"So, then, my yellow friend, that is the intention!--a bit of revenge
after all. I'll make you pay for it, you spiteful ruffian! You little
thought you were observed. Ha! you shall rue this cunning deviltry
before night."
Some such soliloquy escaped my lips, as soon as I comprehended the
design of the mulatto's manoeuvre--for I now understood it--at least I
thought so. The tank was full of beautiful fish. There were gold fish
and silver fish, hyodons, and red trout. They were my sister's especial
pets. She was very fond of them. It was her custom to visit them
daily, give them food, and watch their gambols. Many an aquatic
_cotillon_ had she superintended. They knew her person, would follow
her around the tank, and take food out of her fingers. She delighted in
thus serving them.
The revenge lay in this. The mulatto well knew that the alligator lives
upon fish--they are his natural food; and that those in the tank, pent
up as they were, would soon become his prey. So strong a tyrant would
soon ravage the preserve, killing the helpless creatures by scores--of
course to the chagrin and grief of their fond mistress, and the joy of
Yellow Jake.
I knew that the fellow disliked my little sister. The spirited part she
had played, in having him punished for the affair with Viola, had
kindled his resentment against her; but since then, there had been other
little incidents to increase it. She had favoured the suit of his rival
with the quadroon, and had forbidden the woodman to approach Viola in
her presence. These circumstances had certainly rendered the fellow
hostile to her; and although there was no outward show of this feeling--
there dared not be--I was nevertheless aware of the fact. His killing
the fawn had proved it, and the present was a fresh instance of the
implacable spirit of the man.
He calculated upon the alligator soon making havoc among the fish. Of
course he knew it would in time be discovered and killed; but likely not
before many of the finest should be destroyed.
No one would ever dream that the creature had been _brought_ there--for
on more than one occasion, alligators had found their way into the
tank--having strayed from the river, or the neighbouring lagoons--or
rather having been guided thither by an unexplained instinct, which
enables these creatures to travel straight in the direction of water.
Such, thought I, were the designs and conjectures of Yellow Jake.
It proved afterwards that I had fathomed but half his plan. I was too
young, too innocent of wickedness, even to guess at the intense malice
of which the human heart is capable.
My first impulse was to follow the mulatto to the house--make known what
he had done--have him punished; and then return with a party to destroy
the alligator, before he could do any damage among the fish.
At this crisis, the deer claimed my attention. The herd--an antlered
buck with several does--had browsed close up to the hommock. They were
within two hundred yards of where I stood. The sight was too tempting.
I remembered the promise to my mother; it must be kept; venison must be
obtained at all hazards!
But there was no hazard. The alligator had already eaten his breakfast.
With a whole dog in his maw, it was not likely he would disturb the
finny denizens of the tank for some hours to come; and as for Yellow
Jake, I saw he had proceeded on to the house; he could be found at any
moment; his chastisement could stand over till my return.
With these reflections passing through my mind, I abandoned my first
design, and turned my attention exclusively to the game.
They were too distant for the range of my rifle; and I waited a while in
the hope that they would move nearer.
But I waited in vain. The deer is shy of the hommock. It regards the
evergreen islet as dangerous ground, and habitually keeps aloof from it.
Natural enough, since there the creature is oft saluted by the twang of
the Indian bow, or the whip-like crack of the hunter's rifle. Thence
often reaches it the deadly missile.
Perceiving that the game was getting no nearer, but the contrary, I
resolved to course them; and, gliding down from the rock, I descended
through the copsewood to the edge of plain.
On reaching the open ground, I rushed forward--at the same time
unleashing the dogs, and crying the "view hilloo."
It was a splendid chase--led on by the old buck--the dogs following
tail-on-end. I thought I never saw deer run so fleetly; it appeared as
if scarcely a score of seconds had transpired while they were crossing
the savanna--more than a mile in width. I had a full and perfect view
of the whole; there was no obstruction either to run of the animals or
the eye of the observer; the grass had been browsed short by the cattle,
and not a bush grew upon the green plain; so that it was a trial of pure
speed between dogs and deer. So swiftly ran the deer, I began to feel
apprehensive about the venison.
