the following day was Sunday, and was spent as most Sabbaths are spent by similar parties in such out-of-the-way places. A few members of the household drove off across the ice of the Western Bar to a little country church; but the goose-shooters cared not to display their half savage2 dress, and tanned and blistered3 faces, to the over-close inspection4 of the church-going farmers and their curious "women folks."
Accordingly, Risk passed most of the day luxuriously5 stretched out on the sofa, reading the Church Magazine, while Davies, on the opposite side of the fire, in the recesses6 of an arm-chair covered with a buffalo7 robe, devoted8 the larger portion of his time to the Weekly Wesleyan. Creamer, after a cursory9 glance at a diminutive10 prayer-book, spent most of the day in a comparison of sea-going experiences and apocryphal11 adventures with Captain Lund, in much the same manner as two redoubtable12 masters of fence[Pg 111] employ their leisure in launching at each other's impregnable defence, such blows as would prove mortal against less skilled antagonists13.
By the middle of the afternoon Lund had related his sixth story, being the veracious14 history of how one Louis McGraw, a famous fishing-skipper of Mingan, rode out a tremendous gale15 on the Orphan16 Bank, with both cables out, the storm-sail set, her helm lashed17 amidships, and the crew fastened below as tightly as possible. It is hardly worth while to detail how the crew were bruised18 and battered19 by the terrible rolling of the schooner20; it may be left to the imagination of the intelligent reader when he learns that, when the storm abated21, the skipper found, besides innumerable "kinks" in the cables, and sea-weed in the rigging, both topmasts broken short off, indubitable proof, to the nautical22 mind, that the Rechabite had been rolled over and over again, like an empty barrel, in that terrible sea.
Creamer had just begun, by way of retaliation23, his favorite "yarn24" of the ingenious diplomacy25 of one Jem Jarvis, his father's uncle, who, being wrecked26 "amongst the cannibals of Rarertonger," with a baker's dozen of his shipmates, escaped the fate of his less accomplished27 comrades by his skill on the jewsharp, and an especial talent for dancing the double-shuffle, so that they gave him a hut to himself, two wives, and all he could eat, until he broke[Pg 112] his jewsharp, and got fat and lazy, and then there was nothing to do but to run for it.
How Creamer's paternal28 relative extricated29 himself from his precarious30 position will never be known, as, at this juncture31, Ben and La Salle, respectively, weary of playing a limited repertoire32 of psalm-tunes on the concertina, and reading the musty records of a long-forgotten "Sederunt of the quarterly Synod," as detailed33 in an old number of the Presbyterian Witness, interrupted the prolonged passage at arms by an invitation, to all so disposed, "to take a walk around the island."
Lund, who had misgivings34 as to his ability to give Creamer "a Roland for his Oliver," rose at once, and Creamer acceding36 more reluctantly, the four set off, through a narrow wood-path, to a cleared field near the western extremity37 of the island.
At the verge38 of this field, a cliff of red sandstone, ribbed and seamed by centuries of weather-wear and beat of sea, overlooked the ample bay which opens into the Straits of Northumberland at their widest point. Before them it lay covered with huge level ice-fields, broken only where tide and storm had caused an upheaval39 of their edges, or a berg, degraded and lessened40 of its once lordly majesty41, it is true, but still grand even in its decay, rose like a Gothic ruin amid a snow-covered and desolate42 plain.
The sun was declining in the west, but his crimson43 rays gave warmth to the picture, and the still[Pg 113] air had, as it were, a foretaste of the balmy revivifying warmth of spring. In the woods, close at hand, were heard the harsh cawing of the crow, the shrill44 scream of the blue-jay, and the garrulous45 chatter46 of many a little family of warm-furred, pine-cone-eating little red squirrels.
Neither was animal life wanting elsewhere to complete the picture. On the ice could be counted, in different directions, no less than seventeen flocks of Canada geese, some of them apparently47 on the watch, but the major part lying down, and evidently sleeping after their long and wearisome migration48. In a single diminutive water-hole below the cliff, which probably marked the issue of one of the many subterranean49 springs of the islet, a half-dozen tiny ouac-a-wees, or Moniac ducks, swam and dove in conscious security.
"I can't see any open water yet," said Creamer, "although it looks to me a little like a water-belt, alongshore, inside Point Prime."
"There's no more water-belt there," said Lund, "than there was music in your great-uncle's jewsharp; but there's a spot off to the sou'-west that looks to me a little like blue water."
"Blue water, indeed!" retorted Creamer; "who ever saw blue water on soundings! I'll lay a plug of navy tobacco there isn't open water enough there away to float La Salle's gunning-float comfortably."
