Elsie's Motherhood

by Martha Finley

  Chapter Fourteenth.

  "The more the bold, the bustling, and the bad,Press to usurp the reins of power, the moreBehooves it virtue, with indignant zeal,To check their combination."--THOMSON

  The spirit of resistance was now fully aroused within the breasts ofour friends of Ion and the Oaks. Mr. Travilla's was a type of theAmerican character; he would bear long with his injuries, vexations,encroachments upon his rights, but when once the end of his forbearancewas reached, woe to the aggressor; for he would find himself opposed bya man of great resources, unconquerable determination and undauntedcourage.

  His measures were taken quietly, but with promptness and energy. He hadbeen seeking proofs of the identity of the raiders, and found them inthe case of one of the party; whose gait had been recognized by several,his voice by one or two, while the mark of his bloody hand laid upon theclothing of one of the women as he roughly pushed her out of his way,seemed to furnish the strongest circumstantial evidence against him.

  George Boyd's right hand had been maimed in a peculiar manner during thewar, and this bloody mark upon the woman's night-dress was its exactimprint.

  Already Mr. Travilla had procured his arrest, and had him imprisoned fortrial, in the county jail.

  Yet this was but a small part of the day's work: lumber had beenordered, and men engaged for the rebuilding of the school-house;merchandise also to replace the furniture and clothing destroyed; andarms for every man at the quarter capable of using them.

  All this Elsie knew and approved, as did her father and brother. ForMrs. Carrington's sake they deeply regretted that Boyd was implicated inthe outrage; but all agreed that justice must have its course.

  The question had been mooted in both families whether any or all of themshould leave the South until the restoration of law and order shouldrender it a safe abiding place for honest, peaceable folk, butunanimously decided in the negative.

  The gentlemen scorned to fly from the desperadoes and resign to theirdespotic rule their poor dependents and the land of their love; nay theywould stay and defend both to the utmost of their power; and the wivesupheld their husbands in their determination and refused to leave themto meet the peril alone.

  Returning from the burial of Uncle Mose, Mr. Dinsmore and Horace spentan hour at Ion before riding back to the Oaks.

  The three gentlemen were in the library earnestly discussing the stateof affairs, when Elsie, coming down from seeing her little ones settledfor the night, heard the sound of wheels in the avenue, and stepping tothe door saw the Ashlands carriage just drawing up in front of it.

  The vehicle had scarcely come to a standstill ere its door was thrownhastily open and the elder Mrs. Carrington alighted.

  Elsie sprang to meet her with outstretched arms, and the exclamation,"My dear old friend!" though her heart beat quickly, her cheekcrimsoned, and tears filled her eyes.

  The old lady, speechless with grief, fell upon her neck and wept theresilently for a moment; then low and gaspingly, in a voice broken withsobs, "I--have--come to--ask about--George," she said, "can it, oh canit be that he has done this dreadful thing?" and shuddering she hid herface on Elsie's shoulder her slight frame shaken with the sobs shevainly strove to suppress.

  "Dear Mrs. Carrington, I am so sorry, so _very_ sorry to think it,"Elsie said, in a voice full of tears, "my heart aches for you who lovehim so; you who have been so sorely afflicted: may the Lord give youstrength to bear up under this new trial."

  "He will! he does! My sister's son! oh tis sad, 'tis heart-breaking! Butthe proofs: what are they?"

  Elsie named them; first drawing her friend to a seat where she supportedher with her arm.

  "Yes, yes, his voice, his gait are both peculiar, and--his hand. Let mesee that--that garment."

  Leading her into a private room, and seating her comfortably there Elsiehad it brought and laid before her.

  Mrs. Carrington gave it one glance, and motioning it away with a lookand gesture of horror, dropped her face into her hands and groanedaloud.

  Elsie kneeling by her side, clasped her arms about her and wept withher.

  "A slayer of the weak and helpless--a murderer--a midnight assassin!"groaned the half distracted aunt.

  "May there not possibly be some mistake. Let us give him the benefit ofthe doubt," whispered Elsie.

  "Alas there seems scarcely room for doubt!" sighed Mrs. Carrington,then, with a determined effort to recover her composure, "But don'tthink, dear Elsie, that I blame you or your husband. Can I see him? andyour father if he is here?"

  "Yes, they are both here and will rejoice if they can be of any comfortor service to you. Ah, I hear papa's voice in the hall, asking for me!"and stepping to the door, she called to him and her husband, "Pleasecome in here," she said, "Mrs. Carrington wishes to see you both."

