The Lost Hunter Read online

  CHAPTER XX.

  Impelled with steps unceasing to pursue Some fleeting good that mocks me with the view; That, like the circle, bounding earth and skies, Allures from far, and, as I follow, flies.

  GOLDSMITH.

  Whenever Tom Gladding and Primus put their heads together, it waspretty certain that there was some mischief afoot, and a few words ofthe conversation, which we overhear, as they walk down the street incompany, leave no doubt on the subject.

  "You see, Prime," said Gladding, "the foolish fellow ain't cured yet."

  "Let us insult ober his case," said Primus.

  "I thought he'd got enough; but, he's as parvarse as the nine lives ofa cat. Why, there was the whack at the island, and, then, the jamon the ice, and, last, the scare in the snowstorm; a fellow'sunreasonable to want more, and, yet, the darn'd crittur's holding outhis platter."

  "What you want to put in, Missa Gladding?"

  "Some of the same mess. I don't care about hurting him; but, I shouldlike to cure him of his parsecuting ways."

  "Well, you is a good cook. What you up to dis time?" said the General,grinning at the idea of more tricks.

  "Colored people is celebrated for their contrivances; so, scratch yourwool, and give us the benefit of your genius."

  "De sheep hab no gumption," said Primus, looking grave at thisallusion to his hair.

  "I tell you what I want you to do," said Tom, taking no notice ofPrimus' gravity, and certain that the old fellow was unable to resistthe temptation to a frolic; "but, don't let's stand here all daytalking. Folks may suspicion something; so, push along, and I'll giveyou my idees."

  They must have pleased the General, for, soon, his face began tobrighten, and his eyes to glisten; and he parted from his companion,apparently, with the best understanding, and in the highest good humorpossible.

  In accordance with the arrangement between them, the negro hunted upBasset, and soon learned from him, that he had a mittimus to commitHolden. The cunning fellow, at first, pretended to dissuade him frommaking use of it, taking care, at the same time, to drop a fewwords, from which, it might be inferred, there was no difficultyin apprehending the fugitive. He, at last, let out the fact, ratherunwillingly, as it seemed, that the Recluse was in the habitof passing his hut, in the evening, on visits--as the Generalsupposed--to his friends in the village. The constable caught at thebait, and, having lost all fear of any resistance, on the part ofthe Solitary, persuaded Primus, with some difficulty, to allow him towatch at his cabin, for his prey; engaging his assistance, at the sametime, should it become necessary. It was, accordingly, agreed, thatthe same night should be devoted to enforce the demands of justice.

  Just before the shades of evening shut in, Basset--agreeably to thepreconcerted plan, presented himself at the hut of the General, andtook his station at the window that commanded, for quite a distance, aview of the road. The moon was shining, and her beams, reflected fromthe snow, made it easy to distinguish objects. The constable sighed,as he took his seat, and declared that, in all his experience,he never had so much difficulty in his legal business. It was theGeneral's cue to encourage his visitor, and keep up his resolution.He, therefore, said, in a cheerful tone--

  "Folks say, dere is nebber no lane but hab one turn. Now, dis is deturn. See, how de road twist round my house. Dat is a good sign."

  "If I don't git him this time," said Basset, "I guess I might as wellgive it up, and the State of Connecticut may just be reckoned beat."

  "Don't ground you arms yet, Missa Basset. In de long run, de raal gritallers carry de day."

  "When I think it all over," said the constable, musing, "it seems kindo' queer. I'm sort o' bewitched, and, if the days of witches wasn'tgone by, I shouldn't wonder if some of them hadn't got me in tow.But, I ain't going to give it up yet. I don't forget the old chap'sknocking me down in the dark behind my back, as though I'd been nobetter than a woodchuck or a skunk."

  "How it feel, Missa Basset?" inquired Primus, with a grin. "Did de oldman strike wid de soft side or de hard side ob de cudgel?"