"Well, Hughie," slowly replied the practiced pilot, who was really little disposed to vaunt his knowl[Pg 114]edge of coast and weather, "the tide will soon decide whether you or I, or both of us, are right. It is just full flood now, and the ice is pressed in so against the land, that I know there can be no openings along the Point, and but very small ones where I think it looks like one. It seems to me that a water-vapor is rising out there, by yonder high pinnacle51 just in range of the pool below the ice-foot; but the tide will soon let us know if there are any large leads open within a dozen miles."
"There's a sign in your favor," cried La Salle, pointing in the direction of the supposed 'lead.' "There's a flock of Brent geese, and they can't live away from open water. See, Ben, they are heading right in for the East Bar, and if we were only there we might depend upon a shot."
La Salle was right; the flock of birds, identified plainly by their smaller size, their tumultuous order of flying, and especially by their harsh, rolling call, like a pack of hounds in cry, swept in from sea, wheeled around one of the resting flocks of Canada geese, alighted near them, took flight again, and, sweeping53 in an irregular course over and among the higher points of the icy labyrinth54, disappeared behind the eastern promontory55, as if in search of the open water, which winter had so securely locked up in icy bonds.
As the sun sank behind the neighboring firs, his reddening light fell on a bright blue streak56, which[Pg 115] seemed to glow like a stream of quicksilver between two heavy bodies of "piled ice." With the ebb57, the narrow, glittering canal began to widen, piercing nearer to the islet, until, heading towards the westward58, it lay little more than four miles from the interested spectators. The shadowy pinions60 of many flocks of water-fowl were seen exploring its course, and the neighboring geese, one by one, took flight, and, with clamorous61 calls, winged their way to its borders.
"I give it up," said Creamer.
"Never mind, Hughie," said Ben, "I'll pay the wager62; for, with open water so close to us, the first good storm will soon sweep the bay clear to the bar."
"Yes, a sharp north-easter would soon do that for you; but all the heavy winds may be northerly and westerly for three weeks to come yet," said Lund; "I've known the ice to hold here until the first week of May."
"Well," returned La Salle, "I'm sure I hope it won't be so late this year, for the stock of flour on the island is very small, and many of the poor folks can't afford to buy any, and are living on potatoes almost altogether. They say, too, that there is much suffering among the farmers at the North Point."
"Yes," said Ben; "I saw a man from Lot Ten last week, and he said that the French were eating their seed-grain, and feeding their cattle, or such as were left alive, on birch and beech63 tops."[Pg 116]
"That has happened often, since I can remember," said Lund, "and I suppose is likely to after I am gone; but it seems to me that those stupids might learn something by this time."
"It will occur to a greater or less degree, just as long as the island is shut out from the rest of the world for nearly half the year. There are few men who have any just estimate of the amount of provisions and fodder64 necessary for the sustenance65 of a family and its cattle for so long a period as a half year, and when accident, or the unwonted backwardness of the season, increases the number of mouths, or the length of the cold term, it is hard for the farmer to decide on sacrificing the life of even a superannuated66 horse, or weakly yearling, in time to benefit the more valuable survivors67."
"You're right, Charley," said Creamer; "that's what my father's uncle said, when he was a mate on board the Semyramsis, in the Ingy Ocean. The ship was lost in a harricane, sir, and only seven was saved in the captain's gig—six able-bodied seamen68 and one passenger, a fat little army ossifer. So my great-uncle, who were bosin, made an observation, and says he, 'There's just ten days' provision for seven men, and we're twenty days to looard of Silly Bes (Celebes), if we only row ten miles a day. Now, we must row twenty miles a day; an' to do that, we must have full rations69 an' somethin' to spare. Besides, the boat ort to be lighter70 to row well. So, as[Pg 117] passengers don't count along of able-bodied seamen, I move we just get rid of the major on economical principles. All in favor say "Ay;" and they all said "ay" except the major, an' he just turned as white as a sheet.' An' then my great-uncle asked him if he'd got anything to say why the resolution o' that meetin' shouldn't be carried out. Well, the major just grinned kind o' uggly, an' said that 'he liked to see things done methodistically, if it were a little irregular, an' he'd give his 'pinion59 after the rest.' So my uncle went on, an' said, 'All contrary say, "No."' Well, no one said 'no;' an' then my great-uncle said, 'Well, major, nothin' remains71 but to carry out our resolution; so please to vacate this boat; although, seein' as it's not dinner time for some hours yet, there's no need of hurry, unless you wish to have it over with.'
"'But,' says the major, 'your action is altogether unparlymentary. You haven't heard a word from my friends.'
"'Friends! there ain't any one here on your side o' the question.'