  "You here and alone at this late hour, my dear madam!" Mr. Dinsmoreexclaimed, taking the old lady's hand in a cordial grasp, "your couragesurprises me."

  "Ah, my good friend, they who have little to lose, need not have much todo with fear," she answered. "That was what I told Sophie who would havehad me defer my call till to-morrow."

  "My dear madam, you are surely right in thinking that no one wouldmolest you--a lady whom all classes unite in loving and honoring," Mr.Travilla said, greeting her with almost filial respect and affection.

  She bowed in acknowledgment. "Do not think for a moment that I have cometo upbraid you, gentlemen. Justice demands that those who break the lawssuffer the penalty, and I have nothing to say against it; though thecriminal be my own flesh and blood. But I want to hear all about thissad affair."

  They told her briefly all they knew, she listening with calm though saddemeanor.

  "Thank you," she said when they had finished. "That George is guilty, Idare hardly doubt, and I am far from upholding him in his wickedness. Asyou all know, I was strong for accession, and am no Republican now, butI say perish the cause that can be upheld only by such measures asthese. I would have every member of this wicked, dreadful conspiracybrought to punishment; they are ruining their country; but their deedsare not chargeable upon the secessionists of the war time, as a class."

  "That is certainly true, madam."

  "We are fully convinced of that, Mrs. Carrington," the gentlemenreplied.

  She rose to take leave. Mr. Travilla requested her to delay a littletill his horse could be brought to the door, and he would see her home.

  "No, no, Travilla," said Mr. Dinsmore, "Horace and I will do that, ifMrs. Carrington will accept our escort."

  "Many thanks to you both, gentlemen," she said, "but I assure you I amnot in the least afraid; and it would be putting you to unnecessarytrouble."

  "On the contrary, my dear madam, it would be a pleasure; and as ourhorses are already at the door, we need not delay you a moment," saidMr. Dinsmore. "It will not take us so very far out of our way, either:and I should like to have a word with Sophie."

  Upon that Mrs. Carrington gratefully accepted his offer, and the threewent away together.

  Convinced of his guilt, Mrs. Carrington made no effort to obtain therelease of her nephew, but several of his confederates having perjuredthemselves to prove an alibi in his favor, he was soon at large again.

  He showed his face no more at the Oaks or Ion, and upon occasion of anaccidental meeting with Travilla or either of the Dinsmores, regardedhim with dark, scowling looks, sometimes adding a muttered word or twoof anger and defiance.

  In the meantime damages had been repaired in the quarters at Fairviewand Ion, and the men at the latter, secretly supplied with arms; alsothe rebuilding of the school-house was going rapidly forward.

  A threatening notice was presently served upon Mr. Travilla, orderinghim to desist from the attempt, as the teaching of the blacks would notbe allowed by the Ku Klux.

  He however paid no attention to the insolent demand, and the work wenton as before.

  Mr. Leland had succeeded in keeping the affair of the coffin from hiswife thus saving her mu
ch anxiety and distress.

  To leave just at this time would be a great pecuniary loss, and hehad decided to remain; but had laid his plans carefully for eitherresistance or escape in case of an attack.

  A couple of large, powerful, and very fine watch dogs were added to hisestablishment, and a brace of loaded pistols and a bowie knife werealways within reach of his hand.

  One night the family were aroused by the furious barking of the dogs.Instantly Mr. Leland was out upon the floor hastily throwing on hisclothes, while his wife, with the frightened cry. "The Ku Klux!" ran tothe window.

  "Yes it is! they are surrounding the house! O Robert, fly for yourlife!" she cried in the wildest terror. "O God save my poor husband fromthese cruel foes!" she added, dropping upon her knees and lifting handsand eyes to heaven.

  "He will, Mary, never fear, wife," Mr. Leland said almost cheerfully,snatching up his weapons as he spoke. "Pray on, it's the best thing youcan do to help me."

  "You must fly!" she said, "you can't fight twenty men and I think thereare at least that many."

  "I'll slip out at the back door then, and make for the woods," heanswered, rushing from the room.

  Children and servants were screaming with affright, the ruffiansthundering at the front door, calling loudly upon Mr. Leland to comeout, and threatening to break it down if he did not immediately appear.

  Summoning all her courage, the wife went again to the window and calledto them, asking what was wanted.

  "Leland. Tell him to come out here at once or it will be the worse forhim," returned the leader, in a feigned, unnatural voice.

  "He is not here," she said.

  "He'd better show himself at once," returned the ruffian, "he'll notescape by refusing to do so; we'll search every corner till we findhim."

