CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S 
 CHAMPAGNE 
 
 -7.\ 
 
 WEST INDIAN REMINISCENCE 
 
 OR1GIKALLY PUBLISHED IN BLAVKWOOD'H UAGAZINK 
 
 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS 
 
 EDINBURGH AND LONDON 
 
 MDCCCLXII 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTEBBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE, 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 THERE is, or was some quarter of a century ago, in 
 the Port Royal Mountains of Jamaica, a military 
 station called Stony Hill, about 1300 feet above the 
 sea. It had been established at this altitude in the 
 hope of procuring increased comfort and health for 
 the troops. It was certainly cooler than the plain, 
 and therefore answered its intent in respect of cli- 
 mate ; but experience had shown that it was far 
 from being beyond the range of that scourge, the 
 yellow fever. However, it was quite in the country, 
 though within a moderate drive of the city of Kings- 
 ton, and thus it afforded an agreeable change to one 
 who had been quartered on a lower leveL 
 
 We glance back over the quarter century of which 
 mention has been made above, and introduce the 
 reader to a room in the officers' quarters. 'Twas a 
 
 A 
 
2 CAPTAIN CLUTTEEBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 lodging that had held many inmates, and seen in- 
 cidents well worthy, perhaps, of remembrance all 
 absorbed into the same voracious past whence we 
 are humbly endeavouring to rescue this our tale. 
 With submission to the ' Spectator's ' captious Der- 
 vise, we venture to affirm that, spite of its frequent 
 changes of inhabitants, this chamber was not a 
 caravanserai, and that, if he had been silly enough 
 to spread his carpet there unbidden, he would have 
 had his holy head punched, and suffered summary 
 ejectment at the hands of Lieutenant Arthur Brune, 
 who considered himself for the time being its right- 
 ful and sole possessor. Judged of from the fireside 
 of a snug English drawing-room or study, 'twould 
 seem a bleak and desolate apartment ; but it must 
 be borne in mind that, in tropical regions, coolness 
 is comfort, and that for this reason rooms are kept 
 as bare of furniture and hangings as convenience will 
 allow. It contained a small oak table furnished by 
 his Majesty, and two strong and cruel-seated elm 
 chairs from the same gracious source. This was all 
 the regulated furniture ; but the barrack-master had, 
 at his own proper risk, lent a soldier's iron bedstead, 
 mattress, and pillow, which, being covered with a 
 chintz envelope, answered passing well for a sofa. 
 There was a portable arm-chair private property ; 
 and a deal slab to hold glasses, bottles, and goblets, 
 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 3 
 
 fixed against the wall, whose fixing, being a breach 
 of regulation, would, on surrendering the chamber, 
 be paid for at the rate of twopence per nail, and a 
 trifle for lime-whiting to the Koyal landlord, who, 
 towards his military tenantry, was an austere man, 
 and kept a lot of factors, called his Barrack Depart- 
 ment, to squeeze them of their miserable substance : 
 at least this is the subaltern's version of the matter. 
 The table stood between the sofa and the arm-chair, 
 each of which held an occupant looking particularly 
 ennuye, and puffing a cigar. On the board was some 
 porter-cup, an agreeable and bilious mixture, well 
 known in the island as a promoter of good-fellow- 
 ship and yellow fever. The foaming beverage was 
 contained in a jorum or huge glass, from which the 
 parties drank at their convenience, preserving each 
 his own side of the rim. For one or two this answers 
 very well, but when a dozen or eighteen come to pull 
 in turn all at the same jorum, it requires some fami- 
 liarity with the method before the last drinkers be- 
 come reconciled to the marks of thirsty lips, and 
 plunge boldly into the surge from which not the 
 minutest arc of the crystal circle is free, refreshing 
 their souls at the expense of their fastidiousness. 
 One of our seedy subjects was Arthur Brune, afore- 
 said ; the other was a chance guest of his allow us 
 to introduce him. 
 
4 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Old Tom Gervaise was fat, indolent, and slovenly. 
 His countenance was handsome, and his complexion 
 had probably been good before grog blossoms estab- 
 lished a right of commonage on his person, and ex- 
 ercised their prerogative without order or reserve. 
 The head was nearly bald on the top, but its contour 
 was so good and its proportions so massive, that the 
 loss of hair was hardly a disadvantage. At heart he 
 was a voluptuary, but as he had not a grain of energy 
 or patience, he appeared simply as a dirty, surly, 
 lazy old sloven. Incapable of amusing himself, he 
 spent such hours as were unavoidably solitary in 
 lolling on a sofa, dozing gently, or improving the 
 minutes between his slumbers by the study of illus- 
 trated fictions, of which he possessed a small but 
 objectionable assortment. Solitude, though, he in- 
 variably eschewed when company could be obtained 
 without trouble or exertion ; and he drank, gamed, 
 or sported, not so much from love of these things, as 
 because they were means of procuring society. Long 
 compliance with dissipated companions had, how- 
 ever, without decided excess, shaken his constitution 
 and made a wreck of him. A small quantity of 
 liquor affected his head, and he had not the self- 
 command to refrain from mixing several kinds to- 
 gether, but recklessly swallowed one sort after 
 another as they were presented. To the agrgmens 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 5 
 
 of companionship he contributed nothing except the 
 opportunity of cracking a chance joke on his pecu- 
 liarities. Too indolent even to talk, his custom was 
 to loll in an arm-chair, smoking, and to speak in 
 monosyllables or very curt sentences, more remark- 
 able for force than for suavity. If his cigar hap- 
 pened to be in his mouth, he would not always take 
 the trouble to remove it to make a remark, but would 
 push or pat, sometimes not gently, any one who rallied 
 or contradicted him, with a thick stick, which his 
 uncertain gait obliged him to carry, and which was a 
 well-known and celebrated staff. Whenever any sort 
 of entertainment was going on, Tom was sure to be 
 present. What made his presence acceptable it is 
 difficult to explain, if it were not that the fellows 
 liked to laugh at him, and hear him growl. Certain 
 it is that he was always more than tolerated, and 
 allowed to say and do with impunity things for 
 which another man would have been called to severe 
 account, but for which he seemed to possess a gene- 
 ral prescription. One reason of this may be that he 
 had not always been the sort of old sinner that he 
 now was ; and possibly habit, without an effort of 
 his own, kept him within bounds, and caused him 
 in some sort to discriminate character, and to adapt 
 the intensity of his style to the person he addressed. 
 Indeed, there was a tradition that Tom had once been 
 
6 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 the most fastidious dandy in his regiment. He sel- 
 dom or never himself alluded to a period when he 
 was not an eagle's talon in the waist. Yet it could 
 not have been so very long ago, for, though called 
 old Tom, and though lazy and helpless enough for an 
 octogenarian, he had not passed middle age. Even 
 now, those who had known him in his exquisite days 
 took a pride in the remembrance ; and, upon occa- 
 sions when they desired the regiment to look its best, 
 as at a public dinner or a governor's levfe, would 
 invade Tom's quarters, heedless of the inhospitable 
 growls and curses of the proprietor, and wash him 
 by force, and dress him decently by contributions 
 from their own wardrobes. A very fine old fellow 
 Tom looked, too, at such times ! His head bore the 
 stamp of a lawgiver or a historian, and a most auda- 
 cious forgery it was. Nature got thimblerigged, and 
 found the skull under which she thought she had 
 placed a double portion of brain, lamentably empty. 
 Poor old Tom ! It is hard to read over what truth 
 has compelled to be written concerning him, and 
 still harder to explain why any kindly feeling should 
 exist towards him : yet the foregoing paragraphs were 
 penned with regret. He was an example, and unfor- 
 tunately not a rare one, of the destructive effects of a 
 warm climate upon a person of undisciplined mind 
 and indolent disposition. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTEPvBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 7 
 
 An injustice has, however, been done to Tom in 
 representing him as in all things listless and inert. 
 Stuck on the box of any vehicle drawn by horses, 
 with the whip and ribbons in his hands, he would 
 show you that he knew something of putting a team 
 along : four-in-hand was the only style which he 
 thought worthy of his science, but he was content, 
 faute de mieux, to run a tandem ; and it was on that 
 equipage that he commonly effected locomotion, in a 
 most disgraceful old frock-coat, and a broad-brimmed 
 white beaver with an aperture cut on either side 
 below the crown for ventilation, and a series of greasy 
 circles rising from the rim upwards, and telling of 
 many seasons, as the age of a palm-tree is known 
 to the naturalist by its rings. From this elevation 
 Tom smacked his whip at all passengers, where he 
 dared making its lash excite the skin a little, which, 
 in that drowsy country, where very light clothing is 
 worn, was no doubt an agreeable stimulus. In return 
 he would get a mango, orange, or possibly a brickbat, 
 at his head. Sometimes a thin-skinned ensign was 
 known to hoard up his wrath, and at a future meet- 
 ing express with black ingratitude his dissatisfac- 
 tion at Tom's passing notice ; whereupon the latter 
 would remind him that the touch did not hurt, and 
 explain how pungent his scientific arm could have 
 made it, had it so pleased him ; which explanation 
 
8 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 would cause the ensign to marvel greatly what the 
 real tickler must be like if the one he received was 
 considered painless. 
 
 Tom's regiment lay at Up Park Camp, about a 
 mile from Kingston ; but their mess having been 
 very quiet for some days past, he had driven over to 
 Stony Hill, in the hope that his presence would in- 
 duce the officers stationed up there to put on a little 
 extra steam in his honour ; in which hope he had 
 not been disappointed. His cart was quartered on 
 some one who happened to possess the luxury of a 
 gig-house, his leader on another, his shaft-horse on 
 a third, and the honour of entertaining his highly 
 respectable self he had conferred on Arthur Brune, in 
 whose sitting-room he took a shakedown if he chanced 
 to go to bed. They had had a great jollification the 
 night before, for these country folks did not dislike 
 an excuse for a chance merry-making. 
 
 It would be unfair towards Arthur Brune to judge 
 him by his present appearance. He does not often 
 look thus. It is wrong, the writer knows, to in- 
 troduce him in this exceptional condition ; but there 
 are duties towards the narrative as well as to its 
 characters, and the history will have it so. Deal 
 mildly with him, however, reader ! that is, if you 
 be masculine (many soft eyes, we flatter ourself, will 
 read Arthur Brune's story, whose owners require no 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 9 
 
 - caution in respect of charity) ; say, if you like, how 
 grieved you are to see a fine handsome young man 
 with that debauched look. Pity his pale gills, his 
 weak-looking eyes, his jaded expression ; but no lofty 
 denunciations, remember no thanking God on him ! 
 You have perhaps in your virtuous mind already 
 piled up a goodly battery of stones. Pause a moment 
 before you discharge one. If you were a fine, gene- 
 rous, warm-hearted fellow at three-and-twenty (which 
 of course you were), and never in your life picked 
 yourself up of a morning in a somewhat similar con- 
 dition, shy away ! But if Memory, spite of the in- 
 genious manner in which you have barricaded your 
 bosom against her, and puttied up the minutest 
 chinks, doth ever percolate the fence, and lure you 
 back, and rock you pleasantly in days and nights 
 when you were as other men are, then, we charge 
 you, forbear ! We know exactly how things are 
 with you now ; are we not human ? have we not 
 sipped, and suffered, and profited ? If you are an ex- 
 emplary member of society, so are we. If your spouse 
 is a paragon, and can attribute to you no earthly 
 failing, present or past, ours is as unexceptionable in 
 her own attributes, and more blind to our demerits 
 than we deserve. Are your little people " sweet in- 
 nocent cherubs?" we call ours " dear angelic lambs;" 
 that is the only difference. Are you orthodox ? so are 
 
10 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 we. Is your name respected throughout the district? 
 we hope ours is so too. Do men cut short their 
 jokes, and take the twinkle out of their eyes, when 
 you come within hearing? 'Tis exactly the same 
 with us. It is possible that in the article of charities, 
 moral associations, and philanthropic endeavours, you 
 and we are much on a par. We will measure phy- 
 lacteries with you, or enter into judgment concerning 
 neck-ties. In short, it is plain that both of us are 
 correctness itself. This is in I861 ; you know ; but it 
 was not always '61. We used to write the figures 
 35-6-7-8-9, &c. How if our biographies during these 
 years could be revealed ! What should we feel when 
 the many checkered and the occasional dark pages 
 should come under review ! Shall we quote ? No, 
 not unless you force us: all the sweet souls read 
 Maga,* therefore we forbear ; but be charitable to 
 Arthur Brune. 
 
 There was, as will speedily appear, a reason why 
 Arthur for a time consented to dissipation. On his 
 breast lay a heavy disappointment, which he sought 
 to stifle, but could not. And he called in idle com- 
 pany, and walked in their ways, to lure him from him- 
 self, and support him in a trial which his resolution 
 though he was a youth of strong mind hardly 
 enabled him to endure. The young man had suffered 
 
 * It was in Maga that this story first appeared. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. ll 
 
 cruelly in his affections, and was, moreover, per- 
 plexed to determine how his duty required him to 
 act. Hitherto he had followed the dictates of his 
 pride ; but reflection, which he could not wholly shut 
 out, persuaded him more and more to a bolder course. 
 The conflict was so grievous, that he could not bear 
 to think of his trouble. 
 
 "Well, the immediate cause of Brune's condition 
 was, as has been said, a great symposium which had 
 taken place last night in honour of old Tom's visit. 
 It had ended in a squabble, as was too often the case ; 
 and, but that some one present had sense and in- 
 fluence enough to compose the matter before it had 
 reached the seventh cause, there would have been a 
 duel. The cool morning air, which probably con- 
 tributed much to the rational termination of the dis- 
 pute, also disposed the party to dispense with going 
 to bed. It is a question whether the freshness in- 
 haled without doors an hour before sunrise be not a 
 stronger restorative than a feverish slumber. Brune 
 and Torn appeared to think that it is, and so took 
 coffee and a chasse at daybreak, strolled about the 
 stables and negro-paths for half an hour, proclaimed 
 themselves " all right," and, in the strength of their 
 morning ramble, made a tolerable essay at breakfast. 
 As the sun mounted, however, and the air began to 
 boil, and the shadows shrank up to almost nothing, 
 
12 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and the sea-breeze, which chose to be a sluggard that 
 morning, was anxiously waited for, the gentlemen 
 found that last night's account was not yet settled. 
 They relapsed into a rakish discreditable condition, 
 fit only to loll about, half alive, and sip porter-cup, 
 that they might not utterly waste the morning ; for 
 improvement of the fleeting hour was insisted on 
 by Tom Gervaise, who remembered that with each 
 sun came its appointed duty of getting tipsy before 
 bed -time. Happier than Titus, Tom never, to 
 our knowledge, suffered remorse for having lost a 
 day ! 
 
 "Hollo you, sir!" shouted Tom to a negro who 
 passed the window ; " come here and fetch me Massa 
 Brune's cigar ; my light's out." 
 
 " Yes, massa." 
 
 It did not astonish the negro, as it probably does 
 the reader, that he was called into the room to per- 
 form a service which, by simply rising up, or even 
 stretching across the table, Tom might have executed 
 for himself. The sable minister received, as his 
 guerdon, first a rap on the shins from Tom's stick, 
 which made him hop with his leg in his hand and 
 cry "Hie!" and, secondly, a Cuban cigar, shot by 
 Brune with the accuracy of a Tell, so as to graze his 
 scalp and bury itself in the woolly covering, which 
 made him turn on the whites of his eyes and grin 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. ]3 
 
 delightedly as he did obeisance with his naked foot, 
 and pocketed the prize, and went his way. 
 
 " Ton my soul ! " said Tom, between the inspira- 
 tions from his newly lighted weed, " this climate is 
 the devil. See how weak and helpless it makes us. 
 How I have borne it so many years is a marvel. If 
 I had not attentively supported the system during 
 my residence, I must have turned up my toes long 
 ago. And yet you get neither credit nor thanks for 
 this at home. By Jove ! nothing they can give is a 
 sufficient reward for passing a large slice of one's life 
 in such a furnace : a peerage wouldn't be too much 1 " 
 
 " If they ever should give you one, Tom/' answered 
 Brune, " it's to be hoped that you'll ' purge and live 
 cleanly as a nobleman ought.' " 
 
 " That's a bit of chaff you picked out of Hannah 
 More or 'Tristram Shandy.' I know I saw it in print 
 somewhere when I used to read books. Can't read 
 in this climate," said Tom, as if the latitude alone 
 stood between him and scholarship. 
 
 " You'll have the papers to read soon. You know 
 the packet from England was signaled this morning," 
 replied Brune. 
 
 " Was she ? " grunted Tom. " I think little about 
 packets now. I hardly feel that I've any connection 
 with England, except to look out for the St Leger and 
 Derby." 
 
 
14 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 "Wonder whether Clutterbuck has got poor old 
 Swillhard's company without purchase," mused Ar- 
 thur. " Abominable shame ! he's been refused two 
 death vacancies, though he never left the headquarters 
 since they came out here. In each case a youngster 
 at the depot was allowed to purchase by their bring- 
 ing in some old sinner from the half-pay to sell." 
 
 " Well, you'll soon be out of suspense," said Tom ; 
 " here comes the postman. We shall have the letters 
 in ten minutes. I bet five dollars they've disappointed 
 Clutterbuck again." 
 
 "Then they deserve the pains of Tartarus," said 
 Brune. " You talk of a peerage, Tom : all they are 
 likely to give one here is a grave. One's legitimate 
 promotion is jobbed and bartered away. Heigho ! 
 I can stand disappointment pretty well, but patience 
 has limits." 
 
 " There's one of your disappointments that I fancy 
 you may get rid of and turn on your opponents when- 
 ever you like," said Tom. 
 
 " What the devil do you mean, Tom ? " asked Brune, 
 sharply. 
 
 " Mean ! " answered Tom, " nothing but what every 
 fellow with half an eye sees and knows as well as I 
 do. You may cut out that Melhado whenever you 
 like even now his wedding-day is fixed ; ay, and by 
 Jove ! I'd do it too. I'd do it for the fun of cheat- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 15 
 
 ing that Creole savage, let alone the splendid little 
 filly/' 
 
 The young man blushed scarlet as Tom began to 
 speak, and then turned pale ; his colour came and 
 went rapidly. " Gervaise, I can't stand this," said 
 he, hurriedly. 
 
 " Nobody wants you to stand this or anything else. 
 'Tisn't my affair." And Tom leisurely replaced his 
 cigar, and began coaxing back the fire, which had 
 nearly expired during his exhortation. " Devil take 
 the girl," he recommenced, puffing only interjection- 
 ally, now that he saw a cheerful glow under his nose ; 
 "let Melhado have her if he likes. I wouldn't, 
 though feed me on slops if I would. I'd carry her 
 off in spite of all. Hollo ! here's the letter-bag." 
 
 Brune was pacing the little room with a flushed 
 face and a rapt gaze. He seemed quite unconscious 
 of the mail's arrival until Gervaise, having turned 
 over the packet, shouted, " Look here, I say ; here 
 are a dozen letters for you. Only two for me, and 
 they'll keep till I've seen how the betting is, and to 
 whom they've given the step." So saying, Tom 
 pocketed an epistle from his sister, and another from 
 his tailor. 
 
 Brune opened one letter after another, skimmed 
 over their contents, and glanced at the signatures. 
 He came at last to one without postmark, and evi- 
 
16 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 dently despatched from some station in the island, 
 and this he read with interest. Tom turned over the 
 newspapers, throwing each down after a short ex- 
 amination. " I've found three gazettes," - said he, 
 " but not a word of our regiment. Just look ; here's 
 an interesting gazette for a whole week : ' Erratum 
 in the Gazette, of the 20th instant. The Christian 
 names of Ensign Bogg of the 55th are Salusbury, de 
 Vere, Gubby, Plantagenet, and not Salusbury, de Vere, 
 Grubby, Plantagenet, as previously stated.' Ensign 
 Bogg, indeed ! Still nothing of Clutterbuck. They 
 can't have filled the vacancy ; they must be keeping 
 it open for some rascally job." 
 
 " Make yourself easy," replied Brune ; " Clutter- 
 buck has it all right. 'Tis a letter from him I have 
 here." 
 
 " Ugh ! " grunted Tom ; " there was no pet who 
 wanted it, I suppose, or he'd have got it." 
 
 Brune read through the epistle, and afterwards 
 read it aloud to Tom. It ran as follows : 
 
 " MY DEAK BRUNE, I've got it at last 
 
 ' Candidior postquam tondenti barba cadebat, 
 Respexit tainen et longo post tempore venit ' 
 
 and there's time enough before the letters go to Stony 
 Hill to write a line and tell you so. 
 " I can't in conscience use the seal any more, and 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 17 
 
 so send it to you as the best fellow I know, hoping 
 that you, too, will soon have reason to discontinue 
 its use. 
 
 " I thought I was too old now to value rank or 
 anything of that sort ; but I'm ashamed to say I'm 
 as pleased to feel myself a captain, and to be addressed 
 as such (they've all been to congratulate me), as if I 
 was two-and-twenty. 
 
 " Good-bye, old fellow, and believe me ever yours, 
 
 " S. T. CLUTTEKBUCK." 
 
 There followed a postscript, which Brune with hesi- 
 tation read. It was this : 
 
 " P.S. I shall probably give champagne on the 
 th ; so keep yourself disengaged. Won't we have 
 fun ! I must ask old Arabin and Melhado, as they've 
 been very civil ; but you won't mind that ; our mess- 
 room is large, and you needn't be near them." 
 
 The seal enclosed and alluded to in the letter was 
 well known pretty nearly throughout the island. 
 Twas engraved as follows : 
 
 " PSALM LXXV. 
 Verse 6th."* 
 
 A witty conceit went at that time a long a very 
 long way in Jamaica. The seal was not of Clutter- 
 
 * Verse 7 in the Prayer-Book version. 
 B 
 
18 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 buck's invention ; neither did he know the gifted 
 originator, whose name and local habitation had be- 
 come an antiquarian question by reason of the changes 
 of quarters. Perhaps he was in England, over a sea- 
 coal fire, relating stories about Jamaica perhaps he 
 lay under the sod of the Antilles. Messes contended 
 for him as of their numbers ; cynics said he never 
 belonged to any mess, but was an accomplished 
 civilian a devilish deal sharper fellow than mess- 
 tables often produced ; while profound thinkers main- 
 tained that such a witticism was beyond an indivi- 
 dual, and was probably the joint work of confederate 
 Millers. Clutterbuck got the gem from some one 
 who parted with it for the same reason that induced 
 Clutterbuck to transfer it now to Brune, it was no 
 longer applicable to his condition. 
 
 " Umph ! So you've got the ring," said Tom, who 
 had a good deal of passive jealousy in his compo- 
 sition. 
 
 "I've got it," said Arthur, "and I shan't be sorry 
 to part with it for a good reason." 
 
 " Eather a stale joke," Tom said ; " but never mind 
 the ring. I was thinking Clutterbuck's night will 
 just suit for the enterprise of which we were speaking. 
 You see, old Arabin and Melhado are to be there. 
 They'll sit all night that's your chance." 
 
 " Tom, you old sinner," Brune replied, " I believe 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 19 
 
 the Evil One is tempting me out of your mouth at 
 this moment. Say the truth have you let him your 
 old temple?" 
 
 " He hasn't half good enough taste to come my way. 
 He likes serpents hate snakes always make my 
 blood run cold," said Tom, shuddering, and taking a 
 pull at the jorum. 
 
 " I'm afraid," said Brune, " he has a turn at all 
 sorts." 
 
 "Well," replied Tom, "I don't pretend to be better 
 than my neighbours ; perhaps the old enemy takes a 
 night's lodging with me now and them." 
 
 " Lodging !" echoed Arthur ; " he's got a confounded 
 long lease, if not the fee-simple." , 
 
 " So much for that," Tom answered ; "but it's no- 
 thing to do with what we have been speaking of. Be 
 it devil or angel that prompts, I'd have her off on 
 Clutterbuck's night. Look here ! we'll see them well 
 primed and fast at hazard : you shall go up and pilot 
 the prize to the mountain's foot, where I will be 
 waiting with the cart ; and if I don't take you to any 
 church in the island, and see you spliced before pur- 
 suit has begun, my name isn't Gervaise." 
 
 Tom had struck the chord which had of late been 
 vibrating so painfully, and whose thrill now amounted 
 to agony. His voice was like the hair that breaks 
 the camel's back. Brune's mind had been oscillating 
 
so CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 so miserably between the promptings of two different 
 spirits, and was so desperate with their importunities, 
 that even the suggestion of Gervaise served to fix his 
 determination. Nothing tries a vigorous mind like 
 uncertainty; but once decision takes the place of 
 doubt, though it point to trying or desperate measures, 
 there is a relief in collecting the energies for action 
 which is akin to pleasure. Before that morning 
 passed, Brune had formed a resolution out of which 
 springs this tale of Captain Clutterbuctis Champagne. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 ON the afternoon of the day which we began in the 
 last chapter, Brane left old Gervaise snoring on the 
 sofa after second breakfast (Anglicb, lunch), and 
 mounted on a rough, fast-trotting pony, was clearing 
 the paths which lead from Stony Hill to another 
 branch of the Port Eoyal Mountains. He travelled 
 with the unconscious speed of excitement. All flushed, 
 he pressed the pony's reeking sides, devouring the 
 Wa 7> yet heedless of his passage ; spurring faster yet, 
 and faster, while inwardly he revolved some all- 
 absorbing thought. Brune's route descended first 
 from Stony Hill to the plain, across which he rode 
 with his face towards the principal mountain-chain. 
 That road is not one for a traveller to pass unnoticed. 
 Varied and ever varying rise the broken heights clad 
 to the summits with herb or forest, the tops fading, 
 from distance, into the softest purple. A thousand 
 prongs and ridges push out and court the sunbeam, 
 hugging between them shadowy channels and dimples 
 
22 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 where the dazzled eye may rest. Even faces of per- 
 pendicular rock are covered by verdure and blossom, 
 for the daring creepers weave themselves across. 
 Only where a slight landslip has recently happened, 
 or where the zigzag path has been newly made, is 
 the bare soil exposed. All earth is gay, all heaven is 
 serene, and the transparent vapours that float between 
 earth and heaven catch every colour from the burn- 
 ing rays, and bathe the landscape in a fairy flood 
 Glorious hills : witnesses of everlasting summer ! 
 He who has seen them will retain for ever, but he 
 cannot communicate, the impression. It is not awe 
 of the grandeur, but admiration of the beauty, which 
 possesses him. Overwhelming power in the Creator, 
 conscious insignificance in the beholder, are not the 
 first ideas which the scene excites. Neither are strong 
 and sublime emotions aroused. The soul is content 
 to live and look. For Nature has put on glorious ap- 
 parel, her face is lovely as a rainbow, and her breath 
 like the happy sigh of a mother over her first-born. 
 
 The hill rose abruptly from the plain. After being 
 scorched by the sun, and consumed by his own im- 
 patience and speed, Arthur suddenly entered a pass 
 between two beetling rocks, and felt a new rush of 
 life from the delicious shade and already fresher air. 
 The road turned to the left, and led with a gentle 
 rise along the mountain's base. Trees, shrubs, and 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 23 
 
 creepers now abounded on both sides ; sometimes the 
 way was overshadowed with foliage, sometimes only 
 the centre of the arch above was open, and the eye, 
 upturned, saw the clear blue sky like a strip of ribbon, 
 solving the question asked so long ago 
 
 "Quibus in terris 
 Tres pateat coeli spatium non amplius ulnas ? " 
 
 Along the path grow mango, and orange, and star- 
 apple trees, whose fruit is free to the parched passen- 
 ger. In the bush are forest trunks, among which 
 stand tamarinds, palms, silk-cotton, and bread-fruit. 
 The mountain is broken into endless projections and 
 recesses, along the contour of which winds the ever- 
 changing road, showing through occasional openings 
 to seaward the richly burdened plains of Liguanea, 
 studded with villas (called pens), estates, and build- 
 ings, and churches : some of the highest parts of 
 Kingston sparkle in the distance, and beyond them 
 is a narrow belt of sea touching the horizon. 
 
 The air, the grass, and the foliage, resound with 
 shriek and hum. Everywhere is animation, more 
 apparent, if not more abundant, than in severer 
 climes, and every sense is appealed to by the infinite 
 forms of life. Myriads of insects, humming-birds 
 scarce bigger than insects, parrots and parroquets, 
 are above and around him. Beneath his feet are the 
 chameleon turnings of the lizard, and the silent creep 
 
24 CAPTAIN CLITTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 of the black snake. The great convolvulus, and a 
 profusion of gay flowers, garland his path. The rich 
 full tints of the trees indicate not autumn, foreshadow 
 no decay : biting winter comes not hither. If, as a 
 celebrated living author * has said, that only is real 
 joy which is likely to endure, then is the pleasure of 
 beholding these woods a truth, for to-morrow will not 
 rob them of their charms. 
 
 Suddenly the road turns ; our traveller faces about, 
 and recrosses at a higher elevation the same spurs 
 whose feet he has just threaded in the opposite direc- 
 tion. Soon again the zigzag way is reversed. An- 
 other and another tropic, the lines becoming shorter in 
 proportion to the heights. The hill-side is now less 
 uniformly clad : he is in the region of coffee. Estates 
 divide this altitude with the forest, their buildings 
 and barbecues at last standing out sharply from the 
 blending colours. The flat land beneath begins to 
 look like a map ; the sugar-buildings are mushrooms, 
 the villas are specks, and the whole fair city of Kings- 
 ton glitters in the sun, with its flashing harbour, the 
 long line of sand, called the Palisades, terminated by 
 the little town of Port Eoyal, and then a burning 
 sheet of sea. All round the windings of the hills, 
 houses and cottages send back the sunbeams sent 
 back, for on a sudden the erewhile laughing scene is 
 
 * Sir E. L. B. Lytton. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 25 
 
 eclipsed by vapour. A few yards in front of Brune, 
 so it seems, rises from the valley a lurid cloud ; the 
 lightnings flash ; the rocks reverberate the thunder ; 
 yet all is clear immediately around the traveller, who 
 expects, but does not feel, the sudden storm. His 
 observation of it is for a time impeded by reason of 
 an inequality in the road, and when he recovers the 
 prospect it has begun to change. The cloudy veil 
 becomes less dull and regular; the outline of the 
 higher mountains is once more seen, and underneath 
 them, as by magic, springs a gorgeous arch, its bases 
 hidden in the valleys. For, evermore, in climes like 
 this, amid the fitful moods of nature, which threaten 
 wreck and woe, is seen this lovely presence, toiling 
 man's charter, assuring him that, while the earth re- 
 maineth, seed-time and harvest shall not cease. Anon 
 the vision disperses, the fleecy wreaths depart hither 
 and thither, and the hills, glittering with dewdrops 
 from the recent shower, show their varied faces once 
 more. 
 
 Brune heeded not these scenes ; he rode as though 
 for life ; he noticed none who passed, though every 
 passenger turned to stare after him, negroes ejaculat- 
 ing the everlasting " hi," and white men marvelling 
 at the young man's rapt countenance and hot haste. 
 Eew of those who saw him would have desired to 
 contend with him, for the rider is young and active, 
 
26 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and there is purpose written on his features. The 
 pony, too, is hard and sinewy, and fears not his work. 
 Yet, swelter as they may, thou and we, oh reader, 
 know how to outstrip them. Swifter than light 
 divine Imagination glances. Let them toil, and 
 sweat, and palpitate ; we leave them far behind, and 
 lo ! we have forestalled that panting spirit, and are 
 already in the house to which he is yet toiling ! 
 
 A bower in the mountains of Jamaica, erected by 
 the hand of Taste, is indeed a pleasurable spot. Such 
 was the house of old Arabin. He did not build it, 
 neither was it in his nature to create such a para- 
 dise ; but he had just discernment enough, when it 
 was offered for sale, after the death of him who con- 
 ceived and formed it, to pay down at once the heavy 
 price, and so to strangle competition. A small piece 
 of table-land had been chosen as the site. 'Twas 
 overlooked on three sides by hills more or less dis- 
 tant, which, opening wide toward the south, repeated 
 from a higher level the view of Kingston and Port 
 Eoyal with which Brune was so often playing bo-peep 
 as he traversed the steeps below. This way, of course, 
 looked all the principal rooms. 
 
 The plateau was bounded by a fringe of foliage 
 composed of the tops of mango and other tall trees, 
 which, rooted on a lower level, towered just high 
 enough to be seen without obstructing the view. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 27 
 
 The part of its area nearest the house was laid out 
 in ornamental forms, and covered, except the walks, 
 with Bahama grass, whose deep green was grateful 
 to the eye. On it grew a few lofty trees, the prin- 
 cipal of which were a tamarind and almond, whose 
 branches, interlacing at a great height, overspread 
 the sward, giving momentary passage as they waved 
 about to piercing sunbeams, round which the gentle 
 shadows sported incessantly. A fountain bubbled 
 between the trees, and as its light silver was scat- 
 tered this way and that by the breeze, the transient 
 rays, dissolving through its mist, figured the ground 
 like the field of a kaleidoscope. The lower trunks, 
 being well pruned, allowed to be seen beyond the 
 greensward a garden bright with tropical blossoms. 
 All hues shone upon the beds, and above them waved 
 the oleander, frangipane, and a profusion of shrubs. 
 
 There was an advantage in the dark -green fore- 
 ground, for it allowed the windows of the principal 
 room to be open during the heat of the day, and thus 
 to admit the air, which, charged with the scent of 
 orange and jessamine, rioted through the apart- 
 ment, disturbing every article that was not well 
 weighted down, causing the music on the piano to 
 crackle, table-cloths to be violently agitated, pictures 
 to rattle against the walls, and blowing about the 
 light-brown tresses of Violet Arabin as if they had 
 
28 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 been Zephyrus his private property. If not an owner, 
 lie was at least a welcome guest, and had every reason 
 to be nattered by his reception ; for Violet had way- 
 laid the wind, placing herself right in its path, and 
 enjoying its caress as it breathed on her fair face 
 and neck. She lay half reclined on a couch ; her air 
 was languid, and her manner subdued. It had been 
 much subdued of late, though her health could 
 scarcely be thought to have suffered; for, spite of 
 many months' residence in the tropics, the bloom 
 which she brought out from England had not disap- 
 peared, though its brightness was dimmed. Her eye, 
 too, had lost its quick and laughing glance, and 
 beamed pensively from below the long downcast lash. 
 Climate was made answerable for the change ; and 
 yet, among those fresh mountains, a healthy girl, you 
 would have thought, might long have preserved her 
 European bloom. But no subterfuge ought to have 
 been resorted to, or to have been necessary in the 
 matter, and we see no reason for reserve, and mean 
 not to maintain any. Be it confessed then, that 
 Violet, young and fair and fascinating as she was, 
 had felt already the power of grief 
 
 "A foe to rest 
 
 Had stained the current of her sinless years, 
 And turned her pure heart's purest blood to tears." 
 
 And yet she was betrothed ; another fortnight, please 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 29 
 
 Heaven, would see her a bride ! And all Jamaica 
 would flock to congratulate and admire her, and to 
 offer in a new form the incense which had greeted 
 her presence since the day she landed. Poor girl ! 
 there is something cross in this. 
 
 " My child," said Mrs Arabin we beg pardon for 
 not having introduced the old lady " my child, you 
 never touch the instrument now that is not wise. 
 Husbands should not be allowed to complain that 
 their wives have abandoned their accomplishments 
 with their maiden names." 
 
 Violet, being deep in thought, was some time 
 before she apprehended her mother's observation. 
 " I don't mean to give it up, mother," she said at 
 length; " I shall play and sing more than ever I did, 
 after after " 
 
 " After you are married, my love. I am delighted 
 to hear you say so. Mr Melhado is particularly fond 
 of music, and I think understands it. He would be 
 sadly disappointed if he found you after marriage 
 indifferent to a gift in which you excel." 
 
 Her daughter sighed " yes ! " and fixed her eyes 
 again on the floor. 
 
 "There are those songs of Bishop's, you know, ' The 
 Soldier Tired,' and 'Bid me discourse/ and so on ; you 
 were never weary of singing them, while now we 
 never hear a note." 
 
30 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " But you know, mother, the same things cannot 
 please for ever. I had for that music a passing 
 fancy, whose very excess has now changed it to 
 indifference." 
 
 " Nay, Violet, it was not only here that they were 
 your favourites. Long before your return home you 
 sang them constantly ; and on the voyage out you 
 entertained the company on board with them every 
 day at least you said so, and Captain Gibbs said 
 Mr Brune used to sing with you." 
 
 The fair girl moved impatiently, and almost rose 
 from her seat ; but she instantly resumed it, sighing 
 again. Her eyes became suffused with tears. 
 
 "My sweet child," resumed the old kdy, "you 
 grieve me more than I can tell by this sadness. You 
 surely do not allow yourself, now, ever to think of 
 this Mr Brune, after the many admonitions I have 
 given you on the subject. And you about to be 
 married, too ! Quite dreadful ! It was very well 
 some time ago to have a handsome gentlemanly 
 young man pay you attentions, as he of course 
 was very ready to do, you being Mr Arabin's 
 daughter, and, though I say it, a girl that nobody 
 could help admiring. But then you know it is dif- 
 ferent now : you have made your choice, and must 
 forget all fancies. This one, in particular, I won- 
 der at your retaining, after the shocking accounts 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 31 
 
 which your father heard of the young man's beha- 
 viour/' 
 
 " Mother, mother," said Violet, " this is too much. 
 Whatever my father has heard to his discredit, is a 
 falsehood nothing less the utterance of some base 
 malignant spirit ! I have obeyed my parents in all 
 things with regard to him : I meet him as a stranger, 
 and I try to banish him even from my thoughts ; but 
 hear him slandered I will not ! " 
 
 Violet had risen as she spoke. Her eye was 
 uplifted now, and there was no lack of colour in 
 her cheek. Mrs Arabin was startled at her unusual 
 vehemence. 
 
 " Why, Violet, my dear, how can you ? " said the 
 old lady, rising also, and putting her arms round her 
 daughter. "Why, what can it signify about this 
 young officer? Perhaps it may be as you say. I 
 daresay he is innocent." 
 
 "He is, he is," sobbed Violet, on her mother's breast ; 
 whereupon Mrs Arabin sobbed too, and, taking the 
 infection profusely, she wept and mingled her tears 
 with those of her daughter. 
 
 Mrs Arabin was the first to recover. She dried her 
 child's eyes and her own, and then, gently kissing 
 Violet, replaced her on her seat. 
 
 "What a foolish thing it is," she said, "and all 
 about nonsense, too the merest nonsense ; because, 
 
32 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 you know, your papa's position being what it is a 
 member of Council, and one of the most influential 
 men in the island the idea of a young lieutenant 
 having any serious thought of you is perfectly absurd 
 ha, ha ! " And with her lips contradicting her red 
 eyes, she laughed mockingly, inviting Violet's respon- 
 sive laugh, which did not come. 
 
 "Yes, mother; but let us talk of some other matter." 
 " Well, that is sensibly spoken so we will. Let 
 us be cheerful, as I'm sure we ought when we think 
 of the beautiful, the magnificent wedding you will 
 have your elegant dresses, and the bishop to marry 
 you, and the bridesmaids, and the carriages, and the 
 favours. my ! " And the weight of the splendid 
 anticipations so oppressed Mrs Arabin, that she was 
 obliged to set down her load and rest for a moment 
 before she could proceed. 
 
 " Then there will be the announcement in all the 
 papers : ' Daughter of the Honourable Christopher 
 Arabin, of Crystal Mount and Dirty Gully Planta- 
 tions, Member of His Majesty's Council, Colonel of 
 the Kingston Horse Guards (bright scarlet), Eeceiver 
 of Eum Customs, Clerk of the Market, Head Scaven- 
 ger/ and I don't know what besides. What a sensa- 
 tion it will create in London when it appears in the 
 ' Times' and ' Morning Post ! ' " 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 33 
 
 Violet did smile now. " Why, mother, you don't 
 suppose that any people in London, except acquaint- 
 ances of our own, would trouble themselves about 
 our affairs ? " 
 
 "Of course, my love, it will be the talk of the 
 country. How young and simple you are ! Don't 
 we see the precision, the absolute toadyism, with 
 which they record the union of the most noble duke 
 or marquess of so and so with the lady this or that, 
 the fair and accomplished daughter of the earl of 
 something, and all the particulars of the two fami- 
 lies, and the list of their seats and possessions ? And 
 isn't your papa here quite in the same position as a 
 duke is in at home a legislator, a great landowner, 
 and a holder of most important offices under the 
 Crown ? Of course your marriage will be the topic 
 of the day. I shouldn't wonder if it made the people 
 forget all about Mr O'Connell, and created a little 
 popularity for the poor King." 
 
 Again Violet attempted to correct her mother's 
 Creole hallucinations, but in vain. Mrs Arabin wound 
 up a prolonged recital of the grandeur of their house 
 by remarking, " Thus you see, love, how important it 
 is for people of note to consider well even their private 
 and domestic acts. Mr Melhado is a member of 
 Assembly, and, your papa thinks, a talented and rising 
 
 c 
 
34 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 young man. His speech on the John Crow* bill was 
 a masterpiece. Many people think him quite the 
 equal of Sir Eobert Peel. Then his large fortune and 
 his capacity for business point him out as one of our 
 future wealthiest proprietors. All these advantages 
 bespeak your marriage with him a most proper and 
 prudent connection, as well as, I hope, a source of 
 lasting happiness to you both ; while, had you allowed 
 your head to be turned by any silly fancy a prefer- 
 ence for some obscure person like this Mr Brune, for 
 instance the great inequality of the match, as well 
 as " 
 
 " Stop, mother, I implore you, stop," faltered Violet, 
 the fountain of whose tears having been so recently 
 opened, could not bear tampering with. "Assist 
 and strengthen your poor girl ; do not trifle with 
 
 with " And again the poor maiden's passionate 
 
 sobs were vented more vehemently than before on 
 the matron's shoulder, who, after a more temperate 
 indulgence in the same refreshing luxury, seemed 
 at length to be awakened by a sudden idea. 
 
 " My darling girl, my sweet child, is it possible 
 no, no, Violet, tell me you cannot you, Mr Arabin's 
 daughter, you cannot have given your heart to this' 
 
 * A loathsome vulture (vultur aura), which, being very useful 
 in the removal of carrion and garbage, is protected by an act of 
 the Legislature. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 35 
 
 young man dear, dear your father speak, 
 Violet, speak, my sweetest/' 
 
 But Violet spake not. A long-pent torrent was 
 rushing like an avalanche from her heart ; she gasped 
 and sobbed, and clung to her mother's neck, and 
 buried her face upon her mother's bosom, as if her 
 eyes might never again face the daylight. Her 
 mother returned the embrace half unconsciously. 
 She ,was agitated by opposing emotions, any one of 
 which might have sufficed to distract her, but which, 
 by conflicting in her breast, and neutralising each 
 other, produced a stupified equilibrium. The possible 
 defeat of the projected grand alliance Mr Arabin's 
 disappointed wrath, which might make the house 
 Very unpleasant the effect of a contre-temps on a 
 society whose highest stratum she considered no small 
 object of ambition, and whose pointed finger seemed 
 to her a terrible weapon rushed simultaneously on 
 her perceptions, and created this awful calm. But 
 fortunately no meaner feeling searched to the depth 
 of her nature, where, underlying ignorance and vanity 
 and conjugal timidity, was a true and valiant affec- 
 tion for her child, which presently asserted a pre- 
 eminence, and made her speak as unlike herself as 
 noble instinct is unlike selfish folly. 
 
 There was an interval during which the light rushed 
 strongly upon Mrs Arabia's mind. That mind, as 
 
36 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 the sagacious reader is already aware, was not of the 
 most perspicacious order, and it required direct prompt- 
 ing and powerful motive to inspire it with either 
 clearness or vigour. She had now chanced to receive 
 a right impression, and maternal instinct did the rest. 
 Her former quiet adoption of the views of others, 
 more especially those of her husband, as regarded 
 Violet's feelings, seemed now quite marvellous to her- 
 self. How readily had she overlooked every sign of 
 her poor girl's struggle with herself, or explained in 
 some simple way what she could not help observing ! 
 And Violet's sufferings what must they have been 
 while maiden feeling kept her silent, and her heart 
 was bursting for lack of confidence and counsel ! 
 From regarding herself, in the first place, as strangely 
 blind and negligent, the mother, as she more and 
 more clearly realised her child's misery, began to 
 accuse herself of culpable indifference to her duties, 
 and finally she voted herself the most unnatural 
 monster alive. Rushing now, with the facility of a 
 weak disposition, into a different extreme, she was 
 visited with a series of most heroic conceptions, the 
 risk of which she was quite ready to encounter on 
 Violet's behalf, but they were unhappily not of a 
 practicable description. Soon, however, came more 
 rational resolves, if no very clear solution of the diffi- 
 culty ; and Mrs Arabin saw that there was one ano- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 37 
 
 dyne which she might at once afford, in assuring poor 
 Violet of her sympathy. This, of course, was effected 
 with a further grand accompaniment of tears and em- 
 braces, of which we pretend not to convey an adequate 
 impression : we merely allude to their occurrence, 
 lest fair critics, observing the omission, should pro- 
 nounce this true history a bungling fiction ; and with 
 this observation we proceed to give the heads of what 
 passed. 
 
 " My girl ! my darling ! trust to your own mother. 
 She will make you happy, not break your heart. 
 Violet, I would never willingly have given you a 
 moment's pain ; all that has been done seemed for 
 your advantage and future happiness. I have erred. 
 I see it all ; but it is not too late. Cheer up. I 
 will myself see Mr Brune." 
 
 " Mother ! mother ! " again sobbed Violet, in de- 
 precation "mother, I never said, never thought 
 of that. I can bear the sacrifice which my parents 
 require of me ; my prayer, in return, is only that my 
 feelings may be respected." 
 
 " How, Violet ? I do not understand you. You 
 do not wish to marry this young man ? " 
 
 " I do not wish to wed another that that is my 
 misery." 
 
 "But Mr Brune is he an object of indifference 
 to you?" 
 
38 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Silence again ; and her rosy neck answered for 
 Violet, though her cheeks were hid. 
 
 " I must go on now, child, and learn the whole of 
 your case. I take for granted that my sweet daugh- 
 ter, in giving her heart, believed fully that another 
 had been given in return." 
 
 And Violet murmured "Yes." 
 
 " Has he told you so ?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 " And yet you believe it ! " 
 
 "Mother, there is an eloquence more convincing 
 than words." 
 
 "But men have been known ere now to feign a 
 passion ; and recollect, my darling, that this one, 
 though he may be fully sensible of your beauty, and 
 the advantage of our connection, lies under grave im- 
 putations, and we are warranted in at least testing 
 his sincerity." 
 
 . " I have observed him through the trying ordeal 
 of a sea voyage. I have seen him risk his life to 
 save the life of another. When others were launch- 
 ing boats and seeking appliances, he, without hesita- 
 tion, dashed overboard after his drowning comrade, 
 while 'all was dismay and stupefaction. If you had 
 watched him, mother, gloriously struggling with the 
 waves and supporting the lifeless body, while tardy 
 prudence pulled dryshod to their aid had you seen 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 39 
 
 his drenched form hoisted on to the deck, the chest 
 scarcely heaving, the countenance deathlike had 
 you seen the languid eyes turned still upon him 
 whom he had rescued, and making the inquiry which 
 the tongue could not, whether he still breathed, you 
 would have known as I do, that he is neither base 
 nor selfish." 
 
 " Heaven send it prove so, my child, for I see that 
 your happiness is wrapped up in him. But now to 
 think how our arrangements may be altered post- 
 poned we will say at first. Dear me, what a vexation ! " 
 And the perplexities of Mrs Arabin began at length 
 to look formidable again. " Your father will be fran- 
 tic what a house we shall have ! And the odious 
 ill-natured remarks that Mrs Simons, how delighted 
 the wretch will be ! Your trousseau, to be sure, will 
 not be entirely thrown away ; but the cake now I 
 do believe there has never been such a cake as this 
 will be ! All yesterday and half the day before did 
 Zenobia and I spend in mixing it. I would not trust 
 even her on such an occasion ; the least indiscretion, 
 you know, might have impaired its excellence, and 
 they have all such whims and fancies, even white 
 ladies. There is Mrs Turner, now, never adds the 
 almonds till it is three parts kneaded, and Mrs James 
 lets it rise twelve hours. But I know my mother's 
 recipe, which I have always followed, drives them all 
 
40 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 mad with envy. To be sure, such a cake I It is the 
 best I ever compounded, and I have made enough to 
 know something about them. Mrs Turner indeed! 
 Well, but after all, the cake is not the first considera- 
 tion." (Mrs Arabin's mind, very much frightened, 
 had been trying to steal away from its difficulty, but 
 was obliged to turn back and face the matter in 
 hand.) "How shall we move your father's deter- 
 mination ? How shall we, or how can he now recede 
 from engagements so clear and determinate ? " And 
 as Mrs Arabin pondered on her difficulties, they ex- 
 panded like thunder-clouds, and threatened to over- 
 whelm her. " Oh ! " she groaned " oh, that I were 
 a man ! Oh, that I had some one to advise and help 
 us!" 
 
 And in truth the situation did call for energy and 
 decision and prompt action. Some subtle association 
 of ideas suggested to the bewildered woman a quar- 
 ter where these qualities were to be found. 
 
 " Violet," she continued, " I have undertaken your 
 cause, and will omit nothing to secure your peace 
 of mind. I will myself see this Mr Brune, and if I 
 find his demeanour answerable to your hopes, he 
 shall have an opportunity of clearing his character 
 and of avowing the sentiments " 
 
 " Nay, mother, mother ; you would not, could 
 not," said Violet, clutching her mother's dress as if 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 41 
 
 to prevent an immediate execution of the appalling 
 project. 
 
 "My dear," said Mrs Arabin, with some spirit, 
 " this is not an occasion for refinement. So.me assist- 
 ance I must have, and if the thoughts which you 
 have revealed to me do not deceive yourself, there 
 can be no impropriety in my permitting an inter- 
 view. Of course I shall use discretion in bringing 
 it about. I shall I shall send yes no that 
 won't do I will contrive to 'um, that's not it I 
 have it I'll 
 
 " Missy," screamed a coloured servant, running in 
 with small regard for ceremony, " Massa Brune come 
 again. My king ! me see him go to the stable-yard 
 wid his horse. I glad, for true ! " 
 
 The raw magician who has faltered his first doubt- 
 ing spell, and cowers before the spirit he has raised, 
 can scarce be more astonished than was poor Mrs 
 Arabin at this announcement. So scared was she 
 that she thought the negro sported with her trouble, 
 which he did not even know. 
 
 "How dare you, Leander," she said, trembling 
 with emotion "how dare you practise your jokes 
 upon me, sir ? Your master shall know your beha- 
 viour when he returns, and shall teach you better 
 manners." 
 
 " Hei, missy, me no joke. Massa Brune really 
 
42 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 come. Me see him 'pan de brown pony. My, dat 
 horse sweat ! moast wash away." 
 
 " Do yon mean seriously to tell me that Mr Brune 
 is here ? " 
 
 " Av coorse, missy, me say so. He here here he 
 come, faba* king." 
 
 And as he spoke did Arthur Brune approach, his 
 noble form and air justifying the negro's comparison. 
 
 His appearance had created some excitement in 
 the establishment. A round yellow laughing face, 
 surmounted by a kerchief and flanked by two enor- 
 mous ear-drops, was thrust across the doorway be- 
 hind him. The owner of it was pretty Miss Eosa- 
 bella, femme de chambre, who, exhibiting a brilliant 
 set of teeth, said gleefully, " De lubly buckra ! " -f 
 and withdrew. At the same moment was seen at one 
 of the front windows the apparition of Nick Chitty, 
 soi-disant butler, who, with a half-cleaned soup-ladle 
 in one hand, and a piece of chamois skin in the other, 
 presented his black visage, with a horrid scowl on it. 
 He, having inspected the new-comer, muttered "Chaw ! 
 what bring you dis side? \ Who de debil want you? " 
 Then he shuffled away again, polishing severely. 
 
 * Favour king i. e., like a king. The word favour, in the ac- 
 ceptation of the Jamaica negro, means to resemble e.g., he favours 
 you, means, he is like you. 
 
 t White person. Here. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 43 
 
 Leander, the negro who had announced Brune, 
 cast at Violet a look which he intended to be congra- 
 tulatory before he withdrew. 
 
 Arthur's reception was of course, spite of his self- 
 possession, sufficiently embarrassing to all. Violet 
 could not effect a retreat so rapidly but that he de- 
 tected the traces of her recent emotion, and shaped 
 his plan according to the hopeful symptom. He was 
 to be subjected to what Mrs Arabiii, poor woman, in- 
 tended for a very searching examination. Of course 
 the "honour of his visit" was the first thing to be 
 accounted for ; and, on this invitation, Brune went 
 straight and manfully to his object. 
 
 " He was there," so he said, " to supply an omis- 
 sion, which, had it concerned himself alone, he would 
 never have sought to repair. But it had occurred to 
 him strongly that the happiness of another might 
 possibly be affected by his course ; and this view of 
 his duty had but now presented itself. Pride and 
 anger, and they only, had deterred him, some months 
 ago, from declaring his passion for Miss Arabin, and 
 asking her hand. Events had happened since that 
 period such as to make a declaration now appear 
 not only useless, but impertinent. Nevertheless he 
 viewed his duty, as he had said, in a new light, and 
 he had taken a sudden resolution. He had come 
 thither to make known his affection for Miss Arabin, 
 
44 CAPTAIN CLUTTEKBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and to say that it would be showing him the highest 
 favour to allow him to plead his cause to herself. He 
 had his reasons for preferring to say so to Mrs Arabin 
 rather than to her husband." 
 
 Mrs Arabin, grand inquisitor, was completely con- 
 founded by this candour. The confession which her 
 ingenuity was to have wormed out of the unsuspect- 
 ing youth was voluntarily poured into her ear. Her 
 attempted air of dignity, and her murmurs of " most 
 extraordinary" " astonished " " quite unprepared," 
 were pitiably done ; and it did not aid her perplexity 
 to find herself immediately subjected in her turn to 
 the question 
 
 " Madam," said Brune, " I believe that you love 
 your daughter as she ought to be loved, and that you 
 would purchase her happiness at the expense of your 
 own ? You have heard my declaration. Let me im- 
 plore you to act upon it like a loving parent. If, as 
 a mother, you dare not tell me that my suit is as 
 hopeless and out of place as it must appear to the 
 world, aid, I conjure you, in arresting the threatened 
 course of events." 
 
 Perceiving that she was not quite mistress of 
 the situation as she had intended to be, Mrs Ara- 
 bin now made a dignified effort to recover the com- 
 mand. 
 
 " I am at a loss to comprehend, sir," she said, " by 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 45 
 
 what right you presume thus to dictate to me in mat- 
 ters concerning my domestic affairs." 
 
 " I claim no right whatever, madam," replied Ar- 
 thur ; " I have not even an excuse to offer for my 
 conduct. I thought it just possible that my beha- 
 viour might explain and justify itself. Since it has 
 not done so, I have only to render my intrusion as 
 short as possible, and to assure you that you need 
 not apprehend a repetition of it." 
 
 Saying which he rose, and, bowing low, turned to 
 withdraw. Instantly her difficulties overshadowed 
 the matron once more. The aid which fortune had 
 sent in the very moment of need she had contrived 
 to alienate. The dignity disappeared, and the per- 
 plexed mother sobbed out 
 
 " And are you really going to desert us ? Oh, the 
 fickleness, the hollo wness of men ! " 
 
 " Pardon me," said Brune, with becoming gravity, 
 " you remarked on my presumption/' 
 
 "How can you sport thus with a mother's feelings?" 
 said Mrs Arabin. "You know not half my embarrass- 
 ment, or you would not could not. Oh, if those 
 who envy my position could but feel these anxieties, 
 they would know the insufficiency of rank to confer 
 happiness ! What is all that I possess, if I have not 
 an adviser in my distress ? Ah, me ! I wish I was 
 dead ! " 
 
46 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Mrs Arabin," answered the young man, taking 
 her hand, " you shall command my best advice and 
 assistance. I ask in return but two concessions. 
 Give me your confidence ; and suffer me to have a 
 short interview with Miss Arabin." 
 
 From what has been seen of Mrs Arabin's diplomacy, 
 the reader will already have divined that she was not 
 long in making a clean breast ; and that Mr Arthur 
 Brune found the existing state of things in the Ara- 
 bin family not very unlike what his imagination had 
 painted it. Shortly after the old lady's confession, 
 she was to be seen in her accustomed seat facing the 
 front window, while Violet Arabin and Arthur Brune 
 stood by the cool fountain, under the shade of the dark 
 tamarind. Motionless were both, and their attitudes 
 seemed sad ; but Violet's face wore the startled ex- 
 pression of returning joy, and Brune's eye, while 
 gazing on it, seemed to retain by an effort its grave 
 and monitory aspect. Already had the young soldier 
 learned the value of time, and to repress emotion 
 when action or decision was required of him. We 
 might divine their thoughts we might reveal their 
 language we might regale our reader with a love 
 scene in which good sense, strong affection, and dif- 
 ficult circumstances, render both the actors incapable 
 of insipidity. We might retail argument and remon- 
 strance, and depict the strength both of principle and 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 47 
 
 passion. But we prefer to consider knowledge of this 
 kind sacred, and forbear to make any revelation, 
 withdrawing with delicacy to the other side of the 
 house, and amusing ourself with what there passes 
 up to the time when Mrs Arabin again joins the pair, 
 and, shortly after, Brune bids both ladies a short 
 adieu. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 BEHIND the house the ground soon began to fall. 
 There a winding road led through a shrubbery to the 
 stables and offices, and finally to the negro houses 
 these buildings being kept out of sight by the bushes 
 and the brow of the hill. Loitering along this road 
 was the pleasing form of Miss Eosabella, who, some- 
 times picking a flower or a leaf, sometimes gazing 
 abstractedly at the prospect, while she wrought her 
 mouth into a foam by fretting her teeth with chew- 
 stick,* and sometimes kicking the small stones with 
 her pretty foot,-f gave evidence that she was not 
 bound upon a mission requiring despatch. Looking 
 leisurely up from a lizard which she had three or 
 four times turned over on its back with her shoe, 
 and which seemed to join in the sport as blithely 
 as the dragon on a guinea, she smote her up- 
 raised foot smartly on the ground, and uttered the 
 
 * A fibrous creeper. A piece of it is generally seen in the hand 
 of an unemployed negro, who rubs his teeth with it at intervals. 
 f The dreadful negro hoof disappears when the race is mixed. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 49 
 
 monosyllable " Chaw ! " Miss Eosabella was dis- 
 pleased most unreasonably so, one might suppose ; 
 for that which met her view was the form of Mr 
 Nicholas Chitty, the butler, attired as we saw him a 
 short time since at the drawing-room window that 
 is to say, in a shirt and trousers not over clean. It 
 might be that these accidental meetings with Mr 
 Chitty were too frequent, or that his manner, which 
 was somewhat cynical and caustic, was not appre- 
 ciated by her, or, haply, because he was declined 
 into the vale of years, that Miss Eosabella was wroth 
 at the sight of him. She, however, smothered her 
 irritation, and received with maidenly propriety the 
 address of this important personage. 
 
