He looked at me with a sly smile, as if he suspected that I was in love with her, and then informed me that she was, if anything, a shade better--certainly no worse. He also told me that he did not intend leaving his patient until he had satisfied himself that there was a great and lasting3 improvement in her condition, and further, that I might go away perfectly4 easy in my mind, knowing that she was in good hands, so delighted was he with the attention and unswerving devotion that the overseer’s wife paid to the poor girl.
I thanked him again and again for all his kindness, and told him how very much happier I felt in my mind, now that I knew so much was being done for her. He replied by jokingly telling me that if I wished to complete the cure that he had begun, it would be necessary for me to return pretty quickly, or I should find that he would be standing5 in my shoes, so deeply was he interested in Moira. I felt myself blushing like a school-girl, as I looked at him. I held out my hand to say good-bye, and he warmly shook it, wishing me a successful journey, and a speedy return.
Having stowed away a plentiful6 supply of sandwiches in my pocket, against the time of famine, I mounted my horse and rode off to join Braithwaite and the Superintendent7 at the slip-rails.
Our object was to follow the tracks of the precious rascals8, until we could ascertain10 the position of their hiding place; then, should the opportunity occur, endeavour to surround and take them.
Braithwaite, the Superintendent, three troopers, and myself constituted the expedition, with Snowball as tracker, and no cleverer one existed than he. No bent11 twig12, broken branch, hoof13-print, or other Bush mark ever escaped his vigilant14 eye. He could tell to the hour what length of time had passed since a mob of cattle had gone over ground by the state of their tracks; and moreover, he could faithfully inform one whether a horse was tired or not, by the mark of its hoof. Such is the wonderful gift possessed15 by the Australian aborigine, that he can find his way by instinct through the very thickest scrub, and follow an almost imperceptible trail with certainty, where the best white man living is nonplussed16. The Bush is an open book to him, which he reads as he runs, by sign and symbol; and it is an extremely rare occurrence to find him making any mistakes.
As we had very earnest business to transact17 this time, it behoved us to move with the greatest caution, knowing as we did, that we were about to deal with very desperate men, to whom the shedding of blood was of little or no account, so long as they were able to resist being taken; but it was a thousand to one that if we were successful in locating them, before we could effect a capture, we should have to be prepared for a stiff fight.
It was, therefore, necessary to be ready for any emergency, so, before starting, I slipped a heavy revolver and plenty of cartridges18 into my pocket, for I was determined19 that Black and the other rascal9 should not escape me, whatever else happened. My poor friend’s death was on their hands, and I had sworn to avenge20 it before I took any rest. The feeling upon me now was one of an overwhelming desire to get within touch of the scoundrels, to come to close quarters, so that we might settle accounts once and for all. I had made up my mind to bring Black to book, or to die in the attempt, and was in a feverish21 state of anxiety to be off on the mission.
One of the troopers was told off to lead a pack horse, laden22 with a good supply of provisions, in case it was necessary for us to encamp, while each man carried food for his beast, as we might have to enter districts where there would be difficulty in obtaining sufficient grass for them.
The first thing to be done before setting out was to examine carefully the imprints23 of the hoofs24; then, having satisfied ourselves that there were three horses, we started, and began to track them across our best pastures, and then away into the scrub, following Snowball, who trotted25 along before us, gazing on the ground to right and left with the keenest scrutiny26, missing nothing.
It was not long before we began to get into the sandy district, where the imprints were extremely easy to follow, for we could plainly see that they had been riding abreast27. But we were at a loss to understand why it was that they did not try to cover their tracks, as, up to the present, the work was simplicity28 itself. However, we were destined29 to find that we were not to have everything plain sailing and agreeable.
For hours we followed the patient Snowball, who spoke30 no word to anyone, but kept his eyes fixed31 earnestly upon the ground. At length we began to leave the plains and to ascend32 into the Ranges, coming across large rocks and stones, where the going was extremely difficult and trying. The sand had given place to small stones, and the prints of the hoofs were almost impossible to distinguish. Many and many a time we were at a loss to see any whatever.