  "You needn't show your ivory," said the constable, whom theremembrance of his misfortune irritated; "I wish to conscience you'dfelt it yourself; you'd have known, then, without the need of askingquestions."

  "Golly! Missa Basset," exclaimed Primus. "You tink nobody hab feelingbut yousef. You gib my arm sich a winch when de ole man kick youbehind, or knock you ober (I nebber know which) dat I feel him now."

  "He didn't kick me," said Basset, indignantly. "'Twas a regularassault with a club, I tell you."

  "Well, I shouldn't like sich salt on my shoulder, aldo dey say, saltbery good to keep de wound from catching cold."

  "I tell you what, darkey," cried the constable, losing patience at theother's sneers. "You talk like an old fool. If you hain't got anythingpleasanter to say, you might as well shut up."

  "Yes, I be an old fool," said Primus, as if speaking to himself, "anddis is all de tank I git from dis white man. I depose my life on deribber. I git a'most murdered when de ghost kick him behind; he breakmy leg made out ob a good piece ob ash; I invite him to my house, likea gen'leman, and de civilest word I get, is--darkey and old fool. Yes,Primus, you complexion is dark, and you be a big fool."

  "Don't take on so, Prime," said Basset; "I spoke rash, and I ask yourpardon. But, what's the use of aggravating a man in that way!"

  "I tink you must 'scuse my keeping company wid you, arter to-night,"continued Primus, looking steadily into the fire, and knitting hisbrows; "I nebber get noting but bad luck in his sarvice. Next time,I git my neck broke, and den 'tis all done wid dis poor niggur. Decarpenter find hard work to make one to fit."

  "Now, Prime," said Basset, "you're rather too hard. I asked yourpardon, and that's all a man can do. I'm sure I didn't mean to set youagoing at this rate."

  "It bery easy, Massa Basset, to say I ask you pardon, and bery politefor a white man to say it to a colored pusson, but does dat pay for debreaking ob a leg or de setting ob my neck?"

  "What did it cost to mend your leg?"

  "I gib Fannin, de carpenter, a halb dollar for a new one dat wasn'thalf so good as de ole one."

  "Well, I vow, that's considerable for an old stick, 'cause I knowthere wasn't no new iron work about it, for you had the old feruleleft; but seeing as how I broke it, I'll split the difference withyou, so there's a quarter. But why didn't you speak of it afore?"

  "'Cause," said Primus, taking the money with eyes brightening at thesight, "'tween gen'lemen, de trifle was too small."

  "Well, you're a curious chap. Now most folks would have dunned meright off for the damage. There's Tom Gladding', if he had a woodenleg, and I broke it, don't you suppose he'd make me settle beforesunset next day? Besides the law was all on your side."

  "I guess, Massa Gladding 'tend to business in his own way," said thenow good-humored General, "but you, Squire, is an old 'quaintance, andyou disappointment so great, I didn't like to mention de leg."

  As soon as Primus uttered the word "Squire," Basset knew that thereconciliation between them was complete. The General never used theword in reference to his companion, except when pleased and desirousto pay a compliment, and was fully aware of the effect it produced.The constable, born and bred among a people fond of titles, and fondof giving them, was not exempt from the common weakness. He, however,thought it incumbent on him to disclaim the dignity, to which Primusanswered, that if he were not a Squire he ought to be, and would benext year.

  A tall figure, which, from the gait and dress, appeared to be that ofHolden, was now seen approaching deliberately in the moonlight, andthe constable addressed himself to the performance of his duty. It wasthought best to allow the fugitive to pass the cabin, so that in theevent of an attempt at evasion, which was not anticipated indeed, butwhich the prudent General thought ought to be guarded against, thedifficulty of escape might be greater. As the man advanced, theconstable was certain it was Holden. There was the long beard fallingon his breast, and the grey frock
girt with a sash; and had not thecap been pulled down low over his forehead, even the features mighthave been distinguishable.