"'You're mistaken, my friend,' said the major; an' he drew from his belt a long Indian dagger72 that had been hid under his coat; 'there's one, any how.'
"'That ain't much account against a boat-hook,' said one of the men, as he took one with a sharp spike73 from beneath the gunwale.
"'Lay that down, you beggar!' cried the little red-coat; and he pulled out of each side-pocket a[Pg 118] four-barreled pistol,—for there were no revolvers in them days,—and the man laid down the boat-hook as quick as a flash. 'Now, men,' said the little ossifer, 'you'll see that we number at least ten, and there's only six of you. Ah, here's to make us a little more ekil;' and he just fired at a noddy that was flying over, and dropped him right into the stern-sheets. 'That'll help out our rations some,' says he; 'and besides, you don't see what I'm sittin' on;' and, sure enough, he had histed into the boat a basket of port an' a whole case of cap'n's biscuit. 'Now,' says he, 'reconsider your vardick.'
"An' they all voted down the first resolution, and he gave them a bottle of port to mix with their water every day, and when they were drinking the last bottle, they made Silly Bes, and got ashore74 all right; but my uncle always said that his calculations was right, and that it showed great weakness on the part of the men not to carry them out."
"Well, Hughie," said Ben, "you've kept us here a good half hour later than tea time, and Mrs. Lund will think we've done well to waste her time in listening to your stories."
"Well, we can see enough to assure us that the ice won't break up on the bar to-morrow," said Lund; "but you may get your ice-boats ready at once, for the next thaw75, with a north-easter after it, will leave all clear along the ship channel to the harbor's mouth."[Pg 119]
There was quite a pleasurable excitement among the stay-at-homes at the tea table, when the incipient76 breaking up of the ice was declared; for on the proximity77 of narrow feeding-grounds to the ice-houses depended the hopes of good sport of our adventurers. To be sure they had thus far had nothing to complain of; but the geese killed had been merely "flight" geese, weary with long migration, thin with want of food, and seeking among the treacherous78 lures79 only a rest from their long wandering in the safe companionship of their own kind.
Very shortly after supper the whole household retired80, but, save the accustomed prayers, which few, either Catholic or Protestant, forget in that still "unsophisticated" land, it is to be feared that the Sabbath was to them little but a literal "day of rest," in its purest physical sense.
Monday morning a glassy look to the snow-crust induced the younger members of the party to use their skates in going to their stands, and as La Salle drew his from his feet to deposit them in his undisturbed stand, his eyes caught, amid the distant ice-spires, the mazy flight of what he took to be a flock of brent, headed in-shore.
Signaling to Davies to get under cover, he sprang into his own stand, and, crouching81 amid the straw, hastily drew over his black fur cap his linen82 havelock, and looking well to the priming of his gun, sought the whereabouts of the swift-flying birds.[Pg 120]
Unlike the slower Canada geese, these birds seldom fly high above the surface of the water or ice when seeking food; and several times he lost sight of the flock, as it darted83 around a berg, or swung round the circle of some secluded84 valley of the ice-field.
"H-r-r-r-r-huk! H-r-r-r-r-huk!" Their barbarous clamor, insufficiently85 rendered in the foregoing, suddenly sounded close to leeward86, and close up against the light north-wester then blowing came the beautiful quarry87, their small, black heads and necks showing as glossy88 as a raven's wing, in contrast with the asheous hue89 of their wings, and the pure white of other parts of their plumage. With a wild, tumultuous rush, they circled in head-on over the decoys; and it was so quickly done, that they had swept on fifty yards before La Salle could realize that the leader of the flock was heading for Davies, and had no intention of surging around to his lures again.
"It will never do to let them get the first brent," muttered La Salle. "She has a long-range cartridge90 in, and I'll try them."
Turning on his knees, he raised the ponderous91 gun until it "lined" the retreating flock, but elevated at least five feet above the birds, now nearly two hundred yards away. The heavy concussion92 reverberated93 across the ice, and the fatal cartridge tore through the distant flight, picking out two of the twelve which composed the flock; and some of the shot, as both Davies and Creamer afterwards averred,[Pg 121] rattled94 smartly in among their decoys nearly four hundred yards away. The remaining birds, hurrying away from the dangers behind them, passed within range of Davies and his companion, and left several of their number dead and dying on the ice; but the first brent of the season had fallen to La Salle's gun.
The day was mild and without wind, and as but few birds were flying, La Salle coiled himself down in the sunny corner of his stand, and drawing from his pocket the letter of which we have spoken in the last chapter, gave it a careful and deliberate perusal96. As he closed, a smile, strangely expressing contempt, pity, and admiration97, curled his lips, as in low but audible tones, as is often the habit of the solitary98 hunter or fisherman, he communed with his own heart.
