In compliance1 with my wish, Don Pedro had refrained from all allusion2 to the subject, going so far as seldom to mention his home and country. In consequence, this being Alisanda's first voyage to New Spain, I learned so little of their plans that when we landed at Natchez I knew only that they expected to sail from New Orleans to Vera Cruz, and from there to travel either by diligencia or private coach to a town named Chihuahua, in the desert interior, where the don was possessed3 of a great estate. Even of the nature and customs of the country I had gathered few facts to add to the vague information acquired in past years from the Spanish Creoles.
But with our approach to Natchez, that which had been least in my thoughts became the uppermost. General Wilkinson was at Natchez, and the nature of his response to my letters from Colonel Burr was a matter of vital importance to me. A few days after our arrival would bring about my inevitable4 parting from Alisanda. If that parting took place without the knitting of new ties for the future, what hope had I of ever again looking into the depths of her dark eyes?
But should the Commander-in-Chief prove the feasibility of Colonel Burr's plans by agreeing to precipitate5 war and support the invasion of Mexico, and should he, in addition, give to me the leadership of the Western expedition, how strong my cause for hope! At once I could enter into the plans of Don Pedro, and while he journeyed back to Chihuahua, to prepare his friends for the revolution, I could lead my expedition across the great plains, my approach to Santa Fe to be the signal for the uprising. With war raging on the Sabine River and in Texas, the interior provinces would be drained of Spanish troops; so that the revolution could be gotten well under way before the Viceroy could send up an army from the City of Mexico.
Though not a man of military training, I then believed, and am still convinced, that this plan of campaign would have met with certain success. Thousands of our hardy6 frontiersmen were ready at the word to fling themselves across the Spanish borders, and with such men as the fiery7 General Jackson to lead them, they would have soon crushed all the forces which General Herrera could have brought against them. Their march across Texas and to the City of Mexico would have been marked by an unbroken succession of victories, while I, fighting side by side with Don Pedro in the revolutionary army of Mexico, with Alisanda to win!—
But enough of idle dreams! Those who base their plans on the leadership of wild schemers and double-dyed traitors8 should be grateful if the outcome finds them unsmirched by the company they have kept.
We moored9 to the wharf10 under the bluff11 at Natchez, and I, dressed fittingly for the occasion, had the pleasure of escorting Alisanda up to the little town on the hilly slope behind the bluff-crest,—my companion finding much to interest her in the motley crowd of Spanish and French Creoles, Americans, negro slaves, and Chickasaw Indians.
The don had not expected to stop at this seat of the Government of Mississippi Territory; else I have no doubt Colonel Burr would have provided him with a letter to insure hospitality from the persons who had so fêted that statesman the preceding Fall. As it was, I arranged for the best accommodation to be had at Mickie's Hotel, and at once set about the disposal of our floating home.
It being understood that I might be required to hasten north to St. Louis, Don Pedro had decided12 to sell the flat, since, without my company, it would be more convenient to continue the voyage to New Orleans in a passenger boat. A flat is worth so little at this end of the river trade that I was glad to bargain the craft for twenty dollars to a family of French creoles. At New Orleans I might have sought in vain for a purchaser. Scores of flats are there abandoned by the rivermen, many of whom return to the upper shipping13 towns afoot.
After some hours of delay at the water front, I returned to Mickie's Tavern14 with a cartload of impedimenta, including my own chest. Don Pedro met me at the door, with the information that he had already seen General Wilkinson, who, upon learning that I also bore despatches, had sent him to summon me to the headquarters. The don's expression, so far as one might read his proud features, told me that the interview had not been over-satisfactory.
"You are not pleased at General Wilkinson?" I asked.
I could well imagine what he would have said, had not his courtesy prevented.
"I will hasten," I said. "It may be he will meet you in a more favorable mood after he has seen the letters I bear."
"God knows! Who can tell?" he murmured in Spanish.
"I hope to know within the hour," I replied.
"Sabe Dios—Quien sabe?" he repeated, as I set off.
I found the General's headquarters without difficulty, and upon mentioning my name, was at once passed in by the sentinel on guard in the piazza17. When I entered the office, I found the General studying a map of Lower Louisiana, in company with Colonel Cushing, his second in command. For a moment he stared at me with stupid pomposity18, as if he had been overcome with the whiskey, a bottle of which stood on the table before him. But even as I gave my name, he recognized me and beckoned19 me to a seat at the table, with a fussy20 show of cordiality.
"Of course, of course, Dr. Robinson! Take a seat! I'm pestered21 with all kinds of visitors in these days of impending22 war. But a gentleman is always welcome. Colonel Cushing, you have met Dr. Robinson?—No?—One of our most promising23 young physicians,—already favorably known for his skill, both in the Upper and Lower Territory. He has, I understand, a private claim to present for my consideration. That is my understanding, doctor."
"You have been so kind, sir, as to give me opportunity to present a matter of private business, if I am not mistaken."
Colonel Cushing promptly24 rose, excused himself, and withdrew. The General leaned toward me, his fat, red face flushing still deeper, his breath hurried and labored25.
