"Oft those whose cruelty makes many mourn
Do by the fires which they first kindle burn."
--EARL OF STIRLING.
"As crimes do grow, justice should rouse itself."
--JOHNSON'S CATILINE.
Jackson thought he read suspicion in the doctor's eye as the latter left
the office; also he felt sure the physician would not ride far before
hearing of the attack on Viamede, and would speedily come at the truth by
putting that and that together; perhaps return with a party of avengers,
and hang him to a tree in the adjacent forest.
"I must get out o' this before I'm an hour older," said the scoundrel to
himself. "Oh, for the strength I had yesterday!"
"Why don't you lie down, sah, as Massa Doctah tole ye?" asked Nap,
returning. "Massa always 'spects folks to do prezactly as he tells dem."
"Why, Sambo, I'm too dirty to lie on that nice sofa," replied Jackson,
glancing down at his soiled garments.
"Sambo's not my name, sah," said the negro, drawing himself up with
dignity; "I'se Napoleon Boningparty George Washington Marquis de
Lafayette, an' dey calls me Nap for short. If ye'll take off dat coat,
sah, an' dem boots, I'll take 'em out to de kitchen yard an' clean 'em."
"Thank you; if you will I'll give you a dollar. And if you'll brush the
mud from my pants first, I'll try the sofa; for I'm nearly dead for sleep
and rest."
"All right, sah," and Nap went to a closet, brought out a whisk, and using
it vigorously upon the pantaloons, soon brushed away the mud, which the
sun had made very dry. A few blood stains were left, but there was no help
for that at present. The coat was taken off with some difficulty on
account of the wounded arm, then the boots, and Jackson laid himself down
on the sofa and closed his eyes.
Nap threw the coat over his arm, and taking the boots in the other hand
went softly out, closing the door behind him. "Safe 'nuff now, I reckon,"
he chuckled to himself; "guess he not trabble far widout dese."
He was hardly gone, however, when Jackson roused himself and forced his
weary eyes to unclose. "As dangerous as to go to sleep when freezing," he
muttered. He rose, stepped to the closet door, and opened it.
A pair of boots stood on the floor, a coat hung on a peg. He helped
himself to both, sat down and drew on the boots, which were a little too
large but went on all the more readily for that. Now for the coat. It was
not new, but by no means shabby. He took out his knife, hastily ripped up
the right sleeve and put it on. It fitted even better than the boots.
Nap had brought a bottle of wine and left it on the office table,
forgetting to carry it back to the dining-room. Jackson took it up, and
placing it to his mouth drained the last drop. Then putting on his hat, he
stole softly from the house and down the avenue.
To his great joy a boat was just passing in the direction to take him
farther from Viamede. He signaled it, and was taken aboard.
"Been getting Dr. Balis to patch up a wound, eh, stranger?" said the
skipper, glancing at the disabled arm.
"Yes;" and Jackson repeated the story already told to the surgeon.
The skipper sympathized and advised a rest in the cabin.
"Thank you," said Jackson; "but I'm only going a few miles, when I'll
reach a point where, by taking to the woods again, I'll be likely to find
my friends; who are doubtless anxious to know what has become of me."
"Very well, sir, when we come to the right place, just let us know and
we'll put you off."
Evidently the skipper had heard nothing to arouse his suspicions. Jackson
was landed at the spot he pointed out--a lonely one on the edge of a
forest, without question or demur, and the boat went on its way.
He watched it till it disappeared from view, then plunging into the woods,
presently found a narrow foot-path, pursuing which for an hour or so he
came out into a small clearing. At the farther side, built just on the
edge of the forest, was a rude log cabin. A slatternly woman stood in the
open doorway.
"So ye did get back at last?" she remarked, as he drew near. "I'd most
give ye up. What ails your arm now?"
He briefly repeated his story to the doctor and skipper; then asked
hurriedly, "Is my horse all right?"
The woman nodded. "I've tuck good care on her. Now where's the gold ye
promised me?"
"Here," he said, taking out, and holding up before her delighted eyes,
several shining half-eagles; "have my horse saddled and bridled and
brought round to the door here as quickly as possible, and these are
yours."
"I'll do it. Bill," to a half-grown youth who sat on a rude bench within
lazily smoking a pipe--"run and fetch the gentleman's hoss. But what's yer
hurry, mister?"
"This," he answered, pointing to the disabled limb; "it's growing worse,
and I'm in haste to get home, where I can be nursed by mother and sisters,
before I quite give out."
"She's a awful sperited cratur, and you'll have a hard job o' it to manage
her, with one hand."
"I must try it, nevertheless; I believe I can do it too; for she knows her
master."
"She'll go like lightnin'," said the boy, as he brought the animal to the
door; "she's been so long in the stable, she's as wild and scary as a
bird."
Jackson threw the gold into the woman's lap, turned about and taking the
bridle from the boy, stroked, patted, and talked soothingly to the excited
steed, who was snorting and pawing the ground in a way that boded danger
to any one attempting to mount.
His caresses and kindly tones seemed, however, to have a calming effect;
she grew comparatively quiet, he sprang into the saddle and was off like
an arrow from the bow.
