darkness. The wind sobbed among the hills, and the wetness of the night crept into my body. The horse snorted frequently, as if he liked the rain and darkness as little as I.
I heard the plash of water over stones, and then saw a faint grayness cutting my line of march. I had come to Eock Creek, and selecting a place with gently sloping banks I urged my horse into the stream. The water was shallow, but flowing rather swiftly at that point, and the horse stumbled two or three times on the pebbles and small boulders. As we reached the farther shore he fell to his knees with me, but was up again in a moment. But he stood shivering with pain, and when I dismount ed and examined him as well as I could in the darkness I found his knees to be so badly cut and bruised that it would be torture to the poor animal to carry me home. Besides, I had brought him all the way from Kentucky with me, and I prized him. There was nothing for it but to walk home through the mud, leading my horse. The accident made no improvement in my humour. All my bad luck seemed to be coming at once.
I drew the cloak a little higher around my neck, trying to check the sly rain which insisted upon slipping down next to the skin and chilling me to the bone. Then I took the bridle in one hand, and leading my horse, which limped at every step, went on. The rain had soaked into the turf, and when my heavy boot sank in it little streams of water spurted up.
We were out of the path, and I was compelled to be my own guide. A good horse will carry you safely on the longest journey in the darkest night if you will let him have his head, but now mine was lame and depend ing on me, and, moreover, we were out of the road. I began to fear that I had wandered farther to one side than I intended, and that if I were not lost already I would soon be.
I looked around the entire circle of the darkness, but
THE LONE CABIN. 63
could see no point of light which might tell of a set tler's cabin. A light means cheerfulness, and I had no other reason just then for wishing to see it. The con- tiued sobbing of the wind through the hills, as if the world were in pain, was a weight upon my spirits, though I knew very well the nature of the sound.
We trudged on, the lame horse following dejectedly behind me, his head drooping. I stumbled and saw that I had come to some trees blown down by the wind. Edg ing my way around them, I found that I was going down a hillside, and heard the trickle of a brook at the bottom of the slope. A beam of light shot down from some where and showed me a disk of clear water and the round pebbles over which it trickled; then it passed on and tipped the wet bushes in the line of its passage with flame and silver.
I could see the point from which the light came, be hind the brook, and apparently from a cleft between two hills, but I could not see what was there, though I guessed that it was a settler's cabin some humble squat ter's home. But that theory was weakened by the ab solute lack of noise. Every squatter has one or more dogs, and they always bark with all their strength when ever a stranger approaches. Now not a note was raised. But the light shone with a fixed, steady radiance, pierc ing the darkness like a lance.
It was none of my business from what the light pro ceeded or who made it, but I resolved to explore. The necessity of finding my way back to the road was an in centive. Among these hills I might break my neck, which would be more than a horse's cut knees, and if I found the origin of the light I might also find directions to the road.
The descent to the brook and the ascent of the hill beyond would be too steep for the horse, and I led him back to the summit of the slope, tethering him securely to the boujrh of a tree which swung low. He was in a
64: A HERALD OF THE WEST.
state of depression even surpassing that of his master. The blood was trickling from his wounded knees, and his big body trembled like a child afraid. He rubbed his wet head caressingly against me when I turned, as if en treating me to stay and keep him company. He was too much discouraged to neigh or to stamp.
" I'll be back in five minutes, old horse," I said gently as I stroked his nose.
Then I walked down the bank, picking my footing carefully on the wet grass. When I reached the bottom I found a shallow stream, spread out two or three yards wide over boulders and pebbles. From the bottom of the gorge the bar of light was still visible, shooting over my head and making a luminous circle on the slope which I had left, every twig and stone showing in that limited area of brightness, while all below was in com plete darkness, even the surface of the water appearing but faintly where the lance of light crossed above it.
The water bubbled softly over the stones, and far ther away I could hear a dull plash as if the stream were going over a fall. The sob of the wind rose now and then to a shriek.
I could cross the stream only by wading, and I stepped lightly into it, not wishing to make any noise. Though but two or three miles from the capital of a great nation, I felt as if I were about to storm the for tress of an enemy. So it happens to one sometimes when in the dark, and alone. As I picked my way up the far slope this feeling that caution was needed grew upon me. I kept my eyes fixed upon the line of light, which streamed over the bushes like the trail of a baby comet, and guided me with certainty toward what I sought.