At last, Snowball had to confess that we were without evidence of the path that they had taken. So we halted and held a council of war, when it was decided33 to take a rest and get some food, as by this time we were very hungry; whereupon we hobbled our horses and left them to forage34 for what grass they could find, while we set ourselves down to our improvised35 meal.
I questioned Snowball as to what he thought of the prospect36 of our coming up with them, but the only reply I could get out of him was, “On, up. On, up.” So it was pretty evident that he considered they were making for the highest point in the Ranges. Having satisfied the pangs37 of hunger, we lit our pipes, and watched the black endeavouring to find further traces to follow. He carefully examined every stone, right and left, and at last seemed interested in a mark that he saw upon a white, smooth rock, that no one but himself would ever have noticed. When I perceived that he had discovered what looked like a clue, I went over, and was told that he was quite sure one of the riders had touched this rock with his boot as he passed by, and sure enough, this one led to others that we came across as we moved further on.
Having satisfied ourselves that we were not mistaken, I returned to Braithwaite and informed him what Snowball had discovered. He then gave orders that we should mount. In a very few minutes we were again following the black, who was more careful than ever to note any apparent clue that might guide us. Soon we reached a fairly level plateau of sand, and here we discovered the tracks to be very distinct: so much so, that it must have dawned upon the riders that they might easily be followed, for they now separated, and took different directions, riding to three points at the distant edge of the plateau; but fortunately for us, and unfortunately for them, our guide was aware of a peculiarity38 in the shape of the hoof of O’Connor’s horse, and as we knew that the rascal was in the habit of finding his places of refuge in the Ranges, it was well worth our while to follow him, for the others would most probably go to his hiding-place eventually. With that end in view, Snowball began to search for the hoof mark that he required; and, sure enough, we found that it led to a very narrow and difficult path, while each of the others passed to easy and broad ones. However, we felt that we were now on the right track. It was a very toilsome and trying path to follow: up and up we went, round great boulders41 and sharp corners; ground over which, under any other circumstances, we should never have thought of taking a horse.
Before long we arrived at a very great height, and we began to feel the difference in the temperature: the air had become keen and chilly42, and our thin clothes did not afford us sufficient warmth. However, the good must be taken with the bad, and it was no use thinking of luxury, although I must confess, I could have done with a good, warm coat.
The path had by this time become so narrow that not only had we to go in single file, but the walls of rock touched our legs on either side as we proceeded on our way; and in many cases, it was the tightest of fits to get through at all. Higher and higher we went, until I began to wonder if we should come out right at the summit. Now straight before us we saw the track leading directly upwards43. It was little more than a narrow cleft44 in the rock, caused, most likely, by the action of tremendous torrents45 of rain, that had found their way in this manner to the plains for centuries, and had thereby46 worn this immensely long passage.
As we toiled47 upward, we could look above us and see the rocky walls towering over fifty feet high on each side, with a thin line of blue sky above, and little or no light below to guide us. It looked as if the passage was endless, but at last I distinguished48 a point of light, that seemed to come from the left, near the ground; and this, no doubt, was an opening to the world once more.
All the time that we were in this cutting, there was a bitter cold wind tearing down the narrow, funnel-like passage, that chilled one to the bone, and numbed49 the very marrow50. It was an extremely trying time, and I was most anxious to get to the end of it. My teeth were chattering51 in my head like so many castanets, while my hands were absolutely numbed with cold, so that I could hardly continue to hold the reins52. At last I was forced to dismount and lead my horse, as I could stand it no longer, and my example was followed by the others who, no doubt, were suffering quite as badly as I was, although my body, and that of my horse, must have kept a little of the bitter blast from them.
Over the rough stones we stumbled, dragging our poor, tired beasts after us, and I never remember a more difficult or arduous53 task; it seemed as if we were never to reach that streak54 of light which, like a will o’ the wisp, appeared to move further and further away the quicker we travelled. Snowball kept bravely on in front, guiding us with unflagging energy, never relaxing his scrutiny for one minute; I could not help admiring the marvellous patience and hardiness55 that kept him going, where we, mounted men, were almost done.
