The Pioneers; Or, The Sources of the Susquehanna

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER XXV.

  "Cease all this parlance about hills and dales. None listen to thy scenes of boyish frolic. Fond dotard! with such tickled ears as thou dost Come to thy tale." --Duo.

  Mr. Jones arose on the following morning with the sun, and, orderinghis own and Marmaduke's steeds to be saddled, he proceeded, with acountenance big with some business of unusual moment to the apartmentof the Judge. The door was unfastened, and Richard entered, with thefreedom that characterized not only the intercourse between the cousins,but the ordinary manners of the sheriff.

  "Well, 'Duke, to horse," he cried, "and I will explain to you my meaningin the allusions I made last night. David says, in the Psalms--no, itwas Solomon, but it was all in the family--Solomon said there was a timefor all things; and, in my humble opinion, a fishing-party is not themoment for discussing important subjects. Ha! why, what the devil ailsyou, Marmaduke? Ain't you well? Let me feel your pulse; my grandfather,you know--"

  "Quite well in the body, Richard," interrupted the Judge, repulsing hiscousin, who was about to assume the functions that rightly belonged toDr. Todd; "but ill at heart. I received letters by the post last night,after we returned from the point, and this among the number."

  The sheriff took the letter, but without turning his eyes on thewriting, for he was examining the appearance of the other withastonishment. From the face of his cousin the gaze of Richard wanderedto the table, which was covered with letters, packets, and newspapers;then to the apartment and all it contained. On the bed there was theimpression that had been made by a human form, but the coverings wereunmoved, and everything indicated that the occupant of the room hadpassed a sleepless night. The candles had burned to the sockets, and hadevidently extinguished themselves in their own fragments Marmaduke haddrawn his curtains, and opened both the shutters and the sashes, toadmit the balmy air "of a spring morning; but his pale cheek, hisquivering lip, and his sunken eye presented altogether so very differentan appearance from the usual calm, manly, and cheerful aspect of theJudge, that the sheriff grew each moment more and more bewildered withastonishment. At length Richard found time to cast his eyes on thedirection of the letter, which he still held unopened, crumpling it inhis hand.

  "What! a ship-letter!" he exclaimed; "and from England, ha! 'Duke, theremust be news of importance! indeed!"

  "Read it," said Marmaduke, pacing the floor in excessive agitation.

  Richard, who commonly thought aloud, was unable to read a letter withoutsuffering part of its contents to escape him in audible sounds. So muchof the epistle as was divulged in that manner, we shall lay before thereader, accompanied by the passing remarks of the sheriff:

  "'London, February 12, 1793.' What a devil of a passage she had!but the wind has been northwest for six weeks, until within the lastfortnight. Sir, your favors of August 10th, September 23d, and ofDecember 1st, were received in due season, and the first answered byreturn of packet. Since the receipt of the last, I' "--here a longpassage was rendered indistinct by a kind of humming noise by thesheriff--" 'I grieve to say that '--hum, hum, bad enough to be sure--'but trusts that a merciful Providence has seen fit'--hum, hum, hum seemsto be a good, pious sort of a man, 'Duke; belongs to the EstablishedChurch, I dare say; hum, hum--' vessel sailed from Falmouth on or aboutthe 1st September of last year, and'--hum, hum, hum, 'If anything shouldtranspire on this afflicting subject shall not fail'--hum, hum; really agood-hearted man, for a lawyer--'but Can communicate nothing further atpresent'--hum, hum. 'The national convention'--hum, hum--'unfortunateLouis'--hum, hum--'example of your Washington'--a very sensible man,I declare, and none of your crazy democrats. Hum, hum--'our gallantnavy'--hum, hum--'under our most excellent monarch'--ay, a good manenough, that King George, but bad advisers: hum, hum--'I beg to concludewith assurances of my perfect respect.'--hum, hum--'Andrew Holt.'--Andrew Holt, a very sensible, feeling man, this Mr. Andrew Holt--butthe writer of evil tidings. What will you do next, Cousin Marmaduke?"

  "What can I do, Richard, but trust to time, and the will of Heaven? Hereis another letter from Connecticut, but it only repeats the substance ofthe last. There is but one consoling reflection to be gathered from theEnglish news, which is, that my last letter was received by him beforethe ship sailed."

