The features of one whom I had seen so transiently as Wallace may be
imagined to be not easily recognised, especially when those features
were tremulous and deathful. Here, however, the differences were too
conspicuous to mislead me. I beheld one in whom I could recollect none
that bore resemblance. Though ghastly and livid, the traces of
intelligence and beauty were undefaced. The life of Wallace was of more
value to a feeble individual; but surely the being that was stretched
before me, and who was hastening to his last breath, was precious to
thousands.
Was he not one in whose place I would willingly have died? The offering
was too late. His extremities were already cold. A vapour, noisome and
contagious, hovered over him. The flutterings of his pulse had ceased.
His existence was about to close amidst convulsion and pangs.
I withdrew my gaze from this object, and walked to a table. I was nearly
unconscious of my movements. My thoughts were occupied with
contemplations of the train of horrors and disasters that pursue the
race of man. My musings were quickly interrupted by the sight of a small
cabinet, the hinges of which were broken and the lid half raised. In the
present state of my thoughts, I was prone to suspect the worst. Here
were traces of pillage. Some casual or mercenary attendant had not only
contributed to hasten the death of the patient, but had rifled his
property and fled.
This suspicion would, perhaps, have yielded to mature reflections, if I
had been suffered to reflect. A moment scarcely elapsed, when some
appearance in the mirror, which hung over the table, called my
attention. It was a human figure. Nothing could be briefer than the
glance that I fixed upon this apparition; yet there was room enough for
the vague conception to suggest itself, that the dying man had started
from his bed and was approaching me. This belief was, at the same
instant, confuted, by the survey of his form and garb. One eye, a scar
upon his cheek, a tawny skin, a form grotesquely misproportioned, brawny
as Hercules, and habited in livery, composed, as it were, the parts of
one view.
To perceive, to fear, and to confront this apparition were blended into
one sentiment. I turned towards him with the swiftness of lightning; but
my speed was useless to my safety. A blow upon my temple was succeeded
by an utter oblivion of thought and of feeling. I sunk upon the floor
prostrate and senseless.
My insensibility might be mistaken by observers for death, yet some part
of this interval was haunted by a fearful dream. I conceived myself
lying on the brink of a pit, whose bottom the eye could not reach. My
hands and legs were fettered, so as to disable me from resisting two
grim and gigantic figures who stooped to lift me from the earth. Their
purpose, methought, was to cast me into this abyss. My terrors were
unspeakable, and I struggled with such force, that my bonds snapped and
I found myself at liberty. At this moment my senses returned, and I
opened my eyes.
The memory of recent events was, for a time, effaced by my visionary
horrors. I was conscious of transition from one state of being to
another; but my imagination was still filled with images of danger. The
bottomless gulf and my gigantic persecutors were still dreaded. I looked
up with eagerness. Beside me I discovered three figures, whose character
or office was explained by a coffin of pine boards which lay upon the
floor. One stood with hammer and nails in his hand, as ready to replace
and fasten the lid of the coffin as soon as its burden should be
received.
I attempted to rise from the floor, but my head was dizzy and my sight
confused. Perceiving me revive, one of the men assisted me to regain my
feet. The mist and confusion presently vanished, so as to allow me to
stand unsupported and to move. I once more gazed at my attendants, and
recognised the three men whom I had met in High Street, and whose
conversation I have mentioned that I overheard. I looked again upon the
coffin. A wavering recollection of the incidents that led me hither, and
of the stunning blow which I had received, occurred to me. I saw into
what error appearances had misled these men, and shuddered to reflect by
what hairbreadth means I had escaped being buried alive.
Before the men had time to interrogate me, or to comment upon my
situation, one entered the apartment, whose habit and mien tended to
encourage me. The stranger was characterized by an aspect full of
composure and benignity, a face in which the serious lines of age were
blended with the ruddiness and smoothness of youth, and a garb that
bespoke that religious profession with whose benevolent doctrines the
example of Hadwin had rendered me familiar.
On observing me on my feet, he betrayed marks of surprise and
satisfaction. He addressed me in a tone of mildness:--
"Young man," said he, "what is thy condition? Art thou sick? If thou
art, thou must consent to receive the best treatment which the times
will afford. These men will convey thee to the hospital at Bush Hill."
The mention of that contagious and abhorred receptacle inspired me with
some degree of energy. "No," said I, "I am not sick; a violent blow
reduced me to this situation. I shall presently recover strength enough
to leave this spot without assistance."
He looked at me with an incredulous but compassionate air:--"I fear thou
dost deceive thyself or me. The necessity of going to the hospital is
much to be regretted, but, on the whole, it is best. Perhaps, indeed,
thou hast kindred or friends who will take care of thee?"
"No," said I; "neither kindred nor friends. I am a stranger in the city.
I do not even know a single being."
"Alas!" returned the stranger, with a sigh, "thy state is sorrowful.
