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PAKTISAN LEADEK:
A N 0 V E JL
AND AN APOCALYPSE OF THE ORIGIN AND STRUGGLES
SOUTHERN > RACY,
By Judge BEVERLJ
OF VIRGINIA.
PRTGLNALI ISHED I
NOW RE-PUBLISHED: AND EDITED BY
REV. THOS. A. WARE.
RICHMOND:
WEST A JOHNSON, 145 MAIN ST
1862.
*
/ 71
frjT; ft 13
T1-
f
USTTKOIDXJCTIOlSr.
It is said of Mr. Burke that he could take a survey of the political
sky and tell the destiny of nations for twenty years to come. Judge
TUCKER has literally done this, as far as the American people are con-
cerned, as will be found strikingly illustrated in the work before us.
Written and published in 1836, but bearing in its imprint the date of
1856, and intended as a tale of the future, applying to the intervening
period, it has substantially foretold the great leading features oS the
history of the twenty-five years intervening between the time of its first
publication, and this eventful era, at which it is again given to the public.
In following the history of the hero through the strange vicissitudes
of love, and Avar, and wild adventure — glowing now with the roseate
tinge of sentiment, and, anon, with the fiery hue of tragedy, the reader
will be amazed to sec the incidental mention of the great historical facts
which have, in the last eighteen months, marked the disintegration of
a vast republic, and the organization and struggles of a new one. The
secession of the more Southern States — the formation of the "South-
ern Confederacy" — the hesitation of Virginia — the arguments which
fifteen months ago resounded, from the Chesapeake to*the Ohio in fa-
vour of her seceding and "accepting the invitation to join the South-
ern Confederacy" — the "pretext*' on which the Northern army *m.s-
raised; "the apprehension of hostilities from the Southern Confedera-
cy"— the Avar — the effects of the blockade, even to its influence upon
the article of Odmtnon salt, etc., etc., seem as familiar to the pen of the
great political seer, as if he had actually been a participant " in the
great struggle" which he writes, " I witnessed and partook."
The reader Avill realize, perhaps, more amusement, though 1
wonder, to see as thorough appreciation'of Yankee character, as well in
small things and in great, as the lights and shadows of twenty-five ad-
ditional years of peace and war afford. "He surely had read some of
McCiollan's reports," was the playful remark of an intelligent friend,
as we read the account of Col. Trevor's defeat, and his official report,
which "lies like truth, and yet most truly 1
Indeed, so marvellously does the bonk apply to recent and current
events, thai sometimes sketching its striking passages, with those who
were n«>t reader-- contemporaneous with its firs! circulation, they have
tioally,
i ]ikr mi clii 1 ;. by an unpleasant association
sort of Thomas
l . and blaok-lettered, artifi-
t.i ini] oso "ii i In- literary world.
will bail i4 as an <>\<\ friend, whose ecoentrieitiea "in1''
•t. hail
withdi I himself, that when by experience, they dis-
than tlnir wisdom/' comes not promptfy,
•!..ir perplexity they call for him, hut wait-; for the darkest
hour,' in the benign ami venerable aspect of a pro]
of how these things most needs he." ami in
dotation speaking words of cheer, and heralding a bright
a Dumber <>f years unknown who '• Bdwajd "William Sid-
i ; id 1, that the public, has remained in donbt t<> ■ very re*
I, if hour, will appear from the following quota-
tion from the South i June 1861. Tho edi-
tor, in) a ii"tice of the " Partisan Leader/! as recently rc-pub-
rth, taken from the Baltimore Exchange, Bays: "We
• ii credit to the novel in ques-
f Judge Upshur, of Virginia, who was killed by the
i • ." but we believe the Baltimore Exchange
ii attributing it t<> Judge Beverley Tucker of Virginia." It
will be, th< . itifying to see this question sit fully at rest, as it
. in tin- following communication kindly fur-
rnor Montague, of Virginia:
Richmohd, July 6th, i -
th ult.. asking im> to -/w e j on
p of a bonk cmllecl •■ The Partisan
I I W illiamsbuTg. was the author
It cm I him declare lie- wxote the I >. •< <U
! I .l.i Mm now ri'inciii-
H I. M. Boll iccuseJ the late Judge A. P. I p-
:t ilisunionist, and n maris; other
. by Mi l!<.;i- t.. sustain tin - charge, u a well
that Judge Upshur waa the author of
I i :i good deal hi' interest in
W in liml many warm friends and admin I
. ( :nicl a member "I"
I 1 1 1 • .- 1 t.i him declare t<> hia olasa
for w li:iti-\ er sins nr !"•!'
i -r heard him sefer to the subject. At-
[ have i rVen heard him
k nl Richmond.
INTRODUCTION. V
say that those who worn then deriding him, and denouncing his book as a
treasonable production would live to see the day when they would acknow-
ledge that his appreciation of the Yankee character was Correct j and lamenl
in tears and blood that his views were not Booriet adopted by the South. It
was written by its great author to open tli*- eyes of Virginia and tin- South to
the dangers which lie so cleariy saw just ahead, and which we all have so
keenly felt. Well, well, would it have been cduld all have seen as he did.
I am glad to hear yon design its re-publication. It is a master's work, and
I have no doubt, lint that, even now, it< re-publication will be productive 0$
Wishing you success in your enterprise)
I am hastily, but very truly vmis.
RO. L. .MONTAGUE.
Sir Walter Scott was observed by a friend to be noting the kind of
grafts, flowers, and moss which grew about a great rock, and a cave,
where be proposed to lay the scene of one of his novels.
" Why do you that?" said the friend, "will not the daises and litch-
en do as well T'
"No," said the great word-painter, "soon your stock of litchen and
daises would be exhausted, and you must become monotonous; but ad-
here to nature, and you will have the variety of nature."
Not less scfupulotfrd}7 faithful to nature has our author been. Learn-
ing that the principal scene of the story was laid in Patrick county,
Va., I determined to make a pilgrimage to the.now classic region of
"the Devil's Backbone." On arriving at the court-house, I was in-
formed that just such a locality as that described, formerly known by
that name, but now more familiarly known as "Witt's Spurr," was to
be found in that wildest of mountain ranges, which rises in rugged gran-
deur six miles west of the village. I also learned, through the cour-
tesy of that accomplished gentleman, Hon. W. R. Staples, of the Con-
federate ( longress, that in 1820 or 25, Judge Tucker paid a visit to
that region, and in company with his father, a soldier friend in the war
of 1812, spent a day rambling over the mountains; and further, that
"Witt" was a rral character, and was probably now to be found some-
win r< in.; distant from the scene where the author first introduces him.
Veering southward on the North Carolina road, first of all to search out
this old hero, at a distance of about three miles from the Courtdmiw,
I rode np to an h arable dwelling' on the left, without thought of*else
than enquiring the way, when an old woman, so large, so out-spoken
and ha . reported herself in response to the call, and gave the
i directions, that it occurred at onoe to my mind, this would be
■a worthy help in. . I of that "large; powerful man, of untaught wisdom,
Christian Witt." Tin following colloquy occurred :
" Who lives here, madam ''"
" Saunders Witt," with an independent air that bespoke pride of the
name and place,
IN . ,
'•• •'
i many kinfolks of his name. II
ap tin- lane there, and you can talk with
I like it."
When in n spouse to my call he
i. with scarcely the Bhade of a doubt,
graphic picture; and waa Bure that the "Christian"
. tin- author only because he had forgotten his ek
.
'. introducing myself, after an interchange of enquiries)
which fairl) opened the way, said :
" Arc you relal I Mr. "Witt who onoe lived at !he place
. I harlea Davis, just at the foot of the 'DeviFa Back-
•• I • ->."
•• Do yon remember anything of Judge Beverley Tucker paying a
le thirty or forty years ago, and going up to look
at these mountain- §
" Wl •• Adjutant Tucker. I knowed him in the war of
tw< '' iving then at my father's, ;md he come up there
id look at the mountains; and my father
went up with him. 1 said to him, 'why Adjutant Tucker, how do yon'
lid 'what, do you know me?' ' \ 1. 'did'nt
real the head of the rigiment every evening
And then he laughed."
"What kind of looking man was he, Mr. Wif
"Well, sir, be waa aboul five feel ten inches high, slim and Btraight,
had lighl hair and Ughl eyes, and looked as keen as a night-hawk, sir."
• : many familiar with the author, it appears that
riptioc of the mountaineer, though more elegant, was scarcely
Heir.- graphic or comprehensive.
Curious to know whether the latter would recognize his own picture,
and thai of bis fath< r'a house and it- romantic approaches and surround-
adorse the sentiments attributed to him twenty-five
lie would avow in the midst of the Btjrring Boenea
in which be i | to act no unimportant part, I continued :
" What v • think, Mr. Witt, if 1 were to tell you that this
same Adjutant' Tucker, somo ten years after his visit her., ami twenty*
five years ago, . in which he foretold all the rents
'" our 1. giving him an .inline of the hook, as I'ur-
1 in the beginning of this article.
•• Well, Mr. I should think it relit Btrnnjre. but mi<rlitlv like some of
INTRODUCTION. VII
our leading men told us; for I heerd Gov. Floyd make a speach once,
and tell that these things was gwine to be, and pretty much how they
was gwine to conic about."
" But what would you think if I were to tell you further that he has
yaur name in the book? that he thinks Virginia hesitated till she was
nearly overrun by the enemy, that we are sustaining a sort of guerilla,
'bush-whacking' warfare out here in the mountains, and that you are a
kind of lieutenant, exerting a valuable influence among your mountain
neighbours?"
" Well, I'd think that was strange, too, but he know'd me in the war
of twelve !"
"I have the book along, Mr. Witt."
"I'd be mighty much oblegcd to you if you'd read it to me." .
I produced the book, and complied with his request by reading the
first two or three chapters. The description of the road, the stream,
the mountains, and the surroundings of his father's house, were en-
dorsed by an occasional "that's so, sir." When his 'name was intro-
duced, and the description of his person, he said :
" He must a meant me, sir."
I suggested, " He supposes, Mr. Witt, that these things occurred
some twelve or fifteen years ago. Could you not have borne, at that
time of life, such a part as he attributes to you ?"
" I reckon I could, sir ; for I ought to be mighty thankful that
though I am failin now, I have been a very powerful man."
When I r«ad to him his remarks, ac the dinner, about the scarcity
of " salt," "and the Yankees holding James river," he added, with an
air of grave astonishment —
" 7 nty that to you «ow, sir /"
I could but regard him with a kind of romantic veneration^ as a
mil character in a great prophetic story, whose thrilling events have
been essentially fulfilled, and in the realization of which, evincing the
same characteristics and endorsing the same sentiments which it was
supposed he would maintain. All that I learned from his neighbors
tended but to show that precisely such circumstances as those supposed
would probably have developed precisely such a character as he is pre-
sumed to have sustained. I may add, as.a pleasing little episode, that,
though for these forty years "they have wedded been," he has never
been known to depart or return, on a few miles trip, without 7cissing his
" darting Katie*'
In company with a friend, I spent a day traversing the mountains.
Fanned by the pure air, seven degrees cooler than in the sultry vale
beneath, bearing upon its ever waving wings the sweets of a thousand
I all tin >wtb and scenery remarked
vertebra in the " Devils Back-
■ in the 1 I it required do fertile
f cover! -■ iitint'l. the stand of the
"The Partisan Leader" — marked aa
th its difficult approa and
. •• pouring ov< c rugged barriers of yellow sn He."
r will observe that I have avoided the mention of the mere
'(.litir.il features of the story, such as the person, and tune of
lection, by a sectional vote, caused the
the date of the occurrences, and such like, which,
tot! features that have been so strikingly realized,.are
to the picture, and have sought Bimply to give him, at a
insight into the oharacter of die hunk, ami to actualize some
- minor circumstan< lery and oharacter.
A word of] personal explanation, and I am dune. My attention
I the notice aUuded t", in the Literary Met-
twelve months sinoe, I bad felt the intensest curiosity to
I oompire it with the momentous events of the present erisis,
. found my inquiries vain during that period, and had despaired
my object A few weeks since, however, in the regular
f duty, by a happy accident I blundered upon it. Amazed,
and gratified in finding it a greater lib ran curiosity than 1 had even
supposed, it immediately occurred t<> me that thousands must realise a
similar h th mjself in its perusuaTj and that while its repub-
lue alike to the fame of its author and to historical! pro-
priety, it- general circulation would tend to illlustrate the necessity of
oar position, to vindicate the justice of our cause, and to intensify
" in rn patriotism. Astonished that it had not been republished, 1
determined that if others would m>t undertake the w irk, with theap-
ral of those who have the first right to represent the author and his
interests, I would myself angaee in the enterprise. Deferring as far
aide to tli. se, I wsa assured that they were desirous of its rc-
publication, and bad once made arrangements lor it; but owing to the
fall of Norfolk the work had been estopped in that direction, ami that
I bould feel free to go forward with it 1'leased that I am
dtti d, iii i' manner conaonani with the proprietjet of the ceuey thus
I numbly oonoeive, at once to the public gratification
ami tin publi I oommit the great work, in its original form, to
lioation, trusting to the intelligence of the reader to apply
tin coincidi nee.- which mark it.-^ fullilhuent as a political prophecy.
TIKIS A. WAKK
THE PARTISAN LEADER.
CHAPTER I
And whomsoever, along the path you meet,
Bears in his cap the badge of crimson hue,
Which tells you whom to shun and whom to greet.
Byron.
Toward the latter end of the month of October, 1849, about the
hour of noon, a horseman was seen ascending a narrow valley at the
eastern foot of the Blue Ridge. His road nearly followed the course of
a small stream, which, issuing from a deep gorge of the mountain,
winds its way between lofty hills, and terminates its brief and brawling
course in one of the larger tributaries of the Dan. A glance of the eye
took in the whole of the little settlement that lined its banks, and mea-
sured the resources of its inhabitants. The different tenements were
so near to each other as to allow but a small patch of arable land to
each. 01 manufactures there was no appearance, save only a rude shed
at the entrance of the valley, ou the door of which the oft-repeated
brand of the horse shoe gave token of a smithy. There, too, the rivu-
let, increased by the innumerable springs which afforded to every habi-
tation the unappreciated, but inappreciable luxury of water, cold, clear
and sparkling, had gathered strength enough to turn a tiny mill. Of
trade there could be none. The bleak and rugged barrier, which
closed the scene on the west, and the narrow road, fading to a foot-
path, gave assurance to the traveller that he had here reached the nc
phi* ultra of social life in that direction.
Indeed, the appearance of discomfort and poverty in every dwelling
well accorded with the scanty territory belonging to each. The walls
and chimneys of unhewn lugs, the roofs of loose boards laid on long
rib-poles, that projected from the gables, and held down by similar
poles placed above them, together with the smoked and sooty appear-
ance of the whole, betokened an abundance of timber, but a dearth of
TIIK PARTI8AH LKADKK.
Contiguous t" each w.i~ i sort of rude garden, Jo-
in tin* ruder language of thfl country, a "truck patch."
pari of which had produced a OTOp of
oats, while ob tin- remainder the [ndian corn still hung on the stalk,
waitii Ldd to this a small meadow, anil the I
will h. . ; j > t i v c of each of the bttle f.irim
which, lor the distance of three miles, bordered the Btraam.
*hu- bore the marks of a crowded popula
tion, a deep still) raded it. The visible signs of life were few
\ solitary youngster, male or female,
loitering about every door. These, is the traveller
passed along, would skulk from observation, and then Bteal out, and,
. indulge their curiosity, at sife distances, by looking
alter him.
At length he heard a Bound of voices, and then a shrill whistle, and
.-till. Immediately, some half a dozen men, leaping a fence,
I themselves across the road and laced him. He observed that
each, as In- touehed the ground, lai I hold of a rifle that leaned against
ire, and this circumstance drew his attention to twenty or mure
e formidable weapons, ranged along in the same position. The
fir.-t impulse of tin- travel!' r wa- to draw B pistol; but seeing that the
;ted their guns upon the ground and
d them, he quietly withdrew his hand from his holster. It
was plain that no violence wai intended, and that thi< movement was
nothing but a 11 I rccaution, such as the unsettled condition oi
intT lie therefore advanced steadily but slowly, and,
n ; the party, reim d in his horse and Bilently invited the in-
i parli y.
Tb- men, though somewhat variously attired, wero all chiefly clad in balf-
i bock-skin. Thej seemed to have been engaged in gathering corn
iii the adjoining Bold. Their companions, who .-till continued the sa
eroUS enough (including women and boys, of
both of whieh there was a fuB proportion,) to have secured the 'little
crop in i lew hours. Indeed, it would seem that the whole working
"i> of til rhood, both male and female, was assembled
ler drew up his horse, one of the men, speaking in a
low an •• \\ e want a word with you, .stranger, before
" As man; i plied the other, " tar I am tired and
; and I am glad to find some one, at last, of
whom I may bops to purchase souiething for both of u.s to eat."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. A
" That you can have quite handy," said the countryman ; " for we
have been gathering corn, and were just going to our dinner. If you
will only just 'light, sir, one of the boys can feed your horse, and you
can take such as we have got to give you."
The invitation was accepted ; the horse was taken in charge by a
long-legged lad of fifteen, without hat or shoes, and the whole party
crossed the fence together.
At the moment, a man was seen advancing toward them, who, ob-
serving their approach, fell back a few steps, and threw himself on the
ground at the foot of a large old apple-tree. Around this were clus-
tered a motley group of men, women and boys, who opened and made
way for the stranger. He advanced, and bowing gracefully, took off
his forage cap, from beneath which a quantity of soft, curling flaxen
hair fell over his brow and cheeks. Every eye was now fixed on him,
with an expression rather of interest than mere curiosity. Every coun-
tenance was serious and composed, and all wore an air of business, ex-
cept that a slight titter was heard among the girls, who, hovering be-
hind the backs of their mothers, peeped through the crowd to get a look
at the handsumc stranger.
lie was indeed a handsome youth, about twenty years of age, whose
fair complexion and regular features made him seem yet younger. He
wastall, slightly but elegantly formed, with a countenance in which soft-
ness and spirit were happily blended. His dress was plain and cheap,
though not unfashionable. A short grey coat, waistcoat and pantaloons,
that neatly fitted and set off his handsome person, showed by the quality
of the cloth that his means were limited, or that he had too much sense
to waste in foppery that which might be better expended in the ser-
vice of his suffering country. But, even in this plain dress, he was ap-
parelled like a king in comparison with the rustics that surrounded
him ; and'his whole air would have passed him for a gentleman in any
ili ■( £S and any company where the constituents of that character are
rightly understood.
In the present assembly there seemed to be none, indeed, who could
be supposed to have had much experience in that line. Bat dignity fa
felt, and courtesy appreciated by all, and the expression of frankness
and truth is everywhere understood.
A- die youth approached, the man at the foot of the tree arose and
returned the .salutation, which seemed unheeded by the rest. II<*
advanced a step or two, and invited the Stranger to be seated. This
action, and the looks turned toward him by the others, showed that be
was in authority of some sorl among them. With him, therefore, our
traveller concluded that the proposed conference wa.s to be held. There
; THK PARTBAS l.KAI'EK.
wai nothii Inch WOuM have led a Careless ob-
I _ ' : might have
intellectual in his countenance, with 1.
and manner than the rest of the company disj laved.
In aii. the negative courtesy of thai quiet and s< rious
oni iin j art to the rudest and mo.»t frivo-
thal they had a common purpose, and thai
• ipaeity entered into their feeling toward the new-
Whl thl r lif was to 1"- treated B8 I friend or an enemy, obvi-
high consideration, not yet disclosed.
Be wa> at length asked from whence he came, and answered from
the neighborhood of Richmond. From which side of the river?
From the north tide. ]>id he know anything of Van Courtlandt 1 His
.-. Bacon's Braaoh, jnst above the town. "What force had
.
•■ I cannot aay certainly," he replied, "but common fame made his
numbers about four thousand."'
• I- that all, on both sides of the river?" said his interrogator.
"0, no ! Col. boyal's regiment is at Petersburg, and Ool. t'oles's at
Manchester — each about live hundred strong; and there is a piquet on
the bridge island."
•■ Did you cross there?"
•• I did not."
■■ \\ here then ':" he was asked.
•• I can hardly tell," he replied; " it was at a private lord, several
miles above < larteraville."
" Was not that mightily out of the way? "What made you come so
■ fund ?"
•• It was safer travelling on that side of the river."
•• Then the people OS that side of the river are your friends?"
they are not ; but, B8 they are all of a color there, they would
let in' pass, and a.-k no qU( BtionS, as lung as 1 travelled due west. On
; are one man's friend, ymi are the next man's enemy;
and 1 had DO mind to answer (juestions."
"1 l em to answer them now mighty freely."
true I am like a letter that tells all it knows as soon as it
thfl right hand ; hut it doM not want tODC opened before that."
•• And bon d" you know that yon have got to the right hand now?"
•• l'». causa I know where I am."
'* And where an you '."
" Just at the foot of the I'' ril's Backbone/' replied the youth.
■' Were you ever here befor-
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 5
" Never in my life."
" How do you know then where you are ?'' asked the mountaineer.
"Because the right way to avoid questions is to ask none. Sol took
care to know all about the road, and the country, and the place, before
I left home."
" And who told you all about it?"
" Suppose I should tell you," answered the young man, "that Van
Courtlandt had a map of the country made, and gave it to me."
" I should say you were a traitor to him or a spy to us," was the
stern reply.
At the same moment a startled hum was heard from the crowd, and
the press moved and swayed for an instant, as if a sort of spasm had
pervaded the whole mass.
" You are a good hand at questioning," said the youth, with a smile ;
u but, without asking a single question, I have . found out all I wanted
to know."
" And what was that V a=ked the other.
" Whether you were friends to the Yorkers and Yankees, or to poor
old Virginia."
" And which are we for ?" added the laconic mountaineer.
" For Old Virginia forever," replied the youth, in a tone in
which exultation rung through a deeper emotion, that half stifled his
voice.
It reached the hearts of his auditors, and was echoed in a shout that
pealed along the mountain sides their proud war-cry of " Old Virgi-
nia forever!" The speaker looked around in silence, but with a
countenance that spoke all that the voices of his comrades had uttered.
" Quiet, boys," said he, " never shout till the war is ended, unless it
be when you see the enemy." Then turning again to the traveller, he
said, " And how did you know we were for old Virginia ?"
" I knew it by the place where I find you. I heard it in your voice ;
I saw it in tliflr eyei ; and I felt it in my hart," said the young man,
extending his hand.
1 1 is inquisitor returned the cordial pressure with an iron grasp.
strong, but not convulsive, and went on : "You are a sharp youth.'
said he, "and if you arc of the right metal that will hold an edge, you
will make somebody feel it. But I don't know rightly yet who that i.^-
to be, only just I will say, that if you are not ready to live and die by
old Virginia, your heart and face are not of the same color, that's all."
He then resumed his steady look and quiet tone, and added, " You
must not make me forget what I am about. How did you learn til
way here ?"
T1IL PARTI8AS LBA1
aid the youth. "I leaned i: from Cap-
I
er. " If you a here
en him since he knew it himself."
.- the reply, " hut 1 have heard from him."
•• I should lik< ;> letter.
•• 1 have ii" I •• #
•• Boa tl
to my hone ruxl I will Bhow you."
The youth, aooompanied byhia interrogator, now returned toward the
Many of the <r<>wd were ahout to follow; but the chief (for
neh be teemed) waved them hack with a silent motion of bis hand,
while ■ glance of meaning at two of the company invited them to pro-
as the stranger reached his horse, he drew out, from
;i the padding and seat of his saddle, a paper closely folded, (hi
(bond to he a map of his route from Richmond to
■ in the mountains, a few miles west of the spot where the)' stood.
( hi this were traced the roads and streams, with the names of a few
. written in a hand which was known to the leader of the moun-
taineera to be thai of Captain Douglas. A red line marked the devious
the traveller had heen directed to pursue.
Ei Baid that after crossing the river, between Lynchburg and Car-
le, to avoid the parties of the enemy stationed at both places, he
had lain by, until dark, at the house of a true Virginian. Then turn-
ith, and riding hard all night, he had crossed the Appomattox
I'armville, | which he avoided for a like reason,) and, before day,
:t behind him all the hostile posts and scouting parties. He soon
i the Staunton river, and having passed it, resumed his westward
safety.
" You know this hand," said he to the chief, "and now I suppose
atiefied."
u I am satisfied," replied the other, "and glad to see you. I have
loubt ahout you, young man, and you are heartily welcome among
all we can give you — and that ain't much — and all we can do
i ; and thai will depend Dpon whether stout hearts, and willing
I rifles can help you. But you said you were hungry;
lad en ogb of a part of our sorry dinner."
THE PARTISAN LEADER.
CHATTER It.
Hens ! etiam Mensas consumimus. — Virgil.
Returning to the party which they had left, they found the women
in the act of placing their meal before them, under the apple-tree.
There was a patch of grass there, but no shade ; nor was any needed in
that lofty region. The frost had already done its work by stripping
the trees of their leaves, and letting in the welcome rays of the sun
through the naked branches. The meal consisted of fresh pork and
venison, roasted or broiled on the coals, which looked tempting enough,
though served up in wooden trays. There were no knives but such as
each hunter carries in his belt. Our traveller's dirk supplied the place
of one to him. Their plates were truly classical, consisting of cakes of
Indian corn, baked in the ashes, so that, like the soldiers of ^Enas, each
man ate his platter before his hunger was appeased.
Our traveller, though sharp-set, could not help perceiving a woful
insipidity in his food, for which his entertainer apologized. " We
ha'nt got no salt to give you, stranger," said he. " The little that's
made on the waters of Ilolston is all used there; and what comes by
way of the sound is too dear for the like of us, that fight one half the
year and work the other half, and then with our rifles in our hands.
As lung as we let the Yankees hold James river, we must make up our
minds to eat our hogs when they are fat, and to do without salt to our
bread. But it is not worth grumbling about; and bread without salt is
more than men deserve that will gave up their country without fighting
for it."
"When the meal was finished, our traveller, expressing a due sense of
the courtesy of his entertainers, asked what was to pay, and proposed
to continue his journey.
" As to what you arc to pay, my friend," said the spokesman of tho
party, in the same cold, quiet tone, " that is just nothing. If you come
here by Captain Douglas's invitation, you are one of us; and if you do
not, we are bound to find you as long as we keep you. But, as to your
going just yet, it is quite against our rules."
"How is that?" asked the traveller, with some expression of impa-
tience.
"That is what I cannot tell you;" replied the other.
■
8 TU. LBADJ K.
'. -;li. 11 cheeking himself, lie
. -" Hut I set ;• n >thing bul wl At and prudent;
own way to find out all you wish to know
• I thought you said you did not doubt inc."
1 d . replied the other; * - 1 • n t that is not the thing.
II rules ar< -lied, though I am."
•It . ■ role to tell them," said the mountaineer, drily. "Hut
make itranger. We mean you bo harm, and 1 will Bee
thing laid Btraight before sun-rise. Vou are heartily
Such al ire'Te got we give you; and that ifl better than you
will fiii'l where \<<u are going. For our parts, except it be for salt, we
- will off lure as common; because there is little else we
DMA from foreign parts. I dare say, it will go hard with you
for a while, sir ; but, if your heart's right, you will not mind it, and
you v t used to it."
•• It would be ■ great shame," said the youth, "if I cannot hear for
a while what you have borne for life."
aid the other, u that is the way people talk. But (axing
your pardon, sir.) there an't no sense in it. Because the longei a man
bears a thing, tin less be minds it; and after a while, it an't do hard-
ship at all. And that's the way with the poor negroes that the Yan-
|l d !■• be BO BOrry for, and tried to get them to rise against
] here's Pew of them, Btrangor, hut what's happier than
I am ; hut 1 should hi mighty unhappy, if you were to catch me now,
in my old days, and make a slave; of me. So when the Yankees want
to set thfl Degrees free, and to make me a sla\e. they want to put US
what we are not tit for. And BO it will be with you for a while,
these mountains, sleeping on the ground, ami eating you meat
without salt, or bread either, may he. Hut after a while you will not
mind it. But U to whether it is to 1"' long or short, yOUOg man, you
4 think about that. You have BO business here, if you have
not Btade np your mind to stand the like of that for life; and may be
■ mighty bng neither."
mi. nt a signal from the road gaYe notice of the approach
seller; and the leader of the mountaineers, accompanied by
i. wt n; forward in obedienoe to it. But, before be reached
1" the party leap it, and run eagerly forward
A little man now appeared, walking slowly
and wearily, whom dress differed but little from that of the natives;
and who bore, like them, a riile, with its proper accompaniments of
knife, tomahawk, and powder-horn. His arrival awakened a tumult of
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 9
joy among the younger persons present, while he whom I have designa-
ted as the chief stood still, looking toward him with a countenance in
which en expression of thoujhtful interest was mingled with a sort of
quiet satisfaction, and great kindness ^ind good will. Yet he moved
hut a step to meet him, and extending his hand, said, in his usual cold
tone, " How is it, Schwartz V to which the other, in a voice somewhat
more cherry, replied, " Well; how is it with you, Witt ?" "Well,"
was the grave answer.
The two now drew apart to converse privately together. Crossing
the road, they seated themselves on the fence in front of the stranger,
so that during their conference they could keep an eye on him.
" Who is this you have got here ?" asked Schwartz.
" A young fellow who says he wants to go to the camp," replied the
other.
u Has he got the word and signs?"
" No. He does not know any thing about it. I have a notion he is
a friend of the captain's."
" What makes you think so?"
" He has got a paper in the captain's hand write to show him the
way. But there's no name to it; and if there was, I could not tell
that he was the man. Sure and sartin the captain wrote the paper,
but then somebody may have stolen it. A man that knows as muc'h
about the country as he does, after looking at that paper and travelling
by it away here, is the last man we ought to let go any farther, or know
any more, unless he is of the right sort."
" I should like to see that paper," said Schwartz.
" Here it is," replied his companion. " I don't much mistrust the
young fellow; but I did not like to let him have it again till I knew
more."
Schwartz now looked at the paper and enquired the stranger's
name.
" I did not ask his name," said Witt, "because he could just tell
me what name he pleased. As there was no name on the paper, it did
not make any odds. Besides, I wanted to be civil to him, and your
high gentlemen down about Richmond are affronted sometimes if you
ask their names. The young fellow is all light, or all wrong, any how .
and his name don't make any odds. If the captain knows him, when
he sees him, it's all one what his name is."
" But I know," said Schwartz, "who ought to have that paper; and
if he don't answer to that name it's no use troubling the captain with
him."
U) THE PARTISAN LEA!
. harm to him," Baid Win. •• for 1
. true Virginian, then he is the gi
I the road, and Schwartz, addressing th<
to ask your nut:
.: follow oolored, and, turning t.» Witt, Baid,"] thought
asking questions."
Witt, "but there is a reason for asking your name
now, thai I did nol knowof. 1 owe you nothing but good will, young*
i hr with earnest solicitude; '•ami if your name is what I
. -ur.' by all means and tell the truth ; for there is hut one
rid that will save your neck."
■ I shall t'll you no name at all," rejoined the youth, some-
what appalled at this BtaTiling intimation. " Why did not \<m ask me
r when I was in the humor to keep nothing from you. I was
willing to answer any eivil question, or Indeed any question you would
ut to me, hut I will not submit to be examined, over and over,
banco -com
" H ere's where you are wrong, young man," replied Witt. "This
hanoe-OOmer. lie is my head man, ami I am just nobody when
he is 1" r
Surprised at this ascription of authority to the diminutive and mean-
looking Dcw-eomer, our traveller looked at him again, and was >■< nfirmed
olntion to resist it. He liad patiently borne to be questioned
•;. who had something of an air ol dignity. He was a tall,
mbed, ami ] owerful man, of about forty, remarkable For the Bo-
or, ami the thoughtful gravity of his countenanoe.
The Other was a little, did fellow, not leas than sixty years "1 age, in
manner ami carriage there wa< nothing to supply the want of
in his diminutive form and features. A sharp, little, black eye
int about him to attract; attention ; and in that the youth
t hi an impertinent and knowing twinkle, which n \
■ '.: offensive.
•I said he to Witt, "that Captain Douglas was your
in."
•• Tfat is, ho commands all here. Hut
I did not tell you this was my raj),
tuiii. He is no nor Heutenant, nor ensign neither. Hut all of
low him ; and, when he is away, the rest follow mc."
•• Y..U all follow km .'" said the traveller, looking contemptuously on
him.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 11
" To be sure they do," said Schwartz, with a quizzical smile, and an-
swering the stranger's thoughts. " To be sure they do. Don't you see
I am the likeliest man here ?"
"I cannot say I do," said the youth, offended at the impertinent
manner of the question.
" Well, I am the strongest man in the whole company."
" I should hardly think that," replied the traveller, scornfully.
" Any how, then, I am the biggest," rejoined Schwartz, laughing.
" That you must own. What ! do you dispute that, too ? Well, then,
look here, stranger ! I ha'nt got no commission, and these men are as
free as I am. AY hat do you think makes them obey my orders?"
" I really cannot Bay," replied the young man.
•' Well," said Schwartz, ° it is a curious business, and well worth
your considering; because, you sec, I have a notion if you could find
that out, you would find out a pretty good reason why you ought to tell
me your name. But that is your business. Some name you must have,
and the right one, too. And you see, stranger, it makes no odds
whether it is no name or the wrong one. It is all the same thing ; be-
cause, if you are the man that ought to have that paper, you would tell
your name in a minute."
" Do you know who ought to have it ?" asked the youth.
" May be I do," said Schwartz.
'• Question for question," said the other. -( Do you know ?"
" I do."
" Well, then, my name is Arthur Trevor. Is th it right ?"
u That's as it may be," said Schwartz. " But now I want to know
how you came by this paper."
" What need you care about that, if I am the person that ought to
have it."
" Just because I want to know if you are the one that ought to
have it."
" I tell you," replied the youth, " that my name is Arthur Trevor."
" But I do not know that it is," replied Schwartz, carelessly.
"Do you doubt my word, then?" exclaimed the youth; his eye
flashing, and the blood rushing to his face, as if it would burst through
his clear skin.
"Look hero, stranger," laid Schwartz, in a tone of quiet expostula-
tion ; "I don't mau DO offence, and you will think BO too, if yOtt'll
just look at it rightly, ; because, you sec, I don't know who you are. I
doil'4 doubt Arthur Trevor's word; and, if you arc Arthur Trevor, I
don't doubt your word. No\v, if you have any way to show that you
Til. \N I.r.U'ER.
t to do it. and it will set all as straight
■ it Ions."
a\\- of showing it." said the young man. in some
k .arc ;■> bring nothing with me to show who 1 am
: i :• might have brought me into trouble in some parts
Dough," replied Schwartz, " and so T asked you how
by the pa] ise I know how Arthur Trevor should
i. ii' you got it that way, why then you are th->
I'.v th!- ti uth saw the folly of his anger, and answered,
• from a man he nev fore.
'• \\ hat K>rt Of a man was he?" asked Schwartz.
• \ thing uncommon, except that he was lame."
" Did he give you any thing else at the same time?"
re me this," said the youth, producing a dirty piece
iper, on which was scrawled these words:
has oeoashnn to go of a juruey, carry this with you.
of Bum service to you."
•11." said Schwartz, "that will do. You arc Arthur Trevor,
'.id I reckon, Witt, you would have said so too, if you
; ■ ■
Witt looked at the paper, and merely nodded assent.
'• We\\" Bai 1 the young man, " now 1 suppose 1 may go to my
I."
•• Not i . I Sohwarti.
•• Why bo?" asked the youth, again relapsing into petulance.
".In-t becau e you could not get there," was the answer.
■• Why not," said he "after finding my way thtU fax."
reason that you could not have got any farther if I
You would in. it with rougher customers than the a bi
and the camp. Come, come, my son. You must learn to
The captain has not go! a better friend than me in
rid; dot you neither, if you did but know all. And, you see.
a new trade j and 1 thought I would just give you a
h»oii. .Now you may «■•, that, when you mean nothing hut what is
rod //"» always know how that is,) the naked truth
• friend : and then, the sooner it comes the better. I am
h of an old fol ; and ] reckon I ha^fl told more lies than
•. for all that, I have seen the day when the
truth \ than the cunninccst lie that ever was told. And then
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 13
again, it an't no use to mind what a man says when he don't know
you ; because, you see, it an't you he is talking to, but just a stran-
ger"
"But I have travelled desperate hard to-day, Witt," continued
Schwartz, " and I must push on to the camp to-night. 80 just give mc
a mouthful, and I'll be off, and pilot Mr. Trevor through among the
guards."
" My horse is at your service, as you are tired," said Arthur, whose
feelings towards his new acquaintance were now quite mollified.
u I have had riding enough for one day," said Schwartz ; " and was
glad enough to get to where I could leave my horse. Tt an't much
good a horse will do you, or mc either, where we arc going. By the
time we climb to the top of the Devil's Back-bone, you'll be more tired
than me ; and the horse will be worst off of any."
He now told one of the boys to make ready Arthur's horse, and,
snatching a hasty morsel, seized his rifle. " It will not do," said he,
"to starve when a man is on fatigue, and it will not do to cat too
much. And see here, Witt," added he, taking him apart, and speak-
ing in a low tone, " if a long-legged, red-headed fellow comes along
here, and tells you he is from Currituck, and seems to think he knows all
the signs, never let him find out but what he does. Only just make
an excuse to keep him a while, and send a runner on to me, that \ may
have time to get out of the way, because he must not see ire. Then
you can start him off again with a couple of fellows to show him the
way."
1 \ THE PARTISAN LEADER.
r 11 A i'TKR III.
The fbresVa shady scene,
thai own nol man's dominion iwoll,
l ! . : 1 1 h ne'er it rarely been. — Rykux.
'I'm off togetber, Arthur walking, and lead-
i reached a point where a .-harp ridge, jutting
from the .side of the mountain, came down ahniptly
| , lank of the rivulet. Up this rijdge, not Unaptly railed
•u<\" the path led. Leaning, as it were, against
. in — its position, the narrow ridgy edge along which the tra-
veller clam I the rough nodules which interrupted the i
like the notches in a hen's ladder, gave it no small resemblance to this
rifely contrivance. The steep descent on either hand into deep
v and hirsute with stinted trees bristling from the sides, to-
with the similarity of these same nodules to the joints of the
spine, had I i a name strictly descriptive of the place The
pness, and vast height of the ascent, would naturally
; in Ful epithet; and were the spot to he named again,
a hundred to one it would receive the same name, and no other.
miuit of this narrow stair, the travellers stopped to take
breath, back on the scene hi low. Arthur, who was at the
romantic sge when young men aie taught to affect an enthusiasm for
the beauties of nature, and to prate about hues and scents, and light
and shade, and : in all the variety of the grand, the beautiful,
and the pictun sque, had been feasting his imagination with the thought
Hew to be seen from the pinnacle before him. Like
about to feast on turtle, who will Dot taste a bisouit before-
hand i'd spoil his dinner, so our young traveller steadily
ard the hill as he asi i nded it. Ev< n when he si
to talc breath, b< ■ ful not to look behind. Schwartz, on the
y, who 9 . always faced ahoiit on such occasion.".,
filling the ] h conversation, and looking as if unconscious of
r which his eye glanced unheeding. Arthur was
I h indiffi r< nee, and wondered whether this was the
effect absence of a faculty of which poets so
muclr delight to apeak.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 10
At length the summit was attained ; and now the youth looted
around in anticipated exultation. At first he felt bound to admire,
and forgetting the unromantic character .of his matter-of-fact com-
panion, exclaimed : " Oh ! how grand ! How beautiful !"
"For my part," said Schwartz, indifferently, " I cannot say that I
see any thing at all rightly, except it be the little branch down there,
with its patches of meadow and corn-fields, and its smoky cabins. In
the spring of the year, when you cannot sec the cabins for the shaders,
and the corn, and oats, and meadow is all of a color, it looks mightily
like a little green snake. What it is like just now, I cannot say, as I
never saw one of them snakes half-scaled, and with a parcel of warts on
his buck : but I have a notion he would look pretty much so. As to any
thing else — there is something there, to be sure, but what it is, I am
sartain I could never tell, if I did not know. And as to the distance
I hear some folks talk about — why the farther you look, the less you
see, that's all; until you get away yonder, t'other side of nowhere ;
and then you see just nothing at all."
" But the vastness of the view!" said Arthur. ''The idea of im-
mensity !'?
"As to that," replied Schwartz, "you have only just to look right
up, and you can look a heap farther, and still see nothing. All the
difference is, you know it is nothing; and down there, you know there
is something, and you cannot see what it is."
" I am afraid your eyes are bad," said Arthur.
UI cannot see as well as I could once," replied Schwartz; "but if
there was anything to be seen down there, I should be right apt to sec
it. I have clomb this hill, Mr. Trevor, when I could sec the head of
a nail in a target fifty yards off; and drive it with my rifle; and T don't
think I saw any thing more then than I do now; and that is only just
because there an't nothing there to see. — It3od! but there is, though!
There's that chap a coming along; and T must see the Captain, and
tell him all about it before he comes."
"I !<ce nobody," said Arthur.
" That is because you don't look in the right place," replied Schwartz
"Look along the road."
u I don't sec the road, except just at the foot of the mountain."
" "Well ! Look through the sights of my rifle. There ! Don't you
see a man on horseback ?"
"I see something moving," said Arthur; but I cannot tell what
" Well," said Schwartz, " when he comes, you'll sec it's a man riding
TITT PARTI8AH LBADER.
: ilicii, may be, you'll think if there was any tiling
.."
small whistle, which bung by a leathern throng
The signal was answered from the point bf a
which jutted oat from the fare of the clif?. not more
i BF. At the same moment, a man was seen to rise up
'.. which hid hitherto concealed him: though, from
kout ]1 CO, he must have hail a distinct view of OUT travellers
! they left the valley. He now approached and ao-
\artz in a manner which Bhowed that he had already rccog-
- hwarts returned the salutation, and, pointing out the
while borse, said: "If that fellow Bhould happen to get
Beeing him, 1 want you just to fall in with him, like
as if y a was i hunting, and bo go with him to the piquet Never let
OB 'nit he klOWl all the signs, and keep with him: and when you get
him to the piquet, make him believe that is the camp, and that the
Captaiu will he there after a while; and so keep him there till the
I 001
Having said this, he again turned his eye toward the object moving
below, aiel gaaed intently for a few minutes. Arthur, in the mean
• i admire the pfOSpeot, and soon began to suspect that
rtas'a ideas of the picturesque were not so far wrong. Indeed,
:).< re IS nothing to admire from the spot, but the road that leads to it.
I' the mountain to the coast, there is an expanse of
hundred miles, with ho secondary ridges. As seen from
that elevation, the whole is level to the eye, and presents one sheet of
rest Arthur found time to correct his pr< conceptions by the
ay of his own senses, while Schwartz c uitinued to observe the
taut traveller. At last he said: "That will do.
pped him; and he will not get away to-night."
They now moved on quietly through a forest of lofty chestnuts, and
i path which wound its way among the scorched trunks of in-
ti.it. d by the fires that annually sweep through
such uninhabited tracts. The soil Beem< 1 fertile, and abounding in
luxuriant though coarse pasturage; and the high table-land of the
mountain wai more level than the peopled district below. Yet all was
solitary ami silent ; m.r was a vestige of habitation seen for miles. On
inquiring th< Cause of this. Arthur was told that the country, at that
elevation, was Id t" be inviting, as nothing would prow there but
.nd oats, and that it wn- all shingled over with conflicting patents.
iThey thai claim the land," .-aid Schwartz, "will not go to law about
it with one an they would have to survey it, and that
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 17
would cost a mint of money ; so they all club to keep it as a summer
range for their stock. It belongs to some of them, and that is enough."
He had not long done speaking, when he suddenly stopped, and,
raising his rifle, fired, and began quietly to load again.
"What did you shoot at?" asked Arthur, looking in the direction of
the shot.
"A monstrous fine buck," replied Schwartz.
"Where is he ? I did not see him."
''You did not look in the right place. He is down and kicking;
and I always like to load my gun before I go up to them, because, you
see, a deer, when he i.s wounded, is as dangerous as a painter."
"A., painter I" said Arthur. "What harm is there in a painter,
more than another man?"
"01" said Schwartz, laughing, " it an't no man at all. I don't just
rightly know how you high larnt gentlemen call his name, but he is as
ugly a varmint as you'd wish to see; most like a big cat. Sometimes
the drotted Yankees gets hold of them and puts them in a cage; and
then they call them tigers. I God! I catched a }Toung one once and
sold him to one of these fellows; and the next time 1 seed him, he was
carrying the cretur about with him for a show. And he did not re-
member me; and so I axed him what it was; and he said 'twas an
Effriean tiger right from Duck river! Lord! how the folks did laugh;
'cause you see, sir, Duck river is just a little way down here in Tennes-
see, not over five hundred miles off"; and Effrica, they tell me, is away
'."other side of the herring-pond, where the negurs come from."
By this time the rifle was loaded, and they advanced toward the
fallen deer. They were quite near before Arthur discovered him ; and,
at the moment, the animal (a noble buck of ten branches) recovered
himself so far as to rcgaii» his feet. He still staggered, but the sud-
den sight of his enemy seemed, at once, to stiffen his limbs with horror,
and give them strength to support him. In an instant his formidable
antlers were pointed ; and, with eyes glaring and blood-shot, and his
hair all turned the wrong way, he was in act to spring forward. At
the instant, the report of the rifle was again heard, and, pitching on
the points of his horns, he turned fairly heels over head, and lay with
his legs in air, and quivering in death. Schwartz now drew his knife
across the animal's throat, and proceeded to disembowel him, whin
Arthur asked what he would do with the carcass.
"I'll just hang him up in a sapling," said he, "till I meet one of
our men. There ought to be one close by, and I can send him for him.
Where there's a hundred mouths to feed, such a buck as this is a ca.sh
article."
7IIE PARTISAN' LEADER.
i* moment the napping of dry sticks caught his oar:
Juoki? I man approaching.
" I don't know tha' f.H-w." t*ni<l ho. looking hard it him. •■ "
I .-nil make him know mo."
usual salutation now pteeed, and the stranger said: ''If I may
!...].). Rtruagi r, Pd 1"' glad to know what )■:
• Prom Peasamaqi i 1 Sohwarte.
D t. II Dm- the price of skins down there away?"
"Twcntv-tive r -nts :ni<l R quarter a pound," n j»li. 1 >\hwartz.
A few more simple questions and out-of-the-way answers were cx-
. when Schwartz. ftdrirODBIDg tlie other, in an under tone, said:
i an one "f the new recruits, I reckon ? The other nodded; an 1
w. nt <in to ask their number. Being told they were fifty,
sly : •• Now there you are wrong. You are right enough : I
pass mi-, after I gave you the word; hut thru that's DO reason you
should toll me anything. I just asked you, you see, to give yeu
'. mitioii ; cause a fellow might come along here that would give you
itraight a< any body, and he a spy all the time, So the
• way would he, just to pass him and beep dark, that's the rule:
and, by the time he'd find oat how many men we've got, may be he'd
find out something else he would not like quite so well. But come, let
us take the deer up to the road, and you can walk your post and watch
it. till 1 can send somebody for it from the piquet ."
The sturdy mountaineer at once shouldered the animal; and, strid-
fclong to the road, threw him down, and quietly betook him- .:
- the oheeteuts that covered the ground. The traveller moved on,
and presently came to the piquet.
lb re was | small party quartered in a rude and ruinous cabin, near
wlreh was an enclosure around a beautiful fountain, that welled up
from a natural basin of .-tone. In this were confined twenty or thirty
\ few hones were piqueted at hand, and the sides of 1 1 1 ■
joining hills were covered with a numerous herd of fat cattle, brow*
on the fad. d. but still succulent vegetation. The time was come wl
they should have !>■ en driven down for the winter, to the farms of their
wi.. 1 1 1 . low, but they were left here that the men might have the use
•he milk. Should their hunting at anytime prove unsuccessful,
then- wtfl always a beef at hand.
wartz was known, and joyfully welcomed. He stopped
only to bell of the deer, and moved on. u You have a curious system
her.,'' -aid Arthur; "I s^e the people here know j'ou, but how did
. # with that new recruit. I watched you, ami I did not see
you give him any sign, end he did not ask for a countersign."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 19
"That is all because you don't know what foolish answers I gave to
his questions. You see we ha'nt got no countersign rightly; 'cause
you see, when I stop a man, I want to know who he is, but I don't
want to tell him any thing about myself. But if I ax a man for the
countersign, just so 1 might as well tell him I am on guard at once.
So we've just got, may be, twenty simple questions; and when we ask
them, our own folks know what answer to give, and the answer is sure
to be one that nobody would give unless he was in the secret."
" And pray how did you find out that I was Arthur Trevor ?"
" 0 ! nothing easier, sir. That man, that gave you the map, was
not no more lame than you. But I told him to be sure and not to give
it to nobody but you, and then to limp so as you'd be sure to notice it.
You sec, it was I that was to try fall in with you, and pilot you; but,
after that, I got upon another scheme. As to the other paper, that
was to serve you with our folks, because there was a mark there you
did not notice, that any of them would know; and then they would be
middling sure you were the man you said you were. They would have
been civil to you, and let you pass, but then they would have sent a
man or two to the camp with you. And now, Mr. Trevor, here is some-
thing that I can s«e, and I have a notion it's worth looking at."
While he was yet speaking, Arthur's ears had been saluted by a
brawling sound, which he now recognized as the rush of water. Turn-
ing his head toward it, he perceived that it proceeded from a deep and
shaggy dell, which the path was now approaching, and along the verge
of which it presently wound. Here the plain broke sheer down into
a gulph of vast depth, at the bottom of which a considerable stream
was seen. It dashed rapidly along, pouring its sparkling waters over
successive barriers of yellow rock, that sent up a golden gleam from
beneath the crystal sheet that covered them. The mountain-pine, the
fir, the kalmia, and numberless other evergreens, which nearly filled
the gorge, afforded only occasional glimpses of the water; while they
set off the picturesque appearance of so much as tin y j emitted to be
seen. As they advanced, they came to a part where the trees had been
cut from the brow of the cliff; and, several of those below having been
removed, a clearer view was afforded
Here, at the depth of two hundred feet, figures were soon moving to
and fro, while right opposite, under a beetling cliff, that screened them
from above, were groups clustered around fires, kindled against
rock, behind a rodo breast-work of logs. The whole breadth of the
stream was here to view, apparently twenty or thirty yards
wide. Though shallow, by if its rapidity it seemed to pour a
vast volume of water.
i
Tin \N LEADER.
• die cliff, Schwarti now utte- :\ and
iaing their rifles, moved up the glen,
lea under the hank .>n Tv)ii ->i the travoll<
, and presently readied a point it which the ]ith,
tur, • to tli«- left, dived into the abyss, leading down :i rng*
along the face of the cliff, in the direction
bo thai of tin ir approach. Tt reached the very bottom, nearly
Under tin' poin! from which the shout of Schwartz had given notice
.,f hi* i' Here he stopped; and requesting Arthur to wait a
tided. Tie had not gone far before his name waa
by a docen voices, and immediately he wa-- beard to I
Waits; and \ have a friend with me."
ing him down," was the answer: upon whfoh Sohwarts, return-
I Artliur to follow him, and mind hi! Arthur
nd descend.'], not without some appearance of danger, BOme-
: h :• and sometimes crawling, until he reached the group
station, d at the foot of this rude stair-way. Here let us leave hill
■ while, and go back to enquire who and whence he was.
•
*
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 21
CHAPTER IV.
Handmaid of Prudence, Fortune comes
Prompt to her bidding, ready to fulfil
Her mistress' pleasure ; whether she demand
The treasures of the South, the applause of n.en,
Or the calm sunshine of domestic bliss.
Lo ! they are hers! Anoxykoi;*
Arthur Trf.vor was the youngest son of a gentleman who resided
in the neighborhood of Richmond. He was a man in affluent circum-
stances, and had long and honorably filled various important and digni-
fied stations in the service of his native State. Endowed with hand-
some talents, and amiable disposition, and all the accomplishments that
can adorn a gentleman, he added to these the most exemplary virtues.
His influence in society had, of course, been great, and though now, at
the age of seventy, withdrawn from public life, his opinions were en-
quired of, and his counsel sought, by all who had access to him
Through life he had been remarkable for firmness, and yet more for
prudence. The steadiness of his principles could never be questioned,
but, it was thought, he had sometimes deemed it wise to compromise,
when men of less cautious temper would have found safety in prudent
boldness.
To this temperament had been attributed his conduct in regard to
the politics of the last twenty years. Bred up in the school of State
lights, and thoroughly imbued with its doctrines, he had, even before
that time, been accustomed to look, with a jealous eye, on the progres-
sive usurpations of the Federal Government. In the hope of arresting
these, he had exerted more than his usual activity in aiding to put
down the younger Adams, and to elevate his successor. Though no
candidate for the spoils of victory, no man rejoiced more sincerely in
the result of that contest; and, until the emanation of the proclamation
of December, 1832, he had given his hearty approbation, and steady,
b quiet support, to the administration of 'Andrew Jackson.
1 "i ■ -in that moment hi seemed to look with fearful bodings on the
affairs of his country. Bia disapprobation of that instrument was ex-
pressed with as much freedom and force as was consistent with his
habitual reserve and moderation. Il<- was, indeed, alarmed into ■ de-
gree of excitement unusual with him, and might have gone farther
TBI r«.!.TI--AN T.K.U'ER.
tha- then were di s lie
atirely disapproved the nullifying ordinance
I, though lir recognised the. right
rtiiiL: to that remedy. Ele waa ajrarc
• ha* ' is, thinking that its necessity would he
t by all, feared that thai oonvictiou might eema too, late.
:" Federal measures to weaken the
intl E ith, and to increase the - of their
and those of the General Government Beaee
that whenever Virginia, or any other of the slave-holding
tuld find itself driven t.> seoessioB, the other party, in the
superior strength, might he tempted forcibly to resist the
• tl : ht. They thus arrived at the conclusion that sepa-
ration | whioh they deemed inevitable) to be peaceable, must ho
ia had been laid before Mr. Trevor, and. in proportion to
irgency with which they wore pressed, was his alarm and his ui>-
•i"ii to adhere to the Union, lie. at last, had broughl himself to
v union, on any terms, better than disunion, under any eirnim-
les er evil, therefore, he determined to forget the
itiou, and. striving to reconcile himself to all the aot> of the
tinistratlbn, he regarded every attempt to unite the Smith, in BUp-
' ern president, aa a jo-elude to the formation oi a southeni
By consequence, he became a partisan of Martin Van
Buren; and united with Ritchie, and others of the same kidney, in
ing to Bubdue the spirit, and tame down the State pride of
inia. These endeavors, aided by the lavish use of federal patron-
in the State, were bo far successful, thai when, at the end of Van
Ban -it. 'in, he demanded a third election, she alone, in the
South, .supported his pretensions.
loyment of the Baine pernicious influences, the
aghout the State had been sn regulated, as tn produce
F a majority <<\' members devoted lo the views of the usurper.
! until the Bpring of 1> lv. at which time the results
• jcntially the same which bad taken place since
Virginia,at one stroke of the pen i punyed
of honor, < tpunged the history of all her
Prom that time the land of Washington,
■ I Jefferson, Madison, and Randolph, sunk to
red and managed by the Rivesea and
I . the Watkinses and "Wilsons,
;ncc to 1" rn history depends, like that of Eros-
THE TARTISAN LEADER. Z6
tratus, on the glories of that temple of liberty which they first desecra-
ted and then destroyed.
'• Where once the Caesars dwelt,
" There dwelt, tuneless, the birds of ni^ht."1
From some cause, not understood at the time, an unexpected reaction
had taken place between the spring elections and the recurrence of that
form of presidential election in the fall, the observance of which was
still deemed necessary to display, and, by displaying, to perpetuate the
usurper's power. This reaction appeared to show itself chiefly in those
counties heretofore most distinguished ibr their loyalty. It would have
seemed as if the spirit of John Randolph had risen from the sleep oi
death, and walked abroad through the scenes where his youthful shoul-
ders had received the mantle of his eloquence from the hand of Henry.
For the first time, in twelve years, the vote of Virginia was recorded
against the re-election of Martin Van Buren to the presidential throne.
But not the less subservient were the proceedings of the Legislature
elected for his use, the spring before. Yet enough had been doue to
justify the hope that the ancient spirit of old Virginia would yet show
itself in the descendants of the men who had defied Cromwell, in the
plenitude of his power, and had cast off the yoke of George the Third,
without waiting for the co-operation of the other colonies. At the
same time, the power and the will of a fixed majority in the North, to
.Live a master to the South, had been made manifest. It was clearly
seen, too, that he had determined to use the power thus obtained, and
to administer the government solely with a view to the interest of that
sectional faction, by which he had been supported. " Vic victis .'"
"Woe to the vanquished !" was the word. It had gone forth; and
northern cupidity and northern fanaticism were seen to march, hand in
hand, to the plunder and desolation of the South.