 " Hah, my 'pring-flower ! " said Mr C., looking 
 sweetly that is, trying to subdue a settled sneer, 
 which reminded one of the untameable hyaena " you 
 is de pusson I always like to meet when I 'troll out 
 for a airing, 'pon my life you is. Leetle chilly dis 
 afternoon, don't you tink so, Miss Eosy ? " 
 
 The sun, which had been vertical an hour or two 
 before, was at that moment darting his beams into 
 Mr Chitty's grizzled wool and over his respectable 
 person, so as to make the observation unintelligible 
 to a European. 
 
 " It is not too cold," replied Eosabella ; " you al- 
 ways so delicate, Meesta Chitty." 
 
 D 
 
50 CAPTAIN CLUTTEBBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 "Of course," said Mr Chitty, " me has got finer feel- 
 ing dan dose common negro people. Dat is de reason 
 why I admires you so all time, Miss Eosy, becausin 
 you is so genteel ; and you is werry 'andsome too 
 make me can't help in lub wid you." 
 
 " Meesta Chitty, don't bodder me ; you is always 
 talkin' dis same nonsense," replied the fair one. 
 
 Nick looked up after the manner of Mr Eomeo 
 Montague, as if seeking among the spheres for some 
 object to attest his truth ; but he apparently found 
 none worthy of that distinction. Had he enjoyed a 
 histrionic education, he would unquestionably have 
 sworn by his gracious self, whom he thought aptly 
 formed to be the god of any " nyoung woman's" idol- 
 atry. Language thus failing him, he advanced with 
 a hideous grin and offered to take Eosy's hand. 
 
 " Hei, Meesta Chitty, what is you doing, sar ? " said 
 she, in a smothered exclamation. "You no 'fraid 
 somebody see we ? Meesta Brune's horse come dis 
 way direckly, and a pretty sight for the groom you 
 would make ! " 
 
 Satisfied, since the objection proceeded from pru- 
 dential and not from personal considerations, Mr 
 Chitty waived the proposed attention and withdrew 
 a pace, promising himself usurious compensation. 
 He gracefully turned the conversation to general 
 topics. "Dis Massa Brune, now, Miss Eosy, what 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 51 
 
 make him bring him ugly face dis side again ? After 
 we no see him so long, I hoped him gone to de debil, 
 and not come no more." 
 
 " La, Meesta Chitty ! who you call ugly ? My 
 king ! de hansummest nyoung sojer buckra in de 
 harmy he, he, ugly ! ! chaw ! Come ? Why, of 
 course, him is come for coort Miss Wily ; what else?*' 
 
 " Tought she going to marry Massa Melhado, eh ? 
 How dis, eh ? Someting not quite right here. Won- 
 der if Massa understand what going on ! " marvelled 
 Nick. 
 
 " Of course he understand," rejoined Rosy, sharply. 
 " Any pusson who was to speak to de Massa about 
 it, I wouldn't look at him if there didn't anoder man 
 alive." 
 
 " Chaw ! who goin' to 'peak to him ? what me care 
 about deir lub-making ? " said Nick, intimidated by 
 the lady's threat. 
 
 Both Nick and Rosy had evidently interpreted 
 Brune's visit in some degree correctly, and had ranged 
 themselves on different sides according to their in- 
 stincts the girl the abettor of true love, the cynic 
 the marplot of the piece. When he so readily con- 
 sented to refrain from communication on the subject 
 with " Massa/' he had had time to reflect that old 
 Christy would show little gratitude for any revelation, 
 while there was another quarter from whence it would 
 
52 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 be well paid for. Thus deference to his ladye-love 
 sorted well with self-interest. 
 
 "So long as my 'pring-flower look pleasant 'pon 
 me, why is me to tell massa?" said Nick, ogling 
 frightfully. " Now look here, my lub ; supposing you 
 is to be in de Mango Walk dis evening; it just pos- 
 sible dat me might come dat side too ; and if we 
 should happen to meet, you know, lubly Rosy, why 
 den hei ! who dis ? " At this unlucky moment 
 another person came upon the scene. It was Lean- 
 der, who had announced Brune to the ladies a smart, 
 intelligent, young mulatto, who, having been in Eng- 
 land, was a cut above the ordinary coloured class, 
 however profaning the name of him whom 
 
 ' ' Love who sent forgot to save 
 The young, the beautiful, the brave, 
 The only hope of Sestos' daughter." 
 
 The balked Chitty grinned sardonically at the new- 
 comer, with a wrath which was more than doubled 
 when his quick eye detected a glance of intelli- 
 gence and deprecation passing from Rosabella to 
 Leander. 
 
 " What de dooce you want here, sar?" yelled Nick. 
 "Is dis for you* English manners, when a lady an' a 
 
 * In the Jamaica dialect, the possessive pronoun is generally 
 formed by placing the word for before the personal ; thus, for you 
 face, means your face ; for him name, his name ; house da for me, 
 the house is mine. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 53 
 
 gentleman is discoorsing, to push for you dam black 
 face atween dem, eh ? " 
 
 " Don't vex," replied Leander, smiling ; " I really 
 tink, Mr Chitty, that I have a right to go down to 
 the stable to order up Mr Brune's horse widout 
 your leave." 
 
 "Den pass on, sar/' said Mck, highly incensed. 
 " I is 'peaking important business, and don't want to 
 be boddered wid negro boys." 
 
 " Hah, hah, hah ! " tittered Leander, " I must laugh. 
 It is better than a fun to hear you talk about negro 
 boys. Why, you is as black as de debil yourself, and 
 a near relation too, I should tink, Old Nick/' 
 
 " If you says dat," observed Mr Chitty, urbanely, 
 "you is a cussed liard." 
 
 Hard words do not necessarily lead to hard knocks 
 among negroes, but they often produce a railing match 
 of the most energetic description. Such a passage of 
 tongues appeared now to impend between these sable 
 champions. The issue no man might foretell, for in 
 prowess and accomplishments they appeared equally 
 matched. Mr Chitty 's tongue was an embossed club 
 or two-handed sword with which he rained a shower 
 of stunning vituperation fitted to prostrate an unwary 
 antagonist in the first encounter ; while he of Abydos, 
 less affecting the crushing ruin of the mace or battle- 
 axe, preserved his temper and his wit, dexterously 
 
54 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 parried or evaded the pelting opprobrium of the foe, 
 and, watching his opportunity, longed a pointed sar- 
 casm through the joints of the armour, Mr Chitty's 
 moral hide being plated like a rhinoceros. Both stood 
 prepared and eager for the fray, while the fair Eosa- 
 bella, sole arbitress of the lists, should rain influence 
 and judge the prize. Fate decreed, however, that the 
 interesting duel should not take place, for as the com- 
 batants addressed themselves to the assault, Arthur 
 Brune, whose mood it did not suit to wait for his 
 horse, appeared in the road on his way to the stables, 
 his brow still bearing traces of anxiety, but cleared of 
 that engrossing cloud beneath which we saw him ride 
 up the mountain. 
 
 " Hah, Leander," said Arthur, " why, you look as 
 you used to do on board ship when it began to blow : 
 and pretty Miss .Rosy, also, you don't look sea-sick 
 now at any rate, though I have seen you miserable 
 enough. My old sweet-tempered friend, Menelaus 
 too, I declare ! How d'ye do, old boy ? you seem to 
 have imported a fresh cargo of gall and verjuice, and 
 look as if it would burst you. Long time isn't it 
 since you saw me or my money, so I shall just give 
 you a dollar apiece." The gratuity, received with the 
 usual scrape of the foot, relaxed immediately Lean- 
 der 1 3 countenance, and even mitigated the severity of 
 Mr Chitty's. Kosy expressed her delight at seeing 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 55 
 
 " Meesta Brune " again, and told him personally that 
 she thought him handsomer than ever, for reserve is 
 not a characteristic of the coloured maiden. Brune, 
 having but few thoughts to waste on the group, 
 hurried on to the stable. As soon as he was beyond 
 hearing, 
 
 " Hei !" said Mr Chitty, " him begin 'bout dat dam 
 Mennylaiss again, time he forget him shildish foolery. 
 Wha de debil him mean wid him Mennylaiss, Menny- 
 laiss? 'Pose dem all begin again now to call me 
 Mennylaiss. It not a gentleman's name." 
 
 " It de name they give the dogs and pigs in Eng- 
 land," said Leander ; " b'lieve it 'riginally belonged to 
 a hangman." Now, hangman is the very lowest 
 term of negro reproach. 
 
 This worthy was indebted to Brune for the nick- 
 name of Menelaus, which had almost superseded his 
 acknowledged appellation. It was suggested by a 
 misfortune which befell him, similar to that which 
 the angry gods inflicted upon the son of Atreus, 
 though its effects were not so direful. His third or 
 fourth helpmate the writer is uncertain which was 
 a free coloured girl of considerable personal attrac- 
 tions, who, in her early and undiscriminating youth, 
 had suffered herself to be proclaimed the mistress of 
 his affections and establishment. Their union was 
 not felicitous. After a very short time the lady's 
 
56 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 ideas became sufficiently matured to enable her to 
 reject the evil and to choose the good ; the practical 
 result being her sudden abandonment of Mr Chitty, 
 and elopement to the north side of the island with a 
 bandsman of one of the regiments. 
 
 Now the weakness of the soubriquet " Menelaus," 
 and the thoughtless haste with which Brune had ap- 
 plied it, are apparent at this stage of the narrative, 
 for the affair did not so much as contribute a bloody 
 nose to the encouragement of the Epos ; and, as an 
 impassioned foreign poetess once remarked, " The 
 blind old man of Scio might have chawed upon it 
 from July to eternity without creating a dollar's 
 worth of hexameters from the transaction." 
 
 However, though no hero, Nick discovered the 
 route and followed the fugitive ; and endeavoured by 
 promises, blandishments, apologies, and protestations, 
 to induce her to return, but without effect. He had 
 likewise addressed himself to the destroyer of his 
 peace, but that Lothario heaped insult upon wrong, 
 and withered his victim with a refined and lofty dis- 
 dain. "Him cuss me, and tell me to go to , 
 
 sar," said Menelaus, when relating the adventure to 
 Brune. Nick obeyed this mandate, not according to 
 its letter, which would have killed, but in its spirit, 
 and took himself off. 
 
 The misfortune, however, did not trouble him long. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 57 
 
 In a very few weeks another lady belonging to the 
 estate had succeeded the faithless free- woman ; but 
 neither did this alliance establish Mr Chitty's happi- 
 ness on a solid foundation. Incompatibility of tem- 
 per, that frequent queller of domestic joys, caused 
 their connection to terminate by mutual consent, 
 after, alas ! a brief duration. They separated : he, 
 however, who would test the veracity of this account 
 by a reference to the Lords' Journals would probably 
 lose his labour. No legislator, nor judge, nor gentle- 
 man of the long robe assisted in dissolving the 
 knot ; but the solution was effected in a simple and 
 unostentatious manner. Mrs C., on departing one 
 morning for the cane-field, remarked, " I not coming 
 again." To which Menelaus replied, "I rejice to 
 hear it ;" and thus he was once more master of the 
 affections which he had now so freely bestowed on 
 Miss Rosabella. 
 
 But we have lost sight of our lover. 
 
 A man who has traversed a road under the pres- 
 sure of a burden so heavy that it allowed him not to 
 note an object or incident of the way ; and who, after 
 depositing his load, returns rejoicing and refreshed, 
 his senses all awake, and his mind yearning for 
 pleasant impressions, might be taken as a type of 
 Arthur Brune's varying dispositions in his rides to 
 and from Crystal Mount. As he went, every thought 
 
58 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 turned inwards, and he recked not if it were Paradise 
 or Tophet through which he journeyed. Returning 
 freed in spirit and confirmed in resolution, his mind 
 seemed eager to repay herself for the severe strain 
 that had been put on her ; and, instead of revolving 
 definite or practical ideas, sailed buoyantly into the 
 realms of fancy, abiding nowhere, but floating through 
 a succession of delightful images. In this reaction- 
 ary state the liberated imagination hovered about its 
 newly-secured treasure, as yet too elated and aston- 
 ished to grasp and feed upon it. Violet's image filled 
 his soul, but was so far from occupying his intellect 
 that it seemed to set free his powers, and bid them 
 luxuriate where they would ; there was a great, calm, 
 inseparable joy in the heart, so let the fancy range. 
 It is the doubting lover who knits his brow and 
 grinds his mind against his fears ! And Arthur 
 thought of lofty deeds and godlike men of old, and 
 then, remarking and dwelling upon each feature 
 of the landscape, he called up as the day declined 
 forms that had walked those hills and vales, and 
 lived, and sinned, and suffered there the gentle 
 Arowauks and the cruel and haughty Spaniards. 
 Surely if blood can cry to heaven, there is even now 
 ascending from every corner of this island a memorial 
 of the desolation wrought by their conquerors upon 
 the inoffensive red men. Not a rock nor a glen 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 59 
 
 which now reflects or absorbs the moonbeams but has 
 its deep romance, its terrible tragedy. Earth, if it be 
 true that thy legendary spots which have witnessed 
 sublime powers and sufferings and affections of the 
 flesh, can for ages attract the disembodied spirits, 
 then must the surface of Jamaica be as that hill 
 where the young man's eyes were opened at the 
 prayer of the man of God. It must be thick with 
 airy forms seldom unveiled to mortal ken. And for- 
 asmuch as these wretched ghosts had neither bard 
 nor sculptor to record their wrongs, and that not one 
 of their race was left alive to transmit the fell tradi- 
 tion, how great must be their indignation, how intense 
 their desire to commune with mankind ; how in their 
 restless and invisible swarms they must feel as do the 
 souls of those who were slain for the testimony, and 
 with what impatience must they cry " how long ! " 
 
 Then Arthur thought how all this infatuated guilt 
 belonged to the fellow-countrymen and immediate 
 successors of the mighty discoverers of those western 
 realms ; how but a brief time before the advent of 
 destruction that day might have been pronounced 
 glorious for the islands which saw approach them the 
 grandest adventurers of the eastern world. And then 
 came the reflection how this land had been hallowed 
 to history by the presence of one of nature's greatest, 
 who, within the narrow circle of her shore, had walked 
 
60 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and burned and groaned ; how, underneath the same 
 sky, and in view of these unchanging hills, the strong 
 body had been weakened by disease, and the mighty 
 spirit had poured forth its plaint ! These are the 
 words : 
 
 " It is visible that all methods are adopted to cut 
 the thread that is breaking ; for I am in my old age 
 oppressed with insupportable pains of the gout, and 
 am now languishing and expiring with that and other 
 infirmities among savages, where I have neither medi- 
 cines nor provisions for the body, priest nor sacrament 
 for the soul. My men in a state of revolt ; my bro- 
 ther, my son, and those that are faithful, sick, starving, 
 and dying ; the Indians have abandoned us, and the 
 Governor of St Domingo hath sent rather to see if I 
 am dead than to succour us, or carry me alive from 
 hence." 
 
 Thus from Jamaica in 1504 wrote CHRISTOPHEK 
 COLUMBUS to the King of Spain. 
 
 The legends of the Antilles, too traditionary for the 
 historian, what might they not become in the hand of 
 the poet or the fiction wizard ? Shadowy facts, here 
 and there displaying their outlines sufficiently to 
 guide the mind from point to point, admit of being 
 informed with a connecting spirit, and of being made 
 life-like by the master's hand. But no master has 
 been there. The jolly mariner painting youthful re- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 61 
 
 collections in broad farce, or the puling philanthro- 
 pist seeking to verify the dream which he dreamed in 
 England, and blind to all facts but those which suit 
 his purpose these have written of the West Indies, 
 but without the power which seizes on men's hearts, 
 and turns them whither it will. 
 
 To Arthur's delighted mind as he rode through the 
 warm night, how interesting seemed the tales of 
 Indian eld how fit to charm and soften ! And with 
 the spell of moonlight on those scenes, as fireflies 
 sparkled through the forest, and the rocks and hills 
 showed like embattled fortresses, meet holds for 
 giants, and the bamboos waved gloomily as over 
 hallowed spots, the time was fit for inspiration. 
 
 Before leaving England he was well read in 
 Jamaica scenery, having studied it in the graphic 
 pages of Tom Cringle ; and never did he verify with 
 greater pleasure than now the descriptions of that 
 delightful author. 
 
 In this mood he alighted once more at Stony Hill. 
 The sounds of revelry were heard from the mess-room, 
 where Arthur would have been hailed as the one 
 person wanting to complete the enjoyment of the 
 evening. But gay company waited for him in vain. 
 Hugging in his heart the new-found happiness, he 
 stole with it to his chamber, and barred his door lest 
 any chance wassailer should profane his blissful soli- 
 
62 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 tude. His frame was soon refreshed, and his limbs 
 stretched on his couch. Waking or sleeping, he was 
 in a dream ; and it was not until the peeping of the 
 day-beam through the jalousies, and the blowing of 
 the shell upon the hills, that he resolutely dismissed 
 his visions, and prepared like a man of this world for 
 the difficult adventure that lay before him. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ABOUT a twelvemonth before the period at which our 
 story commences, two young subalterns had been 
 suddenly ordered from their depot at Cork to join 
 headquarters in Jamaica. Some irregularities had 
 been reported to be going on, such as were but too 
 frequently practised in garrison towns gambling, 
 flirting, drinking, and fighting ; and the Horse Guards 
 avoided the trouble of investigation by ordering the 
 officers whose names were prominent in the scandal 
 at once on foreign service. Accordingly, Lieutenants 
 Edward Knox and Arthur Brune, instead of waiting 
 for the transport which was to take out the next 
 draught, proceeded to Gravesend, and embarked on 
 board the freight-ship Sophia Brown, in which pas- 
 sages had been provided for them by the Admiralty. 
 The ship was a fine West Indiaman, and her state- 
 rooms were filled with passengers. There were two 
 or three Creole* professional men with their wives 
 
 * This epithet is often misapprehended in England, and sup- 
 posed to mean coloured or crossed with the negro blood. Its proper 
 
64 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and some children, a barrack-master and his help- 
 mate, a luxurious old planter or two, and others, of 
 whom it is necessary to mention only Miss Violet 
 Arabin, who, having completed her education near 
 London, was returning to her parents and home, 
 watched over by the master of the ship and Mrs 
 Wingrove, a doctor's wife and fellow-passenger, and 
 attended by Leander and Kosabella, who had been 
 sent home expressly that Christy Arabin's daughter 
 might sail in befitting state. Mrs Arabin had sug- 
 gested a large retinue as indispensable, but her hus- 
 band reasonably objected to the expense of the double 
 voyages ; wherefore the matron contented herself with 
 exhorting the soi-disant Captain Gibbs before he left 
 the island with Leander and Rosy, to make known to 
 all the company on the return voyage how that, partly 
 from accident and partly from the unostentatious tem- 
 per of herself and her mother, Miss Arabin crossed 
 the Atlantic in a style very much beneath what her 
 condition warranted. Thus were Violet and Arthur 
 placed in that propinquity and communication which 
 were unavoidable in ships of the Sophia Brown's class. 
 They who now scud across the ocean in La Plata and 
 the Magdalena, knocking off their 240 knots a-day, 
 and sitting down hundreds together in the huge 
 
 meaning is born in the West Indies. Thus there are white Creoles, 
 black Creoles, and brown Creoles, Creole horses and Creole beef. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 65 
 
 saloons, must not marvel that we have described the 
 old freight-ships as bringing their passengers into 
 close relationship. The voyage to Jamaica used to 
 occupy from six weeks to three months : the party 
 was comparatively small, and the arrangements did 
 not admit of isolation. Among young people the 
 constant intercourse was almost certain to become 
 intimacy, and thus it was that our two lovers began 
 the acquaintance which appears to have conducted 
 them to perplexity and sorrow. Handsome, energetic, 
 clear-headed, and good-humoured, Arthur almost im- 
 mediately became the leading man of the little com- 
 munity. In fair weather he kept them alive and 
 merry, on rough days he cheered and ministered. Be- 
 fore they reached Madeira they encountered a serious 
 gale. The ship's bulwarks were partly carried away ; 
 the caboose or deck-kitchen was washed overboard : 
 the master and his mates were absorbed with the care 
 of the ship ; all hands, even to the steward and cabin- 
 boys, were required to assist in the navigation ; and 
 the helpless passengers would have fared ten times 
 more miserably than they did had it not been for the 
 resources of Arthur Brune. At the commencement of 
 the storm he made all snug within the cuddy, set the 
 passengers to some amusement, and, making frequent 
 excursions to the poop, brought in as comfortable re- 
 ports as his conscience would permit. As the danger 
 
66 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 increased, and nearly all the company betook them- 
 selves to their cabins, he it was who took possession 
 of the steward's locker, prepared over a lamp refresh- 
 ment for the ladies, and brought them periodical re- 
 ports of the state of things, making his announcement 
 always close to the door of Miss Arabin's cabin, and 
 demanding from Miss Eosabella, after every bulletin, 
 a particular account of her young lady's condition. 
 Knox, willing and active, made a capital second, but 
 would have been of little use without the direc- 
 tion of his comrade. When the danger became un- 
 deniable, when the ship strained and pitched, and 
 there was scarce twilight at noonday, and the winds 
 and the sea contended in the loudness of their roar- 
 ings, and the hatches were down, and voluminous 
 seas rushed over her prow and half filled the saloon 
 and cabins, within which latter arose shrieks and 
 prayers and meanings, Mr Brune, who still kept his 
 legs, stationed himself almost constantly at Violet's 
 door, advising, explaining, exhorting, and nourishing 
 in short, making love by every method proper for 
 such an occasion. It is not certain that, when the 
 tempest had so far abated as to restore confidence and 
 serenity, Miss Arabin's feelings were wholly pleasing. 
 The storm left some tinge of regret, and the remem- 
 brance of it had more of joy than terror for many a year 
 after. At length the gale gently subsided. The male 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 67 
 
 passengers one by one appeared in the wet cuddy, 
 and, gathering their feet on to the benches, assisted 
 at a luxurious repast which was presided over by 
 Lieutenant Brune, and consisted of raw ham, wet 
 biscuits, pickles, raisins, and cheese. These viands, 
 washed down by libations of brandy-and- water (thank 
 God, the fore-hold was all tight), were found to be of 
 an excellence quite beyond belief; and when the 
 poor drenched skipper and his mate for the first time 
 put their heads between decks and indulged in a few 
 delicacies, the meeting grew undeniably jovial. In 
 the next stage of improvement, Violet, leaning on 
 Brune's arm, surveyed from the dry poop the traces 
 of elemental strife. Tattered sails, crippled spars, 
 broken ropes, and bestrewed decks, attested the 
 violence of the commotion. They had tried the pumps 
 and found the old craft as tight as a bottle. Sea- 
 men therefore alow and aloft were busy splicing, 
 knotting, fishing, reeving, and otherwise occupied in 
 processes which it is not lawful for a landsman to 
 utter. The carpenter was patching up as best he 
 could, and had got a rough rail across the great breach 
 in the gunwale. Well that he did so, for as she still 
 gave occasionally vicious kicks and rolls, the barrack- 
 master, who had suddenly become very active in a 
 flowered dressing-gown and slippers, was tilted clean 
 across the main hatchway, and only brought up by 
 
68 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 the aforesaid make-shift. Poor man ! had it happened 
 a quarter of an hour sooner 'twould have been his 
 last caper. The consciousness of this made him, 
 when he recovered his legs, assume a look of horror. 
 But the whole incident was ludicrous, and, as he was 
 no great favourite in the ship, it gave rise to a gene- 
 ral though quickly suppressed titter, the first burst of 
 merriment heard since the gale began. And now the 
 scene changed as in a theatre. Eosy tints succeeded 
 frowning clouds, azure waves replaced the tumbling 
 vitreous billows, light and warmth revived the soul, 
 and a gentle air, wafting her like a fairy craft towards 
 Madeira, effaced for a while the memory of the thun- 
 dering blast. A day or two to refit and transact a 
 little business at Funchal gave opportunity for ex- 
 cursions on shore, bright Madeira seeming a paradise 
 after those inclement days. Mr Brune, in pleasure as 
 in danger, was generally at Miss Arabin's side, and, 
 with a difference, continued his attentions. And 
 there were summer and witching prospects, and new- 
 ness everywhere, and strange delight, and re-awakened 
 senses, and young love and transient happiness. 
 Leander and Rosabella burst into ecstasies at the 
 sight of some sugar-cane exposed for sale at a stall. 
 With sparkling eyes they purchased the congenial 
 plant, and nyaming greedily its fibre, were entranced 
 with the luscious joy. The short sojourn flew away 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 69 
 
 on silken wings. And now once more on board ! but 
 not to boiling surge or bursting sky. There are both 
 wind and sea in plenty, but they are working the 
 right way ; all are by this time accustomed to her 
 motion ; and though she bounds and frisks, every 
 gambol sends her nearer to her goal. With fixed 
 sails and unswerving helm she rolls lazily down before 
 the trade- winds. It is the very reign of indolence, 
 and those nervous mariners who lately sprang to brave 
 the unchained winds and the raging deep, growled 
 and languished, and made bitter jests about the deck, 
 finding no work worthy of their mettle. Furs and 
 wrappings cast aside, the passengers eschew the hot 
 berths, and, under sleepy awnings, yawn or laugh or 
 love away the hours. To-day but repeats yesterday, 
 the same and still the same. A nautilus, a dolphin, 
 come now and then to cheer them, and a little ele- 
 ment of terror appears in the shadow of a dusky shark 
 who occasionally looms astern, and intimates that he 
 has his eye on them. Appalling monster ! 
 
 " What the deuce shall we do, Brune ?" says Knox. 
 " I am dying of ennui." 
 
 But Brune, who lay at Violet's feet, found agree- 
 able occupation in abundance, and marvelled how a 
 rational being could think the minutes heavy. 
 
 " Ennui ! " replied Arthur, " how odd ! why, there 
 are hundreds of things you can do. You can you 
 
70 CAPTAIN CLUTTEKBUCK'S CHAW PA ONE. 
 
 can why, hang it, you must know fifty things. Go 
 and read Shakespeare. You've read till you're tired ? 
 Well, challenge old Wingrove to backgammon, 
 twenty hits this morning ? Then sing psalms. Don't 
 think that'll suit you, though. I have it. Ask Jack 
 Fidd to show you how to catch a dolphin : there are 
 lots about the bows. Mind you hold fast if you get 
 on the bowsprit." 
 
 And, having rid himself of the intruder, Arthur 
 basked once more in Violet's sight, and dreamed 
 away the day. 
 
 There was a sudden alarm. 
 
 " Halloa, there. Back the sails ! let go life-buoy ! 
 man overboard ! lower away a boat. Move and 
 be to you ! " shouted the master. 
 
 But Jack's machinery had contracted the thinnest 
 possible coating of rust from inaction. Three weeks 
 ago he started on the instant to grapple with twenty 
 whirlwinds. His sinews and senses were braced 
 beyond surprise or hesitation. Now even he felt the 
 power of idleness and security. Soon, though, he 
 shook off his slight lethargy, and addressed himself 
 gallantly to his duty. But, alas ! it is by seconds 
 that the Fates in such cases decide the lives or deaths 
 of men, and Edward Knox had sunk to everlasting 
 night had his rescue depended upon the crew alone. 
 ISTo sooner had the first alarm started every one from 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 71 
 
 doze or dalliance or reverie than a small knot rushed 
 to the stern, whence could be descried, not yet twenty 
 yards off, among the waves, the unhappy cause of the 
 commotion awkwardly striking out the features 
 repeatedly immersed, but, when seen, stamped with 
 a terror and anguish that must haunt every beholder 
 to his dying day. 
 
 " Good God ! " exclaimed Violet Arabin, " I see 
 the unfortunate man drowning;" and she clung to 
 the ship's side fainting, until roused by a splash in 
 the sea beneath where she stood. Arthur Brune, for 
 whom she looked in her fright, was not to be seen on 
 the deck, and a strong swimmer was striking out in 
 the direction of the drowning man. 
 
 "It is Mr Brune save him, save him ! " she 
 shrieked ; and rushed frantically, she thought not 
 whither, in quest of aid. On the quarterdeck she 
 found the master stimulating all hands to the neces- 
 sary exertion. The way was already partly off the 
 ship, and a boat's crew were collected and ready to 
 launch. 
 
 " Quick, for the love of Heaven," gasped Violet ; 
 "Mr Brune has jumped overboard after the first 
 man ! " 
 
 " Mr Brune ! " passed from mouth to mouth, and 
 seemed to inspire every one with redoubled ardour. 
 
 " Now then, smartly, lads ! " grunted an old mate 
 
72 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 who was directing the boat's crew. " "We'll save that 
 young chip if men can do it. He's been and jumped 
 arter t'other/ Blow my old heart, I know'd he was 
 the right sort ! " 
 
 Owing to the altered position of the ship, her late 
 path was now visible from the waist where Violet 
 stood straining her eyes towards the spot where she 
 supposed the struggling men to be. Every glass on 
 board was levelled in the same direction. 
 
 " I see them ! " " I see one of them Brune, I 
 think, but where's the other?" "Oh! yes, there 
 they both are." " No, by Jove ! Yes ! " were the 
 eager exclamations uttered by the gazers. 
 
 "Now, Miss Arabin," said the master, "I think 
 this focus will suit you. Rest the glass on the gun- 
 wale, and you'll see what they're doing/' 
 
 But Violet's eyes were dim, and her heart was 
 throbbing, and her hand quivered. She could see 
 nothing. 
 
 Many minutes had elapsed since the accident. 
 They seemed hours. 
 
 " Well, then, I still see one head, for certain," said 
 the skipper, " and, it may be, two. The boat is near- 
 ing them gallantly. Pull away, my hearties. Now 
 I've lost them again. There, that must be one of 
 their heads. Gone again. Pull boat, pull like grim 
 death ! She's close now to where they were. The 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 73 
 
 mate sees something. Strange, now, I've lost them. 
 Boat's head coming round again, men looking about. 
 God help 'em, they can't have sunk." 
 
 " Oh, no, no ! " gasped Violet. " They have not 
 cannot. You you will see them." 
 
 "By Jove, you are right, ma'am," replied the 
 skipper after looking again. "They are hauling 
 something on board sure enough. But, as I live, it's 
 a dead body." 
 
 And he closed up the joints of the glass with a sharp 
 ring, indicative of his honest regret. 
 
 " Don't agitate yourself, my dear young lady ; the 
 boat will be back in a few minutes, and we shall 
 see ; but 'tis prudent to prepare for the worst." 
 
 The fainting form of Miss Arabin was borne to 
 her cabin by the honest master and Mrs Wingrove, 
 the former observing, " Ah ! you haven't seen so 
 many of the miseries of the sea as an old tar like 
 me, and a mishap troubles your nerves. Lie down 
 a little, and you'll soon come round. Accidents will 
 happen. I pity that gallant lad, though ! " 
 
 " Boat ahoy ! What have you got ? " roared the 
 first mate. 
 
 " Got 'em both." 
 
 "Alive or dead?" 
 
 " Mr Brune is breathing. All over with t'other." 
 
 Dead to all other sounds, Violet's ear was alive to 
 
74 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 this colloquy. She was once more on her trembling 
 feet, and managed to totter on to the quarterdeck. 
 The exhausted figure of Arthur Brune was being 
 whipped on board. Already there lay on the planks 
 Knox's inanimate body. The medical passenger was 
 directing the steward to prepare the necessary appli- 
 ances. 
 
 " Come away, my love," said Mrs Wingrove, " do 
 come in. Such a scene will quite unnerve you." 
 But Violet watched the doctor's face, and asked 
 with her looks if she might hope. Attracted "hy 
 Mrs Wingrove's repeated solicitations to Violet, the 
 doctor at last answered the appeal of the latter, and 
 said, 
 
 " Not a bit alarmed about Brune ; alive, and strong 
 constitution. Less sure about the other. Go in with 
 Mrs Wingrove, that's a good girl/' 
 
 That evening all on board breathed freely once 
 more when it was announced that, thanks to the 
 doctor's skill and care, both young men were doing 
 well. The shadow of death passed away from the 
 ship, but at the same time the shadow of the dread 
 shark became visible to those on the poop, and re- 
 minded them of the twofold danger that had been 
 escaped. 
 
 " What ! " said the old mate, who had steered the 
 boat, and who was now standing behind the wheel, 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 75 
 
 about to heave the log " what, old lawyer,* are you 
 there ? "Why, if I was you, blow me if I wouldn't 
 disrate all my pilot-fish and give 'em four dozen 
 apiece into the bargain ! A set of lubbers ! What 
 was they about ? and what was you about, old un, 
 eh ? Was you in your parlour down there keeping 
 the watch below, spinning of a yarn with a friend ; 
 or was you taking of a constitootional cruise ; or 
 having of a few words with your missus ; or writing 
 up your log ; or minding the fractious baby cutting 
 of his nine row of teeth ; or what was you a-doing 
 of? My eye, old cock, if you ain't lost the daintiest 
 morsels, and missed the chance of scrunching up the 
 finest young feller as ever walked a deck ! Ah, you 
 may lick your old chops long enough now ; you gets 
 no sich opportunity again, you bloodthirsty varmint ! 
 D-a-m-n y-o-u-r e-y-e-s ! " 
 
 After these observations, the last of them in linked 
 sweetness long drawn out, Mr Taut turned his quid 
 squirted an amber mouthful at the attorney of the 
 deep, and betook himself to the log-line. 
 
 Soon, hearts beat calmly again : the old mono- 
 tony returned, and the ship bowled along without 
 further particular incident ; the passengers steeped 
 
 * Jack calls a shark a sea-lawyer, possibly because he has such 
 a quantity of jaw. Other explanations have been suggested, but 
 they have a somewhat illiberal tinge. 
 
76 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 in idleness, and two of them up to the necks in 
 love. 
 
 What a break-up does a landing make after a long 
 voyage ! People, who for months have lived like one 
 family, find suddenly their relationship terminate, 
 and quietly separate, some for ever, others to lapse 
 into new associations and altered habits. Our party 
 dispersed, some to their fields, others to their mer- 
 chandise, and some to the duties of their professions. 
 Brune landed with a halo round his head : his gene- 
 ral merits and his particular exploit being sounded 
 before him as with a trumpet. It was the very re- 
 putation to make him at once popular in the service ; 
 and, among civilians, always here disposed to hospi- 
 tality, a full recognition awaited him. 
 
 The arrival of a daughter and such a daughter 
 caused, of course, the doors of old Christy's house to 
 open wide, and brought out in strong light the mag- 
 nificent condescension of his wife. Friends and neigh- 
 bours likewise gave entertainments in honour of the 
 sweet arrival, and at all of these was to be seen Mr 
 A. Brune, looking very handsome in a red skeleton 
 jacket, and not far from Miss Arabin's side. His 
 pony spent as much time in Christy's stable as in 
 his own stall at Stony Hill. He was most intimate 
 with the negroes, and had his fun with them all. 
 And so matters continued till, on a sudden, his re- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 77 
 
 ception at Crystal Mount appeared to become less 
 and less cordial, and a Mr Melhado, a wealthy mer- 
 chant, who dealt in everything from a skewer or a 
 yard of tape or a coffin, to a carriage, set of emeralds, 
 or a three-masted ship, became a constant visitor at 
 the house. This gentleman's appearance there was, it 
 would seem, the result of a secret negotiation between 
 Christy and Melhado's mother, an ambitious old lady, 
 who had held out large inducements to bring about a 
 connection. And, indeed, as far as means and posi- 
 tion went, the match seemed quite reasonable and 
 suitable. The objections to it were that Mr Mel- 
 hado, though not an ill-looking nor a stupid youth, 
 was of a vulgar type, in no way harmonising with 
 Miss Arabin's ; and that Miss Arabin had already, 
 as the reader has seen, given her affections in another 
 direction. For some time the two young men met 
 occasionally, without, of course, fraternising very 
 kindly. Melhado's visits became frequent ; Brune's, 
 who was nettled at the apparent caprice with which 
 he was treated by the old couple, and by the sudden 
 reserve of the young lady, became more and more 
 rare. At last came the announcement of an engage- 
 ment between Violet and Melhado, whereupon Brune 
 was seen at the house no more, until the day of which 
 we are now writing. Rumours reached Brune to the 
 effect that he had forfeited Arabin's good opinion in 
 
78 
 
 consequence of some irregular conduct imputed to 
 him ; and, to do the old man justice, he really had 
 heard and believed things to Brune's discredit before 
 he listened to old Mrs Melhado's overtures. Christy 
 took some pains to satisfy himself, and did feel satis- 
 fied on the subject, but he gave Brune no opportunity 
 of rebutting the charge. Indeed, he was not sorry to 
 have a good excuse for terminating the acquaintance ; 
 thinking, as worldly old parents always have thought, 
 always do think, and always will think (vide Library 
 of Love passim), that his daughter felt but a transient 
 fancy which would soon yield to absence and the 
 attentions of another. Li]je most fathers who keep 
 ledgers, he had an instinctive idea that young soldiers 
 stood to him in the same relation as rats do to a corn- 
 merchant. This had its influence in deciding his 
 behaviour, though he couldn't help liking Arthur 
 personally any more than his neighbours. 
 
 Now then, we think, the thread of our narrative 
 may be resumed. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 / 
 
 WHILE Crystal Mount was witnessing the scenes 
 which we recorded before our late digression, its lord 
 was employing himself in various ways on a lower 
 level. He had been at Spanish Town attending to 
 his legislative duties as a councillor of the island, and 
 was now on his way back to Kingston, where he pro- 
 posed to transact a little further business before he 
 should return home to dinner. Nowadays there is a 
 railway along the thirteen miles that intervene be- 
 tween Kingston and Spanish Town, and senators, 
 like their neighbours of all colours, are ingloriously 
 rattled to and fro in the trains. Of old it was far 
 otherwise : then all men had to whip along the high- 
 way, and the style in which they travelled this 
 much-frequented road was a criterion of the travellers' 
 wealth or acumen, and of their horses' value. To 
 give an idea of a gentleman's importance, negroes 
 would desire you to remark the "'tyle" in which 
 " him trabel de Tanish Town road." If his knowing- 
 
80 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 ness were to be illustrated, you were informed that 
 he was always fifteen minutes less than his neighbours 
 between Government House and Kingston ; while of 
 a horse it was high praise to say, " Him will take you 
 to Tanish Town widin de hour, sar." Such a road as 
 it was too ! They were eternally patching and mend- 
 ing it, and incredible sums were reported to be spent 
 on its repairs ; yet, except the first mile out of Spanish 
 Town, it was always in a scandalous condition. One- 
 half its breadth was villanously paved perhaps it 
 might be more correct to say unpaved, since the large 
 stones were always knocking about it in independent 
 profusion. The other half was by courtesy said to be 
 macadamised : in wet weather it was a mire, and in 
 dry a sample of the great Sahara. Somehow or other, 
 however, all the world managed to get along it, though 
 perhaps with a little trial of the temper. Our friend 
 Tom Gervaise, for instance, when threading his devious 
 way between the frequent blocks, or when up to the 
 axles in sand, would afford beautiful examples of 
 patience. In a playful mood he would wish that his 
 hand were on the lever of a vice within whose jaws 
 might be the head of the contractor : or if the case 
 were too serious for fanciful language, he would dis- 
 charge great point-blank oaths, the wind of which 
 might knock a man down, and whose blow must have 
 been annihilation. Along this road, then, was Christy 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 81 
 
 Arabin being bogged and jolted. He was beautifully 
 turned out, and had the journey lightened by well- 
 conditioned horses and a comfortable carriage, in 
 which he was shaken about very harmlessly. He was 
 clad wholly in white, the jean jacket on his back not 
 exactly becoming his figure, which was short and 
 portly. He wore no neckcloth, and his shirt-collar, 
 which was doubled down, had lost all its starch from 
 dampness of some kind. On his head was a Panama 
 hat, with a low crown and broad brim turned up at 
 the sides, tied with a narrow black ribbon. His face 
 was round and reddish, and would have been better 
 without the keen twinkle which appeared every now 
 and then in his eyes. Like his aspect, all his quali- 
 ties were marred by some defect. He was good-na- 
 tured, but uncertain, and suddenly, though not often, 
 irascible; liberal in the main, but occasionally too 
 shrewd ; reasonable and moderate in his opinions, but 
 arbitrary and unjust in some of his dealings. These 
 contradictions did not prevent his being a popular 
 and respected character, for he had graduated very 
 notably in colonial virtues and accomplishments that 
 is to say, he liked, and was not over-choice of, society ; 
 enjoyed good eating and drinking ; troubled no man 
 with moral remarks ; dealt neither more nor less 
 scrupulously than his neighbours ; and was ready to 
 submit any difference of opinion to the arbitrament 
 
 F 
 
82 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 
 
 of the pistol, as he had already done more than once 
 in his lifetime. He carried usually a cigar in his 
 mouth, which caused a waggish and profane legal 
 functionary to compare him to Israel in the wilder- 
 ness, seeing that he had always a cloud before him by 
 day and a fire by night. By the time we get up with 
 him he is near Kingston, and has nearly recovered 
 his equanimity, which has been somewhat shaken by 
 the bishop vigorously opposing him in council The 
 prelate often had occasion so to do, but Christy was 
 accustomed to blow off his wrath on the spot by re- 
 torting upon his right reverend opponent, if not good 
 arguments, very strong and often unseemly language. 
 To-day he had been tongue-tied, and therefore carried 
 his pent-up indignation several miles before he could 
 smoke it off. His forbearance arose from no newborn 
 sense of propriety, but from an interested motive. The 
 bishop had promised to marry his daughter to Mel- 
 hado, and it was of importance not to quarrel with 
 him till the ceremony should be over. Not that 
 Christy cared for this distinction on his own account : 
 if he had laboured for such vanities, he never would 
 have earned the wealth which now enabled him to 
 obtain them. But the expected honour was highly 
 agreeable to Mrs Arabin. And thus again it becomes 
 necessary to explain why Christy, who seldom 
 troubled himself to gratify his wife, was now so 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 83 
 
 anxious to secure compliance with her ambitious 
 fancy. Christy, whose mind was not speculative, 
 knew nothing about his motives, and nobody about 
 him read his heart distinctly. Ourself alone, who 
 possess the key to his conduct, can reveal this import- 
 ant why ; and here is the interpretation. Deep down 
 in the old gentleman's mind so deep, indeed, that it 
 had never taken the distinct form of thought lay an 
 unpleasant conviction that he was not acting truly 
 by his daughter, and that all the specious arguments 
 with which he quieted his conscience and deceived 
 other people were fallacious. He had a great dread 
 lest the mother's heart should put sight into her eyes, 
 and make her perceive the iniquity that was designed ; 
 for, armed with such knowledge as she would then 
 possess, even her voice would be powerful against his 
 -schemes : nay, to say truth, he felt uneasy concerning 
 his conjugal supremacy when he should stand at such 
 ; a disadvantage. But she had readily deceived her- 
 self ; and all that her husband had to do, therefore, 
 was to feed her vanity, and keep her mind fixed upon 
 the bishop's promise to officiate, and all the pomp 
 .which was to accompany the marriage. 
 
 As he entered the city he was quite serene again, 
 ,and to the coachman's inquiry whither he should drive, 
 Jie answered quite graciously, "to Mrs Melhado's." 
 Accordingly the carriage stopped in one of the upper 
 
84 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 streets before a large house which stood back behind 
 some dusty shrubs and flowers, and whose whole front 
 was covered with jalousie work, the frames painted 
 white and the blades light green. Christ} 7 was re- 
 ceived in a large drawing-room, richly furnished after 
 the fashion of the country, by a tall, spare, aquiline- 
 headed old lady, who could at first be but dimly dis- 
 tinguished, so great was the contrast between the 
 dazzling glare without and the subdued light within. 
 Whoever desires a graphic description of the effects 
 of this contrast should refer to ' Tom Cringle's Log/ 
 and study his first meeting with his cousin Mary, by 
 which it will appear that the strongest 'ties may be 
 broken, and things made manifest which should for 
 ever be concealed, through this sudden transition. 
 Mr Arabin, who was pretty well experienced in the 
 vicissitudes of a Jamaica life, was not disconcerted by 
 the change, but he returned the lady's cordial grasp, 
 and, seating himself at her invitation, began to mop his 
 countenance with high-bred ease, while they recited the 
 usual prefaces to a morning conversation. After these, 
 Mrs Melhado took occasion to remark, " Mr Arabin, 
 sir, you would like a drink after your drive." And be- 
 fore Christy had time to express his entire concurrence 
 with this opinion, she had sounded a hand-bell, and 
 desired that a liquor-case might be brought in, with 
 the proper accompaniments of glasses, goglets, and ice. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 85 
 
 " You see I don't ask what you'll take," said she, 
 unlocking the casket, "knowing your appreciation 
 of poor Melhado's brandy. Poor dear man! there's 
 a good drop of it left yet." 
 
 " Quite right, ma'am," Christy answered : " none 
 of your compounded drinks for me. Good brandy, 
 properly diluted and cooled, is the finest morning- 
 draught in the world. Yours is the best I ever 
 tasted. I'm glad to find it holds out so well." 
 
 " Oh, and it's likely to last," said the lady ; " for, 
 except my little drop every day I don't care who 
 knows it, and it's a pity other ladies are not equally 
 candid it's only our discriminating visitors, and 
 friends like yourself, that ever get any. Manuel still 
 likes sangree and malt liquors best : he will come to 
 brandy-and-water by-and-by. You and I and an- 
 other person must see that he doesn't get too fond 
 of it." 
 
 The late Mr Melhado had imported the brandy for 
 his own use. There was an internecine strife be- 
 tween them, and the brandy, much exhausted, was 
 the survivor. A hereditary feud was therefore much 
 to be deprecated. 
 
 Christy replied, that if Manuel should evince any 
 taste for strong waters which, fortunately, he had 
 not yet done they must use every means to check 
 him. 
 
86 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " It's very little we shall be able to do with him," 
 replied the old lady : " if his wife can't keep his head 
 straight, nobody else can ; but of course she will." 
 
 Christy, with great uneasiness, thought of his 
 daughter's hapless lot, if once her charms and gentle 
 influences should cease to sway her husband. He 
 answered 
 
 " As long as legitimate feminine control can move 
 him, he is quite safe ; but once beyond its reach, I 
 should expect him to take his own course unre- 
 strained/' The old man shuddered as he said this, 
 but Mrs Melhado retorted sharply 
 
 " Why should he ever be beyond its reach ? " 
 
 "Well, well hope not, ma'am we'll hope not. 
 He has good sense, no doubt, and good feeling ; and, 
 indeed, I don't see why they should not be very- 
 happy. He has a little bluntness of manner and an 
 arbitrary style of expression, but these are very readily 
 changed when affection rules." 
 
 " Oh, the way they speak don't signify a rush," said 
 the lady. " Melhado swore dreadful." 
 
 Christy, who was aware that, whatever was Mr 
 Melhado's command of language, he did not com- 
 mand in his own house, was able to join these re- 
 marks in a syllogistic form, and to deduce from them 
 the truth which they contained viz., that a loud 
 voice and domineering manner are not necessarily 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 87 
 
 evidence of domestic ascendancy. But Mr Melhado's 
 subjugation was quite an exceptional case, and by no 
 means argued the certainty of his son's humiliation. 
 For many years he waged with superhuman gal- 
 lantry an unequal war, up to the time when, beaten 
 and despairing, he surrendered at discretion, and 
 turned for comfort to the brandy. There sat his 
 conqueror, still able to subdue the spirit of any man 
 ay, or the spirits of any dozen men. What a capital 
 fellow he had been, and what a life she led him ! 
 He was worth a score of her. And a shade of regret 
 came over Christy's mind when he thought of the 
 fiery trial which had tried his old chuni, and how 
 much pleasanter affairs would have been now had 
 the contest ended the other way. Well-a-day ! 
 
 " Victrix causa dels placuit, sed victa Catoni." 
 
 " Well now, Mr Arabin," said the old lady, as she 
 observed the pensive mood into which Christy had 
 fallen, " I wonder what's come to you to make you 
 so thoughtful I I suppose it's that abominable to- 
 bacco that you can't dispense with. Well, you know, 
 I don't allow it in this house never did, and never 
 will ; but I'll tell you what I'll do now, as we ought 
 to be on the most friendly terms ; I'll go and sit in 
 the verandah with you while you have a cigar ; will 
 that do ? " 
 
88 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Christy protested that he had smoked that morning 
 quite enough to satisfy him, and that the little ab- 
 sence of mind of which he had been guilty was attri- 
 butable to his long drive in the sun. When she 
 hinted at his beloved weed, the old fellow's system 
 yearned for its accustomed anodyne; but a craven 
 feeling overcame his desire. He wanted to lead the 
 conversation into another direction, and with that aim 
 he summoned his flagging spirits, and began to talk 
 with animation of passing events. This humour 
 Mrs Melhado was quite ready to join with, and they 
 soon wandered far among gossip and scandal. The 
 lady was wont to describe herself as " none of your 
 mealy-mouthed pretenders/' and to boast that she 
 said what she thought, and was none the worse for it. 
 Howbeit, she was not agreeable when in a sprightly 
 mood ; and old Christy, though his worst enemy 
 could not accuse him of squeamishness, said he never 
 could endure her in her frolicsome moments : it 
 seemed so unnatural, he said, that it set his teeth on 
 edge and made his flesh creep. We fancy this sensa- 
 tion was the only approach to bashfulness which the 
 old gentleman had experienced for many a day. He 
 felt now that the conversation must be changed at all 
 hazards, and so he charged abruptly into the business 
 which had occasioned his visit. 
 
 " To be sure, ma'am, you'll be astonished at some- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 89 
 
 thing I heard in Spanish Town. Dan Bumper, who 
 is in London, wrote to Archy Calipash by the mail 
 which arrived this morning, that Mr Venables is much 
 better, and actually coming out to reside, and manage 
 his property himself, with a view to clearing it of its 
 mortgages, which possibly he may be able to do." 
 
 " You heard that, did you ? " remarked Mrs Mel- 
 hado, shortly. 
 
 " Yes, ma'am," answered Christy, " and from 
 authority that seems good." 
 
 " And you think that if he does come he may clear 
 the Cinnamon of its encumbrances by his manage- 
 ment ? " asked the old lady again. 
 
 " Well, the thing is possible," said Christy ; " it's 
 a fine estate, and the man's not a fool/' 
 
 "And there goes, you would say, Manuel's chance 
 of passing from attorney to proprietor of this splendid 
 estate ? " 
 
 " His chance will certainly not be improved by 
 this arrangement." 
 
 " And what do you think my son would be about 
 in case it took place ? will he do nothing to hold his 
 ground and keep his prospects open ? " 
 
 " No doubt," replied Christy, " Manuel will exert 
 himself, like a clever young man as he is ; but when 
 the proprietor shall be on the spot 'twill be hard to 
 keep him in the dark as to the capabilities of his 
 
90 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 estate, and the case would require much caution and 
 experience." 
 
 " Eight ! " said Mrs Melhado, with a grim smile. 
 " 'Tis a delicate matter, and Manuel is somewhat 
 young to handle it. But what say you if an older 
 head were to look to it ? How, if it had been al- 
 ready looked into by a person considerably Manuel's 
 senior ? " 
 
 " Mrs Melhado, your look and manner reassure me, 
 ma'am," said Christy; "you already know of this 
 matter, and can inform me concerning it/' 
 
 "Yes," said Mrs Melhado, "make yourself easy; 
 I heard of it some time ago." 
 
 "And you do not believe he is coming?" 
 
 " Certainly not." 
 
 " Your authority may be mis " 
 
 " His physician ! " 
 
 "Ma'am!" 
 
 " His physician !" repeated the lady, looking hard 
 at Christy, and clenching her lips. 
 
 " Mrs Melhado, you'll pardon me for doubting one 
 moment your watchfulness and ability," said Christy, 
 much impressed. " I thought the information I got 
 was reliable, and you'll do me the justice to admit 
 that 'twasn't of a nature to be indifferent to." 
 
 " Certainly not," replied the old lady, dryly ; " it 
 might, if true, have disconcerted some notable ar- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 91 
 
 rangements. But you may make yourself easy, as I 
 said before. Mr Venables's visit is not a bit more 
 probable than many former ones which he projected; 
 and he'll neither come hither nor move anywhere 
 else. His days are numbered. The mortgage is 
 quite safe, and will be foreclosed not paid off; so 
 that's all right. Now, have you heard anything 
 more?" 
 
 " No, ma'am no, no, nothing more. By Jove, 
 ma'am, you've a head of your own ! No nothing 
 more." 
 
 "Then I have something to communicate," said 
 Mrs Melhado. " Manuel has just got a similar mort- 
 gage on the Nutmeg, and as there's very little chance 
 of its proprietor coming this way, I think that may 
 end as prosperously as the other is like to do." 
 
 " As I live, ma'am/' burst out Christy, " you beat 
 the cleverest of us. You are by Jove, you ought to 
 be a legislator! You'd manage the House of As- 
 sembly and the government too hang me, if you 
 wouldn't ! Well done, ma'am well done ; I see 
 there's little danger of your of our interests suffer- 
 ing while you are awake. Your very good health, 
 ma'am!" 
 
 Had the late Mr Melhado survived to a patriarchal 
 age, it is certain that he would not have transacted 
 business as keenly as his disconsolate relict. Christy 
 
92 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 began to think that the gods might possibly have 
 known better than Cato. His soul had not only been 
 relieved of an anxious doubt, but it had received an 
 unexpected cause for rejoicing. His morality, as has 
 been before hinted, was noi of a delicate order, and 
 both he and Mrs Melhado thought it perfectly fair to 
 practise a little upon an absent proprietor, and relieve 
 him of a possession for whose management he showed 
 an ineptitude. 
 
 The lady did not deign to notice her visitor's com- 
 pliments, but proceeded to remark upon the business 
 in hand. 
 
 " Thus, you see, my son has the attorneyship, with 
 the possible succession to the Cinnamon and Nutmeg 
 in Surrey, two of the finest estates in the island, and 
 of Beggar's Bush in Trelawny ; while he already owns 
 the Diamond Vale in Middlesex, and Pernambuco in 
 Cornwall." 
 
 "A pretty little roll," said Christy, grinning, 
 " worth, I should think, not less than " 
 
 "Don't let us get to figures," replied Mrs M. 
 " It's a pretty property just now, there's no denying 
 it ; but they've a capricious way in England of deal- 
 ing with colonial produce, and therefore I don't put 
 my trust altogether in land. But then, in any case, 
 we've the store, and see what a business we are doing, 
 and what mercantile openings these attorneyships 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 93 
 
 afford. I don't suppose there's a firm in the island 
 turning half so much capital as Melhado, Huggins, 
 and Bamboo." 
 
 " Fm sure there's not, ma'am," said Christy, whom 
 this conversation had filled with delight and awe 
 delight that Melhado's possessions and prospects so 
 completely justified the approaching connection, and 
 awe at the superior powers of the strong-minded 
 woman. They had pretty well cleared off their busi- 
 ness topics, and Mrs Melhado gave evidence of a 
 disposition to relapse into that sportive vein which 
 affected Christy so unpleasantly ; it was therefore a 
 relief to him when the young man, whose future had 
 been the subject of their conversation, returned home 
 and joined their company. 
 
 Mr Manuel Melhado deserves a short description, 
 as he believes himself destined to the distinguished 
 honour of wedding Violet Arabin. He was slight 
 and well formed, and of the average height. His 
 complexion was olive, and his hair jet black, curled, 
 and profusely oiled. His features were good, espe- 
 cially the eyes ; and, except that the forehead was 
 somewhat low, the profile might have been pronounced 
 handsome. But the full face was not so good : the 
 expression was mean, and there was a repulsive 
 breadth across the jaw. As yet there was little 
 beard or whisker, and the smooth open neck suited 
 
94 .CAPTAIN" CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 his countenance well. So common fame seemed 
 justified in calling him a very handsome young man. 
 Though that is a climate where loose light clothing is 
 an especial luxury, this youth was habited in a cloth 
 coat and waistcoat, made to fit his figure accurately, 
 and drill trousers tightly strapped under Wellington 
 boots. His collar was turned down, and he wore 
 below it a scarf fastened with two pins, a major and 
 a minor, connected by a gold chain, and the former 
 headed with a brilliant stone. Eound his neck was 
 a double watch-guard as thick as a jack-chain, and 
 his waistcoat buttons, of yellow metal, were linked 
 together very sumptuously. Small spurs projected 
 from his heels, and he bore a riding-whip in one 
 hand, while the other held his black beaver hat 
 a most unpleasant substitute, one would think, for 
 the cool shady Panama. Mr Melhado, however, was 
 a man of fashion, and did not choose to follow any 
 rules of dress, but rather claimed the right to dictate 
 those rules. Among the brown ladies he was the 
 observed of all observers ; and indeed we ought not 
 to confine his celebrity to that class, for there were 
 many white ladies who pronounced him charming, 
 and showed every disposition to cultivate his good 
 opinion. By Kingston youth his precedence was 
 acknowledged ; yet this was, in his estimation, but 
 a light thing, for his ambition led him to be on easy 
 
.CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 95 
 
 terms with the young military officers, whom he was 
 never tired of entertaining, and for whose counte- 
 nance and familiarity he was willing to undergo a 
 great deal. They ate his dinners, rode his horses, and 
 tolerated his society, but he was not a favourite with 
 any among them. He had neither a good disposition 
 nor very good sense to guide him, and his attempts 
 at fashionable ease were disagreeable, if not offensive. 
 We have seen how Tom Gervaise felt towards him ; 
 and Tom, except in matters of adornment and purifi- 
 cation, commonly held the opinion of the majority. 
 
