CATO.
Such was the suddenness with which Robert had been hurled into the water
that he had no chance to defend himself. He was scarcely conscious of
having been attacked until he found himself in the water struggling for
life. He knew nothing of swimming from actual experience, yet under the
stress of necessity, and with death staring him in the face, he
instinctively struck out, and managed temporarily to keep his head above
water. But the shore was a hundred yards distant, and to reach it would
have been beyond his unskilled strength to accomplish, if he had not
luckily happened to receive assistance.
Unknown to James Cromwell, there had been a spectator of his dastardly
attempt to drown the boy who had been placed in his charge.
The spectator was an odd character; an old negro, who years ago had
built for himself a rude cabin in the shadow of the woods. He had
formerly been a slave in Kentucky, but had managed to escape from
servitude, and built himself this cabin, where he lived by himself. He
supported himself by working for any one who needed help on the farm or
in the garden, and cooked his own food in his simple dwelling.
When he saw the boy flung into the water he was standing on the bank,
unobserved on account of his color. He recognized Cromwell, for he had
been to the drug store only a day or two previous to buy some medicament
for the rheumatism which he occasionally suffered from. He knew Robert
also.
"What debble's work is dis?" he said to himself. "What's he goin' to
kill de boy for? Can't let de poor boy drown, no way."
As he spoke, he flung himself into the water and swam with vigorous
strokes toward the place where Robert was struggling.
"Hold up a minute, young massa," he cried, for in his freedom he
preserved the language of former days, "hold up a minute, and I'll save
yer."
Robert heard this, and it gave him courage to struggle longer. In a
short time the negro was at his side and seizing him by the arm, turned
and headed for the shore. It was soon reached, and the two stood side by
side, both dripping with moisture. Had James Cromwell turned back he
might have discovered the rescue, but he did not dare to do so until he
reached the opposite side, and then there was nothing to be seen.
"What's all this mean, young massa?" asked Cato, for this was the name
of the negro. He had brought no other with him, but one was quite
sufficient for his modest requirements.
"I don't know," said Robert. "The man that was with me suddenly seized
me round the waist, and flung me into the pond."
"I saw him do it," said Cato. "What made him?"
"That's more than I can tell, unless he is crazy," said Robert.
"Is dis de fust time he try to drown you?" asked Cato.
Robert started as the force of this question dawned upon him. He
recalled the scene at Niagara Falls, and the narrow escape he had from a
horrible death at that time. He remembered that he had been forcibly
pushed by James Cromwell on that occasion, and only saved himself by
clutching hold of him, while the latter did not pull him back till his
own danger seemed imminent. At the time he accepted Cromwell's
explanation, but now, since this second attempt had been made, he could
not shut his eyes from the fact that Cromwell had sought his
destruction. What could have been his motive was to him a profound
mystery.
"No," he answered, "he tried to push me over Niagara Falls once, but I
thought it was an accident then. I don't think so now."
"You lib with him?"
"Yes; my guardian placed me with him."
"He's a wicked man. Don't you go nigh him again."
"I won't," said Robert. "I shouldn't feel safe with him. But I don't
know where to go to-night."
"Come to my cabin!" said Cato. "It's a poor place for the likes of you,
young massa, but it's better dan sleepin' out in de woods."
"Thanks, Cato," said Robert, for he knew who it was that had saved him.
"I will accept your invitation, gladly. Lead the way, and I will
follow."
The negro's hut was near by. It was small enough, being only about ten
feet square. On the floor was spread a blanket over some straw, and
Cato signed to Robert to lie down. But first he advised him to take off
his wet clothes. He gathered some sticks and made a fire for the purpose
of drying these.
Robert lay down on the rude bed, and though excited by the peril through
which he had passed, and by the thought that James Cromwell had been
guilty of such an atrocious attempt, nature at last asserted her
supremacy, and he sank to sleep. When he woke the sun had already risen.
The first sight upon which his eyes rested was the black face of his
companion bending over him. He did not immediately remember where he
was, and cried, raising his head, "Where am I?"
"Here, young massa, in Cato's cabin," said the negro.
"Yes, I remember now," said Robert.
"Did you sleep well, young massa?"
"Yes, Cato. I slept soundly. Only don't call me young master, for I am
not likely to be any body's master, except, perhaps, my own."
"Just as young massa says," said Cato, rather inconsistently. "Here's
your clothes, just as dry as can be; only don't get up till you get
rested. There's plenty of time."
"I'm rested now, Cato, thank you," said Robert.
He sprang from his couch and hastily put on his clothes. He found that
through the kind services of the negro they were quite dry, though his
shirt-bosom and cuffs presented rather a limp appearance, the starch
having soaked out of them. This was, however, a minor calamity, to which
he paid but little attention.
When he was dressed he turned to go away, though he hardly knew where to
direct his course.
"Stop," said Cato. "Cato have breakfast ready in a minute."
"Do you mean that I am to take breakfast with you, Cato?"
"Yes; young massa will be so kind."
"I think the kindness is all on the other side," said Robert, laughing.
"Yes, I will accept your invitation with much pleasure; particularly as
I don't know where else to go for any."
Cato appeared to consider that a great favor had been granted to him in
acceptance of the invitation, and he set to work zealously to prepare a
meal of which his young guest might partake.
He had a small stove in his cabin in which he generally kept a fire, for
being used to a warm climate, it was easy for him to stand a degree of
heat which would have baked a white man. Nor was he a mean cook. Indeed,
while in Kentucky, he had officiated for a considerable time in his
master's kitchen, and had not wholly forgotten his ancient skill.
In the course of an hour, Cato produced a breakfast consisting of hot
hoe cakes and fried eggs, which not only had a very appetizing flavor,
but stood the test of eating, remarkably well. Robert's peril of the
previous night had by no means injured his appetite, and he did full
justice to the breakfast provided. Cato gazed with much satisfaction at
the evidences of his young guest's relishing the repast provided, and
appeared to regard it as a personal compliment to himself.
While Robert was eating he was considering his future plans. As to going
back to James Cromwell, he decided that this was out of the question.
His life would not be safe. He determined that it would be his proper
course to return to New York, and report to his guardian the character
of the man in whose care he had placed him. He hoped then to be allowed
to go back to school, and resume the studies which had recently been
interrupted. Had he known that his guardian was at the bottom of the
plot which had so nearly culminated in his death, he would have decided
differently; but of this he had no suspicion.
He had in his pocket the sum of ten dollars, which, though soaked in
water, he was able to dry; and this, though insufficient to defray his
expenses, would at least start him on his journey. As to what he might
do, after this was exhausted, he did not know, but he was buoyant in
hope, and he felt that it was no use to anticipate trouble. Enough to
meet it when it came.
His course would be to reach the bank of the Ohio, and get conveyance on
its waters as far East as he could. To this end he obtained directions
from Cato, and shortly after breakfast, after shaking the kind negro by
the hand and thanking him heartily for his kindness, which he meant some
day to reward substantially, he set out on his way.