I took out my packet, broke the seal before his eyes, and handed over the first two letters, which were addressed to him. He tore open both with pudgy fingers that shook, either from excitement or excess of drink. The more bulky one he stared at for a moment, with knitted brows, only to fling it into a drawer.
"Cypher again!" he muttered.
"You spoke to me, sir?" I asked.
He glared across at me, with what I could have sworn was panicky fear. His voice shook: "You—you—Do you know what is in these letters?"
"You saw me break the seal of the packet," I replied. "I do not know the contents of Colonel Burr's messages; though, from what he told me, one letter relates to myself, and the other bears upon the death of Pitt."
"Have you not heard?" I asked, astonished. "It is months since his death—midwinter."
"But—but—that puts another face on the plans! Without Pitt—without the British ships—"
"British ships!" I exclaimed.
He started, and sought to gather together his scattered28 wits, hastily pouring out and drinking half a glass of raw whiskey before again speaking. I waved aside the bottle and a second glass which he thrust toward me, and pointed29 to the other letter. "Your Excellency, may I ask you to read what Colonel Burr has written with regard to myself?"
He caught up the letter, and after a hasty glance about the room from door to window, began to read. I could see by the quickness with which his eyes followed the lines that, unlike the first, it was written in a legible hand. At the end he went back and re-read the latter part. Coming again to the end, he laid the letter down, and addressed me with a most bombastic30 assumption of dignity: "Sir, Colonel Burr takes too much upon himself—far too much! The granting of your request, sir, is impossible—impossible!"
Away puffed my aircastles at a word, and left me stunned31 and heartsick. I had not looked for so sudden a blow. Yet I managed to protest: "Your Excellency, I have ventured to imagine that I am not altogether lacking in the qualities needed by the leader of such an expedition."
He unbent a trifle. "Sir, I do not question your qualifications."
"Then what prevents my appointment, Your Excellency? Is it that you wish further recommendations? If only my friend Lieutenant32 Pike were here to speak for me!"
"That, sir, is the point. I cannot give you the place, because Lieutenant Pike has already been assigned to it."
"He!" I cried. "But he is at the sources of the Mississippi!"
"He was, sir, and the Government shall hear of it, to his just credit. He has explored the headwaters of the river; entered into treaties with the powerful tribes of the Sioux and Chippewas; hauled down the British flags at the fur-trading posts, and compelled an agreement of the Northwest Company to pay us our import duties at Michilmackinac."
"And he has returned!" I muttered.
"In April. By now he is fitting out this present expedition."
I rose and bowed. "Such being the case, Your Excellency, permit me to wish you good-day."
"One moment," he said, leaning toward me, with a leer which doubtless he meant for an ingratiating glance. "Has your ambition so narrow a range, doctor?"
"My ambition?" I inquired.
"Your ambition and your interest in the projects of one who shall at present go unnamed. I must read and consider what the gentleman has written to me. Whatever my decision as to—those matters, I cannot give you what you have asked; but—you will understand—there may be possibilities—vast possibilities!—a vast Empire, stretching westward33 from the Alleghanies—"
At sight of my face, his own turned a mottled gray. He caught at the whiskey bottle and poured himself out a second drink. Fortified35 by the draught36, he gasped something about an attack of bilious37 fever, and added, with a crafty38 smile: "You, sir, as a physician, know how this cursed malaria39 flies to the head. I have the word Arkansas on my tongue, yet say Alleghany."
The explanation at once allayed40 the terrible suspicion which had flashed into my mind. It was common knowledge throughout the West that this man had been involved with Innes and other conspirators41 of the separatist plots in the nineties. But that he or Colonel Burr or any other man not insane could dream of such treason to the Republic in these days was a thought seemingly so preposterous42 that it needed only the pompous43 old fellow's word of explanation to make me banish44 the suspicion. Yet I realized that I had had quite enough of his company.
"Sir," I said, "my interest in the affairs of Colonel Burr hinged entirely45 upon this question of the expedition. Since the honor of its leadership has fallen to my friend Lieutenant Pike, I have nothing to ask of you."
"You will remain in Natchez a day or two?" he inquired.
"I cannot say."
"It might prove to your interest to delay over. I may again send for you, notwithstanding your reluctance46 to receive other favors than the one I cannot grant."
I bowed and withdrew, leaving him in the act of pouring a third drink of whiskey.
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1
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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8
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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9
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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12
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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terseness
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| 简洁，精练 | |
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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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piazza
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| n.广场；走廊 | |
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pomposity
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| n.浮华；虚夸；炫耀；自负 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fussy
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| adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的 | |
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pestered
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| 使烦恼，纠缠( pester的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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26
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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27
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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28
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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bombastic
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| adj.夸夸其谈的，言过其实的 | |
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31
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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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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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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35
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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36
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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bilious
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| adj.胆汁过多的；易怒的 | |
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38
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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39
malaria
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| n.疟疾 | |
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40
allayed
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| v.减轻，缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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42
preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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43
pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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44
banish
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| vt.放逐，驱逐；消除，排除 | |
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45
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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46
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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