Filler these circumstances, the southern States had been, at length,
forced to sec that the day for decisive action had arrived. They there-
fore determined u longer to abide the obligations of a constitution, the
forms of which alone remained, and having, by a movement nearly
nmultaneoos, settded from the Union, they hud immediately formed a
southern confederacy. The suddenness of these measuics was lesf
markable than the prudence with which they had been conducted.
The two together left little doubt that there had been a preconcert
among the leading men of the several States, arranging provisionally
what should be done, whenever circum.-tances should throw power into
hands of those whom, at the bidding of the usurper, the people had
THR PAr.TISAN I
: tl,. ir •• •■unci!- I: is now known that tli.ro I
•no. In Virginia,
n iim n who entered into the same viewe. BqI while the
! tli.it mi decisive step would l»o taken by the more
thovt her cooperation, lie had devoted all 1.
1 indirect, to <• nitrol and influonco her election. Of tuinul-
I ad no fear. The organised operation of the
r.rnniont wat what ho dreaded. By this alono cmld the
.n ho effected ; and this was effectually pn V( nted by
rating oa the elections of Members of the Legislature. From the
■ riil.tr Tote on the presidential election, less evil had been K] ;
das had been taken to control it. In consequence of
mora of the real sentiments of the people had boon
allowed to appear on that, occasion ; and. from this manifestation, the
thern States wore encouraged to hope for the ultimate accession
• Virginia to their confederacy. They had therefore determined to
wait for her DO longer, but to proceed to the execution of their plan,
li -iviiiL' her to follow.
The disposition of the usurper, at fir.-t, was to treat them
•noes; and to take measures for putting down, by force, their v.
to bifl authority. But circumstances, to be mentioned 1
it impolitic to resort to this measure; But these did not operate
revenl him from using the mast efficacious means to prevent Vir-
ginia i'roui following theii example. Though restrained from attacking
them, nothing prevented him from affecting to fear an attack from
tbn in. This gave a pretext for raising troops; and the position of Yir-
the frontier State, afforded an excuse for stationing them
; ,u her border*, [fader these pretences, small corps were establish-
ed in many of the disaffected counties. Should the presence of tl,
be ineffectual to secure the return of delegatoa devoted to the erown,
• cut ity was taken against the aotlOO of the Legislature.
Richmond, the seat of government, became the head-qnarters of the
arm] rration, U it was called, and, surrounded by this, the mock
tlie General Assembly were to be held,
money thus thrown into the ooonta d the corrupt, while
terror subdued the timid. On Mr. Trevor, who was neither, th
things had I e.iiiirary etlct. Ho now, when it WAS too late, saw and
of his former Qvenaansion. He now began to ana*
that they had been right who had urged him, eighteen y, irs be-
fore, to hud oil aid in the work of arousing the people to a sense of
their danger, and preparing them to meet it as one man
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 25
CHAPTER V.
A =p»r.ge that soaks \iy> the King"? countenance.
Hamlet.
A mono those who had been most prompt to take this view of flie
subject, and most vehement in recommending it, was a younger brother
of Mr. Trevor. In all, but the great essentials of moral worth, this
gentleman was the very reverse of Iris brother. The difference was,
perhaps, mainly attributable to the character of his intellect. Quick
in conception, and clear in his views, he was strong in his convictions,
and habitually satisfied with his conclusions. This, added to a hasty
temper, gave him the appearance and character of a man rash, incon-
siderate, and precipitate, always in advance of the progress of public
opinion, and too impatient to wait for it. His ill success in life seemed
to justify this construction. Though eminently gifted by nature, and
possessing all the advantages of education, he had never occupied any
of those stations in which distinction is to be gained. In his private
affairs," he had been alike unpjosperous. Though his habits were not
expensive, his patrimony had been but little increased by his own ex-
ertions. He had married a lady of handsome property, but had added
little to it. With only two daughters, he had not the means of endow-
ing them with more than a decent competency; while his elder brother,
with a family of a dozen children, had educated the whole, had provi-
ded handsomely for such as had set out io life, and retained the where-
withal to give the rest nearly as much as the children of the younger
could e.\pc<t. In short, the career of Mr. Hugh Trevor had been one
of uninterrupted prosperity. In all his undertakings he had been
successful. Wealth had flowed into his coffers, and honors had been
showered on his head. " When the eye saw him, then it blessed him."
Men pointed him out to their children, and said to them: " Copy his
example, and follow in his steps. "
The life of B-rnard, the younger brother, had been passed in com-
parative obscurity Beloved by a few, but misunderstood by many, his
existence was unknown to the multitude, and unheeded by most who
were aware of it. Tin v, indeed, who knew him well, saw in him qual-
ities which, under discreet regulation, might have wen for him distine-
tion and affluence. None knew him better, and none saw this more
THE PAETXftAl 1-
th< r. X" dub • radii fur
and oonuaoa m aee. A habit of
,;ics.
•i»i< in nf ilio mi ml of Mr. Hugh Trevor; and, as
Land intuitive Bernard WAS £ ii. tin ml v the fir-' to t MM to a
. d, the leno I toat created, in the other, a prediapoeition
; ni result In proportion ai '1' '. bo
ibt When toe former was ardent, the latter
and in all matters in which they had a COOBIOOa intoigflt,
igat of Hugh tttrex failed to see a lion in the path
%vh They were the opposil I the
The clear convictions ul' the latter on the subject of
. had shaken the faith of the former in his own. and had finally
driven him t<> the conclusion already intimated, " that union, oh any
Iter th 1/1 disunion,, wider any circumstance* "
The same habit of thinking bad retarded the change, which the
M flf tin- last three years had been working in the mind of Mr.
Bogh Trevor. His native Candor and modesty made it easy for him to
believe that he had been wrong; and. being convinced of error, 10 ad-
mit it. Bat a Corollary from this admission would be, that the incon-
rate and imprudent Bernard had, all the time, been right of the
BUch an admission Mr. Trevor felt an habitual ditiidence,
that made him among the last to avuw a change of opinion which,
peri :iHiiced in no mind sooner than in his. But the change
now oomplete, and it brought to the conaoientious old genth man a
.ction that on him, above all men, it was incumbent to .-pare no
10 in his power to remove the mischiefs of which he felt his own
supin arc In en in part tie
lb Mil now a private man; but he had SOUS. To have given a
to their political course, might not haw been difficult liut,
.a the act of repenting an acknowledged error, how could he presume
i 00 hifl new eonvictioBS, aS to endeavor to bind them 00 the minds
sa right to use any portion of his paternal influ-
' purpose of giving to tho future course of his children'.-*
''■ S tendon Cy sa might lead them into error, to the disap-
. 'merit of their hopes, and perhaps to crime? The answer to these
■ I s determination is leave them to their own thoughts,
- might throw upon these impor-
•
It hap].. ie<l uni" .rtunat.ly, that, about the time of Mr. Van Huron's
accession to the pr< had just reached that time
if life wl oee a profession. Without any par-
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 27
tieular purpose of devoting him to the army, he had been educated at
West Point. The favor of \ 'resident Jackson had offered this advantage,
which, by the father of so large a family, was not to be declined. But
the young man acquired a taste for military life, and, as there was no
man in Virginia whom the new President was more desirous to bind to
his service than Mr. Hugh Trevor, his wishes had been ascertained,
and the ready advancement of his son was the consequence. The pro-
motion of Owen Trevor had accordingly been hastened by all means
'•"nsistent with the rules of the service. Even these were sometimes
violated in his favor. In one instance, he had been elevated over the
head of a senior officer of acknowledged merit. The impatience of this
gentleman, which tempted him to offer his resignation, had been soothed
by a staff appointment, accompanied by an understanding that he
should not, unnecessarily, be placed under the immediate command of
v.iung Trevor. The latter, at the date of which we speak, had risen to
the command of a regiment, which was now encamped in the neigh-
borhood of Washington, in daily expectation of being ordered on ac-
tive duty.
I 'nlunel Owen Trevor had received his first impressions on political
subjects at a time when circumstances made his father anxious to es-
tablish in his mind a conviction that union was the one thing needful.
To the maintenance of this he had taught him to devote himself, and,
overlooking his allegiance to his native State, to consider himself as the
-wum soldier of the Federal Government. It was certainly not the
wish of Mr. Trevor to teach his son to regard Virginia merely as a mu-
nicipal division of a great consolidated empire. Put while he taught
him to act on precepts which seemed drawn from such premises, it was
natural that the young man should adopt them.
lie did adopt them. lie had learned to deride the idea of State
sovereignty, and his long residence in the North had given him a dis-
gust at all that is peculiar in the manners, habits, institutions, 'and
character of Virginia. Among his boon companions he 1. id been ac-
customed to express these sentiments, and, being repeated at court, they
had made him a favorite there. He had been treated by the President
with distinguished attention. Tic seemed honored, too. with the pcr-
1 friendship of that favorite sun whom he had elevated to the chief
command of the army. Him he had consecrated totherpurple : proposing
, him the mantle of his authority, so as to unite, in the person
of his chosen sua whole military and civil power of the em-
pire.
It was impossible that a joung man like Col. Trevor should fail to
himself flattered by such notice. He had been thought, when a
1> :.TI.-AN I.KADBB.
. and his devotion to hk pan
the account of gratitude by Hi
loot, on his port] was anxiously watching for an
■nal zeal, which is so stroii- a re
n to the favor of tl intimated to Cel. Tn
nothing was wonting to ensure him speedy promotion to the rank
v, hii'Ii might be magnified, I
too pretext ft* advancing him beyond hit equals in
\]j: • ! "i' this, he burned for active employment; and earn'
1 to 1"- inarched to the theatre of war.
- in Virginia. Bat lie had long since ceased to at-
tri! reonality to the State, and it was a matter of 00
i lun. that the en< tniee, against whom he was t<> art, had
a born or resided there. Personally, they were atmngers to him ;
;ily knew tin in as men denying the supremacy of the Federal
iment and hostile to the President and his intended Buoeet
:i. indeed, he might possibly meet in arms whom he would
gladly avoid. Bis younger brother, Donglas Trevor, had been, like
him at \\\ .~t Point, had entered the army, and served
rs. Having spent a winter at home, it was suspected that he
had become infected with the treasonable heresies of Southern poli-
had resigned his commissioo and travelled into South
I * of this journey on his mind was not a matter of
i had 1 a receive/] from him by his brother and i
ial -. if his own regiment, avowing a total change of senti-
m. nt. These letters left no doubt that should Virginia declare for sa-
ollision between the Southern League and
the old I ttCS, he would be found fighting against the latter.
The avowal of such sentiments and purposes had so exeited the dis-
I mel, that l.o had cut sliort the correspondence by
that be might never again be reminded that he was the .bro-
•!' a traitor. Hi.- litter, to this effect, being laid before the com-
mand, r in-ehief, had given the ini-l dcei.MVe proof of the zeal of mi •
r an 1 tli,- ,\, |, Btion of the <.thcl\
rthia had been brought ahoutj CoL Trevor knew not. II
any alteration i» blS father's sentiment.-; and, indeed,
i 1 nut been so, at the time when he was awakened to
and his OWn duty. The change in his
mind h r mght by other means ; for his father was, at that
with him, to doubt was to be profoundly silent.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 29
CHATTER VI
The boy is grown
So like your brothel1 that he seems his own. — CrtAEFi:.
Difference of political opinion had produced no estrangement be-
tween Mr. Hugh Trevor and his brother, though it had interrupted
their intercourse by rendering it less agreeable. Men cannot take
much pleasure in each other's society when the subject on which both
think and feel most deeply is one on which they widely differ. They
accordingly saw little of each other, though an occasional letter passed
between them in token of unabated affection.
I believe I have mentioned that the children of Mr. Bernard Trevor
were both daughters. The eldest, then seventeen years of age, had
been invited to spend with her uncle, in the vicinity of Richmond, the
winter of Douglas's furlough. He was at that time about five-and^
twenty. His long residence in the Xorth had not weaned him from
his native State. He had not been flattered into a contempt of every-
thing Virginian. Neither his age nor rank gave him consequence
enough to be the object of that sort of attention. Perhaps, too, it had
been seen that he was a less fit subject for it than his elder brother.
Though much the younger, he had a range, originality, and indepen-
dence of thought, of which the other was incapable. Resting in the
esteem of his friends and the approbation of his own conscience, the
applause of the multitude, the flattery of sycophants, and the seducing
attentions of superiors, had small charms for him. His heart had never
ceased to glow at the name of Virginia, and he returned to her as the
wanderer should return to the bosom of his home — to his friends — to
his native land. In appearance, manners, and intelligence, he was
much improved ; in feeling, the same warm-hearted, generous, unso-
phisticated youth, as formerly.
In the meantime, his cousin Delia had already reached his father's
house, and was domesticated in the family. There she found the
younger brothers and sixers of Douglas Impatiently expecting his ar-
rival, and so much occupied with the thought of him, that, had she
been of a jealous disposition, she might have deemed her w< Icome
somewhat careless. Rut she already knew her cousins, her uncle, and
her aunt. This was not the first time that their houec wa? her tempo-
H THE PARTISAK L
I leaned ( If as one of the fan
•cd to eater into all their feeling*. Dong!
ytx& ■ Daring his long . hie heart had
. th( in. In tliis he differed widely from Owen, in
- of an idle life and the Bah* mes of ambition had
• of tli<' simple joys of his childhood's home. The
u him and Douglas, in this ratpeet, rendered the latter
popular with the singlcdiearted beings who were impatiently
iin.
remember brother DooglasZ" Mid Virginia Trevor,
.. younger than Delia* '•Mamma say* you were a great
with him when a child, and qadd to call him your Douglas."
" I could i i Lave been more than three years old at the time you
i Delia ; "but 1 have heard of it so often, that 1
Bomber it. ]>ut, of course, I do net remember him."
'• And, of course, he docs aot remember you," said Mrs. T'
•• At I< :.-t, he would not know you. lint I doubt if he ere? has for-
ked you, as you were then. lie was to be your husband, you km>w :
and your father gave him a set of rules to walk by. lb- was to d
.and mi, and to be so and so; and Harry Banfbrd was to be his model
lie said nothing about it; but " Sanford and Morton " was hardly ever
fit Of bis bands, and We could see that he was always trying to s<^uar*
iet bv your father's maxims. I believe in my heart it made i
difference in the boy; and that is the reason why he is less like hi.-
and more like yours, than any of the rest of my 1"
•■ 1 shall certainly love him, then," said Delia, her eyes filling as she
spoke, •' If he is like my dear old father."
"Indeed, and you may," said Mrs. Trevor; "but for all that.
tld rather have him like his own Father. But you must not be af-
fronted, Delia; you know I claim the right t" bra.: about my old i:
' him up over everybody — even the President himself."
•• 1 the President," said Delia, "'but I should be sorry t •
my father with him."
•■ 1 can assure you," replied the aunt, " there are very few men that
• ; arison. 0 ! he is the most elegant, agreeabh
til loan, tint ever I -aw."
• my nnoli ." said Delia, smiling,
"rahaw! Y ire, I always except him."
" / will i' ■ 'ny fatfar," said Delia, gravely. " I should apt
like to hear him and Martin Van Buren praised in the .sime breath."
" Well, my dear," said the gouddiuniured old lady, " wc must not
THE PARTISAN LEADER, 31
quarrel about it ; but you must take care not to talk so before Dough.-,
because he is tbe President's soldier."
'• I thought," said Delia, " be was in tbc service of tbe United States."
" Well I and is not tbat all the same thing ? /do not pretend to
know anything about it ; but my husband says so, and that is enough
for me."
Mr. Trevor, who bad sat by the while, listening, with grave compla-
cency, now said : " I am afraid you don't report me truly, my dear."
Then, extending his hand to Delia, he drew her gently to him, and
placing her on his knee, kissed her. " You are a good girl," said he.
'• and shall love and honor your father as much as you please. He is a
noble, generous man, and a wise man, too. I would to God," %i
be, sighing heavily, " that I bad bad half his wisdom."
"Why, bless my soul, Mr. Trevor!" exclaimed his wife, " what does
this mean ?"
" Nothing," replied be, "but a just compliment to the self-renoun-
cing generosity and far-sighted sagacity of my brother."
Saying this, he rose and left the room, while his wife gazed after him
in amazement. She had never heard him say so much before, and now
perceived that he had thoughts that she was not apprised of. Believ-
ing him faultless and incapable of error, even when he differed from
himslf, she at once concluded that she had lost her cue, and deter-
mined to say no more about politics until she recovered it; but he
never adverted to the subject again, in her presence, during tbe whole
winter, and her niece, consequently; heard no farther allusion' to it from
her.
This was no unwelcome relief to Delia. She was no politician, but
she was not incapable of understanding what passed in her presence
on the subject, except when the interlocutors ehose to mystify their
meaning. Her father, a man of no reserves, never spoke but with a
purpose of expressing his thoughts clearly and fully; and no man bet-
tor knew how to express them than he. Though deficient, as I have
said, in that cold prudence which takes advantage of circumstance.-,
was eminently trifled with that more vigorous faculty which mnk's :,,
In the piping times of peace, he was a man of no mark ; but wlu •
ciety was breaking up from its foundations, he was the man with whom
the timid and doubting would seek safety and counsel. Infirmity
now overtaken him, and he could do little more than think and speak
Consulted by all the bold spirits who sought to lift Up, from the du •'.
the soiled and tattered banner of his native State, and spread it I
wind, lie nc\ diverse freely with such, and often in I
presence of his daughters.
Til:
he bad net imbued them with hi:- opiaioi
minds with the arguments hy which Im v.
i, h< had made them lull partaken of hit It
if lu- had a porpOM in this. What that pur-
waf. One end, at least, it answered. Et inert
uion of lii- powera, their confidence in his wisdom, and their
rson. Mrs. Hugh Trevor herself did not hold bet bus-
than w.i- oharished by Delia for that
■ | f:ith« r.
And aeter did man beta* r des< rv< th< oonfiding affection of a daugh-
11c had been her principal instrnctor from infancy. He had
ted her mind; he had trained her tu self-oommand, and taught her
. happiness in virtue. Educated at heme, her manners were
in a domestic eirele — characterized by refinement, and deli-
. but frank propriety. Her love of reading had been cultivated by
throwing books in her way; and, the taste once formed, her attention
had been directed to snob as might best qualify her for the dutu
woman'.- only appropriate station. Herein she had an example in her
mother, a lady of the old Bohool, courteoaa and gentle, but high-spirit-
: >us, and full of her husband's enthusiasm iii the cause of his
try. Mr. Bernard Trevor was indeed, a man to be loved passion-
ately, if loved at all; ami to shed the vivid hue of his mind on those of
his ; It was the delight of his wile to witness and to cherish
the dutiful affection and ardent admiration of her daughters for their
father. The consequence was, that his power over their thoughts, Icel-
and inclinations was unbounded.
It will be readily believed that, in the miml of iKiia Trevor, (bus
I n toecupiod, there was no room for any very favorable predispositions
td a young man trained from bis boyhood in the scrviee of her
Btry'l op] i She had heard his mother speak of him as the
lier of the arch-enemy of her beloved Virginia, and a scnti-
menl of abhorrence arose in her mind at the words ; but .-he reflected
that be was her cousin ; the son of her good nncle ; the brother of her
dearest friend ; and, trying to remember bis fondness for her when a
child, IBM i 1.: i' '1 down the feeling Oi disgust, as unnatural and wicked.
1'ut. alu r all this discipline of her own mind, she found it impossible
t'. think of him with complacency, or to anticipate his arrival with
11- r imagination always painted him in the hateful dress
wh ii taught to regard as the badge of slavery — the liv-
nt. She would try to love him, as a kinsman, but she
tld like him or respect him.
At length lie mud-.- bis appearance, and, to her great relief, in the
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 33
plain attire of a citizen. He was a handsome youth, whose native
. grace had been improved by his military education, and in his man-
ners uniting the frankness of a boy with the polish and elegance of an
accomplished gentleman. "Whether he had been admonished by his
father to respect the feelings of his fair cousin, or had caught his re-
serve, on the subject of politics, by contagion, she had no means of
knowing. Certain it is, that on that subject he was uniformly silent,
and Delia soon learned to converse with him on other topics without
dreading an allusion to that. She thus saw him as he was, and, by de-
grees, lost the prejudice which, for a time, blinded her to any merit he
might po?^
And he did possess great merit. A high sense of honor, strict
principles, great openness and generosity, were united in him with
talents of no common order. Quick, apprehensive, and clear in his
perceptions, there was a boldness, vividness, and distinctness in his
thoughts and language that continually reminded her of him she most
loved and honored. Of her father he frequently spoke with great ven-
eration and affection. He remembered, as his mother had conjectured,
many of his uncle's precepts. He frequently quoted them as of high
authority with him; and it was plain to see that, cherished during four-
teen years, they had exercised a decided influence in the formation of
his character. Indeed, it might be doubted whether his imagination
had ever dismissed the idea which had first disposed him to lend a
willing ear to the suggestions of his uncle. That which was sport to
the elder mojnbers of the family, had seemed to him, at the time, a se-
rious business. The thought that the little girl who loved to hang on
his neck and kiss him might one day be his wife, had certarnly taken
possession of his boyish mind. How long he had consciously retained
it could not be known ; but the traces of it were still there, and were
certainly not obliterated by the change which time had wrought in his
cousin.
Of her personal appearance I have said nothing. Were I writing a
novel, I should be bound, by all precedent, to give, an exact account of De-
lia's whole exterior. Her person, her countenance, her hair, her eyes,
her complexion, should all be described, and the whole summed up in
' nsnnhlr of surpassing beauty. But, in this true history, I am
unfortunately bound down by facts, and I lament, that to the best of
my recollection, T shall not have occasion to speak of a single female,
in the progress of my narrative, whose beauty can be made a theme of
ju;-t praise. I do sincerely lament this; for euch is the constitution of
human nature, that female beauty influences the heart and mind of
man, even by report We read, in Oriental talcs, of great princes
M TnK PABTISAH LEADER.
enamored of descriptions. The grey eyes of Qmen Kli
. le her unpopular with the youthful reader] ami the
| -t latnl, three hundred year- alter the worms had
■ r, Mill continues to gild her history mid gloBS over her crimes.
i iv nothing so much in favour of the beauty of Delia Trevor, U
that she was good and intelligent,, reminding the reader of th<
. Mrs. Dorothy Primrose, to wit: " Handsome is, that han I
docs." 1 OU only add, that, when I saw her afterwards hanging on
the arm of Douglas, and looking up in his face with all the deep and
votion of a woman's love, I saw enough of the constituents
1'ity to make her an object of love, and enough >i the BOoJ of
truth and tenderness to make her seem transcendently beautiful in the
this, to account for the fact that her cousin Douglas soon found
himself taking great pleasure in her society, and anxious to please her,
not more from duty than inclination. He was, perhaps, chic fly attract-
ed by her conversation, which was always cheerful, sprightly, and in-
telligent. He may have yielded to a spell of hardly teas magic than
that of beauty; the spell of a voice melodious, distinct, articulate, and
richly flexible, varying its tone-; unconsciously with every ohang
grade of thought or feeling. It may have been the effect of what By-
ron would call "blind contact," and tho sage Mrs. Broadhuret "propin-
quity/' or it may have been that his hour was come. If one in ten of
my married friends can tell exactly how /(<• oame to fall in lovw with
his wife, I shall hold myself bound to impure farther intS> this m
But I do not mean to intimate that Lieutenant Trevor, turning his
backon.thc belles of Boston and New fork, and Philadelphia, and
Baltimore, and Washington, came home, and tumbled forthwith into love
with a plain country girl, just because she was his cousin, and he had
loved her when a child. I do not mean to say he was in love with her
at all. He had a sincere affection for her; he liked her conversation ;
I Imired her talents much, and her virtues more. He liked very
h to be with her, and was very much with her.
• t came of this, the reader shall be told when we have disp
• matters of higher concernment.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 35
CHAPTER VII.
Nero fiddled while Rome was bunnr.g.
Douglas Trevor reached his father's house just after the Virginia
Legislature had assembled. The presidential election was just over,
and the partisans of Van Burcn, exulting in their success, made their
leader the more hateful to his opponents by the insolence of their tri-
umph. Though he had lost the vote of Virginia, it will be remember-
ed that he still commanded a majority in the Legislature, elected be-
fore the revolution in public sentiment was complete. The more recent
expression of public sentiment showed that the time was come when
power must be held by means far different from those by which it had
been acquired. Opinion, which at first had been in their favor, was
now against them. Corruption had for a time supplied the place; but
the fund of corruption was all insufficient to buy off the important in-
terests which were now roused to defend themselves. To add to its ef-
ficiency by all practicable means, and to bring to its aid the arm of
force, was all that remained.
To organize measures for this purpose, and to enrich themselves from
the profuse disbursement of public money, which formed a part of the
plan of operation*;, were the great objects which engaged the minds of
the majority in the Virginia Legislature. But these, important as they
were, could not entirely wean them from those indigencies which, for
many years, had made Richmond, during the winter season, the scene
of so much revel and debauchery. To these, as well as to personal in-
and the great interests of the faction, much time was given.
But the necessity of attend i cially to the latter was made daily
more apparent by the startling intelligence which every mail brought
from the South and Southwest. The nearly simultaneous 'secession of
the States in that quarter, and the measures to.be taken for the forma-
tion of a southern confederacy, were things which had been talked of
until they were no longer dreaded. But causes had gradually wrought
their ncctssiry effect*) and the ultimate cooperation of Virgiuia, if left
to act freely, was now sure.
I have already spoken of those men, in each of the Mmthi
of cool heads, long views, and stout hearts, who, watching the progress
3o* TDE PARTIBAB LE,\I»KR.
of i on the point to which t1 I. It is not
They arc already
I blazoned on the tomb of tliat hateful tyranny
wh They had been discarded from the e<
the popularity of the President had blinded the
ruuTtitt] : i none of the northern faction,
inlta of rapacity and fanaticism, hounded on byambi-
E nth, had restored them to public favor.
Tli saion must come, and that, come when it might,
their infl dd 1 e proportioned to their past disgraci -. Pn Burn-
ing "ii this, they had consulted much together. Not only had they
■ fhed provisionally the plan of a southern confederacy, hut they had
i measures to regulate their relations with foreign powers. One of
r number, travelling abroad, had been instructed to prepare the way
for the negotiation of a commercial treaty with great Britain. One of
the first acts of the new c ofederacy was to invest him publicly with
the diplomatic character, and it wasat once understood that commercial
arrangements would be made, the value of which would s< oure to the
infant League all the advantages of an alliance with that powerful ca-
tion. The designation of a gentleman, as minister, who had so long,
without any ostensible motive, resided near the Court of St .lames, left
no doubt that all things had been already arranged. The treaty soon
r j iromulgated, therefore, surprised nobody, except indeed that ft
of its details were too obviously beneficial to both parties to have |
1. Not only in war, but in peace, do nations sc< m to think it
important to do good to themselves than to do harm to each other.
The s\-tem of free trade now established, which has restored to the
lib the full benefit of its natural advantages, and made it once more
the most flourishing^ and prosperous country on earth; which has mul-
tiplied the manufactories of Great Britain, and increased her revenue
by an increase of consumption and resources, even while some bracchet
,ue wore cut oft*'; and which, at the same time, has broken the
r of her envious rival in the North, and put an end for ever to
that artificial | rosperity engendered by the oppression and plunder of
hern States; is such an anomaly in modem diplomacy, that the
rulers at Richmond, or even at Washington, might well have been Bur-
st it. But the bare nomination of the plenipotentiary waa
eSOUgh to 1. avs DO doubt that a treaty was ready for promulgation, and
that it- terai must be such as to Becurc the cooperation of Great Bri-
tain.
Bat, while the leaders of the ruling faction thought of these things,
aud anxiously consulted for the preservation of their power, there was
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 37
still found among the members of the LegislatureHhe ordinary propor-
tion of men who think of nothing but the enjoyment of the present
moment. Such men are often like sailors in a storm, who, becoming
desperate, break into the spirit room, and drink the more eagerly be-
cause they drink for the last time. When the devil's "time is short,
he has great wrath;" and this point in his character he alwa}\s displays,
whether he exhibits himself in the form of cruelty, rapacity, or de-
bauchery.
The amusements, therefore, of the legislators assembled at Rich-
mond suffered little interruption, and the dinner and the galas, the" ball
and the theatre, and the gaming-table, with revel, dissipation, and ex-
travagance, consumed the time of the servants of the country, and
swallowed up the wasted plunder of the treasury.
Respected by all, beloved by individuals of both parties, and courted
by that to which he was supposed to belong, Mr. Hugh Trevor was an
object of the most flattering attention. His house was the favorite
resort of such as enjoyed the envied privilege of the entree. His gal-
lant and accomplished son was the glass before which aspirant for court
favor dressed themselves. The budding youth of his daughter had,
for }-ears, been watched with impatient anticipation of the time when
her hand might be seized as the passport to present wealth and future
honor.
Her cousin Delia was not recommended to notice by all these con-
siderations; but the most prevailing of the whole was one that made
her claims to attention fully equal to those of Virginia. Her father,
though in comparatively humble circumstances, could give with his
daughter a handsomer dowry than the elder and wealthier brother
could afford with his. He was notorious for generosity, and his in-
firmities made it probable that he was not long for this world. Delia
was therefore universally fegarded as an heiress. Add to this, that -in
the affection of her uncle she seemed hardly to be postponed to his
own daughter, and it was obvious to anticipate that the same influence
which had procured office and emolument for himself and his sons,
would be readily exerted in favor of her future husband.
It followed, that, whatever were the amusements of the day, whether
ball or theatre, or party of pleasure by land or by water, the presence
of Delia and Virginia was eagerly sought. The latter, simple and art-
less, saw in all who approached her the friends of her father. If she
thought at all of political differences, it was only to recognize in nio*t
of them the adherents of the man to whose fortunes he had so long
attached himself, and in whose fortunes he had flourished. To all. h< r
welcome was alike cordial and her smile always bright
> THE PARTISAN LEADS.
Witl. Delia, tl ^ lb far different Much more i I than
.-in with tli.' politics of the day, she W8J aware that her father
i many that the met On BOme of those who Bought
her favor, she knew tliat he looked*with detestation and seorn. To
m as cold ami repulsive as a real lady can i ■■ it her-
be to one who approaches her as i gentleman in genteel society.
The height of the modem mode would, indeed, have eounteiiai
such easel that sort of negative insolence, the practice of which i- re-
garded as the most decisive indication of high breeding. But she had
I in a different school. She had been taught that, m i
self n sp< d a the Brat duty of woman ; and that the only inviolabl
guard f<T that, is a care never to offend the self-respect of others.
Thus, while a part of those jvho approached her, who made I
that their attentions were not acceptable, she never afforded them oc-
casion to complain of any want of courtesy on her part Without
being rebuffed, they felt themselves constrained to stand aloof. There
was nothing of which they could complain ; no pretext for resentment
— no opening for sarcasm — no material for scandal.
But in proportion to the impotence of malice, so i-; the malignity of
it,- hoarded venom. All were aware of the political opinions and con-
nexions of Mr. Bernard Trevor; and it wai easy to make remarks in
the presence of his daughter, not only offensive, hut painful to her
feelings. To this purpose, no allusion to him was necessary. It was
enough to speak injuriously of those whom she knew to he his friends,
and whose public characters made them legitimate subjects of applause
-ure. 13y this, and other means of the like character, she was
open to annoyance; and to suoh means the dastard insolence "t'
those whom her coldness had repelled, habitually resorted for revenge.
On such occasions she frequently found that her cousin Douglas came
to her aid. Unrestrained by the consideration that imposed silence on
her, he was always ready to speak on behalf of the party attacked. If
ho could not directly vindicate, he would palliate or excuse. If even
inconsistent with his own opinions, be would take occasion to
approvingly of the talents or private worth of thuse who were
assailed. Whether she regarded this as a proof of good breeding, or
of kit herself, or of an incipient change in his opinions, such
commanded her gratitude and approbation.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 39
CHAPTER VIII.
He was, in logic, a great eritic,
Profoundly skilled in analytic.
He could distinguish and divide
A hair, "twixt south and southwest side.
Hudibius.
Among those who had thus manifested a disposition to win the favor
of Delia Trevor, was a young man who had, not long since, entered
public life under the auspices of a father, who, fifteen ydars before, had
openly bartered his principles for office. Besides some talent, the son
possessed the yet higher merit, in the eyes of his superiors, of devotion
to his party and its leader. He never permitted himself to be re-
strained, by any regard to time or place, from making his zeal con-
spicuous. Taught, from his infancy, that the true way to recommend
his pretensions was to rate them highly himself, he seemed determined
never to exchange his place in the Legislature for any in the gift of
the Court, unless some distinguished station should be offered to his
acceptance. For any such, in any department, he was understood to
be a candidate.
At first, he supposed that a private intimation to this effect, through
his father, would be all sufficient. But he was overlooked, and post
after post, that he would gladly have accepted, was conferred on others.
Fearful that he might be deemed deficient in zeal, he redoubled his
diligence, and with increased eagerness sought every opportunity to
display his talents and his ardor in the service of his master. Still" he
seemed no nearer to his object. Whether it was thought that he was
serviceable in his actual station, or that the wily President deemed
it a needless waste of patronage to buy what was his by hereditary title
and gratuitous devotion, it is hard to say. The gentleman sometimes
seemed on the point of becoming malcontent; but his father, who had
trained him in the school of Sir Pertinax McSyeophant, convinced him
that more was to be got by "booing," and resolute subserviency and
flattery of the great, than in any other way. ■ Under such impressions,
he would kindle anew the fervor of his zeal and send up his incense in
clouds. Again disappointed, and sickening into the moroseness of hope
♦ 0 THK PARTISAN LKADKR.
moody and n \a if watc":,
d< action.
• -mil a moment, had -seemed to pr
lintanoe with Delia Trevor, don with 1.
Baited to hi* interested and ambi I polioy. A 1«:::
ami amiabl items in the account <>f Becondar
Bat her fortune was not to be overlooked. Then, should hi
like to meet their long deserved reward, she could be
nt as the niece of Mr. Hugh Trevor, the tried and
riend of tin President Should the cold ingratitude "!' his
superior- at length drive him into the opposition for advancement, he
ire of being well received as the Bon-in-law of a patriot so di
Bernard Trevor. Utrinque paratxu, could he secure the hand
of Delia, he Pelt -urc that he must win, let the cards fall as
Saving taken this view of 'the subject, and examined it in all its
bearings, he made ap to Delia with a directness which stai
confidence that offended her. Hut the gentleman had little to
mend him to the favor of the fair. Bis] rson was awkward, and dis-
figured by a mortal stoop. His Features, at once diminutive and i
lar, were either shronded with an expression of solemn importan
set off by a smile of yet more offens mplacenoy. His manners
r of OOnoeit, alternately pert and
and hi though abortn
tempts at wit. and a sort of chopt kogio, elaborately employed in prov-
ing, bj tible arguments, what nobody ever pretended to deny.
. I 1 . en taught, by his learned and astute father, to lay his foun-
dations so deep that his arguments and the patience of his hearers were
apt to be exhausted by the time he got back to the surface of things.
Yet he reasoned with grosil precision, and rarely failed to estahlish, as
untjuestionahle, thenfttmtiej from which other men commonly begin, to
>n.
talent, and this use of it, arc more applauded by the world than
one would think. Men like to be confirmed in their opinions ; and,
tin fewer and more simple these may be, the more grateful are they for
any thing that looks like a demonstration at their truth. To a man
arithmetic only extends to the profound maxim
"that two and two make four," how gratifying to find a distinguished
man « ling to prove it by elaborate argument !
Bat ladies have little taste for these things, and still less for the
harsh dogmatism and fierce denunciations of hostile, but absent politi-
cians, with which Mr. P. Baker, the younger, occasionally varied bis
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 41
discourse. To Delia, therefore, the gentleman, in and of himself, and
apcrt from all extrinsic considerations, was absolutely disagreeable. His
first advances drove her within the safe defences of female pride and
reserve. But when the manifest audacity of his pretensions led her
to think of him as the supple slave of power, as one who had prostitu-
ted himself to the service of his master, with an eagerness which con-
demned his zeal to be its own reward, her disgust increased to loath-
ing, and her pride was kindled into resentment. Without showing
more of these feelings than became her. she showed enough to make
her the object of his insolent and malignant hatred. But she was for-
tified by her position in a family which he dared not offend, and his
paltry malice found vent in such allusions to the politics of the day as
he knew must wound her.
Things were about coming to this pass*, when Douglas Trevor ar-
rived. The first time he met Mr. Baker in company with his cousin,
he saw a disposition on his part to pay attentions which were obviously
annoying to her. Both duty and inclination impelled him to come to
her relief; and, in doing this, he awakened the jealousy and incurred
the displeasure of the gentleman. But these were feelings he had no
mind to display toward one who wore a sword, and especially toward
the son of a man so influential at Washington as Mr. Hugh Trevor.
He accordingly drew off, in morose discomfiture, and Delia, relieved
from his offensive attentions, felt that she owed her deliverance to her
cousin. He was, of course, bound to occupy the place at her side from
which he had driven Baker; and she was bound to iequite the service
by making the duty he had imposed on himself as little irksome as
possible. She exerted herself to be agreeable, and succeeded so well,
that Douglas went to bed that night in the firm belief that he had
never passed a more pleasant evening, or seen a girl of more charming
manners than Delia.
This circumstance led to a sort of tacit convention, which established
him in the character of her special attendant, in all parties where Mr-
Baker made his appearance. By an easy progress, this engagement
was extended to all societies and all places. He knows little of human
nature who needs to be told the natural consequences of these
things.
But, leaving the reader to form his own judgment, and to anticipate
. such result as he may, my present business is with the repulsed and
irritated Baker. Though it consoled his pride and self-love to impute
his discomflturos, not to any absolute dislike of himself, but to a prefer-
ence for another, there was nothing in that preference to soothe 1
sentracnt. As Douglas had, in the first instance, come somewhat cava-
TBI PART18AM I
wishes, he, perhaps, had rea-
. Bpleasure against him. l>ut, as it might be quite
give vent to hi;* feelings in that direction, they we*a
careful '" -— i s < - 1 > assaults on those of the lady,
►in might m.t observe, or might think it unwise t<> uotioe, did his malice
jndti
. 1 1 - - 11 the astounding intelligence reached Rich-
that a diplomatic agent from the State of South Carolina had
been long secretly entertained at the Court <>l' Bt Janus, and that he
tpposed to have negotiated an informal arrangement for acorn-
ty between that government and the confederacy then form-
ing in the Smith. Something was rumored as to the terms of the con-
teniplated treaty, which filled the -whole northern faction in Virginia
iiiation. Itwas feared that that State could nut he w ith-
■iii joining the Southern League, except hy force, and that, in
■ force, she would be backed, not only by the Southern
: by the power of Great Britain
THE FARTISAN LEADER. 43
CHAPTER IX.
" If I had known lie had been so cunning of fence, I'd have seen him
damned ere I had fought with liim." — Old Play.
It was now the month of February, and a pleasant day had tempted
our young people to a jaunt of amusement to the head of the falls.
Mr. Baker, stealing away from his duties as a legislator, was one of the
party. Repulsed by Delia, he was beginning an attempt on the heart
of Virginia,, of whose loyalty, as the daughter of Mr. Hugh Trevor, he
could entertajn no doubt.
Here his reception would have been little better than with the other,
had not Virginia been held in check- by a respect for the supposed
opinions of her father. Born at the very moment when the good old
gentleman was in the act of making up his mind to sacrifice the sover-
eignty of his native State to the necessity of preserving the Union, he
seemed to seize on the opportunity of compensating the impiety to
which he felt himself driven, by giving to his infant daughter the
name he had so long cherished and honored. It was a moment of one
of those relcntings of the heart, in which nature asserts her suprema-
cy, and compels its homage to those whom we have been accustomed to
reverence and obey. If even the prodigal or the traitor be subject to
be so affected, how much stronger must be such an impulse in the mind
of a pure and upright man, impelled by ?l sense of duty to his coun-
try to dishonor her venerated name. This poor tribute was as the kiss
of peace with which the executioner implores the pardon of some illus-
trious victim of State policy, who is about to bleed under his hand.
Had he yielded to his feelings, he would have taken up the self-accu-
sing lamentation of the returning prodigal. But his sense of duty was
deep and abiding, and was always most sure to command his exact obe-
dience when the duty was most painful. He could not doubt the cor-
rectness of a conviction, which even his cherished devotion tohis na-
Mtc could not made him shake off entirely. In such a case, to
doubt was, with him, to be convinced.
But the name thus bestowed upon his daughter wae not without an
effect on her mind. She knew little of politics, but, from her very
infancy, self-love had made her jealous of the honor of the State whose
name she bore. The name itself waa a spell of power on the heart of
H Tnn tai.ti.-an LEAD]
1 her to lore her ( osin before she knew her.
[heir lir>t acquaintance, end ha I
r, ami
r in intellectual power, I, on wittingly,
r the mind <>t* Virginia which inefined her to lis-
mld be ai -' the oaorper'a claim loa
1 by the authority 0/ the Stat.'.
more than a year past, Mr. Tr< ror had himself begun to doubt
rmer opinions. Doubting, he was silent, but be
M unwilling to subject bis daughter 60 the action <>f her
jorous mind. For many years, be would as scon bate
children t" the contagion <>i the plague, as permit them t<»
vi>it th< '.r uii.'.,'. During the last summer he bad suffered Arthur and
Virgii i a month with him ; ami l.e was not Bony to observe
thai tin former came home with deeper thoughts than lie cbose to ex-
Of their love and admiration of their uncle neither made any
He was not only unlike their father, but so unlike an .
man, that be bad been a curious Btudy to them during their whole visit
dity of his thoughts, and the vividness with whioh he ex-
I them, afforded thi ; amusement lie bad that faculty
of making truth look like truth, in the exhil iti n of which the young
mind so much delights. Then he was bo frank, so ard< at, and withal
so kind, that it was im] ossible 1 1 know and not to love him.
After all this, the reader will nut be like to partake of the surprise
of .Mr. Philip Baker, when be found, OH shifting bis battery, that be
: much more in favor with Virginia Trevor than with her cou-
sin. The consequence was, that whenever he attempted, in company,
icb himself to the immediate party <>f these young ladies, he was
apt tu find himself a supernumerary. But, as \ irginia bad Bhown no
marked dislike to bim, his vaniiy easily adopted the idea that she con-
'. bim a-- the property of Delia, lb' took Borne pains to umle-
her, and would have been mortified at her unconcern on the oc-
easion, bad be not thought some allowance should be made for her in-
difference to a man who did but take her as a pit <i!br. lie did not,
ire, at once withdraw himself from their coterie, but continued
,' about, and take bis part in conversation, whenever nothing par-
ticularly exclusive in the manner of the interlocutors forbade it. He
could i/"t come between whispers; but he could answer any observation
that 1; as T have said, something between a proser
and a deelaimer, be thought himself eloquent, and would seize ooca-
sions to held forth to the general edification, in a style intended to daz-
zle the by8tand.eVs.
•
• THE PARTISAN LEADER. 45
On the day of which wc speak, he had heen in close attendance on
Virginia, until, rather hy address than by direct repulse, she had con-
trived to shake him off. It so happened, that (he rest of the company
were all paired off, leaving him in the enviable condition of a half
pair of shears, when relief appeared in the person of a gentleman just
from Richmond.
This gentleman, originally one of the devisers of the pic nic, had
staid behind for the mail, and now arrived with the news alluded to iu
the last chapter. Baker, being disengaged at the moment, was" the
first to receive the intelligence, and he lost no time in awakening the
attention of the company by volleys of oaths and imprecations. While
he continued to exercise himself in calling down the vengeance of
" the Eternal," according to the most approved formula of the old
court, on those whom he denounced as traitors, the rest listened in
amazement, disgust, or alarm, to this boisterous effusion of his rage.
At length, as he stopped to take breath, Douglas availed himself of
the pause to ask what was the matter. The whole story now came out,
and Mr. Baker, having put his audience in possession of the text, went
on with his discourse. Unmindful of the presence of the ladies, he
vented his wrath in language with which I do not choose to stain my
paper. Every man who had held a conspicuous place among the advo-
cates of State rights for the last twenty years, was condemned, ex cathe-
dra. The dead were especially recommended to the tender mercies of
the devil, in whose clutches he supposed them to be; while the living
were indiscriminately devoted to the same doom.
list the person by whom the treaty was said to have been nego-
tiated, his wrath burned most fiercely. In the midst of one of his
vage denunciations of that gentleman, he happened to recollect
having heard Delia speak of him as the intimate friend of her father.
The thought turned his eye upon her. She was already pale and
trembling with emotion, when she caught his insulting glance. In an
instant the blood gushed to her face, and tears to her eyes. lie saw
it, and went on to comprehend in his denunciations all the aiders, abet-
tors, and frii ncU of the traitor, whom in one breath he devoted to the
gallows.
This was more than Delia could bear, and more^than Douglas was
d to suffr. He had caught the glance which Baker bad cast
at hia cousin; he s-iw the effect on her feelings; he witnessed her in-
creasing emotion, and felt it iTis duty to come to her relief. He ap-
proached Baker, and passing him, as if with no particular design,
touched him gently, and fcaid in a low voice — " Such language is im-
proper in this company."
THE PARTISAN LXADIR.
•• Bow f ' ' B 1 " T lio|.o there is no man here
the part of a trait
I, and, biting his lip, said in a tone not loud, hut from
tod marked emphasis, audible to all pre* n( i •• !
k as t<i lo heard by none bnt yon, and invited yon by a rigs,
apart where I might explain my meaning in private. But, as you will
e explanation here, 1 say. that you knoiB then is no man here
1 to take the j art of a traitor. 11' you had thought there ',\as,
.r. I ' ; 'iir denunciations would have been le.-s violent."
" I don't understand you, sir," said Baker, reddening.
" My meaning is as plain as becomes thh» presence," said I*
o. -1<11 v. and again walking away. Baker looked around, and read in
that he was expected to follow. He did so, and joining
they both walked on together.
■ I Bhall be glad to receive a farther explanation, sir," said he in au
agitated tone. .
•• Speak lower, then," replied Douglas, calmly, slipping his arm
within that of Baker ;" and u no -'Mure. My meaning is this —
That he who is regardless rf the presence and feelings of a lady, is not
apt to overlook those of a man. To make my meaning yet plainer,
-ir. your language would have been more unaided, bud my uncle been
■ nted here, not by a ilavghter, but by a ton."
The quiet tone of Douglas's voice, the equivocal meaning of the first
he bad Uttered, and the pacific action intended to deceive those
who |i hod calmed for a moment the alarm of Baker. He
bad recovered himself before he was made to perceive what was really
m> ajit ; and ere be had time to reflect on his situation, the dangerous
temptation of ;i ri partes assailed him. Glancing back at the company,
id — '• If I may judge by appearanoes, sir, you have the right as
well as the inclination to assume that character."
Doughu had turned his head, instinctively, as Baker looked hack,
and saw that they had rounded a point of rock, and were out of sight.
In an instant, he disengaged hi* arm with a push that nearly threw
..ii the bank, and stepping back, glared upon him with
an eye that instantly brought the other to his senses. While he stood
blenching and cowering under this fierce glance, Douglas rceo\ ered
'f command, and said, with stern calmness — "You had nearly
made me forget myself, sir. But we understand each other Siow.
Take a turn along the shore to compose yourself. I will wait here for
you, and we will return to the company together"
I himself on a rock, and the other obeyed mechanically.
How he succeeded in recovering his composure is another affair. He
the; partisan leader. 47
walked on, and on, and fain would he have followed the course of the
river to the mountain cave from which it issues, there to hide himself
from the consequences of hia own folly and impertinence. What
would he not have given to recall that last speech ? Until then, he
was the party aggrieved. Douglas's offence against him had not been
so gross as to admit of no explanation ; and, to all appearance, an ami-
cable one had been given. The truth might not have come out until
he had had time to escape to his constituents; and before the next ses-
sion the affair might have been forgotten. But now, Douglas had been
insulted, and how he felt, and how he would resent the insult, was aw-
fully certain.
Baker continued his walk so far, that the girls became uneasy at die
absence of the two young men. They begged some of the gentlemen
to go in quest of them, but the request was evaded. At last, they rose
from their scats on the roeks, and declared <hcy would themselves go.
They accordingly set out, followed by the rest, and in a few yards came
to where Douglas was quietly seated on a flat stone, and playing checka
with pebbles on the smooth sand.
"Where is Mr. Baker?" exclaimed Virginia, eagerly.
" Yonder he goes," replied Douglas, calmly. " He has a mind for
a longer walk than I like; and I am just waiting for him here. But
I must not detain you, girls. His taste for the picturesque will proba-
bly be satisfied by the time we get to our horses, and he will soon over-
take us."
He said this with an air so careless as to deceive every person pres-
ent but Delia. But the heart will speak from the eye, and a glance at
her, as she searched his countenance, unconsciously said : " I have re-
dressed you." Coloring deeply, she strove to hide her emotion — taking
his arm and busying herself at the same time with the adjustment of
her veil. In spite of some undefined apprehensions, she was grateful,
relieved, and pleased ; and a slight pressure on the arm she held, spoke
her feelings perhaps as distinctly as they were understood by herself.
Douglas returned the pressure with more energy. The words of
Baker yet tingled in his ears ; and while they burned with the insult,
the pain was more than soothed by the thoughts they had awakened
Were then the day-dreams of his boyhood to become realities ? He
was not, as yet, conscious of any but a cousin's love for Delia. He
couIcl impute no other feeling to her. But should this mutual affection
ripen into a more tender sentiment ! "With whom could a man pass his
days more happily, than with a woman so intelligent, so amiable, so
prudent, so much a lady? He did not love her. But he felt that to
love her, and be beloved by her, would be a happy lot. The slight
Ifj Till i'W.Il.-AN I.i'.l'EH.
i his arm was sweet to liim. II- wished th<
k,ir, | But she walked • ised, and with a light and
over the ragged ground. Was nut that step more confident,
• | that he was there to aid her in case of need F Kwn
sufficient G r h< reelf in tl w a of her own mind,
led and acoepted, snd gratefully, though lilentl;
I hi tection. He was happy in having had occasion to
I her. Wae a The heart will a*k
n- Time gives the an
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 49
CHAPTER X
Oh ! speak it not !
Lot silence be the tribute of your homage!
The mute respect, that gives not woman's name
To the rude breath, which, trumpeting her praises,
Taints by applauding. ANONYMOUS.
A few days after, Douglas handed his cousin the following paper :
u Mr. Baker begs leave to throw himself on the mercy of Miss
Delia Trevor. He confesses his offence against her on Saturday last
He admits, with shame, that he did intend to wound her feelings, and
that he has nothing to offer in extenuation of his offence. He does
not even presume to ask a pardon, which he acknowledges to be un.
merited, and respectfully tenders the only atonement in his power, by
assuring Miss Trevor that he will never again, intentionally, offend her
by his presence.
Signed, Philip Barker."
Delia read this curious document in silence, and, on looking up,
found that Douglas had left the room. She ran after him, but he was
gone, and for a day or two avoided any opportunity for farther explana-
tion. At length she found one, and asked by what means the paper
had been procured.
" By proper means, my dear cos," said he, " if the paper is a proper
one."
'•Proper!" exclaimed she, " for me to receive, certainly. But for
him to give ! Indeed, I pity any poor wretch who can be ?o abject. I
am glad, at least, I am to see him no more. I should find it hard to
behave to him as becomes myself!"
u It would he hard," said Douglas, " but as you always will behave
as becomes yourself, hard though it be, it was right you should be
spared the trial."
" This u your doing then?" said she.
" No questions, coz," replied Douglas. " I must behave as becomes
me too."
This put an effectual stop to farther inquiry, and the slight conceal-
ment did but deepen Delia's sense of the service Douglas had rendered
4
FtQ THE PARTISAN LKADBR.
i the cfelicacy which, at once, veiled and
D | l,i» chivalrous character j he, on his part foH glTHtftT ploMWItl
at bating redressed her wrong, hecause the affair had taken Mich a turn
:il the part that he had acted. The tics thus formed in
are douhly sacred and doubly sweet. The heart involuntarily
aUmwn them with those chaste mysteries which the vulgar eye must Dot
profane. They become the theme of thoughts whioh sometimes rise
up. and kindle the cheek, and light the eye, and then sink down again
and hi'le themselves deep in the silent breast.
But this privacy was destined to be invaded by one person, at least;
ard that, the very one from whom Douglas would most anxiously have
concealed the whole affair. . Yet was there no person to whose tender-
ness, delicacy, and affection for both parties, it could have been more
nth confided. In short, Mr. Trevor, one day, placed in the hands of
': d a letter, in the President's own hand-writing, of which the fol-
lowing is a copy :
Washington. Karoo 3d, 1849
Mt DSAB sir: I hasten to lay before you a piece of information
which touches you nearly. Though I receive it at tin; hands of one
wlm has the highest claims to my confidence, I yet tru-t it will prove to
have originated in mistake.
It \? said that your son, Lieutenant Trevor, on receiving the news of
the late treasonable proceedings of some of the southern States, openly
•indicated them; and that he spoke freely in defence of the principal
sgi-nt in their most wicked attempt to league themselves with the ene-
4 their country. It is said, moreover, that, in doing this, he in-
sulted and fastened a quarrel on one, whom I have great reason to
asjsaai for his uniform devotion to the Union. The regular course for
8u eh a charge against an officer, holding a commission in the army of
tbv United States, i* one which I would not willingly pursue, in the
case of Ihc son of one of my earliest and most cherished friends. As
Lieutenant Trevor is now at home, on furlough, I address this letter to
yon. to be laid before him. I have no doubt he will readily give the
necessary explanations, and, in so doing, afford me a new occasion for
displaying that regard for you and yours, with which 1 am.
Dear sir, your friend,
Martin Van Duren.
" Can you tell me what this means?" said the mild old gentleman to
bis son.
u As I remember," replied Douglas, " the circumstances under which
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 51
I heard of the events alluded to, I think, I can give a guess at the
meaning. It means that my cousin was insulted, in my presence, and
that I protected her, as was my duty."
" And how docs it happen that I never heard of it ? Who was the
person, and what has become of the affair?"
"It has all blown over," said Douglas, "and I had hardly expected
it would ever be spoken of again. Delia alone knew of it from me, aa
it was right she should. I have never mentioned, nor has my friend.
I am sure she has not ; and what the other party can promise himself
from the exposure, I am sure I cannot tell."
"The thing is now made public, at all events; and both as your
father and as the friend of the President, it is right that I should know
all about it."
" Certanfly, sir," replied Douglas, "you shall know all ; and when
you do, I need not explain why I have never told you before."
He left the room, and soon returned with a bundle of papers. From
this he handed one to his father, which proved to be a challenge, in
the most approved form, from him, the said Douglas Trevor, to Philip
Baker, Esq. Then came a proposition to discuss from the other party :
then a flat demand of apology, or the alternative of, what is called,
gentlemanly satisfaction; then an offer to apologize; then the paper we
have already seen ; and then tho following :
" Philip Baker declares, on his honor, that he meant no offence to
Lieutenant Trevor by any words addressed to him on Saturday last ;
and that he deeply regrets having spoken any which may have sounded
offensively in the ears of Lieutenant Trevor."
"This will do," said Mr. Trevor. "It only shows that you have
acted as became a soldier and a gentleman. These papers show clearly
that the quarrel began in an insult to your cousin, which you were
bound to resent. This will be perfectly satisfactory to the President."
" Doubtless it would be," said Douglas, promptly ; " but so much oi
the affair as implicates my cousin's name must go no father."
" But it is that," replied Mr. Trevor, " which shows the cause of the
quarrel. The other papers only show that you fancied an intention to
insult where none existed. This would tally too well with what the
President has heard."
" Be is so," miswered Douglas, calmly. " If the President is never
satisfied till I furnish a paper which is to blend my cousin's name with
a public discussion, he must remain dissatisfied. I cannot help it.
Better to have suffered the insult to pass unnoticed, than to make a
lady's name the theme of guard-house wit."
" Bless you, my noble boy," said the admiring father. " You arc
52 THE PALTISAN LEADER.
L and there is no help for it. But what shall I say to the Froi-
•• "\\" li.it too please. The comcfuiiotd you draw from what you know,
DM to. The /acts arc with you."
.id Mr. Trevor, after a musinu pause; "certainly ho
will trust in my general a>surancc that We information is, to my <:< ,-
tain laumUdgtf erroneous. This will do. It must be sufficient."
" It must do," said Douglas, "whether it will or no. In the mean
time, niv deer sir, let me beg that the affair may go no farther, even in
the family. Delia alone knows of it, and she only knows as much as
may he gathered from that paper, a duplicate of which is hcr's by
light 1 therefore beg that you will say nothing about it, even to her."
And he did say nothing to her; but Douglas observed, that that
Bight) when she held up her lip for his paternal kiss, the kind old gen-
tleman gave it with more than his usual tenderness. He held her off,
parted the hair from her forehead, gazed earnestly and affectionately
u] on her ; and then, kissing her again, bad God bless her, in a voice
choked with emotion. From that moment, she was to him as a daugh-
ter. *
THE PARTISAN LEADER.
CHAPTER XI.