  After the person had passed, Basset cautiously opened the door andquietly stole after him, but, in spite of every precaution, it wasimpossible to move without making a sound on the crisp snow, easilyheard in the still night. The person heard it, and turning his head,beheld the constable two or three rods in the rear. Basset observinghim look round, quickened his pace, and advanced confidently to makethe capture; but in the same proportion the figure hastened his steps.Thereupon the constable increased his speed, in which he was imitatedby the other, until both pursuer and pursued were in a run.

  It was now who should run the fastest. The race had hitherto beenin the road, and Basset was evidently gaining on the fugitive, when,turning short, the latter jumped over some bars which had been leftdown, and directed his course across a field. The constable's bloodwas up, and without hesitation, he followed, every moment lesseningthe distance between himself and the chase. He could not help, as heran, wondering at the agility of Holden, from whom, on account of hisseeming age, he had not anticipated such activity, and ascribed itnow to his greater length of limb, and habit of constant exercise andexposure. And now he was within a few feet of him, and extending hisarm to place his hand on the captive's shoulder, when suddenly theground gave way under his feet, and he was precipitated to an unknowndepth, while the snow came tumbling down upon his head, blinding andcovering him up, so as to leave him at first in total darkness.The astonished and confused constable, by dint of struggling andfloundering about, succeeded at length in disencumbering himself ofthe superincumbent load of snow and cornstalks, and was able to forman idea of his situation. He found himself in a large hole, at a depthof six or seven feet below the surface of the ground, to escape fromwhich every effort proved fruitless. In vain the entrapped Bassetsprung up the sides again and again, and grasped at the snow, in hopeto catch hold of some object on which to retain a hold; it yieldedto his hands, and every time he fell back more and more exhausted. Heendeavored to attract assistance by shouting, but it seemed as if hisvoice mounted no higher than to the top of the hole. He looked up.Nothing was to be seen but the moon gazing sadly upon him, and thestars winking at him their glittering eyes. Frightened and vexed, hethrew himself upon the bottom of the hole, then got up, and dashingdown his cap, stamped upon it in ungovernable rage, vowing vengeanceagainst the traitor, Primus, who, he did not doubt, had led himinto the snare. At first the violent exercise, and next vexationand resentment, kept him warm; but gradually the effect of thefirst passed off, and then the latter, without its aid, was foundineffectual to ward off the cold. The teeth of poor Basset began tochatter, and tears of anger and apprehension fell from his eyes. Hestarted up, and again tried the walls of his prison, but they were toosteep, and too slippery, to permit exit, and at last, with desperatecalmness, he resigned himself to his fate, and awaited such result asProvidence might send. The thought of starvation and freezing todeath passed through his mind, but he was too fully convinced of thecomplicity of the black to believe he was ignorant of his condition,and satisfied that, however tricky, he intended no serious harm. Therewas comfort in the thought, and as these reflections prevailed hebecame more composed, while a sense of shame succeeded to that ofdespair. Shrugging himself together to keep warm, and lifting uphis voice from time to time in a shout, if, perchance, some casualwayfarer might catch the sound, the constable waited for deliverance.

  Meanwhile, Gladding, for it was no other, who personated the Solitary,and the General were cozily seated by the fire in the hut of thelatter, discussing the events of the evening. The false beard waslying on a chair, and a large stone pitcher, containing cider, wasplaced near the centre of a table, on which the elbow of Tom wasleaning, who, from time to time, replenished a mug with the liquor,which made frequent journeys to his mouth. The old General, withhis pipe, was seated on the other side of the table, and appeared asfervent in his devotions to the pitcher as his guest.

  "I tell you what, Prime," said Tom, "I come plaguy nigh tumbling inmyself. I thought I marked the spot exactly, but somehow or other thesnow light sort o' blinded me, and I stepped right on the edge, andhad to spring for't like all natur'."

  "Dat would a been fust rate, to catch two fox in one trap," said theGeneral, the whites of whose eyes gleamed plainer than ever in thefire light at the thought.

  "Fun for you, but not for me by a long chalk. Basset would have thebest on't, too, for he'd have come right top on me. How the critturwould have crowed!"