  "That will be as God pleases," she said in a calm, firm tone, hercourage rising with the emergency.

  She was answered with a yell of rage, and a repeated order to come downand open the door.

  "I shall do no such thing," she said; "and what is more, I shall shootdown the first man that sets foot on the stairs."

  It was a sudden resolution that had come to her. Encouraged by Mrs.Travilla's precept and example, she had been, for months past,industriously training herself in the use of firearms, and kept herloaded revolver at hand; and now she would create a diversion in herhusband's favor, keeping the raiders at bay at the front of the buildingwhile he escaped at the back; they believed him to be in the upperstory: if she could prevent it, they should not learn their mistake,till he had had time to gain the woods and distance pursuit.

  The door could not much longer withstand the heavy blows dealt it;already there were sounds as if it were about to give way.

  "Archie," she said, turning to her son and speaking very rapidly, "thosemen are here to kill your father; you must help me to prevent them fromcoming up to hunt him. The rest of you children stop that loud crying,which won't do any good. Kneel down and pray, pray, _pray_ to God tohelp your father to get away from them. Archie, throw this black cloakround you. Here are two loaded pistols. I will take one, you the other;we will station ourselves on the landing at the head of the first flightof stairs. It is darker in the house than out of doors, and they willnot be able to see us, but as the door falls and they rush in we can seethem in their white gowns, and against the light. Come!"

  They hurried to the landing.

  "Now we must not be in too great haste," she whispered in his ear; "keepcool, take sure aim, and fire low."

  The words had scarcely left her lips when the door fell with a crash,and with a yell like an Indian war whoop several disguised men rushedinto the hall and hastily advanced toward the stairway; but the instantthe foremost set foot upon it, two shots were fired from above,evidently not without effect; for with an oath he staggered back andfell into the arms of his comrades.

  He was borne away by two of them, while the others returned the fire atrandom, for they could not see their adversaries.

  The balls whistled past Mrs. Leland and her son, but they stood theirground bravely, and as two of their assailants attempted to ascend thestairs; fired again and again driving them back for a moment.

  At the same time sounds of conflict came from the rear of thedwelling,--an exchange of shots, whoops and yells, the hurried tramp ofmany feet, and the yelping, barking and howling of the dogs--andinstantly the hall was cleared, every man there hastening to join inthis new struggle, apparently satisfied that their intended victim wasendeavoring to make his escape in that direction.

  Seeing this, Mrs. Leland and her son ran to a window overlooking the newscene of contest, their hearts beating between hope and fear.

  Mr. Leland had slipped cautiously out of the back door, and, revolver inhand, stepped into the yard, but only to find himself surrounded by hisfoes.

  They attempted to seize him, but eluding their grasp, he fired right andleft, several shots in succession, the others returning his fire, andfollowing in hot pursuit.

  There was no moon that night, and the darkness and a simple suit ofblack, were favorable to Leland, for while the long white gowns of theKu Klux not only trammelled their movements, but rendered each an easytarget for his shot, they could take but uncertain aim at him, and ongaining the woods, he was soon lost to their view in the deepened gloomof its recesses.

  But the balls had been falling about him like hailstones, and as thesounds of pursuit grew fainter, he found himself bleeding profusely froma wound in the leg. He dropped behind a fallen tree, and partiallystanched the wound with some leaves which he bound on with ahandkerchief, fortunately left in his coat pocket on retiring thatnight.

  This was scarcely accomplished, when sounds of approaching footsteps andvoices told him the danger was not yet over.

  He crouched close in his hiding place, and hardly dared breathe as theypassed and repassed, some almost stepping on him. But he remainedundiscovered, and at length they abandoned the search, and returning tothe vicinity of the house, gathered up their wounded and went away.

  Yet Leland felt that it was not safe for him to venture back to hishome, as they might return at any moment; but to remain where he waswith his wound undressed was almost certain death.

  He resolved to accept Mr. Travilla's offered hospitality, if hisstrength would carry him so far, and was rising to make the attempt,when the cracking of a dead branch told him that some living thing wasnear, and he fell back again, listening intently for the comingfootsteps.

  "Robert! Robert!" called a low tremulous voice.

  "O Mary, is it you?" he responded, in low but joyous accents, and thenext moment his wife's arms were about his neck, her tears warm upon hischeek, while Archie stood sobbing beside them.

  "Thank God, thank God that you are alive!" she said, "But are youunhurt?"

  "No, I am bleeding fast from a wound in my leg," Leland answeredfaintly.

  "I've brought lint and bandages," she said, "let me bind it up as wellas I can in the dark."

