"Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 'twas easy to see he did not approve of my escapade. "I scarcely thought to see you here again with so full a head of hair, after I learned of ? 172 ? your mad wager5. Providence6 must indeed take special care of fools. Have the redskins captured our French friend?"
"He entered a step in my advance."
A gleam of amusement played over his swarthy face.
"Ah, and so you let him win!" he exclaimed; "he, a mere7 voyager from the courts, unused to forest play! Such remissness8 deserves the guard-house, at the very least. Come, how happened it that this gay sprig outfooted you?"
"'Twas but a trick," I retorted, aroused by these contemptuous words, "and one I shall make him pay well for. But I pray you cut these bands and set me free."
I think he had not noticed them before; but now, as he quickly drew his knife across the deer-skin thongs9, his whole expression changed.
"Ay!" and the memory of it instantly brought back the recollection of the sacrifice that had won us our freedom. "There were three of us taken at daylight on the river bank, beyond the factory building. De Croix and I escaped through the efforts of one who is still a prisoner, and marked for torture."
Many were gathering11 about us by this time, anxious to learn whatever news I brought from without; ? 173 ? but it was Captain Heald himself who now pushed his way through the throng12 until he fronted me.
"Who was it?" he asked, sharply. "We have lost no men!"
"His name is Burns, sir. I ran across him just back of the Kinzie house."
"Burns? Ol' Tom Burns?"
"Yes, sir."
Heald laughed, a look of evident relief on his haggard features.
"We shall not have to worry much as to his fate," he said, turning toward Wells. "You remember the fellow, William? He was one of Mad Anthony's scouts13, and came west with you in 1803 when you first held council here."
The other nodded, a twinkle of pleasant recollection in his eyes. "Remember him?" he repeated. "I am not likely ever to forget him. He it was who brought me your message at Fort Wayne a month ago. My sympathies in this case are entirely14 with the Indians. There are likely to be things happening when Ol' Tom is around, unless he has lost his versatility15 and nerve in recent years. Come, my lad, give us the details of the story, for it must be worth the hearing if Ol' Burns played a leading part. He is as full of tricks as a dog of fleas16."
I repeated the story briefly17, for I was now eager to be away before De Croix could dress and claim his ? 174 ? wager. I knew well the conceited18 coxcomb19 would never seek the presence of Mademoiselle until he had shed the rags he wore on entering the Fort. I remember yet that throng of faces, anxious yet amused, peering over each other's shoulders to get a better view of me as I talked, and constantly augmented20 as the word passed quickly about the garrison21 that we had safely returned from our midnight adventures.
"You will send aid to him?" I questioned, as I concluded, my eyes fixed22 appealingly upon Captain Heald.
"Not I," was the prompt and decisive rejoinder. "No soldier of this command shall leave the stockade23 until the hour for our final departure. The fellow had a chance to come in here with the others before the gates were closed, but was obstinate24 as a mule25, and must now take the consequences. But you need not worry about Ol' Tom, my boy; he'll circumvent26 those red devils in some way, you may rest assured, nor would he even thank us for interference. I have no force with which to control the horde27 of savages that surround us here. A clash of arms would be their excuse for immediate28 attack, and might mean death and torture to the whole garrison. Our only hope lies in being permitted to pass out without armed collision; and to do this requires that we ignore such hidden deeds. 'Twas a mad prank29 of yours last night, and might have involved us all in common ruin. Go this ? 175 ? time free, except for these words of censure30; for you are not directly under my orders. Another such attempt, subversive31 of all discipline, and the gates of Dearborn will be closed against you."
These harsh expressions stung me, but I felt them in a measure merited, and made no reply.
"'Twas but the act of a boy, Heald," interposed Wells kindly32, resting his hand upon my shoulder, "and you will find the lad well worth having when time of trial comes."