At length, after exhausting efforts, we approached near enough to make out that the shaft56 of light came from a turn in the passage, and soon we were rewarded for our toils40 and tribulations57 by seeing the end of the cleft only a short distance in front.
I hurried forward, and emerged upon a flat plateau, covered with short, mountain grass almost like peat, where we revelled58 in the warm rays of the declining sun, which after the chill of the last portion of our ride was comfort itself.
The plateau was about one hundred and fifty feet long, by some fifty feet broad, bounded on three sides by towering cliffs of rock, quite perpendicular59. On the remaining side there was a precipice60 of the most awe61-inspiring nature. I tied my horse to a jagged rock, and then proceeded to look over the edge, and nothing could equal the solemn grandeur62 of the scene that met my astonished gaze.
The precipice fell away sheer, hundreds and hundreds of feet, and my brain reeled at the awful depth of blackness far below me. A few cruel-looking, jagged rocks jutted63 out here and there, as if they were set for the purpose of impaling64 the unfortunate human being who had the ill luck to tumble over the edge. Directly in front of me, about three hundred yards distant, rose another wall of black rock, towering hundreds of feet into the air, stabbing the sky with a keen, serrated edge; while the whole valley or gorge65 was shrouded66 in the deepest purple shadow, except away to the left, where a glorious glimpse of plain lay bathed in sunlight far down beneath us; and it was truly one of the grandest, and yet most dreadful views that I had ever looked upon.
Braithwaite joined me, and for a long time we gazed in profound silence. Suddenly there came up from the depths of the grim blackness of the silent gorge a rush of wind that tore howling and shrieking67 along, just as if ten thousand furies were at war; and then it passed off into the distance, and we were left again to the silence of the mountain, except for the whirr of the wings of an immense eagle, that flew up, disturbed by the rush of wind, and soared away into the sky.
I looked around, when silence came once more, to the scared faces of the men who had joined us to gaze at the view, and I don’t think I ever saw anything like the expressions thereon. I am quite ready to confess, too, that never had I experienced such a feeling of absolute awe, as was impressed upon me by this tremendous episode.
“By gad69! Tregaskis,” said Braithwaite, as he stepped back three or four paces and gazed around, “It’s just like the entrance to Dante’s Inferno70. I cannot bear to think what would happen if one of us were to fall over.”
“No, it’s too gruesome to think about,” I answered; “but, I say, I wonder where this place leads to. Look at Snowball! He surely doesn’t expect us to take our horses round there. By Jove! I don’t believe they’d ever do it.”
We both turned and watched the black, who had passed along to the right, and close to the precipice edge. Presently, he disappeared round the corner of the immense cliff, and was lost to view.
Braithwaite agreed with me that it would be most hazardous71 and foolhardy to attempt to take horses round a cliff such as that, with a track less than six feet wide to pass along, and a sheer drop of thousands of feet. If one should happen to fall! It made my blood run cold to think of it. So we agreed to camp there for the night. Leaving the men to endeavour to find something to make a fire with, I accompanied Braithwaite to see what he made of the pathway, and to have a talk with Snowball. We passed to the corner, and found that the track did not widen out at all, and was worn quite smooth by the rains of ages.
After passing the rock, we found Snowball examining tracks, and we came upon fairly smooth land. Here the walls of rock began to decrease, until we were able to scramble72 over them, and see for a comparatively long distance ahead. It appeared evident that we were nearly at the summit of the Ranges. Suddenly it dawned upon Braithwaite that Black and O’Connor were endeavouring to get right over the mountains, and away on the other side, and the more we thought of it, the more certain this appeared to be.
Turning my gaze around, I called Braithwaite’s attention to the sky, which now portended73 a severe storm. Great masses of lurid74 cloud were tearing up from the West, magnificently coloured by the declining sun, but wild and angry to an alarming degree; and it behoved us to hurry back to the plateau. Just as we arrived there, the light began to fade, and very soon it was dark. We found that the men, on searching about, had discovered a long, lofty cave, which would prove a most useful and warm resting-place for the night, as there was not the slightest doubt that we were in for a bad storm.