  "This is bad enough, indeed! 'Duke, bad enough, indeed! and away goall my plans, of putting wings to the house, to the devil. I hadmade arrangements for a ride to introduce you to something of a veryimportant nature. You know how much you think of mines--"

  "Talk not of mines," interrupted the Judge: "there is a sacred duty tobe performed, and that without delay, I must devote this day to writing;and thou must be my assistant, Richard; it will not do to employ Oliverin a matter of such secrecy and interest."

  "No, no, 'Duke," cried the sheriff, squeezing his hand, "I am your man,just now; we are sister's children, and blood, after all, is the bestcement to make friendship stick together. Well, well, there is no hurryabout the silver mine, just now; another time will do as well. We shallwant Dirky Van, I suppose?"

  Marmaduke assented to this indirect question, and the sheriffrelinquished all his intentions on the subject of the ride, and,repairing to the breakfast parlor, he dispatched a messenger to requirethe immediate presence of Dirck Van der School.

  The village of Templeton at that time supported but two lawyers, oneof whom was introduced to our readers in the bar-room of the "BoldDragoon." and the other was the gentleman of whom Richard spoke bythe friendly yet familiar appellation of Dirck, or Dirky Van. Greatgood-nature, a very tolerable share of skill in his profession, and,considering the circumstances, no contemptible degree of honesty, werethe principal ingredients in the character of this man, who was known tothe settlers as Squire Van der School, and sometimes by the flatteringthough anomalous title of the "Dutch" or "honest lawyer."

  We would not wish to mislead our readers in their conceptions of anyof our characters, and we therefore feel it necessary to add that theadjective, in the preceding agnomen of Mr. Van der School, was used indirect reference to its substantive. Our orthodox friends need not betold that all the merit in this world is comparative; and, once forall, we desire to say that, where anything which involves qualitiesor characters is asserted, we must be understood to mean, "under thecircumstances."

  During the remainder of the day, the Judge was closeted with his cousinand his lawyer; and no one else was admitted to his apartment, exceptinghis daughter. The deep distress that so evidently affected Marmaduke wasin some measure communicated to Elizabeth also; for a look of dejectionshaded her intelligent features, and the buoyancy of her animatedspirits was sensibly softened. Once on that day, young Edwards, who wasa wondering and observant spectator of the sudden alteration producedin the heads of the family, detected a tear stealing over the cheek ofElizabeth, and suffusing her bright eyes with a softness that did notalways belong to their expression.

  "Have any evil tidings been received, Miss Temple?" he inquired, with aninterest and voice that caused Louisa Grant to raise her head from herneedlework, with a quick ness at which she instantly blushed herself."I would offer my services to your father, if, as I suspect, he needs anagent in some distant place, and I thought it would give you relief."

  "We have certainly heard bad news," returned Elizabeth, "and it may benecessary that my father should leave home for a short period; unlessI can persuade him to trust my cousin Richard with the business, whoseabsence from the country, just at this time, too, might be inexpedient."

  The youth paused a moment, and the blood gathered slowly to his templesas he continued:

  "If it be of a nature that I could execute-"

  "It is such as can only be confided to one we know--one of ourselves."

  "Surely, you know me, Miss Temple!" he added, with a warmth that heseldom exhibited, but which did some times escape him in the moments oftheir frank communications. "Have I lived five months under your roof tobe a stranger?"

  Elizabeth was engaged with her needle also
, and she bent her head toone side, affecting to arrange her muslin; but her hand shook, hercolor heightened, and her eyes lost their moisture in an expression ofungovernable interest, as she said:

  "How much do we know of you, Mr. Edwards?"

  "How much!" echoed the youth, gazing from the speaker to the mildcountenance of Louisa, that was also illuminated with curiosity; "howmuch Have I been so long an inmate with you and not known?"

  The head of Elizabeth turned slowly from its affected position, and thelook of confusion that had blended so strongly with an expression ofinterest changed to a smile.

  "We know you, sir, indeed; you are called Mr. Oliver Edwards. Iunderstand that you have informed my friend Miss Grant that you are anative--"

  "Elizabeth!" exclaimed Louisa, blushing to thc eyes, and trembling likean aspen; "you misunderstood me, dear Miss Temple; I--I--it was only aconjecture. Besides, if Mr. Edwards is related to the natives why shouldwe reproach him? In what are we better? at least I, who am the child ofa poor and unsettled clergyman?"