That proud humility — that dignified obedience. — Burke.
The visit of Delia to her uncle now drew to a close, and she prepar-
ed for her return home. It was settled that she should be accompanied
by Douglas, Arthur, and Virginia, who were to spend a few weeks with
her father.
On the road, Douglas felt more and more the duty and the privilege
of being the protector of his cousin, and, by the time they reached the
end of their journey, he had discovered that the latter was as precious
as the former was sacred. Some such thought had stolen into his mind
while he was yet at home, but that was not the place to mention the
subjecMo her; and he had determined to impose upon himself the
most scrupulous restraint, until he should have restored her honorably
to her father's arms.
Two days travel brought them to the residence of Mr. Bernard Tre-
vor, on the banks of the Roanoke. They found him laid up with a fit
of the gout, which, while it confined him to the house, produced its
usual salutary effect on his general health. At the sight of his daugh-
ter and her companions, his pain was, for the moment, forgotten; and,
flinging away his flannels and crutches, he sprung to his feet and caught
her in his arms. At the same time, Arthur and Virginia pressed for-
ward for their welcome, which they, in their turn, received.
Unfortunately, Mr. Trevor was not the only one who forgot himself
at the sight of Delia. Poor old Carlo, starting from his slumbers on
the hearth-rug, had recognized his young mistress, and was manifesting
his joy at Jicr return with boisterous fondness, when one of his feet .sa-
luted the inflamed toe of his master. In an agony, which none but
they who have felt it can conceive, the old gentleman sunk into his
chair. Here he remained for some minutes, unconscious of everything
but his sufferings, while the soft hand of his daughter replaced and
Boothed the tortured limb.
At length, recovering enough to look around him, his eye fell on
Douglas, who stood aloof, waiting to be introduced. Some little tag of
military foppery, which always" clings to the undress of an officer, satis-
fied Mr. Trevor who he was. Stretching out his hand, he f-aid : "Ah-
Dou .las, my dear boy! How glad I am to see you! But I ought not
A
w
THE PARTISAN LEADER.
to 1 ' izcd you. tnding back there with your hat
under your :inn, as if waiting your turn of presentation at a levoc.
Perhaps you don't remember me. I certainly should not have known
but for the circumstances under which I see you. But what of
that? Wan U nut yesterday you were sitting On my knee, and hanging
at my neck? Fes, it was yesterday; though wc have both dreamed ■
it deal since. But dream! mut give way to realities ; so let us \
• rday, and meet to-day as wc parted last night."
This singular accoatt had the desired effect, and Donglaa felt, at once,
IS if he had been with his uncle all his life.
''You forget, my dear sir," said he, "that T was intercepted by one
whose privilege, I am sure, yen would not have nic dispute, though he
bai abused it so cruelly''
■ V' nmean the dog?'1 said Mr. Trevor. "Poor old Carlo! Come
to your master, my poor fellow! No; your privilege shall never be in-
vaded. We arc both past service now, and must learn to sympathise
with each other. If you cannot understand the nature id' a gouty toe,
T hope I shall always have heart enough to understand yours, (jive me
a, rough l Oat, OT a black skin, for a true friend; one that will Dot gro
any superior advantages that I may pOSSCSS. Tom,'' added he, in a
of marked gentlen.es, 'be Ore u low. No, not yourself, old man,'1
In continued, as the negro whom be addressed moved toward the door;
: yon, my good <>ld friend. Just ring the lull, and let one oi' those
lazy dogs in the kitchen bring in some wood. Hut why don't you speak
to jonr master Douglas? 1 am rare yon remember what cronies you
when you were teaching him to ride."
'• I'm mighty proud to BOS yon, BUT," said the old man, taking the of-
fered hand of Douglas, with an air of affectionate humility. "But it
was not my place, sir." added he, answering his master's words, "to
k first. I made sure master Douglas would remember me after %
while."*
i \ ■■• the forbearance of all eritioa, who have taken their ideas of* Vjr-
1 -ar Thompson, "r any -mh caricatures, for ^iviii^
I . and liis own pronunciation of thorn. It is not my fault if
bni little peculiarity in his phraseology. His langnatja was never elc-
d. But In- ipoke better than the peasantry
though he said -Mine things that a white man would not
say; perba] be had Mine feelings to which the white man it a
stranger. A white man, for example, would have said he was glad to see
Douglas, whether he were so or not. Old Tom said In; was proud to see liim,
is proud to recognize his former j>ei in the handsome and grace-
ful youth before liiin.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 56
"I do remember you, Tom," said Douglas, cordially, "and many a
time, on parade, have I been thankful to you for teaching mc to hold
my reins and manage my horse."
"Ton will find it hard," said Mr. Trevor, gravely, "to convince Tom
that you remember him, if you call him by that name. Tom is Delia's
daddy, and Lucia's, and Arthur's, and Virginia's daddy, and so will be
to the day of his death. If ever he ceases to be your daddy, too, Doug-
las, I shall move to reconsider the vote that we just now passed unani-
mously."
" It is a vice the northern air has blown upon me," said Douglas,
blushing. "I felt the truth of what you said just now, and am not
more sure of being affectionately remembered by any that I used to
know, than by my good old daddy."
Mr. Trevor now requested Tom to see that the horses of the travel-
lers were properly attended to; and the negro left the room.
" What a graceful and gentlemanly old man !" said Douglas, looking
after him.
"His manners," said Mr. Trevor, "are exactly suited to his situation
Their characteristic is proud humility. The opposite is servile sulki-
ness, of which, I suspect, Douglas, you have seen no little."
"I have seen nothing else," said Douglas, "among the servants in
the North. If the tempers of our negroes were as ferocious, and their
feelings as hostile, we should have to cut their throats in self-defence
in six months."
u I a.n glad," said Mr. Trevor, " that you have not learned to sacri-
fice your own experience to the fanciful theories of the Amis dc Noirs,
at least on this point. The time, I hope, will come when you will see,
if you do not already, the fallacy of all4 their cant and sophistry on the
subject of domestic slavery. You will then bless God that your lot has
been cast where the freedom of all, who, in the economy of Providence,
are capable of freedom, is rendered practicable by the particular form
in which the subordination of those who must be slaves is cast."
"I am not sure," said Douglas, "that I exactly comprehend you."
'• Perhaps not," replied the uncle. "And that reminds me that I am
trespassing on forbidden ground. Just there, the differences of opinion
between your father and myself commence; and from that point ifiey
diverge so much, that I do not feel at liberty to speak to his son on cer-
tain topics."
"Hut why not, my dear sir? Y<m sun-ly cannot expect me to think
with my father on all subjects; and you would not have me do so, whon
you thought him wrong. I do not profess to be deeply studied in these
m
56 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
matter.*; bat, between your lights and his, I might hope to find my way
to the truth."
'Tli. re are some subjects, Douglas," replied Mr. Trevor, with solera-
"on which it is better to be in error than to differ, totally and con-
tcienttouftly, from a father. Delia is but a girl; but should she have
come beak to me changed in her sentiments ^opinions she cannot have)
in regard to certain matters, 1 should feel that I had been greviously
wronged by any one who had wrought the change. I know year father
has not done this; and I must do as I would be done by, and as I am
sure I have been done by."
•• I cannot conceive," said Douglas, "what sort of subjects th ee oao
be, concerning which error in opinion is better than truth, under any
otreumstan
"Those, " replied Mr. Trevor, "in which truth would bring duty in
conflict with duty."
' Nay, then." said Douglas, "there is no danger of my conversion in
such cases. I should take that as an infallible proof that doctrines
leading to such consequences must be false/'
" Your proposed test of truth is so specious," observed Mr. Trevor,
"that I will go so far as to say one word to convince you of its fallaey.
If ever I take you in band, my lad, my first lesson will be to teach you
to examine plausibilities closely, and to distrust summary and simple
arguments on topics about which nun differ."
■ f> £| any on.-, then, maintain," asked Douglas, "that two opinions
whieb impose oonflioting duties can both be right?"
"I shall not answer that," answered Mr. Trevor. "You shall answer
it yourself. You are a soldier of the I'nited States. Suppose an in-
surrection. What, in that OSSO. would be your duty?"
. " To fighl against the rebels," replied Douglas, promptly.
" And, thinking as you do, so it would be. Now, suppose your father
to be one of those same rebels."
"I see," said Douglas, after a pause, in which he colored to the tips
of his ears, " I see that you are right."
" In what '!" asked Mr. Trevor.
" In maintaining," he replied, "that two opinions which prescribe
conflicting duties, may both be right."
" Hut 1 have not said so," replied Mr. Trevor, smiling.
" Uut you have proved it."
" I am not quite sure of that. Here is another summary and simple
looking argument, on a difficult question. My own rule is, 'distrust
and r< -esaminc.'"
0
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 57
He stopped short, while Douglas looked at him with a perplexed and
wondering eye. He at length went on — " I shall not break faith with
your father by teaching you to think. You have the propositions —
and you see there is fallacy somewhere. Analyse the subject, and find
your own result. But come, my boy — this is poor entertainment for a
hungiy traveller. Your aunt has some dinner for you by this time,
and here is Tom come to tell us so. Come, give me your arm, and help
'me to the dining room."
" My dear father," said Delia, " that is my office."
" Both ! both ! my children !" exclaimed the old man, throwing
away his other crutch. " Why, now I am better off than a man with
sound limbs." • •
In the dining room Mrs. Trevor awaited them. A hasty greeting
was all she bad allowed herself on the first arrival of the party ; after
which, she betook herself to the duties of housewifery and hospitality.
They found her standing at the back of her chair ; and Douglas, as he
entered, thought he had rarely seen a more striking figure. She was
matronly in her dress and air ; tall, majestic, and graceful in her per-
son ; and with a countenance beaming with frankness, animation and
intelligence. She had been a beautiful woman, and, being much
younger than her husband, was still handsome. She extended her
hand to Douglas as he entered, and placing him near her, so mingled
the courtesy due to a stranger with the cordiality of an old acquaint-
ance, as to make him feel all the comfort and ease of home, without
ever losing a sense of that bland influence, which, while it secures de-
corum, imposes no constraint.
" Would you have known me ?" asked the lady.
" I cannot say I could have identified you," he replied, " but I should
have recognized you as one I ought to know."
" And your uncle ?"
" Not by sight, certainly," said Douglas. " I remember him too dis-
tinctly for that. He is too much altered. But I know him by his
manners and conversation. These I never could forget; and these are
the same, and peculiarly his own. I remember how he used to exer-
cise my mind, and make me talk, and yet never let me talk without
thinking."
" And has he bce'n at the old game already ?"
" 0, yes ! lie has set me to revising and doubting what have seemed
to mc to be self-evident truths, and proposes to leave me to work out
the problem by myself. What conclusion I am to settle in, I cannot
gpeMj but, from present appearances, I shall not be surprised if I go
58 Mil PARTISAN LEADER.
away convinced that I have seven fingers on one hand, and hut two on
iior — nine in all."
•• H- hap not touched on politics?"
•• 0, no ! That subject he has tabooed, and I am truly sorry for it ;
fur while 1 new desire to waver in my allegiance to the Dotted States,
1 am anxious to understand what may become me as a Virginian. If
1 may judge from what my father says, there is no man from whom I
could learn more on that subject than my uncle."
'■ His lesson would not be a short one," ^replied the lady. " II is
>•. inni.uidments on behalf of the State are only second in authority
with him to the decalogue; and the}* do not lie in as small a compass.
Hut he fears he might teach you some things your father would wish
you to unlearn."
" I am not so sure of that," answered Douglas. u I meant to say
that there is no man whose judgment my father holds in higher
respect."
" That is something new," said Mrs. Trevor, coloring, and with a
countenance to which there was some expression of wounded pride. I
should be glad to be convinced of that."
'• Why should you doubt it ?" added the young man, with surprise.
u Because it has not always been so; and, as I claim a woman's
plirUege to, admire my husband above all men, I have felt hurt at it.
Your uncle thinks so highly of his brother's wisdom and prudence,
that he has always borne to be thought the reverse of him in these
things, and quietly submitted to be condemned as a heretic on account
of opinions, of the correctness of which he found it impossible to
doubt."
"There may have been something of tins," said Douglas, earnestly;
" but I assure you it il noi SO BOW. 1 do believe one motive with my
father for wishing me to make this visit, is his desire that 1 should
hear both sides; and have the benefit of the SBgaeitj and manly sense
which he imputes to my uncle."
" He will have to tell him so plainly," replied Mrs. Trevor, u before
he will open his mouth to you. Hut I shall be less scrupulous — and I
am m daily expectation of a friend whose frankness will have you no
cause to regret your uncle's reserve."
« Who ii that '." asked Doughs.
" I shall leave you to find out. You will see many here who feel
and think with your uncle, and who come to him to compare thoughts
and concert messunw, Amoiiir them is the man on whom the desti-
nies of his country depend."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 59
»
" The only man of whom I should predicate that," replied Douglas,
with some quickness, " is one who, I am very sure, never comes here.'*
u There is a good and an evil principle," said Mrs. Trevor. " Events
alike depend on both. You speak of the one of these — / t>f the
other." '
Douglas felt his cheek burn at this remark. His aunt, observing it,
added — " You see, you will run the risk of adopting dangerous here-
sies if you encourage us to be too unreserved. But your candor and
good sense may be trusted to lead you* right, without our guidance."
Douglas felt the truth of the lirst part of (his speech. Whether any
thing more than a complimentary turn of expression was meant in the
closing words, he did not know. But if the lady intended to express
a hope that he might become a convert to the disorganizing notions
which he feared were prevalent in her circle, he took the liberty to
doubt whether h-er anticipations would ever be realized. He now
changed the conversation, and determined to take a second thought
before he invited discussions which might mislead him. He found he
had to do with active and vigorous minds, against which he might,
perhaps, vainly strive to defend himself, even with truth on«his side.
He resolved, therefore, to yield to the inclination which led him to pass
his time with his young friends, and chiefly with Delia.
00 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
CHAPTER XII.
My heart, sweet hoy, -hall be thy MpntobrOj
I'll beat thee hence, and let ihern li^ht thai will,
Foi I have murdered BVhere I wouhl not kill.
SHAKSPRARK.
1 SHOULD detain the reader with matters not worthy of a place in
this grave history, if I descended to the particulars of the intercourse
between Douglas Trevor and his charming cousin. It is enough to
that he found himself, daily, more and more happy in her society;
and was more and more convinced that it was a necessary ingredient
in his happiness. It was not long before he concluded that he would -
not live without her; and, having told her so, was referred by her to
her father.
Nothing doubting that his communication would be favorably re-
ceived, Douglas was eager to break the matter t«> his nnole, and ask bis
approbation of his suit. To his utter amasement, the old gentleman,
ming an air at once serious and tender, said : " My dear boy, had I
the world to choose from, there is no man t<> whom 1 would sooner trust
my daughter's happiness. But circumstances forbid your union. I
speak advisedly and sadly. I have seen what was passing. I antici-
pated this oommunieation, and deliberately decided en my answer."
"For <!<>d's sake, sir!" exclaimed Douglas, trembling with im-
patience, " what do you mean ; and what is your answer?"
" I mean," said Mr. Trevor, -'and my answer is, that circumstances
forbid it."
" Surely," said Douglas, "your objection is not to the nearness of
blood."
"lam not addicted to any such exploded superstition," said Mr.
Trevor. " But my daughter must never marry one that wears that
drem
" I like my profession, sir," said Douglas, but will change it without
hesitation."
•(Ill forbid!" replied the old gentleman. "I would not have you
d" s<>; and were you so inclined, it would not be in your choice."
'J 1 (an resign when 1 will, and my resignation will certainly be ac-
cepted."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 61
u Still you would be a soldior, and you must be a soldier. Peace is
not in our choice, and the time is at hand when every man, who can
wield a sword, must do so."
" I do not understand you, sir," said Douglas in amazement.
" I am aware you do not. It is time you should. You have now a
right to understand me ; and I have a right to be understood by you.
We arc on the eve of what you will call rebellion. I shall call it a
war of right and liberty. I am old and infirm • but I am not al-
ways imprisoned by the gout; and nothing but physical inability
shall keep me from sustaining, with my sword, a cause that I have
always advocated with tongue and pen. It will be bad enough to
meet the sons of my brother in arms against my country. That I can-
not help. But it is in my choice whether I shall thus meet my
daughter's husband. That must never be.'
He ceased to speak, and the young man, dizzy with mixed thoughts
and feelings, sat gazing at him in mute astonishment. At length, start-
ing up, he was about to leave the room, when the old gentleman held
out his hand. Douglas gave his, and his uncle, pressing it cordially,
went on: "My son," said he, "you arc the only male of my race in
whom I recognize any thing which tolls me that the same blood flows
in our veins. We cannot help the selfishness that disposes us to love
those who resemble us even in our faults. It might be better for you
not to resemble me, and perhaps I ought to wish that you did not. But
I cannot. I find it easier to forget that jou are not my son, and to
love you as if you were. The hope that you may yet be so, is hardly
less dear to me than to you. That you will be so, if ' you outlive the
envy' of those awTful events which shall open your eyes, I can hardly
doubt. But these things must do their work. The convictions which
shall make you throw off the badges of allegiance to him whose
sworn foe I am, must come of themselves. While ypu wear them, I
am bound to respect your honor by saying nothing to shake your faith
in him, and to his cause. In the mean time, I can but hope for the
best. I do hope; and I invite you to hope. But for the present, hope
must be our all. Things must remain as they are until it pleases God
so to order events as to make your sense of duty to your country con-
sistent with that which, as my daugh cr's husband, you will owe to her
and to her father."
I leave the reader to imagine the consternation of Douglas at this
decisive condemnation of his proposed plan of happiness, and at the
astounding intelligence that accompanied it. He saw plainly that his
uncle spoke not conjecturally, but from certain knowledge; and ho was
sure, that under such circumstances, no attachment could tempt Delia
TriE PARTISAN LEADER.
him. He did not therefore attempt to continne the discussion
of th«- subject; }<ut left tin' house :iml wandered iota the fields.
tumult of 1» i^ mind rendered him incapable of reflection. I
doI sttem] t to snartas the chaos of liis thoughts. Put light, not
Boated on the surface. The hand of Delia was indeed with-
mod, but he wm net forbidden to hope that it might one
r other be his. Should it even be true that rebellion was awake,
ami that civil war VU at hand, he was DOt told that fidelity to his
standard would be imputed to him as a erime. The strife must end
one way or the other, and that being past, he would no longer be con-
demned to the hard alternative of relinquishing the object of hie most
ardent wish, or exhibiting the shocking spectacle of a husband warriug
I the father of his wife.
O
Put what was to be done in the mem time? Should the old geth
tinman take the field, he must find some other theatre of action, and
his father's influence with the President would readily procure him
that indulgence. As, to the idea of renouncing what he had been
taught to call his allegiance to the Federal Grorernmeut, ami aiding to
maintain the dishonored BOYerejgnty ol his native State, jt did not
enter his mind. Vet there was something in its wordings that sud-
denly awakened an undefined interest in the late correspondence between
his father and the President. He do sooner thought of this, than his
reatlem wanderings received a definite direction to the neighboring
post-often.
He there found a letter fmrn his lather. Containing little more than
the copy of one from the President Its contents were as follows :
"WASBnaiOK, March 20, 1849.
"3Iv DKABBIB: Four letter has been rccciTed, and, to mr, is en-
tirely satisfactory. Put T regret to inform you that, to those friends
whom 1 i'eel myself bound to consult, it is not BO. Such of them, in-
deed, as are acquainted with your high character, do not intimate :»
doubt that a full explanation of the affa»7 would entirely justify your
tsearanoe that 1 have been misinformed.
" But they remind me tint my information comes from a source
entitled to all respect and confidence, and that, by making thns light
of it. I nw7 estrange a friend, whom they regard as hardly less
fahmbla and meritorious than him whose feelings I wish to save. They
represent, moreover, that the affair is bruited in the army, and that
some officers arc malcontent at the thought that a charge so serious
should be passed over without enquiry, on the bare assurance of a
father's confidence in the innocence of his son.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 63
"Under these circumstances, should Lieutenant TreTor not demand
a court of inquiry, I am fearful I may be constrained, against my wish,
to order a court-martial. Need I tell you, my dear sir, how earnestly T
deprecate the necessity of a measure, which must so nearly touch one
to whose friendship I feel so much indebted, and whose loyalty to the
Union and its officers has always been so conspicuous and steady.
" I remain, my dear sir,
" Your assured friend,
"M. V. B."
To this copy Mr. Trevor added these words :
u The discretion, good sense, and proper feeling you have already
manifested in this affair, hare been so conspicuous, that I choose rather
to trust its future conduct entirely to yourself than to embarrass you
by any advice of mine. Yet, there is one person, my dear boy, with
whom I would have you to advise. Your uncle has been a soldier in
his youth, and is profoundly versed in all matters of military etiquette.
He is, moreover, a clear-sighted and sagacious man, who will, at once,
see this matter in all its bearings and relations to other subjects. His
views aro not only, in general, more comprehensive than mine, but I
suspect he is, at tins moment, aware of considerations which might
properly influence you, and which are hidden from mc. I know his
guarded and delicate reserve, in all his communications with my chil-
dren, where he apprehends a difference of opinion between himself and
me. Tell him that he has my thanks for it; bat that I shall be yet
more obliged, if, in this instance, he will cast it aside entirely, and
give you the benefit of all his thoughts, as if you were his own son. I
fear my last days may be spent in bitter regrets tiUat I myself have not
heretofore made more avail of them.''
64 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
CHATTER XIII.
It it enough 10 grieve the heart
To think that God's fair world hutli been
Tha footstool ef B tiling so mean. BtEOM.
TiiK evening was fur advanced when Douglas again reached his
uncle ".- hcu>c. He went immediately to his room, and sent to request
■ private interview with Mr. Trevor. He was accordingly invited into
the little study of the old gentleman, where he commonly sat surround-
ed by books and papers. On entering the room, he observed an el-
derly gentleman, whom he had never seen before, pass out at a door
communicating with the drawing-room.
Douglas now silently handed his lather's letter to his uncle. Mr.
Trevor read it attentively, and again am] again looked over it, resting
his eye on particular passages, as if to possess himself of the full mean-
ing of every expression. The subject was in itself interesting, and
quite new to him. But he felt a yet deeper interest in the obscure in*
timutii.ns of a change in his brother's mind in regard to those matters
abort which they had BO long and so painfully differed. Kven if he i
mi-taken in this, it was consoling to find himself rising in the esti-
mation of Mr. llu.L'h Trevor; do longer regarded by him as rash, reck-
. and inconsiderate, but consulted as a u clear-sighted and sagacious
man" in an affair of very great importance. He alone, who has been
conscious of being thus undervalued by a friend at once beloved and
respected, can estimate the satisfaction which Mr. Trevor felt at that
moment. If there was any mixture of alloy with this pleasure, it
flowed from self-reproach. He had sometimes found it impossible to
repress some little risings of resentment at finding his judgment ha*
bitually disabled by his elder brother. He bad, indeed, been once a
little white-headed hoy, when the other was a highly intelligent and
promising youth. Nut at sixty he was not quite content to be still
looked on as a child. Yet, when he remarked the candor of his bro-
ther's language, and the self-abasing sadness of his tone, he was vexed
to think that one unkind thought toward him had ever entered his
mind.
At length, he interrupted this train of thought to ask of Douglas an
explanation of the President's letter. In answer, he received a de-
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 65
tailed account of the scene at the falls, and was permitted to read the
correspondence which had grown out of it.
" I have heard something of this before," said Mr. Trevor. " Delia
told me all that passed in her presence, and showed me Baker's pali-
node, which is rather the most extraordinary document that I ever saw.
Why, the dog acknowledges that he actually intended to insult a lady.
He might, at least, have had the grace to lie about it. False shame is
better than no shame at all."
" He would have been glad to put the matter on that footing," said
Douglas, " could he have got leave to do so. He sent me such a paper
as you suppose, but I refused to receive it. .His apolosry to me I knew
to be false. It was, therefore, the more satisfactory because the more
humiliating. But I sent him word that I would not take anything to
my cousin but the truth. Here," continued Douglas, " is his first^;>o/cf
of an apology, and of my rejection of it."
Mr. Trevor read them, nnd then said : "This is well. I knew you
had acted handsomely, but hoic handsomely, I had not conceived of.
But let me hear, I pray you, how all this has been tortured into an of-
fence against majesty."
Douglas colored slightly at the word, and handed his uncle a copy of
the President's first letter to his father. He had but to add an account
of his subsequent conversation with his father, and Mr. Trevor was in
possession of the whole affair.
" You see," said Douglas, " that I am referred to you for advice, and
that you are invited to say to me, unreservedly, what you will."
" I do see," replied Mr. Trevor, " that I have carte otanche, as far
as depends on your father ; but there are some things I would now say
to his son, which it would not be proper to say to a soldier of the United
Stolen. T cannot, therefore, discard all reserve, but all that he has
ever imposed on me I now shake off. Indeed, I should have done this
now, without his 'permission. You are my son as well as his. You
have shown that you know how to protect my daughter, and have fairly
earned a right to protect her through life. Nay, no raptures, no thank.''.
The exercise of this right must b.e postponed until affairs have taken a
different shape from that they bear at present. But, revenona " not
moutont I The question is, what you are to do to save this despicable,
heartless wretch, from the necessity <>f offending a wretch even baser
than himself, whom even he d. spisi -
" Whom do you. mean ?" asked Douglas.
" I mean," replied the Other, " the President and the older Baker,
that tame slave of power, that shameless, mercenary pander, who. hav-
5
fir, THE PARTISAN LEADER.'
li talent and reputation, sold the one and sacrificed the other for
ofli, , and infamy." .
'• And ifl it for such ■ man," exclaimed Douglas, " that I am required
tu male disclosure.^ before a court of inquiry, or a court martial, which
tCJ and self-respect forbid? Never! lie the alternative what it
may, I shall never consent to it."
" You are right, my son," said Mr. Trevor, " nor can I relieve you
from the difficulty by authorizing the profanation of my daughter'*
name, to which such an investigation would lead. My duty on that
head is peremptory, not discretionary. If your father were anything
but the perfect gentleman he is, I might suspect that his reference to
me was intended to elicit some such suggestion. But I know him bet-
ter. I infer from his letter more than you discover there ; and I am
not sure that the advice which I am most disposed to give, is that
which he would be best pleased to see you follow/'
" What would that advice be ?" asked Douglas, anxiously.
" Naj, ' replied the old gentleman, " when 1 have mad*- np ipy mind,
you shall know."
" But why not give me your thoughts," said the youth, " and let us
discuss them ?"
'• Because, circumstanced as you are, we cannot properly discuss
them. I can but give you my judgment, when 1 have formed it, and
leave you to find out reasons for it."
" My own first thought," said Douglas, " is to resign. Let us dis-
cuss that."
" It was mine too," said the uncle, "and there is therefore no occa-
sion to discuss it. Though I had not sufficiently matured my opinion
to announce it to you, I think 1 may promise that if you come to that
conclusion, I shall not dissent from it."
" The only difficulty that I see in the way," said Douglas, " is th.it
an offer to resign is, under such circumstances, gencunlly understood a9
:: ikrinking from inquiry."
" It is so; and the opinion is so far right, that when the charge is
infamous, resignation doubles the infamy. It is a tacit consent to be
infamous, only on condition that one may be safe."
'• You state the point with startling force," said the youth ; "and
how would you distinguish this case from the one you suppose?"
"By distmgnishing the accusation from one of falsehood, peculation,
or cowardice. Should you plead guilty to such charges ;-.s these, or
reck to evade them by resignation, you stand dishonored. But read
over the President's bill of indictment. Now suppose it true that you
THE PARTISAN LEADER.. 67
had entertained and avowed the sentiments there imputed to you,
would there he any dishonor in that?"
" Certainly not ; unless my being an officer of the United Stalest
would make a difference."
" Should that prevent you from thinking, or take away a freeman's
right to express his thoughts?"
" It would seem not. But does it not make some difference ?"
" Certainly. Shall I tell you what it is ? Such sentiments would
make it your duty (not to the United States, but to Virginia and to
yourself,) to resign. Now, it is because I have no mind to seduce a
soldier from his standard, that I have been careful not to infuse such
sentiments into you. If once j:ou lay aside the panoply of the uniform,
and throw away the amulet of the commission, I would not ensure you
against opinions which you may have to maintain at the hazard of your
life. But time presses. Your own suggestion disposes me to speak
more promptly and decidedly than I should otherwise have done. I
therefore say, tender your resignation. Butfif you have no objection,
I should like to consult a friend, on whose most hasty opinions I rely
more than on the coolest judgment of others."
" If you mean my aunt," said Douglas, " I know few persons on
whose instinctive sense of propriety I should place more reliance."
" She would well deserve your confidence j but I mean the gentle-
man who left the room as you entered. He has been her friend for
thirty years, and mine for more than half that time."
" But to me," said Douglas, " he is an utter stranger, and I feel some
delicacy in consulting a stranger on such an occasion."
" You forget," said Mr. Trevor, " that all there is of delicacy in the
case touches me as nearly as you. It is not you, a stranger, but I, an
intimate friend, who propose to ask his advice. Charge that matter to
my account, then, and merely decide for yourself, whether it may not
be desirable to have the counsel of one as remarkable for scrupulous
delicacy, as for sagacity and resource f"
"There can be but one answer to that question, " replied Douglas,
"and I shall therefore gladly take the benefit of his advice."
The hand-bell sounded, and the ever ready Tom appeared. " My
respects to Mr. 15 — ," said Mr. Trevor. " Ask him, if he pleases, to
walk into this mom."
Tom disappeared, and BOOH returned, marshalling in Mr. V> — . lie
man apparently of sixty years of age, or more, slightly formed,
but tall, erect, clean-limbed, and Miitwy. His vigor seemed little im-
paired by time, though bis high and strong features made him look at
lea.-t as old he was. A light blue eye, clear and sparkling, quick in ittt
68 THE TARTISAN LEADER.
. but h ttl. d tnd Marching in ita gaae, wae. the itriking feature of
his face. The sun had burned out all traces of his original complexion,
and a silver hue had usurped the color of his hair. His whole a:
■nee was imposing, and while it commanded the respect due to the wisdom
of age, seemed to claim no pity for its infirmities. To this sentiment,
which enters so largely into the composition of that character which the
world calls venerable, he certainly made no pretensions. No one would
have called him venerable, though no man was held in higher veneration
by those who knew him.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 69
CHAPTER XIV.
I had not loved thee, dear, so much,
Loved I not honor more. Lovelach.
The frankness and cordiality of his manner, when introduced to
Douglas, gave assurance that he took a great interest in the young man,
•who felt, on his part, that he was in the presence of a man of no com-
mon mould, and that in that man he had found an efficient; friend.
'And now, Tom," said Mr. Trevor, "pass the word for coffee and
privacy in this room."
Tom bowed and withdrew, and Mr. Trevor, without preface or
apology, proceeded to lay the case before his friend. This he did with
great precision of statement, while the other listened with an air which
showed that no word was lost on him. Having got through, Mr. Tre-
vor added : " AVe now wish you to advise what should be done in this
case."
"Resign, by all means," said Mr. B — . "Resign immediately !"
" Your reasons?" asked Mr. Trevor.
" There are plenty of them, of which you are aware," said B — , " and
with which our young friend shall be made acopuainted after resig-
nation, not before. JJut there are others which may be spoken of now.
The alternative is a court of inquiry, a court-martial, or resignation.
To the two first the same objection applies. Your nephew cannot ex-
pect any satisfactory result from cither, but by the use of means which,
I am sure, his delicacy would not permit him to use — I mean the pub-
lic use of a lady's name. Some people have a taste for that, and in
other parts of the world it is all the rage. I thank Cod that the fash-
ion has not reached us. A woman, exposed to notoriety, learns to bear
and then to love it. "When she gets to that, she should go N orth ;
write books; patronize abolition societies, or keep a boarding-school.
She is no longer fit to be the wife of a Virginia gentleman. But there
is no need to say this. You, Trevor, were your nephew so inclined,
would never permit the name of your daughter to be thus profaned."
" I could oppose nothing t ■ ■ it,"' said Mr. Trevor, " but my displea-
sure. And though 1 might not wish it, could I have a right to la- dis-
plca<ed with Douglas for vindicating himself from a charge which
grown out of his gallant defence of her ? Think of the favorable stand-
70 THL PARTISAN LEADER.
family ; observe the rapid promotion of his brother; and
consider whether a punctilio of this sort should bind him to renounce
90 flattering t"
•• W. re the prospi ct more flattering than you state it," said B — , " it
my opinion. Bat what proepeet is there? Colonel
Trevor is perhaps a favorite at court Bo,donbtli nr brother;
but he is not a man whose fidelity is either to be bought or rewarded;
and lie and his will 1"\ at any moment, postponed ami sacrified to the
mercenary, who mighi desert ami even mutiny fur want of pay. Hen
is proof of it.
"Look at the shallow pretext for this proposed court-martial. The
lent is pleased to say that he believes your brother; but that
there arc. (hone who do not. Who are they ? Who can they be? Who
is there, worthy to be accounted among his advisers, that can disbe-
uaything that Hugh Trevor shall assert? Don't yon see the
cheat? Don't you sec that your brother, whose attachment to th.
Union, based as it is on principle, may be safely trusted, is to have bis feel-
ings wounded to gratify the mortified pride of the elder Baker, and
the skulking malice of his son? Fou, Mr. Trevor, know hitter than
I do who are about the President. Is there one among them to whom
your father's word would need the rapport of other testimony? Good
old man ! So little has, he of pride or jealousy, that this thought never
occurs to him. He is modestly asking himself what ri^rht lie has to
expect credence from those who do not know him. And who are these
malcontent officers? Think you there is one of them who would ven-
ture to express his dissatisfaction to you ? No. There is no one mal-
content. No one dissatisfied but that son of the horse-leech, whose
mouth is ever agape, and never can be filled.
"Do look at this letter," continued ]>— . addressing Mr. Trevor.
■• How perfectly in character. Not one traversable allegation (as the
except that of bis friendship for your brother. 'Those
friends whom I feel bound to consult!' Who are they? Tress him,
and I dare say some fellow below contempt, some scullion of the kitchen
political or the kitchen gastronomical, may he found to father what it
is alleged that these friends have said. ' His information is from a
source entitled to all confidence !' Docs he even say that as id' himself?
No. Hi' charges that, too, on his friends, though it might not be easy
to find a sponsor for that compliment to old Dakcr. Since the death of
his brother pimp Ritchie, 1 think that sort of thing has gone out of
fashion. 'Hardly less valuable and meritorious than your brother.'
T!i - ime authority. ' On <lit,' ' thnj say ' I think this last On would
be as hard to find a« that universal author of mischief, Nubody.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 71
" But when we come to the dissatisfaction of the army, it is worse
still. Here is on dit upon on dit. Somebody says that somebody else
is dissatisfied ; and such are the gossamer threads, woven into a veil to
hide this insult to your brother, and this indignity to your nephew.
Take away these, and' what remains but a wish to soothe Baker? And
what must be the force of those favorable dispositions to your young
friend, which are to be counteracted by such a motive ? By a reluc-
tance to offend an abject wretch too spiritless to resent, and without
influence to make his reseKtment at all formidable."
" Enough I" said Douglas ; u I will send on my resignation by the
next mail."
" No, my dear sir," said B — , " don't yield too readily to mj sug-
gestions."
" It was his own suggestion, and already approved by me," said Mr.
Trevor. "Had you dissented, we would have reconsidered the mat-
ter. As it is, we are but confirmed in our decision."
"That being the case," said B — , "I have only to say distinctly
that the thing admits of no doubt with me. I am not only sure that,
in resigning, your nephew will do w&at best becomes him as a gentle-
man, but that he will make a fortunate escape from the services of one
whose maxim it is to reward none but the mercenary."
0 Then go to work, my boy," said Mr. Trevor ; " the mail goes at
daylight. Enclose your letter of resignation, unsealed, in one to your
father. I will have them mailed to-night, and you will get an answer
in a week. Here are the materials. Write, and we will chat and take
our coffee. By the way, Douglas, you have not dined."
" Thank you, my dear uncle, I am too busy to be hungry," said
the youth."
" Be it so," said the old gentleman. " It is not so long since I was
young but that I understand your trim. Starving is better than
blood-letting, and a full heart needs the one or the other."
When Douglas's letters were finished, he would gladly have put them
into Delia's hands before he sent them off; but he found, what most
men have been surprised to find, that after what had passed in the
morning between him and Delia, it was much harder to obtain an in-
terview with her than before. When a young gentleman makes a visit
of some days to a friend in the country, whose daughter suspects that
he has something to sajT to her that she is impatient to hear, it in
amusing to sco bow many chances will bring them together. Each of
them is always happening to bay< II to go where the other hap-
pens to be ; and when together, each is apt to be detained in the room
by some interesting occupation until the rest of the company have left
72 Tin: PARTISAN leadbr.
it T ntinually meeting in ptHMgfW ind on staircases ; and,
weather, they am almost trull into the garden about
me time. Hut let the deci.-ive word be once spoken, and all is
Then, bless us, how we blush ! ami how we glide thr ugh
half-open doors, ami slip away around corners !
it will happen, ai love makes people n A both will ri-e
early, and so meet iii the parlor before others are awake. Ami then
"the dewy ere end risim: moon," and the quiet walk "by
wimplingburn and leafy shaw ;" but as to a private word in the bust-
ling hours of the day, that is out of the question.
All this is the result of sheer accident. Sec how innocent and art-
Aud how light and elastic is her step as she moves
along; Irr swan like neck outstretched, her face Blightly upturned,
her eye swimming in light, and looking as if the veil of futurity were
before her, and all the gay visions of hope stood disci
bright reality. Is she not beautiful ? (), the charm of mutual love!
Who can wonder that each man's mistress, wearing this Cytherean
lone, is, in his eyes, the Queen of Beauty herself'/
But I forget myself. What place forthottghte like these in a ehron-
icle of wars and revolutions? True, it is Is BUCh • thai the spring
.t event- is found ; but these belong to the history of man in all
in all countries, under all eircuins'.anct •-. It was so "before
Hejen" and will be BO while the world stands. But it may not be un-
profitable to look into the chain of cause and consequence, and to tr.'.v
the deliverance of Virginia from thraldom, and the defeat of the usurp-
ll-hud plans, to tin.' impertinent speech of one of his minions to ■
country girl, during ipic-liic party at the falls of James riv< r.
But to return. Douglas took a copy of his letter id' resignation, and,
meeting Delia the next morning, put it into her hands. She read it
with a grave and thoughtful countenance) and then, looking sadly in
, said : " This is what I fear, d
'• What you feared !" replied he, in amazement. "Tan youthen
wish me tO retain my place in the army?"
" Until you resign it to conviction and a sense of duty, certainly'"
1 can you doubt that I have done so?"
•• How can itjbe so ?" she replied. " But yesterday we spoke en thia
Subject. What has since happened? 01 can it be that my noblo
father has imposed dishonorable conditions, and that you have been
weak enough to comply with them? 0 ! Douglas! Is my love fated
to destroy the very qualities that engaged it?"
"Dear Delia," said Douglas, "I understand you now. Your beau-
tiful indignation reminds mc that you do not know what has passed."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 73
" What can liave passed ?" asked she, with earnest and reproachful
sad' ess. "All the eloquence and address of Mr. B — himself could
not nave convinced your unhiasscd mind in two hours' cofiversation. I
km ,v his power. I know the wonders he has wrought, and I trembled
wl: n I heard the watchword, " coffee and privacy." I feared your
love for me might be used to sway your judgment, and hoped to have
found an opportunity to invoke it for the worthier purpose of guarding
your honor. I did not dream that, when I rose so early this morning,
I was already too late."
''Sweet youth, I pray you chide a year together,"
said Douglas, playfully. "Your indignation is so eloquent, that, cruel
as it is, I would not interrupt you to undeceive you. Your father and
Mr. B — have made no attack on my opinions or allegiance, and what*
was done last night you have had no agency in, since our party at the
falls. It all originated there." '
He now gave her the full history of the affair, and succeeded in con-
vincing her that his standard of honor was even higher than she
had imagined. If she requited him for her unjust suspicions with
a kiss, he never told of it. Perhaps she did; for although, according
to the refinements of the Yankees, kissing was in very bad taste, yet the
Northern regime had not reached the banks of the Roanoke. The
ladies there continued still to walk in the steps of their chaste mothers,
safe in that high sense of honor which protects at once from pollution
and suspicion.
It is true, that when a people become corrupt, they must learn to be
fastidious, and* invent safeguards to prevent vice, and blinds to conceal
it when it is to be indulged/ Duennas are necessary in Spain. They
arc at once the guarantee of a lady's honor, and the safe instruments
of her pleasures. Black eunuchs perform the same functions in Tur-
key. In the Norther^ factories boys and girls are not permitted to
work together. In their churches, the gentlemen and ladies do not
sit in the same pew. What a pitch of refinement ! Sterne's story of
the Abbe in the theatre at Paris affords the only parallel.
Thank (Hod! the frame of our society has kept us free from th?
cause and its consequences. Whatever corruption there may be among
us is restrained to a particular class, instead of diffusing itself by con-
tinuous contact through all grades and ranks. If it were true, as the
wise anil eloquent, and pious, and liirirvolent, and discreet Dr. Chan-
ning had said, some ffftecn years before, that below a certain line all
was corrupt, it was equally true that above it all was pure. Nature
had marked the line, and established there a boundary which the gan-
grene of the social body eould never pass.
74 THE PARTISAN LRA1
CHAPTBB XV.
Mammon, the leaat erected spirit, that fell
. heaven, for e'en in h> av'n lii> looks and thoughts
Were alwaya downward bent, ndmiring
Tha rtchea of heav'n'i pavement, trodden gold,
Than <>n^ li t divine or holy else enjoyed
In viMiin beatifie.
Milt. s.
OS the evening of the third day from that of which I have just
been Bpeaking, the President of the United States was sitting alone in
B small room in his palace, which, in conformity to the nomenclature of
foreign courts, it had become the fashion to call his closet. The fur-
niture of this little a]>ur(m< nt was characterized at 00 Ce by neat:.
taste, and convenience. Without being splendid, it was rich and
costly; and, in its structure and arrangement, adapted to the use of a
man, who, devoted to business, yet loved his ease. The weariness ot
sedentary application was relieved by the most tasteful and eommodi-
our variety of chairs, couches, and sofas, while the utmost ingenuity
was displayed in the construction of desks, fables, and other e-nveni-
i noefl for reading and writing. In the appearance of the distinguished
personage, to whose privacy I have introduced the reader, there was a
mixture of thought and carelessnesi veiy much in character with the
implement! of husiness and the applianccs*for case and comfort which
surrounded him. lie occasionally looked at his watch, and at the door,
with the countenance of one who expects a visiter; and then throwing
himself sgainst tin arm of his sofa, resumed his disengaged air. That
something was on his mind was apparent. But, interesting as the sub-
might be, it did not seem to touch him nearly. His whole man-
ner was that of a man who is somewhat at a loss to know what may In-
best for others, but Gnd9 full consolation in knowing precisely what is
best for himself
hi the . \. ni of the last ten years make it probable that none of
my younger renders have ever seen the august dignitary of whom I
;. , and a- l.w of us are like to have occasion to sec him in future,
a j articular description of his person may not be unacceptable. Though
far advanced in life, he was tastily and even daintily dressed, his whole
costume being exactly adapted to a diminutive and dapper person, a
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 75
fair complexion, a light and brilliant blue eye, and a head which might
have formed a stu ly for the phrenologist, whether wc consider its ample
developments or its egg-like baldness. The place of hair was supplied
by powder, which his illustrious example had again made fashionable.
The revolution in public sentiment which commenced sixty years ago>
had abolished nil the privileges of rank and age; which trained up the
young to mock at the infirmities of their fathers, and encouraged the
unwashed artificer to elbow the duke from his place of precedence;
this revolution had now completed its cycle. While the sovereignty of
numbers was acknowledged, the convenience of the multitude had set
the fashions. But the reign of an individual had been restored, and
the taste of that individual gave law to the general taste. Had he
worn a wig, wigs would have been the rage. But as phrenology had
taught him to be justly proud of his high and polished forehead, and
the intellectual developments of the whole cranium, he eschewed hair
in all its fonfis, and barely screened his naked crown from the air with
a light covering of powder. He seemed, too, not wholly unconscious
of something worthy of admiration in a foot, the beauty of which was
displayed to the best advantage by the tight fit and high finish of his
delicate slipper. As he lay back on #he sofa, his eye rested compla-
cently on this member, which was stretched out before him, its position
shifting as if unconsciously, into every variety of grace. Returning
from thence, his glance rested on his hand, fair, delicate, small, and
richly jewelled. It hung carelessly on the arm of the sofa, and the
fingers of this, too, as if rather from instinct than volition, performed
sundry evolutions on which the eye of majesty dwelt with gentle com-
placency.
Tills complacent reverie was frequently broken by the sound of the
door-bell. At such moments, the President would raise his head with
a look of awakened expectation, which subsided instantly; until, by
frequent repetition, it called up some expression of displeased im-
patience. At last, the sound was echoed by a single stroke, which rung
from what looked like a clock within the room. He immediately sat
erect, assuming an air of dignified and complacent composure, suited
to the reception of a respected visiter.
The door opened, and the gentleman in waiting bowed into the room
a person who well deserves a particular description, and then with-
drew.
The individual thus introduced wu a gentleman whose age could not
inuch short of seventy. In person he had probably been once
nearly six feet high, but time had at once crushed and bowed him I
much shorter stature. Indeed, the itoOp jf his ihoulders, the prntru-
THE PARTISAN LEADKK.
i-i-m of the oeek, and the projecting of the chin, made to-
■tiliar complex curvature which brioga the top of the
caotly against the top of the. head. The expression
ontenance was, at once, fawning and oonseqnentiaL His t
tween round and square. It was 1
short* ned by 1 1 i « ■ Ipsa of hie teeth. The muscular fullness of youth had
not I" I D n placed DJ any accession of fat. nOT had the skin of his face
•:k. as it i . on Cue retiring. flesh. The consequence was,
thai his cheeks hung down in loose pouches, and all his features,
Originally small and mean, seemed involved in the folds of his shrivel-
led and puckered skin. His voice wss harsh and grating, and the
more so from an attempl at Buavitj in the tones, which produced noth-
ing more than a drawling prolongation of each word. Thus, though
-lowly, the stream of sound flowed continually from his lips,
reminding the hearer of the never-ending chant of the locust.
be President r full y advanced .to welcome him, he
shuffled forward as if wishing to \ n rent the honor thus done him,
while the increased curve of his hack and the eager humility of his
upturned countenance, betokened rtie prostration of his spirit in the
nee of the dispenser of hpnor and i it Having 1 wed
himself on the hand which had been graciously extended to him, he
remi riding in the flour bs if unmindful of repeated invitations
to be seated. The President had not yet bo entirely forgotten the
manners which one,- distinguished him a> a most accomplished gentle-
man, and WSJ not at first aware of the necessity of seating himself be-
fore his deferential guest At length, he resumed his place on the
.-■.fa. and th( r, with d new prostration, which seemed to apolo-
gize for sitting in 1 majesty, ''■ ll< wed his example. He
did I hare the sofa, though invited to do so, hut
took his place on a seat equally luxurious on the opposite side of the
fire-place. But the luxury ol the chaiu tongue was lost on him. He
felt that to lean againsl the hack or arm Would he quite unbecoming,
and arly erect as he could, in that precise posture which indi-
cates a readiness to spring to the feet and do the bidding of a superior.
•• I had begun to despair of >U this evening, my dear sir,"
I ' i. -id-iit. in a tune at once kind and reproachful. " I had
given olden that I Bhould he denied to all but you."
" x*ou do me great and undeserved honor," replied the other, "but
I "
" I wished t" speak to yon in private," continued Mr. Van l?uren,
not noticing the interruption, " of a matter which deeply interests us
both. Here is a letter which I received this morning, which makes it
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 77
at least doubtful whether the last step which I took in regard to that
young man, Trevor, is quite such as should have been taken."
He then took from a bundle of papers, one which he read as fol-
lows:
"Sir: I have just learned that charges of a serious nature have
been made against Lieutenant Trevor, which, it seems, grow out of
certain occurrences to which I am privy. I can have little doubt that
the affair, to which I allude, has not been truly reported to you. Had
it been, you would have seen that Lieutenant T. acted no otherwise
than as became a soldier and a gentleman, in whose presence, a lady, under
his protection, had been insulted. The enclosed documents, to the au-
thenticity of which I beg leave to testify, will place the transaction in
its true light. Were Lieutenant T. at Washington, I should not lay
these papers before you without authority from him. As it is, I trust
I do no more than my duty by him, and by your Excellency, in fur-
nishing such evidences of the real facts of the case, as may aid you in
deciding on the course to be pursued in regard to it.
"It maybe proper to add, that, having acted as Lieutenant T.'s
friend on the occasion, these documents were left in my possession in
that character. It is this same character, in which I feel it especially
my duty to step forward as the guardian of his honor and interests.
" Hoping that your Excellency will excuse the freedom which calls
your notice to so humble a name,
" I have the honor to be,
" Your Excellency's most obedient,
" Humble servant,
" Edgar Whiting,
"Lieut, \2thhf. U. s. a:'
Having read this letter aloud, the President, without comment,
placed in the hands of his guest a bundle of papers. It is only neces-
sary to tell the reader that they were copies of the same documents
which Douglas had laid before his father and uncle, each one duly
authenticated by the attestation of Lieutenant Whiting.
Mr. Van ISuren now threw himself back upon the sofa, and fixed his
eye on the face of his companion with an expression which betokened
some concern, not unmixed with a llight enjoyment of the perplexity
with which the purblind old man pored over the papers, [ndeed, his
uncasiness could hardly have escaped the observation of a casual spec-
tator. He shifted his scat; he read; then wiped his spectacles, and
read again ; then wiped his brow; and having gone through all the
7V THi - \N LEADER.
k them up in ord( r, and read them all over
■'.. be bad extracted all tli<ir substance, he turned oi
rplexed ami anxious look, and remained silent
length* the latter Bpoke. "I fear «re liavo made an nnlnckj
blander ia this business, my dear air," paid he.
" I fear so too, sir," said the other. "But I beg leave to a.«sur
your Excellency that the information T took the liberty bo communi-
Ante was a simple and exact statement <>f what I learned from my sou,
which, 1 trust, your Excellency will see is in nowise contravened by
1. cumenta. I certainly was not apprised "f the provocation
. it is b< re said, was "fiend to a lady under Lieutenant Tr. vor*i
protection."
" Make yourself perfectly easy on that head, my d< sar sir," said th'N
:.: •• I give myself small concern on Lieutenant I
conpt My obligations to his father are more than discharged by the
rapid advancement of his elder brother ; and he can have no right to
complain that proceedings have been instituted to inquire into a matter
which, even thus explained, places his loyalty in DO very favorable
light. My concern is. lest the prosecution of this investigation should
lead U) results; undesirable to you."
'•I understand your Excellency," replied the honorab'e Mr. Baker
K The object of this communication is to convey a covert intimation
that, if proceedings against Lieutenant Trevor are not staid, he will
revenge himself by endeavoring t<> dishonor my son. I never brought
him up to be the 'butcher of a silk button, ' and don't wonder that his
notions of galantry, &o. &c, do not exactly square with those of the*
],,-> n.r cht rn/irrs."
"That view of the subject is- doubtless quite philosophical," said the
President; ''and if you regard it in that light, it will remove ull diffi-
culty OUt of the way."
•• 1 cannol exactly say," replied the other, " that 1 should be quite
willing to expose my sun to the pain of seeing thi se documents made
public; COnCOCted, as they manifestly have been, by men who have
learned to quarrel by the book, and contrived on purpose to shut the
door against enquiry. 1 dare say be would hardly have made the com-
munication 1 received, could he have anticipated the step which I
deemed it my duty to your Excellency to take in consequence of it."
11 The misfortune is," replied the President, "that 1 have already
caused an intimation to be given to Lieutenant Trevor that it maybe
i a court martial, unless he thinks proper to demand a
court of enquiry. Either way, the whole affair must come out."
" [s there HO Other alternative?" asked the anxious father. "Could
THE PARTISAN LEAZ>EK. 79
not these papers be suppressed? There is no other authcnic evidence
of the facts."
" Unfortunately," said the President, to whom habitual intercourse
with the base had made the feeling of contempt so familiar that he
repressed it without difficulty, " unfortunately these papers aro but
copies. The originals are doubtless in the hands of Lieutenant "Whit-
ing, whose honor cannot be questioned, and probably they would be
farther verified by the handwriting of your son."
"What then can be done?" asked the honorable Mr. Baker, in a
s"tate of unutterable perplexity Receiving no answer, he sat musing,
with the restless and fidgeting air of a man who seeks in vain for some
starting point for his thoughts. He was at length roused from his
reverie by two strokes of the bell, which issued from the clock-case at
the President's back. The signal was answered by the touch of a
hand-bell, which stood on a table near him. The door opened. The
gentleman in waiting entered, advanced to the table, laid a packet of
letters before the President, and withdrew in silence.
He took them up, shuffled them through his hands as a whist player
runs over his cards, and having fixed his eye on one, took it out of the
parcel, and threw the rest on the table. *His companion having in the
mean time relapsed into unconscious reverie, he opened this, and ran
his eye over the contents.
"Here is good news for us, my dear sir," said he. "Lieutenant
Trevor here tenders his resignation, which, perhaps, may put an end
to the difficulty."
" Perhaps!" exclaimed the other, eagerly. " There can be no doubt
about it, I hope."
" None at all ; if his accounts are all adjusted, of which I have
little doubt. But it is not customary to let go our -hold on an officer
by accepting his resignation, until that matter has been enquired into."
" It will be a great relief to me," faltered out Mr. Baker, looking at
the President with an anxious and imploring countenance —
"To have this explained at once," said Mr. Van Buren, interrupting
him. " You shall be gratified, my dear sir."
The hand-bell was again sounded. The gentleman in waiting re-ap-
peared; a few words were spoken to him in a low tone, and he again
withdrew.
v<' THi: PARTISAN* DEADER.
CH AFTER XVI
His thoughts w
To vice industrious, but to nohlc deeds
TimoroiM and slothful.
Milton.
" There is something in this business,"' said the President, after a
silence of a few minutes, '• which I uo not well understand. 1 was not
prepared to find Lieutenant Trevor so ready to resign, and still less to
receive his letter of resignation through the hands of his father, with-
out < >iie word of expostulation to bis sun, or to me. lie does not even
intimate any the least regret at the avent. What can this mean?"
"It does not at all surprise me," said Mr. Baker. "Hugh Trevor
was always a visionary and uncertain man ; and his intluenee over his
sons is Buoh, that I should consider the manifest defection of Lieuten-
ant Trevor as a sure proof of the estrangement of the fat I.
" I thought^" said the President, u thai be had been always remark-
able for his steadiness and fidelity.*'
" In one sense "lie is so," replied Baker. "But his steadiness is of
the wrong S'irt. He is one "I those men who professes to be governed,
and, I dare say. il governed hy principles. But his principles are so
numerous, and so hedge him around and beset him on every side, that
they have kept him standing still the greater part of his life. When
he mores, it would take an expert mathematician to calculate the result
of all the compound forct s which act upon him, and to decide Certain-
ly what course he might take."
•• How happens it, then," asked the President, "that I have always
found him so loyal and faithful in his devotion to roef
•• Because he Identified your Excellency in his own mind with the
Qnion, to which he determined to sacrifice every thing else, lint now
thai disunion has come, and the question '■-' whether Virginia shall ad-
here to the North or join the South, he has a new problem to work,
and how he may work it, no man can anticipate. Hence 1 Boy he is
uncertain."
" But docs he think nothing of the advancement of his family?"
"It seems uot, in this instance. That is what I meant when I said
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 81
that his principles 'were too many. Your Excellency knows," contin-
ued the honorable gentleman, with a contortion of the mouth meant for
a smile, and which, but for the loss of his teeth, might have produced
a grin, " that the cardinal number of standard principles is the only one
which can be counted on."
"Have you then any information," asked the President, "which
leads you to suspect him of disaffection ?"
"None'/' replied Baker; "I do but speak from my knowledge of
the man. I do not think him capable of that gratitude for the many
favors he and his family have received which should bind hioi indisso-
lubly to your Excellency's service."
" It is well, at least," said the President, " that one of his sons, on
whom most of those favors have been lavished, is made of different
materials. The principles of Colonel Trevor are exactly of the right
sort; or, as you would say, my dear sir, they are of just the right num-
ber. Could I obtain any information of the father's movements, which
might give me just cause to doubt him, I would take occasion to show
the difference I make between the faithful and the unstable. I would
refuse to receive this young man's resignation, and order a court-mar-
tial immediately. I mistake if the father would not be glad to extri-
cate him from the difficulty, by renouncing some of these fantastic no-
tions which he dignifies with the name of principles."