They had managed to dig up the turf, which was quite dry and tinder-like, and would burn excellently; so in the mouth of the cave we lit a fire, and very soon “billy” cans were in requisition, and tea was boiling.
We gave the horses their feed, and tied them out of harm’s way at the back of the cave, where they would be warm, and not liable to stampede, with the possible chance of falling over the precipice if they did so.
It was a most extraordinary and weird75 scene that I looked upon, as I walked a short distance off. The fire, blazing away at the mouth of the cave, flung up great flames, which lit up the surrounding rocks and boulders into rugged76 relief, casting immense shadows of intense blackness on every side. When a figure passed in front of the fire, the shadow was tremendously magnified on the distant wall of rock. As I first caught a glimpse of it, I was astonished at the awful effect it produced. To add to the already weird and uncanny nature of the place, the wind began to rise, and there came the same fierce rushes of sound that we had experienced before sundown, the same shrieks77 and howls, most human and terrifying in their intensity78, far down in the gorge below, which made everyone of us sit bolt upright to listen. I could plainly see that we were in for an experience that was beyond anything I had ever known in my life.
We had agreed that two should take turns to watch for a couple of hours during the night, and as soon as our meal was finished, the Superintendent and one of the troopers took their carbines, and went to the mouth of the cave. The rest of us wrapped our blankets round us, and with our feet to the fire, endeavoured to get some sleep. It was a long while before this could be accomplished79 in my case, owing to the roar and shriek68 of the wind outside the cave. In fact, the most terrific storm was raging, and every now and then appalling80 peals81 of thunder crashed overhead, with the most brilliant forked lightning following, which added still more to the terrors of the night, while I could hear the rain lashing83 down in perfect torrents continuously.
At last my exhausted84 brain could act no longer, and I sank into a troubled sleep, only to dream of horrors and murders, until at last I felt myself violently shaken, and, starting up, found Braithwaite kneeling over me in the light of the fire, dripping with water from head to foot.
“Your turn, George, old man,” he said; “and I wish you luck of it. By gad, it’s hell out there. Look!”
I did look, and saw such a flash of lightning as I never believed could have occurred. It was immediately followed by the most tremendous peal82 of thunder, that shook the entire mountain to its base, and we could distinctly hear enormous rocks falling on all sides. It was the nearest approach to an earthquake that I ever knew. Then the rain came again in a deluge85 beyond words. It lashed86 down in furious cascades87 on all sides. Luckily, the men had been wise enough to pile the peat in the cave, or the fire would have been completely extinguished.
Calling the trooper who was to take his watch with mine, I told him to put more peat on, and as he complied with my request and the flames leapt up afresh, I looked out of the cave, and noticed that there was a perceptible sign of dawn coming up. As I gazed towards the cliff corner, to my astonishment88 I saw in the dim light a figure riding a terrified horse round the corner, right at the edge of the precipice. At first I thought it must have been imagination on my part. I could hardly believe my senses. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. Yes, there was absolutely no doubt about it. I called softly to Braithwaite, who was standing drying his clothes at the fireside, and he came over on hearing me.
“Look; can you see a man coming round the cliff there?” I whispered, pointing to the spot.
We both gazed with the utmost eagerness at the place, when suddenly another terrible flash of lightning came, followed instantly by a crash of thunder more awful than before, and to our horror we saw the horse rear straight up in the air. Right on the edge of the ghastly precipice horse and rider stood for a second or two, and then both fell back into the abyss. Never as long as I live shall I forget the heartrending shrieks that man and horse gave vent39 to, as they dropped thousands of feet down, to be dashed to pieces on the cruel rocks below.
Only a few seconds passed when another figure appeared, that we easily recognised as O’Connor; but he was wiser and led his horse. We saw him go to the edge of the chasm89, and heard him cry out, “Black, Black”--but there came no answering voice, except the echo of his own.