I slipped away through an opening in the curious throng, and hastened across the open parade toward the mess-room. I felt dust-covered and bruised33 from my rough experiences, and hoped to discover opportunities for a bath. The building called the mess-room was long, running nearly half the length of the stockade, built like the others of logs, two stories in height, and containing a number of rooms. The single flight of stairs, opening just within the porch, was exceedingly rude, and built without any protecting rail. I hesitated a moment when fairly within the entrance, scarce knowing which way to turn in search of what I sought; but as I waited there, a light step sounded upon the bare floor above, and glancing up, with quickened beat of the heart, my eyes caught the soft drapery of a woman as she stepped on the upper stair.
I could scarcely have retreated had I wished to do so, though I realized instantly who it was, and drew ? 176 ? back against the wall, so that she came down, singing lightly to herself, without noticing my presence until we were face to face. It was a picture to touch the heart of any man, and abide34 forever in the memory. I saw the sunlight as it streamed through an upper window along the rough log wall and flecked her white dress with ever-changing spots of quivering gold, and, as she drew nearer to my standing35-place, played softly amid the masses of her dark-brown hair, giving it a tinge36 of glory. How daintily fair she was! how archly sweet looked the clear girlish face under the coquettish sweep of the broad hat! and with what unconscious grace she moved down the rude stairway, one white hand steadying her against the brown logs, the other gathering her draperies so close that I could not be blind to the daintily slippered37 foot that shyly peeped below the petticoat of ruffled38 silk. I may not have loved her then as I learned to do in later days, but my heart throbbed39 riotously40 at her presence, and I stood forgetful of all else.
As she turned aside at the foot of the stairs, she saw me, and the color deserted41 her face, only to return instantly in deeper volume, while her tell-tale eyes hid themselves behind long lashes42.
"And are you indeed returned, Master Wayland?" she asked quickly, conquering her first emotion with a proud uplifting of her head. "You surprised me greatly. I think I first mistook you for a ghost ? 177 ? come back to haunt me for having despatched you on so perilous43 a quest. You cannot know how I have been scolded for doing such a thing; yet surely you would have gone, even if I had failed to encourage it."
"Perhaps so, Mademoiselle," I answered, hoping I might lead her to speak with greater seriousness; "but it was the hope of the reward that spurred me forward."
"Ah, of course," she said deliberately44 ignoring her own offer, and with a reckless toss of her head, "you sought a fair girl for whose sake you have travelled far. Pray tell me, Monsieur,—I am so curious to know,—do you truly think Josette fairer than I?"
She spoke45 so lightly, smiling softly into my eyes, that I hardly detected the faint tinge of regretful sarcasm46 in her low voice.
"Josette, you ask me? Why, Josette is indeed a most charming girl, Mademoiselle; but to my mind there can be no comparison between her and you, for you are the fairest woman I have ever known."
Her dark eyes were full upon me, and I saw her parted lips move as if she would speak. But no words came, and we stood there silent except for the nervous tapping of her foot against the floor. Her look of seriousness changed into a smile.
"By my faith, but you pay compliments with so grave a countenance47, Monsieur, that I hardly know how to receive them. Most men whisper such things ? 178 ? with a light laugh, or a twinkle of the eye, and I know their words to be empty as bubbles of air. But you, why, you almost make me feel you are in earnest."
"And I am," I interrupted, longing48 to seize her hand as I knew De Croix would have done, and pour forth49 the words that burnt upon my lips. "I have not been privileged to see much of the great outside world, Mademoiselle,—the world of courts and cities,—nor do I know how lovely its women may be; but no ideal formed in dreams satisfies me as you do. I know naught50 of idle compliments, nor the graces of a courtier; but my words are from the heart."
"I do truly believe and trust you, John Wayland," and she gave me her hand. "But let us talk of this no longer. My vanity is already more than satisfied by your frank and honest speech. And so you found Josette?"
"Yes," I answered, scarce noting what it was I said, so puzzled was I by her quick retreat.
"And that meeting, perchance, was so pleasant that it has taken your thought from all else? It must indeed be so, or why is it that Master Wayland doth not claim of me the stake of the wager?"
"Because," I stammered51, greatly embarrassed by her roguish questioning eyes, "I fear it has not been fairly won."