 The youth set down his hat, and sauntered across 
 the room to grasp the hand of old Christy, who, 
 greatly comforted by the intelligence just received, 
 gave him a cordial squeeze, and inspected him from 
 head to foot with an approving smile. 
 
 " Well, ma'am," said he, addressing the old lady, 
 " if this is the penalty one has to pay for youth and 
 fashion, I hardly regret that my day is past : we had 
 our fancies, no doubt, like every other rising gen- 
 eration, but to suffocate ourselves wasn't one of 
 them." 
 
 Mrs Melhado had too good sense not to see the im- 
 propriety of dressing thus in such a climate ; but she 
 liked to see her son look to advantage ; therefore she 
 said, apologetically, " Oh, Manuel has been making 
 some visits, and been at the barracks with some of 
 
96 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCIi'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 his military friends. It wouldn't do, you know, to 
 appear careless or slovenly among them" 
 
 " By Jove," said Christy, " they are the most sen- 
 sible fellows going ! You never see them in anything 
 but a white jacket when off duty, while our young 
 city bucks think they must dress as men do in Eng- 
 land. But never mind, Manuel, dress as you like 
 that's your affair, you know, now, and it will be a 
 thing for you and your wife to settle between you a 
 month hence, eh? Are you coming up to Crystal 
 Mount with me ? because if you will, I shall be ready 
 in half an hour, and will drive you to the foot of the 
 mountain, where we shall find horses." 
 
 Melhado accepted with much readiness, and went 
 to make a change in his toilet, while Christy pro- 
 ceeded into the city to order some cigars, and transact 
 other pressing business. Didn't he stick a havannah 
 in his mouth and pull out his tinder-box before he 
 was at the bottom of Mrs Melhado's door-steps ! 
 
 The lover, of course, did not wish to omit any ele- 
 gancies of costume when dining at Crystal Mount : he 
 therefore summoned a yellow female with a lean 
 wrinkled neck and skin, but nevertheless wearing her 
 hair dressed, and an enormous pair of ear-drops, and 
 bade her get a portmanteau packed for him. This 
 personage was his mother's factotum, lady's-maid, 
 housekeeper, confectioner, laundry-woman, and gene- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 97 
 
 ral superintendent. The duties of a house are very 
 differently divided in that country from the method 
 we are accustomed to at home ; and these brown 
 domestics, when they reach a certain age, attain a 
 neatness and an aptitude for household duties which 
 is rarely found in the other sex. The use Mr Mel- 
 hado made of his own male attendant was this : when 
 the portmanteau was packed, he made him strap it, 
 and then ordered him to take it on his head and 
 trudge off with it to Crystal Mount. 
 
 On the journey up the gentlemen held little con- 
 versation worth repeating. In fact, Christy, who 
 wanted to ponder on the pleasant intelligence received 
 from Mrs Melhado, pressed a cigar upon his com- 
 panion, and stopped his own mouth with another. 
 He saw that Melhado, if he played his cards well, 
 might become never mind by what means the 
 wealthiest proprietor in the island. He felt, too, how 
 these improved prospects would feed the vanity of 
 his helpmate, and increase her satisfaction with the 
 match ; and with this reflection the little bit of re- 
 morse which played about outside his heart seeking 
 an entrance, was kicked sturdily from the door, and 
 peremptorily forbidden the premises. 
 
 Violet met her father with a smile, and the old 
 man, intent on her grand prospects, and imagining 
 himself the most devoted of parents, kissed her affec- 
 
 G 
 
98 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 tionately. Melhado, too, had a gracious welcome. 
 As the character of the evening there depended very 
 much upon the host's humour, this promised to be a 
 cheery one. Christy was in spirits, and talked and 
 joked. Melhado, after his manner, was assiduously 
 attentive to both ladies. So they dined very pleas- 
 antly. The conversation, when the servants had dis- 
 appeared, turned upon some superstitious excitement 
 which was agitating the negroes, and leading them to 
 hold frequent and large nocturnal meetings. The 
 overseers and book-keepers on the estates thought 
 that these assemblies might lead to mischief, and had 
 represented their misgivings to Mr Arabin as proprie- 
 tor of Crystal Mount, and to Mr Melhado as represent- 
 ing the owner of the Cinnamon estate, a little farther 
 down the hill. Obi is the name of the religion, in- 
 cantation, or devil-worship, whichever it may be, 
 that prevails among the negroes. Obeah men, their 
 high-priests or professors, are always native Africans, 
 so are the women who practise its crafts. Hence 
 there is no doubt that the whole of its mysteries are 
 of African origin. When their orgies are more than 
 usually solemn, it is to be dreaded that they mask 
 some insurrectionary move, and the whites are un- 
 easy while they continua 
 
 It is never wise to speak on this subject before 
 black servants, as nearly all of them are in thraldom 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 99 
 
 to the superstition, and they may be chiefs and ring- 
 leaders ; for there is a peculiar mystery most care- 
 fully maintained concerning the rites, professors, and 
 votaries of Obi, and the whites have never been able 
 to sift it, though now and then they get a little in- 
 sight into its abominations. 
 
 Melhado said that he would send up to the Cinna- 
 mon to-morrow a brace of Spanish dogs, to be let loose 
 on occasion of the next Obeah gathering. At this 
 plan old Christy shook his head. He had no dislike 
 of the proposal, but he doubted its prudence, and 
 .thought that while there was such a disposition to pet 
 the negroes, it would read badly in the newspapers, 
 and be turned to account by the party to which he 
 stood opposed. Violet, from motives of humanity, 
 combated the design, for some of these dogs are ex- 
 ceeding fierce, and they might not have simply dis- 
 persed the crowds, but perhaps maimed or killed some. 
 Melhado laughed at these feminine objections, and 
 thought it became him as a man of determination to 
 persist in his plan ; but when Violet reiterated her 
 horror at the idea, he made a show of gracefully 
 yielding to her wishes, while he winked at old 
 Christy in token that he would adhere to his first 
 intention nevertheless. The conversation was then 
 led to a visit which the family was to make a day or 
 two later to Spanish Town, partly to visit friends, and 
 
100 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 partly to arrange preliminaries of the marriage ; for 
 these matters are conducted in the island somewhat 
 differently from the English customs ; for instance, 
 the governor is the person to grant the licence, not 
 the bishop. To make the excursion pleasanter, it was 
 agreed that the party should go to Spanish Town by 
 water as far as Port Henderson, Melhado undertaking 
 the arrangements for the short voyage. And thus the 
 evening wore away. There was no music. Violet 
 could with difficulty maintain her self-possession after 
 the events of the day ; and she excused herself from 
 singing, and retired immediately after tea. 
 
 Poor girl ! it had been a cruel evening for her. Not 
 till she retired at night had she an opportunity of 
 collecting her thoughts, and balancing the reliefs and 
 anxieties of which this day had been the parent. But 
 reason would not, could not, now measure the gain 
 and loss ; for, welling up through the tangled doubts 
 and cares, came one fresh and thrilling consciousness, 
 beside which no meaner idea might gain attention. 
 Arthur loved her ; and who should set a price upon 
 Arthur's love ! Not that Yiolet had been ignorant or 
 doubtful of his affection ; but now it was hers, not by 
 implication or inference told with his own lips, yea, 
 poured from his heart of heart. And the murmurs 
 still lingered in her ear, and evermore came again the 
 blessed words, like the echoes of a spirit's song, hold- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 101 
 
 ing her mind entranced, and charming away farther 
 and still farther all other sound. The cares were 
 there she knew it : outside the magic circle, fierce 
 and eager, there they waited, sure to have their hour ; 
 but that hour could not be now. And so it was that 
 Violet, happy suddenly, but happy without stint, 
 cast trouble afar ; and, even with the consciousness 
 that Melhado, to whom she stood in such unmeet rela- 
 tion, lay under the same roof, felt only the new-born 
 joy. We have stolen in through the warm spangled 
 tropic night to catch but one glimpse of this trance 
 ere it is gone. Soon perhaps to-morrow cross 
 chance may resume its sway, for we know the diffi- 
 culties that impend. Let us linger, then, but a 
 moment with bliss and Violet, and then, leaving 
 with a sigh the fair and happy girl, let us hasten 
 to another part of the house, and a far less pleasing 
 scene. 
 
 Mr Arabin, before seeking his bed-chamber, usually 
 retired to his dressing-room to meditate and grow 
 cool, in addition to which processes he smoked a 
 cigar and sipped a pleasant mixture of gin and cocoa- 
 nut milk. If his mind chanced to be discomposed, 
 this treatment soothed it ; if it were pleased or jocund, 
 the treatment enhanced his satisfaction. To-night he 
 blew a mighty cloud, indicative of the calm joy which 
 possessed him as he thought how his schemes drew 
 
102 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 towards their consummation, and how they looked 
 brighter as their day approached. In the lightest of 
 wrappers, stretched at length near the open casement, 
 his mind looked forth into the fancied future, which, 
 like the starry night, seemed only the more soft and 
 lovely for its dimness. Wealth and consideration, 
 power even, for him and his, promised to abound 
 while his energies should last ; and when, tired and 
 satiated, the old man should court repose, there would 
 be the luxurious retirement, the life in others, and 
 the honoured age. And this prospect of good was 
 of his own creating. Let your weak or lazy noodles 
 excuse their unreadiness and incapacity by prating 
 of a patience in well-doing, and a humble trust for 
 the event. Men of energy and sense carved out their 
 own fortune, ha ! ha ! And Christy waxed presump- 
 tuous, and blew out long arrogant placid wreaths, and 
 said in his heart, Tush ! And while yet the vision 
 tarried, came a low nervous knock at his door, and 
 the dreamer said, " Who the devil are you ? what do 
 you want ? come in and be d to you." 
 
 The handle turned gently, and with hesitating gait 
 Mrs Arabih entered the apartment. 
 
 " Hollo, Susan ! why what who could have 
 thought of it being you ? Nothing the matter, eh ? " 
 said Christy, much disturbed by the apparition. 
 
 " Nothing the matter, Mr Arabin nothing," fal- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 103 
 
 tered the lady ; " only I thought I should like that 
 is, if you are at leisure I thought I might " 
 
 ME A. " Ah, well, Susan, perhaps 'tis just as well 
 you came in. Take a seat, my dear. I've something 
 pleasant to tell you." 
 
 MBS A. " Indeed, Mr Arabin, Fm glad to hear 
 that very glad ; but I hope it isn't that youVe been 
 setting down the poor bishop again. You do give 
 such keen and sarcastic replies that his feelings 
 mightn't bear it, and then " 
 
 MR A. (conscious of much greatness of mind). 
 " Never fear, Susan ; all is right there. To be sure, 
 I let him go on to-day till I thought I should have 
 burst. I knew exactly, too, where to hit him, but I 
 held in. No, it's all right in that quarter. What I 
 wanted to tell you is nothing concerning the council ; 
 it's about Manuel. What do you think, now? he's 
 got a mortgage on the Nutmeg. 'Twill surely be his 
 own as well as the Cinnamon. What d'ye think of 
 that?" 
 
 MRS A. "Indeed, Mr Arabin, 'twill be a grand 
 thing, no doubt. But I was thinking " 
 
 ME A. " Well, what were you thinking, my dear, 
 eh?" 
 
 MRS A. "I was thinking, you know, whether, 
 with all this prospect of wealth and grandeur, we can 
 feel confident that our poor girl will be quite quite 
 
104 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 happy, you know ! " (Mr Arabin wouldn't allow his 
 own heart to hint at such an idea as this on any con- 
 sideration, and now here was his silly wife blurting 
 it forth as if it were the most ordinary remark. Flesh 
 and blood couldn't bear it.) 
 
 ME A. " Happy, ma'am ? Why, what the de , 
 
 what nonsense has got into your head ! Of course 
 they'll be happy. The bishop's to say the blessing, 
 remember, and think of the noise the marriage will 
 make. Happy I believe you ! " 
 
 MRS A. " Ah, the bishop and the fine doings are 
 all very pleasant ; but if she if our Violet should 
 should ever regret ever find that her lot is not so 
 enviable as it has been pictured, we should never 
 never " 
 
 MR A. " Bless my soul, ma'am, what is all this 
 humbug? You can't be well. Some silly fancies 
 have got hold of you : go to bed, now, and get some 
 rest. Your nervousness will be gone by the morn- 
 ing." 
 
 MRS A. (a little more firmly). " 'Tisn't any fancy, 
 
 Mr Arabin. I want to speak seriously to you before 
 
 it is too late. Think of how Violet has been brought 
 
 up, and how gentle she is. I cannot feel satisfied of 
 
 this young man's principles and disposition/' 
 
 MR A. " You can't, ma'am, eh ! Upon my word ! " 
 
 MRS A " No, I can't, Mr Arabin. Violet is your 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 105 
 
 daughter, as well as mine, and we ought you know 
 we ought " 
 
 ME A. "To behave like two confounded fools, 
 eh, and make ourselves the laughing-stock of the 
 island ? After securing the best match that has been 
 heard of since Miss Molasses married the governor's 
 second son, to lose all by our own timidity and 
 foUy ! " 
 
 MRS A. " You don't understand me, Mr Arabin. 
 I wish to talk over these matters with you. If every- 
 thing is right, we shall do no harm by discussion ; 
 and if anything requires our attention, now is the 
 time." 
 
 MR A. (who thinks that, after all, this may pro- 
 ceed from some mere whim or misconception). " Go 
 on, ma'am ; let's hear." 
 
 MRS A. " First, then, I doubt whether our dear 
 Violet's heart assents to this marriage at all." 
 
 MR A. " Pooh ! since when have you doubted ? " 
 
 MRS A. "Since very recently." 
 
 MR A. " What's next ? " 
 
 MRS A. " Coupled with my former suspicion, I 
 think it very questionable whether Manuel can make 
 her happy whether his nature is at all suited to 
 hers." 
 
 MR A. " Anything else ? " 
 
 MRS A. " There seems so much to object to, once 
 
106 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 one begins to think. His mother now I never 
 could bj3ar her." 
 
 ME A. " By Jove, ma'am, she's a clever woman 
 a right clever woman. I only wish that some 
 others I know were like her that is, that they were 
 half as wise." 
 
 MES A. " Well, I'm not questioning her abili- 
 ties, Mr Arabin ; but don't you think now that, all 
 these things considered, the marriage might be at 
 least postponed for a little ? " 
 
 ME A. "Postponed, ma'am! Fire and fury! 
 what's this you say? Postponed! why, you rave. 
 Some of the Obeah people have bewitched you. I 
 must send for Granny Mp to disenchant you." 
 
 MES A. "A mother doesn't need witchcraft to 
 make her anxious for the welfare of her child." 
 
 ME A. (mocking). "Anxious for the welfare of 
 her child ! Why, you're a sillier fool than I thought 
 you were, and that's saying a great deal/' 
 
 MES A. "Oh dear, Mr Arabin! how can you ?" 
 
 ME A. "Let's have no more of this nonsense. 
 Go to bed, and never speak to me on the subject 
 again, unless you've something pleasanter to say/' 
 
 MES A." Mr Arabin ! " 
 
 ME A. " You idiotic fool, will you go to bed \ " 
 
 MES A " You will be sorry " 
 
 ME A. " The devil take you, will you go, eh ? I 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 107 
 
 can stand baiting or begging or arguing as well as 
 my neighbours, but when a cursed fool begins twad- 
 dling, I own I can't control myself. That's right, be 
 off before I say something to be sorry for." 
 
 The last words were uttered as he let Mrs Arabin 
 through the door, and closed it behind her. Mrs 
 Arabin, as she passed to her own apartment, pre- 
 sented a figure unlike her former self at any epoch. 
 Her step was firm, her hands were clenched, her head 
 was thrown back, with the nostrils wide open, the 
 eyes glittering, and the lips compressed, while at 
 intervals it moved suddenly to and from the right 
 shoulder. The mother's and woman's blood was up. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE officers' quarters in Up Park Camp are in two 
 wings, each wing consisting of two pavilions or 
 ranges, with a mess-room dividing them. 
 
 A young officer walked out of his bedroom into 
 the verandah of the eastern pavilion about eight 
 o'clock in the morning after Brune's visit to Crystal 
 Mount. He was slight and well grown, with hand- 
 some features ; but his eyes were sunken, his com- 
 plexion was sallow, and his forehead showed lines 
 which his years did not warrant. He paced with a 
 varying step the portion of the gallery in front of his 
 apartments, occasionally making a sudden stop, and 
 peering through the jalousies with corrugated brow, 
 as if in anxious observation. Suddenly he called, 
 " Sampson ! " whereupon a little bandy-legged negro, 
 with a squeaking voice, came waddling out of the 
 room next to that from whence the officer had 
 issued. 
 
 " Breakfast immediately ! " said the latter, sharply. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 109 
 
 " Massa, de inilk no come," piped Sampson ; " dat 
 Miss Asher gal reelly too bad ! " 
 
 " Milk not come ! " repeated the master ; " then 
 why the devil isn't it come, eh ? I've no doubt 'tis 
 some negligence of your own. Bring it immediately, 
 or 111 " 
 
 Sampson fled from the menacing hand and angry 
 countenance as a Philistine would have shunned his 
 unshorn namesake. 
 
 " Sampson," called the young man, mildly, "let 
 me have breakfast as soon as the milk comes. I'm 
 not angry ; I daresay the goats are wild this morn- 
 ing. Tut ! " he went on as soon as Sampson had dis- 
 appeared, " what on earth makes me so irritable with 
 this wretched devil, and with everybody ! " 
 
 " Ah, Lorton, my boy, how's yourself ? Monstrous 
 hot, eh ? I've just ridden down from Crystal Mount, 
 and I took you in my way ; for hang me if I could 
 go on to Kingston now, or eat any breakfast if I got 
 there ! " 
 
 The above was the salutation of our young friend 
 Melhado, who had passed the retreating Sampson on 
 the stair, and come hastily on to the verandah. He 
 was excessively hot and moist, but looked very well. 
 
 " Good morning, Melhado ! " replied Lorton, with 
 rather more reserve of manner than the other. " You 
 must be in league with Miss Asher and the goats. 
 
no CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 But for them I should have breakfasted, whereas 
 they have managed the meal so as to be just in time 
 for you." 
 
 " Devilish lucky that ! Then I'll be ready in a 
 jiffy, if you'll just let me wash my hands. I'm too 
 hot to get into the bath, or I should enjoy a plunge. 
 Suppose you've been in already ? " 
 
 " I have," Lorton said, " and I think I must have 
 remained in too long, for I have a little shivering 
 and headache." 
 
 " Breakfast's the thing for that, my buck," said the 
 free-and-easy visitor as he retired into Lorton' s bed- 
 room to perform the desired ablution : " you get up 
 the grub, and I'll be with you sharp." 
 
 That chapter of the natural history of young Eng- 
 lishmen which treats of their habits in the mother 
 country is so thoroughly understood, that it would 
 be an impertinence in us to detail the food consumed 
 at a home breakfast ; but the modifications produced 
 by migration to Jamaica may be a subject of interest 
 to the curious reader. 
 
 First, then, Sampson brought in a dish of flying- 
 fish lately caught a real treat, we assure you ; then ' 
 came ortolans or butter-birds, a dainty procurable 
 only at certain seasons. Eoasted plantains, and 
 yampees browned and buttered, served as accompani- 
 ments to the hot dishes ; while avocado (vulgarly, 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. in 
 
 alligator) pears might either be eaten with the cold 
 ham, or, discussed alone, might cool delightfully the 
 palate. Fruit or vegetable, which shall we call them? 
 Flavoured with lime-juice and sugar, they claim the 
 former name ; but at breakfast pepper and salt must 
 be the dressing, and vegetable the denomination. 
 Delicious they are ; and so dearly do we hold the 
 memory of them, that if it were possible in this frigid 
 land to place before us one of them fresh from the 
 tree, we feel that neither our dignity as the writer of 
 this interesting narrative, nor a restriction as to green 
 esculents which has come upon us with advancing 
 years, could for an instant restrain our eager assault. 
 Sanitary considerations scattered to the winds, and 
 this our grey goose quill trampled under foot, we 
 would renew our accustomed delight, scrupulously 
 bisecting the treasure, then extracting its hard heart, 
 seasoning with salt and pepper the hemispherical 
 cavities where lay that stony inmate, and then scoop- 
 ing out and enjoying the grateful pulp as it should 
 melt like cream on the palate, till the well-scraped 
 rind alone should remain in memory of the too- 
 quickly-fleeted delight. Subalterns' butter ! yes, that 
 was the familiar name we gave them in days when 
 fresh butter was a thing unknown in Jamaica, and 
 when that which was by courtesy called salt butter 
 should have been spurned with opprobrium as rancid 
 
112 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 oil ! Bread, plain and toasted, was on the table to 
 fill crevices, and wild fragrant honey and guava jelly 
 to eat therewith. On the farther end, to be brought 
 into action at the end of the meal, were bottles of 
 claret and brandy, with dishes of mangoes and 
 oranges, and a huge pink shaddock, whose rind had 
 been cut by the ingenious Sampson into arabesque 
 forms ; coffee is generally taken immediately on rising, 
 therefore tea alone may be looked for at breakfast. 
 
 "'Tis plain you have had no ride this morning, 
 Lorton," said Melhado, attacking his second pigeon ; 
 "never saw a pecker so lamentably down: four 
 lumps, please : never do out here not to eat, you 
 know : sure to end in toes upwards, march in Saul, 
 and that kind of thing." 
 
 Lorton shuddered. " I'm certainly off my feed," 
 he said ; " must keep quiet, and avoid the sun for a 
 day or two. You appear as brisk and hearty as a 
 bridegroom ought to be. Is it true that the happy 
 day is fixed ? " 
 
 " No doubt of it, my boy. I shall be turned off in 
 less than a fortnight. Eather pleasant, isn't it, to 
 find all right, after the fears and anxieties of court- 
 ship ? Yes, by Jove, all settled. Before long I hope 
 to see you congratulate Mrs Melhado. She doesn't 
 know how much we owe to you for our happiness, 
 but I'll take care she shall." 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 113 
 
 " Owes me ! " repeated Lorton, with an inquiring 
 stare. 
 
 " Certainly ; but for the timely information you 
 furnished concerning that fellow Brune, I daresay I 
 might have had some trouble and delay, though I 
 should probably have won her at last/' answered Mel- 
 hado, modestly. 
 
 Lorton coloured. "You will be good enough to 
 remember," he said, " that I simply showed you pas- 
 sages from my cousin's letters, which were not very 
 clear as regarded Brune, and that I in nowise vouched 
 for the truth of what was reported/' 
 
 " Oh, of course not," replied Melhado, with a wink 
 which made the young officer's colour rise still higher. 
 " I'm not the man to compromise a friend." 
 
 I" Ah ! " uttered Lorton, with disgust. 
 " Devilish fortunate that we managed as we did, and 
 got him to haul quietly off. I thought at one time 
 I should have been obliged to warn him off the pre- 
 mises, but you see he had the sense to go, like a well- 
 bred dog ! " This was said with a swagger. 
 
 " You seem to have received an erroneous impres- 
 sion concerning Brune's disposition," said Lorton. 
 11 1 have no doubt he will be anxious to correct it, 
 if it reaches his ears." 
 
 "Why, how! what the devil!" asked Melhado, 
 looking up astonished, with an ortolan poised on his 
 
 H 
 
114 
 
 fork, for which his jaws had already opened when 
 Lorton's remark arrested the intended bite, and 
 caused the fountains of expectation to regurgitate 
 coldly on his system. ..." Deuce take it ! I 
 thought you hated the fellow as much as I do ! " 
 
 " I thought you hinted at having scared Mr Brune. 
 There are few men that could do that ; and if he 
 should hear that you suppose yourself to be one 
 of them, I think he would bring that question to a 
 speedy issue, that's all." 
 
 Melhado looked very pale ; it is doubtful whether 
 he could have swallowed the ortolan if he had tried. 
 " You don't mean," said he, " that you intend to re- 
 peat what I have said in all the unsuspecting con- 
 fidence of friendship ? " 
 
 "I mean nothing of the sort, certainly," Lorton 
 answered, with a sneer. " You surprised me by the 
 tone in which you spoke of your rival's secession 
 from the field. "Now finish your breakfast ; there 
 are some hot ortolans." 
 
 "Well, I'll be hanged," said Melhado, his colour 
 creeping back, " I didn't certainly expect a word on 
 Brune's side from you. If there was a fellow I could 
 have counted on to cross him through thick and 
 thin, you were the man." 
 
 " Brune is a man that I cannot like ; so far you 
 are right. It has happened that, in the pursuance 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 115 
 
 of what I considered a just and friendly line of con- 
 duct to you, I have been obliged to thwart his plans. 
 Possibly," added the young man, with some emotion 
 " possibly personal dislike may have prompted me 
 more than I was aware of. If so, I shall extremely 
 regret it. But do not fancy that I am his unscrupu- 
 lous enemy. God help me ! why do I allow revenge- 
 ful feelings to sway me at all ?" 
 
 Mr Melhado was not given to moral speculation, 
 neither did he associate much with persons that were 
 so addicted. He stared for a moment at Lorton, but 
 finding that occupation unprofitable, and being quite 
 unequal to a reply, he ate the ortolan, to which act 
 he was by this time perfectly competent. Then, 
 seeing his companion still silent and pensive, he 
 began to feel an awe that it was necessary to dispel. 
 Accordingly, after adroitly brushing out the hiatus 
 by choking himself with his tea, and spluttering and 
 swearing himself up to a proper equanimity, he said, 
 carelessly 
 
 " Never told you, now, what brought me here this 
 morning. Fellows begin talking of all sorts of non- 
 sense, and forget business. Mustn't do that. Now 
 I say, Lorton, will you, like a good fellow, let one 
 of your Africans go up to the Cinnamon and take 
 charge of a pair of dogs that I am sending to Jenkins 
 the book-keeper? I promised Mr Arabin to send 
 
116 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 them there for a little while, to let loose in case of 
 the Obeah nocturnal meetings not being discon- 
 tinued. The Creole negroes are so confoundedly 
 afraid of dogs that I should expect them to let these 
 go if they should be at all unruly, notwithstanding 
 their muzzles." 
 
 " You shall have an African certainly," said Lor- 
 ton ; " but your fellow must show him the way up. 
 Do you mean that these are bloodhounds ? " 
 
 " Yes, and beauties too the scent of an eagle, and 
 savage as the devil. You never saw such darling 
 dogs. Old Orritt, one of my skippers, brought 'em 
 from Cuba. They really are treasures. Cursed if 
 I don't believe they would eat a nigger up in royal 
 style like lions. Oh, they're regular pets ! Precious 
 few people, you may depend, that I would part with 
 'em for ; but Arabin, of course, is privileged, and 
 we've got a careful book-keeper, who knows when 
 it's necessary to let 'em loose." 
 
 " You'll be killing some of the people with these 
 ferocious brutes," Lorton said ; " surely some other 
 means can be found of keeping the Obeah people 
 quiet, if they make themselves troublesome ?" 
 
 " Troublesome ! hang 'em, they're the pests of the 
 country ; and, between ourselves, 'twouldn't be a 
 bad thing if the dogs did make free with a little of 
 their carrion. But never fear. Whatever I may 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 117 
 
 wish, I shan't do anything to compromise myself 
 or anybody else. Jenkins the book-keeper is as 
 safe as a parson. I'll just take a claret cup, and 
 then be off to Kingston, where I'll look up Master 
 Domingo, who always loiters, and send him on here 
 with the dogs : you can then hand them to a steady 
 African to lead, and Domingo will show the way/' 
 Then tossing off his draught, which made his skin 
 look as if he had just stepped out of a shower-bath, 
 he treated Lorton's hand to a warm clammy shake, 
 and relieved him of his presence. 
 
 The negro of whom Melhado was in quest was 
 not unjustly accused of a disposition to loiter. He 
 had been sent forward at once, while his master 
 halted in camp, to ask for the dogs, and bring them 
 back thither immediately, Melhado's house being 
 only about a mile or a mile and a half from the 
 military post. But Domingo construed the word 
 immediately according to a glossary of his own, and 
 found it to be accurately rendered by a periphrasis 
 to the following effect " After having transacted all 
 your own business, attended to all your own pleasure, 
 and lounged and gossiped and loitered till you are 
 tired, and the service required of you becomes quite 
 a relief." He had a dozen friends to visit on all 
 imaginable errands. He sold a paroquet, brought 
 down from the mountains in some mysterious man- 
 
118 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 ner ; for he had no cage, and had been required to 
 use his hands in his master's service. He made 
 inquiries concerning the health of a young woman, 
 whose mother he comforted, on taking his leave, by 
 remarking, " Him will die ; I sure of it ! " He 
 looked in at the court-house, and heard various 
 offenders sentenced by the magistrates ; then he in- 
 dulged in a bottle of spruce beer, and stole off the 
 stall a cigar, which he lighted on turning the next 
 corner, begging a " fire-tick " for that purpose from 
 a most unamiable old lady of some ninety or a 
 hundred years, whom he addressed as " Granny." 
 Furnished with this mark of caste, he got up a 
 swagger, cocked his hat, and assumed the air of a 
 man of fashion. That the reader may conceive how 
 admirably he looked the character, we mention that 
 his hat was of the coarsest straw, guiltless of a 
 crown, girt with only half a rim, and not clean ; his 
 shirt was striped with pink, gorgeously wrought on 
 the bosom, and in holes all over ; his trousers, like- 
 wise considerably disintegrated, were of Osnaburg. 
 This if we take no account of dirt completed his 
 costume, with which he himself appeared to be well 
 pleased. He stopped at last by a small newly- 
 painted house with a cool green verandah, and hav- 
 ing first settled his hat into its original unpretending 
 fashion, and then put out the cigar, and stuck the 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 1]9 
 
 unconsumed portion beliind his ear as a clerk sticks 
 his pen, he walked into the yard and bowed politely 
 to a domestic who was rubbing a bridle-bit in a mild 
 manner, which did not seem inimical to the rust, 
 and said courteously, " Marnin', sar ; how you do \ " 
 Whereupon the gentleman who mildly rubbed the 
 bit executed an elaborate courtesy, containing some 
 passages of inexpressible sweetness and dignity, and 
 replied, " Quite well, sar ; tank you, sar." 
 
 Domingo then remarked, " Tt not so hot dis mar- 
 nin', sar ; " and the other gentleman replied, " Me 
 doan't feel de cold, sar ; me is berry robuss. I 'fraid 
 you is not well, sar ; you look leetle pale." 
 
 " I is not sick, sar, but I is delicate ; dat make me 
 look fair. You is robuss for true, sar ; your cheeks 
 like rose-bud," responded Domingo. 
 
 The complexions of the interlocutors both resem- 
 bled a pair of boots that had been worn for a day, 
 dirt included. 
 
 "Is Massa Grant at home, sar?" at length in- 
 quired Domingo. 
 
 " Him is in de tuddy, sar, making sarmint : you 
 wish to see him ? " 
 
 " If you will hab de goodness to say I call on him, 
 sar, I shall be obleege/' Domingo said. 
 
 " Perhapsin, sar, you will take a seat upon de cask 
 while I axes," said this courteous negro ; and then, 
 
120 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 depositing with great gentleness the bit on the ground, 
 he retired very leisurely towards the house, but had 
 no sooner reached the back verandah than he turned 
 again to request the visitor not to sit too heavy on 
 the cask, as " de top loose, and window-glass inside." 
 
 After a second expedition, he conducted Domingo 
 into the presence of a rather young gentleman in 
 clerical costume, except his coat, which had been 
 replaced by a white jacket. The clergyman sat at a 
 writing-table, with a manuscript before him. He had 
 a bright eye and a benevolent countenance, with an 
 expression of complacency rather than of power. The 
 Eev. Mr Grant belonged to the Church of England. 
 He firmly believed that he was a man calculated to 
 do an immense amount of good to both negroes and 
 planters ; nay, that he had already effected great im- 
 provement. The influence of dissenters, which was 
 at the time paramount in the island, he had deter- 
 mined to supersede. Confidence and hard work will 
 go a long way towards the achievement of most de- 
 signs ; and, so far as these sufficed, Mr Grant accom- 
 plished the object of his mission. He looked up with 
 a pleasant patronising smile as Domingo entered. 
 
 " Well, Brutus no, Domingo yes, to be sure, 
 Domingo well, Domingo, how d'ye ? Calisto is 
 quite well, I hope ? " 
 
 "Him is too well, sar," said Domingo, trying to 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 121 
 
 spin his hat upon his hand, but unable to maintain 
 rotation on account of the heavy rim being on one 
 side only. 
 
 " Too well ! ha, ha ! curious expression that," said 
 Mr Grant, rubbing his hands " not a common corn- 
 plaint. You mean, in excellent health, eh ? " 
 
 " I mean, sar, dat him is too well : no chance for 
 him fall sick and die." 
 
 " Oh, shocking ! shocking ! " said the clergyman ; 
 " you are joking, surely. Married men mustn't talk 
 that way. You're a Christian now, you know, and 
 must love everybody, your wife especially." 
 
 " Massa," said Domingo, grasping the hat tightly, 
 and looking up with an air of determination, " ever 
 since you make me marry him, me hab no peace wid 
 him. Him temper dreadful, him canduck vile ; him 
 is altogether wortless." 
 
 " Oh, my good man, this will never do, you know ! 
 There will be little misunderstandings, perhaps, be- 
 tween man and wife, in spite of all that can be done ; 
 but I'm sure Calisto does not deserve the character 
 you give her. She will make you a good wife, de- 
 pend on it. You must have patience, you know." 
 
 " So me hab, massa. Me mash him head tree or 
 four time, but he no better. I come now to beg you, 
 sar, to unmarry we, and take him back, becausin me 
 can't tand him no longer." 
 
122 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Hah ! there, you see ! you've been fighting. 
 That's not the way, you know. You must learn to 
 bear with one another. I daresay Calisto would say 
 the blame was not all on her side." 
 
 "Him wicious as de debil, sar; you must take him 
 back." 
 
 " Impossible," said Mr Grant, smiling. " You 
 know, I thoroughly explained to you that the con- 
 tract was for life. You took her for better or worse." 
 
 " Yes, sar yes, Massa Grant, I quite 'greeable for 
 dat, sar ; but dis one all wuss and no better." 
 
 "Not at all not at all/' said the clergyman; "you 
 are impatient, and both your tempers want control- 
 ling. You are far too apt so we are all to com- 
 plain of your little troubles ; but you take no account 
 of the blessings you possess." 
 
 " Blessin', massa ! what blessin' we got, poor negers, 
 eh?" 
 
 " Why, you ought to be ashamed to ask the ques- 
 tion, Domingo. What blessings ! have you not an 
 Established Church and faithful ministers ? Don't 
 you live under liberal laws and institutions ? " 
 
 During this last remark Domingo inclined his head 
 to one side as a parrot does when listening. He did 
 not appear convinced indeed, he did not clearly 
 comprehend the meaning but he replied 
 
 " Iss, massa." 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. ]23 
 
 " Very well, then," said Mr Grant, " reflect on these 
 things, and let the thought make you patient and for- 
 bearing. Bring Calisto down next Sunday, and let me 
 speak to you both. There's a tenpence to buy some- 
 thing to carry home with you. Now, good morning, 
 and no more righting." 
 
 Domingo drew his bare foot along the floor in ac- 
 knowledgment of the sixpence,* and still stood awk- 
 wardly, as if further disposed to show cause why his 
 nuptial contract was not binding ; but the minister's 
 head was bent down, and his pen was running over 
 the paper, so that the baffled husband, after balanc- 
 ing himself from leg to leg, and making a last effort 
 to spin the eccentric hat, had nothing for it but to 
 ejaculate " Cha ! " and make a lingering retreat. As 
 he came out he saw his friend still polishing the bit, 
 at which occupation he probably continued till night- 
 fall, when he sought the repose earned by such a hard 
 day's work. Having exchanged parting compliments 
 with this conscientious domestic, Domingo emerged 
 from Mr Grant's premises, and encountered a negro 
 funeral on its way to the burial-ground. Such a pro- 
 cession could, we believe, be seen nowhere but in the 
 streets of Kingston. The body, which was that of 
 some grown person, was rapidly borne or rather 
 swung along by eight or ten people of both sexes, 
 
 * Tenpence currency equal sixpence English. 
 
124 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 scrambling on either side of it without the slightest 
 order or decency, and followed by a mixed crowd, 
 attired in rags of all colours, and covered with dirt. 
 Some were shouting, some quarrelling, some eating 
 mangoes. Whether a hope arose in Domingo's mind 
 that he might some day be carried to his long home 
 with similar marks of respect and sorrow cannot be 
 determined ; but his interest was sufficiently aroused 
 to make him ask of one of the chief mourners, " Hei, 
 whodis?" 
 
 " It old Cicero Bunk, for me dam ol' fader, Massa 
 Domingo," replied the mourner, who was a female. 
 " Him walk off dis morning at las ; tought him never 
 would a dead, de old wortless ! " 
 
 " Is dat de way you peak of your 'ceased parient, 
 
 you ?" chimed in another mourner, when the 
 
 voice was drowned by a terrific volley of abuse. A 
 female bearer had descried in the street some person 
 with whom she was at enmity, whereupon she dropped 
 her hold of the coffin, which was carried on, and halted 
 to revile her foe. The latter was overcrowed in the 
 first encounter, and could make no adequate resist- 
 ance, it was plain, from the beginning. But this 
 circumstance suggested no generous forbearance to 
 the assailant, who lavished epithets of scornful 
 abuse from an inexhaustible vocabulary, and made 
 the streets ring with her screams and violence. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 125 
 
 Five times did she allow her wrath to subside 
 into low mutterings, after spitting and otherwise 
 decorously intimating that contempt had overmas- 
 tered every stronger feeling; and five times did 
 she turn back from the track of the funeral, forced 
 by the welling eloquence within to renew the attack. 
 The extravagance of her gestures was unbounded, 
 and the play of her countenance might have sug- 
 gested bosses for a Gothic masterpiece, or humbled 
 the pride of nightmares. Frequently, feeling un- 
 able to give expression to her rage, she flung her- 
 self prostrate in the street ; then, springing up again 
 with a stone in each hand, she clashed them toge- 
 ther like cymbals to intensify her railing. Although 
 the quarrels of shrews in general are far too ordinary 
 occurrences to excite any remark, the achievement 
 of this professor was too grand to be treated with 
 indifference. A crowd collected to admire the gifted 
 negress inferior scolds attentive to catch an idea, 
 and ineloquent timid females fascinated by terror; 
 while the male audience the married ones less 
 successfully than the rest affected the nonchalance 
 of connoisseurs. Domingo, among the crowd, ob- 
 served the proceedings with a smile, thinking pro- 
 bably that Calisto, with all her faults, had not 
 reached the limits of feminine attainment, when the 
 smart touch of a whip made him look round and 
 
126 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 behold his "massa," who, in impatient accents, de- 
 manded what he was doing there, and why he had 
 not gone up with the dogs. 
 
 " Massa know," pleaded Domingo, by way of 
 apology, "dat me hab de tootache moast terrible 
 bad ; nebber sleep dese tree night. How me is to 
 carry up dese sabage dogs, den, except me go down 
 to Granny Sally and get him charmed ?" 
 
 But massa knew nothing of the kind ; on the con- 
 trary, massa knew full well that the toothache was 
 a lie invented for the occasion, whereupon Melhado, 
 administering another cut of the whip and some 
 unrepeatable language, commanded the truant to 
 follow him home. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 LIEUTENANT LORTON, the young officer who had 
 entertained Mr Melhado at breakfast, wandered be- 
 tween his room and the verandah before it, awaiting 
 Domingo's return with the dogs, that he might de- 
 spatch an African to lead them up as he had pro- 
 mised. As might be expected, the Creole negro is 
 of very different character from the native African, 
 from whom he springs. He possesses a slight, a 
 very slight, advantage in point of skill and intelli- 
 gence, but morally he is, we grieve to say, by far 
 inferior. The natives who appear in our colonies 
 now, chiefly when rescued from the slave-ships of 
 other nations, and many of whom take service in 
 our black corps, are patterns of gentleness, docility, 
 honesty, candour, and good faith. For heathens and 
 savages this is high praise ; and to the white man, 
 by whose society the Creole negro has become what 
 he is, it is a fearful reproach. Of course the Africans, 
 being steeped in ignorance, have ideas and customs 
 
328 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCE/S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 which may well make a Christian shudder. Among 
 their failings is a disposition to suicide, which they 
 sometimes indulge with great wantonness. A young 
 man, known to have been cheerful and active, has 
 suddenly destroyed himself by musket -shot, first 
 putting on every article of clothing that he could 
 wear at a time for instance, two shirts, two suits 
 of clothes, and a greatcoat ; then quietly laying him- 
 self at length on the floor or ground, placing the 
 muzzle under his chin, and pressing the trigger with 
 his toe. On the other hand, to characterise the 
 Creole negro is to make a list of all vices, one 
 perhaps excepted namely, drunkenness. He is 
 but feebly alive to the delights of ebriety ; and 
 though some advanced minds, like Chitty's, felt a 
 dim appreciation of the alcoholic ecstasis, they but 
 wandered about the outskirts of a great verity, and 
 ignorantly worshipped that which was declared to 
 only the favoured whites. It will be understood, 
 from the above remarks, why, in the charge of 
 valuable property, a native African could be much 
 preferred to a Creole black. And there is another 
 reason why the Creole is hardly fit to be intrusted 
 with dogs particularly with savage dogs. In the 
 history of the Maroon wars we read that blood- 
 hounds were used to hunt the brigands who skulked 
 in the forests ; and probably the use of dogs was 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCR'S CHAMPAGNE. 129 
 
 not confined to this period. Be that as it may, the 
 West Indian negro has an antipathy to, and horror 
 of, a dog, to which, when fresh from Africa, he is 
 insensible. Hence it was that Melhado desired to 
 have for escort of the dogs a man recently landed 
 from Africa. 
 
 Before we resume the thread of the story, it may 
 be proper to state how it happened that Lieutenant 
 Lorton had the services of an African at his dis- 
 posal. This young officer, with whom we made a 
 slight acquaintance during breakfast, was, to use 
 his own language, "one of the unluckiest devils 
 on God's earth." That is not precisely the way in 
 which we would have described him. We would 
 have preferred to say that he was a youth of supe- 
 rior abilities and attainments, but of a nervous tem- 
 perament; who sailed gloriously before the wind, 
 but to whom an adverse blast brought the phantom 
 of despair. He had been on the staff of a former 
 commander of the forces in Jamaica, and had been 
 noted at that time as gay, sporting, adventurous, 
 clever, and conceited. Far from considering him- 
 self then the victim of ill-fortune, he bore himself 
 as though fortune was his slave ; and without being 
 either bad-hearted or unscrupulously selfish, the tide 
 of success made him insolent and affected. Thus 
 he was almost disliked where many a worse man 
 
 I 
 
130 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 with a stronger head would have made himself 
 friends. He was, as has been said, good-looking; 
 he dressed well, danced well, rode flat races well, 
 and talked well accomplishments which were all 
 at a premium. At length there rose up amid all 
 this sunshine a little cloud of care, at first no bigger 
 than a man's hand, but which grew and grew, and 
 which was magnified in his mind far more than 
 it was in fact. His regiment was ordered home, 
 which made it necessary either that he should re- 
 turn with it, relinquishing his appointment on the 
 staff, or that he should effect an exchange into a 
 regiment in the island. He was very unwilling to 
 do either, but at length decided on the latter ; and, 
 as the affair required to be negotiated in haste, he 
 made his offer of exchange where it was sure to 
 be accepted namely, to a subaltern of a West 
 India regiment, a poor youth who, having made 
 up his mind to broil out his days in the tropics, 
 suddenly saw an opening for home service in a 
 white regiment, and darted at it with the frantic 
 delight of a hopeless prisoner who succeeds to afflu- 
 ence. To Lorton, who never saw his regiment, it 
 mattered little at present in what corps he served. 
 Thus he retained the run of the General's house, 
 and still enjoyed his share of gaiety and distinc- 
 tion. Scarcely, however, had this difficulty been 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTEUBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 131 
 
 smoothed, when the General was taken ill, and 
 obliged to return, on short notice, to England, and 
 give up his command. This was a terrible blow. 
 Lorton, who had but just lost the chance of going 
 home with his old regiment, found himself removed 
 from the staff, and literally compelled to do duty 
 with black troops. The sick General promised to 
 use his interest with his successor, but the latter 
 officer had friends of his own on whom he chose to 
 bestow his patronage. Lorton made large offers for 
 another exchange, but hitherto without success. He 
 contrived to get appointed to the command of a small 
 detachment of his corps which was quartered in Up 
 Park Camp to furnish postmen, orderlies, and so on, 
 and thus avoided joining at headquarters, which were 
 in another island. But the change to him was miser- 
 able. Those who had before been angry at his super- 
 cilious airs, failed not to make him feel the difference 
 in his position ; yet nothing that they could do equalled 
 the sense of disappointment and despair within him- 
 self. He was the most ill-used man in the world : 
 nobody before him had ever known what misfortune 
 was. He took his grief to heart, secluded himself, 
 and became bilious and hypochondriacal. Besides 
 mourning over his present troubles, he conjured up 
 all manner of possible ones, and said that nothing in 
 the shape of ill-luck would surprise him. All the 
 
132 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 world seemed to his jaundiced eye in a conspiracy 
 against him ; he became fretful and humorous, and 
 nothing but his good sense and superior education 
 gave him any support against his desponding tem- 
 perament. These did, however, operate advantage- 
 ously. He saw at length the absurdity of his woe, 
 and made efforts to disperse or control it. Again his 
 prepossessing figure was seen in ball-rooms, again he 
 yielded to the entreaties of those who hoped through 
 his light seat and cunning hand to see their horses win 
 cup or handicap, and to be themselves exalted to the 
 gods, the lords of the universe.* It was just at this 
 time, when his wounds were beginning to skin over, 
 that the Sophia Brown landed her interesting pas- 
 sengers, and that Arthur Brune began to receive 
 homage and to taste of celebrity. Lorton had not 
 simply to reoccupy his abandoned ground ; he had to 
 contend for it with a formidable rival a rival who, 
 instead of railing at Lady Fortune in set terms, was 
 not unlikely, after a rebuff or two, to lead the said 
 Fortune captive, as the brave and constant know how. 
 Brune, who could do a bit of everything, rode against 
 Lorton at Kingston races, and beat him. After all, 
 it was the horses and not the men who contended ; 
 nobody blamed Lorton because he rode a losing 
 horse ; on the contrary, he got great praise for the 
 * " Terraruin dominos eveliit ad Deos." HOKACE. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 133 
 
 place he took under the circumstances. But this by 
 no means satisfied him. Brune's general reputation 
 was a grievance at which he was exceeding wroth ; 
 and now that Brune had borne away the palm from 
 himself, his irritation knew no bounds. His temper 
 decided a competition which might have been other- 
 wise a very even one. Brune's hearty, hopeful disposi- 
 tion bore him through easily, while with poor soured 
 Lorton every failure produced many others. Just 
 when the mind of the latter was thus smarting with 
 the injuries received from Brune, from the world in 
 general, and from Fortune in particular, he first saw 
 Violet Arabin : for we have explained how he had 
 listlessly secluded himself, and refused to hear the 
 voice of those delights which formerly charmed him. 
 His taste at once appreciated all Violet's advantages 
 her fresh and peculiar beauty, her winning grace, 
 and the modern style of all her accomplishments. 
 Six months ago he would have been a forward 
 admirer possibly an ardent lover; but now there 
 was, in his dark mind, a great gulf fixed between 
 anything so passing fair as Violet and a being forsaken 
 of his tuetlary gods as he was* He saw in her not a 
 sweet object for his soul to doat on, but a crowning 
 glory for the lucky Brune ; for the humility which 
 shut out love had large capacity for envy. He de- 
 tested and despised this feeling, but he kept and 
 
134 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 nourished it. The pretensions of Melhado, which he 
 early detected, were a balm to his spirit. He at once 
 became the partisan of this underbred dealer a 
 fellow whom he had before distinguished with his 
 contempt and aversion. He accepted Melhado's 
 ready acquaintance, made him confess his passion, 
 and sustained and animated his hope. 
 
 That Providence to which men in ordinary parlance 
 give the name of coincidence or chance, ordained that 
 Lorton should receive from a female relative at Cork 
 some sheets of condolence, silly advice, and gossip 
 the last preponderating. The epistle contained a ram- 
 bling account of the scrapes and enormities of two 
 military heroes who had set all Cork by the ears. 
 Irish ambiguity and young lady's grammar made a 
 sad hash of personals and relatives, and conspired to 
 perplex the reader as to how the degrees of guilt or 
 glory were partitioned between Knox and Brune, for 
 they of course were the dramatis personce. There 
 had been dreadful trifling with a lady's heart, and 
 frightful gambling with the lady's brother ; then at 
 last a duel, in which one subaltern was principal and 
 the other second. Between them a noise had been 
 made in the world. Now Lorton wished sincerely, 
 spite of his better nature, that Brune might be prin- 
 cipally to blame throughout. He communicated his 
 intelligence to Melhado, who, without any delicacy, 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTER BUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 135 
 
 at once ascribed to Arthur the whole of the blame, 
 and communicated to Christy Arabin his own views 
 of the case as conclusive and authentic evidence. 
 Christy, more biassed, perhaps, than he knew of by 
 his wish to find an occasion against Brune, believed 
 implicitly the whole of the story ; and though he 
 could not suppress an admiration which he felt for 
 Brune personally, he congratulated himself on the 
 escape which he might yet make from a wild unprin- 
 cipled son-in-law, and on the broad and smooth way 
 which was now open to the overtures of Mrs Mel- 
 hado. The reader knows how this poison wrought, 
 and how it promised to wreck the happiness of 
 two individuals, and to gratify jealousy, avarice, and 
 presumption. 
 
 Now, then, let us return to Lorton, who, with a 
 throbbing head, and an aching back, and a flushed 
 and shivering frame, is lying on the sofa awaiting 
 Domingo's return. He had been upset by Melhado's 
 behaviour in the morning ; and reflection on Mel- 
 hado's contemptible character made him blush for 
 the intimacy which he had allowed to grow between 
 them. It was one of his depressed periods, when 
 better feelings generally gained the ascendant ; and 
 he saw in their own odious colours the ideas which he 
 had indulged, and the acts to which they led. This 
 remorse was much increased by information acquired 
 
136 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 from recent letters, which showed pretty plainly to 
 those not wilfully blind that the share of the trans- 
 actions at Cork, fairly attributable to Arthur Brune, 
 was but little to his discredit. It was plain that 
 more charity in the first instance would have pre- 
 vented a great wrong, which he had been instrumental 
 in producing, and which could not now be mended. 
 He felt that, if Brune were then present, he could 
 find relief in asking his forgiveness, and offering 
 amends ; but he knew, at the same time, from sad 
 experience, how a slight praise of Brune, or allusion 
 to his success, would recall all the dark passion, 
 and render him as ungenerous as before. Then the 
 thought of his own weakness and changing humour 
 came upon him as a curse. He felt the torture of 
 despair, and wept. Presently he heard Sampson's 
 step in the verandah, and summoned him. 
 
 " Sampson/' said he, " is that loitering rascal come 
 with the dogs yet ? " 
 
 " ~No come yet, massa," answered Sampson. 
 
 " Abominable brute ! " Lorton said. " Sampson, 
 tell Nero that I shall ride the black horse this after- 
 noon. I want the air, but Peregrine is too fresh." 
 
 " Yas, massa. Massa hab leetle feebar ? " 
 
 " I don't feet quite right," Lorton said ; " but 'tis 
 nothing, 'twill soon pass. You needn't stay." 
 
 " PYapsin if me was to make massa some nice 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 137 
 
 cool, cool sangree, it would sweet him ? " suggested 
 Sampson, lingering. 
 
 "What, you villain! you want more white wine, 
 do you ? Always one word for me, and two for your- 
 self. Cool drink, indeed ! I feel quite cold enough 
 already ; something warm would be more comfort- 
 able. Now go do you hear, sir ? go ! " the last 
 monosyllable almost a shriek. 
 
 Sampson escaped, and Lorton lay down again to 
 ponder and fret and be miserable. 
 
 In a few minutes he was disturbed by Sampson's 
 reappearance, and, starting up, was about to vent his 
 wrath, when he saw in the negro's hand a glass of 
 warm sangree, such as he had desired. This disarmed 
 his anger immediately. He sipped some of the grate- 
 ful beverage. " Sampson," he said, " I fear that I 
 am sometimes very unjust to you, eh ? You try my 
 temper so. This is very nice. Now, give me my 
 cloak, and I daresay this nervous shivering will soon 
 pass off. You may keep the rest of the bottle of 
 wine." 
 
 " Yes, massa, tank you, sar," answered Sampson, 
 in a tone which seemed to imply, " Thank you for 
 nothing," for it had never been Sampson's intention 
 to let any of the wine revert to his massa. 
 
 Lorton now attempted to compose himself, but was 
 almost immediately disturbed by the announcement 
 
138 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 of Domingo with the dogs. Spite of the languor of 
 his indisposition, he roused himself and went down- 
 stairs to look at the animals, of which he had heard 
 such lavish praises. They were splendid creatures 
 certainly, red in colour, and their skins hard and 
 thick. Every movement bespoke strength and agility. 
 Intelligent eyes, sharp noses, and cropped ears, .dis- 
 tinguished their countenances, but the heads grew 
 considerably wider towards the joints of the jaws. 
 The muzzles which they wore prevented their formid- 
 able teeth from being seen. Being fresh and well fed, 
 their natural ferocity was just now much abated, and 
 they twisted and gambolled and snuffed the fresh air 
 as kindly as pointers would have done. 
 
 " Dis one call Echo," said Domingo, pretending to 
 be quite at his ease with the beasts, " and dis one 
 Crackadile. Plendid brutes dem is. Hi, Crackadile, 
 poor feller, make me troke you ; " but as Crocodile, 
 who happened to be in a genial humour, offered to 
 return the caress, Domingo let go the chain of the 
 muzzled dog, and made a fugitive movement, which 
 quite justified the precaution of sending an African in 
 his company. 
 
 A black soldier now appeared, answering to the 
 name of Snowball Snooks,* into whose hands were 
 
 * These poor fellows are always enrolled under English names, 
 which are given to them by some of the white people of the regi- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 139 
 
 committed the dog-chains (which he secured to a 
 waistbelt of rope), and in whose society Domingo 
 proceeded home to the mountains. Lorton returned 
 to his quarters. The shivering passed off after taking 
 the sangree, but it was succeeded by a restless heat, 
 and his head and back were still painful. Before the 
 time came for his ride, he had sent for the doctor, 
 who ordered him some medicine, and recommended 
 him to go to bed instead of going abroad. 
 
 inents often by the sergeants. The appellations are quite arbi- 
 trary, and some of them are very absurd. Snowball Snooks is a very 
 mild example. We have known them to receive the names of the 
 officers of their own regiment ; but different fashions of nomencla- 
 ture prevailed at different periods. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 MEANWHILE Domingo and private Snowball Snooks 
 pursued their journey up the mountains. It is not 
 surprising that, under Domingo's guidance, their 
 course was somewhat erratic. Indeed, Domingo had 
 no intention of getting back before dusk, and he 
 would not have fixed that date for his return, but for 
 the knowledge that the book-keeper to whom he was 
 consigned took his supper and rum-and-water after 
 sunset, and was wont to growl savagely, and eke to 
 snap, if he dared, at those who disturbed him at his 
 meal. Snooks's English vocabulary extended to about 
 ten words, or, by a liberal estimate, to twenty ; the 
 verbal interchange of ideas between the travellers was 
 therefore very limited. Negroes, however, can achieve 
 a good deal of conversation by means of signs and 
 inarticulate sounds, and in this way a brisk and 
 interesting dialogue might have been sustained, but 
 for the African's lamentable taciturnity, which refused 
 to respond to the voice and gestures of the charmer. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. HI 
 
 Perceive them he did, and must ; and, blessings on 
 mother Nature! the very defect which is fatal to 
 colloquy forms the staple of a good listener. Snow- 
 ball was too polite and gentle not to appear to listen : 
 whether he attended, or whether his thoughts were 
 away by the banks of the far Bancaro, where 
 
 "Were his young barbarians all at play, 
 And there their Congo mother," 
 
 while he, their sire, rescued from a slaver, and dressed 
 in the uniform of his Britannic Majesty, was leading 
 bloodhounds up the Port Eoyal mountains, pestered 
 by a loquacious and lying nigger, who gave him not 
 a moment of repose. 
 
