FROM the day that Leah first found her husband in the prison, and observed the coarse, uninviting fare that was served to the prisoners, she had daily prepared his food herself, and supplied it, too, from her scanty2 purse. By the permission of the jailer, this food was received twice a day from the hands of a trusty negro woman, known to many of the prison inmates3 as Aunt Dinah.
On this same evening when Leah parted so sadly from her husband, she went at once to her lodging5 place, and quickly prepared the tempting6 evening meal. After she had gone, Emile, once more alone, crouched7 down in a corner of his shadowy cell, and was lost in sorrowful revery, till the jailer, unheeded, opened the cell-door and handed in a basket, saying:
"Le Grande, here's a supper for a king. Cheer up, man, and eat it. Old Dinah brought it from your wife, and she says the bread is 'perticklar fine.'"
"I want no supper to-night, jailer. But I'll keep it, for my wife's sake."
"Old Dinah said you must eat, whether you craved8 food or not; said you must eat to be strong." The jailer deposited the small basket that contained the tempting brown buns and some cold slices of ham, and departed.
For a moment Emile still remained crouched in his corner, and listened to the dying footsteps of the retreating jailer; then rousing himself, he moved forward, and lifting up the basket, said:
"For love's sake, I'll taste the bread, not from hunger. Heaven knows when I shall feel hunger again." The daylight was nearly gone, but enough light penetrated9 the dismal10 cell to reveal the contents of the basket. Taking up a soft brown loaf, he turned it in his hand, then laid it down. Again he picked it up, and said, "It is so nice, for love's sake I'll taste it." Then he broke it gently, and there fell into his hand from it a small piece of brown paper. Astonished, he opened it, and read these words:
"An unknown friend wishes to help you. Meet me at midnight at the prison gate. I'll save you. Skeleton keys and wires will enable you to escape, Find them in the buns. As you value your life and liberty meet me."
"What means this?" said the terrified prisoner. "Is Heaven kind at last?" and then he curiously11 and cautiously opened the bread that, sure enough, yielded up the secreted12 appliances for effecting his escape. In astonishment13, even terror, Emile held these unlawful little contrivances in his hand for a time, eyeing them curiously, and then half-fearfully tucked them away in his bosom14.
"Who is this unknown friend, I wonder, that so desires my escape?" pondered Emile, as he watched the darkening twilight15 as it withdrew the last vestige16 of daylight from his cell. "Can it be Leah who has done this, my own desolate17 Leah? Can she save me at last? She upon whose heart I have innocently brought such sorrow and disappointment? Alas18! alas! dear heart! But should it prove some one else, how can I leave my wife and child? What if it should prove to be an enemy trying to betray me into further trouble? And yet I do not fear. This dreary19 cell has made me tired of life, and death were welcome if it comes in the struggle for freedom! No, I cannot stay; I'll leave this cursed place, though I be betrayed again-leave it, though my escape may take me heaven knows where-leave it, and hope a brighter future is bringing me prosperity and a peaceful reunion with those who are so dear to me. Stay I cannot, I dare not. My tormentors are insatiable, my innocence20 disbelieved, my friends gone; money I have none. I shrink from the coming ordeal21. The promise of freedom is offered me. I accept it.
"The clock is striking midnight. It is dark, very dark, little keys; but perhaps you will not fail me. Now I leave this cursed place; yes, leave it, I hope, to walk the earth again in freedom. Blast my accusers!" whispered the excited prisoner as he softly applied22 the mysterious, slender-looking key to the heavy lock. "Ha! how the lock yields to this delicate spring! Softly! softly! or I may disturb some sleeping inmate4! God knows how many weary vigils are kept in this wretched abode23. I'll tread this narrow corridor no more, I hope. Heavens! The outer bolt, too, withdraws, and God's blue dome24 and bright stars are above me! I am free from these cursed walls! Now the gate yields, too! I am free! free! Thank God, free once more!"
As Emile emerged from the prison-gate, and it swung noiselessly back to its place, he gazed anxiously about, and at once descried26 a dark, half-bent figure of a man approaching him. His heart trembled.
"Mars' Emile," said a low voice, as the unknown figure approached close to him, "Mars' Emile Le Grande, don't you know me? I am here as I promised."
Affrighted at this seeming apparition27, Emile shrank back, saying, "Stand back, man or devil, whatever you may be! Who are you? What do you want?" he continued, as the unknown figure essayed to lay hold of his arm.
