The black waited upon us while we ate and drank, moving noiselessly across the rough floor, so keenly observant of his master's slightest wish as to convince me the latter possessed12 a temper which upon occasion burst its bounds. Yet now he was surely in the best of humors; and with the coming of our second bottle, after the remains13 of the repast had been removed, he sang several love-songs in his native tongue, the meaning of which I could only guess at.
"Saint Guise14!" he exclaimed at last, flinging one booted foot over the table corner. "You are a very sphinx of a fellow. You deny being English, yet you have all the silence of that nation. I am hungry, Monsieur, for the sweet sound of the French tongue."
"'Tis a language of which I know little," I answered, striving to speak pleasantly, although his manner was becoming less and less to my liking15. "I have met with your coureurs de bois in plenty, and picked up sufficient of their common phrases to enable me to converse on ordinary themes with them; yet I confess I find it difficult to follow your speech."
"Canaille," he returned, in tone of undisguised ? 35 ? contempt, "Canadian half-breeds, the very offscourings of our people. Sacre! but you should know us at home, Monsieur,—we are the conquerors16 of the world!"
I wish I could picture to you how he said this. Simple as it now reads, he made it vital with meaning. The insolent17 boast was uttered with such a swagger that my face instantly flushed, and he noted18 it.
"Is it not true, Monsieur?" he asked quickly, his own blood heated by the wine. "I tell you, the whole of Europe has trembled, and will again, at the nod of our Napoleon. Why, even over here we had to come with our legions to help you repel19 the red-coats. Saint Guise! but it was the Frenchmen who made you a nation."
"Ay! but only that they might revenge themselves upon England," I retorted blindly, "and the force sent merely hurried a result already inevitable20; yet we gave you a slight touch of our own quality in '98 that stung a bit, I warrant."
"Bah! a ship or two. 'Twas well for you that our army was so closely engaged elsewhere, or the story would have a different ending."
We were both of us upon our feet by this time, glaring at each other across the board, our faces hot with the ill-restrained passion of youth. A word more from either would surely have precipitated21 matters; but before it could be spoken the door leading into the ? 36 ? hallway was hurriedly flung aside, and, without apology for the intrusion, two men strode forward into the glare of light.
"Serve supper here, Hawkins," commanded the first, his back still turned toward us. "Anything you may chance to have in the house,—only let there be little delay."
He was a tall, dark-featured man, smoothly23 shaven, as swarthy as an Indian, with stern dark eyes, thick coarse hair, and an abrupt24 manner born of long command. His companion, of lighter25 build and younger face, was attired26 in a travel-stained uniform of blue and buff; but he who was evidently the leader was so completely wrapped within the folds of a riding-cloak as to reveal nothing of rank other than his unmistakable military presence and bearing. Turning from the door, he swept a penetrating27 glance over us, loosening the clasp of his cloak as he did so.
"I regret having thoughtlessly interrupted your quarrel, gentlemen," he said brusquely, "but this appears to be the sole excuse for a public-room in the place. However, my services are at your command if they be desired in any way."
"'Tis scarce so serious," he explained lightly. "A mere9 interchange of compliments over the respective merits of our nations in war."
? 37 ?
The stranger looked at him intently, and with some manifest disapproval29.
"And yours, no doubt, was France," he said shortly.
De Croix bowed, his hand upon his heart.
"I have worn her uniform, Monsieur."
"I thought as much, and fear my sympathies may be altogether with your antagonist30 in the controversy31. Yet what's the use of wasting life like that? Surely there is fighting enough in this world of ours for such young blades, without inventing cause for quarrel. Come, sit down once more, and join with us in whatsoever32 cheer our landlord may provide."
As he spoke22, he flung aside his cloak, revealing beneath merely the well-worn dress of a frontiersman, with an army sword-belt buckled33 about the waist.
"Come, Walter," he called to his companion, who remained standing34, "there is to be no touch of ceremony here to-night. Gentlemen, I am Captain Wells, formerly35 of the army, now Indian agent at Fort Wayne; and this is Sergeant36 Jordan."
The Frenchman bowed gracefully37, and extended a card across the table. The other glanced at it carelessly.
"Ah! De Croix; pleased to meet you. Think I heard some of our officers speak of seeing you a month ago at Detroit,—McBain or Ramsey, I have forgotten which."
? 38 ?
"I recall a game of cards with a Lieutenant38 Ramsey, a rather choleric39 Scotchman, with a magnificent capacity for strong whiskey."
The Captain turned inquiringly toward me, and I hastened to name myself.
"Wayland, did you say?" he asked, with deepened interest. "'Tis not a common appellation40, yet I once knew a Major by that name in Wayne's command."
"My father, sir," I asserted proudly.
With quick impulsiveness41 he extended his hand.
"As noble a soldier as I have ever known," he exclaimed heartily42. "I served with him in two campaigns. But what are you two young fellows doing here? for it would be hard to conceive of a more disheartening place of residence. Surely, De Croix, you are not permanently43 located in this delightful44 spot?"
"The saints forbid!" ejaculated the other, with an expression of horror that caused the younger officer to smile. "Yet I have already survived ten days of it. We seek to join some party bound westward45, either to Fort Dearborn or beyond."
The elder officer smiled gravely, as his stern eyes wandered thoughtfully over our faces in the candle-light.
"You will scarcely find those who go beyond," he said, at last, slowly. "That is our extreme frontier; ? 39 ? and even this post, I hear it rumored46, is to be abandoned shortly. Indeed, I am now proceeding47 thither48, hoping to escort a niece safely eastward49 because of that very probability. I can offer you naught50 save companionship and guidance upon the journey; yet if you needs must go, you may ride with us and welcome. But 'tis my first duty to advise you strongly against it."
"You look for trouble?" I asked, for his words and manner were grave.
"I am not one easily alarmed," he answered, scanning our faces as we fronted him; "but I have lived long among the Indians, and know them well. This new war with England will not pass without atrocities51 along the border, and in my judgment52 we are now on the eve of a general uprising of the savages54. It will surely come with the first news of British success, and 'tis the fear of reverses at Dearborn that has hurried me westward. You, sir," and he turned toward me, "are young, but it is evident you have been bred to the frontier, so you will realize what it may mean to us if we be caught in the Illinois country by such an uprising."
I bowed, deeply impressed by his earnestness.
"I have, indeed, seen something of savage53 warfare55, and know much of its horror," I replied stoutly56. "Yet what you say of the possible future only makes more urgent my duty to press on."
? 40 ?
"And you?" he asked De Croix.
"Faith, Captain," was the instant reply, "it is the gentle hand of love which leads me westward, and never yet did a true Frenchman hesitate in such a quest because danger lurked57 between."
Wells smiled grimly.
"Then my conscience is left clear," he exclaimed heartily; "and if you ride with me to death, 'tis of your own choosing. However, glad enough we have cause to be thus to gain two more fighting men. I have a party of Miamis travelling with me, and I doubt not there will be ample work for all before we return. Here comes supper; let us eat, drink, and be merry, even though to-morrow it be our fate to die. 'Tis the best border philosophy."
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1
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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6
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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8
nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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9
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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15
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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16
conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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18
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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21
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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22
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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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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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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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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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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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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30
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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31
controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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32
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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33
buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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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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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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38
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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39
choleric
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| adj.易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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40
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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41
impulsiveness
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| n.冲动 | |
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42
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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43
permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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44
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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45
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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46
rumored
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| adj.传说的，谣传的v.传闻( rumor的过去式和过去分词 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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47
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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48
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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49
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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50
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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51
atrocities
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| n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪 | |
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52
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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53
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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54
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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55
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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56
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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57
lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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