Conformably with the orders of the British General, the siege of the
American fortress was commenced on the day following that of the mutual
exchange of flags. The elevated ground above the village of Sandwich,
immediately opposite to the enemy's fort, was chosen for the erection of
three batteries, from which a well sustained and well directed fire was
kept up for several successive days, yet without effecting any
practicable breach in their defences. One of these batteries, manned
principally by sailors, was under the direction of Gerald Grantham,
whose look-out on duty had been in a great degree rendered unnecessary,
by the advance of the English flotilla up the river, and who had
consequently been appointed to this more active service.
During the whole of Saturday, the 15th of August, the British guns had
continued to play upon the fort, vomiting shot and shell as from an
exhaustless and angry volcano--and several of the latter falling short,
the town which was of wood had been more than once set on fire. As,
however, it was by no means the intention of the General to do injury to
the inhabitants, no obstacle was opposed to the attempts of the enemy to
get it under, and the flames were as often and as speedily extinguished.
An advanced hour of night at length put an end to the firing, and the
artillery men and seamen, extended on their great-coats and pea-jackets,
in their several embrasures, snatched from fatigue the repose which
their unceasing exertions of the many previous hours had rendered at
once a luxury and a want.
The battery commanded by Gerald Grantham was the central and most
prominent of the three, and it had been remarked by all--and especially
by the troops stationed in the rear in support of the guns--that his
firing during the day had been the most efficient, many of his shots
going point blank into the hostile fortress, and (as could be distinctly
seen with the telescope) occasioning evident confusion.
The several officers commanding batteries were now met in that of the
young sailor, and, habited in a garb befitting the rude duty at which
they had presided, were earnestly engaged in discussing the contents of
their haversacks, moistened by occasional drafts of rum and water from
their wooden canteens, and seasoned with frequent reference to the
events of the past day, and anticipations of what the morrow would bring
forth. A lantern, so closed as to prevent all possibility of contact
with the powder that lay strewed about, was placed in the centre of the
circle, and the dim reflexion from this upon the unwashed hands and
faces of the party, begrimed as they were with powder and perspiration,
contributed to give an air of wildness to the whole scene, that found
its origin in the peculiar circumstances of the moment. Nor was the
picture at all lessened in ferocity of effect, by the figure of Sambo in
the back ground, who, dividing his time between the performances of such
offices as his young master demanded, in the course of the frugal meal
of the party, and a most assiduous application of his own white and
shining teeth to a huge piece of venison ham, might, without effort,
have called up the image of some lawless, yet obedient slave, attending
on and sharing in the orgies of a company of buccaniers.
At length the meal was ended, and each was preparing to depart, with a
view to snatch an hour or two of rest in his own battery, when the
pricked ear and forward-thrown head of the old negro, accompanied by a
quick, "Hush, Massa Geral," stilled them all into attitudes of
expectancy. Presently the sound of muffled oars was heard, and then the
harsh grating, as of a boat's keel upon the sands.
In the next minute the officers were at their posts; but before they
could succeed in awakening their jaded men, who seemed to sleep the
sleep of death, the sentinel at the first battery had received, in
answer to his hurried challenge, the proper countersign, and, as on
closer inspection it was found that there was only one boat, he knew it
must be their own, and the alarm which had seized them for the security
of their trust passed away.
They were not long kept in suspense. One individual alone had ascended
from the beach, and now stood among them, habited in a dread-nought
jacket and trousers and round hat. His salutation to each was cordial,
and he expressed in warm terms the approbation he felt at the
indefatigable and efficient manner in which the duty assigned to each
had been conducted.
"Well, gentlemen," continued the Commodore, (for it was he,) "you have
done famously to-day. Much has been done, but more remains. To-morrow
you must work double tides. At daylight you must re-open with showers of
shot and shell, for it is, during the confusion caused by your fire,
that the General intends crossing his troops and advancing to the
assault. But this is not all--we have some suspicion the enemy may
attempt your batteries this very night, with a view of either spiking
the guns, if they cannot maintain the position, or of turning them, if
they can, on our advancing columns. Now all the troops destined for the
assault are assembled ready to effect their landing at daybreak, and
none can be spared unless the emergency be palpable. What I seek is a
volunteer to watch the movements of the enemy during the remainder of
the night--one (and he looked at Grantham,) whose knowledge of the
country will enable him to approach the opposite coast unseen, and whose
expedition will enable us to have due warning of any hostile attempt."
"I shall be most happy, sir, to undertake the task, if you consider me
worthy of it," said Grantham, "but----"
"But what?" interrupted the Commodore, hastily.
