THE TABLES TURNING.
When Duffel left the Cave, as shown in the preceding chapter, he went
immediately to the place where he had appointed to meet Bill and Dick,
boiling over with rage all the way, and "breathing out vengeance" on the
head of Eveline. He had entered her room so confident of triumphing, that
the humiliation of defeat was tenfold greater than if he had doubted of
success. And then the degradation to which he had been forced to abase
himself! The very remembrance of it set his blood to boiling! He cursed
himself for his cowardice; he cursed Eveline for her manifestation of
courage and for everything else she had done. To be forced to kneel and beg
his life of a woman! and that woman his own prisoner, on his own terms, in
his own dungeon! The thought burned into his very soul! and the more he
thought the fiercer became his wrath.
In this frame of mind he reached the rendezvous, and found his accomplices
awaiting his arrival, for they had work of their own on hand and did not
wish to be detained too long by their old leader but now secret foe.
"I'm glad to find you here," he said, as soon as he came up, and his tools
saw in a moment that something unusual had happened or some extraordinary
work was to be done.
"We are always punctual," Bill replied.
"And it is well you are this time; for there is work to do immediately. I
want you to collect together as many of the members of the League as can be
found, and assemble them in the cave by midnight."
"Why, what in the world has happened?" inquired Bill in some alarm, lest
his own scheme should be frustrated by these demonstrations on the part of
Duffel.
"Not much of anything; indeed I may as well tell you at once, that this
movement has reference to Miss Mandeville. I have just returned from the
cave where I called upon her, and from her obstinacy and a number of hints
thrown out, I am fully persuaded she expects deliverance from some quarter;
and I am determined to put an end to such anticipations without further
delay. I think the sooner she is conquered the better. I should have
proceeded to extremes at once, but I wished to persuade her into a
voluntary marriage, so that I might come in for the old man's money; but
she has found some means of arming herself and is firmly bent on having her
own way, while I am as fully resolved she shall not. But I must have a dip
into the old gentleman's purse; that's another fixed fact; and so I am
going to marry the girl whether she will or not; and I want you, Bill, to
act the parson. I know you can do it. Disguise yourself and--. But you know
all the details as well as any reverend pastor in the land. Do it up right,
and give each of us a certificate in due form, so that it will stand in
law; and you shall be liberally rewarded; yes, and promoted, too. You shall
not serve me for nothing. Come, now, away as fast as possible to get the
men together, and report to me at midnight precisely, in this place."
Duffel had managed to smother his wrath during the brief moments he was
giving his orders; but no sooner had the seemingly pliant tools of his will
left, than he again foamed over, and pacing back and forth, continued his
cursing, as though he would spend his impotent fury in blasphemy.
Bill and Dick started off, as if in the most cheerful manner and with the
greatest alacrity they would do their leader's bidding. But no sooner had
they reached a safe distance than they began to consult how they were to
manage this new and unlooked for phase of affairs, which seemed destined to
undermine all their former arrangements and to overthrow their entire
calculations and plans. But Duffel could not be more determined to avoid
defeat than they were, and they set down the thwarting or overreaching him
as the first object to be accomplished. Bill reflected awhile, and then
said:
"I think we can manage it. Instead of going after the men, you must get
three horses ready for our immediate departure, while I go and prepare the
lady for the journey. We must endeavor to have everything arranged by
eleven o'clock, so as to be sure of success."
"But how are we to manage Duffel?"
"Leave him to me; I can do that part of the business effectually, I think."
With this understanding, the rascals parted, each to carry out his part of
the work for the evening and night; and they had but little time in which
to work, for the afternoon was far advanced, and they had many miles to
travel, in order to accomplish their ends.
Before proceeding to the cave, Bill sat down and dated and signed a note,
already written, which he folded and addressed to 'Squire Williams, and
procured the service of a little boy to carry it to him. We shall hereafter
learn its import and object.
When he reached the cave it was already night. He found the sentinel in a
very uneasy mood, and very anxious to get off till morning, to carry out
some design of his own. He had engaged a member to take his place, but from
some cause he had not arrived. Bill gladly assumed the post, and in a few
minutes was alone with his thoughts and plans.
When assured that the other was far enough away, he closed the door to the
cave and locked it. Then, going to the armory, he selected several braces
of the best pistols, and secured them about his own person, for his and
Dick's future use. He next opened the money-chest, and took from it all the
gold that had been collected since the last division, some two thousand
dollars in all. This he fastened in a belt worn next to his person. After
making every other arrangement about the room according to his wishes, he
went to the magazine and brought out all the powder it contained, and so
placed the kegs and other vessels containing it, as to secure the greatest
amount of destructive force from the whole. All these he then connected by
trains of the explosive material, which were united in one wider one
leading out at the door of the cave.
These preparations made, he went to apprise Eveline of their readiness for
departure, intending while she was making the few preparations necessary
for starting, to go out and see after Dick.
When he opened the door to the captain's room, he was struck with the
profound stillness which everywhere pervaded the place. No Eveline was
there; but he remembered having seen the door to the small room open on a
former occasion, and supposing her to be within, went and rapped on the
door, at first gently. No answer. Then louder, and louder. All was still.