" I beseech your Excellency," said Baker, forgetting his envious
spleen against the virtuous and upright friend of his early youth, in his
alarm at the mention of the court-martial, " I beseech your Excellency
not to understand me as preferring any charge against Mr. Hugh Trevor,
lie is an excellent man, who well deserves all the favors he has re-
ceived, ai,d will, doubtless, merit many more. I pray that what I have
said may not at all influence you to any harsh measures against him or
his."
The tact of the President at once detected the revulsion of Baker's
feelings, and the cause. Indeed, he well knew both the nun. Uc was
aware that all that had been said of Mr. Trevor was essentially true.
He had, therefore, the more highly prized his friendship, as one of the
brighte-t jewels in his crown.* lie had taught his advocates and min-
ions to point to him as one, whose support it was known would not be
given to any man but from a sense of duty. He was himself not so
.1 to virtue as not to reaped it in another; and his favorui
fitions toward Mr. Trevor, and tit*- 1> I on his family, liad
mora of respect ai le than commonly miogled in ha
or actions. Of Baker, he had rightly formed a differed! • He
found him in the shambles, ai.d had bought and u.-td him. ]
6
THK PARTISAN I.KAHER.
[r. Tr< ror appeared only ta one, in whose lif. daily
t Ii.it made his ugly ;" and be had Been, with malignant envy,
on and emoluments for which he Jiad toiled through all the
i _v of d partisan, freely bestowed on (he unasking and unpre-
tending merit of a rival. Gladly would he bave improved the distrust,
which he saw liad entered into the mind of the President, had !).• not
1 that the fir.-t elf. et of it might he to press an enquiry
which must eventuate in the irreparable dishonor of his own son.
While lie sat meditating on these things', and subduing his malice to
i its and bis interest, the 'door-bell sourfdedj tl trcki from
lmed the sound ; the door op< lied, and a new charaoU r
aj | • an <\ on the stage.
BTSOB whose name appears in this history better deserve- a par-
ticular description than he who now entered. Fortunately, I am saved
J ty of going into it, by having it in power to refer the reader
to a most graphic delineation of his exact prototype in person, mind
manners, and principles.
In Oliver Dain, or Oliver le Diable, as he was called, the favorite
instrument of the crimes of that remorseless tyrant Louifl IX.. he had
found his great exemplar. The picture of that worthy, as drawn by
Sir Walter Scott, in Quentin Hurward, is the most exact likeni u of one
man ever taken for another. It is not even worth while to ohange the
costume ; for although he did not appear with a barber'.- apron girded
around his waist, antl the basin in his hands, it was impossible to look
upon him without seeing that his undoubted talents, and the high sta-
tions he had filled, still left him fit to bo employed in the most abject
and menial services.
This happy compound of meanness, malignity, treachery, and talent,
was welcomed by the President With B nod and smile at once careless
racious. At the light of him, Mr. Baker made haste to rise,
and bustled forward to meet and salute him with an air, in which, if
tl was less of servility, there was more of the cam-mess of adula-
ti- n than he had displayed toward the President himself. The earnest
enquiries of Mr. Baker after his health, &o., ,\c, were answered with
the fawning air of one who feels himself much obliged by the notice
iperior, and he then turned to the President as if waiting his
commands. These were communicated by putting into his hands the
of Mr. Qugh Trevor and his son, which ho was requested to
read.
While he read, the President, turning to Mr. Baker, said — "While
I thought of ordering a court-martial on the cose of -Lieutenant Trevor,
I deemed it advisable to have all his military transactions looked into,
THE PARTISAN LEADER. . 83
intending, if any thing were amiss, to make it tlic subject of a distinct
charge." Then, turning to the other, he added — " You have, I pre-
sume, acquainted yourself with the state of the young man's ac-
counts."
" I have, sir,". was the reply. " They hive been all settled punctu-
ally."
" Then there is nothing to prevent the acceptance of his resigna-
tion ?"
•• Nothing of that sort, certainly, sir. But has your Excellency ob-
served the date of this letter of his ? You may sec that he does not
date fiom his father's house. I happen to know this place, Truro, to
be the residence of that pestilent traitor, his uncle. Now, if the charge
be well founded, I submit to your Excellency whether the offender
should be permitted to escape prosecution by resigning. If it be not
exactly capable of being. substantiated, yet his readiness to resign on so
slight an intimation renders his disaffection at least probable, and his
date renders it nearly certain. Might it not be then advisable to re-
tain the hold we have upon him ? The court-martial being once or-
dered, additional charges might be preferred ; and I much mistake the
temper of the country where he is, if he does not furnish matter for
additional charges before the month of April passes by."
u Why the month of April?" asked the President.
" Because then the elections come on ; and there is little doubt that
exertions will be made to obtain a majority in the Legislature of men
disposed to secede, and join the Southern Confederacy. In that coun-
ty, in particular, I am well advised that such exertions will be made.
A hen-hearted fellow has been put forward as the candidate of the
malcontents, who can be easily driven from the canvass by his personal
fears. Let the affair once take that shape, and immediately the fantas-
tic notions of what Southern men call chivalry, wliich infest the brain
of this old drawcansir, will push him forward ofl a candidate. I had
made some arrangements which, with your Excellency'! approbation, 1
had proposed te carry into effect tor accomplishing this result, in the
hope of bringing him into collision with the law of sad so
getting rid at once of a dangcrou- . aemy Now, if the- yooag loan'?
lation be rejected, and a court-martial \n the part he mil
act in the affair can hardly fail to be such as to male bis a ball-cart-
ridge case."
•• Vour plan is exceedingly well aimed/' said the President, "but on
farther reflection, mj good friend Mr. Baker il led by feelings of deli-
cacy to wish to withdraw bis eh ;_ • I am loth to deny any tbing to
one who merits so much at my bands, but still then are difficulties in
THE PABTI8AH L1AMB.
the WBj which will DOl | that course. Tie nee
ition will effectually remove them, and indirectly
Mr. Baker. Now, what do you ail \
In the act of at th P ideal shifted 'his position
so suddenly as to call the minion's attention to the motion. Hi- look
up ami nw hu • ■! from Mr. Baker, ami thought
. there an intimation that he should press hi- former objection.
This he therefore did, expressing his reluctance to give advice unfavor-
able to th'- wishes of one BO much respected as Mr. lkkcr, and highly
limeatiog the delicacy of his scruples.
" Hut. mi '..Itl.' President, "we | age of the
law authorizing a court to .-it here for the trial, hy a jury of this 1 1
trict, of often mitted in Virginia. In that ease, should our
young eock crow too loud, wc might find means to cut his comb without
a court-martial."
" That Congress will pass mob a law cannot be doubted," said
the other, ''were it not vain to do so, when it Beems to he under.--
that none of the judges would be willing to execute it. 1 am tin I
hearing of constitutional sorq
'• 1 am bound ' them," replied the President, meekly. " But
1 really do uol bcc tin- -rounds for them in such a ease as this. I
Baker. I know it is against rule to ask a judge's opin-
ion out ol court. Bui 1 beg you to enlighten me so far ai to explain
to me what arc the scruples whiofa the bench are supposed to feci on
this Bubject I make the enquiry, because 1 am anxious to accept this
young fellow's resignation, if, in doing BO, I shall not lose the means of
punishing the offences which there is too muoh reason to think he
li, .dilates. Po try him in Virginia would be vain. Indeed, I doubt
whether your court could sit there in safety."
"I fear ij could not," replied the Judge, " and have therefore no
difficulty in saying, that the, ncee-ity of the case should overrule all
Constitutional scruples. I have no delicacy in answering your Excel-
lence's question out of court. It is merely an enquiry, which 1 hope
Buous, whether I would do my duty. 1 trust it is not doubted.
that 1 would; and should 1 be lion. p. 1 with your Kxccllency's com-
mands in that behalf, I should hold mys< If bound te execute them.
To sp< ik more precisely — should the court be established, and I ap-
pointed to preside in it, 1 should cheerfully do so."
•• That then removes all difficulty," said the President " The young
man's resignation, therefore, will he accepted, and measures must be
taken to distribute troupe through the disaffected counties in such num-
bers as may either control the display of the malcontent spirit at the
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 85
polls, or invite it to show itself in such a shape as shall bring it within
the scope of your authority, and the compass of a halter."
Some desultory conversation now arose on various topics, more and
more remote from public -affairs. On these Mr. Baker would have been
glad to descant, and perhaps to hear the thoughts of the President and
his minister. But all his attempts to detain them from talking exclu-
sively of lighter matters were effectually baffled by the address of the
former. All this was so managed as to wear out the evening, without
giving the gentleman the least reason to suspect that he was in the
way, or that the great men who had seemed to admit him to their con-
fidence, placed themselves under the least constraint in his presence
At length he took his leave.
■sr> THE PABTISAU I.:
CHAPTER XVII.
Thai just habitual scorn, wlncli could contemn
Men and tln-ir thoughts, 'twaa a ByHon.
A- the door closed behind him, the countenance of tin President r*
int. i a Bmiie, indicative of ureat satisfaction and self-applause,
along with an uncontrollable disposittoo to merriment. Thesmil
I •■ a qmel langh, which increased in violence, without ever be-
coming loud, until he lay hack against the arm of the sofa, and covered
his face with his handkerchief. At length his mirth exhausted it-elf.
ami he sat erect, looking at the Minister with the countenance of die
about to make some amusing communication. But he waited t<> be
spoken to, and remained silent. His million took the hint, M
dr. ssing hiii:.- If tn what ho supposed to he passing! in his nia.-t.r'-
mind, Bsid : ■• 1 best eeh your Excellency to tell me by what sleight, by
what tour <!• main, this bard knot about jurisdiction has been made to
slip as easily as a hangman's nOOSS ? I (eared we should have had to
cut it with the Bword, and behold it until ■- itself."
•• How can you a-k such a question?" said the President, with mock
gravity. " Did yon do) hear the elaborate and lucid argument by
which the Judge ] roved incontestibly that it could not be unconstitu-
tional to do his duty ''. The wonder is bow they ever contrived to make a
difficulty. Surely none who Bhall ever hear that demonstration can
doubt again."
'' Hut may 1 he permitt. d tn a^k by what means such a Hood of light
ii poured qpon his mind? But yesterday he was dark as the
moon in Its perihelion. Baa the golden ray of additional favors again
can-, d its face to shine ':"
" No," .-aid tie- President.
" No new emoluments to him or his?"
■■ None at all," was the laughing answer.
•■ \ i new bona
•• None, but the honor of doing additions] duty, for the Grst time in
his life, without additional compensation."
" In the name Of witchcraft, then, what has wrought upon him?"
"That 1 shall nol tell you," said the President, still laughing; "that
is my secret; that part of my art you shall never know. It is one of
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 87
' the jokes that a man enjoys the hetter for having it all to himself. I
keep it for my own diversion. It is a sort of royal game. You, I am
sure, may be satisfied with your share in the sport, having been ad-
mitted to hear that argument. It was a lesson in dialectics worth a
course at a German university. But come ! There is a time to laugh,
and a time to be serious. What do you propose on the subject of these
Virginia elections ?"
" I propose," said the Minister, " to distribute some five hundred
men in certain counties, with the dispositions of which I have made
myself acquainted, to preserve order at the elections, as we should say
to the unitiated; but in plain English, to control them. They will
succeed in this, or provoke violence. Either way, we carry our point.
We prevail in the elections, or we involve the members elect in a charge
of treason. I think we may trust Judge Baker for the rest. The
more dangerous of our enemies will thus fall under the edge of the
law, and the less efficient, if not left in a minority, will be powerless for
want of leaders."
"But the scene of action," said the President, " is close to the line.
The offenders may escape into North Carolina, and from thence kaep
up a communication with their friends. They may even venture to
Richmond at a critical moment, and effect their great purpose, or they
may adjourn to some place of greater security."
" It will certainly be necessary," said the Minister, " to guard against
that, by increasing the number of troops at the seat of government.
Besides, if we can but get one day to ourselves, their chance of legis-
lative action may be broken up by adjournment sine die."
"Then, with so many points in the game in our favor," replied the
President, " we have but to play it boldly and we must win. It shall
go hard, too, if, in the end, we do not make this superfluous State Le-
gislature, this absurd relic of imperium in impcrio, abolish itself. At
all events, the course of conduct which they will necessarily pursue,
must sink the body in public estimation, and dispose the people to "ac-
quiesce in the union of all power in the hands of the Central (lovern-
ment. We can then restore them all the benefits of real and efficient
local legislation, by erecting these degraded sovereignties into what they
Jit always fo 1 D — municipal corporations, exercising such
powers as we clwose to grant."
Some farther conversation ensued, in which detaili were settled. A
minute was made of tie whieh troops should be Stationed ; the
number of men to be plticed :ii each : and the corps from whicb thej
were to be drawn. It was left to the Minister to fix on proper 1 1 i
to command each party, and to devise instructions as to tl be
88 thi: partisan lkadkr.
'• was propaood simply I •
by the men preaenec of tW military:- itrol then
ial or threatened i
tumnlt tanee proi I dangerous men drawn in to
■- whieh might be denounced is criminal. Having the
iter's vrill,
j for eii sting it.
"The only truly vise man that I know in the world," said the Presi-
I tier him. "' The only one who know- man m he is ; who
. human virtue, but H one form of human weak"
ness. In li is ci. him a power over them whieh he always
how to use; in his instruments, lie desires Done of it Why
oaanot I profit more by his instruction and example? Fool that I am!
I will try to practise a lesson."
He rung the bell, and directed that the Minister should be rtqa
to return.
He had not yet left the palace, and soon re-appeared. As he entered,
rh.' President said : "This young Trevor — be has talent, baa he not?"
"Talent of every kind," Baid the Minister.
" Thai he has a raperahundaiee of what finds call honor and gal-
lantry, I happen to know. I suppose hi I tj>cr mrruef are in propor-
" I suspect so, from the example of the father and all I can learn of
the sol
a you then doubt of his ultimate course, r even that <>f his
father? Do yon doubt that if th>- standard of rebellion is once raised,
the young man will be found fighting under it, with the old man's ap-
probation ?"
"Not at all. I know no man who would raise it sooner than himself,
after he has had time to be thoroughly indoctrinated by his uncle."
" Then the sooner the better; he is but a cockerel yet. What if he
can be brought to commit himself before his spurs have acquired their
full length T
'• Nothing could be more judicious, and nothing easier."
■• How would you go about it '.'"
■ Let him have a letter neither accepting or rejecting ; intimating
the neeesaitj of farther investigation of hie accounts, &c, &o., before
We let him off, and requiring him, for tho convenience of farther cor-
respondence, to remain at the place from whence his letter is dated.
Keep him fretted in this way until the election is near at hand, and, a
day or two before, let him receive a letter accepting bis resignation.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 89
My life upon it, he will spring to his destruction like a bow when the
strin* is cut, that snaps by its own violence."
"You arc right," said the President; " that will do. Much will de-
pend on the style of that letter. You have your hands too full to be
troubled with such things, or I should ask you to do what no man can do
so well. Put you have your pupils, who have learned of you to say
what is to bo said, so as just to produoe the desired effect, and no
other."
The instrument of the royal pleasure again withdrew. Again tho
President 'looked after him, and said, musingly : " Were I not myself,
I would be that man. I should even owe him a higher compliment
could one be devised ; for, but for him, I had never been what I am.
What then ? Is he the creator, and am I his creature ? No. I am
wrong. Could he have made himself what I am, he would have done
so. He has but fulfilled my destiny, and I his. He has made mo
what I alone was capable of becoming, and I, in turn, have made him
all that he ever can be. I owe him nothing therefore; and should ho
ever be guilty of anything like virtue, there is nothing to hinder me
from lopping off any such superfluous excrescence, even if his head
should go with it. But he is in no danger on that score. If he held
his life by no other tenure, his immortality would be sure."
While the master thus soliloquized, the minion was wending his way
home, to the performance of the various duties assigned him. Our
present business is with the letter to Douglas alone. The pen of a
ready and skillful writer was employed, the document was prepared,
submitted to the inspection of the President, approved by him, signed
"by order" by the Secretary of War, committed to the mai1, and
forwarded to Douglas. Let us accompany it-
00 TIIK PARTISAN LRADBB.
CHAPTEB Will.
.
The broken tools that tyrants oast away
By myriads. Byron*.
BEHOLD as then, once more, at the door of Mr. Bernard Trevor's
tittle study. The undo had nephew arc together. A servant in:
with. letters from the post-office, and we enter with him. Tin- letters
arc opened, and Douglas haying read that of the Secretary of War,
hands it to his unele. Let us read with him.
8lB : I have it in command from his Kxe.dloncy the I'r- sidonl to
Bay, that your letter of resignation has been received with Barprise and
regr< t.
•• Eehas Been with surprise that, at a moment of snch pritioa] im-
portance, one who had I I were, the foster-child of the Union,
should w '.;.<•. with apparent eagerness, ■ j retezt to desert the banner of
ial sovereign.
" II. not at the less of service, which, rendered by one ca-
pable even of meditating Bnch a Btep, would, at best, be merely nomi-
nal ; but at the thought that that one is the son of a friend so long
(In rished and bo mncfa respect* .1 as yonr lather.
"I am farther charged to remind yon thai resignation, when resorted
to for the purpose of evading military prosecution, is always deemed
little short of a confession of guilt In mpsl cases, this produces no
embarrassment The losi of the commission is generally an adequate
punishment ; and it is, in Rueh oa* -. well to leave the conscience and
the fears of t':i" accused to inflict that ] unishment, ratifying the sen-
tence by prompt acceptance of the proffered resignation,
" But this does not hold in all cases. The President bids m
that l.i- i- not yet prepared how to act in one of so 6crious a character
a> this. Bis regard for your father is the source of this perplexity.
lie requires time t.> n fleet how far he can reconcile to his public duty
that tend, meat t" the feelings <>!' a friend which makes hifti desirous,
if j y enquiry by accepting your resignation. Under ,
other circumstanot -. he would not hesitate to reject it, and instantly
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 91
order a court-martial, as tho proper means of bringing to prompt and
merited punishment an offence which, I am charged to say, he con-
siders as virtually admitted by your attempt to evade a trial ; when, if
innocent, you would certainly wish an investigation, in order to estab-
lish your innocence^
"In conclusion, I am instructed to say that for the purpose of farther1
communication, if nccessar}', and to facilitate such measures aa it may
be deemed proper to take in relation to you, I am required to keep my-
self advised of your locality. To save trouble, therefore, I deem it ad-
visable to command you to remain at the place from whence your letter
of resignation was dated, and to which this is directed, until larther or-
ders. ' t
" Yours, &c., &c.
(" By order of the President.")
This letter Mr. Trevor read with calm and quiet attention, carefully
weighing every phrase and word, while Douglas, perceiving the hand-
writing of his friend Whiting on the back of another, hastily tore it
open, and read as follows :
"I never performed a more painful duty in my life, my dear Trevor,
than in putting the seal and superscription to the accompanying letter
from the Secretary.
" My situation ifi the Department should have given me earlier no-
tice of what was passing, but I got no hint of it until yesterday. I im-
mediately did what I believed to be my duty as a friend, though I am
now fearful that what I did may not meet youy entire approbation. I
am sensible you would not have done it for yourself ; but there arc
some things which delicacy forbids us to do in our own case, which we
are not displeased to have done by others. Indeed, had I known that
the matter had gone so far, I should have left it in your own hands.
But I had no reason to believe that any intimation of it hail, as yet,
been given to you, and I wished to prevent any step whatever from
being taken.
"With this view I ventured to lay the whole correspondence before
the President. I know that he received and read it. You will there-
fore judge my surprise at being rc|uir."l to-day u> forward the un-
precedented document which accompanies this.
" I am -uilty of no breach of duty wh< n 1 aanre you tint thai ] a-
sent, as it imports on its race, 'by tho order of die President
The Secretary is not responsible even fur one word of it. The very
•
Til : \N LEAD
department piv-
ii, the Bhape in which yon n
hat I did, I should I .btcd whether it had not
ptiti usly placed among other papers transwi at the
I hut there is no room for mistake, It came accom]
by the mosi autl that it liad been read and apj roved by
the 1 hursejf.
'• I iiii'l mysdf placed in a delicate situation. Here is an avowal of
full faith in a char. i 1 by my positive assurance — a i
that no one can believe, who does not believe me capable of basely fab-
ricating the documents, copies of which the President ha.-, atlthcnti-
tatcd under my hand. •
" Your own com- leaves no doubt what you would advise me to do
under such circumstances; but my lot in life is different from yuiirs.
Impatient as I am of this indignity, I fear lethal) be constrained to
bear it. ' My poverty, but not my will consents^ I do not, therefore,
ask you to advise me, for I would not do so, unless prepared to give to
your advice more weight than I can allow it. It could add nothing
to the convictions of my .own mind, and the indignant writhings of
my own wounded honor; and even the* . 6od help me, I am foi
resist I
'• This affair has, as yet, made no noise. It is not at all known of in
the army; but I think I can assure yon of the sympathy of all whose
i you value, and their unabated confidence in your honor and
fidelity. 1 shall make it niybu.-iin.--.be the consequence to myself
what it may, to do you ample jnstice. Imbed, my indignation makes
me so reckless of consequences, that, apart from the necessity of bear-
in- insult from one from whom no redress can be demanded, I am not
sure that I do not envy your lot.
" That your resignation will eventually be accepted, cannot he doubt-
ed. What is the motive to this letter, it is hard to say; but certainly
it does not proceed from such a disposition as would willingly afford
you an opportunity of triumphant vindication.
" God bless you, my dear Trevor. We have indications that stirring
times are at hand, which will tempt me to exchange the pen for the
-w. id. Where duty may call mc, I cannot anticipate; but it will be
Strange if the charms of a life of active service don't bring us together
again. Meet when we may, you wilL find still and unalterably, your
friend, E. W.M
Having read this second letter, Douglas passed it also to his uncle,
and rising, hastily left the house. It is needless to scan the thoughts
TIIE PARTISAN LEADER. 93
that accompanied him in his ramble. They wore hitter and fierce
enough. But he had learned, in early life, to master his Peelings; and never
to venture into the presence of others until the mastery hud been es-
tablished. Many a weary mile did he walk that day before his pur-
pose was accomplished, but having at last effected it, he returned.
Mr. Trevor had found leisure, in the meantime, to scrutinize the let-
ters in whole and in detail, and had at length arrived at a conclusion
not far from the truth. He was prepared, therefore, to welcome the
return of Douglas with a cheerful smile; and instead of adding to his
excitement by any expression of resentment or disgust, endeavored to
calm and soothe him. For such conduct the young man was altogether
unprepared. Aware oi" his uncle's wishes in regard to him, he had
looked for something different, and had endeavored to fortify his mind
against such impressions as he feared he might attempt to make on it.
The great principles by which he had been taught to govern himself
were not fake because he had been wronged. His duty to the Union
was not affected by the injustice of the President. So his father would
have reasoned the matter, and like his father, he determined, if possible,
to think and act. But he had no idea that in this attempt lie would
receive countenance and even aid from his uncle. It may, therefore,
be readily believed that the old gentleman rose yet higher in his es-
teem and confidence, from the delicacy and forbearance which he so
unexpectedly practised.
M THB PABTI8AH I.KADER.
en after xix.
Stone walls do not ■ prison nil
Noi iron bai in
L.OVEI.A' K.
It was settled, on consultation, thai he should abide the final.,
and that, until then, nothing of what had passed should be made known
father, to Delia, or to any of the family but Mrs. Trevor. In
I,, r he 1 ad learned to leek in adviser, and in her he always found one,
sincere, sagacious, and discreet Mr. Trevor, as I have said, was not ;»
man from whose opinions his wife would probably dissent, but I
•■ 1 himself to command her blind, unri osoning acquiescence.
lie Lad trained her mind; he had furnished her with materi
h( ; and he had taught her to tliink. She was in all bis confi-
dence; and he consulted with her habitually on plans which in>
the welfare of Id.-' country. Prom her, therefore, the bistorj of Doug-
las's entanglement with the authorities at Washington was not con-
Kiuin tl the family it was a profound secret; and, as
Mr. Trevor's health was dow muoh restored, it did not interrupt the
enjoyments of the genial Besson which invited them to seek amuse-
ment oat of doors. By means of this, the impatience of Douglas was
diverted, and h^ found it quite easy to accomplish his philosophical de-
termination to wait the result of the affair in patience.
When, at length, a we< k had been allowed him to fret Ins heart out,
f< rred acceptance of his resignation was received. Tlii^, too, was
couched in phrases of decorous and Btudied insult. But he had learned
to think that the dastard blow struck by one who screens himself be-
hind the authority <>! offioe, infli<-ts no dishonor; The interval, which
had been intended to give his passions time to work tin mselves into a
t, had subdued them. Reason had taken the ascendant, and,
though hi.- reflections had not been much more favorable to the author-
ity of his former master, than the promptings of his resentment, they
were mueh less Baited to his present purpose. IK' was effectually
weaned; divested of all former pre-possessions, and ready to yield
to the dictates of calm, unbiassed reason, lie sought his uncle, and
with :: quiet and Cheerful smile, handed him the letter.
A- - M a- Mr. Trevor read it. he exclaimed, "Thank God! you arc
now a freeman."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 95
" I am truly thankful for it," replied Douglas, " though I feel as if
I shall never lose the mark of the collar which reminds me that I have
been a slave. But, until within a short time past, I have never felt
that I was."
" When the bondage reaches to the mind," said Mr. Trevor, "it is
not felt."
"And was nine enslaved," asked Douglas, "when my thoughts
were as free as air ?"
"Their prison was airy," replied the old'gentlcman, "and roomy, and
splendidly fitted up. But look at the President's letters, and sec the
penalties you might nave incurred, had your freedom of thought ram-
bled into such opinions as many of your best friends entertain."
" Still," replied .Douglas, "the penalty would have attached, not to
the opinion but to the expression of it."
" And do you think your mind would work without constraint, in
deciding between opinions which it might be unsafe to express, and
those which would be regarded as meritorious ?"
" I can, at least, assure you that such a thought as that never oc-
curred to me."
" But it occurred to your friends. It tied my tongue, and, I suspect,
your father's too, of late. Now that 1 am free to speak, let me ask,
wherein would have been the criminality of expressing the opinions
imputed to you?"
" It would have been inconsistent with my duty of allegiance."
" Allegiance ! To whom ? You will not say to King Martin, the
First ? To what ?"
" To the constitution of the United States. I was bound by oath to
support that."
" And what if your views of the constitution had shown you that
the acts of the Government were violations of the constitution, and
that the men denounced by Baker as traitors were its i sup-
porters. "What duty would your oath have prescribed in that
Would you support the constitution by taking part with those who
trampled it under foot, against those who uphold it as long as there
Was hope ?"
" I should have distrusted my own judgment Surely, you would
not have me sot up that against tl ■ -if the 1' gislature, i
tivi . and judiciary, all concurrently expressed according to the forma
of the constitution."
" What then must /do?" askrd Mr. TrCTST. "Be the pinions of
all these men what they may, tho constitution, after all. i^ what it h
bj I am bound to support it. Now, when I have schooled n '
THi: PARTISAN LEADER.
•
spcct for tl . and all ; iffidence
ill think that tl learly in error, <m-
t opinion <>r my own that T shall sal mi con-
■ i which my oath I . that 1 do actual!;. the
■ ition '.'"
•• I :m to your
own convicti i
•• Then / may, at last, trust my own judgment when I have no 1
any doubl
•• You most, of it'
" Aii-1 you," Baid Mr. Trevor, " wlm were not free to do so — who, in
th>' matter of an oath, were to 1 e guided* nut by your own <■ Dscience,
hut by tl Dcea of other. nun — was your mind frei
d high, and, after a long pause, Baid : " 1 Bee thai I
been swinging in a gilded cage, and mistook its motions fbr those
of in y own will. 1 see it, and again respond cordially to your ejacula-
tion—Thank Cod : I am !':•
" I rejoice at it, especially," said Mr. Trevor. ' because now all rc-
I an end between a . in all •. intercourse with
you, my tongue has been tied on the Bubjeol oJ wuich I think m
and on which I feel mi I find it hard to speak to a sou ol
finia without Bpeaking of her wrungs, and the means of r<
them. I' is harder still, when he to whom I speak is my own son
too."
■• I have long ago hamed from my father," said Douglas, "that the
whole South had been much opprei ed. I know, too, that he attri-
bute ion to the exercise of powers not granted by the con-
stitution. Hut, with every disposition to resist this oppression, he
taught me to hear it sooner than incur the evils of disunion."
" What are they f"
" Weakness, dissention, and the danger to liberty from the standing
armies of distinct and rival powei
" Bence you have never permitted yourself to look narrowly into
the question/'
" I never have. IJiave no doubt of our wrongs; but T bavo never
'• red myself to weigh them disunion. That I have been
taught to regard as the maximum of evil."
t disunion has now come. The question now is, whether you
.'.I continue to bear these wrongs, or seek the remedy offered by an
invitat£on*to join the Southern Confederacy. The evils of which you
lk would certainly not he increased by such a Btep. We might
iken the North, but not ourselves. \- to landing armies.. here we
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 97
have one among us. The motive which that danger presented is now
reversed in its operation. While we remain as we are, the standing
army is fastened upon us. By the proposed change, we shake it off.
Then, as to dissention, if there is no cause of war now, there would be
none then. Indeed the only cause would be removed, and it would be
seen that both parties had cjery inducement to peace. Even in the
present unnatural condition, you sec that the separation having once
taken place, there remains nothing to quarrel about."
"What, then," said Douglas, "is the meaning of all this military
array that I see ? Arc no hostile movements apprehended from the
Southern Confederacy ?"
" Not at all. Thcv have no such thought. The talk of such things
is nothing but a pietext for muzzling Virginia."
" How do you mean ?" asked Douglas.
"You will know if you attend the election in this county to-morrow.
You will then sec that a detachment of troops has been ordered here ■
on the eve of the election. The ostensible use of it, is to aid in the
prevention of smuggling, or, in other words, in the enforcement of the
odious tariff, and a participation in the advantages our southern neigh-
bors enjoy since they have shaken it off. But you will see this force
employed to brow-beat and intimidate the people, and to drive from
the polls such as cannot be brought to vote in conformity to the will of
our rulers. Go back to. Richmond next winter, and you will sec the
force stationed there increased to what will be called an army of ob-
servation. In the midst of this, the Legislature will hold its mock de-
liberations ; and you will find advanced posts so arranged as to bridle
the disaffected counties, and prevent the people from marching to the
relief of their representatives. By one or the other, or both of these
operations, Virginia will be prevented from expressing her will in (he
only legitimate way, and her sons, who take up arms on her behalf,
will be stigmatised as traitors, not only to the United States, but to
her."
!*r« THE PARTISAN I
CHAPTER XX.
All. villian! tliou wilt lxtray inc. :i ml gat :i thOtMMld CrOWQS of tin- King
for earn in- my bead ttJ him. — SllAKSli
\- Mr, Trevor hatl intimated, the next day was the day for the I
tion of meiaben in the State Legislature The old gentleman, in
spite of kia iiitinnities, determined to be present He ordered his be*
ronohe, and provided with arms both the servant who drove bim, and
0B6 who attended on horseback. II** armed himself also With pistols
and a dirk, and recommended a like precaution to Douglas. " Xou
must go on horseback. '" said he. " It majf enable you to act with more
efficiency on an emergency. At all events, were yu to drive me. I
should have no excuse for taking one whose services I would not will-
ingly dispense with. Give me the world to choose from, and old Tom's
son Jack is the man I would wish to have beside me in the hour of
danger. As to you, my son, I think your late master would not be
son. . >u into a scrape. You should, therefore, be ou^our
guard. My infirmities will render your personal aid necessary to help
ii,. t. the polls. Keep near me, therefore] but keep cool, and le§ve
me to fight my own battles. PrudenOC and forbearance are necessary
for you. As to me, 1 have nothing to hazard. The measure of my
offences is full already. I have sinned the unpardonable sin, and
though there is no name lor it in the statute book, 1 have no doubt if
thi v had me before their new Court of High Commission at Washing-
ton, your special friend, Judge Baker, would find one.''
" Why do you call him my special friend," asked Douglas.
'• Because I have means of being advised of what is doing among
our rulers, and know that he was at the bottom of the whole proceed-
ing against you. Therefore, 1 warn you to be prudent today. Depend
n it, if you can be taken in a fault, he will find means ' to iced fat
his grudge' against you."
On reaching the election ground, the stars and stripes were seen
floating above the door of the court-house, which was still closed. A
military parade was "being enacted" for the amusement of the boys
and cake women, and the uniform showed that the men were regulars
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 99
* . •
in the service of the United States. They wore twenty or thirty in
d amber, all completely armed and equipped. As soon as Mr. Trevor
appeared, they were dismissed from parade, the door was thrown open,
and they rushed into* the house. Presently after, it was proclaimed
that the polls were opened.
As Mr. Trevor approached the door, Douglas observed that a multi-
tude of persons, who before had been looking on, in silent observance
of what was passing, advanced to salute him, and, falling behind him,
followed to the courthouse. On reaching the door, they found it ef-
fectually blocked up by half a dozen soldiers, who stood in and about,
as if by accident and inadvertence. But the unaccommodating stiff-
ness with which each maintained his position, left no doubt that they
were there by design. They were silent, but their bru'ish counte-
nances spoke their purpose and feelings. Mr. Trevor might have en-
deavored in vain to force his passage, had not the weight of the crowd
behind pressed him through the door. In this process he was exposed
to some suffering, but made no complaint. The effect appeared only
in the flush of his check, and the twitching of his features. The
blood of Douglas began to boil, and, fur the first time in his life, the
uniform he had so long worn was hateful in his sight.
On entering the house, they were nearly deafened with the din. It
proceeded from quite a small number, but they made amends for their
deficiency in this respect, by clamorously shouting their hurras for the
President, and his- favored candidate. Besides the soldiery, there were
present the sheriff, who conducted the election, and sqidc twenty or
thirty of the lowest rabble. On the bench were two candidates. The
countenance of one of those Avas flushed with insolent triumph. The
other looked pale and agitated. lie was placed between his competitor
and a subaltern officer of the United States army. He Beeffied to have
» been saving something, and at the moment when Mr. Trevor and his
party entered, was about to withdraw.
Meeting him at the foot of the stair leading down from the bench,
that gentleman asked him the meaning of what he saw; to which he
answered that he had been compelled to withdraw. The meeting of
these two gentlemen had at)' tention, an 1 curiosity to hear what
night pass between them, for a moment stilled the many-ton
clamor. Mr. Trevor took advantage of tfa ry silence, and »id
aloud — " You have been compelled to withdraw. Speak pat distinctly,
then, and say that you are no longer a eandidat
" Fellow-citizens," responded the other, in the loodesl toot
tremor enabled him to command, " ' am do longer a condi
100 the partisan LIADJ
\M. I \m \ CANDIDATE," Oried Mr. Trevor, in a vice which
through tli- house. I am b candidate on behalf of \HniiMA,
]., r Rights, end her Sen 1 bj [qhty/' •
The shout from behind the bar, at this annunciation, somewhat
r]annt( '1 the blue coats, and Mr. Trevor was lifted t.> the bench sp die
shoulders of hi.- friends; when the officer was heard to cry out, "CV
the i • '
•■ place me near that officer/' said Mr. Trevor, in a quiet tone. The
;i. :i worthy, but timid man, looked at him imploringly: li> I
.-it down by the side of the officer, and, leaning on the shoulder of
Douglas, t hn - addressed bin :
" 1 shall say nothing, sir," paid he, " to the sheriff about ha duty.
He i- the judge of that, and he knows that, without my consent,
!i;i~ no right to close the polls hel'ore sunset. Unless compelled by
force, he will not do it. lie thall i«<t he compelled by force : and. it'
force is used, 1 shall know whence it comes. Now mark me, air; I
nni determined that this election thail go on, and thai peaceably. If
force i- used, it must be used first on me. Now, sir, my friends an'
numerous and brave, and will armed, and I warn you thai my fall will
he the sL-nal <>f your doom. Not one of your bayonetted orew would
have this house alive. As toyow, sir. 1 keep say eye apon yon. Von
-;ir pot from my Bide, till the polls are closed. I hold you as a host
for the safety of the. sheriff. It' an attack is made on him, I shall
know you tor tin' instigator, And, more than that, sir. 1 know be is
to do his; duty, and will not think of closing the ]>i>lls prema*
turely. A menaoe addressed to him may escape my car. It' he offers
to do it, if he does hut open his mouth to declare that the polls are
d, 1 blow your brains out on the Bpot
Suiting the action to the word, ho, at tin- same moment, showed a
pistol, the finish of which gave assurance that it would not miss lire
The officer Btsrted hack in evident alarm, and made a movement to
withdraw; hut he fmind him-. I,' hedged in by brawny countrymen,
v.ho closed around him, while every hand was .seen to gripe the handle
of some concealed weapon.
' Bi patient, sir," -aid Mr. Trevor, "you had no hnsim-s here ; hut,
being lore, you shall remain. No harm shall be done you. I will cn-
Bure you against every thing hut the consequences of your own vio-
lence. Offer DOnc. For if you do hut lilt your hand, or touch your
WCaponS, or utter one Word to your myrmidons, you die."
These word- w< re uttered in a tone in which, though loud enough to
be heard hy all, there was as much of mildness as of liru. n< .->. Indeed
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 101
his last fearful expression was actually spnke'n as in kindness. The
officer seemed to take it so, and quietly Mated himself.
Not so the rival candidate. He rose, with a great parade of indig-
nation, saying — " Let me pass, at least. This is no place for inc."
" Do you mean to leave us, sir," said Mr. Trevor, with great cour-
tesy.
" I do," said the other. "To what purpose should I remain ?"
" Do you then decline ? Arc you no longer a candidate ?"
" T am — but I will not remain here beset by armed violence."
" Will you leave no one to represent you?"
" No — I leave you to work your will. I have no farther part in the
matter. I shall do nothing, and consent to nothing. When the law
closes the poll, it will be closed."
Saykig this, he withdrew, and Mr. Trevor observed that, as he went
out, he spoke aside to the sergeant of the company, who followed him
from the house. Soon after, the men, one by one, dropped off, and all
at length disappeared.
The election now went on peaceably, and nearly every vote was cast
fur Mr. Trevor. But it did not escape his observation that there were
persons present whom he knew to be hostile to him, and devoted to the
rulers at Washington, who yet did not vote. He saw the motive of this
conduct, but determined to make it manifest to others as well as him-
self, and to expose the disingenuous and unmanly artifice which he saw
his enemies were using against him. Catching the eye of a well
dressed man he said, " You h ve not voted, I think, Mr. A——?"
" I have not," was the answer, " and I don't mean to vote."
" I bee that you will, sir," said Mr. Trevor. " I know you to be my
enemy, personal as well as political; but I sincerely wish the name of
every voter in the county to appear on the poll-book, though my defeat
should be the consequence."
"It may be so, sir," replied the other; " but I shall not vote at an
election controlled by force, and where those commissioned by the
Government to keep order, arc cither driven off or detained in du-
rance."
" I do not understand you, sir," said Mr. Trevor. "Am I to infet
that the presence of the military bore is under the uvowed ordei
their master ?"
"I dare say," replied the other, "thai Lieutenant Johnaoo will thou
you his orders, if you will condescend to look at them."
"I will do so, with great pleasure," said Mr. Trevor, "and pi
myself great edification frcm the perua
#
102 TUT. PABTIBAfl LEAD
thou, sir,'" said the officer, taking a paper from bis
•. which be read accordingly in the following words:
•• \- there is reason to believe thai evil disposed persona design to
overawe or disturb the election of members to tl iture from the
county of , Lieutenant Johns* n will attend at the day and place
lection with the troops under his command, for the purpose of pro-
log order. Should bis authority he opposed, be is, if permitted to
do so, to make known that he acts by the command of 'the President,
to the and that all who may be disposed to resist him, may bo duly
warned that in so doing they resist the authority of the United Sti
and take heed list they incur the penalties of the la. v."
'• Why. this is well," said Mr. Trevor. '• And it is to give color ami
countenance to u charge of resistance to the authority of thelnitcd
States, that you, Mr. A , refuse to vote."
'■ .No, >ir," replied A . " it is because I never will rote at an (lec-
tion controlled by force."
" Be i: BO, id Mr. Trevor. "I perceive your drift.
and tell your master that tl used to vindicate the freedom of
tion were nsed to control it. Go, sir, and show that you are as much
an enemy to truth and honor as to me."
To this A made no reply, and Boon after withdrew, Indeed,
hardly any person remained but the friends of Mr. Trevor, and it was
obvious that the n suit of the election was not to be changed by any
rotes which could bo given. The neccssltj ol keeping open the poll
till sunset was, neverthi less, imperious. But the scene became dull
and irksome. Douglas, therefore, proposed that his ancle should re-
turn home. •
•■ \'\ no means," said he. "You don'l understand this
Should we disband, the sheriff would he required, at the peril of hi*
life, to make a false r< turn. But he shall have his will. Mr. Sheriff^
shall I withdraw also ?"
"No! no! For God's sake, stay, sir!" exclaimed the alarmed
Sheriff; "and either see me home, or take me home with you. 1 have
not the influence which makes you safe in the midst of enemies, and
am not ashamed to say that I fear my life."
"1 will prjptecl you, then, sir," said Mr. Trevor, " until you have
made out your return, and given your certificate. When these arc
done, I hope you will be sale."
The scene again subsided into its former dullness. The enemy had
disappeared, with the c.\ leption of the captive officer, who looked On
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 103
ruefully, while an occasional vote was given at long intervals. At
length, Mr. Trevor observed that some of the voters were about to
withdraw. He therefore rose, and begged them to remain.
"This business is not over," said he. u It is not for nothing that
the polls are to be kept open until sunset, when all who have not voted
have withdrawn. An attack on the sheriff or myself is certainly in-
tended. Perhaps on both. I beseech you, therefore, not to disperse,
but to see us both safe to my house. When once among my own peo-
ple, I will take .care of him and myself. I am sorry, sir," continued
he, addressing the officer, " that the movements of your friends make
it necessary to detain you longer than I had intended. You must be
a hostage for us all, until this day's work is over. But assure yourself
of being treated with all courtesy and kindness. Should I even find
it necessary to compel your company to my own house, doubt not that you
will receive every attention due to an honored guest. I beg you to ob-
serve that I do not even disarm you. The warning you have received
is my only security that you will attempt no violence."
This speech was heard in sullen silence by him to whom it was ad-
dressed. But some conversation with others ensued, in which Mr.
Trevor took pains to enlighten the minds of his hearers in regard to
public affairs. The day wore away somewhat less wearily ; the sua
went down, and Bernard Trevor was proclaimed to be duly elected.
Our party now took up the line of march. The sheriff and officer
were placed in Mr. Trevor's barouche ; the former by his side — the
latter in front of him, by the side of the driver. A numerous compa-
ny on horseback surrounded them.
They were scarcely in motion, before the drum was heard, and the
regulars were seen advancing to meet them in military array. Mr.
Trevor immediately commanded the driver to stop, and draw his pistol.
Then calling to the servant on horseback, he made him station himself,
pistol in hand, close to the officer. Having made this arrangement,
he addressed him :
"You sec your situation, sir. Those fellows would not scruple to
shoot your master himself at my bidding ; and my orders to you both,
boys, are, that if we arc attacked, you arc both to shoot this gentleman
upon the spot. 1 shall do the same thing, sir ; so that between us you
cannot csci]' . Now, sir, stand up and show yourself to your in- n.
and speak distinctly the words of command that I shall dictat<
The officer did as he was directed. The advancing platoon was
halted, and wheeled backward to the side of the road ; the armi
ordered, and the barouche passed on. After paaaiog, a momentary
104 THK PARTISAN LEADER.
irfaile the sergeant was ordered to march the meo back
to their quartern. This was done, and as soon as the tWO parties Wi re
distance Sawder, Lieutenant Johnson was released, and eourte-
©ut-ly diauuaoed. Mr. Trevor and his friends reached home in -
and without interruption, and thu^ ended the election day.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 105
CHAPTER XXI.
I tell you, my lord fool, that out of this nettle, Danger, wc plack this flower,
Safely. Shakspeaue.
The domestic party that' we left at the house of Mr. Trevor were va-
riously affected by the history of the occurrences detailed in the last
chapter. Arthur had been slightly indisposed, and his uncle hud made
that a pretext for keeping him out of harm's way. But when he heard
what had passed, his spirit was roused, and he felt as a soldier who
hears the history of some well-fought battle where he was not permitted
to be present. To Virginia the whole story was a subject of wonder-
ment and alarm. The idea that her dear uncle, and her dearer broth-
er, had been engaged in an affair where "dirk and pistol" was the
word, threw her into a flutter of trepidation. She could not refrain
from asking the former whether he would have-shot the poor man sure
enough; and received his affirmative answer with a shudder. The
feelings of Lucia did not much differ from hers, except in intensity.
She had heard too much to be wholly unprepared for such things, and
her mind was too much accustomed to take its tone from those of hor
mother and sister.
On these ladies the impression made by the events of the day wa3
wholly different. If the countenance of Mrs. Trevor was more thought-
ful than before, it only spoke of higher thoughts. Her eye was bright-
er, her carriage more erect, her step more free, while her smile had
less, perhaps, of quiet satisfaction, but more of hope. The flutter of
youthful feelings, and the sweeter and more tender thoughts propel1 to
one newly betrothed, made the chief difference between Delia and her
mother. But while Douglas saw in the latter all the evidence of those
high qualities which fit a woman to be not merely the consolation and
joy of her husband, but his sage adviser and useful friend, he saw enough in
Delia to show that she, in due time, would be to him all that her moth-
er was to his uncle.
A few days afterwards, Mr. B — arrived, and his appearance was a
signal of joy to the whole family. Douglas now, for the first time, dis- m
covered that he stood in some interesting, though undefined relation to
them, and especially to hi* aunt. That there was no oonnexioa of bl
or marriage he knew; yet the feelings of the parties towards • aen other
were mutually filial and paternal. The imposing dignity of Mrs. Trc-
T1IK l'Al.TISAX LRADBBh
urrcndercd in his presence. Her maiden
•. whicb ii" otber lip bat that of her husband would
have v< atared I i profane, was that by which alon<
and tli.it generally acct mpanied with Bome endearing epithet The
ild wt upon bis knee, and plat familiarly and affectionately
with hie grey locks; while the servants, in the proud humility of their
ntsandv med hardly to distinguish between
lii tn and their beloved and honored master. It was not to be beli
that the family kept any secrets from him, to that Douj 1 not
doubt that he was privy to bis little affair of the heart. And bo he
was; and bis manner toward th< n was, from the tirst, that of
I mar kinsman, hardly differing in any thing from that of hie m
As far as < . incidi nee of sentiment and similarity of character could ex-
plain this close intimacy, it stood explained. Between him and Mr
Trevor there were many points of Strong similitude. But to Mrs. Tre-
vor the resemblance was more striking. Age and sex seemed to make
the only difference between them.
But, in addition to this domestic relation, which embraced i very
member <>T the household down to the scullion and Bhoe-black, there
was obviously some und< refunding between the gentlemen in regard to
matters of much higher concernment Indeed, no pain.- were taken bo
oonceal this fact, though, during Mr. I! — s former visit, Douglas had
not been admitted to any of their consultations but thativhieh concern-
ed himself
It was not long before the tv d, iii the little study,
in close conclave; and soon after, a message was delivered to Douglas
requesting his presence.
"1 ;ini the bearer of important intelligence," said B — , holding out
his hand to th< youth as he entered; "and as it particularly concerns
you, at well as your uncle, yon must perforce consent to become privy
• to our council."
•• I .tin not sorry to hear it," replied Douglas. " If any thing was
wanting to banish slf reserve between as, I would he content to Buffer
some loss to effect that object."
" I belii V'- you," Baid B — , "and therefore expect you will the less
nt circumstance, which, without your act or consent,
and even in Bpite of you, hinds you in the same hundle.with us."
"That was already done/' said Douglas. "What new tie can there
•be?"
"One of the Btrongest. The union of your name with your uncle's
in a warrant for high treason from the eourt of high commission at
Washington."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 107
''You speak riddles," said Douglas. "The only instance in which I
ever incurred the displeasure of the President, was one which no hu-
man ingenuity could torture into treason; and certainly my made had
no hand in that."
"But, having than incurred the displeasure of the G'overmnenj, what
if you should gtnee have been concerned in any matter which might be
called treason?"
"Hut there has been no such matter."
"My dear boy;" said .Mr. Trevor, "the question is not of what we
have done. ITad we actually done any thing culpable, there would be
no occasion for this warrant from Washington. Our own courts, and a
jury of peers, may be trusted to try the guilty. But when men are to
be tried for what they have not done, then resort must be had to this
new .court of high commission at Washington, and to a jury of office-
holders."
"But where," asked Douglas, "is the warrant of which you speak?"
"That I cannot exactly say," said B — . "I am not even sure that
it is yet in existence. But that it is, or will be, is certain. I need not
explain to you my means of knowledge. Your uncle is acqti
with them, and knows that what T tell yoy. is certain. The transac-
tions of the election day will be made the subject of a capital charge,
and it is intended to Convey you both to Washington to answer it there.
1 am come to advise you both of this, that you may determine what
course to pursue."
"My course is plain," said Douglas. "To mqpt the charge and refute
it."
"Are you aware," said B., "who is the Judge of this court of high
commission?"
'• I think 1 have somehow understood that it is Judge Baker."
'•The lather of your friend* Philip linker, the younger* Now are
you aware that, but a few days before the court was constituted, ha and
either judges were consulted, and declared it t" he mi grossly unconsti-
tutional that no judge would preside in it"
"I see that so it should he declared, but did not know that such
opinion had been given."
'■ Yet so it was. Now where, do you think, Ihe considerations
found by whicb the bouorable gentleman's honorable scruples were
me? Of course, you cannot conjecture. Sfou would find
too late) if you, by placing yoursi it in i,i- power, afforded him an op-
portunity of gratifying the malice of his son, t
cowardice and ineanm • 1 u duubt my moans "I know
Your uncle told me nothing of young Whiting's communication to the
the partisan lbadbb.
■ • V • I knewpf it. I !. I B — . not regards
izement of Donglas, " that, but for that l< would
Dot have been permitted to resign; and that Judge B < ruplcs
ling in this new court ■ bj hushing an the
enquiry, which would have dish roored hia Bon, and substituting :i pro-
«. - . . « 1 1 1 1 _r which should Dumber you among the victims of his power,
without implicating the name of his Bon. As to my means of know1
ledge, when knaves can get honest men to be the instrunx nts of 1 1 1 < ■ i r
villainy, they ma) ex peel not to be betrayed. Until then, they must
bear the fate of all who work with ^ 1 1 : i r j . tools."
"There can he no doubt," said Mr. Trevor, "of the fate pre]
for us, should we Call into the hands of our enemh ~. To be summoned
to trial befoie a court constituted for the sole purpose of entertaining
; itions which cannot be sustained elsewhere, is to be notified of a
sentence already pa-sod. To obey Buch a summons, is to give the neck
to the halter. The question is, then, what is to 1"' done t.> evade it.
( )nr friend 1! — proposes that your broth r and sist< r be Bent boo
i and I, and my family, withdraw to Carolina. How Bay you?
■■ I have the same difficulty that I bad the other day, about tendering
my resignation. • But, in this instance, i: appears with more fore* To
fly from justice is always tak< n as < videncc of conscious guilt"
•■ \i nit tliat." said Mr. Tr< ror, 4> I feel small concern on my own ac-
count. ;;- I .-, rtainly mean to commit what all who deny the bov< reigoty
of Virginia will rail high treason."
"Then why not take*up arms at once? I have mueh misunderstood
appearances, Bioce I have been lore, if the means not of evading, hut
resisting this attack, are riot already organist 1 "
"The time is not yet ripe for action," said Mr. Trevor. "Had it
been so, I should not have waited notil my own load was in jeopardy,
before Btrikiog the blow. Nor should my own personal danger precipi-
tate it."
" Hut what Cttcr time can there be to call the people to arms, than
at this moment, when their minds an heated by the late violent iova-
■ion of the elective franchise '.' What mole exciting spectacle could
he presented than the sight of a citizen seized as a traitor, and dragged
away in chains, to answer, hei'orc an unconstitutional tribunal, for maiii-
tainiiiL' this franchise ?"
'•'Are i/, m then prepared to resist, at the point of the bayonet, tins
unconstitutional warrant, as a thing void and of no authority ."
"I am" replied Douglas, with energy. "And I will say more,"
said he, speaking with solemn earnestness. " I have seen enough to
make my duty plain; and I am prepared to go as- far as you, yourself,
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 109
in asserting and maintaining the sovereignty of Virginia at every haz-
ard."
"That being the ease," said B — , "as you will not disagree about
the end, you must not differ about the moans, nor lose time in discuss-
ing them. We arc not thinking of this subject for the first time. We
see the whole ground, and act- under the influence of considerations
which we have no lime to detail. Arc you then, my young friend, pre-
pared to give us f o much of your confidence as this. We say to you,
'Go with us where we go, and trust our assurance that when we have
leisure to explain all, you will find our plan the best.' Are you con-
tent? Are you now ready to carry into execution our matured plan, so
far as it has been disclosed to you, trusting all the details to us? llc-
member — if you say yes to this, we stop no more to deliberate or ex-
plain until we are in a place of safety. Until then, you place yourself
under orders; and you have learned how to obey. How say you?
Are you content?"
Douglas paused, reflected a minute or two, and then. extending a
hand to Mr. B— t-, ami one to his uncle, said earnestly: "I am; com-
mand, and I will obey. But which of you am I to obi y .' "
"Mr. B — ," siid Mr. Trevor, "under whose command I now place
myself."
"Then to business," said B — . " Warn your brother, at once, of the
necessity of returning home with your sister, and Fee that he makes
the needful preparations for his departure at an cady hour to morrow.
The boy's heart will have some hankerings that will make it necessary
for you to look after him, and urge him to exertion. You, Trevor,
must expedite the arrangements for the rcjnoval of your family. 1
the word to Margaret and Delia. You may trust much to their effi-
ciency. I am afraid we cannot expect much more from my poor little
Lucia, just now, than from Arthur. Now, Trevor, give me the keys "I'
your arm-room; let Douglas join me there, as soon as he baa set Ar-
thur to work, and, in the meantime, send Jack to me there. I will
play quartermaster, while you make arrangements for the muster of
the black watch."
"The black tcatchl" said Douglas, with an enquiring look.
" Aye," said B — , "The tidier. <llm — the trusty \,'<dy guard of a Yir-
ginio gentleman. His own faithful si.:-.
"The slave-!" said Douglas, "What use shall we have for thi
"I have no time to answer now/' Said 1! — . "Ask me that when
you come to me in the arm-room. At present yon most Stb tid to Ar-
thur. We have m> time to 1"
Douglas now remembered bis enlistment, and betook himself, with
the prompt alacritj of an old so'dier, to the fulfilment of lii.- of
110 T1IK FAP.7I
CII A PTBB X XII.
■ I iir.vc aarsed K ; in ;ii tli> withered breast," paid the olil woman, II
hi-r bftada en licr bosom as il pressing an infant in it ; "tuid man can never
bat woma the bairn !■. lir^t In Id in her bosom."
Scott.
Poob Autiuk! 15 — had predicted too truly that his heart would
have some hankerings at tin' thought of > leaving tin' house where he
bad, "1 late, spent s<> many pleasant boms. Ji is mi long that I have
eajd nothing about him, that the reader may think him forgotten, or
imself, have forgotten tfciat there was such a person. Be had;
in truth, do pa$ in the transactions of which we have been speaking*
. - at that Li mo of life when' the mind, chameleon like, taki
hue 'from surrounding, objects. Il< young to be advised with,
or trusted with important seerets. I hare already mentioned tl
the da-. I< otion, he bad been detained at home by indisposition.
l>ut he had beard of the occurrences of that day; and be was, more-
over, uncon ■ influences from every member of the
family, all I • the same point. Least apparent, but not leaai
efficacious, ■ tin Lueia. They were of that age when
.- by mi re contact?. With thought
ut love, hut without thinking of it, they had 1 ecome deeply enamored
of each other. The thing come about bo simply and bo naturally, that
the result alone needs to !"• tulJ..
They were t>> part, and the thought of parting Brat made them hoth
feel that something was the matter. Thej talked of tin- separation,
and Lucia shod Mime tears. Arthur kissed them *>ih and tin d she
smiled ; and then Bhe inept again ; and then they agreed never to for-
li Other; and BO on, till the BOCret was out, and 'heir mi
hearts were fondly plight* d.
Such things do not pass unmarked by older eyes. The maternal
instinct of Mrs. Trevor, and the, sagacity of her husband, had detected
that of which the parties themselves were unconscious. And now, in the
fi a* hours that they were to remain together, occupied as the old peo-
ple were* with important engagements, neither the glowing cheek*, the
swimming eye, and the abstracted look of Lucia, n<>r the rapt enthusi-
asm of Arthur's countenance, escaped observation. But as no dis-
closure was- made vi' what had passed, their fancied privacy was not in-
THE PARTISAN LEADER. Ill
vadcd by question or insinuation. They were too young to marry, and
secret love is so sweet! Why not let the innocent creatures enjoy the
idea that their attachment was not suspected ? Their friends smiled
indeed, hut tenderly, not significantly. To them, they did but seem
kinder than ever ; and that, at a moment when they were most sensi-
ble to kindness, and most ready to reciprocate its In this heart-search-
ing sympathy, Arthur found himself indissolubly united to tjic destiny,
the opinions, and the feelings, whatever these might be, of those who
so loved his dear Lucia.
