To Chakra, viewing them from the summit of the Jumbe Rock, the
well-lighted windows of Mount Welcome had proclaimed the presence of
company within the mansion. In this, however, the Coromantee was
mistaken. In the past such an appearance might have had that
signification, or up to a very late period--that is, up to the date of
the arrival of the distinguished Smythje. Since the latter had become
the guest of Mount Welcome, however, the illumination of the mansion
with chandelier and candelabra was not only not unusual, but had been
the nightly practice.
This was Mr Vaughan's pleasure; which, in his absence, the house
steward had injunctions to carry out. The grand hall was only lit up as
usual, its lustrous floor glistening in the brilliant light, while the
profusion of cut glass and silver plate sparkled upon the sideboards,
loudly proclaiming the opulence of the planter. There was no strange
company present--none expected--no one who did not belong to the family,
except Mr Smythje; and he could scarcely be considered a stranger.
Rather might he be regarded--for the time at least--as the master of the
mansion: since in that charge had the Custos left him.
The only individuals occupying this splendid apartment were Smythje and
the young mistress of Mount Welcome--both yet ignorant of what had
occurred upon the Savanna Road--that fearful event which had left Kate
Vaughan a fatherless orphan, at the same time depriving her of the proud
title we have just bestowed upon her.
Yola, her attendant, went and came at intervals, and Thoms occasionally
presented himself in the apartment, in obedience to a summons from his
master.
Notwithstanding the absence of company, Smythje was in full evening
dress--body-coat, breeches, silk stockings, and pumps, with silver
buckles. It was his custom to dress, or be dressed, every evening--a
custom so scrupulously observed, that had there been no one in the house
except the negro domestics of the establishment, Smythje would have
appeared in full fashionable costume all the same. With him the
exigencies of fashion were as rigorous as to a holy friar would be the
observances of his religion.
The gentleman was in high spirits--merry, indeed; and, strange to say,
his companion was less melancholy than of late. No doubt this had given
him his cue for mirth.
Why she had been enabled to escape from her habitual dejection was not
known to Smythje; but he was fain to attribute the improvement in her
spirits to the near prospect of that pleasant ceremony which in a few
days must indubitably take place. In a week, or a fortnight at most,
Mr Vaughan might be expected back; and then it was understood by all--
tacitly by the young lady herself--that the union of Mount Welcome and
Montagu Castle should be no longer delayed.
Smythje had even begun to talk of the wedding _trousseau_; of the
honeymoon tour--which was to extend to the grand metropolis; and as
Kate, at his request, seated herself to the harp, suggesting a musical
conversation, he commenced enlarging upon the theme of the grand "opwa,"
and its attractions--so dear and delightful to himself.
This sort of talk, upon other occasions, had invariably the effect of
making his listener more sad; but, strange to say, on that evening, it
produced no such a disagreeable consequence. Kate's fingers flitted
over the strings of the instrument, drawing music from them that was far
from melancholy.
In truth, the young creole was not listening to the _couleur de rose_
descriptions of the "metwopolis," and its "opwa," which Smythje was so
strenuously endeavouring to impart to her.
Though seated by the harp, and striking mechanically upon its trings,
she was dwelling upon thoughts of a far different character--thoughts
suggested by some further intelligence which Yola had communicated to
her, and which was the true source of that joy--perhaps but a transitory
gleam--that overspread her countenance.
Little did Kate Vaughan suspect that the corpse of her father--lying
cold and lifeless upon a stretcher, and surrounded by strange mourners--
was at that moment scarce five miles distant from where she sat, and
slowly approaching the now masterless mansion of Mount Welcome!
Little did she suspect, while making that music for Smythje, that, from
another direction, monsters in human form were moving towards that
mansion--their dark shadows projected across the glare of the
window-lights--now stationary, now flitting stealthily onward--at each
progressive movement drawing nearer and nearer to the walls!
She saw not these shadowy, demon-like men--had no suspicion either of
their approach or intent--an intent which comprehended robbery, rapine
of a far more fearful kind--murder, if need be.
Neither its mistress, neither Smythje, nor any one else of Mount
Welcome, saw or suspected this mysterious circumvallation, until the
movement had been successfully executed.
Not a word of warning, not a sign or gesture, was given to the occupants
of the apartment, until, with wild, unearthly yells, half-a-dozen
fiend-like forms--men of horrid aspect--some with black masks, others
with naked visage even more hideous to behold--burst into the grand
hall, and commenced the work of pillage.
One, of gigantic size, masked from crown to throat, and wrapped in an
ample covering of skin--though not sufficient to conceal the deformity
of a hunched back--rushed directly up to where the fair musician was
seated; and, dashing the harp to one side, seized upon her wrist before
she could disengage herself from her chair.
"Whugh!" came the ejaculation, in loud aspirate, from behind the mask,
"I'se got ye at lass, ma Lilly Quasheba--atter many's de yea' ob longin'
fo' hab ye. Ef de quaderoom, ya mudder, she 'cape an' 'corn me, I'se
take care de dauter doan' get de same chance. You come 'long wi' me!"
And as the ravisher pronounced these words, he commenced dragging his
shrieking victim across the room towards the stair entrance.
Smythje's half irresolute interposition was of no avail. With one sweep
of his long, flail-like arm, he in the skin cloak sent the exquisite
sprawling upon the floor.
The terrified Cockney no longer thought of resistance; but after
scrambling awhile over the polished planks at length succeeded in
gaining his feet. Then, without waiting to receive a second knock-down,
he shot out through the open doorway, and, descending the stone stairs,
in a couple of skips, disappeared in the darkness below.
Meanwhile the alarm had been communicated to the kitchen and all over
the house. Shouts of surprise were succeeded by screams of terror. The
domestics came running in from all directions; but a shot or two from
the muskets and pistols of the black burglars, fired for the purpose of
increasing the confusion, scattered the whole establishment of servants,
Thoms among the rest, and sent them in full flight towards the
sugar-works and negro village beyond.
In less than a score of seconds, Adam and his confederates had the
mansion to themselves.
It was but the work of a few minutes to fling, open the buffets and
sideboards, and plunder them of their most valuable contents. In less
than a quarter of an hour the black burglars had finished their "job,"
and were ready to depart.
While his confederates were thus engaged, Chakra had secured his victim
at the bottom of the front stairway, where he was impatiently awaiting
the completion of the pillage. Though determined upon having his share
of the booty, he cared less for that than for the gratification of that
wicked desire that had so long possessed his savage soul--so long by
circumstances restrained.
Notwithstanding his eagerness for this demoniac indulgence, he still
possessed a certain degree of prudence. As soon as Adam and his
associates made their appearance, loaded with spoils, he placed his
prisoner under the charge of one of the robbers, and, commanding the
others to follow him, rapidly re-ascended the stairway, and once more
entered the plundered apartment.
In an incredibly short space of time the harp, the chairs, the ottomans,
and other articles of light furniture, were piled up in the middle of
the floor; the jalousies were wrenched from their fastenings, flung upon
the heap, and then set on fire.
Quick as tinder the dry wood blazed up; and in five minutes the noble
mansion of Mount Welcome was in flames!
In five minutes more, under the red glare, flung far out into the
distant fields, the robbers were seen, slowly and laboriously seeking
concealment within the shadows beyond--six of them burdened with shining
utensils that gave back the gleam of the blazing mansion; while the
seventh, the most formidable figure of all, carried in his arms an
object of a far different kind--the body of a beautiful woman--the
fainting form of Lilly Quasheba!
Volume Three, Chapter XXXII.