He called her. No response came. Wondering if she was asleep, or what could
prevent or deter her from answering his call, he proceeded to break open
the door. This he succeeded in doing, after considerable effort; but when
he perceived she was not there, his surprise and astonishment were
unbounded. He knew not that while he was robbing robbers, and placing
powder for the demolition of the cave, she had left its dismal precincts by
a way unknown to him or Duffel, and was now far away in the wilderness.
"Where is she? What does it mean?"
These questions he put to himself, but could not answer. A thousand
conjectures rushed through his brain; but no satisfactory clue to the
mystery was hit upon. Had Duffel deceived them? No, his anger and
earnestness were too real for that. Had she other friends? Had not the
sentinel turned traitor, and having liberated the prisoner, was anxious to
get away, lest his perfidy should be discovered, or to gain a reward for
his treachery? This, though hardly probable, was the most plausible
supposition, and Bill concluded to act upon it. He was resolved to carry
out his plans in, all their details; except that Eveline could not be taken
with them; for he was not going to yield up his stolen gold, nor forego his
revenge on Duffel.
Looking at his watch, in the midst of these perplexing reflections and
strengthened resolves, he saw that it was time for him to be off to see
Duffel, as the place of meeting was some ten miles from the cave, and a
part of the distance had to be gone over on foot. He reached the spot about
the hour appointed, and found the miscreant already there, impatiently
awaiting his arrival.
"What success?" inquired Duffel, the moment he came up.
"None at all, your honor."
"How?"
"Bad news, _very_."
"What?"
"I fear there is treason in the League. The doors of the cave are all open,
even to the inner door of the inner room, and no living person is within
its walls!"
Duffel was speechless with surprise and terror, the astonishing
intelligence seeming to paralyze all his powers; at last he made out to
loosen his tongue and queried:
"She is gone, then?"
"Yes, and the sentinel, too!"
"Then we are betrayed! What shall we do?"
The terrible news Bill brought, completely unmanned Duffel, and his
presence of mind entirely forsook him; hence his last query, which was
propounded with all the imbecility of helplessness.
"I'll tell you what I am going to do," said Bill; "and that is, leave this
part of the country as speedily as possible."
"But won't the officers be upon us immediately?"
"No; if at all, not before to-morrow. We can make our arrangements
to-night, lay in the swamp all day, and leave to-morrow night. You have a
horse already prepared in the swamp; I would advise you to go home without
a moment's delay, and make all necessary preparations for your journey, and
be back in the vicinity of your horse before daylight, or as soon after as
possible; and to-morrow night we can set out for the cave in the
south-west."
"I believe your plan is a good one; but when shall we meet again?"
"Not until we get away from this section of country; perhaps not until we
reach our ultimate destination. But we have no time to lose, all depends
upon dispatch, and we had best be about our preparations. Good-by,
captain."
"Good-by, my fine fellow. I thank you for your advice, and hope that when
we meet again it will be under more cheering skies, and with brighter
prospects before us. Good-by."
And thus they parted, to meet again--where?
Bill hastened back to the cave, where he found Dick in waiting with the
horses. In as few words as possible, Bill explained to his confederate how
matters stood, and what measures he had taken; then sending Dick back some
distance with the animals, he laid a long train of powder from the cave
outward, and at the farthest extremity placed a can of the explosive
compound, wherein he had adjusted a slow match, to which he now set fire,
and then hastened away with Dick to a place of safety.
Duffel, as we have seen, was thoroughly alarmed by the intelligence
communicated by Bill; and like all who depend more on stratagem than on
courage, he cowered before the danger which seemed to stare him in the
face. The suddenness of the announcement had not a little to do in
producing the result; but when on his way home from the interview, after
having more time to contemplate the calamity and his own situation, his
fear did not abate. Every little noise startled him, and his mind was
constantly harassed with the idea that officers of justice were after him.
One cause of his trepidation may be traced to the fact of his many and
fearful crimes; he knew how deeply he had involved himself in guilt by the
abduction of Eveline and the murder of her lover, as he believed, at his
own instigation and command; and he felt well assured, now that his
intended victim was at large, she would not be slow to act with vigor for
his apprehension and punishment. He knew full well, too, that Mr.
Mandeville, when once his eyes were opened, would pursue him with
unflagging energy and tireless perseverance, until his crimes were duly
expiated to the full extent of the law. With such knowledge and reflections
for companions, well might the guilty wretch quake with fear. If
"conscience makes cowards of us all," how much more so _him_, reeking as he
was with blood and crime!
Notwithstanding all his fears, he reached home in safety, made a few hasty
preparations for his journey, placed his effects left behind in as good
order as the shortness of the time would allow, gave them in charge to his
servant, with such orders for their disposal as pleased him, and then
started for the swamp, which he reached about daylight, and into which he
plunged with as much pleasure as ever a hunted fox entered its secure
burrow. Though still very uneasy, he breathed more freely than before since
receiving the unwelcome tidings from Bill.