But I am not writing a love tale. I am but interested that the
reader should understand by what process two principal actors in th«
•scenes of which I am about to speak, were diverted from a zealous de-
votion to the authority of the United States, in which they had been
educated, to a devotion yet more enthusiastic in the cause of Virginia.
Enough of them has been seen to show that I must be anxious to vin-
dicate them from any charge of inconsistency. I trust the reader
enters into this feeling, and deems them worthy of it. If he requires
any farther account of the causes which wrought so great a change, I
have none to give. It was through their eyes and hearts that convic-
tion entered. Outrage to the laws ; outrage to the freedom of elec-
tion ; outrage to one respected and beloved ; left nothing for reason to
do. Doubtless much had been said to them by their uncle and 31 r.
B — , in explanation of the great principles of the American Union,
which had been trampled on by the Federal Government. But I am
not aware that any ideas were presented to their minds on this subject,
with which the reading public had not been familiar for twenty yean
before, and I shall not repeat them here. Let us rather accompany
Douglas to 3Ir. Trevor's magazine of arms. It was in a garret room,
where he found Mr. B — busy in the examination of arms, and |
turning out ammunition, with the aid of Jack.
'• You come in good time," said IJ — . " Here is work that; yon
understand. Come help me to examine these arms, and sec that they
are all clean, dry, and well flintcd."
" What do you propose to do with them ?" asked Douglas, lending a
hand to the work.
" Wejwopose," said B — , " to arm the negroes in defence of thiir
mast< r, in case of need.-'
" But what need can there be, if we Bet out for Carolina in the
morning ?"
"They may be wanted before morning/' said B — , coolly. "Lieu-
tenant Johnson left thi county on the night of the election, and ti
led express to Washington. His intelligence was anticipated, and, UO
112 the PARTISAN I
ere :ul readj before be £ot there. 1 dan
they bad a ready-made affidavit f> r him to b* plot was
. thai I was hardly advised of it in time. But I
it i- not too late. I have no mind to fire tbe train I
would rather you should l'< t off peaceably, bat, if we do come to bl
I Bhall take care thai the blue-coats have tb< it.'"
• Y u move in this busini bb," said Douglas, " like a man nol ui
to danger. I presume you have taken the precaution to warn in the
hardy and resolute neighbors, wbom I bsw Btand by my uncle the other
day."
■Kyi i means," answered B. "Were we so minded, we could com-
mand a force that would demolish any that will be Bent against us.,
1-5 tit i; is not desirable to show the Btrebgth of our hand. 1 should be
glaj], if possible, that the temper of the people were unsuspected. At
the same time, there is an exhibition to be made, which will have a
good effect on friend and foe, — I mean an exhibition of the staunch
loyalty and heart-fell devotion of the .■-lave to his master. We must
show that that which our enemies, and some even of ourselves, con-
sider as our \\' akn< ss, is, in truth, our Btrength."
!' Is such your own clear opinion?" asked Douglas. "I have lived
)_ in the North, thai 1 have imbibed too many of the ideas that
But) on this point, it appears to me that they must
right"
■• \. i 1 •.■ 1 there long enough," Baid B — , " to forget your
earliest ai -t attachments. \ <m had a black nurse, I presume.
Do ypu love her?"
'"My mammy!" exclaimed Douglas; "to be Bure I do. 1 should
be the m • ful creature on earth, if I did not love one who
me lik<- a mother."
"And your foster-brother?" asked 1! ; "and his brothers and
I it. n<>t tin -v. t<>". 1"\ e him tin ir mother loves so fondly ':"
•• 1 have no doubt they do, cspeciully as 1 have always been kind to
them.''
"From these, then, I presume, you would (ear nothing. Then
your brothers and sisters. They, too, have their mammies and foster-
brethren. A.moDg you, you must have a btrong hold on the hearts of
many of your latin r's slaves. Would they, think you, taken as a body,
i iinsl your family ?"
•• I have not the least apprehension that they would," replied
Douglas.
•• Y 1 1 they, thus considered, are one integral part of the great black
family, which, in all its branches, is united by similar ligaments to the
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 113
great white family. You have the benefit of the parental feeling of the
old who nursed your infancy, and watched your growth. You have
the equal friendship of those with whom you ran races, and played at
bandy, and wrestled in your boyhood. If sometimes a dry blow passed
between you, they love you none the less for that j because, unless you
were differently trained from what is common among our boys, you
were taught not to claim any privilege, in a fight, over those whom you
treated as equals in play. Then you have the grateful and admiring
affection of the little urchin whose head you patted when you came
home, making him proud by asking his name, and his mammy's name,
and his daddy's name. These are the filaments which the heart puts
out to lay hold on what it clings to. Great interests, like large
branches, are too stiff to twine. These arc the fibres from which the
tics that bind man to man are spun. The finer the staple, the stronger
the cord. You will probably see its strength exemplified before morn-
ing. There are twenty true hearts which will shed their last drop, be-
fore one hair of your uncle's head shall fall."
" You present the matter in a new light," said Douglas. "I wish
our northern brethren could be made to take the same view of it."
"Our northern bretJtren, as you call them," said B — , " never can
take this view of it. They have not the qualities which would enable
them to comprehend the negro character. Their calculating selfish-
ness can never understand his disinterested devotion. Their artificial
benevolence is no interpreter of the affections of the unsophisticated
heart. Tliuy think our friend Jack here to be even such as themselves,
and cannot, therefore, conceive that he is not ready to cut his master's
throat, if there is any thing to be got by it. They know no more of
the feelings of our slaves, than their fathers could comprehend of the
loyalty of the gallant cavaliers from whom we spring; and for the same
reason. The generous and self-renouncing must ever be a riddle to
the selfish; The only instance in which they have ever seemed to
understand us, has been in the estimate they have made of our at-
tachment to a Union, the benefits of which have all been their.-, the
burthens oura. reverse the case, and they would haw dissolved the
partnership thirty yean igo. Hut they have presumed upon the dif-
ference 1 1 bween as, and heaped oppression on oppression,, until we can
bear no more. But, when we throw off the yoke, they will still not
understand as. Thej will impute to as Done bat selfish motiv<
take un note of flu- scorn and loathing which their base abase of our
feeKngS has awakened. Would tin v but forbear so much M
not to force as to bate and despise them, the) might still mx
their hewers of wood ind drawen Bnt be who
8
114 HIE PARTISAN LEADER.
where he loves, will give nothing where he detests. But this, too, is a
riddle to them."
"I must own," said Douglas, " that these ideas arc new to me, too."
"Not the ideas, but the application of them. Three months ago,
y«,u wore the devoted soldier of Martin Van Burem Had you then
believed him capable of a conspiracy so base as that which has I
plotted against your honor and life, could you still have served him '!"
" I should still have wished to serve my country," replied Dooglttj
" but I should, prub.ibly, have doubted whether I could have served
her in serving him."
•• And do you think you would view the matter differently, had an-
other been the intended victim, and not yourself?"
u I trust not. My personal concern in the affair, I think, has done
no more than to emancipate mc from my thraldom. But the display of
his character is what makes me detest him; and the seems of the
election day have opened my eyes to the wrongs and the rights, and
the interests of Virginia. The scales have now fallen from them, and
I am impatient for the day when I may apply in her service the lessons
learned in the school of her oppressors."
" v"*\ shall have your wish," said B — . "The flint you are now fit-
ting may yet be snapped against the myrmidons of the usurper."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 115
CHAPTER XXIII.
Otric — How is it, Laertes 1
Laertei — Wliy as a woodcock to my own spring, Osric.
ShakspkarK.
While this conversation waa going on, the arms had been all ex-
amined, loaded, and ranged against the wall, and due portions of pow-
der and ball allotted to each firelock. Their work being nearly com-
pleted, Douglas was dispatched with some message to his uncle. As
he descended the stairs, he heard, not without a smile, the quick im-
patient step of Arthur, pacing to and fro, the length of a passage lead-
ing from the front door through the building. Arthur was just turn-
ing at the end next to the door, when a rap on the knocker arrested
him. The door was instantly opened, and he was heard to ask some
one to walk in. It was nigh*, and the passage was dark. Arthur con-
ducted the stranger to the door of his uncle's study, which was his
common reception room, ushered him in, drew back, and having closed
the door behind him, resumed his musing promenade.
Douglas went on suspecting nothing. He was not aware that the
servants had been cautioned against admitting strangers; and poor
Arthur was not au fait to what was passing. He entered the room.
His uncle had risen from his chair in the corner farthest from the
door, and was standing behind a large table, at which he usually wrote.
He heard him say: "Please to be seated, sir," in a voice between com-
pliment and command, and with a countenance in which courtesy and
fierceness were strangely blended. As the stranger, not regarding this
stern invitation, continued to advance, the glare of the old man's eye
became fearful, and he laid his hand on a pistol which lay on the table
before him. "Stand back, sir," said he, in ^l low and resolute tone.
" Stand back, on your life."
The stranger wore a long surtout, in which Douglas, dazzled by com-
ing into the light, did not at first discover theAisual characteristics of
an officer's undress. It was thrown open in front, and the badges of
his rank were displayed to Mr. Trevor, wlm itood before him. He was
arrested by Mr. Trevor's startling words and gesture, and wa-
ning to speak, when Douglas exclaimed: " What does this mean P"
The stranger turned, extended both his arms, and Douglas rushed
into them.
ll<) THE PARTISAN LEADER.
•• M\ deu Tnvr!" "Mj dear Whiting I" were the mutual t
- of two young niL'ii, who had long been to each other, as
brothers. ■
"To whet "ii earth," asked Doaglas, "do I owe this ]! asure?"
•• I i ; the other, with :i melancholy smile, and in the kind-
est tunc, while he still held the hand of DowglaB) "in make you
prisoner.''
I violently,. and t ri«<l to disengage his hand ; 1".
other held him firmly and wen! on: *'15e calm, my dear fellow. 1 am
your friend as ever, but yet I do not jest. You are my prisoner, on
surd charge of high breast □ against the United States. My war-
rant is against you and your uncle. As it W8I thought a mi itary force
might be wanted to support the arrest, ^volunteered myself to receive
a <le] uta'iuii from the marshal] that I might shield yon both from any
indignity. You, on your part, I am sure, will do nothing to make my
t.a.>-k more painful than it is. [a not that gentleman bless me!
where ii hel Was not that Mr. Bernard Trevor who just hit the
room'.'"
" 1 ii.ii Mr. Bernard Trevor," said a voj/e behind. Whiting tinned
again, and Baw Mr. Trevor standing where he had been before. He
now observed that there was a door beside him. at which be had Btep-
: and returned. " I am Mr. Bernard Trevor, sir. and run BOrrj
that f cannot welcome, as 1 would, the friepd of my nephew. You see
that I have no mind to have the room, and 1 therefore hope you will
• yourself to accept my invitation to be seated. You say that
yon wish to shi( Id me from indignity. Of course, you will not un-
irily offer what I -hall feel as much. The hand of authority
must not be laid on tm ."
'•1 shall gladlj dispense with an unpleasant form, sir," said Whiting)
•'and I trust 1 shall have tlo' satisfucti f i vioeing you that my
ad, though painful to all of us, i- an errand i i' friendship."
'■ I have no doubt of it, sir. I have heard of you from my nephew,
and from uml. r your own hand, in terms that give lull assurance of
that. 1 .-hall he happy, therefore, to do by you all the duties of hos-
pitably. 1 merely ask of you to L_ri\c your word oi honor, thai, while
eharged with your present functions, you \sili be careful not to touch
my person."
"I should be most happy," said the young man, "to take by the
band one whom I so highly respect, but 1 find 1 must forego that
pleasure; and 1 give the required pledge most cheerfully."
The courteous "Id gentleman now summoned Tom, and ordered some
refreshment for his guest; then throwing into his manner a11 the frank
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 117
courtesy of a polished Virginian, he led the way in a desultory con-
versation on all sorts of indifferent subjects. Half an hour passed in
this way, when Tom appeared and summoned the gentlemen to supper.
" I fear," said Whiting, " I am abusing my authority over my poor
fellows without. I have a sergeant and half a dozen men waiting at the
gate, on whose behalf I would fain invoke your hospitality. But it
would be much more agreeable to me, if you and my friend Douglat
will pass your words that their aid shall not be necessary, and permit
me to order them back to the next public house."
" I am sorry to say," replied Mr. Trevor, " that I cannot do either ;
but I pray you to postpone the discussion until after supper."
" How, sir ?" exclaimed Whiting. " You surely do not mean to try to
escape. me."
"Nothing is farther from my thoughts, sir," said the old man, with a
proud smile, " than to try to escape you, or permit you to escape me."
u To escape you, sir ! What do you mean ?" asked Whiting.
"I mean not to wound your car with a word I would not have en-
dured to have applied to myself. I will not say that you arc my
prisoner; but I will say that we will leave this house as free aB you
entered it. Come, my dear sir, while I endeavor to requite your
courtesy, permit me also to appropriate your words, and say, as you
said to Douglas, that I trust you will not render it necessary to avail
ourselves of our superior force."
" I am not sure you possess that superiority," said Whiting ; " I have
a strong guard without."
"But they arc without, and you are within. Besides, you will be
readily excused from availing yourself of them, when it is known that
they arc prisoners, in close custody." •
"Prisoners!" exclaimed Whiting. "To whom?"
" To my negroes," said Mr. Trevor.
"Regular soldiers prisoners to negroes!" said Whiting, in amaze-
ment. " It is not credible; and you manifestly speak by conjecture,
as you have had no means of communicating with your friends with-
out."
" I am not in tlie habit, young gentleman," said Mr. Trevor, in a
tone of grave rebuke, " of speaking positively, "when I speak by con-
jecture. My orders were, that I should not be called to supper until
they were secured. As to the itrangeoi m of the affair," continued he.
resuming his cheerful and good-humored smile, "think nothing of
that. Remember that ni^lit is what the negroes call 'tli<irt;
day.' Tlie eagle i- DO match for the owl in the dark. Tlie thing
I tell you ; so make yourself easy, and let me have the pleasure of do-
118 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
ing the duties of hospitality by my nephew's friend. You shall not be
ly detained. W« must a-k the pleasure of your company
for a three hours' ride aera«s the line in the morning. 1 will there
00 a clear acquittance against all the responsibility yen may have
iucurred, for what you have done, or left undone: and. as Bbon I
retnrn, to restrain your men from acts of license, they shall be
up to you."
There was no remonstrating against this arrangement; and Lieuten-
ant Whiting, putting the best face he could on the matter, permitted
himself to be conducted to .-upper.
At the head of the supper table stood. as Usual, Mrs. Trevor. She
1 Borne six inches higher than common, her cheek flushed, her
-spread, her eye beaming; yet with all her high feelings sub-
dued to the duties of hospitality and courtesy. She met and returned
dutation of Whiting with the stately grace of a high-bred lady,
and then her eye glanced to her husband with a look of irrepressible
pride. His glance answered it, and, as they stood for a moment facing
each other at the opposite ends of the table, Whiting fell a sense of
admiring awe, such as the presence of majesty in full court had never
inspired. But this feeling, in a moment, passed away, with its <• uise.
The urbanity of the gentleman and the suavity of the lady soon re-
moved all the painfulness of constraint, and the evening passed as it
should pan between persons who in heart were friends.
.Wither Mr. B — nor Arthur made their appearance. The girls,
indeed, were present. The air and meaner of Delia reflected those of
her mother. Virginia looked a little alarmed, and Lucia blushing,
tender, and abstracted. The interest of the realities that surrounded
her could not quite dispel thv visions of excited fancy.
With these exceptions, which a stranger would not observe, every
thing passed as in the company of an invited and cherished guest, and
Whiting could not be sorry, at heart, that he had been battled in his
attempt to disturb so sweet a domestic party. The evening wore away
not unpleasantly, and he retired to rest in the same room with Douglas,
to guard him, or be guarded by him, according as it suited his fancy
to consider himself or Ids friend a.s the other's prisoner.
A word of explanation is due on the subject of the captive guardx
which will be given in the next chapter.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 119
CHAPTER XXIV.
Massa mighty cunning — watch he nigger like a hawk-,
But nigger like a. owl — he watch massa in e dark.
Jra Crow.
The first words which passed between Mr. Trevor and Lieuten-
ant TVhitiug, had been overheard by Tom, who was in the act of leav-
ing the room at the moment. He gave the alarm to his mistress, who,
hastening to her husband, met him at the door, and just received from
him the instructions already mentioned. She immediately sent for Mr.
fi: — , who, with Jack's aid, was in the act of distributing arms and
ammunition to the negroes. To him the management of the whole
affair was committed. No doubt was entertained that Lieutenant Whit-
ing had not oome unattended. The first thing to be done was to ascer-
tain the force by which tie was supported, and the place where he had
posted his men.
They, meantime, quietly awaited the return of their officer at the
great gate, a quarter of. a mile from the house. Rather as a point of
military etiquette than from an idea that any precaution was necessary,
they had stacked their arms in form before the gate, and stationed u
sentinel, who, with head erect and military step, walked his post in
front of them. They had not long been there, before they heard a
negro's voice, who, as he approached from the house, sung merrily a
a song, of which only the following lines could be distinguished :
"Peep froo <le winder; see hreak o' day;
" Run down to riber ; canoe gone away.
• " Put foot in water; water mighty cold ;
" Hear O'sur call me ; hear Missis scold.
" O dear ! my dear ! what shall I do !
'•My Massa whip me, cause I love you."
The song ceased, and cuffee advanced in silence, but with a heavy
swinging step, that rung audibly on the hard ground. As soon as hi?
dusky figure began to be distinguishable, which was not until he was
f|uite near, he was arrested by the sharp challenge of the sentry.
" High !" exclaimed the negro, in a tone of amazement and alarm :
" Law-Gorramity ! what dis ?"
V2'> THE PARTISAN LEADER.
■ \!v,:„> [" said the seatin ideally, " and gire tl e coun-
'• Whal nch a ting in mj life."
■ \l\. Hi.-. I" repeated the sentry, bringing his piece down with a
rattling sound against hie rial
The DMtal glimmered in the light from the windows. The i
caught the gleam, and, mlling flat oo )>is face* roared lustily fur inercy
The Sergeant now went to him. raised him Dp, calmed his fears, and,
as soon as he could be made to understand any thing, asked if Lien-
tenant Whiting was at the house.
" 1 heal 'em say, sir, one mighty grand gentleman went there while
ago. Old Tom say, he Mass Douglas' old crony, and Mean and Mai
Douglass, and all, mighty glad to see him.''
'• The devil they are!" said the Sergeant. '• Weil, I hope they'll be
mighty glad to sec us, too, I do not care how soon, for this night air
is something of the sharpest; and 'I have drawn better rations than w.
had at that damned tavern. I say, darker; the old man keepi
liquor, and plenty of belly-timb r, d< a't he?"
"Ah, Lord! Yes, Massa, I reckon he dues. Hut it an't maefe I
abonl it. Old Maasa mighty hard man, sir. Poot negur don't
see mueh o' he good tin
'■ But, I suppose, he gives his friends a plenty ?"
'• ( Ih, to be sure, sir! Massa mighty proud, (ireat gentleman oome
aee him, he aint got nothing too good fox him. But poor white folks
and pool negur ! — pshaw !"
'• A bad look, out for us, Roger?," said the Sergeant to one of his
men. " Damn the old hunks, 1 hope he don't mean to leave us to
bivouaek here all night. Well, ire must wait our hour, as the Lieu-
tenant told us, and then he'll come back to us, or we have to march to
the house. Damn it! I shall be pretty sharp set by that time, and, if
it tonus to that, the old gentleman's kitchen and wine-cellar may look
out for a storm."
'• You talk like you hungry, Maaaa/1 said the negro, in a tone of
sympathy. " I mighty sorry 1 ant got nothing to give you."
" Hut could not you get something, coffee? Is there no key to your
master's cellar and smoke-house besides the one he keeps?. Don't you
think, now, you could get us some of his old apple-brandy ? 1 hear he
has it of all agl
•Ah, Lord, Massa; dat you may be sure of. I hear old Tom say
brandy dare older an he; and he must a hundred. 'Sposc I bring you
o' dat, Massa, what you gwine give me V*
" Will R quarter do for a bottle of it V
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 121
" Law, Maasa ! why he same like gold. Half a dolla, Massa !"
. " Well, bring us a bottle of the right old stuff, mind ! — and you shall
have half a dollar. And see, darkee; cannot you bring us a little cold
bread and meat ?"
"I don't know, Massa, what de cook say. I try her."
"Well, go; and, wbi'c your hand is in, help yourself well. If the
liquor is good, may be we'll take two or three bottles."
" Well, Massa, I try old Tom. lie keep de key. Ah, Lord ! Old
Massa tink Tom mighty desperate honest; and he tink Tom love him
so — better an he own self. He better mind; one o' dese days Tom
show him how dat is."
" I don't think you love him much yourself, Sambo."
"Who? — I, Massa ? My name Jack, sir. Lord, no sir ! What I
love him for? Hard work and little bread, and no meat ? No, Maasa,
I love soldier ; cause I hear 'em say soldier come after a while, set poor
nigur free."
" That is true enough. I hope it will not be long before we set you
all free from these damned man-stealers. How would you like to go
with us?"
" Lord, Massa, you joking. Go wid you? I reckon the old man
find it right hard to get somebody to saddle his horse if all our folks
was here."
" Well, cuffee, the old man's in hockley by this time; and when we
march him off in the morning, you will have nobody to stop you. But
bring us the brandy, and then we'll talk about it."
. "Ees, Massa! tank ye, Massa! But, Massa, I got two boys big as
me, and my brother, and my wife, and all; I don't want to leave them.
And. Maasa, my boys got some apples. You want some, sir?"
' " To be sure I do. Bring them along; but mind and bring the
brandy, at all events."
The negro disappeared, and the soldiers occupied themselves in dis-
cussing the means of making a profitable speculation on their dispo-
sition to leave their master. They were still on this topic when they
heard Jack returning, with several more. One brought a chunk of
fire; another a basket of apples; another one of eggs; a fourth came
provided with some cold provision! ; .lack himself brandished a cou-
ple of bottles of 1 Tandy ; and one of his boys brought a pint of water
and a tin cup. The liquor was tasted, approved, paid for, and eagerly
swallowed. A torch of lijit-wood being kindled, a chaffering com-
menced, interrupted by occasional alltisiooa to the interesting subjects
of slavery, hard masters, ami emancipation. The brandy, ho*
chiefly engaged the attention of the soldiers. The sentry, whose duty
122 THB PARTISAN LKADBJt.
was but formal, was permitted to join, as the guns were but ■ few feet
<ifT. ju-t without tbe {rate, which stood open. The light of the torch
glittered strongly 00 the arms, ami seemed to make all things distinct,
while in fact its unsteady flickering did little inure than dazzle their
The negro held it aloft, and. as if to brighten the Maine, OOOtr
rionallj waved it to and fro. Suddenly it dropped from his hand into
the pail of water, and in an instant the blackness of impenetrable dark-
ness shrouded every eye.
At the same moment, a heavy trampling, as from a rush of many
feet, was heard without the gate, and a shivering olash from the stack
of arms, as if it had fallen down. The soldiers groped their way to-
wards it feeling where they supposed it to be. They felt in vain. They
winked hard, as if to free flieir eyes from the blinding impression 1< ft
by the flaring light, then opened them and looked about. .Indue their
astonishment, when, as they begun to recover their sight, they found
themselves surrounded by a dusky ring, from which issued a voice, not
unlike that of their friend Jack, which informed them, in good English,
that tiny were prisoners. The prick of a bayonet on one or two who
endeavored to pass through the circle, convinced them that suoh was the
fact; and, after a short parley, they permit!) d themselves to be marched
off, ami safely stowed away in a strong l Qt-houm.
I would not have the nadir give the negroes the eredit of this
stratagem. It had been devised by H — , who knew that he could de-
pend on the address and fjuick wit of -Ink fur drawing the soldiers
into the snare. All that part of the business had been left to his own
discretion. As soon as he had secured the amicable reception of him-
self and a few others, the rest, dividing into two parties, left the house,
and. Crossing tin- fence at some distance from the gate, and On each
side of it, advanced stealthily toward it. Here they met, and having
arranged themselves for a sudden rusb on the stack of arms, an agreed
signal was given by a negro who ptwieosod a faculty of mimicking the
voices of all animals. As sunn as tin' light was extinguished, the neces-
sary Dumber* rushed forward to the object on which their eyes had been
fixed; seised the arms, and, falling back, ranged themselves in a half
circle outside of the gate. Those who bad been with the soldiers, and
who all wore concealed arms, closed in behind them, and completely
hemmed them in. ]} — , in the mean time, who had his reasons for not
Wishing to be seen, kept aloof; and, as soon as he knew that the sol-
diers wen secured, returned to the house. There, too, he took care
not to show himself ; and Arthur was advised that he should not, by
making his appearance, at all involve himself in what had been done.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 123
CHAPTER XXV.
•
And even there. It i s eye being big with tears,
Turning his face, lie put his hand behind him,
And, with affection wbndrous sensible,
He wrung Bassanio's hand, and ?o they parted.
SlIAKSPEARE.
At daylight all was in motion. Arthur and Virginia, being affec-
tionately dismissed by their friends, were first upon the road, before
Lieutenant Whiting was awake. Much of the night had been spent
in preparations, and long before sunrise Douglas handed his aunt and
cousins into their carriage. His uncle mounted the barouche, with
Jack for driver, by whose side old Tom was placed ; while the lady's
maid took her seat by her single-minded master with a freedom from
which an auiulgainationist would have drawn the most pleasing infer-
ences. No other white person was seen ; but a body-guard of twenty
negroes, well armed, and mounted on plough horses, some saddled,
some cushioned, and some bare-backed, surrounded the carriages and
baggage-wagon. In the midst rode Douglas and his friend on horse-
back.
" You sec," said Mr. Trevor to Whiting, as he took his place in the
barouche, " that the part these faithful creatures took in last night's
work, drives them into exile as well as me. I must not leave them be-
hind to be the victims of baffled malice. What is to become of my
plantation, is a question of less importance. T suppose T may say with
Cincinnatus, when honor was forced on him as it is on me, my fields
must go unfilled this year ! You see here, sir, my whole male force.
Not one proved recreant."
" This affair is 'altogether unaccountable to me," said Whiting to
Douglas, as they moved off together; " and this the ftUttgl >t feature
of the whole. Do men, then, not without motives, and against all as-
signable motives ?"
"I asked the same question myself last night/1 said Douglas, "and
was referred to coming events for the answer. I was partly taught, al
the same simo, to aocount for what I was told to ex] •■
"And how can it be accounted fijrf
"I cannot say 1 have my lesson perfect; but something was said
about the difference of character produced by peculiar training, and
124 Tin: PARTISAN LBADIR.
if mind formed by cirouiustan - I 'or n j par il
re must be something, by nature, in the moral constitu-
tion of the negro, intrinsically different from the white man."
u It would, indeed, seem so," said Whiting, "if w
what wi see; I ut, in that case, we ma the authority which
tells us thai all are of one ra< •
are all d : "and dogs can no more act with-
out motive than man. It depends on .temper ami character what -hall
be the motives of action. The wolf would be sadly puzzled to judge ol
the motiv .s of the Newfoundland dog. May not circumstances, which
have made the difference between them, have produoed the much less
difference between the while man and the negro? I have no tin asur<
for the effeet of such causes. If I am put to choose between rejecting
tin evidence of my own senses, or the evidence of God's word/or the
ttphy whidi teaches that man is to be considered as a unit, be-
cause all of one race, philosophy must go by the board. It may be.
that what is best fur me. is hi.-: tor my friend .lack there, and via
: hut as 1, u- think.- BO, why Dot have each to
Besides, there is more room in the world for both of us.
than if both always wanted the same things."
A ride of a few hours carried tin' party across the line into North
Carolina. Here they stopped at the (ir.-t public house; and Mr. Tre-
vor drew nji a hasty statement of tli ;' Lhe night, which sin, aid
have the efiect of acquitting Lieut mint Whiting of all blame, on ac-
count of his own escape from the fangs of his enemies. In this he Bel
forth that, having been warned of the intended prosecution, he had
male his preparations accordingly, and that the officer had but fallen
into a snare from which no vigilance could have saved him. This lu
signed, and uave, moreover, a el, ar acquittance to Lieutenant Whiting
for all ho hail dune; and having thus placed him. as far as depended
on himself, rectus in atria, he announce. 1 to him that he was now at
liberty to go whither he would.
'' And now, sir," said he, "as the spell which wauld have made your
touch degrading 18 broken by the State line, let me have the pleasure
of taking you by the hand, not only as my nephew's friend, but as one
who, iii the extremes id* victory and defeat, as captor and as pri
has borne himself as became a gentleman."
Saying this, he extended bis hand, which Whiting grasped with fer-
vor, and they parted as friends cordial and sincere.
Douglas accompanied his friend a short distance on his return, the
1. Iter walking and leading his horse. They convened Of the past and
the future.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 12.">
"I have been a volunteer in this business," said Whiting, u I shall
not disguise that my friendship for you led me to offer my service, and
I fear tliat no excuse will be received for my failure. There is a spirit
somewhere at work, to which I will giye no name, that will be implaca-
ble at the thought that any advantage may have been lost by my re-
spect for your feelings." '
"I am afraid it may prove so," replied Douglas. "The consequence
may be Lata] to your advancement in the army, and perhaps you may
be driven from it, as I have been. Should it be so, my dear Whiting —
but I will not profit so little by the example of delicacy set me while I
wore the epaulette, as to say anything to you now. I would content
myself with telling you where I shall be found, if I myself knew. But
shall I keep you advised of my movements:"
" By all means," said Whiting. "I shall always wish, to know your
fate, whether good or ill."
"I know that,*' replied Douglas; ''but that. is not my meaning.
Shall I let you know where to iind me, in case circumstances should
lead you to share my fate ?"
"Don't ask me that, Trevor. The question implies ideas which I
must not entertain. But should such a time as you suppose ever ar-
rive, I shall know where to find you, should my opinions make it right'
to seek you."
" Then, God bless you, Whiting ! That we shall meet again, is sure ;
that we shall stand shoulder to shoulder in the strife of battle, as, in
our day dreams, we have so often thought of doing, I cannot doubt."
And thus parted these gallant and generous youths — the one into
exile from the country that he loved, the other to re! urn to the service
of an unthankful master.
A farther ride of a few miles brought our party to" the village in
which Mr. Trevor wi.-hed to take up his temporary residence. Here
they found .Mr. B — , who had been engaged in investigating the com-
forts and capabilities of the different public houses, (fed having Gxed
on that be iiked best, met .Mr. Trevor in the street, and conducted the
parly to it. '1 lie- two friends soon drew apart to dtSOOSS with the land-
lord the necessary arrangcm< bU 1 ir the e itnforl of the family during
their proposed stay.
Whit they were thus engaged, Don 1 himself, after the
manri?ifc«p| the country, in the bar-room, in which,
theie. was a motley assemblage ol the inhabitants of the village,
wlio b 1 come in to .-tare at and tark I By
tin t Douglas had taken care of the ladies and baggage, they
Were u into the merits of the whole party f and, When be en
Till; PARTISAN LEADER.
the room, they were too busy talking to pay any attention to him. The
principal interlocutors were three. First, a well-tin--. 1, nriddl
man. whoM dapper air and delicate hands bespoke one aoonatomed to
bowiDg across a counter over lace patterns and painted mnalittlj and
whose style of eloquence was exactly adapted to the praise of such ar-
ticles. Then there was a coarse, strong man, with a bacon-fed look,
plainly, cheaply, and untastcfully dressed in clothes which, by their
substantial' goodness, indicated at once the wearer's prudence and the
length of hi> purse. His voice was loud, Strong, and self-important,
entirely devoid of melody, and incapable of inflection or modulation.
Hi- whole appearance showed him to be a substantia] planter, ignorant
of ( rerything but corn and tobacco. A hnge whip in the hand of the
third, together with his dusty and travel. sailed appearance, denot
driver of B wagon which stood before the door.
Their conversation I reserve for the next chapter.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 127
CHAPTER XXVI.
If shejbc not kind to me,
What care I how kind she be ? Suckling.
"I cannot say I like it altogether, Squire," said the planter. " It
may suit my neighbor Jones, here, well enough "to have one of them
high-headed Roanoke planters to come here with his family and spend
his money. I dare say he will make a pretty good spec out of them ;
but, for my part, I would rather they would stay at home and live un-
der their own laws.. I ha'nt got no notion, after they saddled that
damned rascal Van Buren upon us so long, that now, the minute we
have shook him off and made a good government, and good treaties,
and all, they should be wanting to have a sop in our pan. If that's
what they are after, in rebelling against their government, I don'f
want to give them no countenance. What we haVe done, we have
done for ourselves, and wo have a right to all the good of it. They
have fixed their market to their liking, and let it stand so. If we can
get thirty dollars for our tobacco, and they cannot get ten, I reckon we
ha'nt got nobody to thank for it but ourselves. I dare say, now they
see how the thing works, they would be glad enough to share with us,
but I see plain enough that all they would get by joining us wc would
lose, and may be more too."
" You are right there, Mr. Hobson," said the merchant ; " and that
is not all. There's an advantage in buying as well as selling. Now,
as to this Mr. Trevor, or whatever his name is, coming over here, and
buying things cheaper than he could get them at home — why, that he i3
welcome to. Though you may be sure, neighbor, I don't let him have
them as cheap as I sell to you. But as to letting in the Norfolk mer-
chants to all the advantage of our treaty with England, that is another
matter; for though, when we deepen the bar at Ocracock, I have no
doubt our town down there will b^c another sort of a place to what Nor-
folk ever was, yet if Virginia was to join us now, right away, the most
of the trade would go to Norfolk again, and they would put their goods
there as cheap as we get them here, and may be a little cheaper. So
you see it is against my interest as well as yours; and I don't like the
thoughts of putting in a crop, and letting another man gather it, any
more than you do."
TBI PABTIBAB LKAHER.
i In- harder npou me than any of job
M for if that waa the case, thai damned rail) ! break up my
business, atoek and llute. As it is, there never waa such a time fox
ning before [nstead of just hauling the little tobacoo that is
to the end of the railroad, rtoto 1 hare the hauling of the
ad all, down to Conn
It is bard to say whether surprise or disgust most prevailed in the
mind of Douglas at hearing these remarks. The idea of the ad vantages
lobt to Virginia, by her connexion with the North, bad never entered
his mind; but still l<s> had he conceived it possil le that a sordid de-
sire to monopolize these advantages ceuldT stifle, in the minds of the
North Carolineans, every feeling of sympathy with thi d and
uted assertora of the rights of Virginia, The reply of Mr. 11 1>-
Bon to the remark of the wagoner gave him a yet deeper insight into
that dark and foul corner of the human heart where self predominates
..v. r all the better affections.
■• 1 dpu't think that's right fair in you, wagoner," said he. " Foil
haul the Virginia tobacoo down to Commerce, and when i( gt ta there it
is all the Bame as mine. Now. if it \ not for that, I am not so
mighty sure hut I VI gel forty dollars instead of thirty, and I don't like
to lose ten dollars to give to get one."
" u is all one to me/' said the wagoner. " You may just pay me
,<■ for not hauling that they pay me for hauling, or only half as
much, and I will do( haul another hogshead."
" 15ut if you won't, another will," said rTobson.
• Like enough," replied} the wagoner) " for all trades must live j and
if them poor devils gel a phanco to sell a hogshead or two, instead of
leaving it all to rot. von ought not to grudge them that."
" Certainly not," s;wd the merchant, •• for I guess that whatever they
get, they take eare to lay it all out in g Is on this side of the line; so
the money stays with us alter all, and friend Stubbs's hauling do<
to more besides him."
•• I see," skid Bobson, "how it docs good to you, hut none to me."
" But that an't all, .Mr Bobson/' said the landlord, who had in-
tered while this conversation was going on. "Them hot-beaded fel-
Sl
* Tl ■ II look in vairt on the map for the name of this place. It
i ii the waters of the Sound, and. doubt lent would have !>'•-
come a place of some oonsequenee baa nol the union of Virginia t- ibe South*
u Confederacy laid t!i<- foundation for a <!cjjr< I prosperity in N
wbicb bids lair lo make ii the iii«t i-ity on tl ontinent. The town oi
i down with the necessity which gave rise to it.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 129
lows over the line there, like this Olfl Squire Trevor, will be getting
themselves into hot water every now and then ; and when they run
away and come to us, if they did not bring no money, we'd have to
feed them free gratis for nothing. Now Stubbs hauls Squire Trevor's
tobacco to Commerce, and he gets a good price ; and then he gets into
trouble, and comes over here to stay with me, and so he is able to pay
me a good price ;" and here it is," added he, showing a roll of notes.
"Still," said Hobson, "I don't see how that does me any good. If
they were to conje here begging, damn the mouthful I'd give them."
" Then you would leave the whole burden on the poor tavern-keep-
ers," said the landlord.
" No, I would not. I would not let them come; or, if they did, just
give them up to their own government. If they had not a chance to
be running over here, as soon as they got into trouble, they would keep
quiet, and never get a chance to separate, and so ruin our business,
whether they joined us or no."
"Old Rip is wide awake at last," said a voice from behind; "but it
is to his interest only."
Douglas turned to the voice of the speaker, the tone of which ex-
pressed a scorn and derision most acceptable to his feelings. He was
a tall and fine looking man, powerfully made, and inclined to be fat,
but not at all unwieldly. The half laughing expression of his large,
blue eyes, and the protrusion of his under lip, spoke his careless con-
tempt of those whose conversation had called forth his sarcasm. The
attention of the whole company was drawn to him at the same moment,
all looking as if they wished to say something, without knowing wbat.
At length the wagoner spoke, on the well understood principle that,
when men talk of what they understand imperfectly, he who knows
least should be always first to show his ignorance.
"I cannot say I understand rightly what you mean, stranger," said
he; " but I guess, by the cut of your jib, that you arc one of them
high dons from South Carolina, that always have money to throw away,
and think a body ought never to care any more for himself than ano-
ther. Bui this bunoea don't ennsarn you, no how, because these peo-
ple don't interfere with your cotton crop."
"Yes, bot they do. though," said Hobson ; u for if thry drive me
from tobacco, I shall make cotton. But if I can keep them nut of the
tobacco market, 1 shall be will up the making of cUon to
South Carolina.''
" Why, that is true," said the stranger, with a sudden change of
. from which he discharged, in a moment, ev<
ance of intelligence, but that which seemed to reflect the superior wfa-
9
130 THE PARTISAN LEAP
| f Mr. Hobson. " That is true," said he, lo
stupid attempt to tliink ; "I had DOt thought of that befoi
A- lie .said this, lie ,-unk slowly and thoughtfully into a chair, his
falling far asunder, hid arms dro] ; hi< thighs, bis body
bent forward, and his face turned np toward Mr. EIohson,with the look
of ont who desires and expect to receive important information. The
whole action spoke so eloquently to Mr. Hobs >n'a self-esteem, that lie
in", with an air of the most gracious complacency.
•• foil see, stranger, just shutting only a part of the Virginia tobaooo
the market, makes a difference of ten dollars, at the very Last,
price "i mine. Now, we used to make a heap of cotton in this
country, but we are all going t" give it up »|uitc entirely, and then, you
sec. it stands to reason it will make a difference of five cents a pound,
or may be ten, in your cotton."
This interesting proposition was received by the stranger with a
ish start of dull surprise, from which he .-link again into the sanH
ince of stolid musing. "To think what a Fool I have 1
said he, after a long pause. Then. Boratching hi.- head, and twisting in
hi- chair, he added : " You are right, you are right; and th^ only way
:iage the matter is I
say, to make those fellows stay at homo."
"To he sure it would," said the gratified Ilobson; "but then there
I many conceited fellows in the Legislature, with a fo •!'.- notion in
beads about taking side- with them that cannot help them
that there is no getting anything done." •
•• \V< 11," said the stranger, " this gentleman guessed right when he
Mu I I was from South Carolina. So 1 don't know an) thing about your
laws here. Hut I suppo.se you have, no law to hurt a man for taking up
one that runs away from the law in Virginia, and carrying him hack.
I expect old Van would pay well for them."
Hobson looked hard at the stranger, and only a jswered with that
Compound motion of the head, which, partaking at once of a sha'
a nod, expressed both assent and caution.
'I lie landlord and merchant both exclaimed agaiosl this suggestion, the
one illustrating his argument by the freedom with which his guest had
ordered wine from the bar; the other, by his former exp< riejlCO of his
liberality as a purchaser "1' goods while be kept store in Mr. Tl
• i hood, which be had withdrawn since the revolution. Among
the bystanders tin re was no expression of opinion, but that sort of
silence which betokens au idea that what has been said is well worth
considering.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 131
CHAPTER XXVII.
Sic vos non vobis. — Vmcn .
In the meantime, Mr. B — had entered the room, and, hearing the
stranger's voice, placed himself at the back of his chair, looking on
with a playful smile. lie now spoke —
" Have you played out the play ?" said he.
The stranger sprung to his feet in a moment, and, facing B — , caught
him by the hand, which he shook -with an energy which seemed to
threaten dislocation. The two then turned off, and left the room to-
gether.
" This is most fortunate, my dear sir," said the stranger ; " but pray
tell me how hapj-ens it that I find you here ?"
" Do you not perceive," said B — , " that I have a' friend in trouble,
and that I am here with him ? Did you not hear the name of Trevor
just now ?"
"Trevor! No — I did not distinguish the name What Trevor?
Bernard ? Is he here ? In trouble ? About what ? I came this far
to see you both, and not choosing to go into A'irginia, was listening to
the conversation of those fellows, in hopes to find some one among
them whom I could trust to send with a request that you would both
meet me here."
"Here we both are," said B — , "and here Trevor is like to remain
for a while. He has been elected to the Legislature, and they have
jH'ttcn up a prosecution against him before that iniquitous court of high
commission at Washington, to hang him, if they can, or at least to
drive him off."
" Can you think him safe here," asked the stranger, " among such
mercenary wretches as those we have just left ?"
"0, yc> ! You nmst ii..t judge af this people by those mock-worms
The best of the three is a Yankee tin-] edler, turned merchant. 'I '
r two are the worst specimens of their I dare
say there are many more like them, but there are fifty gentlemen of
property in this county who would stand by us: and arc ready, in tl
individual capacity, to aid us with pOfM and -word, whenever we r
our banner."
132 THE PABTK4H I.K.M-KR.
u But where is Trei ger. "lam impatient I
iiim."
"We will lid V> — ; "but first let me introduce you to
a youn,Lr friend of ours, whom you must as a friend. 11«' i.« the
of man we Bhould ch< rish, ai thai, he has been in trou-
ble on tout account You must understand that he was an officer in
the United .<! incurred the mortal displeasun
his master for not joining one ol' liis minions in abuse of you, when
the news f your successful negotiation with the British Gaverpn
• d."
rlas was ppw called into tlic room, and introduced tu the stranger,
the three gentlemen repaired together to tin- parlor of Mr. Trevor.
A cordial greeting between the two friends, ami a sprightly oonveraa-
tion on various topics, ensued; but at length the ladies left the room,
and affairs of moment came under discus
"I am come," said the stranger, " u> learn your plana, and to consult
of the best means of affording such aid as we can. "When, where, and
how, do you mean to move f"
" We have carried the eleotii i — > as to be sure of a
majority in the Legislature, if they oan be freed from the presence of
the federal army. l?nt. unless that can be done, <>ar friends here, and
many others, will not 1"' permitted to attend, and the weaker brethren
will be ovcraw.
"Of COUl you wiH attempt that. What measures do you
t" bake « '
•• None that shall attract observation," said 15 — . "It is impossible,
at this time*, to draw together any fbree which might not at once bo
overwhelmed by the army at Richmond. We arc therefore, obliged
to lie quiet, ami Buffer our people t" see for themselves the advant.\
i hey are losing. They are beginning to understand this. They per-
ceive that your commercial arrangements are making their neighbors
in this State rich, while they can sell nothing that they make, and are
obliged t" give double price for all they buy. The abatement of duty
in the English porta on your bobaCOO, ami the corresponding abatement
of your impost on British manufactures, Is driving trade, money, and
even population, to the South; ami. nothing but separation from the
Northern Stau - can prevent our whole tobacco country from being de-
serted. This, of course, will open the eyes of the people in time, and
\tc hope, that when the Legislature meets, it may be practicable to
draw together, on the sudden, such a force as may drive the enemy
from Richmond, and give time at least to adjourn to a place where
they may deliberate in safety.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 138
" Is there any such place in the State?" asked the stranger.
" I am not aware that there is at this moment, hut such a one must
be provided for the emergency, should it arise."
" And what means do you propose to use for that purpose ?"
" There is a section of the State," replied B — , "where circumstances
enable me to exert a powerful influence, and where, from its localities,
a partisan corps might maintain itself, in spite of the enemy, and might
give so decided a disposition to the surrounding population, as to estab*
lish perfect security within a pretty extensive district."
"But is there no danger," said the southron, "that such a corps
would induce an increase of the force at Richmond and elsewhere, and
so make the first step in your enterprise more difficult ?"
" It would have that effect," said B — , " were not the scene of action
remote from Richmond, and unless the operations of the corps were so
conducted as to create no alarm for that place. Of course, there should
be no appearance of concert with this lower country ; and, so far from
increasing apprehension of our ulterior designs, our failure to rally to
the banner of a successful leader might disarm suspicion."
" Then it seems that all you want is a Marion, a Sumpter, or a
Pickens ?"
" We have such a one," eaid B — , " and it is well that you are here
with us to aid in consecrating him to the task. Here he stands."
As he said this, he laid his hand, solemnly, gently, and respectfully.
on the head of the astonished Douglas.
" What, I !" exclaimed he. " For God's sake, my dear sir, what
qualification have I for such service?"
" Courage, talent, address, and military education," said B — , with a
quiet smile.
"And where should I find men willing to be commanded by mo, in
an enterprise which, of course, supposes the absence of all legal au-
thority ?"
" Suppose them provided," said B — . " Is there any other difficul-
ty to be provided ?"
"I should still be bound to enquire," said Douglas, "what good
end is proposed, before I could agree to enter on a course of conduct
which nothing but the most important considerations could justify."
"All that you have a right to ask, and ITS bound to understand
clearly. You would have understood it long Before this, but thai
long as one shred remained of the fie that bound you to the sraj of
the i'nitrd States, a delicate respect to y<>u imposed Bilcnce "n your
uncle and myself. You now require that we show you some prevailing
134 THE PABTISAH LIWDKR.
reaa in why Virginia should detach herself from the Northern Confcd-
., and cither form a separate State, which we do nut propose, or
unite herself to the South, which we do. Is nut that vuur diffi-
cult;.
•It is," replied Douglas. "I have long heen sensible that there
w. re \i' ws of the subject which my situation had hidden from me, and
have frequently lamented (while I was grateful for) the resolute rc-
whioh my friends have maintained."
" Yhu must he sensible," said B — , "that the Southern States, in-
cluding Virginia, are properly and almost exclusively agricultural.
The quality of their soil and climate, and the peculiar character of
their laboring population, concur to make agriculture the most profita-
ble employment among them. Apart from the influence of artificial
es, it is not certain that any labor can be judiciously taken from
the soil ft > be applied to any other object whatever. When Lord
Chatham said that America ought not to manufacture a hub-nail fur
herself) he .-puke as a true and judicious friend of the colonies. The
labor necessary to make the hob-nail, if applied t>> the cultivation of
earth, might produce that fur which the British manufacturer
would gladly give two hob-nails. By cumin- between the manufacturer
and the farmer, ami interrupting this interchange by perverse legisla-
tion, the Government bruke the tie which bound the culuiiies to the
mother country.
" When that tie WQS severed and peace established, it was the inter-
f both parties that this interchange should be restored, and put
upon snob o rooting as to enable each, reciprocally, to obtain for the
products of his own labor as. much as possible of the products of the
labor of the other.
'• Why was Dot this dune? Because laws are not made for the benc-
lit <4' the people, but for that of their rulers. The monopolising spirit
of the landed aristocracy in EJngland led tu the exclusion of our bread-
stuffs, and the necessities of the British treasury tempted to the levy-
in- o\ eie rmous revenue from uiir other agricultural products. The
interchange between the farmer and manufacturer was thus interrupted.
!n part it was absolutely prevented; the profit being swallowed up by
the impost, the inducement was taken away.
" What did the American Government under these circumstances ?
]>id they say to Great Britain, 'relax your corn-laws ; reduce your
duties uu tobacco; make no discrimination between our cotton and that
from the East Indie-; and we will refrain f'ruin laying a high duty on
your manufactures, i'ou will thus enrich your own people, and it is
by no means sure that their increased prosperity may not give you,
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 135
through the excise and other channels of revenue, more than an
equivalent for the taxes we propose to you to withdraw.'
" Did we say this ? No. And why ? Because, in the Northern
States, there was a manufacturing interest to be advanced by the very
course of legislation most fatal to the South. With a dense popula-
tion, occupying a small extent of barren country, with mountain streams
tumbling into deep tide-water, and bringing commerce to the aid of
manufactures, they wanted nothing but a monopoly of the Southern
market to enable them to enrich themselves. The alternative was be-
fore us. To invite the great European manufacturer to reciprocate
the benefits of free trade, whereby the South might enjoy all the ad-
vantages of its fertile soil and fine climate, or to transfer these advan-
tages to the North, by meeting Great Britain on the ground of prohi-
bition and exaction. The latter was preferred, because to the interest
of that section, which, having the local majority, had the power.
" Under this system, Great Britain has never wanted a pretext for
her corn-laws, and her high duties on all our products. Thus we sell
all we make, subject to these deductions, which, in many instances,
leave much less to us than what goes into the British treasury.
" Here, too; is the pretext to the Government of the United States
for their exactions in return. The misfortune is, that the Southern
planter had to bear both burdens. One half the price of his product
is seized by the British Government, and half the value of what he
gets for the other half is seized by the Government of the United
States.
" This they called retaliation and indemnification. It was indemni-
fying an interest which had not been injured, by the farther injury of
one which had been injured. It was impoverishing the South for ihe
benefit of the North, to requite the South for having been already im-
poverished for the benefit of Great Britain. Still it was ' indemnifying
ourselves.' Much virtue in that word 'ourselves.' It is the tan-' i
used 'ant to the dwarf in the fable ; the language of the bra-
zen pot to the earthern pot; the language of all dangerous or interested
friendship.
"I remember Feeing an illustration of this sort of indemnity in th(
case of a woman who was whipped by her husband. She went com-
plaining to her father, who whipped her again, and sent her back.
1 Tell your husband,' said he, 'that as often as he whips mjy daughUrt I
will whip hit wift "'
"But what remedy has been proposed for these things V I
Don- '
UA remedy has been proposed and applied," replied B — . "The
I
136 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
if legislation fur the benefit, not of the rulers, but of the
ruled."
•• But in what MOM will you say that >mr legislation has 1 •
benefit of the rulers alone ''. Are we not all our own rulen
'• STes/' replied 15 — . " if you again have recourse t<> the use of that
ipreheasive word ' \vk,' which id< most dis
and binds up, in the Bame bundle, things most discordant [f the
South and N"..rth are one; if the Yankee and the Virginian a
if light and darkness, b( al and cold, life and death, can all be identi-
: then WU arc our own rulers. Just so, if the State will consent to be
identified with the Church, then we pay tithes with one hand, and re-
ceive them with the other. While the Commons identity themselves
with the Crown, ' we' do but pay taxes to owndvet. And if Virgin-
tans can be fooled, into identifying themselves with the Yankees — a
I tax-paving minority, with a fixed tax-receiving majority — it will
Still be the same thing; and they will continue to hold a distinguished
place among the innumerable WIS that have been gulled into their
own ruin ever since the world began. It is owing to this sort of de-
ception, played off on the unthinking multitude] that, in the two fp
countries in the world, the most important int. 1 for the
Bt of lesser interests. In England, a country of manufacturers,
they have been starved that agriculture, may thrive. In this, a country
of farmers and planters, M-.y haye been taxed that manufacturers may-
thrive. Now I will requite Lord Chatham's well-intentioned declara-
Mying that England ought ii"t to make a barrel of flour for
herself. I say, tOO, that if her rulers ami the rulers of the people of
America were true to their trust, both Sayings would he fulfilled. She
would be the work-house, and here would be the granary of the world.
What would become of the Yankee.-'.' As / don't call them WE, I
.leave them to find the answer to that question."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 137
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Such is the aspect of this shore ;
:Tis Greece — but living Greece no more.
Byrom.
The impression made on Douglas by these observations was so strong
and so obvious, that his friend paused and left him to meditate upon
them. Some minutes elapsed before he made any reply. When he
did speak, he acknowledged the existence and magnitude of the griev-
ance, and again enquired, with increased solicitude, what remedy had
been found.
" You heard what passed in the bar-room, just now," said the
stranger.
" I did." replied Douglas, " and I was as much surprised at the facts
hinted at, as disgusted at the sentiments of the speakers."
" Then your surprise must have been extreme," said the other; "for
I hardly know which amused me most — their unblushing display of
selfish meanness, or the glow of indignation in your countenance, which
showed how little you know of this world of philanthropy and benevo-
lence that we live in. But bad you no suspicion of the cause of those
enviable advantages which these sons of Mammon are so anxious to
monopolize?"
u Not at all, and hence my surprise; for I had supposed heretofore,
that, between the two States, all the advantage lay on the side of Vir-
ginia."
"You judged rightly/' replied the other. "In the way of com-
merce, nature has done nothing fur the one, and every thing for the
other. But the conversation you have heard is a proof that the sand
which chokes the waters of the Sound is a trivial obstacle, in 0Ompari«
son with the legislative barriers which have shut out prosperity from
the noble Chesapeake. Look at your river.- and bay, and you will sec
that Virginia ought to be the most prosperous country in the world
Look at the ruins which strew the face of your lower country, the re-
mains of churches and the fragments of tombstones, and you will see
that she once was so. Ask f'nr th< lants of the men wl
name- arc sculptured on those monuments, and their present
138 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
will rity has passed away. Then a*k all hist
to the finest countries in the world — to Amu Minor, to <i
isk what has laid them desolate, and you will receive 'bat one
answ< r, ' misgoverament
" But may not the fault be in the people themselves?" asked 1
" The fault of submitting to be misgoverned, certainly. 3?nt no
more than that. Lei the country enjoy its natural advantages, and
they \\h" arc too ignorant or too Blothful to use them will booh irive
place to others of a different character. What has there been to \
vent the Yankee from selling his barren hills at high prices ami com-
ing South, where he might buy the fertile shores of the Chesap
for a song? No local attachment, certainly — for his home is every
where. What i.-> there now to prevent the planter of this neighbor-
hood from exchanging his thirsty fields for the rich and long-coveted
low grounds of dames River or lxoanoke, in Virginia? Are these
people wiser, better, more energetic and industrious than they were
twelve' months ago, that their lands have multiplied in value five fold?
Is it your uncle's fault, that, were he now at hom< the tame slave of
power, he could hardly give away his line estate ? The difference is,
that this country now enjoys its natural advantages, while Virginia re-
mains under the crushing weight ol a system devised for the benefit of
her oppressors."
"I sec the effect," said Douglas. " lint tell me, I beseech you, the
cause of this change in your condition here."
" The cause is free trade."
"And how has that been obtained ?"
" I will answer that." said I! — . " because my friend's modesty might
restrain him from giving the true answer. It has been obtained by in-
telligence, manly frankness, and fair dealing. It has been obtained by
offering to other nations terms most favorable to their peculiar and dis-
tinctive interests, in consideration of receiving the like advantage.
Instead of nursing artificial interests to rival the iron and cotton fab*
. and the shipping of England, the wine of France, the Bilk and
oil of Italy, and enviously snatching at whatever benefit nature may
have vouchsafed to other parts of the world, this people only ask to
exchange for these things their own peculiar productions. A trade
pel: totally discharged from all duties, would certainly be
fur all. J5ut revenue must be had, and the imrJbst is the best
source of revenue. .No State can be expected to :_rive that up. ]5ut it
has been found practicable so to regulate that matter as reduce tho
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 139
charges which have heretofore incumbered exchanges to a mere
trifle."
"How has that been effected?'' asked Douglas.
' 0
•' If that question were to be answered in detail," said 13 — , " I
should leave the answer to him by whom the details have been arranged.
I will give you the outline in a few words. These States were first
driven to think of separation by a tariff of protection. Their Federal
constitution guards against it by express prohibition, and by requiring
that the impost, like the tax laws of Virginia, should be annual.
" They have felt the danger to liberty from excessive revenue. Their
constitution requires that the estimates of the expense of the current
year shall be made, the measure of revenue to be raised for that year.
The imports of the preceding year arc taken as a basis of calculation,
and credit being given for any surplus in the treasury, a tariff is laid
which, on that basis, would produce the sum required."