  Elizabeth shook her head doubtingly, and even laughed, but made noreply, until, observing the melancholy which pervaded the countenance ofher companion, who was thinking of the poverty and labors of her father,she continued:

  "Nay, Louisa, humility carries you too far. The daughter of a ministerof the church can have no superiors. Neither I nor Mr. Edwards is quiteyour equal, unless," she added, again smiling, "he is in secret a king."

  "A faithful servant of the King of kings, Miss Temple, is inferior tonone on earth," said Louisa; "but his honors are his own; I am only thechild of a poor and friendless man, and can claim no other distinction.Why, then, should I feel myself elevated above Mr. Edwards,because--because--perhaps he is only very, very distantly related toJohn Mohegan?"

  Glances of a very comprehensive meaning were exchanged between theheiress and the young man, as Louisa betrayed, while vindicating hislineage, the reluctance with which she admitted his alliance with theold warrior; but not even a smile at the simplicity of their companionwas indulged in by either.

  "On reflection, I must acknowledge that my situation here is somewhatequivocal," said Edwards, "though I may be said to have purchased itwith my blood."

  "The blood, too, of one of the native lords of the soil!" criedElizabeth, who evidently put little faith in his aboriginal descent.

  "Do I bear the marks of my lineage so very plainly impressed on myappearance? I am dark, but not very red--not more so than common?"

  "Rather more so, just now."

  "I am sure, Miss Temple," cried Louisa, "you cannot have taken muchnotice of Mr. Edwards. His eyes are not so black as Mohegan's or evenyour own, nor is his hair."

  "Very possibly, then, I can lay claim to the same de scent It would be agreat relief to my mind to think so, for I own that I grieve when I seeold Mohegan walking about these lands like the ghost of one of theirancient possessors, and feel how small is my own right to possess them."

  "Do you?" cried the youth, with a vehemence that startled the ladies

  "I do, indeed," returned Elizabeth, after suffering a moment to pass insurprise; "but what can I do--what can my father do? Should we offer theold man a home' and a maintenance, his habits would compel him to refuseus. Neither were we so silly as to wish such a thing, could weconvert these clearings and farms again into hunting grounds, as theLeather-Stocking would wish to see them."

  "You speak the truth, Miss Temple," said Edwards. "What can you doindeed? But there is one thing that I am certain you can and will do,when you become the mistress of these beautiful valleys--use your wealthwith indulgence to the poor, and charity to the needy; indeed, you cando no more."

  "And That will be doing a good deal," said Louisa, smiling in her turn."But there will, doubtless, be one to take the direction of such thingsfrom her hands."

  "I am not about to disclaim matrimony, like a silly girl, who dreams ofnothing else from morn till night; but I am a nun here, without the vowof celibacy. Where shall I find a husband in these forests?"

  "There is none, Miss Temple," said Edwards quickly; "there is none whohas a right to aspire to you, and I know that you will wait to be soughtby your equal; or die, as you live, loved, respected, and admired by allwho know you."

  The young man seemed to think that he had said all that was requiredby gallantry, for he arose, and, taking his hat, hurried from theapartment. Perhaps Louisa thought that he had said more than wasnecessary, for she sighed, with an aspiration so low that it wasscarcely audible to herself, and bent her head over her work again.And it is possible that Miss Temple wished to hear more, for her eyescontinued fixed for a minute on the door through which the young man hadpassed, then glanced quickly toward her companion, when the long silencethat succeeded manifested how much zest may be given to the conversationof two maidens under eighteen, by the presence of a youth ofthree-and-twenty.

  The first person encountered by Mr. Edwards, as he rather rushed thanwalked from the house, was the little square-built lawyer, with a largebundle of papers under his arm, a pair of green spectacles on his nose,with glasses at the sides, as if to multiply his power of detectingfrauds by additional organs of vision.

  Mr. Van der School was a well-educated man, but of slow comprehension,who had imbibed a wariness in his speeches and actions, from havingsuffered by his collisions with his more mercurial and apt brethren whohad laid the foundations of their practice in the Eastern courts, andwho had sucked in shrewdness with their mother's milk. The caution ofthis gentleman was exhibited in his actions, by the utmost methodand punctuality, tinctured with a good deal of timidity; and in hisspeeches, by a parenthetical style, that frequently left to his auditorsa long search after his meaning.

  "A good-morning to you, Mr. Van der School," said Edwards; "it seems tobe a busy day with us at the mansion-house."