"My only difficulty, sir, is the means. Had I my light canoe here, with
Sambo for my helmsman, I would seek their secret even on their own
shores."
"Bravo, my gallant fellow," returned the Commodore, again cordially
shaking the hand of his Lieutenant. "This I expected of you, and have
come prepared. I have had the precaution to bring your canoe and paddles
with me--you will find them below in my boat."
"Then is every difficulty at an end," exclaimed the young sailor
joyously. "And our dress, sir?"
"No disguise whatever, in case of accidents--we must not have you run
the risk of being hanged for a spy."
Gerald Grantham having secured his cutlass and pistols, now descended
with the Commodore to the beach, whither Sambo (similarly armed) had
already preceded him. Under the active and vigorous hands of the latter,
the canoe had already been removed from the boat, and now rested on the
sands ready to be shoved off. The final instructions of the Commodore to
his officer, as to the manner of communicating intelligence of any
movement on the part of the Americans having been given, the latter
glided noiselessly from the shore into the stream, while the boat,
resuming the direction by which it had approached, was impelled down the
river with as little noise as possible, and hugging the shore for
greater secrecy, was soon lost both to the eye and to the ear.
It was with a caution rendered necessary by the presence of the vessels
in the harbor, that Gerald Grantham and his faithful companion, having
gained the middle of the river, now sought to approach nearer to the
shore. The night, although not absolutely gloomy, was yet sufficiently
obscure to aid their enterprize; and notwithstanding they could
distinctly hear the tread of the American sentinels, as they paced the
deck of their flotilla, such was the stillness of Sambo's practised
paddle, that the little canoe glided past them unheard, and, stealing
along the shore, was enabled to gain the farther extremity of the town,
where, however, despite of the most scrupulous inspection, not the
slightest evidence of a collective movement was to be observed.
Recollecting that most of the American boats used for the transport of
their army from the Canadian shore, which they had occupied for some
time, were drawn up on the beach at the opposite end of the town, and
deeming that if any attempt on the batteries was in contemplation, the
troops ordered for that duty would naturally embark at a point whence,
crossing the river considerably above the object of their expedition,
they might drift down with the current, and affect a landing without
noise--he determined to direct his course between the merchantmen and
vessels of war, and pursue his way to the opposite end of the town. The
enterprize, it is true, was bold, and not by any means without hazard;
but Grantham's was a spirit that delighted in excitement, and moreover,
he trusted much to the skill of his pilot, the darkness of the night,
and the seeming repose of the enemy. Even if seen it was by no means
certain he should be taken, for his light skiff could worm its way where
another dared not follow, and as for any shot that might be sent in
pursuit of them, its aim would, in the obscurity of the night, be
extremely uncertain.
Devoted as the old negro was to Gerald's will, it was but to acquaint
him with his intention, to secure a compliance; although in this case,
it must be admitted, a reluctant one. Cautiously and silently,
therefore, they moved between the line of vessels, keeping as close as
they could to the merchantmen, in which there was apparently no guard,
so that under the shadow of the hulls of these they might escape all
observation from the more watchful vessels of war without. They had
cleared all but one, when the head of the canoe suddenly came foul of
the hawser of the latter, and was by the checked motion brought round,
with her broadside completely under her stern, in the cabin windows of
which, much to the annoyance of our adventurer, a light was plainly
visible. Rising as gently as he could to clear the bow of the light
skiff, he found his head on a level with the windows, and as his eye
naturally fell on all within, his attention was arrested sufficiently to
cause a sign from him to Sambo to remain still. The cabin was spacious,
and filled everywhere with female forms, who were lying in various
attitudes of repose, while the whole character of the arrangements was
such as to induce his belief, that the vessel had been appropriated to
the reception of the families of the principal inhabitants of the place,
and this with a view of their being more secure from outrage from the
Indians on the ensuing day. In the midst of the profound repose in
which, forgetful of the dangers of the morrow, all appeared to be
wrapped, there was one striking exception. At a small table in the
centre of the cabin, sat a figure enveloped in a long and ample dark
cloak, and covered with a slouched hat. There was nothing to indicate
sex in the figure, which might have been taken either for a woman, or
for a youth. It was clear, however, that it wanted in its contour the
proportions of manhood. At the moment when Gerald's attention was first
arrested, the figure was occupied in reading a letter, which was
afterwards sealed with black. The heart of the sailor beat violently, he
knew not wherefore, but before he could explain his feelings ever to
himself, he saw the figure deposit the letter, and remove, apparently
from the bosom of its dress a miniature, on which it gazed intently for
upwards of a minute. The back being turned towards the windows, he could
trace no expression on the countenance, but in the manner there was none
of that emotion, which usually accompanies the contemplation of the
features of a beloved object. Depositing the picture in the folds of its
cloak, the figure rose, and with a caution indicating desire not to
disturb those who slumbered around, moved through the straggling forms
that lay at its feet, and ascending the stairs, finally disappeared from
the cabin.