" Then there can never be any surplus for an emergency," said
Douglas.
"Always," replied B — ■; " in the right place, and the only safe
plaoc — the pockets of a prosperous people. There is no place in the
treasury to keep money. The till of the treasury has a hole in the
bottom, and the money always finds its way into the pockets of sharp-
ers, parasites, man-worshippers, and pseudo patriots. But let that pass.
You sec that a small revenue alone will probably be wanting, and being
raised annual]}-, the tariff can be annually adjusted.
"Now, what says justice, as to the revenue to be raised by two na-
tions on the trade between the two, seeing that it is equally levied on
the citizens of both ''."
"On that hypothesis each should receive an equal share of it,'" said
Douglas.
" Precisely so," answered B — , "and let these terms be held out to
all nations, and if one will not accept them another will. On this
principle a system of commercial arrangements baa been set on* foot
which, by restoring to these States the benefit of their natural advan-
tages, is at once producing an effect which explains their former pros-
perity. It places in Btronger relief the evils of the m to
Virginia, and really l< aves her, while she retains her pn ,-cnt connexion
with the North, without any resource. I ' • ■ she cannot sell at all.
Liritu natura, she will have to rai.-e cotton to supply the beggared
manufactories of the North, from which she. will no) iu return
the third pari a< much of the manufactured article as the Carolina
planter will get for his. Thii if her fal 3 \ and would throw
off the yoke. But her Northern it No. She is all thai
140 THE PABTIBAB LKADBR.
• i then of tl < ir Southern dependencies, which, though not
they have bo long governed a* colonies. Take hex away.
and they are in the condition of the wolf when then- are no sheep left.
v. If eat wolf, and Eenkee cheat "\" :i n k t-t.-. This they will guara against
by all means lawful and unlawful, for Virginia alone mitigates the
ruin that their insatiate rapacity has bronght upon them. They will
hold on to her with the gripe of death ; ami she must an.] will straggle
to free herself, as from death.
"And now, how say you? Are you prepared to do your part in
furtherance of this objeel
" 1 :un," replied Douglas promptly, "and I now eagerly ask you to
show me the means by which I can advance it."
" Vnu asked for men," said ]$ — , "and you shall have thctn. They
arc already provided, and want but a leader."
"But what authority can I have to be recognhed as such ?"
" You have heard your uncle, aunt, or cousins, speak of Jacob
Schwartz."
" I believe I have ; but what can such a fellow have to do with such
affairs as we now speak of. Is he nut an ignorant clown ?"
" lie is all that," said B, " But he writes as good a hand as Mar-
shal Saxe, and has probably read as many hooks as Cincinnatus. But
to speak seriously, he is no common clown. J picked bim up, nearly
forty years DgO, a little, dirty, ragged boy, without money, without
friends, without education, and without principles. All these wants I
found means to. supply, except that of education, which to him would
1 a quite superfluous, lint he now has n ey sufficient, and friends
without number ; and, what is better still, he has become an honest
• . and discharges the duties of one none the worse lor having had
a pretty largo experience in knavery. Such as he is, he is bound to
me by gratitude, such as few men are capable of. More than a dozen
years ago, he followed the bent of early habit, and retired to his native
mountains, where he has married, and lives after the manner of the
country, as if he were worth nothing in the world but his rifle. He
has a good deal of money, which 1 manage for him ; and as he has no
taste lor extravagance of any sort, and is generous as a king, he always
has a dollar to spare a friend.
" When I tell you that the people of that district see so little money
that they always count it by four-penee-hali'pennics, you will readily
believe that a little help goes a great way. They don't sec that Schwartz
has any property} but their opinion of bis sagac'ty and enterprise
takes away all wuiider at the fact, that he is always able, as well as
ready, to give aid to a friend at time of need. You will, of course,
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 141
infer, that his influence among them is very great. Now that, and all
his faculties of body, mind, and purse, are at my command. He is
aware of the state of public affairs ; adopts all my views, as far as he
can understand them, and beyond that point trusts me implicitly. It
is through his instrumentality that the minds of the mountaineers of
that district arc prepared for action at this moment. No force is actu-
ally organized, but every thing is ready for the emergency. The dis-
positions of the people, and the strong fastnesses of the country, will
make it a secure retreat to a partisan corps. The materials for such a
corps may be found in part among the inhabitants. A nucleus is all
that is wanting, and to that all the persecuted and distressed, from
every quarter, will gather."
" You show me, then," said Douglas, "that you already have all you
want — men and a leader. Your friend Schwartz must be the very man
to command those fellows, and might not like to submit to the authority
of another."
" He is not the man to command," said E — , "because. he could not
keep up intelligence with other parts of the country, though as a me-
dium of intelligence there is none better. Indeed he cannot be spared
from that branch of service. Besides, though he might command his
neighbors, you will be joined by men who will not submit to be com-
manded by any but a gentleman. As to any reluctance on his part, gp
to him in my name, or in that of your uncle or aunt, and you command
him, body and soul. You will find all his faculties devoted to your
service, without envy, jealousy, or grudging; and you will do well to
^use his mind more than his body. In many particulars he is one of
the most efficient men in the world ; and as he perfectly understands
himself, and knows what he is fit for, you may always leave him to
choose his own function, and to execute it in his own way."
14'2 T1IE PARTISAN L1IADER.
C II A PTER XXIX.
The heath this night mil-; be my l>ed,
The bracken curtain for my head,
My lullaby the wai '■
I. ■. ••■. Mary !
" I THINK," said Donglas, " 1 now und< rstand your general purpose,
and the means to be placed at my disposal. Let me now know your
if operations. What, am 1 to do, and when '!"
u The task 1 propose to myself," replie I B — , " is one which requires
lyselfout of httrm's way, and free from all suspicion, until
time shall come; when I propose to act a part which shall make
me a conspicuous mark for the malice or policy of our enemies. Hence
1 affect to live, and keep myself as much a- possible on this side of the
line. What you do there must he done in such a way as to indicate
bo connexion with me. I therefore propose that you accompany my
friend here to South Carolina, where you may dejrive much benefit from
seeing the first men in that State, with whom he will make you ac-
quaint' <1. From thence 1 would have yon address letters to your friends
oiallythi army) so worded a- to lead them to attribute your
chan | which should be made to seen) progressive I to the in-
fluence of th( tii as, \ few weeks will he sufficient for
this purpose, and you may return to Virginia early in the summer."
11. r. ." continued 15 — . pointing to a map which hung in the room, "is
the joint at which you will enter the State, and here will he the prin-
cipal scene of your operations. You will there find Schwartz, to whom
you shall he properly accredited, and from whom you will learn the re-
Bourcea to he placed at your command, and the capabilities of the coun-
try.
•w observe Our ohject h to organise a small force, under which
the district may be protected in declaring for the Independenc of Vir-
ginia, and prepared to afford a place of refuge to the Legislature,
should they be driven from Richmond before they have time to organ*
izetl us of the Government, Of course, they, must have an
■ rtunity to assemble there, if hut for a day. This it must be our
care to secure, by a sudden movement from the midland counties on
the southern boundary, and in this we may need your co-operation.
On that point we shall take care to keep you advised.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 143
Now, our first object being to free Richmond from the presence of
the federal army, at the moment the Legislature is to meet, we must be
careful to cause no alarm for the safety of that place. Any movement
in that direction would produce a concentration of force there, and in-
crease our difficulties. You should, therefore, be careful so to shape
your operations as rather to call the attention of the enemy to other
points; and if you can make them of sufficient importance to draw de-
tachments from Richmond, a double purpose will be answered. You
will have no cause to fear any force that can be brought against you.
Your field of operations affords situations which may defy assault, and,
the line of North Carolina being at your back, you may, at any mo-
ment, cross it and disband for a time.
" But I am not sure whether our end may not be answered best by
giving to all your operations such a 'character as may exclude the idea
of any political object. As none of those who are conspicuous as mal-
contents in the lower country will join vou, this deception will not be
difficult. In beating up the quarters of the troops near you, you may
seem to act but in self-defence; and should you extend your blow so
far as Lynchburg, your mountaineers will hardly fail to levy such con-
tributions on the camp-followers, and Yankee pedlars there, (who call
themselves merchants,) as to give the measure the appearance of a
mere marauding expedition."
"I am not so very sure," replied Douglas, "that I should like to mix
my little reputation as a soldier and a gentleman with an affair of that sort.'
"lam not suggesting anything contrary to the laws of war,
B — . "The violation of them would be but in appearance. Care
would be taken to indemnify any who might be wronged, whenever it
shall be expedient for you to throw off the mask. As to any temporary
misconstruction, your name would connect you with your uncle, and,
through him, with mc and all our friends; and moreover, would whet
the malice of your worthy friends, the Bakers, who would move heaven
and earth to circumvent you. Better, therefore, to drop the last na-roe.
Archibald Douglas is name enough to satisfy the ambition of any
reasonable man, at least until he can cap it with a yet mure honorable
addition, if that be possible."
While this conversation was going on, there was some appearance of
embarrassment about Douglas, which did not escape the observation of
his uncle. At length he slid to him, in an under tone, that, befon
carrying the matter under discussion any farther, he would be glad to
have a few words with him in private.
•' 1 understand your wi.-h," said the old gentleman, aloud; "it shall
be indulged. "
144 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
•• I - i mistake me," said Douglas, coloring very high.
Not at all," replied the other. "You only suppose so because
not know that one of my friends here received his wife in man-;
my hands, and that the other stood father to mine. II. nee I have no
such r< ith them as you may suppose. Now do I understand
you ?"
•• 1 dare say you do," replied Douglas, blushing yet more deeply.
"Then, I Bay again, your wish shall he indulged. You shall not
as until you arc fully established in all the rights which it is
mine to confer. But you must suppress your raptures until you hear
the conditions. Our plan requires secresy, and above all, that there
should be no appearance of concert between you and us, and no cause
pect it. This thing, therefore, must be absolutely private; no
witnesses but those here present, and your aunt, and Lucia ; and in the
next moment your foot must be in the stirup. Are you content?"
" Content !" said Douglas. " Indeed I am not ; but I see that you
arc acting upon a concerted plan, and that ail expostulation must he
■\ain. Let me at least see Delia now."
•• 1 suspect she has gone to bed," said Mr. T — . " li-timl .' I be-
lieve is the word introduced by our Yankee Bchoobmistresses, whose
prurient imaginations are shocked at the name of a bed. Door girl,
she was glad to retire, in the plain English BenBe of the word, as soon
as we got here, and, I dan! say, has been in hed half an hour. She
and your aunt were on active service all last night, while you were
keeping a snoring watch over our friend Whiting. Come, my hoy !
You shall not infect her with the fever of your brain to-night. If you
cannot sleep, it is no reason why she should not. And now let us turn
again to other matter'-."
" The next question, then," said the southron, " is how we can aid
you? By sword, or tongue, or pen, or purs.
"By purse as much as you please," said 1> — . "Our young friend
here Will need a small military chest, which we have no means of fill-
ing. As to the rest, keep out of the Bcrape. We wish to join you in
and then remain at peace, which will not he, if you strike a blow
in our behalf now. As much individual aid as you please to our ren-
dezvous just before the first Monday in December. A thousand indc-
pendenl volunteers, pour fr coup, would be welcome. In the mean-
time, if you can send our young friend here a promising young officer
from yur military school, to be his second in command, it is all we
would ask. ' Of course, he will come as of his own head, for you must
not seem to have anything to do with the matter."
3Iany other topics connected with our subject were discussed, but I
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 145
deem it unadvisablc to speak of more than is necessary to explain the
subsequent situation of the parties. When they met again at break-
fast, the swimming eye and changing cheek of Bblia told that she had
been made acquainted with all that had passed. The countenance of
Douglas beamed with high excitement, at «once pleasant and painful.
A glance of triumphant encouragement to Delia, and her answering
tearful smile, showed that they perfectly understood each other. In-
deed, it was time they should, for it had been settled that B — , who
was a resident and justice of the peace of the county, sljould perform
the maniige ceremony, according to the unceremonious law of North
Carolina, immediately after breakfast.
As soon as it was over, they adjourned to the parlor, where B — ,
drawing Delia to him, seated her on his knee. " I don't half like this
business," said he. "I have no mind to take an active part ih giving
up my own little girl to this young fellow. I am too old to think of
loving and lighting all in a breath, as he does, and I thought to wait
till the wars were over, and here he comes and cuts me out. But I
am determined to do nothing in prejudice of my claim until I find that
I have no Chance. Young man," added he, in a tone gradually chang-
ing from playful to serious, " do you love this dear girl with that faith-
ful, single-hearted love, which man owes to a woman who gives him all
her heart, and entrusts to him all her happiness and all her hopes?"
As he said this he took the hand of Douglas, and went on : " Do
you thus love her, and will you in good faith manifest this love, by be-
ing to her a true and devoted husband, in every change and vicissitude
of life, so long as life shajl last? Answer me, Douglas," he continued,
with a voice approaching to sternness, and & fixed and searching look,
while he strongly grasped the young man's hand.
" Assuredly I will," said Douglas, somewhat hurt.
.#' And you dear," said B — , resuming his kind, and playful tone, " do
you love this'young fellow in like sort, and will you, on your part, be
to him thus faithful as his wife?"
While B — said this, the blushing Delia tried to disengage herself;
but he detained her, and caught the hand with which she endeavored
to loosen hi.- from her waist, and held it fast. At length she hid her
face on his neck, whispering :
"You know I do. You know! will."
"Then God bless you, my children," said B — , bringing their hands
together and grasping both firmly in one of his; "for you arc married
as fast as the law can tic you."
In a moment the whole party were on their feet, each expressing k
different variety of Burpriae. . Douglas was the first td understand hia
10
146 ' THE PARTISAN LEADER.
situation fully, a? appeared by his springing forward and»catching his
bride to his bosom, imprinting on her pure check the kiss that holy na-
ture prompts, and thtt all the caprices of fashion (thank God!
never shame. From him she escaped into the arms of her mother.
who, caressing her with murmured tenderness, looked half reproach-
fully at B— . Then smiling through Jhe tear that filled her large brae
em -he shook her finger at him, .ami said, "Just like you! just like
you !"
" Fairly cheated you of your scene, Margaret. All the matronly
airs, and maidenly airs, that you and Delia have been rehearsing this
morning, gone for nothing. And there is dear little Lucia crying U if
to break her heart, because sister Delia was married before she could
fix her pretty little face for the occasion. Never mind, dear I When
your turn comes there will be less hurry, and you shall have a ceremony
as long as the whole liturgy. Well, Douglas, you will not quarrel with
me, I am sure ; and I think Delia will forgive me for the trick I played
her. You have but an hour to stay together, and where was tlie sense
of giving that up to the flutter and agitation of a deferred ceremony?
I.suspect if I were always to manage the matter in this way, 1 Bhould
have my hands as full of business as the dentist that used to conjure
people's teeth out of their mouths without their knowing it, while he
was pretending just to fix his instrument. But go, my children.
Empty your full hearts into each other's bosoms, and thauk me for the
privilege."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 147
CHAPTER XXX.
Gathering tears and tremblings of distress j
And olieeks all pale, which, but an hour ago,
Blushed at the praise of their own loveliness.
And there were sudden partings, such as press
The life from out young hearts, and choking sighs.
Which ne'er might he repeated : Who could guess
If ever mare should meet those mutual eyes? Byron.
And so it was. I can add nothing to the language of the poet. I
' can supply nothing to the imagination of the reader. Thus Dou.las
and Delia parted. He accompanied his new acquaintance to the south-
ern capital ; he there met with men whose names live and will live in
the history of their country, and whose memories will be honored while
virtue is held in reverence among men. From these, and especially
from the accomplished gentleman to whose friendship he had been in-
troduced by his uncle and Mr. B — , he received such lights as dis-
pelled every shadow of doubt from his mind. The wrongs of Virginia,
ner rights and her remedies, became the subject of all jhis thoughts,
' and he burned with impatience for the time when he might draw his
sword on her behalf, and' turn to her use, as he had expressed it, the
lessons learned in the school of her oppressors.
That time at length arrived. Returning by the upper road which
skirts the foot of the mountains, he re-entered Virginia nearly at the
spot to which his brother had gone in quest of him. There, as he had
been taught to expect, he found Schwartz, whose reception of him fully
justified the assurances of 13 — . To that gentleman he showed un-
bounded devotion, delighted to speak of favors received at his hands,
and of " moving accidents by flood and field," which they had encoun-
tered together. Next to 1> — , in his estimation, stood Mrs. Trevor ;
then Delia, for whom, when a child, he had formed a passionate at-
tachment; and last, Mr. Trevor himself, whom, after the rest, he re-
spected and admired above all human beings. A hint from ]i — that
Douglas was the husband of Delia placed him at once in the same cata-
logue of worthies, and from the first moment he devoted himself not
less to his personal service than to the advancement of the common
cause. lie had already organised a small corps, the command of which
he unrtservedly surrendered, making it his constant study to recom-
mend the new commander to the confidence of the men.
148 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
No roan could deserve it better, or was bettor qualified to win it.
Frank, affable, generous and kind, bis deportment was marked by that
self-n -]■• rti'ul courtesy which lias all the good, effect of dignity, without
passing by that name. With nothing repulsive, austere, or cold
in his demeanor, he was a man whoso orders no soldier would question,
whose displeasure no gentleman would choose to incur, whose feelings
no friend, however oar<JeB8, would wound. Liberally supplied with
money by his southern i'riends, and instmeted by Schwartz in the judi-
cious use of it, he took effectual measures to prevent distress in the
families of his followers. A small sum amply satisfied theit simple,
wants, ami his men had the satisfaction of knowing that their families
suffered nothing by their absence from tiieir little farms.
Beside the small embodied corps I have mentioned, the whole popu-
lation of that warlike district were plaood under a sort of organisation,
so that, while they pursued their occupations of hunting or farming,
they were prepared, tit any moment, to join an expedition or to resist
an attack.
Schwartz, who knew the country, inch by inch, made Douglas ac-
, cjuainted with all its strengths and all its passes, so that.be soon be-
came an expert woodsman, and an aetive mountaineer. His Erst pare
was to select a place for a stationary Qsmp. for this purpose be ebose
a position strong by nature, which be made nearly impregnable. Se
next provided horses enough to mount a part of his corps. For these
the rich herbage of the mountains afforded abundant subsistence during
the summer months. Of ammunition there was no stint. The lead
mines were just at Ma back, beyond tin' Alleghany. Powder is made
of ^ood quality in all that region, ami the quantity necessary for the
rifle is so small, that the rifleman may lie said t.> carry a hundred lives
in his powdcrdiorn. Of provisions ho bad plenty, though wanting
many things deemed necessary in a regular army. ]»ut the pure air of
the mountains, and the exercise of hunting and scouting, preserved the
health of the men without tents, or salt, or vinegar, or vegetables of
any kind. Venison and beef, dried in the sun, or over the fire by the
process called jerking, was prepared in the season of abundance for
winter use, and proved the best sort of food for a marauding corps.
Light, compact, and nutritious, there is no diet on which a man can
travel so far or fight so hard.
Nothing now remained but to make his enemy feel him. Stooping
from his mountain fastness, he soon broke up all the military posts in
the adjacent counties ; so that, in a few weeks, not a blue-coat was to
be seen on the south side of Staunton river. Freed from the*presence
of their enemy, the people were found ready to rise en masse. lie dis-
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 149
suaded them from doing more than to put themselves in readiness for
action, to furnish him needed supplies, for which he paid fairly, and to
give him notice of the approach of the enemy. For this purpose he es-
tablished a sort of half military organization, and had it in his power
to increase his little foYce to five times its number in a few days. His
strength being thus adapted to any occasion which could be expected
to offer, after sweeping away the enemy from the south side of the
river, he proceeded to break up the posts in the counties on the north-
ern bank. In the end, though the enemy were nominally in posses-
sion of all the country between James river and Roanoke, they held no
post higher than Lynchburg, nor any farther south than Farmville.
Above this last place, their scouts and foraging parties showed them-
selves occasionally, but never ventured to leave the banks of James
river for more than a single night.
At Lynchburg, not long before the time at which our story com-
mences, two companies had been posted. As Douglas had never shown
a force of more than a hundred men, no fear of an attack on that point
was entertained. But suddenly collecting a number of auxiliaries, he
struck at them, drove them from their post, enriched his men with
everything that the laws of war permitted him to seize, and retreated
to his stronghold in the mountains. The supplies of arms, ammuni-
tion, clothing, and blankets thin procured, put him in a condition to
increase his corps, if necessary.. Thus, at the time of which we speak,
having little more than a hundred men embodied, he could have
marched five times that number to Richmond; and, for any service
nearer at hand, could have commanded a yet larger force. Though
unprovided with many of the conveniences of military life, they were not
deficient in essentials. There was" not a bit of feather in his host," nor
drum, nor trumpet, nor banner. But there were stout hearts, and
strong hands, and fleet limbs, and good rifles, and knives and toma-
hawks; and that system and harmony which spring from a sense of
danger, a high purpose, and confidence in a leader. To the listening
ear, a whisper speaks louder than a trumpet to the heedless. To the
trusting heart, the chieftain's voice supersedes the spirit-stirring drum.
"While Douglas thus maintained his position among the mountains,
it became a sort of Cave of Adullam. His little corps was a neucleua
to which the discontented and persecuted gathered continually. Hi*
e:i. bodied force was increased, while the organization of the neighbor-
ing popplation became more perfect, their confidence firmer, their zeal
more ardent. So effectually had he broken the power of the Central
Government in that quarter, that it had been deemed expedient to
throw a much larger force into Lynchburg, to curb his progress in that
150 THE PARflSAN LBADSR.
direction, and to restrain the disaffected in the counties along the rn.rtli
bank of James river. Could he have co-operated with the Irlendi of
Virginia there, it was not clear that the flame might not spread OB aad
on. in the direction of Washington, nntil the very scat of empire might
be unsafe. Hence a regiment had been detached from the army at
Richmond, and another from the North, originally destined for that
place, Was turned aside to Lynchburg. Aware of these movements,
Douglas had no doubt that the purpose of such an assemblage of force
was ftol merely preventive. He saw that attempts wonld be made to
recover the groond which the enemy had Inst on the south side of
James river; and that, by remaining strictly on the defensive, he
might be forced to withdraw his embodied force to tbeir mountain
strong hold, and not only lose the aid of his irregulars, but give them
up to the vengeance of the enemy. Under these circumstance*, at-
tack was the most effectual form of defence, and boldness was true {pru-
dence.
The time, too, was at baud for the decisive movement, in the lower
counties, for the relief of lvichmond. The desired diversion had been
effected, and Douglas found himself capable of bringing into tin field
a force, the presence of which would be no inconsiderable aid to that
about to assemble below. To strike at his enemy therefore, to over-
whelm him, if possible, and, if not, to elude him and fall down to the
assistance of 15 — , seemed to him the surest plan f"r preserving the
safety and independence even of the mountain region. If Buceessful,
every desirable end would be accomplished. liven should he fail, his
duty to the faithful yeomanry and peasantry of that devoted section
was rather to draw the enemy away after him toward Richmond, than
by falling directly back, or even by remaining where he was, to invite
them to overrun the country which had afforded him such zealous and
efficient co-operation.
Influenced by these considerations, Douglas had despatched Schwartz
to lay them before U — , and receive his instructions.* He had long
ago recognizee him as the person of whom his aunt had said that " the
destiny of Virginia depended on him." He had received at his hands
the sort of authority which he wielded, now indeed by his own per-
sonal influence and character, but originally as the trusted representa-
tive of 1J — . He had no mind to shake off that character. He had
seen that, by means not exactly understood, that gentleman command-
ed resources, both at home and abroad, which enabled him to meditate
plans in which all the operations of Douglas's corps, however brilliant,
were but circumstance of less importance in themselves than in their
relations.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 151
Schwartz was the sole medium of communication between the two.
•With nothing in his appearance to attract attention — nothing in his
manners or common style of conversation betokening powers superior
to those of any other peasant — his intelligence and fidelity supplied
the place of letters. He understood everything, and forgot nothing
that was said to him. He therefore carried no papers, and passed un-
suspected through the country, amusing, with the most harmless gos-
sip, all he chanced to fall in with. He was a man who knew how to
have business anywhere and at any moment ; and he passed along more
like a spairow hopping from twig to twig, pecking at a berry here and
a leaf there, and never seeming to have an ulterior object, than with
the strong-winged flight which indicates a distant and important desti-
nation.
In one of Arthur's visits to Lucia, (his betrothal with whom was no
longer a secret in her father's family,) he was made acquainted with
Douglas's marriage. He was also entrusted with the important infor-
mation that the gallant leader, with whose exploits the country rung,
and whom his imagination had endued with almost superhuman powers,
was his own best beloved brother. He was instantly on fire to join
him, and Schwartz was instructed to convey to him the necessary in-
telligence; and, if possible, to fall in with him. on the way. But he
had been turned aside by objects of higher moment on his return, and
Arthur had got ahead of him. Having ascertained this fact in the
county of Charlotte, where their roads came together, Schwartz tra-
velled hard to overtake him ; left his tired horse at the entrance of the
defile, and, following on foot, came up with him as we have seen.
THB PARTISAN LEADER.
CHAPTER XXXI.
It it. tit it t she will rlicri-)i the renown
* Of noble deeds, achieved ber name ti>t:race;
Ami prize the lienrl tli;it heal t'>r licr alone,
In Glory's triumph, or in Dentil's cm!
Anonymous.
Let us now return to the deep glen, at the bottom of which we left
our friend Arthur, accompanied by bis mountain guide. Schwartz WM
welcomed with cordial joy by his comrades, and, having asked for the
Captain, was told he was in his tent. Arthur looked around in vain
for a tent, but saw none. The beetling Drags on both sides of the dell
seemed to be the only shelter that the place afforded. But against tin
rock, a hundred yards below, and directly beneath the spot from which
Schwartz had given notice of his ]>resence, hung a piece of tent-cloth
One edge of this was, tanked to a polo which lay horizont\ y against
the rocky wall, the ends being supported by forks about un feet long
This proved to be a sort of door to a wide-monthed cavernous recess in
the rock, deep enough to afford room for the few Hi tie conveniences
which an officer can expect to keep about him in active service. Ap-
proaching this, Schwartz lifted a corner, and our travellers stood in the
presence of Douglas.
He was seated at a course table, poting over a rude manuscript map,
and did not lift his head until lie heard the word 'brother' uttered by
the well-known voice of Arthur. In a moment they were in each
other's arms, and, in the next, the new-comer was overwhelmed with
questions about his father, mother, and various friends. Some indeed
were not named; for, though Schwartz was in the secret of the fact,
he was incapable of being let into the deeper mystery of hearts like
those of Douglas and Delia. To such tin' utterance of a belfivcd name
in the presence of the uninitiated is an unpardonable profanation. But
though that of Delia was not spoken, Arthur took care so to emphasize
his account of the health of his uncle's family, as to convey to the
mind of Douglas an assurance of all lie wished to hear. But if
Schwartz was not deep in the tender mysteries of refined and delicate
love, no man better understood a hint, or better knew how to improve
it. lie accordingly interrupted the conversation, just to say that he
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 153
brought important intelligence, which must be communicated that
night; adding that he would leave them, together for an hour. He
now withdrew, and afforded the desired opportunity for unreserved
conversation.
"My Delia," said Douglas; "I understand that she is well, and, I
hope, happy."
" She is happy," said Arthur. " She hears of you, from the im-
partial voice of public fame, in terms that fill her heart with pride, and
leave no room there for alarm or melancholy. She feels as becomes a
soldier's wife, anxious for her husband's fate, but confident in his
fortunes. She has caught this notion from Mr. B — , who is her oracle,
and who seems to have imparted to her, not only all his sentiments, but
all the energy and buoyancy of his self-confident mind."
" Thank God !" said Douglas. " Just so would I have her to be. I
knew it would be so. I saw her noble mother, when danger threatened
my uncle ; and I saw her too. But this is the first positive informa-
tion on that point, that has reached mo since I have been here. Mr.
B — and I can only correspond by messages through Schwartz, and
though he is plain and accurate as a printed book in repeating what he
understands, yet ideas of this sort are not in his line. And my good
and venerable old father — are you here with his permission V
"I am not; nor does he know where I am. I have no doubt that I
should have his approbation if he did. I am sure you have."
" I !" exclaimed Douglas, with a start of tiolent surprise. " What
does he know of me."
"Nothing at all," said Arthur, smiling. "But he knows of a
certain partisan leader, whom the world calls Captain Douglas, and if I
can read the old man's eyes, when he hears that name, he would rather
call that man his son than any other on earth."
As Arthur spoke the eyes of Douglas filled, and pressing his hand
to his brow, he bowed his head a moment on the table. Then rising,
he stood erect, and looking up with a rapt and abstracted air, his rye
flashing througn his tears, he folded his arms, and speaking in the
measured tone of -one who feels- deeply, but in whose mind thoaghl
masters feeling, he parodied that noble speech which Shakspeare puts
in the mouth of Prince Henry :
"Then in tho closing of lome glorioUs day,
" when I shall wrar a garment all of blood,
"And slam my fa Ton with a Moody ma.-k,
"I will he bold to tfll him, ' I am your K)B.' "
And my Delia ! — my virgin bride ! 0 ! for that day,
154 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
When womao'a pun kisS, tweet and l< >nfr,
omei ln-r warrior home.'1
• I tell you, Arthur, that, id thoughts like these there is a rapture
which makes this hole in the rock a palace, and this flinty couoh a \» '1
of down. Are you prepared, my dear fellow, to partake with i
such feelings? That, I know, depends in part on Lucia. What oi
her?"
" She is to me," said Arthur, " all that Delia is to you ; though she
is too young to have the Bame strength oi' mind, and 1 have no right
to expect the same confidence in my prowess and fort in
•• Never fear. It will not be wanting at the pinch. A woman never
bars for the safety of him she loves but when she doubts his truth.
Let her feel that she is his second self, and self-confidence calms her
fears. Let her feel that she lives in his heart, and. strong in love, she
defies the dagger which assails it. Calphurnin trembled for CsBBar.
"Why? He was the husband of every woman in Koine. Had he
been true to her, she would have felt only that prudent fear that he
would not have derided. He would, perhaps, have yielded to her dis-
creet remonstrance, and her love would have justified the confidence
which characterizes the love of woman, by saving his life. Bttt, what
a rhapsody 1 am ottering] You say my father does not know where
you are ? How is thai ':"
"I was not at Liberty to acquaint him with your secret. Your ab-
sence has drawn on him some displeasure from those in power, and
their minions are all around him. It seems that you are BUpposed to
lie in the South for no good purpose, and not without an understanding
with him. My disappearance will attract farther notice. For that he
cares little; but ho is BO scrupulous in his notions of honor and truth,
that, were he questioned about OB, hi' could hardly conceal any thing
lie might know. Your letters, 1 see, still come from the South, though
they say nothing of your whereabout. Of course, he thinks you arc
there; and I, without undeceiving him, simply asked leave to go to
look for you. That his feelings are with us, I have no doubt. But he
is so beset by spies, and so hampered by the position of our brothers in
the army and navy, ttfat he even tries to hide the secret of his thoughts
from himself."
Thus the brothers conversed until Schwartz returned and claimed
the Captain's car; who began by asking what news he brought from
•• The Colonel (so he always designated B — ) likes your plan mightily,
sir," replied Schwartz, " if you can rub through with it. But he is
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 155
afraid, from all Tie can learn, that them " fellows at Lynchburg may be
too many fur you; so, he say.", you n ust find out exactly how that is,
and if you don't think it a pretty good chance, just slip down along
the line, toward the middle of November, and join him."
"If I do so, whpre am I to find him precisely f" asked Douglas-.
"Just where the Petersburg railroad crosses the line," said Schwartz.
" You see the folks there arc all friendly, because as long as things stay
.as they are, their railroad an't worth an old flint, and so they are patch-
ing up all the old cars, and fixing every thing ier the Colonel, as soon
as he can start a regiment or so, to make a dash at Petersburg, find so
hold on there till the rest of his men join him. Now, if we were to be
the first there, Captain, I have a notion that we'd be the very boys for
them chaps at Petersburg."
" I shoukUlike that well," said Douglas. " But I understand my old
acquaintance, Col. Mason, at Lynchburg, has a great desire to see me,
and I should hate to disappoint him."
" I don't think he commands there now," said Schwartz. "There
is another regiment come from the North to join him, and they say the
other is the oldest colonel."
"That is of course," said Douglas, "for Mason is the youngest in
the army. But I am not sorry for the exchange, for they have hardly
sent as good a one. There is not a man among them I would not
rather meet than Mason. Have you been able to learn the particulars
of their force there ?"
" As well as I can understand," replied Schwartz, " the whole num-
ber is not far from a thousand, and may be a few more."
"A thousand ! Can we raise men enough to strike at them before
they think of it?"
" I have not a doubt of it, sir, rf we could get at thorn on fair terms.
The people along down 'between here and Staunton river don't like the
thoughts of what them fellows may do to them, and they are keen to
take them before they arc ready. I talked to the head-men among
them as you told me, and they all seo that the right way is to try to get
the first blow. Because, you see, Captain, when we an't gaining we
are losing. If we let the enemy hold Lynchburg, and they find two
regiments will not do, they will bring four, and so on, till they get the
upper hand, and then they will pay these poor fellpwa about here for
old and new. Bu! if we could make out t" give them a real bi
and so drive them clean off, why all the country as far as the 1 1
bannock would rise that minute, and they'd have enough to do to hold
their own at Fredericksburg."
" I suppose you said all this to Mr. 1! — ?"
TUB PARTISAN LEADER.
•• T. ■ 1 did, sir ; and lie think- ju.-t as we do ahout it. only
.'• uL attacking a fortified Camp, as they call it. just with
riilo.'
■• He i> righl about that," n plied Douglas.' " Riflemen arc tl,
in the world to defend ■ breast work. but they are the wont to
attaek one. J had hopeej however, that w< might have drawn out the
enemy by sonic devite, even when Mason commanded. Be is b>
brave to be ashamed to be prudent. 1 wish 1 knew whom they hsvwi
sent to supersede him. But whoever he is, it ia a hundred to one. that
being set over the head of an abler man, he will be impatient ko show
bia superiority Ly reversing his predecessors plans, and shaming tin
prudence of Mason by soaic hasty display of valor. If I did hut know
who was in command !"
" I tried to find that out," replied Schwartz; "because F kjicw you
were pretty well acquainted with the most of them. You reosembot,
sir, you told me from the first almost exactly how this Col. Mason was
going to do. But I could not find any body that could tell me the
lieu Colonels name. But whoever he is, Mr. B — thinks, and so dol.
hut that is nothing,) and I have a notion you do too partly, air, that
if we mean to do any thing with them, we must try to catch them some-
where between hen- ami Lynchburg/'
" 1 am afraid that i- all too true." said I>ou-las, " and if no such
chance i tiers, we shall have to jrive them the slip as B— psoj i see; ami
I should hate it."
•And so would I." said Schwartz; "and so you see. sir. I have
been trying to fix a sort of a plan to draw them out, and that is what 1
want to tell you about."
What this plan was, the next chapter shall disclose.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 157
, CHAPTER XXXII.
And yet 1 knew him a notorious liar;
Think him a great-way fool — solely a caward
Shakspkare.
"You must understand, Captain," continued Schwartz, "that I had
allotted to fall in with your hrothcr about Little Roanoke bridge, where
our roajds conic together. The people there awe friendly, and mighty
clever people, and if they don't know all about me, they don't want
much of it ; for they are our own sort of folks, and true as steel. So '
I thought I could depend on them to take notice for me when such a
man might pass, and let me know. When I got there, by all I could
learn, your brother had not gone by; and, as I was pretty tired, and
that is one of the places where I commonly lie by to pick up news, I
thought I would stop a while. ^
•" I had not been there long, before here comes the Captain that
commands the company at Farniville* and, if ever I saw a conceited
fool, you may be sure he is one." What he was after, the Lord knows.
He said he was a rcconnoitering, but I have a notion he was just look-
ing for some body to talk to; and as the folks there an't got much chat
for any body, he just claps to talking to me. And he run on about
one thing and another, and there was nothing I wanted to know but
what he told 1113, only just 1 knew it all before. Lut I thought, may
be, I might get something out of him, so I let him talk, and I sot and
listened.
'< After a while he gets to talking about you. And, Lord ! how he
wished \<>u would conic in his way; and how he would have served
you, if you had tried to beat up his quarters, like you' did them fel-
lows at Lync; burg. But he was in hopes to have a clip at ypu yet, •
only just you were always hiding and skulking in the mountains, like a
wolf, and then coming dowq in the night to kill sheep. And he
reckoned you kttetc where the dogs, was, and took care to keep out of
their way. And then he laughed, and thought he was mighty smart.
Bo, thinks I, 'stranger, if you hive a mind to get into hot water, may
be you may have a chance.' Bo I speaks up; and, says I, 'after all, that
. Captain Douglas an't. half the man he's cracked up for, no how.'"
" Do you know him f" says he.
."I guetfe I do," says I; "he is cunning enough, and he has got
158 THE PAl'.TIsAN I.B-iDER.
trick and countersigns to keep out of harm's way ;
but," says I, " if ■ man could just get hold of his signs, and so get at
him, he an't nothing for a right, real, hard tight."
" They tell me/' says he, "there an't no Buch thing as getting in
twenty miles of him, or mofe, may he; and all the folks through the
country tlicre stands guard fox him", arid nobody else knows where he is '
" That's very true/' says I; '• but then, you s< e, stranger, when too
many folks has got a secret, then it an't a seen t no more."
" Jt's a wonder, says he, "some of them don't tell."
"May be they cannot get any thing by telling," says I, ''There's
many a poor fellow there, to my knowing, that don't Bee a dollar osjkji
a year, and its mighty Jittle the Bight of a lew yellow jackets would not
make them tell, only just they never seed any, and don't kjiuw what
they are. But they'd be right apt to find out."
" Vuu talk like you know that part of the country," says he. " May
■ i know something about it."
'• May be 1 (flight," says I. " I3ut then," says I, "it don't In emu..
a poor fellow, like me, to know any thing that a grand offioer, with his
line apperlets. all of Solid gold, don't know. Lord !" Bays 1, " if I had
but half the money you give lor your appcrlets, 1 n<k<,n I'd know
something then."
" And with that, he looks right hafd at me, and says he, 'may be
■you'd like to list lor a soldier.'
" May be I would," says I, " if they pays me well. 'Cause you sec,"
says I, "sir, as to the Country ami the President, and all that, its what
I don't know nothing about'; only I takes their part as takes my part.
And that's the reason," sa\s I, " I would not stay up yonder."
•• Why," says he, " do you live there, when you arc at home ''."
" I cannot say," says I, "that 1 have got a home rightly any where.
But I did live there, alter a fashion; and they wanted me to do like
the rest of them, and quit my business and keep guard, and stop every
man that could not give the BJgDff. And what was *I to get by it?
Just nothing at all. If I had any bread of my own to eat, why I
might eat it; and if 1 killed a deer, they'd take their share, and
thought they did greal things if I hey let me keep the skin ; but as to
pay, they don't think of such a thing. But that would not do forme,"
i ; "and, more than that, it won't do for more, besides me, what-
ever Captain Douglas may think of it, I can tell him."
" Well," says he, " if you'll list with me you shall have pay, and
bounty, and clothes, and rations, and all. 'Cause," say* he, "the Presi-
dent, he keeps the key of the treasury, and we are his soldiers, and we
all live like fighting cocks, 1 can tell you."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 159
" Well," says I, " I'd like to list well enough', only just I guess if
once you had me for a soldier, you'd make me tell all I know, and ax
me no odds; and," says I,." I have been a-thinking, if I could meet
with any right clever gentleman, that would pay me for telling, I'd tell
it all first, and then list afterwards.
" Well," says he, " do you know Douglas's signs, enough to carry a
man to his camp as a friend ?"
" I guess I do," says I, " and more than that, too."
H And what do you know," says he.
" That's telling," says I.
" But," says he, " I rcant to know all about it," says he, "because
Col. Mason, there, at Lynchburg, is determined to break Douglas up,
if he can get at him; and he is looking every day for more men from
the North to help him."
" Well," says I, " I can put him in a way to get at him, and not go
up there into the mountains, neither. 'Cause," sa^s I, "that's ay
ugly place. It an't one regiment, nor two neither, hardly, that could
do much there. And then, again, if Douglas was to find too many
coming against him, he'd be away t'other side 6f Salem before they'd
get there."
" And how is, a body to get at him ?" says he.
" Ah !" says I, " that's a long story."
" Well," says he, " I see what you are after, and if you'll put me in
• a way to give Col. Mason a fair clip at him, it will make my fortune,
. and then I'll be bound to see you paid handsomely."
" That an't what I am after," says I.
" Why, don't you want money ?" says he.
" To be sure I do," says I; " but that an't money."
" Well," says he, " tell me wh t you can do, and I will tell you what
I'll do."
" That's something like," says I. " As to what I can do, I can put
you in a way to catch Captain Douglas out of the mountains, with U
many men as you please to bring agin him."
" Well," says he, " if you'll do that, I'll pay you a hundred dollars."
" The dear Lord '." says I. u A hundred dollars! I never expected
to have that much money iti my life !"
'• May be it's too niucji," says he. " May be fifty will do?''
" No, no," says I ; "a hundred will do mighty well ; so let DM
the cash, and I'll tell you all."
"That won't do,"' says ho. " How do I know that what you arc
going tn tell me will do mc any good f"
" Well," says I, " I reckon if one won't another will."
100 Tin; tartisan i.kader. #
arith dint, he studied a white, and says, he: " Well. I'll give yoq
tin ii"!'- for a hundred dollar-, to be paid directly after Col Masoi
a lick at Douglas in the toW Country, by my help/'
■• ("aim.'t JOU L'ivr DM an order on Mr. Morton, here, in the sann
way f" Baya I.
•• You are mighty tight," Bays he; " but may be I ran.''
Bo with that he speak.- to Mr. Morton, and he agreed to accept the
order. You sec, sir, Mr. Morton, as 1 told you, is a true hearted Yir-
giniaD ; and he knows me; and I just sorter winked at him, t-i let him
know all was sale. For as to that fellow paying him again* after In
paid me, Mr. Morton had'nt no thought of it, nor I neither. But he
• 1 what I was after, and says he to the Captain : "To he sure, sir,
its nothing I would not do to serve the country." And with that thjey
fixed the eider all light, and _Lrivcs it to me, and 1 slips it hack again
into Mr. Morton's .hand. And then I takes the Captain out again, and
fells him the way up here; and, says I, " Now, if you can get to sec
I 'aptain Douglas, yon must fix a g 1 story to tell him."
•• And what must that be V sa_\ s he.
■• Whv, you have only just to tell him that you have raised a pared
in Bedford county, or somewhere thereaway, sorter toward
Lynchburg, and ycu want to ku m where to join him Then he'll be
8ure to tell you when he is coining down out of Ul6 mountains, and he'll
name a plaoc for you to meet him at, ami then if you*don't fix him
about right, it an't my fault."
" 1 Jut how am 1 to L'< t to him ':" pays he.
'• That's it." says I, " an 1 that's what you never could do without
help. You sec/' Bays I, "sir, every man in that country lives hy wont-
ing, more or less ; and every man has a rifle lor hiuftelf, and one for
cvery'one of his boys,;md may he more. And when a fellow is going
any where, he never knows when he may Bee a deer; 9t you ncv< r can
• eatch them without their rifles. Hut then you may travel all through
(be country, and you won't see a man that look- any ways like a soldier.
And when they want to stop a man, they don't bawl at. him and ask
for the Countersign. That sort of thing may do in BO army, but it
won't do with folks that have no! got an army to hack them. So you
may fall in With ever so many of them, and they'll file' you out; but
if they (lnx.se to let you pass, you'll never iind them out, nor know
what tiny ar<- after."
"Bui how are they to find me out,'' says he, "if they an't got no
countersign V
"They an't got no countersign, rightty" says I; "hut it is pretty
mucii the same thing, if a man asks a civil question, and you don't
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 161
know what answer to give him. Now suppose you were travelling along
there, and you meets one of them fellows, and he was to ask you,
mighty innocent like, what parts you were from. What would you
say?"
"I don't know," says he. P May be I'd tell him I was from down
about Halifax court-house."
" And that minute," says I, ''he'd know all about you."
" How's that," says he.
" Why, that's the way they ax for the countersign," says I.
u What is the countersign ?" says he.
" Currituck," says I ; " when they ax you that you must say you
oome from Currituck."
"And is that all?" says he. ''Why that is a countersign, sure
enough. Dut don't they never change it?"
"No," says I; "the men arc too much scattered all through the
country, for that; but it answers mighty well, the way they fix it.
They don't let you off with one question, just so, but they'll ask you
a heap more; and they'll say a heap of simple things to you, just to
hear what you'll say ; and just about the time you think you have
fooled them, they'll find you out. There's a parcel of sharp fellows
up thereaway, mind, I tell you; and you'll have to get your lesson
mighty well before you go there. You see, some will ask you one
question and some another. You don't know what its going to be; so
I must tell you all the straight of it, and you must practise before we
part; and then," says I, "you can write it all down, and all the way
you go you can be saying it over." So, with that, sir, I tells him the
biggest part of our questions: but you may be sure I give him wrong
answers to every one of them. But'thcn I told our people at the dif-
ferent stations along about him, and told them to pass him, and never
let him know but what his answers were all right. So then I tells him
that when he got to you, you would want to know, may be, how he
came by flic signs ; and, says I, " when he axes you that, you mutt till
him you got them from Job Dixon," says I. " That's a fellow the
Captain keeps busy recruiting away down the country, and when he
hears that, he won't suspicion you the least in the world ; Van
ays I, "the man they call Job Dixon has got another name
besides that, and that nam an't nothing but a sort of count n
for the Captain to know the men by that be sends in." Y<
Captain. I fixed all this way, thai I might Ict.y.u know exactly, so thai
if the fellow should come when I was out of the way, you might know
what to think of him, just as if I was here. And it won't do to lei
ee me, no how.
11
TiJi ':i.
d Douglas. " Well, let me nuke a memorandum
it Bame."
Saving this, he took a letter from Ins pocket, and endorsing the
Bame of .Tub Dixon on the back of it, as that of the writer, threw it
a table.
•That will do," suid Schwartz. '• Se will be here bright ami early
in the morning, and when he sees thai, he will feel as aafe aa a rat in a
mill."
"Hero in the morning!" said D nglaa, "HoweanyoiibeeBTeofthat?"
"I seed him from the t« >p of the mountain," replied Sckwarts,
" when Witt stopped him. I told Witt to keep him all night, and
1 him on in the morning, with a couple of fellows to show him the
way. and guard him."
-• li' that is the case/' Baid Douglas, '• 1 can meet him at the pis/wet,
and stop him there; for I would rather he should not sec this place.
Hut what arrangement would yen advi.'C me to make with him'.'"
•• "Why the Colonel says," replied Behwarts, "that lie wants you t«>
join him at his rendezvous about the last of November, or may be a
little earlier; so whatever you do ought to be dune time enough to fall
back, if we get worsted, and slip aloBg down the Hue, according to
year aid plan. So I am a thinking H would be well to fix the time for
;ing this fellow about the tenth of the month, and then, if we can
h them in their rwn-trap, W6 shall have time to follow up the blow
und break up their whole establishment there at Lynchburg, and then
Blanch boldly down the straight road.*'
•• Do you know of any crossing place on Staunton river, in the di-
rection of Lynchburg," asked Dougjas, "that would answer for an am-
buscade '!''
" I have a notion," said Sohwarts, " that Jones's Ford would suit bb
well as any other; because tin r»'s a deep hollow comes down on both
sides of it, and thick woods on the hills."
•'That will do then," said Douglas. "So now let us take our sup-
per and go to rest; for I must he at the piquet in time to meet your
man. Before you go to sleep, Buppose you Bend one of our hoys to tell
ahem to stop him if be gets there before me."
The BUppi i was produced, and fully justified what 'W itt had told
Arthur of the fare he might expect. As to lodging, bear-skin.- were
plenty, and BO were blankets, wh\oh had been collected during the
.lin.-t Lynchburg. But a rock is a hard bed, put OB it
what you will. Yet youth, and health, and high excitement, gave
Arthur a most luxurious supper, and a night of such sleep as the BfBt
lodged prince in Europe might envy.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 160
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The sunless glen, whose sunken shrubs most weep.
•
When Arthur awoke, he found himself alone. The sun was higfl
in the heavens, but a deep shadow hung over the dark silcn, into which
his- rays never looked, except at noon-day. Arthur now walked out.
and amused himself with gazing around on the singular spot which hi>
brother had chosen as a place of refuge. It was, indeed, a place of
ftrength, which seemed calculated to bid defiance to any thing but
famine.
The glen, at this point, might be some two hundred feet deep. Above
and below, the little stream filled the whole chasm, pouring furious!
along between overhanging pliffs. The tops of these, except in the
immediate vicinity, were crowned with lofty trees, which, nodding to
each other across the gu'lph, in some places nearly intermingled their
branches. The va-lley, just where Douglas had pitched his camp, was
somewhat wider. Just above, the stream seemed to gush from the verj
bowels of the mountain, dashing, as it tumbled over a fall of twenty
r thirty feet, against the dark evergreens which clustered both Bides
of the gulph. From thence, flowing through a wider space, it still
confined itself to a narrow and deep channel, scooped into an aim
rnous bed, under the western cliff. Thence, turning abruptly to
the southeast, it swept across the dell to the opposite hill, from which
it again recoiled in like manner. There was thus, on each side, between
the hill and the receding stream, a spot of dry ground, or rather ro
It was indeed nothing but a rocky shelf, a little above inundation, jut-
ting in a half moon from the base of the cliff. About the middle of
gefrom hill to hill, the stream turn' . the higl
points of which, rising above th< ami
!. but neither commodious,
., r. to the eye of a Strang
The sort of stair which afforded tie- only approach to tl
. hung directly over the stream', at the poiirt where, having
from the western Bide of the glen, it again whirled back, leai
have said, a dry spot on it- -in. At the upper corn I
1<'.4 THK PARTISAN LEADER.
this shelf, where it touched the cliff, the path reached the bottom;
and ri 1 1 hundred yards below, at the lower extremity of the same
platform, hung tlic tent-cloth that indicated the quarters of the
chief.
The sort of cave, the mouth of which was concealed by this, was but
n deepening of th< derthe cliff, which every where afforded ■
partial shelter from the weather, and b complete defence against r<»cks
tumbled from ab ive. Under this were the rude beds and camp-fires of
the men. and in front of them i breast-work of 1 I high enough
to afford protection from any Bhot tired from the opposite hill. Between
the upper log and that next below it, was a sort of loop-hole, made
by cutting corresponding notches in each ; and as the edges of
the cliffs had been shorn of all their growth, a man could not
show himself on either, without being exposed to the fatal fire of
men directing their aim with a rest, and in all the coolness of perfect
safety.
The most curious part of the whole establishment was a sort of mill.
At tin point where the stream, breaking over the rocky ledge of which
I have Bpoken, swept away around the shoulder of the platform, WS8
placed a small log pen. The end of a shaft, projecting from it. over-
hung the water. Into this wen; driven stakes, fitted at ore- end into
large auger-holes, and, at the (Jther, spread out like d broad oar. These
fan-like extremities dipped in the water, and, yielding to its force, kept
the b1 ift revolving night and day. Maohinery equally rude connected
its movements with those of a pair of light mill-stones, which found no
rest, and required m> attention. Though grinding less than a bushel
in the hour, it still ground tin and on, affording coarse bread for the
whole company, and showing how true the old adage, that " fair and
softly tro far in B day." One man was seen to replenish the hopper.
Others were passing and re-possing, each with his share of meal. The
whole was covered with rude boards. Exposed to the fire of each
cliff, it was, of course, capable Of being made to command both, ami
-ome of it> features showed that it was intended to he occupied a- a
towi r of Btrength in ease of attaek.
In short, to the nnpraetieed eye of Arthur, the whole presented the
appearance of impregnable security and well arranged preparation.
There wa- indeed no present danger, hut the place had been ch>
and fitted with a view to the last extremity. The course of tip- stream,
tending to the South, led in a few miles into the State of North
Carolina, and in that direction there was an outlet practicable,
though difficult Between the camp and the State line there was
no point at which the '-leu could be entered; and Douglas, if
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 165
driven to retreat in that direction, had none but natural obstacles to
overcome.
Cold weather was now approaching, and there was no station where
the troops of Douglas were so little exposed to the severity of the sea-
son as this. The soft air from the waterfall, though never warm, was
never intensely cold, and no other wind but that from the South ever
entered the glen. Hence as many men as were not engaged on active
duty were assembled here. Still the number present was but small.
Some were at the piquet, some on the scout. Besides, it was now the
hunting season, and many were abroad in the woods, as the car-
casses brought in during the course of the morning plainly showed.
Arthur now looked around for Schwartz, and hearing his voice be-
hind one of the breast-works, passed around the end of it, and sflently
joining the circle, listened to his discourse, which seemed to be a sort
of military lecture.
u You see, boys," said he, " as to (ictam, or whatever they call it.
that sort of thing an't made for the like of us. When a parcel of
fellows lists for soldiers, just because they an't got nothing else to d<>.
and may be one half of them is cowards, and the other half not much
better, they are obliged to have rules to go by. Because, if once yon
can beat it into a fellow's head that after he has got into danger it is
safer for him to stand still than to run away, why then the worse scared
he is the surer he will be to stay there. But it an't so with us, be-
cause if any of us was any way scary, he would not be here no how.
The only rule for us is the Indian rule.
"In the first place, i4 is our business always to know where the
inimy is before he knows where we arc, and then, if we don't want to
fight him, keep out of his way. Now the right wa}T to do that, is just
to squander, like a flock of partridges.
" Then if you are jroing to fight, the only rule is to give the word,
and let every man kill all he can, and take care of himself the best be
can. Now that way the riglars fight — if one man in ten kills a man,
they call it desperate bloody work. But I reckon if there was an
inimy now coming up the valley to the foot of the Devil's Back-bone,
and the word was to kill all we could before he got, there, juty of us
here would feel mighty cheap if he did not kill moi body.
'• And mind, boys, whether we fight Ot run, whether re k
gethet, qr squander, 'two and two' is tie word. You most all n
yourselves two and two, to stand togi thcr and run together, t..
together and die t igether. One of you nttsl '•,,',] himself Dumber
and the other number two, and then, if there's a hundred together and
Til' !!R.
. number two d till number one has fin
. again. Y.<:i sec, men, a fellow I I aim when he knowi
another i liit ii' he mis in that way
in a hundred when every one knows that's 1
Fifty rifles will stop a troop of horse, and a hundred cannot
morje. But if the puns are all empty, then 1 • whala
left of them slashing away with the broad-awards like devils. But let
"herb be ■ lew more guns to pepper away at them. while the first are
loading, and they will go to the right-about mighty quiek.
•• Now mind what L tell you, boys, and the first titm it oomes to the
pinch, you'll say old ScUwarti did'nt fight Indians bo long for nothing.
\nd as to running, any man that's afraid to run when he vets cause,
is half a coward, any how. Do you run just when you pleat
I'd hate to depend 00 a man to fight that 1 Could not trust to run.
There is no harm in running, if yctfi know where you are running to,
and your friends know it too; and the right way is to fix a place, every
morning, to meet at night, and let every man get there as he can, and
do what mischief he can. Bat, mind, if it comes t<i that, always run
two and two, and then one can help another) and if one oomes up
missing, the ether can tell v. hat's become <>f him.
•• I'm telling our boys," i tinned Schwartz, who now observed Ar-
thur^ " some of the lessons 1 learned among the Shawnees. X<
Mr. Arthur, (yon must not think strange of my Bailing yoa so, sir. for
all your family seem like my own flesh and h! I to ni< — for all you
don't know how thai i sir, the Captain is a regular officer,
huilt plum from the ground op; but for all that, he knows that all this
is tni'' : and, before now, when he and I have been setting Over the
lire, m night, he has told me about one Gineral Braddook, T think they
Called him, that got his men Bhot all to piece.-, and himself, too, just be-
cause he would not believe that there was any other way to fight but just
his way. Now, yen Bee, sir. the reason why be was taken at an onpUuh
.:. -. that be Wasfighting agin Indians. Well, suppose WC fight Indian
fashion — will not that be pretty much the same thing ? May be we
an't exactly op to that, but we must do the Best we ean ; (or as n
fighting the riglan just in their own way, why they'll beat US as long
as the sun .-hi;
"Do you mind that night," continued Sohwarts, laughing, " when
at nant and his men came there to your unele's to take him and
laptain? That was Indian play for you. I God! if I had BOf
lieardtHht the Colonel was there, I Bhould have knowed be was at the
fixing of that busim as. STou see, sir, that is what a man learns by liv-
ing in places where a body is never safe; and the upshot of it is, that
THE PARTISAN 'LEADER. 167
after a while he gels so that he never can he in any danger. It's like
learning to sleep with one eye always open."