* * * * *
'Squire Williams was seated in his easy chair after the labors of the day,
quietly enjoying himself in a train of dreamy reflections, when he was
aroused from his state of languor and but half wakefulness by a knock at
the door. Feeling tired, he did not get up to open for the visitor, but in
the old fashioned style, requested the knocker to "come in."
A neighboring boy entered, and handed him a letter, saying:
"The man who gave me the letter for you told me to tell you, you had better
read it immediately."
"Indeed! Then it must be of some importance," said the 'Squire as he opened
the document. It read as follows:
"'SQUIRE WILLIAMS:--Having learned that you take a deep interest
in the movements of young Mr. Duffel, who is supposed to be connected with
a body of outlaws and thieves by yourself and others, I take the liberty,
though a stranger, to address a line relative to the individual named,
which may be of some service to you in detecting him, and to community, by
preventing his further operations.
"If you will go to the swamp, nine miles from C----, early to-morrow
morning, and watch closely all day and all the next night, should he not
make his appearance sooner, you will detect him in the act of leaving the
place on a horse which he has forgotten to pay for. I would advise that you
take a few confidential friends with you, and, if possible, induce Mr.
Mandeville to be one of them; you will understand my reasons for making
this request in the end. Make all your arrangements with great caution and
secrecy, _and be sure to trust no one in whom you have not the most
implicit confidence, or you may be betrayed_. I make this remark, on the
supposition that you are not aware of the fact, that some of your neighbors
are associated with a class of men who do not live by lawful avocations,
but are members of an organization which has for its object union of
strength and harmony of action among those who prey upon community. I would
further advise, that you do not go to the swamp before daylight--_give him
time to get into the trap_. I will cut the letter B on a beech-tree at the
south-western corner of the swamp, which will be a sign and guide-mark that
you are in the right way; from that tree keep a direct north-east course
until you reach a large walnut tree, then turn at right angles with your
former course, and cross the marsh on the logs which you will find placed
there for that purpose. Beyond the marsh, or rather in the center of it,
there is an island, which it is extremely difficult to reach by any other
route than the one pointed out. On it you will find Duffel, _provided you
are cautious and wary in your movements_. You will wonder how I am so
familiarly acquainted with the operations of these bad men: without fully
satisfying your curiosity, let me say, that whatever I may have been, I am
now desirous of handing over to justice one who is deeply guilty--guilty of
crimes of which even you, perhaps, have never dreamed of accusing him. On
this point I have only to say, you yourself came near losing your life in
place of one of his victims. I allude to the attack made upon you by two
persons in the 'dark passage,' some weeks ago. You will remember it! I know
all, though revealing but little; and as it will be known that treason is
in the camp of the League of Thieves, I shall leave the country at once. Go
to the swamp as directed, and you will satisfy yourself of all that I have
told you; but let me advise you to note strictly the directions I give you,
and be extremely careful in your movements and choice of confidants. Yours,
for law and justice,
"EX LEAGUEIST."
So soon as he finished reading this singular communication, the 'Squire
asked the boy:
"What sort of a man was he, that gave you the letter?"
"He was large, with dark eyes, and sun-burnt face."
"You did not know him, then?"
"No, sir; he was a stranger."
"That will do."
The 'Squire was puzzled to know what to do. The man might be acting in good
faith, or he might be only leading him into a snare. After mature
deliberation, he came to the conclusion that his informant was not
deceiving him, and resolved to act upon the suggestions of the unknown
writer, be he friend or foe.
He accordingly set about making preparations for the adventures of the
morning, without delay. By midnight all his arrangements were completed,
and he lay down to snatch a little rest before setting out on the
expedition. At three o'clock in the morning, the little company, numbering
five in all, of whom Mr. Mandeville was one, set out for the swamp.
Bill and Dick had scarcely reached a safe distance from the cave, when a
sound as of ten thousand thunderbolts rent the air, and the ground at the
same time trembled as in a violent earthquake. The horses plunged and
snorted, and then stood still in mute fear. The villains, who were looking
in the direction of the cave, saw a column of fire, smoke, earth, and rocks
heaved up in the air--a huge mass like a mountain--some portions to the
height of several hundred feet, and then fall again with a heavy crash,
making the earth vibrate beneath them. They knew then that the cave was in
ruins, and its place occupied by a shapeless mass of matter.
The explosion took place a little after three o'clock in the morning, and
consequently but a few minutes after 'Squire Williams and his party had set
out for the swamp. They heard it, and felt the quivering of the earth,
though twenty-five miles distant, and for a moment paused in alarm, fully
believing it was an earthquake. But as no repetition of the sound or shock
took place, they concluded the danger was past, and proceeded on their way.
Duffel also heard the report and felt the shaking, and it filled him with
alarm. He was nearing the swamp at the time, and for a little while
hesitated to proceed, but finally did so, arriving at the same conclusion
as did the party in his rear.
It became the general belief in the neighborhood, and for forty miles
around the cave, that the noise and its accompaniments were to be
attributed to a veritable earthquake; and we believe a report to that
effect finally went the rounds of the press.