Somewhat startled, the young officer hesitated as to what course he
should pursue, for it was evident that if the figure, whoever it might
prove, should come to the stern of the vessel, he and his companion must
be discovered. For a moment he continued motionless, but with ear and
eye keenly on the alert. At length he fancied he heard footsteps, as of
one treading the loose plank that led from the vessel's side to the
wharf. He pushed the canoe lightly along so as to enable him to get
clear of her stern, when glancing his eye in that direction, he saw the
figure, still in the same dress, quit the plank it had been traversing,
and move rapidly along the wharf towards the centre of the town.
Ruminating on the singularity of what he had observed, our adventurer
now pursued his course up the river, but still without discovering any
evidence of hostile preparation. On the contrary, a deep silence
appeared to pervade every part of the town, the repose of which was the
more remarkable, as it was generally known that the attack on the fort
was to be made on the following day. Arrived opposite the point where
the town terminated, Grantham could distinctly count some twenty or
thirty large boats drawn up on the beach, while in the fields beyond the
drowsy guard evidently stationed there for their protection, and visible
by the dying embers of their watch-fire denoted anything but the
activity which should have governed an enterprize of the nature
apprehended. Satisfied that the information conveyed to his superiors
was incorrect, the young officer dismissed from his mind all further
anxiety on the subject; yet, impelled by recollections well befitting
the hour and the circumstances, he could not avoid lingering near a spot
which tradition had invested with much to excite the imagination and
feeling. It was familiar to his memory, for he had frequently heard it
in boyhood, that some dreadful tragedy had in former days been
perpetrated near this bridge; and he had reason to believe that some of
the actors in it were those whose blood flowed in his young veins. The
extreme pain it seemed to give his parents, however, whenever allusion
was made to the subject, had ever repressed inquiry, and all his
knowledge of these events was confined to what he had been enabled to
glean from the aged Canadians. That Sambo, who was a very old servant of
the family, had more than hear-say acquaintance with the circumstances,
he was almost certain; for he had frequently remarked, when after having
had his imagination excited by the oft-told tale, he felt desirous of
visiting the spot, the negro, obedient in all things else, ever found
some excuse to avoid accompanying him, nor, within his own recollection,
had he once approached the scene. Certain vague allusions of late date,
by the old man, had, moreover, confirmed him in his impression, and he
now called forcibly to mind an observation made by his faithful
attendant on the night of their pursuit of the younger Desborough, which
evidently referred to that period Even on the present occasion, he had
been struck by the urgency with which he contended for a return to their
own shore, without pursuing their course to the extreme end of the town;
nor was his unwillingness to approach the bridge overcome, until Gerald
told him it was the positive order of the Commodore, that they should
embrace the whole of the American lines in their inspection, and even
_then_ it was with a relaxed vigor of arm that he obeyed the instruction
to proceed.
Determined to sound him as to his knowledge of the fact, Grantham stole
gently from the bow to the stern of the canoe, and he was about to
question him, when the other, grasping his arm with an expressive touch,
pointed to a dark object moving across the road. Gerald turned his head,
and beheld the same figure that had so recently quitted the cabin of the
merchantman. Following its movements, he saw it noiselessly enter into
the grounds of a cottage, opposite an old tannery, where it totally
disappeared.
A new direction was now given to the curiosity of the sailor. Expressing
in a whisper to Sambo his determination to follow, he desired him to
make for the shore near the tannery, beneath the shadow of which he
might be secure, while he himself advanced, and tracked the movements of
the mysterious wanderer.
"Oh Massa Geral," urged the old man in the same whisper--his teeth
chattering with fear--"for Hebben's sake he no go ashore. All dis a
place berry bad, and dat no a livin' ting what he see yonder. Do Massa
Geral take poor nigger word, and not go dere affer he ghost."
"Nay, Sambo, it is no ghost, but flesh and blood, for I saw it in the
brig we were foul of just now; however, be under no alarm. Armed as I
am, I have nothing to fear from one individual, and if I am seen and
pursued in my turn, it is but to spring in again, and before any one can
put off in chase, we shall have nearly reached the opposite shore.--You
shall remain in the canoe if you please, but I most certainly will see
where that figure went."