It was about that time the doctor returned to his office to find it
deserted. Nap was summoned.
"What's become of the man I left here in your charge, sirrah?" asked the
doctor sternly.
"Dunno, sah, Massa Doctah," answered Nap, glancing in astonishment from
side to side. "To't he heyah, sah; 'deed I did. Took he coat an' boots to
clean 'em; to't he safe till I fotch 'em back; wouldn't go off without
dem."
The doctor stepped to the closet. "Yes, my coat and boots gone, bottle of
wine emptied, no fee for professional aid--a fine day's work for me."
"Massa Doctah! you don't say de rascal done stole yer coat an' boots? Oh,
ef I cotch him, I----" and Napoleon Bonaparte George Washington Marquis de
Lafayette looked unutterable things.
"Better take care I don't get hold of you!" cried the irate master. "Go
and tell Cato to saddle and bridle Selim and bring him to the door as
quickly as possible; and do you find out if anybody saw which way the
rascal went. He must be caught, for he's a burglar and murderer!"
Nap lifted his hands and opened mouth and eyes wide in surprise and
horror.
"Begone!" cried the doctor, stamping his foot, "and don't stand gaping
there while the scoundrel escapes."
Nap shuffled out, leaving his master pacing the office to and fro with
angry, impatient strides.
"What is it, my dear? what has gone wrong?" asked his wife, looking in
upon him.
"Come, sit down on the sofa here and I'll tell you," he said, his excited
manner quieting somewhat at sight of her pleasant face.
She accepted the invitation, and seating himself beside her he briefly
related all that he knew of Jackson and his attack on Mr. Travilla.
He had hardly finished when Nap returned with the news that several of the
negro children had seen a man go down the avenue and get aboard a passing
boat.
"Ah ha!" cried the doctor, jumping up; "and which way was the boat going?"
"Dat way, sah," replied Nap, indicating the direction by a flourish of his
right hand.
At that moment Mr. and Mrs. Travilla rode up, and Dr. and Mrs. Balis
hastened out to greet them.
"He's gone; took the morning boat," cried the doctor.
"Good!" said Mr. Travilla, "we have only to head him with a telegram, and
he'll be arrested on stepping ashore; or on board the boat."
"Unless he should land in the next town, Madison, which the boat, having a
good hour's start of us, would reach before the swiftest messenger we
could send; probably has already reached."
"Then the best plan will be for me to ride on to Madison, give notice to
the authorities, have it ascertained whether our man has landed there, and
if not telegraph to the next town and have them ready to board the boat,
with a warrant for his arrest, as soon as it arrives."
"Yes; and I'll mount Selim and go with you," answered the doctor. "I
probably know the road better than you do. And our wives may keep each
other company till we return."
"What do you say, Elsie?" asked Mr. Travilla.
"That I will go or stay as you think best."
"We must ride very fast; I think it would fatigue you too much; so advise
you to stay with Mrs. Balis, and I will call for you on my return."
"Do, Mrs. Travilla! I should be delighted to have you," urged Mrs. Balis;
"and you can tell me all about last night. What a trial to your nerves! I
don't wonder you are looking a little pale this morning."
"Thank you, I will stay," said Elsie; and instantly her husband, giving
his horse into Nap's charge for a moment, sprang to the ground and lifted
her from the saddle. "Don't be anxious, little wife," he whispered, as the
soft eyes met his with a fond wistful look, "I am not likely to be in
danger, and you know the sweet words, 'Not a hair of your head shall fall
to the ground without your Father.'"
"Yes, yes, I know, and will trust you in His hands, my dear husband," was
the low-breathed response.
Another moment and the two gentlemen were galloping rapidly down the
avenue side by side. The ladies stood on the veranda, watching till they
were out of sight, then went into the house.
"Now, my dear Mrs. Travilla, shall I just treat you as one of ourselves,
and take you into my own breezy room?" asked Mrs. Balis, regarding Elsie
with an affectionate, admiring look.
"It is just what I should like, Mrs. Balis," Elsie answered, with a smile
so sweet that her hostess put her arm about her and kissed her.
"I can't help it," she said; "you take my heart by storm with your beauty,
grace, and sweetness."
"Thank you, and you need not apologize," Elsie said, returning the
embrace; "love is too precious a gift to be rejected."
"I think Mr. Travilla a very fortunate man, and so does my husband."
"And am not I a fortunate woman, too?"
"Ah, yes, Mr. Travilla is most agreeable and entertaining, handsome too;
and indeed I should think everything one could wish in a husband; as mine
is," she added laughingly. "I presume neither of us would consent to an
exchange of partners. Are you fond of children, Mrs. Travilla?"
"Very."
"Shall I show you mine?"
"I should like to see them, if you please."
Mrs. Balis at once led the way to the nursery, where she exhibited, with
much motherly pride and delight, her three darlings, the eldest five, the
second three years of age, the third a babe in the arms. They were
bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked children, full of life and health, but to
Elsie's taste not half so sweet and pretty as Rosebud.