  "Daren't we strike a light?" asked Archie.

  "No, my son, it might bring them on us again, and we must speak lowtoo."

  "Yes, father; but oh what will you do? you can't come back home again?"

  "No; I must go to Ion at once, while I can do so under cover of thedarkness. Travilla has offered to hide me there. Archie, my brave boy,I can trust you with this secret."

  "Father, they shall kill me before I'll tell it."

  "I trust you will not be tried so far," Leland said with emotion. "Iwould not save my life at the sacrifice of yours. I leave your mother inyour care, my boy; be dutiful and affectionate to her, and kind to yourlittle brother and sisters. Mary, dear, you and Archie will have tomanage the plantation in my absence," and he went on to give somedirections.

  "I will do my best," she said tearfully, "and as we have been formonths past frequent visitors at Ion, I can surely go to see you thereoccasionally without exciting suspicion."

  "Yes, I think so."

  "Father,
" said Archie, "you can never walk to Ion; let me bring my ponyand help you to mount him; then I will lead him to Ion and bring himback again."

  "That is a bright thought; we will do so, if you can saddle him in thedark and bring him here very quietly."

  "I'll try, father," and the boy hastened away in the direction of thestables.

  He returned sooner than they dared hope, with the pony saddled andbridled. Husband and wife bade a mournful adieu. Mr. Leland mounted withhis son's assistance, and silently they threaded their way through thewoods to Ion.

  "Hoo! hoo! hoo!" the cry came in loud and clear through the open windowsof the bedroom of the master and mistress of Ion, and startled them bothfrom their slumbers.

  "Hoo, hoo! hoo!" it came again, and with a light laugh, Elsie said, "Ahit is only an owl; but to my sleeping ear it seemed like a human cry ofdistress. But Edward--"

  He had sprung from the bed and was hurrying on his clothes. "I doubt ifit is not, little wife," he said. "It is the signal of distress Lelandand I had agreed upon, and he may be in sore need of aid."

  "Let me go with you!" she cried tremulously, hastening to dondressing-gown and slippers. "Shall I strike a light?"

  "No, not till we go down below where the shutters are closed. There isno knowing what foe may be lurking near."

  Seizing his revolvers, he left the room as he spoke, she following closebehind, a pistol in one hand, a lamp and match-box in the other.

  Silently they groped their way over the stairs, through the halls andcorridors, till they reached a side door, which Mr. Travilla cautiouslyunbarred.

  "Who is there?" he asked scarcely above his breath.

  "I, sir," and Mr. Leland stepped in and fell fainting to the floor.

  Elsie had set her lamp upon a table, and laid her pistol beside it, andwhile her husband carefully secured the door again, she struck a lightand brought it near.

  Together they stooped over the prostrate form.

  "He is not dead?" she asked with a shudder.

  "No, no: only a faint; but, see, he is wounded! Your keys, wife!"

  "Here," she said, taking them from her pocket, where, with rare presenceof mind, she had thrust them ere leaving her room.

  They hastened to apply restoratives, and bind up the wound morethoroughly than Mrs. Leland had been able to do it.

  Restored to consciousness, Leland gave a brief account of the affair,refreshed himself with food and drink set before him by Elsie's fairhands, and then was conducted by Mr. Travilla to an upper room in a wingof the building, dating back to the old days of Indian warfare. It wasdistant from the apartments in use by the family, and had a large closetentered by a concealed door in the wainscoting.

  "Here I think you will be safe," remarked his host. "No one but my wifeand myself yet knows of your coming, and it shall be kept secret fromall but Aunt Chloe and Uncle Joe, two tried and faithful servants.Except Dr. Barton; he is safe and will be needed to extract the ball."

  "Yes; and my wife and boy and the Dinsmores," added Leland with a faintsmile. "Travilla, my good friend, I can never thank you enough for thiskindness."

  "Tut, man! 'tis nothing! are we not told to lay down our lives for thebrethren? Let me help you to bed; I fear that leg will keep you therefor some days."

  "I fear so indeed, but am sincerely thankful to have gotten off sowell," replied Leland, accepting the offered assistance.

  "A most comfortable, nay luxurious prison cell," he remarked cheerily,glancing about upon the elegant and tasteful furniture, "truly the lineshave fallen to me in pleasant places."

  Mr. Travilla smiled. "We will do what we can to make amends for the lossof liberty. It can not be far from daybreak now: I will remove thelight, throw open the shutters and leave you to rest. You must of coursebe anxious about your family. I will ride over to Fairview and bring younews of them within the hour."