The Quadroon: Adventures in the Far West

by Mayne Reid

  CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE.

  THE PAWPAW THICKET.

  Our progress along this by-road was slow. There was no white dust uponthe path to guide us. We had to grope our way as well as we couldbetween the zigzag fences. Now and then our horses stumbled in the deepruts made by the wood-wagons, and it was with difficulty we could forcethem forward.

  My companion seemed to manage better than I, and whipped his horseonward as if he were more familiar with the path, or else more reckless!I wondered at this without making any remark.

  After half-an-hour's struggling we reached the angle of the rail-fence,where the enclosure ended and the woods began. Another hundred yardsbrought us under the shadow of the tall timber; where we reined up totake breath, and concert what was next to be done.

  I remembered that there was a pawpaw thicket near this place.

  "If we could find it," I said to my companion, "and leave our horsesthere?"

  "We may easily do that," was the reply; "though 'tis scarce worth whilesearching for a thicket--the darkness will sufficiently conceal them.--Ha! not so--_Voila l'eclair_!"

  As D'Hauteville spoke, a blue flash lit up the whole canopy of heaven.Even the gloomy aisles of the forest were illuminated, so that we coulddistinguish the trunks and branches of the trees to a long distancearound us. The light wavered for some seconds, like a lamp about beingextinguished; and then went suddenly out, leaving the darkness moreopaque than before.

  There was no noise accompanying this phenomenon--at least none producedby the lightning itself. It caused some noise, however, among the wildcreatures of the woods. It woke the white-headed haliaetus, perchedupon the head of the tall taxodium, and his maniac laugh sounded harshand shrill. It woke the grallatores of the swamp--the qua-bird, thecurlews, and the tall blue herons--who screamed in concert. The owl,already awake, hooted louder its solemn note; and from the deep profoundof the forest came the howl of the wolf, and the more thrilling cry ofthe cougar.

  All nature seemed startled by this sudden blaze of light that filled thefirmament. But the moment after all was darkness and silence as before."The storm will soon be on?" I suggested. "No," said my companion,"there will be no storm--you hear no thunder--when it is thus we shallhave no rain--a very black night, with lightning at intervals--nothingmore. Again!"

  The exclamation was drawn forth by a second blaze of lightning, thatlike the first lit up the woods on all sides around us, and, as before,unaccompanied by thunder. Neither the slightest rumble nor clap washeard, but the wild creatures once more uttered their varied cries.

  "We must conceal the horses, then," said my companion; "some stragglermight be abroad, and with this light they could be seen far off. Thepawpaw thicket is the very place. Let us seek it! It lies in thisdirection."

  D'Hauteville rode forward among the tree-trunks. I followedmechanically. I felt satisfied he know the ground better than I! Hemust have been here before, was my reflection.

  We had not gone many steps before the blue light blazed a third time;and we could see, directly in front of us, the smooth shining branchesand broad green leaves of the _Asiminas_, forming the underwood of theforest.

  When the lightning flashed again, we had entered the thicket.

  Dismounting in its midst, we hastily tied our bridles to the branches;and then, leaving our horses to themselves, we returned towards the openground.

  Ten minutes' walking enabled us to regain the zigzag railing that shutin the plantation of Gayarre.

  Directing ourselves along this, in ten minutes after we arrived oppositethe house--which by the electric blaze we could distinguish shiningamong the tall cotton-wood trees that grew around it. At this point weagain made a stop to reconnoitre the ground, and consider how we shouldproceed.

  A wide field stretched from the fence almost to the walls. A gardenenclosed by palings lay between the field and the house; and on one sidewe could perceive the roofs of numerous cabins denoting the negroquarter. At some distance in the same direction, stood the sugar-milland other outbuildings, and near these the house of Gayarre's overseer.

  This point was to be avoided. Even the negro quarter must be shunned,lest we might give alarm. The dogs would be our worst enemies. I knewthat Gayarre kept several. I had often seen them along the roads.Large fierce animals they were. How were they to be shunned? Theywould most likely be rambling about the outbuildings or the negrocabins; therefore, our safest way would be to approach from the oppositeside.

  If we should fail to discover the apartment of Aurore, then it would betime to make reconnaissance in the direction of the "quarter," andendeavour to find the boy Caton.

  We saw lights in the house. Several windows--all upon theground-floor--were shining through the darkness. More than oneapartment therefore was occupied.

  This gave us hope. One of them might be occupied by Aurore.

  "And now, Monsieur!" said D'Hauteville, after we had discussed thevarious details, "suppose we fail? suppose some alarm be given, and webe detected before--?"

  I turned, and looking my young companion full in the face, interruptedhim in what he was about to say. "D'Hauteville!" said I, "perhaps, Imay never be able to repay your generous friendship. It has alreadyexceeded all bounds--but _life_ you must not risk for me. That I cannotpermit."

  "And how risk life, Monsieur?"

  "If I fail--if alarm be given--if I am opposed, _voila_--!"

  I opened the breast of my coat, exposing to his view my pistols.

  "Yes!" I continued; "I am reckless enough. I shall use them ifnecessary. I shall take life if it stand in the way. I am resolved;but you must not risk an encounter. You must remain here--I shall go tothe house alone."

  "No--no!" he answered promptly; "I go with you."

  "I cannot permit it, Monsieur. It is better for you to remain here.You can stay by the fence until I return to you--until _we_ return, Ishould say, for I come not back without _her_."

  "Do not act rashly, Monsieur!"

  "No, but I am determined. I am desperate. We must not go farther."

  "And why not? _I, too, have an interest in this affair_."

  "You?" I asked, surprised at the words as well as the tone in whichthey were spoken. "You an interest?"

  "Of course," coolly replied my companion. "I love adventure. Thatgives me an interest. You must permit me to accompany you--I must goalong with you!"

  "As you will then, Monsieur D'Hauteville. Fear not. I shall act withprudence. Come on!"

  I sprang over the fence, followed by my companion; and, without anotherword having passed between us, we struck across the field in thedirection of the house.