But how camest thou hither?" continued he, looking around him; "and
whence comest thou?"
"I came from the country. I reached the city a few hours ago. I was in
search of a friend who lived in this house."
"Thy undertaking was strangely hazardous and rash; but who is the friend
thou seekest? Was it he who died in that bed, and whose corpse has just
been removed?"
The men now betrayed some impatience; and inquired of the last comer,
whom they called Mr. Estwick, what they were to do. He turned to me, and
asked if I were willing to be conducted to the hospital.
I assured him that I was free from disease, and stood in no need of
assistance; adding, that my feebleness was owing to a stunning blow
received from a ruffian on my temple. The marks of this blow were
conspicuous, and after some hesitation he dismissed the men; who,
lifting the empty coffin on their shoulders, disappeared.
He now invited me to descend into the parlour; "for," said he, "the air
of this room is deadly. I feel already as if I should have reason to
repent of having entered it."
He now inquired into the cause of those appearances which he had
witnessed. I explained my situation as clearly and succinctly as I was
able.
After pondering, in silence, on my story,--"I see how it is," said he;
"the person whom thou sawest in the agonies of death was a stranger. He
was attended by his servant and a hired nurse. His master's death being
certain, the nurse was despatched by the servant to procure a coffin. He
probably chose that opportunity to rifle his master's trunk, that stood
upon the table. Thy unseasonable entrance interrupted him; and he
designed, by the blow which he gave thee, to secure his retreat before
the arrival of a hearse. I know the man, and the apparition thou hast so
well described was his. Thou sayest that a friend of thine lived in this
house: thou hast come too late to be of service. The whole family have
perished. Not one was suffered to escape."
This intelligence was fatal to my hopes. It required some efforts to
subdue my rising emotions. Compassion not only for Wallace, but for
Thetford, his father, his wife and his child, caused a passionate
effusion of tears. I was ashamed of this useless and childlike
sensibility; and attempted to apologize to my companion. The sympathy,
however, had proved contagious, and the stranger turned away his face to
hide his own tears.
"Nay," said he, in answer to my excuses, "there is no need to be ashamed
of thy emotion. Merely to have known this family, and to have witnessed
their deplorable fate, is sufficient to melt the most obdurate heart. I
suspect that thou wast united to some one of this family by ties of
tenderness like those which led the unfortunate _Maravegli_ hither."
This suggestion was attended, in relation to myself, with some degree of
obscurity; but my curiosity was somewhat excited by the name that he had
mentioned, I inquired into the character and situation of this person,
and particularly respecting his connection with this family.
"Maravegli," answered he, "was the lover of the eldest daughter, and
already betrothed to her. The whole family, consisting of helpless
females, had placed themselves under his peculiar guardianship. Mary
Walpole and her children enjoyed in him a husband and a father."
The name of Walpole, to which I was a stranger, suggested doubts which I
hastened to communicate. "I am in search," said I, "not of a female
friend, though not devoid of interest in the welfare of Thetford and his
family. My principal concern is for a youth, by name Wallace."
He looked at me with surprise. "Thetford! this is not his abode. He
changed his habitation some weeks previous to the _fever_. Those who
last dwelt under this roof were an Englishwoman and seven daughters."
This detection of my error somewhat consoled me. It was still possible
that Wallace was alive and in safety. I eagerly inquired whither
Thetford had removed, and whether he had any knowledge of his present
condition.
They had removed to No.--, in Market Street. Concerning their state he
knew nothing. His acquaintance with Thetford was imperfect. Whether he
had left the city or had remained, he was wholly uninformed.
It became me to ascertain the truth in these respects. I was preparing
to offer my parting thanks to the person by whom I had been so highly
benefited; since, as he now informed me, it was by his interposition
that I was hindered from being enclosed alive in a coffin. He was
dubious of my true condition, and peremptorily commanded the followers
of the hearse to desist. A delay of twenty minutes, and some medical
application, would, he believed, determine whether my life was
extinguished or suspended. At the end of this time, happily, my senses
were recovered.
Seeing my intention to depart, he inquired why, and whither I was going.
Having heard my answer,--"Thy design," resumed he, "is highly indiscreet
and rash. Nothing will sooner generate this fever than fatigue and
anxiety. Thou hast scarcely recovered from the blow so lately received.
Instead of being useful to others, this precipitation will only disable
thyself. Instead of roaming the streets and inhaling this unwholesome
air, thou hadst better betake thyself to bed and try to obtain some
sleep. In the morning, thou wilt be better qualified to ascertain the
fate of thy friend, and afford him the relief which he shall want."
I could not but admit the reasonableness of these remonstrances; but
where should a chamber and bed be sought? It was not likely that a new
attempt to procure accommodation at the inns would succeed better than
the former.