  "I hear him crow two or tree time already," said Primus, who had beento the door several times, and could detect faint sounds whenever theimprisoned Basset shouted.

  "Let him try his lungs a little longer. It will clear his voice forsinging school. I guess I must go to meeting next Sabbath, if fornothing else, to hear him perform."

  "But I 'fraid de poor man freeze," said the compassionate General.

  "Never fear, 'twon't hurt him. It will do him good to freeze some ofthe ugliness out of him. Besides it's best to wait awhile. Perhaps,somebody coming along will help him out, and that will save you thetrouble."

  "Me! Missa Gladding! what hab I to do wid it? You put him dere, andyou is de one to pull him out."

  "Don't be onreasonable, Prime, now. You see, if I should go, he'dknow, of course, all about it. Why, he'd recollect the clothes, andnext thing I should be took up for assault and battery."

  "And who save me from being took up?"

  "O, there ain't no danger of that. They can't git no hold on ye. Youcan say you hearn crying for help, and didn't know but what Holden hadturned on him, and so come to assist."

  Primus shook his head dubiously. He hardly knew what to reply, yet wasevidently disinclined to the adventure. For that reason, perhaps, heallowed Basset to remain in durance longer than his own good-natureprompted, in the hope that relief might arrive from some otherquarter.

  "I vow," at last exclaimed Gladding, "if I don't believe you're afraidBasset will give you a licking."

  "Basset, nor no oder man, ebber see de day nor night to make me'fraid," said the valorous General, whose natural courage was alittle stimulated by the cider he had been drinking, starting up andpreparing for his expedition. "But, Missa Gladding, you promise tostand by me if dis scrape go any furder."

  "Sartainly," answered Tom, "I never left a friend in the lurch, I tellyou."

  "Gib us you hand on dat."

  Tom extended a great sledge-hammer fist, and the two shook hands insign of inviolable fidelity.

  "Now," said Tom, "I guess, I'll make myself scarce. I wouldn't havehim see me in this rig for all the cider I drank to-night. There'ssome left in the old pitcher, so fetch him along, and comfort thecritter's heart with a few swigs."

  With these words, Tom took his leave, first altering somewhat thedisposition of his garments, divesting himself of the sash, placingthe cap higher on his brows, and depositing the false beard in hispocket, while Primus, lighting a fresh pipe, sallied forth on hiserrand of benevolence.

  As he approached he could hear plainer the halloo which Bassetoccasionally emitted from his trap. The ears of the latter sharpenedby expectation, caught the sound of the advancing steps, while as yetthe deliverer was at too great a distance to see the hole, and hiscries for assistance were redoubled.

  "Help!" he cried, "help! They want to murder me. This way--here, inthe old well--this way--O, Lord!"

  Such were the cries that saluted the ears of Primus, as soon as he wasnear enough to distinguish articulate sounds.

  "Who dere?" cried the General.

  "O, Prime, help us out of this tarnation hole," groaned Basset.

  "Onpossible! can dis be you, Missa Basset?" inquired Primus, peeringover the edge of the pit. "How come you dere?"

  "Don't ask no questions, now, though, I guess, you know as well asme."

  "His head turn wid de scare, probumbly," soliloquized Primus, loudenough to be heard by the captive. "I
curus to larn how you fall in.Ebberybody know dis hole, Missa Basset."

  "Haul me out, and I'll let you know."

  There was something in the tone of voice that did not at all pleasethe General, so looking around, and observing no one in sight, forit was a lonely place, and having all the advantage on his side, heresolved to parley, and secure satisfactory terms before he deliveredthe prisoner.

  "I bery sorry for you, Missa Basset," he said, "and if you waitawhile, I go to de village to git a rope to haul you out."

  But this proposition was far from suiting the constable. Now thatassistance was near at hand, he dreaded to lose it out of sight orhearing. He knew there was no necessity for procuring any rope, andfeared that if Primus put his threatened plan into execution, he wouldbring along with him a rabble of men and boys, to jeer at and ridiculehis sufferings. This now seemed worse than all he had already endured;he was, therefore, willing to make any compromise to avert thedisaster.