Schwartz now rose from the ground, where he had been sitting, and
brushing the allies from his leathers, joined Arthur, and they repaired
to the tent where their simple meal awaited them. From him the
youth learned that his brother had repaired to the piquet at an early
hour; and to the piquet, gentle reader, toe will now follow.
Ms THE PARTISAN LEADER.
CHAPTER X \ XIV.
-He- hn>
Sufficient for itself \\< own reward.
Why tliiuk of liim! .An honorable f
He seeks no other guerd Ax8ntk*3>
was at tlie piquet long cnoiagh before the arrival of hi.*
guest, to make such arrangements as should prevent the !Vom
Buspeeting that this was net the camp he was desirous t see. He had
no mind that his enemy should know the real nature and precise posi-
tion of his main stronghold. Hence he 'had determined to give hina
the meeting at the piquet, and took pains to provide, aa if for hia own
ordinary accommodating, such a breakfast 16 he would have been con-
tent to furnish ut his own quarters for the most honored nailer.
The spy, who had learned little of hi : indul-
ge ut art which is technically called u playing old soldier/' had been it:
bo baste ais teat, and Witt, who nndentood Schwarta's game,
did not hurry him. The breakfast hour, therefore, had fully arrived
before he made his appearance. He came accompanied by Witt and
another of bis party; and, in appearance and manners, fully answ<
the description of him given by Schwartz. He was a tall, red-haired
man, vain, pert, and full of Belf-complaeencj. Indeed, bo much did
he display of a satisfaction, at once chuckling and childish, that Dou-
glas, even though unwarned, must I sted treachery. Besides, b
never could hav believed a being, manifestly so frivolous and fooKsb
capable of the high purpose of devoting himself to a life of toil, hard
•hip, and danger. The vain and s< If-indulgen1 may receive moment
impulses, under the influence of which brilliant achievements may be
suddenly accomplished ; but fr/ym Buch tb i tasks of study, virtue, and
enduring courage, must never be expected.
I!' ?( ted, at first, more intent upon his breakfast than anything
else, and when it appeared, made faces at his coarse fere which ill ac-
corded with his professed isdiflference to all personal inconvenience
But, bad as it was, he contrived to BwaHow enough to show that M was
not prepared to play the ascetic any more in regard to the quantity
than the quality of his food.
"You at*/' said Douglas, " the life we lead. If you are not pre-
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 169
pared to submit cheerfully to privations, compared to wnich what yoa
see here is luxury, you should not join us."
"Damn luxury," said the other. " What do I care about luxury ?
To be sure, I have been used to it all my life; coffee or tea, one, every
morning for breakfast; and good lighf bread, and potatoes and pics; and
then, for dinner, pork or fresh meat, or eod&h at least every day in the week,
and all sortsof .<oss ; and then pies again, and cheese, and all that. But I am
ready to give it all up to serve my country, and live as hard as anybody."
" I am glad to hear it," said Douglas, drawing some papers from his
pocket. Among these he affected to search in vain for a particular pa-
per, and in doing so, carelessly threw on the table the letter endorsed
with the name Job Dixon. He saw that it caught the other's eyes.
and, expressing some dissatisfaction at his own carelessness, said : "You
have a right to know, before you join us, all about our force, and I
ought to show you my last return ; but I have it not at hand, though I
believe I know pretty well the number of my men. But stay," con-
tinued he, interrupting himself with a start, and looking at the gallant
Captain with a kceaness that made his very back ache, " How came
you by my pass-words, sir ?"
" I got them from a man they call Job Dixon," replied the trembling
Captain.
" Job Dixon !" replied Douglas, immediately resuming his compla-
cency, " then all is right."
" 0 yes, all is right," said the other, recovering from his alarm, but
more fluttered and confused than ever. " He told me that wa'nt his
name, sure enough, and he said that name was only a sort of a counter-
sign to you."
It cost Douglas sdhie effort to suppress a smile at seeing the delicate
and dangerous office of a spy undertaken by one so destitute of all the
qualities necessary to it; but he commanded himself, and asked whether
the other was now content to join him.
" To be sure I am," said he; " and not only I, but fifty more a-
fellows as ever stepped shoe-leather. You Bee, thai vaswbei 1 doubted
about. I thought may be as I had such a compaay, I had a riglr
set up for myself; but after I heard all about yoa from that men, Job
Dixon, or whatever else his name is, 1 made up my mind to join you."
" Where are your men '.'" asked Douglas.
"Tliej are all about homo yet," Bftid the Captain, "but T can bring
them together any day, and any place you I name. T suppose
you don't mean to stay up here in the mountains all tin1 time, and may
be it might suit as well f'r me to- fall in with you Bomewhi
" That is true," said Douglas " We are not so well off here for ra-
<*
Tin: partisan ;
here we lire Btrong enough. A regimenl of men eould not (.-limb
the I Bui I proposi t-> move >\><
li uld 1m in nt <>n the way. What <• only are
men in '.'"
■ In Bedford count; • I the other, r< peu;in:_r his lesson exactly.
"That will do, then," said Douglas. •• I ■ to march against
m, al Lynchburg, early in November, and on the fifth day of the
:nontb I will meet yon :it Jones's F rd, on Staunton river."
" I cannot say that 1 know exactly wh< r< thai Is," Baid the B]
•• it is Uttle out of your way into any pari of Bedford county," said
Douglas; ""and as I want to see some of oar friends down in thai <)uar-
tcr, 1 will ride tliero vritb you. I am told Mason is pretty Btrong, and
i want to gel all hue force 1 can, and that is not so much but what I
shall be glad of your help."
" Bow many men have yon.'" asked the ^*:ulk^.•c Captain.
■•I have but a handful Aire, jusl nowj bul 1 am sending out orden
lor more to join on the route, and I ana in hopes to reach the river
with lour hundred at least. I Bhall Btay there, a( sllevents, till more
come in : because it would be foolish to attack Mas< a's regiment with
less than five or six hundred!"
"'I'll.' will do," said the other j "for Mason i- than four
hundred Btroi
"Indeed!" nepli las,affi (ting surprise and pleasure. "Then]
tin pretty sure of him. 1 had heard as much before, bul 1 don't trust
afraid there was a trap Bet for moj but now I am
satiated, and if I can leave Staunton river withusix hundred men, I
hall gather ' [gel to Lynchburg to drive Ma
and his regimenl before me like ohaff."
Having said this, Douglas Bet about the necessary arrangements rbi
mpanying his new acquaintance to Jones's Ford. As the distance
was too great for one day. In proposed to pass the nigh! al thehousi
u trusty friend, from whence the Yankee officer would have it in his
pewes t<> reaoli o tavern, two miles beyond the river, the aext day. II-
now despatched a note to Arthur, saying that he wished to examine tin
.round :;t the river, in company with him and Schwartz. He there-
fore din Bti 1 thi tc to fbHow at a cautious distance, so as nut to.be seen
by the spy j topi them in the night, and take up their quartered a
.house in advan I, and the next day proceed to the dwelling of Mr.
(lordoii, near the river, and wait for him there.
Meantime a hofsej thai stood piqueted hard by, was saddled, and 1'ou-
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 171
das set out, accompanied by the treacherous Captain and the faithful
Witt.
The journey was made without any occurrence worth toting. In
the conversation of the stranger there was nothing to beguile Douglas
from his own thoughts. The vain babble of the prating* coxcomb was
all wasted on the impenetrable Witt ; and, after a few fruitless attempts
to overcome the taciturnity of his companions, he followed their exam-
ple, and the greater part of the journey was made in silence. Late on
the second evening they reached the river. The spy was directed
the public house on the other side, and Douglas and Witt returned to
Mr. Gordon's, where they found Arthur and Schwartz.
As they were now in a land of civilization and comfort, Douglas was
not sorry to obtain, once more, a good night's lodging, which his
pitablc friend was delighted to afford. l>ut this rare enjoyment did
not make him forgetful of the necessity of watching the motion
his euemy. lie accordingly despatched a scout to the house to whi 1
the Yankee had been directed, to make sore that he had gone on.
At a late hour the man returned, and mused Douglas to inform him
t|iat the « spy had indeed gone as far as he had intended, and that he
had there fallen in with a party of a dozen dragoons, commanded by a
subaltern, who were on a scout through the country. With this officer
lie had been seen to be engaged in private and earnest conversation,
and orders had been issued to the men to look well to the condition ol
their arms, and to be in readiness to move at daylight.
It at once occurred to Douglas that a new scheme had entered tin'
head of the vain and frivolous being who had thrust himself into an
affair requiring ojialities so different, It was probable that h
to avail himself of the presence of this little party to endeavor to sur-
prise his enemy, whom he had reason to believe to be still near
•1. The folly of risking the defeat of his favorite enterprise by
joining in the attempt, and thas throwing off his mask, bely
to occur to him. The question with Douglas was, whether by abiding
the attack he should afford the bungling fa 1. whom he had !
ing into his own trap, a chance to escape from it by his own blunder. In
. lie diil i i( worthy due Owd
his discretion. He had indoi I as hb proper ]
and though he had 1" en unable to restrain his disposition to babbl
aorely repented his indiscretion when he round the other officer dn>
poqpd to anticipate him. II arncstly dissuaded
anything ; ng in this, bad d< I
on • lone, and 1
might
172 TlIK PABTISAS LEADER.
Hut ih >Ugb uncertain what might be the conduct of the spy, I>ou-
old not resist bis inclination to throw himself in the way of the
expected attack. It was necessary that he should examine the ground
carefully, and he had not time to wait until the Bcoutiag party Bhould
Ft the neighborhood Besides, he was anxious to inform him-
self precisely of the force and position of the enemy, and the name of
their new commander. For tliis purpose he i to make at lead
one prisoner. And, after all, perhaps not the least moving considera-
tion m ire to taste once more the stormy joy of battle.
(Jpon the whole, he determined to turn the tables on his enemy,
if possible j and, instead of returning to .bed, prepared immediate!]
for action. All things were soon ready The master of the house, his
two sons, and three of the neighbors, who, hearing that he was there,
had called to Bee him, added to his own party, made a force often nun,
with which he was not afraid to abide the attack of thirteen. At
the hi ad of these he took the road, and by daylight had occupied the
ground where he wished to meet the enemy.
At the point of which we speak, the mad, after passing fur aomo
miles over a broad and level ridge, at the distance of a quarter of^a
uiilc from the river, dives suddenly int p defile between two
hills. The descent is rapid, and in less than a hundred yards, tin
hills pome down abruptly on either hand, leaving between them barely
space enough for the road, which is quite narrow. They are steep.
1, with projecting rocks, and alto-ether impracticable to cavalry;
and are moreover covered with a heavy growth of timber and brush-
wood. At the distance of about two hundred yards from the plain
above, the road turns Bbarp to the right. It then* pursues a course
nearly direct, for a like distance ; and (lien, tinning short to the left,
the river, ford, and the oppOSlti lauding, aie at on 06 in full view.
A point a little below the fust mentioned bend W8C selected by Dou-
glas for his position. lie posted Witt and three others on one side of
the road, behind rocks and trees, while he, Arthur, and one more, dis-
themsclves,in like manner, on the other. 3chwartz,with the rest,
I through the defile, with Orders to hide themselves near the
bank, and let the enemy pass without interruption. A pole had been
thrown across the road, some twenty yards in front of Douglas and his^
party. The crossing of this, by the enemy, was to be the signal for
firing. The officer was designated to be the mark of Witt. The right
and lefl hand man of the leading hie had each his appropriate execu-
tioner appointed ; then the two next, and then two more, were in like
uiauner foredoomed, so that no shot should be thrown away. While
these arrangements were making, Arthur bethought him of Schwartz'*
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 173
lecture on tactics, and was at once sensible of the vast superiority of
untaught courage and sagacity, on occasions like this, over the sort of
discipline on which the martinet is so apt to pride himself.
About sunrise the enemy appeared, consisting, as the scout had said,
of a doj^n men, undcrthc command of a single officer. To the great
relief of Douglas, the redoubtable Yankee Captain was not with them.
As the hill was steep, they advanced in a walk, while the officer, who
was in the rear, occasionally turned his horse's head to the hill, sccm-
ing.to examine for some recess in which his party might draw aside,
and form a sort of ambuscade ; but there was no such spot. The
ground was everywhere too steep for cavalry; and, disappointed, be
put spurs to his horse, and pushed forward to resume his place at the
head of the party. They were now near the fatal point; every rifle
was in rest, and duly levelled at its mark, and in the moment that the
leading file were crossing the pole, six saddles were empty, and six
horses ran mastcrlcss. The aim of Witt at the officer, who was much
more distant, and moving rapidly, was less fatal. I>ul his ball took ef-
fect, as was plainly shown by the sword arm, which, at the moment,
fell powerless. The men went to the right about in a moment, and a
shout, which the echoes of the steep gorge multiplied into a hundred
voices, sent them down the hill at full speed.
The officer, though wounded, was not quite so ready to take to his
heels, and eaHcd to his men to halt. Willi all but one, he succeeded;
but that one, wild with terror, dashed on. In the meantime, Schwartz
and his little party bad planted themselves in the road, near the river,
and their array was the first object that met the eye of the affrighted
soldier as he turned the angle of the mad. But panic is as apt to
hurry a man into danger as away from it, and the > i ^ 1 1 1 of this mu
enemy only urged the poor wretch to a more desperate efforl toes
by breaking by them. In vain did the men throw up their arms, and
call to him to stop. He rushed on, right upon Schwartz, who stood in
the middle of the road, and who, as a dernier rcsortf Btqpped hU
■with a bullet Tli.' report of his rifle, and a glimpse <>(' Douglas's
advancing along the Bide <>f the bill t<> get within s-h >t. decided t!<" of-
ficer thai it was time to look to hi* safety. Tumi agio of tin'
read, lie saw the fate of his fallen soldier, and th< it. Imme-
diately .calling on hia men to follow, he ''.--I'd on with an imp' I
which Bnowcd a determination to force a pass rish.
Tl result was in< ■■ Schwarti was in the act of load i
rile The other three levelled th< sirs. They had not 1" n trained in
Schwartz's school of tactics, and all three, attra< I
and plume and Bash of the officer, fired at him. He fell d< ad, and the
174 THE PARTISAN LEA]
rceiring their .■■. rushed <>n the mount
and let them pass. One of them
nimble but tliat,ns ho clambered np the rocky face of the hill, a sweet)
tag back-handed inflicted* a deep gash in tho back part of his
thigh. This was the only injury received by the party of Douglas in
the affair, and dearly did it cost the man who gave it. Schwarta
marked him, and coolly wcntTon loading his rifle. By tlio time he hui
effected this, the soldier was half way across the river, and tl,.
moment tumbled from his horse, and went floating down the Btreaaa.
The other five gained the Bhore before another rifle could be leaded
and, doubling a which the road turned, disappi
TIIE PARTISAN LEADSR.
CHAPTER XXXV.
This victory, though on a small scale, was complete in itself It
was a favorable omen, too, and might serve as a sort of rehearsal of
the more important battle to be fought on the same ground. In one
thing only Douglas had been disappointed, by the eagerness of"
Schwartz's men. He had made no prisoners, and the fallen enemy
were all either dead, or no* in condition to be harassed by such qi
tions as he wished to ask. They were necessarily committed to tin
care of such of the party as lived in the neighborhood; and thi
horses and arms being secured, were placed in the same hands for safe
keeping.
The feelings of Arthur, as he looked on this fearful scene of slaugh-
ter, were such as might be expected to possess the mind of a youth,
who, as yet, had never seen the blood of man shed in strife. But
these arc nothing to the purpose of my tale. It is enough to say, tha-
the contemplation of it wrought the usual change in his character. II»-
now felt that to kill or be killed was the order of. the day; and, thou
his next sleep was haunted by visions of the ghastly objects that lay
before him, he awoke from it with a mind prepared for the stern dutic •
of war.
Requesting the company ar>d advice of his nost, Douglas now pf
cecded to examine the ground. He found the river hills every when
tcrsected, on both sides of the river, by ravines such as that I han
scribed. The ford was shallow, but just above was dec]' water, which, on
the north side, came down quite near to the gravel bar, which served M
dam. Here a steep and high rock bounded the river, and along thi
base of it. the water eddied in a deep pool, and then swept away in a
strong, but Bhallow current. At a Bhort di the moutl
of a ravine, i v< rgrown with lofty I
l distance of fifty yards from the landing-place. The read, issuing
from the river at the fool of the rock, holds a straigl
ty yards, or thereabouts, and then turning short to *'
'in sight of the river. From thence, a short, bat si
a deep cleft in the hills, brings the traveller to the top, wl
THE PARTTSAB I.KAKER.
the right, and resumes the direction t nchburg.
r .-i thon mination of the whole, the ; irned to
breakfast at the boose of Mr. Gordon.
lunulas rode slowly and thoughtfully. At length he said apart to
Sohwa
•• Four plot is admirable ; but I am afraid it will fail."
•• Wli.it chance of thai '.'" asked Schwartz. "They will be ashamed
to briiiLr more than a thousand men against yon, even if they had
them. Wc can rai-o BS many a^ they can. and wo shall be on the
eround, and have the Bame advantage we had ju>t now."
"Hut suppose they come and take possession Bret," said Douglas.
"Oh! in> danger of that. They'll be in no hurry to leave their
sting quarters any sooner than they can help 3 and we can be here a
day or two before the time." »
" It may be BO," said Douglas, ''but I don't think Col. Mason takes
me for an absolute fool; and if he does, he has reason to know that 1
have sharp-witted men about me. ]>ut nny man's wits may fail him
sometimes. For example, it has never occurred to eitl , that
Mason will certainly not believe that we have been fooled by such a
fellow as this Yankee of yours. Will he not, therefore, at onoe
•no truth, and conclude that we arc crying to catch him In his
awn tr-'.p r"
•• I God!" said Schwartz, "that is true. 1 had not thought of that.
The fellow is tcn> silly to be made bait of, sure enough. But then, you
see, Captain, we can fix them any how. Mr. Gordon here can raise
•nc n enough, in th to keep the n from , '.. riv< r, until
we arc ready for them, and 'hen, you know, we can push across a part
of our men, and toll them over, [f once we get them into a right
sharp fight, they'll follow us aoross the river fast enough."
"I have no doubt of their coming to look for US," said DoDglaS,
" and no d,oub< of 0 fight ; but we must be pn pared to mc< t more men
#tban we have bargained for. Depend upon it, they will bring every
man they can raise. Why, Would you bellOVe it, the fellow talked t.>
me about living at home on codfish, and potatoes, and cider, and pies,
and nil am is of satsf Such a simpleton could not impose on a child.
Col. Mason has talents worthy of a better cause, and he will sec through
the whole affair. I suppose he is superseded ; but he is an honorable
man, and will frankly give the benefit of his suspicions to his superior,
who can hardly be such a fool as to disregard hi ons. We
must bestir ourselves, tl jive up the game and escape from
our own plot
r"
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 177
" Gentlemen,'' continued Douglas, speaking aloud, and in a sustained
and decisive tone, " this is our place of rendezvous; the time mid-day
on the third of November. Every man must come prepared for action,
and such as mean to accompany me to the lower country, must bring
with them all their necessaries. Mr. Gordon, I must depend oil yott^
to hold this pass, and keep the enemy from crossing the river. 1 shall
send n force to support you, if necessary. You, Schwartz, know what
to do better than I can tell you. You* Witt, will return with me, and
we will talk, as we ride, of what is to be done. Mr. Gordon, tee could
travel without food, but our horses cannot. We must trouble you for
something for all, and then wc part until the day of rendezvous. Until
that time, ' Vigilance and Activity' is the word — but then ' Freedom,
Independence, and Glory.'"-
As Douglas said this they arrived at Mr. Gordon's door. The ready
meal was hastily swallowed, the horses fed, and they departed for the
camp. On the way Schwartz, turning to the left, kept a southward
course through the district, along the foot of the mountains, to rouse
the inhabitants in that quarter, and to collect a party to support Mr.
Gordon. The rest returned to the camp, from whence runners were
despatched throughout all the adjacent country, and even beyond the
mountain to the headwaters of the Holston. Leaving them thus cm-
ployed, let us repair to the head-quarters of the enemy.
, In the handsome parlor of a handsome house, in the suburbs tfi
Lynchburg, wc find two officers seated at a game of piquet. The hour
is nine at night. The room is richly furnished. A bright fire burns
on the hearth, and the blaze of sconce and astral lamps sheds its
soft, luxurious, moonlight beams into every corner. Wincf cordials,
fruits, and cigars arc placed on a table, and every thing betokens com-
fort and luxury, case and indolence. The dress of thes* cor-
responds with the scene. Both glitter with gold and flutd r in lace,
and their richly mounted swords and highly finished pistols, whieb lie
on the table, show that (he owners abound in the means of display and
Bclf-indulgcncc.
Buch was indeed the fact. The pay of the army, gradually in-
creased by law during thirt* had grown I inc. The
emoluments, as they are called, under as; ind and connivi
had advtnccd (vcillwut law) yet more rapidly; so that to be a Colt
in the army of the United States was to be ■ rich man. Such was
the rank of both these officers. It was true 'hat the treasury had
already begun to feci the drain of th< under an
iniq nploycd to fortify the tyranny that l.j<i
12
178 THE PAXT2SA1T LEAI>1R
that the supply now on hand, if once exhausted, would
not be speedily renewed. But the rulers felt bat the more sensibly
•hat the energetic employment both of force and corruption wai nc
tary to retain the little that remained, by holding Virginia in subjec-
tion. With Hii view, the same system of wasteful expenditure, com-
menced twenty years l»efore, was kept up: and all who served the
erown with becoming zeal were encouraged to bold open their mouths
that they night be filled.
In another part of the room a company cf subalterns fluttered around
a bevy of fair damsels. To these young ladies the mistress of this
mansion had of late become an object of much increased regard. Nft
friend was so dear, no society so desirable, nor house so pleasant to
tjsit at as hers. Many an extra visit did she receive, since the abound-
ing loyalty of her husband had invited the commandant of the post to
make it his head-quarters. Many a wistful glance had been east during
the evening, from the assiduous subalterns, toward the In ndsome and
unheeding wearer of two epaulettes, to whose authority all who ap-
proached him were bound to bow. Hut it wus ali in vain. Sufficient
to himself, he valued not the admiring eyes which were Deal upon
him ; or if they occupied any thing of hii attention, it was to be made
the subject of invidious comparison with the ladies of the highest
fashion hi the northern eifcies, whose lavish attentions had rendered
him totally heedless of the vulgar admiration of a parcel of half bred
Virginia girls.
These remarks, however, apply to only one of the officer.'- in qtfes-
tion. The other manifested bo such insensibility, though his attentions
to the fair were only marked by ■ staid courtesy, hardly more flattering
than the perfect indifference af bia companion. Still he paid such
attention as it becomes a gentleman to pay to every thing that wears
the exterior of a lady. But the day when he was himself an object
of court to them was past, [ndecd, the ladies bad already begun to
despair of thawing the coldness of his temperament, when, being su-
perseded by a younger and handsomer commander, he was laid on the
shelf and condemned as quite paste.
Hut it is high time to make the reader acquainted with the two mili-
tary gentlemen, to whose presence he has been introduced.
The reader, without doubt, already understands that, of the two pffi-
cers before us the elder in years, though theyouuger in commission, is
Col. Mason, late commandant of the post. His companion is Col.
Owen Trevor, whose impatience for distinction has been indulged by
sending him to Lynchburg with his regiment. Here, taking rank of
Mason, he has been in fact placed in command of a brigade, with an
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 179
understanding that time and opportunity will be afforded him to show
himself qualified for the rank, by discharging the functions of a briga-
dier. This post has been assigned him because in this direction is the
only enemy actually in arms.
Although the force under the command of Douglas bad been origi-
nally but a handful, Mason had seen that it possessed, in a marvellous
degree, the faculty of occasional expansion. His intelligence had
taught him to expect that it would ere long be greatly increased, if not
crushed by a vigorous movement on his part. Hence he was desirous
of acting on the otfensive, especially as he had no doubt, from the
past, that Lynchburg was the object of Douglas. Dut he had seen
enough of the character and resources of his enemy to know that a
small force would be unavailing, and had therelbre earnestly desired to
be reinforced. In answer to this request he had received, not the
moderate aid that he had desired, but an order to surrender his com-
mand to Col. Trevor, whose well-appointed regiment was ordered to the
post.
Col. Mason was a man of honor and talent. He was one. of the
many subjects of that strong delusion which had so extensively pre-
vailed ; and, under the influence of which, Virginia, for thirty years,
had been sacrificing the substance of liberty and prosperity to the
forms of a constitution devised to secure, but perverted to destroy
them. He belonged, moreover, to that unfortunate class of partisans
whom it is safe to neglect. Acting on principles, however erroneous,
it was clearly seen that these alone were sufficient to bind him to the
service to which .he had devoted himself. It was at the same time
little doubted that a change of opinions would be followed by a renun-
ciation of all the advantages of his situation, whatever they might be.
To waste on such a man the means of corrupting the Corruptible, and
securing the faithless, would indeed have been " ridiculous exc
He liad won his way to his present rank by the strict performance of
every duty of the subordinate offices, through which he had risen by
jular gradation. In the shuffling and catting of the military pack,
he had seen junior officers, placed above nini by that sort of legerde-
main which had bo long before procured his master the name of the
magician, lie had not indeed acquiesced tamely in this, hut means
had been always found so soothe him, and he had been retained in the
service by dextrous appeals to that magnanimity which they who knew
not bow to appr< ciate, yet knew well how to play upon.
he had not gel forgotten how, ten years befoi
had been found for reversing the relative rank •
• Trevor, whin both v ere vcrj young and both n that
TIIK PARTISAN T.KADBK.
:nc complimentary though temporary arrangement
had been devised to reconcile him to that which gave the rank of
in to one, whom he. still a Lieutenant, had once commanded.
Having repressed his di-^atisfuctioq at that time, he rjow felt hound to
acquiesce in |he circumstanccfl which placed his former subordinate
immediately in authority over him. If thi< occurrence made him
repent his former' tameness, now when it was .too late to remonstrate,
he did not say so, but addressed himself wfra' grave precision to the
fulfilment of all his commander's orders.
#
THE PARTISAN LBADBR. 181
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Fortuna riimium quern fovet, sttiltutn tacit.
Colonel Trevor was the spoiled child of fortune and patronage.
He was old enough to remember his father's rise in life. Hence, in
estimating his consequence in society, he had formed a habit of com-
paring him with the class from which he sprang, and not with that
more intellectual order of men, in which he bad at last found hk
proper place, and where he had long remained stationary in well ascer-
tained equality. This circumstance alone made an important difference
between him and his younger brothers. The sort of retrospect with
which he was most familiar teaches any thing but humility, however it
may imprest that lesson on the mind that has already learned it.
In the commencement of Col. Trevor's military career, the approba-
tion of his father had been of more consequence to the usurper than
now, when his throne stood strong on its foundations. The character
of that worthy gentleman, too, had been less understood. The Presi-
dent had not been aware how absolutely the convictions of his own
mind and high sense of duty supplied the place of those douceurs, the
frequent repetition and continued expectation of which is necessary to
bind the faith of the unprincipled. Before this discover}- was made.
Col. Trevor had been already advanced to a rank, and invested with an
.adventitious consequence, which made it important to cultivate him on
his own account. II is early training had taught him the grand maxim
of the court — u Nothing ask, nothing have." lie had discovered that
any display of fixed principle, however favorable to the usurper's plans,
• passport to advancement; that rewards were only for the mer-
cenary, and that they were always dispi di sd with a freedom duly pro-
portioned to the eagerness with which they were sought. The caustic
wit of John Randolph had unintentionally and almost with fa
breath supplied the faction with a countersign not to be mistaken. If
any man talked about his principles, (as all men d<> and must at times,)
there was always at hand some dextrous pimp, whoM I
ascertain their number. If they were found tc*be either more or less
yen, th< discovery was fatal to hi I advancement.
The character of Douglas Trevor had been formed under circum-
stances directly the reverse of those which had operated "n his elder
-
]v'2 THE PARTISAN LBABIB.
lie "iily remembered his father in the Bame cirol< - and tlie
lace in society in which his latter days bad b L No
change of condition hod 1 id the youth to turn his hack on the companions
of his boyhood ; no rapid promotion had filled him with a fond i
< f hi- own osnsequencc, or an o?erweening eagerness for rank and
emolument; and his unbought fidelity had shown thai of the
number of those on whom rewards would be wasted. Thus it hap]
jo often does,) that two young men, sons of the same parents,
educated in the same school, and trained to the same profession, were
ju>t the reverse of each other, in particulars wherein nature had prob-
ably made little difference between them. Bo it was, that while the
one was indifferent to duty, frivolous, self-indulgent, and mercenary,
the other was assiduous, discreet, temperate, and disinterested.
It may be inferred from what I have said, that the rank of Col.
Trevor was already above his merit. The consequence was, that hav-
ing reached his present elevation by the force of causes not within him-
self, his own consciousness afforded no standard for his farther preten-
sions. He could see no reason why he should not he a field-marshal
as well as a colonel. And so it was ; for he had no just claims to cither
rank on the score of service or qualification. A stone thrown up, were
it endued with consciousness and thought, could see no reason, as long
as it was ascending, why it might not fly to the moon! If my experi-
ence in life ha-- taught me any thing, it is, that a man who sets no
bounds to his aspirations, unless his daily intercourse with the world
affords daily proofs of an intrinsic superiority over all he meets, is al-
ready raised above his merit,
The gentlemen, of whom I have been Bpeaking, were busily engaged
in their game, when the Orderly in waiting entered and announced an
officer who wished to report himself to the commandant of the post
" Let him call in the morning, and be damned to him," said Colonel
Trevor. " Is this an how to disturb a gentleman?''
The Orderly saluted and withdrew, hut presently returned to say that
the officer had particular husiness with Colonel Mason, and wished to
see him immediately. Mason accordingly left the room, and was gone
but a few minutes, when he too came back.
;' This officer, sir," said he, "asked to see me, supposing me still in
command here. His intelligence is for you ; and, from what I heard
before I discovered his mistake, it may be important that you should
receive it to-night."
" "Well," said Trevor, in a tone at once lazy and peevish, " T suppose
I must see him. But it is damned hard that I cannot have a moment's
leisure. Let him come in."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. I8S
He was summoned accordingly, and proved to be no other than our
acquaintance, the Yankee spy, whom I now introduce to the reader, as
he announced himself. He is Captain Amos Cottle, of the 20th regi-
ment of infantry, in the army of the United States. His name, I
presume, (like that of the fourteen James Thomsons, in Don Juan,) had
been bestowed in honor ef the illustrious bard immortalized by Lord
Byron. He was invited to take a glass of wine, and, having seated
himself, requested a private conference with the commanding officer.
This was a signal for the dispersion of the ladies, and their assiduous
attendants, who adjourned to another room. Mason was about to fol-
low, but the Cokniel carelessly requested him to remain.
Captain Cottle was then invited to open Ins budget, which he did by
telling what the reader already knows. Not a sentence did he utter.,
in which some indication of folly, vanity, or .indiscretion did not escape
him. All this, however, passed unmarked of Col. Trevor, whose eyes,
sparkled at the welcome intelligence. Nothing could be more apropos
to his wishes, or to the plan of the President. "VeRi, vidi, viei."
The exploit of Crcsar was the only parallel to that which he proposed
to achieve, ticcasionalhy he looked to Mason for sympathy and con-
currence with his unexpressed thoughts. As often he withdrew his
eye, chilled and perplexed by the cold, steady, thoughtful look ef his
companion. What could this mean ? Could Mason be insensible to
the advantage of the plot, or indifferent to its issue '( Could envy so
far prevail with a man heretofore distinguished by his disinterested
xeal for the service, as to damp his ardor in an enterprise of so much
promise ? He was at first indignant at this idea, but a little reflection
made him judge his brother-officer with more candor.
"Poor Mason," said he to himself. " I don't wonder that ho is a
little mortified at my good fortune. It is something hard that he should
have held this post so long, without a chance to do any thing, and that
I should have come just in time to rob him Gf this. But then, damn
it J it is his own fault. What did he want with a reinforcement against
a parcel of ragged militia ? It was right to supersede an officer who
would ask more than one regiment to meet any number of such raga-
muffins that could come against him. Besides, he ought to have bro
ken up their den long ago. If Dooglafl escapee me this 'iim, it shall
not be lonjr before I smoke him out of his hole, or there is no virtue in
gun -powder."
Having thus reasoned himself into a state of erquisil mpla-
ceney, he heard the story of Captain Cottle to the end, and then asked
the opinion of Mason.
18* THE [8AM LEAI'
• [ ." replied that gentleman, " that 1 am prepared I
an opinion/'
" 1 hope," -aid Trevor, " that you don't mean to deny me the benefit
ur thoughts "
- far from it, that T mnlco it a point of conscience not to
without having first thought. When I have done so, I will tell you
what 1 think. To speak now would be hut to give you the crude sug-
ns of unreflecting and impertinent presumption."
" T cannot understand," said Trevor, " how you can require time to
think in so plain a case."
" 1 might say. in reply," answered Mason, " that as the ease is so
clear to you, you can hardly need my advice. Indeed, I understand
your request <>f it hut as a compliment to which I am not insensible,
and which T shall not decline. When 1 am prepared to speak, there-
fore. ] ' k as plainly as if the ease were as full of difficulty to
you as i' i.^ to me."
ing said this. Mason drew Cottle into conversation ; enquired the
particulars of his visit to the mountain : encouraged him t<> recite his
Conversations with Douglas; and, filling him full of vanity and conceit
by hifl deferential deportment, made the light shine through him, so as
to expose hi- folly to the mosl careless observer. At length !i" was
dismissed for the night, and Mason, addressing Trevor, said : "I am
now ready to give1 yon toy thoughts. 1 could in Captain Cot-
lie's presence; and, indeed, my mind wis not clear until I had some
more conversation with him. 1 am now sat;
"Let's hear, then, the result of your cogitations," asked Trevor, with
something of a sneer.
Mason colored Blightly,but said, in a calm tone : "I have had some
experience of this Captain Douglas, and am morally sure he has not been
deceived by tliis man, as he supposes."
'• What 1" exclaimed Trevor. " Do you forget that Captain Cottle is.
an officer whose rank is a pledge for his honor, and who would forfeit
Ms commission and his life by bringing false intelligence to his com-
mander?"
■• ! don't doubt his truth," said Mason, "hut his sagacity I do doubt
The man is palpably a Yankee — "
" And the cunning of the Yankee is proverbial," interrupted Trevoir
u It is, indeed," replied Mason j "but as he is not only a Yankee,
but obviously BO, he could nOt have made Douglas believe that he wat
an influential inhabitant of Bedford, a native -of the county, and a
sealous stickler for the sovereignty of Virginia."
'' You give your Captain Douglas credit for a great deal of sagacity "
9
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 185
** And not without reason," said Mason. " His plans, and his man-
ner* of conducting them, all show it. His intelligence appears to be
always correct and ready, and his devices for the concealment of his
own schemes arc commonly impenetrable. It is clear, from many cir-
cumstances, that he has agents who pass throtigh the country unsus-
pected ; and I should not be surprised if Cottle had fallen in with one
of them. I have no doubt that Douglas will be found at Jo.ies's Ford
on the day appointed ; but my life upon it, instead of coming there to
be surprised, he proposes to come there to surprise you."
" Surprise me !" said Trevor, scornfully.
" ~b have no apprehension that he will surprise you," said Mason,
" because I am sure you will take all proper precaution. I merely
mean to say that he will attempt it."
"And be punished for his presumption," said Trevor. "As to pre-
caution, I must use it, to be sure, supcrflous as it may be against a set
of inexperienced militia."
"Of one sort of experience," said Mason, "and that not the
important, they have bad more than we. They have tasted danger
more than once; and their skill in the use of the rifle is such as meli
who live with the weapon in their bands, and they alone, can be expect-
ed to acquire."
u I hope to bring in some of them as prisoners," said Trevor, "and
then we shall see how that is. I will pit a dozen of our sharp-shooters
against .a dozen of them, my horse to yours."
" T am not in the habit of betting," replied Mason, smiling quietly ;
" but, in this case, I dare say I may do it innocently, as the offence will
hardly reach beyond intention ; so I take your bet."
" How do you mean ?" asked Trevor, sharply.
" T mean," said Mason, " that I am not very sure that you will take
a dozen of them." .
"Not sure !" exclaimed Trevor; "how can they escape me ?"
" I don't profess to understand their craft," .-aid MaiOD ; " but they
arc hard to catch. Tn short, Colonel Trevor, my instructions rcquiro
me to afford you all the information I have acquired here. Tt is there-
fore my duty, even without question from you, to assure you that you
arc in the midst of a disaffected country, and that you are going against
an enemy not to be despised, and auion
Knowing thesi things, and invited by you to advise whit is to I
in this affair, my advice is to march your whole disposable force to the
appointed place, using i v. ry ] n caution t • guard against surpri
might be as well to anticipate Donglas, bo far at least as to und
the ground, and to occupy it before the day."
Is'*. Til.
•• And - • li-
no means. Cottfi will have been made avail. il
to draw him down from the mountains You neither
: advantage. B ii it 1 cannot cosily make my
self in. ur minds arc occupied with different I
iuI the trap set for Douglas, and I am thinking
In- snare lie has laid For you. Depend upon it. Colonel !
that tl. . of eatohing a Tartar, may be illustrated by catching
the river lulls. He may be caught ; ami yet, neither
conic away urn- 1 t you come. ' itinued Mason, ••when 1
in<[uiroil of this Captain Cottle about the nature of the greaad #t the
Fiord, behold, he had not taken notice of it! hut, on cm-.- examination,
by finding what lie did not .see, I am satisfied that there is no low
ground, nor chared land at the place ; that the bilk conic sheer down
to the river, and, by almost necessary oonseqaeaee, that the road leads
through a deep defile. The choice of such a place confirms my su-pi-
don o[ Douglas's plan, and affords the means to counterwork, it. If we
occupy the strong points of the ground, ami he'coiues with only such a
body of men a.s Cottle expects, we take him without effusion of blood.
■ii.es in force, our position will give as all tin advantage he
: and, trust me, in that case we -hall ha\e need of them.*'
•• X< 1 ./ of./-// nut h/, i against irregular* .'" drawled Tr< i ingly,
and emphasizing .very word.
"Our discipline and exj are of little consequence," Bind Ma-
son, u if we do not use tin in. One use of them is to know how to take
advantages. '*
u Be it 00," said Trevor j lt I shall seek none. A fair field and a
-ky are all I a.-k ; and 1 shall he careful to take no measure which
may alarm this mountain wolf, and drive him hack to his den before I
can come up with him."
These words were hardly spoken when the Orderly announced that
.u.t of dragOOM had ju-t returned from a BOOUtiog party with
important intelligence, and had come to make his report to the Colonel.
What this WOS the reader will inf. r, when told that he was the uon-
eommissioned officer on whom had d. rolved tin' command of the four
men who had escaped with him from Jones's Ford. His information
confirmed M uspioions, and might have served as a damper to
the flattering anticipations Of a man less sanguine than Colonel Trevor.
Its only effect on him was to sharpen his eagerness for the expected ren-
contre. Vet the 8< rgeant, when (puestioned, frankly admitted that his
party had not heen out-numbered. Hut it was clear that their design
had been, by some means, disclosed to Douglas; and his advantage had
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 187
been the result of judicious dispositions, and the skill of his men in
the use of that most terrible of all weapons.
But all this abated nothing of Colonel Trevor's contempt for a foe
unskilled in the manual exercise, ignorant of the grand manoeuvres,
and dressed in buckskin. Every attempt on the part of Col. Mason to
bring him to listen to reason proved fruitless. Indeed the conversation
occasionally took such a turn as to crcnto a doubt in the mind of that
gentleman, whether to press his advice any farther might not make it
difficult to reconcile with his own self-respect the deference which he
knew to be due to his commander. He therefore determined to receive
and execute in silence all orders which might be given, and leave the
event to Providence.
Tin: PARTI !'ER.
CHAPTER X XX VII.
dreadful far ilieir ire
Than theirs, who, scorning danger's i
In i iger niood to battle ca tne ;
Their valor, like litflii .niii',
A fierce, but fading lire !
if length from his trpul adviser, Col. Trevor was
the uninterrupted enjoyment of hia anticipated triumph: He
i to tread on air, and, with ;i Bashing eye, and Bpread nostrils, to
look forward to the glories, and snuff uji the carnage of th< i \\ ected
fight. Such was hi.> impatience for the adventure, that, in the ■
!' upticipation, he gave.n hi to the necc ssary preparations.
li c for th< bo in readi-
. h, with a supply of cartridg itions suitable to
tion.
mher at length arrived, and the troops took
uji the line of march. As they issued in glittering rank fn m ;!
. tri Colonel, proudly mounted on his stately
charg . him If in the gateway o^the house, where he had
taken up his quarters, and received their passing salute. The portico
house \\:: ' with female figures; tin- win re clus-
tered with fair faces; Ihe noble oak-trees in the yard were hung with
garlands, in toki loyalty of tin1 household, and of anticipated
triumph in his assured victory. Hut tin1 Colonel bow nothing of this.
His eye saw not the waving of handkerchiefs, liis car heard not the
uing in (inn.-, of music from rosy lij>s. He heard
only :'■ iid clanging bugle j he saw nothing but
ti pings of his well-drained troops as they marched by;
an-1 then, hie eye, 1" llowing them, dwelt with delight upon their pio-
WOUnd along the slope, of the hill, and
I I idge. Ueyond this, imagination presented ob-
F rest — the tattle field, the tumult of the strife,
!i. the pursuit, the carnage, the vanquished leader led in chains
loot of tin- throne, the gracious smile of approving majesty, and
the rich rewards of successful valor. These things he saw; but saw
i. ! the gaunt figure of his host, who stood mar, his strong features
TIIE FARTISAN LEADER. 189
and manly person illy sorting with the abject part he condemned him-
self to act. He sought in vain to catch the eye of the excited com-
mander, desirous, in his parting words, to convey some expression of
loyalty and zeal. Colonel Trevor marked him not, and, as the rear of
the column was about to pass, put spurs to his horse, and galloped t<>
the front.
At this point of my story, I must crave the indulgence of the
reader, while I introduce my humble self to his notice. A native of
South Carolina, and the heir of a goodly inheritance, which, during a
long minority, had been at nurse in the nanus of an honest and pru-
dent guardian, T was just of age, the master of a handsome income,
and of a large sum of money in hand. Having a taste for military
life, my guardian had procured me. a situation in the military academy,
which had been established by the State, as a counterpoise to that in-
stitution at which the Federal Government had taught so many of our
southern youths to whet their swords against the only sovereignty to
which they owed allegiance. My proficiency had been seen, and gave
entire satisfaction to my teachers. I had imbibed political opin-
ions which made me a zealous advocate for the rights of the
States, and a strenuous asscrter of the unalienable independence of
South Carolina. "When, in compliance with the request of Mr. 1> — ,
enquiry had been made for a young man qualified and disposed to aid
3'oung Trevor in his enterprise, I had been selected for that purpose.
I was invited to Columbia, made acquainted with the plans of the in-
surgents in Virginia, ami provided with letters to my future com-
mander. Journeying to Arirginia by the route that he had purai
on the evening of the first day of November I entered the valley de-
scribed in the first chapter. I soon encountered a crowd of men,
filled the road and the yard of a house contiguous to it. There were
wagons, horses, and arms ; and the men, moving quietly but bu
seemed all earnestly engaged in some important preparation,
I was presently stopped, courteously though peremptorily : and hav-
ing expressed a wish to sec Captain Douglas, w is conducted to the
house. There, pen in hand, and busily engaged in writing, sat a young
man of small stature and slight figure. Though quite htndsoo
was nothing remarkable in his features, but a bright gray eye, of calm,
thoughtful and searching expression, strongly contrasted «with the dark
brown, curling hair that clustered over his brow.
Ueing accosted by my conductor, he raised his head — when I si
forward, and ' in) my led' i ''• glanced hastily to the signa-
ture of the first h^ Oj I read it leisurely, and looking at me
With A beaming countc anc hand. "You arc welcome,
1C»0 TH: \n LBADBBi
sir/' said he, u welcome to danger's hour. In the morning pre march
on an expedition which may decide the fate of the campaign. My
ementfl must excuse my seeming neglect of you this eveni
But lit me make yon known to your future comradi
Then taming to :i lair haired youth, already known to the reader as
Arthur Trevor, he introduced him as his mother's son. I was then
made acquainted with Schwartz and Witt, and several others. Among
the number were a Jew young men from the lower counties, of irood
families and education, who, in this crisis, had left their hnines to en-
in this expedition. These, like their leader, had all learned to
mmodate themselves to the fashions of tliat wild country, and it*
wilder climate, and especially to their own wild life. Each individual
was dn BSi d. from top to toe, in leather, no otherwise differing from the
- of tin rudest mountaineer, than in neatness, and a certain easy
grace, and air of fashion, which no dress can entirely eonceal. Tn any
i!i' ss, in any company, under any circumstances, Douglas Tr< vor would
have been recognised as a gentleman.
I hardly remember how T fared, or how I passed the night
! •,<• somewhat better than most others j but 1 took
to Bhow that 1 was content to eat wh.it I could g< t, and U) lodge
as I might.
At 'daylight wc were on the road. Hut little attention was paid to
order. No enemy was near, and nobody was inclined to desert. There
was theretoic no necessity for harassing men and hoi-,.-, by forcing
tlieiu m keep in rank.-. Bach man rode where, and with whom lie
pleaeed, except thai a few were directed to keep near the wagons, not
so much to -uard as to aasial in ease of need It is impossible to con-
ceive a military array with less of the •< pomp and circumstance id'
tVir." The horses wire, for the DXOSl part, substantial, and in suhstan-
tial order. Their equipments were of the rudest Bort. Hough-bridles .
and pack-saddles wera most ooinmoas The only arms were the rifle,
knife, and tomahawk, with their appropriate accompaniments of pow-
der horn, charger, and pouch. Doaglas, indeed, had a Bword, and the
i,w Babrcs taken from the dragoons had hcen distributed anion- the
principal men. But they were all too wise to encumber their persons
with these weapons, which might have been troublesome in their mode
of warfare. A Btrong loop of thick leather, stitched to the .skirt of
the saddle, in front of the left knee, received the sword, the hilt of
which stood up above the pummel. Two or three of the saddles were
of the Spanish fashion, the horn of which served to BUpport any trifle
the rider might wUh to hang on it. Douglas, in particular, curried,
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 191
in this way, a leather case, containing his writing materials, and serv-
ing as a tablet for writing on horseback.
But rude as these equipments were, yet to one acquainted with the
object of the expedition, there was an appearance of efficiency in the
whole which gave the corps a truly formidable aspect. The perfect
order of the arms, the strong, though rude dress of the men, their
sinewy frames, their sunburnt faces; and, above all, the serious and
resolved expression of countenance which generally prevailed, were
tokens which none but a martinet would overlook.
As yet no duty had been assigned to nic, so that I was perfectly
disengaged. It was not until we had rode several miles, that Douglas «
found leisure to converse with me. He then joined me, accompanied
by Schwartz, to whom, in my presence, he explained my situation.
Schwartz heard him with thoughtful attention, and then said — " It is
all mighty well, sir, if Mr. Sidney will only just take it right. You
sec, sir," continued he, addressing me, " there an't no officers among
us, and we only just call the Captain so for short. If he was a Cap-
tain or a Gineral it would not make much odds, because these fellows
just go for what is right and hard fighting; and him they believe in,
him they mind. But as to who is first and who is second, that's neither
here nor there. I have not a doubt that you are the sort of a man
we want ; but all that we can do, is to give you a fair chance to let the
men sec it. The Captain can be asking your advice, now and then,
and I and Witt will do the same, and when they see that, they will
begin to find out what yo^are. And then, you see, sir, when once we
get to fighting, a man is never in such a flurry himself, but what he
can see who knows what he is about, and who does not. So, by the
time we have had a Bkrimmage or two, the men will know all about
you ; and whenever the Captain is out of the way, they will all be look-
ing to you to know what to do; just in the way of giving \nur
opinion, mind ; but, a/ler n while, it will get to bo orders. And then,
if any thing happens to the Captain, and Wilt and I don't sec cans.-
to change oar mind, why, we only just have to follow you, and the
men they follow us, and all will go straight. So you must just make
yourself easy and keep quiet. We'll tell you when to speak, and
after ;: while you'll find yourself second in command h'Torc you know
I had no difficulty in acknowledging the reasonableness of these
ideas, though i' reemed a new thing, to find a man possessing the influ-
ence and authority of Schwactz, dc vising means to transfer them to
another. Bui he knew, and the cvenl showed that I J;t, that
thore wore some duties of a commander for which he was not fit; and
Tin: PARTISAN i
■ there were other tl hieh ;■• cl
tlior.
third of N
Gordon! On the way wo had received frequent
. and h< n I larger n inforccn <
whole Dumber could not hi much, if at all, short of a thou-
sand nun.
Meantimi ime in, from whom wc learned that the saim day
had been fix 1 for the march of the troops from Lynchl urg. It fol-
lowed thai we had abundance of time for our preparations. It >o hap-
» pened, that they had not learned the name of. the new commander •
but it wm understood that a reinforcement had arrived, and that nearlj
the whole disposable force was on the maroh. This included a troop
nf dragoons and a company bf artillery, with two pieces of cannon, in
addition to a full regiment of infantry, am' one battalion of another.
Having ascertained his force, and fixed on those on whom he could
rely to understand and i xecute his plans, Douglas proceeded to n
temporary organisation, suited to the occasion. The men were dh
into corps, to each of which a post was provisionally assigned, I
ooeui i< 1 aa soon as the approach of the enemy should be annoui
near the bead of the defile, and just above tl first
angle next the top of tl"' asci nt, « n i barricadi
similar I Iready described. ] on each side, to the
foot of the hills, at steep, rocky, and impracticable points. It was
I Bg enongh for t\v< nty men to man its flrc-nty loop holes, and as it
rsached above their heads, they wen quite concealed. An lnu
men were allotted to this post, who were ranged five deep behind the
barricade, and instructed to fire in turn, each man falling back to the
rear to n ' he had <] his piece.
Others were distributed along tl of the hills over-
looking the road, and directed to seek out hiding-places behind r<
tret i, and bushes. These men wen ander the immediate orders of in-
dividuals selected for the occasion, but a( ached to the command of
Witt, who was stationed at the l'.irii- r.
About a hundred were placed in ambush in the month of the ravine,
jm-t below the road, on the north rid ■ ol the river, under Sch warts.
Th< '1 picked men— our stead i b( and harp-shooters —
who w< I there for the purpose of attacking and carrying the
guns of the enemy at the* water's edge.
Douglas himself, at the head of the res' of bis corps, prepared to
occupy the road On the north side of the river, to bring 00 the action.
These were divided into two equal bodies, and the whole ranged in
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 198
platoons, at open order, across the road. Of the two battalions, as they
may he called, the foremost was placed under my command. The
other Douglas commanded in person. My orders were to post my
headmost platoon just at the bend of the road, on the top of the hill
where it turns to the right. They were instructed to fire ad limitum,
each man choosing and making sure of his mark, and then to file away
by the right, and, taking to their heels, to run down to the river, cross
it, and dispose themselves on the other bank, so as most effectually to
gall the enemy, should he attempt to cross. Each platoon, in succes-
sion, was to march up to the same ground, and, having fired, to execute
the same manoeuvre. The remaining column, under Douglas, were to
stand their ground until the enemy should come in view on the top of
the hill, and then to fall back fighting, and cross under cover of those
who should have passed before. But the best account of what waf
ordered will be gathered from what was done.
dl
el bv ■
13
114 THE PARTISAN LBAD1V
CHAPTER XX XV III
The triumph ami the vanity,
The rapture of the Mrife ;
The earthquake vo >ry.
To thee the breath of life ;
All quelled : — Dark spirit, what must be
Xne madness "i thy memory?
WHILE these arrangements were in progress, scouts were hourly
arriving. The country being altogether friendly, they were readily
provided with fresh horses ; and, before the enemy were half way
from Lynchburg, we were fully apprised of their number, equipments,
and order of march, l'irst earns a Bquadroo of dragoons ; then a light
•ompacTj then Treyor's regiment, about five hundred strong j then a
company of artillery ; then one battalion of Mason's regiment, oon-
iisting of aon> thing more than two hundred nun ; the whole followed
by a lew light troops, by way of rear-iruurd. The whole might amount
to a thousand men, well appointed and prepared at all points for effi-
cient action.
On the morning of the fifth of November the men were ordered to
betake themselves to their allotted posts; and Douglas, having visited
each, and seen that all was right, and rightly understood, addressed
himself to his particular command, When every man is an officer,
each must be told individually beforehand what is expected from him
Panic apart, they will be apt to fulfil such instructions, and will light
with the terrible efficiency of individual animosity. Hence the formida-
ble character of partisan warfare.
At IcngjJi the enemy made their appearance. Clinging to the idea
' niglas, Col. Trevor sent forward no advance, but deter-
mined cs>h< .mg the whole strength of his corps to bear upon him at
once. If he employed any scouts, they were either unfaithful, or were
not permitted to approach near enough to learn any thing of the posi
tion or movements of Douglas. The consequence was, that Col. Trevor
received the first intimation of his presence from a sharp firing in
front, which sent his horse to the right-about and back to the rear.
Pressing forward, he immediately ordered his sharp-shooters to disperse
am? *ike positions to gall us, while he pushed on his solid column of
TIIE PARTISAN LEADEE. 195
heavy infantry. The reception prepared for thera was such as he had
not dreamed of.. His men fell like leaves in autumn — and, as fast a>
one platoon of the mountaineers discharged their pieces, another was
on the same ground to pour in again that terrible fire, of which the
martinets of the regular service have so inadequate an idea. Instead
of the deep-mouthed peal of muskets, discharged simultaneously, there
is the sharp, short crack of rifle after rifle, fired by men no one of
whom touches the trigger until he sees precisely where his ball is to
go. The effect was suitable to the cause; but yet the steady infantry
pressed on',
': Each stepping where his comrade stood,"
to form an unbroken front, in order to charge with the bayonet.
Suddenly the firing ceased, and, behold, their enemy seemed to
have fled from the expected charge. The fact was, that my last pla-
toon, having fired, had withdrawn like their predecessors, and wen-
running at full speed after their companions, down the hill and aero?-
the river. At the water's edge, I stopped and joined Schwartz in his
ambush. It had been arranged that I should do this ; because, in case
wc should be so fortunate as to seize the cannon, my skill as an artil-
lerist might be of great use. Meantime, my men having crossed over,
dispersed themselves along the bank, the face of the hills, and ae:
the road, to cover the retreat of those who remained.
The regulars had necessarily spent a few moments in repairing the
wreck of their shattered column before they advanced. They then
moved forward, but, before they turned the angle of the road, most of
my men were across the river. At the same time, the column under
the immediate command of Douglas was seen drawn up in the road,
near the foot of the hill, with the rear resting on the water's edge. As
the enemy advanced the front platoon fired, faced to the right, and
filing along the flank of the column, entered the river, and crossed just
below the ford. They next filed to the left in the same way, and
crossed above the ford. In this manner the whole column disappeared,
one platoon ,after another, while their fire was answered by a roar of
musketry, which, being discharged from the higher ground, did more
harm to those on the farther bank of the river than to the nearer ene-
my. At length the last platoon was withdrawn, and the regular*
rushed down toward the river 0>r the purpose pf annoying them ii
cross.ng. In this attempt they were again checked and driven back
by the terrible fire of my men, who, having already crossed, v.
drawn up, as I have said, on the other bank.
Tin:
w.saw tlio necessity of advancing his artillery, which
cordinghj harried down t<> the wen to 'liar a paean]
■;. By the time toe cannon were untimbered, nbt a man of
antaim < rs was U) be seen. As soon as their companid
I, they dispersed with every appearance of confusion and alarm;
ng tin- road, and sonic clambering np ilic hills on
both Bides of it-
The way was dow open, and the infantry advan. - the river.
pel Mason, riding np to Colonel Trevor, pointed
out the advantageous position of the artiller cr to' his rear, if
oed to retreat uGive me leave to su id he,
•' that it may be well to leave the cannon where they are. The cavalry,
• -with effect among those hills, and the two together,
fortune of the day be unpropitions, may be of more use
here than on the other side."
•.true," said Trevor. " Tt shall)' | idvise, and yon,
''olonel, will remain in command of this reserve."
•' I earnestly beg, sir," said Mason, "that you will not deny mc a
share in the work of the day. The Captains of artillery and .!:.
..re all-sufficient to the command of their respective corps."
" 1'ardon me, sir." said Trevor. •■ \ B< m be BO proper to execute
vour prudent and cautioua device as yon, its author. You will be
|, therefoD r to the rear, rally the .and bring
them down to tie wan r*s edge. Li t them be ready to cross at a mo-
MientV warning, '■< the pursuit at I have driven the
. neiny into die plain."
ing this, Colonel Trevor turned off, and giving tlie word to march.
dashed into the river. Poor Mason, insulted and mortified, neverthe-
less patiently addressed himself to the duty assigned him. Tims was
his able and brave man denied all participation in an affair which his
arrogant and sanguine commander believed to be an abounding source
,f honor to all who might be engaged in it.