"Thy state," replied he, "is sorrowful. I have no house to which I can
lead thee. I divide my chamber, and even my bed, with another, and my
landlady could not be prevailed upon to admit a stranger. What thou wilt
do, I know not. This house has no one to defend it. It was purchased and
furnished by the last possessor; but the whole family, including
mistress, children, and servants, were cut off in a single week.
Perhaps no one in America can claim the property. Meanwhile, plunderers
are numerous and active. A house thus totally deserted, and replenished
with valuable furniture, will, I fear, become their prey. To-night
nothing can be done towards rendering it secure, but staying in it. Art
thou willing to remain here till the morrow?
"Every bed in the house has probably sustained a dead person. It would
not be proper, therefore, to lie in any one of them. Perhaps thou mayest
find some repose upon this carpet. It is, at least, better than the
harder pavement and the open air."
This proposal, after some hesitation, I embraced. He was preparing to
leave me, promising, if life were spared to him, to return early in the
morning. My curiosity respecting the person whose dying agonies I had
witnessed prompted me to detain him a few minutes.
"Ah!" said he, "this, perhaps, is the only one of many victims to this
pestilence whose loss the remotest generations may have reason to
deplore. He was the only descendant of an illustrious house of Venice.
He has been devoted from his childhood to the acquisition of knowledge
and the practice of virtue. He came hither as an enlightened observer;
and, after traversing the country, conversing with all the men in it
eminent for their talents or their office, and collecting a fund of
observations whose solidity and justice have seldom been paralleled, he
embarked, three months ago, for Europe.
"Previously to his departure, he formed a tender connection with the
eldest daughter of this family. The mother and her children had recently
arrived from England. So many faultless women, both mentally and
personally considered, it was not my fortune to meet with before. This
youth well deserved to be adopted into this family. He proposed to
return with the utmost expedition to his native country, and, after the
settlement of his affairs, to hasten back to America and ratify his
contract with Fanny Walpole.
"The ship in which he embarked had scarcely gone twenty leagues to sea,
before she was disabled by a storm, and obliged to return to port. He
posted to New York, to gain a passage in a packet shortly to sail.
Meanwhile this malady prevailed among us. Mary Walpole pole was hindered
by her ignorance of the nature of that evil which assailed us, and the
counsel of injudicious friends, from taking the due precautions for her
safety. She hesitated to fly till flight was rendered impracticable. Her
death added to the helplessness and distraction of the family. They were
successively seized and destroyed by the same pest.
"Maravegli was apprized of their danger. He allowed the packet to depart
without him, and hastened to rescue the Walpoles from the perils which
encompassed them. He arrived in this city time enough to witness the
interment of the last survivor. In the same hour he was seized himself
by this disease: the catastrophe is known to thee.
"I will now leave thee to thy repose. Sleep is no less needful to myself
than to thee; for this is the second night which has passed without it."
Saying this, my companion took his leave.
I now enjoyed leisure to review my situation. I experienced no
inclination to sleep. I lay down for a moment, but my comfortless
sensations and restless contemplations would not permit me to rest.
Before I entered this house, I was tormented with hunger; but my craving
had given place to inquietude and loathing. I paced, in thoughtful and
anxious mood, across the floor of the apartment.
I mused upon the incidents related by Estwick, upon the exterminating
nature of this pestilence, and on the horrors of which it was
productive. I compared the experience of the last hours with those
pictures which my imagination had drawn in the retirements of
_Malverton_. I wondered at the contrariety that exists between the
scenes of the city and the country; and fostered, with more zeal than
ever, the resolution to avoid those seats of depravity and danger.
Concerning my own destiny, however, I entertained no doubt. My new
sensations assured me that my stomach had received this corrosive
poison. Whether I should die or live was easily decided. The sickness
which assiduous attendance and powerful prescriptions might remove
would, by negligence and solitude, be rendered fatal; but from whom
could I expect medical or friendly treatment?
I had indeed a roof over my head. I should not perish in the public way;
but what was my ground for hoping to continue under this roof? My
sickness being suspected, I should be dragged in a cart to the hospital;
where I should, indeed, die, but not with the consolation of loneliness
and silence. Dying groans were the only music, and livid corpses were
the only spectacle, to which I should there be introduced.
Immured in these dreary meditations, the night passed away. The light
glancing through the window awakened in my bosom a gleam of
cheerfulness. Contrary to my expectations, my feelings were not more
distempered, notwithstanding my want of sleep, than on the last evening.
This was a token that my state was far from being so desperate as I
suspected. It was possible, I thought, that this was the worst
indisposition to which I was liable.
Meanwhile, the coming of Estwick was impatiently expected. The sun
arose, and the morning advanced, but he came not. I remembered that he
talked of having reason to repent his visit to this house. Perhaps he,
likewise, was sick, and this was the cause of his delay. This man's
kindness had even my love. If I had known the way to his dwelling, I
should have hastened thither, to inquire into his condition, and to
perform for him every office that humanity might enjoin; but he had not
afforded me any information on that head.