"Berry well, Massa Geral," and the old man spoke piquedly, although
partly re-assured by the assurance that it was no ghost. "If he take he
poor nigger wice he do as he like; but I no top in he canoe while he go
and have him troat cut, or carry off by a debbil--I dam if he go, I go
too."
This energetic rejoinder being conclusive, and in no wise opposed by his
master, the old man made for the shore as desired. Both having
disembarked, a cautious examination was made of the premises, which
tending to satisfy them that all within slumbered, the canoe was
secreted under the shadow of the cottage, the adventurers crossed the
road in the direction taken by the figure--Sambo following close in the
rear of his master, and looking occasionally behind him, not with the
air of one who fears a mortal enemy, but of one rather who shrinks from
collision with a spirit of another world.
The front grounds of the cottage were separated from the high road by a
fence of open pallisades, in the centre of which was a small gate of the
same description. It was evidently through this latter that the figure
had disappeared, and as its entrance had been effected without effort,
Gerald came to the conclusion, on finding the latter yield to his touch,
that this was the abode of the midnight wanderer. Perhaps some young
American officer, whom intrigue or frolic had led forth in disguise on
an excursion from which he was now returned. His curiosity was therefore
on the point of yielding to the prudence which dictated an immediate
relinquishment of the adventure, when he felt his right arm suddenly
seized in the convulsed and trembling grasp of his attendant. Turning to
ascertain the cause, he beheld as distinctly as the gloom of the night
would permit, the features of the old man worked into an expression of
horror, while trembling in every joint, he pointed to the mound of earth
at the far extremity of the garden, which was known to contain the ashes
of those from whom his imagination had been so suddenly diverted by the
reappearance of the figure. This, owing to the position in which he
stood, had hitherto escaped the notice of the officer, whose surprise
may be imagined, when, looking in the direction pointed out to him, he
beheld the same muffled figure reposing its head, apparently in an
attitude of profound sorrow, against one of the white tomb-stones that
rose perpendicularly from the graves.
That Sambo feared nothing which emanated not from the world of spirits,
Grantham well knew. It therefore became his first care to dismiss from
the mind of the poor fellow the superstitious alarm that had taken care
of every faculty. From their proximity to the party, this could only be
done by energetic signs, the progress of which was however interrupted
by their mutual attention being diverted by a change in the position of
the figure, which, throwing itself at its length upon the grave, for a
moment or two sobbed audibly. Presently afterwards it rose abruptly, and
wrapping its disguise more closely around it, quitted the mound and
disappeared in the rear of the house.
The emotion of the figure, in giving evidence of its materiality, had,
more than all the signs of his master, contributed to allay the
agitation of the old negro. When therefore Gerald, urged by his
irrepressible curiosity, in a whisper declared his intention to
penetrate to the rear of the house, he was enabled to answer.
"For Gorramity's sake, Massa Geral, nebber go dare. Dis a place all
berry bad for he family. Poor Sambo hair white now but when he black
like a quirrel he see all a dis a people kill--" (and he pointed to the
mound) "oh, berry much blood spill here, Massa Geral. It makes a poor
nigger heart sick to tink of it."
Gerald grasped the shoulder of the old man. "Sambo," he whispered, in
the same low, but in a determined tone, "I have long thought you
acquainted with the history of this place, although you have eluded my
desire for information on the subject. After the admission you have now
made, however, I expect you will tell me all and everything connected
with it. Not now--for I am resolved to see who that singular being is,
who apparently, like myself, feels an interest in these mouldering
bones. As you perceive it is no ghost, but flesh and blood like
ourselves, stay here if you will, until I return; but something more
must I see of this mystery before I quit the spot."
Without waiting for reply, he gently pushed the unlatched gate before
him. It opened without noise, and quitting the pathway he moved along
the green sward in the direction in which the figure had disappeared.
Love for his master, even more than the superstitious awe he felt on
being left alone, in that memorable spot, at so late an hour, put an end
to the indecision of the old man. Entering and cautiously closing the
gate, he followed in the footsteps of his master, and both in the next
minute were opposite to the mound where the figure had first been
observed.