I was confirmed in my guess that the light came from the depression between two hills, but as I advanced, parallel with the bar of flame, keeping out of its rays, however, that I might not be seen, I was impressed more than ever by the absolute silence save for the wind and
THE LONE CABIN. 65
the rustling of the trees and bushes, the trickle of the water being too far away to be heard. The old tales of the Tndian wars that I had heard at my mother's hearthstone filled my ears, and I seemed to be a Shawnee warrior stalking a settler's cabin. Then I laughed at myself in ridicule for conjuring up such things, and ex pected that the next moment some lazy dog would rush out and howl at me with excessive vigour, to atone for his previous lac
k of vigilance.
But no dog came out or barked, and at the end of the bar of light a small building slowly constructed itself. A patch of wall came out of the blackness, and was fol lowed by another patch, and then another and others which joined themselves together until the side of a log cabin was formed. Then the roof, gently sloping and of rough, long boards, followed the wall out of the darkness, and a complete cabin, such as the poorest of negroes might inhabit, stood before me. From a win dow, or rather a cleft in the wall, shone the light which had been my guide.
I could see dimly the doorway, so small that it would have compelled me to stoop to enter. In ordinary times I would have gone there and knocked, and that was what custom and common politeness demanded of me, but I still had the feeling that I was not in an ordinary situ ation, that caution should be my comrade. So I went to the window and peeped, not through it, but through a chink between the walls by its side. I had approached with so much gentleness that I was sure no one inside could hear, but to put my eye to the chink I was forced to stoop down from my tall height.
I saw a scanty interior some stools, an old table, and walls as rough on the inside as on the outside. On the table was a lantern, from which had come the beckoning light. Three men sat on the stools, and the one who was beside the table was my kinsman. Major Gilbert Northcote. His face was turned toward me, and even
66 A HERALD OF THE WEST.
otherwise I would have recognised him by his figure. His companions were two men whom I had never seen before. One was tall and slender, and the other short and stout. Both were dressed like ordinary farmers, but their faces were thin and keen.
I gave silent thanks for my loss of the way and the lameness of my horse, as I believed that I had happened upon a meeting that would be of interest and importance to us. Gilbert Northcote, who was in Washington only to plan mischief, could not be meeting strangers at such a time and place for any innocent purpose.
The Tory rested one elbow on the table; spread out before him were sheets of paper, and he held a pencil in his hand; the look of careless, even supercilious in difference that was habitual with him in Washington had changed to one of keen and concentrated interest.
" What do you say of them in that part of the coun try, Walters? " he asked.
" Disaffected; not disposed to risk anything," replied the tall man.
Major Northcote's face showed satisfaction, and he immediately made notes on the paper.
" It confirms all the previous reports from that quar ter," he said when his pencil stopped. " In calculating the probable resistance I think we might leave them out."
His satisfaction was so great that he tapped on the table repeatedly in a contented manner, and puckered up his lips as if he would whistle, which, too, is usually a sign of gladness.
"Now what do you say, Hardison?" he asked the short man. " How are they in the South ? "
"Very angry, but not likely to furnish much when the time comes," said Hardison. " They are too far away, and their direct interests are too little affected. Besides, their new Indian war is going to give them plenty to do."
THE LONE CABIN. 67
" Good again," said Major Northcote, setting to work a second time with his pencil. " These notes and my maps will make a fine budget for the people in London. Do you see any mistake in this map? "
He spread out one of the broadest sheets of paper on the table, and the two men stood up and examined it with him. They seemed to have no fault to find, and the Tory rolled it up again, but left it on the table.
" I think I know Washington and its surroundings pretty thoroughly," he said in his self-satisfied tone, " and I've put my knowledge into that map. It seems almost superfluous, though, to mark the defences, for they amount to nothing."
" They would amount to mighty little anyway before a British army," said Walters, the tall man, with a laugh.
" I should think so," said Major Northcote.
" Having done our work, we can take a little refresh ment now, lads," said Major Northcote, who seemed to be in fine humour.
The man whom he called Hardison produced some sliced meat and bread from a knapsack hanging on the wall, though I had not noticed it before, and Major Northcote took out of his coat pocket a large flask wound with silver wire. He shook it and it gave forth a pleas ant gurgle. He smiled and the two men smiled. He drew the stopper, which snapped comfortably as it came out, and then all three drank, one after another, from the flask. The pleasant odour of the liquor permeated the cabin and stole through the chink to me, filling me with unsatisfied longing. Then they ate.