"Hush28! hush! We may be overheard. Don't be afraid. I come to befriend you. Mars' Emile, don't you know me?" said the little old man, as he pushed back the slouched hat from his face, and peered into Emile's eyes. "Don't you know old Peter Martinet29?"
"What! old Uncle Peter, who carried the 'Courier' so long ago?" said Emile in astonishment.
"De very same, Mars' Emile. I'se de same old darkey now dat I was years ago, only not quite so spry. You see I'se crippled wid de rheumatiz a little. But come along wid me, man; don't wait here any longer; we may be found out."
"Is my wife with you?" whispered Emile eagerly.
"La, no, man; your wife knows nuffin ob dis plot. We must hurry."
And can I not see her, Peter?"
"No, man, if you wish to escape de bloodhounds dat are on your track. You had better be quick, too."
"I must see my wife."
"Be brave, man; be brave. Why did you leave de jail, if you didn't wish to 'scape? Come along faster."
"But where are you going?" replied Emile, as he mechanically followed the hobbling guide.
"Here, this way, follow me. I'll tell you by'mby;" and then halting within the shadow of a protecting building, the old man stooped to rub the afflicted30 limbs, and said softly, "You see, Mars' Emile, I'se kept my eye on you, eber since dey brought you here to jail. I'se nebber left the Queen City, and nebber will, an' I 'tended all de w'ile, dat you should git away, if you wanted to. I'se made plan after plan, and dey would not work, but at last I got help from inside, an' den31 I got de keys; den I knew you was safe, if you could only git 'em. So I hired ole Dinah to make some extry bread and slip into your basket after your wife had fixed32 your supper. Dat was all I could do. I heard de trial was to come off to-morrow, and but for de rheumatiz, de keys would have been ready a week ago. You know, Mars' Emile, old Peter part Affikin, and what he can't do, no udder nigger need try. He, he, he!"
"But where are you going?" interrupted Emile.
"Well, Mars' Emile, der's a blockader lying off de Bar. I'se gwine to take you to it." Emile shuddered33.
"Nebber fear. If you stays on land, dey'll git you, shure, an' I knows ebry foot ob de harbor as well as I do de city. Ain't Peter Martinet been here eber since the Revolution War? No man here knows de harbor better dan me, tripedoes or no tripedoes. Dey can't blow me up, dat's shure. Come, let's go, be quick, and be sly too."
Emile followed as one in a dream. Not daring, or caring, to question his guide, until they were safely on the edge of a pier34 that was several feet above the sea.
"What now?" he said.
"All right. I have a bateau tied down da, waitin' for us. Her's de rope to slide down. But as you'se afeerd, mebbe I'd better go down fust. Here goes! I'se afeerd of nuffin, 'specially35 in de harbor." Emile peered over the edge of the pier, and shuddered, as he saw the dark figure disappear below.
"All right agin, safe and sound. Come on. Mind yer hold. Be brave, man, don't lose yer courage now, or you may be a jail-bird de rest of yer days. He, he, he!"
Stimulated36 to action by this stinging remark of old Peter, Emile seized the rope, glided37 slowly down the wall, and landed safely in the boat below.
"Now I guess we's safe; no one can git us now," chuckled38 old Peter, as he grasped the oars1 and rowed away.
Emile made no reply, and for a time the plash of the oars was the only sound that broke the stillness.
"Do you know that they'll receive me?" at length said Emile, as he saw the shore receding39.
"Oh, yes; more'n once have I carried men to the blockaders-some who didn't want to fight, and some who had friends on the udder side. Dey allus paid ole Peter well, and he nebber fail to git 'em away safe. He, he, he."
"Why did you do this for me, Peter? For me who had scarcely a friend in the world; for me, who can repay you in nothing but gratitude40?" asked Emile with emotion.
"Oh, old Peter don't always work for money; sometime he do for love. It's for love this time, Mars' Emile."
"How far is the vessel41 away, Peter?"
"Five mile from de pier; you see de lights ob de vessel yonder, sir."
Emile was silent, thinking of the desolate wife and unfortunate child whom he was leaving farther behind at every stroke of the oars.
"I must send a letter back by you, Peter; promise me that my wife shall get it."