As he was about to quit the grass, and enter upon the gravelled walk
that led to the rear of the cottage, he fancied he distinguished a sound
within, similar to that of a door cautiously opening. Pausing again to
listen, he saw a light strongly reflected from an upper window, upon
what had the appearance of a court yard in the rear, and in that light
the dark shadow of a human form. This he at once recognised, from its
peculiar costume to be the mysterious person who had so strongly excited
his curiosity. For a moment or two all was obscurity, when again, but
from a more distant window, the same light and figure were again
reflected. Presently the figure disappeared, but the light still
remained. Impelled by an uncontrollable desire to behold the features,
and ascertain, if possible, the object of this strange wanderer, the
young sailor cast his eye rapidly in search of the means of raising
himself to a level with the window, when, much to his satisfaction, he
remarked immediately beneath, a large water butt which was fully
adequate to the purpose, and near this a rude wooden stool which would
enable him to gain a footing on its edge, without exertion, or noise. It
is true there was every reason to believe that what he had seen was, an
officer belonging to the guard stationed in the adjoining field, who had
his temporary residence in this building, and was now, after the
prosecution of some love adventure returning home; but Gerald could not
reconcile this with the strong emotion he had manifested near the tomb,
and the startling secrecy with which, even when he had entered, he moved
along his own apartments. These contradictions were stimulants to the
gratification of his own curiosity, or interest, or whatever it might
be; and although he could not conceal from himself that he incurred no
inconsiderable risk from observation, by the party itself, the desire to
see into the interior of the apartment and learn something further, rose
paramount to all consideration for his personal safety. His first care
now was to disencumber himself of his shoes and cutlass, which he gave
in charge to Sambo, with directions to the latter to remain stationary
on the sward, keeping a good look-out to guard against surprise. As by
this arrangement his master would be kept in tolerable proximity, the
old negro, whose repugnance to be left alone in that melancholy spot was
invincible, offered no longer an objection, and Gerald, bracing more
tightly round his loins, the belt which contained his pistols, proceeded
cautiously to secure the stool, by the aid of which he speedily found
his feet resting on the edge of the water butt, and his face level with
the window. This, owing to the activity of his professional habits, he
had been enabled to accomplish without perceptible noise.
The scene that met the fixed gaze of the adventurous officer, was one to
startle and excite in no ordinary degree. The room into which he looked
was square, with deep recesses on the side where he lingered, formed by
the projection of a chimney in which, however, owing to the sultry
season of the year, no traces of recent fire were visible. In the space
between the chimney and wall forming the innermost recess, was placed a
rude uncurtained bed, and on this lay extended, and delineated beneath
the covering, a human form, the upper extremities of which were hidden
from view by the projecting chimney. The whole attitude of repose of
this latter indicated the unconsciousness of profound slumber. On a
small table near the foot, were placed several books and papers, and an
extinguished candle. Leaning over the bed and holding a small lamp which
had evidently been brought and lighted since its entrance, stood the
mysterious figure on whom the interest of Gerald had been so strongly
excited. It seemed to be gazing intently on the features of the sleeper,
and more than once, by the convulsed movements of its form, betrayed
intense agitation. Once it made a motion as if to awaken the person on
whom it gazed, but suddenly changing its purpose, drew from its dress a
letter which Gerald recognised to be that so recently prepared in the
cabin of the brig. Presently both letter and lamp were deposited on the
bed, and in one upraised hand of the figure gleamed the blade of a knife
or dagger, while the left grasped and shook, with an evident view to
arouse, the sleeper. An exclamation of horror, accompanied by a violent
struggle of its limbs, proclaimed reviving consciousness in the latter.
A low wild laugh burst in scorn from the lips of the figure, and the
strongly nerved arm was already descending to strike its assassin blow,
when suddenly the pistol, which Gerald had almost unconsciously cocked
and raised to the window, was discharged with a loud explosion. The
awakened slumberer was now seen to spring from the bed to the floor, and
in the action the lamp was overturned and extinguished; but all struggle
appeared to have ceased.
Bewildered beyond measure in his reflection, yet secure in the
conviction that he had by this desperate step saved the life of a human
being from the dagger of the assassin, the only object of Gerald now was
to secure himself from the consequences. Springing from his position he
was soon at the side of the startled Sambo, who had witnessed his last
act with inconceivable dismay. Already were the guard in the adjoining
field, alarmed by the report of the pistol, hurrying toward the house,
when they reached the little gate, and some even appeared to be making
for their boats on the beach. With these motives to exertion, neither
Gerald nor the old negro were likely to be deficient in activity.
Bending low as they crossed the road, they managed unperceived to reach
the part of the tannery where their canoe had been secreted, and Sambo
having hastily launched it, they made directly for the opposite shore,
unharmed by some fifteen or twenty shots that were fired at them by the
guard, and drifting down with the current, reached, about an hour before
dawn, the battery from which they had started.