Braithwaite called out to me to come on, and we both rushed to the place where he stood. He turned and saw us. In a second, he took a spring for the saddle, but his horse swerved90 round, and before we could utter a word, slipped on to his knees, throwing the rider completely over his head. The man still held the reins, and hung there with this flimsy rope alone between himself and eternity91. The horse struggled and tried to regain92 its footing, but nothing could save it, and at last it overbalanced, and both disappeared. I covered my face with my hands to shut out the horrible sight, but the cry the wretch93 gave as he felt himself falling into the abyss, will ring in my brain as long as I live.
Never shall I be able to banish94 this awful tragedy from my mind. Bad as these men were, it was a most terrible end, even for them: so sudden and unexpected, not one moment given them for repentance--hurled into eternity in the twinkling of an eye! To me, this was most harrowing; even the feeling that poor Flaxman was avenged96 had passed away, and only the sincerest sorrow remained.
Nothing could be done now but to return to the cave and await the day. Sitting around the fire, in hushed and awed97 tones, we discussed the tragedy, while we listened to the storm outside, that was slowly passing away, just as if it had completed its work and earned its rest. All the while I thought of those poor wretched creatures lying dead and mangled98 upon the rocks below in that deep and black chasm. God forgive them for their sins, which they had so awfully99 expiated100!
At last it was quite daylight, and we went out to find the world bathed in sunlight, and a blue sky above us. Surely, a good omen95 of halcyon101 days to come! While breakfast was being prepared, Braithwaite accompanied me to the corner where the accident happened, and we could see the awful folly102 of the deed. They must have been in great straits to have attempted such a thing. We shall never know the cause of their return, but, no doubt, the thunder-storm had cast down some natural bridge which they had expected to pass over. However, it was certain that we should never again be troubled by Black or O’Connor in this life. We did not concern ourselves about the other man. Whoever he was, no doubt he got off scot-free.
We peered over the edge of the precipice, but could see nothing; most likely they struck rocks at once, and then bounded off and fell far below to a spot hidden from our view. We therefore returned once more to the cave, and found breakfast ready. Having eaten, we started to descend103 to the plains. The return was almost as difficult as the climb up, but so very anxious was I to get back to the Station with the greatest speed, that I did not notice it.
When we reached the lowlands, Braithwaite suggested that the Superintendent and troopers with Snowball as guide, should endeavour to enter the gorge, to see if the bodies could be discovered and identified; and to that end they set out, while we went on to Montalta.
In due course, we saw the familiar roofs of the place before us, and I can assure you, I was very thankful to dismount at the horse-paddock, and walk up to the verandah with my friend. Tears forced themselves into my eyes as I looked at the place, so peaceful and pretty, nestling in its wealth of foliage104, for it reminded me so keenly of the dear companion lying dead upon his bed within, waiting to be taken to his final resting place.
The Doctor sat on the verandah smoking his pipe, and he rose to welcome us. I immediately enquired for Moira, and was delighted to hear that she was making the best of progress. I was told that I must get someone to take her away to the sea for a month or two, where she could recover her health and strength, for within a week she would be in a state of convalescence105, and fit to travel. This was indeed good news, and I immediately despatched a letter to our old friend, Mrs. Dawson, the good lady who had been the innocent cause of my quarrel with Flaxman. I told her all the terrible events that had happened at the Station, and asked her whether she would arrange to go with Moira for two months’ holiday? If so, would she come to me at once?
Later on the Superintendent returned, with the information that Snowball had led them to the gorge, where they had discovered the bodies of the men and horses, fearfully mangled, at the foot of the precipice, and after they had been identified, they were buried.
The next few days were spent in going through the legal formalities made necessary by the nature of Flaxman’s death; but at last we were given permission to bury him. A grave had been prepared close to those that contained the remains106 of the late owner’s wife and son. My heart was full of the most intense grief when I laid my dear friend and companion at rest for his long sleep, and never since have I been able to shake off the feeling of void that his passing away has caused me. Now that I have everything else in the world that man can wish for, I still want him back, and yet there is a comfort in the thought that we parted good friends. God rest his soul!
