THE POISONED BARB.
OF course, Don Leonardo was amazed to see his friend, deeming him by
this time either in an English prison or dead. He learned with amazement
the part that Maud had performed, for Charles Bramble was forced to
reveal to the father, who was eager to inquire after his daughter.
Though Charles felt not the least compunctions of conscience as to the
matter, yet he now fully realized the cause of all her enmity, though of
this he said not a word to her father. Don Leonardo cheerfully joined
the new-comer in completing his business arrangements, and Charles
Bramble found himself the rightful owner of some eight thousand dollars
in gold, the product of the goods which he had landed as his private
venture, and he also took good care to forward true bills of credit to
his owners in Cuba, for the specie which had been sent out by him to
purchase slaves.
These business arrangements consummated, he now began to think seriously
of once more revisiting the scenes of his childhood, Bramble Park. He
doubted not that Helen and her mother would arrive at their own early
home, which adjoined that of Bramble Park, and which, by the way, had
been leased during their settlement in India, as early as he could
himself procure conveyance which would enable him to reach the spot.
With this idea, he eagerly scanned the horizon daily, hoping for the
arrival of some craft, even a slaver, that might bear him away, either
towards America or Europe, so that he might get into the course of
travel.
One morning, when he had as usual gone up to the lookout and scanned the
sea view far and near, he at last came down to the breakfast-room with
his face quite speaking with inward satisfaction. He had seen a sail,
evidently a large merchantman, and begged Don Leonardo to go up and see
if together they could not make the stranger out more fully. Charles,
himself, thought that she was heavy and evidently steering for the small
bay on which the factory stood. But their curiosity was soon to be
satisfied, for spar after spar gradually became more and more clearly
defined, until at last the deck itself could be seen, and St. George's
cross observed flying saucily in the breeze. The ship was a British
sloop-of-war, and so it proved.
In an hour more, Captain Robert Bramble came on shore, accompanied by
Helen and her mother, with Maud Leonardo. As it afterwards appeared,
Maud desired to be brought back to her father, and the English ship was
but performing its appointed duty in cruising on the coast; while Helen
knowing that Charles had come hither, persuaded her mother that it was
best to sail with Captain Bramble, rather than stop in Sierra Leone
among utter strangers. For on ship-board they were under his care, and
besides, as she admitted to her mother, she had good reason for
supposing that Captain Will Ratlin, for thus the mother knew him still,
was at Bay Salo, as Don Leonardo's factory was called on the coast. Thus
it was that they were once more on this spot.
The brothers met before the collected members of the returning party and
those on the shore, and regarded each other with a stern glance. It was
the only token of recognition which passed between them; but Charles
hastened to Helen's side, and pressing her hand tenderly, looked the
words that he could not speak before others. Mrs. Huntington seemed
overjoyed, too, at joining one whom she felt was a true friend to
herself and daughter, and unhesitatingly evinced this feeling, while
Maud and Captain Robert Bramble walked by themselves filled with bitter
thoughts. Robert had at once presumed as to whither his brother had
escaped, well knowing that he must here have left unsettled business
accounts of great value and importance. He therefore was prepared for
the meeting which took place as we have seen. The Quadroon saw Helen and
Charles thus together, she saw the delight that this meeting caused to
both, she was witness to the eloquent language of the eyes that beamed
into each other, and then she hastened from the spot, crazed with
bitterness of feeling, and fall of direful purpose. Had she been
observed at that moment, it would have been seen that there was danger
in her. To her father's kind salute, she turned a deaf ear, and hastened
into the dwelling with headlong speed.
Charles and Helen had much to say to each other. Now that he had told
his love, now that the dark veil had been removed from the past that had
obscured his origin, he felt confidence, and spoke with manly cheer and
a light heart. The most indifferent observer would have noticed this,
and it waits not without its effect upon Helen, who looked brighter and
happier than ever before, and the two succeeded at once in infusing a
degree of cheerfulness all around them, reflected by Helen's mother and
even Don Leonardo, with his heavy eyebrows and shaggy beard. Captain
Robert Bramble and Maud alone seemed unhappy, and they were moody
indeed.
It was towards the twilight hour on the very day of the arrival which we
have referred to, that Charles and Helen arm in arm started away from
the house to the adjacent jungle, where was a pleasant trysting-place,
with a seat prepared for resort from the house. Breathing into each
other's ears the glad and trusting accents of true love, they sauntered
slowly hither and sat down there, Helen upon the rude, but comfortable
seat, and Charles at her feet upon the ground. About them grew the rank,
luxuriant foliage of Africa; fragrant flowers bloomed within reach of
their hands, and luscious fruit greeted the eye in whichever direction
it sought. The soft air of the afterpart of the day was ladened with
sweetness, and they seemed to gather fresh incentive for tenderness and
love in the peculiar surroundings of the spot.
"So, you have broken off all connection with this business, and have
settled your accounts with Don Leonardo, have you not?" asked Helen, of
him at her feet.
"Yes, dearest, all has been done, and I shall have no more to do with
the trade of this inhospitable coast, you may be assured. My only hope
and desire is once more to see you and your mother safe in England,
where I can make you by sacred ties my own."
Helen looked the tender response that beat in her heart, but which her
lips refused to pronounce. She was very, very happy, and they talked
over olden times, childish recollections, and the memories of their
early home.
While Charles and Helen were thus engaged, two other individuals closely
connected with the plot of our story were not idle. Captain Robert
Bramble was now satisfied that without physical force he could not
intervene between his rival brother and Helen Huntington; he would
gladly have done this, but policy prevented, for he saw that in doing
so, he would but gratify his revenge without approaching a single step
nearer the consummation of his wishes. It was nearly the appointed date
for the sailing of his ship from the station for England, and he had
made up his mind to return at once to Sierra Leone, and prepare to sail
homeward.