"Not fairly won?" she echoed, puzzled by my ? 179 ? tone and manner. "Surely you have made the trip, and the terms were plain. Really, Monsieur, you do not think I would withhold52 so small a reward from the winner?"
"And has Captain de Croix returned also?"
"We arrived together, Mademoiselle, but it was his good fortune to be earliest through the gate."
'Twas good to see how her face lit up with the amusement this reply afforded her.
"Pish! but you are in truth the most marvellous man I ever knew. 'Tis good to meet with such open honesty; and when did maid ever have before so unselfish a cavalier to do her honor? Monsieur, I greatly doubt if Captain de Croix will prove so thoughtful when his hour comes."
"You are right, Toinette," broke in a voice at my back. "I know not what Master Wayland may be yielding up so easily, but, like the Shylock of your William Shakespeare, I am here to claim my pound of flesh."
I wheeled and faced him, standing firmly between his approach and the girl, my blood instantly boiling at the familiar sound of that drawling voice.
"I have refused to accept from Mademoiselle what I had not fairly earned," I said, with quiet emphasis, "and so, no doubt, will you."
? 180 ?
There was that about my words and action that astonished him, and for the moment his old audacity54 was gone as he swept a puzzled glance over our faces. I have often reflected upon the contrast we must have presented to her sight as we stood there,—for De Croix had donned his best attire55, and was once again resplendent in frills and ribbons, with heavily powdered hair.
"Oh, most certainly, what I have not earned," he said at length, "but the kiss promised is surely mine by every right, as I was the first in."
"'Twas done by a most scurvy trick."
"Poof! what of that? 'Tis the same whether the goal be won by wit and strategy, or mere fleetness of foot. Toinette will make no such fine distinction, I warrant you."
"Mademoiselle," and I turned toward the smiling girl, who seemingly enjoyed our interchange of compliments, "what may have been your understanding of this wager?"
"Why," she answered slowly, endeavoring to recall the details to mind, "Captain de Croix declared he would willingly make the trip for a touch of rosy56 lips, and In a spirit of venture I promised that whichever of you two first completed the journey and returned here should obtain such reward."
"There, 'tis plain enough," he cried, stroking his mustache complacently57, "and I have won."
? 181 ?
"Most surely you have," I retorted, "and the reward has already been given you."
"Been given?" she questioned, "and by whom?"
"The girl Josette."
She looked from the one to the other of us, puzzled for a brief moment at the odd situation. Then, as her eyes settled upon De Croix's flushed and angry face, she laughed gaily58, even as she daintily drew aside her skirts to pass us by.
"Pish, Monsieur!" she cried, shaking her finger at him, "I doubt it not. No, you need not deny it, for 'tis but one of your old-time tricks, as I knew them well at Montreal. 'Twould be no more than right were I even now to reward Master Wayland, for he hath truly won it,—yet for that I will delay awhile."
And with a flash of her dark eyes that held us speechless, she was gone.
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1
sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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3
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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6
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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7
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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8
remissness
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| n.玩忽职守；马虎；怠慢；不小心 | |
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9
thongs
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| 的东西 | |
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10
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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11
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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13
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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14
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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15
versatility
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| n.多才多艺，多样性，多功能 | |
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16
fleas
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| n.跳蚤( flea的名词复数 )；爱财如命；没好气地（拒绝某人的要求） | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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18
conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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19
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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22
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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23
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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circumvent
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| vt.环绕，包围；对…用计取胜，智胜 | |
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horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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28
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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29
prank
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| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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30
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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subversive
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| adj.颠覆性的，破坏性的；n.破坏份子，危险份子 | |
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32
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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33
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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34
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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35
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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36
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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37
slippered
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| 穿拖鞋的 | |
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38
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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39
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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40
riotously
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| adv.骚动地，暴乱地 | |
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41
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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42
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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43
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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44
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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45
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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46
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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47
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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48
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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49
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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50
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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51
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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53
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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54
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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55
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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56
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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57
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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58
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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