"Ah, Pauline! time has brought no change to thy passionate99, impulsive100, unreasoning heart; and what thy biting tongue may not say, the pen will utter, though lapse101 of years and the waves of the Atlantic roll between us. Is it not strange that a woman's letter to her betrothed102, beginning with 'My own love,' and ending 'Until death,' can contain eight double-written pages of unreasonable104 blame, cruel innuendos105, and despicable revenge on the innocent? Well, we are betrothed, and should have been married years ago, had not Fate or Providence106 stood in the way; and I suppose her life at home is far from[Pg 122] pleasant, for her step-mother is not one to let a good marriage go by, without reminding poor Paulie of my general worthlessness; but I must say that my better financial and matrimonial prospects107 offer little hope of added happiness."
His eye lit up a moment, and an expression of keen and almost cruel intent contracted his gaze; then, with a look of disdain108, he seemed to throw off some evil influence, and a look of pity softened109 his face.
"Yes, if I were to resent these affronts—for such they are—with one half the virulence110 which animates111 them, her pride would alienate112 us forever, and I should be free. There are few who would blame me, and many who would scorn to do aught else. In truth I am almost decided113 to answer this precious billet-doux in the same vein114 in which it was written. Ah, it was not all delusion115 that made yonder madman think that evil spirits haunt these icy wastes. It was not thus I felt when together we voyaged across that summer sea; and the vows116 we plighted117 then may not lightly be broken. I will answer patiently, and as becomes the past. As to the future, it will bring due reward or punishment here or hereafter."
From these somewhat morbid118 self-communings, which we introduce for a purpose hereafter to be disclosed, La Salle started, seized his glittering skates, and taking his gun, glided119 with long, powerful strokes across the inner bay towards the ice-houses of the other party, which lay within the embouchure of[Pg 123] Trois-Lieue Creek120. The ice was almost perfectly121 level, save where a heavy drift had formed a small mound122 around which it was better to steer123, although the sleety124 crust had frozen so hard that the broad-runnered Belgian skates would run almost anywhere. At the first ice-house he found Risk and Davies, who had done little or nothing for some days, and talked of going home at the end of the week.
"Indian Peter gets about all the geese that go through here, and there's little show for us," said Davies.
"Where is his ice-house?" asked La Salle.
"Just up the cove—the nearest of those two," answered Risk.
"I guess I'll have a look at his outfit, and then go and meet the boys at the block-house, for they have never been here before, and the track can't be very plain now." So saying, La Salle skated up to the Indian stand, almost half a mile distant.
"One-armed Peter," as he was commonly called among his tribesmen, had neither the means nor the inclination125 to deviate126 much from the traditionary usages of his tribe, and was found kneeling, or, rather, "sitting man-fashion," as the vernacular127 Micmac hath it, although we call it "tailor-fashion," within a circular, fort-like enclosure, some twelve feet in circumference128, and with walls about three feet high.
The latter were composed of thick slabs129 of ice placed on edge, and cemented together by frozen[Pg 124] water, while tiny apertures130, cut here and there, enabled the crouching hunters to note every foot of the approach of their wary131 game. A few of the decoys were of pine wood, rudely carved out and burnt to something like the natural coloring of the bird they were intended to represent; but a large proportion of them were "sea-weed" or "spruce" decoys; that is, bunches of the weather-bound sea-wrack, or bundles of evergreen132 twigs133, made about the shape and size of the body of a goose.
These were elevated on blocks of snow-ice, which strikingly imitated, at a little distance, the hue of the under feathers, and a fire-blackened stake set in the ice, at one end, with a collar of white birch bark at its junction134, completed the rude but effective imitation. Such are the appliances which a hundred years ago brought the geese in thousands under the arrows of all the many tribes which range between the Straits of Canso and the most northern inhabited regions about Hudson's Bay.
Within the enclosure a few armfuls of fir branches—laid upon the hard ice, and kept carefully clear of snow, formed a soft floor, on which now sat three hunters, Peter, and Jacob, and Louis Snake, much younger men than he of the one arm. Each sat enveloped135 in the folds of a dingy136 blanket, and their guns rested against the icy walls—two of them rickety, long-barreled flint-locks; but Peter's new acqui[Pg 125]sition, a true "stub-twist," Hollis's double, was as good a fowling-piece as any sportsman needs.
True to their customs, the Indians were taciturn enough, although Peter thanked La Salle rather warmly for his new weapon.