He had already taken leave of Mrs. Huntington, and was seeking her
daughter to say to her farewell; the wind was fair, he would sail within
the hour, and on inquiring for Helen he was told by some one that she
had been seen a few moments before walking towards the jungle. The
informant did not say in the company of him she so evidently loved, and
Robert Bramble hastened forward in hopes that he might meet her there
alone; perhaps, even once more press that oft rejected suit; he even
thought as he went what he could say to her, and wondered how she would
receive him. It was difficult to say what it was in his bosom which
caused him so tenaciously to pursue this vain desire; his was not the
heart to die for love, it amounted almost to obstinacy. He was
self-willed, and was accustomed to have his own way in all things; here
he had been thwarted from the very outset.
Maud Leonardo, since her arrival home, was scarcely herself, she avoided
all intercourse, spoke to no one, and locked herself in her chamber. But
now she started forth intent on some purpose, as was evident from the
direct and prompt step she pursued. Yes, from her window she had seen
Charles, and Helen wander leisurely and affectionately together towards
the jungle, and to the same point she now directed her steps, though by
a circuitous path. She muttered to herself as she went, and walked with
unwonted speed, as though she feared to lose one moment of time. At this
quick pace, she was soon hidden in the paths of the thick undergrowth
and forest land.
"Hark! what sound is that?" said Helen, suddenly turning and peering
into the thick foliage which surrounded the spot.
"I hear nothing," replied Charles Bramble. "It was some bird perhaps,
among these branches. But why do you look so pale, Helen?"
"It is so terrible. I thought the sound was like that of one of those
terrible serpents that frequent these parts, the anaconda, creeping
towards us."
"Nay, dearest, it was but your imagination; these reptiles avoid the
near approach to human habitations, and would not be likely to be here."
"There! there it is again," she said convulsively, drawing closely to
his side, while both looked towards the spot from whence at that moment
a sound proceeded.
In a moment more there broke forth from the clustering vines and trees
the figure of a man, with a drawn sword, who hastened with lowering brow
towards them! It was Robert Bramble, incensed beyond endurance at the
sight which met his vision through the vista of the foliage on his
approaching the spot; he paused but for one single moment, then yielding
to the power of his almost ungovernable temper, he drew his sword and
rushed forward, determined to sacrifice his brother's life. Helen seeing
plainly and instantly the state of affairs, threw herself with a scream
of terror before Charles to protect him, unarmed as he was, from the
keen weapon that gleamed in his brother's hand.
But strange are the ways of Providence, and past finding out. At that
instant he staggered, reeled forward, and placing one hand to his
forehead fell nearly at their feet!
Amazed at this, Charles and Helen both hastened to his side, but he was
speechless, and ere he could be removed from the position in which he
fell, life was wholly extinct. What was it that had so strangely, so
suddenly sacrificed him in the midst of his fell intent? Hark! Charles
starts as a shrill, low whizzing sound was heard close to his ear! The
mystery is explained, a poisoned barb had killed his brother, entering
the eye and piercing the brain, while this second one that had just
whistled past his car, had been intended for him. He turned hastily to
the direction from whence the missile had come, and there stood or
rather staggered Maud Leonardo. He hastened now to her side as she
gradually half knelt, half fell to the ground. Her eyes rolled madly in
their pockets, her hands grasped vainly at the air, and she muttered
incoherently.
"Maud, Maud, what have you done?" asked Charles, leaning over her.
"The barb was poisoned, it--it--was meant for you!" she half shrieked.
"I--I--am dying, dying unrevenged--O, this scorching, burning pain!"
"What ails you, Maud--what can we do for you?" asked Charles, kindly.
"I--I am poisoned," groaned the Quadroon, holding up her lacerated hand
which she had carelessly wounded with one of the barbs intended to have
killed him.
The barb she had wounded and killed Robert with, was blown through a
long, hollow reed, a weapon much used in Africa, and the barb had been
dipped in poison so subtle, rapid and sure in its effect, that the wound
the girl had received accidentally in her hand, was fast proving fatal
to her. In Robert Bramble's case, it had reached a vital part at once,
and had been almost instantly fatal in its effect. But Maud was dying!
"Poor, poor girl, what shall we say to your father?" asked Charles, for
he knew full well the fatal poisons in which the negroes dip their tiny
barbs; and he realized that the Quadroon, who was a victim to her own
scheme of destruction, could not live but a few moments.
She seemed too far gone to speak now, and turned and writhed in an agony
of pain upon the ground, while Helen strove to raise her head and to
comfort her. The poison seemed to act upon her by spasms, and she would
have a moment now and then, when she was comparatively at ease. The
lowering darkness of her face was gone now, a serenity seemed to be
gathering there, and leaning forward between the paroxysms, she held
forth the hand which was not wounded towards Charles Bramble who stood
tenderly over her, and said in a low, gentle voice:
"Forgive--forgive me! will you--will you not forgive me?"
"With all my heart, poor girl, I do sincerely forgive you," said
Charles, earnestly.
All was not black in that human heart, the half effaced image of its
Maker was there still; and Maud looked tenderly and penitently upon
Helen and Charles. The former knelt by her side, and drawing the poor
girl's hands together across her breast as she lay upon the ground,
lifted her own hands heavenward, moving her lips in prayer as she bent
over the sufferer. What little Maud knew of religious instruction, had
been taught her in the form of the Episcopal church, and she now
listened to the formal prayer from the litany appropriate to her
situation. A sweet smile gathered over her face as Helen proceeded, and
prayed for forgiveness for all sins committed; and as she paused at the
close, three voices repeated the word Amen.
Charles and Helen rose to their feet, but the spirit of the Quadroon had
fled!