After the funeral, it was necessary for me to go through poor Flaxman’s papers, and in his desk I discovered a will, leaving everything he possessed equally between Moira and myself; and I also found that I was appointed executor. By this will, we inherited an estate in England jointly107, as well as his share of the Stations in Australia.
There were also two letters, both sealed and addressed, one to Moira and one to myself, and the latter I proceeded to open and read:--
“My very dear friend,”--it said.
“Something is warning me that my days are numbered. Soon, God knows best when, I shall be gone from you for ever. I know, dear friend, that this will cause you pain when you read it, but the knowledge of my great friendship for you, and yours for me, will, I hope, comfort you in your sorrow.
“It is incumbent109 upon me to tell you something of my life’s history, and I hope that you will therefore bear with me for a while.
“Many years ago, I married a girl whom I loved beyond expression. For one short year I was extremely happy, until an enemy crept into my wife’s heart, and, God forgive her! she left me for him.
“I do not complain now, since the Almighty110 has worked out the end as He has appointed, and His ways are always the best, although we poor instruments of His Divine Will seem often to see in them nothing but disaster.
“I could not bring myself to divorce her, but tried to live alone at my place in Cornwall, and to endeavour to forget her, but that I found was quite impossible. I stood it for five years, and began to think that the wound was healing, until I received a letter, forwarded by a firm of solicitors111 in Adelaide, and written by my poor wife, informing me that she had a daughter who was my child, and imploring112 me to protect and love it, and to forgive her the wrong she had done me, for which she was now paying so dearly; giving me at the same time an address in Adelaide where the child was to be found.
“I hastened with all speed to Australia, and to the address given in Adelaide, only to find that the child had been taken away one year before by a man who stated that he was the father. Heartbroken at my want of success, I called on the solicitors, who showed me a will they had received but had been unable to prove, as there was no one to prove it, the child having mysteriously disappeared. For years I searched high and low without finding any clue; but at last, utterly113 worn out, I took a position at Mr. Wilberforce’s Station, Carrandara. Then I met you, and up to the time of Moira’s coming, have known what real happiness means.
“Then you brought Moira. I don’t blame you for that, but acknowledge that it was the working of God’s mysterious ways.
“I saw, directly I met her, a wonderful likeness114 to my wife; and yet I hardly dared to think that such a coincidence could be true.
“I learnt to love her, feeling all the while that she was my own daughter; but I fear that I did not realise how others would take this affection. One day she told me that she was pained to see her presence at Montalta was causing bitterness between us two friends, and that there was nothing left but for her to go. I tried to dissuade115 her, and told her that it would all come right, and that, if she went away again, it would break my heart. God knows, I meant it, too. Oh! how I longed to tell her who I really was, to be able to protect and guard her as a father should. But I dared not. I had to substantiate116 it first.
“The next day she went away, and you remember what occurred--our one quarrel. She wrote us each a letter, but made me promise not to shew you mine until she had been gone a month.
“I enclose it now, and you will understand when you read it. I shall be dead. George, she is my daughter. Something tells me that I shall prove it before I die.
“Marry her, George, and make her happy. Love her for my sake, and for her own.
“God bless and protect you, dear friend, always, and give you every happiness you desire. “Yours in death. ”
“ROBERT FLAXMAN.”
When I finished this letter, I sat dazed; my head swam. The poor fellow, so true, so kind and loving--what his suffering must have been, God alone knows! How true his words all were. No doubt, God did let him find out the truth, at the brink117 of the grave, when the brute118 Black came face to face with the man that he betrayed so long ago, and shot him dead.
I opened Moira’s letter to him, and read--
“My dear Mr. Flaxman,--
“My heart tells me that I must go away. For weeks I have noticed that both you and Mr. Tregaskis are strained in your behaviour towards one another; and I cannot help seeing that it is on my account.