My apprehensions were speedily at an end. Just on the farther edge of
the savanna, the chase ended--so far at least as the dogs were
concerned, and one of the deer. I saw that they had flung a doe, and
were standing over her, one of them holding her by the throat.
I hurried forward. Ten minutes brought me to the spot; and after a
short struggle, the quarry was killed, and bled.
I was satisfied with my dogs, with the sport, with my own exploits. I
was happy at the prospect of being able to redeem my promise; and with
the carcass across my shoulders, I turned triumphantly homeward.
As I faced round, I saw the shadow of wings moving over the sunlit
savanna. I looked upward. Two large birds were above me in the air;
they were at no great height, nor were they endeavouring to mount
higher. On the contrary, they were wheeling in spiral rings, that
seemed to incline downward at each successive circuit they made around
me.
At first glance, the sun's beams were in my eyes, and I could not tell
what birds were flapping above me. On facing round, I had the sun in my
favour; and his rays, glancing full upon the soft cream-coloured
plumage, enabled me to recognise the species--they were _king
vultures_--the most beautiful birds of their tribe, I am almost tempted
to say the most beautiful birds in creation; certainly they take rank,
among those most distinguished in the world of ornithology.
These birds are natives of the flowery land, but stray no farther north.
Their haunt is on the green "everglades" and wide savannas of Florida,
on the llanos of the Orinoco, and the plains of the Apure. In Florida
they are rare, though not in all parts of it; but their appearance in
the neighbourhood of the plantations excites an interest similar to that
which is occasioned by the flight of an eagle. Not so with the other
vultures--_Cathartes aura_ and _atratus_--both of which are as common as
crows.
In proof that the king vultures are rare, I may state that my sister had
never seen one--except at a great distance off; yet this young lady was
twelve years of age, and a native of the land. True, she had not gone
much abroad--seldom beyond the bounds of the plantation. I remembered
her expressing an ardent desire to view more closely one of these
beautiful birds. I remembered it that moment; and at once formed the
design of gratifying her wish.
The birds were near enough--so near that I could distinguish the deep
yellow colour of their throats, the coral red upon their crowns, and the
orange lappets that drooped along their beaks. They were near enough--
within half reach of my rifle--but moving about as they were, it would
have required a better marksman than I to have brought one of them down
with a bullet.
I did not think of trying it in that way. Another idea was in my mind;
and without farther pause, I proceeded to carry it out.
I saw that the vultures had espied the body of the doe, where it lay
across my shoulders. That was why they were hovering above me. My plan
was simple enough. I laid the carcass upon the earth; and, taking my
rifle, walked away towards the timber.
Trees grew at fifty yards' distance from where I had placed the doe; and
behind the nearest of these I took my stand.
I had not long to wait. The unconscious birds wheeled lower and lower,
and at length one alighted on the earth. Its companion had not time to
join it before the rifle cracked, and laid the beautiful creature
lifeless upon the grass.
The other, frighted by the sound, rose higher and higher, and then flew
away over the tops of the cypresses.
Again I shouldered my venison; and carrying the bird in my hand started
homeward.
My heart was full of exultation. I anticipated a double pleasure--from
the double pleasure I was to create. I should make happy the two beings
that, of all on earth, were dearest to me--my fond mother, my beautiful
sister.
I soon recrossed the savanna, and entered the orangery. I did not stay
to go round by the wicket, but climbed over the fence at its lower end.
So happy was I that my load felt light as a feather. Exultingly I
strode forward, dashing the loaded boughs from my path. I sent their
golden globes rolling hither and thither. What mattered a bushel of
oranges?
I reached the parterre. My mother was in the verandah; she saw me as I
approached, and uttered an exclamation of joy. I flung the spoils of
the chase at her feet. I had kept my promise.
"What is that?--a bird?"
"Yes the king vulture--a present for Virgine. Where is she? Not up
yet? Ha! the little sluggard--I shall soon arouse her. Still abed and
on such a beautiful morning!"
"You wrong her, George; she has been up on hour or more. She has been
playing; and has just this moment left off."
"But where is she now? In the drawing-room?"
"No; she has gone to the bath."
"To _the bath_!"
"Yes, she and Viola. What--"
"O mother--mother--"
"Tell me, George--"
"O heavens--_the alligator_!"