"I find 'em good gun; not miss since I got 'em. Give t'other gun my nethew." And he pointed137 to the worst looking of the two antiquated138 weapons, as Cleopatra may have surveyed her rather costly139 drink-offering, with visible misgiving35 as to such reckless liberality.
"You were very kind, Peter. I suppose he has no family," said La Salle, smiling.
"Yes, me berry kind my peeple," suavely140 responded the chief, a just pride beaming in his eyes. "That young man no family yet—only squaw now."
"It is evident that the average Indian doesn't understand a joke," muttered La Salle, as he said "Good by" to the motley trio, and darted off to meet a distant group, which he rightly judged to be the expected boys.
Twenty minutes later he had joined the little party, who were proceeding141 at a slow dog-trot103 around the shores, instead of taking the direct course across the ice, which, being deemed unsafe by them, had wisely been avoided; for no one can be too cautious on ice of which they know nothing.
George Waring, the only son of La Salle's employer, skated ahead of his companion, who was evidently of[Pg 126] other than Caucasian origin, in part at least. The skater was a tall, fresh-complexioned, slender youth, of about seventeen, bold, active, and graceful142 in his movements, but having the appearance of one whose growth had been a little too rapid for an equal development of health and strength; and indeed it was only on condition that he should submit carefully to the directions of La Salle that his father had consented to the present expedition.
His companion was, perhaps, a year older, but rather short and thick-set, with features in which the high cheek-bones and coppery hue of the American showed very prominently. La Salle had fallen in with him at the Seven Islands, on the Labrador coast, the year before, and employed him as a pilot to the Straits of Belle143 Isle50. He called himself Regnar Orloff, was of tremendous strength for one of his years, and although apparently lazy, and somewhat fleshy, could move quickly enough, and to purpose, in time of need.
Now, however, he rested one knee on the only unoccupied portion of a large, light sled, drawn144 by the third member of the party, a powerful dog of the Newfoundland species, which he was evidently training into some little excellence145 as a sledge146-dog. It was only an added virtue147, even if complete; for noble old Carlo had already excellences148 enough to canonize a dozen individual canines149. He was strong, sagacious, peaceably inclined, but a terrible foe150 when aroused; could eat anything, carry a man in the water, watch any place, team, or article, hold a horse, beat for snipe or woodcock, lie motionless anywhere you might designate, retrieve151 anywhere on land, water, or ice, and loved a gun as well as his young master, La Salle.
Well, George
"Well, George, you're here at last."—Page 127.
[Pg 127]
"Well, George, you're here at last," cried La Salle, as he came up. "How is everything in town, and what's the news?"
"O, nothing out of the common. All are well. The governor gave a ball Wednesday, and the House dissolves next week. We've had plenty of geese to eat, but we wanted to kill some; and so here we are."
"How are you, Regnie? Getting tired of civilization, and wanting to get back to the ice?"
"Ha, ha, ha! Yes, master, just so. After I see Paris and Copenhagen, I do very well, keep quite satisfied. But when I shut up in large city like C., I think it too much. I feel lonesome, want to get back to the wild'ness."
"And how does Carlo learn sleighing?"
"O, he does well enough. He can't be taught right, for it would be too bad to use Greenland whip; but I make this little one, and can drive very well;" and as he spoke95, he held up a wand of supple152 whalebone, tipped with a slender "snapper" of plaited leather, and lightly touching153 the noble animal with the harmless implement154, the dog gave a playful bark, and started off on an easy trot.
"We strike off here for those black specks155 yon[Pg 128]der," said La Salle; "but what is coming behind us, George?"
"O, that is Dolland, Venner, and that set; and I guess they'll have 'a high old time,' and no mistake."
"Well, let's take an observation, boys, and then we'll set off."
And, stopping, the party turned to survey a spectacle truly annoying to any true sportsman, whatever may be his views on the temperance question.
Advancing in their rear came a truck-sled, loaded with what, although evidently a miscellaneous freight, was largely composed of liquor; for a goodly ale-keg formed the driver's seat, a bottle-hamper the pinnacle of the load, and a half dozen young men, who were perched wherever a seat presented itself, filled the air with loud, and oft-repeated shouts and roaring songs, whose inspiration could plainly be traced to certain bottles, jugs156, and flasks157, with which each in turn "took an observation" of the heavens, at about every other hundred yards. An expression of disgust on La Salle's deeply-tanned face gradually gave way to resignation, and then a well-founded hope irradiated his features; a new movement of the crowd attracted his attention.
"Well, boys," he exclaimed, "you're in luck to have such a gang to come out with, and you may count on having little or no sport to-day and to-morrow; but they'll have to go in, in three days at farthest."