“I am not worthy119 to be here. If you only knew the depths of degradation120 that I have been forced into, both by my father and my husband, you would turn me away, although I feel sure you would pity me.
“But I am tortured to think that harm may come to you both by reason of my presence. For weeks I have been watched here by a scoundrel, who threatens if I do not give him a letter which is in my possession, and which implicates121 my husband and my father in a terrible crime, he will take steps to burn the place down, and I know only too well that he will keep his word.
“My heart is near to breaking point now, as I write, for here is the only place where I have known what happiness and respect mean. To lose two such true and noble friends cuts me to the heart, but it is best for all.
“Don’t shew this letter to Mr. Tregaskis, I ask you on your word of honour, until I have been gone a month; I want him, more than anyone, to think well of
“Yours.
“MOIRA PENDRAGON.”
I rose from my chair as I finished the letter, and paced the room in an agony of mind. How it brought all back to me again! That miserable122, wretched business, my jealous brutality123, my ungovernable and impetuous temper. What a fool I had been! What a contemptible124 cur! God knows that I was being bitterly punished for it now, but not more than I deserved.
I felt that the only possible return I could make was to endeavour to try and cause Moira’s life to be happy as long as I lived.
I took up the letter addressed to her, and after having locked up the will in my desk, I passed out on to the verandah, where she was sitting in a deep chair with a book on her knee.
“Moira,” I said softly, and took a seat close to her, “I want to speak to you, on business matters.”
She looked up at me with a smile which spread like a ray of sunlight over her thin, pale face. Her dark-rimmed, sad eyes told of the unutterably horrible time that she had passed through, and I promised myself inwardly that I must change all this at once.
“Well, what is it?” she replied, closing her book.
I felt very nervous when I realised what I had to say to the poor girl, for in her present delicate state of health, I knew that I must be extremely careful; but the matter had to be gone through, and the sooner it was over and done with, the better.
“I’ve just been through poor Flaxman’s papers, and have found his will; in it I see that we are appointed his joint108 heirs.”
“We?” she said slowly; “I don’t quite understand you.”
“What I mean is, that he leaves everything to us both, jointly--Moira Pendragon and George Tregaskis.”
“I--I really don’t understand,” she reiterated125, “he surely cannot leave me anything; I was nothing whatever to him.”
“Don’t you be so sure of that, my dear girl,” I replied. “I don’t want to distress126 you, but I think that it is only right to let you know that I have found, with his will, this letter, written by Flaxman before his death;” and I handed over my letter, which she read in silence. When she came to the end she turned scarlet127, but I went on--
“Now, I happen to be able to verify all this, if it is necessary, but I think you had better read a letter that he has left for you.”
I gave her the note addressed to her in Flaxman’s handwriting. When she had finished this, she burst into tears. It read--
“My dearest Moira,--
“I, who am dead, yet speak. The good God has told me that you are my child. Your poor mother, who was more to me than words can express, left me for another, but I have forgiven her. You are mine: I know this is true. George Tregaskis loves you; marry him, and he will tell you all.
“From your loving father.
“ROBERT FLAXMAN.”
“Oh! George,” she cried, as I finished the letter, “somehow I know it’s true. I can never rid my mind of the horror of seeing my true father facing that terrible man in the dining-room; I heard what was said before the shot was fired that killed him. Oh! my God, my God, it’s too awful.”
“Moira, Moira, my darling,” I cried, as I flung myself on my knees before her, and took her thin white hand in mine. “I love you, I always have, ever since we first met, and I want you to learn to love me, so that I may make you happy always.”
“Oh! don’t, don’t,” she replied. “You cannot tell, you do not know what you are saying. I am not worthy of your love. If you only knew the true story of my life, you would--”
“Moira, I don’t want to know anything at all; all I want is you, yourself. I know enough to make me register a solemn vow128 to give you for the rest of your life as much happiness as ever I can. Will you marry me, and make me happy?”