 Domingo, after a few prefatory questions and 
 observations, intended to test the power and quality 
 of the instrument on which he was about to perform, 
 took from behind his ear, where it had nestled delici- 
 ously ever since morning, the remnant of his stolen 
 cigar, and, with an air of crushing civilisation, tendered 
 it to the poor African, saying jauntily, at the same 
 time, " Ob course you smoke, sar ; you will find dis 
 de real habanna." 
 
 Snooks said, " No, no ; " and first puffing his 
 cheeks, and then making a grimace, he indicated that 
 the proffered dainty was not appreciated by him. 
 
 " Hah ! " went on Domingo, " I obserbe all time,* 
 
 * Always. 
 
142 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 de pribate soldier, both bukra and neger, smoke com- 
 mon pipe. Bery well. Me got nuttin' to say agin de 
 pipe, only cigars is more genteeler, and dem doesn't 
 poil de camplexian, and dem make you smell more 
 pleasanter." We deduce from the last remark, and 
 from our. knowledge of what he was when he confined 
 himself to cigars, that Domingo, after a yard of clay, 
 was unapproachable. 
 
 He now began to draw Snowball's attention to the 
 places and objects which they were passing, not by 
 any means as pointing out beauties of the earth or 
 skies, but associating each spot with something in- 
 teresting to his own perceptions. Pointing his finger 
 across a hollow of the mountain, the innermost 
 recess of which, in almost black shadow, cooled 
 you when you looked at it, and between whose open- 
 ing arms floated a mist which grew lighter as the 
 breadth increased, and which blushed with the hues 
 of paradise, while patches of white rock, rising above 
 and overshadowed by dark-green bamboos, showed an 
 impenetrable refuge from the blazing sun, he said 
 "You see dat estate down dere, sar? dat de trash- 
 house * jist ober de furdest bamboo. Well, sar, down 
 dere dem get one of de finest number 'leven trees in 
 de country." 
 
 * A shed to cover the trash or crushed canes which have passed 
 through the mill. lu some colonies the trash is called megasse. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 143 
 
 The species of mangoes are distinguished by num- 
 bers, and number eleven is by far the best. 
 
 Soon after Domingo cautioned his companion 
 against an estate which lay near their route, saying, 
 " It quite worthless : de busha " (overseer) " no tief 
 nuttin' hisself, and no allow nobody else for tief nut- 
 tin'. He too honest for true ! " 
 
 It was but natural that the exercise and conversa- 
 tion should make them extremely thirsty. Domingo, 
 feeling dry himself ascertained that Snooks was simi- 
 larly affected ; therefore, leading his companion a 
 little way into the bush, through which at the time 
 their path wound, and stopping close to a large tree, 
 from which depended a number of parasitical withes, 
 he seized one of the latter, and divided it with his 
 knife at the distance of a few feet from the ground. 
 Grasping that portion which still hung from the tree, 
 he placed the end of it in Snooks's mouth. Then, 
 holding it upright, he made another section higher 
 up, when a flow of delicious water, forced through the 
 tubes of the plant by the atmospheric pressure, poured 
 into poor Snowball's parched throat. Domingo after- 
 wards refreshed himself by a similar process, and the 
 travellers resumed their journey with new strength. 
 
 At another time, as they got higher up, Domingo 
 expatiated upon the provision-grounds, now exhibiting 
 great beauty and plenty. 
 
144 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Dere, sar, you see dem yams and plantains ? you 
 see de cocos and de ackees, and all de bread kind ! 
 My king, it make for me mout water ! You eber see 
 such probision-ground as dat, sar ? " 
 
 " Ye, ye," said Snooks, making a gesture of assent. 
 
 " Where you see dem, sar ? " asked Domingo, much 
 astonished. 
 
 The African noted the line of his shadow, and then, 
 stretching his hand towards the sea, he slowly moved 
 it along the horizon till it rested pointing to the east. 
 In this attitude he remained for a moment. Then he 
 smiled sadly, shook his head, and laid the hand upon 
 his heart. 
 
 " Hei," said Domingo ; " you tink dat better coun- 
 try nor dis ? " 
 
 Snowball looked to heaven with glistening eyes, 
 then clasped his hands, making the dog-chains rattle, 
 and, forgetting to move forwards, seemed overcome 
 by sad recollections. 
 
 " Chaw," remarked Domingo ; " what trouble you 
 dis way ? " 
 
 Snowball waved his hand deprecatingly, but Do- 
 mingo went on with an air of superiority. 
 
 " You is too apt to complain of for you troubles, 
 sar; you don't take no count of de blessin' you 
 hab!" 
 
 Only a sorrowful, inquiring look from Snowball. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 145 
 
 " You no got Tablish Church an' faitful meenistars ? 
 You no got libberl law and constitooshin ? You no 
 free? Hei ! " 
 
 Though Snowball did not understand much of this 
 grave reproof, his passion was now abating, and he 
 began once more to move on composedly, to the great 
 satisfaction of his eloquent instructor. 
 
 " You got wife, den ? " asked Domingo. 
 
 " Ye, ye ! " answered Snowball, pointing eastwards 
 again. 
 
 " You will see him again, you tink ? " 
 
 Snowball pointed to his own breast, then to the 
 ground ; after that, describing an arch in the air, he 
 pointed once more to the east, his face radiant with 
 a smile. 
 
 " You means," interpreted Domingo, " dat you 
 won't see him till you dead and berrid fust ; den 
 you go to your country ? " 
 
 " Ye, ye, ye," said Snooks, delightedly. 
 
 " My fader, dis man mus a mad ! " Domingo solilo- 
 quised. 
 
 Here was a man pretty safe never to behold his 
 wife again in this world a simple ignorant man, 
 quite incapable of appreciating the release which 
 had befallen him ; while he, Domingo, enlightened, 
 and capable of enjoying his life, who would have de- 
 voutly welcomed such a separation, was condemned 
 
 K 
 
146 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 to a lifelong cohabitation with Calisto. This thought 
 was very aggravating ; it even caused Domingo's 
 tongue to slacken for a while. He rallied, however, 
 and, apropos of his reflections, confided to Snowball 
 his domestic troubles, revealed his appeal to Mr 
 Grant that day, and its result, and intimated that 
 if Calisto were happily in Congo, he would be in- 
 clined to point the finger^of hope toward the far west. 
 This led to metaphysical speculations concerning the 
 route taken by departed spirits, and finally to the 
 solemn subject of Obi, at the very mention of which, 
 under the breath, both men halted suddenly, and 
 uttered a short exclamation, so peculiar as to astonish 
 the dogs, and call forth a sharp yelp from both Echo 
 and Crocodile. Snowball became now rapidly more 
 interested, as Domingo, in a low mysterious tone, re- 
 vealed some of the local secrets of Obi, and the name 
 of the most cunning Obeah man in the district a 
 patriarch originally from Congo, but now of great 
 age and fame, and of surpassing power. As a mile 
 or two, right or left, signified little to Domingo, it 
 was at last agreed that they should pay a visit to 
 this awful magician, so that Snooks might behold 
 the person and witness the sorcery of his renowned 
 countryman. Accordingly, late in the afternoon, the 
 two pedestrians and the dogs made their appearance 
 in front of some negro huts, shaded with tall cocoa- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 147 
 
 trees and thick tamarinds and bamboos, in front of 
 which naked and filthy black children, and compara- 
 tively clean and sweet goats, were just waking up to 
 the coolness of evening with a great squalling and 
 bleating, which did not harmonise with the cackling 
 of numerous erratic fowls, but rather formed with it 
 an excruciating combination of sounds. A black 
 girl, who leaned against a doorpost plying the ever- 
 lasting chewstick, interrupted her labours to indicate, 
 by a backward point over the shoulder, the where- 
 abouts of the Magus. He was seated on a tree- 
 stump under a banana shade. A cloud of mosquitoes 
 veiled his venerable person, which was otherwise im- 
 perfectly covered ; the fingers of one hand scratched 
 viciously among his hoary wool, the other held an 
 empty calabash, from which he had lately eaten his 
 evening meal, tokens of which clung about his oracu- 
 lar month. At sight of the dogs he ceased the ex- 
 plorations on his scalp, and half scrambled to his 
 feet in fright. 
 
 " Hei, what de debbil make you bring dem dam 
 dog dis side ? You want for eat we up ? " demanded 
 the old gentleman, half turning as if to flee if the 
 answer should be unsatisfactory. 
 
 " Nebba fear, daddy," said Domingo ; " dern all 
 safe and muzzled. Dem no trouble you. See here 
 for you countryman come see you." 
 
148 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Hereupon Snowball addressed to the sage a few 
 words in the Congo tongue, to which the sage replied, 
 and a fraternisation or rather affiliation ensued ; and 
 as the Obeah man could have no objection to exhibit 
 the treasures of his science to so eligible a disciple, 
 Snowball, after fastening the poor hungry dogs to 
 the trunk of a tree with their heads together, and 
 nothing to interrupt the tete-db-tete (for the small 
 negroes gave them a wide berth), entered the awful 
 hut accompanied by Domingo. The interior of this 
 studio was decorated with symbols and natural pro- 
 ducts, such as would not have very powerfully im- 
 pressed a European, but which seemed charged with 
 weird meanings and unearthly influence to Snowball, 
 who lifted his cap and thrice did obeisance on enter- 
 ing the sacred chamber, which, besides the daddy's 
 bed, contained several shelves, on which were ar- 
 ranged rags and feathers, bones and teeth, worked 
 into a hundred fantastic shapes. There were a few 
 dried herbs, but the staple articles were cats' and 
 alligators' teeth, bottles containing blood, earth from 
 graves, egg-shells, skulls of cats stuffed with clay, so 
 that the clay and bone together should form a sphere ; 
 balls of earth stuck with parrots' beaks, or with dogs' 
 or even human teeth ; claws of animals, glass beads, 
 and a mucilage contained in egg-shells or broken 
 bottles. There were likewise many little bags con- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 149 
 
 taining the above-mentioned ingredients in various 
 proportions. 
 
 The Obeah man did not follow his guests into the 
 hut, being at the moment called on to give audience 
 to a person who had come to consult him on matters 
 of state. This was no other than our friend Leander, 
 at whose call the old gentleman withdrew to the 
 middle of an overshadowed spot, and summoned a 
 small urchin, who, being of too tender years to un- 
 derstand important secrets, sometimes enjoyed the 
 privilege of brushing mosquitoes from the learned 
 man's person, when the magnitude or delicacy of his 
 negotiations made it desirable that he should be free 
 from bodily irritation. 
 
 " Know'd dat you was comin', Leander," said the 
 daddy ; " heerd for you footstep mile off ! " 
 
 " Dat is all nonsense," Leander replied ; " I not 
 b'lieve a word of your gammon. Eemember, I bin 
 in Englan', where de people knows better ! " 
 
 " My king ! " exclaimed the indignant sage, " you no 
 'fraid for speak dat-a-way to me ? You no 'fraid me 
 make you eat dirt you no 'fraid Duppy come choke 
 you you no 'fraid you find for youself change to one 
 lilly pig, squeakee, squeakee ? You really mannish ! 
 hei, me nebber hear sich a ting ! " 
 
 " Don't vex, daddy," replied Leander, good-humour- 
 edly ; " you can't frighten me wid your nonsense 
 
150 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Why, I seen conjurers dat will show for sixpence 
 sich tings as would make you die wid spite, and yet 
 eberybody knows dey is all a cheat." 
 
 "Chaw!" said the daddy, his wrinkled countenance 
 puckering into a pitying smile <c Chaw ! what you 
 talk to me 'bout sich wortless creature ? What dem 
 able for do? Chaw ! " And the sage spat in contempt 
 on the ground. 
 
 "Look yere, daddy," said Leander; "what you 
 tink of dis ? I see one of dem conjurer breathe fire, 
 
 favour debil in h . I see one of dem make we 
 
 sit in a dark room, den he say, ' Look sharp now, you 
 will see duppy.' Den dere a little 'peck - of light 
 seernin' a tousan mile off. It come nearer and nearer, 
 and grow big and bigger. When it close up among 
 de company, it a terrible duppy 'pon a pale horse 
 with a dart in his hand. Anoder conjurer swaller a 
 long sword, and pull it up again ; den he pat his 
 tummick an' say, ' All right.' " 
 
 The daddy's expression of contempt and incredulity 
 changed gradually to one of astonishment during this 
 address. But, being a practised impostor, he did not 
 too readily accept Leander's facts. He again said, 
 " Chaw ! tuff and nansense ; " but Leander saw that 
 he was moved, so he gave him another dose. 
 
 "Look yere, daddy ; 'pan my soul, I see dem load 
 a gun and fire two barrels at a conjurer bang ! He 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 151 
 
 only laugh and catch de two ball in his two hand. 
 Nuttin' couldn't hurt him. Den dey try to tab him, 
 and he laugh again. Ha, boy, you no kill me ! And 
 de sword come out quite bright and dry." 
 
 Then, enticed beyond the confines of truth by the 
 Obeah man's astonishment, he added, " I see a nyoung 
 woman jump over de church tower. Anoder one 
 walk trough a brick wall. I see a man swoller his- 
 self, hei! Don't tink I is taken in wid your poor 
 negar tricks. You can't cheat Leander." 
 
 " 'Top, 'top," said the daddy; "de buckrah man pre- 
 tend for do it, and he no do it. Me do it for true." 
 
 " Ah, well," replied Leander. " Now look here, 
 daddy. I bring you lot of beads an' English feathers, 
 most lovely, and I got two or tree little boxes dat 
 make you do wonderful trick. You see, I gib you 
 dis an' plenty more, only you mus' show me how you 
 make de tunder and lightning.'* 
 
 The old man's countenance brightened again with 
 triumph. " Ha, ha, you 'blige to come to me wid all 
 for you clebberness ha, ha, boy ! ha, ha ! " 
 
 " Dat right/' Leander said, " laugh away ; but you 
 mus' show me dis ; an' besides, I tell you sometin' 
 else. Nick Chitty comin' to ax you for make Miss 
 Eosabella lub him." 
 
 " How you like dat, boy ? " asked the sorcerer. 
 
 Leander made a wry face. 
 
152 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Ah, berry well," mused or pretended to muse the 
 sage. " Massa Chitty most 'pectable man him no 
 laugh at the Obi. Make me see mus' do sunting 
 for he. 'Pose me gib lilly powder to put in Rosy's 
 ochra-soup, eh ? No, dat make him lub too 'trong, 
 make him tease Massa Nick all de day long, make 
 him foller Nick about, so dat him no able to mind 
 him bisness, nor hab no peace mustn't do dat." 
 
 " Look here, daddy/' put in Leander. 
 
 " Tose now me put drop of sunting 'pon Rosy 
 chew-stick? Dat make him kiss too much, him 
 slobber Massa Chitty too much. Chitty no like dat." 
 
 " Hei, daddy, I tell you." 
 
 " Ah ! Now me got it, of coorse dat de ting ! 
 Charm for him pillow, make him 'top at home and 
 dream an' tink all time 'bout Chitty, and long for see 
 him : make him watch for Chitty footstep, make him 
 run trow himself into Chitty's arm when him come. 
 Dat is it ! Make him hang about Chitty neck and 
 tell him he lub him. Nick like dat " 
 
 " Daddy, you can't listen ? " interrupted Leander. 
 
 "Den him not bear de sight of any oder man 
 'ceptin' Chitty, nyoung man or old man, him tell 
 dem all to go to de debil, him want only de one Nick 
 Chitty. Me see, me see ! " 
 
 " Daddy, you mus a mad/' screamed Leander, 
 stamping his foot. " You can't hearken a minute?" 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 153 
 
 " Beg for you pardon," said the Obeah man ; " me 
 only tinkin' what a nice wife Miss Eosy make for 
 Nick. Nick like de bright yeyes ; he like de fine 
 bussum ; he like de rosy lips. My ! how Nick will 
 kiss dem ! Hei, where you goin', Leander, eh ? 
 What make you 'tart off in dat passiony manner, eh ? 
 What trouble you, eh, boy ? " 
 
 " You goin' listen at last ? " said Leander, turning 
 in a great pet. " I tell you, you mustn't give Nick 
 no encouragement. You mus' tell him Obi set for 
 him if he meddle wid Eosabella. He mustn't tink of 
 her, hear'ee? Tell him there is oder things for him 
 to think about besides making love to young women ! 
 Tell him de debil looking out for him." 
 
 "'Top, 'top," said the daddy, "how me is to do dis 
 when me able for make de nyoung woman lub him 
 why is me to do dis? Massa Chitty berry good 
 man quite de gentleman. Him nebber come dis 
 side widout plenty nyam and plantain. Sometimes 
 him bring bottle of rum. Berry nice man. Why me 
 is to do dat?" 
 
 " Daddy," said Leander, " I will give you all the 
 things I tell you of, and I bring you a bag of corn- 
 meal and two bottle of rum besides, if you tell Chitty 
 what I wish." 
 
 " Couldn't do sich a ting," said the daddy : " when 
 you goin' bring de meal ? " 
 
 
154 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Bring it to-morrow," answered Leander. 
 
 " Couldn't tink of it," said the old gentleman : 
 " when you bring de rum ? " 
 
 " Bring all to-morrow ; will that do ? " 
 
 " After Miss Rosy make him sich a 'plendid wife, 
 and after he lub her so ! No, no. De rum good? " 
 
 " I bring you the best that can be got/' said Lean- 
 der. " Come, now." 
 
 " Poor Chitty," said the sage ; " him ought to hab 
 Eosy. Me too fond of you, Leander, dat de trut ! 
 You make me do cruel tings : you don't got lilly bit 
 of nice baccy for de old man ?" 
 
 " Yes ; I bring you some baccy too, daddy. Now, 
 you understand?" 
 
 " Me 'blige to please you, boy : can't tell what 
 make me lub you dis way ; it reely Grange. Come 
 see me to-morrow, and me tell you someting praps, 
 hear'ee ? " 
 
 Leander grinned and nodded as he withdrew. We 
 presume, though, that he succeeded in corrupting the 
 vaticination delivered to Mr Chitty, for the latter 
 gentleman left the Obeah man's house that evening 
 heavy and disquieted ; while Leander and Eosy, who 
 watched his return home, had some joke which 
 amused them extravagantly. 
 
 The daddy, after dismissing Leander, devoted a 
 little of his valuable time to Snowball Snooks, until 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 155 
 
 the latter, being hurried away by Domingo, untied 
 the bloodhounds and departed towards the book- 
 keeper's house, leaving afar off the negro hamlet, as 
 it lay under the dark mountain, dyed in the soft glory 
 of sunset, and sheltered by the scarcely-stirring trees, 
 a type of heavenly repose. There are gentle lowings 
 and faint tinklings, and a lazy hum and a coming 
 silence : it is a dream of childhood ! 
 
 The Obeah man, of whom we have just had a 
 glimpse, is, it is believed, a sample of his profession 
 in general. The reader has already pronounced him 
 and his art ridiculous and contemptible beyond 
 patience. But things must be regarded according to 
 their estimation and effects in places where they 
 exist ; and the power of Obi over the negro mind has 
 worked many a social and political convulsion, and 
 caused sufficient anxiety to lawgivers. The statutes 
 of Jamaica direct the severest penalties against it ; 
 and probably the other West India islands were 
 equally anxious for its suppression. Its secret has 
 never been fathomed by white men. The tricks and 
 apparatus of the art are, as far as we can detect, the 
 very grossest species of impostures, palpable even to 
 a negro mind. But the terror which it inspires suffi- 
 ciently attests its grasp on the imagination, and forces 
 respect from those who cannot control it, much as they 
 may contemn the means which it uses. The word 
 
156 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Obi introduced in ordinary conversation will cause a 
 black person to spring almost off the ground, and 
 utter the " hi ! " of reverence or terror. The negroes 
 will undergo immense labour and privation at the 
 dictation of the Obeah man ; and, to break a spell, 
 give anything short of life, as, if unbroken, it will 
 probably destroy life itself. The superstition works 
 by external symbols, the meaning of which has never 
 been ascertained. These are to be seen in all direc- 
 tions in fields, gardens, lanes, and houses. A man, 
 on issuing from his house in the morning, recognises 
 some token, which is without significance to the un- 
 initiated, but which he knows to be a warning that 
 Obi is set for him; whereupon terror takes possession 
 of him, and he can see no hope except by propitiat- 
 ing the sorcerer who has wrought the spell, or by 
 enlisting on his side a professor of superior power. 
 Many a time the victim failing to do either has pined 
 and died, so confirming the opinion of the irresistible 
 power of Obi. Even where no animosity of race 
 dictated the charms, and the intrigues related to in- 
 ternal affairs of the negroes themselves, Obi was a 
 serious plague to the master, as killing and incapa- 
 citating his slaves. 
 
 There was another class of impostors calling them- 
 selves Myallmen, who asserted that they had the 
 power of reanimating dead bodies, and who some- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 157 
 
 times exercised their art to the astonishment and 
 terror of many witnesses. Either the seeming dead 
 were in collusion with the Myallmen, or the latter 
 knew how to induce a temporary coma by means of 
 drugs, or by a mesmeric process. It appears that 
 great perplexity was once caused by the execution, 
 for some capital offence, of a magician, who, up to 
 the last, assured his friends and admirers that death 
 had no power over him. Hanged in their sight he 
 undoubtedly was ; but whether the evidence of their 
 senses was strong enough to overpower belief in the 
 supernatural, it is not so easy to determine. 
 
 ' ' And they believe him ; oh ! the lover may 
 Distrust that look which steals his soul away ; 
 The babe may cease to think that it can play 
 With heaven's rainbow ; alchemists may doubt 
 The shining gold their crucible gives out : 
 But Faith, fanatic Faith, once wedded fast 
 To some dear falsehood, hugs it to the last.' 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 WE come now to the day on which Mr Arabin and 
 his daughter are to sail to Port Henderson, and 
 thence proceed to Spanish Town. Mrs Arabin, it 
 seems, is not to be of the party. There has been a 
 little hurricane blowing for a day or two at Crystal 
 Mount, and all the leaves are ruffled, and the genius 
 of domestic harmony has fled before it. Mrs Arabin 
 is in disgrace she sometimes is so : Violet is scarcely 
 able to elude the storm ; it requires all her little 
 management, and all her great affection and grace, 
 to escape its fury : Mr Arabin is dreadfully out .of 
 humour ; he is the ^olus from whom proceeds the 
 tempest. No wonder, then, that when his wife pro- 
 posed to remain at home, Mr Arabin ungraciously 
 agreed to the arrangement, and thought within him- 
 self that it was quite a lucky whim ! So Mr Arabin 
 and Violet are expected in Kingston by Melhado 
 between ten and eleven in the morning ; Leander and 
 Kosy are ordered to go down on foot, and rendezvous at 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 159 
 
 the boat-wharf in Port-Royal Street ; and Mrs Arabin 
 has numerous duties to attend to at Crystal Mount. 
 
 On a bright morning, before the sea-breeze has set 
 in, the city of Kingston is anything but a cool place. 
 Spite of the heat, though, it is in a wondrous bustle ; 
 for all of English race, true to their traditions and 
 descent, persist in transplanting every possible custom 
 that is English, and, reason and climate notwithstand- 
 ing, adhere to the hours of labour and business which 
 are prescribed at the London Docks and the Stock 
 Exchange. Only to hint at the grateful siesta of the 
 south of Europe, and the other simple adaptations by 
 which a tropical climate may be made enjoyable, is 
 to rouse the old Adam Bull, and bring down frightful 
 comminations on Jews, Turks, infidels, and especially 
 on Frenchmen. Better to say nothing about it, and 
 take things as we find them to sleep away the deli- 
 cious hour of daybreak, bathe and breakfast in the 
 blazing heat of eight or nine o'clock, swelter in the 
 streets or the counting-house, the highway or the 
 fields, till evening ; get a hasty ride or drive, then 
 dine at sunset, and go to bed when the moon and 
 stars distil their heavenly influence, and the land- 
 breeze gently agitates the air ; swearing that the night- 
 wind is the source of all disease, and that the only 
 way to thwart its influence is to take plenty of stimu- 
 lants before going to rest ! 
 
160 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Kingston, then, is a busy place for at least three 
 hours before and three hours after noon. In the 
 stores and counting-houses, or bustling along the 
 streets and piazzas, are to be seen faces of every 
 shade, from the fair tint in which are set the Saxon 
 azure eyes, to the deep jet of the African, all engaged 
 in the service of Mammon ; but, to do them justice, 
 looking as if they were not always so employed, and 
 not half so gaunt and careworn as we see men about 
 the resorts of commerce in England. Three great 
 square dark holes under a piazza in Harbour Street 
 were the entrances to the store of Melhado, Hug-gins, 
 and Bamboo, one of the most celebrated depots in the 
 island. Near one of the doorways sat, in the Ameri- 
 can fashion, with his feet upon an inlaid cabinet which 
 stood exposed for sale, a youth, descended from both 
 Abraham and Canaan deriving from the former 
 patriarch his features and screwy ringlets, and from 
 the latter his smutty complexion and the woolly 
 texture of the curls. He was mastering the leading 
 article of the ' Jamaica Despatch,' and refreshing him- 
 self with a cigar. Deeper in the store, which, when 
 you got out of the glare, you found to be stocked with 
 merchandise of all imaginable descriptions strangely 
 huddled together, were seven or eight other youths, 
 white and brown, supplying customers or attempting 
 some arrangement of the miscellaneous wares, among 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 161 
 
 which could now be distinguished furniture, iron 
 and tin utensils, printed calico, Indian-corn, cheeses, 
 wax -candles, watches, books, china, glazed ware, 
 pianofortes, patent medicines, umbrellas, saddles, 
 harness, salt-fish we can't go on! There were 
 several inner rooms, all stocked with goods, and one 
 of them containing a dozen shoemakers working 
 under a white foreman. It was observable that the 
 customers to this establishment stood in very humble 
 relation to the young gentlemen who dispensed its 
 contents : black and brown people waited patiently 
 until it should be the pleasure of these ingenuous 
 youths to serve them, and did not dare to make re- 
 marks on price or quality: an old lady who was en- 
 titled to a quarter-dollar as change against a dollar 
 stood expecting for ten minutes, and at the end of 
 that time ventured to ask for it ; whereupon the 
 amiable attendant flung it with an oath across the 
 store, and asked her why the devjl she was so trouble- 
 some. 
 
 When any entered whom the shopboys deigned to 
 look upon as equals, they shook hands with them, 
 and had a little conversation concerning things in 
 general before they transacted business. There was 
 a horse, or a dance, or a lady to be discussed, or a 
 complimentary exchange of cigars to be effected, or a 
 bet to be booked, or possibly a bottle of porter to be 
 
 L 
 
162 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 tasted, with much smacking of the lips and criticisms 
 on its quality. But if such glorious independence 
 characterised the inferior officers of this great estab- 
 lishment, what must be the estimation in which is 
 held a partner in the grand concern a great, nay, 
 the greatest triumvir, beside whom Huggins and 
 Bamboo hide their diminished heads ! What must 
 the effect have been on this very morning, when, from 
 a little den enclosed by railings, issued in unusual 
 glory and fashion the irresistible Manuel Melhado ! 
 The coloured purchasers stood and stared in utter 
 abasement before the brilliant apparition ; the white 
 ones composed their features, and watched from be- 
 neath their eyelids if haply on them might fall one 
 gracious glance from the glass of fashion and the 
 mould of form ; while the gentlemen vendors strug- 
 gled hard to exhibit a demeanour which should do 
 proper honour to their great principal without sully- 
 ing their dignity in the eyes of inferior beholders. 
 The semi-Hebrew youth alone, who was of a rash and 
 presumptuous disposition, lifted up his eyes to those 
 of Manuel Melhado, and said, in pretty firm accents, 
 that the sea-breeze wasn't come, and it would be in- 
 fernally hot outside ; and we have the pleasure of re- 
 cording that this act of gallantry was followed by no 
 appalling consequences to Aaron Mendoza. Melhado, 
 it is true, did not directly answer the remark of his 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 163 
 
 servant, but he desired him to get out of the way and 
 mind his business not, however, curtly, but with a 
 good many expletive and intensitive particles of 
 speech. On the whole, it was apparent that this 
 venture of the young Mendoza was considered a 
 success, as having been answered by the head of the 
 house ; and Aaron's consideration in the establish- 
 ment increased from that day forth. 
 
 Melhado, meanwhile, made his way to the wharf 
 in Port-Royal Street, where he was to await and pre- 
 pare for the arrival of the party from Crystal Mount. 
 The hour of meeting approaches, and already at the 
 highest end of the city the fair fresh face of Violet 
 Arabin breaks like the rosy dawn on watchers of the 
 night. How dark or sallow show all visages when 
 she appears ! No lady, however successful at other 
 seasons, can abide comparison with this sweet girl : 
 they withdraw from sight while they cannot but look 
 and envy ; and from behind the jalousies they fret at 
 the approach of Superior Beauty. Miss Vermont, a 
 quasi belle of a desponding turn, is not seen in public 
 for a week after; while Harriet Hope, stimulated 
 anew to master the secrets of fascination, returns once 
 again to her oft-spurned cosmetics, and resolves to be 
 admired or perish. How do men of all ages gaze and 
 whisper and follow with their eyes the rolling carriage, 
 occupations being suspended as she passes ! Thus did 
 
164 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Kingston comport itself at the presence of Christy 
 Arabin's fair daughter. " But," it may be asked of 
 us by lips whose questions we love to hear, "what 
 were the pretensions of this West Indian Violet? 
 Was she short or slender frank or shy ? Where lay 
 her particular attraction ? Was it style or features 
 figure or complexion \ Was she was she at all, 
 you know, in my way ?" By the zone of Venus, fair 
 querists, we cannot tell. We did never tabulate her 
 charms. We saw, and we bear record, that Violet 
 Arabin was lovely, and that she received what she 
 deserved to wit, the homage of all hearts : this is 
 the sum of our knowledge. One hint, however, we 
 will and can give : when you are natural and gracious, 
 when least you seek for admiration and triumph, 
 when you are most feminine and most attractive, you 
 are most like the Beauty of the Antilles ! 
 
 They had hit the time exactly, and had not to wait. 
 Canoes and wherries were rolling about and bumping 
 against the jetty, showing that the breeze had come. 
 Sometimes the aforesaid breeze breaks faith with the 
 islands, and does not arrive till long after its appointed 
 time, ruffling the patience of intending voyagers, and 
 wearying many a poor delicate soul that is longing 
 for its refreshing influence. Let him who has known 
 the prostration of those climes recall the anxiety with 
 which he placed every day his pale thin lips and 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 165 
 
 nostrils against the jalousie-blades, and looked out to 
 seaward for the Doctor how he has watched every 
 tint of the horizon, hoping to detect the cat's paw 
 which is to harbinger the refreshing wind. After 
 being again and again disappointed, he has seen at 
 length the unmistakable sign. Old ocean rises now 
 and shakes his mane. There is the line of foam, miles 
 who shall say how many miles ? away. But the 
 health-giver travels fast ; and there has been little 
 more than time to secure papers and fasten doors ere 
 he is sweeping through the house, making everybody 
 aware of his presence. In the harbour, too, he creates 
 a considerable revolution. The clear emerald surface 
 which looked, during the calm, not a yard above the 
 bottom, where could be seen the treasures of the deep 
 as plainly as if it were a large aquarium, is corrugated 
 into infinite little waves and breakers, and the dis- 
 torted rays show rocks and star-fish and polypi and 
 sea-weed monstrously transformed. The true depth 
 also is now more apparent. The little white horses 
 dance over the expanse, and there is motion every- 
 where. He who has never seen a Jamaica canoe can 
 have but little notion of how a small shell can walk 
 the waters. She does not sail, but fly with you, light 
 and airy as a bird ; and they to whom rapid motion 
 is a joy, may in her luxuriate as they could do in 
 no other craft. True it is that there is a risk of her 
 
166 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 "being rotten, and of your foot or the boathook going 
 through her ; true, that her mast, tackle, blocks, and 
 sails are equally treacherous with her hull ; true, that, 
 besides all this, her mere lightness renders her liable 
 to capsize at a sudden puff ; and then the harbour is 
 full of sharks ! These considerations, however, weigh 
 but little with wilful youth and health in the pursuit 
 of pleasure. Up gets the breeze and away go the 
 canoes, studding the water like nautili, and darting 
 like a glance of the mind. We do well remember 
 our first approach to the island when running down 
 in the deep water outside the Palisades, over whose 
 low sandy breadth from the deck of our ship we could 
 see the inner harbour. From out at sea shot suddenly 
 athwart our gaze a canoe the first we had seen 
 with half-a-dozen negroes on board. Before we 
 could collect our ideas, and settle what this fleet object 
 might be, they had run her on shore on the Palisades 
 and leaped to the land. There in another moment 
 they lifted the light shallop on their shoulders, and 
 carried her rapidly across the isthmus, from whose 
 other shore they launched her again and shot into 
 distance, the whole sight passing quicker than we 
 can relate it. 
 
 Again, the sea-breeze is in Kingston harbour a 
 " sojer's wind," i. e., you can sail both up and down 
 with it. Jack, we fear, in bestowing the epithet, 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 167 
 
 wished to evince profound scorn for the character of 
 the land forces as equivocal and shifty, compared with 
 his own, which prompts him to go right in, and never 
 contemplate coming out again, except with an enemy's 
 ship in tow. Whether this etymology is just or not, 
 certain we are that sailors as well as soldiers acknow- 
 ledge here the blessing of the oblique wind which 
 enables them to pass with the least exertion, the great- 
 est rapidity, and the coolest temperature, from point 
 to point of the harbour. The newest comer is aware 
 that his chance of navigating the little bay is depend- 
 ent on the coming of the sea-breeze ; but woe to the 
 yahoo or Johnny Eaw who, confiding in his prudence 
 and the well-conned maxims of his friends, ventures 
 among the sooty amphibii whose yells and jargon vex 
 eternally that sunny strand ! There is a most exciting 
 competition for the possession of the yahoo, and a free 
 pulling hither and thither of his person, for as yet he 
 knows not that the flourish of a switch will scare the 
 rascals as the crack of a hunting-whip a pack of dogs. 
 Even when, after these tribulations, he is fairly seated 
 in a canoe, they cease not to warn him of the demerits 
 of the one he has selected, and the surpassing qualities 
 each of his own^barky. On this subject no two voices 
 agree, but when he alludes to the sea-breeze, there is 
 a sudden and miraculous unanimity. "Him come, 
 massa ; him blow quite 'trong outside ; him bin dere 
 
168 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 dis hour/' are vociferated from all sides. The yahoo 
 is satisfied, surrenders himself to his boatman, and 
 suffers himself to be paddled a little way into the 
 harbour, beyond the possibility of his leaping on 
 shore. Then he perceives the surface of the sea to 
 be like glass not a breath stirring ; and a vertical 
 sun is scorching him up as he floats motionless. He 
 upbraids the deceitful boatman, and demands where 
 is the sea-breeze, of whose propinquity he has been 
 assured. In reply he is told, "Me no God, massa ; 
 me can't make de breeze blow." We earnestly hope 
 that every yahoo feels as properly as we ourselves 
 did under these trying circumstances that is, that he 
 forgives and yearns to embrace the man and brother 
 who sits baking face to face, to whom the rays are not 
 disagreeable, and who intends to charge by the hour. 
 The bark prepared by Melhado to carry fair Violet 
 and her fortunes was of the class called " wherries " 
 very different boats from those which bear that 
 name on the hoary Thames. The Jamaica wherry is 
 properly a commodious barge, and this one had been 
 fitted with cushions and awnings. They sail well, 
 though, of course, not with the lightning speed of 
 the canoe. After a greeting on the wharf, the em- 
 barkation was rapidly effected. Leander and Kosy 
 posted themselves forward with the baggage and com- 
 missariat. The latter was considered indispensable 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 169 
 
 by Christy, though the voyage would not last two 
 hours : it included a carefully packed ice-pail, that 
 the senator might not lack a cool drink. Yiolet, her 
 sire, and lover were reclined beneath the awning ; 
 Christy taking a whole side to himself, that he might 
 lie at length and blow his smoke away to leeward. 
 Melhado seats himself by Violet's side takes care- 
 lessly, and as of right, a place for which any other 
 youth in the island would have fought, or knelt, or 
 dared adventure perilous ! Her presence alone would 
 have subdued a generous nature, and a belief that she 
 regarded him with favour should have made a man 
 worship her ! Such are the freaks of Hymen. Love- 
 liness and lovingness, and all the gentle excellencies 
 of woman withered by a barbarian who knows not 
 what nor why he blights ! Well, Melhado intends 
 to be agreeable, but it is necessary to show that he 
 feels elegantly tranquil, and politic perhaps, now that 
 matrimony is so near, to let it be guessed that he will 
 hold his own. The savage ! The atmosphere, even 
 at a short distance from land, is by comparison fresh 
 enough to yield a most grateful sensation. Violet's 
 tresses are moved about, and she slightly resigns her- 
 self to the pleasant languor, her eyes soft and down- 
 cast, and her accents low. "By George, she is a 
 dainty one, and no mistake ! " thought the young Mel- 
 hado ; " how she'll distract the men with admiration 
 
170 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and the women with envy ! 'twill be devilish pleasant 
 to have her spoken of and addressed as Mrs Mel- 
 hado ! " Then, in the magnitude of his devotion, 
 Manuel thought how he would adorn this beauty to 
 make it shine its brightest ; how he would ransack 
 earth to deck her person ; and how he would enter- 
 tain sumptuously the world of fashion, that they 
 might view his prize and envy him, the possessor. 
 But, faithful to his breeding, his mind began, even 
 now, amid the enthusiasm of admiration and the 
 dreams of happiness, unconsciously, as it were, to 
 consider the cost. "It's of no use desiring things 
 that you've no chance of getting ; therefore, Manuel, 
 before you allow yourself to think about "em, consider 
 whether you're likely to be able to buy 'em, or to 
 procure 'em in any other manner ! " was a maxim of 
 old Mrs Melhado, which her son had so well drunk 
 in that he couldn't break it if he would. His dreams 
 were always associated with estimates. The amazing 
 splendour which he had now called up would be re- 
 alised, he perceived, only at a heavy outlay; and 
 yet the generous fellow did not determine to forego 
 it. He only thought how much it would assist such 
 meditations if he knew actually the utmost that, in 
 the present or the future, he might expect to get from 
 old Christy. Totally unconscious of the speculation 
 he was exciting, that old gentleman had fallen asleep, 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 171 
 
 though he smoked still. People breathe, don't they, 
 in their sleep ! and to Christy smoking was rather 
 more necessary than breathing. Christy slept, con- 
 siderate old fellow! Now, then, what a glorious 
 opportunity to whisper impassioned nothings, and 
 perhaps, under the guise of nothings, manage two or 
 three important matters ! 
 
 " Only that I want to talk to you, Violet, I could 
 wish you to go to sleep, you look so handsome in that 
 sleepy humour," said Manuel 
 
 "I am not inclined to sleep," Violet answered; 
 " but tin's pleasant languor makes one pensive ; don't 
 you feel it ? " and she sighed gently. 
 
 "Makes one sigh too, don't it?" said Manuel. 
 " I wonder now what these pretty sad thoughts are 
 about, eh ? " 
 
 " There is not the least mystery about them ! " she 
 replied. " I was thinking of my mother at home, 
 now alone, and of what a different home it must be 
 
 to her, poor dear, when when " 
 
 " Yes, I know ! " said Manuel, archly ; " well, I 
 daresay it will ; but shall I tell you, now, what I was 
 thinking of? I was thinking of all the delightful 
 things we shall have by-and-by, and the style we'll 
 do "em in. I should like you, you know, to be the 
 most brilliant person in the island to have your 
 house, and dress, and equipage, and entertainments 
 
172 
 
 on a scale of unprecedented magnificence : won't it 
 be glorious ! " 
 
 " I thank you much," answered Violet, " for pro- 
 posing to gratify me at such trouble and cost ; but I 
 assure you that it is a glory which I should hardly 
 appreciate, and for which, certainly, I do not think 
 myself suited." 
 
 " By Jove, I know better, though," said Melhado, 
 briskly ; " you've more of the right stuff in you than 
 you know of. You'll come out as a splendid woman 
 of fashion. I'm sure of it." 
 
 " I cannot agree with you," Violet replied. " I 
 do not at all mean that I wish to lead a life of 
 seclusion or inertion; but that may be avoided by 
 many methods preferable to becoming the slave of 
 fashion." 
 
 " Well," said Manuel, " I don't know anything that 
 you could do better when you've got the station and 
 the means. Poor devils mustn't try it, of course ; 
 but for you, who may eclipse the whole of them, what 
 can be more attractive ? " 
 
 " I should think that some noble or useful motive 
 would animate more enduringly than a passion for 
 display. I can understand," said Violet, fixing her 
 gaze upon the waters, and thinking, we fear, not ex- 
 clusively of Melhado "I can understand a woman's 
 energies being aroused by duty and affection : I can 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 173 
 
 understand her devoting herself to the solace and 
 support of a generous mind, enduring privation, par- 
 taking danger, supporting pain, relinquishing accus- 
 tomed delights, or roaming the world ; but these are 
 not fashionable ideas." 
 
 " All right," Melhado said. " It always takes a 
 romantic turn at first, and a pity it shouldn't. A 
 little enthusiasm makes people look so captivating 
 sometimes. But then it always ends in silks and dia- 
 monds and that sort of thing. You'll come all right 
 at last, and, I say, won't we be a stunner when we 
 do break out ! What lace and satins we'll have, 
 what parties we'll give, what horses we'll drive, and 
 how we'll astonish the world, our little self amazing 
 'em more than all the rest ! By Jove ! " 
 
 Manuel spoke with much enthusiasm, and poor 
 Violet, believing that it proceeded from devotion to 
 her, upbraided herself with the ungrateful return 
 which alone she could make for such generosity. If 
 Manuel could not win her love, did he not deserve 
 something better than deceit ? She had done him 
 injustice. 
 
 Such compunctious reflections were not long al- 
 lowed to distress her, for the gallant Manuel, eager to 
 satisfy his curiosity, persisted in conversing. 
 
 " The worst of doing things in this style," said he, 
 " is, that it takes such a confounded lot of money ; 
 
174 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and though we shall be pretty well off, I fancy, yet 
 a trifle won't suffice for all that I meditate." 
 
 " You have stated an excellent reason for leaving 
 it undone, then/' said Violet, smiling. 
 
 "Well, that depends," pursued Manuel; "when 
 there are expectations, you see, people needn't be too 
 chary of their present means. Everything will come 
 our way, I suppose, eh? Do you happen to know 
 how it's settled?" 
 
 " Settled! what?" said Violet; "I don't under- 
 stand." 
 
 Melhado nodded at Christy's sleeping figure with 
 a meaning look. " Must come to an end some time," 
 he said ; "not in any hurry hope it'll be a longtime 
 first ; but you ought to see that it's all left without 
 reserve : no tying up. And you should be a pretty 
 good judge of the figure, too, eh?" 
 
 His meaning struck upon the affectionate girl's 
 heart like the touch of winter : it actually froze her 
 blood. She could not reply, but sat paralysed with 
 horror and disgust. Manuel, however, thinking that 
 some silly hesitation kept her silent, prepared his 
 most potent blandishments to follow up the inquiry. 
 Heaven knows to what indignant utterance he might 
 have driven poor Violet, had not the subject of his 
 solicitude suddenly stretched and turned himself, 
 declaring that it was cursedly hot, and he must have 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 175 
 
 a drink. While Leander was ministering to the old 
 gentleman's wants, Yiolet subdued her feelings, but 
 quite acquitted herself of injustice towards Manuel. 
 
 They were about midway between Kingston and 
 Port Henderson. The wherry shot along deliciously, 
 and Christy Arabin, having refreshed his inner man 
 with his favourite drink of brandy and iced water, 
 thought he had slept enough. The problem was how 
 to pass the rest of the voyage. He would continue 
 to smoke, of course, but he didn't want to meditate, 
 and all the shores of the harbour were as familiar to 
 him as the pattern on his pocket-handkerchiefs, of 
 which he had a liberal stock all alike. He took 
 credit for much good taste and delicacy of feeling in 
 not requiring Violet and Manuel to amuse him, and 
 so at last he said he would go forward and have a 
 talk with the Commodore one of the black boatmen, 
 and a personage of whom we shall presently have 
 more to say. 
 
 Melhado saw at length that he had given offence. 
 He did not exactly know how, but somehow he had 
 clearly gone wrong. This must be rectified imme- 
 diately. He must change the conversation forthwith, 
 and strive doubly to be agreeabla Violet's resent- 
 ment subsided into contempt. She perceived, after a 
 short reflection, that the man's intention had been 
 harmless, and that his nature only was to blame. 
 
176 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Her manner was no longer what it had been before, 
 yet it evinced a quiet tolerance which persuaded 
 Manuel that he would soon fix the loose screw, wher- 
 ever it was, and make all go smooth again. He be- 
 came assiduously attentive, pressed refreshment upon 
 Violet, and was certain that she was faint and ill 
 from the want of it. She took a little wine to put an 
 end to his importunity construing which act into a 
 sign of returning favour, the magnanimous youth 
 once more gave a loose to his fascinating conver- 
 sation. 
 
 "I ain't a bad-tempered fellow, you see/' said 
 Manuel. " Can stand caprices capitally : they never 
 put me out : shall be just the same hereafter, too, 
 you'll see, however whimsical you may be. By 
 George ! I rather like to see you pettish ; it becomes 
 you does, 'pon my soul. No, we shall never dis- 
 agree about that, nor about any little feminine tricks : 
 only, you know, you must never try to make me jea- 
 lous couldn't stand that on any account. Tease me 
 in other ways as much as you like in reason, that is 
 only in return I must have all those bright smiles 
 to myself must, by Jove, you little tormentor." 
 
 It was such a relief to Violet to find how thoroughly 
 despicable this man was, that she felt disposed to be 
 merry, and she laughed at this sally, to the great de- 
 light of Melhado. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 177 
 
 " I am afraid you are a tyrant," said she. 
 
 " Not at all, not at all. I'm sure I'm quite right, 
 only ask your mother. 'Twould never do, you know, 
 to have a parcel of dancing and singing men about the 
 house, paying you attentions after you are married/' 
 
 " I don't think there is the least danger of that," 
 said Violet, still smiling and amused. 
 
 " Oh, by Jove, I don't know," her lover replied ; 
 " there are many of these military fellows whom it 
 won't do to break with altogether, and who are yet 
 forward presuming coxcombs that require to be kept 
 in order." 
 
 " Why," said Violet, " I thought the military offi- 
 cers were your chief and approved associates ! " 
 
 " So they are. I don't mean by any means to ex- 
 clude them ; they're too much in the fashion for that. 
 I only want to keep 'em from getting saucy, as I 
 know they will when they're allowed. There are 
 one or two in particular that I should caution you 
 against." 
 
 " Indeed !" Violet said ; " you must tell me their 
 names." 
 
 "Well, in particular," replied Manuel, "there's 
 that fellow Brune ; one of the most conceited, offen- 
 sive pretenders among them." 
 
 " You don't think well of Mr Brune, then ?" 
 
 " No ; certainly not. He goes everywhere, and 
 M 
 
178 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 therefore .people are obliged to know him till his 
 character is better understood. But I shall have 
 my eye particularly on that fellow, and I trust that 
 you will always keep him on respectful terms. I 
 shouldn't at all like to have to kick him out of the 
 house/' 
 
 " No ; I am sure you would not/ 5 Violet said. 
 
 There was something real or fancied in the last 
 quiet observation which disconcerted Manuel, and 
 brought the colour into his cheeks. 
 
 " No, certainly not," he said ; " and I'm sure, when 
 you know my opinion of him, there'll be no occasion 
 for it. 'Tis just as well we mentioned the matter. 
 You remember he used to be a good deal about 
 Crystal Mount, until he saw that his attentions were 
 not relished, and that some of his doings began to be 
 smoked. No doubt he would be delighted to make a 
 lounge of our house, if he were allowed, for he's a 
 sly, sneaking puppy." 
 
 Violet's eye flashed, and her lip quivered. It was 
 with difficulty that she could control her feelings ; 
 but she thought again of Manuel's utter baseness, and 
 summoned scorn to her aid. 
 
 " I have seen him do things," she said, " which 
 would entitle any man to be spoken of in different 
 terms from those you have used. 'Twould have been 
 more like the character you describe, if, instead of 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBDCKS CHAMPAGNE. 179 
 
 acting, he had boasted of what he intended to do, and 
 boasted to women" 
 
 This was getting decidedly disagreeable, Manuel 
 thought. 'Twas very hard too, for he had intended 
 to be unusually complaisant, and had expected a 
 most delightful sentimental voyage. Well, he had 
 done his best, and couldn't help it if he failed. Wo- 
 men are so full of humours. " Perhaps, too/' mused 
 the profound Manuel, " she thinks it necessary to 
 display her power. Well, let her ; my turn will come, 
 I promise her ! " And, thinking thus, he saw with- 
 out regret the shore not far ahead, and old Christy 
 returning aft, that the boatmen might be free to 
 attend to the landing. Christy had been hearing 
 some nautical reminiscences from the Commodore, 
 who claimed to have once sailed in the British fleet, 
 and under Britain's greatest admiral. When Christy 
 went forward, the Commodore, who had been holding 
 an animated conversation with Leander, turned to 
 him and said 
 
 " I jis' tellin' dis gentleman I glad to find him bin 
 in England. Dat is de way to make a man sensible, 
 trabel about ; 'top at home, you no sabby nutting ! 
 sar." 
 
 "Very true," said Christy ;." experience like yours 
 is not to be picked up without going a long way to 
 look for it." 
 
180 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Yes, sar," replied the Commodore, " me hab plenty 
 of experience, and me is able to 'pin a yarn or two 
 widout telling lie." 
 
 " Of course you can," said Christy. " Now then, 
 Commodore, if you want a glass of rum, let's have 
 one of your best." 
 
 " Top, massa, make me see," said the Commodore. 
 " You ebber hear 'bout de Trench frigate we chase off 
 Teneriffe ? " 
 
 " Yes, I know all that," said Christy : " the devil 
 came and took her in tow, and got her off just as you 
 were within range : that won't do." 
 
 " Hei ! well, me will tell you ob de fight me hab 
 wid de shark to leeward ob de great Cayman ? " 
 
 " Heard that fifty times," said Christy, " and how 
 you cut off the French admiral's pigtail, and your 
 marriage to your twenty-fourth wife at Havannah, and 
 the loss of the ship with all your prize-money aboard 
 in a hurricane, which prevented your owning half 
 the island : none of those will do." 
 
 " Chaw ! massa know ebberyting," fretted the 
 Commodore, much perplexed: "what can me tell 
 him?" 
 
 " Let's have some fighting," said Christy ; " a good 
 engagement now, and the glass of rum shall be 
 stiff." 
 
 " Dat de berry ting," replied the Commodore, slap- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTEKBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 181 
 
 ping his trousers ; " me will tell you ob a great en- 
 gagement between Nelson and Boney. You see, we 
 bin cruisin' some time 'pon de coast of Tain ; nebber 
 go into harbour, becausin, you see, Nelson hab a most 
 lubly nyoung woman aboord, dem call Lady sunting 
 or Another, me can't rightly tell de name. Well, after 
 we keep de blue sea till de water stink faber jack- 
 fruit, and de bisket walk about de table, we begin to 
 tink, ' Dis here no fun. Why de debil him no take 
 we into port to get some fresh probishun, and hab a 
 dance wid de gals ? ' De people beginnin' to get dam 
 obstropolous, I can tell you, and it impossible to say 
 what de dooce might hab come ob it, only one fore- 
 noon dem report a French frigate in sight. One of 
 our frigates clear for action directly, and get under 
 way to go out and meet her, when it seem she coming 
 up quite friendly wid a flag ob truce. De lads forget 
 all about de prog and de gals, and begin to wonder 
 what make de Frenchman come dis side. Berry soon 
 we hear what in de wind. Nelson pacing de quarter- 
 deck, 'tamping him great foot, and raising him great 
 voice, and cussin' faber madman. My, how dat man 
 swear ! Lad Gad, what you tink ! de impedince ob 
 dat Boney! Him send for tell Nelson him mus' 
 hab de nyoung woman and carry him to France, 
 and Nelson better gib him up quietly, and no gib 
 Boney de trouble for come and fatch him away. Ob 
 
182 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 course Nelson send him back a dam 'pirited answer, 
 and tell him he quite ready whenever Boney liked to 
 come, and he gib him coco for yam. But de passion 
 dat man in, me nebber see sich a ting ! him flog half 
 de ship's company, and crack de gunner's cocoa-nut* 
 wid a rammer-head. Nobody didn't dare to go near 
 him, and when de signal hofficer go up to do him 
 dooty, and report de French fleet in sight, Nelson fly 
 at him faber wild-cat, and he say, says he (terrible 
 'trong voice Nelson had), " You infernal cussed 
 
 (desunt asperrima verba) 
 
 what de debil make you come 'peak to me dis-a-way ? 
 Eh, sar/ De leeftenant try again for do him dooty, 
 and report de hennemy's sail, when Nelson square 
 up to him wid both hands, and swear to Garamighty 
 he knock him into next week if him no pull foot and 
 be off. ' Knock away, admiral/ says de brabe nyoung 
 hofficer, ' but I tell you de French fleet comin' for 
 all dat ? ' ' Hei, what ? ' Nelson say ; < de debil ! dat 
 quite anoder ting. Ax for you pardon, sar ; glad to 
 * Skull 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 183 
 
 see you to dinner and grog after we sink dese dam- 
 nable French 'coundrels/ Den lie pass de word for 
 get all ready, and by de time Boney come, we hab 
 someting warm waiting for him. You see for me 
 dooty keep me down below, and me no see what go 
 on when dem fust go into axion, only me hear de 
 row and see de smoke. After lilly bit ebbery ting 
 quiet, all de noise 'top, we can't tink how dem make 
 sich dam short work ob it. So me run up to see, and 
 anoder gentleman ob color, who likewise come up to 
 look about him, infarm me dat Nelson bin and 
 boarded Boney ship, an' all about it. When de 
 boarders 'cramble on deck, he tell me Nelson sing 
 out, ' Where dat lubber Boney, eh ? Make me see 
 him ; me 'mash him bl y brains out. Hah, boy, 
 you dere, eh ? Come on.' ' How de debil you know 
 me ? ' Boney say ; ' you ebber see me before, eh ? ' 
 ' Know you, sar, by de cut ob your infernal jib,' says 
 Nelson. ' No more nonsense ; bear a hand, now. 
 Make me 'mash you.' ' Two can play dat game/ 
 Boney say ; ' now den, come on, boy.' When dem 
 see Nelson and Boney goin' fight, ebberybody 'top 
 firing and hollering, and come to deir ship's side to 
 see de battle same as me is doin' myself. In two 
 minutes Nelson and Boney draw off 'pon de quarter- 
 deck, and down heads. Ebberybody hold him breat', 
 when dey run at one anoder. My fader ! cr-r-r-r-r-ack 
 
184 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 What a whop ! * Berry well, dem shake deirself and 
 draw off again. Hei ! 'noder crack, terrible hard ! 
 Boney 'tagger lilly bit dis time, but him no capsized 
 yet. Him 'tand anoder knock. But, my king ! it a 
 pounder faber fifty-pound shot. Nelson's yeyes flash 
 fire, and he grind him teet' horrid. Den he rush 'pon 
 Boney, and fell him as de cook's mate knack down a 
 bullock. Boney, nearly killed and no able for get up, 
 rub him head and say, he fight again anoder day ; 
 dat he bin come out widout him breekfiss dat morn- 
 ing, and sich kind ob pretence. But Nelson sing out 
 sharp, ' Belay dat jaw ; me will teach you to sarve 
 out sarce to a better man dan yourself. Now, lads, 
 seize up dat light-libbered lubber ; put he in irons 
 and gag him, den chuck him in a rum cask and carry 
 him home to King George.' When dem see Boney 
 walloped, de French fleet 'trike and de English 
 
 * For the benefit of those readers who have not studied the 
 natural history of the Commodore's countrymen, we beg permission 
 to explain that a negro duel, when it comes to blows, is conducted 
 very much like a contest between two rams, except that the 
 excitement and clamour of the bystanders belong more properly 
 to ghouls and satyrs than to sheep. The combatants lower their 
 heads and run at each other, meeting with a great shock. The 
 heads are uncommonly hard, and sometimes a succession of en- 
 counters is required before one of the heroes drops or declines a 
 further trial. In most cases the tongue is the weapon employed, 
 and there is a prodigal expenditure of words and elevating senti- 
 ments. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 185 
 
 cheer. King George send Boney to pick oakum in 
 Santeleny, and he make Nelson a prince ob de blood. 
 What you tink ob dat, sar?" 
 
 " Very good indeed," said Christy, " and worth a 
 dollar ; here it is. I thought, though, that you were 
 on quite familiar terms with Nelson ; haven't I heard 
 you say so ? " 
 
 " Me couldn't say dat, massa/becausin it was not de 
 fack, and massa know me always 'peak de trut'. Me 
 hab berry little personal 'quaintance wid Nelson 
 berry little. De last time me see him was at de Gun 
 at Deal wid a 'plendid nyoung lady. Dem jist bin 
 dancin' when me come in, and Nelson's pipe gone out 
 while him dance. ' Hillo, messmate/ sing out Nelson, 
 
 ' shibber my timbers, gib us a light and be d to 
 
 you. ' So ob course I hand him a light, and him say, 
 ' What will you drink, old ship glass o' rum ? ' ' No, 
 admiral/ me say, ' rum is a common liquor ; any low 
 nigger can drink rum : me prefers brandy/ * Two 
 glasses ob de bes' brandy/ sing out Nelson. ' Your 
 healt', sar/ he say. ' Your good healt', admiral,' me 
 say, and so we pull foot and part. ' Who is de col- 
 oured gentleman I take brandy wid ? ' I hear Nelson 
 say jes' after. Dat de last time I see him, but I 
 b'lieve him is generally lounging about the Point in 
 de summer mont' ; but in winter him shut up, becausin 
 it cold dere, and you see him gettin' dam elderly ; 
 
186 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 besides dat, him drink hard and bin a debilish sly 
 feller." 
 