"Why so?" asked the boys, in a breath.[Pg 129]
"Because their rum won't last them more than forty-eight hours, especially with the amateur aid they'll get from the driver; and twelve hours after that event takes place, they'll be in town again. But come, they are getting near us, and are loading their guns; so let's leave before the vicinage is dangerous."
"Why, Charley," said Waring, in astonishment158, "there's no danger. Those fellows wouldn't shoot at us. I know them."
"And so do I, my dear fellow; and that's just the reason I want to get out of the way. If I didn't know what drunken men will do in the way of 'sporting casualties,' or felt certain that their object was to shoot us, I should feel perfectly easy on the subject;" and setting off at full speed, followed by Waring and the sledge, La Salle led the way to the ice-houses, which they reached about an hour before sunset.
Drawing up by the boat, La Salle examined the load of the day, and from it took a little case made of a candle-box with stout159 hinges and a padlock. He opened it, and found, as he had ordered, a "Crimean cooking-lantern," with spring candlestick and a pound of candles, a small tin canister of coffee, another of sugar, some pilot bread, and several boxes of sardines160. Taking all but two of the latter from the box, he relocked it, and carefully removing the matted straw in the stern of his boat, placed the box under the decking, and replacing the compressed straw, effectually hid it from sight.[Pg 130]
"We can now have a lunch, with a hot cup of coffee, whenever we please, and you will find some weather even yet when it will be very welcome. Come, let us go home to-night, and get ready for to-morrow's charivari, for noise will not be wanting, although game may;" and adding his brent to the load, La Salle covered his boat, and, joined by Davies and Creamer, who greeted the boys warmly, all went up to their welcome, if somewhat narrow, quarters.
After tea, which boasted of fried bacon and eggs, the usual circle was formed, and Mr. Davies, being called upon to entertain the company, said that he was "not much of a story-teller, but had learned some facts relating to a terrible political tumult52, which took place years ago, but was still spoken of everywhere on the island as the great 'Belfast Riot.' I shall term it, unless some one offers a better name, the most lively specimen161 we ever had of
"A Contested Election.
"It need hardly be said, in this company, that an election among us is a far more exciting occasion than among our less-favored American neighbors, who ignore the superior advantages of voting viva voce, and adopt the less manly162 and unobtrusive medium of the ballot163.
"Why, gentlemen, I venture to say, that our little capital town of C., with its thousand votes, pre[Pg 131]sents more stir, makes more noise, drinks more whiskey, and is the arena164 of more fistic science and club play, during an ordinary election, than any city in New England, of four times the population, during a presidential struggle. The open polling-booths in the heart of the city surrounded by crowds of intelligent (and highly-excited) voters; the narrow gangways crowded, rain or shine, by those immediately claiming the right of suffrage165; the narrow precincts of the sheriff's court, the sublime166 majesty of that important officer; the ineffable167 serenity168 of the city clerk; the various bearings of the candidates or their representatives; the frantic169 efforts of a few uniformed police to keep order; the evident and good-natured determination of the crowd that the aforesaid officials shall 'have their hands full;' the loud voices and sharp questions of the challengers and their victim; the dainty bits of family history made public property; the overbearing insolence170 of the old lawyers, and the overweening impudence171 of the young ones; the open taverns172; the rival carriages for the accommodation of doubtful, drunken, and lazy voters, together with the lively little incidents which diversify173 the picture as the culminating glory of these various provocative174 elements,—form a picture which it hath not entered into the heart of the average American citizen to conceive of.
"But, however lively the picture, an election in these degenerate175 later days is but a tame affair com[Pg 132]pared with those which took place during my first years of labor176 in political matters. As all know, the island was given away on one day to certain individuals, on conditions of which nothing more may be said here than that one was, that a certain number of settlers were to be placed on each estate within a given number of years. Accordingly, from almost every section of the British Isles177, the proprietors178 sought out such emigrants179 as could most easily be procured180.
"The result was, that we still have settlements in close proximity to each other, whose peoples use different languages in daily conversation, who vary radically181 in religious belief, have few natural traits in common, and are almost, if not altogether, 'natural enemies' each to each. Thus we have a settlement of Protestant Highland182 Scotch183 close by a large estate peopled with Monaghan or Kilkenny Irish Catholics; and perhaps a little farther on is a hamlet of Low-landers, or a village of thrifty184 English folk.
"But in those days these distinctions were yet more marked, and the feuds185 of Orange and Ribbon-man, Scotch and Irish, Englishman and French Acadian, had not then given way before the softening186 and concealing187 hand of 'Time, the great leveler;' and so some twenty years ago, during a close contest between the then rising liberal party and the conservatives, a riot took place near the polling-booth in the Highland Scotch settlement of Belfast. All the com[Pg 133]bined strength of both parties was present; the canvassing188 had been of the most thorough nature, and all the antipathies189 of race and religion appealed to for electioneering purposes.