I was not sure what to do. The notes and maps lay upon the table, while the men ate and drank, and I knew they would be of value to us, besides being a decisive proof that Major Northcote was a dangerous man, and engaged in practices to which our Government would have a right to object in the most emph atic manner that is, by sending him away. The scene between us at
68 A HERALD OP THE WEST.
the Capitol, when he seemed to think that I might help him in his schemes, still rankled a little in my mind and impelled me in the way to which duty so clearly pointed. It would be to the good of the public, as well as some individuals, that he remain no longer in Washington.
While I thought, the question was partly solved for me. The two men finished their eating and drinking, and rising bade Major Northcote good night. He com mended them for zeal, encouraged them to other good work, and said he would soon send for them again. They went out and left him sitting by the table, engrossed in thought.
The men could not see me on the other side of the cabin, and they walked away without hesitation toward Washington. Noticing that Major Northcote seemed to be in no hurry to move, I waited until the men were so far away that they could hear no noise from the cabin, and then pushing the door open I entered.
A single stride was sufficient to take me to the table. I seized the roll of papers in one hand and the silver bound flask in the other. The roll of papers I thrust into my trousers' pocket, and the silver bound flask I raised to my lips.
" Cousin," I said, " I thank you for both."
Then the pleasant liquor trickled down my throat. I repeat that I was wet and cold, and the taste of it was fine and the effect finer.
It was some pleasure to me to see Major Northcote's control of himself, even in that moment of surprise and wrath. He started, in truth, at my sudden entrance and his eyeballs distended for a moment, but then he was himself again and waited.
" Excuse me, Major Northcote," I said, handing him the flask. " It was very good, but I did not take all; I left some for you."
It is obvious that I was pleased with myself, but I could not surpass him in coolness. He took the flask
THE LONE CABIN. 09
and saying, " Here's to the health of forward young men, Mr. Ten Broeck," drank composedly.
I inferred from his tone a recognition of the fact that we were to face each other as enemies.
" I've come in suddenly and without an invitation," I said, " but I hope I'm done the less welcome."
I think I was catching some of his own sarcastic temper.
.Major Northcote rested his arm comfortably on the table and looked fixedly at me. I could see the faint smile lightly touched with irony which had marked him when we listened to the senatorial debate, playing around the corner of his eyes and mouth. Outside the rain had increased in violence and was playing a steady tune on the thin roof. I bore his look without flinching, for I felt that I was more in the right than he.
" You think that you have done a clever thing," he said presently.
" I can not claim that my arrival was clever, but I believe it to have been timely. You are attached to the British embassy here, and you are using the opportuni ties that position gives you to send spies over the coun try and obtain all sorts of information that will be useful to our enemy in case of war. You have passed all the bounds of international courtesy, and I have absolute proof of it in these maps an
d notes of yours that I have seized."
" And you observe that I do not even ask you to give them back to me."
" Because you know I would not do it."
" Not altogether. I would prefer not to lose them just at this time, but since you have them I will not make a fuss about the matter. What do you intend to do with them? "
I said that I would give them to Mr. Gallatin, with Major Northcote's dismissal from Washington as the cer tain result.
70 A HERALD OF THE WEST.
" Yes, that will follow," he said, " and I would have stayed a little longer, but perhaps it is not worth while. My work here is done, and I am tired of this muddy little village in the woods, with its ignorant farmers and its talking law}^ers and its lack of everything to make life pleasant to a man who can takq|an interest in the greater world of affairs and men."
I had no reply to make to such talk as that, but care fully placed his papers in my waistcoat pocket.
" I will come back again," he continued, " though in another role. I have warned you, but you are only a boy, and perhaps you do not understand. Yet this coun try is rapidly preparing its own overthrow. I have been even willing to help you. I have liked you in a way, and I thought I saw promise in you. I would have ar ranged a brilliant career for you, but you would not let me and you preferred to go with the losers."
I thanked him, but now I was neither dazzled nor de ceived, nor was I turned from my determination to place his papers in the hands of Mr. Gallatin, which, of course, would mean the President's very soon thereafter.
Altsheler, Joseph - [Novel 05] Page 7