 After these interesting anecdotes, so characteristic 
 of our renowned sailor, the Commodore's conversation 
 became less worthy of repetition, and in a short time 
 he was obliged to discontinue it altogether as they 
 neared the land, and to request Christy to go aft, that 
 the lightened bows might slide well on to the beach, 
 and allow of a pleasant landing. 
 
 A few minutes saw Violet and Christy seated in 
 their carriage, and starting for Spanish Town ; while 
 Manuel, by no means the happier for his long draught 
 of love, prepared to return home in the wherry. 
 
 We watch our Violet along the dusty road, catch 
 the flutter of her veil, and wave a sad adieu as the 
 carriage turns out of sight ; then away again to ruder 
 scenes. 
 
 Pause we one moment, though, to make a startling 
 revelation. We hear that on this day a note passed 
 from Crystal Mount to Stony Hill ; that Arthur Brune 
 was again at the former place, and closeted with Mrs 
 Arabin ; that Mr Chitty was highly scandalised and 
 much disturbed. The report is almost incredible, 
 and yet subsequent events did not contradict it. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 ONE day, a short time after noon, a tandem was 
 scientifically pulled up at the door of the same 
 pavilion in which Lieutenant Lorton lived. On the 
 box sat Tom Gervaise in great state, with his luscious 
 hat and double-thonged whip ; beside him was Arthur 
 Brune. 
 
 "Mr Knox at home, bo?" inquired Brune, de- 
 scending. 
 
 " Yes, massa ; he upstairs keeping de passover," 
 replied a spare pensive young negro who stood on 
 the steps. 
 
 " The devil ! " exclaimed both gentlemen, who 
 appeared to entertain a particular objection to that 
 festival. 
 
 Keeping the passover was, however, only a phrase 
 at that time in vogue in Jamaica, to denote a very 
 simple domestic precaution. It meant spreading out 
 one's kit or stock of clothes for the purpose of airing 
 them ; an operation which requires to be frequently 
 
188 CAPTAIN CLTJTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 performed in hot climates. Its etymology was this : 
 Of yore the phrase had been, Holding a Rag Fair, 
 or a Monmouth Street, the displays being much like 
 those of the children of Israel. One day, however, 
 it flashed across the brain of an officer, who was a 
 profound Orientalist, that there was some historical 
 connection between the passover and old clothes. 
 Whereupon, without waiting to refer to his Josephus 
 or Strabo, he applied the name at hap-hazard and on 
 the spot ; for, as Sir John says, a quick wit will make 
 use of anything. The jeu d 'esprit had a tremendous 
 success, and was immediately adopted into the vocab- 
 ulary of men of spirit, the discarded epithet of Mon- 
 mouth Street descending to slow quartermasters and 
 commissaries, or to subalterns who came in rearward 
 of the fashion, and digested wit like boas, taking six 
 months to a bon mot. 
 
 Lieutenant Knox, then, was keeping the passover, 
 and was discovered by our two gentlemen in his 
 verandah reclining in a rocking-chair, a cigar in his 
 mouth, a volume of ' Tom Jones ' on his knee, and a 
 tumbler of brandy-and-water beside him. Over and 
 about him hung festoons of cord laden with apparel, 
 and open doors and windows showed within his apart- 
 ment a continuation of the garlands exposed to a 
 thorough draught. Flannel and linen formed the 
 bulk of the wardrobe, but there were cloth uniforms 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 189 
 
 seldom used, and plain cloth clothes very musty, and 
 with traces of moth ; while in a corner how fallen 
 from the consideration which they enjoyed in Eng- 
 land ! slunk some greatcoats and cloaks, conveying 
 a bitter moral to those who persist in going where 
 none has need of them. Some worsted stockings and 
 mufflers, which had been overlooked at the last pass- 
 over, appeared now in a lamentable state of decompo- 
 sition, and did not outlive the present feast. Besides 
 preventing the ravages of moth, it was necessary to 
 remove all sorts of grubs and insects, which, with 
 no evil intention, crawled among and stuck to the 
 clothes ; and to dissipate the souvenir which cock- 
 roaches leave behind them. 
 
 As old Tom came thumping along the verandah 
 with his stick, " Hollo ! " shouted he to the proprietor 
 of this miscellany ; " what the deuce are you keeping 
 passover for? Why didn't you choose some other 
 day?" 
 
 " By Jove, old Tom ! " responded Knox, ducking 
 and shouldering aside the pendant garments, as 
 Eoderick Eandom was wont to do among the sick 
 hammocks, "how do, old boy? And Brune too! 
 devilish glad to see you," as the latter gentleman 
 followed in Tom's wake, bearing the tandem whip as 
 a gillie carries the pipes when the piper is not per- 
 forming. 
 
190 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " The devil take your passover ! " repeated Tom 
 Gervaise. 
 
 " Amen," answered Knox, reverentially ; " we'll 
 put it off. Here, Gonsalvo, down with this rag-shop, 
 and let's have some second breakfast." 
 
 " Massa goin' to 'top de passover ? " asked Gonsalvo, 
 who had had some trouble in arranging the hangings. 
 
 " Yes, and be hanged to you ! we'll have it next 
 week," decreed Knox, in utter defiance of Gregorian 
 Calendar and Council of Nice. " Shut shop, do you 
 hear? Skip, jump, and make a clearance in the 
 crushing of a mosquito." 
 
 Gonsalvo de Cordova (for Knox's domestic bore the 
 name of the great captain), after taking order for the 
 supply of some food, proceeded to remove the display 
 of woollens, muttering as he did so 
 
 " Now, now, now, now, now, now, now ! Did any- 
 body ebber hear of sich a ting ! Tree mortal hours me 
 bin preparing dis dam passover dis mornin' ; massa 
 mu's a mad. It really too wort'less. Wish dis Cap'n 
 Gerbis did dead. Hei ! " 
 
 "Well, Knox, how do you get on, old fellow?" 
 inquired Brune. "How's old Clutterbuck? We 
 must take care to congratulate him before we go 
 back" 
 
 " We'll have him in to second breakfast," said 
 Knox, " and probably another well-disposed person 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 191 
 
 or two. He's going to give a devil of a dinner. You 
 are coming down, of course ? " 
 
 "Of course not," said Tom Gervaise; "what the devil 
 do you take me for, that you expect me to join your 
 debauchery ? I shall spend that evening in meditation, 
 with Blair's Sermons, or the ' Pilgrim's Progress.' " 
 
 " If you get drunk early, you will probably enjoy 
 some very heavenly imaginings during the entertain- 
 ment," replied Knox. " Now then, boys, what's 
 brought you down here anything particular?" 
 
 " That I will tell you more of before we part,' 1 
 said Brune. " I want you to lend me a hand in a 
 small adventure." 
 
 "You may always command Edward Knox, you 
 know, Arthur." 
 
 " Sure of that, old fellow ; more anon. Here come 
 more company." 
 
 Captain Clutterbuck, who has kindly lent his 
 name to this narrative, now entered, and received 
 the hearty felicitations of Brune and old Tom. Poor 
 old Glut was overjoyed, and could hardly believe in 
 his accession of rank. He nailed them both for his 
 dinner, and declared he would have every officer in 
 the island the General included, if he could get him 
 and drown the whole in champagne. 
 
 " I'll tell you one man you won't get," said Knox, 
 "and that's Lorton. Got a devilish sharp fever." 
 
192 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 "Don't know anybody whose absence I should 
 have less regretted," said Tom. " Now then, is this 
 second breakfast coming, or not ? " 
 
 "Here in a minute, my old file," said Knox. 
 " Suppose you season your impatience by mixing 
 some porter-cup ? " 
 
 " Ah ! " said Tom, " when I can be doing anything 
 to benefit my fellow-creatures, I'm never impatient. 
 Hand us the jorum." 
 
 Clutterbuck's excitement had not yet subsided, 
 and it made him awfully hot. This was unfortu- 
 nate, as, being a gentlemanly commonplace man, he 
 shunned anything remarkable. If he had a cox- 
 combry, however, 'twas an affectation of appearing 
 cool. His wristbands were turned up, and his collar 
 turned down, to a remarkable extent. The ribbon 
 round his neck was scarcely more than a thread. 
 His face was shaven almost bare, and his hair cut 
 very close. All his clothes were well made, and on 
 every other occasion of his life he looked cool and 
 placid. ' 
 
 One or two idle men lounged in, and the second 
 breakfast took place. This meal, which has different 
 names in different countries, is in England denomi- 
 nated luncheon. The second breakfast, though, is 
 rather heavier and wetter than the lunch, showing 
 either that physiologists are mistaken in their die- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 193 
 
 tetic theories for warm climates, or that Creoles are 
 very imprudent. 
 
 " Nobody '11 dispute my right to the first pull at 
 the porter-cup, I suppose, as I mixed it," said Tom 
 Gervaise, drawing the cuff of his jacket across his 
 lips, and grasping the jorum's stem with his other 
 hand. 
 
 " Oh, no !" said a smart ensign; "that would be a 
 useless dispute ; we only hope you'll let us have a 
 little after youVe done." 
 
 Gervaise did not allow the remark to interrupt his 
 draught, which was on this occasion profound ; but 
 after he had drunk and passed the glass, with a river 
 running down its inside, to his neighbour, his trusty 
 stick was heard to make a spiritual noise against the 
 ensign's shin-bone. 
 
 " Hillo, by Jove, what's that ? " exclaimed the 
 } youth. 
 
 "That your leg?" said Tom; "how badly it 
 rings ! " 
 
 " Does it ? I don't like that fun, though, I can 
 teU you/' 
 
 " They come out from England so devilish thin- 
 skinned ! " said Gervaise, addressing Brune. " Just 
 look at his hands, Arthur, a mass of mosquito-bites ! 
 his neck on fire with prickly heat, and his leg, you 
 see, can't stand a pat ; must be carious." 
 
 N 
 
194 
 
 " I don't despair of him, though," said Arthur. 
 " If he listens to the teachers who are ready to form 
 him, he may rival some friends of mine, and sport 
 a face with bubuckles and whelks and knobs and 
 flames of fire, like Bardolph." 
 
 " I pity you for having such tender shins, though," 
 Gervaise said. "When I used to suffer from that 
 infirmity, the prescription I followed was, extreme 
 politeness to men who carried thick sticks." 
 
 "No use to offer you pine-apple, Tom?" said 
 Knox, half-inquiringly, while he wrenched the tuft 
 off a beautiful Eipley that a duke would have been 
 proud to produce in England. 
 
 " No, I never eat Jamaica turnip," was Gervaise's 
 reply ; and the same indifference seemed to be felt 
 by the whole party. The delicious fruit became 
 afterwards the perquisite of Gonsalvo de Cordova, to 
 whose morbid mind, however, it gave small satisfac- 
 tion, for he said, as he slobbered it gloomily, and the 
 juice ran out at both sides of his mouth, " S'pose now 
 me mus' eat dis pine ; it sure to make me bad. Dat 
 is de way wid ebberyting in dis world ; if you hab 
 de pleasure, you hab de pain too. De lubliest mor- 
 nin' end in 'torm and tunder, and de number 'leven 
 mango give de 'tummick-ache. Heigh-ho ! " 
 
 A heavy tread was now heard outside, and a voice 
 sent before the new-comer pronounced in a fine Irish 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 195 
 
 brogue, " God save all here." Nearly every man in 
 the party exclaimed, " Pat Shane, by Jove ! " as a 
 jolly bronzed figure, the owner of the voice, strode 
 into the room and commenced shaking hands. " How 
 do, Knox ? How do, Arthur, me boy ? " and so on. 
 When he arrived within reach of Tom Gervaise's stick 
 he received a thrust under the fifth rib, accompanied 
 by the salutation, " D your eyes," to which at- 
 tentions he did not reply till he had grappled with 
 the two men who intervened. Then he stood behind 
 Gervaise, and, getting into either hand the nether 
 lock of Tom's great whiskers, playfully seesawed his 
 head, saying at the same time, " Tom, y' incorr'g'ble 
 ould sinner, why don't ye die ? " Eefinement com- 
 bines the closest familiarity with perfect decorum. 
 
 "Now then, boys, where d'ye think I've come 
 from ? Walked up in the hate of the sun from Eock 
 Fort. If that doesn't desarve a drink, let no man do 
 well in the hope of reward henceforth. Tom, rache 
 the jor'm, me son. No dry fodder, Knox ; couldn't 
 ate if the loife depinded on it. Deloighted that 
 I hit the moment for brandy-and-water and cigars. 
 Another tumbler, Julius Sasar, or whatever name 
 belongs to that beatific countenance ye've got." 
 
 Brune and Knox, at the head of the table, were 
 engaged in a dialogue which appeared to become 
 more and more interesting. At first they occasion- 
 
196 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 ally interrupted their colloquy, and joined in the 
 general conversation ; but they became by degrees 
 more absorbed in their subject, and would scarcely 
 attend, when appealed to, to corroborate a story of 
 old Tom, who was affirming that he had one night 
 heard two parrots on a tree conversing like human 
 beings. 
 
 " Didn't I hear them, Arthur, as I was riding home 
 from a dinner at old Taylor's ? " asked Tom. 
 
 " I've often heard you say so," replied Arthur ; 
 " so I suppose it must be true." 
 
 " It must be," said Pat Shane. " Of course, Tom, 
 ye were as sober as a church at the toime ! " 
 
 " As sober as a small cathedral," answered Tom, 
 modestly declining comparison with St Paul's or 
 York Minster. 
 
 " D'ye mind what they said, Tom ? " inquired Pat 
 Shane. 
 
 " One of them remarked [here Tom tried his 
 tongue at the brogue], 'Isn't Pat Shane a mortial 
 ould riprobate?' to which the other replied, 'True 
 for you, Poll ; begorra, ye're roight this time.' " 
 
 " I persave," remarked Pat, " that they were imps 
 incited by the divil to slander virtuous men. That 
 being their mission, of coorse they didn't mention 
 yerself, Tom. 7 ' 
 
 Brune and Knox were now so earnestly engaged 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 197 
 
 that they withdrew into Knox's bedroom to avoid 
 further interruptions. The eyes of most of the com- 
 pany followed them to the door, then there was a 
 slight pause and an exchange of meaning glances, 
 after which Clutterbuck observed 
 
 "Our friend Arthur is decidedly down in the 
 mouth ; he has hardly spoken during second break- 
 fast, and he ate next to nothing." 
 
 " YeVe not tould the worst yet," Pat Shane said : 
 " he was very shy of his liquor too, and a man can't 
 neglect that with impunity anywhere, more especially 
 in this wearing climate." 
 
 Clutterbuck, who was a very moderate man in 
 most things, ventured to remark that he thought fel- 
 lows in general would do better if they had a little 
 more of the shyness of which Pat complained ; to 
 which Pat replied 
 
 " Then how the divil is it that, when a man gets 
 shaky and queer, and stupid people begin nodding 
 their heads and saying he's gone it too hard how is 
 it, I say, that the doctors, who ought to know best, 
 always order wine, and, if the case is bad, brandy? 
 Tell me that. If liquor s the disuse, how can it be 
 the rimidy ? In my last rigimint, where they drank 
 like fishes, we'd an assistant-surgeon from the county 
 Kerry, a very larned man, and a beautiful ecartt 
 player ; and when he'd see a man lying on his bed, 
 
198 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 wake and pale and narvus, he'd say, ' Cheer up, me 
 man, we'll give ye something to support the system 
 and corrict this deprission.' Then maybe the patient 
 'ud say, ' Oh, doctor dear, but it's upsot entirely that 
 I am so wake and spaclieless ! ' And the doctor 'ud 
 ask him, 'D'ye see tadpouls?' And if he said he 
 didn't, he'd get a drink of brandy, and soon be better. 
 But he was sure to be asked, "D'ye see tadpouls?' 
 and if he said he did, they'd send for the priest to 
 make his sowl, but he'd get the brandy all the same. 
 Now, would a dying man get brandy if it wasn't good 
 for his health ? And could it be good for his health 
 if it was the cause of his decease, I'd like to know ? " 
 
 And Pat, in triumph, paused for a reply. No man 
 ventured to question such an overwhelming argu- 
 ment, and Tom Gervaise's nod of approval ought to 
 have quite rewarded Pat for his effort in exhibiting it. 
 
 "Well," continued Clutterbuck, " without intend- 
 ing to prescribe the quantity that any man should 
 take, I should like to see Brune a little heartier. All 
 the fun and the energy have left him. He never 
 thanked me for the seal I sent him not, I am sure, 
 from indifference to the gift, but from distraction and 
 blue-devils." 
 
 " I was wanst crossed in love," said Pat Shane, 
 '' but it didn't make me stroike off a tumbler ; if 
 anything, the contrary/' 
 
199 
 
 " What ! has Brune had a disappointment \ " 
 screamed out one of the youngsters. There was a 
 sudden hush. Arthur had managed to make himself 
 respected among them ; and though he was beyond 
 earshot, his name and affairs claimed the low cautious 
 tone in which men speak of those whom they look up 
 to. The voices and manner of some of the party, and 
 the stick of Gervaise, admonished the last speaker to 
 be prudent. 
 
 "I wonder now," said Pat, thinking aloud "I won- 
 der whether, if that hucksterin' robber Melhado was 
 to lave the field, Arthur's success would be certain." 
 
 " That's a useless speculation/' Gervaise said. 
 "Melhado's young and strong and saucy, and not 
 likely to get out of the way." 
 
 " He might be politely requested to stip aside/' re- 
 sponded Shane, " and he'd not stop the road again if 
 he got hit." 
 
 " I daresay Brune '11 pull his nose for him some 
 day," pursued Tom, mysteriously ; " you may all be 
 sure that, if he doesn't do it now, he knows 'tisn't the 
 right time." 
 
 " I know a man," replied Pat, " that'll think it the 
 right time whenever he can get a colourable quarr'l 
 with the dirty daler." 
 
 " Why, Pat, one would think you were his rival," 
 said Tom. 
 
200 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 r " I'm no man's rival, the heavens "he praised, but 
 a Christian gintleman, at pace with all mankind, and 
 the mortal inimy of this presuming pup," answered 
 Pat. " Ye don't know how well he desarves my dis- 
 tinguished detestation, but I'll tell ye. 
 
 " Ye see, he's been scraping up a wonderful ac- 
 quaintance wid that disagreeable fellow Lorton, who's 
 got a bitter tongue ; but thin he's a gintleman, and 
 knows when and where to give a taste of it. Be me 
 sowl, but it's made me laugh sometimes when I heard 
 him scarifying some poor unready divil, who could 
 feel the points sticking in him, but didn't know how 
 to parry them ha, ha ! Well, then, this gineral 
 merchant this Mister Melhado thinks he must 
 imitate Lorton's bitin' impident humour, though he 
 hasn't got Lorton's taste and dissarnmint to show 
 him when he's got hould of a fair subject. He tried 
 it, I'm tould, once or twice, quite in Lorton's worst 
 style, and was pretty successful in his hits : the men 
 were taken aback, and didn't know what to make of 
 it. But what does the thunderin' oaf do then, but 
 think he's a proficient in the sat'r'cal line, and begin 
 to make his thrusts indiscriminately, when, bedad ! 
 he falls foul of a tartar, if there's one in Christen- 
 dom, so he does. If yell believe me, the low, dirty, 
 money-getting vagabone thinks proper to take his 
 fling at an Irish gintleman, of a family that's been 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 201 
 
 cilibrated since the building of Babel. The Shanes 
 comminced about that time. Yes, boys, may I niver 
 see glory if the baste didn't try his indacent jistin' 
 upon meself be the powers he did ! and this was 
 the way of it. They'd the Gineral dining at the mess 
 at Fort Augusta, and I was there, and so was this 
 unmannerly robber. And, sis the Gineral, sis he, 
 ' What's the news that's come by the packet, for I've 
 been so busy wid despatches that I couldn't read it 
 yet ? What is there stirrin', Mr Melhado ? ' Now, 
 ye see, Melhado and me niver took kindly to one an- 
 other, and we'd been sparr'n' a little that evening, and 
 so he says to the Gineral, takin' care that I should 
 hear, ' There's no news at all of any importance, sir : 
 two or three Irish blackguards hanged, that's all.' 
 Presently I asked him, ' Might I inquire why you 
 applied the term Irish blackguards to the persons 
 that ye said was ixicuted V 'I called them Irish,' 
 sis he, ' because they wor born and hanged in Ireland ; 
 and I called them blackguards because they wor con- 
 victed of a diabolical outrage/ But I wasn't to be 
 put off that way ; and so I went on, ' You coupled 
 the words together in an objectionable way, sir ; I'd 
 have you to know that I, as an Irishman, don't fancy 
 hearing you spake that way of " Irish blackguards" ' 
 ' You do quite right,' sis he, ' to stand up for your 
 order. I wish I'd spoken more respectfully of these 
 
202 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 unfortunate men/ Well, I knew the whelp was 
 troiflin' with me, but, for the loife of me, I couldn't 
 tell how to meet him at the moment, his manner 
 seemed so quiet and sincere. I caught a twinkle in 
 the GineraFs eye, too, as he looked across the table at 
 one of the staff. First I thought of sending a decan- 
 ter at Melhado's head, but that wouldn't have done, 
 of course ; and so I said quietly to meself, ' Make 
 much of your joke, me flower of the forest, for your 
 laugh won't last long. Pat Shane owes ye one, and 
 he'll pay to the last pinnyweight ; ' and so I will, 
 divil take me if I don't." 
 
 " Serve him right too," said in concert two or three 
 of the juniors, with whom Shane was an oracle in 
 matters of honour. 
 
 " Gervaise," said Clutterbuck, who wished to change 
 the subject, " I knew a brother of yours, called James, 
 many years ago. We travelled in France together. 
 Where is he now ? " 
 
 Tom, when this question was asked, was transfer- 
 ring his cigar, which was very dull, from between 
 his fingers to his mouth. As soon as his lips had a 
 fast hold of it, he turned his forefinger vertically 
 downwards, looking at the same time at Clutterbuck 
 who understood from the pantomime that James Ger- 
 vaise, his quondam acquaintance, had been gathered 
 to his fathers, and that his disconsolate brother 
 
203 
 
 Thomas was unable to answer articulately, either 
 from emotion at the mention of the name, or from the 
 risk of letting his light out. Then Clutterbuck, see- 
 ing that Tom was for the present silent, turned to 
 Shane and asked him whether he was aware that 
 Lorton, of whom he had lately spoken, was seriously 
 ill. 
 
 " I heard," said Pat, " that he'd a slight fever." 
 
 " Quite correct," answered Glut ; " the fever has 
 never been violent, the doctors say, but it hangs upon 
 him and wears him sadly. He's been in a low ner- 
 vous condition for some time, and that keeps up the 
 complaint. They would send him home if he could 
 be patched up sufficiently to be put on board, but 
 he's too weak at present." 
 
 " He'll come to no harm," said one of the party ; 
 " he's too disagreeable for that. It's only your good 
 fellows that are taken off, like poor Simpson, and 
 Hilly er, and Drysdale." 
 
 " I don't feel sure of that," Clutterbuck replied ; 
 "the doctors are puzzled, and shake their heads. 
 Ordinary treatment appears to have failed, and when 
 it comes to that, there's ground for apprehension." 
 
 " Then, by this and by that, Tom, ye must pray for 
 Mm as ye did for the corporal at Button's Lodge. 
 You're the boy for healin' when the faculty breaks 
 down." 
 
204 CAPTAIN CLTJTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Seeing a look of great astonishment appear, after 
 this observation, on the countenances of the younger 
 guests who had not been in the island at the time of 
 the occurrence to which Pat alluded, he offered to 
 enlighten them concerning it ; but as Pat was not 
 remarkable for condensation, we will tell his story in 
 our own words : 
 
 Tom once lay at an outpost in charge of a small 
 detachment, one of whom was, on a sudden, taken 
 alarmingly ill. The nearest surgeon was sent for, and 
 he declared that the patient could not live two hours. 
 It was the spiritual physician who was now required 
 in haste ; but, alas ! the whole dreary district boasted 
 no such comforter. In this extremity, Tom, though all 
 unused to religious exercise, determined that his dying 
 brother should not lack such assistance as he, Tom, 
 could afford. Accordingly he appeared, prayer-book 
 in hand, beside the bed of suffering, and, opening the 
 volume, read impressively that portion of our beauti- 
 ful liturgy which supplicates spiritual aid "as for this 
 kingdom in general, so especially for the High Court 
 of Parliament." Whether the man's almost miracu- 
 lous recovery was the direct result of Tom s ministry 
 (as hath by some been affirmed), is a point which we 
 presume not to decide. We leave it to be judged of 
 by every man as his conscience shall prompt, believ- 
 ing that course to accord best with the interests of 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK.S CHAMPAGNE. 205 
 
 truth and the principles of religious toleration for 
 which this realm hath long been famous. 
 
 Torn growled surlily when Pat narrated this anec- 
 dote, and shook his stick at those who laughed. He 
 wouldn't, however, be decoyed into conversation, and 
 the whole company seemed to feel the effect of their 
 meal, and to sink into a sleepy, smoky condition. So, 
 finding them such stupid company, we propose to 
 follow Knox and Brune, and to find out what their 
 important conference was about. 
 
 " Did I rightly understand your hint, Arthur ? " 
 asked Knox, when they had got clear of the din. 
 " Have you really determined to attempt it on Clut- 
 terbuck's night ? " 
 
 " I have determined ! " said Arthur. " It must de- 
 pend now on others whether I shall be able to carry 
 out my scheme. Gervaise is to be charioteer from 
 the mountain's foot. Mr Grant, who considers that 
 matrimony is, at any price and under any circum- 
 stances, to be encouraged among the blacks and the 
 military, has promised his assistance. I go this after- 
 noon to get the important parchment from the Gover- 
 nor, and I have taken means for the success of the 
 attempt on the high ground. We must now see how 
 Melhado and Mr Arabin can be detained in camp till 
 daylight after Clutterbuck's entertainment." 
 
 " Depend on me," said Knox, " to aid in any 
 
 
206 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 scheme you may devise. My invention's not so good 
 as yours. How do you propose to manage it ? " 
 
 " I've thought," said Arthur, " of making them 
 tipsy, or of crippling their chaise, or both." 
 
 " Both very uncertain devices/' said Knox ; " we 
 must do something surer than that. What think you 
 of a quarrel ? " 
 
 "I have rejected that plan," said Brune, "because 
 I would allow no man wantonly to endanger his own 
 life or another's for my gratification." 
 
 " Leave it to me, then," said Knox ; " I think I see 
 how to manage it, and we'll risk no lives, but have 
 some fun. "We'll keep them here, if we have to lock 
 them up. In the last resort I would advise some of 
 our lads (who will by that time be full of champagne) 
 of what's afoot, and I don't think they would allow 
 sport to be spoiled." 
 
 " One word more, then, before I disturb Gervaise 
 from his grog. They tell me, my dear fellow, that 
 you've been playing deeply lately. For heaven's sake 
 stop while it's not too late. Anything that my small 
 means can do you may command. Think of your 
 mother do, Knox ; and if they have any play after 
 Glut's dinner, as they probably will, refrain." 
 
 " I assure you, Brune," said Knox, " that I am per- 
 fectly disgusted with play, and have formed a resolu- 
 tion, which I think will hold, to give it up entirely. " 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 207 
 
 This resolution, though, was formed with a proviso 
 and exception which Master Knox thought proper to 
 keep in reserve. He was most sincere at that moment 
 in his contrition, and wished with all his soul that 
 he had never touched card or die ; for he had been 
 playing deeply, as Arthur had heard, and so great was 
 his embarrassment that the sale of his commission 
 alone could extricate him. About half its value was 
 already lost, and he had determined to risk the other 
 half in the attempt to retrieve his affairs. After 
 Clutterbuck's dinner, he determined to have cards or 
 hazard in his room, and it was in connection with 
 this plan that he proposed to bring about the deten- 
 tion of Melhado and Christy. He was obliged to re- 
 serve himself for the great coup which he meditated 
 at play, but he thought Pat Shane might be wrought 
 into a humour to do the quarrelling. Accordingly, 
 after Tom Gervaise had been got under way, and the 
 tandem en route far Spanish Town, Knox sued for a 
 private interview with Pat, which Pat graciously 
 accorded, merely guarding his honour by stipulating 
 that he was to hear no proposal concerning mutiny, 
 or coining, or making away with the mess sherry, 
 which was a widely celebrated wine. 
 
 Having reassured him on these points, Knox pro- 
 ceeded to inquire if it would give him any pleasure 
 to serve Arthur Brune, to which query Pat Shane 
 
208 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 replied by a series of questions to the following 
 effect : 
 
 " Does a game-cock like foitin' ? does a turtle-dove 
 love billin' and cooin' ? does a mortherin' lawyer love 
 fingerin' the fees ? They do. Well then, what they'd 
 do for either of them deloights, I'd do for Arthur 
 Brune, d'ye see ? Now then, go on, Knox, me boy." 
 
 " Certain reasons make it desirable that Melhado 
 and his party should not leave this too early after 
 Clutterbuck's dinner. I can't enter into particulars." 
 
 Shane compressed his lips till his mouth nearly 
 disappeared, and executed a series of short double 
 nods indicative of entire comprehension of an inef- 
 fable mystery ; then he repeated, in business-like 
 tones, 
 
 " Go on, Knox, me boy." 
 
 "We thought, perhaps, that the surest cause of 
 detention might be the settlement of some misun- 
 derstanding always a longish affair ; and that if you 
 didn't mind " 
 
 " That's it ; be me sowl, you've hit it. That's the 
 card, Knox. Consider 't settled from this time. 
 He'll not go home till mornin', ye may take your 
 dying davy, and perhaps he'll not go then ; he may 
 be carr'ed. Ah, go to the divil wid ye !" 
 
 Saying which, he smote Knox playfully on the ribs 
 so as to render him inarticulate, and was walking off, 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 209 
 
 highly satisfied with the result of the interview, when 
 the other seized his arm and held him till he reco- 
 vered breath enough to speak again. 
 
 "Stop a moment, Pat (gasp) you (gasp) you 
 (gasp) haven't quite (gasp) understood me." 
 
 " Haven't I ? the divil ! but I have, though ! I 
 have yer meaning as true as gospel, and when that's 
 the case, the less said the better. If a casualty should 
 occur, there's censorious persons always ready to 
 pervert a gentleman's spache, and insinuate that he 
 thought of doin' it beforehand. Oh, bother, don't 
 let's talk." 
 
 " But, Pat, you don't understand, I assure you. I 
 never thought of anything serious. A little sham 
 sparring, just to prevent their seeing how time flies, 
 and then an amicable arrangement, you know, and a 
 breakfast here, or something of that sort " 
 
 " Mr Knox," said Pat, drawing himself up, " is it 
 me, of the blood of the Shanes, that ye mane to 
 insult?" 
 
 " Am I a likely man to insult you, Pat?" 
 
 " Maybe not. We've been ould friends these seven 
 years, but may I starve if I can construe yer last 
 remarks otherwise than dishonourably !" 
 
 " My dear Pat, can't you understand a bit of fun ?" 
 
 "Fun ! on proper subjects, of coorse I can. If it's 
 cardin' a proctor, or boultin' a turnpike, or takin' a 
 
 
 
210 CAPTAIN CLTJTTEKBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 funky rider over some damnable raspers, or any other 
 harmless divarsion, I've not the laste objection. But 
 to be throiflin' with matters of honor! Ts't a Shane 
 ye're asking ? Bathershin ! " 
 
 " Why, what could be the harm of it ? only a little 
 joke." 
 
 "Harm! joke!" 
 
 "Yes; what harm?" 
 
 " A purty commotion there'd be in Ballyshane the 
 day they heard of it ! Can't I fancy Father O'Eourke, 
 with the big hat on him, and the heavy whip in his 
 hand, bidding them keep their tempers and bear the 
 dispensation with patience, and foaming himself at 
 the mouth with rage and shame ! And Tim Bralla- 
 ghan and the rest of them turning up their eyes and 
 cryin', ' Who'd have thought it of Pat Shane a boy 
 that would never crack a joke on a piper, because a 
 piper once played before Moses? and to find him 
 making a jest of serious things ;' and Mike Duffy, the 
 villain ! that I bate out of shape for rudeness to Mary 
 Higgins, with the heart's black drop welling over at the 
 eyes of him ; while he pretinds to be tinder and sorry 
 for poor Pat's disgrace the desateful Judas ! And one 
 says this of me, and one says that ; and at last comes 
 by a little black-eyed divil with the purtiest feet in 
 the world, and she says God bless her! says she, 
 'What's that ye're saying about Misther Shane?' says 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 211 
 
 she. ' Which of ye is there that would dare to tell 
 him to his face that black's the white of his eye, or 
 the smallest spick on it ? Shane's sarving his coun- 
 try,' says she ; ' and I'll be bail for him he never 
 done a thing the likes o' yees should despise him for. 
 Oh, that the Vargin 'ud give me a man's strength 
 this hour, and I'd write Slanderer upon the forehead 
 of the first that dared to slight him, ye calumniating 
 villains ! ' She'd say this, but she'd be wrong she'd 
 have to own afterwards that 'twas heaven's own 
 truth and she'd hide her darlin' head for shame. 
 And oh, blood and turf ! can a mortial man bear 
 this thought ? Knox, me boy, ye're an old frind and 
 a true, but before Pat Shane 11 troifle with his honor, 
 or make a sport of sacr'd instichusions, he'll be 
 caught robbin' a church or ninchin' at the second 
 tumbler \ " 
 
 Thoroughly overcome by this burst of eloquence, 
 Pat allowed himself to be posted in a chair, and 
 wiped his face at considerable length with a cotton 
 handkerchief, whose home was in the crown of his 
 hat, where it performed the office of a sun-screen 
 when not on active duty. 
 
 Knox began to despair of obtaining Pat's consent 
 to a quarrel of convenience ; at any rate, he thought 
 it prudent not to push the point further just now. 
 He had secured his Irish friend's co-operation to a 
 
212 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 certain extent, and he would find a more favourable 
 opportunity, or perhaps corrupt Pat's second ; for the 
 same love of combination which made him confident 
 with the pasteboard and bones, made him take a 
 pride in mastering this difficulty. 
 
 So Knox sat down to ruminate a process to which 
 he was at all times prone, whether he had any busi- 
 ness requiring consideration or not. With a little 
 more of the active, and a little less of the reflective 
 element in his composition, he might possibly have 
 run a more honourable career than he has achieved, 
 or is ever likely to achieve. For dreamy desultory 
 reflection is a dangerous and unprofitable, though a 
 seductive habit. Knox, who is still alive, does not 
 consider that the pleasures of imagination have com- 
 pensated him for the consciousness that his life has 
 hitherto been of little use : he has seen visions and 
 dreamed dreams, but he has contributed nothing to 
 the great mass of human work ; the next generation 
 will be neither the better nor the worse for his exist- 
 ence : he fears that he has lived in vain. Yet 'tis a 
 strong mind that, having learned the spell, can re- 
 frain from using it : he who possesses the golden key 
 is evermore drawn toward the enchanted garden. He 
 will clothe the arid desert with bubbling fountains 
 and fresh mossy banks ; on the tented field he hears 
 the voices of children and the songs of youth and 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 213 
 
 home ; he roams delighted through the mouldering 
 Past, and dares to frame a forethought of the awful 
 Future. But to the striving, active present, what 
 does he contribute? And whenever Knox thus 
 searched his own nature, he would see in envied 
 contrast the character of his friend Arthur Brune. 
 Arthur could think too, but he usually thought with 
 a purpose in view ; he could take a rapid survey and 
 form an irrevocable decision : then his bodily energies 
 took up the matter and wrought it to its end ; he 
 realised and conformed to the actual present, all other 
 thought excluded for the time ; and as it was with 
 his gun or in the race so was it afterwards amid the 
 din of battle ; he drew his sword from its scabbard 
 with a determined arm, and until it returned thither 
 again, after an eventful encounter, his mind was with 
 it. And the fortunes of the two men have been such 
 as their dispositions might have led one to predict. 
 
 This, however, is not hastening to the event, ac- 
 cording to the maxim of our friend Quintus Horatius 
 Flaccus.* Wherefore we interrupt these reflections, 
 and take up the relation of events from the line 
 where we writ that Knox sat down to ruminate. 
 Between scheming and dreaming, he was very happy 
 in his rocking-chair, but there we must leave him or 
 disobey Horace, and possibly exhaust the patience of 
 
 * " Semper ad eventum festinat." Hon. 
 
214 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 the courteous reader. The substance of what Knox 
 thought will appear by-and-by, and we have nothing 
 more at present to say of him or his establishment, 
 except that Gon salvo de Cordova, after clearing the 
 tables of the second breakfast, made a melancholy 
 meal in the verandah, standing up as he ate, after the 
 manner of negroes, and mingling on his plate pork 
 chops, rice pudding, lobster salad, and apple-sauce ; 
 after which sad repast he felt in some degree pre- 
 pared for the duties of the afternoon, which consisted 
 of sitting on the back door-step and scratching his 
 head. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 " YAH-I-EPP I " shouted old Tom, as he put his team 
 in motion, making his voice perform the office of the 
 guard's horn ; whereupon orderlies and stray non- 
 commissioned officers faced inwards and saluted as the 
 tandem passed, and niggers, with broad grins on their 
 faces, scampered out of the road, crying, with their 
 peculiar chuckle, " Hei, Massa Gervaise ! " and one or 
 two of them got tickled by Tom's lash, to the un- 
 bounded amusement of the rest. At the sound of 
 wheels, half-a-dozen dogs rushed frantically from the 
 different buildings to bark, but, perceiving the un- 
 erring hand that wielded the whip, they suddenly 
 altered their minds and retreated, many of them., 
 though unscathed, emitting faint yelps from agree- 
 able associations. 
 
 We have incidentally mentioned that Gervaise and 
 Brune were bound for Spanish Town. They were 
 going to wait on no less a personage than his Excel- 
 lency the Governor ; that is, Brune was going to beg. 
 
216 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 an audience with the great man, and Tom Gervaise 
 went to pass the time, and on the probability of 
 getting up a jollification at a strange mess. 
 
 The Government was, in those days, still a very 
 high appointment. The importance of the island 
 was waning, but she still boasted herself the bright- 
 est jewel in the British crown. Soon after, she ceased 
 to boast, or to give any other sign of self-esteem. Her 
 complacency, if she retained any, became reflective 
 and visionary, turning evermore silently back to the 
 days of her glory. It has amused us sometimes, 
 while lounging listlessly in a hammock, and survey- 
 ing through the half-opened jalousies the laughing 
 mountains and the teeming plain, to recall her past 
 history, and conceive a parallel between her vicissi- 
 tudes and those of the mother country. 
 
 There have been four epochs in the history of 
 Jamaica suggestive of, if not answering to, the radi- 
 cal points of English history. 
 
 It had its savage aborigines, a less warlike race 
 than the Britons, and to whom the fierce Charaibes, 
 inhabitants of the Western Antilles, acted the terrific 
 part of the Picts and Scots. 
 
 Then came the haughty Spaniard, so far resem- 
 bling the Eoman that he introduced science and the 
 arts of life. But in his treatment of the harmless 
 and ignorant natives, how far did the proud champion 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 217 
 
 of the Cross sink below the Pagan ! At the time of 
 the Spanish conquest, the island contained 60,000 
 inhabitants ; and fifty years after, hardly one repre- 
 sentative remained of these wretched Arowauks. 
 Their wholesale destruction was accomplished by the 
 invaders with circumstances of wanton cruelty too 
 horrible to relate, or even to reflect upon. The mar- 
 vel is, how human beings could be guilty of such 
 atrocity ; and the human beings here upon the scene 
 professed to be the most devout sons of the Church 
 her missionaries, God save the mark I ! 
 
 Anon, the third race of conquerors not only corre- 
 sponded to the Saxons, but were the veritable sons of 
 Hengist's and Horsa's host. In 1655, Heaven, by 
 the agency of Oliver Cromwell, answered the cry of 
 vengeance that had gone up from the slaughtered 
 Indians. An English force landed on the island in 
 May, and smote the cruel Spaniards to the uttermost 
 parts thereof, annexing Jamaica thenceforth to the 
 British Empire. 
 
 To complete the historical parallel, something im- 
 portant is wanting. We have matched our Britons, 
 our Eomans, and our Saxons ; but how to find an 
 antitype to the glorious Normans? Bare facts will 
 not do it for us ; but if we look at the results of 
 those facts, we may yet light upon something that 
 burns with the flame of chivalry. It is true that no 
 
218 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 knights and warriors came in pomp and panoply to 
 dispossess, and then unite with the Anglo-Saxon, for 
 the next immigration tells of chains and degradation, 
 and the horrors of the middle passage. Soon after 
 our conquest began the regular introduction of African 
 negroes * to the West Indies a race whose miserable 
 beginnings and servile condition gave no warning 
 that their weakness should one day agitate nations 
 and penetrate the hearts of kings. These were not 
 Normans ; no ! but were lance and mail ever asso- 
 ciated with a more sublime enthusiasm than that 
 which impelled Christian Europe to the succour of 
 the slave ? Was the rescue of His sepulchre or the 
 deliverance of His creatures the grander achievement 
 of the soldiers of Christ ? Hermit and paladin, and 
 most Christian prince, and most holy father, though 
 their zeal was ardent and their courage boiled, can 
 vie with crusaders of these latter days only as the 
 host of Israel may be compared with the universal 
 Church ; the former but a type of the latter. Yea, 
 the intermingling of the sable race with the bright 
 children of the Saxon lias given rise to a school of 
 chivalry the highest and the most powerful that the 
 world has ever seen, the highest, because its aims 
 and its rewards are beyond the earth ; the mightiest, 
 forasmuch as it has triumphed over nations and gov- 
 
 * James I. chartered the slave-trade in 1618. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 219 
 
 ernments and monarchs in the Old World, and is now 
 about to shake terribly the New World of the West ! 
 At the date of our story, the Negro question was 
 creating its very fiercest contentions. Jamaica was 
 being torn and ruined by excited factions. The plant- 
 ing interest, after years of domination, found itself 
 suddenly overborne and trampled on, while upon its 
 forehead were branded all the sins of oppression 
 committed since the world began. The triumphant 
 abolitionists, as if the sacredness of their grand ob- 
 ject absolved them from all blame as to the means 
 they might use, conducted themselves with a vindic- 
 tiveness and rancour which disgraced their profes- 
 sion, and soon were blinded to the difference between 
 truth and falsehood, right and wrong. The weak 
 Government at home, unable to control the torrent, 
 lent itself to the iniquity with which emancipation 
 was carried out, so that every official appointed by 
 the Crown, from the Governor downwards, was forced 
 into the position of a partisan, instead of holding the 
 scales and controlling the fury of the factions. Con- 
 founded by, and indignant at, the injustice with which 
 they conceived themselves to be treated, the planters 
 nevertheless exhibited their ancient independence, 
 and showed once more the bold front which had be- 
 fore now successfully resisted Imperial aggression. 
 But this time the opposition was vain and ruinous ; 
 
20 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 it served only to stimulate the hatred of their irresis- 
 tible foes. The battle was not yet fought out at the 
 date of our tale : the island legislature was as yet 
 vigorous and hopeful, and breasted manfully the 
 waves that were destined to overwhelm it ; but it 
 often, in its indignation and despair, lost sight of 
 dignity and prudence. The local government, re- 
 duced to be the leaders of a violent faction, appeared 
 to no more advantage than the legislative body. The 
 Governor was said to be "a fine old fellow, who 
 would stand no nonsense." The Council and As- 
 sembly likewise contained several fine old fellows 
 who would stand no nonsense. Nonsense, therefore, 
 seemed to have but a bad chance, and yet the pro- 
 ceedings on both sides were marked by the folly and 
 petulance of childhood. Had it been the fortune of 
 the island at this critical time to be governed by a 
 man of temper and discretion, instead of by a fine 
 old fellow who would stand no nonsense, or had the 
 colonists appreciated the magnitude of the opposing 
 force, and bent before instead of resisting it, she 
 might, like Barbadoes, have passed comparatively 
 uninjured through the ordeal of emancipation. But 
 that was not to happen. 
 
 The state of dissension of course afforded openings 
 for loud-mouthed agitators and demagogues to ex- 
 hibit their stump-oratory, and to grasp at places and 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 22J 
 
 gains. Crowds of these appeared, all with liberal and 
 philanthropic sentiments on their lips, but the lives of 
 many of them characterised by greed and hate. Like 
 Judas, they were eloquent concerning the claims of 
 the poor, not that they cared for the poor. And in 
 the very front of the political agitators stood the reli- 
 gious sects,* the preachers acting as the leaders, and 
 instilling their secular doctrines, and inciting to deceit 
 and dishonesty from their pulpits. The clergymen 
 of the Establishment, for the most part, sided with 
 the planters, and shared the odium levelled at them. 
 They were, therefore, of little use. But there were a 
 few young and enthusiastic ministers, like our friend 
 Mr Grant, who endeavoured, amid the roar of factions, 
 to gain a few ears for the voice of true religion. They 
 were nearly all young and inexperienced ; most of 
 them, going right as far as they could see, were un- 
 able to realise in their minds the state of things, and 
 many of them had a zeal which outran discretion. 
 
 All of us are aware of the wreck in which these 
 things resulted ; but many who know the result may 
 not know the elements from which it proceeded. 
 We have ventured, therefore, on these few words of 
 explanation. 
 
 And now we have to be taken rapidly over the 
 
 * We except the Wesleyan Methodists, who were said strictly 
 to confine themselves to spiritual concerns. 
 
222 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 thirteen miles that separate Up Park from Spanish 
 Town. Old Tom is the very person to do us that 
 service. We rattle along, each person absorbed in 
 his own reflections, and noticing nothing not even 
 the immense cotton-tree on the right of the road, 
 beneath which sits an elderly negro retailing the 
 milk of young cocoa-nuts for the refreshment of 
 parched travellers, hewing off the outer husks 'with a 
 weapon that might, for its form, have hung by the 
 side of Haroun al Easchid, and converting the nut 
 itself into a cup. 'Tis a simple draught rudely 
 prepared ; but if the old tree be there, and an old 
 vendor beneath it when you go that way, our life 
 on it, reader, you will halt and drink ! He found 
 no customers in Arthur and Tom that day. They 
 passed silently along, first a warm horse stepping 
 smartly and tossing his head, then another ditto, ditto, 
 then two travellers abreast in their chariot, then two 
 little streams of smoke. 
 
 Now, it naturally enough happened that his Ex- 
 cellency the Governor, being, as has been said, a fine 
 old fellow, held a favourable opinion of a fine young 
 fellow like Arthur Brune. But fine old fellows then 
 had a way of showing their goodwill which we should 
 in this day think objectionable. His Excellency 
 gave Arthur a reception, whose warmth, as indicated 
 by the oaths he used, was intense. He had just then 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 223 
 
 a little leisure, which he kindly devoted to the enter- 
 tainment of his young friend, to whom he addressed, 
 a sprightly conversation, strongly spiced with doubles 
 entendresj and illustrated with anecdotes, from which 
 the chaste Maga, even though approaching her 
 fiftieth year, would avert her eyes with indignant 
 majesty. That was the way in which fine old fellows 
 condescended to those whom it was their pleasure to 
 honour. Arthur for a long time bore with his Ex- 
 cellency's humour, and laughed at his jokes, longing 
 to speak of the business which brought him thither, 
 but not finding an opportunity, so continuous was 
 the flow of his Excellency's conversation. At length 
 the great man looked at his watch, interrupted his 
 discourse, and was about to dismiss his young friend 
 graciously, when Arthur besought an extension of 
 five minutes, saying that he had a favour to ask. 
 
 " Well, my boy, what can I do for you ? " said his 
 Excellency. " Name something in reason, and you 
 may command me." 
 
 " I want a licence to marry," said Arthur, firmly ; 
 " and I beg of your Excellency the favour that you will 
 for a short time keep the granting it a profound secret." 
 
 " Licence to marry ! " repeated the Governor in 
 amazement. " Why, what the devil ! Marry ! Why, 
 you can't be serious." 
 
 " Quite serious, sir/' Arthur said. 
 
224 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Why, I really thought now you were one of the 
 fellows that will take the places of us old cocks when 
 we go our ways. I took you for a soldier, every inch 
 of you. Marry ! By Jove ! " 
 
 " I have not the least intention, sir," said Arthur, 
 " of giving up the service ; and if I know myself at 
 all, I shall not be less worthy of his Majesty's com- 
 mission after marriage than I am now." 
 
 " Pooh, pooh ! " said his Excellency ; " wait till 
 you're a field-officer at least. Marriage is a mistake 
 in a young officer ; fellows never worth a farthing 
 after. Takes all the dash out of him. And a married 
 subaltern ! damme, you must be joking ! Eh? Can't 
 mean it. All humbug. Mustn't think of such thing. 
 Eather sign a death-warrant for you ! " 
 
 Arthur made a suitable acknowledgment for this 
 mark of regard, but persisted that he was quite in 
 earnest, and had well considered the step he was 
 about to take. 
 
 " Then I can only say I'm infernally sorry," said 
 the Governor. " Mark my words ! You'll live to 
 repent it. Fine young fellow like you throwing 
 yourself away ! Besides, I thought you were rather 
 soft about that girl Melhado's going to marry 
 devilish delightful girl she is too splendid bust 
 cursed deal too good for that fellow ; thought you 
 were a little rnoonish in that direction, which seemed 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 225 
 
 a capital thing, as it would keep you single. I say, 
 Brune, whoever it is, you haven't got anything to 
 match old Arabin's daughter, 111 take my oath ! " 
 
 " Miss Arabin's," said Brune, steadily, " is the other 
 name which I wish to be inserted in the licence/' 
 
 His Excellency looked hard at Arthur to examine 
 whether his eye showed symptoms of insanity ; fail- 
 ing to perceive which, and at the same time recollect- 
 ing Arthur's demand of secrecy, the representative of 
 majesty began to perceive how matters stood. 
 
 " The devil it is ! " then said the Governor. " May 
 I ask what Mr and Mrs Arabin and Mr Melhado say 
 to the arrangement ? " 
 
 " I grieve to say, sir/' answered Arthur, " that the 
 marriage, if you give me the means of effecting it, 
 will be clandestine." 
 
 "After which will come duels, actions at law, 
 courts-martial, and I don't know what pleasures be- 
 side ? " said his Excellency, inquiringly. 
 
 " I think not, sir," replied Arthur. " I have 
 weighed well the consequences of what I medi- 
 tate/' 
 
 " You think you can do it neatly ? " asked the 
 great man. 
 
 "T have every hope of carrying out my design." 
 
 Here his Excellency was so overpowered by his 
 feelings, that after a suppressed chuckle or two he 
 
 P 
 
226 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 burst into a fit of hearty laughter, which brought 
 tears out of his eyes. 
 
 " Capital ! " said his Excellency, when he regained 
 command of his voice ; " only do it well, and I'll for- 
 give you for marrying." 
 
 " Don't you," continued he again, unable to control 
 explosions of delight " don't you feel great remorse 
 at the trick you're going to play that excellent young 
 man, Melhado ? " 
 
 " I do/' said Arthur ; " I wish I could avoid it." 
 
 Whereupon his Excellency made a grotesque face, 
 which said, as plainly as a grimace could do, " I see 
 you're a wag as well as a sly dog ; but I have some 
 fun in me too, and we understand each other," and 
 then he pursued his remarks with intervals of 
 laughter. 
 
 " By , it'll set the whole island by the ears. 
 
 Why, what an audacious young scamp you are, eh ! 
 Arabin won't have bo to throw to a goose for the 
 next twelvemonth ; and as for Melhado, oh, 'pon my 
 soul, it's too bad. Well, she ought to marry a red- 
 coat, I'll be if she oughtn't ; 'twould be a slur 
 
 upon the cloth to let a civilian have her. But the 
 sell it'll be for them is best of all. Oh, by Jove, it's 
 capital ! " 
 
 In fine, so great was the Governor's glee that he 
 promised to have the necessary parchment prepared 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 227 
 
 that evening with great secrecy, and desired Arthur 
 to dine at the King's House that he might receive it. 
 And Arthur having incidentally mentioned that Ger- 
 vaise had travelled with him, his Excellency graci- 
 ously extended his invitation to that officer, who was 
 somewhat embarrassed at receipt of it, seeing that he 
 had come over unprovided with a red jacket, without 
 which it was as bad taste to appear at King's House, 
 as for a Jew to go to a marriage without a wedding 
 garment. The difficulty was eventually got over ; 
 but as Tom was both tall and stout, there was some 
 trouble in fitting him. They applied at last to a cap- 
 tain of the St Jago Militia, who was sufficiently stout, 
 but who being of small stature, Thomas presented 
 himself at the viceregal board with six inches of 
 ragged shirt visible round his waist. The hiatus did 
 not spoil his dinner, and his Excellency was so de- 
 lighted with the coming elopement that there was 
 little ceremony. It would have given us great plea- 
 sure to repeat some very excellent anecdotes and 
 jeux d'esprit to which the Governor gave voice on 
 this occasion ; but we have so altered in only a quar- 
 ter of an age, that the conversation of men who en- 
 joyed fame and rank, and who were of mature age at 
 that time, is objectionable in the present day. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 IT is quite true that Lorton lay very sick while thesi 
 things were passing. He had a bad nervous fever- 
 one of the most difficult diseases that doctors deai 
 with in that climate ; it is so hard to treat it in an) 
 way. Often to support the patient is to increase the 
 disease, while to lower the fever is to kill the man 
 People don't think of going to sea till they get very 
 ill ; and when they are very ill, they are not fit to be 
 embarked. Once launched on the Atlantic, they SOOE 
 revive ; the difficulty is to get them there. If pooi 
 Lorton, when he clasped together, as he often did 
 his thin hands, on which still hung the trinkets which 
 he had worn in happier days, a world too wide foi 
 his shrunk fingers if, we say, he had by this act un- 
 wittingly invoked a colossal genius, who said, " 1 
 am ready to obey you as your slave ; I, and the 
 other slaves of that ring," he would have replied, like 
 Aladdin, " Whoever you are, take me out of this 
 place ; " and he would have added, " Place me in an 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 229 
 
 English ship five hundred miles from hence, with her 
 head toward that pleasant country ; let the fresh winds 
 course upon my hot parched face, let the salt breath 
 of the sea bring life and hope to my soul. I would 
 be riding away on the billow, and hear the mariners 
 sing the songs of my native land." Such imagina- 
 tions sound childish, and well they may, for healthy 
 childhood is a state of mental energy and clearness 
 compared with the weak yearnings and fancies of 
 the fever-tossed in a tropic land. There is the worn, 
 racked body and the shattered mind, the strong will 
 reduced to plaintive winnings, and the understanding 
 leagued with deceit and despair. 
 
 "Give me some drink, Titinius ! 
 As a sick girl," 
 
 cried mighty Julius, quelled by fever's power. And 
 worse than the pain of body and the failing mind is 
 the sense of desolation which overwhelms the poor 
 sick soldier away from home, thrown in his helpless- 
 ness on strangers and hirelings. The nurses are pro- 
 verbially skilful and attentive in Jamaica, medical 
 attendants accompany every regiment, and comrades 
 are generally kind and sympathising ; but these do 
 not, by the bed of sickness, compensate for some low 
 sweet voice which is longed for there. 
 
 To Lorton his attack was truly a bitter visitation. 
 
230 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 In the silence and frequent solitude, his old grievances, 
 magnified by disease tenfold, tortured him from hour 
 to hour. He was bidden to expect recovery, but what 
 comfort was there in that ! To recover health would 
 be to be once more buffeted by Fortune to be alone 
 in misery amid a smiling, happy world. The sick- 
 bed or the grave seemed fitter for one so persecuted. 
 Yet his mood would change to Hope sometimes ; 
 bright visions and lofty aspirations would visit him 
 again, and he would pant for health and vigour that 
 he might realise his dream. He was restricted en- 
 tirely to the recumbent position, but lifted by day 
 from his bed to the sofa, where he lay propped up 
 with pillows. The doctor had insisted on the attend- 
 ance of a nurse ; and accordingly there sat near him 
 the grandly-developed form of Miss Malvina Mac- 
 Glashin, her dark wool concealed by a cotton hand- 
 kerchief, which was knotted across the nape of her 
 neck, with two enormous mosaic drops in her ears, 
 a triple chin, a chintz wrapper of a florid design, and 
 reaching a little below her knees, and a pair of mor- 
 occo slippers, the heels whereof were well trodden 
 down, and the toes pointing inwards like those of a 
 parrot. Miss Malvina was a lady of colour, some- 
 where about quadroon in blood, and tolerably light- 
 brown. Her age was between forty and fifty ; she 
 inclined decidedly to embonpoint ; a fine bridge on 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 231 
 
 her nose was the charter by which she claimed kin- 
 dred with the MacGlashin, and a pair of lips about 
 two inches thick conspired with hair and skin to in- 
 dicate the other source of her hybrid existence. 
 
 " Isn't it nearly time for the medicine, Malvina ? " 
 inquired the sufferer, who has been restless for some 
 little while. 
 
 The brown lady rose, and with a motion which we 
 should esteem neither light nor graceful on this side 
 the Atlantic, lifted Lorton's watch and showed it to 
 him, for the revelations of the timepiece were fool- 
 ishness to Miss Malvina. 
 
 " Wants ten minutes," Lorton said, " but that 
 doesn't signify ; I can take it now." 
 
 " My chile," replied Miss Malvina, with a whining 
 drawl, " when de dactar say a ting, it is praper to do 
 it ; so you mus' wait till de tree hour is up, and den 
 I will give you de draff." 
 
 " I expect Mr Knox here to see me directly/' 
 pleaded the patient, " and we may as well get the 
 medicine over before he comes." 
 
 " Very well, my chile/' said Miss MacGlashin, " it 
 is near de time now, and if you promise me not to 
 talk too much to Meesta Knox, you shall have it. 
 See now, only dis half glass of de mixture, and den 
 dis nice piece of pink shaddock. Dere now, he really 
 take it good ; now den, pop in de shaddock, and the 
 
232 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 nassy taste will soon gone ; so, so, dat is it. ISTow, 
 let we make de room look leetle bit neat and tidy 
 before de visitor come in. Where dat creature 
 Sampson ? " 
 
 Miss Malvina knew her work too well to call or 
 knock in a sick-room for the assistance she required. 
 She stepped into the verandah herself for the purpose 
 of sending down a message by the first passenger ; 
 and in so doing she caught sight of Sampson rolling 
 in the grass below, whom she forthwith summoned 
 to the upper chamber by the title of " lazy, wort'less 
 hangman." It was wonderful the gentleness with 
 which they both moved about and arranged the room. 
 Plates, glasses, and bottles quickly disappeared ; 
 table-covers were smoothed, and chairs set in their 
 places. Lorton had a clean shirt put on him, and 
 his hair carefully and gently dressed ; then he and 
 his apartment were perfumed with eau-de-Cologne. 
 
 "Ah, that's nice!" he said; "I really think I 
 feel a little better ! " 
 
 " Yes ; only keep quiet, and do as you is told, 
 and you will soon be better, my chile. De fas' 
 young man I ever nus, he very much in de same 
 way as you is, and I bring him round. Nice young 
 man ! he come court me before he sick : I used to 
 pretty den ; dat is a long time ago. He most my 
 fus' sweetheart. Chaw! how I lub him! Those 
 

 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 233 
 
 times was different from now. De officers more 
 attentive to de young ladies, and de sailor officers 
 bring in prize-money, and make we handsome pre- 
 sents. My ! how de doubloons fly about ! never see 
 dem now. And de beautiful horses and de kittur- 
 eens ! I shall never see de like again. Hei ! What 
 dat you have dere?" suddenly said she in a loud 
 whisper to Sampson, who was retreating through 
 the door with sundry articles which he had been 
 desired to clean. " What is dis ? " repeated Miss 
 Malvina, following him into the verandah, and seiz- 
 ing a black bottle from under his arm. It was three 
 parts full of madeira. 
 
 >" I tink it did turn bad," said Sampson. 
 " Take it back," said Miss Malvina, not deigning 
 to notice the lame excuse. Sampson obeyed, mutter- 
 ing to himself as he did so, " Dis brown lady too bad, 
 cubbich * as a 'tar-apple tree. Massa nebber do so." 
 We by no means wish to create an impression 
 that poor little Sampson was an incorrigible thief. 
 He had his own notions of what his merits entitled 
 him to, and took care that he was not neglected. 
 When Lorton was well and in his better humours, 
 he was generally very considerate, and then Samp- 
 
 * Probably a corruption of "covetous," but used in the sense 
 of parsimonious or illiberal. The star-apple tree does not cast its 
 fruit, however ripe ; hence it is emblematic of a close-fisted person. 
 
234 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 son was content with what was given to him; but 
 when Lorton was in his tantrums, and the rates 
 were not duly paid, then Sampson considered it 
 proper to distrain. Of course, when his massa was 
 weak and sick it would have been a cruelty to 
 trouble him about such matters, and therefore a quiet 
 process was the best that could be adopted. It was 
 most officious in Miss Malvina to interfere thus be- 
 tween an upright domestic and his lawful perquisites. 
 
 Miss Malvina looked towards the window, and 
 nodded in reply to a sign from Knox, who had 
 made a quiet reconnaissance to ascertain whether 
 the patient was awake and prepared to receive him. 
 A flush overspread Lorton's wan face as he shook 
 hands and answered the usual interrogatories. Even 
 this little excitement tried him, it was clear ; see- 
 ing which, Knox addressed his conversation for a 
 while to Miss Malvina. 
 
 "A little feverish still, Malvina pulse variable," 
 said he ; " we must still be careful to avoid excite- 
 ment." 
 
 "He will do very well, sar," replied Miss Mal- 
 vina, using the severity which is proper when un- 
 professional people attempt to talk scientifically to 
 an adept. " Can you tell me what is de hour ? " 
 
 "Just gone three. Didn't you hear the bugle, 
 old girl?" 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 235 
 
 " I am not an old gal, Meesta Knax. You will 
 be good enough to recolleck dat you is talking to 
 a leady." 
 
 " Of course," Knox said, " but your figure and 
 face are so girlish that one forgets. Let's see, you 
 must be quite a woman now ; yes, of course ! }> 
 
 " I am afraid dat you is making fun, sar," remarked 
 Miss MacGlashin, composedly. 
 
 "There was a gentleman of your name at mess 
 last night, Lawyer Macglashin. Is he any relation?" 
 
 " He is my broder, sar." 
 
 " Indeed ! I was not aware of that/' 
 
 " My white brother, dat is. He wouldn't tell you 
 so. They is not bery proud of their coloured rela- 
 tions. They can't wash out the MacGlashin blood 
 for all dat. It is here ; " and Miss Malvina placed 
 her hand on the magnificent region above her heart. 
 
 " He ought to feel flattered," said Knox, " at hav- 
 ing so lovely and accomplished a relation." 
 
 "Ah, sar," sighed Malvina, "you is not so pre- 
 judice as dese Creole whites. You cannot under- 
 stan' deir silly pride. I often say I will go home 
 to Scotland, where they will not be ashamed of the 
 MacGlashin blood, whatever is the skin it run under. 
 De heart of dat people is warm, sar ! " 
 
 " But their country is devilish cold," said Knox. 
 
 " What does de cold matter to me, sar ? " said 
 
236 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CEIAMPAGNE. 
 
 Malvina, loftily : " if I have de blood I have de 
 spirit too, and I can bear de cold like de res' of my 
 relations." 
 
 " You'll have to wear a kilt." 
 
 " Whatever is de proper dress, sar." 
 
 " And to live upon whisky and oatmeal." 
 
 " Of course, sar." 
 
 " And talk Gaelic." 
 
 "Yes, sar." 
 
 " And play the bagpipe." 
 
 " Whatever oder leadies does, sar." 
 
 Malvina, it is clear, dreamed of a land that was 
 very far off, where the MacGlashin was lord, and 
 where she would be welcomed as a sister, and sit 
 in honour a MacGlashin among MacGlashins. Poor 
 soul ! and yet let us not too hastily lavish on the 
 brown woman our complacent pity. Which of us 
 does not secretly cherish a vision no less absurd than 
 Malvina's idea of the misty heather unattainable, 
 untrue, and which, if it could be realised and won, 
 is unsuited to our nature ? 
 
 " Malvina," said Lorton, who was composed again 
 now, " oblige me by seeing what they are about with 
 my broth. I think Sampson will not prepare it 
 nicely without your directions." 
 
 " De wort'less ! " said Miss Malvina, drawing her 
 robe around her and sailing off, while the dragging 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 237 
 
 of her slippers along the boards of the verandah 
 co aid be heard for many a yard. 
 
 " Come close to me, Knox," said Lorton, " that I 
 may speak low, and husband my strength for what 
 I have to say. You are Brune's friend. I fear that 
 I may have assisted in doing Brune a grievous wrong. 
 I would speak of the matter to you, and, if there be 
 cause, try to make amends to him. There is a belief 
 in Mr Arabin's family that Brune is a gambler and 
 a bully ; that he cruelly crushed the affections of an 
 Irish lady, shot her brother, and decamped. The 
 story was carried to them by Mr Melhado ; Melhado 
 got it from me. I have here the account which 
 furnished it, written by an Irish female cousin. 
 Making all allowance for gossip and exaggeration, 
 the whole thing is very bad ; but, you see, the lan- 
 guage is ambiguous there appears to have been 
 another officer concerned, to whom may belong part 
 of the odium. His name is not mentioned, but 
 Brune's is, the reason being that I, from this country, 
 made inquiries concerning Brune when he first came 
 out, and people were talking of him so much. I 
 have often oh, how often, lately ! examined into 
 my feelings at that time, and cannot hide from my- 
 self that I greedily believed what was said to Brune's 
 prejudice, and that I neither suggested nor sought 
 for palliating explanations 1 - indeed, that I wished 
 
238 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 for none. The blow was not aimed openly ; the 
 poison wrought underground: the effects, I know, 
 have been most serious. Tell me, Knox tell a weak, 
 miserable man did Brune do that which has been 
 laid to his charge?" 
 
 Lorton's chest heaved, his hands shook, his lips 
 quivered, drops stood on his brow, and his eyes 
 were suffused with tears. Knox, without answering, 
 looked at him for a minute, partly observing his 
 emotion, partly revolving smarting thoughts within. 
 
 " Speak," said the sick man ; " speak to me, Knox. 
 I cannot wait." 
 
 Knox took hold of the thin, quivering hand, and 
 as he pressed it, said, " Lorton, Brune has been 
 cruelly slandered. May God forgive those who 
 wronged him!" 
 
 There were sobs now and choking sighs from the 
 sofa. Lorton was in an agony of remorse, and Knox, 
 astonished at his condition, knew not at the moment 
 how to al]ay it, or what he should do. 
 
 Suddenly Lorton sprang upright on the couch, the 
 light of fever gleaming from his eyes, his hands 
 clenched, and his whole frame supernaturally braced. 
 
 " Take ine to him ! " he shrieked ; " I will tell him 
 all. I will beg his pardon on my knees. I will do 
 all give all to atone." 
 
 Knox held him fast now, and with some trouble 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 239 
 
 got him into the recumbent position again. The 
 transient flash of energy disappeared, and was suc- 
 ceeded by a passion of tears. Knox saw that this 
 matter must be disposed of now. However trying it 
 might be, it was better it should be ended than that 
 it should lie festering and fretting, under the delusion 
 that it might be better borne hereafter, so he said, 
 " Listen to me, Lorton. If you will compose yourself 
 you shall hear the story of this affair. Nobody, I 
 am sorry to say, can tell it you more truly than I. 
 There, now, be calm, and turn your face this way. 
 An explanation to Brune will do him not the least 
 good at the present time, and will do you much harm. 
 When you are stronger I shall be very glad to know 
 that you have made it. This, now, is the outline of 
 what passed at Cork, and you shall judge how far 
 Brune deserved what has been said of him. He did 
 not play high at Cork, but there was another young 
 officer there, belonging to the depot, who was less 
 discreet. He had won some tolerably large sums 
 from a Mr OTlaherty, who, it seems, was not quite 
 prepared to pay. The score had been going on some 
 -weeks without the Irishman clearing any part of his 
 debt indeed, he rather increased it ; but, in the 
 mean time, he had hit upon an expedient for not only 
 getting easy treatment, but for doing a little family 
 business. He introduced his creditor to his sister, a 
 
240 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 wild, handsome, clever girl ; and the silly fellow at 
 first took the bait, and thought himself desperately in 
 love. If the young lady had been left to play him 
 skilfully and patiently, he would possibly have sealed 
 his ruin by marrying her ; but OTlaherty, fearing 
 lest so promising a plan should miscarry by delay, 
 attempted to precipitate matters, and called upon the 
 young officer to speak out like a man, and not to 
 trifle with his sister's young affections. This entirely 
 uncalled-for interference caused the lover to consider 
 his conduct and his situation, and to perceive that he 
 was getting within the meshes of a very ugly net, to 
 extricate himself from which, however promptly he 
 might act, would require some discretion. Fortun- 
 ately he took Brune for his counsellor, who soon saw 
 through and exposed the whole affair, and who 
 speedily made it known to Mr OTlaherty on his 
 friend's behalf that, before making any demands in 
 his fraternal character, it would be desirable that he 
 should pay his debt, otherwise the singleness of his 
 motive might be suspected. Imagining therefrom 
 that the youth was intimidated by his bluster, and 
 that he had only to press on and succeed, OTlaherty 
 sent a challenge, which Brune peremptorily refused 
 to let his friend accept until the money had been 
 paid. But Brune intimated that he himself was 
 ready at once to fight if OTlaherty must have a vie- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 241 
 
 tim. This did not at all harmonise with the pro- 
 gramme. 0' Flaherty insisted that his quarrel was 
 with the man who was trifling with his sister ; and 
 by some means or other he managed to procure the 
 money, and paid it ; whereupon he was informed 
 that the duel might take place whenever he wished. 
 He seemed, however, to have cooled in his warlike 
 intentions, and some days elapsed without a repetition 
 of the challenge ; consequently he received a hostile 
 message, to which he replied that he could not meet 
 a person who, having been called out, had declined 
 the encounter. 'Mr 'Flaherty was immediately 
 after this horsewhipped in the street by the man 
 whom he had selected for his brother-in-law, Brune 
 and many others witnessing the chastisement. The 
 matter excited much scandal, and was, with many 
 colourings, reported in the papers. The account fol- 
 lowed by your lady-cousin may very likely have 
 been one of those circulated, but the true one is that 
 which I have just given/' 
 
 " But may you not have been imposed upon as 
 well as she ? " asked Lorton, feebly. 
 
 " Not easily," was the reply, spoken in a hoarse 
 voice and with averted head. " The name of the 
 lover, gambler, and brawler, is Edward Knox" 
 
 Malvina's horror, when she returned with the broth 
 and found her patient tossed and exhausted, may be 
 
 Q 
 
242 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 imagined. She dismissed Knox, darkened the win- 
 dows, moved her poor charge back to his bed, which 
 was now well cooled and aired, and resorted to the 
 many soothing expedients which her long practice 
 showed her to be proper. 
 
 " Malvina, you are everything that is kind and 
 gentle," whispered Lorton ; " but what what would 
 I not give to see my mother's face bending over me 
 as yours is ! " 
 
 " Be patient, my chile," answered Malvina ; " please 
 God, we will have you well again soon, and your 
 moder shall bend over you in oP England ! " 
 
 The result justified the opinion which induced 
 Knox to go through with the discussion of Lorton's 
 trouble in reference to Brune when it was once begun. 
 The sick man was evidently soothed by being dis- 
 burdened of this matter, and Malvina owned the 
 next day that no evil effects of the scene appeared to 
 remain. For a day or two Lorton even seemed to 
 rally, but such a inind was not long in calling up 
 others of its many cares to file and wear the miserable 
 body. Still he dragged on, apparently not worse, 
 but of course losing strength by confinement. 
 
 At home, sickness seems the natural result of fogs, 
 frosts, and constant changes ; but in the tropics its 
 appearance is less comprehensible. Everything with- 
 out is associated with life and joy and beauty. New- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 243 
 
 comers rejoicing in the brightness, the warmth, and 
 the loveliness which are everywhere manifest, are apt 
 to think the visitations of disease but bugbears to 
 frighten children. Up to the time of being attacked, 
 people generally preserve their spirits and their 
 energy. " Disease," say they, fondly, " is afar off, 
 where winter shakes in melancholy halls." But no ; 
 it is even at the door ! 
 
 Thus, probably, must it ever be. Where Earth is 
 most fit to be enjoyed, there must come the most 
 startling warnings that Earth is not our resting-place. 
 
 We say, Lo, here is Paradise ! lo there ! But a dread 
 
 
 
 Teacher is near to claim our whole hearts, and forbid 
 undue affection for created things. 'Tis the same 
 lesson read under every sky. " Whither shall I go, 
 then, from thy Spirit? or whither shall I go, then, 
 from thy presence ? If I climb up into heaven, thou 
 art there ; if I go down to hell, thou art there also. 
 If I take the wings of the morning, and remain in 
 the uttermost parts of the sea, even there also shall 
 thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 As will have been perceived, Arthur and Violet were 
 in Spanish Town at the same time. They did not, 
 however, meet there. It was not Brune's wish that 
 they should, and it was much better for all parties 
 that they did not ; for Melhado, anxious to efface the 
 recollection of that disagreeable day on the water, 
 had joined Mr Arabin and his daughter. 
 
 Having effected the purpose for which he went 
 thither, Arthur was anxious to return from Spanish 
 Town to Stony Hill. He therefore, on the morning 
 after they dined with the Governor, got Tom Gervaise 
 out of bed as early as he could, and urged him to go 
 back. Tom had, however, by no means fulfilled the 
 little scheme of enjoyment which he had sketched 
 out, and fought hard against going indeed positively 
 refused to go. Brune, having exhausted his exhorta- 
 tions in vain, bethought himself of a lure which had 
 the desired effect. He promised to send on a runner 
 to order a dinner, of which turtle-soup and stewed 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 245 
 
 eels were to be components, at the Ferry House 
 Tavern, half-way between Spanish Town and Kings- 
 ton, if Tom would only get them thither by the ap- 
 pointed time to eat it. Thus he not only induced his 
 frail ally to go, but caused him to start punctually, 
 which he would hardly have done had there not been 
 a risk of spoiling dinner. 
 
 They rattled back to the Ferry, and were informed 
 that everything would be ready in ten minutes, so 
 that Arthur had just time to wash before dinner was 
 announced. During this interval, Tom Gervaise loit- 
 ered outside a little room where the dinner was being 
 dished, and took in odours that might create an appe- 
 tite under the ribs of an alderman who has passed 
 the chair. 
 
 The dining-room looked very nice spacious, cool, 
 and shady. The table was set in the midst, with a 
 bright tureen and capital dinner-service. Fine limes 
 for the turtle-soup were piled in a little glass dish 
 by themselves, and two or three peppers, of various 
 shapes and colours, rested on the top of each salt- 
 cellar. A black bottle of claret in a wet bag stood 
 on a slide between the dishes. Indeed, everything 
 looked complete to a common observer ; but Tom 
 Gervaise was not, on such occasions, a common ob- 
 server ; and, scanning curiously the arrangements of 
 the table, he asked sternly where the punch was. 
 
246 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " It ready dereckly, sar," answered the waiter. 
 "Missy bery sorry it oberlook at fus, but it soon 
 come ; dem making it." 
 
 " Forget the punch ! Turtle-soup without punch ! 
 Arthur, do you hear ? the villains have forgot the 
 punch ! " and Tom waxed wroth, and spake great 
 swelling words, and bound himself under a curse, 
 saying that he would neither eat nor drink till the 
 punch should appear. "And look here, bo," he 
 added ; " tell her to put in a little extra spirit ; that's 
 the only way to prevent my pulling the house down 
 and making dogs' meat of the whole brood of ye." 
 
 As there would thus be a few minutes of self- 
 imposed expectation highly trying to Tom, Arthur 
 suggested that it might pass the time if he would go 
 and wash his hands. Tom was glad to escape the 
 tedium even at the expense of ablution ; and it is 
 written in the chronicles of the house of Gervaise 
 that he called for water, soap, and towels ; and that, 
 without constraint, bodily fear, or delusion of any 
 kind, he did then and there of his own free will 
 wash, clean, and entirely purify his hands, and after- 
 wards did dry and wipe them, the hands aforesaid, 
 and that he returned to Arthur Brune buttoning his 
 left wrist-band (the right had no button) just as the 
 punch was ready. 
 
 And Tom did eat and drink; and his heart ex- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 247 
 
 panded under the influence of the good cheer ; and 
 he laughed and spake pleasant words, and was satis- 
 fied exceedingly. A little child might have played 
 with him ! 
 
 Their dinner ended, it was arranged that they 
 should continue their journey in about an hour, by 
 which time it would be cool. Meanwhile, that he 
 might not sit by and see Arthur discharge a bill of 
 which he ought to have borne his share, Tom said he 
 would stroll out and smoke a cigar. Accordingly he 
 dragged himself very leisurely out from the back of 
 the Ferry House, and so along some enclosures which 
 groaned with plenty of the sweet cane, till he got to 
 a cool shady field of guinea-grass, through which ran 
 a little stream. Just in front of him were two negroes 
 intently watching something in the grass. 
 
 " Wha you got dere, eh, you sars?" inquired Tom, 
 who thought himself a proficient in the negro dialect. 
 
 " It is one crab, massa," replied one of the men ; 
 and Tom on coming up saw between the roots of the 
 plant a solitary land-crab,* which appeared to have 
 
 * Bryan Edwards, quoting Du Tertre, writes thus of the land- 
 crabs : " These animals live not only in a kind of orderly society 
 in their retreats in the mountains, but regularly once a-year march 
 down to the sea-side in a body of some millions at a time. As they 
 multiply in great numbers, they choose the months of April or 
 May to begin their expedition ; and then sally out from the stumps 
 of hollow trees, from the clefts of rocks, and from the holes which 
 
248 CAPTAIN CLTITTEUBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 lagged behind his kindred in their annual migration, 
 and to be endeavouring to overtake them by travel- 
 ling at unwonted hours. 
 
 " Devilish fine one too," said Tom ; " that fellow 
 would eat remarkably well." 
 
 they dig for themselves under the surface of the earth. At that 
 time the whole ground is covered with this band of adventurers ; 
 there is no setting down one's foot without treading upon them. 
 The sea is their place of destination, and to that they direct their 
 march with right-lined precision. No geometrician could send 
 them to their destined station by a shorter course ; they neither 
 turn to the right nor to the left, whatever obstacles intervene ; 
 and even if they meet with a house, they will attempt to scale 
 the walls to keep the unbroken tenor of their way. But though 
 this be the general order of their route, they upon other occasions 
 are compelled to conform to the face of the country ; and if it be 
 intersected by rivers, they are seen to wind along the course of 
 the streams. The procession sets forward from the mountains 
 with the regularity of an army under the guidance of an experi- 
 enced commander. They are commonly divided into battalions, 
 of which the first 'consists of the strongest and boldest males, 
 that, like pioneers, march forward to clear the route, and face the 
 greatest dangers. The night is their chief time of proceeding, but 
 if it rains by day, they do not fail to profit by the occasion, and 
 they continue to move forward in their slow uniform manner. 
 "When the sun shines and is hot upon the surface of the ground, 
 they make a universal halt, and wait till the cool of the evening. 
 When they are terrified, they march back in a confused disorderly 
 manner, holding up their nippers, with which they sometimes tear 
 off a piece of the skin, and leave the weapon where they inflicted 
 the wound. 
 
 " When, after a fatiguing march, and escaping a thousand dan- 
 gers for they are sometimes three months in getting to the shore 
 they have arrived at their destined port, they prepare to cast 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 249 
 
 " Yes, massa," one of the blacks said, " him will 
 bery nice ; make massa a sweet supper. Supposin' 
 massa goin' home, it quite wort' him while to carry 
 him dere. Do take him, my massa." 
 
 The consequence of following this generous advice 
 
 their spawn. For this purpose the crab has no sooner reached the 
 shore than it eagerly goes to the edge of the water, and lets the 
 waves wash over its body two or three times to wash off the 
 spawn. The eggs are hatched under the sand ; and soon after 
 millions at a time of the new-born crabs are seen quitting the 
 shore, and slowly travelling up to the mountains." 
 
 He goes on to quote Brown's 'History of Jamaica' : " The old 
 crabs, having disburdened themselves [as above], generally regain 
 their habitations in the mountains by the latter end of June. In 
 August they begin to fatten, and prepare for moulting, filling up 
 their burrows with dry grass, leaves, and abundance of other 
 materials. When the proper period comes, each retires to his 
 hole, shuts up the passage, and remains quite inactive till he gets 
 rid of his old shell, and is fully provided with a new one. How 
 long they continue in this state is uncertain, but the shell is first 
 observed to burst at the back and the sides, to give a passage to 
 the body, and the animal extracts its limbs from all the other 
 parts gradually afterwards. At this time the flesh is in the 
 richest state, and covered only with a tender membranous skin, 
 variegated with a multitude of reddish veins ; but this hardens 
 gradually, and soon becomes a perfect shell, like the former. It 
 is, however, remarkable that, during this change, there are some 
 stony concretions always formed in the bag, which waste and dis- 
 solve as the creature forms and perfects its new crust." 
 
 " To these full and particular accounts," says Edwards, " I will 
 add, of my own knowledge, that many people, in order to eat of 
 this singular animal in the highest perfection, cause them to be 
 dug out of the earth in the moulting state ; but they are usually 
 taken from the time they begin to move of themselves till they 
 
250 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 would have been, that Tom's hand would have been 
 clasped acutely by the crab's nippers. It was a cruel 
 joke to try upon any one : it was an impudent joke 
 for a negro to play on a buckrah gentleman : but 
 these phases of it were nought beside the presump- 
 tion which selected him, the intelligent Tom Ger- 
 vaise, as its subject Tom Gervaise, who supposed 
 himself to know the ways of the island so well that 
 he had a sort of property in them ! Tom Gervaise, 
 who considered his right infringed if any other per- 
 son in his hearing ventured to tell a native story, or 
 to explain a custom or tradition of the colony ! 
 Tom Gervaise, who was accustomed to pour fresh 
 instruction o'er the minds of yahoos by inducing 
 them to the very act to which he had just been in- 
 cited ! it was a sin ranking close behind apostasy 
 and blasphemy. Mercy there could be none ; and 
 Tom's stick visited the calves of the offender's legs 
 with power. Lucky that the man's position was not 
 such as would have put his shins more in the stick's 
 path, or those tender parts * would have known tri- 
 
 reach the sea, as already related. During all this time they are 
 in spawn, and if my testimony can add weight to that of all who 
 have written, and all who have feasted, on the subject, I pro- 
 nounce them, without doubt, one- of the choicest morsels in 
 nature." 
 
 * You may pound a nigger's head till you have tired yourself, 
 and broken your knuckles, without affecting him; but to touch 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 251 
 
 bulation. The unhappy criminal sent up a yell 
 of agony and terror as this judgment overtook 
 him, and executed the first movements of a very 
 lively pas seul ; but seeing a second blow about 
 to descend, he abruptly terminated the dance, and 
 rushed of *t the top of his speed. The stroke missed, 
 but its force overbalanced him who dealt it, and Tom 
 Gervaise staggered repeatedly ere he could regain his 
 equilibrium. During these reelings the other negro 
 made his escape, or he would surely have suffered 
 for the transgression of his comrade. Had Tom's 
 ability equalled his great revenge, he would have 
 given chase ; but the niggers were off like young 
 roes, and his crazy old machine might as. well have 
 tried to scale the heavens as to catch them. On his 
 turning a corner, however, an unexpected chance 
 hove in sight ; for there, upon a high rocky bank, 
 stood Arthur Brune with a telescope in his hand, 
 looking seaward and landward, and into the many- 
 coloured woods, and adown the long straight Spanish 
 Town road over which they had lately driven. 
 
 " Hollo, Arthur ! stop that black rascal," shouted 
 Tom. If Tom's lungs had been as good as they were 
 twenty years ago, instead of a wheezy, dilapidated 
 old bellows, Brune could not have heard. Tom 
 
 him across his shins, even with a slight switch, is to discover the 
 mainspring of his system. It drives him frantic. 
 
252 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 fancied, though, that he had roared with pristine 
 vigour, when he saw Arthur throw himself sud- 
 denly from his eminence and rush across the field. 
 Already he clutched his stick with a humane grasp, 
 and limped towards the prey like an old lion whose 
 jackall is in certain cry, when, to his surprise and 
 indignation, he perceived that Arthur's course would 
 not cut off the escape of the negro, but that it was 
 directed to some other object. Undoubtedly it was 
 so. Arthur had neither heard Tom's shout nor seen 
 his pursuit, nor been thinking of Tom's quarrel, or 
 anything that was his. He had walked abroad, rest- 
 less with checkered thoughts, and taken a glass from 
 the inn, that the sights of external nature might, if 
 they could, quell the tumult of his hope and diffi- 
 culty, and joy and fear. And as he curiously scanned 
 the long line of road, and watched the passengers, 
 there came in sight a carriage driven with furious 
 speed so fast that it fairly riveted his vagrant at- 
 tention. Was the driver mad, or drunk, or helpless ? 
 He must be one or other, for the son of Nimshi never 
 drave like this. Kapidly the outlines became more 
 distinct. There were two horses before the flying 
 vehicle, and two persons within it. Yes ; and now 
 there is the streaming of a light garment and a flut- 
 tering veil : one of them is a woman. Another in- 
 stant, and his heart seems to recognise the dress 
 
253 
 
 the figure the very features ! Merciful heaven ! 
 Violet herself ! ! And, like a demigod, Arthur 
 bounded to the rescue. 
 
 He shot across the field, he leapt the fence, and 
 cleared the yard, and tore down the rickety gate and 
 the rickety gate-post fast locked to it, and stood in 
 the road while yet the reeling car was several yards 
 off. It was a curricle ; the reins and whip still in 
 the hands of Melhado, who, white and wild, seemed 
 to clutch them convulsively, but to have lost all 
 sense and nerves and motion. A sharp jar behind 
 Arthur told that the toll-man had shut-to the gate 
 (for a difficult wooden bridge had superseded the old 
 ferry). Arthur waved his hat to show that the dan- 
 ger was understood, and Violet knew at once who 
 made that gesture. The sight of the strong and 
 daring young man gave her confidence ; her lover's 
 presence made her scorn the danger. Her eye was 
 true, her brain was clear; she comprehended Brune's 
 signs, for the mind and heart of that man, were they 
 not her heart and mind ? and she rose without trepi- 
 dation or confusion, and, clearing her clothes from 
 her feet, and from the side of the carriage, stood for 
 a few moments calm and steady as the frantic 
 coursers dashed towards him. Then she cast her- 
 self, without faltering, into the arms of Arthur 
 Brune, who, strong and active as he was, staggered 
 
254 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and fell with the shock, but not till he had broken 
 the fall and shielded Violet from serious harm. 
 Scratched and bruised, he was up again in a second, 
 and Violet in the same time was in charge of the 
 " leady " of the house. But before that second had 
 elapsed the mad steeds had swerved at the gate, and, 
 turning sharply, flung out poor Melhado into the 
 deep mud of the creek ; then they continued their 
 course on to the filthy swamp that skirts the sea, 
 where, amid mangrove stumps and mud, their career 
 was stopped, and they tore, and fretted, and kicked 
 at the handsome curricle. 
 
 The toll-man and the two negroes of the crab 
 adventure fished out, after some little time, the 
 wretched Melhado, his gay clothes covered with 
 black mud, his hat gone, and his hair nay, his very 
 eyes and nose filled with the soil of the creek. As 
 they landed him, Tom Gervaise just came, blowing 
 and fuming, on the scene : and at sight of that 
 avenger the two blacks dropped their exhausted 
 burden on the creek side and fled. Tom, being 
 very much out of breath, and seeing pretty plainly 
 what had happened, did not ask questions or make 
 remarks, but quietly surveyed Melhado, as he leaned 
 upon his stick and smoked. The sight seemed to 
 give him satisfaction, for Tom, who knew of Manuel's 
 shortcomings as a charioteer, and who was wroth at 
 
255 
 
 his costly turn-out, had often prophesied a " smash/' 
 Manuel, from exhaustion and suffocation, could not 
 speak, and Tom, as we have said, would not ; but the 
 latter, after a minute or two, began to move slowly 
 round the unlucky Phaeton, pausing at intervals in 
 his revolutions, so as to ascertain the whole extent of 
 the discomfiture. At one of these halts he espied a 
 little spot below the coat collar which had by chance 
 been left untouched by the mud, and upon this Tom 
 carefully broke off the ashes of his weed, which, in 
 his abstraction, he had allowed to grow half an inch 
 long. Having at length assured himself of Manuel's 
 utter humiliation, and noted all the circumstances of 
 his plight to tell at mess, and for general conversa- 
 tion, he suggested to the toll-man that it would be 
 better to pour a few buckets of water over the gen- 
 tleman till he should be fit to touch, and then to get 
 him taken into the house and put to bed. The fugi- 
 tive blacks did not return, but the servants of Mr 
 Arabin (who had by this time come up), and some 
 people from the inn, came and lifted Manuel once 
 more. Christy had of course gone to ascertain the 
 condition of his daughter, and been inexpressibly re- 
 lieved at finding her safe. He cordially thanked 
 Arthur Brune. Then he went to see after his future 
 son-in-law, and arrived just in time to take the direc- 
 tion of the case out of the hands of Tom Gervaise, 
 
256 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 and to see poor Manuel properly cared for. Tom, it 
 will be remembered, knew nothing of Violet's acci- 
 dent, or even of her being there ; therefore, when he 
 surrendered Melhado to old Christy, his next object 
 of interest was the curricle, up to the axles in mud, 
 and before which the horses, hampered by the mire, 
 were yet tugging and plunging, breaking the harness 
 by degrees, but not yet clear. He privately admitted 
 that the horses were admirable, well bred, well 
 matched, and beautifully formed ; also that the 
 equipage in general was unexceptionable. But he 
 consoled himself for the admission by reflecting that 
 the wealth which could command these treasures 
 could not buy the skill to handle them. And so 
 Tom went off to look after his own team and cart, 
 which, if less showy, he flattered himself would be 
 tooled home by the first practitioner in the island. 
 While he was in the stable-yard Mr Arabin came in, 
 after seeing his son-in-law stripped, and washed, and 
 put to bed, to look at the miserable remains of Mel- 
 hado 's fine equipage and his pair of splendid horses, 
 which had by this time been extricated from the 
 mud. 
 
 " Lucky you came in," said Tom, " or that fellow 
 would have rubbed a hole in your horse in another 
 minute." The horse was in no danger of being rubbed 
 through ; on the contrary, he was getting the faintest 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 257 
 
 possible shadow of a rubbing, though the coachman, 
 stripped, and hissing through his teeth, made a great 
 show of exertion. Tom therefore spoke in bitter 
 irony, which caused Christy to appeal to the feelings 
 of his servant by tender advice and hints of cowskin. 
 After these the coachman hissed a good deal harder, 
 showing that he was accessible to gentle reproof. 
 
 Then they smoked for some time over the wreck, 
 when Tom broke silence by saying, " Devilish clever 
 business 1 " Christy shrugged his shoulders. " Shock- 
 ing, shocking," said he ; " but I can't grieve over the 
 horses and trap when I think of the escape my 
 daughter had. I expected to find her maimed, or 
 even killed. Thank God !" after which unusual 
 ejaculation Christy wiped his brow ; then he added, 
 "Eemarkable clever active young man, that Brune, 
 and no mistake about it. Owe him Violet's life ; glad 
 to find he is not much hurt." 
 
 Gervaise, not being cognisant of the events alluded 
 to, asked Mr Arabin to explain his dark sayings, and 
 thereupon Christy repeated as it had been told to him 
 the perilous adventure, winding up again with a hearty 
 commendation of Arthur. 
 
 "Humph!" grunted Tom, "you should have laid 
 
 those remarks to heart before. Nobody '11 dispute 
 
 with you that Arthur's a devilish fine fellow. We 
 
 fancied once that you admired him as much as any- 
 
 R 
 
258 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 body ; thought he would have been your son-in-law, 
 instead of that miserable, disagreeable spoon!" and 
 Tom pointed his thumb over his shoulder towards the 
 room where poor Manuel lay, holding the cigar be- 
 tween the middle fingers of the same hand. 
 
 "Ah, did they indeed?" answered Christy. The 
 remark made him very angry, as he called up plaguy 
 old ideas, which he hadn't half set to sleep ; more- 
 over, the facts of the last hour seemed to din in his 
 ears the same doctrine. Christy was a tolerably free- 
 and-easy fellow, and could stand a good deal, but 
 yet we think that such a remark just then would 
 have induced him to quarrel with many men. It 
 was, however, perfectly useless to have a row with 
 Tom Gervaise. The shrewd old senator knew this, 
 and therefore he held his peace and smoked gloomily 
 away. 
 
 " Wasn't it rather rash," asked Tom, after a short 
 interval, "to let your daughter travel in a carriage 
 drawn by such wild cattle?" 
 
 " Wild ! " answered Christy ; " there were never 
 quieter or better-tempered horses." 
 
 "Not broke to double harness then, probably?" 
 suggested Tom. 
 
 " Perfectly broke, sir ; a baby might drive them." 
 
 "Then I suppose some infernal accident set 'em 
 off?" 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 259 
 
 " Accident ! " repeated Christy, now recurring to the 
 origin of the disaster, and forgetting everything else, 
 " there was not the shadow of an accident. Damme, 
 sir, a pair of pet lambs would have been turned into 
 hyenas by such handling. The poor brutes showed 
 immense docility by only running away ; I wonder 
 
 they didn't " Then catching on Tom's face a look 
 
 of well-satisfied contempt, Christy became aware of 
 his indiscretion, and concluded by saying, " Well, it's 
 of no use talking about it now ; the thing's over, and 
 I'm thankful it was no worse." 
 
 "Always said it would come to this," said Tom. 
 who was so delighted at the fulfilment of his pre- 
 diction, that, having occasion to fake a fresh cigar 
 from his case, he offered one to Christy, an honour 
 which he seldom conferred on anybody. 
 
 " IsTo, thank 'ee," said Christy ; " I always like my 
 own better than any other ; suppose you try one, 
 and see what you think of it." 
 
 Tom Gervaise took two, whereof he lighted one 
 and put the other into his case, returning at the same 
 time that which he had first intended to consume. The 
 tobacco re-established amicable relations, as if they had 
 been a couple of red Indians. Tom guessed that he 
 was helping Arthur Brune by keeping old Christy 
 outside, and so he discussed the points of the horses, 
 the build of the carriage, and the method of shoe- 
 
260 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 ing, at length ; lie also made some valuable remarks 
 concerning bearing-reins, which amused the council- 
 lor, and detained him a good while. 
 
 Meanwhile the lady of the house, in her own apart- 
 ment, gave a vent to her feelings on the late occur- 
 rences. 
 
 " My ! dat buckrah is reelly a noble young man ! 
 And it is a sweet nyoung leady, too. How he catch 
 her ! so. My king ! it must have sweet * her to 
 be save dat way. When I have been catched in a 
 nyoung man's arms, I find it very pleasant. It is 
 quite de ting to make people love one another!" 
 
 " Dat won't do, Miss French," said Christy's coach- 
 man, who happened to come into the room ; " she 
 goin' to marry de gentleman dat come out of de 
 creek/' 
 
 " No matter for dat, my good sir," pursued Miss 
 French ; " she love dis handsome buckrah, if I know 
 anything about sich matters. I obserbe her look. 
 Chaw ! don't tell me ! And as for dat Meesta Mel- 
 hado, he no good. I know'd his fader well. He stop 
 often at dis house when he was a member of de 
 Assembly. He drinkjnuttin' but brandy, and he 
 bring his own bottle. Chaw!" 
 
 Arthur, we may be sure, made use of the opportun- 
 ity thus afforded him. Violet had really suffered 
 
 * Delighted. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 26] 
 
 nothing more than fright ; and when they had taken 
 her into the house, laid her on the sofa, and given 
 her some smelling-salts, she declared that she felt 
 steadier, and would soon be composed again. The 
 landlady ordered in for her a glass of raw brandy, 
 which, not being desired by Violet, was mingled with 
 some cold water and swallowed by her parent. 
 Christy was soon satisfied by her assurances and by 
 her good spirits that Violet had sustained no injury ; 
 and therefore, when he heard of Melhado's plight, he 
 went off to examine it for himself. 
 
 "Dearest Violet," said Arthur, when they were 
 alone, " this opportunity is most valuable ; but as it 
 may be interrupted at any moment, let me, without 
 preface, speak of some weighty matters. My plan is 
 being matured rapidly. Everything seems propitious. 
 My journey to Spanish Town has been attended with 
 complete success ; for, see, here is a document which 
 charters for us both, let us trust, long years of happi- 
 ness. Nay, dearest, I cannot allow myself the pleasure 
 of seeing you read its contents ; the time may not 
 permit ; but I will tell you what it is ; " and he whis- 
 pered, "A marriage licence: you guess, I presume, 
 the names of the parties." 
 
 Violet's face, which had been pale from her acci- 
 dent, for a moment blushed like the delicate lining 
 of a shell which happy Nereids love to make their 
 
262 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 car ; but as a mortal dream of those fair beings, the 
 colour fled and blanched her beauty like the lily. 
 She did not change nor falter in her decision ; but 
 yet the sight of such a document might well send 
 back the blood to her heart. What before had been 
 indefinite and uncertain, seemed now confirmed by 
 the seal of destiny. A hundred thoughts rose up 
 within her, each claiming attention, when none could 
 receive any. Oh that she could have wept ! but no, 
 Arthur has words that crowd into that span of time, 
 and Violet must listen now, and reflect, and, it may 
 be, weep, when he is gone. And clearly and rapidly 
 did Brune then detail a scheme which we do not 
 give in his words, because the course of our story 
 will develop it. With scarcely beating heart she 
 heard him to an end. When he had ceased she was 
 a few moments silent. Then a low voice, coming as 
 it were from the depths of her heart, murmured 
 " Be it so, Arthur : I consent." 
 
 " Bless you for that," said Arthur ; " I cannot 
 thank you as I would in this almost public room. 
 An indiscretion might subvert our whole design. 
 Therefore I behave like an ordinary acquaintance 
 now, that hereafter I may be acknowledged as your 
 choice before all the world." And Brune refrained 
 himself, and sat at a distance, and spoke of matters 
 indifferent till the entrance of Mr Arabin and Tom 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 263 
 
 Gervaise, which soon took place. Christy, having 
 ascertained that Violet continued to retain her self- 
 possession, turned to Arthur Brune. 
 
 " And you, Mr Brune, how do you feel now ? " 
 
 " Oh," said Arthur, " I had quite forgotten that 
 I am hurt. A little sore, thank you, but nothing 
 worse." 
 
 "Allow me to order in some champagne," said 
 Christy ; " we shall all be the better for it don't 
 you think so ? " 
 
 " None for me, papa," said Violet ; "I do not 
 require it." 
 
 " And I," said Brune, " had been taking good 
 things of all sorts in plenty before you came up ; 
 so I had rather have nothing more." 
 
 Christy now looked at Tom Gervaise, who, on 
 principle, said he would not mind a glass with Mr 
 Arabin ; accordingly those two seasoned vessels im- 
 bibed a little more wet. 
 
 " I say, Gervaise," observed Arthur, " remember 
 you are to drive me home. Don't take any more, or 
 you'll upset us." 
 
 " Not I," said Tom ; " I don't deal in upsets. As 
 long as I can see, or even feel, I can drive straight. 
 Only your jimmy-jessamy conceited muffs that go 
 to smash and endanger ladies' lives ! " Tom looked 
 sternly at Violet as he spoke, intending to convey 
 
264 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 to her that contrition alone, and an entire change of 
 conduct, could win his forgiveness for ever encourag- 
 ing Melhado. 
 
 There was nothing now to prevent their departure, 
 so Tom and Arthur set off, leaving Christy and 
 Violet to follow ; while Melhado, who was ascertained 
 to be uninjured, was to remain in bed, and have 
 clothes and a carriage sent for him next morning. 
 
 " I'll be hanged," said Tom, in excess of admira- 
 tion, " if I couldn't marry that girl myself ! " 
 
 " Could you, old boy ? " said Arthur. 
 
 " That is, if I were a marrying man," explained 
 Tom, careful even in his enthusiasm. 
 
 Arthur was too much excited to converse. His 
 pulse beat strong, for the events of the afternoon had 
 brought him unexpected aid, and the sight of Violet, 
 and the opportunity of preserving her, wrought his 
 spirit to its highest mood. Long his thoughts fer- 
 mented within him ; at last, when they were far on 
 their way, the fire kindled for a moment into utter- 
 ance, and he burst forth 
 
 " By Aphrodite and her mischievous son, the Fates, 
 it seems, will have it so. Be propitious, ye powers, 
 but a little longer, and I win the fairest bride since 
 Helen ! " 
 
 Tom nodded assent, but did not commit himself to 
 words, having dropped his acquaintance with mytho- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 265 
 
 logical personages, except a malignant power presid- 
 ing over men's eyes with whom he maintained a con- 
 stant intercourse, and on whose favour he greatly 
 presumed, insomuch that the whole time of the 
 divinity must have been occupied by the frequent, 
 and, it might be said, wanton requisitions which he 
 made on his own and his neighbours' account. 
 
 Tom, too, had his pleasant meditations, and evi- 
 dently felt that the accidents just passed were in 
 harmony with his own ideas of the eternal fitness of 
 things. He, also, could not at one time forbear to 
 speak his satisfaction. 
 
 " A counter-jumping snob ! I sent him word that 
 I'd upset him the first time I met him on the road, 
 but I needn't have intended the trouble. Such a 
 whelp is sure to smash himself. If old Arabin hadn't 
 come out, I'd have had him under the pump, as sure 
 as his name's Melhado. Serve him right too, the 
 conceited ass ! " 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 AT length, arrived the evening which was to witness 
 the delightful ceremony of wetting Captain Clutter- 
 buck's commission. The event had created a great 
 sensation. Clutterbuck had asked as many guests, 
 civil and military, as the room would hold. The 
 messman had made unheard-of preparations. For- 
 tunately an American ice-ship was in the harbour, 
 and that there might be no failure of this luxury, a 
 quantity which must have weighed several tons had 
 been purchased, and piled up at one end of the room 
 in blocks like a grotto or fernery, creating in that 
 neighbourhood a radiation of sharp cold winch might 
 have been expected to cause serious illness to those 
 who were placed within its influence. It is not, how- 
 ever, recorded that any of that jovial party suffered 
 even inconvenience. At the cold end they drank 
 plenty of wine to keep up the steam, and at the warm 
 end they employed the same remedy against the heat 
 and relaxation. Old Glut had seen to the cooling of 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE, 267 
 
 the wine and other liquors himself, and lived in a 
 nervous, excited state all day, having never before 
 been the hero of such an entertainment. Half an 
 hour before dinner-time he was in the mess-verandah 
 in the very coolest arrangement of costume, but no 
 more cool than a salamander would be if he had his 
 shell-jacket carefully turned down, and wore a waist- 
 coat and trousers of a material not much thicker than 
 cambric. He fidgeted through the half-hour at last, 
 and then the company began to arrive, on foot and 
 on horseback, and in gigs and top-chaises and wag- 
 gons. In the lower storey under the verandah three 
 or four white mess-servants marshalled a staff of 
 negro waiters in white suits ; these received an aug- 
 mentation at the arrival of nearly every guest, by 
 his domestic joining their ranks. 
 
 Such a clatter there was in the verandah above, 
 after a dozen or two had come in and given old Glut 
 each a torrid shake of the hand, which is not the 
 pleasantest thing in life, though never dispensed with 
 here ! Besides soldiers and sailors, there were law- 
 yers and clergymen, and planters and dealers. Christy 
 Arabin's conveyance disgorged its owner and Melhado 
 for the upper regions, and Mr Chitty and another 
 gentleman of colour for the black ranks underneath, 
 where Mr C. at first assumed the airs of a pampered 
 menial, but was speedily reduced to order by the 
 
268 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK's CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 white waiters. This check rendered him externally 
 sulky, and inwardly determined to double the amount 
 of pillage in the way of wine, fruits, sweets, &c., which 
 he had previously intended to carry off. The Kev. 
 Mr Grant was there, and an acting judge who held a 
 lower permanent appointment a functionary of Irish 
 extraction, heavy embarrassments, and a social turn. 
 Bitters were handed about in liqueur-glasses to pro- 
 voke appetite. It was with reference to these pre- 
 parations that Tom Gervaise performed, on this 
 occasion, his solitary act of self-denial. He firmly 
 refused to take any bitters, feeling bound to reserve 
 every cranny for the feast that was at hand, and to 
 take the edge off his thirst with the iced punch that 
 was to follow the turtle. Tom was in great feather. 
 There were some yahoos, or Johnny Kaws, belonging 
 to the last reinforcement, and only a few days on the 
 island. These young gentlemen were in a state of 
 pleasing distraction at finding out the entire incor- 
 rectness of the ideas which, before and during the 
 voyage, they had formed of Jamaica. The lowering 
 atmosphere, foetid with miasmata and mist, the arid 
 plains marked only by gravestones, the sickly miser- 
 able population, of which they had dreamed where 
 were all these? At present they are simply dizzy 
 with the agreeable disappointment : by-and-by they 
 will vote the whole account a bugbear, become fool- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 269 
 
 hardy, and pay for this temerity with their health or 
 lives. During the dawn of reaction on the minds of 
 unsophisticated youth like these, it was one of the 
 benevolent pleasures of the excellent Gervaise to 
 caution or to reassure them as to the phenomena of 
 the island. One after another they approached the 
 corner where Tom was standing, and hung upon the 
 accents of his kind experience. It was only now and 
 then that Tom's lore was audible amid the babel, 
 but a few gems were overheard and recorded. For 
 instance, he said to an open-mouthed weedy young- 
 ster : 
 
 " Earthquakes, my dear friend ! they're so common 
 that we think nothing about 'em. Just look at my 
 shirt that was shivered by one as I drove down to 
 dinner from Stony Hill;" and Tom drew attention 
 to his best shirt, the bosom of which had been plaited, 
 but was now split into ribbons. 
 
 Soon after he was heard saying, " Fever be hanged ! 
 you only get fever through funking. Live like a man ; 
 take your liquor heartily, and eat the country peppers 
 you'll never have fever then. Daresay your mother 
 told you to be temperate, and avoid the night air. All 
 women are fools." 
 
 And, just before dinner was announced, Tom told 
 them, " If a yam is at all large, it comes out of the 
 ground with its roots scorched : they don't dare to 
 
270 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 dig foundations for the houses ; that's the reason 
 they are all on piers : in fact, it's well known that 
 there's only a sheet of brown paper between this and 
 h f ." 
 
 As he pronounced the last words, whatever they 
 were, Tom saw the archdeacon looking at him from 
 the other end of the gallery far beyond earshot, 
 whereupon he cast down his eyes and muttered, 
 "You be hanged," as if rehearsing a convincing and 
 exculpatory answer to a supposed rebuke of the 
 dignitary. 
 
 Dinner is served at last, and, after a short scramble, 
 the multitude is arranged in order around the board, 
 Clutterbuck in the chair as governor of the feast, sup- 
 ported by a clergyman and a colonial officer of state. 
 The army and navy distributed themselves among the 
 plain coats, the archdeacon said grace, and the feast 
 began. If that party wasn't in spirits, outward and 
 visible signs are a mockery, a delusion, and a snare. 
 Eeserve or affectation there was none: the jokes 
 were a little broad, perhaps, and some of them a 
 thought personal and glass-papery, but the laughs 
 had the genuine ring, and the appetites did credit to 
 the bitters. The colonel of the regiment sat between 
 Arabin and Melhado, doing honour to Christy as a 
 member of Council and leading colonist, and to the 
 other as a person about to form a great connection, 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 271 
 
 and wed the belle of the island. Melhado, who had 
 never before been treated with such distinction, was 
 immensely pleased with it, and wished that his 
 mother could only look in upon the dinner. Those 
 about him expressed great regret for his misfortune 
 at the Ferry, and did not hint at any fault on his 
 part. Brune had withdrawn himself among a slow 
 set on the same side of the table as, but remote from, 
 Tom Gervaise, lest his voice or neighbourhood should 
 tempt Thomas into incautious candour when the 
 bands of his discretion should be loosed by the cham- 
 pagne. Pat Shane, in a noisy corner of the table, 
 effected a rapid interchange of ideas with some choice 
 spirits, who had apparently determined not only to dis- 
 pel care and sorrow for a few short hours, but to push 
 hilarity to the extremes of decorum. On Gervaise's 
 left hand sat one of his juvenile friends, who, fascin- 
 ated by his conversation, had almost jostled a civilian 
 to procure the place ; his right was occupied by a 
 fine, old, hard-baked planter, who had been forty 
 years in the colony, and never in that time flinched 
 from food or drink. This gentleman's habits being 
 eminently practical, he had no energy left for con- 
 versation. Tom, nevertheless, liked his society, feel- 
 ing the propinquity of so indomitable a reveller to 
 be a great moral support. 
 
 Immediately after the turtle and punch com- 
 
272 CAPTAIN CLUTTEKBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 menced the challenging in champagne, and men did 
 not cease to dare each other to that refreshing en- 
 counter till land-crabs and cheese brought malt 
 liquor once more to a premium, and that beverage 
 blew off its indignation, engendered by previous un- 
 deserved neglect, in vicious and frequent pops. Pat 
 Shane's party went very recklessly at the long-necks, 
 not considering the work that lay before them. 
 
 "What the devil," said Pat Shane, " is the use of 
 taking thimblefuls of champagne with one another 
 a glass with you and a glass with you, in that tadi- 
 ous way ? "Why not drink from tumblers, and all 
 together ? " This suggestion was acted upon as 'soon 
 as made. 
 
 "Look at that hangdog haberdasher, Melhado, 
 now," said Pat in a high voice, under the influence 
 of these improved draughts. " Oi hate him, so I do. 
 There's a fellow to be faysted like a big- wig, and to 
 be sitting cheek by jowl with the colonel ! Tom, 
 you must tell us again of the figure he cut when they 
 drew him out of the creek, the baste ! It's a new way 
 of boultin' a pike, first to boult to the right, then to 
 go boult into the creek, and then to boult six quarts 
 of mud : there's a sintince for ye with as many boults 
 in it as there are in the ironmongery department of 
 the villain's own store, or on Tim Whelan's door at 
 Sligo, who fastened nineteen on th' outside of it, to 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 273 
 
 show what a dale of treasure was within. To handle 
 a whip nately comes close after a good finger for a 
 hair-trigger or a strong head for liquids in the scale 
 of blessings and graces, but to be murtherin' a lovely 
 crayther, and destroying a curricle, and taking a mud 
 bath, isn't any grace at all, but a fegrace intirely. 
 Be me sowl, if that darlint girl was of my mind, 
 sorrow a touch she'd let the crummugeon feel of her 
 dilicate hand. This is to her health ; I wish 'twas 
 whisky, and she'd know the ginuineness of my devo- 
 tion. There's truth in wine, they say; but there's 
 Scripture trust in the mountain dew. The people 
 that made that saying about the wine was ignorant 
 haythens, unacquainted with the Bible and poteen. 
 He's not married yet, and there's many a slip betwixt 
 the cup and the lip." 
 
 No consideration was strong enough to prevent 
 Tom Gervaise calling across the table : 
 
 " He little thinks what's in store for him to-night, 
 Pat." 
 
 "Indeed he does not," said Shane, imagining 
 that Gervaise alluded to the fight that had been 
 arranged. 
 
 Another person had been listening to the conversa- 
 tion: that was Mr Chitty, who had been busy in 
 assisting Shane and his friends to champagne, and 
 passing bottles three parts full to accomplices in the 
 
 8 
 
274 CAPTAIN CLUTTEEBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 verandah. When Nick heard Gervaise's remark, a 
 suspicion of some treachery rushed across him, in- 
 somuch that he involuntarily gave utterance to a 
 "Hei!" 
 
 " Now then, Julius Sasar," said Pat Shane, using 
 his generic term for all negroes with whom he was 
 not personally acquainted "now then, don't be 
 making use of haythen interjections behind a Chris- 
 tian gintleman's chair ; but fill moi tumbler don't 
 you see it's impty ? I can't see for the loife of me 
 why we shouldn't have a dozen or so of bottles on 
 the table, or within reach, instid of being depindint 
 upon divils like you. 'Tisn't the fashion to use your 
 own hands for anything. By-and-by a man won't 
 be able to shave himself or commit suicide without 
 somebody to do it for him ! " 
 
 " Soaker," called Tom Gervaise to a fiery-faced 
 officer who sat opposite, with vacant, staring eyes, 
 " a glass of champagne with you. What's become of 
 Lofthouse of yours ? don't see him here." 
 
 " Oh, he can't come. There's somebody sick : his 
 wife, or one of his children, or something of that 
 sort." 
 
 " Your health ! The deuce take women and chil- 
 dren ! " said Tom, draining his glass. 
 
 The sot opposite bowed too, and raised his wine, 
 but set it down again untasted when he heard the 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 275 
 
 last part of Tom's toast. He thought of a little, 
 motherless, neglected girl, made over to the care of 
 strangers in England, and was conscience-stricken 
 and unhappy for five minutes : at the end of which 
 time he called for a glass of brandy, and proceeded to 
 drink himself blind. 
 
 Poor Arthur all this time was not enjoying himself. 
 He sat nearly opposite to Melhado, the sight and 
 voice of whom did not tend to soothe the excitement 
 he was suffering. Had he not well considered the 
 step he was about to take, and assured himself that 
 it was, under all the circumstances, his duty to take 
 it, his manly nature could not have endured to sit at 
 the same board in seeming charity and good-fellow- 
 ship with one whom he was plotting to disappoint so 
 grievously. Few men, we fancy, would have enter- 
 tained such scruples, and many a man would have 
 laughed in his sleeve at the thought of outwitting a 
 treacherous and ungenerous rival. Nevertheless it 
 required Brune's recollection of that other happiness 
 .that was at stake besides his own to prevent his 
 renouncing his plan. He sat near Mr Grant, with 
 whom he endeavoured to keep up a conversation that 
 was to banish for a time the thought of the adventure 
 arranged for the coming night. To Mr Grant this 
 was comparatively easy, as he got on his hobby of 
 marrying all the negroes to regenerate them, but to 
 
276 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 Arthur it was not congenial work. He was not a 
 man, either, to "be allowed to keep in the background. 
 Usually one of the merriest companions, with a wit 
 which, if not always scintillating, did not stoop to 
 abortive jokes, but gave out something to tickle when 
 it did speak a referee on all sporting matters the 
 best-read military man and the truest soldier among 
 them, and noted for sound discretion, though by no 
 means for presumption, in the conduct of worldly 
 affairs ; being, above all, of a kind and affable dis- 
 position, nis notice was challenged by all sorts and 
 conditions of men. " Brune, a glass of champagne?" 
 " Brune, we've not taken wine ! " were continually 
 the invitations addressed to him. Christy Arabin, 
 now relieved of the dread of having him for a son- 
 in-law, and grateful for his late rescue of Violet, 
 indulged his predilection for Arthur, and made 
 overtures to converse with him. 
 
 " Fine young man that/' said old Christy, in a low 
 voice, to his neighbour the colonel, after failing for 
 the third or fourth time to provoke Brune's con- 
 versation. 
 
 " The most promising I know, in the regiment or 
 out of it. If he escapes the perils of this place and 
 this society as I believe he will, for he has sense 
 and firmness his name will be better known than it 
 
CAPTAIN GLUT TERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 277 
 
 " No, none of that stuff/' said Gervaiseto a servant 
 who offered him curry "none of that; I've got a 
 very pretty thirst on me without." But Tom imme- 
 diately repented of his forbearance, and called after 
 the man, " Hollo ! come back here ; it looks amazingly 
 good 111 have a little ; " and so it was with every- 
 thing presented to him. 
 
 Clutterbuck tried to look cool, and to do the 
 honours in a manner becoming the occasion. In the 
 first endeavour he was not successful ; in the second 
 he succeeded as long as his faculties lasted. Imagining 
 it to be his duty to set a great ensample of making 
 merry (where, indeed, no man required either prac- 
 tice or precept to prompt him), he was incessant 
 in his invitations to take champagne, and the number 
 of glasses he got through was astonishing, considering 
 what a sober and regular man he was. Pat Shane 
 remarked, that " if mere instinct could do so much, 
 what might not such a man achieve if liberally edu- 
 cated ! But, then, Glut had no proper ambition, and 
 would not cultivate his talent." The task which 
 he had set himself for this exceptional occasion was 
 certainly herculean, and Glut's gallantry succumbed 
 at last. After he ceased to bow and talk, he rested 
 his head on his hand, and continued his bland smile 
 of hospitality, though rather less expressively than 
 before. 
 
278 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 The most delightful ceremonies must conclude, and 
 Clutterbuck' s dinner, after wending its glorious way 
 through turtle and mulligatawney, thence to calli- 
 pever, mountain mullet, and flying-fish ; then again to 
 ragouts of turtle, alligators' eggs, fricasseed iguana, 
 and other native entries ; next culminating in saddle 
 and sirloin as at home, subsiding into wild guinea- 
 fowl and wood-pigeons, and winding up with mango 
 tarts, shaddock fritters, pine-apple jelly, and creams 
 and sweets ad infinitum, came to an end. The grace 
 was said, the cloth withdrawn, the mess mahogany 
 shone out well rubbed for the occasion, and the de- 
 canters and dessert took their turn. Christy Arabin 
 himself, in a neat speech, proposed Captain Clutter- 
 buck's health, and long life to him, after enumerat- 
 ing his many virtues and illustrious achievements. 
 Clutterbuck expended his last effort of will in keep- 
 ing his legs for three minutes, and giving vent to a 
 flow of oratory remarkable rather for the fusion of its 
 words and the repetition of its phrases than for force 
 or originality. Nevertheless, it must certainly have 
 possessed merit of some kind, for, as Clutterbuck 
 
 sank once more into his chair, the cheering was 
 
 
 
 vociferous, and the rapping and rattling could hardly 
 be induced to stop. 
 
 As Tom Gervaise became now less busy than he 
 had been for the last hour and a half, he once more 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 279 
 
 delighted the admiring ensign with his affability, and 
 sought to illuminate the tyro's mind. 
 
 "Is that archdeacon a clever man, Captain Ger- 
 vaise ? " asked the lad. 
 
 " Wonderfully so/' replied Tom. 
 
 " He doesn't look it, though he has a good ap- 
 petite and takes his wine kindly. What's his 
 line?" 
 
 " Sermons and general science," said Tom. 
 
 " Ah, I don't read that sort much, but I read lots 
 of advertisements, and don't recollect his name. Do 
 you remember any recent production ?" 
 
 Gervaise paused to examine his memory, and then 
 said, " He is bringing out an interesting treatise on 
 the digestibility of land-crabs, and their pretensions 
 as an article of food. Didn't you observe him at 
 dinner practising what he preaches, and tucking 
 them in one after another?" 
 
 " Didn't he ! But why is it necessary to write 
 about them ? I suppose people here know perfectly 
 well whether land-crabs agree with them or not with- 
 out a clergyman's voucher ! " 
 
 " The book is supposed," said Tom, " to be a reply 
 to his wife, who won't let him eat them (though he 
 doats on 'em), because they killed his predecessor. 
 He doesn't dare to contradict her to her face." 
 
 " The deuce ! what a spoon ! Is she an Amazon ? " 
 
280 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " That little delicate woman you were talking to 
 the other night at old Lopez's, with her dress so ter- 
 ribly scanty at both ends ! " 
 
 " That his wife ! why, she's as gentle as a dove ; 
 and such spicy ankles ! By Jove, Captain ! you 
 don't mean to say he's afraid of such a little duck as 
 that!" 
 
 "You should see," said Tom, "the milliners' bills 
 that he has to pay to soothe her. It costs three- 
 fourths of his income to keep her indecent." 
 
 " I thought her the very picture of neatness. 
 Hasn't she nice feet, though, and ankles, and, for 
 the matter of that " 
 
 " For shame, young man ! '* said Tom Gervaise. 
 
 The ensign coloured scarlet, and rapidly changed 
 the subject. 
 
 " And who's that vivacious little squinting man in 
 spectacles, Captain?" 
 
 "That ; oh, that's Lawyer Blake, now acting judge 
 a broth of a boy." 
 
 "Very learned, I daresay?" 
 
 " In a cockpit or at picquet you can't match him, 
 especially after midnight. He knows a good many 
 things, but law isn't one of them." 
 
 "How did he get a government appointment, 
 then?" 
 
 " Because he was bankrupt in pocket and reputa- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 28] 
 
 tion, and just the sort of reprobate that unscrupulous 
 ministers send out to draw colonial salaries and 
 degrade colonial courts : not a bad fellow, though," 
 said Tom. " Listen ; he is going to sing." 
 
 And Acting Judge Blake, whose mercury now 
 stood at an exceedingly genial and large-hearted tem- 
 perature, sang with much expression and no voice a 
 popular Irish melody, which appeared to give the 
 greatest satisfaction. The learned gentleman then, 
 in right of his melodious achievement, called upon 
 Captain Clutterbuck to sing himself in, making a 
 very humorous speech in humble imitation of Coun- 
 sellor Curran. But, far from being able to sing, 
 Glut could scarcely articulate ; and two or three of 
 his friends, of whom Arthur Brune was foremost, 
 having requested Mr Knox to take the chair, escorted 
 the new-made captain to his quarters, where they 
 carefully undressed him and placed him in bed, set- 
 ting a light near, and a glass of weak brandy-and- 
 water within his reach ; and Arthur Brune threat- 
 ened Glut's domestic with very dreadful pains and 
 penalties if he should defraud his unconscious massa 
 of one drop of the mixture. Arthur did not return 
 to the mess-table that night, and many of the graver 
 guests likewise withdrew, leaving a numerous invin- 
 cible phalanx, who resolutely closed their ranks 
 towards the head of the table, and never allowed a 
 
282 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 blank chair to hint for an instant that the evening 
 was growing old. Perfect enjoyment could not, how- 
 ever, be said to be attained until the colonel, having 
 risen, invited some of the elder officers to take coffee 
 at his house. He included Arabin and Melhado in 
 his invitation ; but these gentlemen, it appeared, were 
 under engagement to play a game of cards in Mr 
 Knox's rooms. Christy was just beginning to feel 
 himself a boy again, and did not consider any man 
 his friend who desired to take him home before 
 morning. It was in those days the custom of every 
 mess in Jamaica to allow the introduction of cigars 
 and brandy-and-water after a certain hour in the 
 evening. No sooner, therefore, had the colonel and 
 his companions departed, than each man began to 
 blow his cloud and to require a tumbler and some 
 iced water. The singing recommenced with spirit, 
 and became very hearty and humorous. It would 
 be easy to name and publish several choice melodies 
 which were performed on this occasion with un- 
 bounded applause. They are, however, suppressed, 
 under the fear that they might be less palatable to 
 the refined reader than they were to the jolly com- 
 panions who heard them. The learned acting judge 
 was frequently called upon, and never in vain. Pat 
 Shane's canticles were remarkable rather for boister- 
 ousness than for prudery. Even old Christy, after 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 283 
 
 his first tumbler, became infected with the spirit of 
 harmony, and poured forth his soul in a ditty which 
 did little credit to his taste and his grey hairs, but 
 which delighted his hearers more than anything they 
 heard from their contemporaries. 
 
 Captain Thomas Gervaise was not addicted to sing- 
 ing, and the advanced bacchanal next him seldom 
 used his voice in any way after five o'clock in the 
 afternoon. These two respected gentlemen were 
 therefore understood to be excused from vocal obli- 
 gations. But Pat Shane viewed their exemption 
 with extreme disapprobation, and even railed at Tom 
 for the honourable privilege which he enjoyed, saying, 
 " Tom, y'unmelodious ould monument, how can ye 
 remain silent when there's every incintive to har- 
 mony? Your face is loike the lion's head on a 
 waterpipe, and gives out no sound but the gurgling 
 and gulping of fluids. Here we've been piping to 
 ye like them blessed babbies in the marketplace, 
 without projuicing the desired effect. Ye must 
 chant, Tom, me boy. I'll tell ye now ; be the ghost 
 of Moses, I'll give ye a clane new shirt if ye 11 sing 
 us a song ! " 
 
 " You haven't got credit for a shirt in all Jamaica," 
 said Tom ; " you're obliged to send to Ireland for 
 home-spun linen, or you'd go naked. You don't 
 fancy I'd wear such stuff as that ! " 
 
284 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Calico boulds the dirt better, and so ye prefer 
 it, I'm thinking," replied Pat; whereupon Tom 
 showed the head of his stick above the table as a 
 caution. 
 
 Mr Knox, from the chair of state, made proclama- 
 tion that there should be one more song all round, 
 and then an adjournment to his apartments to enjoy 
 coffee and chicken-hazard, or any innocent recreation 
 which gentlemen might prefer. 
 
 " Only one more ! !" echoed several voices, discon- 
 tentedly. " Eemember he said all round ! " put in 
 Pat Shane, " and round things have no end ; so 
 clear your chanters and begin. Here's an ould cock 
 that'll crow with any of ye yet," saying which he 
 smote Christy Arabin smartly on the back ; for in 
 the various disturbances which had recently taken 
 place in the symposial system, Pat's orbit had been 
 erratic, and he had finally gravitated to Christy's 
 elbow. 
 
 This last circuit of the muse was of course the most 
 remarkable of the evening. Earlier efforts might 
 have excelled in grace or sentiment, but in respect of 
 massive power, unassisted by art or ornament, the 
 palm was unquestionably due to the crowning round. 
 Many of its songs required a chorus, and all the others 
 obtained that support, whether they required it or 
 not. Finally, in refutation of any censorious cynics 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 285 
 
 who might insinuate that the orgies had been pro- 
 longed to exhaustion or excess, the whole band filed 
 down the mess-roorn steps and on to Knox's rooms, 
 raising a chant in praise of punch, as fresh as those 
 Normans who advanced to Hastings fight singing the 
 songs of Eollo ! 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 IT is necessary now that we take note of Mr Chitty's 
 movements. After descending from the mess-room, 
 and after doing all that was in his heart as regarded 
 the consumption and purloining of viands, Menelaus 
 bethought him of that expression used by Tom Ger- 
 vaise during dinner, which had unpleasantly affected 
 his nerves, and which still, whenever he thought of 
 it, caused an unaccountable misgiving. The fact 
 was, that Nick's mind had been for some days much 
 unsettled indeed, since Brune's appearance at Crystal 
 Mount. That appearance Nick conceived to bode no 
 good to Christy's family arrangements ; it was, more- 
 over, associated with the pang arising out of a sus- 
 pected understanding between Leander and Kosabella ; 
 so that, altogether, it excited a disagreeable foreboding, 
 which various small incidents appreciable to Chitty's 
 keen perception had augmented. Wine and feasting, 
 as is generally the case in rancorous minds, far from 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 287 
 
 dissipating, only intensified his apprehensions. He 
 could extract no definite suspicion from the meagre 
 evidence, and felt the need of counsel and confidence. 
 How to get these was the question. To call Christy 
 from the festive board to listen to a cock-and-bull 
 story (as this would be, even when lavishly embel- 
 lished with lies), would have no effect save to bring 
 down anathemas on his head as an old idiot ; to call 
 on Melhado would bring blows in addition to abuse. 
 In this dilemma he betook himself to a keener wit 
 than either of theirs ; and as soon as he could eat and 
 drink no more, and had bestowed his movable plunder, 
 he started off through the bush to Kingston, and 
 stopped not till he arrived at the door of Melhado's 
 house, where he craved an audience with that gentle- 
 man's mother. 
 
 The old lady was at that time seated on a rocking- 
 chair in her saloon, which was lit by a number of 
 wax-lights under brilliant glass shades.* Her spec- 
 tacles were on, and the Eev. Laurence Sterne's ' Sen- 
 timental Journey ' lay open before her ; for she was 
 a wilful old dame, and not to be deprived of the 
 enjoyment of real wit and sentiment by nonsensical 
 
 * The reader who has not visited the tropics will reflect that, 
 where windows and doors are open, and every breath of air is 
 invited to enter, candles must speedily be blown out if not pro- 
 tected. 
 
288 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 squeamishness. Show her any of your correct 
 moderns who could write like him, and she would 
 think your prejudice entitled to attention ; but you 
 knew very well you couldn't. 
 
 A young negress with a red handkerchief on her 
 head, and wearing one solitary garment, the name of 
 which we are not at liberty to communicate, but 
 whose material was osndburgli, brandished a flapper, 
 with which she chased the mosquitoes from her 
 "Missy," and controlled the frolics of moths, bats, 
 crickets, fiddlers, cockroaches, and a host of winged 
 insects which made a disagreeable humming and 
 buzzing, and were continually dashing themselves 
 against the glass shades in attempts to get at the 
 lights : occasionally they took headers against the 
 old lady's eyes and cheeks. As is the case with 
 many strong-minded persons, Mrs Melhado was not 
 gifted with extreme patience ; and whenever a craw- 
 ley-bob succeeded in charging her, she sharply chid 
 her attendant. Sometimes she aimed a vicious blow, 
 which the small obscurity generally evaded. The 
 subtle plotter, who never ceased to keep a watch 
 upon Brune, knew of his visits to Crystal Mount, 
 and of the rescue at the Ferry. She felt sure that 
 these things had a great significance, and was much 
 disturbed in consequence, so that the child was ex- 
 periencing a Grosser time than usual. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 289 
 
 " Bunchy, you little aggravating toad," said Mrs 
 Melhado, " what did I tell you ? " 
 
 " Missy say she 'mash for me wortless head de nex 
 one dat touch she I " 
 
 " I did ; and now come here : one nearly blinded 
 me this minute, and there's another up my nose while 
 I speak : come here." 
 
 " No, no, no, no ! I beg you, my sweet Missy, I 
 beg you ! " 
 
 " Come when I tell you. It will be worse for you 
 if I have to rise/' 
 
 " Hi-yi-yi-yi ! " howled Bunchy ; " me goin' for get 
 fum-fum : me will dead. Oh, my king ! Oh, fader ! " 
 
 " Very well, I must fetch you, then," said the old 
 gentlewoman, preparing to rise ; whereupon Bunchy 
 raised the most dreadful squealing, and set her back 
 and the palms of her hands against the wall, while 
 she rapidly struck the floor with her alternate naked 
 feet. On a sudden the squealing and dancing ceased, 
 the head was raised attentively, and the small voice 
 said 
 
 " Hei, Missy ! somebody comin' dis side ; make I 
 go see who dere." And Bunchy glided like a dark 
 arrow from the presence of her mistress, to reappear 
 in an instant, and announce that Mr Chitty was 
 without, desiring to speak with her on "impartant 
 bisnis." 
 
 T 
 
290 CAPTAIN" CLUTTERBUCK's CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Now then, Nick, what brings you here at this 
 time of night? I thought you were at camp with 
 your master," said Mrs Melhado, sharply, as Mr 
 Chitty entered and made his obeisance. 
 
 He explained that he had been at camp through 
 the dinner, which en passant he characterised as a 
 " 'plendid ting of de kind, an' werry elegant in de 
 legs of beef and custards ; " that he had heard seve- 
 ral dark hints which he understood to bode no good 
 to either Miss Wiley or to nyoung massa ; that he 
 had considered the propriety of calling the attention 
 of Mr Arabin or Mr Melhado to his suspicions, but 
 in his discretion, under the circumstances of meat 
 and drink, he had refrained from consulting those 
 gentlemen, and thought it his duty to consult Mrs 
 Melhado. 
 
 " Eight, Nick," said the old lady ; " you've got 
 some gumption. I don't think either of them would 
 have listened to your story if you had gone to them. 
 Tell me, now, what was said, and I shall know if it 
 signifies." 
 
 " You see, Missy," said Nick, " dem drink in de 
 wine faba 'ponges. Where dem put it all, me can't 
 rightly say : tink dem mus' be holler inside, de same 
 as de rum puncheon. De more dem swaller, de more 
 room dem seem to got. Dat ole Cap'n Gerbaise an' 
 Massa Shane find at las' dat dem not able for drink 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 291 
 
 fas' enough out of de long glass, and dey ax for tum- 
 bler. Den it go down more faster dan a water-'pout. 
 Couldn't sarve dem fas' enough." 
 
 " But get on, Nick," interrupted the old lady. " I 
 want to know what was said." 
 
 Mr Chitty, being well corned, was unusually loqua- 
 cious, and not very clear. His perspicuity was fur- 
 ther impaired by the conduct of small Bunchy, who, 
 clambering noiselessly on to a writing-table behind 
 her Missy's back, executed a series of dumb shows of 
 an insubordinate and contemptuous character. The 
 gleeful spirit of healthy childhood Heaven's gift 
 to white and black, to bond and free broke forth, 
 regardless of the risk of detection and of sharp ven- 
 geance. There stood the little imp mowing and gri- 
 macing, and mimicking the old lady, at every turn of 
 whose head she flitted to the floor in silence, like the 
 shadow of a bird, and then mounted and began again. 
 Had Mr Chitty been alone with the child, he most 
 assuredly would have inflicted condign chastisement 
 for such liberties taken in his august presence ; but 
 the freemasonry of race deterred him from betraying 
 her to the white lady. 
 
 Spite of his difficulties, Menelaus began again : 
 " Missy mus' hab de goodness to wait lilly bit : me 
 is talking as fas' as me can me can't talk no 
 faster. Well, you see, dem mus' hab sometiug run- 
 
292 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 ning in for dem treats, and when the wine no run 
 down, de talkee run out. De noise dem make, my ! 
 and de wine it make dem more wiciouser dan mules, 
 and dem swear an' holler ; mus' a mad. Den Massa 
 Shane begin to cuss* nyoung Massa Manuel, and 
 say he wish him head 'mash, an' Miss Wiley too 
 good for him. Him say so, Missy, but him don't 
 'peak de trut'. Me allis say dat Massa Manuel de 
 biggest buckrah gentleman in de place. Me allis 
 'tand up for massa when dem cuss him. Me say all 
 
 time " 
 
 " Do get on, Mck ; what did they say ? " 
 " Ax for you pardon, Missy. Me is not de soart of 
 pusson to weaste time in talk. Ebberybody know dat 
 Mck Chitty one berry silent man berry circumspec : 
 him see good many ting dat him not tell nobody, 
 'ceptin' to dose dat it consarn. Now, if Missy will 
 please to listen, me will tell de 'tory in berry few 
 words." 
 
 Nick then went back to the beginning. Mrs Mel- 
 hado perceived that her only plan was to let him 
 have his way ; so she set herself resolutely, though 
 not very patiently, to listen. The moment her atten- 
 tion became fixed, Bunchy's eccentricities assumed 
 a more daring character. The small body, without 
 creating a sound, writhed and gesticulated not alto- 
 
 * To curse often signifies no more than to abuse. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 293 
 
 gether ungracefully. Standing on alternate feet, she 
 kicked, or made believe to spring, at the old lady ; 
 or she threw herself into attitudes of mock defiance 
 and scorn : then, flourishing her little weapon like a 
 sword, she made sweeps and passes with it through 
 the air, and finally delivered cut No. 7 towards Mrs 
 Melhado's crown, as if the little hand and arm had 
 belonged to Shaw, and the flapper had been the sabre 
 of that redoubted life-guardsman. Mr Chitty con- 
 tained himself admirably, and in due time picked up 
 the thread of his discourse. Then he proceeded 
 
 " Massa Pat Shane, him cuss nyoung massa, and 
 say him no good enough for Miss Wiley ; and ole 
 Cap'n Gerbaise him say, ' Look out, boy, to-night ; 
 him will be sarve a trick dat he little tink of before 
 de morning.' Den dem cock deir yeye, and nod deir 
 head, an' tink all right." 
 
 "It may be only some nonsense, after all," said 
 Mrs Melhado ; "was there nothing more?" 
 
 "No nonsense, Missy, no nonsense," said Nick, 
 eagerly. "You tink ole Nick no sabey when dem 
 goin' to do de real wickedness ? Me know dem not 
 makin' fun." 
 
 The old lady mused: "Perhaps you are right," 
 said she. " I think that this matter, though it may 
 mean nothing at all, should be looked to. Take a 
 mule from the stable, and go up now, with all speed, 
 
294 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 to Crystal Mount. Don't go to bed, but observe all 
 that is going on in the premises. If you see the 
 least cause for alarm, send down for your master at 
 once your master, mind : it won't be sufficient to 
 acquaint Mrs Arabin. I have never felt easy since 
 you told me of Mr Brune being up there lately. Here, 
 take this : I always requite useful service. And now, 
 be off!" 
 
 Having dismissed Nick Chitty, the old lady was 
 much disquieted, and paced the room hurriedly, quite 
 forgetting little Bunchy, who, squatting in a gloomy 
 corner, did not even roll her eyes, lest the motion 
 should attract attention, and the adjourned ceremony 
 of fum-fum be consummated. Her mistress was, 
 however, occupied with far other thoughts. Though 
 she had been interrupted, and had inserted her spec- 
 tacles at that pathetic page in the ' Sentimental Jour- 
 ney ' where the fair and gushing Eambouliet tempor- 
 arily retires from the scene, she did not resume her 
 reading. She reflected with extreme anxiety that 
 the success or failure of her plan might depend on 
 the discretion and fidelity of Mr Nicholas Chitty. 
 Mrs Melhado was too shrewd not to know the spite 
 with which fate regards such compacts as her treaty 
 with Christy Arabin. Smooth as everything looked, 
 a false inove, or an accident, or a counter-stroke, 
 might upset the scheme. Eeady and strong-willed 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 295 
 
 herself, she recognised instinctively the same quali- 
 ties in Brune, and felt an undefinable dread of him, 
 such as she was accustomed to inspire in others. 
 Scarcely knowing the young man by sight, she had 
 learned his character and acknowledged its force. 
 She did not dare to reckon on success till all should 
 be accomplished ; and she was haunted by a pre- 
 sentiment of mischance, which her self-command 
 barely enabled her to conceal. 
 
 She slept not that night. 
 
 Mr Chitty emerged from Melhado's house with 
 spirits much lightened by the largesse which his tid- 
 ings had obtained, and by the prospect of occasion- 
 ing a little disappointment and misery ere long. 
 
 In the stable he found a spur, which he girded to 
 one of his heels, and soon placed in close communi- 
 cation with the flank of his mule ; the spurring of 
 whom, mingled with administrations of supple-jack,* 
 quite stayed his appetite for mischief, and caused 
 him to gallop along pleasantly, and to think calmly 
 over what he had to do. He soon decided that, in 
 case of summoning old Christy home, he must em- 
 ploy a messenger in whom he could place some con- 
 fidence. Now Leander Mr Chitty at once rejected 
 in his mind. " Him no good, him wortless," thought 
 he, and passed on to the consideration of other ser- 
 
 * A tough, withe, used as a whip. 
 
96 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 vants, among whom lie found it difficult to make a 
 satisfactory selection. For Nick was aware that, on 
 the knowledge of Big Massa being out for a jovial 
 night, and of many neighbouring Massas being simi- 
 larly engaged, a great Obeah ceremonial had been 
 arranged on the estate, and that the adorers of Mumbo 
 Jumbo were expected to attend in large numbers 
 from the whole neighbourhood. If, therefore, he 
 could succeed in finding a messenger, he could by no 
 means depend on the message being carried quickly, 
 or at all. After revolving then all available emissa- 
 ries, as we see the Cardinal Duke de Eichelieu do in 
 Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton's play, he, with the prompt 
 decision of that minister, fixed on our friend Domin- 
 go, whom he had used on former occcasions, and 
 whose loyalty and zeal he thought he might be sure 
 of for the nonce. Accordingly he pulled up the 
 panting mule at Domingo's hut, and desired him on 
 no account to go abroad that night, as there might 
 be work for him which would bring a rich reward. 
 He likewise promised a particular intercession with 
 the Obeah sage on Domingo's behalf ; and this pro- 
 mise seemed warranted by the intimacy and consider- 
 ation which he enjoyed with that distinguished per- 
 son. Large numbers of the people, both male and 
 female, were already about the fields and paths, but 
 it was too early for any of the Obeah rites. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 297 
 
 Mr Clritty's own mind on the subject of Obi could 
 not be described as one and indivisible, for he wan- 
 dered sometimes into extremes of superstition and of 
 scepticism, and traversed all degrees between those 
 states. By night, and in times of difficulty or afflic- 
 tion, his faith was more or less lively ; but prosperity 
 and daylight shook his affiance yea, even to scoffing 
 and reviling. He had on more than one occasion so 
 far forgotten himself as to use very strong, contempt- 
 uous, and bad language touching the solemn meeting 
 which was now assembling ; and that notwithstand- 
 ing his interest with the Obeah man, and his expec- 
 tation of assistance from that source in his suit 
 to Eosabella. The recollection of this profaneness 
 crossed his mind as he saw his single-hearted 
 brethren collecting ; and the magnitude of the power 
 which he had provoked, and the dire results which 
 might follow, smote his craven conscience with stag- 
 gering force. What if the Obeah man, while seem- 
 ingly bland and respectful, had secret notice of his 
 calumnies and impiety ! What if the caution given 
 him to beware of another professor was simply a 
 mode of communicating a coming doom which he 
 felt that he so justly deserved ! As these thoughts 
 gained strength Nick was getting on to a dark and 
 legendary part of the road, where his heart stood still 
 with terror. It is not recorded that his hair stood 
 
298 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 on end on this or any other occasion, but there were 
 symptoms sufficient to confirm the fact of his pot- 
 valiant bluster being thoroughly subdued, and of 
 his mind being in such a nervous and superstitious 
 condition as to account for the scene which soon 
 followed. He tried to feel plucky on emerging into 
 a more open road, faltered an oath or so, and essayed 
 to whistle, but produced only a tremulous asthmatic 
 hissing which must rather have amused the spirits 
 whom he was braving. A little more light was un- 
 questionably a relief though, and a pull at his rum 
 flask was not without a reactionary effect. Helped 
 by these stimuli, Nick contrived to get off the mule's 
 saddle and bridle, and to turn him into a piece of 
 guinea-grass as soon as he got home. Then he took 
 his measures for observation and concealment. Two 
 or three times he thought he heard footsteps behind, 
 but persuaded himself that it was fancy. The moon 
 was not up, but it was far from dark ; and after re- 
 connoitring the house and premises, he selected for 
 his post a small building consisting of two rooms, one 
 over the other ; the upper being a gay little pavilion 
 commanding a fine view, and the lower a homely 
 garden-house, to whose height the building was 
 screened by shrubs, except that the doorway was 
 clear, and had a good view of two sides of the dwell- 
 ing-house, and of the private road which connected 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 299 
 
 the property with the public way. Down here he 
 would be admirably placed. While exercising a 
 sharp look-out, he would himself be in deep shadow, 
 and the absence of openings in the wall behind him 
 would insure both eyes and ears from distraction. 
 Against all these recommendations Nick saw one 
 disagreeable objection to the place. There were 
 near it one or two tombs containing the ashes of 
 former denizens of the place, such objects being by 
 no means uncommon on estates. In his present frame 
 of mind he would as lief have declined their neigh- 
 bourhood ; but the garden-house was so eligible that 
 he gulped down some more rum and his fear together, 
 and made with tolerable steadiness for his station. 
 "Was it his fancy ? Yes, of course it was his fancy ; 
 he was always fanciful when he felt as he did now ; 
 but he could have sworn that he saw a duppy* 
 glide from one of the tombs, and vanish in the very 
 building he was approaching. This nonsense was of 
 a piece with the footsteps which he had thought he 
 heard dogging him at intervals for the last half-hour. 
 With great resolution he walked to and entered the 
 building, and then he laughed at his own fears as 
 he seated himself on a box which he felt near the 
 door, and collected his senses for keen observation. 
 The rum and the excitement together raised a per- 
 
 * Spirit. 
 
300 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 suasion that his watch would not be in vain ; and, 
 as he reflected, the charming idea gained strength 
 that he might frustrate somebody's cherished hope 
 that night ; and he not only forgot his fears, but 
 began to have a sense of enjoyment. 
 
 " Ha, boy ! " chuckled old Nick to himself, " you 
 tink you dam clebber. Berry well, perhapsin you is. 
 You hab plenty brains : berry good. You savey 
 ebberyting ; you not like poor black negar ; him 
 don't savey nuttin', poor debil ! You make capital 
 plan; you nebber tink dat 'tupid ole Nick Chitty 
 able for cheat you. Ole Nick, hah ! No, I ax for you 
 pardon, Mennylaiss yes, Mennylaiss, I believe, is de 
 name you is please to call dat ole feller ! " And 
 Mr Chitty ground his teeth together in a charitable 
 manner, while his countenance in the dim light of 
 the doorway exhibited that sort of benign expression 
 which the wolf puts on when waiting impatiently for 
 a lamb. There was a luxury in that silent half-hour 
 which it would have been hard to part with at all, 
 but which it was thrice and four times distressing to 
 have disturbed, as was at last the case ; for in the 
 very height of his reverie Mr Chitty was startled by 
 a hideous groan : then a sepulchral voice said 
 
 " Hei, you ole raskil, debil come fetch you at las'. 
 Here, duppies, one,. two, tree of you, take up dis ole 
 rogue. Carry him 'trait to h : hear 'ee ? " 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 301 
 
 " Oh fader, oh murder, oh my king ! " groaned Kick, 
 in excruciating terror, and conscience-stricken. " Me 
 nebber meaned it ; me was only joking ; me allis lub 
 de Obi ; ax de daddy." 
 
 " Silence, sar ; no 'peak a word : hoo-o-ooo ! " 
 roared the voice, and a clap of thunder shook the 
 room, while Chitty was violently thrust from his seat 
 and belaboured with blows from invisible hands and 
 sticks. 
 
 " Oh, wurrah, wurrah, wurrah ! Oh fader \ " groaned 
 he. 
 
 " You 'peak anoder word, s' 'elp me Gad, me kill 
 you 'pon de 'pot," returned the voice. 
 
 " What mus' me do, sar ? " sighed Kick, submis- 
 sively ; " me is 'greeable to do anyting." 
 
 " Hah, dat sound more properer," the dread one 
 replied ; " dat more righter. Kow, den, if you don't 
 want to be choke outright, put for you face upon de 
 ground and listen." 
 
 Kick prostrated himself. 
 
 " Rub for you mout' and nose well in de dirt. Kow 
 den, sar, you is not to tell no libing soul anyting you 
 see dis night. Dere is duppies an' debils flying about 
 plenty, perhapsin you might see some of dem. If 
 you does, no say a word, or you is a dead negar. 
 Kow, mind anoder ting ; if you eber tinks of courting 
 Miss Rosabella, de Obeah come kill you sure as a 
 
302 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 gun. Me know ebberyting you does ; don't tink for 
 cheat me, you dam black negar. Hei ! what dat ? 
 Me mus' go. Mind what me tell you." 
 
 The celestial visitant ceased abruptly. Again the 
 thunder resounded through the apartment. A foot 
 was placed heavily upon Mr Chitty 's body, and a 
 weighty person was felt to jump over him. The jar 
 upon his spine caused him involuntarily to disobey the 
 injunction he had just heard, and to raise his head. 
 A form which seemed gigantic had just cleared the 
 doorway, and bounded along the path to where it 
 joined the other path from the house. At the junc- 
 tion were two figures in light floating garments, 
 evidently some of the duppies against whom Chitty 
 had been cautioned. The three figures joined, and 
 took the road leading from the property. Nick stood 
 astonished, gazing after them till they disappeared, 
 his heart going pit-a-pat, and his tongue cleaving to 
 the roof of his mouth with terror. " Oh, lad-a-gad ! " 
 groaned Mr Chitty, chafing his bruised members, and 
 wiping the cold perspiration from his face, " Duppy 
 da come ! " After a few moments of horror, he felt 
 that the actual sight of duppies was more tolerable 
 than the fear of their appearance. He had looked 
 upon them, and still lived ; nay, save in the matter of 
 a bruise or two, he was none the worse. Nick had a 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 303 
 
 tolerably quick brain, and he no sooner began to use 
 it, than it set about clearing his bewilderment. 
 Though he had been incapable of observing accur- 
 ately at the time when he beheld the apparitions, 
 there had been in the figure and gait of one of them 
 something which called up the image of his beloved 
 Miss Eosabella. The idea, after once presenting 
 itself, grew rapidly stronger and stronger, until he 
 perceived that, after all, it was more likely to have 
 been his " 'pring-flower " in the flesh than a disem- 
 bodied spirit. Then came the thought of his rival 
 Leander, and jealousy solved the whole riddle. The 
 very design which he was there to frustrate had been 
 effected before his eyes, and he knew it not. Fool, 
 dolt, idiot that he was ! he had been completely 
 cozened. Of this he felt sure ; and yet there lingered 
 a shade of difficulty, which still seemed to link the 
 affair with the supernatural. The deceit might have 
 been easy enough if everything had been prepared for 
 it, but his selection of the garden-house was unpre- 
 meditated, and his very presence on the estate was 
 not designed by himself when last he left the pre- 
 mises. Therefore, supposing the whole thing a trick, 
 the juggler must have divined his motives and inten- 
 tions, which indicated something more than human 
 ability. We could have relieved Mr Chitty's mind, 
 
304 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK's CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 as we will now do that of the reader, by observing, 
 that negroes are accustomed to think aloud, and that 
 Nick, rendered incautious by his potations and the 
 wish to subdue his fear, had been, while disposing of 
 the mule and reconnoitring the ground, most commu- 
 nicative to himself, as well as to another person who 
 had watched him. Having thus destroyed the beauty 
 of the mystery, we may as well complete our confi- 
 dence, and say honestly, what we had rather not say 
 that two of the figures seen by Nick Chitty were 
 Leander and Eosabella ; while the third how shall 
 we name the third? The third was the sweetest 
 being in the island Violet Arabin ! Thus the mur- 
 der is out. Violet, in tiny thin shoes, and wrapped 
 in a light shawl, had stolen from her father's roof in 
 the night-watches. Whether her flight was confided 
 or not to any other person in the house save her com- 
 panion, we are unable to report. All we know is, 
 that Leander, in after years, was accustomed to urge 
 Eosy to confession on this point, while declaring that 
 he saw a light in Mrs Arabin's room, and that be- 
 tween the window and the lamp he distinctly per- 
 ceived a figure moving nervously about, and appar- 
 ently watching the fugitives. But it is notorious that 
 negroes talk a great deal of nonsense. 
 
 With a trembling and hurried step did Violet wend 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 305 
 
 her way to the entrance-gate, escorted by her com- 
 panions. Having passed through into the public 
 road, she cast about her an anxious glance, while 
 Eosy ejaculated, " Hei, buckra no come ! " The per- 
 son they expected to meet there was of course Arthur 
 Brune, a man not given to break tryste on any occa- 
 sion, far less on one such as this ! The difficulty of 
 Violet's situation requires no description. A hasty 
 consultation was held, in which both her companions 
 counselled return. Eosy promised to remain on sentry 
 at the gate, and to give notice of Brune's arrival. 
 But Violet did not choose, after the step she had 
 taken, to cross again that night the threshold of 
 Crystal Mount. Her decision had cost her too much 
 to be thus dallied with, and her faith in Arthur 
 assured her that he could not be far away. Nick 
 Chitty's presence in the garden, too, was a sufficient 
 reason for not going back, nor halting in uncertainty 
 at the gate. For some way down the mountain there 
 was but one principal road, and she determined to 
 take it. It was easy, at most places, to elude obser- 
 vation by retiring among the rocks or bushes, and 
 Arthur was sure to be met before they had travelled 
 far along it. It proved, however, that there were a 
 great many black and coloured people about, as we 
 have already seen. Some of these evinced a disposi- 
 
 u 
 
306 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 tion to join company, and identify the party. Where- 
 fore Leander soon persuaded Violet and her attendant 
 to keep to a negro path that ran at a little distance, 
 almost parallel with the road, while he himself, on 
 the public way, kept a look-out for the tardy lover. 
 In this way they had proceeded for some time, still 
 without meeting the object of their search, when the 
 question of return began to be agitated again by the 
 brown lady. Violet, though determined to resist her 
 solicitation, knew not, nevertheless, how to reply to 
 Rosy's arguments. Her shoes were torn, her feet 
 were sore, her voice was nearly lost through shame 
 and disappointment. Overcome at length with emo- 
 tion, the poor girl seated herself, with a sigh of de- 
 spair, on a fallen tree ; and, unable longer to control 
 her agony, she bitterly wept. Rosabella, greatly 
 affected, and getting frightened, leaned over her mis- 
 tress, giving what consolation and encouragement- 
 she co aid, but urging her to retrace her steps. Sud- 
 denly was heard the sharp yelp of a dog, which made 
 Rosy start according to the instinct of her race. The 
 bark was repeated after a short interval ; then again 
 it followed, getting quicker. 
 
 " Hei ! " shrieked Rosy, " de dogs come tear we 
 make we run." * 
 
 * Let us .run. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 307 
 
 Violet controlled her feelings, and, in her turn, 
 soothed the alarm of her attendant. 
 
 " Nonsense, Bosabella," she said, " they are watch- 
 dogs on some of the surrounding estates, perhaps 
 miles off. You can hear them at a great distance on 
 a night such as this." 
 
 " Dere, dere again ! dem come nearer," sobbed Kosy. 
 " Oh lad, what we is to do ! " 
 
 It seemed certainly as if the dogs were coming 
 nearer. Presently Leander joined them from the 
 highroad. He, too, had been scared by the ap- 
 proaching animals. There was no further talk now 
 of returning home ; that would have been to meet 
 the dreaded dogs. Violet, seeing them disposed to 
 push forward, exerted herself to advance again, and 
 despatched Leander back to the main road, promising 
 that all would walk briskly abreast, or nearly so. 
 Quickly as the party now moved, the dogs' voices 
 gained on them. Leander was not long in once more 
 rejoining his convoy, his fright being excessive. Both 
 he and Eosy were past hearing reason, and, half lead- 
 ing, half carrying Violet, they struck off on a cross- 
 path which led to a house at no great distance, where 
 they might be within reach of shelter. Horrified, 
 indeed, they were ; but not so much so as will be 
 the reader, when we state that the yelps and howls 
 
308 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 proceeded from our friends Echo and Crocodile, and 
 that the gentle Violet Arabin, to whom all con- 
 nected with her were so loving, 
 
 " That they might not beteem the winds of heaven 
 Visit her cheek too roughly " 
 
 the delicate girl, for whom hundreds of one sex were 
 at the time sighing, and whom hundreds of the other 
 sex were envying was literally being hunted by 
 bloodhounds. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE book-keeper to whom, as we have seen, Echo 
 and Crocodile had been consigned by Melhado, being 
 a young man of enterprise, had, ever since their ar- 
 rival, been burning with the desire to test their quali- 
 ties. However, no opportunity of doing so presented 
 itself until the great Obeah assemblage of which he 
 had notice, as was stated some way back. Then he 
 determined to astonish some of their deluded minds, 
 and to create a summary dispersion ; at least he did 
 not plead guilty to any worse design, and it did not 
 appear that Melhado's instructions pointed to any- 
 thing more sanguinary. Accordingly he took the 
 field in most approved style, mounted on his fleetest 
 nag, with topboots and spurs on, and a wonderful 
 hunting-whip in his hand. He had amused himself 
 till past midnight with consuming cold rum-and- 
 water, which, together with his sporting turn-out, so 
 raised his spirits, that, when he had ordered the 
 muzzles to be taken off, and he heard the brutes try 
 
310 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 their voices in low single yelps, lie began to search 
 his memory for hunting-terms of which he had read, 
 and to crack his whip and cry " Yoicks ! " in a very 
 creditable and intelligent manner. His "Tally-ho !" 
 gave evidence of considerable talent. He likewise 
 incited the animals to " Hark forward ; " but that ex- 
 hortation was unnecessary, seeing that they were al- 
 ready proceeding at a vigorous pace, and puzzled him 
 to keep up with them, as he had to make several de- 
 tours. At length, soon after crossing the main road, 
 they began to raise their noses more frequently, and 
 to give longer and louder notes ; and finally, heed- 
 less of a caution to " hold hard," they ran completely 
 out of sight in full cry. It is dreadful to contem- 
 plate the peril in which our sweet girl was placed, 
 of being attacked and probably torn and mangled by 
 these ferocious brutes ! The shelter for which she 
 and her escort were making was not very distant, 
 but yet so far off that no human foot could reach it 
 before being overtaken by the fleet pursuers. The 
 dogs were in the same enclosure as our party, and 
 might in daylight have seen it ; and a catastrophe 
 was imminent, which it sickens us to think of, and 
 which would have given a page to the annals of the 
 island interesting and harrowing in all time, when, 
 by a providential intervention, the animals diverged 
 suddenly from the track of our fugitives, and made 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 31 1 
 
 off with increased zeal and redoubled bowlings in an 
 oblique direction. To explain tbe escape it is neces- 
 sary to return to Mr Chitty. 
 
 We left tbat gentleman in all tbe pleasure of a 
 dawning consciousness tbat be bad been done. To 
 do him justice, be did not, after this discovery, waste 
 time in lamentations or oaths, but set himself ener- 
 getically to work out what mischief might yet be in 
 his power. He determined to bring Christy upon 
 the scene in all haste, and to do what he could him- 
 self to arrest the fugitives. In fulfilment of both in- 
 tentions he took the way to Domingo's hut, and having 
 roused that individual from the side of his beloved 
 Calisto, bade him hie with all speed to Up Park 
 Camp, and tell Massa Arabin that he was wanted 
 at home directly something terrible bad happened. 
 He was to request Mr Arabin to look at his watch 
 when the message was delivered ; and, if it was 
 within two hours from that time, Domingo would 
 receive three dollars (a Jamaica pound). Having 
 despatched his messenger, Nick went out among the 
 people, who were collected in the fields, to get news 
 of the runaways, and stop them. 
 
 "You is not clear off yet!" thought Menelaus. 
 "OleNickno fool/' 
 
 Domingo put his best leg foremost to win the 
 pound, and started away at a great speed, which 
 
312 CAPTAIN CLUTTEKBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 brought him at a fortunate moment across the track 
 on which the bloodhounds had wellnigh run into 
 our party. Either for old acquaintance' sake, or for 
 his very superior bouquet, the dogs, after a short 
 hesitation, ran decidedly on his trail. He soon dis- 
 covered his horrid predicament with an agony that 
 cannot be described ; yet he exerted both skill and 
 muscles to escape. The whole mountain-side was 
 well known to him, and by some dexterous drops, 
 jumps, and climbings, he gained every now and then 
 a start on his pursuers. The danger was so immi- 
 nent that he did not dare to lose time in seeking for 
 a tree into which he could mount, otherwise he might 
 have been secure, though his errand would have been 
 left undone. Once, after running for some yards 
 along the bed of a mountain stream, he knew by the 
 cessation of the baying that his pursuers were at 
 fault, and he halted to draw breath and dash the 
 perspiration from his countenance. Alas, no ! they 
 are once more on his trail, and the race for life has 
 yet to be run. Away again, and away : it were end- 
 less to narrate the shifts and doubles of the hunted 
 man, or the fell instinct of the hounds. As long as 
 his strength and wind were in fair condition, he ran 
 with hope and sometimes with success ; but when 
 these were fast failing, and his feet were galled and 
 cut, and full of thorns, and his clothes, and al- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 313 
 
 most his whole person, torn and bloody from the 
 passage through the thickets, the blackness of despair 
 came over him. 'Twas for dear life though, and 
 worth contesting to the last : wherefore he pushes on, 
 blown and footsore, but as yet untaken. Lusty con- 
 fident life is an awful power ! It maintains the strug- 
 gle with greedy death, and baffles sometimes the 
 grisly king. Give the mind her due glory here, and 
 forget not that she will survive when her present 
 dwelling-place has returned to be the dust of the 
 earth : but for all that, a sound deep chest and trusty 
 sinews are a great possession such as a man may 
 lawfully rejoice in ! 
 
 Some way down the mountain he knows of a ravine 
 bestridden by a foot-bridge formed of the trunk of a 
 not very thick tree, and made practicable by a light 
 handrail which has been secured to it. The dogs 
 might venture to follow across, but they must do so 
 singly. He may be able, with a stone or a stake torn 
 from the bridge, to stun them as they come over in 
 succession, or possibly to strike them into the chasm 
 below. He loses a few minutes in seeking right and 
 left for the path which leads to the bridge ; but it 
 is time well expended. He is already on the tree- 
 trunk while his pursuers are struggling and yelling 
 down the steep in rear. The frail causeway bends 
 and totters beneath him ; but, courage ! he is safe 
 
314 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 across. Aiid now a thought strikes him. Can- 
 not his arm, nerved by the fear of death, suffice 
 to dislodge the structure? He will try. He does 
 try ; he makes a mighty effort. It creaks and 
 vibrates. Another pull hurrah! Listen to the 
 echoes as the dismounted bridge crashes down the 
 rocks below, and leaps and bounds as if in triumph 
 too. But he has only a short regard for the tumbling 
 log. On the opposite bank of the ravine four eyes 
 shine now in the light of the risen moon. He can 
 look at them as he recovers breath, and as the terrible 
 throbbings of his heart subside a little. Between his 
 deep-drawn sighs he can shake his fist and gasp a 
 curse at the fiends. Softly, poor Domingo ! you have 
 done a bold and a clever thing, but you have not 
 escaped Echo and Crocodile. They have learned 
 their dreadful work in Cuba, trained by an indefati- 
 gable chasseur. They have been taught to meet such 
 a difficulty ; and, after a few cautious investigations 
 to be sure of the case, they turn their noses up the 
 ravine to double round its head. 'Tis nigh half a 
 furlong up ; can they, without scent, recover his 
 trail? Perhaps not there is one chance. If they 
 do, they are thrown back by a disheartening interval 
 there is another chance. He has at any rate ad- 
 vantage of time enough to climb a tree. But there is 
 no tree nothing but rock and underwood and grass. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 315 
 
 The voices are still. He knows not where the dogs 
 may be. Perhaps they are running in a false direc- 
 tion ; but they may discover the true one. 'Tis best 
 to get forward, yet he can afford to go more gently. 
 He swings along : all seems still and safe. Heavens ! 
 has he escaped ? Dares he think that he has ? Al- 
 most he hopes. Hope not, miserable man ! there is 
 the yelp again. They have recovered your trail. 
 But cleverly avail yourself of the start which you 
 have so gallantly won. The dogs' voices once more 
 send the electric terror through his veins. He runs 
 arnain ; and the dogs run. Do they gain on him ? 
 He can hardly tell ; but he fears they do. Hah ! 
 there there is a hut, and he can gain it. He is on 
 the plain now, and scours along toward the refuge 
 a negro's house. How's this ? The owner has gone 
 to the Obeah meeting, and has fastened his door. 
 Confusion ! but Domingo can break in. He throws 
 himself against the door, but it resists. Again. Why 
 is it stronger than negro doors in general why ? But 
 it is so : he cannot force it, and to lose time is to lose 
 life away ! away ! 
 
 In the small hours of the morning a native of the 
 county Tipperary was fulfilling his appointed duty 
 as a sentinel in Up Park Camp, at the postern which 
 faces the mountains, when the Enemy of Mankind, 
 
316 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 in bodily shape, was seen to scramble over the rail- 
 ings as no human being could have done it, and then 
 to stagger forwards, with a diabolical wildness, across 
 the sentry's beat. Hell-hounds at the same time 
 filled the air with their cries, and struggled frantically 
 to- force themselves between the iron rails. Private 
 Michael Muldoony was afterwards picked up insen- 
 sible from the ground at his post a thing that had 
 happened before. On inspection, he was found to 
 have been picked up sober a thing that had never 
 happened before. This last wonder eclipsed, in the 
 opinion of his comrades and of the sergeant of the 
 guard, the wonderful tale by which he accounted for 
 his comatose condition. This is an incredulous and 
 perverse world. It was bad enough to be frightened 
 out of one's senses by the Prince of Darkness, but to 
 have the vision discredited was intolerable to Irish 
 feelings. Michael could not bear to be doubted, con- 
 sequently the said Muldoony found himself, a few 
 hours afterwards, withdrawn from the tumults and 
 vanities of this outer world into a solitary cell, vul- 
 garly called the Black Hole, to expiate the offence of 
 having knocked down and otherwise maltreated one 
 Barnabas Kyan. Now, Barney Eyan's behaviour had 
 been aggravating. He had not scrupled to assert 
 that the vision which Michael supposed himself to 
 have seen was nothing but the last supreme effort of 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 317 
 
 Domingo in escaping from the bloodhounds. Barney 
 was right though; yet so rudely did he demolish 
 Mike's most effective canteen narrative that they 
 were not drunk under the same table again for up- 
 wards of three weeks. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 To bring up our narrative to this point of the some- 
 what disorderly entry of Domingo into camp, we 
 must investigate the course of events in Knox's room, 
 to which port we some time ago consigned a very 
 merry party. If you heeded only your ears in that 
 pleasant retirement, you would have thought they 
 were all talking at once : if you gave heed to your 
 eyes and nose in preference to your ears, you must 
 have fancied that each mouth was creating smoke to 
 the exclusion of every other function ; so great was 
 the din of tongues, and so palpable was the vapour 
 notwithstanding the open windows. Gonsalvo de 
 Cordova, with an air of extreme despondency, brought 
 in some coffee, and so reduced the general Babel to 
 a more equable conversation. 
 
 " Now then, boys," cried Knox, " take some coffee. 
 I'll answer for it, it's good. I've a patent machine 
 for brewing it. Hollo ! how's this, Gonsalvo ? This 
 isn't the unapproachable quintessence of Mocha 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBTJCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 319 
 
 Edward Knox, sole patentee to imitate which is 
 felony. How's this, eh ?" 
 
 " De peccolator break, sar," sighed the great cap- 
 tain, " and me 'bliged to boil him in de pipkin." 
 
 " The devil fly away with you, you whining rascal ! " 
 shouted Knox. "You've destroyed the best perco- 
 lator in Jamaica, and degraded me from my supremacy 
 in the preparation of coffee. Henceforth Edward 
 Knox is as other men are. Oh, you long-faced vil- 
 lain!" 
 
 " Don't fret yourself, Knox," said Mr Acting Judge. 
 " Ye'll get a better one for a dollar." 
 
 " Impossible," sighed Knox. 
 
 "Why impossible?" asked some one. 
 
 " Perhaps he can't raise the dollar," suggested Mel- 
 hado. 
 
 "He may draw on me at three months for that 
 amount," said Judge Blake, benevolently. 
 
 "Fait," said Pat, "he might draw on ye for six 
 months before he'd draw a dollar out of ye." 
 
 " I'll drink some of this rather than be ungracious, 
 though it's certainly nearer a solid than a liquid," 
 said the Judge. 
 
 " Not quite so delicate as some of your legal argu- 
 ments, Mr Judge," responded Knox. 
 
 " It's as strong as the arm of the law or the hang- 
 man's knot, though," observed old Christy. 
 
320 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 "Bather," said Judge Blake, "it's like the quality 
 of mercy, in respect of not being strained/' 
 
 " It's like Gervaise's hat," ventured Melhado, " it's 
 so greasy." 
 
 "And like your d d head, it's so infernally 
 thick," said Tom, judging his distance, and seeing 
 that the stick could not reach. 
 
 " Ye're too funny intirely," said Pat Shane ; " but 
 be cautious, boys, how y' emit such brilliant flashes. 
 There's fifty barr'ls of powder in the magazine opposite, 
 and ye'll maybe blow us up. I can see the jokes 
 twistin' and twirlin' about the conductor like a nest 
 of snakes that smelled Saint Patrick. What shall it 
 be now cards or bones ?" 
 
 The pasteboard had it ; and, three or four barrack- 
 tables having been put together for the occasion, the 
 party sat down to a round game, which at that time 
 was much in vogue, and which caused a very brisk 
 circulation of cash. We have no pleasure in giving 
 the details of the gambling scene which ensued ; the 
 general features of it are easily communicated. Each 
 player sat with a little heap of notes, doubloons, 
 pistoles, and dollars before him, and each had a glass 
 of brandy-and-water, the frequent use of which during 
 the excitement of the game caused the cloth to be 
 largely printed with damp rings. Smoking, of course, 
 proceeded ; and while some, with moderate fortune or 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 321 
 
 strong facial nerves, preserved a look of indifference, 
 most of the countenances alternated from " grave to 
 gay, from lively to severe," Old Christy enjoyed the 
 thing amazingly, played with spirit, and lost his 
 money with a good grace. Melhado was a loser 
 almost from the beginning, and he got very angry at 
 last. Mr Acting Judge lost and won with a joke for 
 both chances. The youngsters soon got excited and 
 intent upon the game. The elders were not so easily 
 interested, and Pat Shane was so inattentive, and he 
 so disturbed the company by talking loud, that he 
 had to be pulled up several times. Tom Gervaise 
 held his cards and played mechanically, but seemed 
 only half-conscious of what he was doing. Knox, 
 without being rash, played very boldly, and by his 
 courage forced the fickle dame to relent. And so for 
 hours they played and played, until some were sleepy, 
 and some were weary, and some were tired of losing, 
 and others wanted to stop and to carry off their gains. 
 There was a pretty plain intimation that nearly all had 
 had enough of it; but Melhado claimed to have his 
 deal, as the only chance of retrieving in some degree 
 the ill-luck of the evening. He dealt, and forced 
 the stakes up to the highest that the game allowed : 
 but the result was only that fortune declared more 
 openly against him. Nothing prospered with him 
 that night, and he had to disburse the value of many 
 
 x 
 
322 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 a tin kettle, bumboat, mirror, lead coffin, and bale of 
 cotton. Mr Judge, in putting on a somewhat heavy 
 stake, expressed a doubt whether the value of the 
 store would cover what he was about to win, and 
 proposed a dividend if the effects should be insuf- 
 ficient. Melhado lost his deal at last, and dashed 
 down the pack. " Curse the cards \" he exclaimed. 
 
 " That's not poloite," said Pat Shane. 
 
 "Damn politeness!" answered Melhado, not with 
 the highest courtesy. 
 
 " Being a poloite man meself," said Pat, " I con- 
 sider meself affronted by that remark." 
 
 "You do?" said Melhado. "Why, who the devil 
 ever mentioned your name, or passed the slightest 
 reflection on you?" 
 
 " By implication ye did," answered Pat, " when ye 
 spoke in that rude way concerning poloiteness." 
 
 " Well, 111 be hanged," said Melhado, exasperated 
 beyond control, "if I ever heard of more bullying, 
 ungentlemanly conduct \" 
 
 " That's it, is it ?" said Pat. " By the powers, then, 
 me boy, I'll try and tache ye the use of more ladylike 
 words, so I will !" 
 
 " No doubt you're quite a professor in that line/' 
 said Melhado, with a sneer : " I hope your charges 
 are moderate." 
 
 "Maybe ye'll not think them so," answered Pat ; 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 323 
 
 " and, now ye mintion accounts, there's a little favour 
 of yours that I haven't jewly acknowledged yet. D'ye 
 mind the sloight obligation ye put me under at Fort 
 Augusta concerning Irish "blackguards, bad luck to ye? 
 I've the resate ready and convanient in a mahogany case, 
 and shall have the greatest pleasure in remitting it." 
 
 " Well, I think you'd better go to bed now," said 
 Melhado ; " you'll view this differently in the morn- 
 ing, I fancy. I'm very sleepy myself, and want to 
 be off ; so let's have no more nonsense." 
 
 Pat Shane placed himself between Manuel and the 
 door, and said very quietly, " Mister Melhado, as ye 
 don't seem to understand a hint, allow me to niintion 
 in plain terms that ye've insulted me by calling my 
 behaviour bullying and ungentlemanly. I demand 
 satisfaction." 
 
 " Yes, very well," said Manuel, pretending to 
 regard this as a tipsy fancy of Pat's ; " let me away 
 now, and anything you wish in the morning." 
 
 u Moi wish," replied Pat, "is, that we may meet 
 as early as possible, and that ye'd be good enough at 
 once to name " 
 
 " Oh, bother ! " interrupted Melhado, " he'll prate 
 here all night," and he pushed Pat aside and was 
 going out. But Pat sprang to the door in an instant, 
 and, slamming it to, turned the lock with a tremen- 
 dous clang, and put the key in his pocket. 
 
324 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 " Now, sir," said Pat, " I give ye one chance more 
 of behaving like a man of honour ; if ye miss that, 
 there's other ways of which I say nothing at prisint : 
 but ye must choose, d'ye see ? " 
 
 Christy Arabin now came to Melhado's aid, and 
 said 
 
 " Mr Shane, I feel confident that my friend, Mr 
 Melhado, has been hitherto quite mistaken as to your 
 feeling. He did not, I am certain, believe you to be 
 serious. I am ready to act for him in this unlucky 
 affair, and will have the honour of consulting with 
 some friend of yours." 
 
 " Thank ye, sir," said Pat ; " I'm daling now with 
 a man of sinse and discretion. Here's Captain 
 M'Corrigan ready to arrange matters with ye ; and I 
 request that ye'll be good enough to make use of my 
 quarters for your confer'nce." 
 
 So the two retired. 
 
 Mr Arabin now quite admitted to M'Corrigan that 
 Melhado had been to blame, but said that some 
 allowance ought to be made on account of the excite- 
 ment of the evening : to which M'Corrigan objected 
 that such a representation would have been irresist- 
 ible if the disagreement had not gone beyond the 
 first offence offered by Melhado ; but Mr Arabin 
 must be aware that, Manuel having since treated 
 the affair with unwarrantable levity, having offered 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 325 
 
 personal violence to Shane, and, moreover, having 
 shown a strong desire to get away without bringing 
 the dispute to issue, it was not advisable for either 
 side to talk of compromise. Christy winced a little 
 under this allusion to Melhado's desire to be off, and 
 said that, as that remark had been made, the sooner 
 his principal met Mr Shane the better. Whereupon 
 M'Corrigan drew attention to the brightness of the 
 night, and said there was not the least need of pro- 
 tracting the affair till dawn, and that the earlier they 
 proceeded, the less they were in danger of inter- 
 ruption. 
 
 Christy coincided, and the seconds separated to 
 announce this decision to their respective friends. 
 When Arabin reappeared, however, he was informed 
 that, during his absence, gentlemen had remarked 
 on the impropriety of a person of his age and position 
 taking a prominent part in the affair, and it was pro- 
 posed to him that, having acted for his friend in the 
 most important negotiation, he might trust a younger 
 man to see the quarrel to an end. After a few objec- 
 tions, Christy gave way to the urgent desire of the 
 whole party, and consented to yield the conduct of 
 Melhado's further case to a young officer named 
 Eamsay, who was willing to undertake it. 
 
 Christy determined, nevertheless, to witness the 
 duel, as did nearly everybody else, the Acting Judge 
 
326 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 included. It needs to be distinctly stated that we are 
 not romancing in exhibiting an elderly councillor, and 
 a high legal functionary, as so easily permitting, and 
 even countenancing, this unseemly quarrel. Those who 
 recollect the period in which our story is laid, will bear 
 witness that no wrong is done to the class to which 
 those gentlemen belonged. Both the intending combat- 
 ants retired with their seconds to prepare for the en- 
 counter, which was to take place so soon as prelimin- 
 aries could possibly be arranged. The others dispersed 
 to get cool, and put off their evening clothes. Tom 
 Gervaise lay down on Knox's sofa to rest himself till 
 he should know where the fight was to be ; he thought 
 it would just fit in delightfully, and fill up the interval 
 till it should be time to set off and meet Arthur Brune 
 and some other people, whom he was to drive from 
 the foot of the mountains to an interesting rendezvous 
 at daybreak. He, however, fell asleep, and to his 
 great regret missed the fight ; he was, moreover, in a 
 fair way to mar a matter of more interest, to which 
 the fight was only an auxiliary. Well aware of Tom's 
 infirmities, Knox contrived not to be Pat Shane's 
 second, expressly that he might see Tom off at the right 
 time, and be free to adjust any screw which might 
 happen to go wrong. He was never in better heart 
 for assisting an adventure. His spirits were at the 
 highest, for he had won enough to dispel his embar- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 327 
 
 rassments, and a great weight (which, by the by, he 
 thought that he had borne very well) was lifted from 
 his heart. 
 
 An open space to the eastward of Up Park Camp 
 was fixed upon as the place of meeting, and thither 
 some score of misguided individuals proceeded by 
 moonlight to see two men aim at each other's lives as 
 gaily and unconcernedly as if they had been going to 
 a merry-making. Captain M'Corrigan had provided 
 pistols, and a couple of saddle-horses were taken to 
 the ground to facilitate escapes in case of accident ; 
 a young surgeon was also among the spectators. 
 
 Melhado leant on Christy Arabin's arm. The time 
 which he had had for reflection had by no means 
 caused him to view the affair more pleasantly than 
 he had done at first. Here he was, a man the most 
 envied, perhaps, in the island, on the very eve of 
 attaining a much-improved position, a handsome 
 dower, and a lovely and accomplished wife, about to 
 expose himself in a paltry quarrel to be shot by an 
 Irishman, a term convertible in Melhado's vocabulary 
 with " professed duellist." Besides the unlucky cir- 
 cumstances which made the case so hard just now, he 
 had, as has been hinted, no peculiar liking for hostili- 
 ties. Even now he insinuated as broadly as he dared 
 to old Christy, that there might be a chance yet of 
 composing the matter without fighting ; but Christy's 
 
328 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 answer was so short that it put an end to all dis- 
 cussion of compromise. After that, he walked on, 
 alternately shaken by fear and flushed by anger at 
 the unlucky quarrel into which he had been drawn. 
 The more he thought, the more his meaner and worse 
 passions gained possession of him. The chance of 
 quelling his antagonist in fair fight was altogether 
 insufficient for his base revengeful soul: he racked 
 his brain if haply by some subtle but foul device he 
 might make sure of his enemy's blood. The man was 
 a murderer in his heart. 
 
 Pat Shane, on the other hand, went to the meeting 
 like a bridegroom. He was aware that he was in 
 some way serving a friend, though he didn't exactly 
 know how ; and he was sure that he was doing a 
 most chivalrous and praiseworthy act in endeavour- 
 ing to rescue an enchanting girl from a spiritless 
 fellow that didn't deserve her, and in devising chas- 
 tisement for a presumptuous and disagreeable cox- 
 comb. Pat's feelings, therefore, were of the most 
 self-approving and complacent kind. 
 
 The skill and experience of Captain M'Corrigan 
 and Mr Eamsay prevented the loss of much time in 
 preliminaries after they reached the ground. They 
 tossed for pistols, measured their distance, and placed 
 their men with great ability ; or, as Pat Shane ex- 
 pressed it, " mighty nate." Melhado's face was seen 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 329 
 
 in the moonlight to be of an ashen hue. The specta- 
 tors withdrew to a short distance, and the seconds 
 placed the pistols in the combatants' hands. " I 
 shall count three, gentlemen," said Mr Bamsay. 
 " You will tire together at the word three, and you 
 will not look at each other till you fire. Are you 
 both ready?" 
 
 " Eeady ! " 
 
 " One : two : three ! I " 
 
 The wretch Melhado was seen to make a half face 
 towards Pat, and look fixedly at him for a moment ; 
 at the word two he raised his pistol and fired. When 
 three sounded, Pat Shane fired, and the contents of 
 his weapon struck Melhado's face, who fell. So dis- 
 figured were his features by a crimson stream which 
 flowed over them, that it was impossible for the 
 surgeon to ascertain the exact nature of the wound, 
 and as he breathed and had a pulse, it was deter- 
 mined to carry him back to camp on a hospital 
 litter, which M'Corrigan's forethought had provided. 
 
 " Be off now, Shane," said M'Corrigan. 
 
 " Will I be going before I hear what's happened ? " 
 asked Pat. 
 
 "Yes, away with you at once. I know where 
 you're to be found ; and you shan't be long in hear- 
 ing from me. Good-luck to you/' And Pat, who 
 was by this time in the saddle, received and returned 
 
330 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 a strong grip from M'Corrigan's fist, and betook him- 
 self to the hills. He could have trotted along very 
 pleasantly but for the recollection of the villanous 
 attempt Melhado had made to shoot him by firing 
 prematurely. " The murderin' robber ! " thought he ; 
 "but maybe I didn't pay him off!" Haunted by 
 this thought, Pat had got some way into the hills, 
 before the day broke, without meeting a soul. 
 
 The solitude and the time had a good effect on him. 
 Even wild Pat Shane felt calmed and sobered. He 
 couldn't resist the influence of that dawn among the 
 mountains. Who could? There is life and fresh- 
 ness in that hour. He is not wise who sleeps such 
 gift away. It is short, yet very precious ; for all of 
 energy that the clime affords is drawn in from its 
 influence. No rising mist is there, no murky cloud. 
 The arch of heaven, where the hills allow it to be 
 seen, is clear from the zenith to the horizon clear, 
 and faintly blue. Slowly the moonlight pales before 
 the coming day. There is a cool revealing of dim 
 objects, such as overspread the world's young forms 
 on the first day ere yet the Great Light was grey 
 hills, grey plains, grey heavens, and grey sea. The 
 dying night - wind with trembling fingers gently 
 'moves the leaves. But the many sounds of night 
 are ended, and all is calm repose, for the life of day 
 is hardly roused ; no wing disturbs the air, no voice 
 
331 
 
 the hush. There is the soothing of a gentle peace 
 upon the heart ; and pure, and merciful, and holy 
 thoughts descend with the early dew. 
 
 Now came a timid sound. A chirrup quavered 
 for a moment, and, frightened by its own voice, fled 
 back into the mighty stillness. Then whispered a 
 soft cooing from the woods ; then rustlings and low 
 murmurs, few and single. These were Nature's 
 preludes ere she brake forth in her song of the 
 morning. 
 
 As the light increased, Pat saw before him, coming 
 down the path, two young negroes who were going 
 to their work, and who, as -they had not been up 
 gambling and drinking and fighting all night, were 
 in a fresh and sportive mood as they came forth to 
 meet the young day. One of them carried a matchet, 
 or short cutlass used in that country for clearing the 
 bush, and was bounding round his fellow, aiming 
 make-believe cuts and thrusts at him as he did so. 
 This shocked the prudence of Pat Shane, who reined 
 up his horse and said 
 
 " Look here, Julius Sasar, me man : ye shouldn't 
 be cutting them capers : ye might kill or injure a 
 fellow -creature, and then ye'd never forgive your- 
 self!" 
 
 " Yes, massa," said the young nigger ; and Pat rode 
 forward. He had not got many yards, however, 
 
332 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK's CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 before he turned round and called upon the darkle 
 to stop. 
 
 " Except 'twas in fair foight, ye know, Julius," 
 added Pat to his former admonition, " and then it's 
 all honourable and lagal." After which addendum 
 Pat faced about once more, and gat him up into the 
 mountains. 
 
 The scene had already changed. As the dull sober 
 chrysalis flutters forth the gayest and the gaudiest of 
 winged things, so had the one-tinted placid daybreak 
 changed to a splendid day. The magic touch of 
 colour was on earth and sky and sea crimson and 
 azure, emerald and gold ; and dazzling spots, the 
 earliest kisses of the sun, gleamed on prominent 
 points and ridges. The minstrelsy of birds and 
 insect voices now send up the full chorus of the 
 woods. A burst of beauty and of life which ani- 
 mates and warms, and says, Lift up your hearts; 
 for it is a time of radiance, of reviving, and of glad- 
 ness. Such a change has gladdened greater than 
 mortal hearts. It repeats the original splendour 
 which followed the creation of the sun and all 
 heaven's lights, which purest beings hailed with 
 adoring rapture, when the morning stars sang to- 
 gether, and all the sons of God shouted for joy ! 
 
 " Bedad it's iligant, so it is," said Pat Shane ; " a 
 man that niver seen Killarney J ud say 'twas sublime. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 333 
 
 And to think of that miscr'nt firin' before he got the 
 word ! The immorality of this world is past compre- 
 hendin' : and yet to see it on a mornin' like this, 
 you'd think butther wouldn't milt in its mouth." 
 Whereupon he felt musical, he didn't know why, 
 and began whistling " Savourneen Deelish," making 
 a pause-rest at every double bar to keep his light in. 
 He lay hidden for some days, after which a myste- 
 rious communication from M'Corrigan informed him 
 that he might reappear, but that it would be prudent 
 not to ask questions or to make any observation con- 
 cerning Mr Melhado, who was supposed to have gone 
 on a long voyage to pull up after a serious illness. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 KNOX'S share in aiding and abetting the doings of 
 Arthur Brune had been, however, limited by a cause 
 which he did not expect, and owing to which many 
 hearts beat anxiously before sunrise. It has been 
 said or sung that Knox held himself free from the 
 duel purposely, that he might be Arthur's ready con- 
 federate in case of need, and especially that he might 
 stimulate the energies of Tom Gervaise, who had a 
 part to play in the business of the night, and who 
 was very little likely of himself to think of any busi- 
 ness whatsoever. Knox, after getting his room clear 
 of the company, was resting for a few minutes in an 
 arm-chair, thinking of the escape he had made from 
 ruin, resolving never to play again, and listening to 
 the snoring of old Tom, who lay on the sofa. He 
 was disturbed by the appearance at his door of a 
 small bandy-legged negro, and the thin weak voice 
 of Sampson besought him to come to the other end 
 of the verandah and speak to Mr Lorton, who was 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 335 
 
 very ill, and wished to see him. As Tom's time was 
 not yet up, and the duel appeared to be working 
 smoothly, Knox thought he could afford ten minutes, 
 and so he walked down the gallery to see what Lor- 
 ton wanted. On arriving at the room, his spirits, 
 just then so buoyant, encountered a shock. At the 
 very first glance he was smitten by that awe which 
 proceeds from the presence of death, either when he 
 is wrestling for his prey, or when he has set to his 
 seal. There were several persons in the chamber, all 
 but one earnestly employed ; and yet there was a 
 hush and a gloom, and an oppression, and disorder. 
 The air was faint with a smell of vinegar, those who 
 moved went softly, and looks and signs did the work 
 of speech. On the narrow officer's bedstead, from 
 which the mosquito-net had been thrown back, lay 
 poor Lorton, his eyes glassy and staring, his head, 
 which had been shaved and blistered, wrapped in a 
 kerchief: near him sat Malvina, the stout brown 
 nurse, attending to his wants, brushing away the 
 insects, or obeying the signs of the doctors, of whom 
 two were present. Mr Grant also was there observ- 
 ing the sufferer, and Sampson was keeping hot 
 bottles to his feet. A chair near the bed was littered 
 with a mustard plaster recently taken from the sick 
 man's chest, and, besides medicine and ointments, 
 the table held a brandy and a champagne bottle, 
 
336 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 these stimulants having been used to raise the 
 patient's pulse. Very dim the apartment seemed 
 after the glaring scene which Knox had just quitted; 
 but his eyes soon were tempered to the dull light, 
 and he felt a thrill as he saw Lorton staring at him 
 with a fixed gaze. There was no speculation, though, 
 in that fast look: the soul was yet awake within, 
 but her communication with the outer world by the 
 senses had become a labour. Lorton clearly heeded 
 but little of what was passing ; his spirit was gather- 
 ing itself together for its supreme flight, and the 
 limbs moved feebly and listlessly without a guide, 
 as they had done in infancy. Doubtless there had 
 once been joy unspeakable communicated by the first 
 languid motion of those limbs, when a fair and well- 
 favoured baby was shown to many longing eyes in a 
 country-house in England not so many years ago. 
 The mercy of Providence allowed no one then to 
 associate the little stranger's appearance with aught 
 but gladness. None could have entertained the idea 
 that after a few, a very few years alas, how un- 
 profitably spent ! the helplessness of his first hour 
 would return, among strangers and hirelings, in a 
 far-distant island, with no mother's hand to smooth 
 the pillow, and no kindred ear to listen to the parting 
 words. It must be hard to die thus. Many, many 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 337 
 
 things must have risen to the tongue, which, if said 
 to those near and dear, would have been a solace to 
 the ebbing soul; but no fond familiar breast was 
 nigh, and there was no utterance for his thoughts, 
 save probably in those communings which he held 
 so constantly with Heaven. Now and then, however, 
 some local matter would still interest him for a short 
 time. Knox caught the eye of one of the surgeons, 
 with whom he would have retired to be informed of 
 the patient's actual condition, when, making a sudden 
 rally, Lorton inquired if Knox had been sent for. 
 Knox approached the bed and spoke. 
 
 "You are Brune's friend," said Lorton; "I have 
 done Brune wrong, for which I trust I shall be for- 
 given. He has already forgiven me, but he could not 
 remain here till I could put him in possession of the 
 source of the injury, and of the means of annulling it. 
 Mr Grant has found every necessary document." (Mr 
 Grant here handed Knox a packet.) " To you I con- 
 sign these papers in trust for Brune. Brune is named 
 in my will. I wish you to understand that his name 
 stands there by my deliberate and well-considered 
 wish. Let him know this. I trust I trust " here 
 the voice became a murmur, and the eyes lost again 
 the intelligence which had temporarily lighted them. 
 Lorton put out his emaciated hand and plucked ner- 
 
 Y 
 
338 .CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 vously at the bedclothes. The nails were dark red, 
 and drops of blood were literally oozing from under 
 some of them. The doctor intimated that he was not 
 to be further disturbed, and gave him a little brandy, 
 feeling the pulse at the same time, and observing that 
 the stimulant scarcely affected it. Lorton seemed in a 
 doze, and the voices of the bystanders became a little 
 more free than they had been. Then he was heard 
 to say, " I'm perfectly sensible perfectly sensible." 
 At this moment there was a loud disturbance in the 
 room below, which greatly discomposed the dying 
 man. Knox stole softly out, and ran down to put a 
 stop to the clamour. On entering the negro room, 
 whence it proceeded, he found Domingo exhausted, 
 torn, and groaning on the ground, while the occupier 
 of the room and another negro were exclaiming after 
 their wont, and pestering him with questions. 
 
 " Silence, and be hanged to you ! " burst in Knox, 
 in a low whisper ; " Mr Lorton is dying over your 
 heads. What's the matter with this fellow? Get 
 up, will you, and behave yourself properly ! " 
 
 But Domingo could not rise. He tried to gasp 
 forth an apology, and to beg that he might see 
 Massa Arabin. That name reminded Knox of the 
 business he had well-nigh forgotten. He informed 
 Domingo that Mr Arabin had left camp for a time 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 339 
 
 with Mr Melhado (alluding darkly to the duel, of the 
 result of which he was as yet ignorant), and that it 
 was of no use to seek him ; and then he went to rouse 
 and hurry off Tom Gervaise: for instead of ten 
 minutes, he had been half an hour in Lorton's rooms. 
 Tom's slumbers had been very little disturbed. Once 
 a cockroach who had come down from a beam, seeing 
 his mouth open, looked in, causing him to splutter 
 and give voice to that kind of prayer which Shake- 
 speare ascribes to military men : after that he slept 
 again, and when Knox came up and roused him, he 
 seemed to be exceedingly comfortable, and resisted 
 with all his might the process of waking. On find- 
 ing what a laggard he had been, Tom, who had a 
 certain respect for Arthur Brune, exhibited symptoms 
 of compunction, and actually shook himself with 
 some alacrity, postponing even the glass of brandy- 
 and- water, for which he was longing, till he should 
 be about to start. Knox, expecting every minute 
 the return of the shooting-party, kept spurring him, 
 and at last had the satisfaction of seeing him depart. 
 Then Knox returned to see how it fared with Lorton. 
 Only Lorton's mortal remains were there. The spirit 
 had passed but a few minutes before, and Mr Grant 
 was now closing the eyes. Pray, reader, that a 
 stranger, however kind and feeling, may not perform 
 
340 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 that office for you. Poor Lorton! there remained 
 the tearless funeral and the muffled drum, and this 
 world would know him no more I 
 
 Mr Grant accepted Knox's invitation to rest in his 
 room, and take some coffee. Soon after daybreak 
 they both left for the church at Halfway Tree. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 BUT where, all this time, was dear Violet Arabin? 
 Escaped, as we left Violet, from one peril, the miseries 
 of that night were not yet over for her. Overwhelmed 
 with terror and fatigue, she had sunk on a bank in the 
 field after being relieved from the pursuit of the dogs. 
 There Leander and Eosabella, believing now that 
 their ill-luck was too strong to contend with, would 
 consult on no basis but that of an immediate return 
 home. Violet herself saw no other course, and wanted 
 only the strength to set forth. While she delayed, 
 mustering her courage, the enclosure was suddenly 
 entered by eight or ten negroes, male and female, 
 headed by old Menelaus, who grinned horribly as he 
 approached the party. 
 
 " Beg for you pardon, Miss Wily," said Nick, " I 
 think dere is some mistake here. Tink Missy lose 
 her way." 
 
 " You are right, Chitty," said Violet, with firmness, 
 after collecting all her courage. "I have lost my 
 
342 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 way, and am about to return to it. Do not alarm 
 any one if my weariness makes me long in reaching 
 home, and take away all these people. Leander and 
 Eosabella will protect me. Now go ! " 
 
 Mr Chitty cast a withering grin at Leander and 
 Eosy as he replied, " Missy not know her faitful sar- 
 bint. I afraid dese two is wortless. Massa will ex- 
 pec* Nick Chitty for see young Missy safe home." 
 
 "I am much obliged, Chitty," answered Violet, 
 " but I had rather walk alone. You may follow at a 
 distance, if you please ; but these people cannot be 
 required, now that you have found me, and I desire 
 that you dismiss them at once. " 
 
 Seeing that Nick did not obey immediately, Violet 
 said, " Good people, I thank you all for the trouble 
 you have taken in seeking me. I am quite safe, and 
 beg that you will leave me." 
 
 " 'Top, 'top," exclaimed Chitty, seeing the negroes 
 about to obey (for so general is the habit of obedi- 
 ence to a command of the kind, that none contem- 
 plated an objection) " 'top, men; big massa desire we 
 is not to leave Missy till she safe home. Hear'ee ? " 
 
 Then, turning to Leander, he hissed, " Ha, boy, ole 
 Nick too many for you ; he 'poil for you 'port yet. 
 My ! de whipping you will get ! " 
 
 Violet could scarcely believe in Chitty's assurance, 
 and commanded him again to take his party off. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTEEBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 343 
 
 " Me is acting in de name of big massa," replied 
 Nick, forging a commission for an object which he 
 considered to justify the fraud. " De nyoung lady 
 berry petickly wanted at home jist now. If him is 
 tired and not able for walk, perhapsin we can carry 
 him lilly bit." 
 
 " Come near me at your peril, Chitty," said Violet. 
 " Leander, protect me from this fellow, and explain 
 to the other people that he is deceiving them. I will 
 insure you forgiveness and reward for doing so." 
 
 " Supposin' I let him go, you will marry me to- 
 morrow, my 'pring - flower ? " asked Mr Chitty of 
 Rosabella, who was nearly wild. " Now de time for 
 say yes" 
 
 " Go to de debil, ole hangman ! " screamed Rosy. 
 " I wish you could a dead." 
 
 "Hah! berry well," grinned Nick, showing both 
 his gums ; " berry well. Now den, my friends, me 
 mus' beg you for gently lift dis nyoung lady, and 
 carry him safe to Crystal Mount. Beg pardon, Miss 
 Wily. You will tank old Nick for dis some day." 
 
 Saying which, Mr Chitty stretched forth his arms 
 as offering to lift poor Violet off the ground, who, 
 terrified beyond measure, uttered a scream, and 
 turned to flee with what little strength remained 
 to her. At that instant, however, Mr Chitty, in- 
 stead of laying hands on her, fell backwards, and 
 
344 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 rolled fairly heels over head, struck mightily by a 
 new actor who had come unperceived upon the 
 scene. 
 
 The attendant negroes exclaimed, " Hei, de buck- 
 rah ! " while Leander, jumping about like a maniac, 
 shouted, " Massa Brune ! Massa Brune ! " and Eosy, 
 with a remarkable volubility, commenced a detail 
 of their misadventure and of Nick Chitty's insolent 
 conduct. 
 
 Violet was weeping and speechless upon Arthur's 
 shoulder. He saw pretty plainly how matters stood, 
 and knew that this was no time for questions and 
 explanations. The negro gentlemen, after witnessing 
 Mr Chitty's discomfiture, shrank away unperceived 
 with astonishing rapidity, and returned to their in- 
 cantations. Nick himself, after a minute or two, 
 arose with a frightfully disfigured countenance, and, 
 approaching Arthur softly, asked, " Why you 'trike 
 so hard, massa ? Me only wantin' to see de nyoung 
 lady safe home." 
 
 " Disappear, you old rascal," said Arthur, " or I'll 
 stop your lying tongue for the next six weeks." 
 
 Whereupon Mr Chitty entered into a spirited col- 
 loquy with himself touching the whole transaction, 
 and retired while the argument was in its most ani- 
 mated stage. We have had a hint of where Arthur 
 had been delaying. Lorton had summoned him when 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 345 
 
 he should have been hurrying to the hills, and had, 
 with the eloquence of a dying man, entreated him 
 again and again to remain yet another minute, and 
 listen to the confession which contained Brune's own 
 vindication. The situation and the subject had im- 
 posed upon his better judgment, and caused him well- 
 nigh to lose all that made life or reputation valuable. 
 Here he was at last, however ; and Violet's strength 
 seemed all to return when she leant upon his arm, 
 and heard his voice, and partook of the confidence 
 with which he chose his way, and supported her 
 along. After a long, but not a tedious, walk, they 
 found themselves close to a little negro hut at the 
 mountain's foot, before which should have been 
 standing a carriage ready to convey them to Half- 
 way Tree Church ; but, alas ! all was still and lonely. 
 Old Tom had failed to keep his appointment, and all 
 that had been achieved with so much toil and dan- 
 ger was like to have been achieved in vain. Once 
 more alarmed and shocked, Violet rested in the hut. 
 She had now the calm decided voice of Brune to re- 
 assure her, though ; and her fears but half possessed 
 her. Leander was despatched to Kingston to travel 
 at the top of his speed on Arthur's pony, which was 
 tied behind the hut, with orders to bring out a car- 
 riage without a moment's delay, and with the pro- 
 mise of a rich reward if he did so in time. Violet's 
 
346 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 eyes could be seen by the bright moonlight suffused 
 with tears ; but she made no lamentation, nor other- 
 wise added to the perplexity of a situation already 
 sufficiently embarrassing. Even then Brune re- 
 marked that she would be in her right place as a 
 soldier's wife. Miserable she certainly was, and, 
 after so many misfortunes, unable to believe in a 
 happy result ; yet she nerved herself, and did what 
 appeared to be her duty. Far otherwise it was with 
 Miss Kosabella. That young lady, being no longer 
 called upon to use bodily exertion, was not disposed 
 to place any restraint upon the exhibition of senti- 
 ment. Her tears, her voice, her gestures, indicated 
 the profoundest despair. She threw herself on the 
 floor of the hut, tore her hair (she really had hair, 
 not wool), and screamed and raved after a fashion 
 indulged in in this country by none but lunatics. 
 
 Arthur sat supporting Violet, and whispering hope 
 and the certainty of a good result. He looked often 
 at his watch, and counted the minutes in which Lean- 
 der could possibly accomplish his ride to Kingston. 
 Long before the least period that he allowed, how- 
 ever, his ears were greeted by the sound of wheels and 
 hoofs. We know that Gervaise, though long behind 
 time, was under way at last ; and accordingly Leander 
 had not ridden far before he met Tom tooling along 
 at a great pace ; whereupon he returned and essayed 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 347 
 
 to gallop forward and announce Tom's coming before- 
 hand, which he could hardly accomplish, so cleverly 
 did the old fellow put them over the ground. It was 
 not many seconds before the equipage, with all its 
 passengers safely bestowed, was on the road back to 
 Kingston. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 MELHADO dying or dead, it was uncertain which 
 was borne gently along towards camp. The doctor 
 of course took the direction, and he declared that, if 
 life remained, the only hope of preserving it lay in 
 preventing a shock of any kind. Thus the return 
 was necessarily very slow, and allowed ample time 
 for the escorting party to collect their thoughts. 
 None of them could have had very pleasant reflec- 
 tions, for they were all now liable to be confronted 
 with the stern face of the law, and it was not im- 
 possible that they might stand together in the dock 
 as criminals. To be sure, colonial juries were very 
 lenient in matters of this kind more especially after 
 a little time had elapsed ; but then to gain time it 
 was necessary to flee immediately into hiding, and 
 that was not very convenient. To Judge Blake espe- 
 cially the consequences promised to be ugly ; for, 
 supposing him to have come safely through the 
 ordeal of a trial, he yet ran a great risk of losing 
 his appointment after being mixed up in such a 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 349 
 
 transaction. This could not have been an agreeable 
 thought ; howbeit, the Judge, like many of his coun- 
 trymen, had the talent of banishing care, and looking 
 at the bright side of things, so he didn't fret. But 
 the man most to be pitied of the whole group was 
 undoubtedly Christy Arabin. Here, stretched on 
 this wretched canvass, lay all that remained of the 
 young man in whom centred so many of his schemes. 
 He must now face a prospect very different from 
 that which he had imagined a few nights ago as 
 he lay and smoked, and thought that he should 
 never be cast down. Besides, he would have to 
 be the bearer of these sudden tidings home to 
 announce to his daughter that she was, as it were, 
 a widow ere she was a bride. Then a pang of 
 another complexion shot through him as he thought 
 that his wife would not consider this a very heavy 
 visitation that the fates were fighting her battle 
 against him, and putting him to shame in his own 
 house in a very unhandsome way ! A hundred 
 other vexatious considerations rose up, but in his 
 present agitation he could only glance at them in 
 the gross and see how formidable they were : a dark 
 array indeed ! 
 
 Altogether there was a terrible revulsion of feeling 
 since they formed a merry party an hour or so ago. 
 And they marched along in moody silence, each ab- 
 
350 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK-'s CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 sorbed in his own reflections, when on a sudden from 
 the bier came forth a plaintive voice 
 
 " I don't feel in very great pain ! " 
 
 " Silence, as you value your life," said the doctor ; 
 " do nothing but breathe, and do that as softly as you 
 can." 
 
 " Melhado's alive ; we mayn't have to run for it," 
 thought the bulk of the party. 
 
 " Manuel's alive, and his wound may not be mor- 
 tal/' thought old Christy ; and he presently began to 
 calculate whether, if he only lost his nose, that must 
 necessarily upset the long -revolved schemes. Mrs 
 Arabin would be strong against a noseless son-in-law, 
 but, d her, was she always to have her way ? 
 
 With these cogitations they arrived at the barracks, 
 into the first room of which they turned a servant's 
 room on the ground-floor. The bier was laid upon a 
 table, and the doctor proceeded to clear the room of 
 all but two or three of the curious beholders. Christy 
 Arabin, of course, claimed the right to stay ; Judge 
 Blake pleaded that his observation of the case might 
 suggest a legal wrinkle or two in the event of diffi- 
 culties ensuing ; and M'Corrigan and Eamsay could 
 hardly with decency be denied. These, therefore, 
 remained in the room. The rest, after some strong 
 remonstrances, dispersed on a promise that an early 
 bulletin should be promulgated. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 351 
 
 " Now, then," said the doctor, as he unlocked his 
 instrument - case, " somebody get a basin of tepid 
 water and a sponge. I should like a saucer too and 
 a table-knife, or something of that kind, to clear the 
 clotted blood away." 
 
 " Do you think it's mor ? " groaned Melhado. 
 
 " Let me entreat you," interrupted the doctor, " not 
 to attempt to speak. You shall know everything I 
 can tell concerning your case as soon as I understand 
 it. Kemarkable, isn't it? though not uncommon/' 
 he added, turning to the bystanders, " that a bullet 
 through the brain is sometimes so little felt at first I 
 Here is a case where for a time even the intellect is 
 unimpaired ! " 
 
 " I beg your pardon, doctor," said Christy Arabin ; 
 " might I entreat you to attend to the sufferer now, 
 and we can hear these interesting observations another 
 time?" 
 
 " Yes, attend to me, that's a good man. Tell me 
 if I shall die." 
 
 The doctor was ruffled first, at the interruption of 
 his lecture ; secondly, at the disobedience of his patient. 
 
 By ," he said, " if you don't keep still, the 
 
 undertaker, not I, will have to attend to you ! " 
 
 His irritation subsided immediately, and he set 
 carefully and tenderly about his work. Melhado's 
 countenance was so discoloured and coated that it 
 
352 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 was not possible to determine the precise position of 
 the wound. The doctor, therefore, proceeded to work 
 round the outer edge of the stains, removing large 
 coagulated masses, and gradually circumscribing the 
 area. " Strange," said he, " I don't see yet where the 
 bullet entered." He patiently went on again till he 
 had cleared all but a space no bigger than a florin. 
 " In the very centre of the marks," he mused, u the 
 last spot that I expose," and so saying, he removed 
 the remaining particle, and scraped his knife against 
 the saucer's edge. The wound was not manifest 
 though. Then he plunged the sponge in the basin 
 and washed the whole of Melhado's pale countenance. 
 After that he opened the patient's mouth and nostrils, 
 and examined them attentively. " Where the deuce 
 can all the blood have come from ? " exclaimed he, 
 completely puzzled. " I can find no wound." 
 
 "Are you sure," asked M'Corrigan "are you quite 
 sure that it is blood ? " 
 
 "Blood ! of course it's blood," the doctor answered; 
 " what the devil else?" 
 
 " Don't know," M'Corrigan said. " I've been look- 
 ing at it, and I have my suspicions." 
 
 " Let me see," said the doctor. " I never thought 
 why, I declare, what's this ? Well, it is curious I " 
 
 "If I weren't in the presence of a professional man/' 
 put in Blake, " I'd say 'twas guava jelly." 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 353 
 
 " It looks wonderfully like it," said Christy Arabin. 
 
 " It is guava jelly," said Mr Eamsay. 
 
 "Then I'm not shot after all," said Melhado, briskly, 
 as he sat up on end. 
 
 The relief of their apprehensions was so sudden 
 that the ridicule of the affair had not yet struck 
 them. M'Corrigan, turning his back upon Melhado, 
 said, " Gentlemen all, be pleased to understand that 
 Mr Shane is entirely ignorant of what his pistol con- 
 tained. Cartridges very harmless ones, as you per- 
 ceive were manufactured for the occasion, with the 
 view of preventing bloodshed. I need scarcely re- 
 mind you that, had they not been resorted to, we 
 should have had not only bloodshed, but death. It 
 will be for you to decide whether or not you will 
 enlighten Shane as to the transaction. If you do, 
 I shall of course be ready to answer for the deceit 
 practised upon him. But I imagine that if we are 
 content to keep the secret, nobody will wish to divulge 
 it on the part of this this person." And M'Corri- 
 gan, with a look of supreme contempt, pointed over 
 his shoulder at Melhado, who still sat astonished on 
 the table. " The best advice I can give this person 
 and those who are interested in him," continued 
 he, "is, that he disappear for some time, and pre- 
 tend to be dead in fact, as he really is in reputa- 
 tion. By the time all of us are off the island, his 
 
 z 
 
354 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 rascally conduct may be forgotten, and he may show 
 himself to strangers." 
 
 " The charge of the pistols shall remain a profound 
 secret with me," said Blake. 
 
 " And with me," said the doctor ; " but few of 
 those who witnessed the affair will be disposed to ask 
 many questions, or to talk about it, for their own 
 sakes ; and a nod or a wink from me will make them 
 fancy they understand the end of it." 
 
 Having heard which, and having bowed to Christy 
 Arabin, M'Corrigan went out, followed by Eamsay. 
 Judge Blake, who held that the code of honour and 
 any other code whatever must give way to a joke, 
 went up to Melhado, and, looking him solemnly in 
 the face, said 
 
 " Upon my soul, sir, this is a most unlooked-for 
 resurrection. Eeceive my congratulations on your 
 having been so wonderfully preserved" Then bidding 
 good-night to Arabin and the doctor, the learned gen- 
 tleman went home to rest, confirmed in his belief that 
 it is better to keep off care and apprehension till they 
 force themselves in. 
 
 The doctor was the next to depart, leaving Christy 
 and his high-minded young friend to a tete-ob-tete. As 
 long as Manuel appeared to be dead Christy felt that 
 he would give anything to have him alive again : now 
 that he was surely alive and unhurt, the old gentle- 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 355 
 
 man began to think it had been better if he had died. 
 Always shrewd and practical, though, he immediately 
 decided that reproaches were utterly useless, that he 
 would want a little time to consider what should be 
 done, and that what he had first to effect was the 
 withdrawal of Manuel from Camp, and the conceal- 
 ment of him at Crystal Mount or somewhere in the 
 hills. He therefore said, quietly 
 
 " I think we had better have our carriage out and 
 get away as quickly and quietly as possible. The day 
 is breaking : let us go to the coach-house, where no 
 doubt the servants are asleep, and set off at once." 
 
 The tone Christy used brought a great relief to 
 Manuel, who had been feeling like a detected cur. 
 He couldn't understand the old fellow, but began to 
 fancy that there was little harm done after all ; and 
 he answered, jauntily 
 
 " Yes, come along. I'm dreadfully sleepy." 
 
 So the two stole out. 
 
 A little way from Up Park Camp, as you go to 
 Halfway Tree, four roads meet that is to say, the 
 road from the mountains to Kingston crosses at right 
 angles that which leads from Camp to Halfway Tree. 
 At daybreak, after Clutterbuck's champagne, two 
 carriages were approaching, and near to meeting, at 
 the cross roads ; one was travelling from Camp, the 
 other from the hills. They did not exactly meet, 
 
356 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 however, as the latter, which was perceived to be 
 driven by Tom Gervaise, quickened its speed sud- 
 denly, and turned to its right into the Halfway Tree 
 road, before the former reached the cross. The other 
 contained old Christy Arabin and Mr Melhado, and 
 it also turned to its right, but towards the mountains, 
 taking the opposite direction to that which Tom had 
 just left. They were soon far asunder. Neither 
 Christy nor Melhado was in a peculiarly amiable 
 humour, yet the old man had not completely lost 
 interest in passing matters. He nudged the morose 
 Melhado, and, pointing to the carriage that passed 
 them, said 
 
 "Isn't that Gervaise? What can the fellow be 
 about at this time of the morning ? He's got women 
 aboard, too, sly dog ! Shouldn't wonder if we heard 
 more of this affair, and had some scandal out of it ! " 
 
 " I hope to heaven that he's run away with some- 
 body's daughter/" growled Melhado, " and that the 
 parents '11 go distracted, and that the runaways '11 
 hate each other and be miserable ! " 
 
 Christy soon ceased to think of Tom Gervaise ; he 
 had to determine what should be done with Melhado. 
 The wise plan obviously was to conceal him for a 
 time. Those who knew of his being unhurt had de^ 
 clared their intention of keeping the matter secret. 
 His rascally behaviour in the duel it was nobody's 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 357 
 
 wish, of course, to conceal. But a man believed to be 
 dangerously wounded might be much more leniently 
 dealt with than one known to have escaped unscathed. 
 Perhaps, when Manuel should appear again as one 
 recovered from an almost mortal wound, his iniquity 
 might be forgotten. Clearly, therefore, the best course, 
 under any circumstances, was, that he should seek re- 
 tirement, and Christy thought he had better quietly 
 leave the island for a while. This reasoning seemed 
 sound enough when he reviewed it ; and yet he saw 
 an objection which one can scarcely comprehend his 
 admitting under such circumstances. Manuel's re- 
 tirement must cause the postponement of the mar- 
 riage ; and the postponement of the marriage was 
 Mrs Arabin's suggestion. He almost determined to 
 face all the opprobrium and ridicule that would greet 
 Melhado's immediate reappearance, and to push the 
 marriage through according to the original programme, 
 trusting to the wealth and influence of the two houses 
 to silence all reproach ere long. Between the whispers 
 of discretion and the wish to thwart his wife, he re- 
 mained in two minds till he got home, and when he 
 arrived there he had something else to think of ; so 
 this momentous question was never decided. 
 
 In half an hour from the time when the carriages 
 passed the cross roads Violet Arabin was saluted as 
 Mrs Brune, and she and her husband were off to a 
 
358 
 
 house in the recesses of the island, where they lay 
 hidden and very happy for a week or two. Lorton's 
 bequest turned out to be a legacy of 5000, which 
 came most opportunely to the young couple, and set 
 them going, while old Christy was digesting the 
 liberty that had been taken with his domestic ar- 
 rangements. He did completely get over it at last, 
 and learned to love his son-in-law, and to congratu- 
 late himself on the way in which events were ordered. 
 
 Mrs Melhado, though dreadfully disappointed and 
 angry, was at the same time moved with admiration 
 at the spirited course taken by the lovers, which, she 
 said, resembled the matches that were made when 
 she was young, and was worth any quantity of your 
 staid formal courtships. To her chopfallen son the 
 old lady afterwards recited the proverb that there 
 are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it, and 
 recommended him to run away with the next promis- 
 ing girl that came in his way, and not to wait till 
 another did it for him. Upon the whole, she admir- 
 ably maintained her reputation as a strong-minded 
 woman, and, whatever she felt on the subject, let no 
 annoyance appear, and was ready with a grin for 
 everybody, and maybe with a smart retort if any 
 observation appeared pointed at her disaster. 
 
 Her son thought proper to make a voyage to the 
 United States of America, which, though it may have 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 359 
 
 dispersed his chagrin, did not improve his manners 
 and sentiments. On his return he never showed 
 again in good society ; and when his mother died 
 (which she did soon after his reappearance in Jam- 
 aica), and he was left to his own guidance, his feet 
 turned speedily into the broad path that leads to ruin. 
 He still retained his love of finery ; he was fond of 
 pleasure and idleness ; and he had but little capacity 
 for business. So he became the leader of a low 
 gambling set, called to that bad eminence through his 
 good looks, affectation of fashion, and reputed wealth. 
 Once on a downward path like this, the end is cer- 
 tain. Descending from one depth to another, his 
 father's infirmity got possession of him, as the shrewd 
 old lady had feared it might ; and he was known as 
 a drunken, gambling ruffian, about low haunts in 
 Kingston and Port Eoyal. It ended in his paying 
 a quarter dollar in the pound, and becoming a book- 
 keeper to an estate of which he had been attorney. 
 
 Arthur and his incomparable wife, with Leander 
 and Eosy married and in their service, remained but 
 a short time longer in Jamaica. The whole party 
 left when the regiment was ordered home, and com- 
 menced a series of adventures, such as must have 
 been known to many an officer who married about 
 the same period. Scarcely ever parted, Arthur and 
 Violet visited many climes ; they knew the vicissi- 
 
360 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCIv's CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 tudes of heat and cold, of pestilence and scarcity, and 
 of danger and death, interspersed with bounding life 
 and happy hours. Bmne, as soon as he got work to 
 do, made his way in the profession, as people had 
 prophesied that he would. He is at this moment 
 holding a high staff appointment, and known and 
 respected for his achievements and character. There 
 is plenty left in him, too, to do still greater things, 
 and win a still higher name, if the clouds which now 
 darken the horizon should end in war, and oblige 
 Great Britain to draw the sword. His wife (she isn't 
 Mrs Brune any longer) is, to our mind, who are not 
 so young as we were, even a more fascinating person 
 than was the Violet Arabia of old days ; and the 
 comparison is not made with a vague shadow of the 
 past, for there sits beside her another Violet, whose 
 every look or gesture brings up a crowd of recollec- 
 tions, and transports one back to youth, raising the 
 shades of Crystal Mount and old adventures, and 
 half-forgotten faces, and merry days. The youngsters 
 appear to think Miss Brune a more charming person 
 than her mother: they will get wiser some day. 
 Arthur has a son a captain in his father's regiment, 
 and another is preparing for his competitive examin- 
 ation with a view to entering the service. 
 
 Pat Shane was purposely kept out of the way for 
 some time after the duel, by being left in doubt as to 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 361 
 
 Melhado's fate. As long as any of those connected 
 with the affair remained in .the regiment, all who 
 were cognisant of the catastrophe behaved most 
 honourably, and never let Pat know that Melhado 
 was unhurt ; though, of course, it was known that he 
 didn't die. After a time, however, some indiscreet 
 comrade let out the story, and Pat's indignation was, 
 we understand, of a very appalling kind. He only 
 wished that M'Corrigan and he might meet before he 
 died, and then Neptune's quos ego was nothing to 
 it. They did meet many years after, when Pat had 
 taken to himself a wife (we believe it was the little 
 divil with the purtiest feet in the world), who, in a 
 dangerous illness that followed the birth of their first 
 child, had bound Pat by a solemn obligation to ab- 
 stain from private encounters. 'Twas in India that 
 he met his quondam second, who was on the march 
 through the station where Pat's regiment lay. As 
 soon as they recognised each other, Major Shane 
 broached the matter, which had lain heavy on his 
 heart for many a day ; and the other, who had well- 
 nigh forgotten it, said he believed something of the 
 sort did happen he had a slight recollection of it. 
 
 " If ye'd met me two years ago," said Pat, whose 
 brogue had acquired additional richness by time and 
 matrimony, " ye'd surely have had to confront me in 
 the field ; but at present there are raisons, don't ye 
 
362 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 see, and I'll lave ye to th' upbraiding of your own 
 conscience : we'll not foight, ye know ; but as the 
 priests and philosophers tell ye, that when ye're de- 
 barred from one amusement, ye shouldn't sigh over 
 it, but take the next best that offers, come and dine 
 wid us at six ; we'll talk over ould toimes. Mind six/' 
 said Major Shane, at parting ; and then he added, in 
 a confidential tone, "I'll show ye the foinest little boy 
 seven months ould ye iver seen, and give ye a glass of 
 clar't that hasn't its aiqual out of the same bin ! " 
 
 Though Pat had forsworn duels, he was under no 
 restriction as to the enemies of his country, as Siks, 
 Ameers, Affghans, Eussians, and Pandies knew to 
 their cost. The 'London Gazette' made frequent 
 mention of the services which Major, and afterwards 
 Colonel, Cornelius Shane (his name wasn't Pat at all) 
 had performed. He is at this present writing unem- 
 ployed, and surrounded by Shanes male and female 
 of all sizes in Ireland, where he likes to talk of the 
 many scenes that he has gone through Indian and 
 Crimean experiences not a few ; but it would seem that 
 the old Jamaica life is, upon the whole, the favourite 
 reminiscence ; for when he gets back that far, he gen- 
 erally exclaims, " Ah, them was the days, after all." 
 
 Tom Gervaise returned to England, but he never 
 broke himself off the bad habits he had contracted in 
 the West Indies, and they killed him before long. 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCKS CHAMPAGNE. 363 
 
 Though he died at an early age, he survived by 
 many years his cherished hat, which, in the plenitude 
 of its rich absorptions, was removed by cruel and 
 violent hands, while yet warm from the head of its 
 owner. It had been felt in the regiment that neither 
 gods nor men could longer tolerate its appearance ; 
 and one day, while Tom was eating or dozing, or 
 otherwise profoundly occupied, the hat was surrepti- 
 tiously abstracted and arraigned before a kind of 
 Venetian Council or Holy Yehme, summarily assem- 
 bled in one of Knox's lower rooms. We, the writer, 
 assisted at this solemnity. The court being assem- 
 bled and sworn, the doors were locked, and the lower 
 sashes of the windows secured to prevent profane in- 
 trusion or attempts at rescue. Then the unhappy 
 hat was brought in on the point of a stick (tongs 
 being scarce in that land) and deposited with much 
 ceremony, and in imposing silence, upon the table. 
 Judgment did not pass by acclamation, because such 
 a proceeding would have been incompatible with the 
 gravity of the members and the greatness of the oc- 
 casion ; but a unanimous verdict was recorded, and 
 instant execution prescribed. None of the judges 
 could of course act as finisher of the law, and there 
 were reasons why none of them wished for that office ; 
 therefore a young lady of colour, who happened to be 
 about the barracks, was called in and charged with 
 
364 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK's CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 the demolition. It was to be a cutting in pieces as 
 complete as that which overtook King Agag in Gilgal. 
 The first squeeze of the scissors showed why the 
 handling of the victim was not pleasant work the 
 original material had attracted innumerable foreign 
 impurities not worth mentioning. As Pat Shane re- 
 marked, " it may have been felt, but cannot be de- 
 scribed." Contemplation of the convict was, however, 
 interrupted by a heartrending spectacle, which ap- 
 peared at the window ; the outraged Tom himself, 
 standing on tiptoe to get a full view of the proceed- 
 ings, his head bare to the sun, his eyes upturned, his 
 hands lifted on high, and an expression of the strongest 
 emotion on his face, while, with imprecations of the 
 foulest character, he demanded the surrender of his 
 tile. Even this harrowing appeal was insufficient to 
 shake the firmness of those righteous judges. Miss 
 Graves, immovable as Atropos, plied her relentless 
 shears, and the disintegration of the hat was accom- 
 plished. It is nothing to say that the hatter who 
 made it would not have known it ; that recognition 
 was long ago impossible. Its destruction was like 
 that of ancient Babylon it had become heaps. And 
 the court summoned Gonsalvo de Cordova to gather 
 together the pieces with his besom, and commanded 
 him that they should be burned with fire, and their 
 ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven ! 
 
3(55 
 
 It was many months before Tom became resigned 
 to his loss ; and, as long as he refused to kiss the rod, 
 the members of the Yehme kept beyond the reach of 
 his stick. He was comforted at last ; and as regarded 
 earthly retribution, the conclave escaped vengeance. 
 But there is one of the judges who is, we know, still 
 expiating, and to expiate, the stern fulfilment of his 
 duty. Oft when we ourself retire to rest, refreshed 
 w r ith oysters and porter, with a Welsh rabbit, or with 
 well-spiced kidneys and brandy-punch, ere we have 
 composed our thoughts, comes the shade of old Tom 
 Gervaise, with his stick in his hand, and in terrible 
 accents, he demands his hat. In conscious impotence 
 and terror, speechless and immovable, we shrink 
 within our narrowest limits, and desire that the earth 
 may open and cover us from the dreadful presence. 
 But there is no escape for us in earth or heaven, or in 
 the waters under the earth. Tom seizes on our quail- 
 ing body, and, laughing fearfully, springs with us to 
 the realms of space. And we are in a tandem fashioned 
 from a thunder-cloud, whirled along by dark and 
 dreadful steeds. Old Tom is on the box, his stick 
 exchanged for a mighty whip, his hatless head shining 
 like a celestial globe, and studded with pimples of all 
 magnitudes for stars. His weed blazes with the fire 
 of JEtna, and ever on us he turns a look of undying 
 revenge. Lashing his weird coursers with indefatig- 
 
366 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK 8 CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 able wrath, lie causes them to hurry us ten thousand 
 and again ten thousand stages through space onward 
 and onward, reaching nowhere though the whip, 
 between the lashes, is pointed as towards some awful 
 goal. We are consumed with thirst, and yet, just 
 beyond our fingers' reach, runs a cool and limpid 
 stream which we may not touch. And on we go, and 
 on, through horror and despair, till, struggling, shriek- 
 ing, we awake, and, behold, it was a dream ! 
 
 Old Clutterbuck, considering the liberty we have 
 taken with his name and liquor, certainly deserves a 
 word at parting. He left the service without further 
 accession of rank, and took to civil employment. 
 There is, in one of the midland counties, a natty, thin, 
 erect, gentlemanly, bald-headed chief of constabulary, 
 who might be thought to resemble him. 
 
 Mr Nicholas Chitty quitted the service of Mr 
 Arabin a year or two after Violet's marriage, that he 
 might fulfil two important designs. One was to 
 "jine relijan," i.'e., to become attached to one of the 
 denominations of Christians ; the other was to open 
 a mart for the sale of wine and spirits and malt 
 liquors. This emporium was contained in a wooden 
 hut, upon wheels, about eight feet square, which was 
 usually anchored somewhere near Up Park Camp, in 
 order that the troops, as well as Mr Chitty's religious 
 connection (which was a thirsty one), might reap the 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 367 
 
 benefit of the establishment. One corner of it, about 
 five feet by three, formed his private apartment, where, 
 surrounded by a numerous family, he and his four- 
 teenth wife lived in great comfort and respectability. 
 The last Mrs C., aged eighteen, was an interesting 
 catechumen, who overlooked Nick's age in contem- 
 plating the rigid principles which he enounced, and 
 his high estimation in the religious world. He is an 
 elder of his communion, and devotes whatever time 
 he can spare from his secular occupation to denunci- 
 ations of "de world, de flesh, and de debil." He 
 professes to "lub eberybody, 'pecially de saints/' 
 spite of the old-hysenaish grin which still appears 
 frequently upon his venerable countenance. He it 
 was who once announced to his meeting that "on 
 Toosday nex' dere will be a callectian for de ministry 
 of dis church God willing and weather permitting ; 
 and on Wednesday whether or no." Mck's crown is 
 silvered now with the rime of age. He must be ap- 
 proaching ninety years, and will probably live to be 
 a hundred, or even more. Like all eminent people, 
 he has more than once been assailed by the venom of 
 detraction. Graceless sinners and envious saints have 
 hinted ungenerously at some thorns in the elder's 
 flesh, and once or twice arose an imputation of serious 
 backsliding. , But these Mr Chitty regarded with his 
 wonted superiority, and we have the pleasure of re- 
 
368 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 porting that he has lived them down, and is now in 
 the enjoyment of all that which should accompany 
 old age, including the ability to take a pint of rum at 
 a sitting with perfect steadiness. 
 
 Gonsalvo de Cordova, at his particular request, 
 came to England when Knox, his master, returned 
 home. It was the poor fellow's fortune to reach the 
 mother country at the time when the negro question 
 was exciting considerable interest ; and as his sad 
 air and whining voice were well calculated to arouse 
 compassion, he became at once an object of great 
 interest in the neighbourhood of Knox's residen.ce. 
 The enthusiasm of one fair creature, a maid-servant, 
 was so intense as to force her pity into love ; and she 
 finally, after taking very active measures to that end, 
 bestowed on the great Captain her person and worldly 
 goods, amid the plaudits of a liberal and sympathising 
 community. They retired with great eclat to a little 
 shop set up by joining the bride's savings to a dona- 
 tion contributed by Knox and eveiything seemed 
 to promise a happy career. Unfortunately, however, 
 other questions began to occupy the public mind ; 
 and Mrs De Cordova, finding her spouse no longer 
 an object of great attention, began to flag in her de- 
 votion to him. She even got, at last, to open expres- 
 sions of regret for her folly in marrying him, and to 
 upbraidings on his colour and nation. She would set 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 369 
 
 forth the great matches she might have made, and 
 how she had been fool enough to throw herself 
 away on a stinking blackamoor who didn't know 
 the value of her. This caprice nearly broke the 
 Captain's heart ; and, if he was melancholy before, 
 he became now a monument of woe. After he had 
 suffered some time in this way, on a sudden there 
 appeared an American work which raised up for 
 black people a sympathy which they had never 
 excited before. Once more did Gonsalvo become 
 an object of interest to the whole vicinity ; where- 
 upon, we are happy to say, his wife's affection re- 
 turned, and she appeared most devoted. He was re- 
 peatedly solicited to recount the wrongs and atrocities 
 of which he had been the victim, and large sums 
 were offered for his simple appearance at indignation 
 meetings, where other people undertook to speak for 
 him, and to recount his unparalleled sufferings, and 
 set forth his divine perfections. Poor Gonsalvo, how- 
 ever, who was both truthful and meek, gave great 
 offence to his intending sympathisers, and omitted 
 the tide in his affairs which promised to lead on to 
 fortune. Had his invention been more acute, or had 
 he possessed a little more impudence, he might have 
 been the centre of attraction to thousands, and re- 
 ceived contributions without end. Mrs De C., who 
 perceived the opening, used all her influence to in- 
 
 2 A 
 
370 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 duce him to make use of it ; but in vain. Whereupon 
 she attempted to do a little business on her own 
 account as the loving wife of a negro, too heart-broken 
 to speak for himself, or even to meet the public gaze. 
 This vicarial appearance, however, by no means 
 satisfied the prevailing appetite, which was stimu- 
 lated to a frightful degree. The lady, therefore, 
 could only bewail the loss of this splendid chance, 
 and, in the second place, abuse and torment poor 
 Gonsalvo more than ever she had done. When much 
 irritated, as she not unfrequently was, she would 
 buffet the poor fellow unmercifully. More than once 
 he ran to his neighbours for protection, and thus gave 
 them opportunities of exhibiting their sensibility, 
 which he had denied to the public. All took the 
 husband's part, and so did not soothe the temper of 
 the wife. One day, having read an account of a less 
 scrupulous black man, who at a monster-meeting had 
 realised a heavy sum, she went home perfectly furious, 
 and, commencing with abuse, she lashed herself from 
 injury to injury till she ended in laying her poor 
 spouse senseless with a poker. So great was the 
 general excitement at this outrage that the perpetrator 
 was given into custody by those who now took the 
 matter out of the injured husband's hands. As the 
 officers bore her off, she turned, with all the naivete 
 of a Cincinnatus, to poor Gonsalvo, saying, " I'm 
 
CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK S CHAMPAGNE. 371 
 
 afraid your vile throat must remain uncut for a 
 short time ! " Somewhat to her astonishment, she 
 was committed to prison for the assault, and never 
 came to trial, for her ungovernable temper brought 
 on a violent fever, which destroyed her. Gonsalvo, 
 when he heard of her illness, obtained permission to 
 see her, in the hope that he might be able in some 
 sort to assuage her sufferings. He was admitted to 
 her cell during a lucid interval, but so great was her 
 rage at the sight of him, that it brought on a par- 
 oxysm from which she never rallied. To the last she 
 raved fearfully, and was accustomed to shriek out, 
 "Wherever I go, they can't be blacker than that 
 rascal/' After her death Gonsalvo disposed of the 
 little business, and gladly resumed the service of his 
 old " Massa," with whom he still continues, melan- 
 choly and pensive, but happier than in his married 
 life. 
 
 Knox kept very fairly to this resolution concerning 
 gambling, and now allows himself only an occasional 
 quiet rubber. He, too, is on the shelf ; for, imagining 
 that the service promised nothing in the way of pro- 
 motion, he left it just before things began to mend, 
 and took to lounging about a club and perpetrating 
 small literature. He can rejoice in the fortune and 
 honours of his old comrades, particularly those of his 
 
372 CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE. 
 
 true and tried friend Arthur Brune, of whom and his 
 delightful wife he is frequently a guest. His writ- 
 ing, though of an unpretending character, sometimes 
 enjoys immense honour. He now and then hem ! 
 he now and then gets a paper into * Blackwood.' 
 
 THE END. 
 
 PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH. 
 
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