"It is said that the Catholics went there expecting a fight, each armed with a well-balanced, tough shillelagh, and that they made a general attack on the Scotch. At all events, it is certain that the larger number of the latter had to betake themselves to the nearest available weapon, and that many were cut and bruised by the skilfully-handled weapons of the active Irish cudgel-players. One Scotchman, however (a fellow of unusual stature), seized a fence-rail, and, by his single arm, stayed the tide of flight in his part of the fray190. Almost frantic with apprehension191, rage, and the desire for revenge, he wielded192 his ponderous weapon as if it were an ordinary club, striking such tremendous blows that tradition has it that not one of a half-score of the best and bravest of the Irish leaders survived the effects of those terrible and crushing blows. Profiting by his prowess, the Scotch procured the heavy stakes of their sleds, tough poles, pieces of firewood, and similar ponderous weapons, and, headed by the hero of the day, made a charge, returning with terrible severity the comparatively slight damage inflicted193 by the light cudgels of the Irish.
"The details of that day of blood—how the fray began, and between whom; the varying records of its[Pg 134] progress as victory inclined first to one side, and then to the other; the number of the killed and wounded, and the names of the fallen—have never been generally known, and probably never will be; for many of the principal actors in that savage drama have passed away 'into the dread194 unknown.'
"But it is still commonly believed, and so reported, that over a score of the Irish were killed on the field, or died of their wounds; that no Scotchman perished; that the field where the deadliest part of the work was done became accursed, and has lain barren to this day; and that the leader of the Scotch became insane with the memory of his own terrible prowess.
"Among those who have reason to remember that dreadful affair, however, may be numbered C." (Here the narrator named an influential195 and wealthy business man.) "He was travelling in that section, and being ignorant of what had taken place, stopped at a country town to bait his horse, and warm and refresh himself. Entering, he found the reception-room filled with Irish, whose harsh features were inflamed196 with varied197 passions, while the persons of many bore marks of recent injury. No one replied to his friendly greeting, and their whole conversation was carried on in Erse, although every intonation198 and gesture was replete199 with passion. Suddenly he saw the landlady200 beckoning201 him out of the room, and, rising, he approached her as if to give directions about his horse.[Pg 135]
"Trembling with agitation202, she addressed him:—
"'O, Mr. C., for the love of Heaven, run to your sleigh, and leave at once, or your life isn't worth an hour's purchase!'
"Then, in a few words, she gave him some idea of the day's events, and taking the measure of oats provided, Mr. C. passed on through his enemies to the shed, where, beside a number of rude country sledges203, stood his own fleet horse and light cutter. Taking the bells off his horse, he backed him out of the shed, and was ready for flight. On the nearest sledge was bound a long, oblong parcel, covered with a rug. Curiosity proved stronger than fear, and lifting a loose corner of the scanty204 covering, Mr. C. found himself face to face with a corpse205!
"Springing into his sleigh, he put his horse to his utmost speed, and when day dawned was a score of miles from the scene of his unexpected danger and appalling206 night adventure."