  "Good-morning, Mr. Edwards (if that is your name [for, being a stranger,we have no other evidence of the fact than your own testimony], as Iunderstand you have given it to Judge Temple), good-morning, sir. Itis, apparently a busy day (but a man of your discretion need not be told[having, doubtless, discovered it of your own accord], that appearancesare often deceitful) up at the mansion-house."

  "Have you papers of consequence that will require copying? Can I be ofassistance in any way?"

  "There are papers (as doubtless you see [for your eyes are young] by theoutsides) that require copying."

  "Well, then, I will accompany you to your office, and receive such asare most needed, and by night I shall have them done if there be muchhaste."

  "I shall always be glad to see you, sir, at my office (as in duty bound,not that it is obligatory to receive any man within your dwellingunless so inclined), which is a castle, according to the forms ofpoliteness, or at any other place; but the papers are most strictlyconfidential (and, as such, cannot be read by any one), unless sodirected (by Judge Temple's solemn injunctions), and are invisible toall eyes; excepting those whose duties (I mean assumed duties) requireit of them."

  "Well, sir, as I perceive that I can be of no service, I wish youanother good-morning; but beg you will remember that I am quite idlejust now, and I wish you would intimate as much to Judge Temple,and make him a ten der of my services in any part of the world, unless--unless--it be far from Templeton."

  "I will make the communication, sir, in your name (with your ownqualifications), as your agent. Good morning, sir. But stay proceedings,Mr. Edwards (so called), for a moment. Do you wish me to state the offerof travelling as a final contract (for which consideration has beenreceived at former dates [by sums advanced], which would be binding), oras a tender of services for which compensation is to be paid (accordingto future agreement between the parties), on performance of theconditions?"

  "Any way, any way," said Edwards; "he seems in distress, and I wouldassist him."

  "The motive is good, sir (according to appearances which are oftendeceitful] on first impressions), and does you honor. I will mentionyour wish, young gen
tleman (as you now seem), and will not fail tocommunicate the answer by five o'clock P.M. of this present day (Godwilling), if you give me an opportunity so to do."

  The ambiguous nature of the situation and character of Mr. Edwards hadrendered him an object of peculiar suspicion to the lawyer, and theyouth was consequently too much accustomed to similar equivocal andguarded speeches to feel any unusual disgust at the present dialogue. Hesaw at once that it was the intention of the practitioner to conceal thenature of his business, even from the private secretary of Judge Temple;and he knew too well the difficulty of comprehending the meaning of Mr.Van der School, when the gentleman most wished to be luminous in hisdiscourse, not to abandon all thoughts of a discovery, when he perceivedthat the attorney was endeavoring to avoid anything like an approach toa cross-examination. They parted at the gate, the lawyer walking withan important and hurried air toward his office, keeping his right handfirmly clinched on the bundle of papers.

  It must have been obvious to all our readers, that the youth entertainedan unusual and deeply seated prejudice against the character of theJudge; but owing to some counteracting cause, his sensations werenow those of powerful interest in the state of his patron's presentfeelings, and in the cause of his secret uneasiness. He remained gazingafter the lawyer until the door closed on both the bearer and themysterious packet, when he returned slowly to the dwelling, andendeavored to forget his curiosity in the usual avocations of hisoffice.

  When the Judge made his reappearance in the circles of his family, hischeerfulness was tempered by a shade of melancholy that lingered formany days around his manly brow; but the magical progression of theseason aroused him from his temporary apathy, and his smiles returnedwith the summer.

  The heats of the days, and the frequent occurrence of balmy showers, hadcompleted in an incredibly short period the growth of plants whichthe lingering spring had so long retarded in the germ; and the woodspresented every shade of green that the American forests know. Thestumps in the cleared fields were already hidden beneath the wheat thatwas waving with every breath of the sum mer air, shining and changingits hues like velvet.

  During the continuance of his cousin's dejection, Mr. Jones forebore,with much consideration, to press on his attention a business that eachhour was drawing nearer to the heart of the sheriff, and which, if anyopinion could be formed by his frequent private conferences with the manwho was introduced in these pages by the name of Jotham, at the bar-roomof the Bold Dragoon, was becoming also of great importance.

  At length the sheriff ventured to allude again to the subject; andone evening, in the beginning of July, Marmaduke made him a promise ofdevoting the following day to the desired excursion.