Mrs. Balis next conducted her guest to her boudoir; a servant brought in
refreshments, consisting of a variety of fruits, cakes, and confections,
with wine sangaree and lemonade. After partaking of these, the ladies had
a long talk while awaiting the return of their husbands. The gentlemen
were gone much longer than had been anticipated, and I am not sure the
wives did not grow a little uneasy. At all events they left the boudoir
for the front veranda, which gave them a view of the avenue and some
hundred yards of the road beyond in the direction from which the travelers
must come. And when at length the two were descried approaching, in a more
leisurely manner than they went, there was a simultaneous and relieved
exclamation, "Oh, there they are at last."
The ladies stood up and waved their handkerchiefs. There was no response;
the gentlemen's faces were towards each other and they seemed to be
engaged in earnest converse.
"Unsuccessful," said Mrs. Balis.
"How do you know?" asked Elsie.
"There's an air of dejection about them."
"I don't see it," returned Elsie, smiling. "They seem to me only too busy
talking to notice our little attention."
But Mrs. Balis was correct in her conjecture. The boat had passed Madison
some time before the gentlemen arrived there, had paused but a few minutes
and landed no such passenger. Learning this they then telegraphed the
authorities of the next town; waited some hours, and received a return
telegram to the effect that the boat had been boarded, no person answering
the description found; but the captain gave the information that such a
man had been taken on board at Dr. Balis' plantation, and set ashore at
the edge of a forest half-way between that place and Madison.
On receiving this intelligence Mr. Travilla and the doctor started for
home, bringing with them a posse of mounted men headed by some of the
police of Madison.
Dr. Balis had taken with him to Madison the blood-stained coat of Jackson.
From this the hounds took the scent, and on arriving at the wood mentioned
by the skipper, soon found the trail and set off in hot pursuit, the
horsemen following close at their heels.
Our gentlemen did not join in the chase, but having seen it well begun,
continued on their homeward way.
"And you did consent to the use of hounds?" Elsie said inquiringly, and
with a slightly reproachful look at her husband.
"My dear," he answered gently, "having been put into the hands of the
police it has now become a commonwealth case, and I have no authority to
dictate their mode of procedure."
"Forgive me, dearest, if I seemed to reproach you," she whispered, the
sweet eyes seeking his with a loving, repentant look, as for a moment they
were left alone together.
He drew her to him with a fond caress. "My darling, I have nothing to
forgive."
In the cabin at whose door Jackson had made his call and remounted his
steed, a woman--the same with whom his business had been transacted--was
stooping over an open fire, frying fat pork and baking hoe-cake. Bill sat
on his bench smoking as before, while several tow-headed children romped
and quarreled, chasing each other round and round the room with shouts of
"You quit that ere!" "Mammy, I say, make her stop."
"Hush!" cried the woman, suddenly straightening herself, and standing in a
listening attitude, as a deep sound came to the ear, borne on the evening
breeze.
"Hounds! bloodhounds!" cried Bill, springing to his feet with unwonted
energy. "And they're a-comin' this way; makin' straight for the house," he
added, glancing from the door, then shutting it with a bang. "They're
after that man; you may depend. He's a 'balitionist, or a horse thief, or
somethin'."
The children crouched, silent, pale, and terror-stricken, in a corner,
while outside, the deep baying of the hounds drew nearer and nearer, and
mingling with it came other sounds of horses' hoofs and the gruff voices
of men. Then a loud "Halloo the house!"
"What's wanted?" asked Bill, opening the one window and putting out his
head.
"The burglar you're hiding from justice and the hounds have tracked to
your door. A fellow with his right arm disabled by a pistol-shot."
"He isn't here, didn't step inside at all; don't ye see the hounds are
turning away from the door? But you kin come in an' look for yourself."
One of the men dismounted and went in.
"Look round sharp now," said the woman. "I only wish he was here fur ye to
ketch um: if I'd know'd he was a burglar, he would never hev got off so
easy. He jest come for his beast that he left with us four days ago, and
mounted there at the door and was off like a shot."
"Which way?" asked the man.
She pointed in a southerly direction. "It's the way to Texas, ain't it?
an' he's got four or five hours the start o' ye, an' on a swift horse;
he'll be over the border line afore ye kin ketch up to him."
"I'm afraid so, indeed; but justice can follow him even there," replied
the officer, hastening out, already satisfied that the one bare room did
not contain his quarry.
He sprang into the saddle, and the whole party galloped away in the wake
of the dogs, who had found the trail again and started off in full cry.
The party had a hard ride of some hours, the hounds never faltering or
losing the scent; but at length they were at fault. They had reached a
brook and here the trail was lost; it was sought for on both sides of the
stream for a considerable distance both up and down, then abandoned in
despair.
The wily burglar had made his steed travel the bed of the stream, which
was nowhere very deep, for several miles; then taking to the open country
again and traveling under cover of the darkness of a cloudy night, at
length, in a condition of utter exhaustion, reached a place of safety
among some of his confederates; for he had joined himself to a gang of
villains who infested that part of the country.
But "Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished." Few if
any of them would escape a violent and terrible death at the last;
and--"after that the judgment"; from which none may be excused.