What she eventually said in reply is sacred to me, and is not for the reader’s ears. It is sufficient to say, I went about my work afterwards a bright and cheerful man, where only a few hours since I was a gloomy and miserable one. The reader can, no doubt, gather what caused this change.
As for Moira--well--when Mrs. Dawson arrived three days later, she did not appear to think that there was any cause for alarm in Moira’s condition. However, I packed them both off to the sea, with instructions that certain preparations were to be made forthwith.
When they had departed, I set about finding a purchaser for Montalta, for I had determined to sell it, lock, stock, and barrel. It was not long before I found one willing to give a good price, and having completed the purchase, I joined Moira, and our wedding took place, with Mrs. Dawson as sole witness.
After a short honeymoon129, we started for England, to take up our abode130 in Flaxman’s ancestral Cornish home, where I can see the blue sea and the ships passing, some of them on their way to Australia. It seems years since the occurrence of the events that constitute the foregoing tale, but in reality it is only just two years ago.
To say that I am happy is to put it too mildly. With such a wife as Moira, who could be anything else? I can see her now, as I sit here writing; she is walking in the garden carrying something, of which she seems inordinately131 proud. It’s name is Robert Flaxman Tregaskis, and I pray to God that he will turn out as good and worthy a man as was my partner Flaxman.
The End
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1
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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2
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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3
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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5
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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7
superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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8
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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9
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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10
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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11
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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12
twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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13
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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14
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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15
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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nonplussed
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| adj.不知所措的，陷于窘境的v.使迷惑( nonplus的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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18
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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19
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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20
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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21
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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22
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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23
imprints
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| n.压印( imprint的名词复数 )；痕迹；持久影响 | |
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24
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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25
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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26
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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27
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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28
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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29
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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30
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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31
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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32
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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33
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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34
forage
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| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
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35
improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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36
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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37
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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38
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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39
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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40
toils
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| 网 | |
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41
boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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42
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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43
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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44
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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45
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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46
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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47
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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48
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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49
numbed
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| v.使麻木，使麻痹( numb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
marrow
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| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
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51
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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52
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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53
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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54
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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55
hardiness
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| n.耐劳性，强壮；勇气，胆子 | |
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56
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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57
tribulations
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| n.苦难( tribulation的名词复数 )；艰难；苦难的缘由；痛苦 | |
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58
revelled
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| v.作乐( revel的过去式和过去分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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59
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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60
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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61
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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62
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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63
jutted
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| v.（使）突出( jut的过去式和过去分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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64
impaling
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| 钉在尖桩上( impale的现在分词 ) | |
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65
gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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66
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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67
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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68
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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69
gad
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| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
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70
inferno
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| n.火海；地狱般的场所 | |
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71
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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72
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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73
portended
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| v.预示( portend的过去式和过去分词 )；预兆；给…以警告；预告 | |
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74
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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75
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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76
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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77
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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78
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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79
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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80
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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81
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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82
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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83
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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84
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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85
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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86
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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87
cascades
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| 倾泻( cascade的名词复数 )； 小瀑布（尤指一连串瀑布中的一支）； 瀑布状物； 倾泻（或涌出）的东西 | |
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88
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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89
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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90
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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91
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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92
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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93
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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94
banish
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| vt.放逐，驱逐；消除，排除 | |
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95
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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96
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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97
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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99
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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100
expiated
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| v.为（所犯罪过）接受惩罚，赎（罪）( expiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101
halcyon
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| n.平静的，愉快的 | |
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102
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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103
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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104
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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105
convalescence
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| n.病后康复期 | |
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106
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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107
jointly
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| ad.联合地，共同地 | |
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108
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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109
incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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110
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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111
solicitors
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| 初级律师( solicitor的名词复数 ) | |
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112
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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113
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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114
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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substantiate
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| v.证实；证明...有根据 | |
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117
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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implicates
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| n.牵涉，涉及（某人）( implicate的名词复数 )；表明（或意指）…是起因 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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124
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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125
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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127
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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honeymoon
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| n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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inordinately
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| adv.无度地，非常地 | |
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