Unknown to James Cromwell, there had been a spectator of his dastardly attempt to drown the boy who had been placed in his charge.
The spectator was an odd character; an old negro, who years ago had built for himself a rude cabin in the shadow of the woods. He had[Pg 148] formerly3 been a slave in Kentucky, but had managed to escape from servitude, and built himself this cabin, where he lived by himself. He supported himself by working for any one who needed help on the farm or in the garden, and cooked his own food in his simple dwelling4.
When he saw the boy flung into the water he was standing5 on the bank, unobserved on account of his color. He recognized Cromwell, for he had been to the drug store only a day or two previous to buy some medicament for the rheumatism6 which he occasionally suffered from. He knew Robert also.
"What debble's work is dis?" he said to himself. "What's he goin' to kill de boy for? Can't let de poor boy drown, no way."
As he spoke7, he flung himself into the water and swam with vigorous strokes toward the place where Robert was struggling.
"Hold up a minute, young massa," he cried, for in his freedom he preserved the language of former days, "hold up a minute, and I'll save yer."
Robert heard this, and it gave him courage to struggle longer. In a short time the negro was at his side and seizing him by the arm, turned[Pg 149] and headed for the shore. It was soon reached, and the two stood side by side, both dripping with moisture. Had James Cromwell turned back he might have discovered the rescue, but he did not dare to do so until he reached the opposite side, and then there was nothing to be seen.
"What's all this mean, young massa?" asked Cato, for this was the name of the negro. He had brought no other with him, but one was quite sufficient for his modest requirements.
"I don't know," said Robert. "The man that was with me suddenly seized me round the waist, and flung me into the pond."
"I saw him do it," said Cato. "What made him?"
"That's more than I can tell, unless he is crazy," said Robert.
"Is dis de fust time he try to drown you?" asked Cato.
Robert started as the force of this question dawned upon him. He recalled the scene at Niagara Falls, and the narrow escape he had from a horrible death at that time. He remembered that he had been forcibly pushed by James Cromwell on that occasion, and only saved himself by clutching hold of him, while the latter did not[Pg 150] pull him back till his own danger seemed imminent8. At the time he accepted Cromwell's explanation, but now, since this second attempt had been made, he could not shut his eyes from the fact that Cromwell had sought his destruction. What could have been his motive9 was to him a profound mystery.
"No," he answered, "he tried to push me over Niagara Falls once, but I thought it was an accident then. I don't think so now."
"You lib with him?"
"He's a wicked man. Don't you go nigh him again."
"I won't," said Robert. "I shouldn't feel safe with him. But I don't know where to go to-night."
"Come to my cabin!" said Cato. "It's a poor place for the likes of you, young massa, but it's better dan sleepin' out in de woods."
"Thanks, Cato," said Robert, for he knew who it was that had saved him. "I will accept your invitation, gladly. Lead the way, and I will follow."
The negro's hut was near by. It was small enough, being only about ten feet square. On[Pg 151] the floor was spread a blanket over some straw, and Cato signed to Robert to lie down. But first he advised him to take off his wet clothes. He gathered some sticks and made a fire for the purpose of drying these.
Robert lay down on the rude bed, and though excited by the peril11 through which he had passed, and by the thought that James Cromwell had been guilty of such an atrocious attempt, nature at last asserted her supremacy12, and he sank to sleep. When he woke the sun had already risen. The first sight upon which his eyes rested was the black face of his companion bending over him. He did not immediately remember where he was, and cried, raising his head, "Where am I?"
"Here, young massa, in Cato's cabin," said the negro.
"Yes, I remember now," said Robert.
"Did you sleep well, young massa?"
"Yes, Cato. I slept soundly. Only don't call me young master, for I am not likely to be any body's master, except, perhaps, my own."
"Just as young massa says," said Cato, rather inconsistently. "Here's your clothes, just as dry as can be; only don't get up till you get rested. There's plenty of time."
[Pg 152]
"I'm rested now, Cato, thank you," said Robert.
He sprang from his couch and hastily put on his clothes. He found that through the kind services of the negro they were quite dry, though his shirt-bosom and cuffs13 presented rather a limp appearance, the starch14 having soaked out of them. This was, however, a minor15 calamity16, to which he paid but little attention.
When he was dressed he turned to go away, though he hardly knew where to direct his course.
"Stop," said Cato. "Cato have breakfast ready in a minute."
"Do you mean that I am to take breakfast with you, Cato?"
"Yes; young massa will be so kind."
"I think the kindness is all on the other side," said Robert, laughing. "Yes, I will accept your invitation with much pleasure; particularly as I don't know where else to go for any."
Cato appeared to consider that a great favor had been granted to him in acceptance of the invitation, and he set to work zealously17 to prepare a meal of which his young guest might partake.
He had a small stove in his cabin in which he generally kept a fire, for being used to a warm[Pg 153] climate, it was easy for him to stand a degree of heat which would have baked a white man. Nor was he a mean cook. Indeed, while in Kentucky, he had officiated for a considerable time in his master's kitchen, and had not wholly forgotten his ancient skill.
In the course of an hour, Cato produced a breakfast consisting of hot hoe cakes and fried eggs, which not only had a very appetizing flavor, but stood the test of eating, remarkably18 well. Robert's peril of the previous night had by no means injured his appetite, and he did full justice to the breakfast provided. Cato gazed with much satisfaction at the evidences of his young guest's relishing19 the repast provided, and appeared to regard it as a personal compliment to himself.
While Robert was eating he was considering his future plans. As to going back to James Cromwell, he decided20 that this was out of the question. His life would not be safe. He determined21 that it would be his proper course to return to New York, and report to his guardian the character of the man in whose care he had placed him. He hoped then to be allowed to go back to school, and resume the studies which had recently been interrupted. Had he known that his guardian was at[Pg 154] the bottom of the plot which had so nearly culminated22 in his death, he would have decided differently; but of this he had no suspicion.
He had in his pocket the sum of ten dollars, which, though soaked in water, he was able to dry; and this, though insufficient23 to defray his expenses, would at least start him on his journey. As to what he might do, after this was exhausted24, he did not know, but he was buoyant in hope, and he felt that it was no use to anticipate trouble. Enough to meet it when it came.
His course would be to reach the bank of the Ohio, and get conveyance25 on its waters as far East as he could. To this end he obtained directions from Cato, and shortly after breakfast, after shaking the kind negro by the hand and thanking him heartily26 for his kindness, which he meant some day to reward substantially, he set out on his way.
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1
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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2
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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3
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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4
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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5
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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6
rheumatism
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| n.风湿病 | |
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7
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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8
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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9
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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10
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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11
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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12
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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13
cuffs
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| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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14
starch
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| n.淀粉；vt.给...上浆 | |
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15
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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16
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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17
zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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18
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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19
relishing
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| v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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20
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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21
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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22
culminated
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| v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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24
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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25
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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26
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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