1 have omitted to mention that, as - - n as the plan of endeavoring
to surprise the artillery had been adopted, Schwartz had requested me
to draw the outline of a piece of mounted ordnance in the sand, and
to mark the proper positions of the artillerists employed about it.
While 1 did tins, some t^n or fifteen of our lust marksmen • 1 by,
looking on attentively. When my sketch was done, he turned to one
,f ti,, | i, and ; lintii .: to one of the marks made to stand for an artil-
lerist said coolly: "Now, this i< your man;" and to another, "this
irs." Thus be went on till he had doomed every victim.
While we are supplying this omission in our narrative, the reader will
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 107
please suppose that Col. Trevor's regiment have forded the river, and
have passed up the road and out of sight. It will be remembered that
the hills on both sides of the defile had been lined with concealed
marksmen, and that the greater part of the advance had, on recrossine
the river, thrown themselves into the same places of concealment. But
the idea that they had done so for any purpose but that of safety.
entered not into Col. Trevor's mind. Indeed, if he had had any doubt,
it must have been removed when he found, that as his column wound
through the deep defile,, not a shot molested their march. At tlic first
angle of the road he halted and let the column march past him. He
could see, from this point, both the head of it, as it advanced, and the
rear as it came #p. As the later passed the spot where he stood,_the
leading platoon was in the act of turning the next angle of the road.
At that moment he heard the startling report of a volley of rifles. He
set spurs to his horse to gallop to the front, when every rock and every
tree of the surrounding hills burst into flame, and the deep ravine
echoed to the report of a hundred rifles. A shot struck his horse, and
another piercing his hat, grazed the top of his head deep enough to lay
bare the skull, and stun him as he fell under his slaughtered horse.
He was thus placed hors de combat, owing the preservation of his life
to the iusigna of his rank which had endangered it.
The sound of this firing was the signal for us. Each of the selected
marksmen fixed his aim on his appropriate victim ; and, at a
from Schwartz, the artillerymen at the guns fell as if swept away
breath of a tempest. Rushing from" our hiding-place, the cannon were
instantly in our possession. The company of artillery were not slow to
disappear behind the angle of the rock, and one or two who ;
out, being instantly picked off, wc saw no more of them.
Presently we heard the heavy tramp of the squadron- slowly descend-
ing the hill, accompanied with the peculiar sound of dragoons, dr<
the front in preparation for a sudden and overwhelming charge. While
this was passing, our guns were all reloaded. "Mind, boys.
Schwartz; "all of number one." The word was understood, and
every alternate man stood ready, with rifle cocked and trigger set, te
receive the enemy. The charge was sounded, and the Lading horse-
men, wheeling around the rock, were rushing on at full speed, when
• and riders were seen to go d< wn.in one promiscuous heap. The
r number of the squadron Men- slill out of sight; and, bad the
way been open, might have followed to share the fate of their com-
panions, and finally to ride us down when our guns should have been
all discharged. But the work had been done too effectually. The
dead and wounded (both horse'and ridn Dearly flMed the road; and
198 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
ons to pick their way among such appalling obstacles, in the
of fifty loaded rifles, at a distance of twenty paces, was qnt i f the
question. A few who made the attempt found this to their co.^t. The
charge was not renewed, and some of our men advancing to the ai
of the rock, and occupying inaccessible but commanding points on the
hills, soon made them draw off to a sale distance.
"While this was doing, I, with the few men selected for the service
of the artillery, gave my attention to that. Glancing my eye along
both pieces, I saw that both had been accurately pointed into the road
on the ether side. I had nothing, therefore to do bttt to apply the
port-fire, which was fctill burning in the clenched hand of a dead artil-
lerist. By this time the column had fallen back, an* the road below
the first angle was fast filling with the retreating mass. I had never
before witnessed the effusion of blood; and, heated as mine now was,
it ran cold as I applied the match. As the smoke cleared off, I saw
the enemy throwing away their anus, and stretching out their hands,
some toward me, and some aloft to the unseen foe that galled them
from the hills. The fire instantly slackened, and cravats and handker-
chiefs being raised on the points of swords and bayonets, it ceased alto-
gether. The mountaineers now poured down from the hills into the
ravine, securing the arms of the enemy, mixing among them and hem-
ming them in on every side. Douglas, whose place since he had re-
crossed the river, had been among these concealed marksmen, was one
of the first to approach the enemy. Advancing to those whose rank
was most conspicuous, he made known his authority, and received their
swords.
Meantime Col. Trevor had recovered his senses, and found himself
fastened to the ground by the weight of his horse, which lay upon his
leg. He was presently discovered, relieved, and helped to rise. At
this moment he caught the eye of Douglas, who hastened to him, less
from impatience to demand his sword than to offer assistance to one
who seemed to be an officer of high rank, and .badly wounded. In the
figure before him, all smeared with blood and dirt, he .saw nothing by
which he could recognize his brother. To the Colonel, the disguise of
Douglas was hardly less complete. lie had seen him receiving the
surrender of others, and stood prepared to go through the same humili-
ating ceremony. He felt that his own disgrace was complete, and the
form of surrender was thought of with indifference. He had already
reached the lowest depth of abasement.
" But in that lowest depth a lower deep" seemed to open, when, as
he extended his hand to deliver his sword to the victor, he discovered
that the hand put forth to receive it Was that of Douglas. IJe flung
THE PARTISAN LEADER- 199
down his sword, stamping with rage, and immediately after called to
his men to resume their arms. The voice struck the ear of Douglas,
though dissonant with passion. The figure, too, confirmed his suspicion
of the truth ; and he immediately rushed to screen his brother with
his own body from the rifles pointed against him. Calling for aid to
those around, he presently succeeded in securing the Colonel, and after
one or two fruitless attempts to soothe him, ordered him away to the
house of Mr. Gordon. To that gentleman he spoke aside, and ex-
plaining in confidence the strange scene that he had just witnessed,
besought him to take command of the escort, and to pay all imaginable
attention to the health, comfort, and feelings of the Colonel. He was
accordingly led away, raging and foaming at the mouth like a spoiled
child who has been deprived of his toy, or baulked in his amusement
The mortification of Douglas was extreme; but he had the satisfaction
to find that Arthur was not present; and to no other person but
Schwartz and myself did the name of Colonel Trevor afford, a hint of
the connexion.
1Mb TITE TARTISAN* LEADER.
CHATTER XXXIX
Ii ili, .11 didst but consent
To this most cruel act, do but despair ;
And if thou want'st a cord, tin iread
Th:i- lei twitted from her w
Will serve tn Mranple thee : a rush will be
A beam to hang thee on! Or, v/ouldst thorn drown thyself.
Put but a little water in a spoon,
And it shall be, as all the ocean,
Enough to sliile such a villain !
I shall not detain the reader with a detail of the farther particulars
of this skirmish. Indeed we hardly staid to acquaint owselrea w i 1 1
its exact results. As at least half the men who had fought* undei
Douglas on that day had no intention to follow him any farther, we left,
U) them the care of the killed, wounded, and prisoners. The hody
of Col. Mason alone was selected for a more honorable burial than the
rude hands of the mountaineers could bestow. It was dragged from
beneath the incumbent mass of men and horses, placed on a suitable
carriage, covered with tbe colors of his regiment, and taken to Lynch-
burg, to be there restored to his companions in arms. The band of
hi.- ngiment were also marched bo that place to assist in rendering tin
la.-t huuors to their late conlmander.
Having given the necessary orders, Douglas snatched a moment to
ride to Mr. Gordon's, where he hoped to find his brother in a more
reasonable mood. The Colonel had been confined in a private room ;
and being treated with great courtesy and respect, had lost nothing oi
his arrogance. Such is always the effect of delicate attention to the
undeserving. A man of merit would have been softened and melted
by the deference with which Colonel Trevor was treated. To him ii
seemed but that sort of spontaneous homage to greatness which tin
hear) pays unconsciously. The effect of it was, that being told by Mr.
Gordon that his brother had come to visit him in his room, he sent
him the following magnanimous note, pencilled on the back of a letter:
" I am your prisoner. Do with me as you please. Inflict on me
any death, however cruel; but spare me the sight of one whose treasons
have dishonored our common name, and who has deprived me of my
only chance to restore its former splendor."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 201
#
Douglas was inexpressibly shocked at this manifestation of a temper
at once savage and coldly selfish. Rut he had no time to waste in
parleying with the ungoverned passions of his brother, and wrote an
answer tn these words :
"You are my prisoner, and mine only, and 'shall be treated with all
tenderness and respect. I am responsible to no one for your custody,
and you shall soon be at liberty. Go home. Go to our venerable
father, and comfort his declining years. If the instincts of your heart
do not restrain you from fighting against your brothers, (for Arthur is
with me,) let a sense of honor make you regard yourself as a prisoner
on parole, not at liberty to fight again against Virginia. Meantime
your sword shall be restored, and you shall be treated in all things as
the brother of D. T."
While Douglas was engaged in this painful duty, Arthur was em-
ployed in preparing a formal report of the events of the day. This
was signed by the Chief on his return, and with it the young man was
despatched to B — , with instructions to ask his orders, and return with
them, unless another messenger should be preferred. In the mean-
time all things had been made ready for the march to Lynchburg. I
shall not give the history of this. It was triumphal, as far as complete
success and the applauding gratulations of the people could make it so.
We had no difficulty in adding to our numbers as many men as the
fruits of our victory enabled us to supply with arms. Some joined us
instantly, and others engaged to rendezvous at Lynchburg in a few
days.
There was nothing to damp the^pleasure of Douglas, but the conduci
of his perverse brother, and the presence of the dead body of his old
friend, Colonel Mason. On our arrival before the camp at Lynchburg,
I received orders to present myself with a flag before the gate, at the
head of a detachment which escorted the body, accompanied by the
music of his band, and all the sad and imposing insignia of a military
funeral.
An officer came out to meet us, and thus received the first authentic
history of the fate of the expedition. I was instructed to deliver over
.the body of Colonel Mason with every circumstance of respect and
courtesy. I was also charged to demand the surrender of the en-
trenched camp, and of the garrison as prisoners of war.
A negotiation ensued, which ended in a suspension of arms for five
days, and an agreement to surrender if, in that time, no reinforcement
arrived.
This arrangen cnt was by no mean,,'? unwelcome to Douglas.' It gave
him time to receive and organize the new recruits that were pouring
202 THE FARTISAK LEADER.
»
wait the return of Arthur. In the meantime much of that
sort of intercourse which is common on sueh occasions took •
few things in life more pleasant than it is. There most be
malignity in human nature than is generally su * or men
would not seise, with so much i i, on opportunities to lose the
i<)< -a of public hostility in the kindly interchange of courtesy and
offices. Friendships are never formed mure suddenly and cordially than
under such circumstances. So we found it on this occasion. Major
Wood, the officer in command, was a gentleman and soldier, honorable,
frank, gen'mm-, and accomplished. 1 was brought much into contact
with him, and found him enthusiastic in his acknowledgments of the
of Douglas, and eager to become acquainted with him. But the
time had not come when he was willing to be known by his true name;
and besides that he was acquainted with the Major, there were many
in the camp who would have recognized him. He therefore
confined himself to his (juartcrs, on various pleas of business; and, to
make his seclusion effectual, took lodgings in a house in the suburbs of
the town. ■ By his advice, I mixed much with the men ; and, a* I had
acquitted myself to their entire satisfaction in the late affair, I found
that I was in a fair way to be recognized as second in command.
Schwartz and Witt made a point of consulting me publicly on all oc-
casions; and this circumstance, together with my daily attention to the
organization of the troops, obtained me full credit for all my military
skill, and a great deal more.
The five days passed away quite pleasantly. The regulars, finding
that they were not like to fall into the hands of savages, were becom-
ing reconciled to the fate which DOW seemed inevitable; and we parted
OH the last night pf the truce, with no unpleasant anticipations of the
surrender which was to take place the next day at noon.
The morning came, and our, men paraded in high spirits, and with
considerable show of order and discipline. This was particularly the
ease with a small company which had been detailed for the service of
the artillery, who took their stand at the guns with the air of men
proud of their new acquirements. I had indeed taken great pains to
train and exercise them, and, by universal consent, was recognized as
the immediate commander of this corps, which was drawn up with the
cannon planted directly against the gate of the camp.
All this time Douglas did not make hie appearance. At length the
hour approached for the garrison to march out, and lay down their
arms, when Schwartz went to his quarters to receive his orders. He
soon returned, and taking me aside, told me that Douglas was not at
his quarters, and was nowhere to be seen.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 203
We had already observed appearances in the camp not at all answer-
able to the expected surrender, and I was now startled at this intelli-
gence. The character of Major Wood forbade indeed any suspicion of
foul play. But the time was near* at hand when the enemy should
march out, and we heard nothing of their drums, calling the men to
parade. We determined, therefore, to send a flag to the camp on some
pretest. The officer who carried it was immediately warned off, and
having said that he had a communication for Major Wood, was told
that that officer was no longer in command, and that Col. Trkvor
would receive no communication from rebels and traitors.
This was decisive. The quarters of Douglas were not very distant
from the enemy, and such had been the appearance of perfect, good
faith in all their proceedings, that our camp had been guarded even
more negligently than is common with militia. It seemed, indeed, al-
most incredible that Col. Trevor could have been guilty of an act of
base treachery against the life or liberty of his generous brother; but
to Schwartz and myself, who knew the connexion, even this seemed
hardly less extravagant than his former conduct. That he had escaped,
joined the troops, and disclaimed the capitulation entered into by Ma-
jor Wood, was certain. To have surprised and carried off Douglas
could not be much worse.
We now consulted with Witt, to wdiom we communicated our suspi-
cions, at the same time disclosing the true mine of our young com-
mander, and his relation to Col. Trevor. What was suspicion with us,
was at once absolute certainty with him. I do not think I ever wit-
nessed such a change as our communication made in the whole appear-
ance, and demeanor of the man. Heretofore, I had always seen him
cool, cautious, deliberate, and thoughtful. There was, besides, a pre-
vailing tone of benevolence in all he said, which, added to his sobriety
and strong sense, gave him some claim to the title of philosopher. But
now the expression of his countenance was terrible and awful. He
had made no show of regard for Douglas; but his attachment was deep
and abiding, and his alarm for his safety was in the same degree. He
was impatient of a moment's dela}-, sternly protc>tcd against wasting
time in discussion, and insisted on immediately storming the camp.
Schwartz was nothing behind him in zeal, though less disturbed by
passion ; and we presently determined to bring matters to extremities.
As soon, therefore, as the hour appointed for surrender arrived, < or
captive drummed was ordered to beat a parley. To this the only :■
was a general fire of musketry from the whole line of the cam]' <*n that
side, by which a few men were hurt. Bat the distance wa
for any serious mischief. Enough, however, was done to excite the
2<">4 THE PARTISAN [.KADIS.
men to fury ; and without waiting fur the word, they rushed to the as-
sault. Tin ir movement determined inc. To rush up to the piqueted
entrenchment, behind which Hie enemy were in comparatita
was to expose themselves to destruction. It was indispensable to open
a way for them. This I effected hy a diseharge of both pieces of ar-
tillery, which tore the ^ratc away, and pointed their attack to this acces-
sible point, The moment after, Colonel Treror, with his untraceable
rashness, appeared in the gateway, shouting, and calling to his men to
-ally foril us. He was instantly recognized by the incensed
Witt, whose fatal aim brought him to the ground. His men fell back;
and in a moment after, a white flag was raised.
It was no easy matter to prevail on our men to pa)' any regard to this
lalj but wc succeeded in restraining them before it was tco late.
Of course we demanded the instant surrender of the pluce, which was
unhesitatingly given up. Major Wood now came forward to apologist
and explain. Col. Trevor, having made his escape, had returned to the
camp soon after tattoo. His whole behavior was that of a man beside
himself, and actuated by some inscrutable motive to some inscrutable
purpose. Of these he said nothing to his officers, but peremptorily
disclaiming the capitulation, gave orders that all things should be pre-
pared for a renewal of hostilities the next morning. Nothing more
was known but that he had summoned to his quarters a favorite Bergeant
of his own regiment, who had been left sick in oampwhea he marched
las. This sergeant and four soldiers, as it seemed from
the morning report, had disappeared in the night.
Major Wood assun d us, that all that had been since done had taken
under the immediate orders and superintendence of Colonel Tre-
vor, and in spite of his own most earnest remonstrances. In proof of
his sincerity, he appealed to the fact of his unconditional surrender the
moment he was apprised of the fall pf the Colonel. With all this I
was perfectly satisfied, and gladly returned him his sword, with apr.
acknowledgment of his gentlemanly conduct.
'•An! now, Major," said Sehwartz, " there is another matter wo
want to talk to yen about. Do you know any thing of OUT Captain ?"
"Of Captain; Douglas?" said the .Major. " Certainly not But I
hope I may now have the pleasure of seeing him."
'• I k here, Major," said Witt, whose eye still glared with ferocity
not at all abated by the fall of Trevor ; " that a'nt the thing; and we
want a, straight answer. Captain Douglas is missing* and wc want to
know what's become of him."
"Mi :id the Major, with unfeigned amazement. " I assure
you; upon my honor, I know nothing of him."
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 205
" Is there any body here that knows, or is likely to know ?" said
Schwartz.
" None that I can imagine," was the reply.
" Is there not a Captain here," asked Schwartz ; " a red-headed fel-
low, that commands the company at Farmvillc ?*'
« Captain Cottle ? Yes."
" Well, I want to see him."
He was immediately summoned, and presently made his reluctant
appearance. His alarm increased on seeing Schwartz and Witt.
11 See here, Mister," said the former ; " here is a piece of villainy
that we want to know about; and there is nobody, I reckon, so apt to
tell us as you."
" Indeed, sir/' said Cottle, " I declare, sir, I don't know a word
about it."
" You don't, eh !" said Schwartz. " Well, any how, you arc mighty
quick to find out that you don't know ; that I must say for you."
" Did you ever see me before ?" said Witt, fixing his terrible eye on
the alarmed Captain. " Did you ever see mc before?" repeated he.
u Do you remember where it was ? Do you remember your business
there ; and did you ever hear of such a thing as a man being hung for
a spy ?"
The collapse of deadly terror came over Cottle at these dreadful
words. His face, already pale, became livid ; hisoyc no longer blench-
ed under the fearful glance of Witt ; but the lids opened as if by mu-
tual repulsion, while his lip and under jaw fell powerless. He was
roused from this state by Schwarlz, who asked him* what had become of
Captain Douglas.
He was now effectually scared out of all thought of concealment,
and answered without prevarication that Captain Douglas had been sur-
prised, during the night, by the order of Col. Trevor, and sent away
immediately under the guard of a sergeant and four men, across tht
river. He could not say, certainly, where he was gone- but he sus-
pected to Washington, as Col. Trevor appeared to have been writing
busily all the time the party were engaged in the capture of Douglas.
It was vain to attempt concealing that he had a hand in this, though
the disclosure was made with great r< luctance. It appeared, mo
•that he had been anxious to acoompany the prisoner, Mtpposing him to
be ordered for Washington ; but Col. Trevor had refu 1 him.
Tndeed, he * nl noi e but those who had not been engaged in the action
at the ford, and was certainly right not to trust the vain bal
irrulity could hardly have failed to rnb off any might
have thought fit to spread over the affair.
THE PARTISAN LEADER.
■• How did they get across the river ':" asked Schwartz. " We havi
a strong guard on the other side, and they had orders to keep ■ Btriot
watch."
" Col. Trevor told the sergeant," replied Cottle, ''just to float quietly
down the river and land away below ; and a handkerchief was tied
over the Captain's mouth to keep him from making a noise, and if he
did, they were ordered to Bhoot him."
I have no words to express the horror with which I heard this last
circumstance. I, trusted, and indeed Major Wood wemed to be of that
opinion, that Col. Trevor had really been beside himself; but regarding
his conduct even as the effect of frenzy, it was hardly less shocking.
From Schwartz the communication only called forth some pithy expres-
sions of detestation, without seeming to interrupt the working of hLs
thoughts, which were at once busy to devise some remedy for the evil.
Witt was differently affected. His whole frame aud countenance
ncd an appearance of stony rigidity, betokening fixed and fearful
purpose, lie turned his glaring eye to the spot where Col. Trevor hed
fallen, with an expression that showed his vengeance quite unsatisfied.
A glance of fierce scorn fell for a moment on Cottle; and then, with a
searching look, he addressed himself to Major Wood.
Major Wood," said he, with a voice whose deep, stern tones, de-
manded the truth and the whole truth, " did you know any thing of
this busii'
" Cpon my honor, I did not; and Captain Cottle, who did know, will
tell you so."
" I would hardly take Jlis word against himsrlf" said Witt, with cold
contempt, and not even turning his eye on Cottle. Then pausing a
mom< i,t, he added, with the same look of severe scrutiny, " Major
Wood, do you know who Captain Douglas is? Do you know that he
is Col. Trevor's own brother ?"
"Gveat God !" exclaimed the Major. " Douglas Trevor! That fine,
intelligent, accomplished, noble young man ! — ','
•• Did you know him ?" asked the other.
• I did," said Wood, " and loved him well. Poor fellow ! Poor fel-
low ! His doom is sealed."
" That's enough/' said Witt. " T see now that you had no hand in
it. But is it not your duty, Major Wood, to bring back Captain Doug-
las and set him at liberty?"
"Would to God that 1 could," said the Major; "but he is quite Ijc-
vond my reach before this."
here, Major," said Schwartz ; " write an order to that sergeant
to bring him back, and give me a pass to follow him without being
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 207
stopped, and I will have him back in no time. Them fellows lost
ground here crossing the river, and I can catch them."
" That might do," said the Major, hesitatingly; "and I am bound
in honor to do it, because his capture was a breach of my truce. But
I shall never be forgiven. No matter; it shall be done if* they break
me for it.""
" You may thank the Major," said Witt, turning his implacable eye
on Cottle, " for that word ; for it has given you a chance for your life.
But for that, you would have been hanging like a dog in half an hour.
Now, Major, I don't want you to come to any harm ; and so you shall
have a fair excuse. Bring Captain Douglas back to us, and we will let
this fellow go. But if the Captain is not here before the week is out,
then, as sure as there is a God in Heaven, he shall be hanged for a spy,
as he is."
There is a difference between the certainty of being hanged in half
an hour, and a chance of escape, however unpromising. To Captain
Cottle, who had not ventured nearer to Jones's Ford than the rear of
the dragoons, and who was now in greater peril than he had ever wil-
lingly encountered, the difference was of great importance. Yet his
hopes were faint, for he had heard the orders of Trevor, which enjoined
despatch ; and he was equally earnest in hurrying the Major and
Schwartz. His impertinence was cut short by ordering him to close
custody in jail ; and the credentials of Schwartz being soon prepared,
he set out on his journey.
208 THE PARTI 'BR.
CHATTER XL.
Thnt lies like truth, and yet most truly In -
U again intrude into the sanctuary of The President
is alone, as before. He has the saiue air of somewhat impatient ex-
pectation. A shade of anxious thought is on his brow, and his cheek
bed with some little excitement. Vet these elements are all so
, as to he scarcely perceptible ; and were he conscious that we arc
looking at him, they would be completely concealed. On the table lie
a number of letters recently received. Two of them are separated
from the rest. He takes up one and reads it a second time. Let us
look over him. It runs thus :
'•'The wisest may be deceived; the most vigilant may be betrayed :
for the most trusted are often the most treacherous. CaI th-n."
'• What means this ?" said the President, musingly. " Who is it that
[ am wanted against ? The word 'most' is underscored. Who does
that point at? Whom do I tru-t most t I trust nobody. But I seem
to trust; and whom most* Surely, it cannot be he. I should, in-
de< d, be. wrong to trust to hig fidelity. Put he is too wise to be false
to li is own interest. Put may he not have an interest that I am not
aware of? It must be considered."
1 1 ■• then took up the other letter, which I beg leave to lay before the
, as a specimen of the art with which the truth may be so told as
to make others believe what is false. I recommend it particularly to
military gentlemen, reporting the results of a battle.
Headquarters, Camp near Lynchburg, \
November 12, 1849. J
Siu : I have the honor to lay before your Excellency an account of
| 'rations of the troops under my command, since the date of my
last despatch.
iu pursuance of the information I had received, of which your Ex-
cellency has been already advised, I marched on the 3d instant, at the
head of my own regiment, one battalion of the 15th, a company of ar-
tillery and of dragoons, to meet Douglas" on .his descent from the
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 209
mountains. At Jones's Ford, on Staunton river, I encountered him,
when about half his force had crossed over. I attacked him immedi-
ately, and, after a sharp conflict, drove him across the river. By the
advice of Col. Mason, I left the artillery and dragoons on the north
bank, to protect our rear, placing them under the command of that
distinguished officer.
Pressing hard upon the rear of the enemy, we came up with him
just as he had fallen back on the reserve. Here he rallied, and the
fight was renewed. I regret to say that, at the first fire, my horse fell
under me, imprisoning my leg by his fall. At the same moment a
ball struck my head, and I came to tho ground insensible.
You will judge of my astonishment, when, on recovering my senses,
I found that all my men near me had thrown down their arms, and
that I was in the hands of the enemy, who assisted me tp rise. I im-
mediately called to my men to resume their arms, but am sorry to in-
form you that I was not obeyed. As I had not surrendered, I was
seized and hurried away to the house of a ringleader of these rebels,
where I was confined. From that time I had no means of receiving
any information on which I could rely concerning the events of the
day, as I had no intercourse with any but the rebels.
Two days ago I was so fortunate as to make my escape. Returning
to this place, I find my camp, which had been left under the command
of Major Wood, beleaguered by the rebels, and a treaty for surrender
in full progress. I rejoice that I have returned in time to prevent a
consummation so disgraceful.
It is now midnight, and a small party has been sent out to endeavor
to surprise the leader of this banditti. In the meantime all things are
put in readiness for a sortie in the morning. I shall not close my let-
ter until I can give some farther account of the success of these ope-
rations.
Two o'clock, A. M — My scouts have come in, and brought in the
hostile chief, who proves to be the last man in the world whom I could
have wished to find in arms against the generous master who so well
deserved his grateful devotion. I speak of that unfortunate youth,
whose fault, (I must not use a harsher term,) nearly twelve months I
dishonored our common name and parent Y >ur Excellency will
appreciate the struggle in my bosom between a sense of duty and the
foolish but Inextinguishable relcntings of nature. I ha've dctermiqed
to put an end to this painful strife, and to take security against my own
weakness, by* sending him on immcdiat< 1\ to you, Without awaiting the
result of the meditated sortie in the morning. He therefore travels in
14
210 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
custody of the bearer of this letter, under guard of a sergeant and
four men.
Having returned to the camp this night, after tattoo, I am unpre-
pared to give any account of our loss, or that of the enemy. I have
nothing authentic but the lamented death of CoL Mason, who fell
fighting bravely.
I beg leave to express an humble hope that your Excellency will be
pleased to attribute the partial failure of my enterprise to the unfortu-
nate wound which put me hors du combat, at a moment, up to which
we had successfully driven the enemy before us for nearly half a mile
and across the river.
I remain, sir, with the most profound respect, your Excellency's
most humble and faithful servant,
Owen Trev»r, Col. 18th Inf.
" A worthy gentleman," said the President, folding up the letter.
" A most worthy gentleman ! Let any man doubt henceforth, if he
can, that the only way to judge in advance of what a man will do, is
to ascertain his interest. See how readily it settled this nice point of
casuistry — this delicate question of conflicting duties Trust ! Yes, I
will trust; but not as fools do. I will trust no man's honor, but every
man's interest. The experience of my whole life has taught the les-
son, and every day confirms it. Here comes a new example," added
he, as the door-bell sounded, and was echoed by the single stroke in
the room.
The door opened, and the- honorable Mr. Baker appeared. His
figure had lost nothing of its deferential bend ; his step nothing of its
creeping, cautious tread; his countenance nothing of its abject ser-
vility. But there was more of anxiety and less of hope, with a slight
appearance of peevish dissatisfaction.
" You are very good, my dear sir," said the President. " You arc
lways almost present to my wish. Government would be an easy task,
ere all officers like you."
"I humbly thank your Excellency," replied the Judge. "Were
not your approbation precious to me, I might be tempted, perhaps, to
look more than I ought to public opinion. Perhaps I do so, as it is;
for though my duties are clearly necessary to the good of the State,
I find it hard to bear the loud reproaches of a misjudging multitude,
that reach me through a factious press."
11 Let it not Teach you,' my dear sir. The storm does but rage with-
out. Why need you hear it when it touches you not? Shut your ears
and sleep soundly; or open them only to the more pleasant tones that
issue from loyal lips. I take care not to know what is said of me by
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 211
malcontent scribblers ; but I hardly flatter myself that I should pre-
serve my equanimity if I read all that is written."
"It is sometimes impossible not to hear," said the Judge; "and
there are words which convey reproach, which, though uttered in a
single breath, reach the heart. I can never, I fear, make myself proof
against 'such a phrase as 'judicial murder."
" But you must find consolation in your own enlightcd conscience,
my dear sir. Some feeling must be expected when the edge of the .
law falls on victims whose offences demand punishment, and yet are
such as those the world calls honorable and upright are most likely to
commit."
" The misfortune is," replied the other, " that it is only for such of-
fences, and on such victims, that my office seems to be made to act ;
and when the curse rises up against me, loud as well as deep, and ut-
tered and echoed on every side, I pray your Excellency to pardon me
when I say that I find its honors and emoluments a poor compensa-
tion."
" It will be some relief to you, then," replied the President, " that
you are like to have a subject of a different sort to act upon. One ■
whose crimes offend against the laws of God as well as man ; and who
is not more obnoxious to State policy than to tbe detestation of all good
men, and of none more than yourself."
" Of whom is your Excellency pleased to speak V* asked Mr. Baker.
" Of no other than that young fellow, Trevor, whose ill luck snatched
him away from our hands, when perhaps he was not quite ripe for
punishment. But he has since made himself perfect in crime, by be-
coming the leader of a desperate banditti. In short, he is no other
than the famous Captain Douglas, and is now in my power. I think
you will find in his case a fair set-off against some of the mortifications
of which you complain ; and think no more of denying your service?
to the public, at least until he has fulfilled his destiny."
The effect of this communication on the mind of the honorable
gentleman was such as the President had anticipated. To every bejng
of the name of Trevor he bore a mortal antipathy. Jn the case of
Douglas, this was rendered more intense by the sympathy of a father
with a favorite son. An envious malignity was a striking feature in
the characters both of father and son ; and this had bc.cn provoked to
the utmost by that unfortunate young man. Beth were Bensible thai
the younger Baker had been in bad » »<]. »r with the public ever sinc<;
tlic affair at the falls; and hence, it was not only grateful to theil
malice, but to their pride, to fasten on Douglas a stigma bo d
blc as to have "relation back, and to excuse his adversary with tl
212 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
who did not know all the circumstances, for not seeking such redress
U [/■ utlcmm demand Of <j< ntk tin it only.
The good humor of the Judge was now manifestly restored, and the
President went on to give him some particulars of the late military oc-
currences. Dougla*, he said, was on the road, and would reach Wash-
ington the next day. The letter, it seems, had been brought by a sol-
dier who had orders to outgo the rest of the party, and ride express to
Washington.
" It is well," said the President, " that I have this timely intimation
of his approach. The custody of State prisoners cannot be safely en-
trusted to any but the military; and that of this young man must be
committed to no corps in which he had any acquaintance. It seems
that he was a universal favorite among men and officers. I am about
to take measures to guard against any such blunder."
In such conversation half an hour was passed, when the Minister
made his appearance. He had been sent for, and to him the President
communicated the history of the capture of Douglas. Had he turned
an eye of close scrutiny on the favorite, at the moment when he ut-
tered the name, and announced the fate of his victim, he might have
seen a slight expression of countenance which it would not have been
easy to interpret. But this escaped him ; and he went on to direct
that the true name of the prisoner should be kept secret; tha.t his ar-
rival sbonJd l,c watched lor; and that he should be at once conducted
to a place provided for the sep :irate confinement of State prisoners.
It was, moreover, ordered that a detail of officers and men for that
prison should be carefully made, so as to exclude any persons whose
loyalty was at all doubtful; and especially all who, from former associa-
tions, could be rappeeed to feel any kindness for Douglas.
Finally, it was agreed that, should he arrive iu the course of that
night, or the next day, he should be brought, on the following nij;ht,
before the triumvirate, in the room where they then were.
" You were right," continued the President, addressing his Minister,
" when you said that this young man had talent. The discovery of his
identity explains the marvellous organization and efficiency of that
wild banditti that he commanded. II is rapture must be fatal to their
future success. They must be powerless now that they have lost their
leader, and must soon disband. That is well. The two regiments may
now be marched from Lynchburg to Richmond, and save us the neces-
sity of sending a reinforcement from .this quarter. The troops there,
with this aid, will certainly be sufficient to check the insurrectionary
movements that we hear of in the southern counties, and to cover the
meeting of the Legislature. Col. Trevor has certainjy deserved well.
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 213
I am afraid his unfortunate wound may have occasioned the loss of
more men than we could well spare, who seem to have surrendered
while he was insensible. But the disabling of Douglas's corps will, of
course, set them at liberty to return to their duty. But this takes noth-
ing from Col. Trevor's merit. He must be brevetted. As to Major
Wood, in the regular course he should succeed Mason ; but I must
hear more of this negotiation for a surrender of his post, before he is
promoted. That affair must be satisfactorily explained, or he will
hardly escape a court-martial."
The President now went on to give some farther orders, and then dis-
missed his guests.
214 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
CHAPTER LXI.
Treason can never take a form so hideous,
But it will find a glass, that *hall reflect
A comely semblance, on which self may look
With a complacent .-mile.
Om his departure from Lynchburg, Schwartz had been provided
with a suit of clothes half military, to prevent the notice •which his
rude mountain attire would have attracted. The day was half spent
before he was on the road, and the sergeant and his party were already
far in advance of him.
Col. Trevor had been desirous, for obvious reasons, that his letter
and prisoner should reach Washington as soon as possible, and had or-
dered the party to proceed with all practicable despatch. But, as they
might be somewhat retarded by the necessary care of their prisoner,
he had directed that the letter should be sent on, as we have seen, by a
single soldier, who had reached Washington on the second night But
the sergeant was not far behind, and had used such diligence that he
crossed the bridge the next morning at an early hour, just as poor
Schwartz came in sight.
He recognized the party by the peculiar dress of Douglas, with
which he was so familiar; but it was too late. He followed, however,
disconcerted by his failure, but not desponding. At the farther end of
the bridge he was struck with the countenance and manner of a fine
looking young man, of genteel but plain appearance, who stood gazing
earnestly after the prisoner and his guard.
Observing Schwartz, he asked eagerly who the prisoner was, and
was told it was Captain Douglas.
"Good God I" exclaimed he, in a tone of deep concern; "is itpos-
aible ? But thank God ! it is no worse."
" Did you think it was anybody you knew ?" asked the quick-witted
Schwartz.
"Yes," replied the other. " I was almost sure it was a friend of my
own."
" And what was your friend's name, stranger? if I may be'so bold."
" You are bold enough," said the youth. " I am not in the habit
<jf answering questions unless I know who asks them, and why."
" I don't mean no harm, young man," replied Schwartz ; " and if
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 215
you tell me your friend's name and your own too, may be you won't be
sorry for it."
The stranger looked hard at Schwartz, and in his serious, earnest,
and sagacious countenance, saw enough to make him curious to know
what this meant. He therefore replied that his friend was Lieutenant
Trevor, late of the United States Dragoons.
"Then I have a notion," replied Schwartz, "that your name is
Whiting."
"My name is Whiting," replied the other, in great surprise ; " but
how should you know it ?" #
" I have heard the Captain talk about you many a time."
" The Captain ! What Captain ?"
" IJim," replied Schwartz, pointing toward the distant party.
" Him ! And how was he to know anything about me ?"
u Just because he is the very man you thought he was."
"Douglas!" exclaimed Whiting. "Trevor! Douglas Trevor ! Good
God, what an ass I have been ! 0 Trevor, my friend ! how earnestly
have I wished to know where to find you ! Had I been with you, this
might have been prevented."
. "May be it is best as it is," said Schwartz. "The Captain did not
want for friends where he was. May be one friend here will do him
more good than a hundred anywhere else. That is what I am here for
now."
" You ire a friend to Trevor, then," replied Whiting ; " perhaps one
of his followers."
"You may say that," said Schwartz. "Anyhow, I'm his friend."
" Then come with me to my lodgings. You can tell me everything,
and wc will see what is to be done. Trevor has friends enough here.
Thank God ! I saw him. But for that we might not have found out
who he was till it was too late."
Whiting now showed Schwartz where to bestow his horse, and after-
wards'conducted him to his lodgings. These were in an obscure sub-
urb, humble, plain, and poorly fitted up. Appearances showed that
the occupant spent most of his time with the pen, although many of
the relics of his former military equipments were to be seen about the
room. But the dust on his cap, which hung against the wall, and the
mould on the belt and scabbard of his sword, showed that these had
been long unused. In truth, the escape of Douglas and his uncle had
been fatal to him as a soldier. He had been dismissed the army; and
now, as it seemed, earned a poor livelihood by doing for small wagefl
the manual labor of those offices, the salaries of which arc received by
men who do nothing at all.
216 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
During their long •walk through the streets of that city "so magnifi-
cent in distances," as Monsieur Serruricr said of it, and while a hasty
breakfast was preparing for Schwartz, he gave Whiting the particulars
of the late battle at Jones's Ford ; of Douglas's capture, and of hia
brother's death, and the surrender of the camp. As soon as he had
seen his guest provided for, the young man left him alone. Going out,
he proceeded to the first stand of coaches, and stepping into one was
driven to the Minister's. Here he alighted, showed a ticket to the
porter, entered, threaded several passages, descended a dark stair, and,
going into a small room in the basement, touched the spring of a bell.
No answering sound was heard ; but, in half an hour the Minister ap-
peared.
" I am glad to see you," said he. n Have you hoard that your friend
Trevor is in the power of his enemies, and is expected here to-day ?"
" I had not heard it," said Whiting; " but I have seen him. He is
here."
" Indeed ! That is well. We have the more time."
" Where will he be lodged, and under what custody ?"
" In the state prison. I am instructed to select his guards from
among those who are strangers to his person, and well-affected to the
Government."
" That will be no easy task, as it seems that all the troops of that
description have been marched into Virginia, and that, except raw re-
cruits, there are none here that it was thought safe to trust on that
service."
"That is true," said the Minister; "and therefore I must select
those same raw recruits. Think you there are many here who could be
relied on to peril every thing on behalf of your friend ?"
" No doubt of it. I was long enough in the army after his disgrace
to know that his whole regiment were indignant at it. A hundred can
be found ready to wipe it out with the blood of the President, or their
own."
" It is well. He will b'e taken to the palace this night, wider the
cloud of darkness. Have all things in readiness, and watch for hi»
return. You will know what to do. Did you know those who had him
in custody?"
" I knew the sergeant, and he knew roe."
" All right. You then must be charged with the disappearance of
Douglas; you must therefore make your escape with him. I shall, of
course, see you no more. We have no time for compliment ; but you
will have my best wishes; and the time may come when you may have
it in your power to do me justice. ' My country is to me, Mr. Whiting,
THE PARTISAN LEADER. 217
what yours is to you. When New England was permitted to join in
what you will call the plunder of the South, I was not very scrupulous
about the means of securing her share. But nearly all that was worth
having is irretrievably lost. What remains can only be retained by
means which will but make it an instrument of power in the hands of
this man, and so enable him to perpetuate his reign according to the
forms of the constitution. Take that away, and leave the matter alto-
gether to the votes of the northern States, and I shall not long have to
play second to him. In order to preserve his power, he would be com-
pelled to break up the system of monopoly contrived for the exclusive
benefit of his favorite Empire State ; or perhaps to concur with me in
severing a Union, the benefits of which are now lost, by the escape of
our common prey, and of which we bear all the inconveniences. Of
course, I do not pretend that the place to which the favor of my
countrymen may advance me in either event, has no charms for me.
But you will see that I am actuated by no low and sordid ambition. I
am desirous you should see it in this light. It is not my fortune to
command the services of many whose esteem is eminently desirable. I
am, therefore, the more ambitious of yours. Should I succeed, my
acts will vindicate my motives. Should I fail, (and if Virginia disen-
thrals herself I shall not fail,) you will do me this justice. What
news have you of the movements of B — ?"
" He is about to take up arms, with the probability of assembling a
force which, with the concurrence of the corps of Douglas, will secure
his object."
" But is not the band of Douglas dispersed ?"
"By no means; but much increased. They have still their moun-
tain leaders, and a young man from the South Carolina military school,
who seems well qualified to act, for the time, as the locum tenens of the
Chief."
"Then farewell, sir," said the Minister. " You carry with you my
good wishes for yourself and your cause, and I pray you to commend
them to Mr. B — "
About the time that these gentlemen thus separated, the President
was informed that a gentleman and lady craved the favor of a private
audience. He directed that they should be shown into the room, the
privacy of which we have so often violated, rnd soon after he entered it.
A lady, whose figure and dress denoted youth, was seated on the
sofa. She was in deep mourning, and a black veil completely hid her
face. By her side sat a gentleman far advanced in life, and of a most
venerable as"pect. His fair complexion had blanched by time into the
cold dead whiteness of age. The color had, in like manner, faded
218 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
from bifl pale blue eye; and the quivering of his livid lip, and the
trembling of his eyelids, betokened deep and anxious distress ///>
dress also was of black, mournfully contrasting with the almost un-
earthly whiteness of his face.
At the entrance of the President both rose; and the trembling and
agitated old gentleman mjght be seen to give way for a moment, as if
about to throw himself on his knees before " the dreaded prince whose
will was fate." But he recovered himself, and with an air of suppliant
dignity, stood as erect as the weakness and infirmity of age permitted.
The President approached him with a look of perplexity and doubt;
and, gazing earnestly at him, said : " I beg to know, sir, who it is.
Bless me! Mr. Trevor, is it possible that I see you here, at this
moment ?"
"I am here, sir," replied the old gentleman, "a broken-hearted, be-
reaved father, lamenting the loss of one son, and suppliant for the life
of another; and this is my niece, who is come to join her prayers to
mine, on behalf of her betrothed husband."
There was enough in these words to add to the maiden confusion of
poor Delia, but not enough to prevent her from lifting a timid gjanee,
in which there was as much of entreaty as her proud spirit could de-
scend to. She met the eye of the President, as with an air of quick
and eager surprise he turned towards her ; and in his eye she read a
meaning which, in the moment, blasted her hopes and confirmed her
in all her detestation of the cold, selfish, and crafty politician, whom
she qow beheld for the first time. She saw, instantly, that she was the
object of some subtle purpose ; and felt, that by putting herself in his
power, she had but prepared for her husband a deeper distress than all
the severities of the law could inflict. But she cpuailedwnot at the
thought. Her proud and bold spirit came in aid of her weakness; her
pale cheek burnt with an indignant glow, and the tears were dissipated
from her eyes in the bright and almost fierce glance that flashed from
them. Even through her veil too much of this appeared to escape the
notice of the President.
lie instantly turned away; and, with an air and tone of the most can-
died courtesy, addressed Mr. Trevor: "You speak in riddles, my dear
sir," said he; " I beg you to explain."
" My task is more painful than I had anticipated," said the poor old
man. " Have I, then, to be the herald of my poor Owen's death, and
of the yet more disastrous fate of my other noble boy?"
"Col. Trevor dead, sir!" exclaimed the President. "Impossible!
I have just received a letter from him, written on the 12th."
" That day was the last of his life," said the afflicted father. " He
TIIE PARTISAN LEADER. ' 219
fell next morning. I received the news yesterday by the railroad ; and
by travelling all night by the same conveyance, I am here to entreat
that the axe may not glean what the sword has left me. My poor
boy Douglas, I am told, is in your power, and perhaps here."
"I had heard of this; but I assure you your son.is not here. I will
not deny that I expect him; and regret that it is under circumstances
which will not allow mc the pleasure of extending to him the same
courtesy I shall be happy to render to you. Compose yourself, my
dear sir; let me beg you and your niece to retire to rooms which are
always ready to receive you where I am master; and let me send for
your baggage."
Delia, who thought there was something of hesitancy in her uncle's
mind, instantly exclaimed: "No, my uncle! No, my* father! The
palace of a tyrant is a prison. There is no mercy here. No hope for
my noble husband. Save yourself. Return home while you may, and
leave me here to sbare his fate. Our friends may rescue us. They
WILL avenge us. But in that cold eye there is no relenting."
"You are harsh, lady," said the President; "I will not add, unjust.
T will prove that, by permitting your instant departure, without even
enquiring where you lodge."
He now bowed them out, and immediately summoning a servant,
said: Take the number of that coach, and let the driver attend mc
this evening " Then, as the servant left the room, he went on : "Why,
this is better and better. I think I have holds enough now on Baker
to bind him to his task, however his heart may yearn after his beggarly
estate in Virginia. It seems, forsooth, that, after all that has passed,
his son yet has a hankering after this girl; the only woman, as he says,
(hat he ever truly loved. It may be but spite against his favored
rival ; or it may be, in truth, that every thing that bears the shape of
man is susceptible of love, or what passes for it. Be it so. He may
be gratified; but his father shall fulfil conditions."
In the evening of the same day the following letter was put into the
hands of the President: *
"Your captive has arrived. Beware how you remand him to his
prison, when you dismiss him to-night. Order him to be confined
within the palace ; and when you give the order mark well its effect
on him you most trust. Caution."
"Why, here is proof as well as accusation," said the President.
" Here u treason. How else is it known that Trevor was to be bn dghl
here to-night ? I will improve this hint. A rescue is to be attain]
Is that it? Then the guard will be attacked <>n their return without
the prisoner. Wo to the traitor if it prove so!"
220 THE PARTISAN LEADER.
Jf; 3fC !fC X 3p , » 3ft Sp 3|C
I have been interrupted in my narrative. I have hesitated whether
to give tli is fragment to the public, until I have leisure to complete my
history. On farther reflection, I have determined to do so. 'Let it go
forth as the first Jhdlctln of that gallant contest, in which Virginia
achieved her independence; lifted the soiled banner of her sover-
eignty from the dust, and once more vindicated her proud motto, which
graces my title page, — sic semper tyrannis! Amkn. So mote it
be.
TIIE END.
A BOOK OF GREAT INTEREST.
THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR.
Bv EDWARD A. POLLARD.
WEST & JOHNSTON, Publishers.
UNPARALLELED SUCCESS!
Two Thousand Copies Disposed of During the First Week of its
Publication.
It is a Southern Book by a Southern author!
It is called for by old and young, male and female!
Its authenticity cannot be doubted, and should be read by all.
PRICE— TWO DOLLARS. By Mail, $2 r>0.
EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS.
From the Richmond Dispatch :
"Mr. Pollard is already well known to the public as the author of 'Black
Diamonds,' etc. The present work is written in the peculiarly animated and
racy style of the author, and will command an extensive sale. Mr. P. has
enjoyed unusual facilities for collecting information, and has made the best
use of it. The book is written with candor and impartiality, and as far as we
can judge, strictly truthful and very interesting."
The Richmond Examiner says:
"It is the most elaborate and valuable literary contribution that has yet
been made to the interests of the South ; that it will not only entice, but repay.
the curiosity of all readers."
From the Richmond Whig :
" The well known ability and diligence of Mr. Pollard arc guarantees of
the value and merit of his book. We anticipate much gratification from its
perusal, which we will notice at length. Messrf. West & Johnston, the pub-
lishers, deserve much credit for their enterprise."
From the Richmond Christian Observer:
'"The History of the First Year of the War for Southern Independence'
prepared by so sprightly and vigorous a writer as Mr. Pollard, makes a
vo'umc that will bo read with eager interest by tens of thousands. It gives
an intelligent, connected sketch of the past eventful year, prefaced by a clear
account of soim of the causes of the war. * * The book is an instructive,
entertaining and reliable account of the great events of the Revolution of '61,
anil should be very largely read."
IMPORTANT PUBLICATION.
A NEW MAP OF THE
STATE OF VIRGINIA.
Containing all the Counties, principal Town-, Railroads, 1 elegraph Lines.
Rivers, Canals, and all other internal improvements. This is thi* best Map
Of die State ever published. We have spared no I make it per-
It is gotten Up nil beautiful map paper, ro -ly h>i Ul to print
this map upon. Size, 26 by 3fl inches, bound in pocket form, in beautifully
illuminated covers. Price | Sent t<> any part of the I
upon the receipt of the price.
WEST & JOHNSTON, Publishers and Booksellers.
145 Main Street, Richmond.
A SPLENDID BOOK.
CAUSE AND" CONTRAST;
AN ESSAY OX
THE AMERICAN CRISIS.
By T. W. MAC MA HON.
Price $1 00. By Mail $1 25.
Of this racy, eloquent, and beautifully written work, we have now ready
an edition of TEN THOUSAND; a work wliinh we do not hesitat# to pro-
nounce charming ;is a poem, and possessing the interest of fiction, while its
logic and facts are irrefutable.
It is the first original book of a miscellaneous character published in tin-
Confederate States since the organization of our independent Government,
and it is no less gracefully than appropriately dedicated to our first President.
For such a publication, in exposition of the crisis and of Southern political
philosophy, it would be supererogation to bespeak public favor, especially as
its contents will warrant general patronage and approbation.
The following are commendations by gentlemen who read portions of the
manuscript :
From the Richmond Whig-
"It discusses, with rare ability and learning, the institution of slavery in ill
its aspects, as well as the social and political distinctions between the people
of the Confederate States and those of the U. S. The style is ornate, glowing.
and eloquent We predict that it will produce a sensation; take its pi
among standard literature; and have the effect of banishing from our midst
the hurtful offspring of the morbid and prolific, press of the North."'
From the Dispatch.
■■ We have read portions of the MSS., and we pronounce it beautiful, excel-
lent, and conclusive. We hope that it will obtain the circulation that it
merits, not only in America, but in Europe.'"
From the Examiner.
"It is impossible for us to convey to the reader any correct idea of thin
splendid essay. To form a correct idea of so genial ami complete a produc-
tion, it must be perused; audits perusal will repay the reader, as much a*
one of Maoauley's papers, for the Edinburgh were wont to charm the English
public. Its style is lofty ; its logic ii refutable ; its illustrations pure and ele-
gant, and it- treatment of the theme complete from Alpha to Omega. It will
be one of {he first — if not. really the first — publication of si miscellaneous
character issued in our new Confederacy. The publishers will bring it out in
excellent Style, and we bespeak for it a warm reception, such as should
encourage every enterprise calculated to add to the lustre of the South."
We might continue similar extracts from the Charleston Mercury and other
journals, if space permitted. .The work is now ready for delivery; one
octavo volume, pica type, thick paper cover.
Address Orders to
WEST & JOHNSTON,
Publishers and Booksellers,
145 Main Street, Richmond.
BOOKS FOR TIIE TENTED FIELD.
THE SOUTHGETlISr SPY.
Letters on the Policy and Inauguration of the Lincoln War, written anony-
mously in Waslringtow and elsewhere, by EDWARD A. POLLARD, of Vir-
ginia, author of " Black Diamonds*" "First Year of rhe War," &c, &c.
1. Letter to President Lincoln, written at Washington.
2. " President Lincoln, " "
3. " President Lincoln. " "
4. " President Lincoln, " near the Government.
C>. " Editor of , " in Maryland.
6. " Secretary Seward, " "
7. " President Lincoln, " "
5. " Doctor Tyog, " in Baltimore.
9. " General Scott, " in Maryland.
10. " Mr. Everett,
11. " Mr. Seward. " in Richmond.
Price — 50 cents.
THE LIFE OF JAMES W. JACKSON, of Alexandria, the Slayer of
Ellsworth, ....... $ 2f»
MOZIS ADDQMS' LETTERS TO BILLY IVVINS, by the Editor of
the " Southern Literary Messenger," .... 50
WAR SONGS OF THE SOLTTII, Edited by "Bohemian," correspond-
ent of the Richmond Dispatch, .... 1 00
NAPOLEON'S MAXIMS OF WAR, .... 1 00
PRESCIENCE. A Speech delivered by Hon. Beverly Tucker, of Vir-
ginia, in the Southern Convention, held at Nashville, Tenn.. April
13th, L8B0, . . . . . ...
A NEW AND CORRECT MAP OF VIRGINIA, put up in pocket form. 2 5 )
THE VOLUNTEER'S CAMP AND FIELD BOOK, containing useful
and general information on the Art and Science of War, for the
leisure moments of the Soldier. By John P. CtJRRY.
Part 1. — Field Fortifications and Entrenched Positions — Attack and
Defence.
Part 2.— Artillery and Artillery Practice — Munitions of War and
• Explosive Substances.
Part 3. — Hints on Surgery — Antidotes for Poisons, &c.
Part 4. — Cavalry and Cavalry Movements.
Part 5. — Order of encampment for Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry,
and general details of camp duty, cooking, Sfcc.
Part G. — Elementary principles of the Manual — Formation of
Company and Regiment. ....
Upon the receipt of the price of either of the above named books, we will
send them to any part of the Confederacy.* *
Address Orders to
WEST & JOHNSTON,
Publishers and Booksellers,
145 Main Street, Richmond.
PROFESSOR CHISOLM'S
MILITARY SURGERY.
A Manual of Military Surgery, for the use of Surgeons in the
Confederaite'States Army ; with an Appendix of the Rules
and Regulations of the Medical Department of the Con-
federate States Army. By J. Julian Chisolm, M.D., Pro-
fessor of Surgery in the Medical College of South Carolina,
Surgeon in the C. S. Army. Second Edition, revised and
improved.
Price $3 00. By Mail, $3 50.
u We arc indebted to the publishers, Messrs. West & Johnston, for a copy of
the above'vahrcible work, the appearance of which, in a new and improved
edition, we hail with peculiar pleasure, as it affords gratifying evidence that
tin.' author's labors have received their merited appreciation. The first edition
of Dr. Chisnlm's Manual filled a void in our medical literature, which, though
unfelt in the 'piping times of peace,' became urgently manifest tit the out-
break of hostilities. Many excellent Physicians, who sought and obtained
positions in the Medical Staff of the army, felt the need of some convenient
and comprehensive work, which should instruct them in the peculiar duties
of the Army Surgeon, and serve them as a companion and guide in the most
important emergencies of military practice. Dr Chisolm's book met the
necessities of the case in a very satisfactory manner, as i.> fully attested by the
rapid exhaustion of the first edition. We take it for granted, that those
Medical officers who have not already supplied themselves with it, will not
lose the present Opportunity of making it their vade tncann.
" Probably the most valuable portion of the work is contained in the first
four chapters, which relate to the hygieina of troops on the march and in
cump — i]ie organization and management of hospitals — ^the duties of the
Surgeon in camp and on the field of battle, &c. In the remaining chapters,
will be found a very full and excellent account of the treatment of gun-shot
and other wounds and injuries, and their various complications, constituting
an admirable guide to the Military Surgeon in most of the emergencies which
he may be called, upon to encounter. The regulations of the Medical Depart-
ment of the army, contained in the appendix, are of course a sine qua non to
evciy medical officer.
"Messrs. West & Johnston, the enterprising publishers of tlys city and
Southern Confederacy, deserve much credit for their enterprising spirit and
liberality in publishing so many very valuable books; anil all of which are
published in the very best style — ecptal to the New York, Philadelphia, or
Boston Publishing Houses."
The above notice is from the able pen of Professor Joynes, of the Virginia
Medical College.
Address Orders to
WEST & JOHNSTON.
Publishers and Booksellers,
145 Main Street, Richmond.
* '- '■■
VALUABLI;
TJTARY PUBLICATIONS,
- ') T,Y
WEST & jl
145 I^J^XIST STEEET: IRICIEIIVEC 7
GrILHAM'S MANUAL, for Volunteer? and Militia of the C<
• 8, new eih'ion, revised, with plati s, in press.
rUCTIONS FOR FIELD ARTILLERY, extracted from Gil1
. Volunteers an.l Militia,
HI •. V ARTILLERY, with \ ,
v HAND-BOOK OF ARTILLERY, new edit! 1 00
THE VOLUNTEERS HAND- BOO i
LUNTELR'S CAMP AND FIELD HOOK..
>M ARTILLERY, witl
:i;AW FANTRY,
CARY'S I . ... (USHER'S PRIl
ORP. AN.'AL, with plat
NAIOLEON'S MAXIMS OF WAR, . 1 CO
Clli i'ARY SU1
MAP
MAI i'H y^ND SOUTH CAROLINA
V MAT OF VIRGINIA, coni
Towns. Railroads, T< Canal
Internal Improvements. Tin
published. We ha tt i.
en up on tl b--\ map paper, made expre
this map .ipon. Size 2fi. by 36 rrche; bound in pool
beiutlt'u'.h Price.
i®" Address 0r«'> i
W£ST 8l JOHNSTON,
Publishers and Booksellers, 145 Main St., Richao.cd,
©