  "Don't go, don't go, Prime," begged the constable. "Just give us yourhand, and pull us out of this infarnal place. There's no need of anyrope."

  "But suppose you pull me in arter you, what we do den? De fire wouldbe all in de fat. Beside, you talk as if you respect me. No, I tink Ibe safer if oder folks be here, too."

  "O, Prime," whined Basset, "you hain't no better friend in the worldthan me, and no more bowels of marcy than a stump. I tell ye, I don'tsuspect you. Lend us a hand, and I'll never forget it, the longest dayI have to live."

  "Well," said the General, "you must make us a promise, fust."

  "What promise? I'll make any promise you please, only do help us out.I'm 'most dead with cold."

  "You must promise nebber to say any ting about dis night. Dere's'spicious folks round, like de doctor, and when dey hear you git catchlike a rat in a trap, dey is likely to say, 'Ah, dat is dat old niggurPrimus's work,' and so I lose my good character. De innocent man mustbe like de weasel dat is nebber catch asleep."

  It went hard against the grain, for the constable to make the promise,but there was no alternative except remaining there, he knew not howlong, finally to be extricated by a laughing crowd. With a very illgrace, therefore, he promised all that Primus required, and would havebound himself to ten times more, if necessary; but the General wasgenerous, and asked only security for the future, having no indemnityto demand for the past. Planting his sound foot firmly in the snow,the General extended his hand, which being grasped by Basset, he wassoon delivered from thraldom.

  "What's to hender me now, you infernal darkey," exclaimed theexasperated constable, as soon as he found himself in the upper air,"from throwing you into the well, and letting you rot there!"

  "What to hender, Missa Basset?" returned the General, stepping back."You own feelings, Missa Basset. But you can try it if you please," headded, letting fall his arms by his sides, which, at the threateningtone of the constable, he had raised instinctively in self-defence.

  But the other seemed more disposed to allow his anger to explode inwords than to resort to violence.

  "To be chucked into a hole like a dead cat, by a cunning old woolhead, was more'n mortal man could bear," he said, "and he didn't knowwhy he shouldn't knock out his black brains, on the spot."

  "You can try de 'speriment, if you please," said Primus, cooly, "andwhen dey is knock out, I advise you to gadder dem up for you own use."

  "You're a saacy nigger," said Basset, "and if I sarved you right, I'dclap you into the workhouse."

  "Missa Basset, you bery mad; and when a man is mad, he alwaysonreasonable. But fire away--it keep you warm, and stop you catchingcold."

  "Onreasonable! when a fellow's been sprawling about in snow andcornstalks, for more'n two hours, and got more'n half froze! How wouldyou like it?"

  "If Missa Basset chase Missa Holden, in de moonlight, and fall into ahole, is I to blame?"

  "I don't believe it was Holden. I believe it was all a plan betweenyou and some other fellow to git me into the scrape. Come, now,Prime," he said, moderating his voice into a less ill-natured tone,"tell us, and I'll let you off this time."

  "O, Lord!" exclaimed Primus, lifting up his hands, with open palms,and rolling up his eyes towards the moon, "de man is crazy wid defright, and he see Missa Holden, too, widin two tree feet."

  He turned now on his way home, as if disdaining longer converse withone who refused to listen to reason. The constable followed at hisside, growling the whole way, and reproaching the General with hisperfidy, the latter protesting it was Basset's own fault, "when heknew dere was a hole dere," and that he would have nothing to do withhim, or with the cunning old man, for the future. Upon arriving at thebars, Primus, notwithstanding his indignation at the suspicion caston his honor, courteously invited Basset to take a drink with him,but the latter, suspecting, perhaps, another snare, was in no humorto accept the invitation; and, turning away without even noticing theblack's good-night, directed hasty steps towards the lights of thetown.