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1
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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2
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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3
blistered
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| adj.水疮状的，泡状的v.（使）起水泡( blister的过去式和过去分词 )；（使表皮等）涨破，爆裂 | |
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4
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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5
luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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6
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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7
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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8
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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9
cursory
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| adj.粗略的；草率的；匆促的 | |
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10
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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11
apocryphal
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| adj.假冒的，虚假的 | |
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12
redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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13
antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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14
veracious
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| adj.诚实可靠的 | |
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15
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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16
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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17
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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18
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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19
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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20
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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21
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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22
nautical
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| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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23
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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24
yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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25
diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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26
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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27
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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28
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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29
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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31
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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32
repertoire
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| n.(准备好演出的)节目，保留剧目；(计算机的)指令表，指令系统， <美>(某个人的)全部技能；清单，指令表 | |
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33
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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34
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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35
misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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36
acceding
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的现在分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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37
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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38
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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39
upheaval
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| n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱 | |
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40
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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41
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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42
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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43
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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44
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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45
garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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46
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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47
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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48
migration
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| n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙 | |
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49
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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50
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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51
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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52
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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53
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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54
labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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55
promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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56
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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57
ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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58
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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59
pinion
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| v.束缚；n.小齿轮 | |
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60
pinions
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
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61
clamorous
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| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
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62
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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63
beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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64
fodder
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| n.草料；炮灰 | |
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65
sustenance
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| n.食物，粮食；生活资料；生计 | |
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66
superannuated
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| adj.老朽的，退休的；v.因落后于时代而废除，勒令退学 | |
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67
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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68
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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69
rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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70
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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71
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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72
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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73
spike
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| n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效 | |
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74
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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75
thaw
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| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
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76
incipient
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| adj.起初的，发端的，初期的 | |
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77
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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78
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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79
lures
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| 吸引力，魅力（lure的复数形式） | |
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80
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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81
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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82
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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83
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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84
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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85
insufficiently
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| adv.不够地，不能胜任地 | |
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86
leeward
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| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
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87
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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88
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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89
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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90
cartridge
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| n.弹壳，弹药筒；(装磁带等的)盒子 | |
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91
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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92
concussion
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| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
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93
reverberated
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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94
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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95
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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96
perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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97
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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98
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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99
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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100
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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101
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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102
betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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103
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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104
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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105
innuendos
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| n.影射的话( innuendo的名词复数 )；讽刺的话；含沙射影；暗讽 | |
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106
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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107
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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108
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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109
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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110
virulence
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| n.毒力，毒性；病毒性；致病力 | |
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111
animates
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| v.使有生气( animate的第三人称单数 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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112
alienate
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| vt.使疏远，离间；转让(财产等) | |
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113
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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114
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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115
delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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116
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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117
plighted
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| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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118
morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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119
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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120
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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121
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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122
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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123
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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124
sleety
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| 雨夹雪的，下雨雪的 | |
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125
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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126
deviate
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| v.(from)背离，偏离 | |
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127
vernacular
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| adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名 | |
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128
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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129
slabs
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| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
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130
apertures
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| n.孔( aperture的名词复数 )；隙缝；（照相机的）光圈；孔径 | |
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131
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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132
evergreen
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| n.常青树；adj.四季常青的 | |
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133
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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134
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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135
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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137
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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138
antiquated
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| adj.陈旧的，过时的 | |
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139
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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140
suavely
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141
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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142
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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143
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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144
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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145
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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146
sledge
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| n.雪橇，大锤；v.用雪橇搬运，坐雪橇往 | |
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147
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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148
excellences
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| n.卓越( excellence的名词复数 )；（只用于所修饰的名词后）杰出的；卓越的；出类拔萃的 | |
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149
canines
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| n.犬齿( canine的名词复数 )；犬牙；犬科动物 | |
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150
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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151
retrieve
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| vt.重新得到，收回；挽回，补救；检索 | |
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152
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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153
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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154
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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155
specks
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| n.眼镜；斑点，微粒，污点( speck的名词复数 ) | |
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156
jugs
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| （有柄及小口的）水壶( jug的名词复数 ) | |
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157
flasks
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| n.瓶，长颈瓶， 烧瓶( flask的名词复数 ) | |
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158
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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160
sardines
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| n. 沙丁鱼 | |
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161
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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162
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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163
ballot
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| n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票 | |
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164
arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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165
suffrage
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| n.投票，选举权，参政权 | |
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166
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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167
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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168
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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169
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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170
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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171
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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172
taverns
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| n.小旅馆，客栈，酒馆( tavern的名词复数 ) | |
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173
diversify
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| v.（使）不同，（使）变得多样化 | |
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174
provocative
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| adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的 | |
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175
degenerate
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| v.退步，堕落；adj.退步的，堕落的；n.堕落者 | |
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176
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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177
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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178
proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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179
emigrants
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| n.（从本国移往他国的）移民( emigrant的名词复数 ) | |
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180
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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181
radically
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| ad.根本地，本质地 | |
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182
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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183
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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184
thrifty
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| adj.节俭的；兴旺的；健壮的 | |
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185
feuds
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| n.长期不和，世仇( feud的名词复数 ) | |
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186
softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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187
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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188
canvassing
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| v.（在政治方面）游说( canvass的现在分词 )；调查（如选举前选民的）意见；为讨论而提出（意见等）；详细检查 | |
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189
antipathies
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| 反感( antipathy的名词复数 )； 引起反感的事物； 憎恶的对象； （在本性、倾向等方面的）不相容 | |
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190
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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191
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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192
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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193
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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194
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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195
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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196
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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197
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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198
intonation
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| n.语调，声调；发声 | |
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199
replete
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| adj.饱满的，塞满的；n.贮蜜蚁 | |
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200
landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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201
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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202
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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203
sledges
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| n.雪橇，雪车( sledge的名词复数 )v.乘雪橇( sledge的第三人称单数 )；用雪橇运载 | |
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204
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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205
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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206
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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