"I promise, Mars' Emile. But be brave, man, be brave; remember you'se a free man now; freedom mighty42 sweet, Mars' Emile. I'se ben free dese twenty years, eber sence old Marster Martinet died. He gin me freedom. Ship ahoy, here we are," said the old negro, as he came alongside of the grim iron-clad, that stood like a huge rock in mid-ocean. Then the old man blew a shrill43 whistle through his hands that penetrated to the inmost recess44 of the man-of-war.
"Halloo! Is it you, Peter?" screamed back the mate, as he swung a huge lantern over the side of the vessel and looked down into the water below. "What brings you now, old humpback?"
"A friend, a man, a recruit to your sarvice, if ye wish. Take him, an' do as you please."
"Won't you come aboard, old Peter?" added the jolly tar25, aroused to receive the escaping prisoner. "It's been so long since we saw you, we did not know but a shell had picked you up. Come aboard, General, we'll show you some more bombs."
"Not this time, cap'n, my rheumatiz is rather bad for so much climbin.' I'll jes' wait down here for a letter. Ole Peter Martinet ain't feered of fishes. He, he, he!"
Emile's letter was written and handed to old Peter, who was soon again steering45 landward. When the sun shone again in the Queen City, old Peter was hobbling along his daily round of duty, singing occasionally in his own peculiar46 way, and wearing an expression as innocent as though the night-time had been an undisturbed season of peaceful repose47 and beautiful dreams.
A letter found upon the door-way of Leah's lodgings48, addressed to her, was picked up and handed to her about the hour that the jail was thrown into a tumult49 of consternation50 over the discovery that Emile Le Grande had escaped.
How and whence this letter came was ever a mystery. "U. S. BLOCKADER "THUNDERBOLT." "Two o'clock A. M.
"BELOVED LEAH: The die is cast, that divides us again. Fate, that has so long seemed cruel, has again been kind. Unlooked-for, unhoped-for aid reached me in my prison-cell, and enabled me to escape. I know I am innocent of crime; Heaven knows it; but I feared my tormentors. Those who sought me on a foreign shore, would certainly move earth and sky to prove my guilt51. I hope for a brighter day, when we shall be reunited in peace and happiness. I could do nothing for you, were I to stay and brave the storm that awaits me. It might engulf52 me. I go, with the hope of a bright future yet. Whither I shall go I know not. Maybe to France, where my father has gone. I have nothing to remain in this country for but yourself; and I cannot, and dare not stay near you. Heaven shield and keep you and my child till I can send you succor53! If I live, it will come, though it cost my life to obtain it. I dare not look ahead; but be hopeful and brave, faithful, loving Leah, and patiently await a brighter day. When this wretched war is ended, if I cannot come to you, you shall come to me. Living, longing54, hoping, for that coming time, with a thousand embraces I am, and shall ever be,
"My time is short, I can write no more."
Bravely, calmly, Leah read this fatal letter; and then, with a fortitude56 and heroism57 peculiar to her own glorious people, she folded it, and placed it upon her heart, so torn by sorrow and suspense58. After the first shock of disappointment was over, she turned her thoughts to the formidable question, how she should earn bread for herself and her child; and when once her plans were made, she carried them out resolutely59, in poverty, weakness, and obscurity. Of the days, months, and years that passed over her heroic head, with their trials, struggles, disappointments, tears, heart-aches, and agonies, before death brought relief, this record, in pity, is silent.
收听单词发音 |
1
oars
|
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
scanty
|
|
| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
inmates
|
|
| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
inmate
|
|
| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
lodging
|
|
| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
tempting
|
|
| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
crouched
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
craved
|
|
| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
penetrated
|
|
| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
dismal
|
|
| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
secreted
|
|
| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的过去式和过去分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
vestige
|
|
| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
desolate
|
|
| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
innocence
|
|
| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
ordeal
|
|
| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
dome
|
|
| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
tar
|
|
| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
descried
|
|
| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
apparition
|
|
| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
martinet
|
|
| n.要求严格服从纪律的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
afflicted
|
|
| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
pier
|
|
| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
specially
|
|
| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
stimulated
|
|
| a.刺激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
receding
|
|
| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
recess
|
|
| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
steering
|
|
| n.操舵装置 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
lodgings
|
|
| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
consternation
|
|
| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
engulf
|
|
| vt.吞没，吞食 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
succor
|
|
| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
fortitude
|
|
| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
heroism
|
|
| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
suspense
|
|
| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
resolutely
|
|
| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |