SATANSTOE; 
 
 THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS. 
 
 % €i\k nf tjje Cninmj.; f 
 
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 BY J. FEN IM ORE COOPER. 
 
 The only amaranthine flower on earth. 
 
 Is virtue: the only treasure, truth." — i>>>enaer, 
 
 IN TWO V L IT M E S 
 VOL. I. 
 
 NEW EDITION 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 STRINGER AND TO W N S E N D 
 
 1S52. 
 
Mj/t 
 
 ;:■::■■ 
 
 (J 
 
 Entered-, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by 
 
 J. FENIMORE COOPER, 
 
 ill the clerk's office of the District Court for the Northern District 
 of New York. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Every chronicle of manners has a certain value. 
 When customs are connected with principles, in their 
 origin, development, or end, such records have a 
 double importance; and it is because we think we 
 see such a connection between the facts and inci- 
 dents of the Littlepage Manuscripts, and certain 
 important theories of our own time, that we give the 
 former to the world. 
 
 It is perhaps a fault of your professed historian, to 
 refer too much to philosophical agencies, and too lit- 
 tle to those that are humbler. The foundations of 
 great events, are often remotely laid in very capri- 
 cious and uncalculated passions, motives, or im- 
 pulses. Chance has usually as much to do with the 
 fortunes of states, as with those of individuals; or, 
 if there be calculations connected with them at all, 
 they are the calculations of a power superior to any 
 that exists in man. 
 
 We had been led to lay these Manuscripts before 
 the world, partly by considerations of the above na- 
 ture, and partly on account of the manner in which 
 the two works we have named, " Satanstoe" and the 
 "Chainbearer," relate directly to the great New 
 York question of the day, anti-rentism ; which ques- 
 tion will be found to be pretty fully laid bare, in the 
 third and last book of the series. These three works, 
 
 1 * (5) 
 
 MJL02G8G 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 which contain all the Littlepage Manuscripts, do not 
 form sequels to each other, in the sense of personal 
 histories, or as narratives ; while they do in that of 
 principles. The reader will see that the early career, 
 the attachment, the marriage, &c. of Mr. Cornelius 
 Littlepage are completely related in the present book, 
 for instance ; while those of his son, Mr. Mordaunt 
 Littlepage, will be just as fully given in the " Chain- 
 bearer," its successor. It is hoped that the connec- 
 tion, which certainly does exist between these three 
 works, will have more tendency to increase the value 
 of each, than to produce the ordinary effect of what 
 are properly called sequels, which are known to 
 lessen the interest a narrative might otherwise have 
 with the reader. Each of these three books has its 
 own hero, its own heroine, and its own picture of 
 manners, complete ; though the latter may be, and 
 is, more or less thrown into relief by its pendants. 
 
 We conceive no apology is necessary for treating 
 the subject of anti-rentism with the utmost frank- 
 ness. Agreeably to our views of the matter, the ex- 
 istence of true liberty among us, the perpetuity of 
 the institutions, and the safety of public morals, are 
 all dependent on putting down, wholly, absolutely, 
 and unqualifiedly, the false and dishonest theories 
 and statements that have been boldly advanced in 
 connection w r ith this subject. In our view, New 
 York is, at this moment, much the most disgraced 
 state in the Union, notwithstanding she has never 
 failed to pay the interest on her public debt ; and her 
 disgrace arises from the fact that her laws are tram- 
 pled under foot, without any efforts, at all commen- 
 surate with the object, being made to enforce them. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Vll 
 
 If words and professions can save the character of a 
 community, all may yet be well ; but if states, like 
 individuals, are to be judged by their actions, and 
 the "tree is to be known by its fruit," God help us ! 
 For ourselves, we conceive that true patriotism 
 consists in laying bare everything like public vice, 
 and in calling such things by their right names. 
 The great enemy of the race has made a deep inroad 
 upon us, within the last ten or a dozen years, under 
 cover of a spurious delicacy on the subject of ex- 
 posing national ills ; and it is time that they who 
 have not been afraid to praise, when praise was me- 
 rited, should not shrink from the office of censuring, 
 when the want of timely warnings may be one cause 
 of the most fatal evils. The great practical defect 
 of institutions like ours, is the circumstance that 
 " what is everybody's business, is nobody's business ;" 
 a neglect that gives to the activity of the rogue a 
 very dangerous ascendency over the more dilatory 
 correctives of the honest man. 
 
SATAN STOE 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " Look you, 
 Who comes here : a young man, and an old, in solemn talk." 
 
 As You Like It: 
 
 It is easy to foresee that this country is destined to un- 
 dergo great and rapid changes. Those that more properly 
 belong to history, history will doubtless attempt to record, 
 and probably with the questionable veracity and prejudice 
 that are apt to influence the labours of that particular muse; 
 but there is little hope that any traces of American society, 
 in its more familiar aspects, will be preserved among us, 
 through any of the agencies usually employed for such pur- 
 poses. Without a stage, in a national point of view at least, 
 with scarcely such a thing as a book of memoirs that relates 
 to a life passed within our own limits, and totally without 
 light literature, to give us simulated pictures of our manners 
 and the opinions of the day, I see scarcely a mode by which the 
 next generation can preserve any memorials of the distinctive 
 usages and thoughts of this. It is true, they will have tra- 
 ditions of certain leading features of the colonial society, 
 but scarcely any records ; and, should the next twenty years 
 do as much as the last, towards substituting an entirely new 
 race for the descendants of our own immediate fathers, it is 
 scarcely too much to predict that even these traditions will 
 be lost in the whirl and excitement of a throng of strangers. 
 Under ail the circumstances, therefore, I have come to a de- 
 termination to make an effort, however feeble it may prove, 
 to preserve some vestiges of household life in New York, 
 at least; while I have endeavoured to stimulate certain 
 friends in New Jersey, and farther south, to undertake simi- 
 lar tasks in those sections of the country. What success 
 
10. 
 
 S AT ANSTOE. 
 
 Iw'iU' attend thtee" fegt applications, is more than I can say; 
 tjut, ]n .order that. the little I may do myself shall not be lost 
 Tor'.\ra'nt;of',s(ipp6rt', 1 have made a solemn request in my 
 'will, : thdt those who" co'm'e after me will consent to continue 
 this narrative, committing to paper their own experience, as 
 I have here committed mine, down as low at least as my 
 grandson, if I ever have one. Perhaps, by the end of the 
 latter's career, they will begin to publish books in America, 
 and the fruits of our joint family labours may be thought 
 sufficiently matured to be laid before the world. 
 
 It is possible that which I am now about to write will bo 
 thought too homely, to relate to matters much too personal 
 and private, to have sufficient interest for the public eye ; 
 but it must be remembered that the loftiest interests of man 
 are made up of a collection of those that are lowly; and, 
 that he who makes a faithful picture of only a single im- 
 portant scene in the events of single life, is doing something 
 towards painting the greatest historical piece of his day. 
 As I have said before, the leading events of my time will 
 find their way into the pages of far more pretending works 
 than this of mine, in some form or other, with more or less 
 of fidelity to the truth, and real events, and real motives ; 
 while the humbler matters it will be my office to record, 
 will be entirely overlooked by writers who aspire to enrol 
 their names among the Tacituses of former ages. It may 
 be well to say here, however, I shall not attempt the histo- 
 rical mood at all, but content myself with giving the feelings, 
 incidents, and interests of what is purely private life, con- 
 necting them no farther with things that are of a more 
 general nature, than is indispensable to render the narrative 
 intelligible and accurate. With these explanations, which 
 are made in order to prevent the person who may happen 
 first to commence the perusal of this manuscript from throw- 
 ing it into the fire, as a silly attempt to write a more silly 
 fiction, I shall proceed at once to the commencement of my 
 proper task. 
 
 I was born on the 3d May, 1737, on a neck of land, called 
 Satanstoe, in the county of West Chester, and in the 
 colony of New York ; a part of the widely extended empire 
 that then owned the sway of His Sacred Majesty, George II., 
 King of Great Britain, Ireland, and France; Defender 
 
SATANSTOE. 11 
 
 of the Faith; and, I may add, the shield and panoply of the 
 Protestant Succession ; God bless him ! Before I say 
 anything of my parentage, I will first give the reader some 
 idea of the locus in quo, and a more precise notion of the 
 spot on which I happened first to see the light. 
 
 A " neck," in West Chester and Long Island parlance, 
 means something that might be better termed a " head and 
 shoulders," if mere shape and dimensions are kept in view. 
 Peninsula would be the true word, were we describing things 
 on a geographical scale ; but, as they are, I find it neces- 
 sary to adhere to the local term, which is not altogether 
 peculiar to our county, by the way. The " neck" or penin- 
 sula of Satanstoe, contains just four hundred and sixty- 
 three acres and a half of excellent West Chester land ; and 
 that, when the stone is hauled and laid into wall, is saying 
 as much in its favour as need be said of any soil on earth. 
 It has two miles of beach, and collects a proportionate 
 quantity of sea-weed for manure, besides enjoying near a 
 h unci red acres of salt-meadow and sedges, that are not in- 
 cluded in the solid ground of the neck proper. As my 
 father, Major Evans Littlepage, was to inherit this estate 
 from his father, Capt. Hugh Littlepage, it might, even at the 
 time of my birth, be considered old family property, it having 
 indeed, been acquired by my grandfather, through his wife, 
 about thirty years after the final cession of the colony to 
 the English by its original Dutch owners. Here we had 
 lived, then, near half a century, when I was born, in the 
 direct line, and considerably longer if we included maternal 
 ancestors : here I now live, at the moment of writing these 
 lines, and here I trust my only son is to live after me. 
 
 Before I enter into a morn minute description of Satans- 
 toe, it may be well, perhaps, to say a word concerning its 
 somewhat peculiar name. The neck lies in the vicinity of 
 a well-known pass that is to be found in the narrow arm of 
 the sea that separates the island of Manhattan from its 
 neighbour, Long Island, and which is called Hell Gate. 
 Now, there is a tradition, that I confess is somewhat confined 
 to the blacks of the neighbourhood, but which says that the 
 Father of Lies, on a particular occasion, when he was vio- 
 lently expelled from certain roystering taverns in the New 
 Netherlands, made his exit by this well-known dangerous 
 
12 SATANSTOE. 
 
 pass, and drawing his foot somewhat hastily from among 
 the lobster-pots that abound in those waters, leaving behind 
 him as a print of his passage by that route, the Hog's Back, 
 the Pot, and all the whirlpools and rocks that render navi- 
 gation so difficult in that celebrated strait, he placed it hur- 
 riedly upon the spot where there now spreads a large bay 
 to the southward and eastward of the neck, just touching 
 the latter with the ball of his great toe, as he passed Down- 
 East ; from which part of the country some of our people 
 used to maintain he originally came. Some fancied resem- 
 blance to an inverted toe (the devil being supposed to turn 
 everything with which he meddles, upside-down,) has been 
 imagined to exist in the shape and swells of our paternal 
 acres ; a fact that has probably had its influence in perpetu- 
 ating the name. 
 
 Satanstoe has the place been called, therefore, from 
 time immemorial ; as time is immemorial in a country in 
 which civilized time commenced not a century and a half 
 ago: and Satanstoe it is called to-day. I confess I am 
 not fond of unnecessary changes, and I sincerely hope this 
 neck of land will continue to go by its old appellation, as 
 long as the House of Hanover shall sit on the throne of these 
 realms ; or as long as water shall run and grass shall grow. 
 There has been an attempt made to persuade the neighbour- 
 hood, quite lately, that the name is irreligious and unworthy 
 of an enlightened people, like this of West Chester; but it 
 has met with no great success. It has come from a Con- 
 necticut man, whose father they say is a clergyman of the 
 " standing order ;" so called, I believe, because they stand 
 up at prayers ; and who came among us himself in the cha- 
 racter of a schoolmaster. This young man, I understand, 
 has endeavoured to persuade the neighbourhood that Satans- 
 toe is a corruption introduced by the Dutch, from Devil's 
 Town; which, in its turn, was a corruption from Dibbleston ; 
 the family from which my grandfather's father-in-law pur- 
 chased having been, as he says, of the name of Dibblee. 
 He has got half-a-dozen of the more sentimental part of our 
 society to call the neck Dibbleton ; but the attempt is not 
 likely to succeed in the long run, as we are riot a people much 
 given to altering the language, any more than the customs 
 of our ancestors. Besides, my Dutch ancestors did not 
 
SATAN STOE. 13 
 
 purchase from any Dibblee, no such family ever owning the 
 place, that being a bold assumption of the Yankee to make 
 out his case the more readily. 
 
 Satanstoe, as it is little more than a good farm in ex- 
 tent, so it is little more than a particularly good farm in 
 cultivation and embellishment. All the buildings are of 
 stone, even to the hog-sties and sheds, with well-pointed 
 joints, and field walls that would do credit to a fortified 
 place. The house is generally esteemed one of the best in 
 the Colony, with the exception of a i'ew of the new school. 
 It is of only a story and a half in elevation, I admit; but the 
 rooms under the roof are as good as any of that description 
 with which I am acquainted, and their finish is such as 
 would do no discredit to the upper rooms of even a York 
 dwelling. The building is in the shape of an L, or two 
 sides of a parallelogram, one of which shows a front of 
 seventy-five, and the other of fifty feet. Twenty-six feet 
 make the depth, from outside to outside of the walls. The 
 best room had a carpet, that covered two-thirds of the entire 
 dimensions of the floor, even in my boyhood, and there were 
 oil-cloths in most of the better passages. The buffet in the 
 dining-room, or smallest parlour, was particularly admired ; 
 and I question if there be, at this hour, a handsomer in the 
 county. The rooms were well-sized, and of fair dimen- 
 sions, the larger parlours embracing the whole depth of the 
 house, with proportionate widths, while the ceilings were 
 higher than common, being eleven feet, if we except the 
 places occupied by the larger beams of the chamber floors. 
 
 As there was money in the family, besides the Neck, and 
 the Littlepages had held the king's commissions, my father 
 having once been an ensign, and my grandfather a captain, 
 in the regular army, each in the earlier portion of his life, 
 we always ranked among the gentry of the county. We 
 happened to be in a part of Westchester in which were none 
 of the very large estates, and Satanstoe passed for property 
 of a certain degree of importance. It is true, the Morrises 
 were at Morrisania, and the Felipses, or Philipses, as these 
 Bohemian counts were then called, had a manor on the 
 Hudson, that extended within a dozen miles of us, and a 
 younger branch of the de Lanceys had established itself 
 even much nearer, while the Van Cortlandts, or a branch 
 
 Vol. I. — 2 
 
14 SATANSTOE. 
 
 of them, too, dwelt near Kingsbridge ; but these were all 
 people who were at the head of the Colony, and with whom 
 none of the minor gentry attempted to vie. As it was, 
 therefore, the Littlepages held a very respectable position 
 between the higher class of the yeomanry and those who, 
 by their estates, education, connections, official rank, and 
 hereditary consideration, formed what might be justly 
 called the aristocracy of the Colony. Both my father and 
 grandfather had sat in the Assembly, in their time, and, as 
 I have heard elderly people say, with credit, too. As for 
 my father, on one occasion, he made a speech that occupied 
 eleven minutes in the delivery, — a proof that he had some- 
 thing to say, and which was a source of great, but, I trust, 
 humble felicitation in the family, down to the day of his 
 death, and even afterwards. 
 
 Then the military services of the family stood us in for a 
 great deal. In that day it was something to be an ensign 
 even in the militia, and a far greater thing to have the same 
 rank in a regular regiment. It is true, neither of my pre- 
 decessors served very long with the King's troops, my father 
 in particular selling out at the end of his second campaign ; 
 but the military experience, and I may add the military 
 glory each acquired in youth, did them good service for all 
 the rest of their days. Both were commissioned in the 
 militia, and my father actually rose as high as major in 
 that branch of the service, that being the rank he held, and 
 the title he bore, for the last fifteen years of his life. 
 
 My mother was of Dutch extraction on both sides, her 
 father having been a Blauvelt, and her mother a Van Busser. 
 I have heard it said that there was even a relationship be- 
 tween the Stuyvesants and the Van Cortlandts, and the 
 Van Bussers; but I am not able to point out the actual 
 degree and precise nature of the affinity. I presume it was 
 not very near, or my information would have been more 
 minute. I have always understood that my mother brought 
 my father thirteen hundred pounds for dowry (currency, 
 not sterling), which, it must be confessed, was a very genteel 
 fortune for a young woman in 1733. Now, I very well 
 know that six, eight, and ten thousand pounds sometimes 
 full in, in this manner, and even much more in the high 
 families ; but no one need be ashamed, who looks back fifty 
 
S AT ANSTOE, 15 
 
 years, and finds that his mother brought a thousand pounds 
 to her husband. 
 
 I was neither an only child, nor the eldest-born. There 
 was a son who preceded me, and two daughters succeeded, 
 but they all died in infancy, leaving me in effect the only 
 offspring for my parents to cherish and educate. My little 
 brother monopolised the name of Evans, and living for 
 some time after I was christened, I got the Dutch appella- 
 tion of my maternal grandfather, for my share of the family 
 nomenclature, which happened to be Cornelius — Corny 
 was consequently the diminutive by which I was known to 
 ail the whites of my acquaintance, for the first sixteen or 
 eighteen years of my life, and to my parents as long as 
 they lived. Corny Littlepage is not a bad name, in itself, 
 and I trust they who do me the favour to read this manu- 
 script, will lay it down with the feeling that the name is 
 none the worse for the use I have made of it. 
 
 I have said that both my father and grandfather, each in 
 his day, sat in the assembly ; my father twice, and my 
 grandfather only once. Although we lived so near the 
 borough of West Chester, it was not for that place they sat, 
 but for the county, the de Lanceys and the Morrises con- 
 tending for the control of the borough, in a way that left 
 little chance for the smaller fishes to swim in the troubled 
 water they were so certain to create. Nevertheless, this 
 political elevation brought my father out, as it might be, 
 before the world, and was the means of giving him a per- 
 sonal consideration he might not have otherwise enjoyed. 
 The benefits, and possibly some of the evils of thus being 
 drawn out from the more regular routine of our usually 
 peaceable lives, may be made to appear in the course of this 
 narrative. 
 
 I have ever considered myself fortunate in not having 
 been born in the earlier and infant days of the colony, 
 when the interests at stake, and the events by which they 
 were influenced, were not of a magnitude to give the mind 
 and the hopes the excitement and enlargement that attend 
 the periods of a more advanced civilization, and of more 
 important incidents. In this respect, my own appearance 
 in this world was most happily timed, as any one will see 
 who will consider the state and importance of the colony in 
 
16 SATANSTOE. 
 
 the middle of the present century. New York could not 
 have contained many less than seventy thousand souls, in- 
 cluding both colours, at the time of my birth, for it is sup- 
 posed to contain quite a hundred thousand this day on 
 which I am now writing. In such a community, a man 
 has not only the room, but the materials on which to figure; 
 whereas, as I have often heard him say, my father, when 
 he was born, was one of less than half of the smallest 
 number I have just named. I have been grateful for this 
 advantage, and I trust it will appear, by evidence that will 
 be here afforded, that I have not lived in a quarter of the 
 woi Id, or in an age, when and where, and to which great 
 events have been altogether strangers. 
 
 My earliest recollections, as a matter of course, are of 
 Satanstoe and the domestic fireside. In my childhood and 
 youth, I heard a great deal said of the Protestant Succession, 
 tho House of Hanover, and King George II. ; all mixed up 
 w:th such names as those of George Clinton, Gen. Monckton, 
 Sir Charles Hardy, James de Lancey, and Sir Danvers 
 Osborne, his official representatives in the colony. Every 
 age has its old and its last wars, and I can well remember 
 that which occurred between the French in the Canadas 
 and ourselves, in 1744. I was then seven years old, and it 
 was. an event to make an impression on a child of that 
 tender age. My honoured grandfather was then living, as 
 he was long afterwards, and he took a strong interest in the 
 military movements of the period, as was natural for an 
 old soldier. New York had no connection with the cele- 
 brated expedition that captured Louisbourg, then the GibraJ 
 tar of America, in 1745 ; but this could not prevent an old 
 soldier like Capt. Littlepage from entering into the affair 
 with all his heart, though forbidden to use his hand. As 
 the reader may not be aware of all the secret springs that 
 set public events in motion, it may be well here to throw in 
 a few words in the way of explanation. 
 
 There was and is little sympathy, in the way of national 
 feeling, between the colonies of New England and those 
 which lie farther south. We are all loyal, those of the 
 east as well as those of the south-west and south ; but there 
 is, and ever has been, so wide a difference in our customs, 
 origins, religious opinions, and histories, as to cause a broad 
 
SATANSTOE. 17 
 
 moral line, in the way of» feeling, to be drawn between the 
 colony of New York and those that lie east of the Byram 
 river. I have heard it said that most of the emigrants to 
 the New England states came from the west of England, 
 where many of their social peculiarities and much of their 
 language are still to be traced, while the colonies farther 
 south have received their population from the more central 
 counties, and those sections of the island that are supposed 
 to be less provincial and peculiar. I do not affirm that such 
 is literally the fact, though it is well known that we of New 
 York have long been accustomed to regard our neighbours 
 of New England as very different from ourselves, whilst, I 
 dare say, our neighbours of New England have regarded 
 us as different from themselves, and insomuch removed 
 from perfection. 
 
 Let all this be as it may, it is certain New England is a 
 portion of the empire that is set apart from the rest, for 
 good or for evil. It got its name from the circumstance 
 that the English possessions were met, on its western 
 boundary, by those of the Dutch, who were thus separated 
 from the other colonies of purely Anglo-Saxon origin, by 
 a wide district that was much larger in surface than the 
 mother country itself. I am afraid there is something in 
 the character of these Anglo-Saxons that predisposes them 
 to laugh and turn up their noses at other races ; for I have 
 remarked that the natives of the parent land itself, who 
 come among us, show this disposition even as it respects 
 us of New York and those of New England, while the 
 people of the latter region manifest a feeling towards us, 
 their neighbours, that partakes of anything but the humil- 
 ity that is thought to grace that christian character to which 
 they are particularly fond of laying claim. 
 
 My grandfather was a native of the old country, however, 
 and he entered but little into the colonial jealousies. He 
 had lived from boyhood, and had married in New York, and 
 was not apt to betray any of the overweening notions of 
 superiority that we sometimes encountered in native-born 
 Englishmen, though I can remember instances in which he 
 would point out the defects in our civilization, and others in 
 which he dwelt with pleasure on the grandeur and power 
 of his own island. I dare say this was all right, for few 
 2* 
 
18 SATANSTOE. 
 
 among us have ever been disposed to dispute the just 
 supremacy of England in all things that are desirable, and 
 which form the basis of human excellence. 
 
 I well remember a journey Capt. Hugh Littlepage made 
 to Boston, in 1745, in order to look at the preparations that 
 were making for the great expedition. Although his own 
 colony had no connection with this enterprise, in a military 
 point of view, his previous service rendered him an object 
 of interest to the military men then assembled along the 
 coast of New England. It has been said the expedition 
 against Louisbourg, then the strongest place in America, 
 was planned by a lawyer, led by a merchant, and executed 
 by husbandmen and mechanics ; but this, though true as a 
 whole, was a rule that had its exceptions. There were many 
 old soldiers who had seen the service of this continent in 
 the previous wars, and among them were several of my 
 grandfather's former acquaintances. With these he passed 
 many a cheerful hour, previously to the day of sailing, and 
 I have often thought since, that my presence alone prevented 
 him from making one in the fleet. The reader will think I 
 was young, perhaps, to be so far from home on such an 
 occasion, but it happened in this wise : My excellent mother 
 thought I had come out of the small-pox with some symp- 
 toms that might be benefited by a journey, and she pre- 
 vailed on her father-in-law to let me be of the party when 
 he left home to visit Boston in the winter of 1744-5. At 
 that early day moving about was not always convenient in 
 these colonies, and my grandfather travelling in a sleigh 
 that was proceeding east with some private stores that had 
 • been collected for the expedition, it presented a favourable 
 opportunity to send me along with my venerable progenitor, 
 who very good-naturedly consented to let me commence my 
 travels under his own immediate auspices- 
 
 The things I saw on this occasion have had a material 
 influence on my future life. I got a love of adventure, and 
 particularly of military parade and grandeur, that has since 
 led me into more than one difficulty. Capt. Hugh Little- 
 page, my grandfather, was delighted with all he saw until 
 after the expedition had sailed, when he began to grumble 
 on the subject of the religious observances that the piety of 
 the Puritans blended with most of their other movements. 
 
SATANSTOE. 19 
 
 On the score of religion there was a marked difference; [ 
 may say there is still a marked difference between New 
 England and New York. The people of New England 
 certainly did, and possibly may still, look upon us of New 
 York as little better than heathens ; while we of New York 
 assuredly did, and for anything I know to the contrary 
 may yet, regard them as canters, and by necessary connec- 
 tion, hypocrites. I shall not take it on myself to say which 
 party is right; though it has often occurred to my mind that 
 it would be better had New England a little less self- 
 righteousness, and New York a little more righteousness, 
 without the self. Still, in the way of pounds, shillings and 
 pence, we will not turn our backs upon them any day, being 
 on the whole rather the most trustworthy of the two as 
 respects money; more especially in all such cases in which 
 our neighbour's goods can be appropriated without having 
 recourse to absolutely direct means. Such, at any rate, is 
 the New York opinion, let them think as they please about 
 it on the other side of Byram. 
 
 My grandfather met an old fellow-campaigner, at Boston, 
 of the name of Hight, Major Hight, as he was called, who 
 had come to see the preparations, too ; and the old soldiers 
 passed most of the time together. The Major was a Jersey- 
 man, and had been somewhat of a free-liver in his time, 
 retaining some of the propensities of his youth in old age, 
 as is apt to be the case with those who cultivate a vice as 
 if it were a hot-house plant. The Major was fond of his 
 bottle, drinking heavily of Madeira, of which there was 
 then a good stock in Boston, for he brought some on him- 
 self; and I can remember various scenes that occurred be- 
 tween him and my grandfather, after dinner, as they sat 
 discoursing in the tavern on the progress of things, and the 
 prospects for the future. Had these two old soldiers been 
 of the troops of the province in which they were, it would 
 have been " Major" and " Captain" at every breath ; for no 
 part of the earth is fonder of titles than our eastern brethren ; # 
 whereas, I must think we had some claims to more true 
 simplicity of character and habits, notwithstanding New 
 
 * It will be remembered Mr. Littlepage wrote more than seventy 
 years ago, when this distinction might exclusively belong to the East; 
 but the West has now some claim to it, also. 
 
20 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Fork has ever been thought the most aristocratical of all 
 the northern colonies. Having been intimate from early 
 youth, my two old soldiers familiarly called each other Joey 
 and Hodge, the latter being the abbreviation of one of my 
 grandfather's names, Roger, when plain Hugh was not 
 used, as sometimes happened between them, Hugh Roger 
 Littlepage, I ought to have said, was my grandfather's 
 name. 
 
 " I should like these Yankees better, if they prayed less, 
 my old friend," said the Major, one day, after they had been 
 discussing the appearances of things, and speaking between 
 the puffs of his pipe. " I can see no great use in losing 
 so much time, by making these halts to pray, when the cam- 
 paign is fairly opened." 
 
 " It was always their way, Joey," my grandfather an- 
 swered, taking his time, as is customary with smokers. " I 
 remember when we were out together, in the year '17, that 
 the New England troops always had their parsons, who 
 acted as a sort of second colonels. They tell me His Ex- 
 cellency has ordered a weekly fast, for public prayers, during 
 the whole of this campaign." 
 
 " Ay, Master Hodge, praying and plundering ; so they 
 go on," returned the Major, knocking the ashes out of his 
 pipe, preparatory to filling it anew ; an employment that 
 gave him an opportunity to give vent to his feelings, without 
 pausing to puff. — " Ay, Master Hodge, praying and plun- 
 dering ; so they go on. Now, do you remember old Watson, 
 who was in the Massachusetts Levies, in the 3'ear '12 1 — old 
 Tom Watson ; he that was a sub under Barnwell, in our 
 Tuscarora expedition ?" 
 
 My grandfather nodded his head in assent, that being the 
 only reply the avocation of smoking rendered convenient, 
 just at that moment, unless a sort of affirmatory grunt could 
 be construed into an auxiliary. 
 
 " Well, he has a son going in this affair ; and old Tom, 
 or Colonel Watson, as he is now very particular to be called, 
 is down here with his- wife and two daughters, to see the 
 ensign off. I went to pay the old fellow a visit, Hodge ; and 
 found him, and the mother and sisters, all as busy as bees 
 in getting young Tom's baggage ready for a march. There 
 
SATANSTOE. 21 
 
 lay his whole equipment before my eyes, and I had a favour- 
 able occasion to examine it at my leisure." 
 
 ** Which you did with all your might, or you're not the 
 Joe Hight of the year '10," said my grandfather, taking his 
 turn with the ashes and the tobacco-box. 
 
 Old Hight was now puffing away like a blacksmith who 
 is striving to obtain a white heat, and it was some time before 
 he could get out the proper reply to this half-assertion, half- 
 interrogatory sort of remark. 
 
 " You may be sure of that," he at length ejaculated ; when, 
 certain of his light, he proceeded to tell the whole story, 
 stopping occasionally to puff, lest he should lose the " vantage 
 ground " he had just obtained. " What d'ye think of half- 
 a-dozen strings of red onions, for one item in a subaltern's 
 stores !" 
 
 My grandfather grunted again, in a way that might very 
 well pass for a laugh. 
 
 " You 're certain they were red, Joey ?" he finally asked. 
 
 "As red as his regimentals. Then there was a jug, filled 
 with molasses, that is as big as yonder demijohn ;" glancing 
 at the vessel which contained his own private stores. " But 
 I should have thought nothing of these, a large empty sack 
 attracting much of my attention. I could not imagine what 
 young Tom could want of such a sack ; but, on broaching 
 the subject to the Major, he very frankly gave me to under- 
 stand that Louisbourg was thought to be a rich town, and 
 there was no telling what luck, or Providence — yes, by 
 George ! — he called it Providence ! — might throw in his son 
 Tommy's way. Now that the sack was empty, and had an 
 easy time of it, the girls would put his bible and hymn-book in 
 it, as a place where the young man would be likely to look 
 for them. I dare say, Hodge, you never had either bible 
 or hymn-book, in any of your numerous campaigns ?" 
 
 " No, nor a plunder-sack, nor a molasses-jug, nor strings 
 of red onions," growled my grandfather in reply. 
 
 How well I remember that evening ! A vast deal of colo- 
 nial prejudice and neighbourly antipathy made themselves 
 apparent in the conversation of the two veterans ; who 
 seemed to entertain a strange sort of contemptuous respect 
 for their fellow-subjects of New England ; who, in their 
 turn, I make not the smallest doubt, paid them off in kind — 
 
22 SATANSTOE. 
 
 with all the superciliousness and reproach, and with many 
 grains less of the respect. 
 
 That night, Major Hight and Capt. Hugh Roger Little- 
 page, both got a little how-come-you-so, drinking bumpers 
 to the success of what they called " the Yankee expedition," 
 even at the moment they were indulging in constant side 
 hits at the failings and habits of the people. These marks 
 of neighbourly infirmity are not peculiar to the people of 
 the adjacent provinces of New York and of New England. 
 I have often remarked that the English think and talk very 
 much of the French, as the Yankees speak of us ; while the 
 French, so far as I have been able to understand their some- 
 what unintelligible language — which seems never to have a 
 beginning nor an end — treat the English as the Puritans of the 
 Old World. As I have already intimated, we were not very 
 remarkable for religion in New York, in my younger days ; 
 while it would be just the word, were I to say that religion 
 was conspicuous among our eastern neighbours. I remem- 
 ber to have heard my grandfather say, he was once ac- 
 quainted with a Col. Heathcote, an Englishman, like himself, 
 by birth, and a brother oi a certain Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 
 who was formerly a leading man in the Bank of England. 
 This Col. Heathcote came among us young, and married 
 here, leaving his posterity behind him ; and was lord of the 
 manor of Scarsdale and Mamaroneck, in our county of 
 West Chester. Well, this Col. Heathcote told my grand- 
 father, speaking on the subject of religion, that he had been 
 much shocked, on arriving in this country, at discovering 
 the neglected condition of religion in the colony ; more 
 especially on Long Island, where the people lived in a sort 
 of heathenish condition. Being a man of mark, and con- 
 nected with the government, The Society for the Propagation 
 of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, applied to him to aid it in 
 spreading the truths of the bible in the colony. The Colonel 
 was glad enough to comply ; and I remember my grand- 
 father said, his friend told him of the answer he returned to 
 these good persons in England. " I was so struck with the 
 heathenish condition of the people, on my arriving here,' 
 he wrote to them, " that, commanding the militia of the 
 colony, I ordered the captains of the different companies to 
 call their men together, each Sunday at sunrise, and to drill 
 
SATANSTOE. 23 
 
 them until sunset ; unless they would consent to repair to 
 some convenient place, and listen to morning and evening 
 ptayer, and to two wholesome sermons, read by some suit- 
 able person, in which case the men were to be excused from 
 drill."* I do not think this would be found necessary in 
 New England at least, where many of the people would be 
 likely to prefer drilling to preaching. 
 
 But all this gossip about the moral condition of the adja- 
 cent colonies of New York and New England is leading me 
 from the narrative, and does not promise much for the con- 
 nection and interest of the remainder of the manuscript. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " I would there were no age between ten and three-and-twenty ; 
 9t that youth would sleep out the rest." 
 
 Winter's Tale. . 
 
 It is not necessary for me to say much of the first four- 
 teen years of my life. They passed like the childhood and 
 youth of the sons of most gentlemen in our colony, at that 
 day, with this distinction., however. There was a class 
 
 * On the subject of this story, the editor can say he has seen a 
 published letter from Col. Heathcote, who died more than a century 
 since, at Mamaroneck, West Chester Co., in which that gentleman 
 gives the Society for the propagation of the gospel an account of his 
 proceedings, that agrees almost verbatim with the account of the 
 matter that is here given by Mr. Cornelius Littlepage. The house 
 in which Col. Heathcote dwelt was destroyed by fire, a short time 
 before the revolution ; but the property on which it stood, and the 
 present building, belong at this moment to his great-grandson, the 
 Rt. Rev. Wm. Heathcote de Lancey, the Bishop of Western New York. 
 
 On the subject of the plunder, the editor will remark, that a near, 
 connection, whose grandfather was a Major at the taking of Louis- 
 bourg, and who was subsequently one of the first Brigadiers appointed 
 in 1775, has lately shown him a letter written to that officer, during 
 the expedition, by his father ; in which, blended with a great deal of 
 pious counsel, and some really excellent religious exhortation, is an 
 earnest inquiry after the plunder. — Editor. 
 
24 SATANSTOE. 
 
 among us which educated its boys at home. This was not 
 a very numerous class, certainly, nor was it always the 
 highest in point of fortune and rank. Many of the large 
 proprietors were of Dutch origin, as a matter of course ; and 
 these seldom, if ever, sent their children to England to be 
 taught anything, in my boyhood. I understand that a few 
 are getting over their ancient prejudices, in this particular, 
 and begin to fancy Oxford or Cambridge may be quite as 
 learned schools as that of Leyden ; but, no Van, in my boy- 
 hood, could have been made to believe this. Many of the 
 Dutch proprietors gave their children very little education, 
 in any way or form, though most of them imparted lessons 
 of probity that were quite as useful as learning, had the two 
 things been really inseparable. For my part, while I admit 
 there is a great deal of knowledge going up and down the 
 land, that is just of the degree to trick a fellow-creature out 
 of his rights, I shall never subscribe to the opinion, which 
 is so prevalent among the Dutch portion of our population, 
 and which holds the doctrine that the schools of the New 
 England provinces are the reason the descendants of the 
 Puritans do not enjoy the best of reputations, in this respect. 
 I believe a boy may be well taught, and made all the honester 
 for it ; though, I admit, there may be, and is, such a thing 
 as training a lad in false notions, as well as training him 
 in those that are true. But, we had a class, principally of 
 English extraction, that educated its sons well; usually 
 sending them home, to the great English schools, and finish- 
 ing at the universities. These persons, however, lived prin- 
 cipally in town, or, having estates on the Hudson, passed 
 their winters there. To this class the Littlepages did not 
 belong ; neither their habits nor their fortunes tempting them 
 to so high a flight. For myself, I was taught enough Latin 
 and Greek to enter college, by the Rev. Thomas Worden, 
 an English divine, who was rector of St. Jude's, the parish 
 to which our family properly belonged. This gentleman 
 was esteemed a good scholar, and was very popular among 
 the gentry of the county ; attending all the dinners, clubs, 
 races, balls, and other diversions that were given by them, 
 within ten miles of his residence. His sermons were pithy 
 and short ; and he always spoke of your half-hour preachers, 
 as illiterate prosers, who did not understand how to condense 
 
SATAN STOE. 25 
 
 their thoughts. Twenty minutes were his gauge, though I 
 remember to have heard my father say, he had known him 
 preach all of twenty-two. When he compressed down to four- 
 teen, my grandfather invariably protested he was delightful. 
 
 I remained with Mr. Worden until I could translate the 
 two first iEneids, and the whole of the Gospel of St. Mat- 
 thew, pretty readily; and then my father and grandfather, 
 the last in particular, for the old gentleman had a great idea 
 of learning, began to turn over in their minds, the subject of 
 the college to which I ought to be sent. We had the choice 
 of two, in both of which the learned languages and the 
 sciences are taught, to a degree, and in a perfection, that is 
 surprising for a new country. These colleges are Yale, at 
 New Haven, in Connecticut, and Nassau Hall, which was 
 then at Newark, New Jersey, after having been a short 
 time at Elizabethtown, but which has since been established 
 at Princeton. Mr. W T orden laughed at both ; said that nei- 
 ther had as much learning as a second-rate English gram- 
 mar-school ; and that a lower-form boy, at Eton or West- 
 minster, could take a master's degree at either, and pass for 
 a prodigy in the bargain. Pvly father, who was born in the 
 colonies, and had a good deal of the right colony feeling, 
 was nettled at this, I remember; while my grandfather, being 
 old-country born, but colony educated, was at a loss how to 
 view the matter. The captain had a great respect for his 
 native land, and evidently considered it the paradise of this 
 earth, though his recollections of it were not very distinct ; 
 but, at the same time, he loved Old York, and West Chester 
 in particular, where he had married and established himself 
 at Satan's Toe ; or, as he spelt it, and as we all have spelt 
 it, now, this many a day, Satanstoe. I was present at the 
 conversation which decided the question, as regarded my 
 future education, and which took place in the common par- 
 lour, around a blazing fire, about a week before Christmas, 
 the year I was fourteen. There were present Capt. Hugh 
 Roger, Major Evans, my mother, the Rev. Mr. Worden, and 
 an old gentleman of Dutch designation and extraction, of 
 the name of Abraham Van Valkenburgh, but who was fami- 
 liarly called, by his friends, 'Brom Follock, or Col. Follock 
 or Volleck, as the last happen to be more or less ceremo- 
 nious, or more or less Dutch. Follock, I think, however 
 
 Vol, I. — 3 
 
26 SATANSTOE. 
 
 was the favourite pronunciation. This Col. Van Valken- 
 burgh was an old brother-soldier of my father's, and, indeed, 
 a relation, a sort of a cousin through my greatgrandmother, 
 besides being a man of much consideration and substance. 
 He lived in Rockland, just across the Hudson, but never 
 failed to pay a visit to Satanstoe at that season of the year. 
 On the present occasion, he was accompanied by his son 
 Dirck, who was my friend, and just a year my junior. 
 
 " Veil, den," — the colonel commenced the discourse by 
 saying, as he tapped the ashes out of his pipe for the second 
 time that evening, having first taken a draught of hot flip, 
 a beverage much in vogue then, as well as now, — " veil, 
 den, Evans, vat is your intention as to ter poy ? Vill he pe 
 college-l'arnt, like as his grant-fat'er, or only school-l'arnt, 
 like as his own fat'er?" The allusion to the grandfather 
 being a pleasantry of the colonel's, who insisted that all the 
 old-country born were "college-l'arnt" by instinct. 
 
 " To own the truth, 'Brom," my father answered, " this 
 is a point that is not yet entirely settled, for there are dif- 
 ferent opinions as to the place to which he shall be sent, 
 even admitting that he is to be sent at all." 
 
 The colonel fastened his full, projecting, blue eyes on my 
 father, in a way that pretty plainly expressed surprise. 
 
 " Vat, den, is dere so many colleges, dat it is hart to 
 choose?" he said. 
 
 " There are but two that can be of any use to us, for 
 Cambridge is much too distant to think of sending the boy 
 so far. Cambridge was in our thoughts at one time, but 
 that is given up." 
 
 " Vhere, den, ist Camprige?" demanded the Dutchman, 
 removing his pipe to ask so important a question, a cere- 
 mony he usually thought unnecessary. 
 
 " It is a New England college — near Boston ; not half a 
 day's journey distant, I fancy." 
 
 " Don't sent Cornelius dere," ejaculated the colonel, con- 
 triving to get these words out alongside of the stem of the 
 pipe. 
 
 " You think not, Col. Follock," put in the anxious mother; 
 11 may I ask the reason for that opinion V 
 
 "Too much Suntay, Matam Littlepage — the poy wilt be 
 sp'ilt by ter ministers. He will go away an honest lat, and 
 
SATANSTOE. 27 
 
 come pack a rogue. He \viil l'arn how to bray and to 
 cheat." 
 
 " Hoity toity ! my noble colonel !" exclaimed the Rev. 
 Mr. Worden, affecting more resentment than he felt. 
 " Then you fancy the clergy, and too much Sunday, will 
 be apt to convert an honest youth into a knave !" 
 
 The colonel made no answer, continuing to smoke very 
 philosophically, though he took occasion, while he drew the 
 pipe out of his mouth, in one of its periodical removals, to 
 make a significant gesture with it towards the rising sun, 
 which all present understood to mean " down east," as it is 
 usual to say, when we mean to designate the colonies of 
 New England. That he was understood by the Rev. Mr. 
 Worden, is highly probable ; since that gentleman con- 
 tinued to turn the flip of one vessel into another, by way of 
 more intimately blending the ingredients of the mixture, 
 quite as coolly as if there had been no reflection on his 
 trade. 
 
 " What do you think of Yale, friend 'Brom ?" asked my 
 father, who understood the dumb-show as well as any of 
 them. 
 
 " No tifference, Evans ; dey all breaches and brays too 
 much. Goot men have no neet of so much religion. 
 Vhen a man is really goot, religion only does him harm. 
 I mean Yankee religion." 
 
 " I have another objection to Yale," observed Capt. Hugh 
 Roger, " which is their English." 
 
 " Och !" exclaimed the Colonel — " Deir English is horri- 
 ple ! Wuss dan ast to us Tutch." 
 
 " Well, 1 was not aware of that," observed my father. 
 "They are English, sir, as well as ourselves, and why 
 should they not speak the language as well as we T 
 
 " Why toes not a Yorkshireman, or a Cornishman, speak 
 as veil as a Lonnoner ? I tell you what, Evans, I '11 pet the 
 pest game-cock on ter Neck, against the veriest tunghill the 
 parson hast, ter Presitent of Yale calls p e e n, pen, ant 
 roof, ruff — and so on." 
 
 " My birds are all game, w put in the divine ; " I keep no 
 other breed." 
 
 " Surely, Mr. Worden, you do not countenance cock- 
 fights by your presence !" my mother said, using as much 
 
28 S AT ANSTOE. 
 
 of reproach in her manner as comported with the holy office 
 of the party she addressed, and with her own gentle nature. 
 The Colonel winded at my father, and laughed through his 
 pipe, an exploit he might have been said to perform almost 
 houi\y. My father smiled in return ; for, to own the truth, 
 he had been present at such sports on one or two occasions, 
 when the parson's curiosity had tempted him to peep in 
 also ; but my grandfather looked grave and much in earnest. 
 As for Mr. Worden himself, he met the imputation like a 
 man. To do him justice, if he were not an ascetic, 
 neither was he a whining hypocrite, as is the case with too 
 many of those who aspire to be disciples and ministers of 
 our blessed Lord. 
 
 "Why not, Madam Littlepage?" Mr. Worden stoutly 
 demanded. " There are worse places than cock-pits ; for, 
 mark me, I never bet — no, not on a horse-race, even ; and 
 that is an occasion on which any gentleman might venture 
 a few guineas, in a liberal, frank, way. There are so few 
 amusements for people of education in this country, Madam 
 Littlepage, that one is not to be too particular. If there 
 were hounds and hunting, now, as there are at home, you 
 should never hear of me at a cock-fight, I can assure you." 
 
 " I must say I do not approve of cock-fights," rejoined 
 my mother meekly ; " and I hope Corny will never be 
 seen at one. No — never — never." 
 
 " Dere you're wrong, Matam Littlepage," the Colonel 
 remarked, " for ter sight of ter spirit of ter cocks wilt give 
 ter boy spirit himself. My Tirck, dere, goes to all in ter 
 neighbourhoot, and he is a game-cock himself, let me tell 
 you. Come, Tirck — come — cock-a-doodle-doo !" 
 
 This was true all round, as I very well knew, young as 
 I was. Dirck, who was as slow-moving, as dull-seeming, 
 and as anti-mercurial a boy to look at as one could find in 
 a thousand, was thorough game at the bottom, and he had 
 been at many a main, as he had told me himself. How 
 much of his spirit was derived from witnessing such scenes 
 I will not take on me to affirm ; for, in these later times, I 
 have heard it questioned whether such exhibitions do really 
 improve the spectator's courage or not. But Dirck had 
 pluck, and plenty of it, and in that particular, at least, his 
 father was not mistaken. The Colonel's opinion always 
 
SATANSTOE. 29 
 
 carried weight with my mother, both on account of his 
 Dutch extraction, and on account of his well-established 
 probity ; for, to own the truth, a text or a sentiment from 
 him had far more weight with her than the same from the 
 clergyman. She was silenced on the subject of cock- 
 fighting for the moment, therefore, which gave Capt. Hugh 
 Roger further opportunity to pursue that of the English 
 language. The grandfather, who was an inveterate lover 
 of the sport, would have cut in to that branch of the dis- 
 course, but he had a great tenderness for my mother, whom 
 everybody loved by the way, and he commanded himself, 
 glad to find that so important an interest had fallen into 
 hands as good as those of the Colonel. He would just 
 as soon be absent from church as be absent from a cock- 
 fight, and he was a very good observer of religion. 
 
 " I should have sent Evans to Yale, had it not been for 
 the miserable manner of speaking English they have in 
 New England," resumed my grandfather; "and I had no 
 wish to have a son who might pass for a Cornish man. We 
 shall have to send this boy to Newark, in New Jersey. The 
 distance is not so great, and we shall be certain he will not 
 get any of your round-head notions of religion, too. Col. 
 'Brom, you Dutch are not altogether free from these dis- 
 tressing follies. 
 
 "Debbie a pit!" growled the Colonel, through his pipe; 
 for no devotee of liberalism and latitudinarianism in religion 
 could be more averse to extra-piety than he. The Colonel, 
 however, was not of the Dutch Reformed ; he was an Epis- 
 copalian, like ourselves, his mother having brought this 
 branch of the Follocks into the church ; and, consequently, 
 he entered into all our feelings on the subject of religion, 
 heart and hand. Perhaps Mr. Worden was a greater favour- 
 ite with no member of the four parishes over which he pre- 
 sided, than with Col. Abraham Van Valkenburgh. 
 
 " I should think less of sending Corny to Newark," 
 added my mother, " was it not for crossing the water." 
 
 " Crossing the water !" repeated Mr. Worden. " The 
 Newark we mean, Madam Littlepage, is not at home : the 
 Jersey of which we speak is the adjoining colony of that 
 name." 
 
 " 1 am aware of that, Mr. Worden ; but it is not possible 
 3* 
 
30 SATANSTOE. 
 
 fo get to Newark, without making that terrible voyage be- 
 tween New York and Powles' Hook. No, sir, it is impos- 
 sible ; and every time the child comes home, that risk will 
 have to be run. It would cause me many a sleepless 
 night!" 
 
 " He can go by Tobb's Ferry, Matam Litttlepage," quietly 
 observed the Colonel. 
 
 " Dobb's Ferry can be very little better than that by 
 Powles' Hook," rejoined the tender mother. " A ferry is a 
 ferry; and the Hudson will be the Hudson, from Albany to 
 New York. So water is water." 
 
 As these were all self-evident propositions, they produced 
 a pause in the discourse ; for men do not deal with new ideas 
 as freely as they deal with the old. 
 
 " Dere is a way, Evans, as you and I know py experi- 
 ence," resumed the Colonel, winking again at my father, 
 " to go rount the Hudson altoget'er. To pe sure, it is a 
 long way, and a pit in the woots ; but petter to untertake 
 dat, than to haf the poy lose his l'arnin'. Ter journey might 
 be made in two mont's, and he none the wuss for ter exer- 
 cise. Ter Major and I were never heartier dan when we 
 were operating on the he't waters of the Hutson. I will tell 
 Corny the roat." 
 
 My mother saw that her apprehensions were laughed at, 
 and she had the good sense to be silent. The discussion 
 did not the less proceed, until it was decided, after an hour 
 more of weighing the pros and the cons, that I was to be 
 sent to Nassau Hall, Newark, New Jersey, and was to 
 move from that place with the college, whenever that event 
 might happen. 
 
 " You will send Dirck there, too," my father added, as 
 soon as the affair in my case was finally determined. " It 
 would be a pity to separate the boys, after they have been 
 so long together, and have got to be so much used to each 
 other. Their characters are so identical, too, that they 
 are more like brothers than very distant relatives." 
 
 " Dey will like one anot'er all de petter for pein' a little 
 tifferent, don," answered the Colonel, drily. 
 
 Dirck and I were no more alike than a horse resembles 
 a mule. 
 
 " Ay, but Dirck is a lad who will do honour to an edu« 
 
SATANSTOE. 31 
 
 cation — he is solid and thoughtful, and learning will not be 
 thrown away on such a youth. Was he in England, that 
 sedate lad might get to be a bishop." 
 
 " I want no pishops in my family, Major Evans ; nor do 
 I want any great Parnin'. None of us ever saw a college, 
 and we have got on fery veil. I am a colonel and a mem- 
 per ; my fat'er was a colonel and a memper ; and my grand- 
 fat'er woalt have peen a colonel and a memper, but dere 
 vast no colonels and no mempers in his time ; though Tirck, 
 yonter can be a colonel and a memper, wit'out crosting dat 
 terriple ferry that frightens Matam Littlepage so much." 
 
 There was usually a little humour in all Col. Follock said 
 and did, though it must be owned it was humour after a 
 very Dutch model ; Dutch-built fun, as Mr. Worden used 
 to call it. Nevertheless, it was humour ; and there was 
 enough of Holland in all the junior generations of the Lit- 
 tlepages to enjoy it. My father understood him, and my 
 mother did not hear the las*t of the " terriple ferry" until 
 not only I, but the college itself, had quitted Newark ; for 
 the institution made another remove to Princeton, the place 
 where it is now to be found, some time before I got my 
 degree. 
 
 "You have got on very well without a college education, 
 as all must admit, colonel," answered Mr. Worden ; " but 
 there is no telling how much better you would have got on, 
 had you been an A. M. You might, in the last case, have 
 been a general and a member of the King's council." 
 
 " Dere ist no yeneral in ter colony, the commander-in- 
 chief and His Majesty's representatif excepted," returned 
 the colonel. " We are no Yankees, to make yenerals of 
 ploughmen." 
 
 Hereupon, the colonel and my father knocked the ashes 
 out of their pipes at the same instant, and both laughed, — 
 a merriment in which the parson, my grandfather, my dear 
 mother, and I myself joined.- Even a negro boy, who was 
 ubout my own age, and whose name was Jacob, or Jaap, 
 but who was commonly called Yaap, grinned at the remark, 
 for he had a sovereign contempt for Yankee Land, and all 
 it contained ; almost as sovereign a contempt as that which 
 Yankee Land entertained for York itself, and its Dutch 
 population. Dirck was the only person present who looked 
 
32 SATAN STOE. 
 
 grave ; but Dirck was habitually as grave and sedate, as if 
 he had been born to become a burgomaster. 
 
 " Quite right, Brom," cried my father ; " colonels are 
 good enough for us ; and when we do make a man that, 
 even, we are a little particular about his being respectable 
 and fit for the office. Nevertheless, learning will not hurt 
 Corny, and to college he shall go, let you do as you please 
 with Dirck. So that matter is settled, and no more need be 
 said about it." 
 
 And it was settled, and to college I did go, and that by 
 the awful Powles' Hook Ferry, in the bargain. Near as we 
 lived to town, I paid my first visit to the island of Manhat- 
 tan the day my father and myself started for Newark. I 
 had an aunt, who lived in Queen Street, not a very great 
 distance from the fort, and she had kindly invited me and 
 my father to pass a day with her, on our way to New Jer- 
 sey, which invitation had been accepted. In my youth, the 
 world in general was not as much addicted to gadding about 
 as it is now getting to be, and neither my grandfather nor 
 my father ordinarily went to town, their calls to the legisla- 
 ture excepted, more than twice a year. My mother's visits 
 were still less frequent, although Mrs. Legge, my aunt, was 
 her own sister. Mr. Legge was a lawyer of a good deal of 
 reputation, but he was inclined to be in the opposition, or 
 espoused the popular side in politics ; and there could be no 
 great cordiality between one of that frame of mind and our 
 family. I remember we had not been in the house an hour, 
 before a warm discussion took place between my uncle and 
 my father, on the question of the right of the subject to can- 
 vass the acts of the government. We had left home imme- 
 diately after an early breakfast, in order to reach town be- 
 fore dark ; but a long detention at the Harlem Ferry, com- 
 pelled us to dine in that village, and it was quite night be- 
 fore we stopped in Queen Street. My aunt ordered supper 
 early, in order that we might get early to bed, to recover 
 from our fatigue, and be ready for sight-seeing next day. 
 We sat clown to supper, therefore, in less than an hour after 
 our arrival ; and it was while we were at table that the dis- 
 cussion I have mentioned took place. It would seem that a 
 party had been got up in town among the disloyal, and I 
 might almost sav, the disaffected, which claimed for the 
 
SATANSTOE. 33 
 
 subject the right to know in what manner every shilling of 
 the money raised by taxation was expended. This very 
 obviously improper interference with matters that did not 
 belong to them, on the part of the ruled, was resisted by the 
 rulers, and that with energy ; inasmuch as such inquiries 
 and investigations would naturally lead to results that might 
 bring authority into discredit, make the governed presuming 
 and prying in their dispositions, and cause much derange- 
 ment and inconvenience to the regular and salutary action 
 of government. My father took the negative of the propo- 
 sition, while my uncle maintained its affirmative. I well 
 remember that my poor aunt looked uneasy, and tried to 
 divert the discourse by exciting our curiosity on a new 
 subject. 
 
 ; ' Corny has been particularly lucky in having come to 
 town just as he has, since we shall have a sort of gala-day, 
 to-morrow, for the blacks and the children." 
 
 I was not in the least offended at being thus associated' 
 with the negroes, for they mingled in most of the amuse- 
 ments of us young people; but I did not quite so well like to 
 be ranked with the children, now I was fourteen, and on my 
 way to college. Notwithstanding this, I did not fail to be- 
 tray an interest in what was to come next, by my counte- 
 nance. As for my father, he did not hesitate about asking 
 an explanation. 
 
 " The news came in this morning, by a fast-sailing sloop, 
 that the Patroon of Albany is on his way to New York, in 
 his coach-and-four, and with two out-riders, and that he may 
 be expected to reach town in the course of to-morrow. 
 Several of my acquaintances have consented to let their 
 children go out a little way into the country, to see him 
 come in ; and, as for the blacks, you know, it is just as well 
 to give them permission to be of the party, as half of them 
 would otherwise go without asking it." 
 
 " This will be a capital opportunity to let Corny see a 
 little of the world," cried my father, " and I would not have 
 him miss it on any account. Besides, it is useful to teach 
 young people early, the profitable lesson of honouring their 
 superiors and seniors." 
 
 " In that sense it may do," growled my uncle, who, 
 \hough so much of a latitudinarian in his political opinions. 
 
34 SATANSTOE. 
 
 never failed to inculcate all useful and necessary maxims 
 for private life ; " the Patroon of Albany being one of the 
 most respectable and affluent of all our gentry. I have no 
 objections to Corny's going to see that sight; and, I hope, 
 my dear, you will let both Pompey and Cassar be of the 
 party. It won't hurt the fellows to see the manner in which 
 the Patroon has his carriage kept and horses groomed." 
 
 Pompey and Ccesar were of the party, though the latter 
 did not join us until Pompey had taken me all round the 
 town, to see the principal sights ; it being understood that 
 the Patroon had slept at Kingsbridge, and would not be 
 likely to reach town until near noon. New York was cer- 
 tainly not the place, in 1751, it is to-day; nevertheless, it 
 was a large and important town, even when 1 went to col- 
 lege, containing not less than twelve thousand souls, blacks 
 included. The Town Hall is a magnificent structure, stand- 
 ing at the head of Broad Street; and thither Pompey led me, 
 even before my aunt had come down to breakfast. I could 
 scarcely admire that fine edifice sufficiently ; which, for size, 
 architecture and position, has scarcely now an equal in all 
 the colonies. It is true, that the town has much improved, 
 within the last twenty years ; but York was a noble place, 
 even in the middle of this century ! After breakfast, Pom- 
 pey and I proceeded up Broadway, commencing near the 
 fort, at the Bowling Green, and walking some distance be- 
 yond the head of Wall Street, or quite a quarter of a mile. 
 Nor did the town stop here ; though its principal extent is, 
 or was then, along the margin of the East River. Trinity 
 Church I could hardly admire enough either ; for, it appeared 
 to me, that it was large enough to contain all the church- 
 people in the colony.* It was a venerable structure, which 
 
 * The intelligent reader will, of course, properly appreciate tlio 
 provincial admiration of Mr. Littlepage, who naturally fancied his 
 own hest was other people's best. The Trinity of that day was 
 burned in the great fire of 1776. The edifice that succeeded it, at 
 the peace of 17 S3, has already given place to a successor, that, has 
 more claim to be placed on a level with modern, English, town church- 
 architecture, than any other building in the Union. When another 
 shall succeed this, which shall be as much larger and more elaborated 
 than this is compared to its predecessor, and still another shall suc« 
 coed, which shall bear the same relation to that, then the country will 
 possess an edifice that is on a level with the first-rate Gothic cathe. 
 
SATANSTOE. 35 
 
 had then felt the heats of summer and the snows of winter 
 on its roofs and walls, near half a century, and it still stands 
 a monument of pious zeal and cultivated taste. There were 
 other churches, belonging to other denominations, of course, 
 that were well worthy of being seen ; to say nothing of the 
 markets. I thought I never should tire of gazing at the mag- 
 nificence of the shops, particularly the silversmiths' ; some 
 of which must have had a thousand dollars' worth of plate 
 in their windows, or otherwise in sight. I might say as 
 much of the other shops, too, which attracted a just portion 
 of my admiration. 
 
 About eleven, the number of children and blacks that 
 were seen walking towards the Bowery Road, gave us notice 
 that it was time to be moving in that direction. We were 
 in the upper part of Broadway, at the time, and Pompey 
 proceeded forthwith to fall into the current, making all the 
 haste he could, as it was thought the traveller might pass 
 down towards the East River, and get into Queen Street, 
 before we could reach the point at which he would diverge, 
 [t is true, the old town residence of Stephen de Lancey, 
 which stood at the head of Broadway, just above Trinity,* 
 had been converted into a tavern, and we did not know but 
 the Patroon might choose to alight there, as it was then the 
 principal inn of the town ; still, most people preferred 
 Queen Street ; and the new City Tavern was so much out 
 of the way, that strangers in particular were not fond of 
 frequenting it. Cassar came up, much out of breath, just 
 as we got into the country. 
 
 Quitting Broadway, we went along the country road 
 that then diverged to the east, but which is now getting to 
 contain a sort of suburb, and passing the road that leads 
 
 dral-architecture of Europe. It would be idle to pretend that the new 
 Trinity is without faults ; some of which are probably the result of 
 circumstances and necessity; but, if the respectable architect who 
 has built it, had no other merit, he would deserve the gratitude of 
 every man of taste in the country, by placing church-towers of a 
 proper comparative breadth, dignity and proportions, before the eyes 
 of its population. The diminutive meanness of American church- 
 towers, has been an eye-sore to every intelligent, travelled American, 
 pince the country was settled. — Eoitou. 
 * The site of the present City Hotel.— Ed. 
 
36 SATANSTOE. 
 
 into Queen Street, we felt more certain of meeting the tra- 
 veller, whose carriage we soon learned had not gone by. As 
 there were and are several taverns for country people in 
 this quarter, most of us went quite into the country, pro- 
 ceeding as far as the villas of the Bayards, de Lanceys, 
 and other persons of mark ; of which there are several 
 along the Bowery Road. Our party stopped under some 
 cherry-trees, that were not more than a mile from town, 
 nearly opposite to Lt. Gov. de Lancey's country-house;* 
 but many boys &c. went a long long way into the country, 
 finishing the day by nutting and gathering apples in the 
 grounds of Petersfield and Rosehill, the country residences 
 of the Stuyvesant and Watt, or, as the last is now called 
 the Watts, families. I was desirous of going thus far my- 
 self, for I had heard much of both of those grand places; 
 but Pompey told me it would be necessary to be back for 
 dinner by half-past one, his mistress having consented to 
 postpone the hour a little, in order to indulge my natural 
 desire to see all I could while in town. 
 
 We were not altogether children and blacks who were 
 out on the Bowery Road that day,— many tradesmen were 
 among us, the leathern aprons making a goodly parade on 
 the occasion. I saw one or two persons wearing swords, ho- 
 vering round, in the lanes and in the woods, — proof that even 
 gentlemen had some desire to see so great a person as the Pa- 
 troon of Albany pass. I shall not stop to say much of tho 
 ti-ansit of the Patroon. He came by about noon, as was ex- 
 pected, and in his coach-and-four, with two outriders, coach- 
 man, &c. in liveries, as is usual in the families of the gentry, 
 and with a team of heavy, black, Dutch-looking horses, 
 that I remember Caesar pronounced to be of the true Flemish 
 breed. The Patroon himself was a sightly, well-dressed 
 gentleman, wearing a scarlet coat, flowing wig, and cocked 
 hat ; and I observed that the handle of his sword was 
 of solid silver. But my father wore a sword with a solid 
 silver handle, too, a present from my grandfather when the 
 former first entered the army.j* He bowed to the salutations 
 
 * Now, do Lancey Street, — Ed. 
 
 tThis patroon must have been Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, who lived 
 to be a bachelor of fort} 1 - before he married. If there be no anachre- 
 
SATANSTOE. 37 
 
 he received in passing, and T thought all the spectators were 
 pleased with the noble sight of seeing such an equipage pass 
 into the town. Such a sight does not occur eyery day in 
 the colonies, and I felt exceedingly happy that it had been 
 my privilege to witness it. 
 
 A little incident occurred to myself that rendered this 
 day long memorable to me. Among the spectators assem- 
 bled along the road on- this occasion, were several groups 
 Df girls, who belonged to the better class, and who had been 
 induced to come out into the country, either led by curiosity 
 or by the management of the different sable nurses who had 
 them in charge. In one of these groups was a girl of 
 about ten, or possibly of eleven years of age, whose dress, 
 air, and mien, early attracted my attention. I thought her 
 large, bright, full, blue eye, particularly winning; and boys 
 of fourteen are not altogether insensible to beauty in the 
 other sex, though they are possibly induced oftener to re- 
 gard it in those who are older than in those who are younger 
 than themselves. Pompey happened to be acquainted with 
 Silvv, the negress who had the care of my little beauty, to 
 whom he bowed, and addressed as Miss Anneke (Anna Cor- 
 nelia, abbreviated). Anneke I thought a very pretty name 
 too, and some little advances were made towards an ac- 
 quaintance by means of an offering of some fruit that I had 
 gathered by the way-side. Things were making a con- 
 
 nism, this gentleman married Miss Van Cortlandt, one of the seven 
 daughters of Stephanus Van Cortlandt, who was proprietor of the 
 great manor of Cortlandt, West Chester county, and who, in his day, 
 was the principal personage of the colony. The seven daughters of 
 this Colonel Van Cortlandt, by marrying into the families of de Lan- 
 eey, Bayard, Van Rensellaer, Beekman, M'Gregor — Skinner, Sec. Sec, 
 brought together a connection that was long felt in the political affairs 
 of New York. The Sehuylers were related through a previous mar- 
 riage, and many of the Long Island and other families of weight by 
 other alliances. ' This connection formed the court party, which was 
 resisted by an opposition led by the Livingstons, Morris, and other 
 names of their connection. This old bachelor, Jeremiah Van Rensel- 
 laer, believing he would never marry, alienated, in behalf of his next 
 brother and anticipated heir, the Greenbush and Claverack estates, — 
 portions of those vast possessions which, in our day, and principally 
 through the culpable apatdy, or miserable demagogueism of those 
 who have been entrusted with the care of the public weal, have been 
 the pretext for violating some of the plainest laws of morality that 
 God has communicated to man. — Editor. 
 Vol. I. — 4 
 
38 SATANSTOE. 
 
 sidcrable progress, and I had asked several questions, suc'h 
 as whether 'Miss Anneke had ever seen a patroon,' which 
 * was the greatest personage, a patroon or a governor,' 
 whether ' a nobleman who had lately been in the colony, as 
 a military officer, or the patroon, would be likely to have 
 the finest coach,' when a butcher's boy, who was passing, 
 rudely knocked an apple out of Anneke's hand, and caused 
 he/ to shed a tear. 
 
 I took fire at this unprovoked outrage, and lent the fellow 
 a dig in the ribs that gave him to understand the young 
 lady had a protector. My chap was about my own age 
 and weight, and he surveyed me a minute with a species of 
 contempt, and then beckoned me to follow him into an 
 orchard that was hard by, but a little out of sight. In spite 
 of Anneke's entreaties I went, and Pompey and Caesar fol- 
 lowed. We had both stripped before the negroes got up, 
 for they were in a hot discussion whether I was to be per- 
 mitted to fight or not. Pompey maintained it would keep 
 dinner waiting ; but Caesar, who had the most bottom, as 
 became his name, insisted, as I had given a blow, I was 
 bound to render satisfaction. Luckily, Mr. Worden was 
 very skilful at boxing, and he had given both Dirck and 
 myself many lessons, so that I soon found myself the best 
 fellow. I gave the butcher's boy a bloody nose and a black 
 eye, when he gave in, and I came off victor ; not, however, 
 without a facer or two, that sent me to college with a repu- 
 tation I hardly merited, or that of a regular pugilist. 
 
 When I returned to the road, after this breathing, Anneke* 
 had disappeared, and I was so shy and silly as not to ask 
 her family name from Ceesar the Great, or Pompey the 
 Little. 
 
 * Pronounced On-xin-kay. I believe. — Editor 
 
SATAN STOE. 3i) 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " Believe me, thou talkest of an admirable conceited fellow. Has 
 he any unbraided wares'?" 
 
 " Pr'ythee, bring him in ; and let him approach singing." 
 
 Winter's Tale. 
 
 I have no intention of taking the reader with me through 
 college, where I remained the usual term of four years. 
 These four years were not idled away, as sometimes happens, 
 but were fairly improved. I read all of the New Testament, 
 in Greek ; several of Cicero's Orations ; every line of 
 Horace, Satires and Odes ; four books of the Iliad ; Tully 
 de Oratore, throughout ; besides paying proper attention to 
 geography, mathematics, and other of the usual branches. 
 Moral philosophy, in particular, was closely attended to, 
 senior year, as well as Astronomy. We had a telescope 
 that showed us all four of Jupiter's moons. In other re- 
 spects, Nassau might be called the seat of learning. One 
 of our class purchased a second-hand copy of Euripides, in 
 town, and we had it in college all of six months ; though it 
 was never my good fortune to see it, as the young man who 
 owned it, was not much disposed to let profane eyes view 
 his treasure. Nevertheless, I am certain the copy of the 
 work was in college ; and we took good care to let the Yale 
 men hear of it more than once. I do not believe they ever 
 saw even the outside of an Euripides. As for the telescope, 
 I can testify of my own knowledge ; having seen the moons 
 of Jupiter as often as ten times, with my own eyes, aided 
 by its magnifiers. We had a tutor who was expert among 
 the stars, and who, it was generally believed, would have 
 been able to see the ring of Saturn, could he have found the 
 planet ; which, as it turned out, he was unable to do. 
 
 My four college years were very happy years. The va- 
 cations came often, and I went home invariably ; passing a 
 day or two with my aunt Legge, in going or coming. The 
 acquisition of knowledge was always agreeable to me ; and 
 I may say it without vanity, I trust, at this time of life, I 
 got the third honour of my class. We should have gradu- 
 
40 SATANSTOE. 
 
 ated four, but one of our class was compelled to quit us at 
 the end of junior year, on account of his health. He was 
 an unusually hard student, and it was generally admitted 
 that he would have taken the first honour had he remained. 
 We were thought to acquit ourselves with credit at the com- 
 mencement ; although I afterwards heard my grandfather 
 tell Mr. Worden, that he was of opinion the addresses would 
 have been more masculine and commendable, had less been 
 said of the surprising growth, prosperity, and power of the 
 colonies. He had no objection to the encouragement of a 
 sound, healthful, patriotic feeling; but to him it appeared 
 that something more novel might have better pleased the 
 audience. This may have been true, as all three of us had 
 something to say on the subject ; and it is a proof how much 
 we thought alike, that our language was almost as closely 
 assimilated as our ideas. 
 
 As for the Powles Hook Ferry, it was an unpleasant place 
 I will allow ; though by the time I was junior I thought 
 nothing of it. My mother, however, was glad when it was 
 passed for the last time. I remember the very first words 
 that escaped her, after she had kissed me on my final return 
 from college, were, " Well, Heaven be praised, Corny ! 
 you will never again have any occasion to cross that fright- 
 ful ferry, now college is completely done with !" My 
 poor mother little knew how much greater dangers I was 
 subsequently called on to encounter, in another direction. 
 Nor was she minutely accurate in her anticipations, since I 
 have crossed the ferry in question, several times in later life ; 
 the distances not appearing to be as great, of late ycors, as 
 they certainly seemed to be in my youth. 
 
 It was a feather in a young man's cap to have gone through 
 college, in 1755, which was the year I graduated. It is true, 
 the University men, who had been home for their learning, 
 were more or less numerous ; but they were of a class that 
 held itself aloof from the smaller gentry, and most of them 
 were soon placed in office, adding the dignity of public trusts 
 to their acquisitions — the former in a manner overshadowing 
 the latter. But, I was nearer to the body of the community, 
 and my position admitted more of comparative excellence, 
 as it might be. No one thinks of certain habits, opinions, 
 manners, and tastes, in the circle where they are expected 
 
SATANSTOE. 41 
 
 to be found ; but, it is a different thing where all, or any of 
 these peculiarities form the exception. I am afraid more 
 was anticipated from my college education than has ever 
 been realized ; but I will say this for my Alma Mater, that 
 r-am not conscious my acquisitions at college have ever been 
 of any disadvantage to me; and I rather think they have, 
 in some degree at least, contributed to the little success that 
 has attended my humble career. 
 
 I kept up my intimacy with Dirck Follock, during the 
 whole time I remained at college. He continued the classics 
 with Mr. Worden, for two years after I left the school ; but 
 I could not discover that his progress amounted to anything 
 worth mentioning. The master used to tell the Colonel, 
 that "Dirck's progress was slow and sure ;" and this did 
 not fail to satisfy a man who had a constitutional aversion 
 to much of the head-over-heels rate of doing things among 
 the English population. Col. Follock, as we always called 
 him, except when my father or grandfather asked him to 
 drink a glass of wine, or drank his health in the first glass 
 after the cloth was removed, when he was invariably styled 
 Col. Van Valkenburgh, at full length ; but Col. Follock was 
 quite content that his son and heir should know no more 
 than he knew himself, after making proper allowances for 
 the difference in years and experience. By the time I re- 
 turned home, however, a material change had been made 
 in the school. Mr. Worden fell heir to a moderate compe- 
 tency at home, and he gave up teaching, a business he had 
 never liked, accordingly. It was even thought he was a 
 shade less zealous in his parochial duties, after the acquisi- 
 tion of this fifty pounds sterling a-year, than he had previ- 
 ously been ; though I am far from insisting on the fact's 
 being so. At any rate, it was not in the power of £50 per 
 annum to render Mr. Worden apathetic on the subject of the 
 church ; for he continued a most zealous churchman down 
 to the hour of his death ; and this was something, even ad- 
 mitting that he was not quite so zealous as a Christian. 
 The church being the repository of the faith, if not the faith 
 Itself, it follows that its friends are akin to religion, though 
 not absolutely religious. I have always liked a man the 
 better for being what I call a sound, warm-hearted church- 
 man, though his habits may have been a little free. 
 4* 
 
42 S A T A X S T O E . 
 
 It was necessary to supply the place left vacant by th« 
 emigration of Mr. Worden, or to abandon a school that had 
 got to be the nucleus of knowledge in Westchester. There 
 was a natural desire, at first, to obtain another scholar from 
 home; but no such person offering, a Yale College graduate 
 was accepted, though not without sundry rebellions, and 
 plenty of distrust. The moment he appeared, Col. Follock, 
 and Major Nicholas Oolhout, another respectable Dutch 
 neighbour, withdrew their sons ; and from that hour Dirck 
 never went to school again. It is true, Westchester was 
 not properly a Dutch county, like Rockland, and Albany, 
 and Orange, and several others along the river ; but it had 
 many respectable families in it, of that extraction, without 
 alluding to such heavy people as the Van Cortlands, Felipses, 
 Beekmans, and Lwo or three others of that stamp. Most of 
 our important county families had a different origin, as in 
 the case of the Morrises, of Morrisania, and of the Manor of 
 Fordham, the Pells, of Pelham, the Heathcotes, of Maman- 
 neck, the branch of the de Lanceys, at West Farms, the 
 Jays, of Rye, ecc, ecc. All these came of the English, or 
 the Huguenot stock. Among these last, more or less Dutch 
 blood was to be found, however; though Dutch prejudices 
 were a good deal weakened. Although few of these persons 
 sent their boys to this school, they were consulted in the 
 selection of a master; and I have always supposed that 
 their indifference was the cause that the county finally ob- 
 tained the services of a Yankee, from Yale. 
 
 The name of the new pedagogue was Jason Xewcome, 
 or, as he pronounced the latter appellation himself, Noo- 
 come. As he affected a pedantic way of pronouncing the 
 last syllable long, or as it was spelt, he rather called him- 
 self Noo-comb, instead of Newcum, as is the English mode, 
 whence he soon got the nick-name of Jason Old Comb 
 among the boys ; the lank, orderly arrangement of his jet- 
 black, and somewhat greasy-looking locks, contributing 
 their share towards procuring for him the sobriquet, as I 
 believe the French call it. As this Mr. Xewcome will have 
 a material part to play in the succeeding portions of this 
 narrative, it may be well to be a little more minute in his 
 description. 
 
 I found Jason fully established in the school, on my re- 
 
SATANSTOE. 4t> 
 
 turn from college. I remember we met verv much like 
 two strange birds, that see each other for the first time on 
 the same dunghill ; or two quadrupeds, in their original in- 
 terview in a common herd. It was New Haven against 
 Newark ; though the institution, after making as many mi- 
 grations as the House of Loretto, finally settled down at 
 Princeton, a short time before I took my degree. I was 
 consequently entitled to call myself a graduate of Newark, — 
 a sort of scholar that is quite as great a curiosity in the country 
 as a Queen Anne's farthing, or a book printed in the fifteenth 
 century. I remember the first evening we two spent in 
 company, as well as if the meeting occurred only last night. 
 Tt was at Satanstoe, and Mr. Worden was present. Jason 
 had a liberal supply of puritanical notions, which were bred 
 in-and-in in his moral, and I had almost said, in his physical 
 system; nevertheless, he could unbend; and I did not fail 
 to observe that very evening, a gleam of covert enjoyment 
 on his sombre countenance, as the hot-stuff, the cards, and 
 the pipes were produced, an hour or two before supper, — a 
 meal we always had hot and comfortable. This covert 
 satisfaction, however, was not exhibited without certain 
 misgiving looks, as if the neophyte in these innocent en 
 joyments distrusted his right to possess his share. I re- 
 member in particular, when my mother laid two or three 
 new, clean packs of cards on the tabic, that Jason cast a 
 stealthy glance over his shoulder, as if to make certain that 
 the act was not noted by the minister, or the "neighbours." 
 The neighbours! — what a contemptible being a man be- 
 comes, who lives in constant dread of the comments and 
 judgments of these social supervisors! and what a wretch, 
 the habit of deferring to no principle better than their deci 
 sion has made many a being, who has had originally the 
 materials of something better in him, than has been deve- 
 loped by the surveillance of ignorance, envy, vulgarity, 
 gossiping and lying ! In those cases in which education, 
 social position, opportunities and experience have made any 
 material difference between the parties, the man who yields 
 to such a government, exhibits the picture of a giant held 
 in bondage by a pigmy. I have always remarked, too, that 
 they who are best qualified to sit in this neighbourhood- 
 tribunal, generally keep most aloof from it, as repugnant to 
 
44 SATANSTOE. 
 
 their tastes and habits, thus leaving its decisions to the poi 
 tion of the community least qualified to make such as are 
 either just or enlightened. 
 
 I felt a disposition to laugh outright, at the manner in 
 which Jason betrayed a sneaking consciousness of crime, 
 as he saw my meek, innocent, simple-minded, just and 
 warm-hearted mother lay the cards on the table that even- 
 ing. His sense of guilt was purely conventional, while 
 my mother's sense of innocence existed in the absence of 
 false instruction, and in the purity of her intentions. One 
 had been taught no exaggerated and false notion of sin,- — 
 nay, a notion that is impious, as it is clearly impious in 
 man to torture acts that are perfectly innocent, per se, into 
 formal transgressions of the law of God, — while the other had 
 been educated under the narrow and exaggerated notions 
 of a provincial sect, and had obtained a species of con 
 science that was purely dependent on his miserable school- 
 ing. I heard my grandfather say that Jason actually showed 
 the white of his eyes the first time he saw Mr. Worden 
 begin to deal, and he still looked, the whole time we were 
 at whist, as if he expected some one might enter, and tell 
 of his delinquency. I soon discovered that Jason had 
 a much greater dread of being told of, than of doing such 
 things as taking a hand at whist, or drinking a glass of 
 punch, from which I inferred his true conscience drew per- 
 ceptible distinctions between the acts and the penalties he 
 had been accustomed to see inflicted on them. He was 
 much disposed to a certain sort of frailty ; but it was a 
 sneaking disposition to the last. 
 
 But, the amusing part of the exhibition, that first evening 
 of our acquaintance, was Mr. Worden's showing off his 
 successor's familiarity with the classics. Jason had not the 
 smallest notion of quantity ; and he pronounced the Latin 
 very much as one would read Mohawk, from a vocabulary 
 made out by a hunter, or a savant of the French Academy. 
 As I had received the benefit of Mr. Worden's own instruc- 
 tion, I could do better, and, generally, my knowledge of the 
 classics went beyond that of Jason's. The latter's English, 
 too, was long a source of amusement with us all, though my 
 grandfather often expressed strong disgust at it. Even Col. 
 Follock did not scruple to laugh at Newcome's English, 
 
SATANSTOE. 45 
 
 which, as he frequently took occasion to say, " hat a ferry 
 rernarkaple sount to it." As this peculiarity of Jason's ex- 
 tended a good way into the Anglo-Saxon race, in the par* 
 of the country in which he was born, it may be well tc 
 explain what I mean a little more at large. 
 
 Jason was the son of an ordinary Connecticut farmer, of 
 the usual associations, and with no other pretension to edu- 
 cation than such as was obtained in a common school, or any 
 reading which did not include the Scriptures, some half 
 dozen volumes of sermons and polemical works, all the 
 latter of which were vigorously as well as narrowly one-sided, 
 and a few books that had been expressly written to praise 
 New England, and to undervalue all the rest of the earth. 
 As the family knew nothing of the world beyond the limits 
 of its own township, and an occasional visit to Hartford, on 
 what is called "election-day," Jason's early life was neces- 
 sarily of the most contracted experience. His English, as 
 a matter of course, was just that of his neighbourhood and 
 class of life j which was far from being either very elegant 
 or very Doric. But on this rustic, provincial, or rather, 
 hamlet foundation, Jason had reared a superstructure of 
 New Haven finish and proportions. As he kept school 
 before he went to college, while he was in college, and after 
 he left college, the whole energies of his nature became 
 strangely directed to just such reforms of language as would 
 be apt to strike the imagination of a pedagogue of his ca- 
 libre. In the first place, he had brought from home with 
 him a great number of sounds that were decidedly vulgar 
 and vicious, and with these in full existence in himself, he 
 had commenced his system of reform on other people. As 
 is common with all tyros, he fancied a very little knowledge 
 sufficient authority for very great theories. His first step 
 was to improve the language, by adapting sound to spelling 
 and he insisted on calling angel, em-gel, because a-n spell 
 an ; chamber, cham-ber, for the same reason ; and so on 
 through a long catalogue of similarly constructed words. 
 "English," he did not pronounce as u Ing\ish" but as "Eng- 
 lish" for instance ; and " nothing" (anglice nutlnng), as 
 noth-ing ; or, perhaps, it were better to say " nawthin'." 
 While Jason snowed himself so much of a purist with these 
 and many other words, he was guilty of some of the grossest 
 
4G SATANSTOE. 
 
 possible mistakes, that were directly in opposition to his own 
 theory. Thus, while he affectedly pronounced " none," 
 (nun,) as "known," he did not scruple to call "stone," 
 'stun," and " home," "hum." The idea of pronouncing 
 " clerk," as it should be, or " dark," greatly shocked him, 
 as it did to call "hearth," "h'arth;" though he did not hesitate 
 to call this good earth- of ours, the " 'arth." "Been," he 
 pronounced " ben," of course, and " roof," he called " ruff," 
 in spite of all his purism. 
 
 From the foregoing specimens, half a dozen among a 
 thousand, the reader will get an accurate notion of this 
 weakness in Jason's character. It was heightened by the 
 fact that the young man commenced his education, such as 
 it was, late in life, and it is rare indeed that either know- 
 ledge or tastes thus acquired are entirely free from exag- 
 geration. Though Jason was several years my senior, like 
 myself he was a recent graduate, and it will be easy 
 enough to imagine the numberless discussions that took 
 place between us, on the subject of our respective acquisi- 
 tions. I say ' respective,' instead of mutual acquisitions, 
 because there was nothing mutual about it, or them. Neither 
 our classics, our philosophy, nor our mathematics would 
 seem to have been the same, but each man apparently had 
 a science, or a language of his own, and which had been 
 derived from the institution where he had been taught. In 
 the classics I was much the strongest, particularly in the 
 quantities, but Jason had the best of it in mathematics. In 
 spite of his conceit, his vulgarity, his English, his provin- 
 cialism, and the awkwardness with which he wore his tar- 
 dily acquired information, this man had strong points about 
 him, and a native shrewdness that would have told much 
 more in his favour had it not been accompanied by a cer- 
 tain evasive manner, that caused one constantly to suspect 
 his sincerity, and which often induced those who were ac- 
 customed to him, to imagine he had a sneaking propensity 
 that rendered him habitually hypocritical. Jason held New 
 York in great contempt ; a feeling he was not always dis- 
 posed to conceal, and of necessity his comparisons were 
 usually made with the sfate of things in Connecticut, and 
 much to the advantage of the latter. To one thing, how- 
 ever, he was much disposed to defer, and that was money. 
 
 
SATANSTOE. 47 
 
 Connecticut had not then, nor has it now, a single indivi- 
 dual who would be termed rich in New York ; and Jason, 
 spite of his provincial conceit, spite of his overweening no- 
 tions of moral and intellectual superiority, could no more 
 prevent this profound deference for wealth, than he could 
 substitute for a childhood of vulgarity and neglect, the grace, 
 refinement and knowledge which the boys of the more for- 
 tunate classes in life obtain as it might be without knowing 
 it. Yes, Jason bowed down to the golden calf, in spite of 
 his puritanism, his love of liberty, his pretension to equality 
 and the general strut Of his disposition and manner. 
 
 Such is an outline of the character and qualifications of the 
 man whom I found, on my return from college, at the head 
 of Mr. Worden's school. We soon became acquainted, and 
 I do not know which got the most ideas from the other, in 
 course of the first fortnight. Our conversation and argu- 
 ments were free, almost to rudeness, and little mercy was 
 shown to our respective prejudices. Jason was ultra level- 
 ing in his notions of social intercourse, while I had the 
 opinions of my own colony, in which the distinctions of 
 classes are far more strongly marked than is usual in New 
 England, out of Boston, and its immediate association. Still 
 Jason deferred to names, as well as money, though it was 
 in a way very different from my own. New England was, 
 and is, lo\xil to the crown ; but having the right to name 
 many of its own governors, and possessing many other 
 political privileges through the charters that were granted to 
 her people, in order to induce them to settle that portion of 
 the continent, they do not always manifest the feeling in a 
 way to be agreeable to those who have a proper reverence 
 for the crown. Among other points, growing out of this 
 difference in training, Jason and I had sundry arguments on 
 the subject of professions, trades and callings. It was evi- 
 dent he fancied the occupation of a schoolmaster next in 
 honour to that of a clergyman. The clergy formed a spe- 
 cies of aristocracy, according to his notions ; but no man 
 could commence life under more favourable auspices, than 
 by taking a school. The following dialogue occurred be- 
 tween us, on this subject; and I was so much struck with 
 the novelty of my companion's notions, as to make a note of 
 it. as soon as we parted. 
 
48 SATAN STOE. 
 
 " I wonder your folks don't think of giving you suthin' 
 to do, Corny," commenced Jason, one day, after our ac« 
 quaintance had ripened into a sort of belligerent intimacy. 
 " You 're near nineteen, now, and ought to begin to think 
 of bringing suthin' in, to pay for all the outgoin's." 
 
 By " your folks," Jason meant the family of Littlepage ; 
 and the blood of that family quickened a little within me, 
 at the idea of being profitably employed, in the manner in. 
 timated, because I had reached the mature and profitable 
 age of nineteen. 
 
 " I do not understand you exactly, Mr. Newcome, by 
 your bringing something in," answered I, with dignify 
 enough to put a man of ordinary delicacy on his guard. 
 
 " Bringing suthin' in is good English, I hope, Mr. Little- 
 page. I mean that your edication has cost your folks 
 enough to warrant them in calling on you for a little inte- 
 rest. How much do you suppose, now, has been spent on 
 your edication, beginning at the time you first went to Mr. 
 Worden, and leaving off the day you quitted Newark?" 
 
 " Really, I have not the smallest notion ; the subject has 
 never crossed my mind." 
 
 " Did the old folks never say anything to you about it? 
 —never foot up the total ?" 
 
 " I am sure it is not easy to see how this could be done, 
 for I could not help them in the least." 
 
 "But your father's books would tell that, as doubtless it 
 all stands charged against you." 
 
 " Stands charged against me ! — How, sir! do you imagine 
 my father makes a charge in a book against me, whenever 
 he pays a few pounds for my education?" 
 
 " Certainly ; how else could he tell how much you have 
 had ?— though, on reflection, as you are an only child, it 
 does not make so much difference. You probably will get 
 all, in the end." 
 
 " And had I a brother, or a sister, do you imagine, Mr. 
 Newcome, each shilling we spent would be set down in a 
 book, as charges against us?" 
 
 " How else, in natur', could it be known which had had 
 the most, or any sort of justice be done between you ?" 
 
 " Justice would be done, by our common father's givmor 
 to each just as much of his own money as he might see fit. 
 
SATAN STOE, 49 
 
 What is it to me, if he chose to give my brother a few hun. 
 dred pounds more than he chose to give to me? The money- 
 is his, and he may do with it as he choose." 
 
 "An hundred pounds is an awful sight of money!" ex- 
 claimed Jason, betraying by his countenance how deeply he 
 felt the truth of this. " If you have had money in such 
 large sums, so much the more reason why you should set 
 about doing suthin' to repay the old gentleman. Why not 
 set up a school '.'" 
 
 "Sir!" 
 
 " Why not set up a school, I say 1 You might have had 
 this of mine, had you been a little older ; but once in, fast 
 in, with me. Still, schools are wanted, and you might get 
 a tolerable good recommend. I dare say your tutor would 
 furnish a certificate." 
 
 This word "recommend" was used by Jason for "recom- 
 mendation ;" the habit of putting verbs in the places of sub- 
 stantives, and vice versa, being much in vogue with him. 
 
 " And do you really think that one who is destined to 
 inherit Satanstoe, would act advisedly to set up a school? 
 Recollect, Mr. Newcome, that my father and grandfather 
 have both borne the king's commission ; and that the last 
 bears it, at this very moment, through his representative, the 
 Governor." 
 
 " What of all that? What better business is there than 
 keeping a good school ? If you are high in your notions, 
 get to be made a tutor in that New Jersey college. Recol- 
 lect that a tutor in a college is somebody. I did hope for 
 such a place, but having a Governor's son against me, as a 
 candidate, there was no chance." 
 
 " A Governor's son a candidate for a tutorship in a col- 
 lege ! You are pleased to trifle with me, Mr. Newcome." 
 
 " It 's true as the gospel. You thought some smaller fish 
 put me down, but he was the son of the Governor. But, 
 why do you give that vulgar name to your father's farm — 
 Satanstoe is not decent ; yet, Corny, I've heard you use 
 it before your own mother !" 
 
 " That you may hear every day, and my mother use it, 
 too, before her own son. What fault do you find with the 
 name of Satanstoe V 
 
 " Fault ! — In the first place it is irreligious and profane ; 
 
 Vol. I.— 5 
 
 
 
50 SATANSTOE. 
 
 then it is ungenteel and vulgar, and only fit to be used in 
 low company. Moreover, it is opposed to history and 
 revelation, the Evil One having a huff, if you will, but no 
 toes. Such a name couldn't stand a fortnight before public 
 opinion in New England." 
 
 " Yes, that may be very true ; but we do not care 
 enough for His Satanic Majesty in the colony of New York, 
 to treat him with so much deference. As for the ' huffs,' 
 as you call them " 
 
 " Why, what do you call 'em, Mr. Littlepage?" 
 
 " Hoofs, Mr. Newcome ; that is the New York pronun- 
 ciation of the word." 
 
 " I care nothing for York pronunciation, which every- 
 body knows is Dutch and full of corruptions. You '11 never 
 do anything worth speaking of in this colony, Corny, until 
 you pay more attention to your schools." 
 
 " I do not know what you call attention, Mr. Jason, unless 
 we have paid it already. Here, I have the caption, or 
 rather preamble of a law, on that very subject, that I copied 
 out of the statute-book on purpose to show you, and which 
 I will now read in order to prove to you how things really 
 stand in the colony." 
 
 " Read away," rejoined Jason, with an air of sufficient 
 disdain. 
 
 Read I did, and in the following sententious and compre- 
 hensive language, viz : — " Whereas the youth of this colony 
 are found, by manifold experience, to be not inferior in 
 their natural geniuses to the youth of any other country in 
 the world, therefore be it enacted, &c."* 
 
 *This quotation would seem to be accurate, and it is somewhat 
 curious to trace the reason why a preamble so singular should have 
 been prefixed to the law. Was it not owing to the oft-repeated and 
 bold assertions of Europeans, that man deteriorated in this hemisphere ? 
 Any American who has been a near observer of European opinion, 
 even in our day, must have been frequently amused at the expression 
 of surprise and doubt that so often escapes the residents of the Old 
 World, when they discover anything that particularly denotes talent 
 coming from the New. I make little question that this extraordinary 
 preamble is a sort of indirect answer to an imputation that was 
 known to be as general, in that age, as it was felt to be unjust. My 
 own experience would lead me to think native capacity more abun- 
 dant in America than in the midland countries of Europe, and quite 
 as frequently met with as in Italy itself; and I have often hoard 
 
SATANSTOE. 51 
 
 " There, sir," I said in exultation, " you have chapter 
 and verse for the true character of the rising generation in 
 the colony of New York." 
 
 " And what does that preamble lead to ?" demanded 
 Jason, a little staggered at finding the equality of our New 
 York intellects established so clearly by legislative enact- 
 ment. 
 
 " It is the preamble to an act establishing the free schools 
 of New York, in which the learned languages have now 
 been taught these twenty years; and you will please to re- 
 member that another law has not long been passed estab- 
 lishing a college in town." 
 
 " Well, curious laws sometimes do get into the statute- 
 books, and a body must take them as he finds them. I 
 dare say Connecticut might have a word to say on the same 
 subject, if you would give her a chance. Have you heard 
 the wonderful news from Philadelphia, Corny, that has just 
 come among us I" 
 
 " I have heard nothing of late ; for you know I have 
 been over in Rockland, with Dirck Follock, for the last two 
 weeks, and news never reaches that family, or indeed that 
 county." 
 
 " No, that is true enough," answered Jason, drily ; " News 
 and a Dutchman have no affinity, or attraction, as we would 
 say in philosophy ; though there is gravitation enough on 
 one side, ha ! boy ?" 
 
 Here Jason laughed outright, for he was always delighted 
 whenever he could get a side-hit at the children of Holland, 
 whom he appeared to regard as a race occupying a position 
 between the human family and the highest class of the 
 unintellectual animals. But it is unnecessary to dwell 
 longer on this dialogue, my object being merely to show the 
 general character of Jason's train of thought, in order to 
 
 teachers, both English and French, admit that their American and 
 West-India scholars were generally the readiest and cleverest in their 
 schools. The great evil under which this country labours, in this 
 respect, is the sway of numbers, which is constantly elevating medi- 
 ocrity and spurious talent to high places. In America we have a 
 higher average of intelligence, while we have far less of fhe higher 
 class ; and I attribute the latter fact to the control of those who have 
 laever enjoyed the means of appreciating excellence. — Editor. 
 
 
 . 
 
52 SATANSTOE. 
 
 be better understood when I come to connect his opinions 
 with his acts. 
 
 Dirck and myself were much together after my return 
 from college. I passed weeks at a time with him, and he 
 returned my visits with the utmost freedom and good-will. 
 Each of us had now got his growth, and it would have 
 done the heart of Frederick of Prussia good, to have seen 
 my young friend after he had ended his nineteenth year. 
 In stature he measured exactly six feet three, and he gave 
 every promise of filling up in proportion. Dirck was none 
 of your roundly-turned, Apollo-built fellows, but he had 
 shoulders that his little, short, solid, but dumpy-looking 
 mother, who was of the true stock, could scarcely span, 
 when she pulled his head down to give him a kiss ; which 
 she did regularly, as Dirck told me himself, twice each 
 year ; that is to say, Christmas and New-Year. His com- 
 plexion was fair, his limbs large and well proportioned, his 
 hair light, his eyes blue, and his face would have been 
 thought handsome by most persons. I will not deny, how- 
 ever, that there was a certain ponderosity, both of mind and 
 body, about my friend, that did not very well accord with 
 the general notion of grace and animation. Nevertheless, 
 Dirck was a sterling fellow, as true as steel, as brave as a 
 game-cock, and as honest as noon-day light. 
 
 Jason was a very different sort of person, in many essen- 
 tials. In figure, he was also tall, but he was angular, loose- 
 jointed and swinging — slouching would be the better word, 
 perhaps. Still, he was not without strength, having worked 
 on a farm until he was near twenty ; and he was as active 
 as a cat ; a result that took the stranger a little by surprise, 
 when he regarded only his loose, quavering sort of build. 
 In the way of thought, Jason would think two feet toDirck's 
 one; but I am far from certain that it was always in so 
 correct a direction. Give the Dutchman time, he was very 
 apt to come out right; whereas Jason, I soon discovered, 
 was quite liable to come to wrong conclusions, and particu- 
 larly so in all matters that were a little adverse, and which 
 affected his own apparent interests. Dirck, moreover, was 
 one of the best-natured fellows that breathed ; it being almost 
 impossible to excite him to anger; when it did come, how- 
 ever, the earthquake was scarcely more terrific. I have 
 
SATANSTOE. 53 
 
 geen him enraged, and would as soon encounter a wild-boar, 
 in an open field, as run against his course, while in the fit. 
 
 Modesty will hardly permit me to say much of myself. 
 I was well-grown, active, strong, for my years ; and, I am 
 inclined to think, reasonably well-looking ; though I would 
 prefer that this much should be said by any one but myself. 
 Dirck and I often tried our manhood together, when young- 
 sters, and I was the better chap until my friend reached his 
 eighteenth year, when the heavy metal of the young Dutch 
 giant told in our struggles. After that period was past, I 
 found Dirck too much for me, in a close gripe, though my 
 extraordinary activity rendered the inequality less apparent 
 than it might otherwise have proved. I ought not to apply 
 the term of " extraordinary" to anything about myself, but 
 the word escaped me unconsciously, and I shall let it stand. 
 One thing I will say, notwithstanding, let the reader think 
 of it as he may : I was good-natured and well-disposed to 
 my fellow-creatures, and had no greater love of money than 
 was necessary to render me reasonably discreet. 
 
 Such is an outline of the characters and persons of three 
 of the principal actors in the scenes I am about to relate ; 
 scenes that will possess some interest for those who love to 
 read accounts of adventures in a new country, however 
 much they may fail in interesting others, when I speak of 
 the condition and events of the more civilized condition of 
 society, that was enjoyed, even in my youth, in such old 
 counties as Westchester, and such towns as York. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " Let us, then, be up and doing, 
 
 With a heart for any fate ; 
 Still achieving-, still pursuing 1 , 
 
 Learn to labour and to wait." 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 The spring of the year I was twenty, Dirck and myself 
 paid our first visit to town, in the characters of young men. 
 
 5* 
 
54 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Although Satanstoe was not more than five-and-twenty 
 miles from New York, by the way of King's-Bridge, the 
 road we always travelled in order to avoid the ferry, it was 
 by no means as common to visit the capital as it has since 
 got to be. I know gentlemen who pass in and out from 
 our neighbourhood, now, as often as once a fortnight, or 
 even once a week ; but thirty years since this was a thing 
 very seldom done. My dear mother always went to town 
 twice a year ; in the spring to pass Easter week, and in the 
 autumn to make her winter purchases. My father usually 
 went down four times, in the course of the twelve months, 
 but he had the reputation of a gadabout, and was thought 
 by many people to leave home quite as much as he ought 
 to do. As for my grandfather, old age coming on, he sel- 
 dom left home now, unless it were to pay stated visits to 
 certain old brother campaigners who lived within moderate 
 distances, and with whom he invariably passed weeks each 
 summer. 
 
 The visit I have mentioned occurred some time after 
 Easter, a season of the year that many of our country fa- 
 milies were in the habit of passing in town, to have the 
 benefit of the daily services of Old Trinity, as the Hebrews 
 resorted to Jerusalem to keep the feast of the passover. My 
 mother did not go to town this year, on account of my 
 father's gout, and I was sent to supply her place with my 
 aunt Legge, who had been so long accustomed to have one 
 of the family with her at that season, that I was substituted. 
 Dirck had relatives of his own, with whom he staid, and 
 thus every thing was rendered smooth. In order to make a 
 fair start, my friend crossed the Hudson the week before, 
 and, after taking breath at Satanstoe for three days, we left 
 the Neck for the capital, mounted on a pair of as good 
 roadsters as were to be found in the county : and that is 
 saying a good deal ; for the Morrises, and de Lanceys, and 
 Van Cortlandts all kept racers, and sometimes gave us good 
 sport, in the autumn, over the county course. West Ches- 
 ter, to say no more than she deserved, was a county with 
 a spirited gentry, and one of which no colony need be 
 ashamed. 
 
 My mother was a tender-hearted parent, and full of 
 anxiety in behalf of an only child. She knew that travel- 
 
SATANSTOE 
 
 55 
 
 ling always has more or less of hazard, and was desirous 
 we should be off betimes, in order to make certain of our 
 reaching town before the night set in. Highway robbers, 
 Heaven be praised ! were then, and are still, unknown to 
 the colonies ; but there were other dangers that gave my 
 excellent parent much concern. All the bridges were not 
 considered safe; the roads were, and are yet, very circuitous, 
 and it was possible to lose one's way; while it was said 
 persons had been known to pass the night on Harlem com- 
 mon, an uninhabited waste that lies some seven or eight 
 miles on our side of the city. My mother's first care, there- 
 fore, was to get Dirck and myself off early in the morning; 
 in order to do which she rose with the light, gave us our 
 breakfasts immediately afterwards, and thus enabled us to 
 quit Satanstoe just as the sun had burnished the eastern sky 
 with its tints of flame-colour. 
 
 Dirck was in high good-humour that morning, and, to 
 own the trutth, Corny did not feel the depression of spirits 
 which, according to the laws of propriety, possibly ought to 
 have attended the first really free departure of so youthful 
 an adventurer from beneath the shadows of the paternal 
 roof. We went our way laughing and chatting like two girls 
 just broke loose from boarding-school. I had never known 
 Dirck more communicative, and I got certain new insights 
 into his feelings, expectations and prospects, as we roue along 
 the colony's highway that morning, that afterwards proved to 
 be matters of much interest with us. both. We had not got 
 a mile from the chimney-tops of Satanstoe, ere my friend 
 broke forth, as follows : — 
 
 " I suppose you have heard, Corny, what the two old 
 gentlemen have been at, lately 1" 
 
 " Your father and mine? — I have not heard a syllable of 
 any thing new." 
 
 "They have been suing out, before the Governor and 
 Council, a joint claim to that tract of land they bought of the 
 Mohawks, the last time they were out together on service, 
 in the colony militia." 
 
 I ought to mention, here, that though my predecessors 
 had made but few campaigns in the regular army, each had 
 made several in the more humble capacity of a militia 
 officer. 
 
56 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " This is news to me, Dirck," I answered. " Why 
 should the old gentlemen have been so sly about such a 
 thing?" 
 
 " I cannot tell you, lest they thought silence the best way 
 to keep off the yankees. You know, my father has a 
 great dread of a yankee's getting a finger into any of his 
 bargains. He says the yankees are the locusts of the west." 
 
 " But, how came you to know any thing about it, Dirck?" 
 
 " I am no yankee, Corny." 
 
 " And your father told you, on the strength of this recom- 
 mendation?" 
 
 " He told me, as he tells me most things that he thinks it 
 best I should know. We smoke together, and then we talk 
 together." 
 
 "I would learn to smoke too, if I thought I should get 
 any useful information by so doing." 
 
 " Dere is much to be l'arnt from ter pipe !" said Dirck, 
 dropping into a slightly Dutch accent, as frequently hap- 
 pened with him, when his mind took a secret direction to- 
 wards Holland, though in general he spoke English quite as 
 well as I did myself, and vastly better than that miracle of 
 taste, and learning, and virtue, and piety, Mr. Jason New- 
 come, A. B., of Yale, and prospective president of that, or 
 some other institution. 
 
 " So it would seem, if your father is telling you secrets 
 all the time you are smoking together. But where is this 
 land, Dirck?" 
 
 " It is in the Mohawk country — or, rather, it is in the 
 country near the Hampshire Grants, and at no great dis- 
 tance from the Mohawk country." 
 
 " And how much may there be of it?" 
 
 " Forty thousand acres ; and some of it of good, rich 
 flats, they say ; such as a Dutchman loves." 
 
 " And 3'our father and mine have purchased all this land 
 in company, you say — share and share alike, as the law. 
 yers call it." 
 
 " Just so." 
 
 " Pray how much did they pay for so large a tract of 
 land?" 
 
 Dirck took time to answer this question. He first drew 
 from his breast a pocket-book, which he opened as well aa 
 
SATAN STOE. 57 
 
 he could under the motion of his roadster, for neither of us 
 abated his speed, it being indispensable to reach town before 
 dark. My friend succeeded at length in putting his hand on 
 the paper he wanted, which he gave to me. 
 
 " There," he said ; " that is a list of the articles paid to 
 the Indians, which I have copied, and then there have been 
 several hundred pounds of fees paid to the Governor and 
 his officers." 
 
 1 read from the list, as follows ; the words coming out by 
 jerks, as the trotting of my horse permitted. " Fifty blankets, 
 each with yellow strings and yellow trimmings ; ten iron 
 pots, four gallons each ; forty pounds of gunpowder ; seven 
 muskets ; twelve pounds of small beads ; ten strings of wam- 
 pum ; fifty gallons of rum, pure Jamaica, and of high proof; 
 a score of jews-harps, and three dozen first quality English- 
 made tomahawks." 
 
 " Well, Dirck," I cried, as soon as through reading, 
 " this is no great matter to give for forty thousand acres 
 of land, in the colony of New York. I dare say a hundred 
 pounds currency ($250) would buy every thing here, even 
 to the rum and the first quality of English-made toma- 
 hawks." 
 
 " Ninety-six pounds, thirteen shillings, seven pence ' t'ree 
 fart'in's' was the footing of the whole bill," answered Dirck 
 deliberately, preparing to light his pipe ; for he could smoke 
 very conveniently while trotting no faster than at the rate 
 of six miles the hour. 
 
 " I do not find that dear for forty thousand acres ; I suppose 
 the muskets, and rum, and other things were manufactured 
 expressly for the Indian trade." 
 
 " Not they, Corny : you know how it is with the old gen- 
 tlemen ; — they are as honest as the day." 
 
 " So much the better for them, and so much the better 
 for us ! But what is to be done with this land, now they 
 own it I" 
 
 Dirck did not answer, until we had trotted twenty rods ; 
 for by this time the pipe was at work, and the moment the 
 smoke was seen he kept his eye on it, until he saw a bright 
 light in front of his nose. 
 
 " The first thing will be to find it, Corny. When a patent 
 is signed and delivered, then you must send forth some 
 
58 SATAN STOE. 
 
 proper person to find the land it covers. I have heard of a 
 gentleman who got a grant often thousand acres, five years 
 since; and though he has had a hunt for it every summer 
 since, he has not been able to find it yet. To be sure, ten 
 thousand acres is a small object to look for, in the woods." 
 
 "And our fathers intend to find this land as soon as the 
 season opens ?" 
 
 " Not so fast, Corny; not so fast ! That was the scheme 
 of your father's Welsh blood, but mine takes matters more 
 deliberately. Let us wait until next year, he said, and then 
 we can send the boys. By that time, too, the war will take 
 some sort of a shape, and we shall know better how to care 
 for the children. The subject has been fairly talked over 
 between the two patentees, and we are to go early next 
 spring, not this." 
 
 The idea of land-hunting was not in the least disagree- 
 able to me ; nor was it unpleasant to think that I stood in 
 reversion, or as heir, to twenty thousand acres of land, in 
 addition to those of Satanstoe. Dirck and I talked the 
 matter over, as we trotted on, until both of us began to re- 
 gret that the expedition was so far in perspective. 
 
 The war to which Dirck alluded, had broken out a few 
 months before our visit to town : a Mr. Washington, of Vir- 
 ginia — the same who has since become so celebrated as the 
 OoL Washington of Braddock's defeat, and other events at 
 the south — having been captured, with a party of his men, 
 in a small work thrown up in the neighbourhood of the 
 French, somewhere on the tributaries of the Ohio ; a river 
 that is known to run into the Mississippi, a vast distance to 
 the west. I knew very little then, nor do I know much now 
 of these remote regions, beyond the fact that there are such 
 places. ai>d that they are sometimes visited by detachments, 
 war-parties, hunters, and other adventurers from the colo 
 nies. To me, it seems scarce worth fighting about such 
 distant and wild territory; for ages and ages must elapse 
 before it can be of any service for the purposes of civiliza- 
 tion. Both Dirck and myself regretted that the summer 
 would be likely to go by without our seeing the enemy ; for 
 we came of families that were commonly employed on such 
 occasions. We thought both our fathers might be out ; though 
 even that was a point that still remained under discussion. 
 
SATANSTOE. 59 
 
 We dined and baited at Kingsbridge, intending to sup in 
 town. While the dinner was cooking, Dirck and I walked 
 out on the heights that overlook the Hudson ; for I knew 
 less of this noble river than I wished to know of it. We 
 conversed as we walked ; and my companion, who knew 
 the river much better than myself, having many occasi-ons 
 to pass up and down it, between the village of Haverstraw 
 and town, in his frequent visits to his relatives below, gave 
 me some useful information. 
 
 " Look here, Corny," said Dirck, after betraying a good 
 deal of desire to obtain a view of some object in the distance, 
 along the river-side ; " Look here, Corny, do you see yonder 
 house, in the little bay below us, with the lawn that extends 
 down to the water, and that noble orchard behind it?" 
 
 I saw the object to which Dirck alluded. It was a house 
 that stood near the river, but sheltered and secluded, with 
 the lawn and orchard as described ; though at the distance 
 of some two or three miles all the beauties of the spot could 
 not be discovered, and many of them had to be received on 
 the faith of my companion's admiration. Still I saw very 
 plainly, all the principal objects named ; and, among others, 
 the house, the orchard, and the lawn. The building was of 
 stone — as is common with most of the better sort of houses in 
 the country — was long, irregular, and had that air of solid 
 comfort about it, which it is usual to see in buildings of that 
 description. The walls were not whitewashed, according to 
 the lively tastes of our Dutch fellow-colonists, who appear 
 to expend all their vivacity in the pipe and the brush, but 
 were left in their native grey ; a circumstance that rendered 
 the form and dimensions of the structure a little less distinct, 
 at a first glance, than they might otherwise have proved. 
 As I gazed at the spot, however, I began to fancy it a charm, 
 to find the picture thus sobered down ; and found a pleasure 
 in drawing the different angles, and walls, and chimneys, 
 and roofs, from this back-ground, by means of the organ of 
 sight. On the whole, I thought the little sequestered bay, 
 the wooded and rocky shores, the small but well distributed 
 lawn, the orchard, with all the other similar accessories, 
 formed together one of the prettiest places of the sort I had 
 ever seen. Thinking so, I was not slow in saying as much to 
 my companion. I was thought to have some taste in these 
 
60 SATANSTOE. 
 
 matters, and had been consulted on the subject of laying 
 out grounds by one or two neighbours in the county. 
 
 " Whose house is it, Dirck ?" I enquired ; " and how 
 came you to know anything about it?" 
 
 " That is Lilacsbush," answered my friend ; " and it be- 
 longs to my mother's cousin, Herman Mordaunt." 
 
 I had heard of Herman, or, as it is pronounced, Harmar 
 Mordaunt. He was a man of considerable note in the 
 colony, having been the son of a Major Mordaunt, of the 
 British army, who had married the heiress of a wealthy 
 Dutch merchant, whence the name of Herman; which had 
 descended to the son along with the money. The Dutch 
 were so fond of their own blood, that they never failed to give 
 this Mr. Mordaunt his Christian name ; and he was usually 
 known in the colony as Herman Mordaunt. Further than 
 this, I knew little of the gentleman, unless it might be that 
 he was reputed rich, and was admitted to be in the best 
 society, though not actually belonging to the territorial or 
 political aristocracy of the colony. 
 
 " As Herman Mordaunt is your mother's cousin, I sup- 
 pose, Dirck," I resumed, " that you have been at Lilacs- 
 bush, and ascertained whether the inside of the house is as 
 pleasant and respectable as the outside." 
 
 " Often, Corny ; while Madam Mordaunt lived, my mo- 
 ther and I used to go there every summer. The poor lady- 
 is now dead, but I go there still." 
 
 " Why did you not ride on as far as Lilacsbush, and levy 
 a dinner on your relations ? I should think Herman Mor- 
 daunt would feel hurt, were he to learn that an acquaintance, 
 or a relation, had put up at an inn, within a couple of miles 
 of his own house. I dare say he knows both Major and 
 Capt. Littlepage, and I protest I shall feel it necessary to 
 send him a note of apology for not calling. These 
 things ought not to be done, Dirck, among persons of a 
 certain stamp, and who are supposed to know what is 
 proper." 
 
 " This would be all right enough, Corny, had Herman 
 Mordaunt, or his daughter, been at Lilacsbush ; but they 
 live in Crown Street, in town, in winter, and never come out 
 here until after the Pinkster holidays, let them, come when 
 they may." 
 
SATANSTOE. 61 
 
 " Oh ! he is as great a man as that, is he ? — a town and 
 country house; after all, I do not know whether it would 
 do to be quite so free with one of his standing, as to go to 
 dine with him without sending notice." 
 
 " Nonsense, Corny. Who hesitates about stopping at a 
 gentleman's door, when he is travelling ? Herman Mor- 
 daunt would have given us a hearty welcome, and I should 
 have gone on to Lilacsbush, did I not know that the family 
 is certain to be in town at this season. Easter came early 
 this year, and to-morrow will be the first day of the Pink- 
 ster holidays. As soon as they are over, Herman Mor- 
 daunt and Anneke will be out here to enjoy their lilacs and 
 roses." 
 
 " Oh, ho ! there is an Anneke, as well as the old gentle- 
 man. Prav, how old may Miss Anneke be, Master 
 Dirck?" 
 
 As this question was asked, I turned to look my friend in 
 the face, and I found that his handsome, smooth, fair Dutch 
 lineaments were covered with a glow of red, that it was not 
 usual to see extended so far from his ruddy cheeks. Dirck 
 was too much of a man, however, to turn away, or to try to 
 hide blushes so ingenuous ; but he answered stoutly — 
 
 "My cousin, Anneke Mordaunt, is just turned of seven- 
 teen ; and, I '11 tell you what, Corny — " 
 
 "Well — I am listening, with both ears, to hear your 
 what — Out with it, man ; both ears are open." 
 
 " W 7 hy, Anneke (On-na-kay), is one of the very prettiest 
 girls in the colony! — What is more, she is as sweet and 
 goot" — Dirck grew Dutch, as he grew animated — " as she 
 is pretty." 
 
 I was quite astounded at the energy and feeling with which 
 this was said. Dirck was such a matter-of-fact follow, that 
 I had never dreamed he could be sensible to the passion of 
 love ; nor had I ever paused to analyze the nature of our 
 own friendship. We liked each other, in the first place, 
 most probably, from habit ; then, we were of characters so 
 essentially different, that our attachment was influenced by 
 that species of excitement which is the child of opposition. 
 As we grew older, Dirck's good qualities began to command 
 my respect, and reason entered more into my affection for 
 him. I was well convinced that my companion could, and 
 
 Vol. I. — 6 
 
62 SATANSTOE. 
 
 would, prove to be a warm friend ; but the possibility of his 
 ever becoming a lover, had not before crossed my mind. 
 Even then, the impression made was not very deep or last- 
 ing, though I well remember the sort of admiration and 
 wonder with which I gazed at his flushed cheek, animated 
 eye, and improved mien. For the moment, Dirck really 
 had a commanding and animated air. 
 
 " Why, Anneke is one of the prettiest girls in the colony!" 
 my friend had exclaimed. 
 
 " And your cousin?" 
 
 " My second cousin. — Her mother's father and my mo- 
 ther's mother were brother and sister." 
 
 " In that case, I shall hope to have the honour of being 
 introduced, one of these days, to Miss Anneke Mordaunt, 
 who is just turned of seventeen, and is one of the prettiest 
 girls in the colony, and is as good as she is pretty." 
 
 " I wish you to see her, Corny, and that before we go 
 home," Dirck replied, all his philosophy, or phlegm, which- 
 ever the philosophy of other people may term it, returning; 
 " come ; let us go back to the inn ; our dinner will be get- 
 ting cold." 
 
 I mused on my friend's unusual manner, as we walked 
 back towards the inn; but it was soon forgotten, in the 
 satisfaction produced by eating a good, substantial meal of 
 broiled ham, with hot potatoes, boiled eggs, a beefsteak, 
 done to a turn, with the accessions of pickles, cold-slaw, 
 apple-pie, and cider. This is a common New York tavern 
 dinner, for the wayfarer ; and, I must say, I have got to 
 like it. Often have I enjoyed such a repast, after a sharp 
 forenoon's ride ; ay, and enjoyed it more than I have re- 
 lished entertainments at which have figured turkies, oysters, 
 hams, hashes, and other dishes, that have higher reputations. 
 Even turtle-soup, for which we are somewhat famous in 
 New York, has failed to give me the same delight. 
 
 Dirck, to do him justice, ate heartily ; for it is not an easy 
 matter to take away his appetite. As usual, 1 did most of 
 the talking; and that was with our landlady, who, hearing 
 I was a son of her much-esteemed and constant customer, 
 Major Littlepage, presented herself with the dessert and 
 cheese, and did me the honour to commence a discourse. 
 Her name was Light ; and light was she certain to cast on 
 
SATAN STOE. 63 
 
 everything she discussed ; that is to say, innkeeper's light ; 
 which partakes somewhat of the darkness that is so apt 
 to overshadow no small portion of the minds of her many 
 customers. 
 
 " Pray, Mrs. Light," I asked, when there was an opening, 
 which was not until the good woman had exhausted her 
 breath in honour of the Littlepages, " do you happen to 
 knowanvthing of a family, hereabouts, of the name of Mor- 
 daunt?" 
 
 " Do I happen to know, sir ! — Why, Mr. Littiepage, you 
 might almost as well have asked me, if I had ever heard of 
 a Van Cortlandt, or a Philipse, or a Morris, or any other of 
 the gentry hereabouts. Mr. Mordaunt has a country-place, 
 and a very pretty one it is, within two miles and a half of 
 us ; and he and Madame Mordaunt never passed our door, 
 when they went into'the country to see Madame Van Cort- 
 landt, without stopping to say a word, and leave a shilling. 
 The poor lady is dead ; but there is a young image of her 
 virtues, that is coming a'ter her, that will be likely to do 
 some damage in the colony. She is modesty itself, sir; so 
 I thought it could do her no harm, the last time she was 
 here, just to tell her, she ought to be locked up, for the 
 thefts she was likely to commit, if not for them she had 
 committed already. She blushed, sir, and looked for all the 
 world like the shell of the most delicate boiled lobster you 
 ever laid eyes on. She is truly a charming young lady !" 
 
 " Thefts of hearts, you mean of course, my good Mrs. 
 Light ?" 
 
 "Of nothing else, sir; young ladies are apt to steal 
 hearts, you know. My word for it, Miss Anneke will turk 
 out a great robber, after her own fashion, you know, sir." 
 
 "And whose hearts is she likely to run away with, pray? 
 I should be pleased to hear the names of some of the suf- 
 ferers." 
 
 " Lord, sir ! — she is too young to have done much yet , 
 but wait a twelvemonth, and I'll answer the question." 
 
 I could see all this time that Dirck was uneasy, and had 
 some amusement in watching the workings of his counte- 
 nance. My malicious intentions, however, were suddenly 
 interrupted. As if to prevent further discourse, and, at the 
 
64 SATANSTOE. 
 
 same time, further espionage, my young friend rose from 
 table, ordering the horses and the bill. 
 
 During the ride to town, no more was said of Lilacsbush, 
 Herman Mordaunt, or his daughter Anneke. Dirck was 
 silent, but this was his habit after dinner, and I was kept a 
 good deal on the alert in order to find the road which 
 crossed the common, it being our desire to go in that direc- 
 tion. It is true, we might have gone into town by the way 
 of Bloomingdale, Greenwich, the meadows and the Collect, 
 and so down past the common upon the head of Broadway ; 
 but my mother had particularly desired we would fall into 
 the Bowery Lane, passing the seats that are to be found in 
 that quarter, and getting into Queen Street as soon as pos- 
 sible. By taking this course she thought we should be less 
 likely to miss our way within the town itself, which is cer- 
 tainly full of narrow and intricate passages. My uncle 
 Legge had removed into Duke Street, in the vicinity of 
 Hanover Square; and Queen Street, I well knew, would lead 
 us directly to his door. Queen Street, indeed, is the great 
 artery of New York, through which most of its blood cir- 
 culates. 
 
 It was drawing towards night when we trotted up to the 
 stable, where we left our horses, and obtaining a black to 
 shoulder our portmanteaus, we began to thread the mazes 
 of the capital on foot. New York was certainly, even in 
 1757, a wonderful place for commerce ! Vessels began to 
 be seen some distance east of Fly Market, and there could 
 not have been fewer than twenty ships, brigs, and schooners, 
 lying in the East river, as we walked down Queen Street. 
 Of course I include all descriptions of vessels that go to 
 sea, in this estimate. At the present moment, it is probable 
 twice that number would be seen. There Dirck and I 
 stopped more than once, involuntarily, to gaze at the exhi- 
 bitions of wealth and trade that offered themselves as we 
 went deeper into the town. My mother had particularly 
 cautioned me against falling into this evidence of country 
 habits, and I felt much ashamed at each occurrence of the 
 weakness; but I found it irresistible. At length my friend 
 and I parted ; he to go to the residence of his aunt, while 
 I proceeded to that of mine. Before separating, however, 
 we agreed to meet next morning in the fields at the head of 
 
SATAN STOE. 65 
 
 Broadwny, on the common, which, as it was understood, 
 was to be the scene of the Pinkster sports. 
 
 My reception in Duke Street was cordial, both on the 
 part of my uncle and on the part of my aunt ; the first 
 being a good-hearted person, though a little too apt to run 
 into extravagance on the subject of the rights of the rabble. 
 I was pleased with the welcome I received, enjoyed an ex- 
 cellent hot supper, to which we sat down at half-past eight, 
 my aunt being fond of town hours, both dining and supping 
 a little later than my mother, as being more fashionable and 
 genteel.* As I was compelled to confess fatigue, after so 
 long a ride, as soon as we quitted the table I retired to my 
 own room. 
 
 The next day was the first of the three that are devoted 
 to Pinkster, the great Saturnalia of the New York blacks. 
 Although this festival is always kept with more vivacity at 
 Albany than in York, it is far from being neglected, even 
 now, in the latter place. I had told my aunt, before I left 
 her, I should not wait for breakfast, but should be up with 
 
 * The dinner of the last half century is, in one sense, but a sub- 
 stitute for the petits soupers of the century or two that preceded. It 
 is so entirely rational and natural, that the cultivated and refined 
 should meet for the purposes of social enjoyment after the business 
 of the day has terminated, that the supper has only given place to the 
 same meal under another name, and at hours little varying from those 
 of the past. The Parisian dines at half-past six, remaining at table 
 until eight. The Englishman, later in all his hours, and more pon- 
 derous in all his habits, sits down to table about the time the French- 
 man gets up ; quitting it between nine and ten. The Italian pays a 
 tribute to his climate, and has his early dinner and light supper, both 
 usually alone, the habits of the country carrying him to the opera 
 and the conversazione for social communion. But what is the Ameri- 
 can ? A jumble of the same senseless contradictions in his social 
 habits, as he is fast getting to be in his political creeds and political 
 practices ; a being that is in transitu, pressed by circumstances on the 
 one side, and by the habit of imitation on the other ; unwilling, 
 almost unable, to think and act for himself. The only American who 
 is temporarily independent in such things, is the unfledged provincial, 
 fresh from his village conceit and village practices, who, until corrected 
 by communion with the world, fancies the south-east corner of the 
 north-west parish, in the town of Hebron, in the county of Jericho, 
 and the State of Connecticut, to be the only portion of this globe 
 that is perfection. If he should happen to keep a school, or conduct 
 a newspaper, the community becomes, in a small degree, the partici- 
 pant of his rare advantages and vast experience ! — Editor. 
 
66 SATANSTOE. 
 
 the sun, and off in quest of Dirck, in order that we might 
 enjoy a stroll along the wharves before it was time to repair 
 to the common, where the fun was to be seen. Accordingly 
 I got out of the house betimes, though it was an hour later 
 than I had intended ; for I heard the rattling of cups in the 
 little parlour, the sign that the table was undergoing the 
 usual process of arrangement for breakfast. It then occurred 
 to me that most, if not all of the servants, seven in number, 
 would be permitted to enjoy the holiday; and that it might 
 be well if I took all my meals, that day, in the fields. Run- 
 ning back to the room, I communicated this intention to 
 Juno, the girl I found doing Pompey's work, and left the 
 house on a jump. There was no great occasion for starv- 
 ing, I thought, in a town as large and as full of eatables as 
 New York ; and the result fully justified this reasonable 
 opinion. 
 
 Just as I got into Hanover Square, I saw a grey-headed 
 negro, who was for turning a penny before he engaged in 
 the amusements of the day, carrying two pails that were 
 scoured to the neatness of Dutch fastidiousness, and which 
 were suspended from the yoke he had across his neck and 
 shoulders. He cried " White wine — white wine !" in a clear 
 sonorous voice ; and I was at his side in a moment. White 
 wine was, and is still, my delight of a morning; and I 
 bought a delicious draught of the purest and best of a Corn- 
 munipaw vintage, eating a cake at the same time. Thus 
 refreshed, I proceeded into the square, the beauty of which 
 had struck my fancy as I walked through it the previous 
 evening. To my surprise, whom should I find in the very 
 centre of Queen Street, gaping about him with a most in- 
 domitable Connecticut air, but Jason Newcome ! A brief 
 explanation let me into the secret of his presence. His boys 
 had all gone home to enjoy the Pinkster holiday, with the 
 black servants of their respective families; and Jason had 
 seized the opportunity to pay his first visit to the great capi- 
 tal of the colony. Pie was on his travels, like myself. 
 
 "And what has brought you down here?" I demanded, 
 the pedagogue having already informed me that he had put 
 up at a tavern in the suburbs, where horse-keeping and 
 lodgings were " reasonable." " The Pinkster fields are up 
 near the head of Broadway, on the common." 
 
SATANSTOE. 67 
 
 " So I hear," answered Jason ; " but I want to see a ship 
 and all the sights this way, in the first place. It will be 
 time enough for Pinkster, two or three hours hence, if a 
 Christian ought even to look at such vanities. Can you tell 
 me where I am to find Hanover Square, Corny?" 
 
 " You are in it now, Mr. Newcome ; and to my fancy, a 
 very noble area it is !" 
 
 "This Hanover Square!" repeated Jason. "Why, its 
 shape is not that of a square at all ; is is nearer a triangle.'''' 
 
 " What of that, sir? By a square in a town, one does 
 not necessarily understand an area with four equal sides 
 and as many right angles, but an open space that is left for 
 air and beauty. There are air and beauty enough to satisfy 
 any reasonable man. A square may be a parallelogram, 
 or a triangle, or any other shape one pleases." 
 
 " This, then, is Hanover Square ! — a New York square, 
 or a Nassau Hall square, Corny ; but not a Yale College 
 square, take my word for it. It is so small, moreover!" 
 
 " Small ! — the width of the street at the widest end must 
 be near a hundred feet; I grant you it is not half that at 
 the other end, but that is owing to the proximity of the 
 houses." 
 
 " Ay, it is all owing to the proximity of the houses, as 
 you call it. Now, according to my notion, Hanover Square, 
 of which a body hears so much talk in the country, ought 
 to have had fifty or sixty acres in it, and statues of the 
 whole House of Brunswick, besides. Why is that nest of 
 houses left in the middle of your square?" 
 
 " It is not, sir. The square ceases when it reaches them. 
 They are too valuable to be torn down, although there has 
 been some talk of it. My uncle Legge told me, last evening, 
 that those houses have been valued as high as twelve thou- 
 sand dollars ; and some persons put them as high as six 
 thousand pounds." 
 
 This reconciled Jason to the houses ; for he never failed 
 to defer to money, come in what shape it would. It was 
 the only source of human distinction that he could clearly 
 comprehend, though he had some faint impressions touching 
 the dignity of the crown, and the respect due to its repre- 
 sentatives. 
 
 " Corny," said Jason, in an under tone, and taking ma 
 
68 SATANSTOE. 
 
 by the arm to lead me aside, though no one was near, like 
 a man who has a great secret to ask, or to communicate, 
 " what was that I saw you taking for your bitters, a little 
 while ago?" 
 
 "Bitters! I do not understand you, Jason. Nothing 
 bitter have I tasted to-day ; nor can I say I have any great 
 wish to put anything bitter into my mouth." 
 
 " Why, the draught you got from the nigger who is now 
 coming back across the square, as you call it, and which 
 you seemed to enj'y particularly. I am dry, myself, and 
 should wonderfully like a drink." 
 
 " Oh ! that fellow sells ' white wine,' and you will find it 
 delicious. If you want your ' bitters,' as you call them, 
 you cannot do better than stop him, and give him a penny." 
 
 " Will he let it go so desperate cheap as that?" demanded 
 Jason, his eyes twinkling with a sort of " bitters" expecta- 
 tion. 
 
 "That is the stated price. Stop him boldly; there is no 
 occasion for all this Connecticut modesty. Here, uncle, this 
 gentleman wishes a cup of your white wine." 
 
 Jason turned away in alarm, to see who was looking on; 
 and, when the cup was put into his hand, he shut his eyes, 
 determined to gulp its contents at a swallow, in the most 
 approved " bitters" style. About half the liquor went down 
 his throat, the rest being squirted back in a small white 
 stream. 
 
 11 Buttermilk, by Jingo !" exclaimed the disappointed peda- 
 gogue, who expected some delicious combination of spices 
 with rum. St. Jingo was the only saint, and a " darnation" 
 or " darn you," were the only oaths his puritan education 
 ever permitted him to use. 
 
SATAN STOE. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 ■ Here 's your fine clams ! 
 As white as snow ! 
 On Rockaway these clams do grow." 
 
 New York Cries. 
 
 It was some time before Jason's offended dignity and dis- 
 appointment would permit him to smile at the mistake ; and 
 we had walked some distance towards Old Slip, where I 
 was to meet Dirck, before the pedagogue even opened his 
 lips. Then, the only allusion he made to the white wine, 
 was to call it " a plaguy Dutch cheat ;" for Jason had im- 
 plicitly relied on having that peculiar beverage of his caste, 
 known as " bitters." What he meant by a Dutch cheat, I 
 do not know ; unless he thought the buttermilk was particu- 
 larly Dutch, and this buttermilk an imposition. 
 
 Dirck was waiting for me at the Old Slip ; and, on in- 
 quiry, I found he had enjoyed his draught of white wine as 
 well as myself, and was ready for immediate service. We 
 proceeded along the wharves in a body, admiring the dif- 
 ferent vessels that lined them. About nine o'clock, all three 
 of us passed up Wall Street, on the stoops of which, no 
 small portion of its tenants were already seated, enjoying 
 the sight of the negroes, as, with happy " shining" faces 
 they left the different dwellings, to hasten to the Pinkster 
 field. Our passage through the street attracted a good deal 
 of attention ; for, being all three strangers, it w r as not to be 
 supposed we could be thus seen in a body, without exciting 
 a remark. Such a thing could hardly have been expected 
 in London itself. 
 
 After showing Jason the City Hall, Trinity Church, and 
 the City Tavern, we went out of town, taking the direction 
 of a large common that the King's officers had long used 
 for a parade-ground, and which has since been called the 
 Park, though it would be difficult to say why, since it is 
 barely a paddock in size, and certainly has never been used 
 to keep any animals wilder than the boys of the town. A 
 park, I suppose, it will one day become, though it has little 
 
70 SATANSTOE. 
 
 at present that comports with my ideas of such a^ thing 
 On this common, then, was the Pinkster ground, which was 
 now quite full of people, as well as of animation. 
 
 There was nothing new in a Pinkster frolic, either to 
 Dirck, or to myself; though Jason gazed at the whole pro- 
 cedure with wonder. He was born within seventy miles of 
 that very spot, but had not the smallest notion before, of 
 such a holiday as Pinkster. There are kw blacks in Con- 
 necticut, I believe ; and those that are there, are so ground 
 down in the Puritan mill, that they are neither fish, flesh, 
 nor red-herring, as we say of a non-descript. No man ever 
 heard of a festival in New England, that had not some im- 
 mediate connection with the saints, or with politics. 
 
 Jason was at first confounded with the noises, dances, 
 music, and games that were going on. By this time, nine- 
 tenths of the blacks of the city, and of the whole country 
 within thirty or forty miles, indeed, were collected in 
 thousands in those fields, beating banjoes, singing African 
 songs, drinking, and worst of all, laughing in a way that 
 seemed to set their very hearts rattling within their ribs. 
 Everything wore the aspect of good-humour, though it was 
 good-humour in its broadest and coarsest forms. Every 
 sort of common game was in requisition, while drinking was 
 far from being neglected. Still, not a man was drunk. A 
 drunken negro, indeed, is by no means a common thing. 
 The features that distinguish a Pinkster frolic from the usual 
 scenes at fairs, and other merry-makings, however, were of 
 African origin. It is true, there are not now, nor were 
 there then, many blacks among us of African birth ; but 
 the traditions and usages of their original country were so 
 far preserved as to produce a marked difference between 
 this festival, and one of European origin. Among other 
 things, some were making music, by beating on skins drawn 
 over the ends of hollow logs, while others were dancing to 
 it, in a manner to show that they felt infinite delight. Thi 
 in particular, was said to be a usage of their African pro- 
 genitors. 
 
 Hundreds of whites were walking through the fields, 
 amused spectators. Among these last were a great mam 
 children of the better class, who had come to look at the 
 enjoyment of those who attended them, in their own ordinary 
 
SATANSTOE. 71 
 
 amusements. Many a sable nurse did I see that day, cha- 
 peroning her young master, 01 young mistress, or both to- 
 gether, through the various groups; demanding of all, and 
 receiving from all, the respect that one of these classesjwas- 
 accustomed to pay to the other. 
 
 A great many young ladies between the ages of fifteen 
 and twenty were also in the field, either escorted by male 
 companions, or, what was equally as certain of producing 
 deference, under the care of old female nurses, who be- 
 longed to the race that kept the festival. We had been in 
 the field ourselves two hours, and even Jason was beginning 
 to condescend to be amused, when, unconsciously, I got 
 separated from my companions, and was wandering through 
 the groups by myself, as I came on a party of young girls, 
 who were under the care of two or three wrinkled and 
 grey-headed negresses, so respectably attired, as to show at 
 once they were confidential servants in some of the better 
 families. As for the young ladies themselves, most were 
 still of the age of school girls ; though there were some of 
 that equivocal age, when the bud is just breaking into tho 
 opening flower, and one or two that were even a little older ; 
 young women in forms and deportment, though scarcely so 
 in years. One of a party of two of the last, appeared to 
 me to possess all the grace of young womanhood, rendered 
 radiant by the ingenuous laugh, the light-hearted playful- 
 ness, and the virgin innocence of sweet seventeen. She 
 was simply, but very prettily dressed, and everything about 
 her attire, air, carriage and manner, denoted a young lady 
 of the better class, who was just old enough to feel all the 
 proprieties of her situation, while she was still sufficiently 
 youthful to enjoy all the fun. As she came near me, it 
 seemed as if I knew her ; but it was not until I heard her 
 sweet, mirthful voice, that I recollected the pretty little 
 thing in whose behalf I had taken a round with the 
 butcher's boy, on the Bowery road, near six years before. 
 As her party came quite near the spot where I stood, what 
 was only conjecture at first, was reduced to a certainty. 
 
 In the surprise of the moment, happening to catch the 
 eye of the young creature, I was emboldened to make hor 
 a low bow. At first she smiled, like one wh6 fancies she 
 recognises an acquaintance ; then her face became scarlet, 
 
72 SATANSTOE. 
 
 and she returned my bow with a very lady-like, but, at the 
 same time, a very distant curtsey; upon which, bending her 
 blue eyes to the ground, she turned away, seemingly to 
 speak to her companion. After this, I could not advance 
 to speak, though I was strongly in hopes the old black 
 nurse who was with her would recognise me, for she had 
 manifested much concern about me on the occasion of the 
 quarrel with the young butcher. This did not occur ; and 
 old Katrinke, as I heard the negress called, jabbered away, 
 explaining the meaning of the different ceremonies of her 
 race, to a cluster of very interested listeners, without paying 
 any attention to me. The tongues of the pretty little things 
 went, as girls' tongues will go, though my unknown fair 
 one maintained all the reserve and quiet of manner that 
 comported with her young womanhood, and apparent con- 
 dition in life. 
 
 " Dere, Miss Anneke !" exclaimed Katrinke, suddenly; 
 " dere come a genttleum dat will bring a pleasure, I know." 
 
 "Anneke" I repeated, mentally, and "gentleman that 
 will cause pleasure by his appearance." " Can it be 
 Dirck 1" I thought. Sure enough, Dirck it proved to be, 
 who advanced rapidly to the group, making a general 
 salute, and finishing by shaking my beautiful young stran- 
 ger's hands, and addressing her by the name of " cousin 
 Anneke." This, then, was Annie Mordaunt, as the young 
 lady was commonly called in the English circles, the only 
 child and heiress of Herman Mordaunt, of Crown Street 
 and of Lilacsbush. Well, Dirck has more taste than I had 
 ever given him credit for ! Just as this thought glanced 
 through my mind, my figure caught my friend's eye, and, 
 with a look of pride and exultation, he signed to me to 
 draw nearer, though I had managed to get pretty near as it 
 was, already. 
 
 " Cousin Anneke," said Dirck, who never used circumlo- 
 cution, when direct means were at all available, "this is 
 Corny Littlepage, of whom you have heard me speak so 
 often, and for whom I ask one of your best curtsies and 
 sweetest smiles." 
 
 Miss Mordaunt was kind enough to comply literally, both 
 curtsying and smiling precisely as she had been desired to 
 do, though I could see she was also slightly disposed to 
 
SATANSTOE. 73 
 
 laugh. I was still making my bow, and mumbling some 
 unintelligible compliment, when Katrinke gave a little ex- 
 clamation, and using the freedom of an old and confidential 
 servant, she eagerly pulled the sleeve of her young mis- 
 tress, and hurriedly whispered something in her ear. Anneke 
 coloured, turned quickly towards me, bent her eyes more 
 boldly and steadily on my face — and then it was that I fan- 
 cied the sweetest smile which mortal had ever received, or 
 that with which I had just before been received, was much 
 surpassed. 
 
 " Mr. Littlepage, I believe, is not a total stranger, cousin 
 Dirck," she said. " Katrinke remembers him, as a young 
 gentleman who once did me an important service, and now 
 I think I can trace the resemblance myself. I allude to the 
 boy who insulted me on the Bowery Road, Mr. Littlepage, 
 and your handsome interference in my behalf." 
 
 " Had there been twenty boys, Miss Mordaunt, an insult 
 to you would have been resented by any man of ordinary 
 6pirit." 
 
 I do not know that any youth, who was suddenly put to 
 his wits to be polite, or sentimental, or feeling, could have 
 done a great deal better than that! So Anneke thought too, 
 I fancy, for her colour increased, rendering her ravishingly 
 lovely, and she looked surprisingly pleased. 
 
 " Yes," put in Dirck with energy, — " let twenty, or a 
 hundred try it if they please, Anneke, men or boys, and 
 they '11 find those that will protect you." 
 
 " You for one, of course, cousin Dirck," rejoined the 
 charming girl, holding out her hand towards my friend, 
 with a frankness I could have dispensed with in her; " but, 
 you will remember, Mr. Littlepage, or Master Littlepage as 
 he then was, was a stranger, and I had no such claim on 
 Aim, as I certainly have on you." 
 
 " Well, Corny, it is odd you never said a word of this to 
 me ! when I was showing him Lilacsbush, and talking of 
 you and of your father, not a word did he say on the sub- 
 ject." 
 
 " I did not then know it was Miss Mordaunt I had been 
 so fortunate as to serve ; but here is Mr. Newcome at your 
 elbow, Follock, and dying to be introduced, as he sees I 
 have been." 
 
 Vol. I. — 7 
 
74 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Anneke turned to smile and curtsey again to Jason, who 
 made his bow in a very school-master sort of a fashion, 
 while I could see that the circumstance I had not boasted 
 of my exploit gave it new importance in the sweet crea- 
 ture's eyes. As for Jason, he had no sooner got along with 
 the introduction, — the first, I fancy, he had ever gone regu- 
 larly through, — than, profiting by some questions Miss 
 Morclaunt was asking Dirck about his mother and the rest 
 of the family, he came round to me, drew me aside by a 
 jerk of the sleeve, and gave me to understand he had some- 
 thing for my private ear. 
 
 " I did not know before that you had ever kept school, 
 Corny," he half whispered earnestly. 
 
 " How do you know it now, Mr. Newcome, since the 
 thing never happened ?" 
 
 " How comes it, then, that this young woman called you 
 Master Littlepage ?" 
 
 " Bah ! Jason, wait a year or two, and you will begin to 
 get truer notions of us New-Yorkers." 
 
 " But I heard her with my own ears — Master Littlepage; 
 as plain as words were ever called." 
 
 " Well, then, Miss Mordaunt must be right, and I have 
 forgotten the affair. I must once have kept a woman's 
 school, somewhere, in my younger days, but forgotten it." 
 
 " Now this is nothing (nawthin', as expressed) but your 
 desperate York pride, Corny ; but I think all the better of 
 you for it. Why, as it could not have taken place after 
 you went to college, you must have got the start of even 
 me! But, the Rev. Mr. Worden is enough to start a youth 
 with a large capital, if he be so minded. I admit he does 
 understand the dead languages. It is a pity he is so very 
 dead in religious matters." 
 
 "Well — well — I will tell you all about it another time; 
 you perceive, now, that Miss Mordaunt wishes to move on, 
 and does not like to quit us too abruptly. Let us follow." 
 
 Jason complied, and for an hour or two we had the plea- 
 sure of accompanying the young ladies, as they strolled 
 among the booths and different groups of that singular as- 
 sembly. As has been said, most of the blacks had been 
 born in the colony, but there were some native Africans 
 among them. New York never had slaves on the system 
 
SATANSTOE. 75 
 
 of the southern planters, or in gangs of hundreds, to labour 
 in the fields under overseers, and who lived apart in cabins 
 of their own ; but, our system of slavery was strictly domes- 
 tic, the negro almost invariably living under the same roof 
 with the master, or, if his habitation was detached, as cer- 
 tainly sometimes happened, it was still near at hand, leav- 
 ing both races as parts of a common family. In the coun- 
 try, the negroes never toiled in the field, but it was as ordinary 
 husbandmen : and, in the cases of those who laboured on 
 their own property, or as tenants of some extensive land- 
 lord, the black did his work at his master's side. Then all, 
 or nearly all our household servants were, and still are, 
 blacks, leaving that department of domestic economy almost 
 exclusively in their hands, with the exception of those cases 
 in which the white females busied themselves also in such 
 occupations, united to the usual supervision of the mistresses. 
 Among- the Dutch, in particular* the treatment of the negro 
 was of the kindest character, a trusty field-slave often hav- 
 ing quite as much to say on the subject of the tillage and 
 the crops, as the man who owned both the land he worked, 
 and himself. 
 
 A party of native Africans kept us for half an hour. The 
 scene seemed to have revived their early associations, and 
 they were carried away with their own representation of 
 semi-savage sports. The American-born blacks gazed at 
 this group with intense interest also, regarding them as so 
 many ambassadors from the land of their ancestors, to en- 
 lighten them in usages and superstitious lore, that were 
 more peculiarly suited to their race. The last even 
 endeavoured to imitate the acts of the first, and, though the 
 attempt was often ludicrous, it never failed on the score of 
 intention and gravity. Nothing was done in the way of 
 caricature, but much in the way of respect and affection. 
 
 Lest the habits of this generation should pass away and 
 be forgotten, of which I see some evidence, I will mention 
 a usage that was quite common among the Dutch, and 
 which has passed in some measure, into the English families 
 that have formed connections with the children of Holland. 
 Two of these intermarriages had so far brought the Little- 
 pages within the pale, that the usage to which I allude was 
 practised in my own case. The custom was this : when a 
 
76 SATANSTOE. 
 
 child of the family reached the age of six, or eight, a young 
 slave of the same age and sex, was given to him, or her, 
 with some little formality, and from that moment the for- 
 tunes of the two were considered to be, within the limits of 
 their respective pursuits and positions, as those of man and 
 wife. It is true, divorces do occur, but it is only in cases 
 of gross misconduct, and quite as often the misconduct is on 
 the side of the master, as on that of the slave. A drunkard 
 may get in debt, and be compelled to part with his blacks ; 
 this one among the rest ; but this particular negro remains 
 with him as long as anything remains. Slaves that seri- 
 ously misbehave, are usually sent to the islands, where the 
 toil on the sugar plantations proves a very sufficient punish- 
 ment. 
 
 The day I was six, a boy was given to me, in the manner 
 I have mentioned ; and he remained not only my property, 
 but my factotum, to this moment. It was Yaap, or Jacob, 
 the negro to whom I have already had occasion to allude. 
 Anneke Mordaunt, whose grandmother was of a Dutch 
 family, it will be remembered, had with her there, in the Pink- 
 ster field, a negress of just her own age, who was called 
 Mari ; not Mary, or Maria ; but the last, as it would be 
 pronounced without the final a. This Mari was a buxom, 
 glistening, smooth-faced, laughing, red-lipped, pearl-toothed, 
 black-eyed hussy, that seemed born for fun ,• and who was 
 often kept in order by her more sedate and well-mannered 
 young mistress with a good deal of difficulty. My fellow 
 was on the ground, somewhere, too ; for I had given him 
 permission to come to town to keep Pinkster; and he was 
 to leave Satanstoe, in a sloop, within an hour after I left it 
 myself. The wind had been fair, and I made no question 
 of his having arrived ; though, as yet, I had not seen him. 
 
 I could have accompanied Anneke, and her party, all day, 
 through that scene of unsophisticated mirth, and felt no want 
 of interest. Her presence immediately produced an im- 
 pression ; even the native Africans moderating their manner, 
 and lowering their yells, as it might be, the better to suit 
 her more refined tastes. No one, in our set, was too digni- 
 fied to laugh, but Jason. The pedagogue, it is true, often 
 expressed his disgust at the amusements and antics of the 
 negroes, declaring they were unbecoming human beings ; 
 
SATANSTOE. 77 
 
 and otherwise manifesting that disposition to hypercriticism, 
 which is apt to distinguish one who is only a tyro in his 
 own case. 
 
 Such was the state of things, when Mari came rushing 
 up to her young mistress, with distended eyes and uplifted 
 hands, exclaiming, on a key that necessarily made us all 
 sharers in the communication — 
 
 " Oh ! Miss Anneke ! — What you t'ink, Miss Anneke ! 
 Could you ever s'pose sich a t'ing, Miss Anneke !" 
 
 " Tell me at once, Mari, what it is you have seen, or 
 heard; and leave off these silly exclamations;" said the 
 gentle mistress, with a colour that proved she was unused 
 to her own girl's manner. 
 
 " Who could t'ink it, Miss Anneke ! Dese, here, werry 
 niggers have sent all 'e way to deir own country, and have 
 had a lion cotched for Pinkster !" 
 
 This was news, indeed, if true. Not one of us all had 
 ever seen a lion ; wild animals, then, being exceedingly 
 scarce in thje colonies, with the exception of those that were 
 taken in our own woods. I had seen several of the small 
 brown bears, and many a wolf, and one stuffed panther, in 
 my time ; but never supposed it within the range of possi- 
 bilities, that I could be brought so near a living lion. In- 
 quiry showed, nevertheless, that Mari was right, with the 
 exception of the animal's having been expressly caught for 
 the occasion. It was the beast of a showman, who was also 
 the proprietor of a very active and amusing monkey. The 
 price of admission was a quarter of a dollar, for adult whites; 
 children and negroes going in for half-price. These pre- 
 liminaries understood, it was at once settled that all who 
 could muster enough of money and courage, should go in a 
 body, and gaze on the king of beasts. I say, of courage ; 
 for it required a good deal for a female novice to go near a 
 living lion. 
 
 The lion was kept in a cage, of course, which was placed 
 in a temporary building of boards, that had been erected for 
 the Pinkster field. As we drew near the door, I saw that 
 the cheeks of several of the pretty young creatures who be- 
 longed to the party of Anneke, began to turn pale; a sign 
 of weakness that, singular as it may appear, very sensibly 
 extended itself to most of their attendant negresses. Mari 
 7* 
 
78 SATANSTOE. 
 
 did not flinch, however; and, when it came to the trial, of 
 that sex, she and her mistress were the only two who held 
 out in the original resolution of entering. Some time was 
 thrown away in endeavouring to persuade two or three of 
 her older companions to go in with her; but, finding it use- 
 less, with a faint smile, Miss Mordaunt calmly said — 
 
 " Well, gentlemen, Mari and myself must compose the 
 female portion of the party, I have never seen a lion, and 
 would not, by any means, miss this opportunity. We shall 
 find my friends waiting for such portions of us as shall not 
 be eaten, on our return." 
 
 We were now near the door, where stood the man who 
 received the money, and gave the tickets. Jt happened 
 that Dirck had been stopped by a gentleman of his ac- 
 quaintance, who had just left the building, and who was 
 laughingly relating some incident that had occurred within. 
 I stood on one side of Anneke, Jason on the other, while 
 Mari was close in the rear. 
 
 " A quarter for each gentleman and the lady," said the 
 door-keeper, " and a shilling for the wench." 
 
 On this hint, Jason, to my great surprise, (for usually he 
 was very backward on such occasions,) drew out a purse, and 
 emptying some silver into his hand, he said with a flourish — 
 
 " Permit me, Miss — it is an honour I covet ; a quarter 
 for yourself, and a shilling for Mari." 
 
 I saw Anneke colour, and her eye turn hastily towards 
 Dirck. Before I had time to say anything, or to do any- 
 thing in fact, she answered steadily — 
 
 " Give yourself no trouble, Mr. Newcome ; Mr. Littlepage 
 will do me the favour to obtain tickets for me." 
 
 Jason had the money in his fingers, and I passed him 
 and bought the tickets, while he was protesting — 
 
 " It gave him pleasure — he was proud of the occasion — 
 another time her brother could do the same for his sisters, 
 and he had six," and other matters of the sort. 
 
 I simply placed the tickets in Anneke's hand, who re- 
 ceived them with an expression of thanks, and we all 
 passed ; Dirck inquiring of his cousin, as he came up, if he 
 should get her tickets. I mention this little incident as 
 showing the tact of woman, and will relate all that pertains 
 to it, before I proceed to other things. Anneke said nothing 
 
SATAN STOE. 79 
 
 on the subject of her tickets until we had left the booth, 
 when she approached me, and with that grace and simpli- 
 city which a well-bred woman knows how to use on such 
 an occasion, and quietly observed — 
 
 " I am under obligations to you, Mr. Littlepage, for 
 having paid for my tickets; — they cost three shillings, I 
 believe." 
 
 I bowed, and had the pleasure of almost touching Miss 
 Mordaunt's beautiful little hand, as she gave me the money. 
 At this instant, a jerk at my elbow came near causing me 
 to drop the silver. It was Jason, who had taken this 
 liberty, and who now led me aside with an earnestness of 
 manner it was not usual for him to exhibit. I saw by the 
 portentous look of the pedagogue's countenance, and his 
 swelling manner, that something extraordinary was on his 
 mind, and waited with some little curiosity to learn what it 
 might be. 
 
 "Why, what in human natur', Corny, do you mean?" 
 he cried, almost angrily. " Did ever mortal man hear of a 
 gentleman's making a lady pay for a treat ! Do you know 
 you have made Miss Anneke pay for a treat ?" 
 
 " A treat, Mr. Newcome !" 
 
 " Yes, a treat, Mr. Corny Littlepage ! How often do you 
 think young ladies will accompany you to shows, and balls, 
 and other sights, if you make them pay /" 
 
 Then a laugh of derision added emphasis to Jason's 
 words. 
 
 " Pay! — could I presume to think Miss Mordaunt would 
 suffer me to pay money for her, or for her servant ?" 
 
 " You almost make me think you a nat'ral ! Young men 
 always pay for young women, and no questions asked. 
 Did you not remark how smartly I offered to pay for this 
 Miss, and how well she took it, until you stepped forward 
 and cut me out ; — I bore it, for it saved me three nine- 
 pences." 
 
 " I observed how Miss Mordaunt shrunk from the fami- 
 liarity of being called Miss, and how unwilling she was to 
 let you buy the tickets ; and that I suspect was solely be- 
 cause she saw you had some notion of what you call a 
 treat." 
 
 I cannot enter into the philosophy of the thing, but cer- 
 
80 SATANSTOE. 
 
 tainly nothing is more vulgar in English, to address a 
 young lady as Miss, without affixing a name, whereas I 
 know it is the height of breeding to say Mademoiselle in 
 French, and am told the Spaniards, Italians and Germans, 
 use its synonyme in the same manner. I had been indignant 
 at Jason's familiarity when he called Anneke — the pretty 
 Anneke ! — Miss ; and felt glad of an occasion to let him 
 understand how I felt on the subject. 
 
 " What a child you be, a'ter all, Corny !" exclaimed the 
 pedagogue, who was much too good-natured to take offence 
 at a trifle. " You a bachelor of arts ! But this matter 
 must be set right, if it be only for the honour of my school. 
 Folks" — Jason never blundered on the words 'one' or 
 ' people' in this sense — " Folks may think that you have 
 been in the school since it has been under my care, and I 
 wouldn't for the world have it get abroad that a youth from 
 rny school had neglected to treat a lady under such circum- 
 stances." 
 
 Conceiving it useless to remonstrate with me any further, 
 Jason proceeded forthwith to Anneke, with whom he begged 
 permission to say a word in private. So eager was my 
 companion to wipe out the stain, and so surprised was the 
 young lady, who gently declined moving more than a step, 
 that the conference took place immediately under my ob- 
 servation, neither of the parties being aware that I necessa- 
 rily heard or saw all that passed. 
 
 " You must excuse Corny, Miss," Jason commenced, 
 producing his purse again, and beginning to hunt anew for 
 a quarter and a shilling; "he is quite young, and knows 
 nawthin' worth speaking of, of the ways of mankind. Ah ! 
 here is just the money — three ninepennies, or three York 
 shillings. Here, Miss, excuse Corny, and overlook it all ; 
 when he is older, he will not make such blunders." 
 
 " I am not certain that I understand you, sir !" exclaimed 
 Anneke, who had shrunk back a little at the ' Miss,' and 
 who now saw Jason hold out the silver, with a surprise she 
 took no pains to conceal. 
 
 " This is the price of the tickets — yes, that's all. Naw- 
 thin' else, on honour. Corny, you remember, was so awful 
 dumb as to let you pay, just as if you had been a gentle- 
 roan." 
 
SATANSTOE. 81 
 
 Anneke now smiled, and glancing at me at the same 
 instant, a bright blush suffused her face, though the mean- 
 ing of my eye, as I could easily see, strongly tempted her 
 to laugh. 
 
 " It is very well as it is, Mr. Newcome, though I feel 
 much indebted to your liberal intentions," she said, turning 
 to rejoin her friends ; " it is customary in New York for 
 ladies to pay, themselves, for everything of this nature. 
 When I go to Connecticut, I shall feel infinitely indebted to 
 you for another such offer." 
 
 Jason did not know what to make of it ! He long after 
 insisted that the young lady was * huffed,' as he called it, 
 and that she had refused to take the money merely because 
 she was thus offended. 
 
 "There is a manner, you know, Corny," he said, "of 
 doing even a genteel thing, and that is to do it genteelly. 1 
 much doubt if a genteel thing can be done ungenteelly. 
 One thing I'm thankful for, and that is, that she don't know 
 that you ever were at the ' Seminarian Institute' in your 
 life ;" such being the appellation Jason had given to that 
 which Mr. Worden had simply called a 'Boys' School.' 
 To return to the booth. 
 
 The lion had many visitors, and we had some difficulty 
 in finding places. As a matter of course, Anneke was put 
 in front, most of the men who were in the booth giving way 
 to her with respectful attention. Unfortunately, the young 
 Jady wore an exceedingly pretty shawl, in which scarlet 
 was a predominant colour ; and that which occurred has 
 been attributed to this circumstance, though I am far from 
 affirming such to have been literally the case. Anneke, 
 from the first, manifested no fear; but the circle pressing 
 on her from without, she got so near the cage that the beast 
 thrust a paw through, and actually caught hold of the 
 shawl, drawing the alarmed girl quite up to the bars. I 
 was at Anneke's side, and with a presence of mind that 
 now surprises me, I succeeded in throwing the shawl from 
 the precious creature's shoulders, and of fairly lifting her 
 from the ground and setting her down again at a safe dis- 
 tance from the beast. All this passed so soon that half the 
 persons present were unconscious of what had occurred 
 until it was all over ; and what astonishes me most is, that 
 
82 SATANSTOE. 
 
 I do not retain the least recollection of the pleasure I ought 
 to have felt while my arm encircled Anneke Mordaunt's 
 slender waist, and while she was altogether supported by 
 me. The keeper interfered immediately, and the lion re- 
 linquished the shawl, looking like a disappointed beast when 
 he found it did not contain its beautiful owner. 
 
 Anneke was rescued before she had time fully to compre- 
 hend the danger she had been in. Even Dirck' could not 
 advance to her aid, though he saw and comprehended the 
 imminent risk ran by the being he loved best in the world ; 
 but Dirck was always so slow! I must do Jason the cre- 
 dit to say that he behaved well, though so situated as to be 
 of no real use. He rushed forward to assist Anneke, and 
 remained to draw away the shawl, as soon as the keeper 
 ha3 succeeded in making the lion relinquish his hold. But, 
 all this passed so rapidly, as to give little opportunity for 
 noting incidents. 
 
 Anneke was certainly well frightened by this adventure 
 with the lion, as was apparent by her changing colour, and 
 a few tears that succeeded. Still, a glass of water, and a 
 minute or two, seated in a chair, were sufficient to restore 
 her self-composure, and she remained with us, for half an 
 hour, examining and admiring her terrible assailant. 
 
 And, here, let me add, for the benefit of those who have 
 never had an opportunity of seeing the king of beasts, that 
 he is a sight well worthy to behold !. I have never viewed 
 an elephant, which travelled gentlemen tell me is a still 
 more extraordinary animal, though I find it difficult to ima- 
 gine anything finer, in its way, than the lion which came 
 so near injuring ''-sweet Anne Mordaunt." I question if 
 any of us were aware of the full extent of the danger she 
 ran, until we began to reflect on it coolly, after time and 
 leisure were afforded. As soon as the commotion naturally 
 produced at first, had subsided, the incident seemed forgot- ' 
 ten, and we left the booth, after a long visit, expatiating on 
 the animal, and its character, apparently in forgetfulnesa 
 of that which, by one blow of his powerful paw, the lion 
 might have rendered fatal to one of the very sweetest and 
 happiest innocents of the whole province, but for the timely 
 and merciful interposition of a kind providence. 
 
 After the little affair of the tickets, I walked on with 
 
SATAN STOE. 83 
 
 Anneke, who declared her intention of quitting the field, her 
 escape beginning to affect her spirits, and she was afraid 
 that some particularly kind friend might carry an exagge- 
 rated account of what had happened to her father. Dirck 
 offered to accompany her home, for Mr. Mordaunt kept no 
 carriage ; or, at least, nothing that was habitually used as a 
 town equipage. We had all gone as far as the verge of the 
 Common with Anneke, when the sweet girl stopped, looked 
 at me earnestly, and, while her colour changed and tears 
 rose to her eyes, she said,— 
 
 " Mr. Littlepage, I am just getting to be fully conscious of 
 what I owe to you. The thing passed so suddenly, and I 
 was so much alarmed, that I did not know how to express 
 myself at the time, nor am I certain that I do now. Believe 
 me, notwithstanding, that I never can forget this morning, 
 and I beg of you, if you have a sister, to carry to her the 
 proffered friendship of Anneke Mordaunt, and tell her that 
 her own prayers in behalf of her brother will not be more 
 sincere than mine." 
 
 Before I could recollect myself, so as to make a suitable 
 answer, Anneke had curtsied and walked away, with her 
 handkerchief to her eyes. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 " Nay, be brief: 
 I see into thy end, and am almost 
 A man already," 
 
 Cymbeline. 
 
 As Dirck accompanied Miss Mordaunt to her father's 
 bouse in Crown Street,* I took an occasion to give Jason 
 the slip, being in no humour to listen to his lectures on the 
 proprieties of life, and left the Pinkster field as fast as I 
 could. Notwithstanding the size and importance of New 
 York, a holiday like this could not fail to draw great crowds 
 
 * Now, Liberty Street. 
 
84 SATANSTOE. 
 
 of persons to witness the sports. In 1757, James de Lan- 
 cey was at the head of the government of the province, as 
 indeed he had been, in effect, for much of his life; and I re- 
 member to have met his chariot, carrying the younger chil- 
 dren of the family to the field, on my way into the town. 
 As the day advanced, carriages of one sort and another 
 made their appearance in Broadway, principally conveying 
 the children of their different owners. All these belonged 
 to people of the first mark ; and I saw the Ship that denotes 
 the arms of Livingston, the Lance, of the de Lanceys, the 
 Burning Castle, of the Morrises, and other armorial bearings 
 that were well known in the province. Carriages, certainly, 
 were not as common in 1757 as they have since become; 
 but most of our distinguished people rode in their coaches, 
 chariots, or phaetons, or conveyances of some sort or other, 
 when there was occasion to go so far out of town as the 
 Common, which is the site of the present " Park." The 
 roads on the island of Manhattan were very pretty and pic- 
 turesque, winding among rocks and through valleys, being 
 lined with groves and copses in a way to render all the 
 drives rural and retired. Here and there, one came to a 
 country-house, the residence of some person of importance, 
 which, by its comfort and snugness, gave all the indications 
 of wealth and of a prudent taste. Mr. Speaker Nicoll* had 
 
 * The person meant here, was William Nicoll, Esquire, Patentee 
 of Islip, a large estate on Long Island, that is still in the family, 
 under a Patent granted in 1683. This gentleman was a son of Mr. 
 Secretary Nicoll, who is supposed to have been a relative of Col. 
 Nicoll, the first English Governor. Mr. Speaker Nicoll, as the son 
 was called, in consequence of having filled that office for nearly a 
 generation, was the direct ancestor of the Nieolls of Islip and Shelter 
 Island, as well as of a branch long settled at Stratford, Connecticut. 
 The house alluded to by Mr. Littlepage, as a relic of antiquity in his 
 day, — American antiquity, be it remembered, — was standing a few 
 years since, if it be not still standing, at the point'of junction between 
 the Old Boston Road and the New Road, and nearly opposite to the 
 termination of the long avenue that led to Rosehill, originally a seat 
 <>T the Watts'. The house stood a short distance above the present 
 Union Square, and not far from that of the present Gramercy. It 
 was, or is, a brick-house of one story, with a small court-yard in 
 front; the House of Refuge being at a little distance on its right, 
 If still standing, it must now be one of the oldest buildings of any 
 sort, in a town of 400,000 souls ! As Mr. Speaker Nicoll resigned 
 the chair in 1718, this house must be at least a hundred and thirty or 
 
SATANSTOE. 85 
 
 occupied a dwelling of this sort for a long series of years, 
 that was about a league from town, and which is still stand- 
 ing, as I pass it constantly in travelling between Satanstoe 
 and York. I never saw the Patentee myself, as he died 
 long before my birth ; but his house near town still stands, 
 as I have said, a memorial of past ages ! 
 
 The whole town seemed alive, and everybody had a de- 
 sire to get a glance at the sports of the Pinkster Field ; though 
 the more dignified and cultivated had self-denial enough to 
 keep aloof, since it would hardly have comported with their 
 years and stations to be seen in such a place. The war had 
 brought many regiments into the province, however, and I 
 met at least twenty young officers, strolling out to the scene 
 of amusement, as I walked into town. I will confess I 
 gazed at these youths with admiration, and not entirely 
 without envy, as they passed me in pairs, laughing and 
 diverting themselves with the grotesque groups of blacks 
 that were occasionally met, coming in from their sports. 
 These young men I knew had enjoyed the advantages of 
 being educated at home, some of them, quite likely, in the 
 Universities, and all of them amid the high civilization and 
 taste of England. I say all of them, too hastily ; as there 
 | were young men of the colonies among them, who probably 
 had not enjoyed these advantages. The easy air, self-pos- 
 session, and quiet, what shall 1 call it? — insolence would 
 be too strong a word, and a term that 1, the son and grand- 
 son of old king's officers, would not like to apply, and yet 
 it comes nearest to what I mean as applicable to the covert 
 manner of these young men — but, whatever it was, that pecu- 
 liar air of metropolitan superiority over provincial ignorance 
 and provincial dependence, which certainly distinguished all 
 the younger men of this class, had an effect on me, I find it 
 difficult to describe. I was a loyal subject, loved the King, 
 — most-particularly since he was so identified with the Pro- 
 forty years old ; and it may be questioned if a dozen as old, public or 
 private, can be found on the whole island. 
 
 As the regular family residences of the Nicolis were in Suffolk, or 
 on their estates, it is probable that the abode mentioned was, in a 
 measure, owing 1 to an intermarriage with the Watts', as much as to 
 the necessity of the Speakei's passing- so much time at the seat of 
 government. — Editor. 
 
 Vol. I. — 8 
 
86 SATANSTOE. 
 
 testant succession,— -loved all of the blood-royal, and wished 
 for nothing more than the honour and lustre of the English 
 crown. One thus disposed could not but feel amicably 
 towards the King's officers ; yet, I will confess, there were 
 moments when this air of ill-concealed superiority, this 
 manner that so much resembled that of the master towards 
 the servant, the superior to the dependent, the patron to the 
 client, gave me deep offence, and feelings so bitter, that I 
 was obliged to struggle hard to suppress them. But this is 
 anticipating, and is interrupting the course of my narrative. 
 I am inclined to think there must always be a good deal of 
 this feeling, where the relation of principal and dependant 
 exists, as between distinct territories. 
 
 I was a good deal excited, and a little fatigued with the 
 walk and the incidents of the morning, and determined to 
 proceed at once to Duke Street, and share the cold dinner 
 of my aunt; for few private families in York, that depended 
 on regular cooks for their food, had anything served warm 
 on their tables, for that and the two succeeding days. 
 Here and there a white substitute was found, it is true, and 
 we had the benefit of such an assistant at half-past one. It 
 was the English servant of a Col. Mosely, an officer of the 
 army, who was intimate at my uncle's, and who had had 
 the civility to offer a man for this occasion. I afterwards 
 ascertained, that many officers manifested the same kind 
 spirit towards various other families in which they visited 
 on terms of friendship. 
 
 Marriages between young English officers and our pretty, 
 delicate York belles, were of frequent occurrence, and I 
 had felt a twinge or two, on the subject of Anneke, that 
 morning, as I passed the youths of the 55th, 60th, or Loyal 
 Americans, 17th, and other regiments that were then in the 
 province. 
 
 My aunt was descending from the drawing-room," in din- 
 ner dress — for that no lady ever neglects, even though she 
 dines on a cold dumpling. As I opened the street-door, 
 Mrs. Legge was not coming down alone to take her seat at 
 table, but, having some extra duty to perform in conse 
 quence of the absence of most of her household, she was 
 engaged in that service. Seeing me, however, she stopped 
 on the landing of the stairs, and beckoned me to approach. 
 
SATANSTOE. 87 
 
 " Corny," she said, " what have you been doing, my 
 child, to have drawn this honour upon you?" 
 
 " Honour ! — I am ignorant of having even received anv. 
 What can you mean, my dear aunt?" 
 
 " Here is Herman Mordaunt waiting to see you, in the 
 drawing-room. He asked particularly for you /—wishes to 
 see you — expresses his regrets that you are not in, and 
 talks only of you /" 
 
 " In which case, I ought to hasten up stairs in order to 
 i receive him, as soon as possible. I will tell you all about 
 it at dinner, aunt ; — excuse me now." 
 
 Away I went, with a beating heart, to receive a visit 
 from Anneke's father. I can scarcely give a reason why 
 this gentleman was usually called, when he was spoken of, 
 and sometimes when he was spoken to, Herman Mordaunt ; 
 unless, indeed, it were, that being in part of Dutch extrac- 
 tion, the name which denoted the circumstance (Hermanus 
 — pronounced by the Hollanders, Hermaanus,) was used by 
 a portion of the population in token of the fact, and adopted 
 by others in pure compliance. But Herman Mordaunt was 
 he usually styled ; and this, too, in the way of respect, and 
 not as coarse-minded persons affect to speak of their supe- 
 riors, or in a way to boast of their own familiarity. I 
 should have thought it an honour, at my time of life, to 
 receive a visit from Herman Mordaunt ; but my heart fairly 
 beat, as I have said, as I went hastily up stairs, to meet 
 Anneke's father. 
 
 My uncle was not in, and I found my visiter waiting- for 
 me, alone, in the drawing-room. Aware of the state of the 
 family, and of all families, indeed, during Pinkster, he had 
 insisted on my aunt's quitting him, while he looked over 
 some new books that had recently been received from home ; 
 among which was a new and very handsome edition of the 
 Spectator, a work that enjoys a just celebrity throughout 
 the colonies. 
 
 Mr. Mordaunt advanced to receive me with studied po- 
 liteness, yet a warmth that could not well be counterfeited, 
 the instant I approached. Nevertheless, his manner was 
 easy and natural ; and to me he appeared to be the highest- 
 bred man I had ever seen. 
 
 " I am thankful that the debt of gratitude I owe you, my 
 
88 SATANSTOE. 
 
 young friend," he said, at once, and without preface of any 
 sort, unless that of manner be so received, " is due to the 
 son of a gentleman I so much esteem as Evans Littlepage. 
 A loyal subject, an honest man, and a well-connected and 
 well-descended gentleman, like him, may well be the parent 
 of a brave youth, who does not hesitate to face even lions, 
 in defence of the weaker sex." 
 
 " I cannot affect to misunderstand you, sir," I answered ; 
 " and I sincerely congratulate you that matters are no worse; 
 though you greatly overrate the danger. I doubt if even a 
 lion would have the heart to hurt Miss Mordaunt, were she 
 in his power." 
 
 I think this was a very pretty speech, for a youth of 
 twenty ; and I confess I look back upon it, even now, with 
 complacency. If I occasionally betray weakness of this 
 character, I beg the reader to recollect that I am acting in 
 the part of an honest historian, and that it is my aim to 
 conceal nothing that ought to be known. 
 
 Herman Mordaunt did not resume his seat, on account 
 of the lateness of the hour, (half-past one); but he made 
 me professions of friendship, and named Friday, the first 
 moment when he could command the services of his domes- 
 tics, when I should dine with him. The army had intro. 
 duced later hours than was usual ; and this invitation was 
 given for three o'clock ; it being said, at the time, as I well 
 remember, that persons of fashion in London sat down to 
 table even later than this. After remaining with me five 
 minutes, Herman Mordaunt took his leave. Of course, I 
 accompanied him to the door, where we parted with many 
 bows. 
 
 At dinner, I told my uncle and aunt all that had occurred, 
 and was glad to hear them both speak so favourably of my 
 new acquaintances. 
 
 " Herman Mordaunt might be a much more considerable 
 man than he is," observed my uncle, " were he disposed to 
 enter into public life. He has talents, a good education, a 
 very handsome estate, and is well-connected in the colony, 
 certainly; some say at home, also." 
 
 " And Anneke is a sweet young thing," added my aunt ; 
 " and, since Corny was to assist any young lady, I am 
 heartily glad it was Anneke. She is an excellent creature, 
 
 
SATANSTOE. 89 
 
 and her mother was one of my most intimate friends, as 
 she was of my sister Littlepage, too. You must go and 
 inquire, after her health, this evening, Corny. Such an at- 
 tention is due, after what has passed all round." 
 
 Did I wish to comply with this advice? Out of all ques- 
 tion ; and yet I was too young, and too little at my ease, to 
 undertake this ceremony, without many misgivings. Luckily, 
 Dirck came in, in the evening; and my aunt repeating her 
 opinion before my friend, he at once declared it was alto- 
 gether proper, and that he thought Anneke would have a 
 right to expect it. As he ofFered to be my companion, we 
 were soon on our way to Crown Street, in which Mr. Mor- 
 daunt owned and inhabited a very excellent house. We 
 were admitted by Mr. Mordaunt himself, not one of his 
 blacks having yet returned from the Pinkster field. 
 
 Dirck appeared to be on the best terms, not only with 
 Herman Mordaunt, but with his charming daughter. I had 
 observed that the latter always called him " cousin Dirck," 
 and I hardly knew whether to interpret this as a sign of par- 
 ticular or of family regard. That Dirck was fonder of An- 
 neke Mordaunt than of any other human being, I could easily 
 see ; and I confess that the discovery already began to cause 
 uneasiness. I loved Dirck, and wished he loved any one 
 else but the very being I feared he did. 
 
 Herman Mordaunt showed me the way, up the noble, 
 wide, mahogany-garnished staircase of his dwelling, and 
 ushered us into a very handsome, though not very large, 
 but well-lighted drawing-room. There sat Anneke, his 
 daughter, in the loveliness of her maiden charms, a little 
 more dressed than usual, perhaps, for she had three or four 
 young and lovely girls with her, and five or six young men ,* 
 among whom were no less than three scarlet coats. 
 
 I shall not attempt to conceal my weakness. Only twenty, 
 inexperienced and unaccustomed to town society, I felt awk- 
 ward and unpleasantly the instant I entered the room ; nor 
 did the feeling subside during the first half-hour. Anneke 
 came forward, one or two steps, to meet me ; and I could 
 see, she was almost as much confused, as I was myself. 
 She blushed, as she thanked me for the service I had ren- 
 dered, and expressed her satisfaction that her father had 
 been fortunate enough to find me at home, and had had an 
 8* 
 
90 SATANSTOE. 
 
 opportunity of saying a little of what he felt, on the occa- 
 sion. She then invited me to be seated, naming me to the 
 company, and telling me who two or three of the young 
 ladies were. From these last I received sundry approving 
 smiles ; which I took as so many thanks for serving their 
 friend ; while I could not help seeing that I was an object 
 of examination to most of the men present. The three 
 officers, in particular, looked at me the most intently, and 
 the longest. 
 
 " I trust, your little accident, which could have been of no 
 great moment, in itself, since you escaped so well, did not 
 have the effect to prevent you from enjoying the rare fun 
 of this Pinkster affair ?" said one of the scarlet coats, as 
 «oon as the movement caused by my reception had subsided. 
 
 "You call it a ' little accident,' Mr. Bulstrode," returned 
 Anneke, with a reproachful shake of her pretty head, " but, 
 I can assure you, it is not a trifle, to a young lady, to find 
 herself in the paws of a lion." 
 
 " Serious accident, then ; since, I see, you are resolved to 
 consider yourself a victim;" rejoined the other; " but, not 
 serious enough, I trust, to deprive you of the fun?" 
 
 " Pinkster fields, and Pinkster frolics, are no novelties to 
 us, sir, as they occur every season ; and I am just old enough 
 not to have missed one of them all, for the last twelve 
 years." 
 
 " We heard you had been ' out," put in another red-coat, 
 whom I had heard called Billings, "accompanied by a little 
 army, of what Bulstrode called, the Light Infantry." 
 
 Here three or four of the other young ladies joined in the 
 discourse, at once, protesting against Mr. Bulstrode's placing 
 their younger sisters in the army, in so cavalier a manner; 
 an accusation that Mr. Bulstrode endeavoured to parry, by 
 declaring his hopes of having them all, not only in the 
 army, but in his own regiment, one day or other. At this, 
 there was a certain amount of mirth, and various protesta- 
 tions of an unwillingness to enlist; in which, I was giad to 
 6ee, that neither Anneke, nor her most intimate friend, Mary 
 Wallace, saw fit to join. I liked their reserve of manner, 
 far better than the girlish trifling of their companions ; and, 
 i could see, that all the men respected them the more for it. 
 There was a good deal of general and disjointed conversa- 
 
SATANSTOE. 91 
 
 tion that succeeded ; which I shall pot pretend to follow cr 
 relate, but confine myself to such observations as had a 
 bearing on matters that were connected with myself. 
 
 As none of the young soldiers were addressed by their 
 military titles, such things never occurring in the better 
 circles, as I now discovered, and, least of all, in those con- 
 nected with the army, I was not able, at the time, to ascer- 
 tain the rank of the three red-coats ; though I afterwards 
 ascertained, that the youngest was an ensign, of the name 
 of Harris ; a mere boy, and the younger son of a member 
 of Parliament. The next oldest, Billings, was a captain, 
 and was said to be a natural son of a nobleman ; while 
 Bulstrode was actually the oldest son of a baronet, of three 
 or four thousand a year, and had already bought his way 
 up as high as a Majority, though only four-and-twenty. 
 This last was a handsome fellow, too; nor had I been an 
 hour in his company, before I saw, plainly enough, that he 
 was a strong admirer of Anneke Mordaunt. The other two 
 evidently admired themselves too much, to have any very 
 lively feelings on the subject of other persons. As for Dirck, 
 younger than myself, and diffident, as well as slow by 
 nature, he kept himself altogether in the back-ground, con- 
 versing, most of the time, with Herman Mordaunt, on the 
 subject of farming. 
 
 We had been together an hour, and I had acquired suffi- 
 cient ease to change my seat, and to look at a picture or 
 two, which adorned the walls, and which were said to be 
 originals, from the Old World; for, to own the truth, the 
 art of painting has not made much progress in the colonies. 
 We have painters, it is true, and one or two are said to be 
 men of rare merit, the ladies being very fond of sitting to 
 them for their portraits ; but these are exceptions. At a 
 future day, when critics shall have immortalized the names 
 of a Smybert, and a Watson, and a Blackburn, the people 
 of these provinces will become aware of the talents they 
 once possessed among them ; and the grandchildren of those 
 who neglected these men of genius, in their day — ay, their 
 descendants to the latest generations — will revenge the 
 wrongs of merit and talent, to the end of civilized time. It 
 is a failing of colonies to be diffident of their own opinions ; 
 but I have heard gentlemen, who were educated at home, 
 
92 SATANSTOE. 
 
 and who possessed cultivated and refined tastes, affirm that 
 the painters of Europe, when visiting this hemisphere, have 
 retained all their excellence ; and have painted as freely and 
 as well, under an American, as under a European sun. As 
 for a sister art, the Thespian muse had actually made her 
 appearance among us, five years before the time of my visit 
 to town in 1757, or in 1752 ; a theatre having actually been 
 built and opened in Nassau Street in 1753, with a company 
 under the care of the celebrated Hallam, and his family. 
 This theatre 1 had been dying to visit, while it stood, for as 
 yet I had never witnessed a theatrical performance ; but my 
 mother's injunctions prevented me from entering it while at 
 college. " When you are old enough, Corny," she used to 
 say, " you shall have my permission to go as often as is 
 proper ; but you are now of an age, when Shakspeare and 
 Rowe might unsettle your Latin and Greek." My task of 
 obedience had not been very difficult, inasmuch as the build- 
 ing in Nassau Street, the second regular theatre ever erected 
 in British America, was taken down, and a church erected 
 in its place.* The comedians went to the islands, and had 
 not re-appeared on the continent down to the period of which 
 I am now writing ; nor did their return occur until the fol- 
 lowing year. That they were expected, however, and that 
 a new house had been built for them, in another part of the 
 town, I was aware, though month after month passed away, 
 and the much-expected company did not appear. I had 
 understood, however, that the large military force collecting 
 in the colony, would be likely to bring them back soon ; and 
 the conversation soon took a turn, that proved how much 
 interest the young, the gay, and the fair, felt in the result. 
 I was still looking at a picture, when Mr. Bulstrode ap- 
 proached me, and entered into conversation. It will be 
 remembered, that this gentleman was four years my senior; 
 that he had been at one of the universities ; was the heir to 
 a baronetcy ; knew the world ; had risen to a Majority in 
 the army, and was by nature, as well as training, agreeable, 
 when he had a mind to be, and genteel. These circum- 
 stances, I could not but feel, gave him a vast advantage over 
 me; and I heartily wished that we stood anywhere but in 
 the presence of Anneke Mordaunt, as he thus saw fit to 
 
 * The church is now (1845) being converted into a Post-Offioe. 
 
SATANSTOE. 93 
 
 single me out for invidious comparison, by a sort of tete-d- 
 tete, or aside. Still, I could not complain of his manner, 
 which was both polite and respectful ; though I could scarce 
 divest myself of the idea, that he was covertly amusing him- 
 self, the whole time. 
 
 " You are a fortunate man, Mr. Littlepage," he com- 
 menced, " in having had it in your power to do so import- 
 ant a service to Miss Mordaunt. We all envy you your 
 luck, while we admire your spirit, and I feel certain the 
 men of our regiment will take some proper notice of it. 
 Miss Anneke is in possession of half our hearts, and we 
 should be still more heartless to overlook such a service." 
 
 I muttered some half-intelligible answer to this compli- 
 ment, and my new acquaintance proceeded. 
 
 " I am almost surprised, Mr. Littlepage," he added, " that 
 a man of your spirit does not come among us in times as 
 stirring as these. They tell me both your father and grand- 
 father served, and that you are quite at your ease. You 
 will find a great many men of merit and fashion among us, 
 and I make no doubt they would contribute to make your 
 time pass agreeably enough. Large reinforcements are 
 expected, and if you are inclined for a pair of colours, I 
 think I know a battalion in which there are a vacancy or 
 two, and which will certainly serve in the colonies. It 
 would afford me great pleasure to help to further your views, 
 should you be disposed to turn them towards the army." 
 
 Now all this was said with an air of great apparent 
 frankness and sincerity, which I fancied was only the more 
 visible from the circumstance that Anneke was so seated 
 as unavoidably to hear every word of what was said. I 
 observed that she even turned her eyes on me as I made 
 my answer, though I did not dare so far to observe her in 
 turn as to note their expression. 
 
 " I am very sensible, Mr. Bulstrode, of the liberality and 
 kindness of your intentions," I answered steadily enough, 
 for pride came to my assistance, " though I fear it will not 
 be in my power to profit by it at once, if ever. My grand- 
 father is still living, and he has much influence over me and 
 my fortune, and I know it is his wish that I should remain 
 at Satanstoe." 
 
 " Where V demanded Bulstrode, with more quickness 
 
94 SATANSTOE. 
 
 and curiosity than strictly comported with good-breeding 
 perhaps. 
 
 " Satanstoe ; I do not wonder yqu smile, for it has an 
 odd sound, but it is the name my grandfather has given the 
 family place in Westchester. Given, I have said, though 
 translated would "be better, as I understand the present 
 appellation is pretty literally rendered into English from 
 the Dutch." 
 
 " I like the name exceedingly, Mr. Littlepage, and I feel 
 certain I should like, your good, old, honest, Anglo-Saxon 
 grandfather. But, pardon me, it is his wish you should 
 remain at Satansfoot?" 
 
 " Satanstoe, sir ; we do not aspire to the whole foot. It 
 is my grandfather's wish that I remain at home until of 
 age, which will not be now for some months." 
 
 " By way of keeping you out of Satan's footsteps, I sup- 
 pose. Well, these old gentlemen are often right. Should 
 you alter your views, however, my dear Littlepage, do not 
 forget me, but remember you can count on one who has 
 some little influence, and who will ever be ready to exert it 
 in the behalf of one who has proved so serviceable to Miss 
 Mordaunt. Sir Harry is a martyr to the gout, and talks 
 of letting me stand in his place at the dissolution. In that 
 case my wishes will naturally carry more weight. I like 
 that name of Satanstoe amazingly !" 
 
 " I am infinitely obliged to you, Mr. Bulstrode, though I 
 will confess I have never looked forward to rising in the 
 world by taxing my friends. One may own that he nas 
 had some hopes founded on merit and honesty — " 
 
 " Poh ! poh ! — my dear Littlepage, honesty is a very 
 pretty thing to talk about, but I suppose you remember 
 what Juvenal says on that interesting subject — " pi-obitas 
 laudatur et alget." I dare say you are fresh enough from 
 college to remember that comprehensive sentiment." 
 
 " I have never read Juvenal, Mr. Bulstrode, and never 
 wish to, if such be the tendency of what he teaches — " 
 
 " Juvenal was a satirist, you know," interrupted Bulstrode 
 a little hastily, for by this time he too had ascertained that 
 Anneke was listening, and he betrayed some eagerness to 
 get rid of so flagitious a sentiment ; " and satirists speak of 
 things as they are, rather than as they ought to be. I dare 
 
SATANSTOE. 95 
 
 say Rome deserved all she got, for the moralists give a very 
 sad account of her condition. Of all the large capitals of 
 which we have any account, London is the only town of 
 even tolerable manners." 
 
 What young Bulstrode would have ventured to say next, 
 it is out of my power to guess; for a certain Miss Warren, 
 who was of the company, and who particularly affected the 
 youth, luckily called out at this critical instant— 
 
 " Your attention one moment, if you please, Mr. Bulstrode; 
 is it true that the gentlemen of the army have been getting 
 the new theatre in preparation, and that they intend to favour 
 us with some representations 1 A secret something like this 
 has just leaked out, from Mr. Harris, who even goes so far 
 as to add that you can tell us all about it." 
 
 " Mr. Harris must be put under an arrest for this, though 
 I hear the colonel let the cat out of the bag, at the Lt. Go- 
 vernor's table, as early as last week." 
 
 " I can assure you, Mr. Bulstrode," Anneke observed 
 calmly, " that. I have heard rumours to this effect for quite 
 a fortnight. You must not blame Mr. Harris solely, for 
 your whole regiment has been hinting to the same purpose 
 far and near." 
 
 " Then the delinquent will escape, this time. I confess 
 the charge ; we have hired the new theatre, and do intend 
 to solicit the honour of the ladies coming to hear me murder 
 Cato, and Scrub ; a pretty climax of characters, you will 
 admit, Miss Mordaunt?" 
 
 " I know nothing of Scrub, ihough I have read Mr. Addi- 
 son's play, and think you have no need of being ashamed 
 of the character of Cato. When is the theatre to open ?" 
 
 " We follow the sable gentry. As soon as St. Pinkster 
 has received his proper share of attention, we shall intro- 
 duce Dom-Cato and Mr. Scrub to your acquaintance." 
 
 All the young ladies, but Anneke and her friend Mary 
 Wallace, laughed, two or three repeating the words i St. 
 Pinkster,' as if they contained something much cleverer 
 than it was usual to hear. A general burst of exclamations, 
 expressions of pleasure, and of questions and answers fol- 
 lowed, in which two or three voices were heard at the same 
 moment, during which time Anneke turned to me, who was 
 
96 SATANSTOE. 
 
 standing near her, at the spot occupied by Bui strode a . 
 minute before, and seemed anxious to say something. 
 
 " Do you seriously think of the army, Mr. Littlepage V* 
 she asked, changing colour at the freedom of her own 
 question. 
 
 " In a war like this, no one can say when he may be 
 called on to go out," I answered. " But, only as a defender 
 of the soil, if at all." 
 
 I thought Anneke Mordaunt seemed pleased with this 
 answer. After a short pause, she resumed the dialogue. 
 
 " Of course you understand Latin, Mr. Littlepage, although 
 you have not been at the universities ?" 
 
 " As it is taught in our own colleges, Miss Mordaunt." 
 
 " And that is sufficient to tell me what Mr. Bulstrode's 
 quotation means — if it be proper for me to hear." 
 
 " He would hardly presume to use even a Latin saying 
 in your presence, that is unfit for your ear. The maxim 
 which Mr. Bulstrode attributes to Juvenal, simply means 
 * that honesty is praised and starves.' " 
 
 I thought that something like displeasure settled on the 
 fair, polished, brow of Miss Mordaunt, who, I could soon 
 see, possessed much character and high principles for one 
 of her tender years. She said nothing, however, though 
 she exchanged a very meaning glance with her friend Mary 
 Wallace. Her lips were moved, and I fancied I could trace 
 the formation of the sounds " honesty is praised and 
 starves !" 
 
 " And you are to be Cato I hear, Mr. Bulstrode," cried 
 one of the young ladies, who thought more of a scarlet 
 coat, I fancy, than was for her own good. " How very 
 charming ! Will you play the character in regimentals or 
 in mohair — in a modern or in an ancient dress ?" 
 
 " In my robe de chambre, a little altered for the occasion, 
 unless St. Pinkster and his sports should suggest some 
 more appropriate costume," answered the young man 
 lightly. 
 
 "Are you quite aware what feast Pinkster is?" asked 
 Anneke, a little gravely. 
 
 Bulstrode actually changed colour, for it had never 
 crossed his mind to inquire into the character of the holi- 
 day ; and, to own the truth, the manner in which it is kept 
 
SATANSTOE. 97 
 
 by the negroes of New York, never would enlighten him 
 much on the subject. 
 
 " That is information for which I perceive I am now 
 about to be indebted to Miss Mordaunt." 
 
 "Then you shall not be disappointed, Mr. Bulstrode; 
 Pinkster is neither more nor less than the Festival of Whit- 
 sunday, or the Feast of Pentecost. I suppose we shall now 
 hear no more of your saint." 
 
 Bulstrode took this little punishment, which was very 
 sweetly but quite steadily uttered, with perfect good-humour, 
 and with a manner so rebuked as to prove that Anneke 
 possessed great control over him. He bowed in submission, 
 and she smiled so kindly, that I wished the occasion for the 
 little pantomime had not occurred. 
 
 " Our ancestors, Miss Mordaunt, never heard of any 
 Pinkster, you will remember, and that must explain my 
 ignorance," he said meekly. 
 
 " But some of mine have long understood it, and observed 
 the festival," answered Anneke. 
 
 "Ay, on the side of Holland — but when I presume to 
 speak of our ancestors, I mean those which I can claim the 
 honour of boasting as belonging to me in common with 
 yourself." 
 
 " Are you and Mr. Bulstrode, then, related ?" I asked, as 
 it might be involuntarily and almost too abruptly. 
 
 Anneke replied, however, in a way to show that she 
 thought the question natural for the circumstances, and not 
 in the least out of place. 
 
 " My grandfather's mother, and Mr. Bulstrode's grand- 
 father, were brother and sister," was the quiet answer. 
 " This makes us a sort of cousins, according to those Dutch 
 notions which he so much despises, though I fancy it would 
 not count for much at home." 
 
 Bulstrode protested to the contrary, stating that he knew 
 his father valued his relationship to, Mr. Mordaunt, by the 
 earnest manner in which he had commanded him to culti- 
 vate the acquaintance of the family the instant he reached 
 New York. I saw by this, the footing on which the formi- 
 dable Major was placed in the family, everybody seeming 
 to be related to Anneke Mordaunt but myself. I took an 
 occasion, that very evening, to question the dear girl on the 
 
 Vol. I.— 9 
 
98 SATANSTOE. 
 
 subject of her Dutch connections, giving her a clue to mine ; 
 but with all our industry, and some assistance from Herman 
 Mordaunt, who took an interest in such a subject, as it 
 might be ex officio, we could make out no affinity worth 
 mentioning. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 « Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I." 
 
 " I hold him but a fool, that will endanger 
 His body for a girl that loves him not." 
 
 " I claim her not, and therefore she is thine." 
 
 Two Gentlemen of Verona. 
 
 I saw Anne Mordaunt several times, either in the street 
 or in her own house, between that evening and the day I 
 was to dine with her father. The morning of the last 
 named day Mr. Bulstrode favoured me with a call, and an- 
 nounced that he was to be of the party in Crown Street, 
 and that the whole company was to repair to the theatre, to 
 see his own Cato and Scrub, in the evening. 
 
 "By giving yourself the trouble to call at the Crown and 
 Bible, kept hard- by here, in Hanover Square or Queen Street, 
 by honest Hugh Gaine, you will find a package of tickets 
 for yourself, Mr. and Mrs. Legge, and your relative Mr. 
 Dirck Follock, as I believe the gentleman is called. These 
 Dutch have extraordinary patronymics, you must admit, 
 Littlepage." 
 
 " It may appear so to an Englishman, though our names 
 are quite as odd to strangers. But Dirck Van Valken- 
 burgh is not a kinsman of mine, though he is related to the 
 Mordaunts, your relatives." 
 
 "Well, it's all the sam 
 somebody that I know, and I fancied it was to yourself. I 
 am sure I never see him but I wish he was in our grenadier 
 company." 
 
 " Dirck would do honour to any corps, but you know 
 
SATANSTOE. 99 
 
 how it is with the Dutch families, Mr. Bulstrode. They 
 still retain much of their attachment to Holland, and do not 
 as often take service in the army, or navy, as we of Eng- 
 lish descent." 
 
 " I should have thought a century might have cooled 
 .hem off, a little, from their veneration of the meadows of 
 Holland. It is the opinion at home, that New York is a 
 particularly well affected colony." 
 
 " So it is, as I hear from all sides. As respects the 
 Dutch, among ourselves, I have heard my grandfather say, 
 that the reign of King William had a powerful influence in 
 reconciling them to the new government, but, since his day, 
 that they are less loyal than formerly. The Van Valken- 
 burghs, notwithstanding, pass for as good subjects as any 
 that the house of Hanover possesses. On no account would 
 I injure them in your opinion." 
 
 " Good or bad, we shall hope to see your friend, who is 
 a connection in some way, as you believe, of the Mor- 
 daunts. You will get but a faint idea of what one of the 
 royal theatres is, Littlepage, by this representation of ours, 
 though it may serve to kill time. But, I must go to re- 
 hearsal ; we shall meet at three." 
 
 Here my gay and gallant major made his bow, and took 
 his leave. I proceeded on to the sign of the Crown and the 
 Bible, where I found a large collection of people, coming 
 in quest of tickets. As the elite of the town would not of 
 themselves form an audience sufficiently large to meet the 
 towering ambition of the players, more than half the tickets 
 were sold, the money being appropriated to the sick families 
 of soldiers — those who were not entitled to receive aid from 
 government. It was deemed a high compliment to receive 
 tickets gratis, though all who did, made it a point to leave 
 a donation to the fund, with Mr. Gaine. Receiving my 
 package, I quitted the shop, and it being the hour for the 
 morning promenade, I went up Wall Street, to the Mall, as 
 Trinity Church Walk was even then called. Here, I ex- 
 pected to meet Dirck, and hoped to see Anneke, for the 
 place was much frequented by the young and gay, both in 
 the mornings and in the evenings. The bands of different 
 regiments were stationed in the churchyard, and the com- 
 pany was often treated to much fine martial music. Some 
 
100 SATANSTOE. 
 
 few of the more scrupulous objected to this desecration of 
 the churchyard, but the army had everything pretty much 
 in its own way. As they were supposed to do nothing but 
 what was approved of at home, the dissenters were little 
 heeded, nor do I think the army would have greatly cared, 
 had they been more numerous. 
 
 I dare say there were fifty young ladies promenading the 
 church-walk when I reached it, and nearly as many young 
 men in attendance on them ; no small portion of the last 
 being scarlet-coats, though the mohairs had their represent- 
 atives there too. A few blue-jackets were among us also, 
 there being two or three king's cruisers in port. As no one 
 presumed to promenade the Mall, who was not of a certain 
 stamp of respectability, the company was all gaily dressed; 
 and I will confess that I was much struck with the air of 
 the place, the first time I showed myself among the gay 
 idlers. The impression made on me that morning was so 
 vivid, that I will endeavour to describe the scene, as it now 
 presents itself to my mind. 
 
 In the first place, there was the noble street, quite eighty 
 feet in width in its narrowest part, and gradually expanding 
 as you looked towards the bay, until it opened into an area 
 of more than twice that- width, at the place called the Bowl- 
 ing-Green.* Then came the Fort, crowning a sharp emi- 
 nence, and overlooking everything in that quarter of the 
 town. In the rear of the Fort, or in its front, taking a water 
 view, lay the batteries that had been built on the rocks 
 which form the south-western termination of the island. 
 Over these rocks, which were black and picturesque, and 
 over the batteries they supported, was obtained a view of 
 the noble bay, dotted here and there with some speck of a 
 sail, or possibly with some vessel anchored on its placid 
 bosom. Of the two rows of elegant houses, most of them 
 of brick, and with very kw exceptions principally of two 
 
 * Mr. Cornelius Littlepage betrays not a little of provincial admi- 
 ration, as the reader will see. I have not thought it necessary to 
 prune these passages, their causes being too familiar to leave any 
 danger of their insertion's being misunderstood. Admiration of 
 Broadway, certainly not more than a third-class street, as streets 
 go in the old world, is so very common among us as to need no 
 apology. — Editor. 
 
S AT ANSTOE. 
 
 fol 
 
 stories in height, it is scarcely necessary to speak, as there 
 are few who have not heard of, and formed some notion of 
 Broadway ; a street that all agree is one day to be the pride 
 of the western world. 
 
 In the other direction, I will admit that the view was not 
 so remarkable, the houses being principally of wood, and 
 of a somewhat ignoble appearance. Nevertheless the army 
 was said to frequent those habitations quite as much as they 
 did any other in the place. After reaching the Common, or 
 present Park, where the great Boston road led off into the 
 country, the view was just the reverse of that which was 
 seen in the opposite quarter. Here, all was inland, and 
 rural. It is true, the new Bridewell had been erected in 
 that quarter, and there was also a new gaol, both facing the 
 common; and the king's troops had. barracks in their rear; 
 but high, abrupt, conical hills, with low marshy land, or- 
 chards and meadows, gave to all that portion of the island 
 a peculiarly novel and somewhat picturesque character. 
 Many of the hills in that quarter, and indeed all over the 
 widest part of the island, are now surmounted by country- 
 houses, as some were then, including Petersfield, the ancient 
 abode of the Stuyvesants, or that farm which, by being 
 called after the old Dutch governor's retreat, has given the 
 name of Bowery, or Bouerie, to the road that led to it ; as 
 well as the Bowery-house, as it was called, the country 
 abode of the then Lieutenant Governor, James de Lancey ; 
 Mount Bayard, a place belonging to that respectable family ; 
 Mount Pitt, another that was the property of Mrs. Jones, 
 the wife of Mr. Justice Jones, a daughter of James de Lan- 
 cey, and various other mounts, houses, hills, and places, 
 that are familiar to the gentry and people of New York. 
 
 But, the reader can imagine for himself the effect pro- 
 duced by such a street as Broadway, reaching very nearly 
 half a mile in length, terminating at one end, in an ele- 
 vated, commanding Fort, with its back-ground of batteries, 
 rocks and bay, and, at the other, with the common, on 
 which troops were now constantly parading, the Bridewell 
 an I gaol, and the novel scene I have just mentioned. Nor 
 is Trinity itself to be forgotten. This edifice, one of the 
 noblest, if not the most noble of its kind, in all the colonies, 
 with its gothic architecture, statues in carved stone, and 
 9* 
 
102 SATANSTOE. 
 
 flanking walls, was a close accessory of the view, giving to 
 the whole grandeur, and a moral.* 
 
 As has been said, I found the Mall crowded with young 
 persons of fashion and respectability. This Mall was near 
 a hundred yards in length ; and it follows that there must 
 have been a goodly show of youth and beauty. The fine 
 weather had commenced ; spring had fairly opened ; Pink- 
 ster Blossoms (the wild honeysuckle) had been seen in 
 abundance throughout, the week ; and everything and per- 
 son appeared gay and happy. 
 
 I could discover that my person in this crowd attracted 
 attention as a stranger. I say as a stranger ; for I am un- 
 willing to betray so much vanity as to ascribe the manner 
 in which many eyes followed me, to any vain notion that I 
 was known or admired. Still, I will not so far disparage 
 the gifts of a bountiful Providence, as to leave the impres- 
 sion that my face, person, or air was particularly disagree- 
 able. This would not be the fact ; and I have now reached 
 a time of life when something like the truth may be told, 
 without the imputation of conceit. My mother often boasted 
 to her intimates, " that Corny was one of the best-made, 
 handsomest, most active, and genteelest youths in the colo- 
 ny." This I know, for such things will leak out; but 
 mothers are known to have a remarkable weakness on the 
 subject of their children. As I was the sole surviving off- 
 spring of my dear mother, who was one of the best-hearted 
 women that ever breathed, it is highly probable that the 
 notions she entertained of her son partook largely of the 
 love she bore me. It is true, my aunt Legge, on more than 
 one occasion, has been heard to express a very similar 
 opinion ; though nothing can be more natural than that 
 sisters should think alike, on a family matter of this parti- 
 cular nature, more especially as my aunt Legge never had 
 a child of her own to love and praise. 
 
 Let all this be as it may, well stared at was I, as I min- 
 gled among the idlers on Trinity Church Walk, on the 
 
 * The provincial admiration of Mr. Cornelius Littlepnge was not 
 quite as much in fault, as respects the church, as the superciliousness 
 of our more modern tastes and opinions may lead us to suspect. The 
 church that was burned in 1776, was a larger edifice than that just 
 pulled down, and, in many respects, was its superior. — Editor. 
 
SATANSTOE. 103 
 
 occasion named. As for myself, my own eyes were bent 
 anxiously on the face of every pretty, delicate young crea- 
 ture that passed, in the hope of seeing Anneke. I both 
 wished and dreaded to meet her ; for, to own the truth, my 
 mind was dwelling on her beauty, her conversation, her 
 sentiments, her grace, her gentleness, and withal her spirit, 
 a good deal more than half the time. I had some qualms 
 on the subject of Dirck, I will confess; but Dirck was so 
 young, that his feelings could not be much interested, after 
 all ; and then Anneke was a second cousin, and that was 
 clearly too near to marry. My grandfather had always put 
 his foot down firmly against any connection between rela- 
 tions that were nearer than third cousins ; and I now saw 
 how proper were his reasons. If they were even farther 
 removed, so much the better, he said ; and so much the 
 better it was. 
 
 If the reader should ask me why I dreaded to meet Anne 
 Mordaunt, under such circumstances. I might be at a loss to 
 give him a very intelligible answer. I feared even to see*the 
 sweet face I sought ; and oh ! how soft, serene, and angel- 
 like it was, at that budding age of seventeen ! — but, though 
 I almost feared to see it, when at last I saw her I had so 
 anxiously sought, approaching me, arm and arm with Mary 
 Wallace, having Bulstrode next herself, and Harris next her 
 friend, my eyes were instantly averted, as if they had un- 
 expectedly lighted on something disagreeable. I should have 
 passed without even the compliment of a bow, had not my 
 friends been more at their ease, and more accustomed to the 
 free ways of town life than I happened to be myself. 
 
 " How's this, Cornelius, C&ur de Lion/''' exclaimed Bul- 
 strode, stopping, thus causing the whole party to stop with 
 him, or to appear to wish to avoid me ; " will you not recog- 
 nise us, though it is not an hour since you and I parted? I 
 hope you found the tickets ; and when you have answered 
 ' yes,' I hope you will turn and do me the honour to bow 
 to these ladies." 
 
 I apologized, I am afraid I blushed ; for I detected Anneke 
 looking at me, as I thought, with some little concern, as if 
 she pitied my awkward country embarrassment. As for 
 Bulstrode, I did not understand him at that time ; it exceed- 
 ing my observation to be certain whether he considered me 
 
104 SATAN STOE. 
 
 of sufficient importance or not, to feel any concern on my 
 account, in his very obvious suit with Anneke. Nevertheless, 
 as he treated me with cordiality and respect, while he dealt 
 with me so frankly, there was not room to take offence. 
 Of course, I turned and walked back with the party, after 
 I had properly saluted the ladies and Mr. Harris. 
 
 " Cccur de Lion is a better name for a soldier than for a 
 civilian ;" said Anneke, as we moved forward ; " and, how- 
 ever much Mr. Littlepage may deserve the title, I am not 
 certain, Mr. Bulstrode, he would not prefer leaving it among 
 you gentlemen who serve the king." 
 
 " I am glad of this occasion, Mr. Littlepage, to enlist you 
 on my side, in a warfare I am compelled to wage with Miss 
 Anne Mordaunt," said the Major gaily. " It is on the sub- 
 ject of the great merit of us poor fellows who have crossed 
 the wide Atlantic in order to protect the colonies, New York 
 among the number, and their people, Miss Mordaunt and 
 Miss Wallace inclusively, from the grasp of their wicked 
 ene*nies, the French. The former young lady has a way 
 of reasoning on the matter to which I cannot assent, and I 
 am willing to choose you as arbitrator between us." 
 
 " Before Mr. Littlepage accept the office, it is proper he 
 should know its duties and responsibilities," said Anneke, 
 smiling. " In the first place, he will find Mr. Bulstrode, 
 with loud professions of attachment to the colonies, much 
 disposed to think them provinces that owe their very exist- 
 ence to England ; while I maintain it is Englishmen, and 
 that it is not England, that have done so much in America. 
 As for New York, Mr. Littlepage, and especially as for you 
 and me, we can also say a word in favour of Holland. I 
 am very proud of my Dutch connections and Dutch descent." 
 
 I was much gratified with the " as for you and me ;" 
 though I believe I cared less for Holland than she did her- 
 self. I made an answer much in the vein of the moment ; 
 but the conversation soon changed to the subject of the 
 military theatre that was about to open. 
 
 " I shall dread you as a critic, cousin Annie," so Bulstrode 
 often termed Anneke, as I soon discovered ; "I find you are 
 not too well disposed to us of the cockade, and I think you 
 have a particular spite to our regiment. I know that Billings 
 and Harris, too, hold you in the greatest possible dread." 
 
SATANSTOE. 105 
 
 " They then feel apprehensive of a very ignorant critic ; 
 for I never was present at a theatrical entertainment in my 
 life," Anneke answered with perfect simplicity. " So far 
 as 1 can learn, there never has been but one season of any 
 regular company, in this colony ; and that was when I was 
 a very little and a very young girl — as I am now neither 
 very large, nor very old as a young woman." 
 
 " You see, Littlepage, with how much address my cousin 
 avoids adding, and l very uninteresting, and very ugly, and 
 very disagreeable, and very much unsought,' and fifty other 
 things she might add with such perfect truth and modesty ! 
 But is it true, that the theatre was open only one season, 
 here!" 
 
 " So my father tells me, though I know very little of the 
 facts themselves. To-night will be my first appearance in 
 front of any stage, Mr. Bulstrode, as I understand it will be 
 your first appearance on it." 
 
 " In one sense the last will be true, though not altogether 
 in another. As a school-boy, I have often played, school- 
 boy fashion ; but this is quite a new thing with us, to bo 
 amateur players." 
 
 " It may seem ungrateful, when you are making so many 
 efforts, principally to amuse us young ladies, I feel convinced, 
 to inquire if it be quite as wise as it is novel. I must ask 
 this, as a cousin, you know, Henry Bulstrode, to escape 
 entirely from the imputation of impertinence." 
 
 " Really, Anneke Mordaunt, I am not absolutely certain 
 that it is. Our manners are beginning to change in this 
 respect, however, and I can assure you that various noble- 
 men have permitted sports of this sort at their seats. The 
 custom is French, as you probably know, and whatever 
 is French has much vogue with us during times of peace. 
 Sir Harry does not altogether approve of it, and as for my 
 lady mother, she has actually dropped more than one dis- 
 couraging hint on the subject in her letters." 
 
 "The certain proof that you are a most dutiful son 
 Perhaps when Sir Harry and Lady Bulstrode learn your 
 great success, however, they will overlook the field on which 
 your laurels have been won. But our hour has come, 
 Mary ; we have barely time to thank these gentlemen for 
 their politeness, and to return in season to dress. I am to 
 
106 SATANSTOE. 
 
 enact a part myself, at dinner, as I hope you will all re- 
 member." 
 
 Saying this, Anneke made her curtsies in a way to pre- 
 clude any offer of seeing her home, and went her way with 
 her silent but sensible-looking and pretty friend. Bulstrode 
 took my arm with an air of easy superiority, and led the 
 way towards his own lodgings, which happened to be in 
 Duke Street. Harris joined another party, making it a 
 point to be always late at dinner. 
 
 " That is not only one of the handsomest, hut she is one 
 of the most charming girls in the colonies, Littlepage !" my 
 companion exclaimed, as soon as we had departed, speaking 
 at the same time with an earnestness and feeling I was far 
 from expecting. " Were she in England, she would make 
 one of the first women in it, by the aid of a little fashion 
 and training; and very little would do too, for there is a 
 charm in her naivete that is worth the art of fifty women 
 of fashion." 
 
 11 Fashion is- a thing that any one may want who does 
 not happen to be in vogue," I answered, notwithstanding 
 the great degree of surprise I felt. " As for training, I can 
 see nothing but perfection in Miss Mordaunt as she is, and 
 should deprecate the lessons that produced any change." 
 
 1 believe it was now Bulstrode's turn to feel surprise, for 
 I was conscious of his casting a keen look into my face, 
 though I did not like to return it. My companion was 
 silent for a minute ; then, without again adverting to Anneke, 
 he began to converse very sensibly on the subject of thea- 
 tres and plays. I was both amused and instructed, for Mr. 
 Bulstrode was an educated and a clever man; and a strange 
 feeling came over the spirit of my dream, even then, as I 
 listened to his conversation. This man, I thought, admires 
 Anne Mordaunt, and he will probably carry her with him 
 to England, and obtnin for her that fashion and training of 
 which he has just spoken. Witn his advantages of birth, 
 air, fortune, education, and military rank, he can scarcely 
 fail in his suit, should he seriously attempt one; and it will 
 be no more than prudent to command my own feelings, lest 
 I become the hopeless victim of a serious passion. Young 
 as I w^as, all this I saw, and thus I reasoned ; and when I 
 parted from my companion I fancied myself a much wise? 
 
SATANSTOE. 107 
 
 man than when we had met. We separated in Duke 
 Street, with a promise on my part to call at the Major's 
 V)dgings half an hour later, after dressing, and walk with 
 him to Herman Mordaunt's door. 
 
 " It is fortunate that it is the fashion of New York to 
 walk to a dinner party," said Bulstrode, as he again took 
 my arm on our way to Crown Street ; " for these narrow 
 streets must be excessively inconvenient for chariots, though 
 I occasionally see one of them. As for sedan chairs, I 
 detest them as things unfit for a man to ride in." 
 
 " Many of our leading families keep carriages, and they 
 seem to get along well enough," I answered. " Neverthe- 
 less, it is quite in fashion even for ladies to walk. I under- 
 stand that many, perhaps most of your auditors, will walk 
 to the play-house door this evening." 
 
 " They tell me as much," said Bulstrode, curling his lip, 
 a little, in a way I did not exactly like. " Notwithstanding, 
 there will be many charming creatures among them, and they 
 shall be welcome. Well, Littlepage, I do not despair of 
 having you among us ; for, to be candid, without wishing 
 
 to boast, I think you will find the th as liberal a set of 
 
 young men as there is in the service. There is a wish to 
 have the mohairs among us instead of shutting ourselves up 
 altogether in scarlet. Then your father and grandfather 
 have both served, and that will be a famous introduction." 
 
 I protested my unfitness for such an amusement, never 
 having seen such an exhibition in my life ; but to this my 
 companion would not listen ; and we picked our way, as well 
 as we could, through William Street, up Wall, and then by 
 Nassau into Crown ; Herman Mordaunt owning a new 
 house, that stood not far from Broadway, in the latter street. 
 This was rather in a remote part of the town ; but the situ- 
 ation had the advantage of good air ; and, as a place 
 extends, it is necessary some persons should live on its 
 skirts. 
 
 " I wish my good cousin did not live quite so much in the 
 suburbs," said Bulstrode, as he knocked in a very patrician 
 manner ; " it is not altogether convenient to go quite so 
 much out of one's ordinary haunts, in order to pay visits. 
 I wonder Mr. Mordaunt came so far out of the world, to 
 build." 
 
108 SATAN STOE. 
 
 " Yet the distances of London must be much greater ; 
 though there you have coaches." 
 
 " True ; but not a word more on this subject : I would 
 not have Anneke fancy I ever find it far to visit her" 
 
 We were the last but one ; the tardy Mr. Harris making 
 it a point always to be the last. We found Anneke Mor- 
 daunt supported by two or three ladies of her connection, 
 and a party of quite a dozen assembled. As most of those 
 present saw each other every day, and frequently two or 
 three times a day, the salutations and compliments were 
 soon over, and Herman Mordaunt began to look about him, 
 to see who was wanting. 
 
 ,, I believe everybody is here but Mr. Harris," the father 
 observed to his daughter, interrupting some of Mr Bulstrode's 
 conversation, to let this fact be known. " Shall we wait for 
 him, my dear; he is usually so uncertain and late?" 
 
 " Yet a very important man," put in Bulstrode, "as being 
 entitled to lead the lady of the house to the table, in virtue 
 of his birthright. So much for being the fourth son of an 
 Irish baron ! Do you know Harris's father has just been 
 ennobled ?" 
 
 This was news to the company ; and it evidently much 
 increased the doubts of the propriety of sitting down without 
 the young man in question. 
 
 "Failing of this son of a new Irish baron, I suppose you 
 fancy I shall be obliged to give my hand to the eldest son 
 of an English baronet," said Anneke, smiling, so as to take 
 off the edge of a little irony that I fancy just glimmered 
 in her manner. 
 
 " I wish to Heaven you ivould, Anne Mordaunt," whis- 
 pered Bulstrode, loud enough for me to hear him, "so that 
 the heart were its companion !" 
 
 1 thought this both bold and decided ; and I looked anx- 
 iously at Anneke, to note the effect ; but she evidently receiv- 
 ed it as trifling, certainly betraying no emotion at a speech 
 I thought so pointed. I wished she had manifested a little 
 resentment. Then she was so very young to be thus im- 
 portuned ! 
 
 " Dinner had better be served, sir," she calmly observed 
 to her father. " Mr. Harris is apt to think himself ill-treated 
 if he do not find everybody at table. It would be a sign hig 
 
SATANSTOE. 109 
 
 watch was wrong, and that he had come half an hour too 
 Boon." 
 
 Herman Mordaunt nodded assent, and left his daughter's 
 side to give the necessary order. 
 
 "I fancy Harris will regret this," said Bulstrode. "I 
 wish I dared repeat what he had the temerity to say to me 
 on this very subject, no later than yesterday." 
 
 " Of the propriety of so doing, Mr. Bulstrode must judge 
 for himself: though repetitions of this nature are usually 
 best avoided." 
 
 " No, the fellow deserves it ; so I will just tell you and 
 Mr. Littlepage in confidence. You must know, as his senior 
 in years, and his senior officer in the bargain, I was hinting 
 to Harris the inexpediency of always being so late at dinner; 
 and here is my gentleman's answer : — ' You know,' said he, 
 'that excepting my lord Loudon, the Commander-in-chief, 
 the Governor, and a few public officers, I shall now take 
 precedence of almost every man here; and I find, if I go 
 early to dinner, I shail have to hand in all the elderly ladies, 
 and to take my place at their sides ; whereas, if I go a little 
 late, I can steal in alongside of their daughters.' Now, on 
 the present occasion, he will be altogether a loser, the lady 
 of the house not yet being quite fifty." 
 
 11 1 had not given Mr. Harris credit for so much ingenuity," 
 said Anneke, quietly. " But here he is to claim his rights." 
 
 "Ay, the fellow has remembered your age, and quite 
 likely your attractions /" 
 
 Dinner was announced at that instant, and all eyes were 
 turned on Harris, in expectation that he would advance to 
 lead Anneke down stairs. The young man, even more 
 youthful than myself, had a good deal of mauvaise honte; 
 for, though the son of an Irish peer, of two months' creation, 
 the family was not strictly Irish, and he had very little am- 
 bition to figure in this manner. From what I saw of him 
 subsequently, I do believe that nothing but a sense of duty 
 to his order made him respect these privileges of rank at all, 
 and that he would really just as soon go to a dinner-table 
 last, as first. In the present case, however, he was soon 
 relieved by Herman Mordaunt ; who had been educated at 
 home, and understood the usages of the world very well. 
 
 " Gentlemen," he said, " I must ask you to waive the 
 Vol. I.— 10 
 
110 SATANSTOE. 
 
 privileges of rank in favour of Mr. Cornelius Littlepage, to- 
 day. This good company has met to do honour especially 
 to his courage and devotion to his fellow-creatures, and he 
 will do me the favour to hand Miss Mordaunt down stairs." 
 
 Herman Mordaunt then pointed out to the Hon. Mr. 
 Harris, the next lady of importance, and to Mr. Bulstrode 
 a third ; after which all the rest took care of themselves. 
 As for myself, I felt my face in a glow, at this unexpected 
 order, and scarcely dared to look at Anneke as we led the 
 way to the dining-room door. So much abashed was I, 
 that I scarce touched the tips of her slender little fingers, 
 and a tremour was in the limb that performed this office, the 
 whole time it was thus employed. Of course, my seat was 
 next to that of the young and lovely mistress of the house, 
 at this banquet. 
 
 What shall I say of the dinner? It was the very first 
 entertainment of the sort at which I had ever been present ; 
 though I had acquired some of the notions of town habits, 
 on such occasions, at my aunt Legge's table. To my sur- 
 prise, there was soup ; a dish that I never saw at Satanstoe, 
 except in the most familiar way ; while here it was taken by 
 every one, seemingly as a matter of course. Everything 
 was elegant, and admirably cooked. Abundance, however, 
 was the great feature of the feast ; as I have heard it said, 
 is apt to be the case with most New York entertainments. 
 Nevertheless, I have always understood that, in the way of 
 eating and drinking, the American colonies have little reason 
 to be ashamed. 
 
 " Could I have foreseen this dinner, Miss Mordaunt," 
 I said, when everybody was employed, and I thought there 
 was an opening to say something to my beautiful neighbour; 
 " it would have made my father very happy to have sent a 
 sheepshead to town,, for the occasion." 
 
 Anneke thanked me, and then we began to converse about 
 the game. Westchester was, and is still, famous for par- 
 tridges, snipe, quails, ducks, and meadow-larks; and I 
 understood expatiating on such a subject, as well as the best 
 of them. All the Littlepages were shots ; and I have known 
 my father bag ten brace of woodcock, among the wet thickets 
 of Satanstoe, of a morning; and this with merely a second 
 class dog, and only one. Both Bulstrode and Harris listened 
 
SATANSTOE. Ill 
 
 to what 1 said on this subject with great attention, and it 
 would soon have been the engrossing discourse, had not 
 Anneke pleasantly said — 
 
 "All very well, gentlemen ; but you will remember that 
 neither Miss Wallace, nor I, shoot." 
 
 " Except with the arrows of Cupid," answered Bulstrode, 
 gaily; " with these you do so much execution between you" 
 emphasizing the words, so as to make me look foolish, for I 
 sat between them, " that you ought to be condemned to hear 
 nothing but fowling conversation for the next year." 
 
 This produced a laugh, a little at my expense, I believe; 
 though I could see that Anneke blushed, while Mary Wallace 
 smiled indifferently; but as the healths now began, there 
 was a truce to trifling. And a serious thing it is, to drink 
 to everybody by name, at a large table ; serious I mean to 
 a new beginner. Yet, Herman Mordaunt went through it 
 with a grace and dignity, that I think would have been re- 
 marked at a royal banquet. The ladies acquitted themselves 
 admirably, omitting no one ; and even Harris felt the ne- 
 cessity of being particular with this indispensable part of 
 good-breeding. So well done was this part of the ceremony, 
 that I declare, I believe everybody had drunk to everybody, 
 within five minutes after Herman Mordaunt commenced ; and 
 it was very apparent that there was more ease and true 
 gaiety after all had got through, than there had previously 
 been. 
 
 But the happy period of every dinner-party, is after the 
 cloth is removed. With the dark polished mahogany for a 
 background, the sparkling decanters making their rounds, the 
 fruit and cake baskets, the very scene seems to inspire 
 one with a wish for gaiety. Herman Mordaunt called for 
 toasts, as soon as the cloth disappeared, with a view I be- 
 lieve of putting everybody at ease, and to render the con 
 versation more general. He was desired to set the example, 
 and immediately gave " Miss Markham," who, as I was 
 told, was a single lady of forty, with whom he had carried 
 on a little flirtation. Anneke's turn came next, and she 
 chose to give a sentiment, notwithstanding all Bulstrode's 
 remonstrances, who insisted on a gentleman. He did not 
 succeed, however; Anneke very steadily gave "The Thes- 
 pian corps of the th ; may it prove as successful in the 
 
112 SATAN STOE. 
 
 arts of peace, as in its military character it has often proved 
 itself to be in the art of war." Much applause followed 
 this toast, and Harris was persuaded by Bulstrode to stand 
 up, and say a few words, for the credit of the regiment. 
 Such a speech ! — It reminded me of the horse that was ad- 
 vertised as a show, in London, about this time, and which 
 was said ' to have its tail where its head ought to be.' But, 
 Bulstrode clapped his hands, and cried ' hear,' at every other 
 word, protesting that the regiment was honoured as much 
 in the thanks, as in the sentiment. Harris did not seem 
 displeased with his own effort, and, presuming on his rank, 
 he drank, without being called on, "to the fair of New 
 York ; eminent alike for beauty and wit, may they only 
 become as merciful as they are victorious." 
 
 " Bravo !" again cried Bulstrode, — " Harris is fairly in- 
 spired, and is growing better and better. Had he said im- 
 minent, instead of eminent, it would be more accurate, as 
 their frowns are as threatening, as their smiles are bewitch- 
 big." 
 
 " Is that to pass for your sentiment, Mr. Bulstrode, and 
 are we to drink it ?" demanded Herman Mordaunt. 
 
 " By no means, sir ; I have the honour to give Lady 
 Dolly Merton." 
 
 Who Lady Dolly was, nobody knew, I believe, though 
 we of the colonies always drank a titled person, who was 
 known to be at home, with a great deal of respectful atten- 
 tion, not to say veneration. Other toasts followed, and 
 then the ladies were asked to sing. Anneke complied, 
 with very little urging, as became her position, and never 
 did I hear sweeter strains than those she poured forth ! The 
 air was simple, but melody itself, and the sentiment had 
 iust enough of the engrossing feeling of woman in it, to 
 render it interesting, without in the slightest degree impair- 
 ing its fitness for the virgin lips from which it issued. Bul- 
 strode, I could see, was almost entranced ; and I heard him 
 murmur "an angel, by Heavens!" He sang, himself, a 
 love song, full of delicacy and feeling, and in a way to show 
 that lie had paid much attention to the art of music. Harris 
 sang, too, as did Mary Wallace ; the former, much as he 
 spoke ; the last plaintively, and decidedly well. Even Her- 
 man Mordaunt gave us a strain, and rav turn followed. 
 
SATANSTOE. 113 
 
 Singing was somewhat of a forte with me, and I have rea- 
 son to think I made out quite as well as the best of them. 
 I know that Anneke seemed pleased, and I saw tears in her 
 eyes, as I concluded a song that was intended to produce 
 just such an effect. 
 
 At length the youthful mistress of the house arose, re- 
 minding her father that he had at table the principal per- 
 former of the evening, by way of a caution, when three or 
 four of us handed the ladies to the drawing-room door. In- 
 stead of returning to the table, I entered the room, and Bul- 
 strode did the same, under the plea of its being necessary 
 for him to drink no more, on account of the work before 
 him. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 " Odd's bodikins, man, much better: use 
 Every man after his desert, and who shall 'scape 
 Whipping ? use them after your own honour 
 And dignity : the less they deserve, the more 
 Merit is in your bounty." 
 
 Hamlet. 
 
 " Harris will be Jwrs de combat" Bulstrode soon ob. 
 served, " unless I can manage to get him from the table. — You 
 know he is to play Marcia this evening ; and, though a little 
 wine will give him fire and spirit for the part, too much will 
 impair its feminine beauties. Addison never intended that 
 * the virtuous Marcia,' in towering above her sex, was to be 
 picked out of a kennel, or from under a table. Harris is a 
 true* Irish peer, when claret is concerned." 
 
 All the ladies held up their hands, and protested against 
 Mr. Harris' being permitted to act a travestie on their sex. 
 As yet, no one had known how the characters were to be 
 cast, beyond the fact that Bulstrode himself was to play 
 Cato, for great care had been taken to keep the bills of the 
 night from being seen, in order that the audience might 
 have the satisfaction of finding out, who was who, for them« 
 10* 
 
114 SATANSTOE. 
 
 selves. At the close of each piece a bill was to be sent 
 round, among the favoured few, telling the truth. As An- 
 neke declared that her father never locked in his guests, 
 and had faithfully promised to bring up everybody for 
 coffee, in the course of half an hour, it was determined to 
 let things take their own way. 
 
 Sure enough, at the end of the time mentioned, Herman 
 Mordaunt appeared, with all the men, from the table. Harris 
 was not tipsy, as I found was very apt to be the case with 
 him after dinner, but neither was he sober. According to 
 Bulslrode's notion, he may have had just fire enough to play 
 the ' virtuous Marcia.' In a few minutes he hurrried the 
 ensign off, declaring that, like Hamlet's ghost, their hour 
 had come. At seven, the whole party left the house in a 
 body to walk to the theatre. Herman Mordaunt did not 
 keep a proper town equipage, and, if he had, it would not 
 have contained a fourth of our company. In this, however, 
 we were not singular, as nine in ten of the audience that 
 night, I mean nine in ten of the gentle sex, went to the 
 theatre on foot. 
 
 Instead of going directly down Crown Street, into Maiden 
 Lane, which would have been the nearest way to the theatre, 
 we went out into Broadway, and round by Wall Street, the 
 walking being better, and the gutters farther from the ladies; 
 the centre of the street being at no great distance from the 
 houses, in the narrower passages of the town. We found 
 a great many well-dressed people moving in the same direc- 
 tion with ourselves. Herman Mordaunt remarked that he 
 had never before seen so many hoops, cardinals, cocked 
 hats and swords in the streets, at once, as he saw that even- 
 ing. All the carriages in town rolled past us as we went 
 down Wall Street, and by the time we reached William 
 Street, the pavements resembled a procession, more than 
 anything else. As every one was in full dress, the effect 
 was pleasing, and the evening being fine, most of the gen- 
 tlemen carried their hnts in their .hands, in order not to 
 disturb their curls, thus giving to the whole the air of a sort 
 of vast drawing-room. I never saw a more lovely creature 
 than Anneke Mordaunt appeared, as she led our party, on 
 this occasion. The powder had got a little out of her fine 
 auburn hair, and on the part of the head that was not con- 
 
 
SATANSTOE. 115 
 
 cealed by a cap, that shaded half her beautiful face, it seemed 
 as if the rich covering bestowed by nature was about to 
 break out of all restraint, and shade her bust with its exu- 
 berance. Her negligee was a rich satin, flounced, in front, 
 .while the lace that dropped from her elbows seemed as if 
 woven by fairies, expressly for a fairy to wear. She had 
 paste buckles in her shoes, and I thought I had never beheld 
 such a foot, as was occasionally seen peeping from beneath 
 her dress, while she walked daintily, yet with the grace of 
 a queen, at my side. I do not thus describe Anneke with a 
 view of inducing the reader to fancy her stately and repul- 
 sive ; on the contrary, winning ease and natural grace were 
 just as striking in her manner, as were beauty, and senti- 
 ment, and feeling in her countenance. More than once, as 
 we walked side by side, did I become painfully conscious 
 how unworthy I was to fill the place I occupied. I believe 
 this humility is one of the surest signs of sincere love. 
 
 At length we reached the theatre, and were permitted to 
 enter. All the front seats were occupied by blacks, princi- 
 pally in New York liveries ; that is to say, with cuffs, 
 collars and pocket-flaps of a cloth different from the coat, 
 though a few were in lace. These last belonged to the top- 
 ping families, several of which gave colours and ornaments 
 almost as rich as those that I understand are constantly 
 given at home. I well remember that two entire boxes 
 were retained by servants, in shoulder-knots, and much 
 richer dresses than common, one of whom belonged to the 
 Lt. Governor, and the other to my Lord Loudon, who was 
 then Commander-in-Chief. As the company entered, these 
 domestics disappeared, as is usual, and we all took our seats 
 on the benches thus retained for us. Bulstrode's care was 
 apparent in the manner in which he had provided for 
 Anneke, and her party, which, I will take it on myself to 
 say, was one of the most striking, for youth and good looks, 
 that entered the house that evening. 
 
 Great was the curiosity, and deep the feeling, that pre- 
 vailed, among the younger portion of the audience in par- 
 ticular, as party after party was seated, that important 
 evening. The house was ornamented as a theatre, and I 
 thought it vast in extent; though Herman Mordaunt assured 
 me it was no great things, in that point of view, as com- 
 
116 SATANSTOE. 
 
 pared with most of the playhouses at home. But the orna- 
 ments, and the lights, and the curtain, the pit, the boxes, 
 the gallery, were all so many objects of intense interest. 
 Few of us said anything ; but our eyes wandered over all 
 with a species of delight, that I am certain can be felt in a 
 theatre only once. Anneke's sweet face was a picture of 
 youthful expectation ; an expectation, however, in which 
 intelligence and discretion had their full share. The orches- 
 tra was said to have an undue portion of wind instruments 
 in it; though I perceived ladies all ever the house, includ- 
 ing those in our own box, returning the bows of many of 
 the musicians, who, I was told, were amateurs from the 
 army and the drawing-rooms of the town. 
 
 At length the Commander-in-Chief and the Lt. Governor 
 entered together, occupying the same box, though two had 
 been provided, their attendants having recourse to the 
 second. The commotion produced by these arrivals had 
 hardly subsided, when the curtain arose, and a new world 
 was presented to our view ! Of the playing, I shall not 
 venture to say much ; though to me it seemed perfection. 
 Bulstrode gained great applause that night ; and I under- 
 stand that divers gentlemen, who had either been educated 
 at home, or who had passed much time there, declared that 
 his Cato would have done credit to either of the royal 
 theatres. His dress appeared to me to be everything it 
 should be ; though I cannot describe it. I remember that 
 Syphax wore the uniform of a colonel of dragoons, and Juba, 
 that of a general officer; and that there was a good deal of 
 criticism expended, and some offence taken, because the 
 gentlemen who played these parts came out in wool, and 
 with their faces blacked. It was said, in answer to these 
 feelings, that the characters were Africans ; and that any 
 one might see, by casting his eyes at the gallery, that Afri- 
 cans are usually black, and that they have woolly hair ; a 
 sort of proof that, I imagine, only aggravated the offence.* 
 Apart from this little mistake, everything went off well, even 
 
 * In England, Othello is usually played as a black, while in Ame- 
 rica he is played as a nondescript ; or of no colour that is ordinarily 
 seen. It is not clear that England is nearer right than America, 
 however ; the Moor not being a negro, any more than he is of the 
 colour of a dried herring. — Editor. 
 
SATAN STOE. 117 
 
 to Harris's Marcia. It is true, that some evil-inclined per- 
 sons whispered that the "virtuous Marcia" was a little how- 
 came-you-so ; but Bulstrode afterwards assured me that his 
 condition helped him along amazingly, and that it added a 
 liquid lustre to his eyes, that might otherwise have been 
 wanting. The high-heeled shoes appeared to trouble him ; 
 but some persons fancied it gave him a pretty tottering in 
 his walk, that added very much to the deception. On the 
 whole, the piece went off surprisingly, as I could see by 
 Lord Loudon and the Lt. Governor, both of whom seemed 
 infinitely diverted. Herman Mordaunt smiled once or twice, 
 when he ought to have looked grave; but this I ascribed to 
 a want of practice, of late years, in scenic representations. 
 He certainly was a man of judgment, and must have known 
 the proper moments to exhibit particular emotions. 
 
 During the interval between the play and the farce, the 
 actors came among us, to receive the homage they merited, 
 and loud were the plaudits that were bestowed on them. 
 Anneke's bright eyes sparkled with pleasure as she admitted, 
 without reserve, to Bulstrode the pleasure she had received, 
 and confessed she had formed no idea, hitherto, of the 
 beauty and power of a theatrical representation, aided as 
 was this, by the auxiliaries of lights, dress and scenery. 
 It is true, the women had been a little absurd, and the " vir- 
 tuous Marcia" particularly so ; but the fine sentiments of 
 Addison, which, though as Herman Mordaunt observed, they 
 had all the accuracy and all the stiffness of a pedantic age, 
 were sufficiently beautiful and just, to cover the delinquen- 
 cies of the Hon. Mr. Harris. She hoped the after-piece 
 would be of the same general character, that they might all 
 enjoy it as much as they had the play itself. 
 
 The other young ladies were equally decided in their 
 praise, though it struck me that Annekefelt the most, on 
 the occasion. That the Major had obtained a great advan- 
 tage by his efforts, I could not but see ; and the folly of my 
 having any pretensions with one who was courted by such a 
 rival, began to impress itself on my imagination with a force 
 I found painful. But the bell soon summoned away the 
 gallant actors, in order to dress for the farce. 
 
 The long interval that occurred between the two pieces, 
 gave ample opportunity for vi'siting one's acquaintances, and 
 
118 SATAN STOE. 
 
 to compare opinions. I went to my aunt's box, and found 
 her well satisfied, though less animated than the younger 
 ladies, in the expression of her pleasure. My uncle was 
 altogether himself; good-natured, but not disposed to award 
 any indiscreet amount of praise. 
 
 «* Pretty well for boys, Corny," he said, " though the 
 youngster who acted Marcia had better been at school. I 
 do not know his name, but he completely took all the vir- 
 tue out of Marcia. He must have studied her character 
 from some of the ladies who follow the camp." 
 
 " My dear uncle, how differently you think from all in 
 our box ! That gentleman is the Hon. Mr. Harris, who is 
 
 only eighteen, and has a pair of colours in the th, and is 
 
 a son of Lord Ballybannon, or Bally-something else, and is 
 said to have the softest voice in the army !" 
 
 " Ay, and the softest head, too, I '11 answer for it. I tell 
 you, Corny, the Hon. Mr. Ballybilly, who is only eighteen, 
 
 and has a pair of colours in the th, and the softest voice 
 
 in the army, had better been at school, instead of under- 
 mining the virtue of the ' virtuous Marcia,' as he has so 
 obviously done. Bulstrode did well enough ; capitally well, 
 for an amateur, and must be a first-rate fellow. By the 
 way, Jane" — that was my aunt's name — " they tell me, he 
 is likely to marry that exceedingly pretty daughter of Her- 
 man Mordaunt, and make her Lady Bulstrode, one of these 
 days." 
 
 "Why not, Mr. Legge? — Anne Mordaunt is as sweet a 
 girl as there is in the colony, and is very respectably con 
 nected. They even say the Mordaunls are of a high family 
 at home. Mary Wallace told me that Herman Mordaunt 
 and Sir Henry Bulstrode are themselves related ; and you 
 know, my dear, how intimate the Mordaunts and the Wal 
 laces are ?" 
 
 " Not I ; — I know nothing of their intimacies, though 1 
 dare say it may be all true. Mordaunt's father was an 
 English gentleman of some family, I have always heard, 
 though he was as poor as a church-mouse, when he mar 
 ried one of our Dutch heiresses; and as for Herman Mor- 
 daunt himself, he proved he had not lost the instinct by 
 marrying another, though she did not happen to be Dutch. 
 
SATANSTOE. 119 
 
 Here comes Ano-eke fo inherit it all, and I'll answer for it 
 that care is had that she shall marry an heir." 
 
 "Well, Mr. Bulstrode is an heir, and the eldest son of a 
 baronet. I am always pleased when one of our girls makes 
 a good connection at home, for it does the colony credit. 
 It is an* excellent thing, Corny, to have our interest welt 
 sustained at home — especially before the Privy Council, they 
 tell me." 
 
 " Well, I am not," answered my uncle. " I think it more 
 to the credit of the colony for its young women to take up 
 with its young men, and its young men with its young 
 women. I wish Anne Mordaunt had been substituted for 
 the Hon. Ballyshannon to-night. She would have made a 
 thousand times better ' virtuous Marcia." 
 
 " You surely would not have had a young lady of re- 
 spectability appear in public, in this way, Mr. Legge." 
 
 My uncle said something to this, for he seldom let "Jane" 
 get the better of it for want of an answer ; but as I left 
 the box, I did not hear his reply. It seemed then to be 
 settled, in the minds of most persons, that Bulstrode was to 
 marry Anneke ! I cannot describe the new shock this 
 opinion gave me ; but it seemed to make me more fully 
 sensible of the depth of the impression that had been made 
 on myself, in the intercourse of a single week. The effect 
 was such that I did not return to the party I had left, but 
 sought a seat in a distant part of the theatre, though one in 
 which I could distinctly see those I had abandoned. 
 
 The Beaux Stratagem soon commenced, and Bulstrode 
 was again seen in the character of Scrub. Those who 
 were most familiar with the stage, pronounced his playing 
 to be excellent — far better in the footman than in the Roman 
 Senator. The play itself struck me as being as broad and 
 coarse as could be tolerated ; but as it had a reputation at 
 home, where it had a great name, our matrons did net dare 
 to object to it. I was glad to see the smiles soon disappear 
 from Anneke's face, however, and to discover that she found 
 no pleasure in scenes so unsuited to her sex and years. 
 The short, quick glances that were exchanged between An- 
 neke and Mary Wallace, did not escape me, and the manner 
 in which they both rose, as soon as the curtain dropped, 
 told quite plainly the haste they were in to quit the theatre. 
 
120 SATANSTOE. 
 
 I reached their box-door in lime to assist them through the 
 crowd. 
 
 Not a word was said by any of us, until we reached the 
 street, where two or three of Miss Mordaunt's female friends 
 became loud in the expression of their satisfaction. Neither 
 Anneke nor Mary Wallace said anything, and so well did 
 I understand the nature of their feelings, that I made no 
 allusion whatever to the farce. Ay for the others, they did 
 but chime in with what appeared to be the common opinion, 
 and were to be pitied rather than condemned. It was per- 
 haps the more excusable in them to imagine such a play 
 right, inasmuch as they must have known it was much ex- 
 tolled at home, a fact that gave any custom a certain privi- 
 lege in the colonies. A mother country has much of the 
 same responsibility as a natural mother, herself, since its 
 opinions and example are apt to be quoted in the one case 
 by the dependant, in justification of its own opinions and 
 conduct, as it is by the natural offspring in the other. 
 
 I fancy, notwithstanding, this sort of responsibility gives 
 the ministers or people of England very little trouble, since 
 I never could discover any sensitiveness to their duties on 
 this score. We all went in at Herman Mordaunt's, after, 
 walking to the house as we had walked from it, and were 
 made to take a light supper, including some delicious choco- 
 late. Just as we sat down to table, Bulstrode joined us, to 
 receive the praises he had earned, and to enjoy his triumph. 
 He got a seat directly opposite to mine, on Anneke's left 
 hand, and soon began to converse. 
 
 " In the first place," he cried, " you must all admit that 
 Tom Harris did wonders to-night as Miss Marcia Cato. I 
 had my own trouble with the rogue, for there is no prece- 
 dent for a tipsy Marcia ; but we managed to keep him 
 straight, and that was the nicest part of my management, 
 let me assure you." 
 
 " Yes," observed Herman Mordaunt, drily ; " i should 
 think keeping Tom Harris straight, after dinner, an exploit 
 of no little difficulty, but a task that would demand a very 
 judicious management, indeed." 
 
 " You were pleased to express your satisfaction with the 
 performance of Cato. Miss Mordaunt," said Bulstrode, in a 
 
SATAN STOE. 121 
 
 very deferential and solicitous manner ; " but I question if 
 the entertainment gave you as much pleasure?" 
 
 " It certainly did n.ot. Had the representation ended with 
 the first piece, I am afraid I should too much regret that we 
 are without a regular stage ; but the farce will take off much 
 of the keenness of such regrets." 
 
 " I fear I understand you, cousin Anne, and greatly 
 regret that we did not make another choice," returned Bui- 
 strode, with a humility that was not usual in his manner, 
 even when addressing Anneke Mordaunt ; " but I can assure 
 you the play has great vogue at home ; and the character of 
 Scrub, in particular, has usually been a prodigious favourite. 
 I see by your look, however, that enough has been said ; 
 but after having done so much to amuse this good company, 
 to-night, I shall feel authorised to call on every lady present, 
 at least for a song., as soon as the proper moment arrives. 
 Perhaps I have a right to add, a sentiment, and a toast." 
 
 And songs, and toasts, and sentiments, we had, as usual, 
 the moment we had done eating. It was, and indeed is, 
 ratner more usual to indulge in this innocent gaiety after 
 supper, than after dinner, with us ; and that night everybody 
 entered into the feeling of the moment with spirit. Herman 
 Mordaunt gave " Miss Markham," as he had done at dinner, 
 and this with an air so determined, as to prove no one else 
 would ever be got out of him. 
 
 " There is a compact between Miss Markham and myself, 
 to toast each other for the remainder of our lives," cried the 
 master of the house, laughing ; " and we are each too honest 
 ever to violate it." 
 
 " But Miss Mordaunt is under no such engagement," put 
 in a certain Mr. Benson, who had manifested much interest 
 in the beautiful young mistress of the house throughout the 
 day ; " and I trust we shall not be put off by any such ex- 
 cuse from her." 
 
 " It is not in rule to ask two of the same race for toasts 
 in succession, answered Herman Mordaunt. " There is Mr. 
 Bulstrode dying to give us another English belle." 
 
 " With all my heart," said Bulstrode, gaily. " This time 
 it shall be Lady Betty Boddington." 
 
 "Married or single, Bulstrode?" inquired Billings, as I 
 thought with some little point. 
 
 Vol. I. — 11 
 
122 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " No matter which, so long as she be a beauty and a 
 toast. I believe it is now my privilege to call on a lady , 
 and I beg a gentleman from Miss Wallace." 
 
 There had been an expression of pained surprise, at the 
 trifling between Billings and Bulstrode, in Anneke's sweet 
 countenance; for, in the simplicity of our provincial habits, 
 we of the colonies did not think it exactly in rule for the 
 single to toast the married, or vice versa ; but the instant 
 her friend was thus called on, it changed for a look of gen- 
 tle concern. Mary Wallace manifested no concern, how- 
 ever, but gave " Mr. Francis Fordham." 
 
 " Ay, Frank Fordham, with all my heart," cried Herman 
 Mordaunt. " I hope he will return to his native country as 
 straight-forward, honest, aud good as he left it." 
 
 " Mr. Fordham is then abroad?" inquired Bulstrode. " I 
 thought the name new to me." 
 
 " If being at home can be called being abroad. He is 
 reading law at the Temple." 
 
 This was the answer of Mary Wallace, who looked as if 
 she felt a friendly interest in the young Templar, but no 
 more. She now called on Dirck for his lady. Throughout 
 the whole of that day, Dirck's voice had hardly been heard ; 
 a reserve that comported well enough with his youth and 
 established diffidence. This appeal, however, seemed sud- 
 denly to arouse all that there was of manhood in him ; and 
 that was not a little, I can tell the reader, when there was 
 occasion to use it. Dirck's nature was honesty itself; and 
 he felt that the appeal was too direct, and the occasion too 
 serious, to admit of duplicity. He loved but one, esteemed 
 but one, felt for one only ; and it was not in his nature to 
 cover his preference by any attempt at deception. After 
 colouring to the ears, appearing distressed, he made an effort, 
 and pronounced the name of — "Anneke Mordaunt." 
 
 A common laugh rewarded this blunder; common with 
 all but the fair creature who had extorted this involuntary 
 tribute, and myself, who knew Dirck's character too well 
 not to understand how very much he must be in earnest 
 thus to lay bare the most cherished secret of his heart. 
 The mirth continued some time, Herman Mordaunt appear- 
 ing to be particularly pleased, and applauding his kinsman's 
 directness with several ' bravos' very distinctly uttered. Aj 
 
SATANSTOE. 123 
 
 for Anneke, I saw she looked touched, while she looked 
 concerned, and as if she would be glad to have the thing 
 undone. 
 
 11 After all, Dirck, much as I admire your spirit and 
 plain dealing, boy," cried Herman Mordaunt, " Miss Wal- 
 lace can never let such a toast pass. She will insist on 
 having another." 
 
 " I ! — I protest I am well pleased with it, and ask for no 
 other," exclaimed the lady in question. " No toast can be 
 more agreeable to me than Anneke Mordaunt, and I par- 
 ticularly like the quarter from which this comes." 
 
 " If friends can be trusted in a matter of this nature," 
 put in Eulstrode, with a little pique, " Mr. Follock has every 
 reason to be contented. Had I known, however, that the 
 customs of New York allowed a lady who is present to be 
 toasted, that gentleman would not have had the merit of 
 being the first to make this discovery." 
 
 " Nor is it," said Herman Mordaunt ; " and Dirck must 
 hunt up another to supply my daughter's place." 
 
 But no other was forthcoming from the stores of Dirck 
 Pollock's mind. Had he a dozen names in reserve, not one 
 of them would he have produced under circumstances that 
 might seem like denying his allegiance to the girl already 
 given ; but he could not name any other female. So, after 
 some trifling, the company attributing Dirck's hesitation to 
 his youth and ignorance of the world, abandoned the at- 
 tempt, desiring him to call on Anneke herself for a toast in 
 turn. 
 
 " Cousin Dirck Van Valkenburgh," said Anneke, with 
 the greater self-possession and ease of her sex, though 
 actually my friend's junior by more than two years ; laying 
 some emphasis, at the same time, on the word cousin. 
 
 " There !" exclaimed Dirck, looking exultingly at Bul- 
 strode ; " you see, gentlemen and ladies, that it is permitted 
 to toast a person present, if you happen to respect and 
 esteem that person !" 
 
 " By which, sir, we are to understand how much Miss 
 Mordaunt respects and esteems Mr. Dirck Van Valkenburgh," 
 answered Bulstrode gravely. " I am afraid there is only 
 too much justice in an opinion that might, at the first blush, 
 jeem to savour of self-love." 
 
124 SATAN STOE 
 
 " An imputation I am far from denying," returned 
 Anneke, with a steadiness that showed wonderful self-com- 
 mand, did she really return any of Dirck's attachment. 
 " My kinsman gives me as his toast, and I give him as mine. 
 Is there anything unnatural in that?" 
 
 Here there was an outbreak of raillery at Anneke's ex- 
 pense, which the young lady bore with a calmness and 
 composure that at first astonished me. But when I came to 
 reflect that she had been virtually at the head of her father's 
 house for several years, and that she had always associated 
 with persons older than herself, it appeared more natural ; 
 for it is certain we can either advance or retard the charac- 
 ter by throwing a person into intimate association with those 
 who, by their own conversation, manners, or acquirements, 
 are most adapted for doing either. In a few minutes the 
 interruption was forgotten by those who had no interest in 
 the subject, and the singing commenced. I had obtained so 
 much credit by my attempt at dinner, that I had the ex- 
 treme gratification of being asked to sing another song by 
 Anneke herself. Of course I complied, and I thought the 
 company seemed pleased. As for my young hostess, I 
 knew she looked more gratified with my song than with the 
 afterpiece, and that I felt to be something. Dirck had an 
 occasion to renew a little of the ground lost by the toast, 
 for he sang a capital comic song in Low Dutch. It is true, 
 not half the party understood him, but the other half laughed 
 until the tears rolled down their cheeks, and there was 
 something so droll in my friend's manner, that everybody 
 was delighted. The clocks struck twelve before we 
 broke up. 
 
 I staid in town but a day or two longer, meeting my new 
 acquaintances every day, and sometimes twice a-day, how- 
 ever, on Trinity Church Walk. I paid visits of leave-taking 
 with a heavy heart, and most of all to Anneke and her 
 father. 
 
 " I understood from Follock, " said Herman Mordaunt, 
 when I explained the object of my call, "that you are to 
 leave town to-morrow. Miss Mordaunt and her friend, Miss 
 Wallace, go to Lilacsbush this afternoon ; for it is high time 
 to look after the garden and the flowers, many of which are 
 now in full bloom. I shall join them in the evening ; and I 
 
SATANSTOE. 125 
 
 propose that you, young men, take a late breakfast with us, 
 on your way to Westchester. A cup of coffee before you 
 start, and getting into your saddle at six, will bring all 
 right. I promise you that y 7 ou shall be on the road again 
 by one, which will give you plenty of time to reach Satans- 
 toe before dark." 
 
 I looked at Anneke, and fancied that the expression of 
 her countenance was favourable. Dirck left everything to 
 me, and I accepted the invitation. This arrangement 
 shortened my visit in Crown Street, and I left the house 
 with a lighter heart than that with which I had entered it. 
 It is always so agreeable to get an unpleasant duty deferred ! 
 
 Next day Dirck and I were in the saddle at six precisely, 
 and we rode through the streets just as the blacks were 
 washing down their stoops and side-walks ; though there 
 were but very few of the last, in my youth. This is a 
 commodious improvement, and one that it is not easy to see 
 how the ladies could dispense with, and which is now getting 
 to be pretty common ; all the new streets, I see, being pro- 
 vided with the convenience. 
 
 It was a fine May morning, and the air was full of the 
 sweet fragrance of the lilac, in particular, as we rode into 
 the country. Just as we got into the Bowery Lane, a horse- 
 man was seen walking out of one of the by-streets, and 
 coming our way. He no sooner caught sight of two travel- 
 lers going in his own direction, than he spurred forward to 
 join us ; being alone, and probably wishing company. As 
 it would have been churlish to refuse to travel in company 
 with one thus situated, we pulled up, walking our. horses 
 until the stranger joined us ; when, to our surprise, it turned 
 out to be Jason Newcome. The pedagogue was as much 
 astonished when he recognised us, as we were in recognising 
 him ; and I believe he was a little disappointed ; for Jason 
 was so fond of making acquaintances, that it was always a 
 pleasure to him to be thus employed. It appeared that he 
 had been down on the island to visit a relative, who had 
 married and settled in that quarter ; and this was the reason 
 we had not met since the morning of the affair of the lion. 
 Of course we trotted on together, neither glad nor sorry at 
 having this particular companion. 
 
 I never could explain the process by means of which 
 11* 
 
126 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Jason wound his way into everybody's secrets. It is true, 
 he had no scruples about asking questions ; putting those 
 which most persons would think forbidden by the usages of 
 society, with as little hesitation as those which are univer. 
 sally permitted. The people of New England have a repu- 
 tation this way ; and I remember to have heard Mr. Worden 
 account for the practice in the following way : Everything 
 and everybody was brought under rigid church government 
 among the Puritans ; and, when a whole community gets 
 the notion that it is to sit in judgment on every act of 
 one of its members, it is quite natural that it should extend 
 that right to an inquiry into all his affairs. One thing is 
 certain ; our neighbours of Connecticut do assume a control 
 over the acts and opinions of individuals that is not dreamed 
 of in New York ; and I think it very likely that the practice 
 of pushing inquiry into private things, has grown up under 
 this custom. 
 
 As one might suppose, Jason, whenever baffled in an at- 
 tempt to obtain knowledge by means of inquiries, more or less 
 direct, sought to advance his ends through conjectures; tak- 
 ing those that were the most plausible, if any such could be 
 found, but putting up with those that had not even this ques- 
 tionable recommendation, if nolhing better offered. He 
 was, consequently, for ever falling into the grossest errors, 
 for, necessarily making his conclusions on premises drawn 
 from his own ignorance and inexperience, he was liable to 
 fall into serious mistakes at the very outset. Nor was this 
 the worst; the tendency of human nature not being very 
 directly to charity, the harshest constructions were sometimes 
 blended with the most absurd blunders, in his mind, and I 
 have known him to be often guilty of assertions, that had 
 no better foundation than these conjectures, which might 
 have subjected him to severe legal penalties. 
 
 On the present occasion, Jason was not long in ascer. 
 taining where we were bound. This was done in a man- 
 ner so characteristic and ingenious, that I will attempt to 
 relate it. 
 
 " Why, you're out earl)' - , this morning, gentlemen !" ex- 
 claimed Jason, affecting surprise. " What in natur' has 
 started you off before breakfast?" 
 
SATANSTOE. 127 
 
 11 So as to be certain not to lose our suppers at Satanstoe. 
 this evening," I answered. 
 
 "Suppers? why, you will almost reach home (Jason 
 would call this word hum) by dinner-time ; that is, your 
 York dinner-time. Perhaps you mean to call by the way?" 
 
 " Perhaps we do, Mr. Newcome ; there are many pleasant 
 families between this and Satanstoe." 
 
 " I know there be. There 's the great Mr. Van Cort- 
 landt's at Yonker's ; perhaps you mean to stop there ?" 
 
 "No, sir; we have no such intention." 
 
 " Then there's the rich Count Philips's, on the river ; 
 that would be no great matter out of the way?" 
 
 " It 's farther than we intend to turn." 
 
 " Oh ! so you do intend to turn a bit aside ! Well, there 's 
 that Mr. Mordaunt, whose daughter you pulled out of the 
 lion's paws ; — he has a house near King's-Bridge, called 
 Lilacsbush." 
 
 " And how did you ascertain that, Jason ?" 
 
 " By asking. Do you think I would let such a thing 
 happen, and not inquire a little about the young lady? No- 
 thing is ever lost by putting a few questions, and inquiring 
 round ; and I did not forget the rule in her case." 
 
 " And you ascertained that the young lady's father has a 
 place called Lilacsbush, in this neighbourhood?" 
 
 " I did ; and a queer York fashion it is to give a house a 
 name, just as you would a Christian being; that must be a 
 Roman Catholic custom, and some way connected with ido- 
 latry." 
 
 " Out of all doubt. It is far better to say, for instance, 
 that we are going to breakfast at Mr. Mordaunt's-es-es, than 
 to say we intend to stop at Lilacsbush." 
 
 " Oh! you be, be you ? Well, I thought it would turn out 
 that some such place must have started you off so early. It 
 will be a desperate late breakfast, Corny!" 
 
 " It will be at ten o'oclock, Jason, and that is rather later 
 than common ; but our appetites will be so much the better." 
 
 To this Jason assented, and then commenced a series of 
 manoeuvres to be included in the party. This we did not 
 dare to do, however, and all Jason's hints were disregarded, 
 until, growing desperate by our evasions, he plumply pro- 
 posed to go along, and we as plumply told him we would 
 
128 SATANSTOE. 
 
 take no such liberty with a man of Herman Mordaunt'a 
 years, position and character. I do not know that we 
 should have hesitated so much had we considered Jason a 
 gentleman, but this was impossible. The custom of the 
 colony admitted of great freedom in this respect, being very 
 different from what it is at home, by all accounts, in these 
 particulars ; but there was always an understanding that the 
 persons one brought with him should be of a certain stamp 
 and class in life ; recommendations to which Jason Newcome 
 certainly had no claim. 
 
 The case was getting to be a little embarrassing, when 
 the appearance of Herman Mordaunt himself, fortunately 
 removed the difficulty. Jason was not a man to be thrown 
 off very easily ; but here was one who had the power, and 
 who showed the disposition to set things right. Herman 
 Mordaunt had ridden down the road a mile or two to meet 
 us, intending to lead us by a private and shorter way to his 
 residence, than that which was already known to us. He 
 no sooner saw that Jason was of our company, than he 
 asked that as a favour, which our companion would very 
 gladly have accepted as a boon. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 « I questional Love, whose early ray 
 So heavenly bright appears ; 
 And love, in answer, seera'd to say, 
 His light was dimm'd by tears." 
 
 Heber. 
 
 It was not long after the explanation occurred, as respects 
 Jason, and the invitation was given to include him in Guf 
 party, before Herman Mordaunt opened a gate, and led the 
 way into the fields. A very tolerable road conducted us 
 through some woods, to the heights, and we soon found our- 
 selves on an eminence, that overlooked a long reach of the 
 Hudson, extending from Haverstraw, to the north, as far as 
 
SATANSTOE. 129 
 
 Staten Island, to the south ; a distance of near forty miles. 
 On the opposite shore, rose the wall-like barrier of the Pali- 
 sadoes, lilting the table-land, on their summits, to an eleva- 
 tion of several hundred feet. The noble river, itself, fully 
 three-quarters of a mile in width, was unruffled by a breath 
 of air, lying in one single, extended, placid sheet, under the 
 rays of a bright sun, resembling molten silver. I scarce 
 remember a lovelier morning ; everything appearing to har- 
 monize with the glorious but tranquil grandeur of the view, 
 and the rich promises of a bountiful nature. The trees were 
 mostly covered with the beautiful clothing of a young ver- 
 dure; the birds had mated, and were building in nearly 
 every tree ; the wild-flowers started up beneath the hoofs of 
 our horses; and every object, far and near, seemed, to my 
 young eyes, to be attuned to harmony and love. 
 
 " This is a favourite ride of mine, in which Anneke often 
 accompanies me," said Herman Mordaunt, as we gained 
 the commanding eminence I have mentioned. " My daugh- 
 ter is a spirited horse-woman, and is often my companion in 
 these morning rides. She and Mary Wallace should be 
 somewhere on the hills, at this moment, for they promised 
 to follow me, as soon as they could dress for the saddle." 
 
 A cry of something like wild delight burst out of Dirck, 
 and the next moment he was galloping away for an adjoin- 
 ing ridge, on the top of which the beautiful forms of the two 
 girls were just then visible; embellished by neatly-fitting 
 habits, and beavers with drooping feathers. I pointed out 
 these charming objects to Herman Mordaunt, and followed 
 my friend, at half-speed. In a minute or two the parties 
 had joined. 
 
 Never had I seen Anneke Mordaunt so perfectly lovely, 
 as she appeared that morning. The exercise and air had 
 deepened a bloom that was always rich ; and her eyes re- 
 ceived new lustre from tV>^ glow on her cheeks. Though 
 expected, I thought she received us as particularly acceptable 
 guests ; while Mary Wallace manifested more than an usual 
 degree of animation, in her reception. Jason was not for- 
 gotten, but was acknowledged as an old acquaintance, and 
 was properly introduced to the friend. 
 
 " You frequently take these rides, Mr. Mordaunt tells me," 
 I said, reining my horse to the side of that of Anneke's, as 
 
130 SATAN S TOE. 
 
 the whole party moved on ; " and I regret that Satanstoe is 
 so distant, as to prevent our oftener meeting of a morning. 
 We have many noted horse-women, in Westchester, who 
 would be proud of such an acquisition." 
 
 "I know several ladies, on your side of Harlem river," 
 Anneke answered, " and frequently ride in their company ; 
 but none so distant as any in your immediate neighbourhood. 
 My father tells me, he used often to shoot over the fields of 
 Satanstoe, when a youth ; and still speaks of your birds 
 with great affection." 
 
 " I believe our fathers were once brother-sportsmen. Mr. 
 Bulstrode has promised to come and imitate their good ex- 
 ample. Now you have had time to reflect on the plays you 
 have seen, do you still feel the same interest in such repre- 
 sentations as at first ?" 
 
 " I only wish there was not so much to condemn. I 
 think Mr. Bulstrode might have reached eminence as a 
 player, had not fortune put it, in one sense, beyond his 
 reach, as an elder son, and a man of family." 
 
 " Mr. Bulstrode, they tell me, is not only the heir of an 
 old baronetcy, but of a large fortune?" 
 
 "Such are the facts, I believe. Do you not think it cre- 
 ditable to him, Mr. Littlepage, that one so situated, should 
 come so far to serve his king and country, in a rude war 
 like this of our colonies?" 
 
 I was obliged to assent, though I heartily wished that 
 Anneke's manner had been less animated and sincere, as 
 she put the question. Still, I hardly knew what to think of 
 her feelings towards that gentleman ; for, otherwise, she 
 always heard him named with a calmness and self-posses- 
 sion that I had observed was not shared by all her young 
 companions, when there was occasion to allude to the gay 
 and insinuating soldier. I need scarcely say, it was no dis- 
 advantage to Mr. Bulstrode to be the heir of a baronetcy, in 
 an English colony. Somehow or other, we are a little apt 
 to magnify such aecidental superiority, at a distance from 
 home; and I have heard Englishmen, themselves, acknow- 
 ledge that a baronet was a greater man, in New York, than 
 a duke was in London. These were things, that passed 
 through my mind, as I rode along at Anneke's side; though 
 I had the discretion not to give utterance to my thoughts. 
 
SATANSTOE. 131 
 
 " Herman Mordaunt rode in advance, with Jason ; and 
 he led the party, by pretty bridle-paths, along the heights 
 for nearly two miles, occasionally opening a gate, without 
 dismounting, until he reached a point that overlooked Lilacs- 
 bush, which was soon seen, distant from us less than half a 
 mile. 
 
 " Here we are, on my own domain," he said, as he pulled 
 up to let us join him ; " that last gate separating me from 
 my nearest neighbour south. These hills are of no great 
 use, except as early pastures, though they afford many beau- 
 tiful views." 
 
 " I have heard it predicted," I remarked, " that the time 
 would come, some day, when the banks of the Hudson would 
 contain many such seats as that of the Philipses, at Yonkers, 
 and one or two more like it, that I am told are now standing 
 above the Highlands." 
 
 " Quite possibly ; it is not easy to foretell what may come 
 to pass in such a country. I dare say, that in time, both 
 towns and seats will be seen on the banks of the Hudson, 
 and a powerful and numerous nobility to occupy the last. 
 By the way, Mr. Littlepage, your father and my friend Col. 
 Follock have been making a valuable acquisition in lands, 
 [ hear ; having obtained a patent for an extensive estate, 
 somewhere in the neighbourhood of Albany 1" 
 
 " It is not so very extensive, sir, there being only some 
 forty thousand acres of it, altogether ; nor is it very near 
 Albany, by what I can learn, since it must lie at a distance 
 of some forty miles, or more, from that town. Next winter, 
 however, Dirck and myself are to go in search of the land, 
 when we shall learn all about it." 
 
 " Then we may meet in that quarter of the country. I 
 have affairs of importance at Albany, which have been too 
 long neglected ; and it has been my intention to pass some 
 months at the north, next season, and early in the season, 
 too. We may possibly meet in the woods." 
 
 "You have been at Albany, I suppose, Mr. Mordaunt?" 
 
 "Quite often, sir; the distance is so great, that one has 
 not much inducement to go there, unless carried by affairs, 
 however, as has been my case. I was at Albany before my 
 marriage, and have had various occasions to visit it since." 
 
 " My father was there, when a soldier ; and he tells me 
 
132 SATANSTOE. 
 
 it is a part of the prov.ince well worth seeing. At all events^ 
 I shall encounter the risk and fatigue next season ; for it ia 
 useful to young persons to see the world. Dirck and my- 
 self may make the campaign, should there be one in that 
 direction." 
 
 I fancied Anneke manifested some interest in this conver- 
 sation ; but we rode on, and soon alighted at the door of 
 Lilacsbush. Bulslrode was not in the way, and I had the 
 supreme pleasure of helping Miss Mordaunt to alight, when 
 we paused a moment before entering the house, to examine 
 I the view. I have given the reader some idea of the general 
 appearance of the place ; but it was necessary to approach 
 it, in order to form a just conception of its beauties. As its 
 name indicated, the lawn, house, and out-buildings were all 
 garnished or buried in lilacs, the whole of which were then 
 in full blossom. The flowers filled the air with a species 
 of purple light, that cast a warm and soft radiance even on 
 the glowing face of Anneke, as she pointed out to me the 
 magical effect. I know no flower that does so much to em- 
 bellish a place, as the lilac, on a large scale, common as it 
 is, and familiar as we have become with its hues and its 
 fragrance. 
 
 " We enjoy the month our lilacs are out, beyond any 
 month in the year," said Anneke, smiling at my surprise 
 and delight ; " and we make it a point to pass most of it 
 here. You will at least own, Mr. Littlepage, that Lilacs- 
 bush is properly named." 
 
 " The effect is more like enchantment than anything else !" 
 I cried. " I did not know that the simple, modest lilac could 
 render anything so very beautiful !" 
 
 " Simplicity and modesty are such charms in themselves, 
 sir, as to be potent allies," observed the sensible but taciturn 
 Mary Wallace. 
 
 To this I assented, of course, and we all followed Mr. 
 Mordaunt into the house. I was as much delighted with the 
 appearance of things in the interior of Lilacsbush, as I had 
 been with the exterior. Everywhere, it seemed to me, I met 
 with the signs of Anneke's taste and skill. I do not wish 
 the reader to suppose that the residence itself was of the very 
 first character and class, for this it could not lay claim to be. 
 Still, it was one of those staid, story-and ? a-ha|f dwellings, 
 
SATAN STOE. 133 
 
 in which most of our first families were, and are content to 
 dwell, in the country ; very much resembling the good old 
 habitation at Satanstoe in these particulars. The furniture, 
 however, was of a higher town-finish than we found it ne- 
 cessary to use ; and the little parlour in which we break- 
 fasted was a model for an eating-room. The buffets in the 
 corners were so well polished that one might see his face in 
 them ; the cellarets were ornamented with plated hinges, 
 locks, &c, and the table itself shone like a mirror. I know 
 not how it was, but the china appeared to me richer and 
 neater than common under Anneke's pretty little hand ; 
 while the massive and highly-finished plate of the breakfast 
 service, was such as could be wrought only in England. In 
 a word, while everything appeared rich and respectable, 
 there was a certain indescribable air of comfort, gentility, 
 and neatness about the whole, that impressed me in an un- 
 usual manner. 
 
 " Mr. Littlepage tells me, Anneke," observed Herman 
 Mordaunt, while we were at breakfast, " that he intends to 
 make a journey to the north, next winter, and it may be our 
 
 good fortune to meet him there. The th expects to be 
 
 ordered up as high as Albany, this summer; and we may 
 all renew our songs and jests, with Bulstrode and his gay 
 companions, among the Dutchmen." 
 
 I was charmed with this prospect of meeting Anneke 
 Mordaunt at the north, and took occasion to say as much; 
 though I was afraid it was in an awkward and confused 
 manner. 
 
 " I heard as much as this, sir, while we were riding," 
 answered the daughter. " I hope cousin Dirck is to be of 
 the party?" 
 
 Cousin Dirck assured her he was, and we discussed in 
 anticipation the pleasure it must give to old acquaintances 
 to meet so far from home. Not one of us, Herman Mor- 
 daunt excepted, had ever been one hundred miles from his 
 or her birth-place, as was ascertained on comparing notes. 
 J was the greatest traveller ; Princeton lying between eighty 
 and ninety miles from Satanstoe, as the road goes. 
 
 " Perhaps I come nearer to it than any of you," put in 
 Jason, " for my late journey on the island must have carried 
 me nearly that far from Danbury. But, ladies, I can assure 
 
 Vol. I. — 12 
 
134 SATANSTOE. 
 
 you, a traveller has many opportunities for learning useful 
 things, as I know by the difference there is between York 
 and Connecticut." 
 
 "And which do you prefer, Mr. Newcome ?" asked Anneke, 
 with a somewhat comical expression about her laughing eyes. 
 
 " That is hardly a fair question, Miss ;" no reproof could 
 break Jason of this vulgarism, " since it might make ene- 
 mies for a body to speak all of his mind in such matters. 
 There are comparisons that should never be made, on 
 account of circumstances that overrule all common efforts. 
 New York is a great colony — a very great colony, Miss ; 
 but it was once Dutch, as everybody knows, begging Mr. 
 Follock's pardon ; and it must be confessed Connecticut has, 
 from the first, enjoyed almost unheard-of advantages, in the 
 moral and religious character of her people, the excellence 
 of her lands, and the purity" — Jason called this word 
 " poority ;" but that did not alter the sentiment — though I 
 must say, once for all, it is out of my power to spell every 
 word as this man saw fit to pronounce it — " of her people 
 and church." 
 
 Herman Mordaunt looked up with surprise, at this speech ; 
 but Dirck and I had heard so many like it, that we saw 
 nothing out of the way on this particular occasion. As for 
 the ladies, they were too well-bred to glance at each other, 
 as girls sometimes will ; but I could see that each thought 
 the speaker a very singular person. 
 
 " You find, then, a difference in customs between the two 
 colonies, sir?" said Herman Mordaunt. 
 
 " A vast difference truly, sir. Now there was a little 
 thing happened about your daughter, 'Squire Mordaunt, the 
 very first time I saw her" — the present was the second 
 interview — "that could no more have happened in Con- 
 necticut, than the whole of the province could be put into 
 that tea-cup." 
 
 " To my daughter, Mr. Newcome !" 
 
 "Yes, sir, to your own daughter; Miss, that sits there 
 looking as innocent as if it had never come to pass." 
 
 " This is so extraordinary, sir, that I must beg an expla- 
 nation." 
 
 " You may well call it extr'ornary, for extr'crnary it 
 would be called all over Connecticut,- and I'll never give 
 
SATANSTOE. 135 
 
 up that York, if this be a York usage, is or can be right in 
 such a matter, at least." 
 
 " I entreat you to be more explicit, Mr. Newcome." 
 
 " Why, sir, you must know, Corny, here, and I, and 
 Dirck there, went in to see the lion, about which no doubt 
 you 've heard so much, and Corny paid for Miss's ticket. 
 Well, that was all right enough, but " 
 
 " Surely, Anneke, you have not forgotten to return to 
 Mr. Littlepage the money !" 
 
 " Listen patiently, my dear sir, and you will get the 
 whole story, my delinquencies and debts included, if any 
 there are." 
 
 "That's just what she did, 'Squire Mordaunt, and I 
 maintain there is not the man in all Connecticut that would 
 have taken it. If ladies can't be treated to sights, and 
 other amusements, I should like to know who is to be so." 
 
 Herman Mordaunt, at first, looked gravely at the speaker, 
 but catching the expression of our eyes he answered with the 
 tact of a perfectly well-bred man, as he certainly was, on 
 all occasions that put him to the proof — 
 
 " You must overlook Miss Mordaunt's adhering to her 
 own customs, Mr. Newcome, on account of her youth, and 
 her little knowledge of any world but that immediately 
 around her. When she has enjoyed an opportunity of 
 visiting Danbury, no doubt she will improve by the occasion." 
 
 "But, Corny, sir — think of Corny's falling into such a 
 mistake !" 
 
 " As for Mr. Littlepage, I must suppose he labours under 
 somewhat of the same disadvantage. We are less gallant 
 here than you happen to be in Connecticut ; hence our 
 inferiority. At some future day, perhaps, when society 
 shall have made a greater progress among us, our youths 
 will come to see the impropriety of permitting the fair sex 
 to pay for anything, even their own ribands. I have long 
 known, sir, that you of New England claim to treat your 
 women better than they are treated in any other portion of 
 the inhabited world, and it must be owing to that circumstance 
 that they enjoy the advantage of being * treated' for nothing." 
 
 With this concession Jason was apparently content. 
 How much of this provincial feeling, arising from provin- 
 cial ignorance, have I seen since that time ! It is certain 
 
136 SATANSTOE. 
 
 that our fellow-subjects of the eastern provinces are not 
 addicted to hiding their lights under bushels, but make the 
 most of all their advantages. That they are superior to us 
 of York, in some respects, I am willing enough to allow ; 
 but there are certainly points on which this superiority is 
 far less apparent. As for Jason, he was entirely satisfied 
 with the answer of Herman Mordaunt, and often alluded to 
 the subject afterwards, # to my prejudice, and with great self- 
 complacency. To be sure, it is a hard lesson to beat into 
 the head of the self-sufficient colonist, that his own little 
 corner of the earth does not contain all that is right, and 
 just, and good, and refined. 
 
 I left Lilacsbush, that day, deeply in love. I hold it to 
 be unmanly to attempt to conceal it. Anneke had made a 
 lively impression on me from the very first, but that im- 
 pression had now gone deeper than the imagination, and 
 had very sensibly touched the heart. Perhaps it was ne- 
 cessary to see her in the retirement of the purely domestic 
 circle, to give all her charms their just ascendency. While 
 in town, I had usually met her in crowds, surrounded by 
 admirers or other young persons of her own sex, and there 
 was less opportunity for viewing the influence of nature and 
 the affections on her manner. With Mary Wallace at 
 her side, however, there was always one on whom she 
 could exhibit just enough of these feelings to bring out the 
 loveliness of her nature without effort or affectation. Anne 
 Mordaunt never spoke to her friend without a change ap- 
 pearing in her manner. Affection thrilled in the tones of 
 her voice, confidence beamed in her eye, and esteem and 
 respect were to be gathered from the expectation and 
 deference that shone in her countenance. Mary Wallace 
 was two years the oldest, and these years taken in connec- 
 tion with her character, entitled her to receive this tribute 
 from her nearest associate; but all these feelings flowed 
 spontaneously from the heart, for never was an intercourse 
 between two of the sex more thoroughly free from acting. 
 
 It was a proof that passion was getting the mastery over 
 me, that I now forgot Dirck, his obvious attachment, older 
 claims, and possible success. I know not how it was, or 
 why it was, but it was certain that Herman Mordaunt had 
 a great regard for Dirck Van Valkenburgh. The affinity 
 
SATANSTOE. 137 
 
 may have counted for something, and it was possible that the 
 father was already weighing the advantages that might 
 accrue from such a connection. Col. Follock had the re- 
 putation of being rich, as riches were then counted among 
 us ; and the young fellow himself, in addition to a fine manly 
 figure, that was fast developing itself into the frame of a 
 youthful Hercules, had an excellent temper, and a good 
 reputation. Still, this idea never troubled me. Of Dirck I 
 had no fears, while Bulstrode gave me great uneasiness, 
 from the first. I saw all his advantages, may have even 
 magnified them; while' those of my near and immediate 
 friend, gave me no trouble whatever. It is possible, had 
 Dirck presented himself oftener, or more distinctly to my 
 mind, a feeling of magnanimity might have induced me to 
 withdraw in time, and ieave him a field to which he had 
 the earliest claim. But, after the morning at Lilacsbush, 
 it was too late for any such sacrifice on my part ; and I rode 
 away from the house, at the side of my friend, as forgetful 
 of his interest in Anneke, as if he had never felt any. Mag- 
 nanimity and I bad no further connection in relation to my 
 pretensions to Anneke Mordaunt. 
 
 " Well," commenced Jason, as soon as we were fairly in 
 the saddle, " these Mordaunts are even a notch above your 
 folks, Corny? There was more silver vessels in that room 
 where we ate, than there is at this moment in all Danbury ! 
 The extravagance amounts to waste. The old gentleman 
 must be desperate rich, Dirck ?" 
 
 " Herman Mordaunt has a good estate, and very little of 
 it has gone for plate, Jason ; that which you saw is old, and 
 came either from Holland, or England ; one home, or the 
 other." 
 
 " Oh ! Holland is no home for me, boy. Depend on it, all 
 that plate is not put there for nothing. If the truth could be 
 come at, this Herman Mordaunt, as you call him, though I 
 do not see why you cannot call him 'Squire Mordaunt, like 
 other folks, but this Mr. Mordaunt has some notion, I con- 
 clude, to get his daughter off on one of these rich English 
 officers, of whom there happen to be so many in the pro- 
 vince, just at this time. I never saw the gentleman, but 
 there was one Bulstrode named pretty often this forenoon," 
 — Jason's morning always terminated at his usual breakfast 
 12* 
 
138 SATANSTOE. 
 
 hour, — " and I rather conclude he will turn out to be the 
 chap, in the long run. Such is my calculation, and they 
 don't often fail." 
 
 I saw a quick, surprised start in Dirck ; but I felt such a 
 twinge myself, that there was little opportunity to inquire 
 into the state of my friend's feelings, at this coarse, but un- 
 expected remark. 
 
 c< Have you any particular reason, Mr. Newcome, for 
 venturing such an opinion V I asked, a little sternly. 
 
 "Come, don't let us, out here in the high-way, begin to 
 mister one another. You are Corny, Dirck is Dirck, and 
 I am Jason. The shortest way is commonly the best way, 
 and I like given-names among friends. Have I any parti- 
 cular reason? — Yes; plenty on 'em, and them that's good. 
 In the first place, no man has a daughter," — darter a la 
 Jason, — " that he does not begin to think of setting her out 
 in the world, aceordin' to his abilities; then, as I said be- 
 fore, these folks from home" (hum) " are awful rich, and 
 rich husbands are always satisfactory to parents, what- 
 ever they may be to children. Besides, some of these 
 officers will fall heirs to titles, and that is a desperate tempt- 
 ation to a woman, all over the world. I hardly think there 
 is a young woman in Danbury that could hold out agin' a 
 real title." 
 
 It has always struck me as singular, that the people of 
 Jason's part of the provinces should entertain so much pro- 
 found respect for titles. No portion of the world is of 
 simpler habits, nor is it easier to find any civilized people 
 among whom there is greater equality of actual condition, 
 which, one would think, must necessarily induce equality 
 of feeling, than in Connecticut, at this very moment. Not- 
 withstanding these facts, the love of title is so great, that 
 even that of serjeant is often prefixed to the name of a man 
 on his tombstone, or in the announcement of his death or 
 marriage; and as for the militia ensigns and lieutenants, 
 there is no end to them. Deacon is an important title, 
 which is rarely omitted ; and wo betide the man who should 
 forget to call a magistrate "esquire." No such usages pre- 
 vail among us; or, if they do, it is among that portion of 
 the people of this colony which is derived from New Eng- 
 land, and still retains some of its customs. Then, in no 
 
SATANSTOE 
 
 139 
 
 part of the colonies is English rank more deferred to, than 
 in New England, generally, notwithstanding most of those 
 colonies possess the right to elect nearly every officer they 
 have among them. I allow that we of New York defer 
 greatly to men of birth and rank from home, and it is right 
 we should so do; but I do not think our deference is as 
 great, or by any means as general, as it is in New England. 
 It is possible the influence of the Dutch may have left an 
 impression on our state of society, though I have been told 
 that the colonies farther south exhibit very much the same 
 characteristics as we do, ourselves, on this head.* 
 
 We reached Satanstoe a little late, in consequence of the 
 delay at Lilacsbush, and were welcomed with affection and 
 warmth. My excellent mother was delighted to see me 
 at home again, after so long an absence, and one which she 
 did not think altogether without peril, when it was remem- 
 bered that I had passed a whole fortnight amid the tempta- 
 tions and fascinations of the capital. I saw the tears in her 
 eyes as she kissed me, again and again, and felt the gentle, 
 
 * As respects the love of titles that are derived from the people, 
 there is nothing opposed to strict republican, or if the reader will, de- 
 mocratic, principles, since it is deferring to the power that appoints, 
 and manifests a respect for that which the community chooses to elevate. 
 But, the deference to English rank, mentioned by Mr. Littlepage, is 
 undeniably greater among the mass in New England, than it is any- 
 where else in this country, at this very moment. One leading New 
 York paper, edited by New England men, during the last contro- 
 versy about the indemnity to be paid by France, actually styled the 
 Due de Broglie " his grace," like a Grub Street cockney, — a mode of 
 address that would astonish that respectable statesman, quite as much 
 as it must have amused every man of the world who saw it. I have 
 been much puzzled to account for this peculiarity — unquestionably 
 one that exists in the country — but have supposed it must be owing 
 to the diffusion of information which carries intelligence sufficiently far 
 to acquaint the mass with leading social features, without going far 
 enough to compensate for a provincial position and provincial habits. 
 Perhaps the exclusively English origin of the people may have an 
 influence. The writer has passed portions of two seasons in Swit- 
 zerland, and, excluding the small forest cantons, he has no hesitation 
 in saying that the habits and general notions of Connecticut are 
 more inherently democratical than those of any part of that country. 
 Notwithstanding, he thinks a ncbleman, particularly an English 
 nobleman, is a far greater man in New England, than he is among 
 the real middle-state families of New York, — Editor. 
 
140 SATANSTOE. 
 
 warm embiace, as she pressed me to her bosom, in maternal 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 Of course, I had to render an account of all I had seen 
 and done, including Pinkster, the theatre, and the lion. I 
 said nothing, however, of the Mordaunts, until questioned 
 about them by my mother, quite a fortnight after Dirck had 
 gone across to Rockland. One morning, as I sat endea- 
 vouring to write a sonnet in my own room, that excellent 
 parent entered and took a seat near my table, with the fami- 
 liarity the relation she bore me justified. She was knitting 
 at the time, for never was she idle, except when asleep. I 
 saw by the placid smile on her face, which, Heaven bless 
 her ! was still smooth and handsome, that something was 
 on her mind, that was far from disagreeable; and I waited 
 with some curiosity for the opening. That excellent mo- 
 ther ! How completely did she live out of herself in all 
 that had the most remote bearing on my future hopes and 
 happiness ! 
 
 "Finish your writing, my son," commenced my mother, 
 for I had instinctively striven to conceal the sonnet; "finish 
 your writing ; until you have done, I will be silent." 
 
 " I have done, now, mother; 'twas only a copy of verses 
 I was endeavouring to write out — you know — that is — write 
 out, you know." 
 
 " I did not know you were a poet, Corny," returned my 
 mother, smiling still more complacently, for it is something 
 to be the parent of a poet. 
 
 "I! — I a poet, mother? — I'd sooner turn school-master, 
 than turn poet. Yes, I 'd sooner be Jason Newcome, him- 
 self, than even suspect it possible I could be a poet." 
 
 "Well, never mind; people never turn poets, I fancy, 
 with their eyes open. But, what is this I hear of your 
 having saved a beautiful young lady from the jaws of a 
 lion, while you were in town ; and why was I left to learn 
 all the particulars from Mr. Newcome?" 
 
 I believe my face was of the colour of scarlet, for it felt 
 as if it were on fire, and my mother smiled still more de- 
 cidedly than ever. Speak ! I could not have spoken to be 
 thus smiled on by Anneke. 
 
 " There is nothing to be ashamed of, Corny, in rescuing 
 a young lady from a lion, or in going to her father's to 
 
SATANSTOE. 141 
 
 receive the thanks of the family. The Mordaunts are a 
 family any one can visit with pleasure. Was the battle 
 between you and the beast, a very desperate conflict, my 
 child ?" 
 
 " Poh ! mother : — Jason is a regular dealer in marvels, 
 and he makes mountains of mole-hills. In the first place, 
 for * jaws,' you must substitute ' paws,' and for a 'young 
 lady,' < her shawl.' " 
 
 " Yes, I understand it was the shawl, but it was on her 
 shoulders, and could not have been disengaged time enough 
 to save her, had you not shown so much presence of mind 
 and courage. As for the 'jaws,' I believe that was my 
 mistake, for Mr. Newcome certainly said ■ claws.' " 
 
 " Well, mother, have it your own way. I was of a little 
 service to a very charming young woman, and she and her 
 father were civil to me, as a matter of course. Herman 
 Mordaunt is a name we all know, and, as you say, his is a 
 family that any man may be proud of visiting, ay, and 
 pleased too." 
 
 " How odd it is, Corny," added my mother, in a sort of 
 musing, soliloquizing way, — " you are an only child, and 
 Anneke Mordaunt is also an only child, as Dirck Follock 
 has often told me." 
 
 " Then Dirck has spoken to you frequently of Anneke, 
 before this, mother?" 
 
 " Time and again ; they are relations, you must have 
 heard ; as, indeed, you are yourself, if you did but know 
 it." 
 
 " I ? — I related to Anneke Mordaunt, without being too 
 near ?" 
 
 My dear mother smiled again, while I felt sadly ashamed 
 of myself at the next instant. I believe that a suspicion 
 of the truth, as respects my infant passion, existed in that 
 dear parent's mind from that moment. 
 
 " Certainly related, Corny, and I will tell you how. My 
 great-great-grandmother, Alida van der Heyden, was a first 
 cousin of Herman Mordaunt's great-great-grandmother, by 
 his mother's side, who was a Van Kleeck. So, you see, 
 you and Anneke are actually related." 
 
 " Just near enough, mother, to put one at ease in their 
 
142 SATANSTOE. 
 
 house, and not so near as to make relationship trouble- 
 some." 
 
 " They tell me, my child, that Anneke is a sweet crea- 
 ture !" 
 
 " If beauty, and modesty, and grace, and gentleness, and 
 spirit, and sense, and delicacy, and virtue, and piety, can 
 make any young woman of seventeen a sweet creature, 
 mother, then Anneke is sweet." 
 
 My dear mother seemed surprised at my warmth, but she 
 smiled still more complacently than ever. Instead of pur- 
 suing the subject, however, she saw fit to change it, by 
 speaking of the prospects of the season, and the many 
 reasons we all had for thankfulness to God. I presume, 
 with a woman's instinct, she had learned enough to satisfy 
 her mind for the present. 
 
 The summer soon succeeded to the May that proved so 
 momentous to me ; and I sought occupation in the fields. 
 Occupation, however, would not do. Anneke was with me, 
 go where I would ; and glad was I when Dirck, about mid- 
 summer, in one of his periodical visits to Satanstoe, proposed 
 that we should ride over, and make another visit to Lilacs- 
 bush. He had written a note, to say we should be glad to 
 ask a dinner and beds, if it were convenient, for a day a 
 short distance ahead ; and he waited the answer at the Neck. 
 This answer arrived duly by mail, and was everything 
 we could wish. Herman Mordaunt offered us a hearty wel- 
 come, and sent the grateful intelligence that his daughter 
 and Mary Wallace would both be present to receive us. I 
 envied Dirck the manly feeling which had induced him to 
 take this plain and respectable course to his object. 
 
 We went across the country, accordingly, and reached 
 Lilacsbush several hours before dinner. Anneke received 
 us with a bright suffusion of the face, and kind smiles ; 
 though I could not detect the slightest difference in her 
 manners to either. To both was she gracious, gentle, at- 
 tentive, and lady- like. No allusion was made to the past, 
 except a few remarks that were given on the subject of the 
 
 theatre. The officers had continued to play until the th 
 
 had been ordered up the river, when Bulstrode, Billings, 
 Harris, virtuous Marcia, and all, had proceeded to Albany 
 in company. Anneke thought there was about as much to 
 
SATANSTOE. 143 
 
 be displeased with, as there was to please, id these repre- 
 sentations ; though her removal to the country had prevent- 
 ed her seeing more than three of them all. It was admitted 
 
 ; all round, however, that Bulstrode played admirably ; and 
 it was even regretted by certain persons, that he should not 
 have been devoted to the stage. 
 
 We passed the night at Lilacsbush, and remained an hour 
 or two after breakfast, next morning. I had carried a warm 
 invitation from both my parents to Herman Mordaunt, to 
 ride over, with the young ladies, and taste the fish of the 
 Sound ; and the visit was returned in the course of the 
 month of September. My mother received Anneke as a 
 relation ; though I believe that both Herman Mordaunt and 
 his daughter were surprised to learn that they came within 
 even the wide embrace of Dutch kindred. They did not 
 seem displeased, however, for the family name of my mother 
 was good, and no one need have been ashamed of affinity to 
 her, on her own account. Our guests did not remain the 
 night, but they left us in a sort of a chaise that Herman 
 Mordaunt kept for country use, about an hour before sun- 
 set. I mounted my horse, and rode five miles with the 
 party, on its way back, and then took my leave of Anneke, 
 
 I as it turned out, for many, many weary months. 
 
 The year 1757 was memorable in the colonies, by the 
 progress of the war, and as much so in New York as in any 
 other province. Montcalm had advanced to the head of 
 
 | Lake George, had taken Fort William Henry, and a fearful 
 massacre of the garrison had succeeded. This bold opera- 
 tion left the enemy in possession of Champlain ; and the 
 strong post of Ticonderoga was adequately garrisoned by a 
 formidable force. A general gloom was cast over the poli- 
 tical affairs of the colony ; and it was understood that a 
 great effort was to be made, the succeeding campaign, to 
 repair the loss. Rumour spoke of large reinforcements 
 from home, and of greater levies in the colonies themselves 
 than had been hitherto attempted. Lord Loudon was to re- 
 turn home, and a veteran of the name of Abercrombie was 
 to succeed him in the command of all the forces of the king. 
 Regiments began to arrive from the West Indies; and, in 
 the course of the winter of 1757-8, we heard at Satanstoe 
 of the gaieties that these new forces had introduced into the 
 
144 S AT ANSTOE . 
 
 town. Among other things, a regular corps of Thespian3 
 had arrived from the West Indies. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 « Dear Hasty-Pudding, what unpromised joy 
 Expands my heart to meet thee in Savoy ! 
 Doom'd o'er the world through devious paths to roam, 
 Each clime my country, and each house my home, 
 My soul is sooth'd, my cares have found an end: 
 I greet my long-lost, unforgotten friend." 
 
 Barlow, 
 
 The winter was soon drawing to a close, and my twenty- 
 first birth-day was past. My father and Col. Follock, who 
 came over to smoke more than usual that winter with my 
 father, Began to talk of the journey Dirck and I were to 
 take, in quest of the Patent. Maps were procured, calcula- 
 tions were made, and different modes of proceeding were 
 proposed, by the various members of the family. I will 
 acknowledge that the sight of the large, coarse, parchment 
 map of the Mooseridge Patent, as the new acquisition was 
 called, from the circumstance of the surveyors having shot 
 a moose on a particular ridge of land in its centre, excited 
 certain feelings of avarice within my mind. There were 
 streams meandering among hills and valleys ; little lakes, or 
 ponds, as they were erroneously called in the language of 
 the country, dotted the surface ; and there were all the 
 artistical proofs of a valuable estate that a good map-maker 
 could devise, to render the whole pleasing and promising.* 
 
 * Forty years ago, a gentleman in New York purchased a consider- 
 able body of wild land, on the faith of the map. When he came to 
 examine his new property, it was found to be particularly wanting in 
 water-courses. The surveyor was sought, and rebuked for his decep- 
 tion, the map having numerous streams, &.c. " Why did you lay 
 down all these streams here, where none are to be found ?" demanded 
 the irritated purchaser, pointing to the document. "Why? — Why, 
 who the d — I ever saw a map without rivers ?" was the answer. — • 
 Editor. 
 
SATANSTOE. 145 
 
 If it were a good thing to be the heir of Satanstoe, it was 
 far better to be the tenant in common, with my friend 
 Dirck, of all these ample plains, rich bottoms, flowing 
 streams and picturesque lakes. In a word, for the first 
 time, in the history of the colonies, the Littlepages had be- 
 come the owners of what might be termed an estate. Ac- 
 cording to our New York parlance, six or eight hundred 
 acres are not an estate ; nor two or three thousand, scarcely; 
 but ten, or twenty, and much more, forty thousand acres of 
 land might be dignified with the name of an estate ! 
 
 The first knotty point discussed, was to settle the manner 
 in which Dirck and myself should reach Mooseridge. Two 
 modes of going as far as Albany offered, and on one of 
 these it was our first concern to decide. We might wait 
 until the river opened, and go as far as Albany in a sloop, 
 of which one or two left town each week when business 
 was active, as it was certain to be in the spring of the year. 
 It was thought, however, that the army would require most 
 of the means of transportation of this nature that offered ; 
 and it might put us to both inconvenience and delay, to 
 wait on the tardy movements of quarter-masters and con- 
 tractors. My grandfather shook his head when the thing 
 was named, and advised us to remain as independent as 
 possible. 
 
 " Have as little as possible to do with such people, 
 Corny," put in my grandfather, now a grey-headed, vene- 
 rable-looking old gentleman, who did not wear his wig half 
 the time, but was content to appear in a pointed night-cap 
 and gown at all hours, until just before dinner was an- 
 nounced, when he invariably came forth dressed as a gen- 
 tleman — " Have as little as possible to do with these gentry, 
 Corny. Money, and not honour, is their game ; and you 
 will be treated like a barrel of beef, or a bag of potatoes, if 
 you fall into their hands. If you move with the army at 
 all, keep among the real soldiers, my boy, and, above all 
 things, avoid the contractors." 
 
 It was consequently determined that there was too much 
 uncertainty and delay in waiting for a passage to Albany 
 by water ; for it was known that the voyage itself often 
 lasted ten days, or a fortnight, and it would be so late be- 
 fore we could sail, as to render this delay very inconvenient. 
 
 Vol. I. — 13 
 
146 SATANSTOE. 
 
 The other mode of journeying, was to go before the snow 
 had melted from the roads, by the aid of which, it was 
 quite possible to make the distance between Satanstoe and 
 Albany in three days. 
 
 Certain considerations of economy next offered, and we 
 settled down on the following plan ; which, as it strikes me, 
 is, even now, worthy of being mentioned on account of its 
 prudence and judgment. It was well known that there 
 would be a great demand for horses for the army, as well 
 as for stores, provisions, &c, of various sorts. Now, we 
 had on the Neck several stout horses, that were falling into 
 years, though still serviceable and good for a campaign. 
 Col. Follock had others of the same description, and when 
 the cavalry of the two farms were all assembled at Satans- 
 toe, there were found to be no fewer than fourteen of the 
 venerable animals. These made just three four- horse teams, 
 besides leaving a pair for a lighter load. Old, stout lumber 
 sleighs were bought, or found, and repaired ; and Jaap, 
 having two other blacks with him, was sent off at the head 
 of what my father called a brigade of lumber sleighs, all 
 of which were loaded with the spare pork and flour of the 
 two families. The war had rendered these articles quite 
 high ; but the hogs that were slaughtered at Christmas had 
 not yet been sold ; and it was decided that Dirck and myself 
 could not commence our career as men who had to buy and 
 sell from the respective farms, in any manner more likely to 
 be useful to us and to our parents, than this. As Yaap's 
 movements were necessarily slow, he was permitted to pre- 
 cede Dirck and myself by two entire days, giving him time 
 to clear the Highlands before we left Satanstoe. The negroes 
 carried the provender for their horses, and no small portion 
 of the food, and all of the cider that was necessary for their 
 own consumption. No one was ashamed of economising 
 with his slaves in this manner ; the law of slavery itself 
 existing principally as a money-making institution. I men- 
 tion these little matters, that posterity may understand the 
 conventional feeling of the colony, on such points. 
 
 When everything was ready, we had to listen to much 
 good advice from our friends, previously to launching our- 
 selves into the world. What Col. Follock said to Dirck, 
 the latter never told mc ; but the following was pretty much 
 
SATANSTOE. 147 
 
 the form and substance of that which I received from my 
 own father — the interview taking place in a little room he 
 called his " office ;" or " study," as Jason used to term it. 
 
 " Here, Corny, are all the bills, or invoices, properly 
 made out," my father commenced, handing me a small sheaf 
 of papers ; " and you will do well to consult them before 
 you make any sales. Here are letters of introduction to 
 several gentlemen in the army, whose acquaintance I could 
 wish you to cultivate. This, in particular, is to my old 
 captain, Charles Mer re wether, who is now a Lt. Col., and 
 commands a battalion in the Royal Americans. You will 
 find him of great service to you while you remain with the 
 army, I make no doubt. Pork, they tell me, if of the quality 
 of that you will have, ought to bring three half joes, the 
 barrel — and you might ask that much. Should accident pro- 
 cure you an invitation to the table of the Commander-in- 
 Chief, as may happen through Col. Merrewerther's friendship, 
 I trust you will do full credit to the loyalty of the Littlepages. 
 Ah ! there 's the flour, too ; it ought to be worth two half 
 joes the barrel, in times like these. I have thrown in a 
 letter or two to some of the Schuylers, with whom I served 
 when of your age. They are first-rate people, remember, 
 and rank among the highest families of the colonies; full 
 of good old Van Cortlandt blood, and well crossed with the 
 Rensselaers. Should any of them ask you about the barrel 
 of tongues, that you will find marked T — " 
 
 "Any of whom, sir; the Schuylers, the Cortlandts, or the 
 Rensselaers V 
 
 " Poh ! any of the sutlers, or contractors, I mean, of 
 course. You can tell them that they were cured at home, 
 and that you dare recommend them as fit for the Com- 
 mander-in-Chief's own table." 
 
 Such was the character of my father's parting instruc- 
 tions. My mother held a different discourse. 
 
 " Corny, my beloved child," she said ; " this will be an 
 all-important journey to you. Not only are you going far 
 from home, but you are going to a part of the country where 
 much will be to be seen. I hope you will remember what 
 was promised for you, by your sponsors in baptism, and also 
 what is owing to your own good name, and that of your 
 family. The letters you take with you, will probably in- 
 
148 SATANSTOE. 
 
 troduce you to good company, and that is a great beginning 
 to a youth. I wish you to cultivate the society of reputable 
 females, Corny. My sex has great influence on the con* 
 duct of yours, at your time of life, and both your manners 
 and principles will be aided by being as much with women 
 of character as possible." 
 
 " But, mother, if we are to go any distance with the 
 army, as both my father and Col. Follock wish, it will not 
 be in our power to be much in ladies' society." 
 
 " I speak of the time you will pass in and near Albany. 
 I do not expect you will find accomplished women at Moose- 
 ridge, nor, should you really go any distance with the 
 troops, though I see no occasion for your going with them 
 a single foot, since you are not a soldier, do I suppose you 
 will find many reputable women in the camp ; but, avail 
 yourself of every favourable opportunity to go into good 
 company. I have procured a letter for you, from a lady 
 of one of the great families of this county, to Madam Schuy- 
 ler, who is above all other women, they tell me, in and 
 around Albany. Her you must see, and I charge you, on 
 your duty, to deliver this letter. It is possible, too, that 
 Herman Mordaunt- " 
 
 " What of Herman Mordaunt and Anneke, mother?" 
 
 " I spoke only of Herman Mordaunt himself, and did not 
 mention Anneke, boy," answered my mother, smiling 
 " though I doubt not that the daughter is with the father. 
 They left town for Albany, two months since, my sister 
 Legge writes me, and intend to pass the summer north. I 
 will not deceive you, Corny, so you shall hear all that your 
 aunt has written on the subject. In the first place, she says 
 Herman Mordaunt has gone on public service, having an 
 especial appointment for some particular duty of import- 
 ance, that is private, but which it is known will detain him 
 near Albany, and among the northern posts, until the close 
 of the season, though he gives out to the world, he is absent 
 on account of some land he has in Albany county. His 
 daughter and Mary Wallace are with him, with several ser- 
 vants, and they have taken up with them a sleigh-load of 
 conveniences; that looks like remaining. Now, you ought 
 to hear the rest, my child, though I feel no apprehension 
 when such a youth as yourself is put in competition with 
 
SATANSTOE. 149 
 
 any other man in the colony. Yes, though your own mo- 
 ther, I think I may say that /" 
 
 "What is it, mother? — nevermind me; I shall do well 
 enough, depend on it — that is — but what is it, dear mother?" 
 
 " Why, your aunt says, it is whispered among a few in 
 town, a very few only, but whispered, that Herman Mor- 
 daunt got the appointment named, merely that he might 
 
 have a pretence for taking Anneke near the th, in 
 
 which regiment it seems there is a baronet's son, who is a 
 sort of relative of his, and whom he wishes to marry to 
 Anneke." 
 
 " I am sorry, then, that my aunt Legge listens to any 
 such unworthy gossip !" I indignantly cried. " My life on 
 it, Anneke Mordaunt never contemplated so indelicate a 
 thing !" 
 
 " No one supposes Anneke does, or did. But fathers are 
 not daughters, Corny ; no, nor mothers neither, as I can 
 freely say, seeing you are my only child. Herman Mor- 
 daunt may imagine all this in his heart, and Anneke be 
 every thing that is innocent and delicate." 
 
 " And how can my aunt Legge's informants know what 
 is in Herman Mordaunt's heart ?" 
 
 " How ? — I suppose they judge by what they find in their 
 own, my son ; a common means of coming at a neighbour's 
 failings, though I believe virtues are rarely detected by the 
 same process." 
 
 " Ay, and judge of others by themselves. The means 
 may be common, mother, but they are not infallible." 
 
 " Certainly not, Corny, and that will be a ground of 
 hope to you. Remember, my child, you can bring me no 
 daughter I shall love half as well as I feel I can love 
 Anneke Mordaunt. We are related too, her father's great- 
 great-grandmother " 
 
 " Never mind the great-great-grandmother, my dear, 
 good, excellent, parent. After this I shall not attempt to 
 have any secret from you. Unless Anneke Mordaunt con- 
 sent to be your daughter, you will never have one." 
 
 " Do not say that, Corny, I beseech you," cried my 
 
 mother, a good deal frightened. " Remember there is no 
 
 accounting for tastes; the army is a formidable rival, and, 
 
 after all, this Mr. Bulstrode, I think vou call him, may prove 
 
 13* 
 
150 SATANSTOE. 
 
 as acceptable to Anneke as to her father. Do not say so 
 cruel a thing, I entreat of you, dearest, dearest, Corny." 
 
 "It is not a minute, mother, since you said how little you 
 apprehended for me, when opposed by any other man in the 
 province !" 
 
 " Yes, child, but that is a very different thing from seeing 
 you pass all your days as a heartless, comfortless old 
 bachelor. There are fifty young women in this very 
 county, I could wish to see you united to, in preference to 
 witnessing such a calamity." 
 
 " Well, mother, we will say no more about it. But is it 
 true that Mr. Worden actually intends to be of our party ?" 
 
 " Both Mr. Worden and Mr. Newcome, I believe. We 
 shall scarcely know how to spare the first, but he conceives 
 he has a call to accompany the army, in which there are 
 so few chaplains ; and souls are called to their last dread 
 account so suddenly in war, that one does not know how to 
 refuse to let him go." 
 
 My poor, confiding -mother ! When I look back at the 
 past, and remember the manner in which the Rev*. Mr. 
 Worden discharged the duties of his sacred office during 
 the campaign that succeeded, I cannot but smile at the 
 manner in which confidence manifests itself in woman. 
 The sex has a natural disposition to place their trusts in 
 priests, by a very simple process of transferring their own 
 dispositions to the bosoms of those they believe set apart 
 for purely holy objects. Well, we live and learn. I dare 
 say that many are what they profess to be, but I have lived 
 long enough now to know all are not. As for Mr. Worden, 
 he had one good point about him, at any rate. His friends 
 and his enemies saw the worst of him. He was no hypo- 
 crite, but his associates saw the man very much as he was. 
 Still, I am far from wishing to hold up this imported minis- 
 ter as a model of christian graces for my descendants to 
 admire. No one can be more convinced than myself how 
 much sectarians are prone to substitute their own narrow 
 notions of right and wrong for the Law of God, confound- 
 ing acts that, are perfectly innocent in themselves with sin ; 
 but, at the same time, I am quite aware too, that appear- 
 ances are ever to be consulted in cases of morals, and that 
 it is a minor virtue to be decent in matters of manners. 
 
SATANSTOE. 151 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Worden, whatever might have been his posi- 
 tion as to substantial, certainly carried the external of 
 liberality to the verge of indiscretion. - 
 
 A day or two after the conversation I have related, our 
 party left Satanstoe, with some eclat. The team belonged 
 equally to the Follocks and the Littlepages, one horse being 
 the property of my father, while the other belonged to Col. 
 Follock. The sleigh, an old one new painted for the occa- 
 sion, was the sole property of the latter gentleman, and was 
 consigned, in mercantile phrase, to Dirck, in order to be 
 disposed of as soon as we 'should reach the end of our 
 journey. On its exterior it was painted a bright sky-blue, 
 while its interior was of vermilion, a colour that was and 
 is much in vogue for this species of vehicle, inasmuch as it 
 carries with it the idea of warmth ; so, at least, the old peo- 
 ple say, though I will confess I never found my toes any 
 less cold in a sleigh thus painted, than in one painted blue, 
 which is usually thought a particularly cold colour to the 
 feet. 
 
 We had three buffalo-skins, or, rather, two buffalo (bison) 
 skins and one bear-skin. The last, being trimmed with 
 scarlet cloth, had a particularly warm and comfortable ap- 
 pearance. The largest skin was placed on the hind-seat, 
 and thrown over the back of the sleigh, as a matter of 
 course ; and, though this back was high enough to break 
 off the wind from our heads and necks, the skin not only 
 covered it, but it hung two or three feet down behind, as is 
 becoming in a gentleman's sleigh. The other buffalo was 
 spread in the bottom of the sleigh, as a carpet for all four, 
 leaving an apron to come in front upon Dirck's and my lap, 
 as a protection against the cold in that quarter. The bear- 
 skin formed a cushion for us in front, and an apron for Mr. 
 Worden and Jason, who sat behind. Our trunks had gone 
 on the lumber sleighs, that is, mine and Dirck's had thus 
 been sent, while our two companions found room for theirs 
 in the conveyance in which we went ourselves. 
 
 It was March 1st, 1758, the morning we left Satanstoe, 
 on this memorable excursion. The winter had proved as 
 was common in our latitude, though there had been more 
 snow along the coast than was usual. Salt air and snow do 
 not agree well together ; but I had driven in a sleigh over 
 
152 SATANSTOE. 
 
 the Neck, most of the month of February, though there 
 were symptoms of a thaw, and of a southerly wind, the day 
 we left home. My- father observed this, and he advised me 
 to take the road through the centre of the county, and get 
 among the hills, as soon as possible. Not only was there 
 always more snow in that part of the country, but it resisted 
 the influence of a thaw much longer than that which had 
 fallen near the sea or Sound. I got my mother's last kiss, 
 my father's last shake of the hand, my grandfather's bless- 
 ing, stepped into the sleigh, took the reins from Dirck, and 
 drove ofF. 
 
 A party in a sleigh must be composed of a very sombre 
 sort of persons, if it be not a merry one. In our case, 
 everybody was disposed to good-humour; though Jason 
 could not pass along the highway, in York Colony, without 
 giving vent to his provincial, Connecticut hypercriticism. 
 Everything was Dutch, according to his view of matters ; 
 and when it failed of being Dutch, why, it was York-Colony. 
 The doors were not in the right places ; the windows were 
 too large, when they were not too small ; things had a cab- 
 bage-look ; the people smelt of tobacco ; and hasty-pudding 
 was called " suppaan." But these were trifles ; and being 
 used to them, nobody paid much attention to what our puri- 
 tanical neighbour saw fit to pour out, in the humility and 
 meekness of his soul. Mr. Worden chuckled, and urged 
 Jason on, in the hope of irritating Dirck; but Dirck smoked 
 through it all, with an indifference that proved how much 
 he really despised the critic. I was the only one who re- 
 sented this supercilious ignorance; but even I was often 
 more disposed to laugh than to be angry. 
 
 The signs of a thaw increased, as we got a few miles 
 from home; and by the time we reached White Plains, the 
 "south wind" did not blow "softly," but freshly, and the 
 snow in the road became sloppy, and rills of water were 
 seen running down the hill-sides, in a way that menaced 
 destruction to the sleighing. On we drove, however, and 
 deeper and deeper we got among the hills, until we found 
 not only more snow, but fewer symptoms of immediately 
 losing it. Our first day's work carried us well into the 
 manor of the Van Cortlandts, where we passed the night. 
 Next morning the south wind was still blowing, sweeping 
 
SATANSTOE. 153 
 
 over the fields of snow, charged with the salt air of the 
 ocean ; and bare spots began to show themselves on all the 
 acclivities and hill-sides — an admonition for us to be stirring. 
 We breakfasted in the Highlands, and in a wild and retired 
 part of them, though in a part where snow and beaten roads 
 were still to be found. We had escaped from the thaw, and 
 no longer felt any uneasiness on the subject of reaching the 
 end of our journey on runners. 
 
 The second day brought us fairly through the mountains, 
 out on the plains of Dutchess, permitting us to sup at Fish- 
 kill. This was a thriving settlement, the people appearing 
 to me to live in abundance, as certainly they did in peace 
 and quiet. They made little of the war, and asked us many 
 questions concerning the army, its commanders, its force, 
 and its objects. They were a simple, and judging from 
 appearances, an honest people, who troubled themselves very 
 little with what was going on in the world. 
 
 After quitting Fishkill we found a great change, not only 
 in the country, but in the weather. The first was level, as 
 a whole, and was much better settled than I could have 
 believed possible so far in the interior. As for the weather, 
 it was quite a different climate from that we had left below 
 the highlands. Not only was the morning cold, cold as it 
 had been a month earlier with us, but the snow still lay two 
 or three feet in depth on a level, and the sleighing was as 
 good as heart could wish. 
 
 That afternoon we overtook Yaap and the brigade of 
 lumber-sleighs. Evervthing had gone right, and after giving 
 the fellow some fresh instructions, I passed him, proceeding 
 on our route. This parting did not take place, however, 
 until the following had been uttered between us: 
 
 " Well, Yaap." I inquired, as a sort of close to the pre- 
 vious discourse, " how do you like the upper counties?" 
 
 A loud negro laugh succeeded, and a repetition of the 
 question was necessary to extort an answer. 
 
 " Lor', Masser Corny, how you t'ink I know, when dere 
 not'in but snow to be seen !" 
 
 " There was plenty of snow in Westchester ; yet, I dare 
 say you could give some opinion of our own county !" 
 
 " 'Cause I know him, sah ; inside and out, and all over, 
 Masser Corny." 
 
154 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " Well ; but you can see the houses, and orchards, ana 
 barns, and fences, and other things of that sort." 
 
 "'Em pretty much like our'n, Masser Corny; why you 
 bother nigger with sich question?" 
 
 Here another burst of loud, hearty " yah — yah — yahs 
 succeeded ; and Yaap had his laugh out before another word 
 could be got out of him, when I put the question a third 
 time. 
 
 " Well, den, Masser Corny, sin' you will know, dis is my 
 mind. Dis country is oncomparable wid our ole county 
 sah. De houses seem mean, de barns look empty, de fences 
 be low, and de niggers, ebbery one of 'em, look cold, sah— 
 yes, sah — 'ey look berry cold !" 
 
 As a " cold negro" was a most pitiable object in negro 
 eyes, I saw by this summary that Yaap had commenced his 
 travels in much of the same temper of superciliousness as 
 Jason Newcome. It struck me as odd at the time ; but, 
 since that day, I have ascertained that this feeling is a very 
 general travelling companion for those who set out on their 
 first journey. 
 
 We passed our third night at a small hamlet called Rhine- 
 beck, in a settlement in which many German names were 
 to be found. Here we were travelling through the vast 
 estates of the Livingstons, a name well-known in our colo- 
 nial history. We breakfasted at Claverack, and passed 
 through a place called Kinderhook — a village of Low Dutch 
 origin, and of some antiquity. That night we succeeded in 
 coming near Albany, by making a very hard day's drive of 
 it. There was no village at the place where we slept; but 
 the house was a comfortable, and exceedingly neat Dutch 
 tavern. After quitting Fishkill we had seen more or less of 
 the river, until we passed Claverack, where we took our 
 leave of it. It was covered with ice, and sleighs were 
 moving about it, with great apparent security ; but we did 
 not like to try it. Our whole party preferred a solid high- 
 way, in which there was no danger of the bottom's dropping 
 out. 
 
 As we were now about to enter Albany, the second larg- 
 est town in the colony and one of the largest inland towns 
 of the whole country, if such a word can properly be given 
 to a place that lies on a navigable river, it was thought ne- 
 
SATANSTOE. 155 
 
 cessary to make some few arrangements, in order to do it 
 decently. Instead of quitting the tavern at daylight, there- 
 fore, as had been our practice previously, we remained 
 until after breakfast, having recourse to our trunks in the 
 mean time. Dirck, Jason and myself, had provided our- 
 selves with fur caps for the journey, with ear-laps and other 
 contrivances for keeping oneself warm. The cap of Dirck, 
 and my own, were of very fine martens' skins, and as they 
 were round and high, and each was surmounted with a 
 handsome tail, that fell down behind, they had both a smart 
 and military air. I thought I had never seen Dirck look so 
 nobly and well, as he did in his cap, and I got a {ew com- 
 pliments on my own air in mine, though they were only 
 from my mother, who, I do think, would feel disposed to 
 praise me, even if I looked wretchedly. The cap of Jason 
 was better suited to his purse, being lower, and of fox-skins, 
 though it had a tail also. Mr. Worden had declined tra- 
 velling in a cap, as unsuited to his holy office. Accordingly 
 he wore his clerical beaver, which differed a little from the 
 ordinary cocked-hats, that we all wore as a matter of course, 
 though not so much so as to be very striking. 
 
 All of us had over-coats well trimmed with furs, mine 
 and Dirck's being really handsome, with trimmings of mar- 
 ten, while those of our companion were less showy and 
 expensive. On a consultation, Dirck and I decided that it 
 was better taste to enter the town in traveller's dresses, than 
 to enter it in any other, and we merely smartened up a lit- 
 de, in order to appear as gentlemen. The case was very 
 different with Jason. According to his idea a man should 
 wear his best clothes on a journey, and I was surprised to 
 see him appear at breakfast, in black breeches, striped 
 woollen stockings, large plated buckles in his shoes, and a 
 coat that I well knew he religiously reserved for high-days 
 and holidays. This coat was of a light pea-green colour, 
 and but little adapted to the season ; but Jason had not much 
 notion of the fitness of things, in general, in matters of taste. 
 Dirck and myself wore our ordinary snuff-coloured coats, 
 under our furs ; but Jason threw aside all the overcoats, 
 when we came near Albany, in order to enter the place in 
 his best. Fortunately for him, the day was mild, and there 
 was a bright sun to send its warm rays through the pea- 
 
156 SATANSTOE. 
 
 green covering, to keep his blood from chilling. As for 
 Mr. Worden, he wore a cloak of black cloth, laying aside 
 all the furs, but a tippet and inuff, both of which he used 
 habitually in cold weather. 
 
 In this guise, then, we left the tavern, about nine in the 
 morning, expecting to reach the banks of the river about 
 ten. Nor were we disappointed ; the roads being excellent, 
 a light fall of snow having occurred in the night, to freshen 
 the track. It was an interesting moment to us all, when 
 the spires and roofs of that ancient town, Albany, first ap- 
 peared in view ! We had journeyed from near the southern 
 boundary of the colony, to a place that stood at no great dis- 
 tance from its frontier settlements on the north. The town itself 
 formed a pleasing object, as we approached it, on the opposite 
 side of the Hudson. There it lay, stretching along the low 
 land on the margin of the stream, and on its western bank, 
 sheltered by high hills, up the side of which, the principal 
 street extended, for the distance of fully a quarter of a mile. 
 Near the head of this street stood the fort, and we saw a 
 brigade paraded in the open ground near it, wheeling and 
 marching about. The spires of two churches were visible, 
 one, the oldest, being seated on the low land, in the heart 
 of the place, and the other on the height at no great dis- 
 tance from the fort; or about half-way up the acclivity, 
 which forms the barrier to the inner country, on that side 
 of the river. Both these buildings were of stone, of course, 
 shingle tenements being of very rare occurrence in the 
 colony of New York, though common enough further east.* 
 
 * In nothing was the difference of character between the people of 
 New England, and those of the middle colonies, more apparent than 
 in the nature of the dwellings. In New York, for instance, men worth 
 thousands dwelt in humble, low, (usually one story) dwellings of stone, 
 having window-shutters, frequently within as well as without, and the 
 other appliances of comfort; whereas the farmer farther east, was sel- 
 dom satisfied, though his means were limited, unless he lived in a 
 house as good as his. neighbour's ; and the strife dotted the whole of 
 their colonies with wooden buildings, of great pretension for the age, 
 that rarely had even exterior shutters, and which frequently stood for 
 generations unfinished. The difference was not of Dutch origin, for 
 it was just as apparent in New Jersey or Pennsylvania as in New 
 York, and I think it may be attributed to a very obvious consequence 
 of a general equality of condition, a stato of society in which no one i^ 
 
SATANSTOE. 157 
 
 I will own that not one of our party liked the idea of 
 crossing the Hudson, in a loaded sleigh, on the ice, and that 
 in the month of March. There were no streams about us 
 to be crossed in this mode, nor was the cold exactly suffi- 
 cient to render such a transit safe, and we felt as the inex- 
 perienced would be apt to feel in circumstances so unplea- 
 sant. I must do Jason the credit to admit that he showed 
 more plain, practical, good sense than any of us, determi- 
 ning our course in the end by his view of the matter. As 
 for Mr. Worden, however, nothing could induce him to 
 venture on the ice in a sleigh, or near a sleigh, though Jason 
 remonstrated in the following terms — 
 
 "Now, look here, Rev. Mr. Worden" — Jason seldom 
 omitted anybody's title — " you 've only to turn your eyes 
 on the river to see it is dotted with sleighs, far and near. 
 There are highways north and south, and if that be the 
 place, where the crossing is at the town, it is more like a 
 thoroughfare than a spot that is risky. In my judgment, 
 these people who live hereabouts ought to know whether 
 there is any danger or not." 
 
 Obvious as was this truth, ' Rev. Mr. Worden' made us 
 stop on terra firma, and permit him to quit the sleigh, that 
 he might cross the river on foot. Jason ventured a hint or 
 two about faith and its virtues, as he stripped himself to the 
 pea-green, in order to enter the town in proper guise, 
 throwing aside everything that concealed his finery. As 
 for Dirck and myself, we kept our seats manfully, and trot- 
 ted on the river at the point where we saw sleighs and foot- 
 passengers going and coming in some numbers. The Rev. 
 Mr. Worden, however, was not content to take the beaten 
 path, for he knew there was no more security in being out 
 on the ice, near a sleigh,. than there was in being in it, so 
 he diverged from the road, which crossed at the ferry, 
 striking diagonally atwhart the river towards the wharves 
 of the place. 
 
 It seemed to me to be a sort of a holiday among the 
 young and idle, one sleigh passing us after another, filled 
 
 content to wear even the semblance of poverty, but those who cannot 
 by any means prevent it ; but, in which all strive to get as high as pos- 
 sible, in appearances at least. — Editor. 
 
 Vol. I. — 14 
 
158 SATANSTOE. 
 
 with young men and maidens, all sparkling with the ex 
 citement of the moment, and gay with youth and spirits. 
 We passed no less than four of these sleighs on the river, 
 the jingling of the bells, the quick movement, the laughter 
 and gaiety, and the animation of the whole scene, far ex- 
 ceeding anything of the sort I had ever before witnessed. 
 We were nearly across the river, when a sleigh more hand- 
 somely equipped than any we had yet seen, dashed down 
 the bank, and came whirling past us like a comet. It was 
 full of ladies, with the exception of one gentleman, who 
 stood erect in front, driving. I recognised Bulstrode, in furs 
 like all of us, capped and tailed, if not plumed, while 
 among the half-dozen pairs of brilliant eyes that were 
 turned with their owner's smiling faces on us, I saw one 
 which never could be forgotten by me, that belonged to 
 Anneke Mordaunt. I question if we were recognised, for 
 the passage was like that of a meteor ; but I could not avoid 
 turning to gaze after the gay party. This change of 
 position enabled me to be a witness of a very amusing con- 
 sequence of Mr. Worden's experiment. A sleigh was coming 
 in our direction, and the party in it seeing one who was 
 known for a clergyman, walking on the ice, turned aside 
 and approached him on a gallop, in order to offer the 
 courtesy of a seat to a man of his sacred profession. Our 
 divine heard the bells, and fearful of having a sleigh so 
 near him, he commenced a downright flight, pursued by the 
 people in the sleigh, as fast as their horses could follow. 
 Everybody on the ice pulled up to gaze in wonder at this 
 strange spectacle, until the whole party reached the shore, 
 the Rev. Mr. Worden pretty well blown, as the reader may 
 suppose. 
 
SATANSTOE. 159 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Bid physicians talk our veins to temper, 
 And with an argument new-set a pulse, 
 Then think, my lord, of reasoning unto love. 
 
 YoiJXG. 
 
 As the road from the ferry into the town ran along the 
 bank of the river, we reached the point where the Rev. Mr. 
 Worden had landed precisely at the same instant with his 
 pursuers, who had been obliged to make a little circuit, in 
 order to get off the ice. I do not know which party re- 
 garded the other in the greatest astonishment, — the hunted, 
 or the hunters. The sleigh had in it two fine-looking 
 young fellows, that spoke English with a slight Dutch 
 accent, and three young women, whose bright coal-black 
 eyes betokened surprise a little mitigated by a desire to 
 laugh. Seeing that we were all strangers, I suppose, and 
 that we claimed the runaway as belonging to our party, 
 one of the young men raised his cap very respectfully, and 
 opened the discourse by asking in a very civil tone — 
 
 " What ails the reverent gentleman, to make him run so 
 fast?" 
 
 '"Run!" exclaimed Mr. Worden, whose lungs had been 
 playing like a blacksmith's bellows — "Run! and who 
 would not run to save himself from being drowned?" 
 
 " Drowned !" repeated the young Dutchman, looking 
 round at the river, as if to ascertain whether the ice were 
 actually moving — " why does the Dominie suppose there 
 was any danger of that ?" 
 
 As Mr. Worden's bellows were still hard at work, I ex- 
 plained to the young Albanians that we were strangers just 
 arrived from the vicinity of New York ; that we were un- 
 accustomed to frozen rivers, and had never crossed one on 
 the ice before; that our reverend companion had chosen to 
 walk at a distance from the road, in order to be in less 
 danger should any team break in, and that he had naturally- 
 run to avoid th?ir sleigh when he saw it approaching. The 
 Albanians heard this account in respectful silence, though I 
 
160 SATANSTOE. 
 
 could see the two young men casting sly glances at each 
 other, and that even the ladies had some little difficulty in 
 altogether suppressing their smiles. When it was through, 
 the oldest of the Dutchmen — a fine, dare-devil,, roystering- 
 looking fellow of four or five-and-twenty, whose dress and 
 mien, however, denoted a person of the upper class, — begged 
 a thousand pardons for his mistake, quitting his sleigh and 
 insisting on having the honours of shaking hands with the 
 whole of us. His name was ' Ten Eyck,' he said ;' ' Guert 
 Ten Eyck,' and he asked permission, as we were strangers, 
 of doing the honour of Albany to us. Everybody in the 
 place knew him, which, as we afterwards ascertained, was 
 true enough, for he had just as much reputation for fun and 
 frolic as at all comported with respectability; keeping along, 
 as it were, on the very verge of the pale of reputable peo- 
 ple, without being thrown entirely out of it. The young 
 females with him were a shade below his own natural posi- 
 tion in society, tolerating his frolics on account of this cir- 
 cumstance, aided as it was by a singularly manly face and 
 person, a hearty and ready laugh, a full purse, and possibly 
 by the secret hope of being the happy individual who was 
 designed by Providence to convert ' a reformed rake into the 
 best of husbands.' In a word, he was always welcome with 
 them, when those a little above them felt more disposed to 
 frown. 
 
 Of course, all this was unknown to us at the time, and 
 we accepted Guert Ten Eyck's proffers of civility in the 
 spirit in which they were offered. He inquired at what 
 tavern we intended to stop, and promised an early call. 
 Then, shaking us all round by the hand again with great 
 cordiality, he took his leave. His companion doffed a very 
 dashing, high, wolf-skin cap to us, and the black-eyed trio, 
 on the hind seat, smiled graciously, and away they drove at 
 a furious rate, startling all the echoes of Albany with their 
 bells. By this time Mr. Worden was seated, and we fol- 
 lowed more moderately, our team having none of the Dutch 
 courage of a pair of horses fresh from the stable. Such 
 were the circumstances under which we made our entrance 
 into the ancient city of Albany. We were all in hopes, the 
 little affair of the chase would soon be forgotten, for no one 
 likes to be associated with a ridiculous circumstance; but 
 
SATANSTOE. 161 
 
 we counted without our host. Guert Ten Eyck was not of 
 a temperament to let such an affair sleep, but, as I after- 
 wards ascertained, he told it with the laughing embellish- 
 ments that belonged to his reckless character, until, in turn, 
 the Rev. Mr. Worden came to be known, throughout all that 
 region, by the nickname of the " Loping Dominie." 
 
 The reader may be assured our eyes were about us, as 
 we drove through the streets of the second town in the 
 colony. We were not unaccustomed to houses constructed 
 in the Dutch style, in New York, though the English mode 
 of building had been most in vogue there, for half a century. 
 It was not so with Albany, which remained, essentially, a 
 Dutch town, in 1758. We heard little beside Dutch, as we 
 passed along. The women scolded their children in Low 
 Dutch, a use, by the way, for which the language appears 
 singularly well adapted; the negroes sang Dutch songs; 
 the men called to each other in Dutch, and Dutch rang in 
 our ears, as we walked our horses through the streets, to- 
 wards the tavern. There were many soldiers about, and 
 other proofs of the presence of a considerable military force 
 were not wanting; still, the place struck me as very pro- 
 vincial and peculiar, after New York. Nearly all the 
 houses were built with their gables to the streets, and each 
 had heavy wooden Dutch stoops, with seats, at its door. A 
 few had small court-yards in front, and, here and there, was 
 a building of somewhat more pretension than usual. I do 
 not think, however, there were fifty houses in the place, 
 that were built with their gables off the line of the streets.* 
 
 We were no sooner housed, than Dirck and I sallied forth 
 to look at the place. Here we were, in one of the oldest 
 towns of America ; a place that could boast of much more 
 
 * The population of Albany could not have reached 4000 in 1758. 
 Its Dutch character remained down to the close of this century, with 
 gradual changes. The writer can remember when quite as much 
 Dutch as English was heard in the streets of Albany, though it has 
 now nearly disappeared. The present population must be near 
 40,000. 
 
 Mr. Littlepage's description was doubtless correct, at the time he 
 wrote ; but Albany would now be considered a first-class country 
 town, in Europe. It has mueh better claims to compare with the 
 towns of the old world, in this character, than New York has to com- 
 pare with their capitals. — Editor. 
 14* 
 
162 SATANSTOE, 
 
 than a century's existence, and it was natural to feel curio js 
 to look about one. Our inn was in the principal street,— 
 that which led up the hill towards the fort. This street was 
 a wide avenue, that quite put Broadway out of countenance, 
 so far as mere width was concerned. The streets that led 
 out of it, however, were principally little better than lanes, 
 as if the space that had been given to two or three of the 
 main streets had been taken off of the remainder. The High 
 Street, as we English would call it, was occupied by sleds 
 filled with wood for sale ; sleds loaded with geese, turkeys, 
 tame and wild, and poultry of all sorts ; sleds with venison, 
 still in the skin, piled up in heaps, &c, — all these eatables 
 being collected, in unusual quantities as we were told, to 
 meet the extraordinary demand created by the different 
 military messes. Deer were no strangers to us ; for Long 
 Island was full of all sorts of game, as were the upper coun- 
 ties of New Jersey. Even Westchester, old and well 
 settled as it had become, was not yet altogether clear of 
 deer, and nothing was easier than to knock over a buck in 
 the highlands. Nevertheless, I had never seen venison, 
 wild turkeys and sturgeons, in such quantities as they were 
 to be seen that day in the principal street of Albany. 
 
 The crowd collected in this street, the sleighs that were 
 whirling past, filled with young men and maidens, the in- 
 cessant jingling of bells, the spluttering and jawing in Low 
 Dutch, the hearty English oaths of Serjeants and sutlers'- 
 men and cooks of messes, the loud laughs of the blacks, 
 and the beauty of the cold clear day, altogether produced 
 some such effect on me, as I had experienced when I went 
 to the theatre. Not the least striking picture of the scene, 
 was Jason, in the middle of the street, gaping about him, in 
 the cocked-hat, the pea-green coat, and the striped woollen 
 stockings. 
 
 Dirck and myself naturally examined the churches. 
 These were two, as has been said already, — one for the 
 Dutch, and the other for the English. The first was the 
 oldest. It stood at the point where the two principal streets 
 crossed each other, and in the centre of the street, leaving 
 sufficient passages all round it. The building was square, 
 with a high pointed roof, having a belfry and weathercock 
 on its apex ; windows, with diamond panes and painted glass, 
 
SATANSTOE. 163 
 
 and a porch that was well suited both to the climate and to 
 appearances.* 
 
 We were examining this structure, when Guert Ten Eyck 
 accosted us, in his frank, off-hand way — 
 
 "Your servant, Mr. Littlepage ; your servant, Mr. Fol- 
 lock," he cried, again shaking each cordially by the hand. 
 " I was on the way to the tavern to look you up, when I 
 accidentally saw you here. A few gentlemen of my ac- 
 quaintance, who are in the habit of supping together in the 
 winter time, meet for the last jollification of the season to- 
 night, and they have all express't a wish to have the plea- 
 sure of your company. I hope you will allow me to say you 
 will come? We meet at nine, sup at ten, and break up 
 at twelve, quite regularly, in a very sedate and prudent 
 manner." 
 
 There was something so frank and cordial, so simple and 
 straight-forward in this invitation, that we did not know how 
 to decline it. We both knew that the name of Ten Eyck 
 was respectable in the colony ; our new acquaintance was 
 well dressed, he seemed to be in good company when we 
 first met him, his sleigh and horses had been actually of a 
 more dashing stamp than usual, and his own attire had all 
 the peculiarities of a gentleman's, withthe addition of some- 
 thing even more decided and knowing than was common. 
 It is true, the style of these peculiarities was not exactly 
 such as I had seen in the air, manners and personal decora- 
 tions of those of Billings and Harris ; but they were none 
 the less striking, and none the less attractive ; the two Eng- 
 lishmen being " macaronis," from London, and Ten Eyck 
 being a "buck" of Albany. 
 
 " I thank you, very heartily, Mr. Ten Eyck," I an- 
 swered, " both for myself and for my friend" — 
 
 " And will let me come for you at half-past eight, to show 
 you the way ?" 
 
 " Why, yes, sir ; I was about to say as much, if it be 
 not giving you too much trouble." 
 
 * There were two churches, of this character, built on this spot. 
 The second, much larger than the first, but of the same form, was 
 built round the other, in which service was held to the last, when it 
 was. literally thrown out of the windows of its successor. The last 
 edifice disappeared about forty years sunce. — Editor. 
 
164 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " Do not speak of tr-r-ouple" — this last word will give a 
 very good notion of Guert's accent, which I cannot stop to 
 imitate at all times in writing — "and do not say your 
 fre^nt, but your fre'ntz." 
 
 " As to the two that are not here, I cannot positively an- 
 swer ; yonder, however, is one that can speak for himself." 
 
 " I see him, Mr. Littlepage, and will answer for him, on 
 my own account. Depent on it, he will come. But the 
 Dominie — he has a hearty look, and can help eat a turkey 
 and swallow a glass of goot Madeira — I think I can rely 
 on. A man cannot take all that active exercise without 
 food." 
 
 " Mr. Worden is a very companionable man, and is ex- 
 cellent company at a supper-table. I will communicate 
 your invitation, and hope to be able to prevail on him to be 
 of the party." 
 
 " T'at is enough, sir," returned Ten Eyck, or Guert, as I 
 shall henceforth call him, in general ; " vere dere ist a vill, 
 dere ist a vay." Guert frequently broke out in such speci- 
 mens of broken English, while at other times he would 
 speak almost as well as any of us. " So Got pless you 
 my dear Mr. Littlepage, and make us lasting friends. I 
 like your countenance, and my eye never deceives me in 
 these matters." 
 
 Here, Guert shook us both by the hand again, most cor- 
 dially, and left us. Dirck and I next strolled up the hill, 
 going as high as the English church, which stood also in 
 the centre of the principal street, an imposing and massive 
 edifice in stone. With the exception of Mother Trinity in 
 New York, this was the largest, and altogether the most 
 important edifice devoted to the worship of my own church 
 I had ever seen. In Westchester, there were several of 
 Queen Anne's churches, but none on a scale to compare 
 with this. Our small edifices were usually without gal- 
 leries, steeples, towers, or bells ; while St. Peter's, Albany, 
 if not actually St. Peter's, Rome, was a building of which 
 a man might be proud. A little to our surprise, we 
 found the Rev. Mr. Worden and Mr. Jason Newcome had 
 met at the door of this edifice, having sent a boy to the 
 sexton in quest of the key. In a minute or two, the urchin 
 ' returned, bringing not only the key of the church, but the 
 
SATANSTOE. 165 
 
 excuses of the sexton for not coming himself. The door 
 was opened, and we went in. 
 
 I have always admired the decorous and spiritual manner 
 in which the Rev. Mr. Worden entered a building that had 
 been consecrated to the services of the Deity. I know not 
 how to describe it ; but it proved how completely he had 
 been drilled in the decencies of his profession. Off came 
 his hat, of course ; and his manner, however facetious and 
 easy it may have been the moment before, changed on the 
 instant to gravity and decorum. Not so with Jason. He 
 entered St. Peter's, Albany, with exactly the same indiffer- 
 ent and cynical air with which he had seemed to regard 
 everything but money, since he' entered " York Colony." 
 Usually, he wore his cocked-hat on the back of his head, 
 thereby lending himself a lolloping, negligent, and, at the 
 same time, defying air ; but 1 observed that, as we all un- 
 covered, he brought his own beaver up over his eye-brows, 
 in a species of military bravado. To uncover to a church, 
 in his view of the matter, was a sort of idolatry ; there 
 might be images about, for anything he knew; "and a man 
 could never be enough on his guard ag'in being carried 
 away by such evil deceptions," as he had once before an- 
 swered to a remonstrance of mine, for wearing his hat in 
 our own parish church. 
 
 I found the interior of St. Peter's quite as imposing as its 
 exterior. Three of the pews were canopied, having coats 
 of arms on their canopies. These, the boy told us, belonged 
 to the Van Rensselaer and Schuyler families. All these 
 were covered with black cloth, in mourning for some death 
 in those ancient families, which were closely allied. I was 
 very much struck with the dignified air that these patrician 
 seats gave the house of God.* There were also several 
 hatchments suspended against the walls ; some being placed 
 there in commemoration of officers of rank, from home, who 
 
 * I cannot recollect one of these canopied pews that is now stand- 
 ing, in this part of the Union. The last, of my knowledge, were in 
 St. Mark's, New York, and, I believe, belonged to the Stuyvesants ; 
 the patron family of that church. They were taken down when 
 that building was repaired, a few years since. This is one of the most 
 innocent of all our innovations of this character. Distinctions in the 
 House of God are opposed to the very spirit of the Christian religion ; 
 and it were far more fitting that pews should be altogether done away 
 
166 SATANSTOE. 
 
 had died in the king's service in the colony ; and others to 
 mark the deaths of some of the more distinguished of our 
 own people. 
 
 Mr. Worden expressed himself well pleased with appear- 
 ances of things, in and about this building ; though Jason 
 regarded all with ill-concealed disgust. 
 
 " What is the meaning of them pews with tops to them, 
 Corny 1" the pedagogue whispered me, afraid to encounter 
 the parson's remarks, by his own criticism. 
 
 " They are the pews of families of distinction in this 
 place, Mr. Newcome; and the canopies, or tops, as you call 
 them, are honourable signs of their owners' conditions." 
 
 " Do you think their owners will sit under such coverings 
 in paradise, Corny?" continued Jason, with a sneer. 
 
 " It is impossible for me to say, sir ; it is probable, how- 
 ever, the just will not require any such mark to distinguish 
 them from the unjust." 
 
 " Let me see," said Jason, looking round and affecting to 
 count; "there are just three — Bishop, Priest, and Deacon, 
 I suppose. Waal, there's a seat for each, and they can be 
 comfortable here, whatever may turn up hereaHer." 
 
 I turned away, unwilling to dispute the point, for I knew 
 it was as hopeless to expect that a Danbury man would feel 
 like a New Yorker, on such a subject, as it was to expect 
 that a New Yorker could be made to adopt Danbury senti- 
 ments. As for the argument, however, I have heard others 
 of pretty much the same calibre often urged against the three 
 orders of the ministry. 
 
 On quitting St. Peter's, I communicated the invitation of 
 Guert Ten Eyck to Mr. Worden, and urged him to be of the 
 party. I could see that the notion of a pleasant supper was 
 anything but unpleasant to the missionary. Still he had 
 his scruples, inasmuch as he had not yet seen his reverend 
 
 with, the true mode of assembling- under the sacred roof, than that 
 men should be classed even at the foot of the altar. 
 
 It may be questioned if a hatchment is now hung up, either on the 
 dwelling, or in a church, in any part of America. They were to bo 
 seen, however, in the early part of the present century. Whenevel 
 any such traces of ancient usages are met with among us, by the 
 traveller from the old world, he is apt to mistake them for the shadows 
 "that coming events cast before," instead of those of the past. — 
 Editor. 
 
SATANSTOE. 167 
 
 brother who had the charge of St. Peter's, did not know 
 exactly the temper of his mind, and was particularly de- 
 sirous of officiating for him, in the presence of the principal 
 personages of the place, on the approaching Sunday. He 
 had written a note to the chaplain ; for the person who had 
 the cure of the Episcopalians held that rank in the army, 
 St. Peter's being as much of an official chapel as a parish 
 church ; and he must have an interview with that individual 
 before he could decide. Fortunately, as we descended the 
 street, towards our inn, we saw the very person in question. 
 The marks of the common office that these two divines bore 
 about their persons in their dress, sufficed to make them 
 known to each other at a glance. In five minutes, they had 
 shaken hands, heard each man's account of himself, had 
 given and accepted the invitation to preach, and were other- 
 wise on free and easy terms. Mr. Worden was to dine in 
 the fort, with the chaplain. We then walked forward to- 
 wards the tavern. 
 
 " By the way, Mr. ," said Mr. Worden, in a paren- 
 thesis of the discourse, "the family of Ten Eyck is quite 
 respectable, here in Albany." 
 
 "Very much so, sir — a family that is held in much 
 esteem. I shall count on your assisting me, morning and 
 evening, my dear Mr. Worden." 
 
 It is surprising how the clergy do depend on each other 
 for ' assistance !' 
 
 " Make your arrangements accordingly, my good brother 
 — I am quite fresh, and have brought a good stock of ser- 
 mons ; not knowing how much might remain to be done in 
 the army. Corny," in a half-whisper, " you can let oui 
 new friends know that I will sup with them ; and, harkee — 
 just drop a hint to them, that I am none of your puritans." 
 
 Here, then, we found everything in a very fair way to 
 bring us all out in society, within the first two hours of our 
 arrival. Mr. Worden was engaged to preach the next day 
 but one ; and he was engaged to supper that same day. All 
 looked promising, and I hurried on in order to ascertain if 
 Guert Ten Eyck had made his promised call. As before, 
 he was met in the street, and the acceptance of the Domi- 
 nie was duly communicated. Guert seemed highly pleased 
 
168 SATANSTOE. 
 
 at this success ; and he left me, promising to be punctual to 
 his hour. In the mean time, we had to dine. 
 
 The dinner proved a good one ; and, as Mr. Worden 
 remarked, it was quite lucky that the principal dish was 
 venison, a meat that was so easy of digestion, as to promise 
 no great obstacle to the accommodation of the supper. He 
 should dine on venison, therefore ; and he advised all three 
 of us to follow his example. But, certain Dutch dishes at- 
 tracted the eye and taste of Dirck ; while Jason had alighted 
 on a hash, of some sort or other, that he did not quit until 
 he had effectually disposed of it. As for myself, I confess, 
 the venison was so much to my taste, that I stuck by the 
 parson. We had our wine, too, and left the table early, in 
 order not to interfere with the business of the night. 
 
 After dinner, it was proposed to walk out in a body, to 
 make a further examination of the place, and to see if we 
 could not fall in with an army contractor, who might be dis- 
 posed to relieve Dirck and myself of some portion of our 
 charge. Luck again threw us in the way of Guert Ten 
 Eyck, who seemed to live in the public street. In the 
 course of a brief conversation that took place, as a passing 
 compliment, I happened to mention a wish to ascertain 
 where one might dispose of a few horses, and of two or three 
 sleigh-loads of flour, pork, &c, &c. 
 
 " My dear Mr. Littlepage," said Guert, with a frank smile 
 and a friendly shake of the hand, " I am delighted that you 
 have mentioned these matters to me ; I can take you to the 
 very man you wish to see ; a heavy army-contractor, who 
 is buying up everything of the sort he can lay his hands 
 on." 
 
 Of course, I was as much delighted as Guert could very 
 well be, and left my party to proceed at once to the con- 
 tractor's office, with the greatest alacrity ; Dirck accom- 
 panying me. As we went along, our new friend advised us 
 not to be very backward in the way of price, since the king 
 paid, in the long run. 
 
 " Rich dealers ought to pay well," he added ; " and, I 
 can tell you, as a useful thing to know, that orders came on, 
 no later than yesterday, to buy up everything of the sort 
 that offered. Put sleigh and harness, at once, all in a heap, 
 on the king's servants." 
 
SATANSTOE. 169 
 
 I thought the idea not a bad one, and promised to profit 
 by it. Guert was as good as his word, and I was properly- 
 introduced to the contractor. My business was no sooner 
 mentioned, than I was desired to send a messenger round to 
 the stables, in order that my conveyance, team, &c, might 
 make their appearance. As for the articles that were still 
 on the road, I had very little trouble. The contractor knew 
 my father, and he no sooner heard that Mr. Littlepage, of 
 Satanstoe, was the owner of the provisions, than he pur- 
 chased the whole on the guaranty of his name. For the 
 pork I was to receive two half-joes the barrel, and for the 
 flour one. This was a good sale. The horses would be 
 taken, if serviceable, as the contractor did not question, as 
 would the lumber-sleighs, though the prices could not be set 
 until the different animals and objects were seen and ex- 
 amined. 
 
 It is amazing what war will do for commerce, as well as 
 what it does against it ! The demand for everything that 
 the judgment of my father had anticipated, was so great, 
 that the contractor told me very frankly the sleighs would 
 not be unloaded in Albany at all, but would be sent on 
 north, on the line of the expected route of the army, so as 
 to anticipate the disappearance of the snow and the break- 
 ing up of the roads. 
 
 " You shall be paid liberally for your teams, harness and 
 sleighs," he continued, " though no sum can be named until 
 I see them. These are not times when operations are to 
 be retarded on account of a few joes, more or less, for the 
 King's service must go on. I very well know that Major 
 Littlepage and Col. Follock both understand what they are 
 about, and have sent us the right sort of things. The 
 horses are very likely a little old, but are good for one 
 campaign ; better than if younger, perhaps, and were they 
 colts we could get no more than that out of them. These 
 movements in the woods destroy man and beast, and cost 
 mints of money. Ah ! There comes your team." 
 
 Sure enough, the sleigh drove round from the tavern, and 
 we all went out to look at the horses, &c. Guert now be- 
 came an important person. On the subject of horses he 
 was accounted an oracle, and he talked, moved, and acted 
 like one in all respects. The first thing he did was to step 
 
 Vol. I. — 15 
 
170 SATANSTOE. 
 
 up to the animal's head, and to look into the mouth of each 
 in succession. The knowing way in which this was done, 
 the coolness of the interference, and the fine, manly form 
 of the intruder, would have given him at once a certain 
 importance and a connection with what was going on, had 
 not his character for judgment in horse-flesh been well es- 
 tablished, far and near, in that quarter of the country. 
 
 " Upon my word, wonderfully good mouths !" exclaimed 
 Guert, when through. " You must have your grain ground, 
 Mr. Littlepage, or the teeth never could have stood it so 
 well !" 
 
 " What age do you call the animals, Guert ?" demanded 
 the contractor. 
 
 " That is not so easily told, sir. I admit that they are 
 aged horses ; but they may be eight, or nine, or even ten, 
 as for what can be told by their teeth. By the looks of 
 their limbs, I should think they might be nine coming 
 grass." 
 
 " The near-horse is eleven," I said, " and the ofF-horse 
 
 is supposed to be " 
 
 " Poh ! poh ! Littlepage," interrupted Guert, making signs 
 to me to be quiet — " you may think the ofF-horse ten, but 
 I should place him at about nine. His teeth are excellent, 
 and there is not even a wind-gall on his legs. There is a 
 cross of the Flemish in that beast." 
 
 " Well, and what do you say the pair is worth, Master 
 Guert," demanded the contractor, who seemed to have a 
 certain confidence in his friend's judgment, notwithstanding 
 the recklessness and freedom of his manner. " Twelve 
 half-joes for them both ?" 
 
 " That will never do, Mr. Contractor," answered Guert, 
 shaking his head. " In times like these, such stout animals, 
 and beasts too in such heart and condition, ought to bring 
 fifteen." 
 
 " Fifteen let it be then, if Mr. Littlepage assents. Now 
 for the sleigh, and harness, and skins. I suppose Mr. Little- 
 page will part with the skins too, as he can have no use for 
 them without the sleigh ?" 
 
 " Have you, Mr. Contractor ?" asked Guert, a little 
 abruptly. " That bear-skin fills my eye beautifully, and if 
 Mr. Littlepage will take a guinea for it, here is his money." 
 
SATAN STOE. 171 
 
 As this was a fair price, it was accepted, though I pressed 
 the skin on Guert as a gift, in remembrance of our accidental 
 acquaintance. This offer, however, he respectfully, but 
 firmly resisted. And here I will take occasion to say, lest 
 the reader be misled by what is met with in works of fiction, 
 and other light and vain productions, that in all my dealings, 
 and future connection with Guert, I found him strictly 
 honourable in money matters. It is true, I would not have 
 purchased a horse on his recommendation, if he owned the 
 beast ; but we all know how the best men yield in their 
 morals when they come to deal in horses. I should scarcely 
 have expected Mr. Worden to be orthodox, in making such 
 bargains. But, on all other subjects connected with money, 
 Guert Ten Eyck was one of the honestest fellows I ever dealt 
 with. 
 
 The contractor took the sleigh, harness, and skins, at 
 seven more half-joes ; making twenty-three for the whole 
 outfit. This was certainly receiving two half-joes more 
 than my father had expected ; and I owed the gain of six- 
 teen dollars to Guert's friendly and bold interference. As 
 soon as the prices were settled, the money was paid me in 
 good Spanish gold ; and I handed over to Dirck the portion 
 that properly fell to his father's share. As it was under- 
 stood that the remaining horses, sleighs, harness, provisions, 
 &c, were to be taken at an appraisal, the instant they 
 arrived, this hour's work relieved my friend and myself 
 from any further trouble on the subject of the property en- 
 trusted to our care. And a relief it was to be so well rid of 
 a responsibility that was as new as it was heavy to each 
 of us. 
 
 The reader will get some idea of the pressure of affairs, 
 and how necessary it was felt to be on the alert in the month 
 of March — a time of the year when twenty-four hours 
 might bring about a change in the season — by the circum- 
 stance that the contractor sent his new purchase to be loaded 
 up from the door of his office, with orders to proceed on 
 north, with supplies for a depot that he was making as near 
 to Lake George as was deemed prudent ; the French being 
 in force at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, two posts at the 
 head of Champlain ; a distance considerably less than a 
 hundred miles from Albany. Whatever was forwarded as 
 
172 SATANSTOE. 
 
 far as Lake George while the snow lasted, could then be 
 sent on with the army, in the contemplated operations of the 
 approaching summer, by means of the two lakes, and their 
 northern outlets. 
 
 " Well, Mr. Littlepage," cried Guert, heartily ; " that 
 affair is well disposed of. You got goot prices, and I hope 
 the King has got goot horses. They are a little venerable, 
 perhaps ; but what of that ? The army would knock up 
 the best and youngest beast in the colony, in one campaign 
 in the woots j and it can do no more with the oldest and 
 worst. Shall we walk rount into the main street, gentle- 
 men 1 This is about the hour when the young ladies are 
 apt to start for their afternoon sleighing." 
 
 " I suppose the ladies of Albany are remarkable for their 
 beauty, Mr. Ten Eyck," I rejoined, wishing to say some- 
 thing agreeable to a man who seemed so desirous of serving 
 me. " The specimens I saw in crossing the river this 
 morning, would induce a stranger to think so." 
 
 " Sir," replied Guert, walking towards the great avenue 
 of the town, " we are content with our ladies, in general, 
 for they are charming, warm-hearted and amiable ; but 
 there has been an arrival among us this winter, from your 
 part of the colony, that has almost melted the ice on the 
 Hudson !" 
 
 My heart beat quicker, for I could only think of one be- 
 ing of her sex, as likely to produce such a sensation. Still, 
 I could not abstain from making a direct inquiry on the 
 subject. 
 
 " From our part of the colony, Mr. Ten Eyck ! — You 
 mean from New York, probably V 
 
 " Yes, sir, as a matter of course. There are several 
 beautiful English women who have come up with the army ; 
 but no colonel, major, or captain, has brought such para- 
 gons with him, as Herman Mordaunt, a gentleman who 
 may be known to you by name V 
 
 " Personally too, sir. Herman Mordaunt is even a kins- 
 man of Dirck'Follock, my friend here." 
 
 " Then is Mr. Follock to be envied, since he can call 
 cousin with so charming a young lady as Anneke Mor- 
 daunt." 
 
SATANSTOE. 173 
 
 " True sir, most true!" I interrupted, eagerly; "Anne 
 Mordaunt passes for the sweetest girl in York!" 
 
 " I do not know that I should go quite as far as that, Mr. 
 Littlepage," returned Guerc, moderating his warmth, in a 
 manner that a little surprised me, though his handsome face 
 still glowed with honest, natural admiration ; " since there 
 is a Miss Mary Wallace in her company, that is quite as 
 much thought of, here in Albany, as her friend, Miss Mor- 
 daunt." 
 
 Mary Wallace ! The idea of comparing the silent, 
 thoughtful, excellent though she were, Mary Wallace, with 
 Anneke could never have crossed my mind. Still, Mary 
 Wallace certainly was a very charming girl. She was 
 even handsome; had a placid, saint-like character of coun- 
 tenance that had often struck me, singular beauty and 
 development of form, and, in any other company than that 
 of Anneke's, might well have attracted the first attention of 
 the most fastidious beholder. 
 
 And Guert Ten Eyck admired, — perhaps loved, Mary 
 Wallace ! Here, then, was fresh evidence how much we 
 are all inclined to love our opposites ; to form close friend- 
 ships with those who resemble us least, principles excepted, 
 for virtue can never cling to vice, and how much more in- 
 terest novelty possesses in the human breast, than the 
 repetition of things to which we are accustomed. No two 
 beings could be less alike than Mary Wallace and Guert 
 Ten Eyck ; yet the last admired the first. 
 
 " Miss Wallace is a very charming young lady, Mr. 
 Ten Eyck," I rejoined, as soon as wonder would allow me 
 to answer, " and I am not surprised you speak of her in 
 terms of so much admiration." 
 
 Guert stopped short in the street, looked me full in the 
 face with an expression of truth that could not well be 
 feigned, squeezed my hand fervently, and rejoined with a 
 strange frankness, that I could not have imitated, to be 
 master of all I saw — 
 
 "Admiration, Mr. Littlepage, is not a wort strong 
 enough for what I feel for Mary ! I would marry her in 
 the next hour, and love and cherish her for all the rest of 
 my life. I worship her, and love the earth she treads on." 
 
 " And you have told her this, Mr. Ten Eyck?" 
 15* 
 
174 SATAN STOE. 
 
 " Fifty times, sir. She has now been two months in Al- 
 bany, and my love was secured within the first week. I 
 offered myself too soon, I fear ; for Mary is a prutent, sen- 
 sible young woman, and girls of that character are apt to 
 distrust the youth who is too quick in his advances. They 
 like to be served, sir, for seven years and seven years, as 
 Joseph served for Potiphar." 
 
 " You mean, most likely, Mr. Ten Eyck, as Jacob served 
 for Rachel." 
 
 " Well, sir, it may be as you say, dough I t'ink that in 
 our Dutch Bibles, it stands as Joseph served for Potiphar — 
 but you know what I mean, Mr. Littlepage. If you wish to 
 see the ladies, and will come with me, I will go to a place 
 where Herman Mordaunt's sleigh invariaply passes at this 
 hour, for the ladies almost live in the air. I never miss 
 the occasion of seeing them." 
 
 I had now a clue to Guert's being so much in the street. 
 He was as good as his word, however, for he took a stand 
 near the Dutch church, where I soon had the happiness of 
 seeing Anneke and her friend driving past, on their even- 
 ing's excursion. How blooming and lovely the former 
 looked ! Mary Wallace's eye turned, I fancied understand- 
 ing^, to the corner where Guert had placed himself, and 
 her colour deepened as she returned his bow. But, the 
 start of surprise, the smile, and the lightening eye of Anneke, 
 as she unexpectedly saw me, filled my soul with delight, 
 almost too great to De borne. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 "Then the wine it gets into their heads, 
 And turns the wit out of its station ; 
 Nonsense gets in, in its stead, 
 And their puns are now all botheration." 
 
 The Punning Society, 
 
 Guert Ten Eyck looked at me expressively, as the sleigh 
 whirled round an angle of the building and disappeared. 
 
SATANSTOE. 175 
 
 He then proposed that we should proceed. On ascending 
 the main street, I was not a little surprised at discovering 
 the sort of amusement that was going on, and in which it 
 seemed to me all the youths of the place were engaged. 
 By youths, I do not mean lads of twelve and fourteen, but 
 young men of eighteen and twenty, the amusement being 
 that of sliding down hill, or " coasting," as I am told it is 
 called in Boston. The acclivity was quite sharp, and of 
 sufficient length to give an impetus to the sled, that was set 
 in motion at a short distance above the English church; an 
 impetus that would carry it past the Dutch church — a dis- 
 tance that was somewhat more than a quarter of a mile. 
 The hand-sleds employed, were of a size and construction 
 suited to the dimensions of those that used them ; and, as a 
 matter of course, there was no New Yorker that had not 
 learned how to govern the motion of one of these vehicles, 
 even when gliding down the steepest descent, with the nicest 
 delicacy and greatest ease. As children, or boys as late in 
 life as fourteen even, every male in the colony, and not a 
 few of the females, had acquired this art ; but this was the 
 first place in which I had ever known adults to engage in 
 the sport. The accidental circumstance of a hill's belong- 
 ing to the principal street, joined to the severity of the win- 
 ters, had rendered an amusement suited to grown people, 
 that, elsewhere, was monopolized by the children. 
 
 By the time we had ascended as high as the English 
 church, a party of young officers came down from the fort, 
 gay with the glass and the song of the regimental mess. 
 No sooner did they reach the starting-point, than three or 
 four of the more youthful got possession of as many sleds, 
 and offthey went, like the shot starting from its gun. Nobody 
 seemed to think it strange ; but, on the contrary, I observed 
 that the elderly people looked on with a complacent gravity, 
 that seemed to say how vividly the sight recalled the days 
 of their own youth. I cannot say, however, that the stran- 
 gers succeeded very well in managing their sleds, generally 
 meeting with some stoppage before they reached the bottom 
 of the hill. 
 
 " Will you take a slide, Mr. Littlepagel" Guert demanded, 
 with a courteous gravity, that showed how serious a business 
 he fancied the sport. " Here is a large and strong sled that 
 
176 SATANSTOE. 
 
 will carry double, and you might trust yourself with me, 
 though a regiment of horse were paraded down below." 
 
 " But are" we not a little too old for such an amusement, 
 in the streets of a large town, Mr. Ten Eyck 1" I answered, 
 doubtingly, looking round me in an uncertain manner, as 
 one who did not like to adventure, even while he hesitated 
 to refuse. "Those king's officers are privileged people, 
 you know." 
 
 " No man has a higher privilege to use the streets of 
 Albany, than Mr. Cornelius Littlepage, sir, I can assure 
 you. The young ladies often honour me with their com- 
 pany, and no accident has ever happened." 
 
 " Do the young ladies venture to ride down this street, 
 Mr. Ten Eyck?" 
 
 " Not often, sir, I grant you ; though that has been done, 
 too, of a moonlight night. There is a more retired spot, at 
 no great distance from this street, however, to which the 
 ladies are rather more partial. Look, Mr. Littlepage ! — 
 
 There goes the Hon. Capt. Monson, of the th, and he 
 
 will be down the hill and up again before we are off, unless 
 you hurry. Take your seat, lady-fashion, and leave me to 
 manage the sled." 
 
 What could I do ! Guert had been so very civil, was so 
 much in earnest, everybody seemed to expect it of me, and 
 the Hon. Capt. Monson was already a hundred yards on his 
 way to the bottom, shooting s'nead with the velocity of an 
 arrow. I took my scat, accordingly, placing my feet to- 
 gether on the front round, " lady -fashion" as directed. In 
 an instant, Guert's manly frame was behind me, with a leg 
 extended on each side of the sled, the government of which, 
 as every American who has been born north of the Potomac 
 well knows, is effected by delicate touches of the heels. 
 Guert called out to the boys for a shove, and away we 
 went, like the ship that is bound for her " destined element," 
 as the poets say. We got a good start, and left the spot as 
 the arrow leaves its bow. 
 
 Shall I own the truth, and confess I had a momentary 
 pleasure in the excitement produced by the rapidity of the 
 motion, by the race we were running with another sled, and 
 by the skill and ease with which Guert, almost without 
 touching the ground, carried us unharmed through sundry 
 
SATANSTOE. 177 
 
 narrow passages, and along the line of wood and venison 
 loaded sleighs, barely clearing the noses of their horses. I 
 forgot that I was making this strange exhibition of mvself, 
 in a strange place, and almost in strange company. So 
 rapid was our motion, however, that the danger of being 
 recognised was not very great ; and there were so many to 
 divide attention, that the act of folly would have been over- 
 looked, but for a most untimely and unexpected accident. 
 We had gone the entire length between the two churches 
 with great success, — several steady, grave, and respectable- 
 looking old burghers calling out, on a high key, " Veil 
 done, Guert !" — for Guert appeared to be a general favour- 
 ite, in the sense of fun and frolic at least, — when, turning 
 an angle of the Old Dutch Temple, in the ambitious wish 
 of shooting past it, in order to run still lower and shoot off 
 the wharf upon the river, we found ourselves in imminent 
 danger of running under the fore-legs of two foamino- 
 horses, that were whirling a sleigh around the same corner 
 of the church. Nothing saved us but Guert's readiness and 
 physical power. By digging a heel into the snow, he 
 caused the sled to fly round at a right angle to its former 
 course, and us to fly off it, heels over head, without much 
 regard to the proprieties, so far as postures or grace was 
 concerned. The negro who drove the sleigh pulled up, at 
 the same instant, with so much force as to throw his horses 
 on their haunches. The result of these combined move- 
 ments was to cause Guert and myself to roll over in such a 
 way as to regain our feet directly alongside of the sleigh. 
 In rising to my feet, indeed, I laid a hand on the side of the 
 vehicle, in order to assist me in the effort. 
 
 What a sight met my eyes ! In the front stood the negro, 
 grinning from ear to ear; for he deemed every disaster that 
 occurred on runners a fit subject for merriment. Who ever 
 did anything but laugh at seeing a sleigh upset? — and it 
 was consequently quite in rule to do so on seeing two over- 
 grown boys roll over from a hand-sled. I could have 
 knocked the rascal down, with a good will, but it would not 
 have done to resent mirth that proceeded from so legitimate 
 a cause. Had I been disposed to act differently, however, 
 the strength and courage necessary to effect such a purpose 
 would have been annihilated in me, by finding myself stand- 
 
178 SATAN STOE. 
 
 ing within three feet, and directly in front of Anneke Mor- 
 daunt and Mary Wallace ! The shame at being thus de- 
 tected in the disastrous termination of so boyish a flight, at 
 first nearly overcame me. How Guert felt I do not know, 
 but, for a single instant, I wished him in the middle of the 
 Hudson, and all Albany, its Dutch Church, sleds, hill, and 
 smoking burghers included, on top of him. 
 
 " Mr. Littlepage !" burst out of the rosy lips of Anneke, 
 in a tone of voice that was not to be misunderstood. 
 
 " Mr. Guert Ten Eyck !" exclaimed Mary Wallace, in 
 an accent and manner that bespoke chagrin. 
 
 " At your service, Miss Mary," answered Guert, who 
 looked a little sheepish at the result of his exploit, though 
 for a reason I did not at first comprehend, brushing some 
 snow from his cap at the same time — " At your service, 
 now and ever, Miss Mary. But, do not suppose it was 
 awkwardness that produced this accident, I entreat of you. 
 It was altogether the fault of the boy who is stationed to 
 give warning of sleighs below the church, who must have 
 left his post. Whenever either of you young ladies will do 
 me the honour to take a seat with me, I will pledge my cha- 
 racter, as an Albanian, to carry her to the foot of the high- 
 est and steepest hill in town without disturbing a riband." 
 
 Mary Wallace made no answer ; and I fancied she looked 
 a little sad. It is possible Anneke saw and understood this 
 feeling, for she answered with a spirit that I had never seen 
 her manifest before — 
 
 " No, no, Mr. Ten Eyck," she said ; " when Miss Wal- 
 lace or I wish to ride down hill, and become little girls again, 
 we will trust ourselves with boys, whose constant practice 
 will be likely to render them more expert than men can be, 
 who have had time to forget the habits of their childhood. 
 Pompey, we will return home." 
 
 The cold inclination of the head that succeeded, while it 
 was sufficiently gracious to preserve appearances, proved 
 too plainly that neither Guert nor myself had risen in the 
 estimation of his mistress, by this boyish exhibition of his 
 skill with the hand-sled. Had either of these young ladies 
 been Albanians, it is probable they would have laughed at 
 our mishap; but no high hill running directly into New 
 York, the custom that prevailed at Albany did not prevail 
 
SATANSTOE. 179 
 
 in the capital. Small boys alone used the hand-sled in that 
 part of the colony, while the taste continued longer among 
 the more stable and constant Dutch. Of course, we had 
 nothing to do but to make profound bows, and suffer the 
 negro to move on. 
 
 " There it is, Littlepage," exclaimed Guert, with a species 
 of sigh ; " I shall have nothing but iced looks for the next 
 week, and all for riding down hill four or five years later 
 than is the rule. Everybody, hereabouts, uses the hand-sled 
 until eighteen, or so ; and I am only five-and-twenty. Pray, 
 what may be your age, my dear fellow ?" 
 
 " Twenty-one, only about a month since. I wish, with 
 all my heart, it were ten !" 
 
 " Turned the corner !— well, that's unlucky ; but we must 
 make the best of it. My taste is for fun, and so I have 
 admitted to Miss Wallace, twenty times ; but she tells me 
 that, after a certain period, men should look to graver things, 
 and think of their country. She has lectured me already, 
 once, on the subject of sliding; though she allows that 
 skating is a manly exercise." 
 
 " When a lady takes the trouble to lecture, it is a sure 
 sign she feels some interest in the subject." 
 
 " By St. Nicholas ! I never thought of that, Littlepage !" 
 cried Guert, who, notwithstanding the great advantages he 
 possessed in the way of face and figure, turned out to have 
 less personal vanity about him than almost any man I ever 
 met with. " Lecture me she has, and that more than once, 
 too !" 
 
 " The lady who lectures me, sir, will not get rid of me, 
 at the end of the discourse." 
 
 " That's manly ! I like it, Littlepage ; and I like you. I 
 foresee we shall be great friends ; and we'll talk more of 
 this matter another time. Now, Mary has spoken to me 
 of the war, and hinted that a single man, like myself, with 
 the world before him, might do something to make his name 
 known in it. I did not like that ; for a girl who loved a 
 fellow would not wish to have him shot." 
 
 " A girl who took no interest in her suitor, Mr. Ten Eyck, 
 would not care whether he did anything or not. But I must 
 now quit you, being under an engagement to meet Mr. Wor- 
 den at the inn, at six." 
 
180 S AT ANSTOE . 
 
 Guert and I shook hands, for the tenth or twelfth time 
 hat day, parting with an understanding that he was to call 
 for us, to accompany our party to the supper, at the previ- 
 ously appointed hour. As I walked towards the inn, I pon- 
 dered on what had just occurred, in a most mortified temper. 
 That Anneke was displeased, was only too apparent ; and 
 I felt fearful that her displeasure was not entirely free from 
 contempt. As for Guert's case, it did not strike me as being 
 half so desperate as my own ; for there was nothing unna- 
 tural, but something quite the reverse, in women of sense 
 and stability, when they admire any youth of opposite tem- 
 perament, — and I remembered to have heard my grandfather 
 say that such was apt to be the case, — wishing to elevate 
 their suitors in their pursuits and characters. Had Anneke 
 taken the pains to remonstrate with me about the folly of 
 what I had done, I should have been encouraged ; but the 
 cold indifference of her manner, not to call it contempt, cut 
 me to the quick. It is true, Anneke seemed to feel most on 
 her friend's account ; but I could not mistake the look of 
 surprise with which she saw me, Cornelius Littlepage, rise 
 from under her sleigh, and stand brushing the snow from 
 my clothes, like a great calf as I was ! No man can bear 
 to be rendered ridiculous in the presence of the woman he 
 loves. 
 
 Near the inn I met Dirck, his whole face illuminated with 
 a look of pleasure. 
 
 " I have just met Anneke and Mary Wallace !" he said', 
 " and they stopped their sleigh to speak to me. Herman 
 Mordaunt has been here half the winter, and he means to 
 remain most of the summer. There will be no Lilacsbush 
 this season, the girls told me, but Herman Mordaunt has 
 got a house, where he lives with his own servants, and boils 
 his own pot, as he calls it. We shall be at home there, of 
 course, for you are such a favourite, Corny, ever since that 
 affair of the lion ! As for Anneke, I never saw her looking 
 so beautiful !" 
 
 " Did Miss Mordaunt say she would be happy to see us 
 on the old footing, Dirck?" 
 
 " Did she?— I suppose so. She said I shall be glad to 
 see you, cousin Dirck, whenever you can come, and I hpp© 
 
SATANSTOE. 181 
 
 you will bring with you sometimes the clergyman of whom 
 you have spoken." 
 
 "But nothing of Jason Newcome or Corny Littlepage? 
 Tell the truth at once, Dirck ; my name was not men- 
 tioned ?" 
 
 " Indeet it was, t'ough ; 2" mentioned it several times, and 
 told them how long we had been on the roat, and how you 
 trove, and how you had sold the sleigh and horses already, 
 and a dozen other t'ings. Oh ! we talket a great deal of 
 you, Corny ; that is, I dit, and the girls listened." 
 
 " Was my name mentioned by either of the young ladies, 
 Dirck, in direct terms 1" 
 
 " To be sure ; Anneke had something to say about you, 
 though it was so much out of the way, I can hardly tell 
 you what it was now. Oh ! I remember : she said ■ I have 
 seen Mr. Littlepage, and think he has grown since we last 
 met ; he promises to make a man one of these days.' What 
 could t'at mean, Corny ?" 
 
 " That I am a fool, a great overgrown boy, and wish I 
 had never seen Albany ; that's what it means. Come, let 
 us go in ; Mr. Worden will be expecting us. Ha ! Who 
 the devil's that, Dirck ?" 
 
 A loud Dutch shout from Dirck broke out of him, regard- 
 less of the street, and his whole face lighted up into a broad 
 sympathetic smile. I had caught a glimpse of a sled 
 coming down the acclivity we were slowly ascending, which 
 sled glided past us just as I got the words out of my mouth. 
 It was occupied by Jason alone, who seemed just as much 
 charmed with the sport as any other grown-up boy on the 
 hill. There he went, the cocked-hat uppermost, the pea- 
 green coat beneath, and the striped woollens and heavy 
 plated buckles stuck out, one on each side, governing the 
 movement of the sled with the readiness of a lad accus- 
 tomed to the business. 
 
 " That must be capital fun, Corny 1" my companion said, 
 scarce able to contain himself for the pleasure he felt. " I 
 have a great mind to borrow a sled and take a turn myself." 
 
 " Not if you intend to visit Miss Mordaunt, Dirck. Take 
 my word for it, she does not like to see men following the 
 pleasures of boys." 
 
 Vol. I. — 16 
 
182 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Dirck stared at me, but being taciturn by nature, he said 
 nothing, and we entered the house. There we found Mr. 
 Worden reading over an old sermon, in readiness for his 
 next Sunday's business ; and sitting down, we began to com- 
 pare notes on the subject of the town and its advantages. 
 The divine was in raptures. As for the Dutch he cared 
 little for them, and had seen but little of them, overlooking 
 them in a very natural, metropolitan sort of way ; but he 
 had found so many English officers, had heard so much 
 from home, and had received so many invitations, that his 
 campaign promised nothing but agreeables. We sat chat- 
 ting over these matters until the tea was served, and for an 
 hour or two afterwards. My bargains were applauded, my 
 promptitude — the promptitude of Guert would have been 
 more just — was commended, and I was told that my parents 
 should hear the whole truth in the matter. In a word, our 
 Mentor being in good-humour with himself, was disposed to 
 be in good humour with every one else. 
 
 At the appointed hour, Guert came to escort us to the 
 place of meeting. He was courteous, attentive, and as frank 
 as the air he breathed, in manner. Mr. Worden took to 
 him excessively, and it was soon apparent that he and 
 young Ten Eyck were likely to become warm friends. 
 
 " You must know, gentlemen, that the party to which I 
 have had the honour of inviting you, will be composed of 
 some of the heartiest young men in Albany, if not in the 
 colony. We meet once a month, in the house of an old 
 bachelor, who belongs to us, and who will be delighted to 
 converse with you, Mr. Worden, on the subject of religion. 
 Mr. Van Brunt is very expert in religion, and we make him 
 the umpire of all our disputes and bets on that subject." 
 
 This sounded a little ominous, I thought; but Mr. Worden 
 was not a man to be frightened from a good hot supper, by 
 half-a-dozen inadvertent words. He could tolerate even a 
 religious discussion, with such an object in view. He 
 walked on, side by side with Guert, and we were soon at 
 the door of the house of Mr. Van Brunt, the Bachelor in 
 Divinity, as I nicknamed him. Guert entered without 
 knocking, and ushered us into the presence of our quasi 
 nost. 
 
 Wo found in the room a company of just twelve, Guert 
 
SATANSTOE. 183 
 
 included ; that being the entire number of the club. It 
 struck me, at the first glance, that the whole set had a sort 
 of slide-dovvn-hill aspect, and that we were likely to make 
 a night of it. My acquaintance with Dirck, and indeed my 
 connection with the old race, had not left me ignorant of a 
 certain peculiarity in the Dutch character. Sober, sedate, 
 nay phlegmatic as they usually appeared to be, their roys- 
 tering was on a pretty high key, when it once fairly com- 
 menced. We thought one lad of the old race, down in 
 Westchester, fully a match for two of the Anglo-Saxon 
 breed, when it came to a hard set-to ; no ordinary fun ap- 
 peasing the longings of an excited Dutchman. Tradition 
 had let me into a good many secrets connected with their 
 excesses, and I had heard the young Albanians often men- 
 tioned as being at the head of their profession in these par- 
 ticulars. 
 
 Nothing could be more decorous, or considerate, however, 
 than our introduction and reception. The young men 
 seemed particularly gratified at having a clergyman of their 
 party, and I make no doubt it was intended that the evening 
 should be one of unusual sobriety and moderation. I heard 
 the word "Dominie" whispered from mouth to mouth, and 
 it was easy to see the effect it produced. Most eyes were 
 fastened on Van Brunt, a red-faced, square-built, somewhat 
 dissolute-looking man of forty-five, who seemed to find his 
 apology for associating with persons so much his juniors, 
 in his habits, and possibly in the necessity of the case ; as 
 men of his own years might not like his company. 
 
 "And, gentlemen, it is dry business standing here look- 
 ing at each other," observed Mr. Van Brunt ; " and we will 
 take a little punch, to moisten our hearts, as well as our 
 throats. Guert, yon is the pitcher." 
 
 Guert made good use of the pitcher, and each man had 
 his glass of punch, — a beverage then, as now, much used 
 in the colony. I must acknowledge that the mixture was 
 very knowingly put together, though I had no sooner swal- 
 lowed my glass, than I discovered it was confounded strong. 
 Not so with Guert. Not only did he swallow one glass, but 
 he swallowed two, in quick succession, like a man who was 
 thirsty ; standing at the time in a fine, manly, erect attitude, 
 as one who trifled with something that did not half tax his 
 
184 SATANSTOE. 
 
 powers. The pitcher, though quite large, was emptied at 
 that one assault, in proof of which it was turned bottom 
 upwards, by Guert himself. 
 
 Conversation followed, most of it being in English, out 
 of compliment to the Dominie, who was not supposed to 
 understand Dutch. This was an error, however, Mr. Wor- 
 den making out tolerably well in that language, when he 
 tried. I was felicitated on the bargains I had made with the 
 contractor; and many kind and hospitable attempts were made 
 to welcome me in a frank, hearty manner among strangers. 
 I confess I was touched by these honest and sincere endea- 
 vours to put me at my ease, and when a second pitcher of 
 punch was brought round, I took another glass with right 
 good-will, while Guert, as usual, took two ; though the 
 liquor he drank, I had many occasions to ascertain subse- 
 quently, produced no more visible effect on him, in the way 
 of physical consequences, than if he had not swallowed it. 
 Guert was no drunkard, far from it ; he could only drink 
 all near him under the table, and remain firm in his chair 
 himself. Such men usually escape the imputation of being 
 sots, though they are very apt to pay the penalty of their 
 successes at the close of their career. These are the men 
 who break down at sixty, if not earlier, becoming subject 
 to paralysis, indigestion, and other similar evils. 
 
 Such was the state of things, the company gradually 
 getting into a very pleasant humour, when Guert was called 
 out of the room by one of the blacks, who bore a most 
 ominous physiognomy while making his request. He was 
 gone but a moment, when he returned with a certain sort 
 of consternation painted in his own handsome face. Mr. 
 Van Brunt was called into a corner, where two or three 
 more of the principal persons present soon collected, in an 
 earnest, half-whispered discourse. I was seated so near this 
 group, as occasionally to overhear a few expressions, though 
 to get no clear clue to its meaning. The words I overheard 
 were, "old Cuyler" — "capital supper" — "venison and 
 ducks" — "partridges and quails" — "knows us all" — "never 
 do" — " Dominie the man" — " strangers" — " how to do it?" 
 and several other similar expressions, which left a vague 
 impression on my mind that our supper was in great peril 
 from some cause or other ; but what that cause was I could 
 
SATANSTOE. 185 
 
 not learn. Guert was evidently the principal person in this 
 consultation, everybody appearing to listen to his suggestions 
 with respect and attention. At length our friend came out 
 of the circle, and in a courteous, self-possessed manner com- 
 municated the difficulty in the following words : 
 
 " You must know, Rev. Mr. Worden, and Mr. Littlepage, 
 and Mr. FoIIock, and Mr. Newcome, that we have certain 
 customs of our own, among us youths of Albany, that perhaps 
 are not familiar to you gentlemen nearer the capital. The 
 trut' is, that we are not always as wise and as sober as our 
 parents, and grandparents in particular, could wish us to be. It 
 is t'ought a good thing among us sometimes, to rummage the 
 hen-roosts and poultry-yards of the burghers, and to sup 
 on the fruits of such a forage. I do not know how it is 
 with you, gentlemen ; but I will own, that to me, ducks and 
 geese got in this innocent, game-like way, taste sweeter than 
 when they are bought in the market-hall : our own supper 
 for to-night was a bought supper, but it has become the 
 victim of a little enlargement of the practice I have men- 
 tioned." 
 
 " How ! — how 's that, friend Ten Eyck !" exclaimed Mr. 
 Worden, in no affected consternation. " The supper a victim, 
 do you say ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir ; to be frank at once, it is gone ; gone to a pullet, 
 a steak, and a potatoe. They have not left us a dish !" 
 
 " They !" echoed the parson — "And who can they be V 
 
 " That is a point yet to be ascertained, for the operation 
 has been carried on in so delicate and refined a way, that 
 none of our blacks know anything of the matter. It seems 
 there was a cry of fire just now, and it took every one of 
 the negroes into the street ; during which time all our game 
 has been put up, and has flown." 
 
 '• Bless me ! bless me ! what a calamity ! — what a ras- 
 cally theft ! Did you not mark it down ?" 
 
 " No sir, I am sorry to say we have not ; nor do we apply 
 such hard names to a frolic, even when we lose our supper 
 by it. It is the act of some of our associates and friends, 
 who hope to feast at our expense to-night ; and who will, 
 gentlemen, unless you will consent to aid us in recovering 
 our lost dishes." 
 
 " Aid you, my dear sir — I will do any thing you can 
 16* 
 
186 SATANSTOE. 
 
 wish — what will you have me attempt ? Shall I go to the 
 fort, and ask for succour from the army 1" 
 
 " No, sir ; our ohject can be effected short of t'at. I am 
 .quite certain we can find what we want, only two or three 
 doors from this, if you will consent to lend us a little, a very 
 little of your assistance." 
 
 "Name it — name it, at once, for Heaven's sake, Mr. 
 Guert. The dishes must be getting cold, all this time," 
 cried Mr. Worden, jumping up with alacrity, and looking 
 about him, for his hat and cloak. 
 
 " The service we ask of you, gentlemen, is just this," 
 rejoined Guert, with a coolness that, when I came to reflect 
 on the events of that night, has always struck me as singu- 
 larly astonishing. " Our supper, and an excellent one it is, 
 is close at hand, as I have said. Nothing will be easier 
 than to get it on our own table, in the next room, could we 
 only manage to call old Doortje off duty, and detain her 
 for five minutes at the area gate of her house. She knows 
 every one of us, and would smell a rat in a minute, did we 
 show ourselves ; but Mr. Worden and Mr. Littlepage, here, 
 might amuse her for the necessary time, without any trou- 
 ble. She is remarkably fond of Dommies, and would not 
 be able to trace you back to this house, leaving us to eat 
 the supper in peace. After Vat, no one cares for the rest." 
 "I'll do it! — I'll do it!" cried Mr. Worden, hurrying 
 into the passage, in quest of his hat and cloak. " It is no 
 more than just that you should have your own, and the 
 supper will be either eaten, or overdone, should we go for 
 constables." 
 
 " No fear of constables, Mr. Worden, we never employ 
 them in our poultry wars. All we, who will get the supper 
 back again, can expect, will be merely a little hot water, or 
 a skirmish with our friends." 
 
 The details of the movement were now intelligibly and 
 clearly settled. Guert was to head a party provided with 
 large clothes-baskets, who were to enter the kitchen, during 
 Doortje's absence, and abstract the dishes, which could not 
 yet be served, as all in Albany, of a certain class, sat down 
 to supper at nine precisely. As for Doortje, a negro who 
 was in the house, in waiting on one of the quests, his mas- 
 ter, would manage to get her out to the area gate, the house 
 
SATANSTOE. 187 
 
 having a cellar kitchen, where it would depend on Mr. Wor- 
 den to detain her, three or four minutes. To my surprise, 
 the parson entered on the execution of the wild scheme with 
 boyish eagerness, affirming that he could keep the woman 
 half an hour, if it were necessary, by delivering her a lec- 
 ture on the importance of observing the eighth command- 
 ment. As soon as the preliminaries were thus arranged, 
 the two parties proceeded on their respective duties, the 
 hour admonishing us of the necessity of losing no time un- 
 necessarily. 
 
 I did not like this affair from the first, the experiment of slid- 
 ing down hill, having somewhat weakened my confidence in 
 Guert Ten Eyck's judgment. Nevertheless, it would not do 
 for me to hold back, when Mr. Worden led, and, after all, there 
 was no great harm in recovering a supper that had been 
 abstracted from our own house. Guert did not proceed, like 
 ourselves, by the street, but he went with his party, out of 
 a back gate into an alley, and was to enter the yard of the 
 house he assailed, by means of a similar gate in its rear. Once 
 in that yard, the access to the kitchen, and the retreat, were 
 very easy, provided the cook could be drawn away from 
 her charge at so important a moment. Everything, there- 
 fore, depended on the address of the young negro who was 
 in the house, and ourselves. 
 
 On reaching the gate of the area, we stopped while our 
 negro descended to invite Doortje forth. This gave us a 
 moment to examine the building. The house was large, 
 much larger than most of those round it, and what struck 
 me as unusual, there was a lighted lamp over the door. 
 This looked as if it might be a sort of a tavern, or eating 
 house, and rendered the whole thing more intelligible to me. 
 Our roystering plunderers doubtless intended to sup on their 
 spoils at that tavern. 
 
 The negro was gone but a minute, when he came out 
 with a young black of his own sex, a servant whom he 
 was leading off his post, on some pretence of his own, and 
 was immediately followed by the cook. Doortje made many 
 curtsies as soon as she saw the cocked-hat and black cloak 
 of the Dominie, begging his pardon and asking his pleasure. 
 Mr. Worden now began a grave and serious lecture on the 
 sin of stealing, holding the confounded Doortje in discourse 
 
188 SATANSTOE. 
 
 quite three minutes. In vain the cook protested she had 
 taken nothing ; that her master's property was sacred in 
 her eyes, and ever had been ; that she never gave away 
 even cold meats without an order, and that she could not 
 imagine why she was to be talked to in this way. To give 
 him his due, Mr. Worden performed his part to admiration, 
 though it is true he had only an ignorant wench, who was 
 awed by his profession, to manage. At length we heard a 
 shrill whistle from the alley, the signal of success, when 
 Mr. Worden wished Doortje a solemn good-night, and 
 walked away with all the dignity of a priest. In a minute 
 or two we were in the house again, and were met by Guert 
 with cordial shakes of the hand, thanks for our acceptable 
 service, and a summons to supper. It appears that Doortje 
 had actually dished-up everything, all the articles standing 
 before a hot fire waiting only for the clock to strike nine to 
 be served. In this state, then, the only change the supper 
 had to undergo, was to bring it a short distance through the 
 alley and to place it on our table, instead of that for which 
 it was so lately intended. 
 
 Notwithstanding the rapidity with which the changes had 
 been made, it would not have been very easy for a stran- 
 ger to detect any striking irregularity in our feast. It is 
 true, there were two sets of dishes on the table, or rather 
 dishes of two different sets ; but the ducks, game, &c, were 
 not only properly cooked, but were warm and good. To 
 work everybody went, therefore, with an appetite, and for 
 five minutes little was heard beyond the clatter of knives 
 and forks. Then came the drinking of healths, and finally 
 the toasts, and the songs, and the stories. 
 
 Guert sang capitally, in a fine, clear, sweet, manly voice, 
 and he gave us several airs with words both in English and 
 in Dutch. He had just finished one of these songs, and the 
 clapping of hands was still loud and warm, when the young 
 man called on Mr. Worden for a lady, or a sentiment. 
 
 " Come, Dominie," he called out, for by this time the 
 feast had produced its familiarity — " Come, Dominie, you 
 have acquitted yourself so well as a lecturer, that we are 
 all dying to hear you preach." 
 
 " A lady do you say, sir V asked the parson, who was as 
 merry as any of us. 
 
SATANSTOE. 189 
 
 * A laty — a Iaty" — shouted six or seven at once. " The 
 Tominie's laty— the Tominie's laty." 
 
 " Well, gentlemen, since you will have it so, you shall 
 have one. You must not complain if she prove a little 
 venerable, — but I give you i Mother Church.' " 
 
 This produced a senseless laugh, as such things usually 
 do, and then followed my turn. Mr. Van Brunt very 
 formally called on me for a lady. After pausing a moment 
 I said, as I flatter myself, with spirit — 
 
 11 Gentlemen, I will give you another almost as heavenly 
 — Miss Anneke Mordaunt !" 
 
 " Miss Anneke Mordaunt !" was echoed round the table, 
 and I soon discovered that Anneke was a general favourite, 
 and a very common toast already at Albany. 
 
 " I shall now ask Mr. Guert Ten Eyck for his lady," I 
 said, as soon as silence was restored, there being very little 
 pause between the cups that night. 
 
 This appeal changed the whole character of the expres- 
 sion of Guert's face. It became grave in an instant, as if 
 the recollection of her whose name he was about to utter 
 produced a pause in his almost fierce mirth. He coloured, 
 then raised his eyes and looked sternly round as if to chal- 
 lenge denial, and gave — 
 
 " Miss Mary Wallace." 
 
 " Ay, Guert, we are used to that name, now," said Van 
 Brunt, a little drily. " This is the tenth time I have heard 
 it from you within two months." 
 
 " You will be likely to hear it twenty more, sir ; for I shall 
 give Mary Wallace, and nobody but Mary Wallace, while 
 the lady remains Mary Wallace. How, now, Mr. Constable ! 
 What may be the reason we have the honour of a visit 
 from you at this time of night."* 
 
 *In this whole affair of the supper, the reader will find incidents 
 that bear a striking resemblance to certain local characteristics 
 pourtrayed by Mrs. Grant, of Laggan, in her memoirs of an Ameri- 
 can Lady ; thus corroborating the fidelity of the pictures of our 
 ancient manners, as given by that respectable writer, by the unques- 
 tioned authority of Mr. Cornelius Littlepage. — Editor. 
 
190 SATANSTOE. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 " Masters, it is proved already 
 That you are little better than false knaves ; 
 And it will go near to be thought so, shortly." 
 
 Dogberry. 
 
 The sudden appearance of the city constable, a func- 
 tionary whose person was not unknown to most of the 
 company, brought every man at table to his feet, the Rev. 
 Mr. Worden, Dirck and myself, included. For my own 
 part, I saw no particular reason for alarm, though it at 
 once struck me that this visit might have some connection 
 with the demolished supper, since the law does not, in all 
 cases, suffer a man to reclaim even his own, by trick or 
 violence. As for the constable himself, a short, compact, 
 snub-nosed, Dutch-built person, who spoke English as if it 
 disagreed with his bile, he was the coolest of the whole 
 party. 
 
 " Veil, Mr. Guert," he said, with a sort of good-natured 
 growl of authority, " here I moost coome ag'in ! Mr. Mayor 
 woult be happy to see you, and ter Tominie, dat ist of your 
 party ; and ter gentleman dat acted as clerk, ven he lec- 
 tured old Doortje, Mr. Mayor's cook." 
 
 Mr. Mayor's cook ! Here, then, a secret was out, with a 
 vengeance ! Guert had not reclaimed his own lost supper, 
 which, having passed into the hands of the Philistines, was 
 hopelessly gone ; but he had actually stolen and eaten the 
 supper prepared for the Mayor of Albany, — Peter Cuyler, 
 a man of note, and standing, in all respects; a functionary 
 who had held his office from time immemorial ; — the lamp 
 was the symbol of authority, and not the sign of an inn, or 
 an eating-house; — the supper, moreover, was never prepared 
 for one man, or one family, but had certainly been got up 
 for the honourable treatment of a goodly company; — fif- 
 teen stout men had mainly appeased their appetites on it; 
 and the fragments were that moment under discussion 
 among half-a-dozen large-mouthed, shining negro faces, in 
 the kitchen ! Under circumstances like these, I looked in- 
 
SATANSTOE. 191 
 
 quiringly at the Rev. Mr. Worden — and the Rev. Mr. Wor- 
 den looked inquiringly at me. There was no apparent 
 remedy, however; but, after a brief consultation with Guert, 
 we, the summoned parties, took our hats and followed Dog- 
 berry to the residence of Mr. Mayor. 
 
 " You are not to be uneasy, gentlemen, at this little inter- 
 ruption of our amusements," said Guert, dropping in be- 
 tween Mr. Worden and myself, as we proceeded on our 
 way, " these things happening very often among us. You 
 are innocent, you know, under all circumstances, since you 
 supposed that the supper was our own — brought back by 
 direct means, instead of having recourse to the shabby de- 
 lays of the law." 
 
 "And whose supper may this have been, sir, that we 
 have just eaten ?" demanded Mr. Worden. 
 
 " Why, there can be no harm, now, in telling you the 
 trut', Dominie; and I will own, therefore, it belonged in law 
 to Mr. Mayor Cuyler. There is no great danger, however, 
 as you will see, when I come to explain matters. You 
 must know that the Mayor's wife was a Schuyler, and my 
 mother has some of that blood in her veins, and we count 
 cousins as far as we can see, in Albany. It is just supping 
 with one's relations, a little out of the common way, as you 
 will perceive, gentlemen." 
 
 " Have you dealt fairly with Mr. Littlepage and myself, 
 sir, in this affair?" Mr. Worden asked, a little sternly. " I 
 might, with great propriety, lecture to a cook, on the eighth 
 commandment, when that cook was a party to robbing you 
 of your supper; but how shall I answer to His Honour, Mr. 
 Mayor, on the charge which will now be brought against 
 me ? It is not for myself, Mr. Guert, that I feel so much 
 concern, as for the credit and reputation of my sacred office, 
 and that, too, among your disciples of the schools of 
 Leyden !" 
 
 " Leave it all to me, my dear Dominie — leave it all to 
 me," answered Guert, well disposed to sacrifice himself, 
 rather than permit a friend to suffer. " I am used to these 
 little matters, and will take care of you." 
 
 " I vill answer for t'at," put in the constable, looking over 
 his shoulder. " No young fly-away in AWponny hast more 
 knowletge in t'ese matters t'an Mr. Guert, here. If any 
 
192 SATANSTOE. 
 
 potty can draw his heat out of the yoke, Mr. Guert can. 
 Yaas — yaas — he know all apout t'ese little matters, sure 
 enouo-h." 
 
 This was encouraging, of a certainty ! Our associate 
 was so well known for his tricks and frolics, that even the 
 constable who took him calculated largely on his address in 
 getting out of scrapes ! I did not apprehend that any of us 
 were about to be tried and convicted of a downright robbery ; 
 for I knew how far the Dutch carried their jokes of this 
 nature, and how tolerant the seniors were to their juniors ; 
 and especially how much all men are disposed to regard any 
 exploit of the sort of that in which we had been engaged, 
 when it has been managed adroitly, and in a way to excite 
 a laugh. Still, it was no joke to rob a Mayor of his supper, 
 these functionaries usually passing to their offices through 
 the probationary grade of Alderman.* Guert was not free 
 from uneasiness, as was apparent by a question he put to the 
 officer, on the steps of Mr. Cuyler's house, and under the 
 very light of the official lamp. 
 
 " How is the old gentleman, this evening, Hans V the 
 principal asked, with some little concern in his manner. " I 
 hope he and his company have supped ?" 
 
 " Veil, t'at is more t'an I can telt you, Mr. Guert. He 
 look't more as like himself, when he hat the horse t'ieves 
 from New Englant taken up, t'an he hast for many a tay. 
 'Twas most too pat, Mr. Guert, to run away wit' the Mayor's 
 own supper ! I coult have tolt you who hast your own tucks 
 and venison." 
 
 " I wish you had, Hans, with all my heart ; but we were 
 hard pushed, and had a strange Dominie to feed. You know 
 a body must provide well for company." 
 
 * The American Mayor is usually a different person from the Eng- 
 lish Mayor. Until within the last five-and-twenty or thirty years, 
 the Mayor of New York was invariably a man of social and political 
 importance, belonging strictly to the higher class of society. The 
 same was true of the Mayor of Albany. At the present time, the 
 rule has been so far enlarged, as to admit a selection from all of the 
 more reputable classes, without any rigid adherence to the highest. 
 The elective principle has produced the change. During the writer's 
 boyhood, Philip Van Rensselaer, the brother of the late Patroon, was 
 so long Mayor of Albany, as to be universally known by the sobriquet 
 of " The Mayor."— Editor. 
 
SATANSTOE. 193 
 
 " Yaas, yaas ; I understants it, and knows how you moost 
 have peen nonplush't to do sich a t'ing ; put it was mo-o-st 
 too pat. Veil, we are all young, afore we live to be olt — ■ 
 t'at effery potty knows." 
 
 By this time the door was open, and we entered. Mr. 
 Mayor had issued orders we should all be shown into the 
 parlour, where I rather think, from what subsequently passed, 
 he intended to cut up Guert a little more than common, by 
 exposing him before the eyes of a particular person. At all 
 events, the reader can judge of my horror, at finding that 
 the party whose supper I had just helped to demolish, con- 
 sisted, in addition to three or four sons and daughters of the 
 house, of Herman Mordaunt, Mary Wallace, and Anneke ! 
 Of course, everybody knew what had been done; but, until 
 we entered the room, Mr. Mayor alone knew who had done 
 it. Of Mr. Worden and myself even, he knew no more 
 than he had learned from Dootje's account of the matter; 
 and the cook, quite naturally, had represented us as rogues 
 feigning our divinity. 
 
 Guert was a thoroughly manly fellow, and he did us the 
 justice to enter the parlour first. Poor fellow ! I can feel 
 for him, even at this distance of time, when his eye first fell 
 on Mary Wallace's pallid and distressed countenance. It 
 could scarcely be less than I felt myself, when I first beheld 
 Anneke's flushed features, and the look of offended propriety 
 that I fancied to be sparkling in her estranged eye. 
 
 Mr. Mayor evidently regarded Mr. Worden with surprise, 
 as indeed he did me ; for, instead of strangers, he probably 
 expected to meet two of those delinquents whose faces were 
 familiar to him, by divers similar jocular depredations, com- 
 mitted within the limits of his jurisdiction. Then the cir- 
 cumstance that Mr. Worden was a real Dominie, could not 
 be questioned by those who saw him standing, as he did, 
 face to face, with all the usual signs of his sacred office in 
 his dress and air." 
 
 " I believe there must be some mistake here, constable !" 
 exclafmed Mr. Mayor. " Why have you brought these two 
 strange gentlemen along with Guert Ten Eyck?" 
 
 " My orters, Mr. Mayor, wast to pring Dootje's ' rapscallion 
 Tominie,' and his ' rapscallion frient ;' and t'at is one, and 
 t'is ist t'ot'er." 
 
 Vol. I.— 17 
 
194 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " This gentleman has the appearance of being a real 
 clergyman, and that too, of the church of England." 
 
 " Yaas, Mr. Mayor, t'at is yoost so. He wilt preach 
 fifteen minutes wit'out stopping, if you wilt give him a plack 
 gownt ; and pray an hour in a white shirt."* 
 
 " Will you do me the favour, Guert Ten Eyck, to let me 
 have the names of the strangers I have the pleasure to re- 
 ceive," said the mayor, a little authoritatively. 
 
 " Certainly, Mr. Mayor ; certainly, and with very great 
 pleasure. I should have done this at once, had we been 
 ushered into your house by any one but the city constable. 
 Whenever I accompany that gentleman anywhere, I always 
 wait to ascertain my welcome." 
 
 Guert laughed with some heart at this allusion to his own 
 known delinquencies, while Mr. Cuyler only smiled. 1 
 could see, notwithstanding the severe measures to which he 
 had resorted in this particular case, that the last was not 
 unfriendly to the first, and that our friend Guert had not 
 fallen literally among robbers, in being brought to the place 
 where we were. 
 
 " This reverend dominie," continued Guert, as soon as 
 he had had his laugh, and had ventured to cast a short, in- 
 quiring glance at Mary Wallace, " is a gentleman from 
 England, Mr. Mayor, who is to preach in St. Peter's the 
 day after to-morrow, by special invitation from the chaplain ; 
 when, I make no doubt, we shall all be much edified ; Miss 
 Mary Wallace among the rest, if she will do him the honour 
 to attend the service — good, and angelic, and forgiving, as 
 I know she is by nature." 
 
 This speech caused all eyes to turn on the young lady, 
 whose face crimsoned, though she made no reply. I now 
 felt satisfied that Guert's manly, frank, avowed, and sincere 
 admiration had touched the heart of Mary Wallace, while 
 
 * This opinion of the constable's must refer to the notion common 
 amongst the non-Episcopal sects, that the value of spiritual provender 
 was to be measured by the quantity. Preaching, however, might be 
 overdone in the Dutch Reformed Churches ; for, quite within my re- 
 collection, a half-hour glass stood on the pulpit of the Dutch edifice 
 named in the text, to regulate the dominie's wind. It was said it 
 might be turned once with impunity; but wo betide him who should 
 so far trespass on his people's patience as to presume to turn it twice, 
 — Editor. 
 
SATANSTOE. 195 
 
 ner reason condemned that which her natural tenderness 
 encouraged ; and the struggle in her mind was then, and 
 long after, a subject of curious study with me. As for 
 Anneke, I thought she resented this somewhat indiscreet, not 
 to say indelicate though indirect avowal of his feelings to- 
 wards his mistress ; and that she looked on Guert with even 
 more coldness than she had previously done. Neither of 
 the ladies, however, said anything. During this dumb-show, 
 Mr. Cuyler had leisure to recover from the surprise of dis- 
 covering that one of his prisoners was really a clergyman, 
 and to inquire who the other might be. 
 
 " That gentleman, then, is in fact a clergyman !" he 
 answered. " You have forgotten to name the other, Guert." 
 
 " This is Mr. Corny Littlepage, Mr. Mayor — the only 
 son of Major Littlepage, of Satanstoe, Westchester." 
 
 The Mayor looked a little puzzled, and I believe felt some- 
 what embarrassed as to the manner in which he ought to 
 proceed. The incursion of Guert upon his premises much 
 exceeded in boldness, anything of the kind that had ever 
 before occurred in Albany. It was common enough for 
 young men of his stamp to carry off poultry, pigs, &c, 
 and feast on the spoils ; and cases had occurred, as I after- 
 wards learned, in which rival parlies of th^r-e depredators 
 preyed on each other — the same materials for a supper 
 having been known to change hands two or three times 
 before they were consumed — but no one had ever presumed, 
 previously to this evening, to make an inroad even on Mr. 
 Mayor's hencoop, much less to molest the domains of his 
 cook. In the first impulse of his anger, Mr. Cuyler had 
 sent for the constable ; and Guert's club, with its place of 
 meeting being well known, that functionary having had 
 many occasions to visit it, the latter proceeded thither forth- 
 with. It is probable, however, a little reflection satisfied the 
 mayor that a frolic could not well be treated as a larceny ; and 
 that Guert had some of his own wife's blood in his veins. 
 When he came to find that two respectable strangers were 
 implicated in the affair, one of whom was actually a clergy- 
 man, this charitable feeling was strengthened, and he changed 
 his course of proceeding. 
 
 " You can return home, Hans," said Mr. Mayor, very 
 sensibly mollified in his manner. " Should there be occa- 
 
196 SATANSTOE. 
 
 sion for your further services, I will send for you. Now 
 gentlemen," as soon as the door closed on the constable, "I 
 will satisfy you that old Peter Cuyler can cover a table, and 
 feed his friends, even though Guert Ten Eyck be so near a 
 neighbour. Miss Wallace, willvou allow me the honour to 
 lead you to the table? Mr. Worden will see Mrs. Cuyler, 
 in safety, to the same place." 
 
 On this hint, the missionary stepped forward with ala- 
 crity, and led Mrs. Mayoress after Mary Wallace, with the 
 utmost courtesy. Guert did the same to one of the young 
 ladies of the house ; Anneke was led in by one of the young 
 men ; and I took the remaining young lady, who, I pre- 
 sumed, was also one of the family. It was very apparent 
 we were respited ; and all of us thought it wisest to appear 
 as much at our ease as possible, in order not to balk the 
 humour of the principal magistrate of the ancient town of 
 Albany. 
 
 To do Mr. Mayor justice, the lost time had been so well 
 improved by Doortje, that, on looking around the table, I 
 thought the supper to which we were thus strangely invited, 
 was, of the two, the best I had seen that evening. Luckily, 
 game was plenty ; and, by means of quails, partridges, 
 oysters, venison patties, and other dishes of that sort, the 
 cook had managed to send up quite as good a supper, at ten 
 o'clock, as she had previously prepared for nine. 
 
 I will not pretend that I felt quite at my ease, as I took 
 my seat at the table, for the second time that night. All the 
 younger members of the party looked exceedingly grave, as 
 if they could very well dispense with our company ; the old 
 people alone appearing to enter into the scene with any 
 spirit. Anneke did not even look at me, after the first 
 astounded look given on my entrance ; nor did Mary Wal- 
 lace once cast her eyes towards Guert, when we reached 
 the supper-room. Mr. Mayor, notwithstanding, had deter- 
 mined to laugh off the affair; and he and Mr. Worden soon 
 became excellent friends, and began to converse freely and 
 naturally. 
 
 " Come, cousin Guert," cried Mr. Mayor, after two or 
 three glasses of Madeira had still further warmed his heart; 
 " fill, and pledge me — unless you prefer to give a lady. If 
 
SATANSTOE. 197 
 
 me last, everybody will drink to her, with hearty good-will. 
 You eat nothing, and must drink the more." 
 
 "Ah ! Mr. Mayor, I have toasted one lady, to-night, and 
 cannot toast another." 
 
 " Not present company excepted, my boy ?" 
 
 " No, sir, not even with that license. I pledge you, with 
 all my heart, and thank you, with all my heart, for this gene- 
 rous treatment, after my own foolish frolic ; — but, you know 
 how it is, Mr. Mayor, with us Albany youths, when our 
 pride is up, and a supper must be had — " 
 
 " Not I, Guert ; I know nothing about it ; but should very 
 well like to learn. How came you, in the first place, to 
 take such a fancy to my cook's supper ? Did you imagine 
 it better than Van Brunt's cook could give you?" 
 
 "The supper of Arent Van Brunt's cook has disappeared 
 — gone on the hill, I fancy, among the red-coats ; and, to 
 own the truth, Mr. Mayor, it was yours, or nothing. I had 
 invited these gentlemen to pass the evening with us. One 
 of our blacks happened to mention what was going on here, 
 and hospitality led us all astray. It was nothing more, I do 
 assure you, Mr. Mayor." 
 
 "And so your hospitable feelings made your guests work 
 for their supper, by sending them to preach to old Doortje, 
 while you were dishing up my ducks and game?" 
 
 " Your pardon, Mr. Mayor ; Doortje had dished-up, before 
 she went to lecture. Your cook is too well trained to neg- 
 lect her duty, even to hear a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Wor- 
 den ! But, these gentlemen were quite as much deceived as 
 the old woman ; for, they supposed we were after our own 
 lost goods, and did not know that you dwelt here ; and were 
 as much my dupes as old Doortje herself. Truth obliges me 
 to own this much, in their justification." 
 
 There was a general clearing up of countenances, at 
 this frank avowal ; and I saw that Anneke, herself, turned 
 her looks inquiringly upon the speaker, and suffered a smile 
 to relieve the extreme gravity of her sweet countenance. 
 From that moment, a very sensible change came over the 
 feelings and deportment of the younger part of the company, 
 and the conversation became easier and more natural. It 
 was certainly much in our favour to have it known, we had 
 Dot officiously and boyishly joined in a gratuitous attempt 
 17* 
 
198 SATANSTOE. 
 
 to rob and insult this particular and unoffending family, but 
 that Mr. Worden and I supposed we were simply aiding in 
 getting back those things which properly belonged to our 
 hosts, and getting them back, too, in a manner of which the 
 party we supposed we were acting against, would certainly 
 have no right to complain, inasmuch as they had set the 
 example. jGuert was encouraged to go on further with his 
 explanations; which he did, in his own honest, candid 
 manner, exculpating us, in effect, from everything but being 
 a little too much disposed to waggery, for a minister of the 
 church, and his pupil, who had just commenced his travels. 
 
 Anneke's face brightened up, more and more, as the ex- 
 planations proceeded ; and, soon after they were ended, .she 
 turned to me in a very gracious manner, and inquired after 
 my mother. As I sat directly opposite to her, and the table 
 was narrow, we could converse without attracting much at- 
 tention to ourselves ; Mr. Mayor and his other guests keep- 
 ing up a round of reasonably noisy jokes, on the events of 
 the evening, nearer the foot of the table. 
 
 " You find some customs in Albany, Mr. Littlepage, that 
 are not known to us, in New York," Anneke observed, 
 after a few preliminary remarks had opened the way to fur- 
 ther communication. 
 
 " I scarce know, Miss Anneke, whether you allude to 
 what has occurred this evening, or to what occurred this 
 afternoon V 
 
 " To both, I believe," answered Anneke, smiling, though 
 she coloured, as I thought, with a species of feminine vexa- 
 tion ; " for, certainly, one is no more a custom with us than 
 the other." 
 
 " I have been most unfortunate, Miss Mordaunt, in the 
 exhibitions I have made of myself in the course of the few 
 hours I have passed in this, to me, strange place. . I am 
 afraid you regard me as little more than an overgrown boy 
 who has been permitted by his parents to leave home sooner 
 than he ought." 
 
 " This is your construction, and not mine, Mr. Little- 
 page. I suppose you know — but, ws will talk of this in the 
 other room, or at some other time." 
 
 I took the hint, and said no more on the subject while at 
 table. Mr. Mayor, I suppose in consideration of our having 
 
SATANSTOE. 199 
 
 gone through the exactions of one feast already that even- 
 ing, permited us to leave the supper-room much earlier than 
 common, and the hour being late, the whole party broke up 
 immediately afterwards. Before we separated, however, 
 Herman Mordaunt approached me, in a friendly, free way, 
 and invited me to come to his house at eight next morning 
 to breakfast, requesting the pleasure of Dirck's company at 
 the same time; the invitation to the latter going through 
 me. It is scarcely necessary to say how gladly I accepted, 
 and how much I was relieved by this termination of an ad- 
 venture that, at one moment, menaced me with deep dis- 
 grace. Had Mr. Mayor seen fit to pursue the affair of the 
 abstraction of his first supper in a serious vein, although 
 the legal consequences could not probably have amounted 
 to anything very grave, they might prove very ridiculous; 
 and I have no doubt they would have brought about a very 
 abrupt termination of my visit to the north. As it was, my 
 mind was vastly relieved, as I believe was the case also 
 with that of the" Rev. Mr. Worden. 
 
 " Corny," said that gentleman, after we had wished Guert 
 good-night, and were well on our way to the inn again, 
 " this second supper has helped surprisingly to digest the 
 first. I doubt if our new acquaintance, here, will be likely 
 to turn out very profitable to us." 
 
 " Yet, sir, you appeared to take to him exceedingly, and 
 I had thought you excellent friends." 
 
 " I like the fellow well enough too ; for he is hearty, and 
 frank, and good-natured ; but there was some little policy in 
 keeping on good terms with him. I 'm afraid, Corny, I did 
 not altogether consult the dignity of my holy office, this 
 morning, on the ice ! It is exceedingly unbecoming in a 
 clergyman, to be seen running in a public place like a school- 
 boy, or a youngster contending in a match. I thought, 
 moreover, I overheard one of those young Dutchmen call 
 me the ' Loping Dominie ;' and so, taking altogether, it 
 struck me it would be wisest to keep on good terms with this 
 Guert Ten Eyck." 
 
 " I see your policy, sir, and it does not become me to deny 
 it. As for myself, I confess I like Guert surprisingly, and 
 shall not give him up easily; though he has already got me 
 into two serious scrapes in the short time we have been ao 
 
200 SATANSTOE. 
 
 quainted. He is a hearty, good-natured, thoughtless young 
 fellow ; who, Dutchman-like, when he does make an attempt 
 to enjoy life, does it with all his heart." 
 
 I then related the affair of the hand-sled to Mr. Worden, 
 who gave me some of that sort of consolation, of which a 
 man receives a great deal, as he elbows his way through 
 this busy, selfish world. 
 
 " Well, Corny," said my old master, " I am not certain 
 you did not look more like a fool, as you rolled over from 
 that sled, than I looked while ' loping' from our friends in 
 the sleigh !" 
 
 We both laughed as we entered the tavern ; I, to conceal 
 the vexation 1 really felt, and Mr. Worden, as I presume, 
 because he was flattered with the belief that I must have 
 appeared quite as ridiculous as himself. 
 
 Next morning I proceeded to Herman Mordaunt's resi- 
 dence at the earliest hour the rules of society would allow. 
 I found the family established in one of those Dutch edifices, 
 of which Albany was mainly composed, and which stood a 
 little removed from the street — having a tiny yard in front, 
 with the stoop in the gable, and that gable towards the yard. 
 The battlement-walls of this house diminished towards the 
 high apex of a very steep roof by steps, as we are all so 
 much accustomed to see, and the whole was surmounted by 
 an iron weathercock, that was perched on a rod of some 
 elevation. It was always a matter of importance with the 
 Dutch to know which way the wind blew; nor did it com- 
 port with their habits of minute accuracy, to trust to the 
 usual indications of the feeling on the skin, the bending of 
 branches, the flying of clouds, or the driving of smoke ; but 
 they must and would have the certainty of a machine, that 
 was constructed expressly to let them know the fact. Smoke 
 might err, but a weathercock would not ! 
 
 No one was in the little parlour into which I was shown 
 by the servant who admitted me to the house, and in whom 
 I recognised Herman Mordaunt's principal male attendant, 
 of the household in New York. How pleasantly did that 
 little room appear to me, in the minute or two that I was 
 left in it alone. There lay the very shawl that Anneke had 
 on, the day I met her in the Pinkster Field ; and a pair of 
 gloves that it seemed to me no other hands but hers were 
 
SATANSTOE. 201 
 
 small enough to wear, had been thrown on the shawl, care- 
 lessly, as one casts aside a thing of that sort, in a hurry. 
 A dozen other articles were put here and there, that denoted 
 the habits and presence of females of refinement. But the 
 gloves most attracted my attention, and I must needs rise 
 and examine them. It is true, these gloves might belong to 
 Mary Wallace, for she, too, had a pretty little hand, but I 
 fancied they belonged to Anneke. Under this impression, 
 I raised them to my lips, and was actually pressing them 
 there, with a good deal of romantic feeling, when a light 
 footstep in the room told me I was not alone. Dropping the 
 gloves, I turned and beheld Anneke herself. She was re- 
 garding me with an expression of countenance I did not then 
 know how to interpret, and which I now hardly know how 
 to describe. In the first place, her charming countenance 
 was suffused with blushes, while her eyes were filled with an 
 expression of softened interest, that caused my heart to beat 
 so violently, that I did not know but it would escape by the 
 channel of the throat. How near I was to declaring all I 
 felt, at that moment ; of throwing myself at the feet of the 
 dear, dear creature, and of avowing how much and engross- 
 ingly she had filled both my waking and sleeping thoughts 
 during the last year, and of beseeching her to bless the re- 
 mainder of my days, by becoming my wife! Nothing pre- 
 vented this sally, but the remark which Anneke made, 
 the instant she had gracefully curtsied v in return to my 
 confused and awkward bow, and which happened to be this : 
 
 a What do you find so much to admire in Miss Wallace's 
 gloves?" asked the wilful girl, biting her lip, as I fancied, 
 to suppress a smile, though her cheeks were still suffused, 
 and her eyes continued to give forth that indescribable ex- 
 pression of bewitching softness. " It is a pair my father 
 presented to her, and she wore them last evening in com- 
 pliment to him." 
 
 " I beg pardon, Miss Mordaunt — Miss Anneke — that is — 
 I beg pardon. Is there not a very delightful odour about 
 those gloves — that is, I was thinking so, and was endea- 
 vouring to ascertain what it might be by the scent." 
 
 " It must be the lavender with which we young ladies are 
 so coquettish as to sprinkle our gloves and handkerchiefs — 
 or it may be musk. Mary is rather fond of musk, though 
 
202 SATANSTOE. 
 
 I prefer lavender. But what an evening we had, Mr. Lit- 
 tlepage ! and what an introduction you have had to Albany, 
 and most of all, what a master of ceremonies !" 
 
 " Do you then dislike Guert Ten Eyck as an acquaint- 
 ance, Miss Anneke?" 
 
 " Far from it. It is quite impossible to dislike Guert ; 
 he is so manly ; so ready to admit his own weaknesses ; so 
 sincere in all he does and says ; so good natured ; and, in 
 short, so much that, were one his sister, she might wish him 
 to be, and yet so much that a sister must regret." 
 
 " I thought last evening that all the ladies felt an interest 
 in him, notwithstanding the numberless wild and ill-judged 
 things he does. Is he not a favourite with Miss Wallace?" 
 
 The quick, sensitive glance that Anneke gave me, said 
 plainly enough that my question was indiscreet, and it was no 
 sooner put than it was regretted. A shadow passed athwart 
 the sweet face of my companion, and a moment of deep, 
 and, as I fancied, of painful thought succeeded. Then a 
 light broke over all, a smile illumined her features, after 
 which a light girlish laugh came to show how active were 
 the agents within, and how strong was the native tendency 
 to happiness and humour. 
 
 " After all, Corny Littlepage," said Anneke, turning her 
 face towards me with an indescribable character of fun and 
 feeling so blended in it, as fairly to puzzle me, " you must 
 admit that your exploit in the hand-sled was sufficiently 
 ridiculous to last a young man for some time !" 
 
 " I confess it all, Anneke, and shall have a care how I 
 turn boy again in a strange place. I am rejoiced to find, 
 however, that you look upon the foolish affair of the slide 
 as more grave than that of the supper, which I was fearful 
 might involve me in serious disgrace." 
 
 " Neither is very serious, Mr. Littlepage, though the last 
 might have proved awkward, had not the Mayor known the 
 ways of the young men of the town. They say, however, 
 that nothing so bold has ever before been attempted in that 
 way, in Albany, great as are the liberties that are often 
 taken with the neighbours' hen-coops." 
 
 And she laughed, and this time it was naturally, and 
 without the least restraint. 
 
 " I hope you will not think it shabby in me, if I seem to 
 
SATANSTOE. 203 
 
 wish to throw all the blame on this harum-scarum Guert 
 Ten Eyck. He drew me into both affairs, and into the last, 
 in a great measure, innocently and ignorantly." 
 
 " So it is understood, and so it would be understood, the 
 moment Guert Ten Eyck was found to be connected with 
 the affair at all." 
 
 "I may hope, then, to be forgiven, Anneke?" I said, 
 holding out a hand to invite her to accept it as a pledge of 
 pardon. 
 
 Anneke did not prudishly decline putting her own little 
 hand in mine, though I got only the ends of two or three 
 slender delicate fingers ; and her colour increased as she 
 bestowed this grace. 
 
 " You must ask forgiveness, Corny," she answered, — I 
 believe she now used this familiar name simply to show 
 how completely she had forgotten the little spleen she had 
 certainly felt at my untoward exhibition in the street. — 
 " You must ask forgiveness of those who possess the right 
 to pardon. If Corny Littlepage chooses to slide down hill, 
 like a boy, what right has Anneke Mordaunt to say him 
 nay?" 
 
 " Every right in the world — the right of friendship — the 
 right of a superior mind, of superior manners — the right 
 that my " 
 
 " Hush ! — that is Mr. Bulstrode's footstep in the passage, 
 and he will not understand this discussion on the subject of 
 my manifold rights. It takes him some time, however, to 
 throw aside his overcoats, and furs, and sword; and I will 
 just tell you that Guert Ten Eyck is a dangerous master of 
 ceremonies for Corny Littlepage." 
 
 " Yet, he has sense enough, feeling enough, heart enough 
 to admire and love Mary YVallace." 
 
 11 Has he told you this, so soon ! But, I need not ask, as 
 he tells his love to every one who will listen." 
 
 " And to Miss Wallace herself, I trust, among the num- 
 ber. The man who loves, and loves truly, should not long 
 permit its object to remain in any doubt of his feelings and 
 intentions. It has ever appeared to me, Miss Mordaunt, as 
 a most base and dastardly feeling in a man to wish to be 
 certain of a woman's returning his love, before he has the 
 manliness to let his mistress understand his wishes. How 
 
204 SATANSTOfc. 
 
 is a sensitive female to know when she is safe in yielding 
 her affections, without this frankness on the part of her 
 suitor? I'll answer for it that Guert Ten Eyck has dealt 
 thus honestly and frankly with Mary Wallace." 
 
 " That is a merit which cannot be denied him," answered 
 Anneke, in a low, thoughtful tone of voice. " Mary has 
 heard this from his own mouth, again and again. Even 
 my presence has been no obstacle to his declarations, for 
 three times have I heard him beg Mary to consider him as 
 a suitor for her hand, and entreat her not to decide on his 
 offer until he has had a longer opportunity to win her 
 esteem." 
 
 "And this you will admit, Miss Mordaunt, is to his credit ; 
 is manly, and like himself?" 
 
 " It is certainly frank and honourable, Mr. Littlepage, 
 since it enables Miss Wallace to understand the object of 
 his attentions, and leaves nothing to doubt, or uncertainty." 
 
 " I am glad you approve of such fair and frank proceed- 
 ings ; — though but a moment remains to say what I wish, 
 it will suffice to add, that the course Guert Ten Eyck has 
 aken towards Mary Wallace, Cornelius Littlepage would 
 <vish to pursue towards Anneke Mordaunt." 
 
 Anneke started, turned pale ; then showed cheeks that 
 were suffused with blushes, and looked at me with timid 
 surprise. She made no answer ; though that earnest, yet 
 timid gaze, long remained, and for that matter, still remains, 
 vividly impressed upon my recollection. It seemed to ex- 
 press astonishment, startled sensibility, feminine bash ful- 
 ness, and maiden coyness ; but it did not appear to me that 
 it expressed displeasure. There was no time, however, to 
 ask for explanations, since the voices of Herman Mordaunt 
 and Bulstrode were now heard at the very door, and, at the 
 next instant, both entered the room. 
 
SATANSTOE. "aS05 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 " My beautiful ! my beautiful ! that standest meekly by, 
 With thy proudly arch'd and glossy neck, and dark and fiery eye — 
 
 Thus, thus I leap upon thy back, and scour the distant plains : 
 Away ! who overtakes me now, shall claim thee for his pains." 
 
 The Arab to his Steed. 
 
 Bulstrode seemed happy to meet me, complaining that 
 I had quite forgotten the satisfaction with which all New 
 York, agreeably to his account of the matter, had received 
 me the past spring. Of course, I thanked him for his civi- 
 lity ; and we soon became as good friends as formerly. In 
 a minute or two, Mary Wallace joined us, and we all re- 
 paired to the breakfast-table, where we were soon joined by 
 Dirck, who had been detained by some affairs of his own. 
 
 Herman Mordaunt and Bulstrode had the conversation 
 principally to themselves for the first few minutes. Mary 
 Wallace was habitually silent ; but Anneke, without being 
 loquacious, was sufficiently disposed to converse. This 
 morning, however, she said little beyond what the civilities 
 of the table required from the mistress of the house, and 
 that little in as few words as possible. Once or twice I 
 could not help remarking that her hand remained on the 
 handle of a richly-chased tea-pot, after that hand had per- 
 formed its office ; and that her sweet, deep blue eye was 
 fixed on vacancy, or on some object before her with a va- 
 cant regard, in the manner of one that thought intensely. 
 Each time as she recovered from these little reveries, a 
 slight flush appeared on her face, and she seemed anxious 
 to conceal the involuntary abstraction. This absence of 
 mind continued until Bulstrode, who had been talking with 
 our host on the subject of the movements of the army, sud- 
 denly directed his discourse to me. 
 
 "I hope we owe. this visit to Albany," he said, " to an 
 intention on your part, Mr. Littlepage, to make one among 
 us in the next campaign. I hear of many gentlemen of the 
 colonies who intend to accompany us in our march to 
 Quebec." 
 
 Vol. I. — 18 
 
206 SATANSTOEe 
 
 " That is somewhat farther than I had thought of going, 
 Mr. Bulstrode," was my answer, "inasmuch as I, have 
 never supposed the king's forces contemplated quite so dis- 
 tant a march. It is the intention of Mr. Follock and my- 
 self to get permission to attach ourselves to some regiment, 
 and to go forward as far as Ticonderoga, at least ; for we 
 do not like the idea of the French holding a post like that, 
 so far within the limits of our own province." 
 
 " Bravely said, sir ; and I trust I shall be permitted to be 
 of some assistance when the time comes to settle details. 
 Our mess would always be happy to see you ; and you 
 know that I am at its head, since the Lt. Colonel has left 
 us." 
 
 I returned my thanks, and the discourse took another 
 direction. 
 
 " I met Harris, as I was walking hither this morning," 
 Bulstrode continued, " and he gave me, in his confused Irish 
 way — for I insist he is Irish, although he was born in Lon- 
 don — but he gave me a somewhat queer account of a supper 
 he was at last night, which he said had been borne off by a 
 foraging party of young Albanians, and brought into the bar- 
 racks, as a treat to some of our gentlemen. This was bad 
 enough, though they tell me a Dutchman always pardons 
 such a frolic; but Harris makes the matter much worse, 
 by adding that the supperless party indemnified itself by 
 making an attack on the kitchen of Mr. Mayor, and carry- 
 ing off his ducks and partridges, in a way to leave him 
 without even a potatoe !" 
 
 I felt that my face was as red as scarlet, and I fancied 
 everybody was looking at me, while Herman Mordaunt 
 took on himself the office of making a reply. 
 
 " The story does not lose in travelling, as a matter of 
 course," answered our host, " though it is true in the main. 
 We all supped with Mr. Cuyler last evening, and know that 
 he had much more than a potatoe on the table." 
 
 « All !— What, the ladies?" 
 
 " Even to the ladies — and Mr. Littlepape in the bargain,' 
 returned Herman Mordaunt, casting a glance at me, and 
 smiling. " Each and all of us will testify he not only had 
 a plenty of supper, but that which was good." 
 
 " I see by the general smile," cried Bulstrode, " that there 
 
SATANSTOE. 207 
 
 is a sous entendu here, and shall insist on being admitted 
 to the secret." 
 
 Herman Mordaunt now told the whole story, not being 
 particularly careful to conceal the more ludicrous parts, 
 dwelling with some emphasis on the lecture Mr. Worden 
 had delivered to Doortje, and appealing to me to know whe- 
 ther I did not think it excellent. Bulstrode laughed, of 
 course ; though I fancied both the young ladies wished no- 
 thing had been said on the subject. Anneke even attempted, 
 once or twice, to divert her father from certain comments 
 that he made, in which he spoke rather lightly of such sort 
 of amusements, in general. 
 
 " That Guert Ten Eyck is a character !" exclaimed Bul- 
 strode, " and one I am sometimes at a loss to comprehend. 
 A more manly-looking, fine, bold young fellow, I do not 
 know ; and he is often as manly and imposing in his opin- 
 ions and judgments, as he is to the eye ; while, at times, he 
 is almost childish in his tastes and propensities. How do 
 you account for this, Miss Anneke?" 
 
 " Simply, that nature intended Guert Ten Eyck for better 
 things than accident and education, or the want of educa- 
 tion, have enabled him to become. Had Guert Ten Eyck 
 been educated at Oxford, he would have been a very different 
 man from what he is. If a man has only the instruction 
 of a boy, he will long remain a boy." 
 
 I was surprised at the boldness and decision of this opinion, 
 for it was not Anneke's practice to be so open in delivering 
 her sentiments of others; but, it was not long ere I disco- 
 vered that she did not spare Guert, in the presence of her 
 friend, from a deep conviction he was not worthy of the 
 hold he was sensibly gaining on the feelings of Mary Wal- 
 lace. Herman Mordaunt, as I fancied, favoured his daugh- 
 ter's views in this behalf; and there was soon occasion to 
 observe that poor Guert had no other ally, in that family, 
 than the one his handsome, manly person, open disposition, 
 and uncommon frankness had created in his mistress's own 
 bosom. There was certainly a charm in Guert's habitual 
 manner of underrating himself, that inclined all who heard 
 him to his side; and, for myself, I will confess I early be- 
 came his friend in all that matter, and so continued to the 
 last. 
 
208 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Bulstrode and I left the house together, walking arm and 
 arm to his quarters, leaving Dirck with the ladies. 
 
 " This is a charming family," said my companion, as we 
 left the door ; " and I feel proud of being able to claim some 
 affinity to it, though it is not so near as I trust it may one 
 day become." 
 
 I started, almost twitching my arm away from that of the 
 Major's, turning half round, at the same instant, to look him 
 in the face. Bulstrode smiled, but preserved his own self- 
 possession, in the stoical manner common to men of fashion 
 and easy manners, pursuing the discourse. 
 
 " I see that my frankness has occasioned you some little 
 surprise," he added ; " but the truth is the truth ; and I hold 
 it to be unmanly for a gentleman who has made up his mind 
 to become the suitor of a lady, to make any secret of his 
 intentions; — is not that your own way of thinking, Mr. 
 Littlepage?" 
 
 " Certainly, as respects the lady; and possibly, as respects 
 her family ; but not as respects all the world." 
 
 " I take your distinction, which may be a good one, in 
 ordinary cases; though, in the instance of Anneke Mordaunt, 
 it may be merciful to let wandering young men, like your- 
 self, Corny, comprehend the real state of the case. I very 
 well understand your own particular relation to the family 
 of the Mordaunts; but others may approach it with difFerent 
 and more interested views." 
 
 " Am I to understand, Mr. Bulstrode, that Miss Mordaunt 
 is your betrothed 7" 
 
 " Oh ! by no means ; for she has not yet made up her 
 mind to accept me. You are to understand, however, that 
 I have proposed to Herman Mordaunt, with my father's 
 knowledge and approbation, and that the affair is in petto. 
 You can judge for yourself of the probable termination, 
 being a better judge, as a looker-on, than I, as a party in- 
 terested, of Anneke's manner of viewing my suit." 
 
 " You will remember I have not seen you together these 
 ten months, until this morning; and I presume you do not 
 wish me to suppose you have been waiting all that time for 
 an answer." 
 
 " As I consider you an ami de famille, Corny, there is 
 no reason why there should not be a fair statement of thing? 
 
SATANSTOE. 209 
 
 laid before you, for that affair of the lion will ever render 
 you half a Mordaunt, yourself. I had proposed to Anneke, 
 when you first saw me, and got the usual lady-like answer 
 that the dear creature was too young to think of contracting 
 herself, which was certainly truer then than now ; that I 
 had friends at home who ought t6 be consulted, that time 
 must be given, or the answer would necessarily be 'no,' 
 and all the usual substance of such replies, in the prelimi- 
 nary state of a negotiation." 
 
 " And there the matter has stood ever since ?" 
 
 " By no means, my dear fellow ; as far from that as pos- 
 sible. I heard Herman Mordaunt, for he did most of the 
 talking on that side, with the patience of a saint, observed 
 how proper it all was, and stated my intention to lay every 
 thing before my father, and then advance to the assault 
 anew, reinforced by his consent, and authority to offer set- 
 tlements." 
 
 " All of which you got, by return of vessel, on writing 
 home?" I added, unable to imagine how any man could 
 hesitate about receiving Anneke Mordaunt for a daughter- 
 in-law. 
 
 " Why, not exactly by return of vessel, though Sir Harry 
 is much too well-bred to neglect answering a letter. I never 
 knew him to do such a thing in his life ; no, not when I 
 have pushed him a little closely on the subject of my allow- 
 ance having been out before the quarter was up, as will 
 sometimes happen at college, you know, Corny. To tell 
 you the truth, my dear boy, Sir Harry's consent did not 
 come by return of vessel, though an answer did. It is a 
 confounded distance across the Atlantic, and it takes time 
 to argue a question, when the parties are ' a thousand 
 leagues asunder.' " 
 
 "Argue ! — What argument could be required to convince 
 Sir Harry Bulstrode of the propriety of your getting An- 
 neke Mordaunt for a wife, if you could ?" 
 
 " Quite plain and sincere, upon my honour! — But, I love 
 you for the simplicity of your character, Corny, and so 
 shall view all" favourably. If I could ! Well, we shall 
 know at the end of the approaching campaign, when you 
 and I come back from our trip to Quebec." 
 18* 
 
210 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " You have not answered ray question, in the mean time^ 
 concerning Sir Harry Bulstrode." 
 
 " I beg Sir Harry's and your pardon. What argument 
 could be required to convince my father? — Why, you have 
 never been at home, Littlepage, and cannot easily under- 
 stand, therefore, what thS feeling is precisely in relation to 
 the colonies — much depends on that, you know." 
 
 " I trust the mother loves her children, as I am certain 
 the children love their mother." 
 
 " Yes, you are all loyal ; — I will say that for you, though 
 Albany is not exactly Bath, or New York, Westminster. I 
 suppose you know, Littlepage, that the church upon the 
 hill, yonder, which is called St. Peter's, though a very good 
 church, and a very respectable church, with a very reputa- 
 ble congregation, is not exactly Westminster Abbey, or even 
 St. James's?" 
 
 " I believe I understand you, sir ; and so Sir Harry proved 
 obstinate?" 
 
 " As the devil ! — It took no less than three letters, the 
 last of which was pretty bold, to get him round, which I did 
 at last, and his consent, in due form, has been handed in to 
 Herman Mordaunt. I contended, with some advantages in 
 the affair, or I never should have prevailed. But, you will 
 see how it was. Sir Harry is gouty and asthmatic both, 
 and' no great things of a life, at the best, and every acre he 
 has on earth is entailed, just making the whole thing a ques- 
 tion of time." 
 
 " All of which you communicated, of course, to Anneke 
 and Herman Mordaunt?" 
 
 " If I did I'll be hanged ! No, no ; Master Corny, I am 
 not so green as that would imply. You provincials are as 
 thin-skinned as raisons de Fontainbleau, and are not to be 
 touched so rudely. I do not believe Anneke would marry 
 the Duke of Norfolk himself, if the family raised the least 
 scruple about receiving her." 
 
 " And would not Anneke be right, in acting under so re- 
 spectable a feeling?" 
 
 " Why, you know she would only marry the duke, and 
 not his mother, and aunts, and uncles. I cannot see the 
 necessit}' of a young woman's making herself uncomforta- 
 ble on that account. But, we have not come to that yet, 
 
SATANSTOE. 211 
 
 for I would wish you to understand, Littlepage, that I am 
 not accepted, No, no! justice to Anneke demands that I 
 should say this much. She knows of Sir Harry's consent, 
 however, and that is a good deal in my favour, you must 
 allow. I suppose her great objection will be to quitting her 
 father, who has no other child, and on him it will bear a 
 little hard ; and, then, it is likely she will say something about 
 a change of country, for you Americans are all great stick- 
 lers for living in your own region." 
 
 " I do not see how you can justly accuse us of that, since 
 it is universally admitted among us that everything is bet- 
 ter at home than it is in the colonies." 
 
 " I really think, Corny," rejoined Bulstrode, smiling good- 
 naturedly, " were you to pay the old island a visit, now, 
 you yourself would confess that some things are." 
 
 " I to visit ! — I am at a loss to imagine why I am named 
 as one disposed to deny it. Had it been Guert Ten Eyck, 
 now, or even Dirck Follock, one might imagine such a 
 thing; but I, who come from English blood, and who have 
 til English-born grandfather, at this moment, alive and welt 
 at. Satanstoe, am not to be included among the disaifecced 
 fee England." 
 
 Bulstrode pressed my arm, and his conversation took a 
 more confidential air, as it proceeded. " I believe you are 
 right, Corny," he said ; " the colony is loyal enough, Hea- 
 ven knows; yet I find these Dutch look on us red-coats more 
 coldly than the people of English blood, below. Should it 
 be ascribed to the phlegm of their manners, or to some an- 
 cient grudge connected with the conquest of their colony ?" 
 
 " Hardly the last, I should think, since the colony was 
 traded away, under the final arrangement, in exchange for 
 a possession the Dutch now hold in South America. There 
 is nothing strange, however, in the descendants of the peo- 
 ple of Holland preferring the Dutch to the English." 
 
 " I assure you, Littlepage, the coldness with which we are 
 regarded by the Albanians has been spoken of among us; 
 though most of the leading families treat us well, and aid us 
 all they can. They should remember that we are here to 
 fight their battles, and to prevent the French from overrun- 
 ning them." 
 
 " To that they would probably answer that the French 
 
212 SATANSTOE. 
 
 would not molest them, but for their quarrel with England. 
 Here we must part, Mr. Bulstrode, as I have business to 
 attend to. I will add one word, however, before we separate, 
 and that is, that King George II. has not more loyal subjects 
 in his dominions, than those who dwell in his American pro- 
 vinces." 
 
 Bulstrode smiled, nodded in assent, waved his hand, and 
 we parted. 
 
 I had plenty of occupation for the remainder of that day. 
 Yaap arrived with his ' brigade of sleighs' about noon, and 
 I went in search of Guert, in whose company I repaired 
 once more to the office of the contractor. Horses, harness, 
 sleighs, provisions and all were taken at high prices, and I 
 was paid for the whole in Spanish gold ; joes and half-joes 
 being quite as much in use among us in that day as the 
 coin of the realm. Spanish silver has always formed our 
 smaller currency, such a thing as an English shilling, or a 
 sixpence, being quite a stranger among us. Pieces of 
 eight, or dollars, are our commonest coin, it is true, but we 
 make good use of the half-joe in all heavy transactions. I 
 have seen two or three Bank of England notes in my day, 
 but they are of very rare occurrence in the colonies. There 
 have been colony bills among us, but they are not favourites, 
 most of our transactions being carried on by means of the 
 Spanish gold and Spanish silver, that find their way up from 
 the islands and the Spanish main. The war of which I am 
 now writing, however, brought a great many guineas among 
 us, most of the troops being paid in that species of coin ; 
 but the contractors, in general, found it easier to command 
 the half-joe than the guinea. Of the former, when all our 
 sales were made, Dirck and myself had, between us, no 
 less than one hundred and eleven, or eight hundred and 
 eighty-eight dollars in value. 
 
 I found Guert just as ready and just as friendly on this 
 occasion, as he had been on the previous day. Not only 
 were all our effects disposed of, but all our negroes were 
 hired to the army for the campaign, Yaap excepted. The 
 "boys"went off with their teams towards the north that same 
 afternoon, in high spirits, as ready for a frolic as any 
 white youths in the colony. I permitted Yaap to go on 
 with his sleigh, to be absent for a few days, but he was to 
 
SATANSTOE. 213 
 
 return and join us before we proceeded in quest of the 
 * Patent,' after the breaking up of the winter. 
 
 It was late in the afternoon before everything was settled, 
 when Guert invited me to take a turn with him on the 
 river in his own sleigh. By this time I had ascertained that 
 my new friend was a young man of very handsome property, 
 without father or mother, and that he lived in as good style 
 as was common for the simple habits of those around him. 
 Our principal families in New York were somewhat remark- 
 able for the abundance of their plate, table-linen, and other 
 household effects of the latter character, while here and 
 there one was to be found that possessed some good pictures. 
 The latter, I have reason to think, however, were rare, 
 though occasionally the work of a master did find its way 
 to America, particularly from Holland and Flanders. Guert 
 kept bachelor's hall, in a respectable house, that had its 
 gable to the street, as usual, and which was of no great 
 size ; but everything about it proved that his old black 
 housekeeper had been trained under a regime of thorough 
 neatness ; for that matter, everything around Albany wore 
 the appearance of being periodically scoured. The streets 
 themselves could not undergo that process with snow on the 
 ground ; but once beneath a roof, and everything that had 
 the character of dirt was banished. In this particular 
 Guert's bachelor residence was as faultless as if it had a 
 mistress at its head, and that mistress were Mary Wallace. 
 
 " If she ever consent to have me," said Guert, actually 
 sighing as he spoke, and glancing his eyes round the very 
 pretty little parlour I had just been praising, on the occa- 
 sion of the visit I first made to his residence that afternoon ; 
 " if she ever consent to have me, Corny, I shall have to 
 build a new house. This is now a hundred years old, and 
 though it was thought a great affair in its day, it is not half 
 good enough for Mary Wallace. My dear fellow, how I 
 envy you that invitation to breakfast this morning ! what a 
 favourite you must be with Herman Mordaunt !" 
 
 " We are very good friends, Guert," — for, with the free- 
 dom of our colony manners, we had already dropped into 
 the familiarity of calling each other ' Corny' and ' Guert' — 
 " we are very good friends, Guert," I answered, " and, I 
 have some reason to think, Herman Mordaunt does not dis- 
 
214 SATANSTOE. 
 
 like me. It was in my power to be of a trifling service to 
 Miss Anneke, last spring, and the whole family is disposed 
 to remember it." 
 
 " So I can see, at a glance ; even Anneke remembers it, 
 I have heard the whole story from Mary Wallace ; it was 
 about a lion. I would give half of what I am worth, to see 
 Mary Wallace in the paws of a lion, or any other wild beast ; 
 just to let her see that Guert Ten Eyck has a heart, as well 
 as Corny Littlepage. But, Corny my boy, there is one 
 thing you must do ; you are in such favour, that it will be 
 easy for you to effect it ; though I might try in vain, for 
 ever." 
 
 " I will do anything that is proper, to oblige you, Guert ; 
 for you have a claim on me for services rendered by your- 
 self." 
 
 "Pshaw! — Say nothing of such matters; I am never 
 happier than when buying or selling a horse; and, in help- 
 ing you to get off your old cattle, why, I did the King no 
 harm, and you some good. But, it was about horses I was 
 thinking. You must know, Littlepage, there is not a young 
 man, or an old man, within twenty miles of Albany, that 
 drives such a pair of beasts as myself." 
 
 " You surely do not wish me to sell these horses to Mary 
 Wallace, Guert !" I rejoined, laughing. 
 
 "Ay, my lad ; and this house, and the old farm, and two 
 or three stores along the river ; and all I have, provided 
 you can. sell me with them. As the ladies have no present 
 use for horses, however, Herman Mordaunt having brought 
 up with him a very good pair, that came near running over 
 you and me, Corny ; so there is no need of any sale ; but 
 I should like to drive Mary and Anneke a turn of a few 
 miles, with that team of mine, and in my own sleigh !" 
 
 " That cannot prove such a difficult affair; young ladies, 
 ordinarily, consenting readily enough to be diverted with a 
 sleigh-ride." 
 
 " The off-one carries himself more like a colonel, at the 
 head of his regiment, than like an ignorant horse !" 
 
 " I will propose the matter to Herman Mordaunt, or to 
 Anneke, herself, if you desire it." 
 
 "And the near-one has the movement of a lady in a mi- 
 
SATANSTOE. 215 
 
 jiuet, when you rein him in a little. I drove those cattle, 
 Corny, across the pine-plains, to Schenectady, in one hour 
 and twenty-six minutes ; — sixteen miles, as the crow flies — 
 and nearer sixty, if you follow all the turnings of the fifty 
 roads." 
 
 " Well, what am I to do? tell this to the ladies, or beg 
 them to name a day ?" 
 
 " Name a day ! — I wish it had come to that, Corny, with 
 my whole soul. They are two beauties !" 
 
 " Yes, I think everybody will admit that" I answered in- 
 nocently ; " yet, very different in their charms." 
 
 " Oh ! not a bit more alike than is just necessary for a 
 good match. I call one Jack, and the other Moses. I never 
 knew an animal that was named 'Jack,' who would not do 
 his work. I would give a great deal, Corny, that Mary 
 Wallace could see that horse move !" 
 
 I promised Guert that I would use all my influence with 
 the ladies, to induce them to trust themselves with his team ; 
 and, in order that I might speak with authority, the sleigh 
 was ordered round to the door forthwith, with a view first to 
 take a turn with me. The winter equipage of Guert Ten 
 Eyck was really a tasteful and knowing thing. I had often 
 seen handsomer sleighs, in the way of paint, varnish, tops 
 and mouldings ; for to these he appeared to pay very little 
 attention. The points on which its owner most valued his 
 sleigh, was the admirable manner in which it rested on its 
 runners — pressing lightly both behind and before. Then 
 the traces were nearer on a level with the horses, than was 
 common ; though not so high as to affect the draft. The 
 colour, without, was a sky-blue ; a favourite Dutch tint ; 
 while within, it was fiery-red. The skins were very ample; 
 all coming from the grey wolf. As these skins were lined 
 with scarlet cloth, the effect of the whole was sufficiently 
 cheering and warm. I ought not to forget the bells. la 
 addition to the four sets buckled to the harness, the usual 
 accompaniment of every sort of sleigh-harness, Guert had 
 provided two enormous strings (always leathern straps), that 
 passed from the saddles quite down under the bodies of Jack 
 and Moses ; and another string around each horse's neck ; 
 
216 SATANST6E. 
 
 thus increasing the jingling music of his march, at least 
 fourfold beyond the usual quantity.* 
 
 In this style, then, we dashed from the door of the old 
 Ten Eyck-house; all the blacks in the street gazing at us in 
 delight, and shaking their sides with laughter — a negro al- 
 ways expressing his admiration of anything, even to a ser- 
 mon, in that mode. I remember to have heard a traveller 
 who had been as far as Niagara, declare that his black did 
 nothing but roar with laughter, the first half-hour he stood 
 confronted with that mighty cataract. 
 
 Nor did the blacks alone stop to admire Guert Ten Eyck, 
 his sleigh and his horses. All the young men in the place 
 paid Guert this homage, for he was unanimously admitted 
 to be the best whip, and the best judge of horse-flesh, in 
 Albany; that is, the best judge for his years. Several 
 young women who were out in sleighs, looked behind them, 
 as we passed, proving that the admiration extended even to 
 the other sex. All this Guert felt and saw, and its effect 
 was very visible in his manner as he stood guiding his* 
 
 * As it is possible this book may pass into the hands of others than 
 Americans, it may be well to say that a sleigh-bell is a small hollow ball, 
 made of bell-metal, having a hole in it that passes round half of its cir- 
 cumference, and containing a small solid ball, of a size not to escape. 
 These bells are fastened to leathern straps, which commonly pass round 
 the necks of the horses. In the time of Guert Ten Eyck, most of the bells 
 were attached to small plates, that were buckled to various parts of 
 the harness ; but, as this caused a motion annoying to the animals, 
 Mr. Littlepage evidently wishes his readers to understand that his 
 friend, Ten Eyck, was too knowing to have recourse to the practice. 
 Even the straps are coming into disuse, the opinion beginning to 
 obtain that sleigh-bells are a nuisance, instead of an advantage. 
 Twenty years since, the laws of most large towns rendered them 
 necessary, under the pretence of preventing accidents hy apprising 
 the footman of the approach of a sleigh ; but more horses are now 
 driven, in the state of New York, without than with bells, in winter. 
 
 " Sleigh," as spelt, is purely an American word. It is derived from 
 "slee," in Dutch; which is pronounced like "sleigh." Some persona 
 contend that the Americans ought to use the old English words 
 " sled," or " sledge." But these words do not precisely express the 
 things we possess. There is as much reason for calling a pleasure- 
 conveyance by a name different from " sled," as there is for saying 
 " coach" instead of " wagon." M Sleigh" will become English, ere 
 long, as it is now American. Twenty millions of people not only 
 can make a word, but they can make a language, if it be needed. — 
 Editor. 
 
SATANSTOE 217 
 
 spirited pair, amid the wood sleds tTvat still crowded the 
 main street, 
 
 Our route lay towards the large fiats, that extend for 
 miles along the west shore of the Hudson, to the north of 
 Albany. This was the road usually taken by the young 
 people of the place, in their evening sleigh-rides ; not a few 
 of the better class stopping to pay their respects to Madame 
 Schuyler, a widow born of the same family as that into 
 which she had married, and who, from her character, con- 
 nections and fortune, filled a high place in the social circle 
 of the vicinity. Guert knew this lady, and proposed that I 
 should call and pay my respects to her — a tribute she was 
 ?iccustomed to receive from most strangers of respectability. 
 Thither, then, we drove as fast as my companion's blacks 
 could carry us. The distance was only a few miles, and 
 we were soon dashing through the open gate, into what 
 must have been a very pretty, though an inartificial, lawn, 
 in the summer. 
 
 • " By Jove, we are in luck !" cried Guert, the moment his 
 eyes got a view of the stables : " Yonder is Herman Mor- 
 daunt's sleigh, and we shall find the ladies here !" 
 
 All this turned out as Guert had announced. Anneke 
 and Mary Wallace had dined with Madame Schuyler, and 
 their coats and shawls had just been brought to them, pre- 
 paratory to returning home, as we entered. I had heard so 
 much of Madame Schuyler as not to approach this respect- 
 able person without awe, and I had no eyes at first for her 
 companions. I was well received by the mistress of the 
 house, a woman of so large a size as to rise from her chair 
 with great difficulty, but whose countenance expressed 
 equally intelligence, principles, refinement and benevolence. 
 She no sooner heard the name of Littiepage, than she threw 
 a meaning glance towards the young female friends, mine 
 following and perceiving Anneke colouring highly, and 
 looking a little distressed. As for Mary Wallace sh»j ap 
 peared to me then, as I fancied was usually the case when- 
 ever Guert Ten Eyck approached her, to be struggling with 
 a species of melancholy pleasure. 
 
 " It is unnecessary for me to hear your mother's name, 
 Mr. Littiepage," said Madam Schuyler, extendir g a hand, 
 "since f knew foer as a young woman. In her name yon 
 
 Vol. I. — 19 
 
218 SATAKSTOE. 
 
 are welcome ; as, indeed, you would be in your own, after 
 the all-important service I hear you have rendered my 
 sweet young friend, here." 
 
 I could only bow, and express my thanks ; but it is un- 
 necessary to say how grateful to me was praise of this sort, 
 coming, as I knew it must, from Anneke in the first instance. 
 Still, I could hardly refrain from laughing at Guert, who 
 shrugged his shoulders, and turned towards me with a look 
 that repeated his ludicrous regrets he could not see Mary 
 Wallace in a lion's paws ! The conversation then took the 
 usual turn, and I got an opportunity of speaking to the 
 young ladies. 
 
 After the character I had heard of Madam Schuyler, 1 
 was a good deal surprised to find that Guert was somewhat 
 of a favourite. But even the most intellectual and refined 
 women, I have since had occasion to learn, feel a disposition 
 to judge handsome, manly, frank, flighty fellows like my 
 new acquaintance, somewhat leniently. With all his levity, 
 and his disposition to run into the excesses of animal spirits, 
 there was that about Guert which rendered it difficult to 
 despise him. The courage of a lion was in his eye, and his 
 front and bearing were precisely those that are particularly 
 attractive to women. To these advantages were added a 
 seeming unconsciousness of his superiority to most around 
 him, in the way of looks, and a humility of spirit that 
 caused him often to deplore his deficiencies in those accom- 
 plishments which characterize the man of study and of in- 
 tellectual activity. It was only among the hardy, active, 
 and reckless, that Guert manifested the least ambition to be 
 a leader. 
 
 " Do you still drive those spirited blacks, Guert," de- 
 manded Madam Schuyler, in a gentle, affable way, that in- 
 clined her to adapt her discourse to the tastes of those she 
 might happen to be with ; " those, I mean, which you pur- 
 chased in the autumn ?" 
 
 " You may be certain of that, aunt," — every one who 
 could claim the most distant relationship to this amiable 
 woman, and whose years did not render the appellation dis- 
 respectful, called her "aunt" — "you may be certain of that, 
 aunt, for their equals are not to be found in this colony. 
 The gentlemen of the army pretend that no horse can be 
 
SATANSTOE. 219 
 
 good that has not what they call blood; but Jack and 
 Moses are both of the Dutch breed, and the Schuylers and 
 the Ten Eycks will never own there is no u blood" in such 
 a stock. I have given each of these animals my own name, 
 and call them Jack Ten Eyck and Moses Ten Eyck." 
 
 11 1 hope you will not exclude the Littlepages and the 
 Mordaunts from your list of dissenters, Mr. Ten Eyck," 
 observed Anneke, laughing, " since both have Dutch blood 
 in their veins, too." 
 
 " Very true, Miss Anneke ; Miss Wallace being the only 
 true, thorough, Englishwoman here. But, as Aunt Schuy- 
 ler has spoken of my team, I wish I could persuade you and 
 Miss Mary to let me drive you back to Albany with it, this 
 very evening. Your own sleigh can follow ; and your 
 father's horses being English, we shall have an opportunity 
 of comparing the two breeds. The Anglo-Saxons will have 
 no load, while the Flemings will ; still I will wager animal 
 against animal, that the last do the work the most neatly, 
 and in the shortest time." 
 
 To this proposition, however, Anneke would not consent ; 
 her instinctive delicacy, I make no doubt, at once presenting 
 to her mind the impropriety of quitting her own sleigh, to 
 take an evening's drive in that of a young man of Guert's 
 established reputation for recklessness and fun, and who 
 was not always fortunate enough to persuade young women 
 of the first class to be his companions. The turn the con- 
 versation had taken, nevertheless, had the effect to produce 
 so many urgent appeals, that were seconded by myself, to 
 give the horses a trial, that Mary Wallace promised to sub- 
 mit the matter to Herman Mordaunt, and, should he ap- 
 prove, to accompany Guert, Anneke and myself, in an ex- 
 cursion the succeeding week. 
 
 This concession was received by poor Guert with pro- 
 found gratitude ; and he assured me, as we drove back to 
 town, that he had not felt so happy for the last two months. 
 
 " It is in the power of such a young woman — young 
 angel, I might better say," added Guert, " to make any- 
 thing she may please of me ! I know I am an idler, and 
 too fond of our Dutch amusements, and that I have not paid 
 the attention I ought to have paid to books ; but let that pre- 
 cious creature only take me by the hand, and I should turn 
 
220 SATANSTOE. 
 
 out an altered man in a month. Young women can do 
 anything they please with us, Mr. Littlepage, when they 
 set their minds about it in earnest. I wish I was a horse, 
 to have the pleasure of dragging Mary Wallace in this ex- 
 cursion !" . 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 " When Io ! the voice of loud alarm 
 His inmost soul appals : 
 What ho ! Lord William, rise in haste ! 
 The water saps thy walls !" 
 
 Lord William, 
 
 The visit to Madam Schuyler occurred of a Saturday 
 evening ; and the matter of our adventure in company with 
 Jack and Moses, was to be decided on the following Monday. 
 When I rose and looked out of my window on the Sunday 
 morning, however, there appeared but very little prospect 
 of its being effected that spring, inasmuch as it rained hea- 
 vily, and there was a fresh south wind. We had reached 
 the 21st of March, a period of the year when a decided 
 thaw was not only ominous to the sleighing, but when it 
 actually predicted a permanent breaking up of the winter. 
 The season had been late, and it was thought the change 
 could not be distant. 
 
 The rain and south wind continued all that day, and tor- 
 rents of water came rushing down the short, steep streets, 
 effectually washing away everything like snow. Mr. Wor- 
 den preached, notwithstanding, and to a very respectable 
 congregation. Dirck and myself attended ; but Jason pre- 
 ferred sitting out a double half-hour glass sermon in the Dutch 
 church, delivered in a language of which he understood 
 very little, to lending his countenance to the rites of the 
 English service. Both Anneke and Mary Wallace found 
 their way up the hill, going in a carriage ; though I observed 
 that Herman Mordaunt was absent. Guert was in the gal- 
 
SATANSTOE. 221 
 
 lery, in which we also sat ; but I could not avoid remarking 
 that neither of the young ladies raised her eyes once, during 
 the whole service, as high as our pews. Guert whispered 
 something about this, as he hastened down stairs to hand 
 them to their carriage, when the congregation was dismissed, 
 begging me, at the same time, to be punctual to the appoint- 
 ment for the next day. What he meant by this last remem- 
 brancer, I did not understand ; for the hills were beginning 
 to exhibit their bare breasts, and it was somewhat surprising 
 with what rapidity a rather unusual amount of snow had 
 disappeared. I had no opportunity to ask an explanation, 
 as Guert was too busy in placing the ladies in the carriage, 
 and the weather was not such as to admit of my remaining 
 a moment longer in the street than was indispensably ne- 
 cessary. 
 
 A change occurred in the weather during the night, the 
 rain having ceased, though the atmosphere continued mild, 
 and the wind was still from the south. It was the com- 
 mencement of the spring; and, as I walked round to Guert 
 Ten Eyck's house, to meet him at breakfast, I observed that 
 several vehicles with wheels were already in motion in the 
 streets, and that divers persons appeared to be putting away 
 their sleighs and sleds, as things of no further use, until the 
 next winter. Our springs do not certainly come upon us as 
 suddenly as some of which I have read, in the old world ; 
 but when the snow and winter endure as far into March as 
 had been the case with that of the year 1758, the change is 
 often nearly magical. 
 
 " Here, then, is the spring opening," I said to Dirck, as 
 we walked along the well-washed streets ; " and, in a few 
 weeks, we must be off to the bush. Our business on the 
 Patent must be got along with, before the troops are put in 
 motion, or we may lose the opportunity of seeing a cam- 
 paign." 
 
 With such expectations and feelings I entered Guert's 
 bachelor abode ; and the first words I uttered, were to sym- 
 pathize in his supposed disappointment. 
 
 " It is a great pity you did not propose the drive to the 
 ladies for Saturday," I began ; " for that was not only a 
 mild day, but the sleighing was excellent. As it is, you will 
 bave to postpone your triumph until next winter." 
 19* 
 
222 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " I do not understand you !" cried Guert; Jack and Moses 
 never were in better heart, or in better condition. I think 
 they are equal to going to Kinderhook in two hours !" 
 
 " But who will furnish the roads with snow ? By looking 
 out of the window, you will see that the streets are nearly 
 bare." 
 
 " Streets and roads ! Who cares for either, while we 
 have the river 1 We often use the river here, weeks at a 
 time, when the snow has left us. The ice has been remark- 
 ably even the whole of this winter, and, now the snow is off 
 it, there will be no danger from the air-holes." 
 
 I confess I did not much like the notion of travelling 
 twenty miles on the ice, but was far too much of a man to 
 offer any objections. 
 
 We breakfasted, and proceeded in a body to the residence 
 of Herman Mordaunt. When the ladies first heard that we 
 had come to claim the redemption of the half-promise given 
 at Madam Schuyler's, their surprise was not less than mine 
 had been, half an hour before, while their uneasiness was 
 probably greater. 
 
 " Surely, Jack and Moses cannot exhibit all their noble 
 qualities without snow !" exclaimed Anneke, laughing, " Ten 
 Eycks though they be !" 
 
 " We Albanians have the advantage of travelling on the 
 ice, when the the snow fails us," answered Guert. " Here 
 is the river, near by, and never was the sleighing on it, better 
 than at this moment." 
 
 "But, it has been many times safer, I should think. 
 This looks very much like the breaking up of winter!" 
 
 " That is probable enough, and so much greater the rea- 
 son why we should not delay, if you and Miss Mary ever 
 intend to learn what the blacks can do. It is for the honour 
 of Holland that I desire it, else would I not presume so far. 
 I feel every condescension of this sort, that I receive from 
 you two ladies, in a way I cannot express ; for no one 
 Knows, better than myself, how unworthy I am of your 
 smallest notice." 
 
 This brought the signs of yielding, at once, into the mild 
 countenance of Mary Wallace. Guert's self-humiliation 
 never failed to do this. There was so much obvious truth 
 in his admission, so sincere a disposition to place himselfj 
 
SATANSTOE. 
 
 223 
 
 where nature and education, or a want of education had 
 placed him, and most of all so profound a deference for the 
 mental superiority of Mary herself, that the female heart 
 found it impossible to resist. To my surprise, Guert's mis- 
 tress, contrary to her habit in such things, was the first to 
 join him, and to second his proposal. Herman Mordaunt 
 entering the room at this instant, the whole thing was re- 
 ferred to him, as in reason it ought to have been. 
 
 " I remember to have travelled on the Hudson, a few 
 years since," returned Herman Mordaunt, " the entire dis- 
 tance between Albany and Sing-Sing, and a very good time 
 we had of it ; much better than had we gone by land, for 
 there was little or no snow." 
 
 " Just our case now, Miss Anneke !" cried Guert. " Good 
 sleighing on the river, but none on the land." 
 
 " Was that t near the end of March, dear Papa?" asked 
 Anneke, a little inquiringly. 
 
 " No, certainly not, for it was early in February. But 
 the ice, at this moment, must be near eighteen inches thick, 
 and strong enough to bear a load of hay." 
 
 " Yes, Masser Herman," observed Cato, a grey-headed 
 black, who had never called his master by any other name, 
 having known him from an infant ; " yes, Masser Herman, 
 a load do come over dis minute." 
 
 It appeared unreasonable to distrust the strength of the 
 ice, after this proof to the contrary, and Anneke submitted. 
 The party was arranged forthwith, and in the following 
 manner : — The two ladies, Guert and myself, were to be 
 drawn by the blacks, while Herman Mordaunt, Dirck, and 
 any one else they could enlist, were to follow in the New 
 York sleigh. It was hoped that an elderly female connec- 
 tion, Mrs. Bogart, who resided at Albany, would consent to 
 be of the party, as the plan was to visit and dine with an- 
 other and a mutual connection of the Mordaunts, at Kinder- 
 hook. While the sleighs were getting ready, Herman Mor- 
 daunt walked round to the house of Mrs. Bogart, made his 
 request, and was successful. 
 
 The clock in the tower of the English church struck ten, 
 as both sleighs drove from Herman Mordaunfs door. There 
 was literally no snow in the middle of the streets ; but enough 
 of it, mingled with ice, was still to be found nearer the 
 
224 SATANSTOE. 
 
 houses, to enable us to get down to the ferry, the point 
 where sleighs usually went upon the river. Here Herman 
 Mordaunt, who was in advance, checked his horses, and 
 turned to speak to Guert on the propriety of proceed- 
 ing. The ice near the shore had evidently been moved, 
 the river having risen a foot or two, in consequence of the 
 wind and the thaw, and there was a sort of icy wave cast 
 up near the land, over which it v/as indispensable to pass, 
 in order to get fairly on the river. As the top of this ridge, 
 or wave, was broken, it exposed a fissure that enabled us 
 to see the thickness of the ice, and this Guert pointed out in 
 proof of its strength. There was nothing unusual in a small 
 movement of the covering of the river, which the current 
 often produces ; but, unless the vast fields below got in mo- 
 tion, it was impossible for those above materially to change 
 their positions. Sleighs were passing, too, still bringing to 
 town, hay from the flats on the eastern bank,' and there was 
 no longer any hesitation. Herman Mordaunt's sleigh passed 
 slowly over the ridge, having a care to the legs of the horses, 
 and ours followed in the same cautious manner, though the 
 blacks jumped across the fissure in spite of their master's 
 exertions. 
 
 Once on the river, however, Guert gave his blacks the 
 whip and rein, and away we went like the wind. The 
 smooth, icy surface of the Hudson was our road, the thaw 
 having left very few traces of any track. The water had 
 all passed beneath the ice, through cracks and fissures of 
 one sort and another, leaving us an even, dry, surface to 
 trot on. The wind was still southerly, though scarcely 
 warm, while a bright sun contributed to render our excur- 
 sion as gay to the eye, as it certainly was to our feelings. 
 In a few minutes every trace of uneasiness had vanished. 
 Away we went, the blacks doing full credit to their owner's 
 boasts, seeming scarcely to touch tke ice, from which their 
 feet appeared to rebound with a sort of elastic force. Her- 
 man Mordaunt's bays followed on our heels, and the sleighs 
 had passed over the well-known shoal of the Overslaugh, 
 within the first twenty minutes after they touched the river. 
 
 Every northern American is familiar with the effect that 
 the motion of a sleigh produces on the spirits, under favour- 
 able circumstances. Had our party been altogether com- 
 
SATANSTOE. 225 
 
 posed of Albanians, there would probably have been no 
 drawback on the enjoyment, for use would have prevented 
 apprehension ; but it required the few minutes I have men- 
 tioned to give Anneke and Mary Wallace full confidence in 
 the ice. By the time we reached the Overslaugh, however, 
 their fears had vanished ; and Guert confirmed their sense 
 of security, by telling them to listen to the sounds produced 
 by his horses 1 hoofs, which certainly conveyed the impres- 
 sion of moving on a solid foundation. 
 
 Mary Wallace had never before been so gay in my pre- 
 sence, as she appeared to be that morning. Once, or twice, 
 I fancied her eyes almost as bright as those of Anneke's, 
 and certainly her laugh was as sweet and musical. Both 
 the girls were full of spirits, and some little things occurred 
 that gave me hopes Bulstrode had no reason to fancy him- 
 self as secure, as he sometimes seemed to be. A casual 
 remark of Guert's had the effect to bring out some of An- 
 neke's private sentiments on the subject ; or, at least, so 
 they appeared to be to me. 
 
 " I am surprised that Mr. Mordaunt forgot to invite Mr. 
 Bulstrode to be one of our party, to-day," cried Guert, when 
 we were below the Overslaugh. " The Major loves sleigh- 
 ing, and he would have filled the fourth seat, in the other 
 sleigh, very agreeably. As for coming into this, that would 
 be refused him, were he even a general !" 
 
 " Mr. Bulstrode is English," answered Anneke, with spirit, 
 " and fancies American amusements beneath the tastes of 
 one who has been presented at the Court of St. James." 
 
 " Well, Miss Anneke, I cannot say that I agree with you 
 at all, in this opinion of Mr. Bulstrode," Guert returned, 
 innocently. " It is true, he is English ; that he fancies 
 an advantage, as does Corny Littlepage, here ; but we must 
 make proper allowances for home-love and foreign-dis- 
 like." 
 
 " ' Corny Littlepage, here,' is only half English, anl that 
 half is colony-born and Golony-bred," answered the laugh- 
 ing girl, " and he has loved a sleigh from the time when he 
 first slid down hill " 
 
 " Ah ! Miss Anneke — let me entreat " 
 
 "Oh! no allusion is intended to the Dutch church and 
 its neighbourhood ; — but, the sports of childhood are oiway? 
 
226 SATANSTOE. 
 
 dear to us, as are sometimes the discomforts. Habit and 
 prejudice are sister hand-maidens ; and I never see one of 
 these gentlemen from home, taking extraordinary interest 
 in any of our peculiarly colony usages, but I distrusted an 
 extra amount of complaisance, or a sort of enjoyment in 
 which we do not strictly share." 
 
 " Is this altogether liberal to Bulstrode, Miss Anneke," I 
 ventured to put in ; " he seems to like us, and I am sure he 
 has good reason so to do. That he likes some of us, is too 
 apparent to be concealed or denied." 
 
 " Mr. Bulstrode is a skilful actor, as all who saw his Cato 
 must be aware," retorted the charming girl, compressing 
 her pouting lips in a way that seemed to me to be inexpres- 
 sibly pleasing; "and those who saw his Scrub must be 
 equally convinced of the versatility of his talents. No, no ; 
 Major Bulstrode is better where he is, or will be to-day, at 
 
 four o'clock — at the head of the mess of the th, instead 
 
 of dining in a snug Dutch parlour, with my cousin, worthy 
 Mrs. van der Heyden, at a dinner got up with colony hos- 
 pitality, and colony good-will, and colony plainness. The 
 entertainment we shall receive to-day, sweetened, as it will 
 be, by the welcome which will come from the heart, can 
 have no competitor in countries where a messenger must be 
 sent two days before the visit, to ask permission to come, in 
 order to escape cold looks and artificial surprise. I would 
 prefer surprising my friends from the heart, instead of from 
 the head." 
 
 Guert expressed his astonishment that any one should not 
 always be glad and witling to receive his friends ; and in- 
 sisted on it, that no such inhospitable customs could exist. 
 I knew, however, that society could not exist on the same 
 terms, in old and in new countries — among a people that 
 was pressed upon by numbers, and a people that had not 
 yet felt the evils of a superabundant population. Americans 
 are like dwellers in the country, who are always glad to see 
 their friends; and I ventured to say something of the causes 
 of these differences in habits. 
 
 Nothing occurred worthy of being dwelt on, in our ride 
 to Kinderhook. Mrs. Van der Heyden resided at a short 
 distance from theriver, and the blacks and the bays had 
 some little difficulty in dragging us through the mud to her 
 
SATAN STOE. 227 
 
 door. Once there, however, our welcome fully verified the 
 theory of the colony habits, which had been talked over in 
 our drive down. Anneke's worthy connection was not only 
 glad to see her, as anybody might have been, but she would 
 have been glad to receive as many as her house would hold. 
 Few excuses were necessary, for we were all welcome. 
 The visit would retard her dinner an hour, as was frankly 
 admitted — but that was nothing ; and cakes and wine were 
 set before us in the interval, did we feel hungry in conse- 
 quence of a two hours' ride. Guert was desired to make 
 free, and go to the stables to give his own orders. In a 
 word, our reception was just that which every colonist has 
 experienced, when he has gone unexpectedly to visit a friend, 
 or a friend's friend. Our dinner was excellent, though not 
 accompanied by much form. The wine was good ; Mrs. 
 van der Heyden's deceased husband having been a judge 
 of what was desirable in that respect. Everybody was in 
 good-humour; and our hostess insisted on giving us coffee 
 before we took our departure. 
 
 " There will be a moon, cousin Herman," she said, " and 
 the night will be both light and pleasant. Guert knows the 
 road, which cannot well be missed, as it is the river; and 
 if you quit me at eight, you will reach home in good season 
 to go to rest. It is so seldom I see you, that I have a right 
 to claim every minute you can spare. There remains much 
 to be told concerning our old friends and mutual relatives." 
 
 When such words are accompanied by looks and acts 
 that prove their sincerity, it is not easy to tear ourselves 
 away from a pleasant house. We chatted on, laughed, 
 listened to stories and colony anecdotes that carried us back 
 to the last war, and heard a great many eulogiums on beaux 
 and belles, that we young people had, all our lives, consi- 
 dered as respectable, elderly, common-place sort of persons. 
 
 At length the hour arrived when even Mrs. Bogart her- 
 self admitted we ought to part. Anneke and Mary were 
 kissed, enveloped in their furs, and kissed again, and then 
 we took our leave. As we left the house, I remarked that a 
 clock in the passage struck eight. In a few minutes every 
 one was placed, and the runners were striking fire from the 
 flints of the bare ground. We had less difficulty in de- 
 scending than in ascending the bank of the river, though 
 
228 SATANSTOE. 
 
 there was no snow. It did not absolutely freeze, nor ha 3 it 
 actually frozen since the commencement of the thaw, but 
 the earth had stiffened since the disappearance of the sun. 
 I was much rejoiced when the blacks sprang upon the ice, 
 and whirled us away, on our return road, at a rate even 
 exceeding the speed with which they bad come down it in 
 the morning. I thought it high time we should be in motion 
 on our return ; and in motion we were, if flying at the rate 
 of eleven miles in the hour could thus be termed. 
 
 The light of the moon was not clear and bright, for there 
 was a haze in the atmosphere, as is apt to occur in the mild 
 weather of March ; but there was enough to enable Guert 
 to dash ahead with as great a velocity as was at all desira- 
 ble. We were all in high spirits ; us two young men so 
 much the more, because each of us fancied he had seen that 
 day evidence of a tender interest existing in the heart of his 
 mistress towards himself. Mary Wallace had managed, 
 with a woman's tact, to make her suitor appear even re- 
 spectable in female society, and had brought out in him 
 many sentiments that denoted a generous disposition and a 
 manly heart, if not a cultivated intellect ; and Guert was 
 getting confidence, and with it the means of giving his capa- 
 city fairer play. As for Anneke, she now knew my aim, 
 and I had some right to construe several little symptoms of 
 feeling, that escaped her in the course of the day, favour- 
 ably. I fancied that, gentle as it always was, her voice 
 grew softer, and her smile sweeter and more winning, as 
 she addressed herself to, or smiled on me; and she did just 
 enough of both not to appear distant, and just little enough 
 to appear conscious; at least such were the conjectures of 
 one who I do not think could be properly accused of too 
 much confidence, and whose natural diffidence was much 
 increased by the self-distrust of the purest love. 
 
 Away we went, Guert's complicated chimes of bells 
 jingling their merry notes in a manner to be heard half a 
 mile, the horses bearing hard on the bits, for they knew that 
 their own stables lay at the end of their journey, and Her- 
 man Mordaunt's bays keeping so near us that, notwithstand- 
 ing the noise we made with our own bells, the sounds of 
 his were constantly in our ears. An hour went swiftly by, 
 
 d we had already passed Coejeman's, and had a hamlet 
 
SATANSTOE. 229 
 
 that stretched along the strand, and which lay quite beneath 
 the high bank of the river, in dim distant view. This place 
 has since been known by the name of Monkey Town, and 
 is a little remarkable as being the first cluster of houses on 
 the shores of the Hudson after quitting Albany. I dare 
 say it has another name in law, but Guert gave it the appel- 
 lation I have mentioned. 
 
 I have said that the night had a sombre, misty, light, the 
 moon wading across the heavens through a deep but thin 
 ocean of vapour. We saw the shores plainly enough, and 
 we saw the houses and trees, but it was difficult to distin- 
 guish smaller objects at any distance. In the course of the 
 day twenty sleighs had been met or passed, but at that hour 
 everybody but ourselves appeared to have deserted the river. 
 It was getting late for the simple habits of those who dwelt 
 on its shores. When about half-way between the islands 
 opposite to Coejeman's and the hamlet just named, Guert, 
 who stood erect to drive, told us that some one who was 
 out late, like themselves, was coming down. The horses 
 of the strangers were in a very fast trot, and the sleigh 
 was evidently inclining towards the west shore, as if those 
 it held intended to land at no great distance. As it passed, 
 quite swiftly, a man's voice called out something on a high 
 key, but our bells made so much noise that it was not easy 
 to understand him. He spoke in Dutch, too, and none of 
 our ears, those of Guert excepted, were sufficiently expert 
 in that language to be particularly quick in comprehending 
 what he 3aid. The call passed unheeded, then, such things 
 being quite frequent among the Dutch, who seldom passed 
 each other on the highway without a greeting of some sort 
 or other. I was thinking of this practice, and of the points 
 that distinguished our own habits from those of the people 
 of this part of the colony, when sleigh-bells sounded quite 
 near me, and turning my head, I saw Herman Mordaunt's 
 bays galloping close to us, as if wishing to get alongside. 
 At the next moment the object was effected, and Guert 
 pulled up. 
 
 " Did you understand the man who passed down, Guert '?" 
 demanded Herman Mordaunt, as soon as all noises ceased. 
 " He called out to us, at the top of his voice, and would 
 hardly do that without an object." 
 
 Vol. I. — 20 
 
230 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " These men seldom go home, after a visit to Albany v 
 without filling their jugs," answered Guert, drily ; " what 
 could he have to say, more than to wish us good-night ?" 
 
 " I cannot tell, but Mrs. Bogart thought she understood 
 something about i Albany,' and * the river.' " 
 
 " The ladies always fancy Albany is to sink into the 
 river after a great thaw," answered Guert, good-humou red- 
 ly ; " but I can show either of them that the ice is sixteen 
 inches thick, here where we stand." 
 
 Guert then gave me the reins, stepped out of the sleigh, 
 went a short distance to a large crack that he had seen 
 while speaking, and returned with a thumb placed on the 
 handle of the whip, as a measure to show that his statement 
 was true. The ice, at that spot, was certainly nearer eigh- 
 teen than sixteen inches thick. Herman Mordaunt showed 
 the measure to Mrs. Bogart, whose alarm was pacified by 
 this positive proof. Neither Anneke nor Mary exhibited 
 any fear ; but, on the contrary, as the sleighs separated 
 again, each had something pleasant, but feminine, to say at 
 the expense of poor Mrs. Bogart's imagination. 
 
 I believe I was the only person in our own sleigh who felt 
 any alarm, after the occurrence of this little incident. Why 
 uneasiness beset me, I cannot precisely say. It must have 
 been altogether on Anneke's account, and not in the least 
 on my own. Such accidents as sleighs breaking through, 
 on our New York lakes and rivers, happened almost every 
 winter, and horses were often drowned ; though it was sel- 
 dom the consequences proved so serious to their owners. 
 I recalled to mind the fragile nature of ice, the necessary 
 effects of the great thaw and the heavy rains, remembering 
 that frozen water might still retain most of its apparent 
 thickness, after its consistency was greatly impaired. But, 
 I could do nothing ! If we landed, the roads were impassa- 
 ble for runners, almost for wheels, and another hour might 
 carry the ladies, by means of the river, to their comfortable 
 homes. That day, however, which, down to the moment 
 of meeting the unknown sleigh, had been the very happiest 
 of my life, was entirely changed in its aspect, and I no 
 longer regarded it with any satisfaction. Had Anneke been 
 at home, I could gladly have entered into a contract to pass 
 
SATANSTOE. J£31 
 
 a week on the river myself, as the condition of her safety. 
 I thought but little of the others, to my shame be it said, 
 though I cannot do myself the injustice to imagine, had 
 Anneke been away, that I would have deserted even a 
 horse, while there was a hope of saving him. 
 
 Away we went ! Guert drove rapidly, but he drove with 
 judgment, and it seemed as if his blacks knew what was 
 expected of them. It was not long before we were trotting 
 past the hamlet I have mentioned. It would seem that the 
 bells of the two sleighs attracted the attention of the people 
 on the shore, all of whom had not yet gone to bed ; for the 
 door of a house opened, and two men issued out of it, gazing 
 at us as we trotted past at a pace that defied pursuit. These 
 men also hallooed to us, in Dutch, and again Herman Mor- 
 daunt galloped up alongside, to speak to us. 
 
 " Did you understand these men ?" he called out, for this 
 time Guert did not see fit to stop his horses ; " they, too, 
 had something to tell us." 
 
 u These people always have something to tell an Albany 
 sleigh, Mr. Mordaunt," answered Guert ; " though it is not 
 often that which it would do any good to hear." 
 
 " But Mrs. Bogart thinks they also had something to say 
 about 'Albany,' and the ' river.' " 
 
 " I understand Dutch as well as excellent Mrs. Bogart," 
 said Guert, a little drily ; " and I heard nothing ; while I 
 fancy I understand the river better. This ice would bear a 
 dozen loads of hay, in a close line." 
 
 This again satisfied Herman Mordaunt and the ladies, but 
 it did not satisfy me. Our own bells made four times the 
 noise of those of Herman Mordaunt ; and it was very pos- 
 sible that one, who understood Dutch perfectly, might com- 
 prehend a call in that language, while seated in his own 
 sleigh, when the same call could not be comprehended by 
 the same person, while seated in Guert's. There was no 
 pause, however; on we trotted ; and another mile was passed, 
 before any new occurrence attracted attention. 
 
 The laugh was again heard among us, for Mary Wallace 
 consented to sing an air, that was rendered somewhat ludi- 
 crous by the accompaniment of the bells. This song, or 
 
232 SATANSTOE. 
 
 verse or two, for the singer got no further on account of the 
 interruption, had drawn Guert's and my attention behind us, 
 or away from the horses, when a whirling sound was heard, 
 followed immediately by a loud shout. A sleigh passed 
 within ten yards of us, going down, and the whirling sound 
 was caused by its runners, while the shout came from a 
 solitary man, who stood erect, waving his whip and calling 
 to us in a loud voice, as long as he could be heard. This 
 was but for a moment, however, as his horses were on the 
 run ; and the last we could see of the man, through the 
 misty moon-light, he had turned his whip on his team, to 
 urge it ahead still faster. In an instant, Herman Mordaunt 
 was at our side, for the third time that night, and he called 
 out to us somewhat authoritatively to stop. 
 
 "What can all this mean, Guert?" he asked. "Three 
 times have we had warnings about 'Albany' and the • river.' 
 I heard this man myself utter those two words, and cannot 
 be mistaken." 
 
 " I dare say, sir, that you may have heard something of 
 the sort," answered the still incredulous Guert; "for these 
 chaps have generally some impertinence to utter, when they 
 pass a team that is better than their own. These blacks of 
 mine, Herman Mordaunt, awaken a good deal of envy, 
 whenever I go out with them ; and a Dutchman will forgive 
 you any other superiority, sooner than he will overlook 
 your having the best team. That last man had a spur in 
 his head, moreover, and is driving his cattle, at this moment, 
 more like a spook than like a humane and rational being. I 
 dare say he asked if we owned Albany and the river." 
 
 Guert's allusion to his horses occasioned a general laugh; 
 and laughter is little favourable to cool reflection. We all 
 looked out on the solemn and silent night, cast our eyes 
 along the wide and long reach of the river, in which we 
 happened to be, and saw nothing but the calm of nature, 
 rendered imposing by solitude and the stillness of the hour. 
 Guert smilingly renewed his assurances that all was right, 
 and moved on. Away we went ! Guert evidently pressed 
 his horses, as if desirous of being placed beyond this anxiety 
 as soon as possible. The blacks flew, rather than trotted ; 
 and we were all beginning to submit to the exhilaration of 
 
S AT AN S TOE. 233 
 
 so rapid and easy a motion, when a sound which resembled 
 that which one might suppose the simultaneous explosion of 
 a thousand rifles would produce, was heard, and caused both 
 drivers to pull up; the sleighs stopping quite near each other, 
 and at the same instant ! A slight exclamation escaped old 
 Mrs. Bogart ; but Anneke and Mary remained still as death-. 
 
 "What means that sound, Guert]" inquired Herman 
 Mordaunt ; the concern he felt being betrayed by the very 
 tone of his voice. " Something seems wrong I" 
 
 " Something is wrong," answered Guert, coolly, but very 
 decidedly; " and it is something that must be seen to.* 9 
 
 As this was said, Guert stepped out on the ice, which he 
 struck a hard blow with the heel of his boot, as if to make 
 certain of its solidity. A second report was heard, and it 
 evidently came from behind us. Guert gazed intently down 
 the river ; then he laid his head close to the surface of the 
 ice, and looked again. At the same time, three or four more 
 of these startling reports followed each other in quick suc- 
 cession. Guert instantly rose to his feet, 
 
 u I understand it, now," he said, " and find I have been 
 rather too confident. The ice, however, is safe and strong, 
 and we have nothing to fear from its weakness. Perhaps 
 it would be better to quit the river notwithstanding, though 
 I am far from certain the better course will not be t& 
 push on." 
 
 " Let us know the danger at once, Mr. Ten Eyck," said 
 Herman Mordaunt, " that we may decide for the best." 
 
 " Why, sir, I am afraid that the rains and the thaw to- 
 gether, have thrown so much water into the river,, alt at 
 once, as it might be, as to have raised the ice and broken n 
 loose, in spots, from the shores. When this happens above, 
 before the ice has disappeared below, it sometimes causes 
 dams to form, which heap up such a weight as to break tht 
 whole plain of ice far below it, and thus throw cakes ovet 
 cakes until walls twenty or thirty feet high are formed. 
 This has not happened yet, therefore there is no immediate 
 danger ; but by bending your heads low, you can see that 
 such a break has just taken place about half a mile below 
 us." 
 
 20* 
 
234 SATANSTOE. 
 
 We did as Guert directed, and saw that a mound had 
 arisen across the river nearer than the distance named by 
 our companion, completely cutting off retreat by the way 
 we had come. The bank on the west side of the Hudson 
 was high at the point where we were, and looking intensely 
 at it, I saw by the manner in which the trees disappeared, 
 the more distant behind those that were nearer, that we were 
 actually in motion ! An involuntary exclamation caused 
 the whole party to comprehend this startling fact at the same 
 instant. We were certainly in motion, though very slowly, 
 •on the ice of that swollen river, in the quiet and solitude of 
 a night in which the moon rather aided in making danger 
 apparent than in assisting us to avoid it ! What was to be 
 done 1 It was necessary to decide, and that promptly and 
 intelligently. 
 
 We waited for Herman Mordaunt to advise us, but he 
 referred the matter at once to Guert's greater experience. 
 
 " We cannot land here," answered the young man, " so 
 long as the ice is in motion, and I think it better to push on. 
 Every foot will bring us so much nearer to Albany, and we 
 shall get among the islands a mile or two higher, where the 
 chances of landing will be greatly increased. Besides, I 
 have often crossed the river on a cake, for they frequently 
 stop, and I have known even loaded sleighs profit by them 
 to get over the river. As yet there is nothing very 
 alarming ; — let us push on, and get nearer to the islands." 
 
 This, then, was done, though there was no longer heard 
 the laugh or the song among us. I could see that Herman 
 Mordaunt was uneasy about Anneke, though he could not 
 bring her into his own sleigh, leaving Mary Wallace alone; 
 neither could he abandon his respectable connection, Mrs. 
 Bogart. Before we re-entered the sleighs, I took an occa- 
 sion to assure him that Anneke should be my especial care. 
 
 " God bless you, Corny, my dear boy," Herman Mor- 
 daunt answered, squeezing my hand with fervour. " God 
 bless you, and enable you to protect her. I was about to 
 ask you to change seats with me; but, on the whole, I think 
 my child will be safer with you than she could be with me. 
 We will await God's pleasure as accident has placed us." 
 
SATANSTOE. 235 
 
 " I will desert her only with life, Mr. Mordaunt. Be at 
 ease on that subject." 
 
 " I know you will not — I am sure you will not, Little- 
 page ; that affair of the lion is a pledge that you will not. 
 Had Bulstrode come, we should have been strong enough 
 
 to but Guert is impatient to be off. God bless you, boy 
 
 — God bless you. Do not neglect my child." 
 
 Guert was impatient, and no sooner was I in the sleigh 
 than we were once more in rapid motion. I said a few 
 words to encourage the girls, and then no sound of a human 
 voice mingled with the gloomy scene. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME, 
 
SATANSTOE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS, 
 
 1 Col* nf tjre Cnlirag* 
 
 BY J. FENIMORE COOPER. 
 
 'The only amaranthine flower on earth, 
 Is virtue: the only treasure, truth."— Spenser, 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOL. II. 
 
 NEW EDITION. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 STRINGER AND TOWNSEND, 
 
 1852. 
 
Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by 
 
 J. FENIMOKE COOPER, 
 
 in the clerk's office of the District Court for the Northern District 
 of New York. 
 

 SATANSTOE 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 He started up, each limb convulsed 
 
 With agonizing fear, 
 He only heard the storm of night — 
 
 'T was music to his ear. 
 
 Lord William. 
 
 Away we went ! Guert's aim was the islands, which 
 carried him nearer home, while it offered a place of retreat, 
 in the event of the danger's becoming more serious. The 
 fierce rapidity with which we now moved prevented all con- 
 versation, or even much reflection. The reports of the 
 rending ice, however, became more and more frequent, first 
 coming from above, and then from below. More than once 
 it seemed as if the immense mass of weight that had evi- 
 dently collected somewhere near the town of Albany, was 
 about to pour down upon us in a flood — when the river 
 would have been swept for miles, by a resistless torrent. 
 Nevertheless, Guert held on his way ; firstly, because he 
 knew it would be impossible to get on either of the main 
 shores, anywhere near the point where we happened to be ; 
 and secondly, because, having often seen similar dammings 
 of the waters, he fancied we were still safe. That the 
 distant reader may understand the precise character of the 
 danger we ran, it may be well to give him some notion of 
 the localities. 
 
 The banks of the Hudson are generally high and pre- 
 cipitous, and in some places they are mountainous. No 
 flats worthy of being mentioned, occur, until Albany is ap- 
 proached ; nor are those which lie south of that town, of 
 any great extent, compared with the size of the stream. In 
 this particular the Mohawk is a very different river, having 
 extensive flats that, I have been told, resemble those of the 
 
 (3) 
 
4 SAT ANSTOE. 
 
 Rhine, in miniature. As for the Hudson, it is generally 
 esteemed in the colony as a very pleasing river ; and I re- 
 member to have heard intelligent people from home, admit, 
 that even the majestic Thames itself, is scarcely more worthy 
 to be visited, or that it better rewards the trouble and curi- 
 osity of the enlightened traveller.* 
 
 While there are flats on the shores of the Hudson, and 
 of some extent, in the vicinity of Albany, the general forma- 
 tion of the adjacent country is preserved, — being high, bold, 
 and in some quarters, more particularly to the northward 
 and eastward, mountainous. Among these hills the stream 
 meanders for sixty or eighty miles north "of the town, re- 
 ceiving tributaries as it comes rushing down towards the 
 sea. The character of the river changes entirely, a short 
 distance above Albany ; the tides flowing to that point, 
 rendering it navigable, and easy of ascent in summer, all 
 the way from the sea. Of the tributaries, the principal is 
 the Mohawk, which runs a long distance towards the west — 
 they tell me, for I have never visited these remote parts of 
 the colony — among fertile plains, that are bounded north and 
 south by precipitous highlands. Now, in the spring, when 
 the vast quantities of snow, that frequently lie four feet deep 
 in the forests, and among the mountains and valleys of the 
 interior, are suddenly melted by the south winds and rains, 
 freshets necessarily succeed, which have been known to do 
 great injury. The flats of the Mohawk, they tell me, are 
 annually overflown, and a moderate freshet is deemed a bless- 
 ing ; but, occasionally, a union of the causes I have men- 
 
 * This remark of Mr. Cornelius Littlepage's, may induce a smile 
 in the reader. But, few persons of fifty can be found, who cannot 
 recall the time, when it was a rare thing to imagine anything Ame- 
 rican, as good as its English counterpart. The American who could 
 write a book — a real, live book — forty years since, was a sort of pro- 
 digy. It was the same with him who could paint any picture beyond 
 a common portrait. The very fruits and natural productions of the 
 country were esteemed, doubtingly ; and he was a bold man who 
 dared to extol even canvass-back ducks, in the year 1800! At the 
 present day, the feeling is fast undergoing an organic change. It is now 
 the fashion to extol everything American, and from submitting to a 
 degree that was almost abject, to the feeling of colonial dependency, 
 the country is filled, to-day, with the most profound provincial self- 
 admiration. It is to be hoped that the next change will bring us to 
 something like the truth. — Editor. 
 
SATANSTOE. 5 
 
 tioned, produces a species of deluge that has a very opposite 
 character. Thus it is, that houses are swept away; and 
 bridges from the smaller mountain streams, have been known 
 to come floating past the wharves of Albany, holding their 
 way towards the ocean. At such times the tides produce 
 no counter-current ; for it is a usual thing, in the early 
 months of the spring, to have the stream pour downwards 
 for weeks, the whole length of the river, and to find the 
 water fresh even as low as New York. 
 
 Such was the general nature of the calamity we had 
 been so unexpectedly made to encounter. The winter had 
 been severe, and the snows unusually deep; and, as we 
 drove furiously onward, I remembered to have heard my 
 grandfather predict extraordinary freshets in the spring, 
 from the character of the winter, as we had found it, even 
 previously to my quitting home. The great thaw, and the. 
 heavy rains of the late storm, had produced the usual effect ; 
 and the waters thus let loose, among the distant, as well as 
 the nearer hills, were now pouring down upon us in their 
 collected might. In such cases, the first effect is, to loosen 
 the ice from the shores ; and, local causes forcing it to give 
 way at particular points, a breaking up of its surface occurs, 
 and dams are formed that set the stream back in floods upon 
 all the adjacent low land, such as the flats in the vicinity of 
 Albany. 
 
 We did not then know it, but, at the very moment Guert 
 was thus urging his blacks to supernatural efforts — actually 
 running them as if on a race-course — there was a long 
 reach of the Hudson, opposite to, for a short distance below, 
 and for a considerable distance above the town, which was 
 quite clear of stationary ice. Vast cakes continued to come 
 down, it is true, passing on to increase the dam that had 
 formed below, near and on the Overslaugh, where it was 
 buttressed by the islands, and rested on the bottom; but the 
 whole of that firm field, on which we had first driven forth 
 that morning, had disappeared ! This we did not know at 
 the time, or it might have changed the direction of Guert's 
 movements ; but I learned it afterwards, when placed in a 
 situation to inquire into the causes of what had occurred. 
 
 Herman Mordaunt's bells, and the rumbling sound of his 
 runners, were heard close behind us, as our own sleigh flew 
 1* 
 
6 
 
 S ATANSTOE. 
 
 along the river at a rate that I firmly believe could not have 
 been much less than that of twenty miles in the hour. As 
 we were whirled northward, the reports made by the rending 
 of the ice increased in frequency and force. They really 
 became appalling ! Still, the girls continued silent, main- 
 taining their self-command in a most admirable manner; 
 though I doubt not that they felt, in the fullest extent, the 
 true character of the awful circumstances in which we were 
 placed. Such was the state of things, as Guerl's blacks 
 began sensibly to relax in their speed, for want of wind. 
 They still galloped on, but it was no longer with the swift- 
 ness of the wind ; and their master became sensible of the 
 folly of hoping to reach the town ere the catastrophe should 
 arrive. He reined in his panting horses, therefore, and was 
 just falling into a trot, as a violent report was heard directly 
 in our front. At the next instant the ice rose, positively, 
 beneath our horses' hoofs, to the height of several feet, taking 
 the form of the roof of a house. It was too late to retreat, 
 and Guert shouting out " Jack" — " Moses," applied the whip, 
 and the spirited animals actually went over the mound, 
 leaping a crack three feet in width, and reaching the level 
 ice beyond. All this was done, as it might be, in the twink- 
 ling of an eye. While the sleigh flew over this ridge, it 
 was with difficulty I held the girls in their seats ; though 
 Guert stood nobly erect, like the pine that is too firmly 
 rooted to yield to the tempest. No sooner was the danger 
 passed, liowever, than he pulled up, and came to a dead halt. 
 
 We heard the bells of Herman Mordaunt's sleigh, on the 
 other s'de of the barrier, but could see nothing. The 
 broken cakes, pressed upon by millions of tons weight 
 above, had risen fully ten feet, into an inclination that was 
 nearly perpendicular ; rendering crossing it next to impos- 
 sible, even to one afoot. Then came Herman Mordaunt's 
 voice, filled with paternal agony, and human grief, to in- 
 crease the awe of that dreadful moment ! 
 
 " Shore ! — shore ! — " he shouted, or rather yelled — " In 
 the name of a righteous Providence, to the shore, Guert !" 
 
 The bells passed off towards the western bank, and the 
 rumbling of the runners accompanied their sound. That 
 was a breathless moment to us four. We heard the rending 
 and grinding of the ice, on all sides of us ; saw the broken 
 
SATANSTOE. 7 
 
 barriers behind and in front ; heard the jingling of Herman 
 Mordaunt's bells, as it became more and more distant, and 
 finally ceased ; and felt as if we were cut off from the rest 
 of our species. 1 do not think either of us felt any appre- 
 hension of breaking through ; for use had so accustomed us 
 to the field of the river, while the more appalling grounds 
 of alarm were so evident, that no one thought of such a 
 source of danger. Nor was there much, in truth, to appre- 
 hend from that cause. The thaw had not lasted long enough 
 materially to diminish either the thickness or the tenacity 
 of the common river ice ; though it was found unequal to 
 resisting the enormous pressure that bore upon it from above. 
 It is probable that a cake of an acre's size would have up- 
 held, not only ourselves, but our sleigh and horses, and 
 carried us, like a raft, down the stream ; had there been 
 such a cake, free from stationary impediments. Even the 
 girls now comprehended the danger, which was in a manner 
 suspended over us, — as the impending wreath of snow 
 menaces the fall of the avalanche. But, it was no moment 
 for indecision or inaction. 
 
 Cut off, as we were, by an impassable barrier of ice, from 
 the route taken by Herman Mordaunt, it was necessary to 
 come to some resolution on our own course. We had the 
 choice of endeavouring to pass to the western shore, on the 
 upper side of the barrier, or of proceeding towards the near- 
 est of several low islands which lay in the opposite direc- 
 tion. Guert determined on the last, walking his horses to 
 the point of land, there being no apparent necessity for haste, 
 while the animals greatly needed breath. As we went along, 
 he explained to us that the fissure below cut us off from the 
 only point where landing on the western shore could be 
 practicable. At the same time, he put in practice a pious 
 fraud, which had an excellent effect on the feelings and 
 conduct of both the girls, throughout the remainder of the 
 trying scenes of that fearful night ; more especially on those 
 of Anneke. He dwelt on the good fortune of Herman Mor- 
 daunt, in being on the right side of the barrier that sepa- 
 rated the sleighs, in a way to induce those who did not 
 penetrate his motive, to fancy the rest of the party was in a 
 place of security, as the consequence of this accident. 
 
8 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Thus did Anneke believe her father safe, and thus was shs 
 relieved from much agonizing doubt. 
 
 As soon as the sleigh came near the point ot the island, 
 Guert gave me the reins, and went ahead to examine 
 whether it were possible to land. He was absent fifteen 
 minutes ; returning to us only after he had made a thorough 
 search into the condition of the island, as well as of that of 
 the ice in its eastern channel. These were fifteen fearful 
 minutes ; the rending of the masses above, and the grinding 
 of cake on cake, sounding like the roar of the ocean in a 
 tempest. Notwithstanding all the awful accessories of this 
 dreadful night, I could not but admire Guert's coolness of 
 manner, and his admirable conduct. He was more than 
 resolute ; for he was cool, collected, and retained the use of 
 all his faculties in perfection. As plausible as it might seem, 
 to one less observant and clear-headed, to attempt escaping 
 to the western shore, Guert had decided right in moving to- 
 wards the island. The grinding of the ice, in another quarter, 
 had apprised him that the water was forcing its way through, 
 near the main land ; and that escape would be nearly hope- 
 less, on that side of the river. When he rejoined us, he 
 called me to the heads of the horses, for a conference; first 
 solemnly assuring our precious companions that there were 
 no grounds for immediate apprehension. Mary Wallace 
 anxiously asked him to repeat this to her, on the faith due 
 from man to woman ; and he did it ; when I was permitted 
 to join him without further opposition. 
 
 " Corny," said Guert, in a low tone, " Providence has 
 punished me for my wicked wish of seeing Mary Wallace in 
 the claws of lions ; for all the savage beasts of the Old 
 World, could hardly make our case more desperate than it 
 now is. We must be cool, however, and preserve the girls, 
 or die like men." 
 
 " Our fates are, and must be, the same. Do you devote 
 yourself to Mary, and leave Anneke to me. But, why this 
 language; surely, our case is by no means so desperate." 
 
 " It might not be so difficult for two active, vigorous young 
 men to get ashore ; but it would be different with females. 
 The ice is in motion all around us ; and the cakes are piling 
 and grinding on each other in a most fearful manner. Were 
 it light enough to see, we should do much better ; but, as it 
 
SATANSTOE. 9 
 
 i 
 
 is, I dare not trust Mary Wallace any distance from this 
 island, at present. We may be compelled to pass the night 
 here, and must make provision accordingly. You hear the 
 ice grinding on the shore ; a sign that everything is going 
 down stream. — God send that the waters break through, ere 
 long ; though they may sweep all before them, when they 
 do come. I fear me, Corny, that Herman Mordaunt and 
 his party are lost !" 
 
 " Merciful Providence ! — can it be as bad as that ! — I 
 rather hope they have reached the land." 
 
 " That is impossible, on the course they took. Even a 
 man would be bewildered and swept away, in the torrent 
 that is driving down under the west shore. It is that vent 
 to the water, which saves us. But, no more words. — You 
 now understand the extent of the danger, and will know 
 what you are about. We must get our precious charge on 
 the island, if possible, without further delay. Half an hour 
 — nay, half a minute may bring down the torrent." 
 
 Guert took the direction of everything. Even while we 
 had been talking, the ice had moved materially; and we 
 found ourselves fifty feet further from the island than we 
 had been. By causing the horses to advance, this distance 
 was soon recovered ; but it was found impossible to lead or 
 drive them over the broken cakes with which the shore of 
 the island now began to be lined. After one or two spirited 
 and determined efforts, Guert gave the matter up, and asked 
 me to help the ladies from the sleigh. Never did women 
 behave better, than did these delicate and lovely girls, on 
 an occasion so awfully trying. Without remonstrances, 
 tears, exclamations or questions, both did as desired ; and I 
 cannot express the feeling of security I felt, when I had 
 helped each over the broken and grinding border of white 
 ice, that separated us from the shore. The night was far 
 from cold ; but the ground was now frozen sufficiently to 
 prevent any unpleasant consequences from walking on what 
 would otherwise have been a slimy, muddy alluvion ; for 
 the island was so very low, as often to be under water, when 
 the. river was particularly high. This, indeed, formed our 
 danger, after we had reached it. 
 
 When I returned to Guert, T found him already drifted 
 down some little distance ; and this time we moved the 
 
10 SATANSTOE. 
 
 sleigh so much above the point, as to be in less danger of 
 getting out of sight of our precious wards. To my surprise, 
 Guert was busy in stripping the harness from the horses, 
 and Jack already stood only in his blinkers. Moses was 
 soon reduced to the same state. I was wondering what was 
 to be done next, when Guert drew each bridle from its ani- 
 mal, and gave a smart crack of his whip. The liberated 
 horses started back with affright — snorted, reared, and, 
 turning away, they went down the river, free as air, and 
 almost as swift ; the incessant and loud snapping of heir 
 master's whip, in no degree tending to diminish their speed. 
 I asked the meaning of this. 
 
 " It would be cruel not to let the poor beasts make use of 
 the strength and sagacity nature has given them to save 
 their lives," answered Guert, straining his eyes after Moses, 
 the horse that was behind, so long as his dark form could be 
 distinguished, and leaning forward to listen to the blows of 
 their hoofs, while the noises around us permitted them to be 
 heard. " To us, they would only be an encumbrance, since 
 they never could be forced over the cracks and caked ice in 
 harness ; nor would it be at all safe to follow them, if they 
 could. The sleigh is light, and we are strong enough to 
 shove it to land, when there is an opportunity ; or, it may 
 be left on the island." 
 
 Nothing could have served more effectually to convince 
 me of the manner in which Guert regarded our situation, 
 than to see him turn loose beasts which I knew he so highly 
 prized. I mentioned this ; and he answered me with a 
 melancholy seriousness, that made the impression so much 
 the stronger — 
 
 " It is possible they may get ashore, for nature has given 
 a horse a keen instinct. They can swim, too, where you 
 and I would drown. At all events, they are not fettered 
 with harness, but have every chance it is in my power to 
 give them. Should they land, any farmer would put them 
 in his stable, and I should soon hear where they were to be 
 found ; if, indeed, I am living in the morning to make tha 
 inquiry." 
 
 ' What is next to be done, Guert?" I asked, understand- 
 ing at once both his feelings and his manner of reasoning. 
 
 "We must now run the sleigh on the island ; after which 
 
SATAN STOE. 11 
 
 it will be time to look about us, and to examine if it be pos- 
 sible to get the ladies on the main land." 
 
 Accordingly, Guert and I applied ourselves to the task, 
 and had no great difficulty in dragging the sleigh over the 
 cakes, grinding and in motion as they were. We pulled it 
 as far as the tree beneath which Anneke and Mary stood ; 
 when the ladies got into it and took their seats, enveloped in 
 the skins. The night was not cold for the season, and our 
 companions were thickly clad, having tippets and muffs, 
 still, the wolves' skins of Guert contributed to render them 
 more comfortable. All apprehension of immediate danger 
 now ceased, for a short time ; nor do I think either of the 
 females fancied they could run any more risk, beyond that 
 of exposure to the night air, so long as they remained on 
 terra jirma. Such was not the case, however, as a very 
 simple explanation will render apparent to the reader. 
 
 All the islands in this part of the Hudson are low, being 
 rich, alluvial meadows, bordered by trees and bushes; most 
 of the first being willows, sycamores, or nuts. The fertility 
 of the soil had given to these trees rapid growths, and they 
 were generally of some stature ; though not one among 
 them had that great size which ought to mark the body and 
 branches of a venerable tenant of the forest. This fact, of 
 itself, proved that no one tree of them all was very old ; a 
 circumstance that was certainly owing to the ravages of the 
 annual freshets. I say annual ; for though the freshet which 
 now encompassed us, was far more serious than usual, each 
 year brought something of the sort ; and the islands were 
 constantly increasing or diminishing under their action. To 
 prevent the last, a thicket of trees was left at the head of 
 each island, to form a sort of barricade against the inroads 
 of the ice in the spring. So low was the face of the land, 
 or meadow, however, that a rise of a very few feet in the 
 river would be certain to bring it entirely under water. All 
 this will be made more apparent by our own proceedings, 
 after we had placed the ladies in the sleigh ; and more espe- 
 cially, by the passing remarks of Guert while employed in 
 his subsequent efforts. 
 
 No sooner did Guert Ten Eyck believe the ladies to be 
 temporarily safe, than he proposed to me that we should take 
 a closer look at the state of the river, in order to ascertain 
 
12 
 
 S AT ANSTOE. 
 
 the most feasible means of getting on the main land. This 
 was said aloud, and in a cheerful way, as if he no longer 
 felt any apprehension, and, evidently to me, to encourage 
 our companions. Anneke desired us to go, declaring that 
 now she knew herself to be on dry land, all her own fears 
 had vanished. We went accordingly, taking our first di- 
 rection towards the head of the island. 
 
 A very few minutes sufficed to reach the limits of our 
 narrow domain ; and, as we approached them, Guert pointed 
 out to me the mound of ice that was piling up behind it, 
 as a most fearful symptom. 
 
 " There is our danger," he said, with emphasis, " and we 
 must not trust to these trees. This freshet goes beyond 
 any I ever saw on the river ; and not a spring passes that 
 we have not more or less of them. Do you not see, Corny, 
 what saves us now ?" 
 
 " We are on an island, and cannot be in much danger 
 from the river while we stay here." 
 
 " Not so, my dear friend, not at all so. But, come with 
 me and look for yourself." 
 
 I followed Guert, and did look for myself. We sprang 
 upon the cakes of ice, which were piled quite thirty feet in 
 height, on the head of the island, extending right and left, 
 as far as our eyes could see, by that misty light. It was by 
 no means difficult moving about on this massive pile, the 
 movement in the cakes being slow, and frequently inter- 
 rupted ; but there was no concealing the true character of 
 the danger. Had not the island, and the adjacent main in- 
 terposed their obstacles, the ice would have continued to move 
 bodily down the stream, cake shoving over cake, until the 
 whole found vent in the wider space below, and floated off 
 towards the ocean. Not only was our island there, how- 
 ever, but other islands lay near us, straitening the different 
 channels or passages in such a way, as to compel the forma, 
 tion of an icy dam; and, on the strength of this dam rested 
 all our security. Were it to be ruptured anywhere near us, 
 we should inevitably be swept offin a body. Guert thought, 
 however, as has been said already, that the waters had 
 found narrow issues under the main land, both east and 
 west of us ; and should this prove to be true, there was a 
 hope that the great calamity might be averted. In other 
 
SATANSTOE. 13 
 
 words, if these floodgates sufficed, we might escape ; other- 
 wise the catastrophe was certain. 
 
 " I cannot excuse it to myself to remain here, without 
 endeavouring to see what is the state of things nearer to the 
 shore," said Guert, after we had viewed the fast accumulat- 
 ing mass of broken ice above us, as well as the light per- 
 mitted, and we had talked over together the chances of 
 safety, and the character of the danger. " Do you return 
 to the ladies, Corny, and endeavour to keep up their spirits, 
 while I cross this channel on our right, to the next island, 
 and see what offers in that direction." 
 
 " I do not like the idea of your running all the risk alone ; 
 besides, something may occur to require the strength of two, 
 instead of that of one, to overcome it." 
 
 " You can go with me as far as the next island, if you 
 will, where we shall be able to ascertain at once whether it 
 be ice or water that separates us from the eastern shore. If 
 the first, you can return as fast as possible for the ladies, 
 while I look for a place to cross. I do not like the appear- 
 ance of this dam, to be honest with you ; and have great 
 fears for those who are now in the sleigh." 
 
 We were in the very act of moving away, when a loud, 
 cracking noise, that arose within a few yards, alarmed 
 us both ; and running to the spot whence it proceeded, we 
 saw that a large willow had snapped in two, like a pipe-stem, 
 and that the whole barrier of ice was marching, slowly, but 
 grandly, over the stump, crushing the fallen trunk and 
 branches beneath its weight, as the slow-moving wheel of 
 the loaded cart crushes the twig. Guert grasped my arm, 
 and his fingers nearly entered the flesh, under his iron 
 pressure. 
 
 " We must quit this spot — " he said firmly, " and at once. 
 Let us go back to the sleigh." 
 
 I did not know Guert's intentions, but I saw it was time 
 to act with decision. We moved swiftly down to the spot 
 where we had left the sleigh ; and the reader will judge of 
 our horror, when we found it gone ! The whole of the low 
 point of the island where we had left it, was already covered 
 with cakes of ice that were in motion, and which had doubt- 
 less swept off the sleigh during the kw minutes that we had 
 been absent ! Looking around us, however, ws saw an 
 
 Vol. II. — 2 
 
14 SATANSTOE. 
 
 object on the river, a little distance below, that I fancied was 
 the sleigh, and was about to rush after it, when a voice, 
 filled with alarm, took us in another direction. Mary Wal- 
 lace came out from behind a tree, to which she had fled for 
 safety, and seizing Guert's arm, implored him not to quit 
 her again. 
 
 " Whither has Anneke gone?" I demanded, in an agony 
 I cannot describe — " I see nothing of Anneke !" 
 
 " She would not quit the sleigh," answered Mary Wallace, 
 almost panting for breath — " I implored — entreated her to 
 follow me — said you must soon return ; but she refused to 
 quit the sleigh. Anneke is in the sleigh, if that can now 
 be found." 
 
 I heard no more ; but springing on the still moving cakes 
 of ice, went leaping from cake to cake, until my sight showed 
 me that, sure enough, the sleigh was on the bed of the river, 
 over which it was in slow motion ; forced downwards before 
 the new coating of ice that was fast covering the original 
 surface. At first I could see no one in the sleigh ; but, on 
 reaching it, I found Anneke buried in the skins. She was 
 on her knees : the precious creature was asking succour 
 from God i 
 
 I had a wild but sweet consolation in thus finding myself, 
 as it might be, cut off from all the rest of my kind, in the 
 midst of that scene of gloom and desolation, alone with 
 Anneke Mordaunt. The moment I could make her con- 
 scious of my presence, she inquired after Mary Wallace, 
 and was much relieved on learning that she was with Guert, 
 and would not be left by him, for a single instant, again that 
 night. Indeed, I saw their figures dimly, as they moved 
 swiftly across the channel that divided the two islands, and 
 disappear in that direction, among the bushes that lined the 
 place to which they had gone. 
 
 " Let us follow," I said eagerly. "The crossing is yet 
 easy, and we, too, may escape to the shore." 
 
 " Go you !" said Anneke, over whom a momentary phy- 
 sical torpor appeared to have passed. " Go you, Corny," 
 she said ; " a man may easily save himself; and you are 
 an only child — the sole hope of your parents." 
 
 " Dearest, beloved Anneke ! — whv this indifference — this 
 
SATANSTOE. 15 
 
 apathy on your own behalf? Are you not an only child, 
 the sole hope of a widowed father 1 — do you forget him .?" 
 
 " No, no, no !" exclaimed the dear girl, hurriedly. " Help 
 me out of the sleigh, Corny : there, I will go with you any- 
 where — any how — to the end of the world, to save my 
 father from such anguish !" 
 
 From that moment the temporary imbecility of Anneke 
 vanished, and I found her, for the remainder of the time we 
 remained in jeopardy, quick to apprehend, and ready to 
 second all my efforts. It was this passing submission to an 
 imaginary doom, on the one hand, and the headlong effect 
 of sudden fright on the other, which had separated the two 
 girls, and which had been the means of dividing the whole 
 party as described. 
 
 I scarcely know how to describe what followed. So in- 
 tense was my apprehension on behalf of Anneke, that I can 
 safely say, I did not think of my own fate, in the slightest 
 degree, as disconnected from hers. The self-devoted reliance 
 with which the dear girl seemed to place all her dependence 
 on me, would, of itself, have produced this effect, had she 
 not possessed my whole heart, as I was now so fully aware. 
 Moments like those, make one alive to all the affections, and 
 strip off every covering that habit or the dissembling of our 
 manners is so apt to throw over the feelings. I believe I 
 both spoke and acted towards Anneke, as one would cling 
 to, or address the being dearest to him in the world, for the 
 next few minutes ; but, I can suppose the reader will natu- 
 rallv prefer learning what we did, under such circumstances, 
 rather than what we said, or how we felt. 
 
 I repeat, it is not easy for me to describe what followed. 
 I know we first rather ran, than walked, across the channel 
 on which I had last seen the dim forms of Guert and Mary, 
 and even crossed the island to its eastern side, in the hope 
 of being able to reach the shore in that quarter. The at- 
 tempt was useless, for we found the water running down 
 over the ice like a race-way. Nothing could be seen of our 
 , late companions ; and my loud and repeated calls to them 
 were unanswered. 
 
 " Our case is hopeless, Cornelius," said Anneke; speaking 
 with a forced calmness when she found retreat impossible in 
 
16 SATANSTOE. 
 
 that direction, " Let us return to the sleigh, and submit to 
 the will of God !" 
 
 "Beloved Anneke ! — Think of your father, and summon 
 your whole strength. The bed of the river is yet firm ; we 
 will cross it, and try the opposite shore." 
 
 Cross it we did, my delicate companion being as much 
 sustained by my supporting arm, as by her own resolution ; 
 but we found the same obstacle to retreat interposing there 
 also. The island above had turned the waters aside, until 
 they found an outlet under each bank — shooting along their 
 willowy shores, with the velocity of arrows. By this time, 
 owing to our hurried movement, I found Anneke so far ex- 
 hausted, that it was absolutely necessary to pause a minute 
 to take breath. This pause was also necessary, in order to 
 look about us, and to decide understanding^ as to the 
 course it was necessary now to pursue. This pause, brief 
 as it was, moreover, contributed largely to the apparent 
 horrors of our situation. 
 
 The grating, or grinding of the ice above us, cake upon 
 cake, now sounded like the rushing of heavy winds, or the 
 incessant roaring of a surf upon the sea-shore. The piles 
 Were becoming visible, by their height and their proximity, 
 as the ragged barriers set slowly but steadily down upon us ; 
 and the whole river seemed to me to be in motion downwards. 
 At this awful instant, when I began to think it was the will 
 of Providence that Anneke and I were to perish together, a 
 strange sound interrupted the fearful natural accessories of 
 that frightful scene. I certainly heard the bells of a sleigh; 
 at first they seemed distant and broken — then, nearer and 
 incessant, attended by the rumbling of runners on the ice. 
 I took off my cap and pressed my head, for I feared my 
 brain was unsettled. There it came, however, more and 
 more distinctly, until the trampling of horses' hoofs mingled 
 in the noise. 
 
 " Can there be others as unhappy as ourselves !" exclaimed 
 Anneke, forgetting her own fears in generous sympathy. 
 "See, Littlepage ! — see, dear Cornelius — yonder surely 
 comes another sleigh !" 
 
 Come it did, like the tempest, or the whirlwind ; passing 
 within fifty feet of us. I knew it at a glance. It was the 
 sleigh of Herman Mordaunt, empty ; with the horses, mad- 
 
SATANSTOE. 17 
 
 dened by terror, running wherever their fears impelled. As 
 the sleigh passed, it was thrown on one side; then it was 
 once more whirled up again ; and it went out of sight, with 
 the rumbling sound of the runners mingling with the jingling 
 of bells and the tramp of hoofs. 
 
 At this instant a loud, distant cry from a human voice, 
 was certainly heard. It seemed, to me, as if some one 
 called my name ; and Anneke said, she so understood it, 
 too. The call, if call it was, came from the south, and 
 from under the western shore. At the next moment, awful 
 reports proceeded from the barrier above ; and, passing an 
 arm around the slender waist of my lovely companion, to 
 support her, I began a rapid movement in the direction of 
 that call. While attempting to reach the western shore, I 
 had observed a high mound of broken ice, that was floating 
 down ; or rather, was pressed down on the smooth surface 
 of the frozen river, in advance of the smaller cakes that 
 came by in the current. It was increasing, in size, by ac- 
 cessions from these floating cakes, and threatened to form a 
 new dam, at some narrow pass below, as soon as of sufficient 
 size. It occurred to me we should be temporarily safe, 
 could we reach that mound, for it rose so high as to be above 
 danger from the water. Thither, then, I ran, almost car- 
 rying Anneke on my arm; our speed increased by the ter- 
 rific sounds from the dam above us. 
 
 We reached the mound, and found the cakes so piled, as 
 to be able to ascend them ; though not without an effort. 
 After getting up a layer or two, the broken mass became so 
 irregular and ragged, as to render it necessary for me to 
 mount first, and then to drag Anneke up after me. This I 
 did, until exhausted ; and we both seated ourselves on the 
 edge of a cake, in order to recover our breath. While 
 there, it struck me, that new sounds arose from the river; 
 and, bending forward to examine, I saw that the water had 
 forced its way through the dam above, and was coming 
 down upon us in a torrent. 
 
18 SATANSTOE. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 My heart leaps up when I behold 
 
 A rainbow in the sky : 
 So was it when my life began ; 
 So is it now I am a man ; 
 So be it when I shall grow old, 
 
 Or let me die ! 
 
 The child is father of the man ; 
 And I could wish my days to be 
 Bound each to each by natural piety. 
 
 Wordsworth. 
 
 Five minutes longer on the ice of the main channel, and 
 we should have been swept away. Even as we still sat 
 iooking at the frightful force of the swift current, as well as 
 the dim light of that clouded night would permit, I saw Guert 
 Ten Eyck's sleigh whirl past us ; and, only a minute later, 
 Herman Mordaunt's followed ; the poor, exhausted beasts 
 struggling in the harness for freedom, that they might swim 
 for their lives. Anneke heard the snorting of those wretched 
 horses ; but her unpractised eyes did not detect them, im- 
 mersed, as they were, in the current; nor had she recog- 
 nised the sleigh that whirled past us, as her father's. A 
 little later, a fearful shriek came from one of the fettered 
 beasts ; such a heart-piercing cry as it is known the horse 
 often gives. I said nothing on the subject, knowing that 
 love for her father was one of the great incentives which had 
 aroused my companion to exertion ; and being unwilling to 
 excite fears that were now latent. 
 
 Two or three minutes of rest were all that circumstances 
 peimitted. I could see that everything visible on the river, 
 was in motion downwards ; the piles of ice on which we 
 were placed, as well as the cakes that glanced by us, in 
 their quicker descent. Our own motion was slow, on ac- 
 count of the mass which doubtless pressed on the shoals of 
 the west side of the river; as well as on account of the fric- 
 tion against the lateral fields of ice, and occasionally against 
 the shore. Still, we were in motion ; and I felt the neces- 
 sity, on every account, of getting as soon as possible on the 
 
SATANSTOE. 19 
 
 western verge of our floating island, in order to profit by any- 
 favourable occurrence that might offer. 
 
 Dear Anneke ! — How admirably did she behave that 
 fearful night ! From the moment she regained her entire 
 consciousness, after I found her praying in the bottom of the 
 sleigh, down to that instant, she had been as little of an en- 
 cumbrance to my own efforts, as was at all possible. Rea- 
 sonable, resolute, compliant, and totally without any ill-timed 
 exhibition of womanly apprehension, she had done all she 
 was desired to do unhesitatingly, and with intelligence. 
 In ascending that pile of ice, by no means an easy task 
 under any circumstances, we had acted in perfect concert ; 
 every effort of mine being aided by one of her own, directed 
 by my advice and greater experience. 
 
 " God has not deserted us, dearest Anneke," I said, now 
 that my companion's strength appeared to have returned, 
 " and we may yet hope to escape. I can anticipate the joy 
 we shall bring to your father's heart, when he again takes 
 you to his arms, safe and uninjured." 
 
 " Dear, dear father ! — What agony he must now be suf- 
 fering on my account. — Come, Corny, let us go to him at 
 once, if it be possible." 
 
 As this was said, the precious girl arose, and adjusted her 
 tippet in a way that should cause her no encumbrance; like 
 one ready to set about the execution of a serious task with 
 all her energies. The muff had been dropped on the river; 
 for neither of us had any sensibility to cold. The night, 
 however, was quite mild, for the season ; and we probably 
 should not have suffered, had our exertions been less violent. 
 Anneke declared herself ready to proceed, and I commenced 
 the difficult and delicate task of aiding her across an island 
 composed of icy fragments, in order to reach its western 
 margin. We were quite thirty feet in the air ; and a fall 
 into any of the numerous caverns, among which we had to 
 proceed, might have been fatal ; certainly would have crip- 
 pled the sufferer. Then the surface of the ice was so smooth 
 as to render walking on it an exceedingly delicate operation ; 
 more especially as the cakes lay at all manner of inclina- 
 tions to the plane of the horizon. Fortunately, I wore buck- 
 skin moccasins over my boots ; and their rough leather 
 aided me greatly in maintaining my footing. Anneke, too, 
 
20 SATANSTOE. 
 
 had socks of cloth ; without which, I do not think, she could 
 have possibly moved. By these aids, however, and by pro- 
 ceeding with the utmost caution, we had actually succeeded 
 in attaining our object, when the floating mass shot into an 
 eddy, and, turning slowly round, under this new influence, 
 placed us on the outer side of the island again ! Not a 
 murmur escaped Anneke, at this disappointment ; but, with 
 a sweetness of temper that spoke volumes in favour of her 
 natural disposition, and a resignation that told her training, 
 she professed a readiness to renew her efforts. To this I 
 would not consent, however ; for I saw that the eddy was 
 still whirling us about ; and I thought it best to escape from 
 its influence altogether, before we threw away our strength 
 fruitlessly. Instead of re-crossing the pile, therefore, I told 
 my fair companion that we would descend to a cake that 
 lay level on the water, and which projected from the 
 mass to such a distance, as to be close to the shore, should we 
 again get near it. This descent was made, after some 
 trouble, though I was compelled to receive Anneke entirely 
 into my arms, in order to effect it. Effect it I did ; placing 
 the sweet girl safely at my side, on the outermost and lowest 
 of all the cakes in our confused pile. 
 
 In some respects this change was for the better ; while 
 it did not improve our situation in others. It placed both 
 Anneke and myself behind a shelter, as respected the wind; 
 which, though neither very strong nor very cold, had 
 enough of March about it to render the change acceptable. 
 It took my companion, too, from a position where motion 
 was difficult, and often dangerous ; leaving her on a level, 
 even spot, where she could walk with ease and security, and 
 keep the blood in motion by exercise. Then it put us both 
 in the best possible situation to profit by any contact with 
 that shore, along and near which our island was now slowly 
 moving. 
 
 There could no longer be any doubt of the state of the 
 river in general. It had broken up; spring had come, like 
 a thief in the night; and the ice below having given way, 
 while the mass above had acquired too much power to be 
 resisted, everything was set in motion ; and, like the death 
 of the strong man, the disruption of fields in themselves so 
 thick and adhesive, had produced an agony surpassing the 
 
SATANSTOE. 21 
 
 usual struggle of the seasons. Nevertheless, the downward 
 motion had begun in earnest, and the centre of the river 
 was running like a sluice, carrying away, in its current, 
 those masses which had just before formed so menacing an 
 obstacle above. 
 
 Luckily, our own pile was a little aside from the great 
 downward rush. I have since thought, that it touched the 
 bottom, which caused it to turn, as well as retarded its 
 movement. Be this as it might, we still remained in a little 
 bay, slowly turning in a circle ; and glad was I to see our 
 low cake coming round again, in sight of the western shore. 
 The moment now demanded decision ; and I prepared An- 
 neke to meet it. A large, low, level cake had driven up on 
 the shore, and extended out so far as to promise that our 
 own cake would touch it, in our evolutions. I knew that 
 the ice, in general, had not broken in consequence of any 
 weakness of its own, but purely under the weight of the enor- 
 mous pressure from above, and the mighty force of the cur- 
 rent ; and that we ran little, or no risk, in trusting our per- 
 sons on the uttermost limits of any considerable fragment. 
 A station was taken, accordingly, near a projection of the 
 cake we were on ; when we waited for the expected contact. 
 At such moments, the slightest disappointment carries with 
 it the force of the greatest circumstances. Several times 
 did it appear, to us, that our island was on the point of 
 touching the fastened cake, and as often did it incline aside ; 
 at no time coming nearer than within six or eight feet. This 
 distance it would have been easy enough, for me to leap 
 across , but, to Anneke, it was a barrier as impassable as 
 the illimitable void. The sweet girl saw this ; and, she 
 acted like herself, under the circumstances. She took my 
 hand, pressed it, and said earnestly, and with patient sweet- 
 ness — 
 
 " You see how it is, Corny ; I am not permitted to escape; 
 but you can easily reach the shore. Go, then, and leave 
 me in the hands of Providence. Go ; I never can forget 
 what you have already done ,* but it is useless to perish to- 
 gether !" 
 
 I have never doubted that Anneke was perfectly sincere 
 in her wish that I should, at least, save my own life. The 
 feeling with which she spoke ; the despair that was coming 
 
22 SATANSTOE. 
 
 over her ; and the movement of our island, which, at that 
 moment, gave signs of shooting away from the shore, alto- 
 gether, roused me to a sudden, and certainly, to a very bold 
 attempt. I tremble, even at this distance of time, as I write 
 the particulars. A small cake of ice was floating in between 
 us and that which lay firmly fastened to the shore. Its 
 size was such as to allow it to pass between the two ; though 
 not without coming nearly, if not absolutely, in contact with 
 one, if not with both. I observed all this ; and, saying one 
 word of encouragement to Anneke, I passed an arm around 
 her waist — waited the proper moment — and sprang forward. 
 It was necessary to make a short leap, with my precious 
 burthen on my arm, in order to gain this floating bridge ; 
 but it was done, and successfully. Scarcely permitting An- 
 neke's foot to touch this frail support, which was already 
 sinking under our joint weight, I crossed it at two or three 
 steps, and threw all my power into a last and desperate 
 effort. I succeeded here, also ; and fell, upon the firmer 
 cake, with a heart filled with gratitude to God. The touch 
 told me that we were safe ; and, in the next instant, we 
 reached the solid ground. Under such circumstances, one 
 usually looks back to examine the danger he has just gone 
 through. I did so ; and saw that the floating cake of ice 
 had already passed down, and was out of reach ; while the 
 mass that had been the means of saving us, was slowly fol- 
 lowing, under some new impulse, received from the furioua 
 currents of the river. But we were saved ; and most de- 
 voutly did I thank my God, who had mercifully aided our 
 escape from perils so imminent. 
 
 I was compelled to wait for Anneke, who fell upon her 
 knees, and remained there quite a minute, before I could aid 
 her in ascending the steep acclivity which formed the west- 
 ern bank of the Hudson, at this particular point. We 
 reached the top, however, after a little delay, and pausing | 
 once or twice to take breath ; when we first became really 
 sensible of the true character of the scene from which we 
 had been delivered. Dim as was the light, there was enough 
 to enable us to overlook a considerable reach of the river, 
 from that elevated stand. The Hudson resembled chaos 
 rushing headlong between the banks. As for the cakes of 
 ice — some darting past singly, and others piled as high as 
 
SATANSTOE. 23 
 
 Rouses — of course, the stream was filled with such ; but, a 
 large, dark object was seen coming through that very chan 
 nel, over which Anneke and I had stood, less than an 
 hour before, sailing down the current with fearful rapidity. 
 It was a house ; of no great size, it is true, but large enough 
 to present a singular object on the river. A bridge, of some 
 size, followed ; and a sloop, that had been borne away from 
 the wharves of Albany, soon appeared in the strange assem- 
 blage, that was thus suddenly collected on this great artery 
 of the colony. 
 
 But the hour was late ; Anneke was yet to care for ; it 
 was necessary to seek a shelter. Still supporting my lovely 
 companion, who now began to express her uneasiness on 
 account of her father, and her other friends, I held the way 
 inland ; knowing that there was a high road parallel to the 
 river, and at no great distance from it. We reached the 
 highway, in the course of ten minutes, and turned our faces 
 northward, as the direction which led towards Albany. We 
 had not advanced far before I heard the voices of men, who 
 were coming towards us ; and glad was I to recognise that 
 of Dirck Follock among the number. I called aloud, and 
 i was answered by a shout of exultation, which, as I after- 
 I wards discovered, spontaneously broke out of his mouth, 
 when he recognised the form of Anneke. Dirck was power- 
 fully agitated when we joined him ; I had never, previously, 
 seen anything like such a burst of feeling from him; and it 
 was some time before I could address him. 
 
 "Of course, your whole party is safe?" I asked, a little 
 doubtingly; for I had actually given up all who had been in 
 Herman Mordaunt's sleigh for lost. 
 
 " Yes, thank God ! all but the sleigh and horses. But 
 where are Guert Ten Eyck and Miss Wallace ?" 
 
 " Gone ashore on the other side of the river ; we parted, 
 and they took that direction, while we came hither." I said 
 this to quiet Anneke's fears ; but I had misgivings about 
 their having got of? the river at all. " But let me know the 
 manner of your own escape." 
 
 Dirck then gave us a history of what had passed ; the whole 
 party turning back to accompany us, as soon as I told them 
 that their errand — a search for the horses — was useless. 
 The substance of what we heard was as follows : — In the 
 
24 SATANSTOE. 
 
 first effort to reach the western shore, Herman Mordaunt 
 had been met by the very obstacle which Guert had foreseen, 
 and he turned south, hoping to find some spot at which to 
 land, by going farther from the dam that had formed above. 
 After repeated efforts, and having nearly lost his sleigh and 
 the whole party, a point was reached at which Herman 
 Mordaunt determined to get his female companion on shore, 
 at every hazard. This was to be done only by crossing 
 floating cakes of ice, in a current that was already running 
 at the rate of four or five miles in the hour. Dirck was left 
 in charge of the horses while the experiment was made ; but 
 seeing the adventurers in great danger, he flew to their as- 
 sistance — when the whole party were immersed, though not 
 in deep water. Left to themselves, and alarmed with the 
 floundering in the river and the grinding of the cakes, Her- 
 man Mordaunt's bays went off in the confusion. Mrs. 
 Bogart was assisted to the land, and was helped to reach 
 the nearest dwelling — a comfortable farm-house, about a 
 quarter of a mile beyond the point where we had met the 
 party. There Mrs. Bogart had been placed in a warm bed, 
 and the gentlemen were supplied with such dry clothes as 
 the rustic wardrobe of these simple people could furnish. 
 The change made, Dirck was on his way to ascertain what 
 had become of the sleigh and horses, as has been mentioned. 
 
 On inquiry, I found that the spot where Anneke and 
 myself had landed was quite three miles below the island on 
 which Guert and I had drawn the sleigh. Nearly the whole 
 of this distance had we floated with the pile of broken ioe, in 
 the short time we were on it ; a proof of the furious rate at 
 which the current was setting downward. No one had 
 heard anything of Guert and Mary ; but I encouraged my 
 companion to believe that they were necessarily safe on the 
 other shore. I certainly deemed this to be very questionable, 
 but there was no use in anticipating evil. 
 
 On reaching the farm-house, Herman Mordaunt's delight 
 and gratitude may more easily be imagined than described. 
 He folded Anneke to his heart, and she wept like an infant 
 on his bosom. Nor was I forgotten in this touching scene, 
 but came in for a full share of notice. 
 
 " I want no details, noble young man — " I am professing 
 to write the truth, and must be excused for relating such 
 
SATANSTOE. 49 
 
 What is it to me, if he chose to give my brother a few hun- 
 dred pounds more than he chose to give to me? The money- 
 is his, and he may do with it as he choose." 
 
 " An hundred pounds is an awful sight of money !" ex- 
 claimed Jason, betraying by his countenance how deeply he 
 felt the truth of this. " If you have had money in such 
 large sums, so much the more reason why you should set 
 about doing suthin' to repay the old gentleman. Why not 
 set up a school ?" 
 
 " Sir !" 
 
 " Why not set up a school, I say ? You might have had 
 this of mine, had you been a little older ; but once in, fast 
 in, with me. Still, schools are wanted, and you might get 
 a tolerable good recommend. I dare say your tutor would 
 furnish a certificate." 
 
 This word "recommend" was used by Jason for "recom- 
 mendation ;" the habit of putting verbs in the places of sub- 
 stantives, and vice versa, being much in vogue with him. 
 
 " And do you really think that one who is destined to 
 inherit Satanstoe, would act advisedly to set up a school 1 
 Recollect, Mr. Newcome, that my father and grandfather 
 have both borne the king's commission ; and that the last 
 bears it, at this very moment, through his representative, the 
 Governor." 
 
 " What of all that? What better business is there than 
 keeping a good school ? If you are high in your notions, 
 get to be made a tutor in that New Jersey college. Recol- 
 lect that a tutor in a college is somebody. I did hope for 
 such a place, but having a Governor's son against me, as a 
 candidate, there was no chance." 
 
 " A Governor's son a candidate for a tutorship in a col- 
 lege ! You are pleased to trifle with me, Mr. Newcome." 
 
 " It 's true as the gospel. You thought some smaller fish 
 put me down, but he was the son of the Governor. But, 
 why do you give that vulgar name to your father's farm— - 
 Satanstoe is not decent ; yet, Corny, I've heard you use 
 it before your own mother !" 
 
 " That you may hear every day, and my mother use it, 
 too, before her own son. What fault do you find with the 
 name of Satanstoe ?" 
 
 " Fault ! — In the first place it is irreligious and profane; 
 
 Vol. I.— 5 
 
50 SATANSTOE. 
 
 then it is ungenteel and vulgar, and only fit to bo used in 
 low company. Moreover, it is opposed to history and 
 revelation, the Evil One having a huff, if you will, but no 
 toes. Such a name couldn't stand a fortnight before public 
 opinion in New England." 
 
 " Yes, that may be very true ; but we do not care 
 enough for His Satanic Majesty in the colony of New York, 
 to treat him with so much deference. As for the 4 huffs,' 
 as you call them " 
 
 " Why, what do you call 'em, Mr. Littlepage?" 
 
 " Hoofs, Mr. Newcome ; that is the New York pronun- 
 ciation of the word." 
 
 " I care nothing for York pronunciation, which every- 
 body knows is Dutch and full of corruptions. You '11 never 
 do anything worth speaking of in this colony, Corny, until 
 you pay more attention to your schools." 
 
 " I do not know what you call attention, Mr. Jason, unless 
 we have paid it already. Here, I have the caption, or 
 rather preamble of a law, on that very subject, that I copied 
 out of the statute-book on purpose to show you, and which 
 I will now read in order to prove to you how things really 
 stand in the colony." 
 
 " Read away," rejoined Jason, with an air of sufficient 
 disdain. 
 
 Read I did, and in the following sententious and compre- 
 hensive language, viz : — " Whereas the youth of this colony 
 are found, by manifold experience, to be not inferior in 
 their natural geniuses to the youth of any other country in 
 the world, therefore be it enacted, &c."* 
 
 *This quotation would seem to be accurate, and it is somewhat 
 curious to trace the reason why a preamble so singular should have 
 been prefixed to the law. Was it not owing to the oft-repeated and 
 bold assertions of Europeans, that man deteriorated in this hemisphere ? 
 Any American who has been a near observer of European opinion, 
 even in our day, must have been frequently amused at the expression 
 of surprise and doubt that so often escapes the residents of the Old 
 World, when they discover anything that particularly denotes talent, 
 coming from the New. I make little question that this extraordinary 
 preamble is a sort of indirect answer to an imputation that was 
 known to be as general, in that age, as it was felt to be unjust. My 
 own experience would lead me to think native capacity more abun- 
 dant in America than in the midland countries of Europe, and quite 
 as frequently met with as in Italy itself; and I have often hoard 
 
SATANSTOE. 51 
 
 " There, sir," I said in exultation, " you have chapter 
 and verse for the true character of the rising generation in 
 the colony of New York." 
 
 " And what does that preamble lead to 1" demanded 
 Jason, a little staggered at finding the equality of our New 
 York intellects established so clearly by legislative enact- 
 ment. 
 
 " It is the preamble to an act establishing the free schools 
 of New York, in which the learned languages have now 
 been taught these twenty years; and you will please to re- 
 member that another law has not long been passed estab- 
 lishing a college in town." 
 
 " Well, curious laws sometimes do get into the statute- 
 books, and a body must take them as he finds them. I 
 dare say Connecticut might have a word to say on the same 
 subject, if you would give her a chance. Have you heard 
 the wonderful news from Philadelphia, Corny, that has just 
 come among us ?" 
 
 "I have heard nothing of late; for you know I have 
 been over in Rockland, with Dirck Follock, for the last two 
 weeks, and news never reaches that family, or indeed that 
 county." 
 
 " No, that is true enough," answered Jason, drily ; " News 
 and a Dutchman have no affinity, or attraction, as we would 
 say in philosophy ; though there is gravitation enough on 
 one side, ha ! boy V 9 
 
 Here Jason laughed outright, for he was always delighted 
 whenever he could get a side-hit at the children of Holland, 
 whom he appeared to regard as a race occupying a position 
 between the human family and the highest class of the 
 unintellectual animals. But it is unnecessary to dwell 
 longer on this dialogue, my object being merely to show the 
 general character of Jason's train of thought, in order to 
 
 teachers, both English and French, admit that their American and 
 West-India scholars were generally the readiest and cleverest in their 
 schools. The great evil under which this country labours, in this 
 respect, is the sway of numbers, which is constantly elevating medi- 
 ocrity and spurious talent to high places. In America we have a 
 higher average of intelligence, while we have far less of the higher 
 class ; and I attribute the latter fact to the control of those who have 
 Uever enjoyed the means of appreciating excellence. — Editor. 
 
- 
 
 52 SATANSTOE. 
 
 be belter understood when I come to connect his opinions 
 with his acts. 
 
 Dirck and myself were much together after my return 
 from college. I passed weeks at a time with him, and he 
 returned my visits with the utmost freedom and good- will. 
 Each of us had now got his growth, and it would have 
 done the heart of Frederick of Prussia good, to have seen 
 my young friend after he had ended his nineteenth year. 
 In stature he measured exactly six feet three, and he gave 
 every promise of filling up in proportion. Dirck was none 
 of your roundly-turned, Apollo-built fellows, hut he had 
 shoulders that his little, short, solid, but dumpy-looking 
 mother, who was of the true stock, could scarcely span, 
 when she pulled his head down to give him a kiss ; which 
 she did regularly, as Dirck told me himself, twice each 
 year; that is to say, Christmas and New-Year. His com- 
 plexion was fair, his limbs large and well proportioned, his 
 hair light, his eyes blue, and his face would have been 
 thought handsome by most persons. I will not deny, how- 
 ever, that there was a certain ponderosity, both of mind and 
 body, about my friend, that did not very well accord with 
 the general notion of grace and animation. Nevertheless, 
 Dirck was a sterling fellow, as true as steel, as brave as a 
 game-cock, and as honest as noon-day light. 
 
 Jason was a very different sort of person, in many essen- 
 tials. In figure, he was also tall, but he was angular, loose* 
 jointed and swinging — slouching would be the better word, 
 perhaps. Still, he was not without strength, having worked 
 on a farm until he was near twenty ; and he was as active 
 as a cat ; a result that took the stranger a little by surprise, 
 when he regarded only his loose, quavering sort of build. 
 In the way of thought, Jason would think two feet to Dirck's 
 one ; but I am far from certain that it was always in so 
 correct a direction. Give the Dutchman time, he was very 
 apt to come out right ; whereas Jason, I soon discovered, 
 was quite liable to come to wrong conclusions, and particu- 
 larly so in all matters that were a little adverse, and which 
 affected his own apparent interests. Dirck, moreover, was 
 one of the best-natured fellows that breathed ; it being almost 
 impossible to excite him to anger; when it did come, how- 
 ever, the earthquake was scarcely more terrific. I have 
 
SATANSTOE. 53 
 
 seen him enraged, and would as soon encounter a wild-boar, 
 in an open fieid, as run against his course, while in the fit. 
 
 Modesty will hardly permit me to say much of myself. 
 I was well-grown, active, strong, for my years ; and, I am 
 inclined to think, reasonably well-looking ; though I would 
 prefer that this much should be said by any one but myself, 
 Dirck and I often tried our manhood together, when young- 
 sters, and I was the better chap until my friend reached his 
 eighteenth year, when the heavy metal of the young Dutch 
 giant told in our struggles. After that period was past, I 
 found Dirck too much for me, in a close gripe, though my 
 extraordinary activity rendered the inequality less apparent 
 than it might otherwise have proved. I ought not to apply 
 the term of " extraordinary" to anything about myself, but 
 the word escaped me unconsciously, and I shall let it stand. 
 One thing I will say, notwithstanding, let the reader think 
 of it as he may : I was good-natured and well-disposed to 
 my fellow-creatures, and had no greater love of money than 
 was necessary to render me reasonably discreet. 
 
 Such is an outline of the characters and persons of three 
 of the principal actors in the scenes I am about to relate ; 
 scenes that will possess some interest for those who love to 
 read accounts of adventures in a new country, however 
 much they may fail in interesting others, when I speak of 
 the condition and events of the more civilized condition of 
 society, that was enjoyed, even in my youth, in such old 
 counties as Westchester, and such towns as York. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " Let us, then, be up and doing, 
 
 With a heart for any fate ; 
 Still achieving-, still pursuing", 
 
 Learn to labour and to wait." 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 The spring of the 3-ear I was twenty, Dirck and myself 
 paid our first visit to town, in the characters of young men. 
 
 5* 
 
54 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Although Satanstoe was not more than five-and-twenty 
 miles from New York, by the way of King's-Bridge, the 
 road we always travelled in order to avoid the ferry, it was 
 by no means as common to visit the capital as it has since 
 got to be. I know gentlemen who pass in and out from 
 our neighbourhood, now, as often as once a fortnight, or 
 even once a week ; but thirty years since this was a thing 
 very seldom done. My dear mother always went to town 
 twice a year ; in the spring to pass Easter week, and in the 
 autumn to make her winter purchases. My father usually 
 went down four times, in the course of the twelve months, 
 but he had the reputation of a gadabout, and was thought 
 by many people to leave home quite as much as he ought 
 to do. As for my grandfather, old age coming on, he sel- 
 dom left home now, unless it were to pay stated visits to 
 certain old brother campaigners who lived within moderate 
 distances, and with whom he invariably passed weeks each 
 summer. 
 
 The visit I have mentioned occurred some time after 
 Easter, a season of the year that many of our country fa- 
 milies were in the habit of passing in town, to have the 
 benefit of the daily services of Old Trinity, as the Hebrews 
 resorted to Jerusalem to keep the feast of the passover. My 
 mother did not go to town this year, on account of my 
 father's gout, and I was sent to supply her place with my 
 aunt Legge, who had been so long accustomed to have one 
 of the family with her at that season, that I was substituted. 
 Dirck had relatives of his own, with whom he staid, and 
 thus every thing was rendered smooth. In order to make a 
 fair start, my friend crossed the Hudson the week before, 
 and, after taking breath at Satanstoe for three days, we left 
 the Neck for the capital, mounted on a pair of as good 
 roadsters as were to be found in the county : and that is 
 saying a good deal ; for the Morrises, and de Lanceys, and 
 Van Cortlandts all kept racers, and sometimes gave us good 
 sport, in the autumn, over the county course. West Ches- 
 ter, to say no more than she deserved, w r as a county with 
 a spirited gentry, and one of which no colony need be 
 ashamed. 
 
 My mother was a tender-hearted parent, and full of 
 anxiety in behalf of an only child. She knew that travel- 
 
SATANSTOE, 55 
 
 ling always has more or less of hazard, and was desirous 
 we should be off betimes, in order to make certain of our 
 reaching town before the night set in. Highway robbers, 
 Heaven' be praised! were then, and are still, unknown to 
 the colonies ; but there were other dangers that gave my 
 excellent parent much concern. All the bridges were not 
 considered safe; the roads were, and are yet, very circuitous, 
 and it was possible to lose one's way; while it was said 
 persons had been known to pass the night on Harlem com- 
 mon, an uninhabited waste that lies some seven or eight 
 miles on our side of the city. My mother's first care, there- 
 fore, was to get Dirck and myself off eariy in the morning; 
 in order to do which she rose with the light, gave us our 
 breakfasts immediately afterwards, and thus enabled us to 
 quit Satanstoe just as the sun had burnished the eastern sky 
 with its tints of flame-colour. 
 
 Dirck was in high good-humour that morning, and, to 
 own the trutth, Corny did not feel the depression of spirits 
 which, according to the laws of propriety, possibly ought to 
 have attended the first really free departure of so youthful 
 an adventurer from beneath the shadows of the paternal 
 roof. We went our way laughing and chatting like two girls 
 just broke loose from boarding-school. I had never known 
 Dirck more communicative, and I got certain new insights 
 into his feelings, expectations and prospects, as we rode along 
 the colony's highway that morning, that afterwards proved to 
 be matters of much interest with us both. We had not got 
 a mile from the chimney-tops of Satanstoe, ere my friend 
 broke forth as follows : — 
 
 " I suppose you have heard, Corny, what the two old 
 gentlemen have been at, lately ?" 
 
 " Your father and mine? — J have not heard a syllable of 
 any thing new." 
 
 "They have been suing out, before the Governor and 
 Council, a joint claim to that tract of land they bought of the 
 Mohawks, the last time they were out together on service, 
 in the colony militia." 
 
 I ought to mention, here, that though my predecessors 
 had made but Cew campaigns in the regular army, each had 
 made several in the more humble capacity of a militia 
 officer. 
 
r 
 
 56 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " This is news to me, Dirck," I answered. " Why 
 should the old gentlemen have been so sly about such a 
 thing?" 
 
 " I cannot tell you, lest they thought silence the best way 
 to keep off the yankees. You know, my father has a 
 great dread of a yankee's getting a finger into any of his 
 bargains. He says the yankees are the locusts of the west." 
 
 " But, how came you to know any thing about it, Dirck ?" 
 
 " I am no yankee, Corny." 
 
 " And your father told yon, on the strength of this recom- 
 mendation ?" 
 
 " He told me, as he tells me most things that he thinks it 
 best I should know. We smoke together, and then we talk 
 together." 
 
 " I would learn to smoke too, if I thought I should get 
 any useful information by so doing." 
 
 " Dere is much to be 1'arnt from ter pipe !" said Dirck, 
 dropping into a slightly Dutch accent, as frequently hap- 
 pened with him, when his mind took a secret direction to- 
 wards Holland, though in general he spoke English quite as 
 well as I did myself, and vastly better than that miracle of 
 taste, and learning, and virtue, and piety, Mr. Jason New- 
 come, A. B., of Yale, and prospective president of that, or 
 some other institution. 
 
 " So it would seem, if your father is telling you secrets 
 all the time you are smoking together. But where is this 
 land, Dirck ?" 
 
 " It is in the Mohawk country — or, rather, it is in the 
 country near the Hampshire Grants, and at no great dis- 
 tance from the Mohawk country." 
 
 " And how much may there be of it ?" 
 
 " Forty thousand acres ; and some of it of good, rich 
 flats, they say ; such as a Dutchman loves." 
 
 " And your father and mine have purchased all this land 
 in company, you say — share and share alike, as the law- 
 yers call it." 
 
 " Just so." 
 
 " Pray how much did they pay for so large a tract of 
 land?" 
 
 Dirck took time to answer this question. He first drew 
 from his breast a pocket-book, which he opened as well aa 
 
SATAJfSTOE. 57 
 
 he could under the motion of his roadster, for neither of us 
 abated his speed, it being indispensable to reach town before 
 dark. My friend succeeded at length in putting his hand on 
 the paper he wanted, which he gave to me. 
 
 " There," he said ; " that is a list of the articles paid to 
 the Indians, which I have copied, and then there have been 
 several hundred pounds of fees paid to the Governor and 
 his officers." 
 
 1 read from the list, as follows ; the words coming out by 
 jerks, as the trotting of my horse permitted. " Fifty blankets, 
 each with yellow strings and yellow trimmings ; ten iron 
 pots, four gallons each; forty pounds of gunpowder; seven 
 muskets ; twelve pounds of small beads ; ten strings of wam- 
 pum ; fifty gallons of rum, pure Jamaica, and of high proof; 
 a score of jews-harps, and three dozen first quality English- 
 made tomahawks." 
 
 " Well, Dirck," I cried, as soon as through reading, 
 " this is no great matter to give for forty thousand acres 
 of land, in the colony of New York. I dare say a hundred 
 pounds currency ($250) would buy every thing here, even 
 to the rum and the first quality of English-made toma- 
 hawks." 
 
 " Ninety-six pounds, thirteen shillings, seven pence ' t'ree 
 fart'in's' was the footing of the whole bill," answered Dirck 
 deliberately, preparing to light his pipe ; for he could smoke 
 very conveniently while trotting no faster than at the rate 
 of six miles the hour. 
 
 " I do not find that dear for forty thousand acres ; I suppose 
 the muskets, and rum, and other things were manufactured 
 expressly for the Indian trade." 
 
 " Not they, Corny: you know how it is with the old gen- 
 tlemen ; — they are as honest as the day." 
 
 " So much the better for them, and so much the better 
 for us ! But what is to be done with this land, now they 
 own it ?" 
 
 Dirck did not answer, until we had trotted twenty rods ; 
 for by this time the pipe was at work, and the moment the 
 smoke was seen be kept his eye on it, until he saw a bright 
 light in front of his nose. 
 
 " The first thing will be to find it, Corny. When a patent 
 is signed and delivered, then you must send forth some 
 
58 SATANSTOE. 
 
 proper person to find the land it covers. I have heard of a 
 gentleman who got a grant often thousand acres, five years 
 since ; and though he has had a hunt for it every summer 
 since, he has not been able to find it yet. To be sure, ten 
 thousand acres is a small object to look for, in the woods." 
 
 "And our fathers intend to find this land as soon as the 
 season opens ?" 
 
 " Not so fast, Corny; not so fast ! That was the scheme 
 of your father's Welsh blood, but mine takes matters more 
 deliberately. Let us wait until next year, he said, and then 
 we can send the boys. By that time, too, the war will take 
 some sort of a shape, and we shall know better how to care 
 for the children. The subject has been fairly talked over 
 between the two patentees, and we are to go early next 
 spring, not this." 
 
 The idea of land-hunting was not in the least disagree- 
 able to me ; nor was it unpleasant to think that I stood in 
 reversion, or as heir, to twenty thousand acres of land, in 
 addition to those of Satanstoe. Dirck and I talked the 
 matter over, as we trotted on, until both of us began to re- 
 gret that the expedition was so far in perspective. 
 
 The war to which Dirck alluded, had broken out a few 
 months before our visit to town : a Mr. Washington, of Vir- 
 ginia — the same who has since become so celebrated as the 
 Col. Washington of Braddock's defeat, and other events at 
 the south — having been captured, with a party of his men, 
 in a small work thrown up in the neighbourhood of the 
 French, somewhere on the tributaries of the Ohio ; a river 
 that is known to run into the Mississippi, a vast distance to 
 the west. I knew very little then, nor do I know much now 
 of these remote regions, beyond the fact that there are such 
 places, ar>d that they are sometimes visited by detachments, 
 war-parties, hunters, and other adventurers from the colo 
 nies. To me, it seems scarce worth fighting about such 
 distant and wild territory; for ages and ages must elapse 
 before it can be of any service for the purposes of civiliza- 
 tion. Both Dirck and myself regretted that the summer 
 would be likely to go by without our seeing the enemy; for 
 we came of families that were commonly employed on such 
 occasions. We thought both our fathers might be out ; though 
 even that was a point that still remained under discussion. 
 
SATANSTOE. 59 
 
 We dined and baited at Kingsbridge, intending to sup in 
 town. While the dinner was cooking, Dirck and I walked 
 out on the heights that overlook the Hudson ; for I knew 
 less of this noble river than I wished to know of it. We 
 conversed as we walked ; and my companion, who knew 
 the river much better than myself, having many occasions 
 to pass up and down it, between the village of Haverstraw 
 and town, in his frequent visits to his relatives below, gave 
 me some useful information. 
 
 " Look here, Corny," said Dirck, after betraying a good 
 deal of desire to obtain a view of some object in the distance, 
 along the river-side ; " Look here, Corny, do you see yonder 
 house, in the little bay below us, with the lawn that extends 
 down to the water, and that noble orchard behind it?" 
 
 I saw the object to which Dirck alluded. It was a house 
 that stood near the river, but sheltered and secluded, with 
 the lawn and orchard as described ; though at the distance 
 of some two or three miles all the beauties of the spot could 
 not be discovered, and many of them had to be received on 
 the faith of my companion's admiration. Still I saw very 
 plainly, all the principal objects named ; and, among others, 
 the house, the orchard, and the lawn. The building was of 
 stone — as is common with most of the better sort of houses in 
 the country — was long, irregular, and had that air of solid 
 comfort about it, which it is usual to see in buildings of that 
 description. The walls were not whitewashed, according to 
 the lively tastes of our Dutch fellow-colonists, who appear 
 to expend all their vivacity in the pipe and the brush, but 
 were left in their native grey ; a circumstance that rendered 
 the form and dimensions of the structure a little less distinct, 
 at a first glance, than they might otherwise have proved. 
 As I gazed at the spot, however, I began to fancy it a charm, 
 to find the picture thus sobered down ; and found a pleasure 
 in drawing the different angles, and walls, and chimneys, 
 and roofs, from this back-ground, by means of the organ of 
 sight. On the whole, I thought the little sequestered bay, 
 the wooded and rocky shores, the small but well distributed 
 lawn, the orchard, with all the other similar accessories, 
 formed together one of the prettiest places of the sort I had 
 ever seen. Thinking so, I was not slow in saying as much to 
 my companion. I was thought to have some taste in these 
 
60 SATANSTOE. 
 
 matters, and had been consulted on the subject of laying 
 out grounds by one or two neighbours in the county. 
 
 " Whose house is it, Dirck ?" I enquired ; " and how 
 came you to know anything about it?" 
 
 "That is Lilacsbush," answered my friend; "and it be- 
 longs to my mother's cousin, Herman Mordaunt." 
 
 I had heard of Herman, or, as it is pronounced, Harmar 
 Mordaunt. He was a man of considerable note in the 
 colony, having been the son of a Major Mordaunt, of the 
 British army, who had married the heiress of a wealthy 
 Dutch merchant, whence the name of Herman ; which had 
 descended to the son along with the money. The Dutch 
 were so fond of their own blood, that they never failed to give 
 this Mr. Mordaunt his Christian name; and he was usually 
 known in the colony as Herman Mordaunt. Further than 
 this, I knew little of the gentleman, unless it might be that 
 he was reputed rich, and was admitted to be in the best 
 society, though not actually belonging to the territorial or 
 political aristocracy of the colony. 
 
 " As Herman Mordaunt is your mother's cousin, I sup- 
 pose, Dirck," I resumed, " that you have been at Lilacs- 
 bush, and ascertained whether the inside of the house is as 
 pleasant and respectable as the outside." 
 
 " Often, Corny ; while Madam Mordaunt lived, my mo- 
 ther and I used to go there every summer. The poor lady 
 is now dead, but I go there still." 
 
 " Why did you not ride on as far as Lilacsbush, and levy 
 a dinner on your relations 1 I should think Herman Mor- 
 daunt would feel hurt, were he to learn that an acquaintance, 
 or a relation, had put up at an inn, within a couple of miles 
 of his own house. I dare say he knows both Major and 
 Capt. Littlepage, and I protest I shall feel it necessary to 
 send him a note of apology for not calling. These 
 things ought not to be done, Dirck, among persons of a 
 certain stamp, and who are supposed to know what is 
 proper." 
 
 " This would be all right enough, Corny, had Herman 
 Mordaunt, or his daughter, been at Lilacsbush ; but they 
 live in Crown Street, in town, in winter, and never come out 
 here until after the Pinkster holidays, let them come when 
 they may." 
 
SATANSTOE. 61 
 
 " Oh ! he is as great a man as that, is he ? — a town and 
 country house; after all, I do not know whether it would 
 do to be quite so free with one of his standing, as to go to 
 dine with him without sending notice." 
 
 " Nonsense, Corny. Who hesitates about stopping at a 
 gentleman's door, when he is travelling 1 Herman Mor- 
 daunt would have given us a hearty welcome, and I should 
 have gone on to Lilacsbush, did I not know that the family 
 is certain to be in town at this season. Easter came early 
 this year, and to-morrow will be the first day of the Pink- 
 ster holidays. As soon as they are over, Herman Mor- 
 daunt and Anneke will be out here to enjoy their lilacs and 
 roses." 
 
 " Oh, ho ! there is an Anneke, as well as the old gentle- 
 man. Prav, how old may Miss Anneke be, Master 
 Dirck ?" 
 
 As this question was asked, I turned to look my friend in 
 the face, and I found that his handsome, smooth, fair Dutch 
 lineaments were covered with a glow of red, that it was not 
 usual to see extended so far from his ruddy cheeks. Dirck 
 was too much of a man, however, to turn away, or to try to 
 hide blushes so ingenuous ; but he answered stoutly — 
 
 "My cousin, Anneke Mordaunt, is just turned of seven- 
 teen ; and, I '11 tell you what, Corny — " 
 
 "Well — I am listening, with both ears, to hear your 
 what — Out with it, man ; both ears are open." 
 
 " Why, Anneke (On-na-kay), is one of the very prettiest 
 girls in the colony! — What is more, she is as sweet and 
 goot" — Dirck grew Dutch, as he grew animated — " as she 
 is pretty." 
 
 I was quite astounded at the energy and feeling with which 
 this was said. Dirck was such a matter-of-fact fellow, that 
 I had never dreamed he could be sensible to the passion of 
 love ; nor had I ever paused to analyze the nature of our 
 own friendship. W r e liked each other, in the first place, 
 most probably, from habit ; then, we were of characters so 
 essentially different, that our attachment was influenced by 
 that species of excitement which is the child of opposition. 
 As we grew older, Dirck's good qualities began to command 
 my respect, and reason entered more into my affection for 
 him. I was well convinced that my companion could, and 
 
 Vol. I. — 6 
 
62 SATANSTOE. 
 
 would, prove to be a warm friend ; but the possibility of his 
 ever becoming a lover, had not before crossed my mind. 
 Even then, the impression made was not very deep or last- 
 ing, though I well remember the sort of admiration and 
 wonder with which I gazed at his flushed cheek, animated 
 eye, and improved mien. For the moment, Dirck really 
 had a commanding and animated air. 
 
 " Why, Anneke is one of the prettiest girls in the colony!" 
 my friend had exclaimed. 
 
 " And your cousin ?" 
 
 " My second cousin. — Her mother's father and my mo- 
 ther's mother were brother and sister." 
 
 " In that case, I shall hope to have the honour of being 
 introduced, one of these days, to Miss Anneke Mordaunt, 
 who is just turned of seventeen, and is one of the prettiest 
 girls in the colony, and is as good as she is pretty." 
 
 " I wish you to see her, Corny, and that before we go 
 home," Dirck replied, all his philosophy, or phlegm, which- 
 ever the philosophy of other people may term it, returning; 
 " come ; let us go back to the inn ; our dinner will be get- 
 ting cold." 
 
 I mused on my friend's unusual manner, as we walked 
 back towards the inn ; but it was soon forgotten, in the 
 satisfaction produced by eating a good, substantial meal of 
 broiled ham, with hot potatoes, boiled eggs, a beefsteak, 
 done to a turn, with the accessions of pickles, cold-slaw, 
 apple-pie, and cider. This is a common New York tavern 
 dinner, for the wayfarer ; and, I must say, I have got to 
 like it. Often have I enjoyed such a repast, after a sharp 
 forenoon's ride ; ay, and enjoyed it more than I have re- 
 lished entertainments at which have figured turkies, oysters, 
 hams, hashes, and other dishes, that have higher reputations. 
 Even turtle-soup, for which we are somewhat famous in 
 New York, has failed to give me the same delight. 
 
 Dirck, to do him justice, ate heartily ; for it is not an easy 
 matter to take away his appetite. As usual, I did most of 
 the talking; and that was with our landlady, who, hearing 
 I was a son of her much-esteemed and constant customer, 
 Major Littlepage, presented herself with the dessert and 
 cheese, and did me the honour to commence a discourse. 
 Her name was Light ; and light was she certain to cast on 
 
SATAN STOE. 63 
 
 everything she discussed ; that is to say, innkeeper's light ; 
 which partakes somewhat of the darkness that is so apt 
 to overshadow no small portion of the minds of her many 
 customers. 
 
 " Pray, Mrs. Light," I asked, when there was an opening, 
 which was not until the good woman had exhausted her 
 breath in honour of the Littlepages, " do you happen to 
 know anything of a family, hereabouts, of the name of Mor- 
 daunt}"" 
 
 " Do I happen to know, sir ! — Why, Mr. Littlepage, you 
 might almost as well have asked me, if I had ever heard of 
 a Van Cortlandt, or a Philipse, or a Morris, or any other of 
 the gentry hereabouts. Mr. Mordaunt has a country-place, 
 and a very pretty one it is, within two miles and a half of 
 us ; and he and Madame Mordaunt never passed our door, 
 when they went into the country to see Madame Van Cort- 
 landt, without stopping to say a word, and leave a shilling. 
 The poor lady is dead ; but there is a young image of her 
 virtues, that is coming a'ter her, that will be likely to do 
 some damage in the colony. She is modesty itself, sir; so 
 I thought it could do her no harm, the last time she was 
 here, just to tell her, she ought to be locked up, for the 
 thefts she was likely to commit, if not for them she had 
 committed already. She blushed, sir, and looked for all the 
 world like the shell of the most delicate boiled lobster you 
 ever laid eyes on. She is truly a charming young lady !" 
 
 " Thefts of hearts, you mean of course, my good Mrs. 
 Light?" 
 
 "Of nothing else, sir; young ladies are apt to steal 
 hearts, you know. My word for it, Miss Anneke will turw 
 out a great robber, after her own fashion, you know, sir." 
 
 "And whose hearts is she likely to run away with, pray ? 
 I should be pleased to hear the names of some of the suf- 
 ferers." 
 
 " Lord, sir ! — she is too young to have done much yet , 
 but wait a twelvemonth, and I'll answer the question." 
 
 I could see all this time that Dirck was uneasy, and had 
 some amusement in watching the workings of his counte- 
 nance. My malicious intentions, however, were suddenly 
 interrupted. As if to prevent further discourse, and, at the 
 
64 SATANSTOE. 
 
 same time, further espionage, my young friend rose from 
 table, ordering the horses and the bill. 
 
 During the ride to town, no more was said of Lilacsbush, 
 Herman Mordaunt, or his daughter Anneke. Dirck was 
 silent, but this was his habit after dinner, and I was kept a 
 good deal on the alert in order to find the road which 
 crossed the common, it being our desire to go in that direc- 
 tion. It is true, we might have gone into town by the way 
 of Bloomingdale, Greenwich, the meadows and the Collect, 
 and so down past the common upon the head of Broadway ; 
 but my mother had particularly desired we would fall into 
 the Bowery Lane, passing the seats that are to be found in 
 that quarter, and getting into Queen Street as soon as pos- 
 sible. By taking this course she thought we should be less 
 likely to miss our way within the town itself, which is cer- 
 tainly full of narrow and intricate passages. My uncle 
 Legge had removed into Duke Street, in the vicinity of 
 Hanover Square; and Queen Street, I well knew, would lead 
 us directly to his door. Queen Street, indeed, is the great 
 artery of New York, through which most of its blood cir- 
 culates. 
 
 g; was drawing towards night when we trotted up to the 
 Je, where we left our horses, and obtaining a black to 
 shoulder our portmanteaus, we began to thread the mazes 
 of the capital on foot. New York was certainly, even in 
 1757, a wonderful place for commerce ! Vessels began to 
 be seen some distance east of Fly Market, and there could 
 not have been fewer than twenty ships, brigs, and schooners, 
 lying in the East river, as we walked down Queen Street. 
 Of course I include all descriptions of vessels that go to 
 sea, in this estimate. At the present moment, it is probable 
 twice that number would be seen. There Dirck and I 
 stopped more than once, involuntarily, to gaze at the exhi- 
 bitions of wealth and trade that offered themselves as we 
 went deeper into the town. My mother had particularly 
 cautioned me against falling into this evidence of country 
 habits, and I felt much ashamed at each occurrence of the 
 weakness; but I found it irresistible. At length my friend 
 and I parted ; he to go to the residence of his aunt, while 
 J proceeded to that of mine. Before separating, however, 
 we agreed to meet next morning in the fields at the head of 
 
SATANSTOE. 65 
 
 Broadway, on the common, which, as it was understood, 
 was to be the scene of the Pinkster sports. 
 
 My reception in Duke Street was cordial, both on the 
 part of my uncle and on the part of my aunt ; the first 
 being a good-hearted person, though a little too apt to run 
 into extravagance on the subject of the rights of the rabble. 
 I was pleased with the welcome I received, enjoyed an ex- 
 cellent hot supper, to which we sat down at half-past eight, 
 my aunt being fond of town hours, both dining and supping 
 a little later than my mother, as being more fashionable and 
 genteel.* As I was compelled to confess fatigue, after so 
 long a ride, as soon as we quitted the table I retired to my 
 own room. 
 
 The next day was the first of the three that are devoted 
 to Pinkster, the great Saturnalia of the New York blacks. 
 Although this festival is always kept with more vivacity at 
 Albany than in York, it is far from being neglected, even 
 now, in the latter place. I had told my aunt, before I left 
 her, I should not wait for breakfast, but should be up with 
 
 * The dinner of the last half century is, in one sense, but a sub- 
 stitute for the petits soupers of the century or two that preceded. It 
 is so entirely rational and natural, that the cultivated and refined 
 should meet for the purposes of social enjoyment after the business 
 of the day has terminated, that the supper has only given place to the 
 same meal under another name, and at hours little varying from those 
 of the past. The Parisian dines at half-past six, remaining at table 
 until eight. The Englishman, later in all his hours, and more pon- 
 derous in all his habits, sits down to table about the time the French- 
 man gets up ; quitting it between nine and ten. The Italian pays a 
 tribute to his climate, and has his early dinner and light supper, both 
 usually alone, the habits of the country carrying him to the opera 
 and the conversazione for social communion. But what is the Ameri- 
 can ? A jumble of the same senseless contradictions in his social 
 habits, as he is fast getting to be in his political creeds and political 
 practices ; a being that is in transitu, pressed by circumstances on the 
 one side, and by the habit of imitation on the other ; unwilling, 
 almost unable, to think and act for himself. The only American who 
 is temporarily independent in such things, is the unfledged provincial, 
 fresh from his village conceit and village practices, who, until corrected 
 by communion with the world, fancies the south-east corner of the 
 north-west parish, in the town of Hebron, in the county of Jericho, 
 and the State of Connecticut, to be the only portion of this globe 
 that is perfection. If he should happen to keep a school, or conduct 
 a newspaper, the community becomes, in a small degree, the partici- 
 pant of his rare advantages and vast experience ! — Editor. 
 6* 
 
66 SATANSTOE. 
 
 the sun, and off in quest of Dirck, in order that we might 
 enjoy a stroll along the wharves before it was time to repair 
 to the common, where the fun was to be seen. Accordingly 
 I got out of the house betimes, though it was an hour later 
 than I had intended ; for I heard the rattling of cups in the 
 little parlour, the sign that the table was undergoing the 
 usual process of arrangement for breakfast. It then occurred 
 to me that most, if not all of the servants, seven in number, 
 would be permitted to enjoy the holiday; and that it might 
 be well if I took all my meals, that day, in the fields. Run- 
 ning back to the room, I communicated this intention to 
 Juno, the girl I found doing Pompey's work, and left the 
 house on a jump. There was no great occasion for starv- 
 ing, I thought, in a town as large and as full of eatables as 
 New York ; and the result fully justified this reasonable 
 opinion. 
 
 Just as I got into Hanover Square, I saw a grey-headed 
 negro, who was for turning a penny before he engaged in 
 the amusements of the day, carrying two pails that were 
 scoured to the neatness of Dutch fastidiousness, and which 
 were suspended from the yoke he had across his neck and 
 shoulders. He cried " White wine — white wine !" in a clear 
 sonorous voice; and I was at his side in a moment. White 
 wine was, and is still, my delight of a morning; and I 
 bought a delicious draught of the purest and best of a Com- 
 munipaw vintage, eating a cake at the same time. Thus 
 refreshed, I proceeded into the square, the beauty of which 
 had struck my fancy as I walked through it the previous 
 evening. To my surprise, whom should I find in the very 
 centre of Queen Street, gaping about him with a most in- 
 domitable Connecticut air, but Jason Newcome ! A brief 
 explanation let me into the secret of his presence. His boys 
 had all gone home to enjoy the Pinkster holiday, with the 
 black servants of their respective families; and Jason had 
 seized the opportunity to pay his first visit to the great capi- 
 tal of the colony. He was on his travels, like myself. 
 
 "And what has brought you down here?" I demanded, 
 the pedagogue having already informed me that he had put 
 up at a tavern in the suburbs, where horse-keeping and 
 Jodgings were " reasonable." " The Pinkster fields are up 
 near the head of Broadway, on the common." 
 
SATAN STOE. 67 
 
 " So I hear," answered Jason ; " but I want to see a ship 
 and all the sights this way, in the first place. It will be 
 time enough for Pinkster, two or three hours hence, if a 
 Christian ought even to look at such vanities. Can yen tell 
 me where I am to find Hanover Square, Corny?" 
 
 " You are in it now, Mr. Newcome ; and to my fancy, a 
 very noble area it is !" 
 
 "This Hanover Square!" repeated Jason. "Why, its 
 shape is not that of a square at all ; is is nearer a triangle." 
 
 " What of that, sir ? By a square in a town, one does 
 not necessarily understand an area with four equal sides 
 and as many right angles, but an open space that is left for 
 air and beauty. There are air and beauty enough to satisfy 
 any reasonable man. A square may be a parallelogram, 
 or a triangle, or any other shape one pleases." 
 
 " This, then, is Hanover Square ! — a New York square, 
 or a Nassau Hall square, Corny ; but not a Yale College 
 square, take my word for it. It is so small, moreover!" 
 
 " Small ! — the width of the street at the widest end must 
 be near a hundred feet; I grant you it is not half that at 
 the other end, but that is owing to the proximity of the 
 houses." 
 
 " Ay, it is all owing to the proximity of the houses, as 
 you call it. Now, according to my notion, Hanover Square, 
 of which a body hears so much talk in the country, ought 
 to have had fifty or sixty acres in it, and statues of the 
 whole House of Brunswick, besides. Why is that nest of 
 houses left in the middle of your square?" 
 
 " It is not, sir. The square ceases when it reaches them. 
 They are too valuable to be torn down, although there has 
 | been some talk of it. My uncle Legge told me, last evening, 
 that those houses have been valued as high as twelve thou- 
 sand dollars ; and some persons put them as high as six 
 thousand pounds." 
 
 This reconciled Jason to the houses ; for he never failed 
 to defer to money, come in what shape it would. It was 
 the only source of human distinction that he could clearly 
 comprehend, though he had some faint impressions touching 
 the dignity of the crown, and the respect due to its repre- 
 sentatives. 
 
 " Corny," said Jason, in an under tone, and taking ma 
 
GS SATANSTOE. 
 
 always a moral enigma, to me ; there being an absolute 
 absence, in his mind, of everything like a perception of the 
 fitness of things, so far as the claims and rights of persons 
 were connected with rank, education, birth, and experience. 
 Rank, in the official sense, once possessed, he understood 
 and respected ; but of the claims to entitle one to its enjoy- 
 ment, he seemed to have no sort of notion. For property 
 he had a profound deference, so far as that deference ex- 
 tended to its importance and influence; but it would have 
 caused him not the slightest qualm, either in the way of con- 
 science or feeling, to find himself suddenly installed in the 
 mansion of the patroons, for instance, and placed in posses- 
 sion of their estates, provided only he fancied he could 
 maintain his position. The circumstance that he was dwell- 
 ing under the roof that was erected by another man's ances- 
 tors, for instance, and that others were living who had a 
 better moral right to it, would give him no sort of trouble, 
 so long as any quirk of the law would sustain him in pos- 
 session. In a word, all that was allied to sentiment, in 
 matters of this nature, was totally lost on Jason Newcome, 
 who lived and acted, from the hour he first came among us, 
 as if the game of life were merely a game of puss in the 
 corner, in which he who inadvertently left his own post un- 
 protected, would be certain to find another filling his place 
 as speedily as possible. I have mentioned this propensity 
 of Jason's at some little length, as I feel certain, should this 
 history be carried down by my own posterity, as I hope and 
 design, it will be seen that this disposition to regard the 
 whole human family as so many tenants in common, of the 
 estate left by Adam, will lead, in the end, to something ex- 
 traordinary. But, leaving the Rev. Mr. Worden and Mr. 
 Jason Newcome to journey in their public conveyance, I 
 must return to our own party. 
 
 All of us men, with the exception of those who drove the 
 two wagons of Herman Mordaunt, marched a-foot. Each 
 of us carried a knapsack, in addition to his rifle and ammu- 
 nition ; and, it will be imagined, that our day's work was 
 not a very long one. The first day, we halted at Madam 
 Schuyler's, by invitation, where we all dined ; including the 
 surveyor. Lord Howe was among the guests, that day ; 
 and he appeared to admire the spirit of Anneke and Mary 
 
SATAXSTOE. G9 
 
 Wallace greatly, in attempting such an expedition, at such 
 a time. 
 
 " You need have no fears, however, ladies, as we shall 
 keep up strong detachments between you and the French," 
 he said, more gravely, after some pleasant trifling on the 
 subject. " Last summer's work, and the disgraceful man- 
 ner in which poor Munro was abandoned to his fate, has 
 rendered us all keenly alive to the importance of compelling 
 the enemy to remain at the north end of Lake George ; too 
 many battles having already been fought on this side it, for 
 the credit of the British arms. We pledge ourselves to your 
 safety." 
 
 Anneke thanked him for this pledge, and the conversation 
 changed. There was a young man present, who bore the 
 name of Schuyler, and who was nearly related to Madam, 
 with whose air, manner and appearance I was much struck. 
 His aunt called him ' Philip ;' and, being about my own age, 
 during this visit I got into conversation with him. He told 
 me he was attached to the commissariat under Gen. Brad- 
 street, and that he should move on with the army, as soon 
 as the preparations for its inarching were completed. He 
 then entered into a clear, simple explanation of the supposed 
 plan of the approaching campaign. 
 
 " We shall see you and your friends among us, then, I 
 hope," he added, as we were walking on the lawn together, 
 previously to the summons to dinner ; " for, to own to you 
 the truth, Mr. Littlepage, I do not half like the necessity of 
 our having so many eastern troops among us, to clear this 
 colony of its enemies. It is true, a nation must fight its 
 foes wherever they may happen to be found ; but there is so 
 little in common, between us and the Yankees, that I could 
 wish we were strong enough to beat back the French 
 alone." 
 
 " We have the same sovereign and the same allegiance," 
 I answered ; " if you can call that something in common." 
 
 " That is true ; yet, I think you must have enough Dutch 
 blood about you to understand me. My duty calls me much 
 among the different regiments ; and, I will own, that I find 
 more trouble with one New England regiment, than with a 
 whole brigade of the other troops. They have generals, 
 
70 SATANSTOE. 
 
 at present that comports with my ideas of such a thing 
 On this common, then, was the Pinkster ground, which was 
 now quite full of people, as well as of animation. 
 
 There was nothing new in a Pinkster frolic, either to 
 Dirck, or to myself; though Jason gazed at the whole pro- 
 cedure with wonder. He was born within seventy miles of 
 that very spot, but had not the smallest notion before, of 
 such a holiday as Pinkster. There are few blacks in Con- 
 necticut, I believe ; and those that are there, are so ground 
 down in the Puritan mill, that they are neither fish, flesh, 
 nor red-herring, as we say of a non-descript. No man ever 
 heard of a festival in New England, that had not some im- 
 mediate connection with the saints, or with politics. 
 
 Jason was at first confounded with the noises, dances, 
 music, and games that were going on. By this time, nine- 
 tenths of the blacks of the city, and of the whole country 
 within thirty or forty miles, indeed, were collected in 
 thousands in those fields, beating banjoes, singing African 
 songs, drinking, and worst of all, laughing in a way that 
 seemed to set their very hearts rattling within their ribs. 
 Everything wore the aspect of good-humour, though it was 
 good-humour in its broadest and coarsest forms. Every 
 sort of common game was in requisition, while drinking was 
 far from being neglected. Still, not a man was drunk. A 
 drunken negro, indeed, is by no means a common thing. 
 The features that distinguish a Pinkster frolic from the usual 
 scenes at fairs, and other merry-makings, however, were of 
 African origin. It is true, there are not now, nor were 
 there then, many blacks among us of African birth ; but 
 the traditions and usages of their original country were so 
 far preserved as to produce a marked difference between 
 this festival, and one of European origin. Among other 
 things, some were making music, by beating on skins drawn 
 over the ends of hollow logs, while others were dancing to 
 it, in a manner to show that they felt infinite delight. This, 
 in particular, was said to be a usage of their African pro- 
 genitors. 
 
 Hundreds of whites were walking through the fields, 
 amused spectators. Among these last were a great many 
 children of the better class, who had come to look at the 
 enjoyment of those who attended them, in their own ordinary 
 
SATANSTOE. 71 
 
 nmusements. Many a sable nurse did I see that day, cha- 
 peroning her young master, 01 young mistress, or both to- 
 gether, through the various groups; demanding of all, and 
 receiving from all, the respect that one of these classes was 
 accustomed to pay to the other. 
 
 A great many young ladies between the ages of fifteen 
 and twenty were also in the field, either escorted by male 
 companions, or, what was equally as certain of producing 
 deference, under the care of old female nurses, who "be- 
 longed to the race that kept the festival. We had been in 
 the field ourselves two hours, and even Jason was besinninsr 
 to condescend to be amused, when, unconsciously, I got 
 separated from my companions, and was wandering through 
 the groups by myself, as I came on a party of young girls, 
 who were under the care of two or three wrinkled and 
 grey-headed negresses, so respectably attired, as to show at 
 once they were confidential servants in some of the better 
 families. As for the young ladies themselves, most were 
 still of the age of school girls ; though there were some of 
 that equivocal age, when the bud is just breaking into the 
 opening flower, and one or two that were even a little older ; 
 young women in forms and deportment, though scarcely so 
 in years. One of a party of two of the last, appeared to 
 me to possess all the grace of young womanhood, rendered 
 radiant by the ingenuous laugh, the light-hearted playful- 
 ness, and the virgin innocence of sweet seventeen. She 
 was simply, but very prettily dressed, and everything about 
 her attire, air, carriage and manner, denoted a young lady 
 of the better class, who was just old enough to feel all the 
 proprieties of her situation, while she was still sufficiently 
 youthful to enjoy all the fun. As she came near me, it 
 seemed as if I knew her; but it was not until I heard her 
 sweet, mirthful voice, that I recollected the pretty little 
 thing in whose behalf I had taken a round with the 
 butcher's boy, on the Bowery road, near six years before. 
 As her party came quite near the spot where I stood, what 
 was only conjecture at first, was reduced to a certainty. 
 
 In the surprise of the moment, happening to catch the 
 eye of the young creature, I was emboldened to make her 
 a low bow. At first she smiled, like one who fancies she 
 recognises an acquaintance ; then her face became scarlet, 
 
72 SATANSTOE. 
 
 and she returned my bow with a very lady-like, but, at the 
 same time, a very distant curtsey; upon which, bending her 
 blue eyes to the ground, she turned away, seemingly to 
 speak to her companion. After this, I could not advance 
 to speak, though I was strongly in hopes the old black 
 nurse who was with her would recognise me, for she had 
 manifested much concern about me on the occasion of the 
 quarrel with the young butcher. This did not occur ; and 
 old Katrinke, as I heard the negress called, jabbered away, 
 explaining the meaning of the different ceremonies of her 
 race, to a cluster of very interested listeners, without paying 
 any attention to me. The tongues of the pretty little things 
 went, as girls' tongues will go, though my unknown fair 
 one maintained all the reserve and quiet of manner that 
 comported with her young womanhood, and apparent con- 
 dition in life. 
 
 " Dere, Miss Anneke !" exclaimed Katrinke, suddenly ; 
 " dere come a genttleum dat will bring a pleasure, I know." 
 
 "Anneke" I repeated, mentally, and "gentleman that 
 will cause pleasure by his appearance." " Can it be 
 Dirck ?" I thought. Sure enough, Dirck it proved to be, 
 who advanced rapidly to the group, making a general 
 salute, and finishing by shaking my beautiful } 7 oung stran- 
 ger's hands, and addressing her by the name of " cousin 
 Anneke." This, then, was Annie Mordaunt, as the young 
 lady was commonly called in the English circles, the only 
 child and heiress of Herman Mordaunt, of Crown Street 
 and of Lilacsbush. Well, Dirck has more taste than I had 
 ever given him credit for ! Just as this thought glanced 
 through my mind, my figure caught my friend's eye, and, 
 with a look of pride and exultation, he signed to me to 
 draw nearer, though I had managed to get pretty near as it 
 was, already. 
 
 " Cousin Anneke," said Dirck, who never used circumlo- 
 cution, when direct means were at all available, " this is 
 Corny Littlepage, of whom you have heard me speak so 
 often, and for whom I ask one of your best curtsies and 
 sweetest smiles." 
 
 Miss Mordaunt was kind enough to comply literally, both 
 curtsying and smiling precisely as she had been desired to 
 do, though I could see she was also slightly disposed to 
 
SATANSTOE. 49 
 
 any horse Moses ? Jack might do, perhaps ; but Moses 
 would never enter the head of even an imp ! Remember, 
 lad, Moses was the great law-giver of the Jews; and such a 
 creature would be as apt to suppose a horse was named 
 Confucius, as to suppose he was named Moses !" 
 
 " I suppose the inspiration, as you call it, sir, would lead 
 a clever fortune-teller to give things as they are ; and to 
 call the horses by their real names, let them be what thev 
 might." 
 
 "Ay, such inspiration as this miserable, old, wrinkled., 
 impudent she-devil enjoys ! Don't tell me, Corny ; there is 
 no such thing as fortune-telling ; at least, nothing that can 
 be depended on in all cases — and this is one of downright 
 imposition. ' Loping Dominie,' forsooth !" 
 
 Such were the Rev. Mr. Worden's sentiments on the sub- 
 ject of Mother Doortje's revelations. He exacted a pledge 
 from us all, to say nothing about the matter ; nor were we 
 much disposed to be communicative on the subject. As for 
 Guert, Dirck, Jason, and myself, we did not hesitate to con- 
 verse on the circumstances of our visits, among ourselves, 
 however ; and each and all of us viewed the matter some 
 what differently from our Mentor. I ascertained that Jason 
 had been highly gratified with what had been predicted on 
 his own behalf; for what was wealth in his eyes had been 
 foretold as his future lot ; and a man rarely quarrels with 
 good fortune, whether in prospective, or in possession. Dirck, 
 though barely twenty, began to talk of living a single life 
 from this time ; and no laughter of mine could induce the 
 poor lad to change his views, or to entertain livelier hopes. 
 Guert was deeply impressed, as has been said ; and feeling 
 no restraint in the matter of his own case, he took occasion 
 to jpeak of his visit to the woman, one morning that Herman 
 Mordaunt, the two ladies, Bulstrode, and myself, were sitting 
 together, chatting, in the freedom of what had now become 
 a very constant intercourse. 
 
 "Are such things as fortune-tellers known in England, 
 Mr. Bulstrode?" Guert abruptly commenced, fastening his 
 eyes on Mary Wallace, as he asked the question ; for on 
 her were his '.noughts running at the time. 
 
 "All sorts of silly things are to be found in Old England, 
 Mr. Ten Eyck, as well as some that are wise. I believe 
 
 Vol. II. — 5 
 
f)G SATANSTOE. 
 
 London has one or two soothsayers ; and I think I have 
 heard elderly people say that the fashion of consulting them 
 has somewhat increased, since the court has been so German." 
 
 " Yes," Guert innocently replied ; " I find it easy to be- 
 lieve that ; for, it is a common saying, among our people, 
 that the German and Low Dutch fortune-tellers are the best 
 known. They have had, or pretend to have had, witches 
 in New England ; but no one, hereabouts, puts any faith in 
 ( the pretence. It is like all the bragging of these boastful 
 Yankees!" 
 
 I observed that Mary Wallace's colour deepened ; and 
 that, in biting off a thread, she profited, by the occasion, to 
 avert her face in such a manner, that Bulstrode, in particu- 
 lar, could not see it. 
 
 " The meaning of all this," put in Major Bulstrode 
 " is, that our friend Guert has been to pay a visit to Mothei 
 Doortje's ; a woman of some note, who lives on the hill, 
 and who has a reputation, in that way, among these good 
 Albanians ! Several of our mess have been to see the old 
 woman." 
 
 " It is, Mr. Bulstrode," Guert answered, in his manly 
 way, and with a gravity which proved how much he was in 
 earnest. " I have been to see Mother Doortje, for the first 
 time in my life ; and Corny Littlepage, here, was my com- 
 panion. Long as I have known the woman by reputation, 
 I have never had any curiosity to pay her a visit, until this 
 spring. We have been, however ; and, I must say, I have 
 been greatly surprised at the extent of the knowledge of this 
 I very extraordinary person." 
 
 " Did she tell you to look into the sweetmeat-pot, for the 
 lost spoon, Mr. Ten Eyck," Anneke inquired, with an arch- 
 ness of eye and voice, that sent the blood to my own face, 
 in confusion. "They say, that fortune-tellers send all pru- 
 dent, yet careless housewives, to the sweetmeat-pots, to look 
 for the lost spoons ! Many have been found, I hear, by this 
 wonderful prescience." 
 
 " Well, Miss Anneke, I see, you have no faith," answered 
 Guert, fidgeting; "and people who have no faith, nevei 
 believe. Notwithstanding, I put so much confidence in 
 what Doortje has told me, that I intend to follow her advice 
 let matters turn out as they may." 
 
SAT ANSTOE . 51 
 
 Here Mary Wallace raised her thoughtful, full, blue eyes 
 to the face of the young man ; and they expressed an intense 
 interest, rather than any light curiosity, that even her wo- 
 man's instinct and woman's sensitiveness could not so far 
 prevail, as to enable her to conceal. Still, Mary Wallace 
 did not speak, leaving the others present to maintain the 
 discourse. 
 
 " Of course, you mean to tell us all about it, Ten Eyck," 
 cried the Major ; " there is nothing more likely to succeed, 
 with an audience, than a good history of witchcraft, or some- 
 thing so very marvellous, as to do violence to common sense, 
 before we give it our faith." 
 
 "Excuse me, Mr. Bulstrode ; these are things I cannot 
 well mention ; though, Corny Littlepage will testify, that 
 they are very wonderful. At any rate, I shall go into the 
 bush, this spring ; and Littlepage and Follock, being excel- 
 lent companions, I propose to join their company. It will 
 be late, before the army will be ready to move : and, by that 
 time, all three of us propose to join you before Ticonderoga ; 
 if, indeed, you succeed in getting so far," 
 
 " Say, rather, in front of Montreal ; for, I trust, this new 
 Commander-in-Chief will find something more for us to do, 
 than the last one did. Shall I have a sentinel placed at 
 Doortje's door, in your absence, Guert?" 
 
 The smile, this question produced, was general ; Guert, 
 himself, joining in it ; for his good-nature was of proof. 
 When I say the smile was general, however, I ought to ex- 
 cept Mary Wallace, who smiled little, that morning. 
 
 11 We shall be neighbours, then," Herman Mordaunt 
 quietly observed ; " that is to say, if you mean, by accom- 
 panying Corny and Dirck to the bush, you intend to go 
 with them to the patent, lately obtained by Messrs. Little- 
 page and Van Valkenburgh. I have an estate, in that 
 quarter, which is now ten years old ; and these ladies have 
 consented to accompany me thither, as soon as the weather 
 is a little more settled, and I can be assured that our army 
 Mill be of sufficient force to protect us from the French and 
 Indians." 
 
 It is unnecessary for me to say with what delight Guert 
 and I heard this announcement ! On Bulstrode, however, it 
 produced an exactly contrary effect. He did not appear, to 
 
59 
 
 SATAN STOE 
 
 me, to be surprised, at a declaration that was so new to 
 us ; but several expressions fell from him, that showed he 
 had no idea the two estates, that of Herman Mordaunt's, and 
 that which belonged to us, lay so near together. It was by- 
 means of his questions, indeed, that I learned the real facts 
 of the case. It appeared that Herman Mordaunt's business, 
 in Albany, was to make some provisions in behalf of this 
 property, on which he had caused mills to be erected, and 
 some of the other improvements of a new settlement, to be 
 made, two or three years before ; and which, by the pro- 
 gress and events of the war, was getting to be in closer prox- 
 imity to the enemy, than was desirable. Even where the 
 French lay, at Ticonderoga, his mills, in particular, might 
 be thought in some danger, though forty or more miles dis- 
 tant ; for parties of savages, led on by white men, frequently 
 marched that distance through the forests, in order to break 
 up a settlement and to commit depredations. But the enemy 
 had crossed Lake George, the previous summer, and had 
 actually taken Fort William Henry, at its southern extre- 
 mity, by siege. It is true, this was the extent of their in- 
 road ; and, it was now known, that they had abandoned 
 this bold conquest, and had fallen back upon Ty and Crown 
 Point, two of the strongest military positions in the British 
 colonies. Still, Ravensnest, as Herman Mordaunt's pro- 
 perty was called, was far from being beyond the limits of 
 sorties ; and the residence, at Albany, was solely to M'atch 
 the progress of events in that quarter, and to be near the 
 scene. If he had any public employment, it remained ^a 
 profound mystery. A new source of embarrassment had 
 arisen, however ; and this it was that decided the proprietor 
 to visit his lands in person. The fifteen or twenty families 
 he had succeeded in establishing on the estate, at much cost 
 and trouble, had taken the alarm at the prospect of a cam- 
 paign in their vicinity ; and had announced an intention of 
 abandoning their huts and clearings, as the course most 
 expedient for the times. Two or three had already gone 
 off towards the Hampshire Grants, whence they had origi- 
 nally come ; profiting by the last of the snow ; and, it was 
 feared, that others might imitate their caution. 
 
 Herman Mordaunt saw no necessity for this abandonment 
 of advantages over the wilderness, that had been obtained 
 
SATAN STOE. 53 
 
 at so much cost and trouble. The labour of a removal, 
 and a return, was sufficient, of itself, to give a new direction 
 to the movements of his settlers ; and, as their first entrance 
 into the country had been effected through his agency, and 
 aided by his means, he naturally wished to keep the people 
 he had got to his estate with so much difficulty, and at so 
 much cost, at their several positions, as long, at least, as he 
 conceived it to be prudent. In these circumstances, there- 
 fore, he had determined to visit Ravensnest in person, and 
 to pass a part, if not most of the summer, among his people. 
 This would give them confidence, and would enable him to 
 infuse new life into their operations. It would seem, that 
 Anneke and Mary Wallace had refused to let Mr. Mordaunt 
 go alone; and, believing, himself, there was no danger in 
 the course he was about to take, the father and guardian, 
 for Mary Wallace was Herman Mordaunt's ward, had 
 yielded to the importunities of the two girls ; and it had been 
 formally decided that they were all to proceed together, as 
 soon as the season should get to be a little more advanced. 
 Intelligence of this intention had been sent to the settlers ; 
 and its effect was to induce them to remain at their posts, by 
 pacifying their fears. 
 
 I might as well add, here, what I learned subsequently, 
 in the due course of events. Bulstrode had been made ac- 
 quainted with Herman Mordaunt's plans, they being sworn 
 friends, and the latter warmly in the interest of the former's 
 suit ; and he had known how to profit by the information. 
 It was now time to put the troops in motion ; and several 
 parties had already marched towards the north, taking post 
 at different points that it was thought desirable to occupy, 
 previously to the commencement of the campaign. Among 
 other corps under orders of this nature, was that commanded 
 by Bulstrode ; and he had sufficient interest, at head-quar- 
 ters, to get it sent to the point nearest to Ravensnest ; where 
 it gave him the double advantage, of having it in his power 
 to visit the ladies, on occasion, while, at the same time, he 
 must appear, to them, somewhat in the character of a pro- 
 tector. The object of Dirck and myself, in visiting the 
 north, was no secret ; and, it was generally understood, that 
 we were to go to Mooseridge ; but we did not know, our- 
 selves, that Herman Mordaunt had an estate so near us. 
 5* 
 
51 SATANSTOE. 
 
 This intelligence, as has been said, I now ascertained, was 
 as new to Bulstrode as it was to myself. 
 
 The knowledge of many little things I have just men- 
 tioned, was obtained by me only at intervals, and by means 
 of observation and discourse. Nevertheless, the main points 
 were determined on the morning on which Guert referred to 
 his visit to the fortune-teller, and in the manner named. 
 The conversation lasted an hour ; nor did it cease, until all 
 present got a general idea of the course intended to be pur- 
 sued by the different parties present, during the succeeding 
 summer. 
 
 It happened, that morning, that Bulstrode, Dirck, and 
 Guert withdrew together, the two last to look at a horse the 
 former had just purchased, leaving me alone with the young 
 ladies. No sooner was the door closed on the retiring 
 members of our party, than I saw a smile struggling about 
 the handsome mouth of Anneke ; Mary Wallace continuing 
 the whole time thoughtful, if not sad. 
 
 "And you were of the party at the fortune-teller's, too, it 
 seems, Mr. Littlepage," Anneke remarked, after appearing 
 to be debating with herself on the propriety of proceeding 
 any farther in the subject. " I knew there was such a per- 
 son in Albany, and that thrifty housekeepers did sometimes 
 consult her ; but I was ignorant that men, and educated men, 
 paid her that honour." 
 
 " I believe there is no exception in the way of sex or 
 learning, to her influence, or her authority. They tell me 
 that most of the younger officers of the army visit her, 
 while they remain here." 
 
 " I would much like to know if Mr. Bulstrode has been 
 of the number ! He is young enough in years, though so 
 high in rank. A major may have as much curiosity as an 
 ensign ; or, as it may appear, dear Mary, of a woman who 
 has lost her grandmother's favourite dessert-spoon." 
 
 Mary Wallace gave a gentle sigh, and she even raised 
 her eyes from her work ; still, she made no answer. 
 
 " You are severe on us, Anneke ;" for, since the affair on 
 the river, the whole family treated me with the familiarity 
 of a son or a brother — " I fancy we have done no more than 
 Mr. Mordaunt has done in his day." 
 
 " This may be very true, Corny, and not make the con 
 
SATANSTOE. 55 
 
 sulfation the wisest thing in nature. I hope, however, you 
 do not keep your fortune a secret, but let your friends share 
 in your knowledge !" 
 
 " To me the woman was far from being communicative, 
 though she treated Guert Ten Eyck better. Certainly, she 
 told him many extraordinary things, of the past even ; unless, 
 indeed, she knew who he was." 
 
 " Is it probable, Mr. Littlepage," said Mary Wallace, 
 " that any person in Albany should not know Guert Ten 
 Eyck, and a good deal of his past history ? Poor Guert 
 makes himself known wherever he is !" 
 
 " And, often much to his advantage," I added — a remark 
 that cost me nothing ; but which caused Mary Wallace's 
 face to brighten, and even brought a faint smile to her lips. 
 "All that is true ; yet there was something wild and unnatural 
 in the woman's manner, as she told these things !" 
 
 "All of which you seem determined to keep to yourself?" 
 observed Anneke, as one asks a question. 
 
 " It would hardly do to betray a friend's secrets. Let 
 Guert answer for himself; he is as frank as broad day, and 
 will not hesitate about letting you know all." 
 
 " I wish Corny Littlepage were only as frank as twilight !" 
 
 " I have nothing to conceal — and least of all from you, 
 Anneke. The fortune-teller told me that the queen of my 
 heart was the queen of too many hearts ,* that the river had 
 done me no harm ; and that I must particularly beware of 
 what she called Knights-Barrowm^Ate." 
 
 I watched Anneke closely, as I repeated this warning of 
 Mother Doortje ; but could not read the expression of her 
 sweet and thoughtful countenance. She neither smiled nor 
 frowned ; but she certainly blushed. Of course, she did not 
 look at me — for that would have been to challenge observa- 
 tion. Mary Wallace, however, did smile, and she did look 
 at me. 
 
 "You believe all the wizzard told you, Corny?" said 
 Anneke, after a short pause. 
 
 " I believed that the queen of my heart was the queen of 
 many hearts ; that the river had done me no harm — though 
 I could not say, or see, that it had done me much good ; and 
 that I had much to fear from Knights-Barrowm'o7i£s. I 
 
56 SATANSTOE. 
 
 believed all this, however, before I ever saw the fortune- 
 teller." 
 
 The next remark that was made came from Anneke, and 
 it referred to the weather. The season was opening finely, 
 and fast ; and it could not be long before the great move- 
 ments of the year must commence. Several regiments had 
 arrived in the colonies, and various officers of note and rank 
 had accompanied them. Among others who had thus crossed 
 the Atlantic for the first time, was my Lord Howe, a young 
 soldier of whom fame spoke favourably, and from whom 
 much was expected in the course of the anticipated service 
 of the year. While we were talking over these things, 
 Herman Mordaunt re-entered the room, after a short absence, 
 and he took me with him to examine his preparations for 
 transporting the ladies to Ravensnest. As we went along, the 
 discourse was maintained, and I learned many things from 
 my older and intelligent companion, that were new to me. 
 
 " New lords, new laws, they say, Corny," continued 
 Herman Mordaunt ; " and this Pvtr. Pitt, the great commoner, 
 as some persons call him, is bent on making the British 
 empire feel the truth of the axiom. Everything is alive in 
 the colonies, and the sluggish period of Lord Loudon's com- 
 mand is passed. Gen. Abercrombie, an officer from whom 
 much is expected, is now at the head of the King's troops, 
 and there is every prospect of an active and most important 
 campaign. The disgraces of the few last years mvst be 
 wiped out, and the English name be made once more to be 
 dreaded on this continent. The Lord Howe of whom An- 
 neke spoke, is said to be a young man of merit, and to pos 
 sess the blood of our Hanoverian monarchs ; his mother 
 being a half-sister, in the natural way, of his present Ma- 
 jesty." 
 
 Herman Mordaunt then spoke more fully of his own 
 plans for the summer — expressed his happiness at knowing 
 that Dirck and myself were to be what he called his neigh- 
 bours — though, on a more exact computation, it was ascer- 
 tained, that the nearest boundaries of the two patents, that 
 of Ravensnest, and that of Mooseridge, lay quite fourteen 
 miles apart, with a dense and virgin forest between them. 
 Nevertheless, this would be making us neighbours, in a 
 certain sense; as gentlemen always call men of their own 
 
SATANSTOE. 57 
 
 class neighbours, when they live within visiting distance, or 
 near enough to be seen once or twice in a year. And such 
 men are neighbours, in the sense that is most essential to 
 the term — they know each other better; understand each 
 other better; sympathize more freely; have more of the 
 intercourse that makes us judges of motives, principles, and 
 character, twenty-fold, than he who lives at the gate, and 
 merely sees the owner of the grounds pass in and out, on 
 his daily avocations. There is, and can be no greater ab- 
 surdity, than to imagine that the sheer neighbourhood, or 
 proximity of position, makes men acquainted. That was 
 one of Jason Newcome's Connecticut notions. Having been 
 educated in a stale of society in which all associated on a 
 certain footing of intimacy, and in which half the difficulties 
 that occurred were " told to the church," he was for ever 
 fancying he knew all the gentry of Westchester, because he 
 had lived a year or two in the county ; when, in fact, he had 
 never spoken to one in a dozen of them. I never could 
 drive this notion out of his head, however ; for looking often 
 at a man, or occasionally exchanging a bow with him on 
 the highway, he would insist was knowing him, or what he 
 called, being " well acquainted ;" a very favourite expres- 
 sion of the Danbury man's ; though their sympathies, habits, 
 opinions, and feelings, created so vast a void between the 
 parties, they hardly understood each other's terms, and or- 
 dinary language, when they did begin to converse, as some- 
 times happened. Notwithstanding all this, Jason insisted to 
 the last that he knew every gentleman in the county, whom 
 he had been accustomed to hear alluded to in discourse, and 
 when he had seen them once or twice, though it were only 
 at church. But Jason had a very flattering notion, gene- 
 rally, of his own acquisitions on all subjects. 
 
 Herman Mordaunt had made careful provision for the 
 contemplated journey ; having caused a covered vehicle to 
 be constructed, that could transport not only himself and 
 the ladies, but many articles of furniture that would be re- 
 quired during their residence in the forest. Another con- 
 veyance, strong, spacious, and covered, was also prepared 
 for the blacks, and another portion of the effects. lie 
 pointed out all these arrangements to me with great satis- 
 faction, dwelling on the affection and spirit of the girls with 
 
58 SATANSTOE. 
 
 a pleasure he did not affect to conceal. For my own part, 
 I have always been of opinion, that Anneke was solely in- 
 fluenced by pure, natural regard, in forming her indiscreet 
 resolution ; while her father was governed by the secret ex- 
 pectation that the movement would leave open the means of 
 receiving visits and communications from Bulstrode, during 
 most of the summer. I commended the arrangements, made 
 one or two suggestions of my own in behalf of Anneke and 
 Mary, and we returned to our several homes. 
 
 A day or two after this visit to the workshops, and the 
 
 conversation related, the th took up its line of march 
 
 for the north. The troops defiled through the narrow streets 
 in the neighbourhood of the barracks, half an hour after 
 the appearance of the sun, preceded and followed by a long 
 train of baggage- wagons. They marched without tents, 
 however, it being well understood that they were going into 
 a region where the axe could at any time cover thousands 
 of men, in about the time that a camp could be laid out, 
 and the canvass spread. Hutting was the usual mode of 
 placing an army under cover in the forest ; and a dozen 
 marches would take the battalion to the point where it was 
 intended it should remain, as a support to two or three other 
 corps still further in advance, and to keep open the commu- 
 nications. 
 
 Bulstrode, however, did not quit Albany in company with 
 his regiment. I had been invited, with Guert and Dirck,to 
 breakfast at Herman Mordaunt's that morning; and, as we 
 approached the door, I saw the Major's groom walking his 
 own and his master's horse, in the street, near by. This 
 was a sign we were to have the pleasure of Bulstrode's com- 
 pany at breakfast. Accordingly, on entering the room, we 
 found him present, in the uniform of an officer of his rank, 
 about to commence a march in the forests of America. I 
 thought him melancholy, as if sad at parting; but my most 
 jealous observation could detect no sign of similar feeling 
 on the part of Anneke. She was not quite as gay as usual, 
 but she was far from being sad. 
 
 " 1 leave you, ladies, with the deepest regret," said Bul- 
 strode, while at table, " for you have made this country 
 more than a home to me — you have rendered it deary 
 
 This was said with feeling ; more than I had ever seen 
 
SATANSTOE. 59 
 
 Bulstrode manifest before, and more than I had given him 
 credit for possessing. Anneke coloured a little ; but there 
 was no tremor in the beautiful hand, that held a highly- 
 wrought little tea-pot suspended over a cup, at that very- 
 moment. 
 
 " We shall soon meet again, Harry," Herman Mordaunt 
 remarked, in a tone of strong affection ; " for, our party will 
 not be a week behind you. Remember, we are to be good 
 neighbours, as well as neighbours; and, if the mountain 
 will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the moun- 
 tain." 
 
 " Which means, Mr. Bulstrode," said Mary Wallace, with 
 one of her sweet smiles, and one that was as open and na- 
 tural as childhood itself, " that you are Mahomet, and we 
 are the mountain. Ladies can neither travel, with comfort, 
 in a wilderness, nor visit a camp, with propriety, if they 
 would." 
 
 " They tell me, I shall not be in a camp at all," answered 
 the soldier ; " but in good, comfortable log-barracks, that 
 have been built for us by the battalion we relieve. I am 
 not without hopes, they will be such as even ladies will not 
 disdain to use, on an emergency. There ought to be no 
 Mahomet, and no mountain, between such old and intimate 
 friends." 
 
 The conversation then turned on the plans and expecta- 
 tions of the respective parties ; and the usual promises were 
 made, of being sociable and good neighbours, as had just 
 been suggested. Herman Mordaunt evidently wished to 
 consider Bulstrode as one of his family ; a feeling that might 
 excuse itself to the world, on the score of consanguinity ; 
 but which, it was easy enough, for me, to see, had its origin 
 in a very different cause. When Bulstrode rose to take his 
 leave, I wished myself away, on account of the exhibition 
 of concern it produced ; while the desire to watch the effect 
 on Anneke, would have kept me rooted to the floor, even 
 had it been proper that I should retire. 
 
 Bulstrode was more affected than I could have thought 
 possible. He took one of Herman Mordaunt's hands into 
 his own, and pressed it warmly, for some little time, before 
 ne could speak at all. 
 
 il God only knows what this summer is to see, and 
 
CO SATANSTOE, 
 
 whether we are ever to meet again, or not," he then said ; 
 " but, come what may, the past, the happy past, is so much 
 gained from the commonplace. If you never hear of me 
 again, my dear kinsman, my letters to England will give 
 you a oetter account of my gratitude, than anything I c r .n 
 say in words. They have been written as your kindnesses 
 have been bestowed ; and they faithfully pourtray the feel- 
 ings to which your hospitality and friendship have given 
 rise. In a possible event, I have requested that every one 
 of them may be sent to America, for your special perusal — " 
 
 " Nay, my dear Harry, this is foreboding the very worst," 
 interrupted Herman Mordaunt, dashing a tear from his eye, 
 " and is making a very short separation, a more serious 
 matter than one ought — " 
 
 " Nay, sir, a soldier, who is about to be posted within 
 striking distance of his enemy, can never speak, with confi- 
 dence, of separations that are to be short. This campaign 
 will be decisive, for me," — glancing towards Anneke — " I 
 must return a conqueror, in one sense, or I do not wish to 
 return at all. But, God bless you, Herman Mordaunt, as 
 your own countrymen call you ; a thousand years could not 
 efface from my heart, the remembrance of all your kind- 
 ness." 
 
 This was handsomely expressed ; and the manner in 
 which it was uttered, was as good as the language. Bul- 
 strode hesitated a moment — looked at the two girls in doubt 
 — and first approached Mary Wallace. ■ 
 
 "Adieu, excellent Mary Wallace," he said, taking her 
 offered hand, and kissing it with a freedom from emotion, 
 that denoted it was only friendship and respect which in- 
 duced the act — " I believe, you are a severe critic on Catos 
 and Scrubs ; but, I forgive all your particular backbitings, 
 on account of your general indulgence and probity. You 
 may meet with a thousand mere acquaintances, before you 
 find another who shall have the same profound respect for 
 your many virtues, as myself." 
 
 This was handsomely said, too ; and it caused Mary Wal- 
 lace to remove the handkerchief from her eyes, and to utter 
 her adieus cordially, and with some emotion. Strangers 
 say that our women want feeling — passion ; or, if they have 
 \t, that it is veiled behind a mask of coldness, that takes 
 
SATANSTOE. 61 
 
 away from its loveliness and warmth ; that they are girlish 
 and familiar, where they might better be reserved; and dis- 
 tant, and unnatural, where feeling and nature ought to 
 assert their sway. That they have less manner, in all re- 
 spects, in that of self-control, and perhaps of self-respect, in 
 their ordinary intercourse, and in that of acting, where it 
 may seem necessary so to do, I believe to be true ; but, he 
 who denies an American girl a heart, knows nothing about 
 her. She is all heart ; and the apparent coldness is oftener 
 the consequence of not daring to trust her feelings, and her 
 general dislike to everything artificial, than to any want of 
 affections. Two girls, educated, however, as had been 
 Anneke and Mary Wallace, could not but acquit themselves 
 better, in such a scene, than those who had been less accus- 
 tomed to the usages of polite life, which are always, more or 
 less, the usages of convention. 
 
 On the present occasion, Mary Wallace was strongly 
 affected ; it would not have been possible, for one of her 
 gentle nature and warm affections, to be otherwise, when an 
 agreeable companion, one she had now known intimately 
 near two years, was about to take his leave of her, on an 
 errand that he himself either thought, or affected so well to 
 seem to think, might lead to the most melancholy issue. 
 She shook hands with Bulstrode, warmly ; wished him good 
 fortune, and various other pleasant things ; thanked him for 
 his good opinion, and expressed her hope, as well as her 
 belief, that they should all meet again before the summer 
 was over, and again be happy in each other's society. 
 
 Anneke's turn came next. Her handkerchief was at her 
 eyes ; and, when it was removed, the face was pale, and the 
 cheeks were covered with tears. The smile that followed, 
 was sweetness itself; and, I will own, it caused me a most 
 severe pang. To my surprise, Bulstrode said nothing. He 
 took Anneke's hand, pressed it to his heart, kissed it, left a 
 note in it, bowed, and moved away. I felt ashamed to watch 
 the countenance of Miss Mordaunt, under such circumstances, 
 and turned aside, that observation might not increase the 
 distress and embarrassment she evidently felt. I saw 
 enough, notwithstanding, to render me more uncertain than 
 ever, as to the success of my own suit. Anneke's colour 
 had come and gone, as Bulstrode stood near her, acting his 
 
 Vol. II. — 6 
 
G2 SATANSTOE. 
 
 dumb-show of leave-taking ; and, to me, she seemed far 
 more affected than Mary Wallace had been. Nevertheless, 
 her feelings were always keener and more active than those 
 of her friend ; and, that which my sensitiveness took for the 
 emotion of tenderness, might be nothing more than ordinary 
 womanly feeling and friendship. Besides, Bulstrode was 
 actually her relative. 
 
 We men all attended Bulstrode to his horse. He shook 
 us cordially by the hand ; and, after he had got into the 
 saddle, he said— "This summer will be warmer than is 
 usual, even in your warmy-cold climate. My letters from 
 home give me reason to think that there is, at last, a man 
 of talents at the head of affairs ; and the British empire is 
 likely to feel the impulse he will give it, at its most remote 
 extremities. I shall expect you three young men to join the 
 
 th, as volunteers, as soon as you hear of our moving in 
 
 advance. I wish I had a thousand like you ; for that affair 
 of the river tells where a man will be found when the time 
 comes. God bless you, Corny !" leaning forward in his 
 saddle, to give me another shake of the hand ; " we must 
 remain friends, coute qui coute" 
 
 There was no withstanding this frankness, and so much 
 good-temper. We shook hands most cordially ; Bulstrode 
 raised his hat and bowed ; after which he rode away, as I 
 fancied, at a slow, thoughtful, reluctant pace. Notwith- 
 standing the kindness of this parting, I had more cause than 
 ever to regret Bulstrode had appeared among us ; and the 
 scenes of that morning only confirmed me in a resolution, 
 previously adopted, not to urge Anneke to any decision, in 
 my case, at a moment when I felt there might be so much 
 danger it would be adverse. 
 
SATANSTOE, 63 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 "Come, let a proper text be read, 
 An' touch it aff wi' vigour, 
 How graceless Ham leugh at his dad, 
 Which made Canaan a nigger." 
 
 Burns. 
 
 Ten days after the departure of the th, Herman 
 
 Mordaunt and his family, with our own party, left Albany, 
 on the summer's business. In that interval, however, great 
 changes had taken place in the military aspect of things. 
 Several regiments of King's troops ascended the Hudson , 
 most of the sloops on the rivev, of which there could not 
 have been fewer than thirty or forty, having been em- 
 ployed in transporting them and their stores. Two or three 
 corps came across the country, from the eastern colonies, 
 while several provincial regiments appeared ; everything 
 tending to a concentration at this point, the head of naviga- 
 tion on the Hudson. Among other men of mark, who ac- 
 companied the troops, was Lord Viscount Howe, the noble- 
 man of whom Herman Mordaunt had spoken. He bore the 
 local rank of Brigadier,* and seemed to be the very soul of 
 the army. It was not his personal consideration alone, that 
 placed him so high in the estimation of the public and of 
 the troops, but his professional reputation, and professional 
 services. There were many young men of rank in the 
 army present ; and, as for younger sons of peers, there were 
 enough to make honourables almost as plenty, at Albany, 
 as they were at Boston. Most of the colonial families of 
 mark had sons in the service, too ; those of the middle and 
 southern colonies bearing commissions in regular regiments , 
 
 * The ordinary American reader may not know that the rank of 
 Brigadier, in the British army, is not a step in the regular line of 
 promotion, as with us. In England, the regular military gradations 
 are from Colonel to Major-general, Lieut. General, General, and Field 
 Marshal. The rank of Brigadier is barely recognised, like that of 
 Commodore, in the navy, to be used on emergencies ; usually as bre- 
 vet, local rank, to enable the government to employ clever colonels 
 at need. 
 
61 SATANSTOE. 
 
 while the provincial troops from the eastern were led, as 
 was very usual, in that quarter of the country, by men of 
 the class of yeomen, in a great degree ; the habits of equality 
 that prevailed in those provinces making few distinctions, on 
 the score of birth or fortune. 
 
 Yet it was said, I remember, that obedience was as 
 marked, among the provincials from Massachusetts and 
 Connecticut, as among those that came from farther south ; 
 the men deferring to authority, as the agent of the laws. 
 They were fine troops, too ; better than our own colony 
 regiments, I must acknowledge ; seeming to belong to a 
 higher class of labourers ; while, it must be a'dmitted, that 
 most of their officers were no very brilliant representatives 
 of manners, acquirements, or habits, that would be likely to 
 qualify them for command. It must have been that the 
 officers and men suited each other ; for, it was said all round, 
 that they stood well, and fought very bravely, whenever 
 they were particularly well led, as did not always happen to 
 be the case. As a body of mere physical men, they were 
 universally allowed to be the finest corps in the army, regu- 
 lars and all included. 
 
 I saw Lord Howe two or three times, particularly at the 
 residence of Madam Schuyler, the lady I have already had 
 occasion to mention, and to whom I had given the letter of 
 introduction procured by my mother, the Mordaunts visiting 
 her with great assiduity, and frequently taking me with 
 them. As for Lord Howe, himself, he almost lived under 
 the roof of excellent Madam Schuyler; where, indeed, all 
 the good company assembled at Albany, was, at times, to 
 be seen. 
 
 Our party was a large one ; and, it might have passed for 
 a small corps of the army itself, moving on in advance ; as 
 was the case with corps, or parts of corps, now, almost daily. 
 Herman Mordaunt had delayed our departure, indeed, ex- 
 pressly with a view to render the country safe, by letting it 
 fill with detachments from the army ; and our progress, 
 when we were once in motion, was literally from post to 
 post; encampment to encampment. It may "be well to enu- 
 merate our force, and to relate the order of our march, that 
 the reader may better comprehend the sort of business we 
 were on. 
 
SATAN STOE. G5 
 
 Herman Mordaunt took with him, in addition to the ladies, 
 a black cook, and a black serving-girl; a negro-man, to 
 take care of his horses, and another as his house-servant. 
 He had three white labourers, in addition — men employed 
 about the teams, and as axe-men, to clear the woods, bridge 
 the streams, and to do other work of that nature, as it might 
 be required. On our side, there were us three gentlemen, 
 Yaap, my own faithful negro, Mr. Traverse, the surveyor, 
 two chain-bearers, and two axe-men. Guert Ten Eyck 
 carried with him, also, a negro-man, who was called Pete ; 
 it being contrary to bonos mores to style him Peter or Pe- 
 trus ; the latter being his true appellation. This made us 
 ten men strong, of whom eight were white, and two black. 
 Herman Mordaunt mustered, in all, just the same number, 
 of which, however, four were females. Thus, by uniting 
 our forces, we made a party of twenty souls, altogether. 
 Of this number, all the males, black and white, were well 
 armed, each man owning a good rifle, and each of the gen- 
 tlemen a brace of pistols in addition. We carried the latter 
 belted to our bodies, with the weapons, which were small 
 and fitted to the service, turned behind, in such a way as to 
 be concealed by our outer garments. The belts were also 
 hid by the flaps of our nether garments. By this arrange- 
 ment, we were well armed without seeming to be so ; a pre- 
 caution that is sometimes useful in the woods. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to say, that we did not plunge into 
 the forest in the attire in which we had been accustomed to 
 appear in the streets of New York and Albany. Cocked 
 hats were laid aside altogether; forest caps, resembling in 
 form those we had worn in the winter, with the exception 
 that the fur had been removed, being substituted. The ladies 
 wore light beavers, suited to their sex; there being little 
 occasion for any shade for the face, under the dense cano- 
 pies of the forest. Veils of green, however, were added, as 
 the customary American protection for the sex. Anneke 
 and Mary travelled in habits, made of light woman's cloth, 
 and in a manner to fit their exquisite forms like gloves. The 
 skirts were short, to enable them to walk with ease, in the 
 event of being compelled to go a-foot. A feather or two, in 
 each hat, had not been forgotten — the offering of the natural 
 propensity of their sex, to please the eyes of men. 
 G* 
 
66 SATANSTOE. 
 
 As* for us men, buckskin formed the principal material 
 of our garments. We all wore buckskin breeches, and 
 gaiters, and moccasins. The latter, however, had the white- 
 man's soles ; though Guert took a pair or two with him that 
 were of the pure Indian manufacture. Each of us had a 
 coatee, made of common cloth ; but we all carried hunting- 
 shirts, to be worn as soon as we entered the woods. These 
 hunting-shirts, green in colour, fringed and ornamented gar- 
 ments, of the form of shirts to be worn over all, were ex- 
 ceedingly smart in appearance, and were admirably suited 
 to the woods. It was thought that the fringes, form, and 
 colour, blended them so completely with the foliage, as to 
 render them in a manner invisible to one at a distance ; or, 
 at least, undistinguished. They were much in favour with 
 all the forest corps of America, and formed the usual uni- 
 form of the riflemen of the woods, whether acting against 
 man, or only against the wild beasts. 
 
 Neither Mr. Worden, nor Jason, moved with the main 
 party ; and it was precisely on account of these distinctions 
 of dress. As for the divine, he was so good a stickler for 
 appearances, he would have worn the gown and surplice, 
 even on a mission to the Indians ; which, by-the-way, was 
 ostensibly his present business ; and, at the several occa- 
 sions, on which I saw him at cock-fights, he kept on the 
 clerical coat and shovel-hat. In a word, Mr. Worden never 
 neglected externals, so far as dress was concerned; and, I 
 much question, if he would have consented to read prayers 
 without the surplice, or to preach without the gown, let the 
 desire for spiritual provender be as great as it might. I 
 very well remember to have heard my father say, that, on 
 one occasion, the parson had refused to officiate of a Sun- 
 day, when travelling, rather than bring discredit on the 
 church, by appearing in the discharge of his holy office, 
 without the appliances that belonged to the clerical charac- 
 ter. 
 
 " More harm than good is done to religion, Mr, Little- 
 page," said the Rev. Mr. Worden, on that occasion, " by 
 thus lessening its rites in vulgar eyes. The first thing is 
 to teach men to respect holy finings, my dear sir; and a 
 clergyman in his gown and surplice, commands threefold 
 the respect of one without them. I consider it, therefore, a 
 
SATANSTOE. C7 
 
 jacred duty to uphold the dignity of my office on all occa- 
 sions." 
 
 It was in consequence of these opinions, that the divine 
 travelled in his clerical hat, clerical coat, black breeches, 
 and band, even when in pursuit of the souls of red men 
 among the wilds of North America ! I will not take it upon 
 myself to say, these observances had not their use; but I 
 am very certain they put the reverend gentleman to a great 
 deal of inconvenience. 
 
 As for Jason, he gave a Danbury reason for travelling 
 in his best. Everybody did so, in his quarter of the country ; 
 and, for his part, he thought it disrespectful to strangers, to 
 appear among them in old clothes ! There was, however, 
 another and truer reason, and that was economy ; for the 
 troops had so far raised the price of everything, that Jason 
 did not hesitate to pronounce Albany the dearest place he 
 had ever been in. There was some truth in this allegation ; 
 and the distance from New York, being no less than one 
 hundred and sixty miles — so reported — the reader will at 
 once see, it was the business of quite a month, or even more, 
 to re-furnish the shelves of the shop that had been emptied. 
 The Dutch not only moved slow, but they were methodical ; 
 and the shopkeeper whose stores were exhausted in April, 
 would not be apt to think of replenishing them, until the 
 regular time and season returned. 
 
 As a consequence of these views and motives, the Rev. 
 Mr. Worden and Mr. Jason Newcome left Albany twenty- 
 four hours in advance of the rest of our party, with the 
 understanding they were to join us at a point where the 
 road led into the woods, and where it was thought the cocked 
 hat and the skin cap might travel in company harmoniously. 
 There was, however, a reason for the separation I have not 
 yet named, in the fact that all of my own set travelled on 
 foot, three or four pack-horses carrying our necessaries. 
 Now Mr. Worden had been offered a seat in a government 
 conveyance, and Jason managed to worm himself into the 
 party, in some way that to me was ever inexplicable. It is, 
 however, due to Mr. Newcome to confess that his faculty of 
 obtaining favours of all sorts, was of a most extraordinary 
 character ; and he certainly never lost any chance of pre- 
 ferment for want of asking. In this respect, Jason was 
 
GS SATANSTOE. 
 
 always a moral enigma, to me ; there being an absolute 
 absence, in his mind, of everything like a perception of the 
 fitness of things, so far as the claims and rights of persons 
 were connected with rank, education, birth, and experience. 
 Rank, in the official sense, once possessed, he understood 
 and respected ; but of the claims to entitle one to its enjoy- 
 ment, he seemed to have no sort of notion. For property 
 he had a profound deference, so far as that deference ex- 
 tended to its importance and influence; but it would have 
 caused him not the slightest qualm, either in the way of con- 
 science or feeling, to find himself suddenly installed in the 
 mansion of the patroons, for instance, and placed in posses- 
 sion of their estates, provided only he fancied he could 
 maintain his position. The circumstance that he was dwell- 
 ing under the roof that was erected by another man's ances- 
 tors, for instance, and that others were living who had a 
 better moral right to it, would give him no sort of trouble, 
 so long as any quirk of the law would sustain him in pos- 
 session. In a word, all that was allied to sentiment, in I 
 matters of this nature, was totally lost on Jason Newcome, 
 who lived and acted, from the hour he first came among us, 
 as if the game of life were merely a game of puss in the 
 corner, in which he who inadvertently left his own post un- 
 protected, would be certain to find another filling his place 
 as speedily as possible. I have mentioned this propensity 
 of Jason's at some little length, as I feel certain, should this 
 history be carried down by my own posterity, as I hope and 
 design, it will be seen that this disposition to regard the 
 whole human family as so many tenants in common, of the 
 estate left by Adam, will lead, in the end, to something ex- 
 traordinary. But, leaving the Rev. Mr. Worden and Mr. 
 Jason Newcome to journey in their public conveyance, I 
 must return to our own party. 
 
 All of us men, with the exception of those who drove the 
 two wagons of Herman Mordaunt, marched a-foot. Each 
 of us carried a knapsack, in addition to his rifle and ammu- 
 nition ; and, it will be imagined, that our day's work was 
 not a very long one. The first day, we halted at Madam 
 Schuyler's, by invitation, where we all dined ; including the 
 surveyor. Lord Howe was among the guests, that day ; 
 and he appeared to admire the spirit of Anneke and Mary 
 
SATANSTOE. G9 
 
 Wallace greatly, in attempting such an expedition, at such 
 a time. 
 
 " You need have no fears, however, ladies, as we shall 
 keep up strong detachments between you and the French," 
 he said, more gravely, after some pleasant trifling on the 
 subject. " Last summer's work, and the disgraceful man- 
 ner in which poor Munro was abandoned to his fate, has 
 rendered us all keenly alive to the importance of compelling 
 the enemy to remain at the north end of Lake George ; too 
 many battles having already been fought on this side it, for 
 the credit of the British arms. We pledge ourselves to your 
 safety." 
 
 Anneke thanked him for this pledge, and the conversation 
 changed. There was a young man present, who bore the 
 name of Schuyler, and who was nearly related to Madam, 
 with whose air, manner and appearance I was much struck. 
 His aunt called him ' Philip ;' and, being about my own age, 
 during this visit I got into conversation with him. He told 
 me he was attached to the commissariat under Gen. Brad- 
 street, and that he should move on with the army, as soon 
 as the preparations for its marching were completed. He 
 then entered into a clear, simple explanation of the supposed 
 plan of the approaching campaign. 
 
 " We shall see you and your friends among us, then, I 
 hope," he added, as we were walking on the lawn together, 
 previously to the summons to dinner ; " for, to own to you 
 the truth, Mr. Littlepage, I do not half like the necessity of 
 our having so many eastern troops among us, to clear this 
 colony of its enemies. It is true, a nation must fight its 
 foes wherever they may happen to be found ; but there is so 
 little in common, between us and the Yankees, that I could 
 wish we were strong enough to beat back the French 
 alone." 
 
 " We have the same sovereign and the same allegiance," 
 I answered ; " if you can call that something in common." 
 
 " That is true ; yet, I think you must have enough Dutch 
 blood about you to understand me. My duty calls me much 
 among the different regiments ; and, I will own, that I find 
 more trouble with one New England regiment, than with a 
 whole brigade of the other troops. They have generals, 
 
70 SATANSTOE. 
 
 and colonels, and majors, enough for the army of the Duke 
 of Marlborough !" 
 
 "It is certain, there is no want of military rank among 
 them — and they are particularly fond of referring to it." 
 
 " Quite true," answered young Schuyler, smiling. " You 
 will hear the word ' general' or ' colonel' oftener used, in 
 one of their cantonments, in a day, than you shall hear it 
 at Head Quarters in a month. They have capital points 
 about them, too ; yet, somehow or other, we do not like 
 each other." 
 
 Twenty years later in life, I had reason to remember this 
 remark, as well as to reflect on the character of the man 
 who had uttered it. I, or my successors, will probably have 
 occasion to advert to matters connected with this feeling, in 
 the later passages of this record. 
 
 I had also a little conversation with Lord Howe, who 
 complimented me on what had passed on the river. He had 
 evidently received an account of that affair from some one 
 who was much my friend, and saw fit to allude to the sub- 
 ject in a way that was very agreeable to myself. This 
 short conversation was not worth repeating, but it opened 
 the way to an acquaintance that subsequently was connected 
 with some events of interest. 
 
 About an hour after dinner, our party took its leave of 
 Madam Schuyler, and moved on. The day's march was 
 intended to be short, though by this time the roads were set- 
 tled, and tolerably good. Of roads, however, we were not 
 long to enjoy the advantages, for they extended only some 
 thirty miles to the north of Albany, in our direction. With 
 the exception of the military route, which led direct to the 
 head-waters of Lake Champlain, this was about the extent 
 of all the avenues that penetrated the interior, in that quarter 
 of the country. Our direction was to the northward and 
 eastward, both Ravensnest and Mooseridge lying slightly in 
 the direction of the Hampshire Grants. 
 
 As soon as we reached the point on the great northern 
 road, or that which led towards Skeenesborough, Herman 
 Mordaunt was obliged to quit his wagons, and to put all the 
 females on horseback. The most necessary of the stores 
 were placed on pack-horses; and, after a delay of half a 
 day, time lost in making these arrangements, we proceeded. 
 
SATANSTOE. 71 
 
 The wagons were to follow, but at a slow pace, the ladies 
 being compelled to abandon them on account of the rugged- 
 ness of the ways, which would have rendered their motion 
 not easy to be borne. Our cavalcade and train of footmen 
 made a respectable display along the uneven road, which 
 soon became very little more than a line cut through the 
 forest, with an occasional wheel-track, but without the least 
 attempt to level the surface of the ground by any artificial 
 means. This was the place where we were to overtake Mr. 
 Worden and Jason, and where we did find their effects ; the 
 owners themselves having gone on in advance, leaving word 
 that we should fall in with them somewhere on the route. 
 
 Guert and I marched in front, our youth and vigour ena- 
 bling us to do this with great ease to ourselves. Knowing 
 that the ladies were well cared for, on horseback, we pushed 
 on, in order to make provision for their reception, at a house 
 a few miles distant, where we were to pass the night. This 
 building was of logs, of course, and stood quite alone in the 
 wilderness, having, however, some twenty or thirty acres 
 of cleared land around it; and it would not do to pass it, at 
 that time of the day. The distance from this solitary dwell- 
 ing to the first habitation on Herman Mordaunt's property, 
 was eighteen miles ; and that was a length of road that would 
 require the whole of a long May day to overcome, under 
 our circumstances. 
 
 Guert and myself might have been about a mile in ad- 
 vance of the rest of the party, when we saw a sort of semi- 
 clearing before us, that we mistook at first for our resting- 
 place. A few acres had been chopped over, letting in the 
 light of the day upon the gloom of the forest, but the second 
 growth was already shooting up, covering the area with high 
 bushes. As we drew nearer, we saw it was a small, aban- 
 doned clearing. Entering it, voices were heard at no great 
 distance, and we stopped ; for the human voice is not heard, 
 in such a place, without causing the traveller to pause, and 
 stand to his arms. This we did ; after which we listened 
 with some curiosity and caution. 
 
 " High !" exclaimed some one, very distinctly, in Eng- 
 lish. 
 
 " Jack !" said another voice, in a sort of answering second, 
 that could not well be mistaken. 
 
TZ SATAN STOE. 
 
 " There's three for low ;— is that good ?" put in the first 
 speaker. 
 
 "It will do, sir; but here are a ten and an ace. Ten 
 and three, and four and two make nineteen ; — I 'm game." 
 
 " High, low, Jack and game !" whispered Guert ; " here 
 are fellows playing at cards, near us ; let us go on and beat 
 up their quarters." 
 
 We did so ; and, pushing aside some bushes, broke, quite 
 unexpectedly to all parties, on the Rev. Mr. Worden and 
 Jason Newcome, playing the game of 'All Fours on a stump ; T 
 or, if not literally in the classic position of using ' the slump,' 
 substituting the trunk of a fallen tree for their table. As 
 we broke suddenly in upon the card-players, Jason gave 
 unequivocal signs of a disposition to conceal his hand, by 
 thrusting the cards he held into his bosom, while he rapidly 
 put the remainder of the pack under his thigh, pressing it 
 down in a way completely to conceal it. This sudden 
 movement was merely the effect of a puritanical education, 
 which, having taught him to consider that as a sin which 
 was not necessarily a sin at all, exacted from him that hy- 
 pocrisy which is the tribute that vice pays to virtue ! Very 
 different was the conduct of the Rev. Mr. Worden. Taught 
 to discriminate better, and unaccustomed to set up arbitrary- 
 rules of his own as the law of God, this loose observer of 
 his professional obligations in other matters, made a very 
 proper distinction in this. Instead of giving the least mani- 
 festation of confusion or alarm, the log on which he was 
 seated was not more unmoved than he remained, at our sud- 
 den appearance at his side. 
 
 " I hope, Corny, my dear boy," Mr. Worden cried, "that 
 you did not forget to purchase a few packs of cards ; which, 
 I plainly see, will be a great resource for us, in this woody 
 region. These cards of Jason's are so thumbed and han- 
 dled, that they are not fit to be touched by a gentleman, as 
 I will show you. — Why, what has become of the pack, 
 Master Newcome ? — It was on the log but a minute ago !" 
 
 Jason actually blushed! Yes, for a wonder, shame in- 
 duced Jason Newcome to change colour ! The cards were 
 reluctantly produced from beneath his leg, and there the 
 schoolmaster sat, as it might be in presence of his school, 
 actually convicted of being engaged in the damning sin of 
 
S A T A N S T O E . 73 
 
 handling certain spotted pieces of paper, invented for, and 
 used in the combinations of a game played for amusement. 
 
 " Had it been push-pin, now," Guert whispered, " it would 
 give Mr. Newcome no trouble at all ; but he does not admire 
 the idea of being caught at 'All Fours, on a stump.' We 
 must say a word to relieve the poor sinner's distress. I have 
 cards, Mr. Worden, and they shall be much at your service, 
 as soon as we can come at our effects. There is one pack 
 in my knapsack, but it is a little soiled by use, though some- 
 what cleaner than that. If you wish it, I will hand it to 
 you. I never travel without carrying one or two clean 
 packs with me." 
 
 " Not just now, sir, I thank you. I love a game of Whist, 
 or Picquet, but cannot say I am an admirer of All Fours. 
 As Mr. Newcome knows no other, we were merely killing 
 half an hour, at that game ; but I have enough of it to last 
 me for the summer. I am glad that cards have not been 
 forgotten, however ; for, I dare say, we can make up a very 
 respectable party at Whist, when we all meet." 
 
 "That we can, sir, and a party that shall have its good 
 players. Miss Mary Wallace plays as good a hand at Whist, 
 as a woman should, Mr. Worden ; and a very pretty accom- 
 plishment it is, for a lady to possess ; useful, sir, as well as 
 entertaining; for anything is preferable to dummy. I do 
 not think a woman should play quite as well as a man, our 
 sex having a natural claim to lead, in all such things ; but 
 it is very convenient, sometimes, to find a lady who can 
 hold her hand with coolness and skill." 
 
 "I would not marry a woman who did not understand 
 Picquet," exclaimed the Rev. Mr. Worden ; " to say nothing 
 of Whist, and one or two other games. But, let us be 
 moving, since the' hour is getting late." 
 
 Move on we did, and in due time we all reached the place 
 at which we were to halt for the night. This looked like 
 plunging into the wilderness indeed ; for the house had but 
 two rooms, one of which was appropriated to the use of the 
 females, while most of us men took up our lodgings in the 
 barn. Anneke and Mary Wallace, however, showed the 
 most perfect good-humour ; and our dinner, or supper might 
 better be the name, was composed of deliciously fat and 
 tender broiled pigeons. It was the piseon season, the woods 
 
 Vol. II. — 7 
 
74 • SATANSTOE. 
 
 being full of the birds ; and we were told, we might expect 
 to feast on the young to satiety. 
 
 About noon the next day, we reached the first clearing 
 on the estate of Ravensnest. The country through which 
 we were travelling was rolling rather than bold ; but it pos- 
 sessed a feature of grandeur in its boundless forests. Our 
 route, that day, lay under lofty arches of young leaves, the 
 buds just breaking into the first green of the foliage, tall, 
 straight columns, sixty, eighty, and sometimes a hundred 
 feet of the trunks of the trees, rising almost without a branch. 
 The pines, in particular, were really majestic, most of them 
 being a hundred and fifty feet in height, and a few, as I 
 should think, nearly if not quite two hundred. As every- 
 thing grows towards the upper light, in the forest, this ought 
 not to surprise those who are accustomed to see vegetation 
 expand its powers in wide-spreading tops, and low, gnarled 
 branches that almost touch the ground, as is the case in the 
 open fields, and on the lawns of the older regions. As is 
 usual in the American virgin forest, there was very little 
 under-brush ; and we could see frequently a considerable 
 distance through these long vistas of trees ; or, indeed, until 
 the number of the stems intercepted the sight. 
 
 The clearings of Ravensnest were neither very large nor 
 very inviting. In that day, the settlement of new lands was 
 a slow and painful operation, and was generally made at a 
 great outlay to the proprietor. Various expedients were 
 adopted to free the earth from its load of trees ;* for, at that 
 
 * The late venerable Hendrick Frey was a man well known to all 
 who dwelt in the valley of the Mohawk. He had been a friend, con- 
 temporary, and it is believed an executor of the celebrated Sir Wil- 
 liam Johnson, Bart. Thirty years since, he related to the writer the 
 following anecdote. Young Johnson first appeared in the valley as 
 the agent of a property belonging to his kinsman, Admiral Sir Peter 
 Warren, K. B. ; who, having married in the colony, had acquired 
 several estates in it. Among other tracts was one called Warrens. 
 bush, on the Mohawk, on which young Johnson first resided. Find- 
 ing it difficult to get rid of the trees around his dwelling, Johnson 
 sent down to the admiral, at New York, to provide some purchases 
 with which to haul the trees down to the earth, after grubbing and 
 cutting the roots on one side. An ;icre was lowered in this manner, 
 each tree necessarily lying at a larger angle to the earth than the 
 next beneath it. An easterly wind came one night, und, to John- 
 son's surprise, he found half his trees erect again, on rising in the 
 
SATANSTOE. 75 
 
 time, the commerce of the colonies did not reward the toil 
 of the settler in the same liberal manner as has since oc- 
 curred. Herman Mordaunt, as we moved along, related to 
 me the cost and trouble he had been at already, in getting 
 the ten or fifteen families who were on his property, in the 
 first place, to the spot itself; and, in the second place, to 
 induce them to remain there. Not only was he obliged to 
 grant leases for three lives, or, in some cases, for thirty or 
 forty years, at rents that were merely nominal, but, as a 
 rule, the first six or eight years the tenants were to pay no 
 rent at all. On the contrary, he was obliged to extend to 
 them many favours, in various ways, that cost no inconside- 
 rable sum in the course - of the year. Among other things, 
 his agent kept a small shop, that contained the most ordi- 
 nary supplies used by families of the class of the settler, and 
 these he sold at little more than cost, for their accommoda- 
 tion, receiving his pay in such articles as they could raise 
 from their half-tilled fields, or their sugar-bushes, and turn- 
 ing those again into money, only after they were transported 
 to Albany, at the end of a considerable period. In a word, 
 the commencement of such a settlement was an arduous 
 undertaking, and the experiment was not very likely to suc- 
 ceed, unless the landlord had both capital and patience. 
 
 The political economist can have no difficulty in discover- 
 ing the causes of the circumstances just mentioned. They 
 were to be found in the fact that people were scarce, while 
 land was superabundant. In such a condition of society, the 
 tenant had the choice of his farm, instead of the landlord's 
 having a selection of his tenants, and the latter were to be 
 bought only on such conditions as suited themselves. 
 
 " You see," continued Herman Mordaunt, as we walked 
 together, conversing on this subject, " that my twenty thou- 
 sand acres are not likely to be of much use to myself, even 
 should they prove to be of any to my daughter. A century 
 hence, indeed, my descendants may benefit from all this 
 outlay of money and trouble ; but it is not probable that 
 either I or Anneke will ever see the principal and interest 
 of the sums that will be expended in the way of roads, 
 
 morning ! The mode of clearing lands by ' purchases' was then 
 abandoned. — Editor. 
 
76 SATANSTOE. 
 
 bridges, mills, and other things of that sort. Years must go 
 by, before the light rents which will only begin to be pajd a 
 year or two hence, and then only by a very few tenants, 
 can amount to a sufficient sum to meet the expenses of keep- 
 ing up the settlement, to say nothing of the quit-rents to be 
 paid to the crown." 
 
 " This is not very encouraging to a new beginner in the 
 occupation of a landlord," I answered; "and, when I look 
 into the facts, I confess, I am surprised that so many gentle- 
 men in the colony are willing to invest the sums they annu- 
 ally do in wild lands." 
 
 " Every man who is at his ease in his moneyed affairs, 
 Corny, feels a disposition to make some provision for his 
 posterity. This estate, if kept together, and in single hands, 
 may make some descendant of mine a man of fortune. Half 
 a century will produce a great change in this colony ; and, 
 at the end of that period, a child of Anneke's may be thank- 
 ful that his mother had a father who was willing to throw 
 away a few thousands of his own, the surplus of a fortune 
 that was sufficient for his wants without them, in order that 
 his grandson may see them converted into tens, or possibly 
 into hundreds of thousands." 
 
 " Posterity will, at least, owe us a debt of gratitude, Mr. 
 Mordaunt ; for I now see that Mooseridge is not likely to 
 make either Dirck or myself very affluent patroons." 
 
 " On that you may rely. Satanstoe will produce you 
 more than the large tracts you possess in this quarter." 
 
 " Do you no longer fear, sir, that the war, and apprehen- 
 sion of Indian ravages, may drive your people off?" 
 
 " Not much at present, though the danger was great at 
 one time. The war may do me good, as well as harm. 
 The armies consume everything they can get — soldiers 
 resembling locusts, in this respect. My tenants have had 
 the commissaries among them ; and, I am told, every blade 
 of grass they can spare — all their surplus grain, potatoes, 
 butter, cheese, and, in a word, every thin 2; that can be eaten, 
 and with which they are willing to part, has been contracted 
 for at the top of the market. The King pays in gold, and 
 the sight of the precious metals will keep even a Yankee 
 from moving." 
 
 About the time this was said, we came in sight of the spot 
 
SATANSTOE. 77 
 
 Herman Mordaunt had christened Ravensnest ; a name thai 
 had since been applied to the whole property. It was a loo 
 building, that stood on the verge of a low cliff of rocks, at a 
 point where a bird of that appellation had originally a nest 
 on the uppermost branches of a dead hemlock. The build- 
 ing had been placed, and erected, with a view to defence, 
 having served for some time as a sort of rallying point to 
 the families of the tenantry, in the event of an Indian alarm. 
 At the commencement of the present war, taking into view 
 the exposed position of his possessions on that frontier, — 
 frontier as to settlement, if not as to territorial limits, — Her- 
 man Mordaunt had caused some attention to be paid to his 
 fortifications ; which, though they might not have satisfied 
 Mons. Vauban, were not altogether without merit, considered 
 in reference to their use in case of a surprise. 
 
 The house formed three sides of a parallelogram, the 
 open portion of the court in the centre, facing the cliff. A 
 strong picket served to make a defence against bullets on that 
 side; while the dead walls of solid logs were quite impreg- 
 nable against any assault known in forest warfare, but that 
 of fire. All the windows opened on the court; while the 
 single outer door was picketed, and otherwise protected by 
 coverings of plank. I was glad to see by the extent of this 
 rude structure, which was a hundred feet long by fifty in 
 depth, that Anneke and Mary Wallace would not be likely 
 to be straitened for room. Such proved to be the fact ; 
 Herman Mordaunt's agent having prepared four or five 
 apartments for the family, that rendered them as comfortable 
 as people could well expect to be in such a situation. Every- 
 thing was plain, and many things were rude ; but shelter, 
 warmth and security had not been neglected. 
 
 J 
 
78 SATANSTOE 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 "And long shall timorous fancy see 
 The painted chief and pointed spear ; 
 
 And Reason's self shall bow the knee 
 To shadows and delusions here." 
 
 Freneau. 
 
 It is not necessary to dwell on the manner in which Her- 
 man Mordaunt and his companions became established at 
 Kavensnest. Two or three days sufficed to render them as 
 comfortable as circumstances would permit; then Dirck 
 and I bethought us of proceeding in quest of the lands of 
 Mooseridge. Mr. Worden and Jason both declined going 
 any further; the mill-seat, of which the last was in quest, 
 being, as I now learned, on the estate of Herman Mordaunt, 
 and having been for some time the subject of a negotiation 
 between the pedagogue and its owner. As for the divine, 
 he declared that he saw a suitable ' field' for his missionary 
 labour where he was ; while, it was easy to see, that he 
 questioned if there were fields of any sort, where we were 
 going. 
 
 Our party, on quitting Ravensnest, consisted of Dirck and 
 myself, Guert, Mr. Traverse, the surveyor, three chain- 
 bearers, Jaap or Yaap, Guert's man, Pete, and one woods- 
 man or hunter. This would have given us ten vigorous 
 and well-armed men, for our whole force. It was thought 
 best, however, to add two Indians to our number, in the 
 double character of hunters and runners, or messengers. 
 One of these red-skins was called Jumper, in the language 
 of the settlement where we found them ; and the other 
 Trackless ; the latter sobriqvet having been given him on 
 account of a faculty he possessed of leaving little or no trail 
 in his journeys and marches. This Indian was about six- 
 and-twenty years of age, and was called a Mohawk, living 
 wilh the people of that tribe ; though, I subsequently ascer- 
 tained that he was, in fact, an Onondago* by birth. His 
 
 * Pronounced On-on-daw-ger, the latter syllable hard ; or, like ga, 
 as it is sometimes spelled. This is the name of one of the midland 
 
SATANSTOE. 79 
 
 true name was Susquesus, or Crooked Turns ; an appella- 
 tion that might or might not speak well of his character, as 
 the ' turns' were regarded in a moral, or in a physical sense. 
 
 " Take that man, Mr. Littlepage, by all means," said 
 Herman Mordaunt's agent, when the matter was under dis- 
 cussion. " You will find him as useful, in the woods, as 
 your pocket-compass, besides being a reasonably good 
 hunter. He left here, as a runner, during the heaviest of 
 the snows, last winter, and a trial was made to find his trail, 
 within half an hour after he had quitted the clearing, but 
 without success. He had not gone a mile in the woods, 
 before all traces of him were lost, as completely as if he had 
 made the journey in the air." 
 
 As Susquesus had a reputation for sobriety, as was apt 
 to be the case with the Onondagoes, the man was engaged, 
 though one Indian would have been sufficient for our pur- 
 pose. But Jumper had bee.n previously hired ; and it would 
 have been dangerous, under our circumstances, to offend a 
 -ed-man, by putting him aside for another, even after com- 
 pensating him fully for the disappointment. By Mr. Tra- 
 verse's advice, therefore, we took both. The Indian or 
 Mohawk name of Jumper, was Quissquiss, a term that, I 
 fancy, signified nothing very honourable or illustrious. 
 
 The girls betrayed deep interest in us, on our taking leave ; 
 more, I thought, than either had ever before manifested. 
 Guert had told me, privately, of an intention, on his part, to 
 make another offer to Mary Wallace ; and I saw the traces 
 of it in the tearful eyes and flushed cheeks of his mistress. 
 But, at such a moment, one does not stop to think much of 
 such things ; there being tears in Anneke's eyes, as well as 
 in those of her friend. We had a thousand good wishes to 
 exchange ; and we promised to keep open the communica- 
 tion between the two parties, by means of our runners, 
 semi- weekly. The distance, which would vary from fifteen 
 to thirty miles, would readily admit of this, since either of 
 the Indians would pass over it, with the greatest ease to 
 himself, in a day, at that season of the year. 
 
 counties of New York. The tribe from which it is derived, in these 
 later times, has ever borne a better name for morals, than its neigh, 
 hours, the Oneidas, the Mohawks, &c, &c. The Onondagoes be* 
 longed to the Six Nations. — Editor. 
 
80 SATANSTOE. 
 
 After all, the separation was to be short, for we had pro. 
 mised to come over and dine with Herman Mordaunt on hi3 
 fiftieth birth-day, which would occur within three weeks. 
 This arrangement made the parting tolerable to us young 
 men, and our constitutional gaiety did the rest. Half an 
 hour after the last breakfast at Ravensnest saw us all on our 
 road, cheerful, if not absolutely happy. Herman Mordaunt 
 accompanied us three miles ; which led him to the end of 
 his own settlements, and to the edge of the virgin forest. 
 There he took his leave, and we pursued our way with the 
 utmost diligence, for hours, with the compass for our guide, 
 until we reached the banks of a small river that was sup- 
 posed to lie some three or four miles from the southern 
 boundaries of the patent we sought. I say, ' supposed to 
 lie,' for there existed then, and, I believe, there still exists, 
 much uncertainty concerning the landmarks of different 
 estates in the woods. On the banks of this stream, which 
 was deep but not broad, the surveyor called a halt, and we 
 made our dispositions for dinner. Men who had walked as 
 far and as fast as we had done, made but little ceremony ; 
 and for twenty minutes every one was busy in appeasing 
 his hunger. This was no sooner accomplished, however, 
 than Mr. Traverse summoned the Indians to the side of the 
 fallen tree on which we had taken our seats, when the first 
 occasion occurred for putting the comparative intelligence 
 of the two runners to the proof. At the same time the prin- 
 cipal chain-bearer, a man whose life had been passed in his 
 present occupation, was brought into the consultation, as 
 follows. 
 
 " We are now on the banks of this stream, and about this 
 bend in it," commenced the surveyor, pointing to the precise 
 curvature of the river on a map he had spread before him, 
 at which he supposed we were actually situated ; " and the 
 next thing is to find that ridge on which the moose was 
 killed, and across which the line of the patent we seek is 
 known to run. This abstract of the title tells us to look for 
 a corner somewhere off here, about a mile or a mile and a 
 half from this bend in the river — a black oak, with its top 
 broken off by the wind, and standing in the centre of a tri- 
 angle made by three chestnuts. I think you told me, David 
 that you had never borne a chain on any of these ridges ?'* 
 
SATANSTOE. 81 
 
 "No, sir, never;" answered David, the old chain-bearer 
 already mentioned ; " my business never having brought me 
 out so far east, — A black oak, with corner l ! ;izes on it, and 
 its top broken down by the wind, and standing atween three 
 chestnuts, howsomedever, can be nothing so very hard to 
 find, for a person that 's the least acquainted. These Injins 
 will be the likeliest bodies to know that tree, if they've any 
 nat'ral knowledge of the country." 
 
 Know a tree! There we were, and had been for many 
 hours, in the bosom of the forest, with trees in thousands 
 ranged around us ; trees had risen on our march,' as horizon 
 extends beyond horizon on the ocean, and this chain-bearer 
 fancied it might be in the power of one who often passed 
 through these dark and untenanted mazes, to recognise any 
 single member of those countless oaks, and beeches, and 
 pines ! Nevertheless, Mr. Traverse did not seem to regard 
 David's suggestion as so very extravagant, for he turned 
 towards the Indians and addressed himself to them. 
 
 " How 's this ?" he asked ; " Jumper, do you know any- 
 thing of the sort of tree I have described ?" 
 
 " No," was the short, sententious answer. 
 
 " Then, I fear, there is little hope that Trackless is any 
 wiser, as you are Mohawk born, and he, they tell me, is at 
 bottom an Onondago. What say you, Trackless? can you 
 help us to find the tree?" 
 
 My eyes were fastened on Susquesus, as soon as the In- 
 dians were mentioned. There he stood, straight as the 
 trunk of a pine, light and agile in person, with nothing but 
 his breech-cloth, moccasins, and a blue calico shirt belted 
 to his loins with a scarlet band, through which was thrust 
 the handle of his tomahawk, and to which were attached his 
 shot-pouch and horn, while his rifle rested against his body, 
 butt downward. Trackless was a singularly handsome 
 Indian, the unpleasant peculiarities of his people being but 
 faintly portrayed in his face and form ; while their nobler 
 and finer qualities came out in strong relief. His nose was 
 almost aquiline; his eye, dark as night, was restless and 
 piercing; his limbs Apollo-like; and his front and bearing 
 had all the fearless dignity of a warrior, blended with the 
 grace of nature. The only obvious defects were in his walk, 
 which was Indian, or in-toed and bending at the knee ; but, 
 
82 SATANSTOE. 
 
 to counterbalance these, his movements were light, springy 
 and swift. I fancied him, in figure, the very beau-ideal of 
 a runner. 
 
 During the time the surveyor was speaking, the eye of 
 Susquesus was seemingly fastened on vacancy, and I would 
 have defied the nicest observer to detect any consciousness of 
 what was in hand, in the countenance of this forest stoic. 
 It was not his business to speak, while an older runner and 
 an older warrior was present — for Jumper was both — and 
 he waited for others, who might know more, to reveal their 
 knowledge ere he produced his own. Thus directly ad- 
 dressed, however, all reserve vanished, and he advanced two 
 or three steps, cast a curious glance at the map, even put a 
 finger on the river, the devious course of which it followed 
 across the map, much as a child would trace any similar 
 object that attracted his attention. Susquesus knew but 
 little of maps, it was clear enough ; but the result showed 
 that he knew a great deal about the woods, his native field 
 of action. 
 
 " Well, what do you make of my map, Trackless," re- 
 peated the surveyor. " Is it not drawn to suit your fancy ?" 
 
 " Good" — returned the Onondago, with emphasis. "Now 
 show Susquesus your oak tree." 
 
 " Here it is, Trackless. You see it is a tree drawn in 
 ink, with a broken top, and here are the three chestnuts, in 
 a sort of triangle, around it." 
 
 The Indian examined the tree with some interest, and a 
 slight smile illumined his handsome, though dark counte- 
 nance. He was evidently pleased at this proof of accuracy 
 in the colony surveyors, and, no doubt, thought the. better 
 of them for the fidelity of their work. 
 
 "Good," he repeated, in his low, guttural, almost femi- 
 nine voice, so soft and mild in its tone. "Very good. The 
 pale-faces know everything ! Now, let my brother find the 
 tree." 
 
 " That is easier said than done, Susquesus," answered 
 Traverse, laughing. " It is one thing to sketch a tree on a 
 map, and another to go to its root, as it stands in the forest, 
 surrounded by thousands of other trees." 
 
 " Pale-face must first see him, or how paint him ? Where 
 painter?" 
 
SATANSTOE. S3 
 
 "Ay, the surveyor saw the tree once, and marked it once, 
 but that is not finding it again. Can you tell me where the 
 oak stands ? Mr. Littlepage will give the man who finds 
 that corner a French crown. Put me anywhere on the line 
 of the old survey, and I will ask favours of no one." 
 
 ' ; Painted tree there" said Susquesus, pointing a little 
 scornfully at the map, as it seemed to me. " Pale-face can't 
 find him in wood. Live tree out younder; Injin know." 
 
 Trackless pointed with great dignity towards the north- 
 east, standing motionless as a statue the while, as if inviting 
 the closest possible scrutiny into the correctness of his asser- 
 tion. 
 
 " Can you lead us to the tree ?" demanded Traverse, 
 eagerly. " Do it, and the money is yours." 
 
 Susquesus made a significant gesture of assent ; then he 
 set about collecting the scanty remains of his dinner, a pre- 
 caution in which we imitated him, as a supper would be 
 ' equally agreeable as the meal just taken, a few hours later. 
 When everything was put away, and the packs were on our 
 shoulders — not on those of the Indians, for they seldom con- 
 descended to carry burthens, which was an occupation, for 
 women — Trackless led the way, in the direction he had 
 already pointed out. 
 
 Well did the Onondago deserve his name, as it seemed to 
 me, while he threaded his way through that gloomy forest, 
 without path, mark or sign of any sort, that was intelligible 
 to others. His pace was between a walk and a gentle trot, 
 and it required all our muscles to keep near him. He 
 looked to neither the right nor the left, but appeared to pur- 
 sue his course guided by an instinct, or as the keen-scented 
 hound follows the viewless traces of his game. This lasted 
 for ten minutes, when Traverse called another halt, and we 
 clustered together in council. 
 
 " How much further do you think it may be to the tree, 
 Onondago?" demanded the surveyor, as soon as the whole 
 party was collected in a circle. " I have a reason for ask- 
 ing." 
 
 " So many minutes," answered the Indian, holding up 
 five fingers, or the four fingers and thumb of his right hand. 
 "Oak with broken top, and pale-face marks, there." 
 
 The precision and confidence with which the Trackless 
 
84 SATANSTOE. 
 
 pointed, not a little surprised me, for I could not imagine 
 how any human being could pretend to be minutely certain 
 of such a fact, under the circumstances in which we were 
 placed. So it wqs, however; and so it proved in the end. 
 In the mean time, Traverse proceeded to carry out his own 
 plans. 
 
 "As we are so near to the tree," he said, for the surveyor 
 had no doubt of the red-man's accuracy, " we must also be 
 near the line. The last runs north and south, on this part 
 of the patent, and we shall shortly cross it. Spread your- 
 selves, therefore, chain-bearers, and look for blazed trees ; 
 for, put me anywhere on the boundaries, and I '11 answer 
 for finding any oak, beech, or maple, that is mentioned in 
 the corners." 
 
 As soon as this order was received, all the surveyor's 
 men obeyed, opening the order of their march, and spread- 
 ing themselves in a way to extend their means of observing 
 materially. When all was ready, a sign was made to the 
 Indian to proceed. Susquesus obeyed, and we were all 
 soon in quick motion again. 
 
 Guert's activity enabled him to keep nearest to the Onon- 
 dago, and a shout from his clear, full throat, first announced 
 the complete success of the search. In a moment the rest 
 of us pressed forward, and were soon at the end of our jour- 
 ney. There was Susquesus, quietly leaning against the 
 trunk of the broken oak, without the smallest expression of 
 triumph in either his manner or his countenance. That 
 which he had done, he had done naturally, and without any 
 apparent effort or hesitation. To him the forest had its 
 signs, and metes, and marks — as the inhabitant of the vast 
 capital has his means of threading its mazes with the readi- 
 ness of familiarity and habit. As for Traverse, he first 
 examined the top of the tree, where he found the indicated 
 fracture ; then he looked round for the three chestnuts, each 
 of which was in its place; after which he drew near to look 
 into the more particular signs of his craft. There they were, 
 three of the inner sides *of the oak being blazed, the proof it 
 was a corner ; while that which had no scar on its surface 
 looked outward, or from the Patent of Mooseridge. Just 
 as all these agreeable facts were ascertained, shouts from 
 the chain-bearers south of us, announced that they had dis- 
 
SATANSTOE. 85 
 
 covered the line— men of their stamp being quite as quick- 
 sighted, in ascertaining their own peculiar traces, as the 
 native of the forest is in finding his way to any object in it 
 which he has once seen, and may desire to revisit. By 
 following the line, these men soon joined us, when they 
 gave us the additional information that they had also actu- 
 ally found the skeleton of the moose that had given its name 
 to the estate. 
 
 Thus far, all was well, our success much exceeding our 
 hopes. The hunters were sent to look for a spring; and, 
 one being found at no great distance, we all repaired to the 
 spot, and hutted for the night. Nothing could be more 
 simple than our encampment; which consisted of coverings 
 made of the branches of trees, with leaves and skins for our 
 beds. Next day, however, Traverse finding the position 
 favourable for his work, he determined to select the spot as 
 head-quarters ; and we all set about the erection of a log- 
 house, in which we might seek a shelter in the event of a 
 storm, and where we might deposit our implements, spare 
 ammunition, and such stores as we had brought with us on 
 our backs. As everybody worked with good-will at the 
 erection of this rude building, and the labourers were very 
 expert with the axe, we had it nearly complete by the set- 
 ting of the next day's sun. Traverse chose the place be- 
 cause the water was abundant, and good, and because a 
 small knoll was near the spring, that was covered with 
 young pines that were about fourteen or fifteen inches in 
 diameter, while they grew to the height of near a hundred 
 feet, with few branches, and straight as the Onondago. 
 These trees were felled, cut into lengths of twenty and thirty 
 feet, notched at the ends, and rolled alternately on each 
 other, so as to enclose an area that was one-third longer 
 than it was wide. The notches were deep 5 and brought the 
 logs within two or three inches of each other; and the inter- 
 stices were filled with pieces of riven chestnut, a wood that 
 splits easily and in straight lines ; which pieces were driven 
 hard into their beds, so as to exclude the winds and the 
 rains. As the weather was warm, and the building some- 
 what airy at the best, we cut no windows, though we had 
 a narrow door in the centre of one of the longer sides. For 
 a roof we used the bark of the hemlock, which, at that 
 
 Vol. II. — 8 
 
' 
 
 86 SATANSTOE. 
 
 season, came off in large pieces, and which was laid oei 
 sticks, raised to the desired elevation by means of a ridge- 
 pole. 
 
 All this was making no more than one of the common 
 log-houses of the new settlements, though in a more hurried 
 and a less artificial manner than was usual. We had no 
 chimney t for our cooking could be done in the open air; 
 and less attention was paid to the general finish of the work, 
 than might have been the case had we expected to pass the 
 winter there. The floor was somewhat rude, but it had the 
 effect of raising us from the ground, and giving us perfectly 
 dry lodgings ; an advantage not always obtained in the 
 woods. It was composed of logs roughly squared on three 
 sides, and placed on sleepers. To my surprise, Traverse 
 directed a door to be made of riven logs, that were pinned 
 together with cross-piec?s, and which was hung on the 
 usual wooden hinges. When I spoke of this as unnecessary 
 labour, occupying two men an entire day to complete, he 
 reminded me that we were much in advance from the settle- 
 ments ; that an active war was being waged around us, and 
 that the agents of the French had been very busy among 
 our own tribes, while those in Canada often pushed their 
 war-parties far within our borders. He had always found 
 a great satisfaction, as well as security, in having a sort of 
 citadel to retreat to, when on these exposed surveys; and 
 he never neglected the necessary precaution, when he fan- 
 cied himself in the least danger. 
 
 We were quite a week in completing our house ; though, 
 after the first day, neither the surveyor nor his chain-bear- 
 ers troubled themselves with the labour, any further than 
 to make an occasional suggestion. Traverse and his men 
 went to work in their own pursuit, running lines to divide 
 the patent into its great lots, each of which was made to 
 contain a thousand acres. It should be mentioned that all 
 the surveys, in that day, were made on the most liberal 
 scale, our forty thousand acres turning out, in the end, to 
 amount to quite three thousand more. So it was with the 
 subdivisions of the Patent, each of which was found to be 
 of more than the nominal dimensions. Blazed trees, and 
 records cut into the bark, served to indicate the lines, while 
 a map went on pari passu with the labour, the field-book 
 
SATANSTOE. 87 
 
 containing a description of each lot, in order that the pro- 
 prietor of the estate might have some notions of the nature 
 of its soil and surface, as well as of the quality and sizes of 
 the trees it bore. 
 
 The original surveyors, those on whose labours the pa- 
 tent of the King was granted, had a comparatively trifling 
 duty to perform. So long as they gave a reasonably accu- 
 rate outline of an area that would contain forty thousand 
 acres of land, more or less, and did not trespass on any prior 
 grant, no material harm could be done, there being no 
 scarcity of surface in the colony ; but, Mr. Traverse had to 
 descend to a little more particularity. It is true, he ran out 
 his hundreds of acres daily, duly marking his corners and 
 blazing his line trees, but something very like a summer's 
 work lay before him. This he understood, and his proceed- 
 ings were as methodical and deliberate as the nature of his 
 situation required. 
 
 In a very few days, things had gotten fairly in train, and 
 everybody was employed in some manner that was found to 
 be useful. The surveying party was making a very satis- 
 factory progress, running out their great lots between sun 
 and sun, while Dirck and myself made the notes concerning 
 their quality, under the dictation of Mr. Traverse. Guert 
 did little besides shoot and fish, keeping our larder well sup- 
 plied with trout, pigeons, squirrels, and such other game as 
 the season would allow, occasionally knocking over some- 
 thing in the shape of poor venison. The hunters brought 
 us their share of eatables also ; and we did well enough, in 
 this particular, more especially as trout proved to be very 
 abundant. Yaap, or Jaap, as I shall call him in future, and 
 Pete, performed domestic duty, acting as scullions and cooks, 
 though the first was much better fitted to perform the ser- 
 vice of a forester. The two Indians did little else, for the 
 first fortnight, but come and go between Ravensnest and 
 Mooseridge, carrying missives and acting as guides to the 
 hunters, who went through once or twice within that period, 
 to bring us out supplies of flour, groceries, and other similar 
 necessaries ; no inducement being able to prevail on the 
 Indians to carry anything that approached a burthen, either 
 in weight or appearance. 
 
 The surveying party did not always return to the hut at 
 
88 SATANSTOE. 
 
 night, but it ■ 'camped out,' as they called it, whenever the 
 work led them to a distance on the other side of the tract. 
 Mr. Traverse had chosen his position for head-quarters 
 more in reference to its proximity to the settlement at Ravens- 
 nest, than in reference to its position on the Patent. It was 
 sufficiently central to the latter, as regarded a north and 
 south line, but was altogether on the western side of the 
 property. As his surveys extended east, therefore, he was 
 often carried too far from the building to return to it each 
 night, though his absences never extended beyond the even- 
 ing of the third day. In consequence of this arrangement, 
 his people were enabled to carry the food they required 
 without inconvenience, for the periods they were away, 
 coming back for fresh supplies as the lines brought them 
 west again. Sundays were strictly observed by us all, as 
 days of rest; a respect to the day that is not always ob- 
 served in the forest ; he who is in the solitude of the woods, 
 like him who roams athwart the wastes of the ocean, often 
 forgetting that the spirit of the Creator is abroad equally on 
 the ocean and on the land, ready to receive that homage of 
 his creatures, which is a tribute due to beneficence without 
 bounds, a holiness that is spotless, and a truth that is inhe- 
 rent. 
 
 As Jumper, or the Trackless, returned from his con- 
 stantly recurring visits to our neighbours, we young men 
 waited with impatience for the letter that the messenger was 
 certain to bear. This letter was sometimes written by Her- 
 man Mordaunt himself, but oftener by Anneke, or Mary 
 Wallace. It was addressed to no one by name, but uni- 
 formly bore the superscription of ' To the Hermits of Moose- 
 ridge;' nor was there anything in the language to betray 
 any particular attention to either of the party. We might 
 have liked it better, perhaps, could we have received epistles 
 that were a little more pointed in this particular; but those 
 we actually got were much too precious to leave any serious 
 grounds of complaint. One from Herman Mordaunt reached 
 us on the evening of the second Saturday, when our whole 
 party was at home, and assembled at supper. It was brought 
 in by the Trackless, and, among other matters, contained 
 this paragraph : 
 
 " We learn that things hourly assume a more serious 
 
SATANSTOE. 89 
 
 aspect with the armies. Our troops are pushing north, in 
 large bodies, and the French are said to be reinforcing. 
 Living as we do, out of the direct line of march, and fully 
 thirty miles in the rear of the old battle-grounds, I should 
 feel no apprehension, were it not for a report I hear, that 
 the woods are full of Indians. I very well know that such 
 a report invariably accompanies the near approach of hos- 
 tilities in the frontier settlements, and is to be received with 
 many grains of allowance ; but it seems so probable the 
 French should push their savages on this flank of our army, 
 to annoy it on the advance, that, I confess, the rumour has 
 some influence on my feelings. We have been fortifying 
 still more; and I would advise you not to neglect such a 
 precaution altogether. The Canadian Indians are said to be 
 more subtle than our own ; nor is government altogether 
 without the apprehension that our own have been tampered 
 with. It was said at Albany, that much French silver had 
 been seen in the hands of the people of the Six Nations ; and 
 that even French blankets, knives, and tomahawks, were 
 more plentiful among them than might be accounted for by 
 the ordinary plunder of their warfare. One of your run- 
 ners, the man who is called the Trackless, is said to live 
 out of his own tribe ; and such Indians are always to be 
 suspected. Their absence is sometimes owing to reasons 
 that are creditable ; but far oftener to those that are not. 
 It may be well to have an eye on the conduct of this man. 
 After all, we are in the hands of a beneficent and gracious 
 God, and we know how often his mercy has saved us, on 
 .occasions more trying than this !" 
 
 This letter was read several times, among ourselves, in- 
 cluding Mr. Traverse. As the oi polloi of our party were 
 eating out of ear-shot, and the Indians bad left us, it natu- 
 rally induced a conversation that turned on the risks we ran, 
 and on the probability of Susquesus's being false. 
 
 "As for the rumour that the woods are full of Indians," 
 the surveyor quietly observed, " it is very much as Herman 
 Mordaunt says — there is never a blanket seen, but fame 
 magnifies it into a whole bale. There is danger to be ap- 
 prehended from savages, I will allow, but not one-half that 
 the settlers ordinarily imagine. As for the French, they 
 are likely to need all their savages at Ty ; for, they tell me, 
 8* 
 
90 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Gen. Abercrombie will go against them with three men to 
 their one." 
 
 *' With that superiority, at least," I answered ; " but, 
 after all, would not a sagacious officer be likely to annoy 
 his flank, in the manner here mentioned ?" 
 
 " We are every mile of forty to the eastward of the line 
 of march ; and why should parties keep so distant from their 
 enemies?" 
 
 a Even such a supposition would place our foes between 
 us and our friends; no very comfortable consideration, of 
 itself. But, what think you of this hint concerning the 
 Onondago?" 
 
 " There may be truth in that-— more than in the report 
 that the woods are full of savages. It is usually a bad sign 
 when an Indian quits his tribe; and this runner of ours is 
 certainly an Onondago ; that I know, for the fellow has 
 twice refused rum. Bread he will take, as often as offered ; 
 but rum has not wet his lips, since I have seen him, offered 
 in fair weather or foul." 
 
 " T'at is a bad sign" — put in Guert, a little dogmatically 
 for him. " T'e man t'at refuses his glass, in good company, 
 has commonly something wrong in his morals. I always 
 keep clear of such chaps." 
 
 Poor Guert ! — How true that was, and what an influence 
 the opinion had on his character and habits. As for the 
 Indian, I could not judge him so harshly. There was some- 
 thing in his countenance that disposed me to put confidence 
 in him, at the very moment his cold, abstracted manners — 
 cold and abstracted even for a red-skin in pale-face com- 
 pany — created doubts and distrust. 
 
 " Certainly, nothing is easier than for a man in his situa- 
 tion to sell us," I answered, after a short pause, "if he be 
 so disposed. But, what could the French gain by cutting 
 off a party as peaceably employed as this? It can be of no 
 moment to them, whether Mooseridge be surveyed into lots 
 this year, or the next." 
 
 " Quite true ; and I am o^ opinion that Mons. Montcalm 
 is very indifferent whether it be ever surveyed at all," re- 
 turned Traverse, who was an intelligent and tolerably edu- 
 cated man. " You forget, however, Mr. Littlepage, that 
 both parties offer such things as premiums on scalps. 
 
SATANSTOE. 91 
 
 A Huron may not care about our lines, corners, and marked 
 trees ; but he does care, a great deal, whether he is to go 
 home with an empty string, or with half-a-dozen human 
 scalps at his girdle." 
 
 I observed that Dirck thrust his fingers through his bushy 
 hair, and that his usually placid countenance assumed an 
 indignant and semi-ferocious appearance. A little amused 
 at this, I walked towards the log on which Susquesus was 
 seated, having ended his meal, in silent thought. 
 
 " What news do you bring us from the red-coats, Track- 
 less ?" I asked, with as much of an air of indifference as I 
 could assume. "Are they out in sufficient numbers to eat 
 the French ?" 
 
 " Look at leaves ; count 'em ;" answered the Indian. 
 
 " Yes, I know they are in force ; but, what are the red- 
 skins about? Is the hatchet buried, among the Six Na- 
 tions, that you are satisfied with being a runner, when 
 scalps may be had near Ticonderoga ?" 
 
 " Susquesus Onondaga" — the red-man replied, laying a 
 strong emphasis on the name of his tribe. " No Mohawk 
 blood run in him. His people no dig up hatchet, this sum- 
 mer." 
 
 " Why not, Trackless? You are allies of the Yengeese, 
 and ought to give us your aid, when it is wanted." 
 
 "Count leaves — count Yengeese. Too much for one 
 army. No want Onondago." 
 
 " That may be true, possibly, for we are certainly very 
 strong. But, how is it with the woods — are they altogether 
 clear of red-skins, in times as troublesome as these?" 
 
 Susquesus looked grave, but he made no answer. Still, 
 he did not endeavour to avoid the keen look I fastened on 
 his face, but sat composed, rigid, and gazing before him. 
 Knowing the uselessness of attempting to get anything out 
 of an Indian, when he was indisposed to be communicative, 
 I thought it wisest to change the discourse. This I did by 
 making a few general inquiries as to the state of the streams, 
 all of which were answered, when I walked away. 
 
92 SATANSTOE 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 " Fear not, till Birnam Wood 
 Shall come to Dunsinane." 
 
 Macbeth. 
 
 I cannot say I was quite satisfied with the manner of 
 Susquesus ; nor, on the other hand, was I absolutely un- 
 easy. All might be well ; and, if it were not, the power of 
 this man to injure us could not be very great. A new oc- 
 currence, however, raised very unpleasant doubts of his 
 honesty. Jumper being out on a hunt, the Onondago was 
 sent across to Ravensnest the next trip, out of his turn ; but, 
 instead of returning, as had been the practice of both, the 
 next day, we saw no more of him for near a fortnight. As 
 we talked over this sudden and unexpected disappearance, 
 we came to the conclusion, that, perceiving he was dis- 
 trusted, the fellow had deserted, and would be seen no more. 
 During his absence, we paid a visit to Ravensnest ourselves, 
 spending two or three happy days with the girls, whom we 
 found delighted with the wildness of their abode, and as 
 happy as innocence, health, and ceaseless interest in the 
 forest and its habits, could make them. Herman Mordaunt, 
 having fortified his house sufficiently, as he fancied, to re- 
 move all danger of an assault, returned with us to Moose- 
 ridge, and passed two or three days in walking over and 
 examining the quality of the land, together with the advan- 
 tages offered by the water-courses. As for Mr. Worden 
 and Jason, the former had gone to join the army, craving 
 the flesh-pots of a regimental mess, in preference to the 
 simple fare of the woods ; while Jason had driven a hard 
 bargain with Herman Mordaunt for the possession of the 
 mill-seat; which had been the subject of frequent discus- 
 sions between the parties, and about which the pedagogue 
 had deemed it prudent to draw on the wisdom of Mother 
 Doortje. As the reader may have some curiosity to Know 
 how such things were conducted in the colony, in the year 
 1758, I will recapitulate the terms of the bargain that was 
 finally agreed on, signed and sealed. 
 
SATANSTOE. 93 
 
 Herman Mordaunt expected no emolument to himself, 
 from Ravensnest, but looked forward solely to a provision 
 for posterity. In consequence of these views, he refused to 
 sell, but gave leases on such conditions as would induce 
 tenants to come into his terms, in a country in which land 
 was far plentier than men. For some reason, that never 
 was very clear to me, he was particularly anxious to secure 
 Jason Newcome, and no tolerable terms seemed extravagant 
 to effect his purpose. It is not surprising, therefore, that 
 our miller in perspective got much the best of the bargain, 
 as its conditions will show. 
 
 The lease was for three lives, and twenty-one years after- 
 wards. This would have been thought equal to a lease for 
 forty-two years, in that day, in Europe; but experience is 
 showing that it is, in truth, for a much longer period, in 
 America.* The first ten years, no rent at all was to be 
 paid. For the next ten, the land, five hundred acres, was 
 to pay sixpence currency an acre, the tenant having the 
 right to cut timber at pleasure. This was a great conces- 
 sion, as the mill-lot contained much pine. For the remain- 
 der of the lease, be it longer or shorter, a shilling an 
 acre, or about sixpence sterling, was to be paid for the land, 
 and forty pounds currency, or one hundred dollars a year, 
 for the mill-seat. The mills to be taken by the landlord, at 
 an appraisal ' made by men', at the expiration of the lease ; 
 the tenant to pay the taxes. The tenant had the privilege 
 of using all the materials for his dams, buildings, &c, he 
 could find on the land. 
 
 The policy of the owners of Mooseridge was different. 
 We intended to sell at low prices, at first, reserving for 
 leases hereafter, such farms as could not be immediately 
 disposed of, or for which the purchaser failed to pay. In 
 this manner it was thought we should sooner get returns for 
 our outlays, and sooner ' build up a settlement,' as the 
 phrase goes. In America, the reader should know, every- 
 thing is « built.' The priest ' builds up' a flock ; the specu- 
 lator, a fortune ; the lawyer, a reputation ; and the landlord, 
 a settlement; sometimes, with sufficient accuracy in lan- 
 guage, he even builds a town. 
 
 * It has been found that a three lives' lease, in the State of New 
 York, is equal to a term of more than thirty years. — Editor. 
 
94 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Jason was a very happy man, the moment he got his 
 lease, signed and sealed, in his own possession. It made 
 nim a sort of a land-holder on the spot, and one who had 
 nothing to pay for ten years to come. God forgive me, if 1 
 do the man injustice ; but, from the first, I had a suspicion 
 that Jason trusted to fortune to prevent any pay-day from 
 ever coming at all. As for Herman Mordaunt, he seemed 
 satisfied, for he fancied that he had got a man of some edu- 
 cation on his properly, who might answer a good purpose 
 in civilizing, and in otherwise advancing the interests of his 
 estate. 
 
 Just as the rays of the rising sun streamed through the 
 crevices of our log tenement, and ere one of us three idlers 
 had risen from his pallet, I heard a moccasined foot moving 
 near me, in the nearly noiseless tread of an Indian. Spring- 
 ing to my feet, I found myself face to face with the missing 
 Onondago ! 
 
 " You here, Susquesus !" I exclaimed ; " we supposed 
 you had abandoned us. What has brought you back ?" 
 
 " Time to go, now," answered the Indian, quietly. 
 " Yengeese and Canada warrior soon fight." 
 
 " Is this true ! — And do you, can you know it to be true ! 
 Where have you been this fortnight past ?" 
 
 "Been see — have see — know him just so. Come — call 
 young men ; go on war-path." 
 
 Here, then, was an explanation of the mystery of the 
 Onondago's absence ! He had heard us speak of an inten- 
 tion of moving with the troops, at the last moment, and he 
 had gone to reconnoitre, in order that we might have season- 
 able notice when it would be necessary to quit the ' Ridge,' 
 as we familiarly termed the Patent. I saw nothing treason- 
 able in this, but rather deemed it a sign of friendly interest 
 in our concerns; though it was certainly 'running' much 
 farther than the Indian had been directed to proceed, and 
 1 running' a little off the track. One might overlook such 
 an irregularity in a savage, however, more especially as I 
 began to weary of the monotony of our present manner of 
 living, and was not sorry to discover a plausible apology for 
 a change. 
 
 The reader may be certain, it was not long before I had 
 communicated the intelligence brought by the Trackless, to 
 
SATANSTOE. 95 
 
 my companions ; who received it as young men would be 
 apt to listen to tidings so stirring. The Onondago was 
 summoned to our council, and he renewed his protestation 
 that it was time for us to be moving. 
 
 " No stop" — he answered, when questioned again on the 
 subject ; " time go. Canoe ready — gun loaded — warrior 
 counted — chief woke up — council fire gone out. Time, 
 go." 
 
 "Well then, Corny," said Guert, rising and stretching 
 his fine frame like a lion roused from his lair, " here 's off. 
 We can go to Ravensnest to sleep, to-day ; and, to-morrow 
 we wi4l work our way out into the highway, and fall into 
 the line of march of the army. I shall have another oppor- 
 tunity of seeing Mary Wallace, and of telling her how much 
 I love her. That will be so much gained, at all events." 
 
 " No see squaw — no go to Nest !" said the Tndian, with 
 energy. " War-path this way," pointing in a direction that 
 might have varied a quarter of a circle from that to Herman 
 Mordaunt's settlement. " Bad for warrior to see squaw 
 when he dig up hatchet — only make woman of him. No; 
 go this way — path there — no here — scalp there — squaw 
 here." 
 
 As the gestures of the Onondago were quite as significant 
 as his language, we had no difficulty in understanding him. 
 Guert continued his questions, however, while dressing, and 
 we all soon became convinced, by the words of the Indian, 
 broken and abrupt as they were, that Abercrombie was on 
 the point of embarking with his army on Lake George, and 
 that we must needs be active, if we intended to be present 
 at the contemplated operations in front of Ticonderoga. 
 
 Our decision was soon reached, and our preparations 
 made. By packing and shouldering his knapsack, and 
 arming himself, each man would be ready ; though a short 
 delay grew out of the absence of Traverse and his chain- 
 bearers. We wrote a letter, however, explaining the reason 
 of our intended absence, promising to return as soon as the 
 operations in front of Ty should be terminated. This letter 
 we left with Pete, who was to remain as cook, though Jaap 
 bestirred himself, loaded his broad shoulders with certain 
 indispensables for our march, took his rifle, pack and horn, 
 and was ready to move as soon as any of us. All this the 
 
96 SATANSTOE. 
 
 fellow did, moreover, without orders; deeming it a part of 
 his duty to follow his young master, even if he followed 
 him to evil. No dog, indeed, could be truer, in this particu- 
 lar, than Jaap or Jacob Satanstoe, for he had adopted the 
 name of the Neck as his patronymic ; much as the nobles 
 of other regions style themselves after their lands. 
 
 When all was ready, and we were on the point of quit- 
 ting the hut, the question arose seriously, whether we were 
 to go by Ravensnest, or by the new route that the Onondago 
 had mentioned. Path there was not, in either direction ; 
 but, we had land-marks, springs, and other known signs, 
 on the former; while of the latter we literally knew nothing. 
 Then Anneke and Mary Wallace, with their bright, bloom- 
 ing, sunny faces — bright and happy whenever we appeared, 
 most certainly, of late — were in the former direction, and 
 even Dirck cried out 'for Ravensnest.' But, on that route 
 the Onondago refused to stir one foot. He stood, resembling 
 a finger-post, pointing north-westerly with an immovable 
 obstinacy, that threatened to bring the order of our march 
 into some confusion. 
 
 "We know nothing of that route, Trackless," Guert ob- 
 served, or rather replied, for the Indian's manner was so 
 expressive as to amount to a remark, "and we would rather 
 travel a road with which we are a little acquainted. Be- 
 sides, we wish to pay our parting compliments to the 
 ladies." 
 
 " Squaw no good, now — war-path no go to squaw. 
 Huron- — French warrior, here." 
 
 "Ay, and they are there, too. We shall be on their heels 
 soon enough, by going to Ravensnest." 
 
 " No soon 'nough — can't do him. Path long, time short. 
 Pale-face warrior in great hurry." 
 
 " Pale-face warriors' friends are in a hurry, too — so you 
 will do well to follow us, as we do not intend to follow you. 
 Come, gentlemen, we will lead the Indian, as the Indian 
 does not seem disposed to lead us. After a mile or two he 
 will think it more honourable to go in advance; and, for 
 fhat distance, I believe, I can show you the way." 
 
 " That road good for young men who don't want see 
 enemy !" said Susquesus, with ironical point. 
 
 " By St. Nicholas ! Indian, what do you mean ?" cried 
 
SATANSTOE. 97 
 
 Guert, turning short on his heels and moving swiftly to- 
 wards the Onondago, who did not wait for the menacing 
 blow, but wheeled in his tracks and led off, at a quick pace, 
 directly towards the north-west. 
 
 I do believe that Guert pursued, for the first minute, with 
 no other intention than that of laying his powerful arm on 
 the offender's shoulder ; but I dropped in on his footsteps so 
 soon, Dirck following me, and Jaap Dirck, that we were all 
 moving off Indian file, or in the fashion of the woods, at the 
 rate of four miles in the hour, almost before we knew it. 
 An impulse of that angry nature is not over in a minute, 
 and, before either of us had sufficiently cooled to be entirely 
 reasonable, the whole party was fairly out of sight of the 
 hut. After that no one appeared to think of the necessity 
 or of the expediency of reverting to the original intention. 
 It was certainly indiscreet, thus to confide absolutely in the 
 good faith of a savage, or a semi-savage, at least, whom we 
 scarcely knew, and whom we had actually distrusted ; but 
 we did it, and precisely in the manner and under the feelings 
 I have described. I know that we all thought of the indis- 
 cretion of which we had been guilty, after the first mile; 
 but each was too proud to make the other acquainted with 
 his misgivings. I say all, but Jaap ought to be excepted, 
 for nothing in the shape of danger ever gave that negro any 
 concern, unless it was spooks. He was afraid of ' spooks,' 
 but he did not fear man. 
 
 Susquesus manifested the same confidence in his know- 
 ledge of the woods, while now leading the way, league after 
 league through the dark forest, as he had done when he took 
 us to the oak with the broken top. On this occasion, he 
 guided us more by the sun, and the course generally, than 
 by any acquaintance with objects that we passed ; though, 
 three times that day did he point out to us particular things 
 that he had before seen, while traversing the woods in direc- 
 tions that crossed, at angles more or less oblique, the line of 
 our present route. As for us, it was like a sailor's pointing 
 to a path on the trackless ocean. We had our pocket- 
 compasses, it is true, and understood well enough that a 
 north-west course would bring us out somewhere near the 
 foot of Lake George; but, I much doubt if we could have 
 
 Vol. II. — 9 
 
98 SATANSTOE. 
 
 made, by any means, as direct a line, by their aid, as we 
 did by that of the Indian. 
 
 On this subject we had a discussion among ourselves, I 
 well remember, when we halted to eat and rest, a little after 
 the turn of the day. For five hours had we walked with 
 great rapidity, much as the bird flies, so far as course was 
 concerned, never turning aside, unless it might be to avoid 
 some impassable obstacle; and our calculation was that we 
 had made quite twenty, of the forty miles we had to go over, 
 according to the Onondago's account of the probable length 
 of our journey. We had strung our sinews and hardened 
 our muscles in such a way as to place us above the influ- 
 ence of common fatigue ; yet, it must be confessed, the In- 
 dian was much the freshest of the five, when we reached 
 the spring where we dined. 
 
 "An Indian does seem to hare a nose much like that of 
 a hound," said Guert, as outr appetites began to be appeased; 
 " that must be admitted. Yet I think, Corny, a compass 
 would carry a man through the woods with more certainty 
 than any signs on the bark of trees, or looks at the sun." 
 
 "A compass cannot err, of course; but it would be a 
 troublesome thing to be stopping every minute or two, to 
 look at your compass, which must have time to become 
 steady, you will remember, or it would become a guide that 
 is worse than none." 
 
 " Every minute or two ! Say once in an hour, or once 
 in half an hour, at most. I would engage to travel as 
 straight as the best Indian of them all, by looking at my 
 compass once in half an hour." 
 
 Susquesus was seated near enough to us three to over- 
 hear our conversation, and he understood English perfectly, 
 though he spoke it in the usual, clipped manner of an Indian. 
 I thought I could detect a covert gleam of contempt in his 
 dark countenance, at this boast of Guert's ; but he made no 
 remark. We finished our meal, rested our legs, and, when 
 our watches told us it was one o'clock, we rose in a body 
 to resume our march. We were renewing the priming of 
 our rifles, a precaution each man took twice every day, to 
 prevent the effects of the damps of the woods, when the 
 Onondago quietly fell in behind Guert, patiently waiting the 
 leisure of the latter. 
 
SATANSTOE. 99 
 
 " We are all ready, Trackless," cried the Albanian ; 
 " give us the lead and the step, as before." 
 
 "No" — answered the Indian. "Compass lead, now. 
 Susquesus no see any longer, — blind as young dog." 
 
 " Oh ! that is your game, is it ! Well, let it be so. Now, 
 Corny, you shall learn the virtue there is in a compass." 
 
 Hereupon Guert drew his compass from a pocket in his 
 hunting-shirt, placed it on a log, in order to get a perfectly 
 accurate start, and waited until the quivering needle had 
 become perfectly stationary. Then he made his observa- 
 tion, and took a large hemlock, which stood at the distance 
 of some twenty rods, a great distance for a sight in the 
 forest, as his land-mark, gave a shout, caught up his com- 
 pass, and led off. We followed, of course, and soon reached 
 the tree. As Guert now fancied he was well entered on the 
 right course, he disdained to turn to renew his observation, 
 but called out for us to 'come on;' as he had a new tree 
 for his guide, and that in the true direction. We may 
 have proceeded in this manner for half a mile, and I began 
 to think that Guert was about to triumph — for, to me, it did 
 reall}'" seem that our course was as straight as it had been 
 at any time that day. Guert now began to brag of his suc- 
 cess, talking to me, and at the Indian, who was between us, 
 over his shoulder. 
 
 "You see, Corny," he said, "I am used to the bush, 
 after all, and have often been up among the Mohawks, and 
 on their hunts. The great point is to begin right ; after 
 which you can have no great trouble. Make certain of the 
 first ten rods, and you can be at ease about the ten thou- 
 sand that are to follow. So it is with life, Corny, boy ; 
 begin right, and a young man is pretty certain of coming 
 out right. I made a mistake at the start, and you see the 
 trouble it has given me. But, I was left an orphan, Little- 
 page, at ten years of age ; and the boy that has neither father 
 nor money, must be an uncommon boy not to kick himself 
 out of the traces before he is twenty. Well, Onondago, 
 what do you say to following the compass, now !" 
 
 " Best look at him — he tell," answered Susquesus, our 
 whole line halting to let Guert comply. 
 
 " This d d compass will never come round !" exclaimed 
 
 Guert, shaking the little instrument in order to help the 
 
100 SATANSTOE. 
 
 needle round to the point at which he wished to see it stand. 
 " These little devils are very apt to get out of order, Corny, 
 after all." 
 
 " Try more — got three" — said the Indian, holding up the 
 number of fingers he mentioned, as was his wont, when 
 mentioning numbers of any sort. 
 
 On this hint Dirck and I drew out our compasses, and 
 the three were placed on a log, at the side of which we had 
 come to our halt. The result showed that the three ' little 
 devils' agreed most accurately, and that we were marching 
 exactly south-east, instead of north-west ! Guert looked, on 
 that occasion, very much as he did when he rose from the 
 snow, after the hand-sled had upset with us. There was no 
 resisting the truth ; we had got turned completely round, 
 without knowing it. The fact that the sun was so near the 
 zenith, probably contributed to our mistake ; but, any one 
 who has tried the experiment, will soon ascertain how easy 
 it is for him to lose his direction, beneath the obscurity and 
 amid the inequalities of a virgin forest. Guert gave it up, 
 like a man as he was, and the Indian again passed in front, 
 without the slightest manifestation of triumph or discontent. 
 It required nothing less than a thunderbolt to disturb the 
 composure of that Onondago ! 
 
 From that moment our progress was as swift as it had 
 been previously to the halt ; while our course was seemingly 
 as unerring as the flight of the pigeon. Susquesus did not 
 steer exactly north-west, as before, however, but he inclined 
 more northerly. At length, it was just as the sun ap- 
 proached the summits of the western mountains, an opening 
 appeared in our front, beneath the arches of the woods, and 
 we knew that a lake was near us, and that we were on the 
 summit of high land, though at what precise elevation could 
 not yet be told. Our route had lain across hills, and through 
 valleys, and along small streams ; though, as I afterwards 
 ascertained, the Hudson did not run far enough north to 
 intercept our march ; or rather, by a sudden turn to the 
 west, it left our course clear. Had we inclined westwardly 
 ourselves, we might have almost done that which Col. Fol- 
 lock had once laughingly recommended to my mother, in 
 order to avoid the dangers of the Powles Hook Ferry, gone 
 round the river. 
 
SATANSTOE. 101 
 
 A clearing now showed itself a little on our right ; and 
 thither the Indian held his way. This clearing was not the 
 result of the labours of man, but was the fruit of one of those 
 forest accidents that sometimes let in the light of the sun 
 upon the mysteries of the woods. This clearing was on the 
 bald cap of a rocky mountain, where Indians had doubtless 
 often encamped ; the vestiges of their fires proving that the 
 winds had been assisted by the sister element, in clearing 
 away the few stunted trees that had once grown in the 
 fissures of the rocks. As it was, there might have been an 
 open space of some two or three acres, that was now as 
 naked as if it had never known any vegetation more ambi- 
 tious than the bush of the whortleberry or the honeysuckle. 
 Delicious water was spouting from a higher ridge of the 
 rocks, that led away northerly, forming the summit of an 
 extensive range in that direction. At this spring Susquesus 
 stooped to drink ; then he announced that our day's work 
 was done. 
 
 Until this announcement, I do not believe that one of us 
 all had taken the time to look about him, so earnest and 
 rapid had been our march. Now, however, each man threw 
 aside his pack, laid down his rifle, and, thus disencumbered, 
 we turned to gaze on one of the most surprisingly beautiful 
 scenes eye of mine had ever beheld. 
 
 From what I have read and heard, I am now fully aware, 
 that the grandest of our American scenery falls far behind 
 that which is to be found among the lakes and precipices of 
 the Alps, and along the almost miraculous coast of the Me- 
 diterranean ; and I shall not pretend that the view I now 
 beheld approached many, in magnificence, that are to be 
 met with in those magic regions. Nevertheless, it was both 
 grand and soft; and it had one element of vastness, in the 
 green mantle of its interminable woods, that is not often to 
 be met with in countries that have long submitted to the 
 sway of man. Such as it was, I shall endeavour to de- 
 scribe it. 
 
 Beneath us, at the distance of near a thousand feet, lay a 
 lake of the most limpid and placid water, that was beautifully 
 diversified in shape, by means of bluffs, bays, and curvatures 
 of the shores, and which had an extent of near forty miles. 
 We were on its eastern margin, and about one-third of the 
 9* 
 
102 SATANSTOE. 
 
 distance from its southern to its northern end. Counties! 
 islands lay almost under our feet, rendering the mixture of 
 land and water, at that particular point, as various and fan- 
 ciful as the human imagination could desire. To the north, 
 the placid sheet extended a great distance, bounded by rocky 
 precipices, passing by a narrow gorge into a wider and 
 larger estuary beyond. To the south, the water lay ex- 
 panded to its oval termination, with here and there an 
 island to relieve the surface. In that direction only, were 
 any of the results of human industry to be traced. Every- 
 where else, the gorges, the receding valleys, the long ranges 
 of hills, and the bald caps of granite, presented nothing to 
 the eye but the unwearying charms of nature. Far as the 
 eye could reach, mountain behind mountain, the earth was 
 covered with its green mantle of luxuriant leaves ; such as 
 vegetation bestows on a virgin soil beneath a beneficent sun. 
 The rolling and variegated carpet of the earth resembled a 
 firmament reversed, with clouds composed of foliage. 
 
 At the southern termination of the lake, however, there 
 was an opening in the forest of considerable extent ; and 
 one that had been so thoroughly made as to leave kw or no 
 trees. From this point we were distant several miles, and 
 that distance necessarily rendered objects indistinct ; though 
 we had little difficulty in perceiving the ruins of extensive 
 fortifications. A thousand white specks, we now ascertained 
 to be tents, for the works were all that remained of Fort 
 William Henry, and there lay encamped the army of Aber- 
 crombie ; much the largest force that had then ever collected 
 in America, under the colours of England. History has 
 since informed us that this army contained the formidable 
 number of sixteen thousand men. Hundreds of boats, large 
 batteaux, that were capable of carrying forty or fifty men, 
 were moving about in front of the encampment, and, remote 
 as we were, it was not impossible to discover the signs of 
 preparation, and of an early movement. The Indian had 
 not deceived us thus far, at least, but had shown himself an 
 intelligent judge of what was going on, as well as a faithful 
 guide. 
 
 We were to pass the night on the mountain. Our beds 
 were none of the best, as the reader may suppose, and our 
 cover slight ; yet I do not remember to have opened my 
 
SATANSTOE. 103 
 
 eyes from the moment they were closed, until I awoke in the 
 morning. The fatigue of a forced march did that for us 
 which down cannot obtain for the voluptuary, and we all 
 slept as profoundly as children. Consciousness returned to 
 me, by means of a gentle shake of the shoulder, which pro- 
 ceeded from Susquesus. On arising, I found the Indian 
 still near me, his countenance, for the first time since I had 
 known him, expressing something like an animated pleasure. 
 He had awoke none of the others, and he signed for me to 
 follow him, without arousing either of my companions. 
 Why I had been thus particularly selected for the scene that 
 succeeded, I cannot say, unless the Onondago's native saga- 
 city had taught him to distinguish between the educations 
 and feelings of us three young men. So it was, however, 
 and I left the rude shelter we had prepared for the night, 
 alone. 
 
 A glorious sight awaited me ! The sun had just tipped 
 the mountain-tops with gold, while the lake and the valleys, 
 the hill-sides even, and the entire world beneath, still reposed 
 in shadow. It appeared to me like the awakening of created 
 things from the sleep of nature. For a moment or more, I 
 could only gaze on the wonderful picture presented by the 
 strong contrast between the golden hill-tops and their sha- 
 dowed sides — the promises of day and the vestiges of night. 
 But the Onondago was too much engrossed with his own 
 feelings, to suffer me long to disregard what he conceived 
 to be the principal point of interest. Directed by his finger 
 and eye, for he spoke not, I turned my look towards the 
 distant shore of William Henry, and at once perceived the 
 cause of his unusual excitement. As soon as the Indian 
 was certain that I saw the objects that attracted himself so 
 strongly, he exclaimed with a strong, guttural, emphatic 
 cadence — 
 
 " Good !" 
 
 Abercrombie's army was actually in motion ! Sixteen 
 thousand men had embarked in boats, and were moving 
 towards the northern end of the lake, with imposing force, 
 and a most beautiful accuracy. The unruffled surface of 
 the lake was dotted with the flotilla, boats in hundreds 
 stretching across it in long, dark lines, moving on towards 
 lheir point of destination with the method and concert of an 
 
104 SATAN STOE. 
 
 army with its wings displayed. The last brigade of boats 
 had just left the shore when I first saw this striking specta- 
 cle, and the whole picture lay spread before me at a single 
 glance. America had never before witnessed such a sight; 
 and it may be long before she will again witness such an- 
 other. For several minutes I stood entranced ; nor did I 
 speak until the rays of the sun had penetrated the dusky 
 light that lay on the inferior world, as low as the bases of 
 the western mountains. 
 
 " What are we to do, Susquesus ?" I then asked, feeling 
 how much right the Indian now might justly claim to govern 
 our movements. 
 
 "Eat breakfast, first" — the Onondago quietly replied; 
 " then go down mountain." 
 
 "Neither of which will place us in the midst of that gal 
 lant army, as it is our wish to be," 
 
 " See, bye'm by. Injin know — no hurry, now. Hurry 
 come, when Frenchman shoot." 
 
 I did not like this speech, nor the manner in which it was 
 uttered ; but there were too many things to think of, just 
 then, to be long occupied by vague conjectures touching the 
 Onondago's evasive allusions. Guert and Dirck were called, 
 and made to share in the pleasure that such a sight could 
 not fail to communicate. Then it was I got the first notion 
 of what I should call the truly martial character of Ten 
 Eyck. His fine, manly figure appeared to me to enlarge, 
 his countenance actually became illuminated, and the ex- 
 pression of his eye, usually so full of good-nature and fun, 
 seemed to change its character entirely, to one of sternness 
 and severity. 
 
 " This is a noble sight, Mr. Littlepage," Guert remarked, 
 after gazing at the measured but quick movement of the 
 flotilla, for some time, in silence — " a truly noble sight, and 
 it is a reproach to us three for having lost so much time in 
 the woods, when we ought to have been there, ready to aid 
 in driving the French from the province." 
 
 " We are not too late, my good friend, as the first blow 
 yet remains to be struck." 
 
 " You say true, and I shall join that army, if I have to 
 swim to reach the boats. It will be no difficult thing for us 
 to swim from one of these islands to another, and the troops 
 
SATANSTOE. 105 
 
 must pass through the midst of them, in order to get into 
 the lower lake. Any reasonable man would stop to pick 
 us up." 
 
 " No need," said the Onondago, in his quiet way. " Eat 
 breakfast ; then go. Got canoe — that 'nough." 
 
 "A canoe ! By St. Nicholas ! Mr. Susquesus, I 'II tell 
 you what it is — you shall never want a friend as long as 
 Guert Ten Eyck is living, and able to assist you. That 
 idea of the canoe is a most thoughtful one, and shows that 
 a reasoning man has had the care of us. We can now 
 join the troops, with the rifles in our hand, as becomes gen- 
 tlemen and volunteers." 
 
 By this time Jaap was up, and looking at the scene, with 
 all his eyes. It is scarcely necessary to describe the effect 
 on a negro. He laughed in fits, shook his head like the 
 Chinese figure of a mandarin, rolled over on the rocks, 
 arose, shook himself like a dog that quits the water, laughed 
 again, and finally shouted. As we were all accustomed to 
 these displays of negro sensibility, they only excited a smile 
 among us, and not even that from Dirck. As for the Indian, 
 he took no more notice of these natural, but undignified 
 signs of pleasure, in Jaap, than if the latter had been a dog, 
 or any other unintellectual animal. Perhaps no weakness 
 would be so likely to excite his contempt, as to be a wit- 
 ness'of so complete an absence of self-command, as the un- 
 tutored negro manifested on this occasion. 
 
 As soon as our first curiosity and interest were a little 
 abated, we applied ourselves to the necessary duty of break- 
 ing our fasts. The meal was soon despatched ; and, to say 
 the truth, it was not of a quality to detain one long from any- 
 thing of interest. The moment we had finished, the whole 
 party left the cap of the moun ain, following our guide as 
 usual. 
 
 The Onondago had purposely brought us to that lookout, 
 a spot known to him, in order that we might get the view 
 of its panorama. It was impossible to descend to the lake- 
 shore at that spot, however, and we were obliged to make a 
 detour of three or four miles, in order to reac^ a ravine, by 
 means of which, and not without difficulty either, that im- 
 portant object was obtained. Here we found a bark canoe, 
 
106 SATANSTOE. 
 
 of a size sufficient to hold all five of us, and we embarked 
 without a moment's delay. 
 
 The wind had sprung up from the south, as the day ad- 
 vanced, and the flotilla of boats was coming on, at a greatly 
 increased rate, as to speed. By the time we had threaded 
 our way through the islands, and reached the main channel, 
 if indeed any one passage could be so termed, among such a 
 variety, the leading boat of the army was within hail. The 
 Indian paddled, and, waving his hand in sign of amity, he 
 soon brought us alongside of the batteau. As we approached 
 it, however, I observed the fine, large form of the Viscount 
 Howe, standing erect in its bows, dressed in his Light In- 
 fantry Forest Uniform, as if eager to be literally the fore- 
 most man of a movement, in the success of which, the honour 
 of the British empire, itself, was felt to be concerned. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 " My sons ? It may 
 Unman my heart, and the poor boys will weep ; 
 And what can I reply, to comfort them, 
 Save with some hollow hopes, and ill-worn smiles ? 
 
 Sardanapalus. 
 
 My Lord Howe did not at first recognise us, in our hunt- 
 ing-shirts. ' With Guert Ten Eyck, however, he had formed 
 such an acquaintance, while at Albany, as caused him to 
 remember his voice, and our welcome was both frank and 
 cordial. We inquired for the th, declaring our inten- 
 tion to join that corps, from the commander of which all 
 three of us had reiterated and pressing invitations to join his 
 mess. The intention of seeking our friend immediately, 
 nevertheless, was changed by a remark of our present host, 
 if one may use such a term as applied to the commander of 
 a brigade of boats. 
 
SATANSTOE. 107 
 
 " Bulsirode's regiment is in the centre, and will be early 
 in the field," he said ; " but not as early as the advanced 
 guard. If you desire good living, gentlemen, I am far from 
 wishing to dissuade you from seeking the flesh-pots of the 
 
 th ; there being a certain Mr. Billings, in that corps, 
 
 who has an extraordinary faculty, they tell me, in getting 
 up a good dinner out of nothing ; but, if you want service, 
 we shall certainly be the first brigade in action ; and, to such 
 fare as I can command, you will be most acceptable guests. 
 As for anything else, time must show." 
 
 After this, no more was said about looking for Bulstrode ; 
 though we let our noble commander understand, that we 
 should tax his hospitality no longer than to see him fairly 
 in the field, after driving away the party that it was ex- 
 pected the enemy would send to oppose our landing. 
 
 Susquesus no sooner learned our decision, than he took 
 his departure, quietly paddling away towards the eastern 
 shore ; no one attempting to intercept a canoe that was seen 
 to quit the batteau that was known to carry the commander 
 of the advanced brigade. 
 
 The wind freshened, as the day advanced, and most of 
 the boats having something or other in the shape of a sail, 
 our progress now became quite rapid. By nine o'clock we 
 were fairly in the Lower Lake, and there was every pros- 
 pect of our reaching our point of destination by mid-day. 1 
 confess, the business we were on, the novelty of my situa- 
 tion, and the certainty that we should meet in Montcalm an 
 experienced as well as a most gallant foe, conspired to ren- 
 der me thoughtful, though I trust not timid, during the few 
 hours we were in the batteau. Perfectly inactive, it is not 
 surprising that so young a soldier should feel sobered by the 
 solemn reflections that are apt to get possession of the mind, 
 at the probable approach of death — if not to myself, at least 
 to many of those who were around me. Nor was there 
 anything boastful or inflated in the manner or conversation 
 of our distinguished leader, who had seen much warm ser- 
 vice in Germany, in the wars of his reputed grandfather and 
 uncle, young as he Avas. On the contrary, My Lord Howe, 
 that day, was grave and thoughtful, as became a man who 
 held the lives of others in his keeping, though he was neither 
 depressed nor doubting. There were moments, indeed, when 
 
108 SATANSTOE. 
 
 he spoke cheerfully to those who were near him ; though, aa 
 a whole, his deportment was, as I have just said, grave and 
 thoughtful. Once I caught his eye fastened on me, with a 
 saddened expression ; and, I suppose that a question he soon 
 after put me, was connected with the subject of his thoughts. 
 
 " How would our excellent and respectable friend, Madam 
 Schuyler, feel, did she know our precise position at this 
 moment, Mr. Littlepage? I do believe that excellent wo- 
 man feels more concern for those in whom she takes an 
 interest, than they often feel for themselves." 
 
 " I think, my lord, that, in such a case, we should cer- 
 tainly receive the benefit of her prayers." 
 
 " You are an only child, I think she told me, Little- 
 page?" 
 
 " I am, my lord ; and thankful am I that my mother can- 
 not foresee this scene." 
 
 " I, too, have those that love me, though they are accus- 
 tomed to think of me as a soldier, and liable to a soldier's 
 risks. Happy is the military man who can possess his mind, 
 in the moment of trial, free from the embarrassing, though 
 pleasing, and otherwise so grateful ties of affection. But, 
 we are nearing the shore, and must attend to duty." 
 
 This is the last conversation I held with that brave sol- 
 dier ; and these were the last words, of a private nature, I 
 ever heard him utter. From that moment, his whole soul 
 seemed occupied with the discharge of his duty, the success 
 of our arms, and the defeat of the enemy. 
 
 I am not soldier enough to describe what followed in a 
 very military or intelligible manner. As the brigade drew 
 near the foot of the lake, where there was a wide extent of 
 low land, principally in forest, however, some batteaux were 
 brought to the front, on which were mounted a number of 
 pieces of heavy artillery. The French had a party of con- 
 siderable force to oppose our landing ; but, as it appeared, 
 they had not made a sufficient provision of guns, on their 
 part, to contend with success; and our grape scouring the 
 woods, we met with but little real resistance. Nor did we 
 assail them precisely at the point where we were expected, 
 but proceeded rather to the right of their position. At the 
 signal, the advnnced brigade pushed for the shore, led by 
 our gallant commander, and we were all soon on terra fir "ma , 
 
SATANSTOE. 109 
 
 without sustaining any loss worth naming. Wo four, that 
 is, Guert, Dirck, myself and Jaap, kept as near as was 
 proper to the noble brigadier, who instantly ordered an ad- 
 vance, to press the retreating ibe. The skirmishing was 
 not sharp, however, and we gained ground fast, the enemy 
 retiring in the direction of Ticonderoga, and we pressing on 
 their rear, quite as fast as prudence and our preparations 
 would allow. I could see that a cloud of Indians was in 
 our front, and will own, that 1 felt afraid of an ambush ; for 
 the artful warfare practised by those beings of the wood, 
 could not but be familiar, by tradition at least, to one born 
 and educated in the colonies. We had landed in a cove, 
 not literally at the foot of the lake, but rather on its western 
 side ; and room was no sooner obtained, than Gen. Aber- 
 crombie got most of his force on shore, and formed it, as 
 speedily as possible, in columns. Of these columns we had 
 four, the two in the centre being composed entirely of King's 
 troops, six regiments in all, numbering more than as many 
 thousand men ; while five thousand provincials were on the 
 flanks, leaving quite four thousand of the latter with the 
 boats, of which this vast flotilla actually contained the large 
 number of one thousand and twenty-five! All our boats, 
 however, had not yet reached the point of debarkation ; 
 those with the stores, artillery, &c, &c., being still some 
 distance in the rear. 
 
 Our party was now placed with the right centre column, 
 at the head of which marched our noble acquaintance. The 
 enemy had posted a single battalion in a log encampment, 
 near the ordinary landing; but finding the character of the 
 force with which he was about to be assailed, its command- 
 ant set fire to his huts and retreated. The skirmishing was 
 now even of less moment than it had been on landing, and 
 we all moved forward in high spirits, though the want of 
 guides, the density of the woods, and the difficulties of the 
 ground, soon produced a certain degree of confusion in our 
 march. The columns got entangled with each other, and 
 no one seemed to possess the means of promptly extricating 
 them from this awkward embarrassment. Want of guides 
 was the great evil under which we laboured ; but it was an 
 evil that it was now too late to remedy. 
 
 Our column, notwithstanding, or its head rather, continued 
 
 Vol. II. — 10 
 
110 SATANSTOE. 
 
 to advance, with its gallant leader keeping even pace with 
 its foremost platoon. We four volunteers acted as lookouts, 
 a little on its flank ; and I trust there will be no boasting, 
 if I say, we kept rather in advance of the leading files, than 
 otherwise. In this state of things, French uniforms were 
 seen in front, and a pretty strong party of the enemy was 
 encountered, wandering, like ourselves, a little uncertain of 
 the route they ought to take, in order to reach their entrench- 
 ments in the shortest time. As a matter of course, this 
 party could not pass the head of our column, without bring- 
 ing on a collision, though it were one that was only mo- 
 mentary. Which party gave the first fire, I cannot say, 
 though I thought it was the French. The discharge was 
 not heavy, however, and was almost immediately mutual. 
 I know that all four of us let off our rifles, and that we 
 halted, under a cover, to reload. I had just driven the ball 
 down, when my eye caught the signs of some confusion in 
 the head of the column, and I saw the body of an officer 
 borne to the rear. It was that of Lord Howe ! He had 
 fallen at the first serious discharge made by the enemy in 
 that campaign ! The fall of its leader, so immediately in 
 its presence, seemed to rouse the column into a sense of 
 the necessity of doing something effective, and it assaulted 
 the party in its front with the rage of so many tigers, dis- 
 persing the enemy like chaff; making a considerable num- 
 ber of prisoners, besides killing and wounding not a few. 
 
 I never saw a man more thoroughly aroused than was 
 Guert Ten Eyck, in this little affair. He had been much 
 noticed by Lord Howe, during the residence of that unfor- 
 tunate nobleman at Albany ; and the loss of the last appeared 
 to awaken all that there was of the ferocious in the nature 
 of my usually kind-hearted Albany friend. He acted as our 
 immediate commander ; and he led us forward on the heels 
 of the retreating French, until we actually came in sight of 
 their entrenchments. Then, indeed, we all saw it was ne- 
 cessary to retreat in our turn ; and Guert consented to fall 
 back, though it was done surlily, and like a lion at bay. A 
 party of Indians pressed us hard, in this retreat, and we ran 
 an imminent risk of our scalps ; all of which, I have ever 
 believed, would have been lost, were it not for the resolu- 
 tion and Herculean strength of Jaap. It happened, as we 
 
SATANSTOE. Ill 
 
 were dodging from tree to tree, that all four of our rifles 
 were discharged at the same time ; a circumstance of which 
 our assailants availed themselves to make a rush at us. 
 Luckily the weight of the onset fell on Jaap, who clubbed 
 his rifle, and literally knocked down in succession the three 
 Indians that first reached him. This intrepidity and success 
 gave us time to reload ; and Dirck, ever a cool and capital 
 shot, laid the fourth Huron on his face, with a ball through 
 his heart. Guert then held his fire, and called on Jaap to 
 retreat. He was obeyed ; and under cover of our two rifles, 
 the whole party got off; the red-skins being too thoroughly 
 rebuked to press us very closely, after the specimen they 
 had just received of the stuff of which we were made. 
 
 We owed our escape, however, as much to another cir- 
 cumstance, as to this resolution of Jaap, and the expedient 
 of Guert. Among the provincials was a partisan of great 
 repute, of the name of Rogers. This officer led a party of 
 riflemen on our left flank, and he drove in the enemy's skir- 
 mishers, along his own front, with rapidity, causing them to 
 suffer a considerable loss. By this means, the Indians 
 before us were held in check ; as there was the danger that 
 Major Rogers's party might fall in upon their rear, should 
 they attempt to pursue us, and thus cut them off from their 
 allies. It was well it was so; inasmuch as we had to fall 
 back more than a mile, ere we reached the spot where Aber- 
 crombie brought his columns to a halt, and encamped for 
 the night. This position was distant about two miles from 
 the works before Ticonderoga ; and consequently at no 
 great distance from the outlet of Lake George. Here the 
 army was brought into good order, and took up its station 
 for some little time. 
 
 It was necessary to await the arrival of the stores, ammu- 
 nition and artillery. As the bringing up these materials, 
 through a country that was little else than a virgin forest, 
 was no easy task, it occupied us quite two days. Melan- 
 choly days they were, too ; the death of Lord Howe acting 
 on the whole army much as if it had been a defeat. He 
 was the idol of the King's troops, and he had rendered him- 
 self as popular with us Americans, as with his own coun- 
 trymen. A sort of ominous sadness prevailed among us ; 
 
112 SATANSTOE. 
 
 each common man appearing to feel his loss as he might 
 have felt that of a brother. 
 
 We looked up the th, and joined Bulstrode, as soon 
 
 as we reached the ground chosen for the new encampment. 
 Our reception was friendly, and even kind ; and it became 
 warmer still, as soon as it was understood that we composed 
 the little party that had skirmished so freely on the flank 
 of the right centre column, and which was known to have 
 gone farther in advance than any one else, in that part of 
 the field. Thus we joined our corps with some eclat, at the 
 very outset, everybody welcoming us cordially, and with 
 seeming sincerity. 
 
 Nevertheless, the general sadness existed in the th, 
 
 as well as in all the other corps. Lord Howe was as much 
 beloved in that regiment, as in any other; and our meeting 
 and subsequent intercourse could not be called joyful. Bul- 
 strode had an extensive and important command, for his 
 rank and years, and he certainly was proud of his position ; 
 but I could see that even his elastic and usually gay temper- 
 ament was much affected by what had occurred. That 
 night we walked together, apart from our companions, when 
 he spoke on the subject of our loss. 
 
 " It may appear strange to you, Corny," he said, " to find 
 so much depression in camp, after a debarkation that has 
 certainly been successful, and a little affair that has given 
 us, as they assure me, a couple of hundred prisoners. I tell 
 you, however, my friend, it were better for this army to 
 have seen its best corps annihilated, than to have lost the 
 man it has. Howe was literally the soul of this entire force. 
 He was a soldier by nature, and made all around him sol- 
 diers. As for the Commander-in-Chief, he does not under- 
 stand you Americans, and will not use you as he ought; 
 then he does not understand the nature of the warfare of this 
 continent, and will be very likely to make a blunder. I Ml 
 tell you how it is, Corny ; Howe had as much influence 
 with Abercrombie, as he had with every one else ; and an 
 attempt will be made to introduce his mode of fighting; but 
 such a man as Lord Howe requires another Lord Howe to 
 carry out his own conceptions. That is the point on which, 
 I fear, we shall fail." 
 
 All this sounded very sensible to me, though it sounded 
 
SATANSTOE. 113 
 
 discouragingly ; I found, however, that Bulstrode did not 
 e ertain these feelings alone, but that most around me were 
 of the same way of thinking. In the mean time, the prepa- 
 rations proceeded ; and it was understood that the 8th was 
 to be the day that was to decide the fate of Ticonderoga. 
 The fort proper, at this celebrated station, stands on a penin- 
 sula, and can only be assailed on one side. The outworks 
 were very extensive on that side, and the garrison was 
 known to be formidable. As these outworks, however, con- 
 sisted principally of a log breastwork, and it could be ap- 
 proached through open woods, which of itself afforded some 
 cover, it was determined to carry it by storm, and, if possi- 
 ble, enter the main work with the retreating enemy. Had 
 we waited for our artillery, and established batteries, our 
 success would have been certain ; but the engineer reported 
 favourably of the other project ; and perhaps it better suited 
 the temper and impatience of the whole army, to push on, 
 rather than proceed by the slow movements of a regular 
 siege. 
 
 On the morning of the 8th, therefore, the troops were 
 paraded for the assault, our party falling in on the flank of 
 
 the th, as volunteers. The ground did not admit of the 
 
 use of many horses, and Bulstrode marched with us on foot. 
 I can relate but little of the general movements of that me- 
 morable day, the woods concealing so much of what was 
 done, on both sides. I know this, however ; that the flower 
 of our army were brought into the line, and were foremost 
 in the assault; including both regulars and provincials. 
 The 42d, a Highland corps, that had awakened much inte- 
 rest in America, both by the appearance and character of 
 its men, was placed at a point where it was thought the 
 heaviest service was to be performed. The 55th, another 
 corps on which much reliance was placed, was also put at 
 the head of another column. A swamp extending for some 
 distance along the only exposed front of the peninsula, these 
 two corps were designated to carry the log breastwork, that 
 commenced at the point where the swamp ceases ; much the 
 most arduous portion of the expected service, since this was 
 the only accessible approach to the fortress itself. To 
 render their position more secure, the French had placed 
 several pieces of artillery in battery, along the line of this 
 10* 
 
114 SATAN STOE. 
 
 breastwork ; while we had not yet a gun in front to cover 
 our advance. 
 
 It was said, that Abercrombie did not take counsel of any 
 of the American officers with him, before he decided on the 
 attack of the 8th of July. He had directed his principal 
 engineer to reconnoitre ; and that gentleman having reported 
 that the defences offered no serious scientific obstacles, the 
 assault was decided on. This report was accurate, doubt- 
 less, agreeably to the principles and facts of European war- 
 fare ; but it was not suited to those of the conflicts of this 
 continent. It was to be regretted, however, that the expe- 
 rience of 1755, and the fate of Braddock, had not inculcated 
 a more extensive lesson of discretion among the royal com- 
 manders, than was manifested by the incidents of this day. 
 
 The th was placed in column directly in the rear of 
 
 the Highlanders, who were led, on this occasion, by Col. 
 Gordon Graham; a veteran officer -of great experience, and 
 of an undaunted courage.* Of course, I saw this officer 
 and this regiment, being as they were directly in my front, 
 but I saw little else; more especially after the smoke of the 
 first discharge was added to the other obstacles to vision. 
 
 A considerable time was consumed in making the prepa- 
 rations ; but, when everything was supposed to be ready, 
 the columns were set in motion. It was generally under- 
 stood that the troops were to receive the enemy's fire, then 
 rush forward to the breastwork, cross the latter at the bayo- 
 net's point, if it should be necessary, and deliver their own 
 fire at close quarters; or on their retreating foes. Permis- 
 sion was given to us volunteers, and to divers light parties 
 of irregulars, to open on any of the French of whom we 
 might get glimpses, as little was expected from us in the 
 charge. 
 
 Nearly an hour was consumed in approaching the point 
 of attack, owing to the difficulties of the ground, and the 
 necessity of making frequent halts, in order to dress. At 
 
 * Holmes's Annals say, that Lord John Murray commanded the 
 42d, on this occasion. I presume, as Mr. Littlepage was there, and 
 was posted so near the corps in question, he cannot well be mistaken. 
 Mrs. Grant, of Laggan, who was at Albany at the time, and whosa 
 father was in the battle, agrees with Mr. Littlepage, in saying that 
 Cordon Graham led the 42d. — Editor. 
 
SATANSTOE. 115 
 
 length the important moment arrived when the head of the 
 column was ready to unmask itself, and consequently to 
 come under fire. A short halt sufficed for the arrangements 
 here, when the bagpipes commenced their exciting music, 
 and we broke out of cover, shouting and cheering each 
 other on. We must have been within two hundred yards 
 of the breastwork at the time, and the first gun discharged 
 was Jaap's, who, by working his way into the cover of the 
 swamp, had got some distance ahead of us, and who actu- 
 ally shot down a French officer who had got upon the logs 
 of his defences, in order to reconnoitre. That assault, how- 
 ever, was fearfully avenged ! The Highlanders were mov- 
 ing on like a whirlwind, grave, silent and steady, cheered 
 only by their music, when a sheet of flame glanced along 
 the enemy's line, and the iron and leaden messengers of 
 death came whistling in among us like a hurricane. The 
 Scotsmen were staggered by that shock ; but they recovered 
 
 instantly and pressed forward. The th did not escape 
 
 harmless, by any means ; while the din told us that the con- 
 flict extended along the whole of the breastwork, towards 
 the lake-shore. How many were shot down in our column, 
 by that first discharge, I never knew ; but the slaughter was 
 dreadful, and among those who fell was the veteran Graham, 
 himself. I can safely say, however, that the plan of attack 
 was completely deranged from this first onset; the columns 
 displaying and commencing their fire as soon as possible. 
 No men could have behaved better than all that I could 
 see ; the whole of us pushing on for the breastwork, until 
 we encountered fallen trees ; which were made to serve the 
 purpose of chevaux-de-frise. These trees had been felled 
 along the front of the breastwork, while their branches were 
 cut, and pointed like stakes. It was impossible to pass in 
 any order, and the troops halted when they reached them, 
 and continued to fire by platoons, with as much regularity 
 as on parade. A few minutes of this work, however, com- 
 pelled different corps to fall back, and the vain conflict was 
 continued for four hours, on our part almost entirely by a 
 smart but ineffective fire of musketry ; while the French sent 
 their grape into our ranks almost with as much impunity as 
 if they had been on parade. It had been far better for our 
 men had they been less disciplined, and less under the con- 
 
116 
 
 SATAN S TOE 
 
 trol of their officers ; for the sole effect of steadiness, under 
 such circumstances, is to leave the gallant and devoted 
 troops, who refuse to fall back, while they are unable to 
 advance, only so much the longer in jeopardy. 
 
 Gucrt had shouted with the rest; and I soon found that, 
 by following him for a leader, we should quickly be in the 
 midst of the fray. Fie actually led us up to the fallen trees ; 
 and, finding something like a cover there, we three estab- 
 lished ourselves among them as riflemen, doing fully our 
 share of service. When the troops fell back, however, we 
 were left in a manner alone, and it Was rather dangerous 
 work to retire ; and finding ourselves out of the line of fire 
 from our own men, no immaterial point in such a fray, we 
 maintained our post to the last. Admonished, after a long 
 time, of the necessity of retreating, by the manner in which 
 the fire of our own line lessened, we got off with sound 
 skins, though Guert retired the whole distance with his 
 face to the enemy, firing as he withdrew. We all did the 
 last, indeed, using the trees for covers. Towards the close 
 we attracted especial attention ; and there were two or three 
 minutes during which the flight of bullets around us might 
 truly, without much exaggeration, be likened to a storm of 
 hail ! 
 
 Jaap was not with us in this sally, and I went into the 
 swamp to look for him. The search was not long, for I 
 found my fellow retreating also, and bringing in with him a 
 stout Canadian Indian as a prisoner. He was making his 
 captive carry three discharged rifles, and blankets ; one of 
 which had been his own property once, and the others that 
 of two of his tribe, whom the negro had left lying in the 
 swamp as bloody trophies of his exploits. I cannot explain 
 the philosophy of the thing, but that negro ever appeared to 
 me to fight as if he enjoyed the occupation as an amuse- 
 ment. 
 
 These facts were scarcely ascertained, when we learned 
 the important intelligence that a general retreat was ordered. 
 Our proud and powerful army was beaten, and that, too, by 
 a force two-thirds less than its own ! It is not easy to de- 
 scribe the miserable scene that followed. The transporting 
 of* the wounded to the rear had been going on the whole time , 
 and, as usually happens, when it is permitted, it had con- 
 
SATANSTOE. 117 
 
 tributed largely to thin the ranks. These unfortunate men 
 were put into the batteaux in hundreds, while most of the 
 dead were left where they lay. So completely were our 
 hopes frustrated, and our spirits lowered, that most of the 
 boats pulled ofFthat night, and all the remainder quitted the 
 foot of the lake early next day. 
 
 Thus terminated the dire expedition of 1758 against Ti 
 conderoga, and with it our expectations of seeing Montreal, 
 or Quebec, that season. I dare say, we had fully ten thou- 
 sand bayonets in the field that bloody day, and quite five 
 thousand men closely engaged. The mistake was in attempt- 
 ing to carry a post that was so nearly impregnable, by as- 
 sault; and this, too, without the cover of artillery. Th» 
 enemy was said to have four or five thousand men present, 
 and this may be true, as applied to all within the defences ; 
 though I question if more than half that number pulled 
 triggers on us, in the miserable affair. There is .always 
 much of exaggeration in both the boasting and the apologies 
 of war. 
 
 Our own loss, on this sad occasion, was reported at 548 
 slain, and 1356 wounded. This was probably within the 
 truth ; though the missing were said to be surprisingly few f 
 some thirty or forty, in all ; the men having no place to 
 repair to but the boats. Of the Highlanders, it was said 
 that nearly half the common men, and twenty-five, or nearly 
 all the officers, were either killed or wounded! One ac- 
 count, indeed, said that eve?'y officer of that corps, who was 
 on the ground, suffered. The 55th, also, was dreadfully 
 cut up. Ten of its officers were slain outright, and many 
 
 were wounded. As for the th, it fared a little better, 
 
 not heading a column ; but its loss was fearful. Bulstrode 
 was seriously wounded, early in the attack, though his hurt 
 was never supposed to be dangerous. Billings was left dead 
 on the field, and Harris got a scratch that served him to 
 talk of in after life. 
 
 The confusion was tremendous after such a conflict and 
 such a defeat. The troops re-embarked without much re- 
 gard to corps or regularity of movement ; and the boats 
 moved away as fast as they received their melancholy car- 
 goes. An immense amount of property was lost ; though 
 I believe all the customary military trophies were preserved. 
 
118 SATANSTOE. 
 
 As the provincials had been the least engaged, and had suf- 
 fered much the least, in proportion to numbers, a large body 
 of them was kept as a rear-guard, while the regular corps 
 removed their wounded and materiel. 
 
 As for us three or four, including Jaap, who stuck by his 
 prisoner, we scarcely knew what to do with ourselves. 
 Everybody who felt any interest in us, was either killed or 
 wounded. Bulstrode we could not see ; nor could we even 
 find the regiment. Should we succeed in the attempt at the 
 last, very few now remained in it who would have taken 
 much, or indeed any concern in us. Under the circum- 
 stances, therefore, we held a consultation on the lake-shore, 
 uncertain whether to ask admission into one of the depart- 
 ing boats, or to remain until morning, that our retreat might 
 have a more manly aspect. 
 
 " I '11 tell you what it is, Corny," said Guert Ten Eyck, 
 in a somewhat positive manner, " the less we say about this 
 campaign, and of our share in it, the petter. We are not 
 soldiers, in the regular way, and if we keep quiet, nobody 
 will know what a t'rashing we t'ree, in particular, haf 
 receivet. My advice is, t'at we get out of this army as we 
 got into it — t'at is, py a one-sided movement, and for ever 
 after holt our tongues about our having had anyt'ing to do 
 with it. I never knew a worsted man any the more re- 
 spected for his mishap ; and I will own, that I set down 
 flogging as a very material part of a fight." 
 
 " I am quite sure, Guert, I am as little disposed to brag 
 of my share in this affair, as you or any one can possibly 
 be ; but it is much easier to talk about getting away from 
 this confused crowd than really to do the thing. I doubt if 
 any of these boats will take us in ; for an Englishman, 
 flogged, is not apt to be very good-natured ; and all our 
 friends seem to be killed or wounded." 
 
 " You want go ?" asked a low Indian voice at mv elbow. 
 "Got 'nough, eh?" 
 
 Turning, I saw Susquesus standing within two feet of me. 
 Our consultation was necessarily in the midst of a moving 
 throng; and the Onondago must have approached us, unno 
 ticed, at the commencement of our conference. There he 
 was, however, though whence he came or how he got there, 
 
SATANSTOE. 119 
 
 could not imagine, at the t>me, and have never been able 
 to learn since. 
 
 "Can you help us to get away, Susquesus?" was my 
 answer. " Do you know of any means of crossing the 
 lake?" 
 
 " Got canoe. That good. Canoe go, though Yengeese 
 run." 
 
 " That in which we came oft' to the army, do you mean ?" 
 
 The Indian nodded his head, and made a sign for us to 
 follow. Little persuasion was necessary, and we proceeded 
 at his heels, in a body, in the direction he led. I will con- 
 fess, that when I saw our guide proceeding eastward, along 
 the lake-shore, I had some misgivings on the subject of his 
 good faith. That was the direction which took us towards, 
 instead of from the enemy ; and there was something so 
 mysterious in the conduct of this man, that it gave me un- 
 easiness. Here he was, in the midst of the English army 
 in the height of its confusion, though he had declined joining 
 it previously to the battle. Nothing was easier than to enter 
 the throng, in its present confused state, and move about 
 undetected for hours, if one had the nerve necessary for the 
 service ; and, in that property, I felt certain the Onondago 
 was not deficient. There was a coolness in the manner of 
 the man, a quiet observation, both blended with the seeming 
 apathy of a red-skin, that gave every assurance of his fitness 
 for the duty. 
 
 Nevertheless, there was no remedy but to follow, or to 
 break with our guide on the spot. We did not like to do 
 the last, although we conferred together on the subject, but 
 followed, keeping our hands on the locks of our rifles, in 
 readiness for a brush, should we be led into danger. Sus- 
 quesus had no such treacherous intentions, however, while 
 he had disposed of his canoe in a place that denoted his 
 judgment. We had to walk quite a mile ere we reached 
 the little bush-fringed creek in which he had concealed it. 
 I have always thought we ran a grave risk, in advancing so 
 far in that direction, since the enemy's Indians would cer- 
 tainly be hanging aroifnd the skirts of our army, in quest 
 of scalps ; but I afterwards learned the secret of the Onon- 
 dago's confidence, who first spoke on the subject after we 
 
120 SATANSTOE. 
 
 had left the shore, and then only in an answer to a remark 
 of Guert's. 
 
 "No danger," he said ; " red-man gettin' Yengees3 scalps, 
 on the war-path. Too much kill, now, to want more." 
 
 As both governments pursued the culpable policy of pay- 
 ing for human scalps, this suggestion probably contained 
 the whole truth. 
 
 Previously to quitting the creek, however, there was a 
 difficulty to dispose of. Jaap had brought his Huron pri- 
 soner with him ; and the Onondago declared that the canoe 
 could not carry six. This we knew from experience, in- 
 deed, though five went in it very comfortably. 
 
 " No room," said Susquesus, " for red-man. Five good 
 —six bad." 
 
 " What shall we do with the fellow, Corny ?" asked 
 Guert, with a little interest. " Jaap says he is a proper 
 devil, by daylight, and that he had a world of trouble in, 
 taking him, and in bringing him in. For five minutes, it 
 was heads or tails which was to give in ; and the nigger 
 only got the best of it, by his own account of the battle, be- 
 cause the red-skin had the unaccountable folly to try to 
 beat in Jaap's brains. He might as well have battered the 
 Rock of Gibraltar, you know, as to attempt to break a nig- 
 ger's skull, and so your fellow got the best of it. What 
 shall we do with the rascal?" 
 
 " Take scalp," said the Onondago, sententiously ; " got 
 good scalp — war-lock ready — paint, war-paint — capital 
 scalp." 
 
 "Ay, that may do better for you, Master Succetush" — 
 so Guert always called our guide, " than it will do for us 
 Christians. I 'm afraid we shall have to let the ravenous 
 devil go, after disarming him." 
 
 " Disarmed he is already ; but he cannot be long without 
 a musket, on this battle-ground. I am of your opinion, 
 Guert ; so, Jaap, release your prisoner at once, that we may 
 return to Ravensnest, as fast as possible." 
 
 " Dat berry hard, Masser Corny, sah !" exclaimed Jaap, 
 who did not half like the orders he received. 
 
 "No words about it, sir, but cut his fastenings'* — Jaap 
 
SATANSTOE. 121 
 
 had tied the Indian's arms behind him, with a rope, as an 
 easy mode of leading him along. " Do you know the man's 
 name?" 
 
 " Yes, sah — he say he name be Muss" — proba'bly Jaap's 
 defective manner of repeating some Indian sound ; " and a 
 proper muss he get in, Masser Corny, when he try to eotch 
 Jaap by he wool !" 
 
 Here I was obliged to clap my hand suddenly on the 
 black's mouth, for the fellow was so delighted with the re 
 collection of the manner in which he had got the better of 
 his red adversary, that he broke out into one of the uncon- 
 trollable fits of noisy laughter, that are so common to his 
 race. I repeated the order, somewhat sternly, for Jaap to 
 cut the cords, and then to follow us to the canoe, in which 
 the Onondago and my two friends had already taken their 
 places. My own foot was raised to enter the canoe, when 
 I heard heavy stripes inflicted on the back of some one. 
 Rushing back to the spot where I had left Jaap and his cap- 
 tive, Muss, I found the former inflicting a severe punish- 
 ment, on the naked back of the other, with the end of the 
 cord that still bound his arms. Muss, as Jaap called him, 
 neither flinched nor cried. The pine stands not more erect 
 or unyielding, in a summer's noontide, than he bore up 
 under the pain. Indignantly I thrust the negro away, cut 
 the fellow's bonds with my own hands, and drove my slave 
 before me to the canoe. 
 
 Vol. II. — IX 
 
122 SATANSTOE. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 « Pale set the sun — the shades of evening fell, 
 The mournful night-wind sung their funeral knell ; 
 And the same day beheld their warriors dead, 
 Their sovereign captive and their glory fled !" 
 
 Mrs. Hemans. 
 
 I shall never forget the journey of that fearful night. 
 Susquesus paddled the canoe, unaided by us, who were too 
 much fatigued with the toil of the day, to labour much, as 
 soon as we found ourselves in a place of safety. Even Jaap 
 lay down and slept for several hours, the sleep of the weary. 
 I do not think any of us, however, actually slept for the 
 first hour or two, the scenes through which we had just 
 passed, and that, indeed, through which we were then pass- 
 ing, acting as preventives to such an indulgence. 
 
 It must have been about nine in the evening, when our 
 canoe quitted the ill-fated shore at the south end of Lake 
 George, moving steadily and silently along the eastern mar- 
 gin of the sheet. By that time, fully five hundred boats had 
 departed for the head of the lake, the retreat having com- 
 menced long before sunset. No order was observed in this 
 melancholy procession, each batleau moving off as her load 
 was completed. All the wounded were on the placid bosom 
 of the ' Holy Lake,' as some writers have termed this sheet 
 of limpid water, by the time we ourselves got in motion ; 
 and the sounds of parting boats told us that the unhurt were 
 following as fast as circumstances would allow. 
 
 What a night it was ! There was no moon, and a veil 
 of dark vapour was drawn across the vault of the heavens, 
 concealing most of the mild summer stars, that ought to 
 have been seen twinkling in their Creator's praise. Down, 
 between the boundaries of hills, there was not a breath of 
 air, though we occasionally heard the sighings of light cur- 
 rents among the tree-tops, above us. The eastern shore 
 having fewer sinuosities than the western, most of the boats 
 followed its dark, frowning mass, as the nearest route, and 
 we soon found ourselves near the line of the retiring batteaux. 
 
SATANSTOE. 123 
 
 I call it the line, for though there was no order observed, 
 each party making the best of its way to the common point 
 of destination, there were so many boats in motion at the 
 same time, that, far as the eye could penetrate by that 
 gloomy light, an unbroken succession of them was visible. 
 Our motion was faster than that of these heavily-laden and 
 feebly-rowed batteaux, the soldiers being too much fatigued 
 to toil at the oars, after the day they had just gone through. 
 We consequently passed nearly everything, and soon got on 
 a parallel course with that of the boats, moving along at a 
 few rods in-shore of them. Dirck remarked, however, that 
 two or three small craft even passed us. They went so 
 near the mountain, quite within its shadows, in fact, as to 
 render it difficult to say what they were; though it was 
 supposed they might be whale-boats, of which there were 
 more than a hundred in the flotilla, carrying officers of 
 rank. 
 
 No one spoke. It appeared to me that not a human 
 voice was raised among those humiliated and defeated thou- 
 sands. The plash of oars, so long as we were at a distance 
 from the line, alone broke the silence of night ; but that was 
 incessant. As our canoe drew ahead, however, an hour or 
 two after we had left the shore, and we overtook the boats 
 that had first started, the moaning and groans of the wounded 
 became blended with the monotonous sounds of the oars. In 
 two respects, these unfortunate men had reason to felicitate 
 themselves, notwithstanding their sufferings. No army 
 could have transported its wounded with less pain to the 
 hurt ; and the feverish thirst that loss of blood always in- 
 duces, might be assuaged by the limpid element on which 
 we all floated. 
 
 After paddling for hours, Susquesus was relieved by Jaap , 
 Dirck, Guert and myself occasionally lending our aid. 
 Each had a paddle, and each used it as he saw fit, while the 
 Onondago slept. Occasionally I caught a nap, myself, as 
 did my companions ; and we all felt refreshed by the rest 
 and sleep. At length we reached the narrow pass, that 
 separated the Upper from the Lower Lake, and we entered 
 the former. This is near the place where the islands are 
 so numerous, and we were unavoidably made to pass quite 
 close to some of the batteaux. I say to some, for the line 
 
124 SATANSTOE. 
 
 became broken at this point, each boat going through the 
 openings it found the most convenient. 
 
 " Come nearer with that bark canoe," called out an offi- 
 cer, from a batteau ; " I wish to learn who is in it." 
 
 " We are volunteers, that joined the th, the day the 
 
 army moved up, and were guests of Major Bulstrode. Pray 
 sir, can you tell us where that officer can be found?" 
 
 " Poor Bulstrode ! He got a very awkward hit, early in 
 the day, and was taken past me to the rear. He will be 
 able neither to walk nor to ride, for some months, if they 
 save his leg. I heard the Commander-in-Chief order him 
 to be sent across the lake, in the first boat with wounded ; 
 and some one told me, Bulstrode, himself, expressed an in- 
 tention to be carried some distance, to a friend's house, to 
 escape from the abominations of an army hospital. The 
 fellow has horses enough to transport him, on a horse-litter, 
 to Cape Horn, if he wishes it. I '11 warrant you, Bulstrode 
 works his way into good quarters, if they are to be had in 
 America. I suppose this arm of mine will have to come off, 
 as soon as we reach Fort William Henry ; and, that job 
 done, I confess I should like amazingly to keep him com- 
 pany. Proceed, gentlemen ; I hope I have not detained 
 you ; but, observing a bark canoe, I thought it my duty to 
 ascertain we were not followed by spies." 
 
 This, then, was another victim of war ! He spoke of the 
 loss of his arm, notwithstanding, with as much coolness as 
 if it were the loss of a tooth ; yet, I question not, that in 
 secret, he mourned over the calamity in bitterness of heart. 
 Men never wear the mask more completely than when 
 excited and stimulated by the rivalry of arms. Bulstrode, 
 too, at Ravensnest ! He could be carried nowhere else, so 
 easily ; and, should his wound be of a nature that did not 
 require constant medical treatment, where could he be so 
 happily bestowed as under the roof of Herman Mordaunt ? 
 Shall I confess that the idea gave me great pain, and that 
 I was fool enough to wish I, too, could return to Anneke, 
 and appeal to her sympathies, by dragging with me a 
 wounded limb ! 
 
 Our canoe now passed quite near another batteau, the 
 officer in command of which was standing erect, seemingly 
 watching our movements. He appeared to be unhurt, but 
 
SATANSTOE. 125 
 
 was probably intrusted with some special duty. As we 
 paddled by, the following curious conversation occurred. 
 
 " You move rapidly to the rear, my friends," observed 
 the stranger ; " pray moderate your zeal ; others are in 
 advance of you with the evil tidings L" 
 
 "You must think ill of our patriotism and loyalty, sir, to 
 imagine we are hastening on with the intelligence of a check 
 to the British arms," I answered as drily, and almost as 
 equivocally, in manner, as the other had spoken. 
 
 " The check ! — I beg a thousand pardons — I see you are 
 patriots, and of the purest water! Check is just the word ; 
 though check-mate would be more descriptive and signifi- 
 cant ! A charming time we've had of it, gentlemen ! What 
 say you? — it is your move, now." 
 
 " There has been much firmness and gallantry manifested 
 by the troops," I answered, " as we, who have been merely 
 volunteers, will always be ready to testify." 
 
 "I beg your pardons, again and again," returned the 
 officer, raising his hat and bowing profoundly — " I did not 
 know I had the honour to address volunteers. You are 
 entitled to superlative respect, gentlemen, having come vo- 
 luntarily into such a field. For my part, I find the honour 
 oppressive, having no such supererogatory virtue to boast 
 of. Volunteers ! On my word, gentlemen, you will have 
 many wonders to relate, when you get back into the family 
 circle." 
 
 " We shall have to speak of the gallantry of the High- 
 landers, for we saw all they did and all they suffered." 
 
 "Ah ! Were you, then, near that brave corps !" ex- 
 claimed the other, with something like honest, natural feel- 
 ing, for the first time exhibited in his voice and meaning ; 
 " I honour men who were only spectators of so much cou- 
 rage, especially if they took a tolerably near view of it. 
 May I venture to ask your names, gentlemen." 
 
 I answered, giving him our names, and mentioning the 
 fact that we had been the guest of Bulstrode, and how much 
 we were disappointed in having missed not only our friend, 
 but his corps. 
 
 " Gentlemen, I honour courage, let it come whence it 
 may," said the stranger, with strong feeling, and no acting, 
 " and most admire it when I see it exhibited by natives of 
 11* 
 
126 SATANSTOE. 
 
 these colonies, in a quarrel of their own. I have heard of 
 you as being with poor Howe, when he fell, and hope to 
 know more of you. As for Mr. Bulstrode, he has passed 
 southward, now some hours, and intends to make his cure 
 among some connections that he has in this province. Do 
 not let this be the last of our intercourse, I beg of you ; but 
 
 look up Capt. Charles Lee, of the th, who will be glad 
 
 to take each and all of you by the hand, when we once more 
 get into camp." 
 
 We expressed our thanks, but Susquesus causing the 
 canoe to make a sudden inclination towards the shore, the 
 conversation was suddenly interrupted. 
 
 By this time the Indian was awake, and exercising his 
 authority in the canoe, again. Gliding among the islands, 
 he shortly landed us at the precise point where we had em- 
 barked only five days before. Securing his little bark, the 
 Onondago led the way up the ravine, and brought us out on 
 the naked cap of the mountain, where we had before slept, 
 after an hour of extreme effort. 
 
 If the night had been so memorable, the picture presented 
 at the dawn of day, was not less so ! We reached that lofty 
 look-out about the same time in the morning as the Indian 
 had awakened me on the previous occasion, and had the same 
 natural outlines to the view. In one sense, also, the artifi- 
 cial accessaries were the same, though exhibited under a 
 very different aspect. I presume the truth will not be much, 
 if any exceeded, when I say that a thousand boats were in 
 sight, on this, as on the former occasion ! A few, a dozen 
 or so, at most, appeared to have reached the head of the 
 lake ; but all the rest of that vast flotilla was scattered along 
 the placid surface of the lovely sheet, forming a long, strag- 
 gling line of dark spots, that extended to the beach under 
 Fort William Henry, in one direction, and far as eye could 
 reach in the other. How different did that melancholy, 
 broken procession of boats appear, from the gallant array, 
 the martial bands, the cheerful troops, and the multitude of 
 ardent young men who had pressed forward, in brigades, 
 less than a week before, filled with hope, and exulting in 
 their strength ! As I gazed on the picture, I could not but 
 fancy to myself the vast amount of physical pain, the keen 
 mental suffering, and the deep mortification that might have 
 
SATANSTOE. 127 
 
 been found, amid that horde of returning adventurers. We 
 had just come up from the level of this scene of human 
 agony, and our imaginations could portray details that were 
 beyond the reach of the senses, at the elevation on which we 
 stood. 
 
 A week before, and the name of Abercrombie filled every 
 mouth in America ; expectation had almost placed his re- 
 nown on that giddy height, where performance itself is so 
 often insecure. In the brief interval, he was destroyed. 
 Those who had been ready to bless him-, would now heap 
 curses on his devoted head, and none would be so bold as 
 to urge aught in his favour. Men in masses, when goaded 
 by disappointment, are never just. It is, indeed, a hard 
 lesson for the individual to acquire ; but, released from his 
 close, personal responsibility, the single man follows the 
 crowd, and soothes his own mortification and wounded pride 
 by joining in the cry that is to immolate a victim. Yet 
 Abercrombie was not the foolhardy and besotted bully that 
 Braddock had proved himself to be. His misfortune was to 
 be ignorant of the warfare of the region in which he was 
 required to serve, and possibly to over-estimate the imagi- 
 nary invincible character of the veterans he led. In a very 
 short time he was recalled, and America heard no more of 
 him. As some relief to the disgrace that had anew alighted 
 on the British arms, Bradstreet, a soldier who knew the 
 country, and who placed much reliance on the young man 
 of her name and family whom I had met at Madam Schuy- 
 ler's, marched against Frontenac, in Canada, at the head of 
 a strong body of provincials ; an enterprise that, as it was 
 conducted with skill, resulted in a triumph. 
 
 But with all this my narrative has no proper connection. 
 No sooner did we reach the bald mountain-top, than the 
 Onondago directed Jaap to light a fire, while he produced, 
 from a deposit left on the advance, certain of the materials 
 that were necessary to a meal. As neither of us had tasted 
 food since the morning of the previous day, this repast was 
 welcome, and we all partook of it like so many famished 
 men. The negro got his share, of course, and then we 
 called a council as to future proceedings. 
 
 " The question is, whether we ought to make a straight 
 path to Ravensnest," observed Guert, " or proceed first to 
 
128 SATANSTOE. 
 
 the surveyor's, and see how things are going on in that di- 
 rection." 
 
 "As there can be no great danger of a pursuit on the part 
 of the French, since all their boats are in the other lake," I 
 remarked, " the state of the country is very much what it 
 was before the army moved." 
 
 "Ask that question of the Indian," put in Dirck, a little 
 significantly. 
 
 We looked at Susquesus inquiringly, for a look always 
 sufficed to let him comprehend us, when a tolerably plain 
 allusion had been previously made. 
 
 " Black-man do foolish t'ing," observed the Onondago. 
 
 " What I do, you red-skin devil ?" demanded Jaap, who 
 felt a sort of natural antipathy to all Indians, good or bad, 
 excellent or indifferent ; a feeling that the Indians repaid to 
 his race by contempt indifferently concealed. " What I do, 
 red-devil, ha? — dat you dares tell Masser Corny dat/" 
 
 Susquesus manifested no resentment at this strong and 
 somewhat rude appeal ; but sat as motionless as if he had 
 not heard it. This vexed Jaap so much the more ; and, my 
 fellow being exceedingly pugnacious on all occasions that 
 touched his pride, there might have been immediate war 
 between the two, had I not raised a finger, at once effectu- 
 ally stilling the outbreak of Jacob Satanstoe's wrath. 
 
 " You should not bring such a charge against my slave, 
 Onondago," I said, " unless able to prove it." 
 
 " He beat red warrior like dog." 
 
 " What of dat !" growled Jaap, who was only half-quieted 
 by my sis;n. " Who ebber hear it hurt red-skin to rope-end 
 him?" 
 
 " Warrior back like squaw's. Blow hurt him. He never 
 forget." 
 
 " Well, let him remember den," grinned the negro, show- 
 ing his ivory teeth from ear to ear. " Muss was my pri- 
 soner ; and what good he do me, if he let go widout punish- 
 ment. I wish you tell Masser Corny dat, instead of tellin' 
 him nonsense. When he flog me, who ebber hear me 
 grumble?" 
 
 " You have not had half enough of it, Jaap, or your 
 manners would be better," I thought it necessary to put in, 
 for the fellow had never before manifested so quarrelsome a 
 
SATANSTOE. 129 
 
 disposition in my presence; most probably because I had 
 never before seen him at variance with an Indian. " Let 
 me hear no more of this, or I shall be obliged to pay off the 
 arrears on the spot." 
 
 "A little hiding does a nigger good, sometimes," observed 
 Guert, significantly. 
 
 I observed that Dirck, who loved my very slave princi- 
 pally because he was mine, looked at the offender reprov- 
 ingly ; and by these combined demonstrations, we succeeded 
 in curbing the fellow's tongue. 
 
 " Well, Susquesus," I added, " we all listen, to hear what 
 you mean. 
 
 " Musquerusque chief — Huron chief — got very tender 
 back ; never forget rope." 
 
 " You mean us to understand that my black's prisoner 
 will be apt to make some attempt to revenge himself for the 
 flogging he got from his captor?" 
 
 " Just so. Indian good memory — no forget friend — no 
 forget enemy." 
 
 " But your Huron will be puzzled to find us, Onondago. 
 He will suppose us with the army ; and, should he even 
 venture to look for us there, you see he will be disap- 
 pointed." 
 
 "Never know. Wood full of paths — Injin full of cun- 
 ning. Why talk of Ravensnest?" 
 
 " Was the name of Ravensnest mentioned in the presence 
 of that Huron?" I asked, more uneasy than such a trifle 
 would probably have justified me in confessing. 
 
 "Ay, something was said about it , but not in a way the 
 fellow could understand," answered Guert, carelessly. "Let 
 him come on, if he has not had enough of us yet." 
 
 This was not my manner of viewing the matter, however; 
 for the mentioning of Ravensnest brought Anneke to my 
 mind, surrounded by the horrors of an Indian's revenge. 
 
 " I will send you back to the Huron, Susquesus," I added, 
 " if you can name to me the price that will purchase his for- 
 giveness." 
 
 The Onondago looked at me meaningly a moment ; then, 
 bending forward, he passed the fore-finger of his hand 
 around the head of Jaap, along the line that is commonly 
 made by the knife of the warrior, as he cuts away the trophy 
 
130 SATANSTOE. 
 
 of success from his victim. Jaap comprehended the mean- 
 ing of this very significant gesture, as well as any of us, 
 and the manner in which he clutched the wool, as if to keep 
 the scalp in its place, set us all laughing. The negro did 
 not partake of our mirth ; but I saw that he regarded the 
 Indian, much as the bull-dog shows his teeth, before he 
 makes his spring. Another motion of my finger, however, 
 quelled the rising. It was necessary to put an end to this, 
 and Jaap was ordered to prepare our packs, in readiness for 
 the expected march. Relieved from his presence, Susque- 
 sus was asked to be more explicit. 
 
 " You know Injin," the Onondago answered. " Now he 
 t'ink red-coats dnv' away and skeared, he go look for scalp. 
 Love all sort scalp — old scalp, young scalp — man scalp, 
 woman scalp — boy scalp, gal scalp — all get pay, all get 
 honour. No difference to him." 
 
 "Ay !" exclaimed Guert, with a strong aspiration, such 
 as escapes a man who feels strongly ; " he is a devil incar- 
 nate, when he once gets fairly on the scent of blood ! So 
 you expect these French Injins will make an excursion in 
 among the settlers, out here to the south-east of us ?" 
 
 " Go to nearest — don't care where he be. Nearest your 
 friend; won't like that, s'pose?" 
 
 " You are right enough, Onondago, in saying that. I 
 shall not like it, nor will my companions, here, like it ; and 
 the first thing you will have to do, will be to guide us, 
 straight 0.3 the bird flies, to the Ravensnest ; the picketed 
 house, you know, where we have left our sweethearts." 
 
 Susquesus understood all that was said, without any diffi- 
 culty ; in proof of which, he smiled at this allusion to the 
 precious character of the inmates of the house Guert told 
 hirn to seek. 
 
 " Squaw pretty 'nough," he answered, complacently. 
 <c No wonder young man like him. But, can't go there, 
 now. First find friends measure land. All Injin land. 
 
 once ! 
 
 I" 
 
 This last remark was made in a way I did not like ; for 
 the idea seemed to cross the Onondago's brain so suddenly, 
 as to draw from him this brief assertion in pure bitterness 
 of spirit. 
 
 " I should be very sorry if it had not been, Susquesus," 
 
SATANSTOE. 131 
 
 I observed, myself, " since the title is all the better for its 
 having been so, as our Indian deed will show. You know, 
 of course, that my father, and his friend, Col. Follock, 
 bought this land of the Mohawks, and paid them their own 
 price for it." 
 
 " Red-man nebber measure land so. He p'int with finger, 
 break bush down, and say, < there, take from that water to 
 that water.' " 
 
 "All very true, my friend ; but, as that sort of measure- 
 ment will not answer to keep farms separate, we are obliged 
 to survey the whole off into lots of smaller size. The Mo- 
 hawks first gave my father and his friend, as much land as 
 they could walk round in two suns, allowing them the night 
 to rest in." 
 
 "That good deed!" exclaimed the Indian, with strong 
 emphasis. " Leg can't cheat — pen great rogue." 
 
 " Well, we have the benefit of both grants; for the pro- 
 prietors actually walked round the estate, a party of Indians 
 accompanying them, to see that all was fair. After that, 
 the chiefs signed a deed in writing, that there might be no 
 mistake, and then we got the King's grant." 
 
 " Who give King land, at all ? — All land here red-man 
 land ; who give him to king?" 
 
 " Who made the Delawares women ? — The warriors of 
 the Six nations, was it not, Susquesus ?" 
 
 " Yes — my people help. Six Nation great warrior, and 
 put petticoat on Delawares, so they can't go on war-path 
 any more. What that to do with King's land ?" 
 
 " Why, the King's warriors, you know, my friend, have 
 taken possession of this country, just as the Six Nations 
 took possession of the Delawares, before they made them 
 women." 
 
 " What become of King's warrior, now ?" demanded the 
 Indian, quick as lightning. "Where he run away to? 
 Where land Ticonderoga, now ? Whose land t'other end 
 lake, now?" 
 
 " Why, the King's troops have certainly met with a dis- 
 aster ; and, for the present, their rights are weakened, it 
 must be admitted. But, another day may see all this 
 changed, and the King will get his land again. You will 
 remember, he has not sold Ticonderoga to the French, as 
 
132 SATANSTOE. 
 
 the Mohawks sold Mooseridge to us ; and that, you must 
 admit, makes a great difference. A bargain is a bargain, 
 Onondago." 
 
 " Yes, bargain, bargain — that good. Good for red-man, 
 good for pale-face — no difference — what Mohawk sell, he 
 no take back, but let pale-face keep — but how come Mo- 
 hawk and King sell, too?" Bot' own land, eh?" 
 
 This was rather a puzzling question to answer to an In- 
 dian. We white people can very well understand that a 
 human government, which professes, on the principles re- 
 cognised by civilized nations, to have jurisdiction over cer- 
 tain extensive territories that lie in the virgin forest, and 
 which are used only, and that occasionally, by certain sa- 
 vage tribes as hunting-grounds, should deem it right to 
 satisfy those tribes, by purchase, before they parcelled out 
 their lands for the purposes of civilized life ; but, it would 
 not be so easy to make an unsophisticated mind understand 
 that there could be two owners to the same property. The 
 transaction is simple enough to us, and it tells in favour of 
 our habits, for we have the power to grant these lands with- 
 out ' extinguishing the Indian title,'' as it is termed ; but it 
 presents difficulties to the understandings of those who are 
 not accustomed to see society surrounded by the multifarious 
 interests of civilization. In point of fact, the Indian pur- 
 chases give no other title, under our laws, than the right to 
 sue out, in council, a claim to acquire by the grant of the 
 crown; paying to the latter such a consideration as in 
 its wisdom it shall see fit to demand. Still, it was necessary 
 to make some answer to the Onondago's question, lest he 
 might carry away the mistaken notion that we did not justly 
 own our possessions. 
 
 "Suppose you find a rifle to your fancy, Susquesus," I 
 said after reflecting a moment on the subject, " and you find 
 two Indians who both claim to own it ; now, if you pay each 
 warrior his price, is your right to the title any the worse for 
 having done so? Is it not rather better?" 
 
 The Indian was struck with this reply, which suited the 
 character of his mind. Thrusting out his hand, he received 
 mine, and shook it cordially, as much as to say he was 
 satisfied. Having disposed of this episode thus satisfactorily, 
 
SATANSTOE. 133 
 
 we turned to the more interesting subject of our immediate 
 movements. 
 
 " It would seem that the Onondago expects the French 
 Indians will now strike at the settlements," I remarked to 
 my companions, " and, that our friends at Ravensnest may- 
 need our aid ; but, at the same time, he thinks we should 
 first return to Mooseridge, and join the surveyors. Which 
 mode of proceeding strikes you as the best, my friends?" 
 
 " Let us first hear the Injin's reasons for going after the 
 surveyors," answered Guert. " If he has a sufficient reason 
 for his plan, I am ready to follow it." 
 
 " Surveyor got scalp, as well as squaw," said Susquesus, 
 in his brief, meaning manner. 
 
 " That must settle the point !" exclaimed Guert. " I un- 
 derstand it all, now. The Onondago thinks the Mooseridge 
 party may be cut off, as being alone and unsupported, and 
 that we ought to apprise them of this danger." 
 
 "All perfectly just," I replied, " and it is what they, being 
 our own people, have a right to expect from us. Still, 
 Guert, I should think those surveyors might be safe where 
 they are, in the bosom of the forest, for a year to come. 
 Their business there cannot be known, and who is then to 
 betray them ?" 
 
 " See," said Susquesus, earnestly. " Kill deer, and leave 
 him in the wood. Won't raven find carcass?" 
 
 " That may be true enough ; but a raven has" an instinct, 
 given him by nature, to furnish him with food. He flies 
 high in the air, moreover, and can see farther than an In 
 dian." 
 
 " Nuttin' see farther than Injin ! Red-man fly high, too. 
 See from salt lake to sweet water. Know ebbery t'ing in 
 wood. Tell him nuttin' he don't know." 
 
 "You do not suppose, Susquesus, that the Huron warriors 
 could find our surveyors, at Mooseridge?" 
 
 " Why, no find him? Find moose ; why no find ridge, 
 too? Find Mooseridge, sartain ; find land-measurer." 
 
 " On the whole, Corny," Guert remarked, after musing a 
 little, " we may do well to follow the Injin's advice. I have 
 heard of so many misfortunes that have befallen people in 
 the bush, from having despised Indian counsels, that I own 
 to a little superstition on the subject. Just look at what 
 
 Vol. II.— 12 
 
134 SATANSTOE. 
 
 happened yesterday ! Had red-skin opinions been taken, 
 Abercrombie might now have been a conqueror, instead of 
 a miserable, beaten man." 
 
 Susquesus raised a finger, and his dark countenance be- 
 came illumined by an expression that was more eloquent 
 even than his tongue. 
 
 " Why no open ear to red-man !" he asked, with dignity. 
 " Some bird sing a song that good — some sing bad song — 
 but all bird know his own song. Mohawk warrior use to 
 wood, and follow a crooked war-path, when he meet much 
 enemy. Great Yengeese chief think his warrior have two 
 life, that he put him before cannon and rifle, to stand up and 
 be shot. No Injin do so foolish — no — never !" 
 
 As this was too true to be controverted, the matter was 
 not discussed ; but, having determined among ourselves to 
 let the Onondago take us back on the path by which we had 
 come, we announced our readiness to start as soon as it 
 might suit his convenience. Being sufficiently rested, Sus- 
 quesus, who did everything on system, manifesting neither 
 impatience nor laziness, arose and quietly led the way. 
 Our course was just the reverse of that on which we had 
 travelled when we left Mooseridge ; and I did not fail to 
 observe that, so accurate was the knowledge of our guide, 
 we passed many of the same objects as we had previously 
 gone near. There was nothing like a track, with the excep- 
 tion of occasional foot-prints left by ourselves ; but it was 
 evident the Onondago paid not the least attention to these, 
 possessing other and more accessible clues to his course. 
 
 Guert marched next to the Indian, and I was third in the 
 line. How often, that busy day, did I gaze at my file-leader, 
 in admiration of his figure and mien ! Nature appeared to 
 have intended him for a soldier. Although so powerful, his 
 frame was agile — a particular in which he differed from 
 Dirck ; who, although so young, already gave symptoms 
 of heaviness, at no distant day. Then Guert's carriage was 
 as fine as his form. The head was held erect ; the eye was 
 intrepid in its glance ; and the tread elastic, though so firm. 
 To the last hour, on that long and weary march, Guert 
 leaped logs, sprang across hollows in the ground, and other- 
 wise manifested that his iron sinews and hardened muscles 
 still retained all their powers. As he moved in my front, I 
 
SATANSTOE. 135 
 
 saw, for the first time, that some of the fringe of his hunt- 
 ing-shirt had been cut away in the fight, and that a musket- 
 ball had passed directly through his cap. I afterwards 
 ascertained that Guerl was aware of these escapes, but his 
 nature was so manly he did not think of mentioning them. 
 
 We made a single halt, as before, to dine ; but little was 
 said, at this meal, and no change in our plan was proposed. 
 This was the point where we ought to have diverged from 
 the former course, did we intend to proceed first to Ravens- 
 nest; but, though all knew it, nothing was said on the sub- 
 ject. 
 
 " We shall carry unwelcome tidings to Mr. Traverse, 
 and his men," Guert observed, a minute or two before our 
 halt was up ; " for, 1 take it for granted, the news cannot 
 have gone ahead of vs." 
 
 " We first," answered the Onondago. " Too soon for 
 Huron, yet. T'ink so — nobody know." 
 
 " I wish, Corny," pursued the Albanian, " we had thought 
 of saying a word to Doortje about this accursed expedition. 
 There is no use in a man's being above his business; and 
 he who puts himself in the way of fortune, might profit by 
 now and then consulting a fortune-teller." 
 
 "Had we done so, and had all that has happened been 
 foretold, do you suppose it would have made any change in 
 the result ?" 
 
 " Perhaps not, since we should have been the persons to 
 relate what we had heard. But, Abercrombie, himself, need 
 have had no scruples about visiting that remarkable old wo- 
 man. She 's a wonderful creature, Corny, as we must allow, 
 and a prudent general would not fail to respect what she told 
 him. It is a thousand pities that either the Commander-in- 
 Chief, or the Adjutant-General, had not paid Doortje a visit 
 before they left Albany. My Lord Howe's valuable lifo 
 might then have been saved." 
 
 " In what way, Guert 1 I am at a loss to see in what 
 manner any good could come of it." 
 
 "In what manner? — Why, in the plainest possible. 
 Now, suppose Doortje had foretold this defeat ; it is clear, 
 Abercrombie, if he put any faith in the old woman, would 
 not have made the attack." 
 
 "And thus defeat the defeat. Do you not see, Guert, that 
 
136 SATANSTOE. 
 
 the soothsayer can, at the best, but foretell what is to hap- 
 pen, and that which must come will. It would be an easy 
 matter for any of us to get great reputations for fortune- 
 telling, if all we had to do was to predict misfortunes, in 
 order that our friends might avoid them. As nothing would 
 ever happen, in consequence of the precautions taken to 
 avert the evils, a name would be easily and cheaply main- 
 tained." 
 
 " By St. Nicholas ! Corny, I never thought of that ! But, 
 you have been college-taught ; and a thousand things are 
 picked up at colleges, that one never dreams of at an acade- 
 my. I see reason, every day, to lament my idleness when 
 a boy ; and fortunate shall I be, if I do not lament it all my 
 life." 
 
 Poor Guert ! He was always so humble, when the sub- 
 ject of education arose, however accidentally or unintention- 
 ally on my part, that it was never commented on, that it did 
 not give me pain, exciting a wish to avoid it. As the time 
 for the halt was now up, it was easy to terminate the present 
 discussion, by declaring as much, and proceeding on our 
 way. 
 
 We had a hard afternoon's walk of it, though neither of 
 the five manifested the least disposition to give in. As for 
 Susquesus, to me, he never seemed to know either fatigue 
 or hunger. He was doubtless acquainted with both ; but 
 his habits of self-command were so severe, as to enable him 
 completely to conceal his sufferings in this, as well as in 
 most other respects. 
 
 The sun was near setting when we entered within the 
 limits of the Mooseridge estate. We ascertained this fact 
 by passing the line-trees, some of which had figures cut into 
 their barks, to denote the numbers of the great subdivisions 
 of the property. Guert pointed out these marks; being far 
 more accustomed to the woods than either Dirck or myself. 
 Aided by such guides, we had no difficulty in making a suf- 
 ficiently straight course to the hut. 
 
 Susquesus thought a little caution necessary, as we drew 
 near to the end of our journey. Causing us to remain 
 behind, he advanced in front, himself, to reconnoitre. A 
 signal, however, soon took us to the place where he stood, 
 when we discovered the hut iust as we had left it, but no one 
 
SATANSTOE. 137 
 
 near it. This might be the result of mere accident, the 
 surveying party frequently ' 'camping out,' in preference to 
 making a long march after a fatiguing day's work ; and 
 Pete would be very likely to prefer going to join these men, 
 to remaining alone in the hut. We advanced to the build- 
 ing, therefore, with confidence. On reaching it, we found 
 the place empty, as had been anticipated, though with every 
 sign about it of its tenants having left it but a short time 
 previously ; that morning, at the furthest. 
 
 Jaap set about preparing a supper out of the regular sup- 
 plies of the party; all of which were found in their places, 
 and in abundance. On inquiry of the fellow, I ascertained 
 it was his opinion Mr. Traverse had gone off that very day, 
 most probably to some distant portion of the Patent, taking 
 Pete with him, as everything was covered up and put away 
 with that sort of care that denotes an absence of some little 
 time. The Indian heard the negro's remark, to this effect, 
 and, tossing his head significantly, he said — 
 
 " No need guess — go see — li^ht enough — plenty time. 
 Injin soon tell." 
 
 He quitted the hut, on the spot, and immediately set about 
 this self-assigned duty. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 " Thou tremblest ; and the whiteness in thy cheek 
 Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand." 
 
 SHAKSPEAttE. 
 
 Curiosity induced me to follow the Indian, in order to 
 watch his movements. Susquesus proceeded a short dis- 
 tance from the hut, quitting the knoll entirely, until he 
 reached lower land, where a foot-print would be most likely 
 to be visible, when he commenced a slow circuit of the place, 
 with eyes fastened on the earth, as the nose of the hound 
 follows the scent. I was so much interested in the Onon- 
 12* 
 
138 SATANSTOE. 
 
 dago's manner, as to join him, falling-in in his rear, in 
 order not to interfere with his object. 
 
 Of foot-marks there were plenty, more particularly on the 
 low, moist ground, where we were; but they all appeared, 
 to me, to have no interest with the Indian. Most of our 
 party wore moccasins ; and it was not easy to see how, 
 under such circumstances, and amid such a maze of impres- 
 sions, it could be possible for any one to distinguish a hostile 
 from a friendly trail. That Susquesus thought the thing 
 might be done, however, was very evident by his persever- 
 ance, and his earnestness. 
 
 At first, my companion met with no success, or with no- 
 thing that he fancied success ; but, after making half the 
 circuit of the hut, keeping always a hundred yards distant 
 from it, he suddenly stopped ; stooped quite to the earth ; then 
 arose, and, sticking a broken knot into the ground, as a 
 mark, he signed to me to keep a little on one side, while he 
 turned at right angles to his former course, and moved in- 
 wards towards our dwelling. I followed slowly, watching 
 nis movements, step by step. 
 
 In this manner we reached the hut, deviating from a 
 direct line, in order to do so. At the hut, itself, Susquesus 
 made a long and minute examination ; but even I could see, 
 that the marks here were so numerous, as to baffle even 
 him. After finishing his search at this point, the Indian 
 turned, and went back to the place where he had stuck the 
 knot in the ground. In doing this, however, he followed 
 his own trail, returning by precisely the same deviating 
 course as that by which he had come. This, alone, would 
 have satisfied me that he saw more than I did ; for, to own 
 the truth, I could not have done the same thing. 
 
 When we reached the knot, Susquesus followed that (to 
 me invisible) trail outside of the circle, leading off into the 
 forest in a direct line from the hut and spring. I continued 
 near him, although neither had spoken during the whole of 
 this examination, which had now lasted quite half an hour. 
 As it was getting dark, however, and Jaap showed the sig- 
 nal that our supper was ready, I thought it might be well, 
 at length, to break the silence. 
 
 " What do you make of all this, Trackless ?" I inquired. 
 " Do you find any signs of a trail ?" 
 
SATANSTOE. 139 
 
 " Good trail" — Susquesus answered ; " new trail, too. 
 Look like Huron !" 
 
 This was startling intelligence, certainly ; yet, much as I 
 was disposed to defer to my companion's intelligence in 
 such matters, in general. I thought he must be mistaken in 
 his fact. In the first place, though I had seen many foot- 
 prints near the hut, and along the low land on which the 
 Indian made his circuit, I could see none where we then 
 were. I mentioned this to the Indian, and desired him tc 
 show me, particularly, one of the signs which had led him 
 to his conclusion. 
 
 " See," said Susquesus, stooping so low as to place a 
 finger on the dead leaves that ever make a sort of carpet to 
 the forest, " here been moccasin — that heel ; this toe." 
 
 Aided, in this manner, I could discover a faint foot-print, 
 which might, by aid of the imagination, be thus read ; though 
 the very slight impression that was to be traced, might 
 almost as well be supposed anything else, as it seemed to 
 me. 
 
 " I see what you mean, Susquesus ; and, I allow, it may 
 be a foot-print," I answered ; " but then it may also have 
 been left by anything else, which has touched the ground 
 just at that spot. It may have been made by a falling 
 branch of a tree." 
 
 " Where branch?" asked the Indian, quick as lightning. 
 
 " Sure enough ; that is more than I can tell you. But I 
 cannot suppose that a Huron foot-print, without more evidence 
 than you now give." 
 
 " What you call that ?— this— that— t'other ?" added tho 
 Indian, stepping quickly back, and .pointing to four other 
 similar, but very faint impressions on the leaves; "no see 
 him, eh? — Just leg apart, too !" 
 
 This was true enough ; and now my attention was thus 
 directed, and my senses were thus aided, I confess I did dis- 
 cover certain proofs of footsteps, that would, otherwise, have 
 baffled my most serious search. 
 
 " I can se« what you mean, Susquesus," I said, " and will 
 allow that this line of impressions, or marks, does make 
 them look more like footsteps. At any rate, most of our 
 party wear moccasins as well as the red-men, and how do 
 
140 SATANSTOE. 
 
 you know that some of the surveyors have not passed this 
 way ?" 
 
 " Surveyor no make such mark. Toe turn in." 
 
 This was true, too. But it did not follow that a foot-print 
 was a Huron's, merely because it was Indian. Then, where 
 were the enemy's warriors to come from, in so short a time 
 as had intervened between the late battle and the present 
 moment ? There was little question all the forces of the 
 French, pale-face and red-man, had been collected at Ticon- 
 deroga to meet the English ; and the distance was so great 
 as almost to render it impossible for a party to reach this 
 spot so soon, coming from the vicinity of the fortress after 
 the occurrence of the late events. Did not the lake inter- 
 pose an obstacle, I might have inferred that parties of skir- 
 mishers would be thrown on the flanks of the advancing 
 army, thus bringing foes within a lessened distance of us ; 
 but, there was the lake, affording a safe approach for more 
 than thirty miles, and rendering the employment of any 
 such skirmishers useless. All this occurred to me at the 
 moment, and I mentioned it to my companion as an argu- 
 ment against his own supposition. 
 
 M No true," answered Susqucsus, shaking his head. " That 
 trail — he Huron trail, too. Don't know led-man to say so." 
 
 " But red-men are human as well as pale-faces. It must 
 be seventy miles from this spot to the foot of Lake George, 
 and your conjecture would make it necessary that a party 
 should have travelled that distance in less than twenty-four 
 hours, and be here some time before us." 
 
 " We no travel him, eh ?" 
 
 " I grant you that, Trackless ; but we came a long bit of 
 the road in a canoe, each and all of us sleeping, and resting 
 ourselves, in turns. These Hurons must have come the 
 whole distance by land." 
 
 " No so. Huron paddle canoe well as Onondago. Lake 
 there — canoe plenty. Why not come?" 
 
 " Do you suppose, Trackless, that any of the French 
 Indians would venture on the lake while it was covered with 
 our boats, as was the case last night ?" 
 
 " What ' our boat' good for, eh ? Carry wounded war- 
 rior — carry runaway warrior — what he care ? T'ink Huron 
 
SATANSTOE 
 
 141 
 
 'fraid of boat ? Boat got eye, eh 1 Boat see ; boat hear ; 
 boat shoot, eh ?" 
 
 " Perhaps not ; but those who were in the boats can do 
 all this, and would be apt, at least, to speak to a strange 
 canoe." 
 
 " Boat speak my canoe, eh ? Onondago canoe, strange 
 canoe, too." 
 
 All this was clear enough, when I began to reflect on it. 
 It was certainly possible for a canoe with two or three 
 paddles, to go the whole length of the lake in much less 
 time than we had employed in going two-thirds of the dis- 
 tance ; and a party landing in the vicinity of William-Henry, 
 could certainly have reached the spot where we then were, 
 several hours sooner than we had reached it ourselves. Still, 
 there existed all the other improbabilities on my side of the 
 question. It was improbable that a party should have pro- 
 ceeded in precisely this manner; it was still more impro- 
 bable that such a party, coming on a war-path, from a dis- 
 tant part of the country, should know exactly where to find 
 our hut. After a moment's pause, and while we both slowly 
 proceeded to join our companion, I suggested these objections 
 to the Onondago. 
 
 " Don't know Injin," answered the other, betraying more 
 earnestness of manner than was usual with him, when he 
 condescended to discuss any of the usages of the tribes, with 
 a pale- face. "He fight first; then he want scalp. Ever 
 see dead horse in wood — well, no crow there, eh? Plenty 
 crow, isn't he 1 Just so, Injin. Wounded soldier carry oft, 
 and Injin watch in wood, behind army, to get scalp. Scalp 
 good, after battle. Want him, very much. Wood full of 
 Huron, along path to Albany. Yengeese down in heart ; 
 Huron up. Scalp so good, t'ink of nuttin' else." 
 
 By this time we had reached the hut, where I found Guert 
 and Dirck already at their supper. I will own that my 
 appetite was not as good as it might have been, but for the 
 Orondago's conjectures and discoveries; though I took a 
 seat, and began to eat with my friends. While at the meal, 
 I communicated to my companions all that had passed, par- 
 ticularly asking of Guert, who had a respectable knowledge 
 of the bush, what he thought of the probabilities of the case. 
 
 " If hostile red-skins have really been here, lately," the 
 
142 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Albanian answered, " they have been thoroughly cunning 
 devils; for not an article in or about the hut has been dis- 
 turbed. I had an eye to that myself, the moment we ar- 
 rived; for 1 have thought it far from unlikely that the Hu- 
 rons would be out, on the road between William-Henry 
 and the settlements, trying to get scalps from the parties 
 that would be likely to be sent to the rear with wounded 
 officers." 
 
 " In which case our friend Bulstrode might be in dan- 
 ger?" 
 
 " He must take his chance, like all of us. But, he will 
 probably be carried to Ravensnest, as the nearest nest for 
 him to nestle in. 1 don't half like this trail, however, Corny ; 
 it is seldom a red-skin of the Onondago's character, makes 
 a mistake in such a matter !" 
 
 " It is too late, now, to do anything to-night," Dirck ob- 
 served. " Besides, I don't think any great calamity is likely 
 to befall any of us, or Doortje would have dropped some 
 hint about it. These fortune-tellers seldom let anything 
 serious pass without a notice of some sort or other. You 
 see, Corny, we went through all this business at Ty, with- 
 out a scratch, which is so much in favour of the old wo- 
 man's being right." 
 
 Poor Dirck ! that prediction had made a deep impression 
 on his character, and on his future life. A man's faith must 
 be strong, to fancy that a negative of this nature could carry 
 with it any of the force of a positive, affirmative prediction. 
 Nevertheless, Dirck had spoken the truth, in one respect. 
 It was too late to do anything that night, and it only re 
 mained to prepare to take our rest as securely as possible. 
 
 We consulted on the subject, calling on the Indian to aid 
 us. After talking the matter over, it was determined to re- 
 main where we were, securing the door, and bringing every- 
 body within the building ; for the negroes and the Indians 
 had been much in the habit of sleeping about, under brush 
 covers that they had erected for themselves. It was thought 
 that, having once visited the hut, and finding it empty, the 
 enemy, if enemy there were, would not be very likely to 
 return to it immediately, and that wc might consider our- 
 selves as comparatively safe, from that circumstance alone. 
 Then, there were all the chances that the trail might have 
 
SATANSTOE. 143 
 
 been left by friendly, instead of hostile Indians, although 
 Susquesus shook his head in the negative, whenever this 
 was mentioned. At all events, we had but a choice of three 
 expedients — to abandon the Patent, and seek safety in flight ; 
 to ' 'camp out ;' or to shut ourselves up in our fortress. Of 
 the first, no one thought for a moment ; and of the two 
 others, we decided on the last, as far the most comfortable, 
 and, on the whole, as the safest. 
 
 An hour after we had come to this determination, I ques- 
 tion if either of the five knew anything about it. I never 
 slept more profoundly in my life, and my companions sub- 
 sequently gave the same account of their several conditions. 
 Fatigue, and youth, and health, gave us all refreshing sleep ; 
 and, as we lay down at nine, two o'clock came after so 
 much time totally lost in the way of consciousness. I say 
 two o'clock ; for my watch told me that was just the hour, 
 when the Indian awoke me, by shaking my shoulder. One 
 gets the habits of watchfulness in the woods, and I was on 
 my feet in an instant. 
 
 Dark as it was, for it was deep night, I could distinguish 
 that Susquesus was alone stirring, and that he had unbarred 
 the door of our cabin. Indeed, he passed through that open 
 space, into the air of the forest, the moment he perceived I 
 was conscious of what I was about. Without pausing to 
 reflect, I followed, and soon stood at his side, some fifteen 
 or twenty feet from the hut. 
 
 " This good place to hear," said the Indian, in a low sup- 
 pressed tone. " Now, open ear." 
 
 What a scene was that, which now presented itself to my 
 senses ! I can see it, at this distance of time, after years of 
 peaceful happiness, and years of toil and adventure. The 
 morning, or it might be better to say the night, was not very 
 dark in itself; but the gloom of the woods being added to 
 the obscurity of the hour, it lent an intensity of blackness 
 to the trunks of the trees, that gave to each a funereal and 
 solemn aspect. It was impossible to see for any distance, 
 and the objects that were visible were only those that were 
 nearest at hand. Notwithstanding, one might imagine the 
 canopied space beneath the tops of the trees, and fancy it, 
 in the majesty of its gloomy vastness. Of sounds there were 
 literally none, when the Indian first bade me listen. The 
 
144 SATANSTOE. 
 
 stillness was so profound, that I thought I heard the sighing 
 of the night air among the upper branches of the loftier 
 trees. This might have been mere imagination ; neverthe- 
 less, all above the summits of the giant oaks, maples and 
 pines, formed a sort of upper world as regarded us ; a world 
 with which we had little communication, during our sojourn 
 in the woods below. The raven, and the eagle, and the 
 hawk, sailed in that region, above the clouds of leaves be- 
 neath them, and occasionally stooped, perhaps, to strike 
 their quarry ; but, to all else, it was inaccessible, and to a 
 degree invisible. 
 
 But, my present concern is with the world I was in ; and, 
 what a world it was ! Solemn, silent, dark, vast and myste- 
 rious. I listened in vain, to catch the footstep of some busy 
 squirrel, for the forest was alive with the smaller animals, 
 by night quite as much as by day ; but everything, at that 
 moment, seemed stilled to the silence of death. 
 
 " I can hear nothing, Trackless," I whispered — * Why 
 are you out here?" 
 
 " You hear, soon — wake me up, and I hear twice. Soon 
 come ag'in." 
 
 It did soon come again. It was a human cry, escaping 
 from human lips in their agony ! I heard it once only ; but, 
 should I live to be a hundred, it would not be forgotten. I 
 often hear it in my sleep, and twenty times have I awoke 
 since, fancying that agonizing call was in my ears. It was 
 long, loud, piercing, and the word ' help' was as distinct as 
 tongue could make it. 
 
 " Great God !" I exclaimed — " some one is set upon, and 
 calls for aid in his extremity. Let us arouse our friends, 
 and go to his assistance. I cannot remain here, Susquesus, 
 with such a cry in my ears." 
 
 " Best go, t'ink too," answered the Onondago. " No need 
 call, though ; two better than four. Stop minute." 
 
 I did remain stationary that brief space, listening with 
 agonized uncertainty, while the Indian entered the hut, and 
 returned, bringing out his rifle and my own. Arming our 
 selves, and shutting the door of the cabin, to exclude the 
 night-air, at least, Susquesus led off, with his noiseless step, 
 in a south-west direction, or that in which we had heard 
 the sound. 
 
SATAN STOE. 145 
 
 Our march was too swift and earnest to admit of dis- 
 course. The Onondago had admonished me to make as 
 little noise as possible ; and, between the anxiety I felt, and 
 the care taken to comply, there was, indeed, but little op- 
 portunity for conversing. My feelings were wrought up to 
 a high pitch ; but my confidence in my companion being 
 great, I followed in his footsteps, as diligently as my skill 
 would allow. Susquesus rather trod on air than walked ; 
 yet I kept close at his heels, until we had gone, as I should 
 think, fully half a mile in the direction from which that 
 awful cry had come. Here Susquesus halted, saying to me, 
 in a low voice — 
 
 " No far from here — best stop." 
 
 I submitted, in all things, to the directions of my Indian 
 guide. The latter had selected the dark shadows of two or 
 three young pines for our cover, where, by getting within 
 their low branches, we were completely concealed from any 
 eye that was distant from us eight or ten feet. No sooner 
 were we thus posted, than the Onondago pointed to the trunk 
 of a fallen tree, and we took our seats silently on it. I ob- 
 served that my companion kept his thumb on the cock of 
 his rifle, while his fore-finger was passed around the trigger. 
 It is scarcely necessary to say that I observed the same 
 precaution. 
 
 " This good," said Susquesus, in a voice so low and soft 
 that it could not attract more attention than a whisper; 
 " this very good — hear him ag'in, soon ; then know." 
 
 A stifled groan was heard, and that almost as soon as my 
 companion ceased to speak. I felt my blood curdle at these 
 frightful evidences of human suffering; and an impulse of 
 humanity caused me to move, as if about to rise. The hand 
 of Trackless checked the imprudence. 
 
 " No good," he said, sternly. " Sit still. Warrior know 
 how to sit still." 
 
 " But, Heavenly Providence ! There is some one in 
 agony, quite near us, man. Did you not hear a groan, 
 Trackless?" 
 
 "To be sure, hear him. — What of that? Pain make 
 groan come, alway, from pale-face." 
 
 " You think, then, it is a white-man who suffers ? if so, it 
 
 Vol. II. — 13 
 
146 SATANSTOE. 
 
 must be one of our party, as there is no one else near us. 
 If I hear it again, I must go to his relief, Onondago." 
 
 " Why you behave like squaw 1 What of little groan 1 
 Sartain, he pale-face ; Injin never groan on war-path. Why 
 he groan, you t'ink 1 Cause Huron meet him. That reason 
 he groan. You groan, too, no sit still. Injin know time to 
 shoot — know time not to shoot." 
 
 I had every disposition to call aloud, to inquire who 
 needed succour; yet the admonitions of my companion, 
 aided as they were by the gloomy mysteries of that vast 
 forest, in the hour of deepest night, enabled me to command 
 the impulse. Three times, notwithstanding, was that groan 
 repeated ; and, as it appeared to me, each time more and 
 more faintly. I thought, too, when all was still in the 
 forest — when we sat ourselves in breathless expectation of 
 what might next reach our ears — attentive to each sighing 
 of the night-air, and distrustful even of the rustling leaf — 
 that the last groan of all, though certainly the faintest of 
 any we had heard, was much the nearest. Once, indeed, I 
 heard, or fancied I heard, the word ' water,' murmured in a 
 low, smothered tone, almost in my ear. I thought, too, I 
 knew the voice ; that it was familiar to me ; though I could 
 not decide, in the state of my feelings, exactly to whom it 
 belonged. 
 
 In this manner we passed what, to me, were two of the 
 most painful hours of my life, waiting the slow return of 
 light. My own impatience was nearly ungovernable; 
 though the Indian sat, the whole of that time, seemingly as 
 insensible as the log which formed his seat, and almost as 
 motionless. At length this intensely anxious, and even 
 physically painful watch, drew near its end. Signs of day 
 gleamed through the canopy of leaves, and the rays of dull 
 light appeared to struggle downward, rendering objects 
 dimly discernible. 
 
 It was not long ere we could ascertain that we had sc 
 completely covered ourselves, as to be in a position where 
 the branches of the pines completely shut out the view of 
 objects beyond. This was favourable to reconnoitring, 
 however, previously to quitting our concealment, and enabled 
 us to have some care of ourselves while attending to the 
 duties of humanity. 
 
SATANSTOE. 147 
 
 Susquesus useil the greatest caution in looking around 
 before he left the cover. I was close at his side, peeping 
 through such openings as offered ; for my curiosity was so 
 intense, that I almost forgot the causes for apprhension. It 
 was not long before I heard the familiar Indian interjection, 
 " hugh !" from my companion ; a proof that something had 
 caught his eye, of a more than ordinarily exciting character. 
 He pointed in the way I was to look, and there, indeed, I 
 beheld one of those frightful instances of barbarous cruelty, 
 that the usages of savage warfare have sanctioned, as far 
 back as our histories extend, among the forest warriors of 
 this continent. The tops of two saplings had been brought 
 down near each other, by main force, the victim's hands 
 attached firmly to upper branches of each, and the trees per- 
 mitted to fly back to their natural positions, or as near them 
 as the revolting means of junction would allow. I could 
 scarce believe my senses, when my sight first revealed the 
 truth. But there hung the victim, suspended by his arms, 
 at an elevation of at least ten or fifteen feet from the earth. 
 I confess I sincerely hoped he was dead, and the motionless 
 attitude of the body gave me reason to think it might be so. 
 Still, the cries for " help," uttered wildly, hopelessly, in the 
 midst of a vast and vacant forest, the groans extorted by 
 suffering, must have been his. He had probably been thus 
 suspended and abandoned, while alive ! 
 
 Even the Onondago could not restrain me, after I fully 
 saw and understood the nature of the cruelty which had 
 been exercised on the miserable victim who was thus sus- 
 pended directly before my eyes, and I broke out of the cover, 
 ready, I am willing to confess, to pull trigger on the first 
 hostile red-man I saw. Fortunately for myself, most pro- 
 bably, the place had long been deserted. As the back of 
 the sufferer was towards me, I could not tell who he was ; 
 but his dress was coarse, and of the description that belongs 
 to the lowest class. Blood had flowed freely from his head, 
 and I made no doubt he had been scalped; though the 
 height at which he hung, and the manner in which his head 
 had fallen forward upon his breast, prevented me from as- 
 certaining the fact at once, by the aid of sight. Thus much 
 did I perceive, however, ere the Indian joined me. 
 
148 SATANSTOE. 
 
 " See !" said Susquesus, whose quick eye never let any. 
 thing escape it long, " told you so ; Huron been here." 
 
 As this was said, the Indian pointed significantly at the 
 naked skin, which was visible between the heavy, coarse 
 shoes of the victim, and the trowsers he wore, when I dis- 
 covered it was black. Moving quickly in front, so as to get 
 a view of the face, I recognised the distorted features of 
 Petrus, or Pete, Guert Ten Eyck's negro. This man had 
 been left with the surveyors, it will be remembered, and he 
 had either fallen into the hands of his captors, while at the 
 hut, engaged in his ordinary duties, or he had been met in 
 the forest while going to, or coming from those he served, 
 and had thus been treated. We never ascertained the facts, 
 which remain in doubt to this hour. 
 
 " Give me your tomahawk, Trackless," I cried, as soon 
 as horror would permit me to speak, " that I may cut down 
 this sapling, and liberate the unfortunate creature !" 
 
 " No good — better so," answered the Indian. " Bear — 
 wolf can't get him, now. Let black-skin hang — good as 
 bury — no safe stay here long. Look round and count 
 Huron, then go." 
 
 "Look round and count the Hurons," I thought to my- 
 self; "and in what manner is this to be done?" By this 
 time, however, it was sufficiently light to see foot-prints, if 
 any there were, and the Onondago set about examining 
 such traces of what had passed at that terrible spot, as 
 might be intelligible to one of his experience. 
 
 At the foot of a huge oak, that grew a few yards from 
 the fatal saplings, we found the two wooden, covered pails, 
 in which we knew Pete had been accustomed to carry food 
 to Mr. Traverse and the chain-bearers. They were empty, 
 but whether the provisions they unquestionably had con- 
 tained fell to the share of those for whom they were intended, 
 or to that of the captors, we never learned. No traces of 
 bones, potato-skins, or other fragments were discovered ; 
 and, if the Hurons had seized the provisions, they doubtless 
 transferred them to their own repositories, without stopping 
 to eat. Susquesus detected proof that the victim had been 
 seated at the foot of the oak, and that he had been seized at 
 that spot. There were the marks of many feet there, and 
 some proofs of a slight scuffle. Blood, too, was to be traced 
 
SATAN STOE. 149 
 
 on the leaves, from the foot of the oak, to the place where 
 poor Pete was suspended ; a proof that he had been hurt, 
 previously to being abandoned to his cruel fate. 
 
 But the point of most interest with Trackless was to ascer- 
 tain the number of our foes. This might be done, in some 
 measure, according to his view of the matter, by means of 
 the foot-prints. There was no want of such signs, the leaves 
 being much disturbed in places, though after a short but 
 anxious search, my companion thought it wisest to repair to 
 the hut, lest those it contained might be surprised in their 
 sleep. He gave me to understand that the enemy did not 
 appear to be numerous at that spot, three or four at most, 
 though it was quite possible, nay highly probable, that they 
 had separated, and that their whole force was not present at 
 this miserable scene. 
 
 It was broad daylight when we. came in sight of the hut 
 again, and I perceived Jaap was up and busy with his pots 
 and kettles near the spring. No one else was visible, and 
 we inferred that Guert and Dirck were still on their pallets. 
 We took a long and distrustful survey of the forest around 
 the cabin, from the height where we stood, ere we ventured 
 to approach it any nearer. Discovering no signs of danger, 
 and the forest being quite clear of underbrush or cover of 
 any sort, large trees excepted, for some distance from the 
 hut, we then advanced without apprehension. This open 
 character of the woods near our dwelling was felt to be a 
 very favourable circumstance, rendering it impossible for an 
 enemy to get very near us by day-light, without being seen. 
 It was owing to the fact that we had used so much of the 
 smaller timber, in our own operations, while the negroes 
 had burned most of the underbrush for fuel. 
 
 Sure enough, I found my two friends fast asleep, and 
 certainly much exposed. When aroused and told all that 
 had occurred to me and the Indian, their surprise was great, 
 nor was thsir horror less. Jaap, who, missing us on rising, 
 supposed we had gone in pursuit of game, had followed us 
 into the hut, and heard my communications. His indigna- 
 tion was great, at the idea of one of his own colour's being 
 thus treated, and I heard him vowing vengeance between 
 his set teeth, in terms that were by no means measured. 
 
 " By St. Nicholas !" exclaimed Guert, who had now 
 13* 
 
150 SATANSTOE. 
 
 finished dressing, and who accompanied me out into th€ 
 open air, ** my poor fellow shall be revenged, if the rifle will 
 do it ! Scalped, too, do you say, Corny ?" 
 
 " As far as we could ascertain, suspended as he was from 
 the tree. But, scalped he must be, as an Indian never per- 
 mits a dead captive to escape. this mutilation." 
 
 " And you have been out in the forest three hours, you 
 tell me, Corny 1 — You and Trackless ?" 
 
 " About that time, I should judge. The heart must have 
 been of stone, that could resist those cries !" 
 
 " I do not blame you, Littlepage, though it would have 
 been kinder, and wiser, had you taken your friends with 
 you. We must stick together, in future, let what may 
 happen. Poor Petrus ! I wonder Doortje should have 
 hinted nothing of that nigger's fate !" 
 
 We then held a long consultation on the subject of our 
 mode of proceeding, next. It is unnecessary to dwell on 
 this conference, as its conclusions will be seen in the events 
 of the narrative ; but it was brought to a close by a very 
 sudden interruption, and that was the sound of an axe in the 
 forest. The blows came in the direction of the scene of 
 Pete's murder, and we had collected our rifles, and were 
 preparing to move towards the suspected point, when we 
 saw Jaap staggering along, coming to the hut, beneath the 
 load of his friend's body. The fellow had stolen away, un- 
 seen, on this pious duty, and had executed it with success. 
 In a minute or two he reached the spring, and began to 
 wash away the revolting remains of the massacre from the 
 head of the Huron's victim. 
 
 We now ascertained that poor Pete had been badly cut 
 by knives, as well as scalped, and suspended in the manner 
 related. Both arms appeared to be dislocated, and the only 
 relief to our feelings, was in the hope that an attempt to in- 
 flict so much suffering must have soon defeated itself. Guert, 
 in particular, expressed his hope that such was the case, 
 though the awful sounds of the past night were still too fresh 
 in my ears to enable me to believe all I could wish on that 
 subject. A grave was dug, and we buried the body at once, 
 rolling a large log or two on the spot, in order to prevent 
 wild beasts from disinterring it. Jaap worked hard in the 
 performance of these rites, and Guert Ten Eyck actually 
 
SATANSTOE. 151 
 
 repeated the Lord's Prayer and the Creed over the grave, 
 when the body was placed in it, with a fervour and earnest- 
 ness that a little surprised me. 
 
 " He was but a nigger, Corny, it is true," said the Alba- 
 nian, a little apologetically perhaps, after all was over, " but 
 he was a very goot nigger, in the first place ; then, he had 
 a soul, as well as a white man — Pete had his merits, as well 
 as a Tominie, and I trust they will not be forgotten in the 
 last great account. He was an excellent cook, as you must 
 have seen, and I never knew a nigger that had more of the 
 dog-like fidelity to his master. The fellow never got into 
 a frolic without coming honestly to ask leave ; though, to be 
 sure, I was not a hard master, in these particulars, on rea- 
 sonable occasions." 
 
 We next ate our breakfasts, with as much appetite as we 
 could. Shouldering our packs, and placing all around, and 
 in the hut, as much as possible in the condition in which we 
 had found the place, we then commenced our march, Sus- 
 quesus leading, as usual. 
 
 We went in quest of the surveyors, who were supposed 
 to be in the south-east corner of the Patent, employed as 
 usual, and ignorant of all that had passed. At first, we 
 had thought of discharging our rifles, as signals to bring 
 them in ; but these signals might apprize our enemies, as 
 well as our friends, of our presence, and the distance was 
 too great, moreover, to render it probable the reports could 
 be heard by those for whom alone they would be intended. 
 
 The route we took was determined by our general know- 
 ledge of the quarter of the Patent in which the surveyors 
 ought now to be, as well as by the direction in which the 
 body of Pete had been found. The poor fellow was cer- 
 tainly either going to, or coming from the party, and being 
 in constant communication with them, he doubtless knew 
 where they were at work. Then the different trails of 
 the surveyors were easily enough found by Trackless, and 
 he told us that the most recent led off in the direction I have 
 named. Towards the south-east, therefore, we held our 
 way, marching, as before, in Indian file; the Onondago 
 leading, and the negro bringing up the rear. 
 
152 SATANSTOE 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 « 'Tis too horrible ! 
 The weariest and most loathed worldly life 
 That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment 
 Can lay on nature, is a paradise, 
 To what we fear of death." 
 
 Measure for Measure. 
 
 We were not long in reaching the point of the Patent in 
 which the surveyors had been at work, after which we could 
 have but little difficulty in finding their present actual posi- 
 tion. The marked trees were guides that told the whole 
 story of their labours. For an hour and a half, however, 
 we moved rapidly forward, Susquesus on the lead, silent, 
 earnest, watchful, and I fear I must add, revengeful. Not 
 a syllable had been uttered during the whole of that time, 
 though our senses were keenly on the alert ; and we avoided 
 everything like a cover that might conceal an ambush. 
 Suddenly the Indian halted ; at the next instant he was 
 behind a tree. Each of us imitated him, quick as thought, 
 for this was our previous training in the event of encounter- 
 ing an enemy ; and we all well knew the importance of a 
 cover in forest warfare. Still, no foe could be seen. After 
 examining around us in every direction, for a minute or two, 
 and finding the woods vacant and silent as ever, Guert and 
 I quitted our own trees, and joined the Trackless, at the 
 foot of his own huge pine. 
 
 " Why this, Susquesus?" demanded the Albanian, sharply ; 
 for he began to suspect a little acting, got up to magnify the 
 Indian's usefulness ; " here is neither pale-face nor red-skin. 
 Have done with this folly, and let us go forward." 
 
 "No good — warrior been here; p'rhaps gone, p'rhaps 
 no ; soon see. Open eye, and look." 
 
 As a gesture accompanied this speech, we did look again, 
 and this time in the right direction. At the distance of a 
 hundred yards from us was a chestnut, that might be seen 
 from its roots to its branches. On the ground, partly con- 
 cealed by the tree, and partly exposed, was the leg of a man, 
 
SATAN ST OE 
 
 153 
 
 placed as the limb would be apt to lie, on the supposition 
 that its owner lay on his back, asleep. It showed a moc- 
 casin, and the usual legging of an Indian ; but the thigh, 
 and all the rest of the frame, was concealed. The quick 
 eye of the Onondago had caught this small object, even at 
 that distance, comprehended it at a glance, when he instantly 
 sought a cover, as described. Guert and I had some diffi- 
 culty at first, even after it was pointed out to us, in recog- 
 nising this object ; but it soon became distinct and intelligible. 
 
 "Is that a red-skin's leg?" asked Guert, dropping the 
 muzzle of his rifle, as if about to try his skill on it. 
 
 " Don't know," answered the Indian ; " got leggin, got 
 moccasin ; can't see colour. Look most pale-face ; leg big." 
 
 What there was to enable one, at that distance, to distin- 
 guish between the leg of a white man and the leg of an 
 Indian, at first greatly exceeded our means of conjecturing ; 
 but the Onondago explained it, when asked, in his own 
 usual, sententious manner, by saying: 
 
 " Toe turn out — Injin turn in — no like, at all. Pale-face 
 big ; Injin no very big." 
 
 The first was true enough in walking, and it did seeir. 
 probable that the difference might exist in sleep. Guert now 
 declared there was no use in hesitating any longer; if asleep 
 he would approach the chestnut cautiously, and capture the 
 stranger, if an Indian, before he could rise; and if a white 
 man, it must be some one belonging to our own set, who 
 was taking a nap, probably, after a fatiguing march. Sus- 
 quesus must have satisfied himself, by this time, that there 
 was no immediate danger ; for merely saying, " all go toge- 
 ther," he quitted the cover, and led down towards the chestnut 
 with a rapid but noiseless step. As we moved in a body 
 all five of us reached the tree at the same instant, where we 
 found Sam, one of our own hunters, and whom we supposed 
 to be with Mr. Traverse, stretched on his back, dead ; 
 with a wound in his breast that had been inflicted by a knife. 
 He, too, had been scalped ! 
 
 The looks we exchanged, said all that could be said on 
 the subject of the gravity of this new discovery. Susquesus, 
 alone, was undisturbed ; I rather think he expected what he 
 found. After examining the body, he seemed satisfied, 
 simply saying, ".kill, last night." 
 
154 
 
 SATANSTOE. 
 
 That poor Sam had been dead several hours was pretty 
 certain, and the circumstance removed all apprehension of 
 any immediate danger from his destroyers. The ruthless 
 warriors of the woods seldom remained long near the spot 
 they had desolated, but passed on, like the tornado, or the 
 tempest. Guert, who was ever prompt when anything was 
 to be done, pointed to a natural hollow in the earth ; one of 
 those cavities tha. are so common in the forest, and which 
 are usually attributed to the upturning of trees in remote 
 ao-es, and suggeskd that we should use it as a grave. The 
 body was accordingly laid in the hole, and we covered it in 
 the best manner we could ; succeeding in placing over it 
 something like a foot deep of light loam, together with se- 
 veral flat stones-, rolling logs on all, as we had done at the 
 grave of Pete. l'»y this time Guert's feelings were so tho- 
 roughly aroused, that, in addition to the prayer and the 
 creed, which he again repeated, in a very decorous and 
 devout manner, he concluded the whole ceremony by a brief 
 address. Nor was Guert anything but serious in what he 
 did, or said, on either of these solemn occasions ; his words, 
 like his acts, being purely the impulses of a simple mind, 
 which possesses longings after devotion and scriptural truths, 
 without knowing exactly how to express them ; and this, 
 moreover, in spite of the mere animal propensities, and gay 
 habits of his physical conformation, and constitutional ten- 
 dencies. 
 
 " Deaf, my fnents," said Guert, most seriously, becoming 
 Dutch, as usual, as he became interested ; " Deat' is a sut- 
 ten visiter. He comes like a t'ief in the night, as you must 
 all have often he'rt the Tominie say ; and happy is he 
 whose loins are girtet, and whose lamp is trimmed. Such, 
 I trust, is the case with each of you ; for, it is not to be 
 concealet, that we are likely to have serious work before us. 
 Here have been Injins, beyont a question; and they are 
 Injins, too, that are out on the war-path, in search of Eng- 
 lish scalps ; or, what is of equal importance to Mr. Follock 
 and myself, Dutch scalps in the pargain ; which makes it 
 so much the more necessary for every man to be on his 
 guart, and to stant up to his work, when it may come, as 
 the pull-tog stants up to the ox. Got forpit t'at I should 
 preach revenge over t'e grave of a frient ; but the soltier 
 
r 
 
 SATANSTOE. 155 
 
 fights none the worse for knowing t'at he has peen injuret in 
 his feelin's, as has certainly peen the case with ourselves. 
 Perhaps I ought to say a wort in behalf of the teat, as this 
 is the last, and only time, that a fellow-creature will ever 
 have occasion to speak of him. Sam was an excellent 
 hunter, as his worst enemy must allow ; and now he is 
 gone, few petter remain pehint. He had one weakness, 
 which, stanting over his grave, an honest man ought not to 
 try to conceal ; he dit love liquor ; put, in this, he was not 
 alone. Nevertheless, he was honest ; and his wort might 
 pass where many a man's pont would be wort'Iess ; and I 
 leave him in the merciful hants of his Creator. My frients, 
 I haf but little more to say, and that is this — that life is 
 uncertain, and deaf is sure. Samuel has gone before us, 
 only a little while; and may we all be equally preparet to 
 meet our great account. Amen." 
 
 Did any one smile at this address! Far from it! Sin- 
 gular, disconnected, and unsophisticated as it may seem to 
 certain persons, it had one great merit that is not always 
 discernible in the speeches of those who officiate at the most 
 elaborate funeral rites. Guert was sincere, though he might 
 not be either logical or very clear. This was apparent in 
 his countenance, his voice, his whole manner. For myself, 
 I will allow, I saw nothing particularly out of place, in this 
 address, at the time, nor do I now regard it as either irreve- 
 rent or unseasonable. 
 
 We left the grave of the hunter, in the depths of that in- 
 terminable forest, as the ship passes away from the spot on 
 the ocean where she has dropped her dead. At some future 
 day, perhaps, the plough-share may turn up the bones, and 
 the husbandman ruminate on the probable fate of the lonely 
 man, whose remains will then again be brought to the light 
 of day. As we left the spot, the Indian detained us a mo- 
 ment, to put us on our guard. 
 
 " Huron do that," he said, meaningly — " No see differ- 
 ence, eh? Saw no hang up like Pete." 
 
 " That is true enough, Susquesus," Guert answered ; for 
 Guert, by his age, his greater familiarity with the woods, 
 his high courage and his personal prowess, had now as- 
 sumed, unresistingly on our part, a sort of chieftainship 
 over us. " Can you tell us the reason, however ?" 
 
156 SATAN STOE 
 
 " Muss, you call him, back sore — that all. Know him 
 well ; don't love flog. No Injin love flog." 
 
 " And you think, then, Jaap's prisoner has had a hand in 
 this, and that the war-path is open to revenge as well as 
 public service — that we are hunted less for our scalps than 
 to put a plaster on the Huron's back ?" 
 
 " Sartain. T'ree canoe go by on lake — t'at Muss, you 
 call him — know him, well. He no want sleep till back get 
 well. See how he use nigger! Hang him on tree — only 
 kill pale-face and take away scalp." 
 
 " Do you suppose that he made this difference in the 
 treatment of his two captives, on account of the colour ? 
 That he was so cruel to Petrus because Jaap, another nig- 
 ger, had flogged him ?" 
 
 " Sartain — just so. Back feel better after t'at. Good for 
 back to hang nigger. Jaap see, some time." 
 
 I will do my fellow the justice to say, that in the way of 
 courage, few men were his equals. As I have said before, 
 he only feared spooks, or Dutch ghosts ; for the awe he had 
 of me was so blended with love, as not to deserve the name 
 of fear. In general, unless the weather happened to be cold, 
 his face was of a deep, glistening black ; coffin-colour, as 
 the boys sometimes called it; but, I observed, notwithstand- 
 ing his nerve and his keen desire to be revenged for the 
 cruel treatment bestowed on his companion and brother, 
 that his skin now assumed a greyish hue, such as is seen 
 only in hard frosts, as a rule, in the people of his race. It 
 was evident that the Trackless' manner of speaking had 
 produced an effect ,• and I have always thought the impres- 
 sion then made on Jaap was of infinite service to us, by 
 setting in motion, and keeping in lively activity, every 
 faculty of his mind and body. I had a specimen of this, as 
 we moved off, Jaap walking for some distance close at my 
 heels, in order to make me the repository of his griefs and 
 so. 'citude. 
 
 " i hopes, Masser Corny, sah," commenced the negro, 
 '• you Joesn't t'ink anyt'ing of what dis here Injin say?" 
 
 " I thu.k, Jaap, it will be necessary for you to keep your 
 eyes open, nnd by no means to fall into the hands of your 
 friend Muss, as you call him, or he may serve you even 
 worse than he served poor Pete, I hope, too, this will be J? 
 
r 
 
 SATANSTOE. 157 
 
 warning to you, of the necessity of treating your prisoners 
 kindly, should you ever make another." 
 
 " 1 don't t'ink, Masser Corny, you consider pretty much, 
 sah. What good it do a nigger to captivate an Injin, if he 
 let him go ag'in, and don't lick him little? Only little, 
 Masser Corny. Ebbery t'ing so handy too, sah — rope all 
 ready, back bare, and feelin' up, like, after such a time in 
 takin' 'e varmint, sah !" 
 
 " Well, Jaap, what is done, is done, and there is no use 
 in regretting it, in words. Of one thing, however, you may 
 be certain ; no mercy will be shown you, should this fellow, 
 Muss, be actually out here, on our heels, and should you be 
 so unfortunate as to fall into his hands." 
 
 The negro growled out his discontent, and I could see 
 that his mind was made up to give stout battle, ere his wool 
 should be disturbed by the knife of a savage. A moment 
 later, he stepped aside, and respectfully permitted Dirck to 
 take his proper place, next to me, in the line. 
 
 We may have proceeded two miles from the spot where 
 we had buried Sam, the hunter, when on rising a little hil- 
 lock, the Indian tossed his arm, the sign that a new disco- 
 very was made. This time, however, the gesture was rather 
 made in exultation than in horror. As he came to a dead 
 halt at the same instant, we all closed eagerly up, and got an 
 early view of the cause of this exhibition of feeling. 
 
 The ground fell away, in a sort of swell, for some dis- 
 tance in our front ; and, the trees being all of the largest 
 size, and totally without underbrush, the place had some- 
 what of the appearance of a vast, forest edifice, to which the 
 canopy of leaves above formed the roof, and the stems of 
 oaks, lindens, beeches and maples, might be supposed to be 
 the columns that upheld it, Within this wide, gloomy, yet 
 not unpleasant hall, a sombre light prevailed, like that which 
 is cast through the casements of an edifice of the ancient 
 style of architecture, rendering everything mellow and grave. 
 A spring of sweet water gushed from a rock, and near it 
 wore seated, in a circle, Mr. Traverse and his two chain- 
 bearers, seemingly taking their morning's meal ; or, rather, 
 reclining after it, with the pail, platters and fragments before 
 them ; like men reposing after appeasing their hunger, and 
 
 Vol. II. — 14 
 
158 SATANSTOE. 
 
 passing a few minutes in idle talk. Torn, the second huntei 
 and axe-man, lay asleep, a little apart. 
 
 " Here has been even no alarm, thank Got," said Guert, 
 cheerfully, " and we are in time to let them know their 
 danger. I will give the call ; it will sound sweetly to their 
 ears !" 
 
 " No call," said Trackless, quickly ; " hollow no good, 
 now. Soon get there, and tell him, in low voice." 
 
 As this was clearly prudent, we pushed forward in a body, 
 taking no pains, however, to conceal our approach, but 
 making somewhat of a measured tread, with our footsteps. 
 A strange sensation came over me, as we advanced, and I 
 found that neither of the surveyors stirred ! A suspicion of 
 the dread truth forced itself on my mind ; but I can hardly 
 say that the shock was any the less, when, on getting near, 
 we saw by the pallid countenances, fixed, glassy eyes, and 
 fallen jaws, that all our friends were dead. The savage 
 ingenuity of Indians had propped the bodies in reclining po- 
 sitions, and thrown them into attitudes that had a horrible 
 resemblance to the species of indulgence that I have just 
 described. 
 
 " Holy Heaven !" exclaimed Guert, dropping the butt of 
 his rifle on the ground ; " we are too late !" 
 
 No one else spoke. On removing the caps, it was found 
 that each man had been scalped, and that all of those, whom 
 we had left a few days before, proud of their strength and 
 instinct with life, had departed in spirit, soon to be seen no 
 more. Jumper, the other Indian, alone remained to be ac- 
 counted for. Rifle-balls had been at work here, each of the 
 four having been shot ; Mr. Traverse, in no less than three 
 places. 
 
 I will confess, that a suspicion of the Oneida crossed my 
 mind, now, for the first time ; and I did not scruple to men- 
 tion it to my companions, as soon as either of us had power 
 to speak, or listen. 
 
 " No true," said Trackless, positively. " Jumper poor 
 Injin — that so — love rurrf&-no rascal, to kill friend. Muso- 
 hoeenah warrior to do so. Just like him. No; Jumper 
 fool — love rum — no bad Injin." 
 
 Where, then, was Jumper? He alone, of all whom we 
 had left behind us, remained to be found. We made a long 
 
SATANSTOE. 159 
 
 search for his body, but without any success. Susquesus 
 examined the trails, and the bodies, and gave it as his opin- 
 ion that the surveyor and chain-bearers might have been 
 killed about three or four hours ; and that the murderers, 
 for such, in our eyes, they who had done the foul deed were 
 to be accounted, had not been away from the place more 
 than twenty minutes, when we arrived. This might well 
 have happened, and we not hear the rifles ; as the distance 
 from the hut was several miles ; and, two hours before, we 
 must have been not far from the place where we had passed 
 the night. That the attack occurred after daylight, was 
 reasonably certain ; and, as Pete was surely seized while 
 alive, some intelligence might have been obtained from him, 
 that directed the savages to the point where the outlying 
 party would probably be expecting him. Nevertheless, this 
 was pretty much conjecture, and we never knew which vic- 
 tim fell first, or whether the negro was taken at all, near 
 the spot where he was gibbeted. The infernal cruelty of 
 his conquerors may have kept him as a prisoner, for some 
 time before the final catastrophe, and caused them to carry 
 him about with them as a captive, in order to subject the 
 wretch to as much misery as possible, for, as Susquesus said, 
 Muss' ' back very sore.' 
 
 We buried poor Traverse, and his chain-bearers, near the 
 spring, using one of the same natural hollows in the earth 
 as that in which we had interred the hunter. On a search, 
 it was ascertained that their arms and ammunition had been 
 carried off, and that the pockets of the dead men had been 
 rifled. The American Indian is seldom a thief, in the ordi- 
 nary sense of the term ; but, he treats the property of those 
 whom he slays as his own. In this particular, he does not 
 differ materially from the civilized soldier, I believe, plunder 
 being usually considered as a legitimate benefit of war. The 
 Hurons had laid their hands on the compass and chains, for 
 we could discover neither; but they had left the field-book 
 and notes of Traverse, as things that, to them, were useless. 
 In other respects, the visit of the savages to this fatal spot 
 left the appearance of having been hurried. 
 
 On this occasion, Guert made no attempts at morals, or 
 eloquence. The shock had disqualified us all for anything 
 of the sort, and we discharged our duties with the earnes* 
 
160 SATANSTOE. 
 
 diligence, and grave thoughtfulness, of, men who did not 
 know but the next moment might bring themselves into the 
 midst of a scene of deadly strife. We worked hard, and a 
 little hastily, and were soon ready to depart. It was deter- 
 mined, on a hurried consultation, to follow the trail of the 
 Hurons, as the most certain method of surprising them, on 
 the one hand, and of preventing them from surprising us, 
 on the other. The Indian would have no difficulty in pur- 
 suing the very obvious trail that was left, and which bore 
 all the proofs of having been left by a dozen men. 
 
 The reader, who is unacquainted with the usages of the 
 American savage, is not to suppose that this party had 
 moved through the forest, in a disorderly group,' regardless 
 of the nature of the vestiges of their passage left behind 
 them. The native warrior never does that; usually he 
 marches in a line of single files, which has obtained the 
 name of Indian file with us ; and, whenever there are strong 
 reasons for concealing his numbers, it is his practice for 
 each succeeding man to follow, as nearly as possible, in the 
 footsteps of the warrior who precedes him; thereby render- 
 ing a. computation difficult, if not impossible. In this man- 
 ner our foes had evidently marched; but Susquesus, who 
 had been busy examining the marks around the spring, the 
 whole time we were occupied in burying the dead, gave it 
 as his opinion that our enemies could not number less than 
 a dozen warriors. This was not very pleasing intelligence, 
 since it would render success in a conflict next to hopeless. 
 So, at least, I viewed the matter, though Guert saw things 
 differently. This highly intrepid man could not find it in 
 his heart to abandon the idea of driving foes so ruthless 
 out of the country ; and, I do believe, he would have faced 
 a hundred savages at once when we quitted the spring. 
 
 The Onondago had no difficulty in following the trail, 
 which led us, at first, for some distance in a line towards 
 Ravensnest, then made a sudden inclination in the direction 
 of the hut. It was probably owing to this circuit, and want 
 of settled purpose in the Hurons, that we did not encounter 
 them on our advance towards the " bloody spring," as the 
 spot where Traverse was slain has been subsequently 
 called. 
 
 It was not long ere we found ourselves quite near our owi? 
 
SATANSTOE. 161 
 
 trail, though, perhaps fortunately for us, we did not actually 
 strike it. Had our movement been discovered, doubtless the 
 enemy would have got into our rear, a position in which 
 Indians are always most formidable. As it was, however, 
 we possessed that great advantage ourselves, and pursued 
 our way with so much the greater confidence, knowing full 
 well that danger was only to be apprehended in our front, 
 the quarter on which all our eyes were fixed. 
 
 Although our return-march was swift, it was silent as 
 that of a train of mourners. Mourners we were, indeed, for 
 it was not possible for human hearts to be so obdurate as to 
 feel insensible to the amount of misery that our late com- 
 panions must have suffered, and to the suddenness of their 
 fates. No one spoke, and Susquesus had never found us so 
 close on his heels as we kept ourselves all that morning. 
 The foot of the file-leader was scarcely out of its place, ere 
 that of his successor covered the same spot ! 
 
 The trail led us quite close to the hut, which we reached 
 as near as might be to noon. On approaching the cabin, we 
 used the utmost caution lest our enemies might then be in it, 
 in ambush. The trail did not extend quite to the building, 
 however, but diverged in a westerly direction, from a point 
 that may have been a hundred yards distant from our habi- 
 tation, though in full view of it. Here we found the signs 
 of a gathering of the party into a cluster, and we inferred 
 that a counsel had been held on the subject of once more 
 going to the hut, or of turning aside to pursue some other 
 object. Susquesus made a close examination at this spot, 
 and gave it as his opinion, again, that the hostiles must, at 
 least, number the dozen he had already mentioned. Leaving 
 us to watch the signs about our dwelling, from covers we 
 took for that purpose, he followed the trail for half a mile, 
 in order to make certain it did not approach the log-house 
 on its opposite side. So far from this proving to be the 
 case, however, he ascertained that it led off in a straight 
 line towards Ravensnest. This was, if anything, more un- 
 pleasant news to Guert and myself, than if the Onondago 
 had brought back a confirmation of his first suspicion that 
 the Hurons might be waiting for us, in our own temporary 
 house. Complaints were useless, however, and we smother- 
 ed our apprehensions as well as we could. 
 14* 
 
162 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Susquesus was not a warrior to confide entirely in the 
 signs of an open march. Experienced woodsmen frequently 
 left their trails visible expressly to deceive ; and the Onon- 
 dago, who personally knew Muss, as Jaap called his pri- 
 soner, was fully aware that he had to deal with a profoundly 
 artful foe. Not satisfied with even what he had seen, he 
 cautioned us about quitting the cover, except under his 
 guidance, and then commenced a mode of approach that 
 was purely Indian, and which, in its way, had much of the 
 merit of the approaches of more civilized besiegers, by 
 means of their entrenchments and zig-zags. Our advance 
 was regulated in this way. Each man was told to select 
 the nearest tree that led him towards the hut, and to pass 
 from the old to the new cover, in as rapid and sudden a 
 manner as his agility would allow. By observing this pre- 
 caution, and by using great activity, we had got within 
 twenty yards of the door of the cabin, in the course of ten 
 minutes.- Guert could not submit to this slow, and, as he 
 called it, unmanty procedure any longer; but quitting his 
 cover, he now walked straight and steadily to the door of 
 the cabin, threw it open, and announced to us that the place 
 was empty. Susquesus made another close examination 
 around the building, and told us he felt quite certain that 
 the spot had not been visited since we had left it that morn- 
 ing. That was grateful intelligence to us all, since it was 
 the only probable clue by which our enemies could have 
 learned our return to the Patent at all. 
 
 The question now arose as to future proceedings. No- 
 thing was to be gained by remaining on the property, while 
 prudence, and the danger of our friends, united to call us 
 away. We felt it would be a most hazardous thing to at- 
 tempt reaching Ravensnest ; though we felt it was a hazard 
 we were bound to incur. While the matter was talked over, 
 those among us who had any appetite, profited by the halt, 
 to dine. An Indian on a war-path, is equally ready to eat, 
 or to fast ; his powers of endurance, both ways, more espe- 
 cially when the food is game, amounting to something won- 
 derful. 
 
 While Susquesus, and Jaap, in particular, were performing 
 their parts in a very serious manner, in this way, and the 
 rest of us were picking up a few morsels, more like men. 
 
SATANSTOE. 163 
 
 whose moral feelings checked their physical propensities, I 
 caught a distant glimpse of a man's form, as it glided among 
 the trees, at some distance from us. Surprise and awe were 
 so strong in me, that I did not speak, but pointed with a 
 finger eagerly in the necessary direction, in order to let the 
 Onondago see the same object too. Susquesus was not slow 
 in detecting the stranger, however ; for I think he must have 
 seen him, even before he was descried by myself. Instead of 
 manifesting any emotion, however, the Onondago did not 
 even cease to eat; but merely nodded his head, and muttered, 
 " Good — now hear news — Jumper come." 
 
 Sure enough, it was Jumper ; and his appearance in the 
 flesh, not only alive, but unharmed, produced a general 
 shout among us as he came in, on such a long, loping gait, 
 as usually marked a runner's movement. In a moment he 
 was among us, calm, collected, and without motion. He 
 gave no salutation, but seated himself quietly on a log, 
 waiting to be questioned, before he spoke ; impatience being 
 a womanly weakness. 
 
 " Jumper, my honest fellow," cried Guert, not without 
 emotion, for joy was struggling powerfully with his organs 
 of speech, " you are heartily welcome ! These devils in- 
 carnate, the Hurons, have not injured you, at least !" 
 
 Liquor had rendered Jumper's faculties somewhat obtuse, 
 in general, though he was now perfectly sober. He gave a 
 sort of dull look of recognition at the speaker, and muttered 
 his answer in a low, sluggish tone: 
 
 " Plenty Huron," he said ; " clearin' full. Pale-face in 
 fort send Jumper with message." 
 
 We should have overwhelmed the fellow with questions, 
 had he not unfolded a corner of his calico shirt, and exhi- 
 bited several letters, each of which was soon in the hand of 
 the individual to whom it was addressed. Guert, Dirck, 
 and myself, severally got his communication ; while there 
 was a fourth, in the handwriting of Herman Mordaunt, that 
 bore the superscription of poor Traverse's name. Subse- 
 quent events have placed it in my power to give copies of all 
 the letters, thus received. My own was in the following 
 words : 
 
 " My dearest father is so much occupied, as to desire me 
 
1G4 SATAN STOE. 
 
 to write you this note. Mr. Bulstrode sent an express, yea 
 terday, who was bearer of the sad tidings from Ticonderoga. 
 He also announced his own approach ; and we "expect him, 
 in a horse-litter, this evening. Reports are flying about the 
 settlement, that savages have been seen in our own woods. 
 I endeavour to hope that this is only one of those idle ru- 
 mours, of which we have had so many, lately. My father, 
 however, is taking all necessary precautions, and he desires 
 me to urge on you the necessity of collecting all your party, 
 should you be again at Mooseridge, and of joining us without 
 delay. We have heard of your safety, and gallant conduct, 
 through the man sent forward by Mr. Bulstrode ; his master 
 having heard of you all, safe in a canoe on the lake, the 
 night after the battle, through a Mr. Lee ; a gentleman of 
 great eccentricity of character, though, it is said, of much 
 talent, with whom papa happens to be acquainted. I trust 
 this note will find you at your hut, and that we shall see 
 you all, with the least possible delay. 
 
 "Anneke." 
 
 This, certainly, was not a note to appease the longings 
 of a lover; though I had infinite gratification in seeing the 
 pretty characters that had been traced by Anne Mordaunt's 
 hand, and of kissing the page over which that hand must have 
 passed. But, there was a postscript, the part of a letter in 
 which a woman is said always to give the clearest insight 
 into her true thoughts. It was in these words, viz. : — 
 
 " I see that I have underscored the ' me,' where I speak 
 of papa's desire that /should write to you, in preference to 
 another. We have gone through one dreadful scene, in 
 company, and, I confess, Corny, I should feel far happier, 
 if another is to occur, that you, and yours, should be with 
 us, here, behind the defences of this house, than exposed, as 
 you otherwise might be, in the forest. Come to us, then, I 
 repeat, with the least possible delay." 
 
 This postscript afforded me far more satisfaction than the 
 body of the note; and I was quite as ready to comply with 
 Anneke's request, as the dear girl, herself, could be to urge 
 it. Guert's letter was as follows : — 
 
 " Mr. Mordaunt has commanded Anneke and myself to 
 
SATANSTOE. 165 
 
 write to those of your party, with whom he fancies each has 
 the most influence, to urge you to come to Ravensnest, as 
 speediiy as possible. We have received most melancholy 
 news ; and a panic prevails among the poor people of this 
 settlement. We learn that Mr. Bulstrode, accompanied by 
 Mr. Worden, is within a few hours' journey of us, and the 
 families of the vicinity are coming to us, frightened and 
 weeping. I do not know that I feel much alarmed, myself; 
 my great dependence is on a merciful Providence ; but, the 
 dread Being on whom I rely, works through human agents ; 
 and, I know of none in whom I can place more confidence, 
 than on Guert Ten Eyck. 
 
 "Marv Wallace." 
 
 "By St. Nicholas! Corny, these are such summonses as 
 a man never hesitates about obeying," cried Guert, rising, 
 and beginning to replace his knapsack. " By using great 
 diligence, we may reach the Nest, yet, before the family 
 goes to bed, and make not only them, but ourselves, so much 
 the more comfortable aad secure." 
 
 Guert had a willing auditor, in me ; nor was Dirck at all 
 backward about complying. The letters certainly much 
 quickened our impulses ; though, in fact, there remaiaed 
 nothing else to do ; unless, indeed, we intended to lie out, 
 exposed to all the risks of a vindictive and savage warfare. 
 Disk's letter was from Herman Mordaunt ; and it told the 
 truth in plainer language than it had been related by either 
 of the ladies. Here it is. 
 
 " Dear Dikck, — The savages are certainly approaching 
 us, my young kinsman ; and it is for the good of us all to 
 unite our forces. Com© in, for God's sake, with your 
 whole party, as speedily as possible. I have had scouts out, 
 and they have all come in with reports that the signs of 
 trails, in the forest, abound. I expect, at least a hundred 
 warriors will be upon us, by to-morrow, and am making 
 my preparations accordingly. In approaching the Nest, I 
 would advise you to enter the ravine north of the house, and 
 to keep within its cover until you get to its southern termi- 
 nation. This will bring you within a hundred rods of the 
 gate, and greatly increase your chances of entering, should 
 
 
166 SATANSTOE. 
 
 we happen to be invested when you get here. God bles3 
 you, dear Dirck, and guide you all safely to your friends. 
 
 "Herman Mordaunt. 
 "Ravensnest, July 11th, 1758." 
 
 Guert and I read this letter hastily, before we commenced 
 our march. Then, abandoning the hut, and all it contained, 
 to the mercy of any who might pass that way, we set off 
 for our point of destination, on a quick step, carrying little 
 besides our arms, ammunition, and the food that was neces- 
 sary to assure our strength. 
 
 - As before, Trackless led, keeping the Jumper a little on 
 his flank; the danger of encountering foes being now con- 
 sidered to be greatly increased. It was true, we were still 
 in the rear of the party that had committed the deeds at 
 Mooseridge ; but the Onondago no longer followed its trail ; 
 pursuing a different course, or one that led directly to his 
 object. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 * . 
 " My father had a daughter lov'd a man, 
 As it might be perhaps, were I a woman, 
 I should your lordship." 
 
 Viola. 
 
 As the reader must, by this time, have a pretty accurate 
 idea of our manner of marching in the wilderness, I shall 
 not dwell on this part of our proceedings any longer. On 
 we went, and at a rapid rate, the guide having abandoned 
 the common route, which had got to be a pretty visible trail, 
 and taking another on which, as it appeared to me, he had 
 no other clue than an instinct. Guert had told Susquesus 
 of the ravine, and how desirable it was to reach it, getting 
 for an answer a quiqt nod of the head, and a low ejacula- 
 tion. It was understood, however, that we were to approach 
 Herman Mordaunt's fortress, by that avenue. 
 
 
SATANSTOE. 16? 
 
 It was past the turn of the day when we quitted Moose- 
 ridge, and none of us hoped to reach Ravensnest before 
 dark. It fell out, as we expected, night drawing its veil 
 over the scene, about half an hour before the Trackless 
 plunged into the northern, or forest-end of the ravine. Thus 
 far, we had got no evidence whatever of the proximity of 
 foes. Our march had been silent, rapid, and watchful, but 
 it proved to be perfectly undisturbed. We knew, however, 
 that the critical portion of it was still before us ; and just as 
 the sun set, we had made a halt, in order to look to our 
 arms. It may now be well to say a word or two on the 
 subject of the position of Herman Mordaunt's ' garrison,' as 
 well as of the adjacent settlement. I call Ravensnest the 
 ' garrison,' for that is the word which New York custom has 
 long applied to the fortress itself, as well as those who de- 
 fend it. Some critics pretend there is authority to justify 
 the practice, and I see by the dictionaries that they are not 
 entirely in the wrong. 
 
 The Nest stood quite half a mile from the nearest point 
 of the forest, a belt of trees that fringed the margin, and 
 which filled the cavity of the ravine, excepted. Near it, 
 and in plain sight, was the heart of the settlement itself, 
 which extended, in an east and west direction, fully four 
 miles. This area, however, was cleared only in a settle- 
 ment fashion ; having patches of virgin forest scattered 
 pretty profusely over its surface. The mill-lot, as Jason's 
 purchase was termed, lay at the most distant extremity of 
 the view, but, a3 yet, the axe had not been applied to it. I 
 had remarked in my last visit to the place, that, standing 
 before Herman Mordaunt's door, something like a dozen 
 log cabins were to be seen at a time in different parts of the 
 settlement, and that this number might have been increased 
 'o twenty, by varying the observer's position. 
 
 Of course, the whole of the open space was more or less 
 disfigured by stumps, dead and girdled trees, charred stubs, 
 log-heaps, brush, and all the other unseemly accompani- 
 ments of the first eight or ten years of the existence of a 
 new settlement. This period, in the history of a country, 
 may be likened to the hobbledehoy condition in ourselves, 
 when we have lost the graces of childhood, without having 
 attained the finished forms of men. 
 
168 SATANSTOE. 
 
 Herman Mordaunt's settlement would have been thought 
 a strong country, in one sense, for a field fight, had there 
 been men enough to contend with a hostile party of any 
 force. But, I had heard him say that he had but about 
 seventeen rifles and muskets that could be in the least relied 
 on, inasmuch as some of his people were Europeans, and 
 had no knowledge of fire-arms, while experience had shown 
 that others, on the occurrence of an alarm, invariably fled 
 to the woods, with their families, instead of rallying around 
 the settlement colours. Such delinquencies usually take 
 place, I believe, on all emergencies ; love of life being even 
 a stronger instinct than love of property. Here and there 
 a sturdy fellow, however, would bar himself in, with a de- 
 termination to go for the whole, under his own bark roof; 
 and, occasionally, defences were made that would do credit 
 to a hero. 
 
 It should be apparent to those who have any accurate 
 notion of savage warfare, that the ravine, being, as it was, 
 the only wooded spot near Herman Mordaunt's fortress, 
 would be the place of all others most likely to contain an 
 enemy who made his approaches against a garrison, by 
 means of natural facilities alone. We were aware of this ; 
 and Guert, who took an active command among us, as we 
 drew near to danger, issued his commands for every man to be 
 on the alert, in order that there might be no confusion. We 
 were instructed as to the manner of proceeding the moment 
 an alarm was given ; and Guert, who was a capital mimic, 
 had previously taught us several calls and rallying signals, 
 all of which were good imitations of the cries of different 
 tenants of the woods, principally birds. These signals had 
 their origin with the red-man, who often resorted to them, 
 and were said to be more successfully practised by our own 
 hunters and riflemen than even by those with whom they 
 originated. 
 
 On entering the ravine, the order of our march was 
 changed. While Susquesus and Jumper were still kept in 
 advance, Guert, Dirck, Jaap and myself moved abreast, and 
 quite close together. The density of the foliage, and the 
 deep obscurity that prevailed in the bottom of this dell-like 
 hollow, rendered this precaution necessary. It soon became 
 so dark, indeed, that our only guide was the brook that 
 
SATANSTOE. 169 
 
 gurgled along the bottom of the ravine, and which we knew 
 issued into the open ground at its termination, to join a small 
 river that meandered through some natural meadows to the 
 westward of the Nest, but which, in the language of the 
 country, was called a ' creek.' This abuse of good old 
 English words, I am sorry to say, 'ta getting to be only too 
 common among us j yet, I have heard Americans boast that 
 we speak the language better than the mother country ! That 
 we have no class among us that uses an unintelligible dia- 
 lect, like that of Lancashire or Yorkshire, is true enough ; 
 and, that we have fewer persons who use decided vulgarisms, 
 in the way of false grammar, than is the case in England, 
 may be also accurate ; but, it might be well for us to correct 
 a great many faults into which we have certainly fallen, be- 
 fore we declaim with so much confidence about the purity 
 of our English.* To return to the ravine. 
 
 We had gone so far in the hollow, dark dell, as to have 
 reached a point where the faint light of the open ground 
 and the stars in the firmament became visible to us, when 
 we suddenly found ourselves alongside of the Trackless 
 and Jumper. These Indians had halted ; for their quick, 
 jealous, eagle-like glances had detected the signs of enemies. 
 Nor was this discovery very difficult to make, though some 
 pains had actually been taken to conceal what was going 
 on in our front. A party of some forty savages, every man 
 of whom was in his war-paint, had* lighted a fire beneath a 
 shelving rock, and were gathered around it at supper. The 
 fire had already done its duty, and was now merely smoul- 
 
 * It is northern American, to call a small ' lake' a ' pond,' a small 
 " river' a ' creek,' even though it should be an ' outlet,' instead of an 
 ' inlet,' &c. &c. It is a more difficult thing than is commonly sup- 
 posed, to make two great nations, each of which is disposed to 
 innovate, speak the same language with precise uniformity. The 
 Manhattanese, who have probably fewer of the peculiarities of the 
 inhabitants of a capital than the population of any other town in the 
 world of four hundred thousand souls, the consequences of a rapid 
 growth, and of a people who have come principally from the country, 
 are much addicted to introducing new significations for words, which 
 arise from their own provincial habits. In Manhattanese parlance, 
 for instance, a * square' is a ' park,' or, even a ' garden' is a ' park.' 
 A promenade, on the water, is a ' battery !' It is a pity that, in this 
 humour for change, they have not thought of altering the complex 
 and imitative name of their town. — Editor. 
 Vol. II. — 15 
 
170 SATANSTOE. 
 
 dering, throwing a faint, flickering light on the dark, fierce 
 features of the group that was clustered round. We might 
 have approached the spot in any other direction, without 
 seeing the danger in time to avoid it ; but a kind Providence 
 had carried the two Indians directly to a point where the 
 dying embers immediately caught their attention, and where 
 they halted as has been said. I do not think we were more 
 than forty yards from this fearful band of savages, when 
 they first met my eye ; and, hardened as I had certainly 
 somewhat become, by the service and scenes I had so lately 
 gone through, I will confess that my blood was a little chilled 
 at the sight. 
 
 Our conference was in whispers. There we stood, huddled 
 together beneath a huge oak, the shade of which rendered 
 the darkness that formed our only safeguard, so much the 
 more intense. So close were we, in fact, that even Jaap's 
 body was in absolute contact with my own. Susquesus 
 proposed making a detour, by crossing the brook, which, 
 fortunately, tumbled down some rocks at this point, making 
 a very favourable noise, and thus pass our enemies, who 
 would not probably end their meal until we had time to 
 reach the ' garrison.' To this Guert applied his veto. He 
 was of opinion, and I have always thought it was the deci- 
 sion of a man born to be a soldier, that we were exactly in 
 the position we might desire to occupy, in order to be of 
 great service to the family, and to strike the enemy with a 
 panic. By attacking, we should certainly surprise the party 
 in our front, and might make such an impression as would 
 induce them to abandon the settlement. Both Dirck and 
 myself coincided in this opinion, which even received the 
 support of Jaap's voice. 
 
 " Yes, sah ! — yes, Masser Corny, now 'e time to wen- 
 geance poor Pete !" he muttered, and that rather louder than 
 was thought quite prudent. 
 
 As soon as the Trackless found how things were going, 
 he and Jumper prepared for the conflict, as coolly as any 
 of us. Our arrangements were very simple, and were soon 
 made. We were to deliver a single fire from the spot where 
 we stood, shout, and charge with the knife and tomahawk. 
 No time was to be wasted, however ; and, instead of remain- 
 ing near the light, small as it was, we were to push for the 
 
SATANSTOE. 171 
 
 mouth of the ravine, and thence make the best of our way, 
 singly or in company, as chance should offer, to the gate 
 of Ravensnest. In a moment we were in open files, and 
 had our orders. 
 
 " Remember Traverse !" said Guert, sternly — " remem- 
 ber poor Sam, and all our murteret frients !" 
 
 The reader knows that Guert was apt to be very Dutch, 
 when much excited. We did remember the dead ; and I 
 have often thought, but never knew precisely, that each of 
 us sacrificed a victim to the manes of our lost companions, 
 on that stern occasion. Our rifles rang, or cracked would 
 be the better word, almost simultaneously ; a yell arose from 
 the savages around the fire ; our own shouts mingled with 
 that yell, and forward we went, endeavouring to make our 
 numbers appear as if we were a hundred. 
 
 One retains but very indistinct notions of a charge like 
 that, made as it was, in the dark, beyond its general cha- 
 racteristics. We swept directly among the slain and 
 wounded, and I heard Jaap dealing one or two awful blows 
 on the bodies ; but no one opposed us. A moment after we 
 had passed the smouldering fire, three or four shot were 
 discharged at us, but there was no sign of their telling oa 
 any of our party. The distance from the fire to the mouth 
 of the ravine, might have been a hundred yards ; and the 
 external light, or lesser darkness may be a better expression, 
 served us for a guide. Thither we pushed, fast as we could, 
 though by no means in compact order. 
 
 For this part of the affair, I can only speak for myself. 
 I saw men moving swiftly among the trees, and I supposed 
 them to be my companions ; but we had become separated, 
 it being understood that each man was now to shift for him- 
 self. As our rifles were discharged, and there was no time 
 to reload them, there was little use, indeed, in any halt. 
 Perceiving this, I did not issue from the ravine at the brook, 
 but clinging more to its side, left it at a little height above 
 the level of the adjacent plain. Here I paused to load, the 
 cover being good, and the position every way favourable. 
 While thus employed, I found time to look around me, and 
 to ascertain the situation of things in the settlement, so far 
 as the hour and the obscurity would permit. 
 
 The plain was glimmering with the remains of a dozen 
 
172 SATANSTOE. 
 
 large fires, the ruins of so many log-houses and barns. 
 Their light amounted to no more than to render the darkness 
 of the night distinctly visible, and to afford some small clues 
 to the extent of the ravages that had been already committed. 
 The house of Ravensnest, however, was untouched. There 
 it stood, looking dark and gloomy ; for, having no external 
 windows, no other light was to be seen than a single candle, 
 that was probably placed in a loophole as a signal. Pro- 
 found stillness reigned in and around the building, producing 
 a species of mystery that was, in itself, under such circum- 
 stances, an element of force. There was not light enough 
 to distinguish objects at any distance, and, having reloaded 
 my rifle, I thought it wisest to make the best of my way to 
 the gate. At that moment, the stilLness in my rear seemed 
 to possess something affirmatively fearful about it. 
 
 It was certainly a somewhat hazardous thing to break 
 cover, at such a moment, and under such circumstances ; 
 but it was absolutely necessary to incur its risks. My first 
 leap carried me half-way down the declivity, and I was soon 
 on the level land. In my front were two men, one of whom 
 seemed to me to be in the grasp of the other. As they were 
 moving, though slowly, in the direction of the house, I ven- 
 tured to ask ' Who goes there?' 
 
 "Oh, Corny, my lad, is that you?" answered Guert. 
 " Got be praised ! you seem unhurt, and are just in time to 
 help me along with this Huron, on whom I blundered in the 
 dark, and have disarmed and captured. Give him a kick 
 or a push, if you please ; for the fellow holds back like a 
 
 I had too much knowledge of Indian vindictiveness, how- 
 ever, to adopt the means recommended ; but seizing the 
 captive by one arm, while Guert held the other, we ran him 
 up to the abbatis that covered the gate of the " garrison," 
 with very little difficulty. Here we found Herman Mordaunt 
 and a dozen of his people, all armed, ready to receive us. 
 They were in expectation of our appearance, both on account 
 of the hour, and on account of the clamour in the ravine, 
 which had been distinctly heard at the house. In less than 
 a minute everybody was in, safe and unharmed. The fact 
 was, that our attack had been so sudden as to sweep every- 
 thing before it, and the enemy had not time to recover from 
 
SATANSTOE. 173 
 
 his panic, before we were all snugly housed. Once within 
 the gate of Ravensnest we ran no risks, beyond those which 
 were common to all such log fortresses in the warfare of the 
 wilderness. 
 
 It would not be easy for a pen as unskilful as mine, to 
 portray the change, from the gloom of the ravine, the short 
 but bloody assault, the shouts, the rush, and the retreat, of 
 the outer world, to the scene of domestic security we found 
 within the Nest, embellished, as was the last, by woman's 
 loveliness and graces, and, in many respects, by woman's 
 elegance. Anneke and her friend received us in a bright, 
 cheerful, comfortable apartment, that was rendered so much 
 the more attractive by their tears and their smiles, neither of 
 which were spared. I could see that both had been dread- 
 fully agitated ; but joy restored their colour, and brought 
 back the smiles to their sweet faces. The situation of the 
 place was such, perhaps, as to render cheerfulness neither 
 very lasting nor very lively ; but the tenderest female can 
 find her heart suddenly so lightened from its burthen of 
 apprehensions, as to be able to seem momentarily happy, 
 even when environed by the horrors of war. Such, in a 
 measure, was the character of the reception we now received, 
 together with a thousand thanks for having so promptly 
 answered their letters in person. The dear creatures had 
 the ingenuity not to seem to ascribe that prompt obedience 
 to their own requests, which we had manifested, to any care 
 for ourselves, but solely to a wish to oblige and protect them. 
 The reader will understand that all explanations still remained 
 to be made, on both sides. These soon came, however ; 
 facts pressing themselves on the attention, at such times, 
 with a weight that is irresistible. The ice was broken by 
 Herman Mordaunt's entering the room, and speaking to us, 
 like one who felt that a great omission had been made. 
 
 " We had closed the gate, and set the look-out at the 
 loops again," he said, "before I ascertained that all your 
 party is not here. I see nothing of Traverse and his chain- 
 bearers, nor of Sam or Tom, your hunters ! Surely, they 
 are not left behind in the forest?" 
 
 Neither of us three spoke. Our looks must have told the 
 sad story, for Herman Mordaunt seemed to understand us 
 on the instant. 
 15* 
 
174 SATANSTOE. 
 
 "No!" he exclaimed — " Can it be possible? Not all, 
 surely !" 
 
 "All, Mr. Mordauht, even to my poor slave, Petrus," 
 answered Guert, solemnly. " They were set upon, while 
 dispersed, I suppose, and have been murdered, while we were 
 still absent, on our expedition." 
 
 The dear girls clasped their hands, and I thought Anneke's 
 pallid lips moved, as if in prayer. Her father shook his 
 head, and for some time he paced the room in silence. Then 
 rousing himself, like one conscious of the necessity of 
 calmness and exertion, he resumed the discourse. 
 
 " Thank God, Mr. Bulstrode reached us safely last eve- 
 ning, just after we despatched the runner ; and he is beyond 
 the reach of these demons for the present !" 
 
 After this we were enabled to converse more connectedly, 
 exchanging such statements as enabled each party to under- 
 stand the precise condition of the other. We were then 
 carried to Bulstrode's room, for he had expressed a desire to 
 see us, as soon as we could be spared. Our fellow-cam- 
 paigner received us in good spirits, for one in his situation, 
 speaking of the events in front of Ticonderoga sensibly, 
 and without any attempt to conceal the mortification that he 
 felt, in common with the whole British empire. His hurt 
 was by no means a bad one ; likely to cripple him for a few 
 weeks, but the leg was in no danger. 
 
 " I have had the resolution and address, Corny, to work 
 my way into good quarters, this unexpected siege excepted," 
 he observed to me, when the others had withdrawn, leaving 
 us alone. " This rivalry of ours is a generous one, and 
 may now have fair play. If we quit this Nest of Herman 
 Mordaunt's without ascertaining the true state of Anneke's 
 feelings, we shall deserve to be condemned to celibacy for 
 the remainder of our days. There never were two such 
 opportunities for wooing to advantage !" 
 
 " I confess our situation does not strike me as being quite 
 as favourable, Mr. Bulstrode," I answered. " Anneke must 
 have too many apprehensions on her own account, and on 
 account of others, to be as sensible to the tender sentiments 
 of love, as might be the case in the peace and security of 
 Lilacsbush." 
 
 " Ah ! It is very evident you know nothing of the fe.nale 
 
SATANSTOE. 175 
 
 sex, Corny, by that remark. I will grant you, that un- 
 wooed previously, and without any foundation laid, if I may 
 express myself so irreverently, your theory might turn out 
 to be true ; but not so under actual circumstances. Here is 
 a young lady in her nineteenth year, who knows she is not 
 only sought, but has long been sought, ay warmly, ardently 
 sought, by two reasonably unobjectionable young men, placed 
 in the very situation to have all her sensibilities excited, by 
 one or the other, and, depend on it, the matter will be deter- 
 mined within this blessed week. If I should prove to be the 
 fortunate man, I hope to be able to manifest a generous sym- 
 pathy ; and, vice versa, I shall expect the same. Though 
 this sad, sad business before Ty has been a good prepara- 
 tive for humiliation." 
 
 I could not avoid smiling at Bulstrode's singular views 
 of our suit ; but, as Anneke was ever with me an engross- 
 ing theme, spite of our situation, which certainly was not 
 particularly appropriate to love, I did not feel equal to quit- 
 ting it abruptly. The matter was consequently pursued. 
 As I asked Bulstrode to explain himself, I got from him the 
 following account of his theory. 
 
 " Why, I reason in this wise, Corny. Anneke loves one 
 of us two, beyond all question. That she loves, I will 
 swear ; her blushes, her beaming eyes, even her beauty is 
 replete with the loveliness of the sentiment. Now, it is not 
 possible that she should love any other person than one of 
 us two, for the simple reason that she has no other suitor. 
 I shall be frank with you, and confess that I think I am the 
 favoured fellow, while, I dare say, you are just as sanguine 
 and think it is yourself." 
 
 " I give you my honour, Major Bulstrode, so presuming, 
 so improper a thought has never " 
 
 " Yes, yes — I understand all that. You are not worthy 
 of Anne Mordaunt's love, and therefore have never pre- 
 sumed to imagine that she could bestow it on such a poor, 
 miserable, worthless, good-for-nothing a fellow as yourself. 
 I have a great deal of the same very proper feeling; but, at 
 the same time, each of us is quite confident of his own suc- 
 cess, or he would have given up the pursuit long since." 
 
 " I do assure you, Bulstrode, anything but confidence 
 
176 SATANSTOE. 
 
 mingles with my feelings on this subject. You may have 
 reasons for your own security, but I can boast of none." 
 
 " I have no other than self-love, of which every man has 
 a just portion for his own comfort and peace of mind. I 
 say that hope is indispensable to love, and hope is allied to 
 confidence. My reasoning on these points is very simple. 
 And, now for the peculiar advantages we enjoy for bringing 
 matters to a crisis. In the first place, I am hurt, you will 
 understand ; suffering under an honourable wound, received 
 in open battle, fighting for king and country. Then, I 
 have been brought fresh from the field, on my litter, into 
 the presence of my mistress, bearing on my person the evi- 
 dence of my risk, and, I hope, of my good conduct. There 
 is not one woman in a thousand, if she hesitated between 
 us, that would not decide in my favour, on these grounds 
 alone. You have no notion, Corny, how the hearts of these 
 sweet, gentle, devoted, generous little American girls melt to 
 sympathy, and the sufferings of a poor wretch that they 
 know adores them ! Make a nurse of a female, and she is 
 yours, nine times out of ten. This has been a master-stroke 
 of mine, but I hope you will pardon it. Stratagems are 
 excusable in love, as in war." 
 
 " I have no difficulty in understanding your policy, Bul- 
 strode ; though I confess to some in understanding your 
 frankness. Such as it is, however, I trust you feel certain 
 it will not be abused. Now, as to my situation, what pe- 
 culiar countervailing advantages do I enjoy?" 
 
 " Those of a defender. Oh, that is a battering-ram of 
 itself! This confounded assault on the settlement, which 
 they tell me is rather serious, and may keep alive appre- 
 hensions for some days yet, is a most unlucky thing for me, 
 while it is of great advantage to you. A wounded man 
 cannot excite one-half the interest he otherwise might, when 
 there is a chance that others may be slain, every minute. 
 Then, the character of a defender is a great deal ; and 
 being a generous rival, as I have always told you, Corny, 
 my advice is to make the most of it. I conceal nothing, 
 and intend to do all I can with my wound." 
 
 It was scarcely possible not^to laugh at this strangely 
 frank, yet, I fully believe, strangely sincere communication ; 
 for Bulstrode was a humorist, with all his conventionalism 
 
SATAN STOE. 177 
 
 and London notions, and was more addicted to saying pre- 
 cisely what he thought, than is common with men of his 
 class. After sitting and chatting with him half an hour 
 longer, on the subject of the late military operations, of 
 which he spoke with both feeling and good sense, I took my 
 leave for the night. 
 
 " God bless you, Corny/' he said, squeezing my hand, 
 as I left him ; " improve the opportunity in your own way, 
 for I assure you I shall do it in mine. It is present valour 
 against past valour. If it were not my own case that is 
 concerned, there is not a man living to whom I should more 
 freely wish success." 
 
 And I believe Bulstrode did not exceed the truth in his 
 declarations. That I should succeed with Anneke, he did 
 not think, as was apparent to me by his general manner, 
 and the consciousness he must have possessed of his own 
 advantages in the way of rank and fortune, as well as in 
 having Herman Mordaunt's good wishes. Oddly enough, in 
 quitting my rival, and under circumstances so very peculiar, I 
 was accidentally thrown into the presence of my mistress, and 
 that, too, alone ! Anneke was the sole occupant of the little 
 room in which the girls habitually staid, when I returned to 
 it ; Guert having managed to induce Mary Wallace to walk 
 with him in the court, the only place the ladies now pos- 
 sessed for exercise ; while Herman Mordaunt, Mr. Worden, 
 and Dirck, were together in the public-room, making some 
 arrangement with the confused body of the settlers, who had 
 crowded into the Nest, for the night-watch. I shall not stop 
 to express the delight I felt at finding Anneke there ; nor was 
 it in any degree diminished, as I met the soft expressicm of 
 her sweet eyes, and saw the blushes that suffused her cheek. 
 The conversation I had just held, doubtless, had its effect ; 
 for I determined, at once, that so favourable an occasion for 
 pressing my suit should not be lost. I was goaded on, if the 
 truth must be told, by apprehension of Bulstrode's wound. 
 
 What'I said precisely, in the commencement of that in- 
 terview, is more than I could record, did I think it would 
 redound to my advantage, as I fear it would not ; but I made 
 myself understood, which is more, I fancy, than happens to 
 all lovers in such scenes. At first I was confesed and a 
 little incoherent, I suspect ; but feeling so far got the better 
 
178 SATANSTOE. 
 
 of these defects, as to enable me to utter what I wished to 
 express. Towards the end, if I spoke in the least as warmly 
 and distinctly as I felt, there must have been some slight 
 touch of eloquence about my manner and language. This 
 being the first occasion, too, on which I had ever had an 
 opportunity of urging my suit very directly, there was so 
 much to be said, so many things to be explained, and so 
 many seemingly slighted occasions to account for, that An- 
 neke had little else to do, for the first ten minutes, but to listen. 
 I have always ascribed the self-possession which my com- 
 panion was enabled to command during the remainder of 
 this interview, to the time that was thus accorded her to rally 
 her thoughts. 
 
 Dear, precious Anneke ! How admirably did she behave 
 that memorable night ! It was certainly an extraordinary 
 situation in which to speak of love ; yet, I much question 
 if the feelings be not more likely to be true and natural at 
 such times, than when circumstances admit of more of the 
 expedients of every-day life. I could see that my sweet 
 listener was touched, from the moment I commenced, and 
 that her countenance betrayed a tender interest in what I 
 said. Presuming on this, or encouraged by her blushes and 
 her downcast eyes, I ventured to take a hand, and perceived I 
 was not repulsed. Then it was that I found words, that 
 actually brought tears to my companion's eyes, and Anneke 
 was enabled to answer me. 
 
 " This is so unusual — so extraordinary a time to speak 
 of such things, Corny," she said, " that I hardly know what 
 ought to be my reply. Of one thing, however, I feel cer- 
 tain ; persons surrounded as we are by dangers that may, 
 at any instant, involve our destruction, have an unusual de- 
 mand on them for sincerity. Affectation, I hope, I am never 
 much addicted to, and prudery I know you would condemn. 
 I have a feeling uppermost, at this instant, that I wish to 
 express, yet scarce know how — " 
 
 " Do not suppress it, beloved Anneke ; be as generous as 
 I am certain you are sincere." 
 
 "Corny, it is this. I know we are in danger — very 
 great danger of being overcome; captured, perhaps slain, 
 by the ruthless beings who are prowling around our dwell- 
 ing, and that no one in this house can count on a single day 
 
SATANSTOE. 179 
 
 of existence even with the ordinary vain security of man. 
 Now, should anything befall you, after this, and I survive 
 you, I should survive for the remainder of my days to mourn 
 your loss, and to feel the keenest regrets that I had hesitated 
 to own how much interest I have long felt in you, and how 
 happy I have been with the consciousness of the preference 
 that you so frankly and honestly avowed in my favour, 
 months ago." 
 
 As the tears, as well as blushes of Anneke, accompanied 
 these admissions, it was not possible for me to doubt what I 
 heard. From that moment, a world of confidence, and a 
 flow of pure, sweet, strong, natural feeling, bound us more 
 and more closely together. Guert was in a happy mood to 
 detain Mary Wallace, and business greatly befriended me, 
 as respected the others. More than an hour had I Anne 
 Mordaunt all to myself; and when the heart is open, how 
 much can be uttered and understood, on such a subject as 
 love, in an hour of unreserved confidence, and of strong 
 feeling ! Anneke admitted to me, before we separated, that 
 she had often thought of the chivalrous boy, who had volun- 
 teered to do battle in her behalf, when she was little more 
 than a child herself, and thought of him as a generous- 
 minded girl would be apt to think of a lad, under the cir- 
 cumstances. This very early preference had been much 
 quickened and increased by the affair of the lion, and our 
 subsequent intercourse. Bulstrode, that formidable, encou- 
 raged rival, encouraged by her father if not by herself, had 
 never interested her in the least, beyond the feeling natural 
 to the affinity of blood ; and I might have spared myself 
 many hours of anxious concern, on his account, could I 
 only have seen what was now so unreservedly told to me. 
 Poor Bulstrode ! a feeling of commiseration came over me, 
 as I listened to my companion's assurances that he had 
 never in the least touched her heart, while, at the same time, 
 blushing very red, she confessed my own power over it. 
 An expression to this effect even escaped her aloud — 
 
 " Have no concern on Mr. Bulstrode's account, Corny," 
 Anneke answered, smiling archly, like one who had well 
 weighed the pros and cons of the whole subject, in her own 
 mind ; " he may be a little mortified, but his fancy will soon 
 be forgotten in rejoicing that he had not yielded to a passing 
 
180 SATANSTOE. 
 
 inclination, and connected himself with a young, inexpe- 
 rienced American girl, who is hardly suited to move in the 
 circles in which his wife must live — I do believe Mr. Bui- 
 strode prefers me, just now, to any other female he may 
 happen to know ; but his attachment, if it deserve the name, 
 has not the heart in it, dear Corny, that I know is to be 
 found in your's. We women are said to be quick in disco- 
 vering when we are really loved, and I confess that my 
 own little experience inclines me to believe that the remark 
 does us no more than justice." 
 
 I then spoke of Guert, and expressed a hope that his sin- 
 cere, obvious, manly devotion, might finally touch her heart, 
 and that my new friend, towards whom, however, I began 
 already to feel as towards an old friend, might finally meet 
 with a return for a passion that I was persuaded was as 
 deep and as sincere as my own j a comparison that I felt 
 was as strong as any I could make in Guert's behalf. 
 
 " On this subject, you are not to expect me to say much, 
 Corny," answered Anneke, smiling. " Every woman is the 
 mistress of her own secrets on such a subject; and, did I 
 know fully Mary Wallace's mind or wishes in reference to 
 Mr. Ten Eyck, as I do not profess to know either, I should 
 not feel at liberty to betray her, even to you. I have no 
 longer any secret of my own, as respects Corny Littlepage, 
 but must not be expected to be as weak in betraying my 
 whole sex, as I have been in betraying myself!" 
 
 I was obliged to be satisfied with this sweet admission 
 and with the knowledge that I had been long loved. When 
 Anneke left me, which, at the expiration of more than an 
 hour, she insisted on doing, under the consciousness of all 
 that had passed between us, I had a good deal of difficulty 
 in believing that I was not dreaming. This e eclair cissement 
 was so sudden, so totally unexpected I fancy to us both, 
 that well might it so seem to either ; yet, I fancy we did not 
 part without a deep conviction that both were happier than 
 when we met. I solemnly declare, notwithstanding, that I felt 
 sorrcw, almost regret, on behalf of Bulstrode. The poor 
 fellow had been so evidently confident of success, only an 
 hour or two before, that I could not have acquainted him 
 with my own success, had he been up, and able to prefer 
 
SATANSTOE. 181 
 
 his own suit ; in his actual situation, such a procedure would 
 have appeared brutal. 
 
 As for Guert Ten Eyck, he rejoined me sadder and more 
 despairing than ever. 
 
 " It struck me, Corny, that if Mary Wallace had the 
 smallest inclination in my behalf, she would manifest it at a 
 moment when we may all be said to be hanging between life 
 and deat'. I have often heard it said that the woman who 
 would trifle with a young fellow at a ball, or on a sleigh- 
 ride, and use him like a dog, while every one was laughing 
 and making merry, would come round like one of the wea- 
 ther-cocks on our Dutch barns, at a shift of the wind, the 
 instant that distress or unhappiness alighted on her suitor. 
 In other worts, that the very girl who would be capricious 
 and uncertain, in happiness and prosperity, would suddenly 
 become tender and truthful, as soon as sorrow touched the 
 man who wished to have her. On the strength of this, then, 
 I thought I would urge Mary, to the best of my poor abili- 
 ties, and you know they are no great matter, Corny, to give 
 me only a glimmering of hope ; but without success. Not a 
 syllable more could I get out of her than that the time was 
 unseasonable to talk of such things ; and I do think I should 
 be ready to go and meet these Huron devils, hand to hand, 
 were it not for the fact that the very girl who thus remon- 
 strated, staid with me quite two hours, listening to what I 
 had to say, though I spoke of nothing else. There was a 
 crumb of comfort in that, lad, or I do not understand human 
 nature." 
 
 There was, truly. Still, I could not but compare Anne 
 Mordaunt's generous confessions, under the influence of the 
 same facts, and fancy that the prospects of the simple- 
 minded, warm-hearted, manly young Albanian, were far less 
 flattering than my own. 
 
 Vol. II.-— 16 
 
182 SATANSTOE 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 « Between two worlds life hovers like a star, 
 'Twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge: 
 How little do we know that which we are ! 
 How less what we may be ! The eternal surge 
 Of time and tide rolls on, and bears afar 
 Our bubbles : as the old burst, new emerge, 
 Lashed from the foam of ages ; while the graves 
 Of empires heave but like some passing wave. 
 
 Byrox. 
 
 It was now announced by Herman Mordaunt in person, 
 that the watch was set for the night, and that each man 
 might seek his rest. The crowded state of the Nest was 
 such, as to render it no easy matter to find a place in which 
 to sleep, straw being our only beds. At length we found our 
 pallets, such as they were; and, spite of all that had passed 
 that evening, truth compels me to admit that I was soon in 
 a profound sleep. There was no exception to this rule 
 among the Mooseridge party, I believe, fatigue proving to 
 to be more powerful, than either successful love, unsuccessful 
 love, or personal apprehension. 
 
 It was about three o'clock, when I felt a significant pres- 
 sure of the arm, such as one gives when he especially 
 wishes to attract attention. It was Jason Newcome, em- 
 ployed in awakening the men of the house, without giving 
 such an alarm as might reach the ears without. In a few 
 minutes everybody was up and armed. 
 
 As the morning, just before the appearance of light, when 
 sleep is heaviest, is the hour when savages usually attack, no 
 one was surprised at these preparations, which were under- 
 stood to be ordered by Herman Mordaunt, who was afoot, 
 and on the look-out himself, at a place favourable to obser- 
 vation. In the mean time, we men, three or four-and-twenty 
 in all, assembled in the court, in waiting for a summons to 
 the gate, or the loop. Jason had executed his trust so dex- 
 terously, that neither female nor child knew anything of 
 our movement; all sleeping, or seeming to sleep in the se- 
 curity of a peaceful home. I took an occasion to compli- 
 
SATANSTOE. 183 
 
 ment the ex-pedagogue and new miller, on the skill he had 
 shown ; and we fell into a low discourse, in consequence. 
 
 ** I have been thinking that this warfare may put a new 
 face on these settlements, Corny," continued Jason, after 
 we had conversed some little time, " more especially as to 
 the titles." 
 
 " I cannot see how they are to be affected, Mr. Newcome, 
 unless the French should happen to conquer the colony, a 
 thing not very likely to happen." 
 
 " That 's just it ; exactly what I mean, as to principle. 
 Have not these Hurons conquered this particular settlement? 
 I say they have. They are in possession of the whull of it, 
 this house excepted ; and it appears to me that if we ever 
 get re-possession, it will be by another conquest. Now, 
 what I want to know is this — does not conquest give the 
 conquerors a right to the conquered territory ? I have no 
 books here, yet ; but I 'm dreadful forgetful, or I have read 
 that such is the law." 
 
 I may say that this was the first direct demonstration that 
 Jason ever made on the property of Herman Mordaunt. Since 
 that time he has made many more, some of which T, or he who 
 may be called on to continue this narrative, will probably 
 relate ; but I wish to record, here, this as the first in a long 
 series of attempts which Jason Newcome has practised, in 
 order to transfer the fee-simple of the mill-lot at Ravens- 
 nest, from the ownership of those in whom it is vested by 
 law, to that of his own humble, but meritorious person. 
 
 I had little time to answer this very singular sort of rea- 
 soning ; for, just then, Herman Mordaunt appeared among us, 
 and gave us serious duty to perform. The explanations with 
 which his orders were preceded, were these. As had been 
 anticipated, the Indians had adopted the only means that 
 could prove effective against such a fortress as the Nest 
 without the aid of artillery. They were making their pre- 
 parations to set the building on fire, and had been busy all 
 night in collecting a large amount of pine-knots, roots, &c, 
 which they had succeeded in piling against the outer logs, 
 at the point where one wing touched the cliff, and where the 
 formation of the ground enabled them to approach the build- 
 ing without incurring much risk. Their mode of proceeding 
 is worthy of being related. One of the boldest and most 
 
184 SATANSTOE. 
 
 skilful of their number had crept to the spot, and postod 
 himself so close to the logs as to be safe from observation, 
 as well as reasonably safe from shot. His associates had 
 then extended to him one end of a long pole, they standing 
 below, some on a shelf of the cliff, and the rest on the 
 ground ; all being safe from harm so long as they kept close 
 to their respective covers. Thus disposed, these children of 
 the forest passed hours in patient toil, in forwarding by 
 means of a basket, the knots, and other combustibles, up to 
 the warrior, who kept his position close under the building, 
 and who piled them in the way most favourable to his object. 
 
 Susquesus had the merit of discovering the projected at- 
 tempt, the arrangements for which had completely escaped 
 the vigilance of the sentinels. It would seem that the Onon- 
 dago, aware of the artifices of the red-man, and acquainted 
 in particular with the personal character of Jaap's friend, 
 Muss, did not believe the night would go by without some 
 serious attempt on the house. The side of the cliff was 
 much the weakest point of the fortress, having no other 
 protection than the natural obstacles of the rocks, which 
 were not inaccessible, though somewhat difficult of ascent, 
 and the low picketing, already mentioned. Under such 
 circumstances, the Indian felt certain the assault would be 
 made on that side. Placing himself on watch, therefore, he 
 discovered the first attempts of the Hurons, but did not let 
 them be known to Herman Mordaunt, until they were 
 nearly completed ; his reason for the delay being the impa- 
 tience of the pale-faces, which would not have suffered the 
 enemy to accomplish his object, so far as preparations were 
 concerned ; the thing of all others he himself thought to be 
 the most desirable. By allowing the Hurons to waste their 
 time and strength in making arrangements for an assault that 
 was foreseen, and which might be met and defeated, a great 
 advantage was obtained ; whereas, by driving them prema- 
 turely from an artifice they were known to be engaged in, 
 they would have recourse to another, and the difficulty of 
 discovery would be added to our other disadvantages. So 
 Susquesus reasoned, as was said at the time ; and it is cer- 
 tain that so he acted. 
 
 But, the time had come to meet these covert preparations. 
 Herman Mordaunt now held a consultation, on the subject 
 
SATANSTOE. 185 
 
 of our proceedings. The question submitted was, whether 
 we ought to let the Hurons go any further; whether we 
 should shoot the adventurous savage who was known still 
 to be posted under the logs of the house, and scatter his pile 
 of knots, by a sortie ,- or, whether it were wiser to let the 
 enemy proceed to the extremity of actually lighting his fire, 
 before we unmasked. Something was to be said in favour 
 of each plan. By shooting the savage who had made a 
 lodgment under our walls, and scattering his pile, we should 
 unquestionably defeat the present attempt ; but, in all pro- 
 bability, another would be made the succeeding night ; 
 whereas, by waiting to the last moment, such an effectual 
 repulse might be given to our foes, as would at once termi- 
 nate their expedition. 
 
 On consultation, and weighing all the points as they 
 offered, it was decided to adopt the latter policy. But one 
 spot commanded a view of the pile at all, and that was a 
 loop, that had been cut only the day before, and which 
 looked directly down on the place, from a projection that 
 existed in the second story, and which ran around the whole 
 building. These projections were common enough, in the 
 architecture of the provinces at that day, being often adopted 
 in exposed positions, purposely to afford the means of pro- 
 tecting the inferior and external portions of the dwellings. 
 The Nest possessed this advantage, though the loops neces- 
 sary to complete the arrangement, had only quite recently 
 been cut. At this loop, then, I stationed myself, for a short 
 time, watching what was going on below. The night was 
 dark, but there was no difficulty in distinguishing the pile 
 of knots, which to me seemed several feet high, besides 
 being of some length, or in noting the movements of the 
 Indian who had built it. At the moment I took my stand 
 at the loop, this man was actually engaged in setting fire 
 to his combustibles. 
 
 For several minutes Guert and I watched our enemy 
 while he was thus employed, for the Huron was obliged to 
 proceed with the utmost caution, lest a light prematurely 
 shed around should betray him. He cautiously lighted his 
 knots quite within the pile, having left a place for that pur- 
 pose ; and his combustibles were well in flames before the 
 latter began to throw their rays to any distance. We had a 
 1G* 
 
186 SATANSTOE. 
 
 quantity of water provided in the room from which we be- 
 held all these movements, and might at any time have ex- 
 tinguished the fire, by pouring a stream through our loop, 
 provided we did not wait too long. But Guert objected to 
 4 spoiling the sport,' as he called it, insisting that the logs 
 of the house would be slow to ignite, and that we might at 
 any moment scatter the knots, by a rapid sortie. His wish 
 was to let the enemy proceed in his designs, as far as would 
 be at all safe, in order to render his defeat more overwhelm- 
 ing. 
 
 Owing to our position, directly over his head, we had no 
 chance to see the face of the incendiary while he was thus 
 engaged. At length he cast a glance upward, as if to note 
 the effect of the flames, which were beginning to throw their 
 forked tongues above the pile, when we both recognised 
 Jaap's prisoner, Muss. The sight proved too much for 
 Guert's philosophy, and thrusting the muzzle of his rifle 
 through the loop, he blazed away at him, without much re- 
 gard to aim. This report was a sort of signal for action, 
 the whole house, and all the outer world appearing to be in 
 a clamour in an instant. I had no means of seeing Muss, 
 but some of our look-outs, who had him in view most of the 
 time, told me, after all was over, that the fellow seemed 
 much astonished at the suddenness of this assault ; that he 
 gazed up at the loop an instant, uttered a loud exclamation, 
 then yelled the war-whoop at the top of his voice, and went 
 bounding off into the darkness, like a buck put up unex- 
 pectedly from his lair. The fields all around the Nest 
 seemed to be alive with whooping demons. Herman Mor- 
 daunt had done little towards embellishing the place ; and 
 stumps were standing in hundreds all about it, many having 
 been left within twenty yards of the buildings. It now 
 seemed as if every one of these stumps had an Indian war- 
 rior lodged behind it, while bands of them appeared to be 
 leaping about in the gloom, under the rocks. At one time, 
 I fancied we must be surrounded by hundreds of these ruth- 
 less foes, though I now suppose that their numbers were 
 magnified by their activity and their infernal yells. They 
 manifested no intention to attack, nevertheless, but kept 
 screaming around us in all directions, occasionally dis- 
 
SATANSTOE. 187 
 
 charging a rifle, but, as a whole, waiting the moment when 
 the flames should have done their work. 
 
 Considering the fearful circumstances in which he was 
 placed, Herman Mordaunt was wonderfully collected. For 
 myself, I felt as if I had fifty lives to lose, Anneke being 
 uppermost in my thoughts. The females, however, behaved 
 uncommonly well ; making no noise, and using all the self- 
 command they could assume, in order not to distract the 
 exertions of their husbands and friends. Some of the wives 
 of the sturdy settlers, indeed, actually exhibited a species 
 of stern courage that would have done credit to soldiers ; 
 appearing in the court, armed, and otherwise rendering 
 themselves useful. It often happened that women of this 
 class, by practising on deer, and wolves, and bears, got to 
 be reasonably expert with fire-arms, and did good service 
 in attacks on their dwellings. I remarked, in all the com- 
 moner class of females, that night, a sort of fierce hostility 
 to their savage foes, in whom they doubtless saw only the 
 murderers of children, and wretches who made no distinc- 
 tion of sex or age, in pursuing their heartless warfare. 
 Many of them appeared like the dams of the inferior ani- 
 mals when their young were in danger. 
 
 An interval of ten or fifteen minutes must have occurred 
 between the moment when Guert discharged his rifle and 
 that in which the battle really began. All this time the fire 
 was gathering head, our tardy attempts to extinguish it 
 proving a complete failure. But little apprehension was felt 
 on this account, however, the flames proving an advantage, 
 by casting their light far into the fields, and even below the 
 rocks, while they did not reach the court at all ; thus placing 
 a portion of the enemy, should they venture to attack, under 
 a bright light, while it left us in darkness. The only point, 
 however, at which we could fear a serious assault, was on 
 the side of the rocks, where the court had no other protec- 
 tion than the low, but close and tolerably strong picket. 
 Fortunately, the formation of the ground on that side pre- 
 vented one who stood on the meadows below from firing into 
 the court from any point within the ordinary range of the 
 rifle. It was this circumstance that had determined the site 
 of the garrison. 
 
 Such was the state of things when Anneke's own girl 
 
188 SATANSTOE. 
 
 came to ask me to go to her mistress, if it were possible for 
 me to quit my station, were it only for a minute. Having 
 no particular duty to perform, there was no impropriety in 
 complying with a request which, in itself, was every way so 
 grateful to my feelings. Guert was near me at the time, 
 and heard what the young negress said ; this induced him to 
 inquire if there was no message for himself; but, even at 
 that serious moment, Mary Wallace did not relent. She 
 had been kinder than common in manner, the previous 
 night, as the Albanian had admitted ; but, at the same time, 
 she had appeared to distrust her own resolution so much, as 
 even to give less direct encouragement than had actually 
 escaped her on previous occasions. 
 
 I found Anneke expecting me in that little parlour where 
 I had so recently listened to her sweet confessions of tender- 
 ness the evening before. She was alone, the instinct of her 
 sex teaching her the expediency of having no witness of the 
 feelings and language that might escape two hearts that 
 were united as were ours, under circumstances so trying. 
 The dear girl was pale as death when I entered ; she had 
 doubtless been thinking of the approaching conflict, and of 
 what might be its frightful consequences ; but, my presence 
 instantly caused her face to be suffused with blushes, it be- 
 ing impossible for her sensitive mind not to revert to what 
 had so lately occurred. This truth to the instinctive princi- 
 ple of her nature could hardly be extinguished in woman, 
 even at the stake itself. Notwithstanding the liveliness and 
 varying character of her feelings, Anneke was the first to 
 speak. 
 
 " I have sent for you, Corny," she said, laying a hand on 
 her heart, as if to quiet its throbbings, " to say one word in 
 the way of caution — I hope it is not wrong." 
 
 " You can do nothing wrong, beloved Anneke," I an- 
 swered ; " or, nothing that would seem so in my eyes. Be 
 not thus agitated. Your fears have increased the danger, 
 which we consider as trifling. The risks Guert, Dirck, and 
 myself have already run, are tenfold those which now beset 
 us." 
 
 The dear girl submitted to have an arm of mine passed 
 around her waist, when her head dropped on my breast, 
 and she burst into tears. Enabled by this relief to command 
 
SATANSTOE. 189 
 
 her feelings a little, it was not long ere Anneke raised herself 
 from the endearing embrace I felt impelled to give her, 
 though still permitting me to hold both her hands; and she 
 looked up into my face, with the full confidence of affection, 
 renewing the discourse. 
 
 " I could not suffer you to engage in this terrible scene, 
 Corny," she said, without one word, one look, one sign of 
 the interest I feel in you. My dear, dear father has heard 
 all ; and, though disappointed, he does not disapprove. You 
 know how warmly he has wished Mr. Bulstrode for a son, 
 and can excuse that preference ; but he desired me, not ten 
 minutes since, as he left me, after giving me a kiss and his 
 blessing, to send for you, and to say that he shall hereafter 
 look upon you as my and his choice. Heaven alone knows 
 whether we are to be permitted to meet again, dear Corny ; 
 but, should that never be granted us, I feel it will relieve 
 your mind to know that we shall meet as the members of 
 one family." 
 
 " We are the only children of our parents, Anneke, and 
 our union will gladden their hearts almost as much as it can 
 gladden our own." 
 
 " I have thought of this, already. I shall have a mother, 
 now ; a blessing I hardly ever knew !" 
 
 "And one that will dearly, dearly love you, as I know 
 by her own opinions, again and again expressed in my pre- 
 sence." 
 
 " Thank you, Corny— and thanks to that respected parent, 
 too. Now, go, Corny ; I am fearful this selfish gratification 
 only adds to the danger of the house — go ; I will pray for 
 your safety." 
 
 "One word, dearest; — poor Guert! — You cannot know 
 how disappointed he is, that I alone should be summoned 
 here, at such a moment." 
 
 Anneke seemed thoughtful, and it struck me she was a 
 little distressed. 
 
 " What can I do to alter this?" she said, after a short 
 pause. "A woman's judgment and her feelings may not 
 impel her the same way ; then Mary Wallace is a girl who 
 appreciates propriety so highly !" 
 
 11 1 understand you, Anneke. But, Guert is of so noble 
 a disposition, and acknowledges all his defects so meekly, 
 
190 SATANSTOE. 
 
 and with so much candour ! Man cannot love woman bet- 
 ter than he loves Mary Wallace. Her extreme prudence is 
 a virtue, in his eyes, even while he suffers by it." 
 
 " I cannot change Mary Wallace's nature, Corny," said 
 Anneke, smiling sadly, and, as I fancied, in a way that said 
 1 were it I, the virtues of Guert should soon outweigh his 
 defects ;' " but Mary will be Mary, and we must submit. 
 Perhaps to-morrow may bring her wavering mind to some- 
 thing like decision ; for these late events have proved greatly 
 Mr. Ten Eyck's friends. But Mary is an orphan, and pru- 
 dence has been taught her as her great protection. Now, 
 go, Corny, lest you be missed." 
 
 The dear girl parted from me hurriedly, but not without 
 strong manifestation of feeling. I folded her to my heart ; 
 that being no moment for affectations or conventional dis- 
 tance ; and I know / was, while I trusted Anneke might be, 
 none the less happy for remembering we had exchanged these 
 proofs of mutual attachment. 
 
 Just as I reached the court, I heard a yelt without, which 
 my experience before Ty had taught me was the whoop the 
 Hurons give when they attack. A rattling fire succeeded, 
 and we were instantly engaged in a hot conflict. Our people 
 fought under one advantage, which more than counter- 
 balanced the disadvantage of their inferiority in numbers. 
 While two sides of the buildings, including that of the 
 meadows, or the one on which an assault could alone be 
 successful, were in bright light, the court still remained 
 sufficiently dark to answer all the purposes of defence. We 
 could see each other, but could not be distinguished at any 
 distance. Our persons, when seen from without, must 
 have been confounded, too, with the waving shadows of the 
 pickets. 
 
 As I approached the pickets, through the openings of 
 which our people were already keeping up a dropping fire 
 on the dark-looking demons who were leaping about on the 
 meadows below, I learned from Herman Mordaunt, himself, 
 who received me by an affectionate squeeze of the hand, 
 that a large body of the enemy was collected directly under 
 the rocks, and that Guert had assumed the duty of dislodg- 
 ing them. He had taken with him, on this service, Dirck, 
 Jaap, and three or four more of the best men, including both 
 
SATANSTOE. 191 
 
 of our Indians. The manner in which he proposed to effect 
 this object was bold, and like the character of the leader of 
 the party. As so much depended on it, and on its success, 
 1 will explain a few of its more essential details. 
 
 The front of the house ranged north and south, facing 
 westward. The two wings, consequently, extended east 
 and west. The fire had been built at the verge of the cliff, 
 and at the north-east angle of the building. This placed the 
 north and east sides of the square in light, while it left the 
 west and south in deep darkness. The gate opening to the 
 west, it was not a very hopeless thing to believe it practi- 
 cable to lead a small party round the south-west angle of 
 the house, to the verge of the cliff, where the formation of 
 the ground would allow of a volley's being given upon those 
 savages who were believed to be making a lodgment directly 
 beneath our pickets, with a view of seizing a favourable 
 moment to scale them. On this errand, then, Herman Mor- 
 daunt now gave me to understand my friends had gone. 
 
 " Who guards the gate, the while ?" I asked, almost in- 
 stinctively. 
 
 " Mr. Worden, and your old acquaintance and my new 
 tenant, Newcome. They are both armed, for a parson .vill 
 not only fight the battles of the spirit, but he will fight 
 those of the field, when concerned. Mr. Worden has shown 
 himself a man in all this business." 
 
 Without replying, I left Herman Mordaunt, and proceed- 
 ed to the gate myself, since there was little to be done in the 
 court. There we were strong enough ; stronger, perhaps, 
 than was necessary ; but I greatly distrusted Guert's scheme, 
 the guard at the gate, and most of all the fire. 
 
 I was soon at Mr. Worden's side. There the reverend 
 gentleman was, sure enough, with Jason Newcome at his 
 elbow. Their duty was to keep the gate in that precise con- 
 dition in which it could be barred, or unbarred, at the short- 
 est notice, as friends or foes might seek admission. The 
 parties appeared to be fully aware of the importance of the 
 trust they filled, and I asked permission to pass out. My 
 first object was the fire, for it struck me Herman Mordaunt 
 felt too much confidence in his means of extinguishing it, 
 and that our security had been neglected in that quarter. I 
 was no sooner outside the buildings, therefore, than I turned 
 
192 SATANSTOE. 
 
 to steal along the wall to the northwest corner, where alono 
 I could get a view of the dangerous pile. 
 
 The brightness of the glare that was gleaming over the 
 fields and stumps, that came within the compass of the light 
 from the fire, added to my security by the contrast, though 
 it did not tell well for that particular source of danger. The 
 dark stumps, many of which were charred by the fires of 
 the clearing, and were absolutely black, seemed to oe danc- 
 ing about in the fields, under the waving light, and twice I 
 paused to meet imaginary savages ere I had gained the corner 
 of the house. Each alarm, however, was idle, and I suc- 
 ceeded in obtaining the desired view. Not only were the 
 knots burning fiercely, but a large sheet of flame was cling- 
 ing to the logs of the house, menacing us with a speedy 
 conflagration. The danger would have been greater, but a 
 thunder-shower had passed over the settlement only an hour 
 before we were alarmed, and coming from the north, all 
 that side of the house had been well drenched with rain. 
 This occurred after ' Muss' had commenced his pile, or he 
 might have chosen another side of the building. The deep 
 obscurity of that gust, however, was probably one of the 
 means of his success. He must have been at work during 
 the whole continuance of the storm. 
 
 I was not absent from the gate two minutes. That brief 
 space was sufficient for my first purpose. I now desired 
 Jason to enter the court, and to tell Herman Mordaunt not 
 to delay a moment in applying the means for extinguishing 
 the flames. There was greater danger from them than there 
 possibly could be from any other attack upon the pickets, 
 made in the darkness of the morning. Jason was cool by 
 temperament, and he was a good agent to be employed on 
 such a duty. Promising to be quick, he left us, and I turn- 
 ed my face towards Guert and his party. As yet, nothing 
 had been heard of the last. This very silence was a source 
 of alarm, though it was difficult to imagine the adventurer 
 had met with an enemy, since such a collision must have 
 been somewhat noisy. A few scattering shot, all of which 
 came from the west side of the buildings, and the flickering 
 light of the fire, were the only interruptions to the otherwise 
 death-like calm of the hour. 
 
 The same success attended me in reaching the south-west 
 
SATANSTOE. 193 
 
 as in reaching the north-west angle of the house. To me, 
 it seemed as if the savages had entirely abandoned the fields 
 in my vicinity. When I took my stand at this corner of the 
 building, I found all its southern side in obscurity, though 
 sufficient light was gleaming over the meadows to render the 
 ragged edges of the cliff visible in that direction. I looked 
 along the log walls to this streak of light, but could see no 
 signs of my friends. I was certain they were not under the 
 house, and began to apprehend some serious indiscretion on 
 the part of the bold Albanian. While engaged in endeavour- 
 ing to get a clue to Guert's movements, by devouring every 
 dark object I could perceive with my eyes, I felt an elbow 
 touched lightly, and saw a savage in his half-naked, fighting 
 attire, at my side. I could see enough to ascertain this, but 
 could not distinguish faces. I was feeling for my hunting- 
 knife, when the Trackless's voice stayed my hand. 
 
 " He wrong" — said the Onondago, with emphasis. " Head 
 too young — hand good — heart good — head very bad. Too 
 much fire — dark here — much better." 
 
 This characteristic criticism on poor Guert's conduct, 
 served to tell the whole story. Guert had put himself in 
 a position in which the Onondago had refused to remain ; in 
 other words, he had gone to the verge of the cliff, where he 
 was exposed to the light of the fire, and where he was ne- 
 cessarily in danger of being seen. Still, no signs of him 
 were visible, and I was on the point of moving along the 
 south side of the building, to the margin of the rocks, when 
 the Trackless again touched my arm, and said " There !" 
 
 There our party was, sure enough ! It had managed to 
 reach the verge of the rocks at a salient point, which placed 
 them in an admirable position for raking the enemy, who 
 were supposed to be climbing to the pickets, with a view to 
 a sudden spring, but at a dangerous distance from the build- 
 ings. The darkness had been the means of their reaching 
 that point, which was about a hundred yards from the spot 
 where I had expected to find Ihem, and admirably placed 
 for the intended object. The whole procedure was so much 
 like Guert's character, that I could not but admire its bold- 
 ness, while I condemned its imprudence. There was, how- 
 ever, no time to join the party, or to warn its leader of the 
 risks he ran. We, who stood so far in the rear, could see 
 
 Vol. II. — 17 
 
194 SATANSTOE. 
 
 and fully appreciate all the clanger, while he probably did 
 not. There the whole party of them stood, plainly though 
 darkly drawn in high relief, against the light beyond, each 
 poising his rifle and making his dispositions for the volley. 
 Guert was nearest to the verge of the rocks, actually bend- 
 ing over them ; Dirck was close at his side; Jaap just be- 
 hind Dirck ; Jumper close at Jaap's elbow ; and four of the 
 settlers, bold and hardy men, behind the Oneida. 
 
 I could scarcely breathe, for painful expectation, when I 
 saw Guert and his companions thus rising from the earth, 
 bringing their entire figures in front of the back-ground of 
 light. I could have called out to warn them of the danger 
 they ran ; but it would have done no good, nor was there 
 time for remonstrances. Guert must have felt he occupied a 
 dangerous position, and what he did was done very promptly. 
 Ten seconds after I saw the dark forms, all their rifles were 
 discharged, as it might be at a single crack. One instant 
 passed, in death-like stillness, through all the fields, and in 
 the court ; then came a volley from among the stumps at a 
 little distance from our side of the building, atid the adven- 
 turers on the rocks, or those that could, rushed towards the 
 gate. Two of the settlers, however, and the Oneida, I saw 
 fall, myself. The last actually leaped upward, into the air, 
 and went down the cliff. But Guert, Dirck, Jaap, and the 
 other two settlers, had moved away. It was at that moment 
 that my ears were filled with such yells as I had not sup- 
 posed the human throat could raise, and all the fields on our 
 side of the house seemed alive with savages. To render the 
 scene more appalling, that was the precise instant when the 
 water, previously provided by Herman Mordaunt, fell upon 
 the flames, and the light vanished, almost as one extin- 
 guishes a candle. But for this providential coincidence, 
 there was scarce a chance for the escape of one of the ad- 
 venturers. As it was, rifle followed rifle, from among the 
 stumps, though it was no longer with any certain aim. 
 
 The battle had now become a melee. The savages went 
 leaping and whooping forward in the darkness, and heavy 
 blows were given and taken. Guert's clear, manly voice 
 was heard, rising above the clamour, encouraging his com- 
 panions to press through the throng of their assailants, in 
 tones full of confidence. Both the Trackless and myself 
 
SATANSTOE. 195 
 
 discharged our rifles at the foremost of the Hurons, and 
 each certainly brought down his man ; but it was not easy 
 to see what we could do next. To stand aloof and see my 
 friends borne down by numbers was impossible, however, 
 "and Susquesus and myself fell upon the enemy's rear. This 
 charge of ours had the appearance of a sortie, and it pro- 
 duced a decided effect on the result, opening a passage by 
 which Dirck and the two settlers issued from the throng, 
 and joined us. This was no sooner done, than we all had 
 to stand at bay, retreating little by little, as we could. The 
 result would still have been doubtful, even after we had suc- 
 ceeded in reaching the south-western angle of the building, 
 had it not been for a forward movement on the part of Her- 
 man Mordaunt, at the head of half-a-dozen of his settlers. 
 This reinforcement came into the affair with loaded rifles, 
 and a single discharge, given as soon as we were in a line 
 .with our friends, caused our assailants to vanish, as suddenly 
 as they had appeared. On reflecting on the circumstances 
 of that awful night, in after-life, I have thought that the 
 force in the rear of the Hurons began to melt away, even 
 before Herman Mordaunt's support was received, leaving 
 their front weak and unsustained. At any rate, the enemy 
 fled to their covers, as has just been related, and we entered 
 the gate in a body, closing and barring it, as soon as possible. 
 
 I can scarcely describe the change that had come over 
 the appearance of things in that eventful night. The fire 
 was extinguished, even to the embers, and deep darkness 
 had succeeded to the glimmering, waving red light of the 
 flames. The yells, and whoops, and screams, and shouts, 
 for our men had frequently thrown back the defiance of their 
 foes in cheers, were done ; a stillness as profound as that of 
 the grave reigning over the whole place. The wounded 
 seemed ashamed even to groan ; but our hurt, of whom 
 there were four, went into the house to be cared for, stern 
 and silent. No enemy was any longer to be apprehended 
 beneath the pickets, for the streak of morning was just ap- 
 pearing above the forest, in the east, and Indians rarely 
 attack under the light of day. In a word, that night, at 
 least, was passed, and we were yet protected by Providence. 
 
 Herman Mordaunt now bethought him of ascertaining his 
 precise situation, the extent of his own loss, and, as far as 
 
196 SATANSTOE. 
 
 possible, of that which we had inflicted on the enemy, Guert 
 was called for, to aid in this inquiry, but no Guert was to 
 be found ! Jaap, too, was absent. A muster was had, and 
 then it was found that Guert Ten Eyck, Jaap Satanstoe, 
 Gilbert Davis, and Moses Mudge were all wanting. The 
 Jumper, too, did not appear ; but I accounted for him, and 
 for the two settlers named, having actually seen them fall. 
 Day returned to us slowly, while agitated by the effect of 
 these discoveries ; but it brought no relief. We soon ven- 
 tured to re-open the gates, knowing no Indian would remain 
 very near the building, while it was light ; and, having ex- 
 amined all the dangerous covers, we passed outside the court 
 with confidence, in quest of the bodies of our friends. Not 
 an Indian was seen, Jumper excepted. The Oneida lay at 
 the foot of the rocks, dead, and scalped ; as did Davis and 
 Mudge on the summit. Everything else human had dis- 
 appeared. Dirck was confident that six or seven of the 
 Hurons fell by the volley from the cliff, but the bodies had 
 been carried off. As to Guert and Jaap, no traces of them 
 remained, dead or alive. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 " She looked on many a face with vacant eye, 
 On many a token without knowing what ; 
 She saw them watch her without asking why, 
 And reck'd not who around her pillow sat; 
 Not speechless, though she spoke not ; not a sigh 
 
 Relieved her thoughts : dull silence and quick chat 
 Were tried in vain by by those who served ; she gave 
 No sign, save breath, of having left the grave." 
 
 Bxrox. 
 
 It was a most painful moment to me, when Herman Mor- 
 daunt, an hour after all these facts were established, came 
 to summon me to the presence of Anneke and Mary Wal- 
 lace. One gleam of joy, one ray of the sunshine of the 
 
SATANSTOE. 197 
 
 heart, shone on Anneke's sweet countenance as she saw me 
 unharmed enter the room, but it quickly disappeared in the 
 strong sympathy she felt for the sufferings of her friend. 
 As for Mary Wallace, death itself could hardly have left 
 her more colourless, or with features more firmly impressed 
 with the expression of mental suffering. Anneke was the 
 first to speak. 
 
 " God be praised that this dreadful night is passed, and 
 you and my dearest father are spared !" the precious girl 
 said, with fervour, pressing the hand that had taken one of 
 hers, in both her own. " For this much, at least, we can 
 be grateful ; would I could add for the safety of us all !" 
 
 " Tell me the worst at once, Mr. Littlepage," added Mary 
 Wallace ; " I can bear anything better than uncertainty. Mr. 
 Mordaunt says that you know the facts better than any one 
 else, and that you must relate them. Speak, then, though 
 it break my heart to hear it ! — is he killed ?" 
 
 " I hope, through Heaven's mercy, not. Indeed, I think 
 not ; though I fear he must be a prisoner." 
 
 " Thank you for that, dear, dear Mr. Littlepage ! Oh ! 
 Thank you for that, from the bottom of my heart. But 
 may they not torture him ? Do not these Hurons torture 
 their prisoners? Conceal nothing from me, Corny; you 
 cannot imagine how much self-command I have, and how 
 well I can behave. Oh ! conceal nothing." 
 
 Poor girl ! At the very moment she was boasting of her 
 fortitude and ability to endure, her whole frame was trem- 
 bling from head to foot, her face was of the hue of death, 
 and the smile with which she spoke was frightfully haggard. 
 That pent-up passion, which had so long struggled with her 
 prudence, could no longer be suppressed. That she really 
 loved Guert, and that her love would prove stronger than 
 her discretion, I had not doubted, now, for some months ; 
 but, never having before witnessed the strength of any feel- 
 ing that had been so long and so painfully suppressed, I con- 
 fess that this exhibition of a suffering so intense, in a being 
 so delicate, so excellent, and so lovely, almost unmanned 
 me. I took Mary Wallace's hand and led her to a chair, 
 scarce knowing what to say to relieve her mind. All this 
 time, her eye never turned from mine, as if she hoped to 
 learn the truth by the aid of the sense of sight alone. How 
 17* 
 
198 SATANSTOE. 
 
 anxious, jealous, distrustful, and yet beseeching was that 
 gaze ! 
 
 "Will he be tortured?" She rather whispered huskily, 
 than asked aloud. 
 
 " I trust, by God's mercy, not. They have taken my 
 slave, Jaap, also ; and it is far more probable that he would 
 be the victim, in such a case, than Mr. Ten Eyck " 
 
 11 Why do you call him Mr. Ten Eyck ? You have al- 
 ways called him Guert, of late — you are his friend — you 
 think well of him — you cannot be less his friend, now that 
 he is miserable, than when he was happy, and the pride of 
 all human eyes, in his strength and manly beauty !" 
 
 " Dear Miss Wallace, compose yourself, I do entreat of 
 you — no one will cling to Guert longer than I." 
 
 "Yes; I have always thought this — always felt this. 
 Guert cannot be low, or mean in his sentiments, while an 
 educated gentleman, like Corny Littlepage, is his friend. 
 I have written to my aunt, and we must not be too hasty in 
 our judgments. The spirit and follies of youth will soon 
 be over, and then we shall see a shining character in Guert 
 Ten Eyck. Is not this true, Anneke?" 
 
 Anneke knelt at the side of her friend, folded her in her 
 arms, drew the quivering head down upon her own sympa- 
 thizing bosom, and held it there a moment, in the very atti- 
 tude of protecting, solacing love. After a brief pause, Ma- 
 ry Wallace burst into tears, and I have ever thought that 
 that relief, under God's mercy, saved her reason. In a few 
 minutes, the sufferer became more calm, when she retired 
 into herself, as was her wont, leaving Anneke and me to 
 discuss the subject. 
 
 After turning all the chances and probabilities in our 
 minds, I promised my companions not to lose a moment, but 
 to use immediate means of ascertaining all that could be 
 ascertained, in Guert's behalf, and of doing everything that 
 could be done, to save him. 
 
 "You will not deceive me, Corny," whispered Mary Wal- 
 lace, pressing my hand at leave-taking, in both her own. 
 " I know I can depend on you, for he boasts of being your 
 friend." 
 
 Anneke's painful smile added force to this request, and I 
 tore myself away unwilling to quit such a sufferer, yet un~ 
 
SATANSTOE. 199 
 
 able to remain. Herman Mordaunt was seen conversing 
 with Susquesus, in the court, and I joined him at once, de- 
 termined to lose no time. 
 
 " I was speaking to the Trackless on this very subject," 
 answered Herman Mordaunt, as soon as I had explained my 
 purpose, " and am now waiting for his answer. Do you 
 think it, then, safe to send a messenger out to the Hurons, 
 in order to inquire after our friends, and to treat with 
 them !" 
 
 "No send? — Why not?" returned the Indian. "Red 
 man glad to see messenger. Go when he want; come 
 back when he want. How can make bargain, if scalp mes- 
 senger?" 
 
 I had heard that the most savage tribes respected a mes- 
 senger ; and, indeed, the necessity of so doing was, of itself, 
 a sort of security that such must be the case. It was true, 
 that the bearer of a flag might be in more danger, on such 
 an errand, than would be the case in a camp of civilized 
 men ; but these Canada-Indians had been long serving with 
 the French, and their chiefs, beyond a question, had ob- 
 tained some of the notions of pale-face warfare. Without 
 much reflection, therefore, and under an impulse in behalf 
 of my friend, and my slave — for Jaap's fate was of lively 
 interest with me — I volunteered to bear a flag myself. 
 Herman Mordaunt shook his head, and seemed reluctant to 
 comply. 
 
 "Anneke would hardly pardon me for consenting to that," 
 he answered. " You must remember, now, Corny, that a 
 very tender and sensitive heart is bound up in you, and 
 you must no longer act like a thoughtless, single man. It 
 would be far better to send this Onondago, if he will agree 
 to go. He understands the red men, and will be able to 
 interpret the omens with more certainty, than any of us. 
 What say you, Susquesus ; will you be a messenger to the 
 Hurons?" 
 
 " Sartain ; — why no go, if he want ? Good to be messen- 
 ger, sometime. Where wampum — what tell him ?" 
 
 Thus encouraged, we deliberated together, and soon had 
 Susquesus in readiness to depart. As for the Indian, he laid 
 aside all his arms, washed the war-paint from his face, put 
 a calico shirL over his shoulders, and assumed the guise of 
 
200 SATANSTOE. 
 
 peace. We gave him a small, white flag to carry, feeling 
 certain that the Huron chiefs must understand its meaning ; 
 and thinking it might be better, in bearing a message from 
 pale-faces, that he who carried it should have a pale-face 
 symbol of his errand. Susquesus found some wampum, too; 
 having as much faith in that, probably, as in anything else. 
 He then set forth, being charged to offer liberal ransom to 
 the Hurons, for the living, uninjured bodies of Guert Ten 
 Eyck and Jaap Satanstoe. 
 
 We entertained no doubt that the enemy would be found 
 in the ravine, for that was the point, in every respect, most 
 favourable to the operations of the siege ; being near the 
 house, having a perfect cover, possessing water, wood, and 
 other conveniences. From that point the Nest could be 
 watched, and any favourable chance improved. Thither, 
 then, Susquesus was told to proceed ; though it was not 
 thought advisable to fetter one so shrewd, with too many 
 instructions. Several of us accompanied the Onondago to the 
 gate, and saw him moving across the fields, towards the 
 wood, in his usual loping trot. A bird could scarcely have 
 flown more directly to its object. 
 
 The half-hour that succeeded the disappearance of Sus- 
 quesus, in the mouth of the ravine, was one of intensely 
 painful suspense. We all remained without the gate, wait- 
 ing the result, including Dirck, Mr. Worden, Jason, and 
 half-a-dozen of the settlers. At length the Onondago re- 
 appeared ; and, to our great joy, a group followed him, in 
 which were both the prisoners. The last were bound, but 
 able to walk. This party might have contained a dozen of 
 the enemy, all of whom were armed. It moved slowly out 
 of the ravine, and ascended to the fields that were on a. level 
 with the house, halting when about four hundred yards from 
 us. Seeing this movement, we counted out exactly the 
 same number of men, and went forward, halting at a dis- 
 tance of two hundred yards from the Indians. Here we 
 waited for our messenger, who continued on, after the 
 Hurons had come to a stand. Thus far everything looked 
 propitious. 
 
 " Do you bring us good news?" Herman Mordaunt eagerly 
 asked. "Are our friends unhurt?" 
 
SATANSTOE. 201 
 
 "Got scalp — no hurt — take prisoner — jump on 'em, ten, 
 two, six — cotch 'em, then. Open eyes; you see." 
 
 " And the Hurons — do they seem inclined to accept the 
 ransom? Rum, rifle, blanket and powder; you offered all, 
 I hope, Susquesus?" 
 
 " Sartain. No forget ; that bad. Say take all that ; some 
 more, too." 
 
 " And they have come to treat with us ? What are we to 
 do, now, Susquesus?" 
 
 " Put down rifle — go near and talk. You go — priest go — 
 young chief go — that t'ree. Then t'ree warrior lay down 
 rifle, come talk, too; Prisoner wait. All good." 
 
 This was sufficiently intelligible, and believing that any- 
 thing like hesitation might make the condition of Guert 
 desperate, we prepared to comply. I could see that the 
 Rev. Mr. Worden had no great relish for the business, but 
 was ashamed to hang back when he saw Herman Mordaunt 
 cheerfully advancing to the interview. We three were met 
 by as many Hurons, among whom was Jaap's friend 'Muss,' 
 who was evidently the leading person of the party. Guert 
 and Jaap were held, bound, about a hundred yards in the 
 rear, but near enough to be spoken to, by raising the voice. 
 Guert was in his shirt and breeches, with his head uncover- 
 ed, his fine curly hair blowing about in the wind, and I 
 thought I saw some signs of blood on his linen. This might 
 be his own, or it might have come from an enemy. I called 
 to him, therefore, inquiring how he did, and whether he were 
 hurt. 
 
 " Nothing to speak of, Corny, I thank you," was the 
 cheerful answer; "these red gentlemen have had me tied to 
 a tree, and have been seeing how near they could hurl their 
 tomahawks without hitting. This is one of their customary 
 amusements, and I have got a scratch or two in the spa?*. 
 I hope the ladies are in good spirits,~and do not let the busi- 
 ness of last night distress them." 
 
 " There is blessed news for you, Guert — Susquesus, ask 
 these chiefs if I may go near my friend to give him one 
 word of consolation — on my honour, no attempt to release 
 him will be made by me, until I return here." 
 
 I spoke earnestly, and the Onondago interpreted what 1 
 had said into the language of the Hurons. I had made this 
 
202 SATANSTOE. 
 
 somewhat hardy request, under an impulse that I found un- 
 governable, and was surprised, as well as pleased, to find it 
 granted. These savages confided in my word, and trusted 
 to my honour with a stately delicacy that might have done 
 credit to the manners of civilized kings, giving themselves 
 no apparent concern about my movements, although they 
 occurred in their own rear. It was too late to retract, and, 
 leaving Herman Mordaunt endeavouring to drive a bargain 
 with Muss and his two companions, I proceeded, uncon- 
 cerned myself, boldly towards the armed men who held 
 Guert and Jaap prisoners. I thought my approach did 
 cause a slight movement among these savages, and there 
 was a question and answer passed between them and their 
 leaders. The latter said but a word or two, but these were 
 uttered authoritatively, and with a commanding toss of a 
 hand. Brief as they were, they answered the purpose, and 
 I was neither molested nor spoken to, during the short in- 
 terview I had with my friend. 
 
 " God bless you, Corny, for this !" Guert cried with feel- 
 ing, as I warmly shook his hand. "It requires a warm 
 heart, and a bold one too, to lead a man into this ' lion's 
 den.' Stay but a moment, lest some evil come of it, I beg 
 of you. This squeeze of the hand is worth an estate to a 
 man in my situation ; but remember Anneke. Ah ! Corny, 
 my dear friend, I could be happy even here, did I know that 
 Mary Wallace grieved for me !" 
 
 " Then be happy, Guert. My sole object in venturing 
 here, was to tell you to hope everything in that quarter. 
 There will be no longer any coyness, any hesitation, any 
 misgivings, when you shall be once restored to us." 
 
 " Mr. Litllepage, you would not trifle with the feelings of 
 a miserable captive, hanging between torture and death, as 
 is my present case ! I can hardly credit my senses ; yet, 
 you would not mock me !" 
 
 " Believe all I say — nay, all you wish, Guert. It is sel- 
 dom that woman loves as she loves, and this I swear to you. 
 I go now, only to aid Herman Mordaunt in bringing you 
 where your own ears shall hear such proofs of what I say, 
 as have been uttered in mine." 
 
 Guert made no answer, but I could see he was profoundly 
 affected. I squeezed his hand, and we parted, in the full 
 
SATANSTOE. 203 
 
 hope, on my side at least, that the separation would be short. 
 I have reason to think Guert shed tears ; for, on looking 
 back, I perceived his face turned away from those who were 
 nearest to him. I had but a single glance at Jaap, My 
 fellow stood a little in the rear, as became his colour ; but 
 he watched my countenance with the vigilance of a cat. I 
 thought it best not to speak to him, though I gave him a 
 secret sign of encouragement. 
 
 " These chiefs are not very amicably disposed, Corny," 
 said Herman Mordaunt, the instant I rejoined him. " They 
 have given me to understand that Jaap will be liberated on 
 no terms whatever. They must have his scalp, as Sus- 
 quesus tells me, on account of some severity he himself has 
 shown to one of these chiefs. To use their own language, 
 they want it for a plaster to this warrior's back. His fate, 
 it would seem, is sealed, and he has only been brought out 
 yonder, to raise hopes in him that are to be disappointed. 
 The wretches do not scruple to avow this, in their own sen- 
 tentious manner. As for Guert, they say he slew two of 
 their warriors, and that their wives will miss their husbands, 
 and will not be easily quieted unless they see his scalp, too. 
 They offer to release him, however, on either of two sets of 
 terms. They will give up Guert for two of what they call 
 chiefs, or for four common men. If we do not like those 
 conditions, they will exchange him, on condition we give 
 two common men for him, and abandon the Nest to tham. 
 by marching out, with all my people, before the sun is up 
 above our heads." 
 
 " Conditions that you cannot accept, under any circum- 
 stances, I fear, sir?" 
 
 " Certainly not. The delivery of any two is out of the 
 question — wouH be so, even to save my own life. As for 
 the Nest and its contents, I would very willingly abandon 
 all, a few papers excepted, had I the smallest faith in the 
 chiefs' being able to restrain their followers ; but the dread- 
 ful massacre of William-Henry is still too recent, to confide 
 in anything of the sort. My answer is given already, and 
 we are about to part. Possibly, when they see us deter- 
 mined, they may lower their demands a little." 
 
 A grave parting wave of the hand was given by Muss, 
 
204 SATANSTOE. 
 
 who had conducted himself with great dignity in the inter- 
 view, and the three Hurons walked away in a body. 
 
 " Best go," said Susquesus, significantly. " Maybe want 
 rifle. Hurons in ''arnest." 
 
 On this hint, we returned to our friends, and resumed our 
 arms. What succeeded, I learned in part by the relations 
 of others, while a part was witnessed by my own eyes. It 
 seems that Jaap, from the first, understood the desperate 
 nature of his own position. The remembrance of his mis- 
 deeds in relation to Muss, whose prisoner he had more 
 especially become, most probably increased his apprehen- 
 sions, and his thoughts were constantly bent on obtaining 
 his liberty, by means entirely independent of negotiation. 
 From the instant he was brought out of the ravine, he kept 
 all his eyes about him, watching for the smallest chance of 
 effecting his purpose. It happened that one of the savages 
 so placed himself before the negro, who was kept behind all 
 near him, as to enable Jaap to draw the Huron's knife from 
 its sheath without being detected. He did this while I was 
 actually with the party, and all eyes were on me. Guert 
 and himself were bound, by having their arms fastened 
 above the elbows, behind the back ; and when Guert turned 
 aside to shed tears, as mentioned, Jaap succeeded in cutting 
 his fastenings. This could be done, only while the savages 
 were following my retreating form with their eyes. At the 
 same time Jaap gave the knife to Guert, who did him a 
 similar service. As the Indians did not take the alarm, the 
 prisoners paused a moment, holding their arms as if still 
 bound, to look around them. The Indian nearest Guert had 
 two rifles, his own and that of Muss, both leaning negli- 
 gently against his shoulder, with their breeches on the 
 ground. To these weapons Guert pointed; and, when the 
 three chiefs were on the point of rejoining their friends, who 
 were attentive to their movements in order to ascertain the 
 result, Guert seized this savage by his arm, which he twisted 
 until the Indian yelled with pain, then caught one rifle, while 
 Jaap laid hold of the other. Each fired and brought down 
 his man ; then they made an onset with the butts of their 
 pieces on the rest of the party. This bold assault, though so 
 desperate in appearance, was the wisest thing they could 
 do ; as immediate flight would have left the\r enemies an op- 
 
SATANSTOE. 205 
 
 />ortunity of sending the swift runners of their pieces in 
 pursuit. 
 
 The first intimation we had of any movement of this sort 
 was in the reports of the rifles. Then, I not only saw, but 
 I heard the tremendous blow Jaap gave to the head of 
 Muss ; a blow that demolished both the victim and the in- 
 strument of his destruction. Though the breech of the 
 rifle was broken, the heavy barrel still remained, and the 
 negro flourished it with a force that swept all before him. 
 It is scarcely necessary to say Guert was not idle in such a 
 fray. He fought for Mary Wallace, as well as for himself, 
 and he overturned two more of the Indians, as it might be, 
 in the twinkling of an eye. Here Dirck did good service 
 to our friends. His rifle was in his hands, and, levelling it 
 with coolness, he shot down a powerful savage who was on 
 the point of seizing Guert from behind. This was the com- 
 mencement of a general war, volleys now coming from both 
 parties ; from ourselves, and from the enemy, who were in 
 the cover of the woods. Intimidated by the fury of the 
 personal assault under which they were suffering, the re- 
 maining Indians near Guert and the negro leaped away to- 
 wards their friends, yelling; leaving their late prisoners 
 free, but more exposed to fire than they could have been 
 when encircled even by enemies. 
 
 Everything passed with fearful rapidity. Guert seized 
 the rifle of a fallen Indian, and Jaap obtained another, 
 when they fell back towards us, like two lions at bay, with 
 rifle-bullets whizzing around them at every step. Of course, 
 we fired, and we also advanced to meet them ; an imprudent 
 step, since the main body of the Hurons were covered, ren- 
 dering the contest unequal. But, there was no resisting the 
 sympathetic impulses of such a moment, or the exultation 
 we all felt at the exploits of Guert and Jaap, enacted, as 
 they were, before our eyes. As we drew together, the for- 
 mer shouted and cried — 
 
 " Hurrah ! Corny, my noble fellow — let us charge the 
 woot — there '11 not be a reat-skin left in it in five minutes. 
 Forwart, my friends — forwart, all !" 
 
 It certainly was an exciting moment. We all shouted 
 in our turns, and all cried ' forward,' in common. Even 
 Mr. Worden joined in the shout, and pressed forward. Ja- 
 
 Vol. II. — 13 
 
200 SATANSTOE. 
 
 son, too, fought bravely ; and we went at the wood like so 
 many bull-dogs. I fancy the pedagogue thought the fee- 
 simple of his mills depended on the result. On we went, in 
 open order, reserving our fire for the last moment, but re- 
 ceiving dropping shots, that did us no harm, until we dashed 
 into the thicket. 
 
 The Hurons were discomfited, and they fled. Though a 
 panic is not usual among those wild warriors, they seldom 
 rally on the field. If once driven, against their will, a close 
 pursuit will usually disperse them for a time ; and such was 
 the case now. By the time I got fairly into the ravine, I 
 could see or hear of no enemy. My friends were on my 
 right and left, shouting and pressing on ; but there was no 
 foe visible. Guert and Jaap were in advance, for we could 
 not overtake them; and they had fired, for they got the last 
 glimpses of the enemy. But one more shot did come from 
 the Hurons in that inroad. It was fired from some one of 
 the retreating party, who must have been lingering in its 
 rear. The report sounded far up the ravine, and it came 
 like a farewell and final gun. Distant as it was, however, 
 it proved the most fatal shot to us that was fired in all that 
 affair. I caught a glimpse of Guert, through the trees, and 
 saw him fall. In an instant, I was at his side. 
 
 What a change is that from the triumph of victory to the 
 sudden approach of death ! I saw by the expression of 
 Guert's countenance, as I raised him in my arms, that the 
 blow was fatal. The ball, indeed, had passed directly through 
 his body, missing the bones, but injuring the vitals. There 
 is no mistaking the expression of a death-wound on the 
 human countenance, when the effect is direct and not re- 
 mote. Nature appears to admonish the victim of his fate. 
 So it was with Guert. 
 
 " This shot has done for me. Corny," he said, " and it 
 seems to be the very last they intended to fire. I almost 
 hope there can be no truth in what you told me of Mary 
 Wallace !" 
 
 That was neither the time nor the place to speak on such 
 a subject, and I made no answer. From the instant the fall 
 of Guert became known, the pursuit ceased, and our whole 
 party collected around the wounded man. The Indian alone 
 seemed to retain any consciousness of the importance of 
 
SATANSTOE. 207 
 
 knowing what the enemy was doing, for his philosophy was 
 not easily disturbed by the sudden appearance of death 
 among us. Still he liked Guert, as did every one who could 
 get beyond the weaknesses of his outer character, and fairly 
 at the noble traits of his manly nature. Susquesus looked 
 at the sufferer a moment, gravely and not without concern ; 
 then he turned to Herman Mordaunt, and said — 
 
 " This bad — save scalp, that good, though. Carry him 
 in house. Susquesus follow trail and see what Injin mean." 
 
 As this was well, he was told to watch the enemy, while 
 we bore our friend towards the Nest. Dirck consented to 
 precede us, and let the melancholy truth be known, while I 
 continued with Guert, who held my hand the whole dis- 
 tance. We were a most melancholy procession, for victors. 
 Not a serious hurt had any of our party received, in this 
 last affair, the wound of Guert Ten Eyck excepted ; yet, I 
 question if more real sorrow would have been felt over two 
 or three other deaths. We had become accustomed to our 
 situation ; it is wonderful how soon the soldier does ; ren- 
 dering death familiar, and disarming him of half his terrors ; 
 but calamities can, and do occur, to bring back an army to 
 a sense of its true nature and its dependence on Providence. 
 Such had been the effect of the loss of Lord Howe, on the 
 troops before Ticonderoga, and such was the effect of the 
 fall of Guert Ten Eyck, on the small band that was collect- 
 ed to defend the possessions and firesides of Ravensnest. 
 
 We entered the gate of the house, and found most of its 
 tenants already in the court, collected like a congregation 
 in a church that awaits the entrance of the dead. Herman 
 Mordaunt had sent an order to have his own room prepared 
 for the sufferer, and thither we carried Guert. He was 
 placed on the bed ; then the crowd silently withdrew. I 
 observed that Guert's eyes turned anxiously and inquiringly 
 around, and I told him, in a low voice, I would go for the 
 ladies myself. A smile, and a pressure of the hand, showed 
 how well I had interpreted his thoughts. 
 
 Somewhat to my surprise, I found Mary Wallace, pale it 
 is true, but comparatively calm and mistress of herself. 
 That instinct of propriety which seems to form a part of the 
 nature of a well-educated woman, had taught her the ne- 
 cessity of self-command, that no outbreak of her feelings 
 
208 SATANSTOE. 
 
 should affect the sufferer. As for Anneke, she was like her- 
 self, gentle, mourning, and full of sympathy for her friend. 
 
 As soon as apprised of the object of my visit, the two 
 girls expressed their readiness to go to Guert. As they 
 knew the way, I did not attend them, purposely proceeding 
 in another direction, in order not to be a witness of the in- 
 terview. Anneke has since told me, however, that Mary's 
 self-command did not altogether desert her, while Guert's 
 cheerful gratitude probably so far deceived her as to create 
 a short-lived hope that the wound was not mortal. For my- 
 self, I passed an hour in attending to the state of things in 
 and around the house, in order to make certain that no neg- 
 ligence occurred still to endanger our security. At the end 
 of that time, I returned to Guert, meeting Herman Mor- 
 daunt near the door of his room. 
 
 " The little hope we had is vanished," said the last, in a 
 sorrowful tone. " Poor Ten Eyck has, beyond a question, 
 received his death-wound, and has but a few hours to live. 
 Were my people safe, I would rather that everything at Ra- 
 vensnest, house and estate, were destroyed, than had this 
 happen !" 
 
 Prepared by this announcement, I was not as much sur- 
 prised as I might otherwise have been, at the great change 
 that had occurred in my friend, since the time I quitted his 
 room. It was evident he anticipated the result. Neverthe- 
 less he was calm ; nay, apparently happy. Nor was he so 
 much enfeebled as to prevent his speaking quite distinctly, 
 and with sufficient ease. When the machine of life is stop- 
 ped by the sudden disruption of a vital ligament, the ap- 
 proaches of death, though more rapid than with disease, are 
 seldom so apparent. The first evidences of a fatal termi- 
 nation are discovered rather through the nature of the vio- 
 lence, than by means of apparent effects. 
 
 I have said that Guert seemed even happy, though death 
 was so near. Anneke told me, subsequently, that Mary 
 Wallace had owned her love, in answer to an earnest appeal 
 on his part, and, from that moment, he hr,d expressed him- 
 self as one who was about to die contented. Poor Guert! 
 It was little he thought of the dread future, or of the church 
 on earth, except as the last was entitled to, and did receive 
 on all occasions, his outward respect. It seemed that Mary 
 
SATANSTOE. 209 
 
 vVallace, habitually so reserved and silent among her friends, 
 had been accustomed to converse freely with Guerl, and 
 that she had made a serious effort, during her residence in 
 Albany, to enlighten his mind, or rather to arouse his feel- 
 ings on this all-important subject, and that Guert, sensible 
 of the pleasure of receiving instruction from such a source, 
 always listened with attention. When I entered the room, 
 some allusion had just been made to this theme. 
 
 " But for you, Mary, I should be little better than a hea- 
 then," said Guert, holding the hand of his beloved, and 
 scarce averting his eyes from their idol a single instant. 
 " If God has mercy on me, it will be on your account." 
 
 " Oh ! no — no — no — Guert, say not, think not thus /" 
 exclaimed Mary Wallace, shocked at this excess of his at- 
 tachment even for herself at such a moment. " We all re- 
 ceive our pardons through the death and mediation of his 
 Blessed Son. Nothing else can save you, or any of us, 
 my dear, dear Guert ; and I implore you not to think other- 
 wise." 
 
 Guert looked a little bewildered ; still he looked pleased. 
 The first expression was probably produced by his not ex- 
 actly comprehending the nature of that mysterious expia- 
 tion, which baffles the unaided powers of man, and which, 
 indeed, is to be felt, rather than understood. The look of 
 pleasure had its origin in the ' dear, dear Guert,' and, more 
 than that, in the consciousness of possessing the affections 
 of the woman he had so long loved, almost against hope. 
 Guert Ten Eyck was a man of bold and reckless charac- 
 ter, in all that pertained to risks, frolic, and youthful adven- 
 ture ; but the meekest Christian could scarcely possess a 
 more lowly opinion of his own frailties and sins, than this 
 dashing young fellow possessed of his own claims to be 
 valued by such a being as Mary Wallace. I often wonder- 
 ed how he ever presumed to love her, but suppose the appa- 
 rent vanity must be ascribed to the resistless power of a pas- 
 sion that is known to be the strongest of our nature. It was 
 also a sort of moral anomaly that two so opposed to each 
 other in character ; the one verging on extreme recklessness, 
 the other pushing prudence almost to prudery ; the one so 
 £ay as to seem to live for frolic, the other quiet and reserved, 
 should conceive this strong predilection for each other ; but 
 18* 
 
210 SATANSTOE. 
 
 so it was. I have heard persons say, however, that these 
 varieties in temperament awaken interest, and that they who 
 have commenced with such dissimilarities, but have assimi- 
 lated by communion, attachment, and habits, after all, maks 
 the happiest couples. 
 
 Mary Wallace lost all her reserve, in the gush of tender- 
 ness and sympathy, that now swept all before it. Through- 
 out the whole of that morning, she hung about Guert, as the 
 mother watches the ailing infant. If his thirst was to be 
 assuaged, her hand held the cup ; if his pillow was to be 
 replaced, her care suggested the alteration ; if his brow was 
 to be wiped, she performed that office for him, suffering no 
 other to come between her and the object of her solicitude. 
 
 There were moments when the manner in which Mary 
 WaJlace hung over Guert, was infinitely touching. Anneke 
 and I knew that her very soul yearned to lead his thoughts 
 to dwell on the subject of the great change that was so near. 
 Nevertheless, the tenderness of the woman was so much 
 stronger than even the anxiety of the Christian, that we per- 
 ceived she feared the influence on his wound. At length, 
 happily for an anxiety that was beginning to be too painful 
 for endurance, Guert spoke on the subject, himself. Whe- 
 ther his mind adverted naturally to such a topic, or he per- 
 ceived the solicitude of his gentle nurse, I could not say. 
 
 " I cannot stay with you long, Mary," he said, " and I 
 should like to have Mr. Worden's prayers, united to yours, 
 offered up in my behalf. Corny will seek the Dominie, for 
 an old friend ?" 
 
 I vanished from the room, and was absent ten minutes. 
 At the end of that time, Mr. Worden was ready in his sur- 
 plice, and we went to the sick room. Certainly, our old 
 pastor had not the way of manifesting the influence of reli- 
 gion, that is usual to the colonies, especially to those of the 
 more northern and eastern portion of the country ; yet, 
 there was a heartiness in his manner of praying, at times, 
 that almost persuaded me he was a good man. I will own, 
 however, that Mr. Worden was one of those clergymen 
 who could pray much more sincerely for certain persons, 
 than for others. He was partial to poor Guert; and I really 
 thought this was manifest in his accents, on this melancholy 
 occasion. 
 
SATANSTOE. 211 
 
 The dying man was relieved by this attention to the rites 
 of the church. Guert was not a metaphysician ; and, at no 
 period of his life, I believe, did he ever enter very closely 
 into the consideration of those fearful questions which were 
 connected with his existence, origin, destination, and position, 
 in the long scale of animated beings. He had those general 
 notions on .these subjects, that all civilized men imbibe by 
 education and communion with their fellows, but nothing 
 more. He understood it was a duty to pray ; and I make 
 no doubt he fancied there were times and seasons in which 
 this duty was more imperative than at others ; and times 
 and seasons when it might be dispensed with. 
 
 How tenderly and how anxiously did Mary Wallace 
 watch over her patient, during the whole o^ that sad day ! 
 She seemed to know neither weariness nor fatigue. To- 
 wards evening, it was just as the sun was tinging the sum- 
 mits of the trees with its parting light, she came towards 
 Anneke and myself, with a face that was slightly illumi- 
 nated with something like a glow of pleasure, and whispered 
 to us, that Guert was better. Within ten minutes of that 
 moment, I approached the bed, and saw a slight movement 
 of the patient's hand, as if he desired me to come nearer. 
 
 "Corny," said Guert, in a low, languid voice — "it is 
 nearly all over. I wish I could see Mary Wallace, once 
 more, before I die !" 
 
 Mary was not, could not be distant. She fell upon her 
 knees, and clasped the yielding form of her lover to her 
 heart. Nothing was said on either side; or, if aught were 
 said, it was whispered, and was of a nature too sacred to be 
 communicated to others. In that attitude did this young 
 woman, long so coy and so difficult to decide, remain for 
 near an hour, and in that quiet, cherishing, womanly em- 
 brace, did Guert Ten Eyck breathe his last. 
 
 I left the sufferer as much alone with the woman of his 
 heart, as comported with prudence and a proper attention on 
 my part ; but it was my melancholy duty to close his eyes. 
 Thus prematurely terminated the earthly career of as manly a 
 spirit as ever dwelt in human form. That it had imperfections, 
 my pen has not concealed ; but the long years that have 
 since passed away, have not served to obliterate the regard 
 so noble a temperament could not fail to awaken. 
 
212 SATANSTOE, 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 How slow the day slides on ! When we desire 
 Time's haste, he seems to lose a match with lobsters : 
 And when we wish him stay, he imps his wings 
 With feathers plumed with thought. 
 
 Albaxazaiu 
 
 It is unnecessary to dwell on the grief that we all felt for 
 >ur loss. That night was necessarily one of watchfulness 
 but few were inclined to sleep. The return of light found 
 us unmolested, however ; and an hour or two later, Sus- 
 quesus came in, and reported that the enemy had retreated 
 towards Ticonderoga. There was nothing more to fear 
 from that quarter, and the settlers soon began to return to 
 their dwellings, or to such as remained. In the course of a 
 week the axe again rang in the forest, and rude habitations 
 began to reappear, in the places of those that had been de- 
 stroyed. As Bulstrode could not well be removed, Herman 
 Mordaunt determined to pass the remainder of the season at 
 Ravensnest, with the double view of accommodating his 
 guest, and of encouraging his settlers. The danger was 
 known to be over for that summer at least, and, ere the ap- 
 proach of another, it was hoped that the humiliated feelings 
 of Great Britain would so far be aroused, as to drive the 
 enemy from the province ; as indeed was effectually done. 
 
 On consultation, it was decided that the body of Guert 
 ought to be sent, for interment among his friends, to Albany. 
 Dirck and myself accompanied it, as the principal attendants, 
 all that remained of our party going with us. Herman Mor- 
 daunt thought it necessary to remain at Ravensnest, and 
 Anneke would not quit her father. The Rev. Mr. Worden's 
 missionary zeal had, by this trial, effectually evaporated, and 
 he profited by so favourable an occasion to withdraw into 
 the safer and more peopled districts. I well remember as 
 we marched after the horse-litter that carried the remains 
 of poor Guert, the divine's making the following sensible 
 remarks : — 
 
 " You see how it is, on this frontier, Corny," he said ; 
 " it is premature to think of introducing Christianity. Chris* 
 
SATANSTOE. 213 
 
 tianity is essentially a civilized religion, and can only be of 
 use among civilized beings. It is true, my young friend, 
 that many of the early apostles were not learned, after the 
 fashion of this world, but they were all thoroughly civilized. 
 Palestine was a civilized country, and the Hebrews were a 
 great people ; and I consider the precedent set by our bless- 
 ed Lord is a command to be followed in all time, and that 
 his appearance in Judea is tantamount to his saying to his 
 apostles, ' go and preach me and my gospel to all civilized 
 people.' " 
 
 I ventured to remark that there was something like a 
 direct command to preach it to all nations, to be found in 
 the bible. 
 
 " Ay, that is true enough," answered Mr. Worden, " but 
 it clearly means all civilized nations. Then, this was before 
 the discovery of America, and it is fair enough to presume 
 that the command referred solely to known nations. The 
 texts of scripture are not to be strained, but are to be con- 
 strued naturally, Corny, and this seems to me to be the na- 
 tural reading of that passage. No, I have been rash and 
 imprudent in pushing duty to exaggeration, and shall con- 
 fine my labours to their proper sphere, during the remainder 
 of my days. Civilization is just as much a means of provi- 
 dence as religion itself; and it is clearly intended that one 
 should be built on the other. A clergyman goes quite far 
 enough from the centre of refinement, when he quits home 
 to come into these colonies to preach the gospel ; letting 
 alone these scalping devils the Indians, who, I greatly fear, 
 were never born to be saved. It may do well enough to 
 have societies to keep them in view, but a meeting in Lon- 
 don is quite near enough ever to approach them." 
 
 Such, ever after, appeared to be the sentiments of the Rev. 
 Mr. Worden, and I took no pains to change them. I ought, 
 however, to have alluded to the parting with Anneke, before 
 I gave the foregoing extract from the parson's homily. 
 Circumstances prevented my having much private commu- 
 nication with my betrothed before quitting the Nest ; for 
 Anneke's sympathy with Mary Wallace was too profound 
 to permit her to think much, just then, of aught but the 
 latter's sorrows. As for Mary herself, the strength and 
 depth of her attachment and grief were never fully appre- 
 
214 SATANSTOE. 
 
 ciated, until time came to vindicate them. Her seeming 
 calm was soon restored, for it was only under a tempest of 
 feeling that Mary Wallace lost her self-command ; and the 
 affliction that was inevitable and irremediable, one of her 
 regulated temperament and high principles, struggled to 
 endure with Christian submission. It was only in after-life 
 that I came to know how intense and absorbing had, in 
 truth, been her passion for the gay, high-spirited, ill-edu- 
 cated, and impulsive young Albanian. 
 
 Anneke wept for a few minutes in my arms, a quarter of 
 an hour before our melancholy procession quitted the Nest. 
 The dear girl had no undue reserve with me ; though I found 
 her a little reluctant to converse on the subject of our own 
 loves, so soon after the fearful scenes we had just gone 
 through. Still, she left me in no doubt on the all-important 
 point of my carrying away with me her whole and entirely 
 undivided heart. Bulstrode she never had, never could love. 
 This she assured me, over and over again. He amused her, 
 and she. felt for him some of the affection and interest of 
 kindred, but not the least of any other interest. Poor Bul- 
 strode ! now I was certain of success, I had very magnani- 
 mous sentiments in his behalf, and could give him credit for 
 various good qualities that had been previously obscured in 
 my eyes. Herman Mordaunt had requested nothing might 
 be said to the major of my engagement ; though an early 
 opportunity was to be taken by himself, to let the suitor 
 understand that Anneke declined the honour of his hand. 
 It was thought the information would best come from him. 
 
 " I shall be frank with you, Littlepage, and confess I have 
 been very anxious for the union of my daughter and Mr. 
 Bulstrode," added Herman Mordaunt, in the interview we 
 had before I left the Nest ; " and I trust to your own good 
 sense to account for it. I knew Bulstrode before I had any 
 knowledge of yourself; and there was already a connection 
 between us, that was just of a nature to render one that was 
 closer, desirable. I shall not deny that I fancied Anneke 
 fitted to adorn the station and circles to which Bulstrode 
 would have carried her ; and, perhaps, it is a natural parental 
 weakness to wish to see one's child promoted. We talk of 
 humility and contentment, Corny, though there is much of 
 the nolo episcopari about it, after all. But you see that the 
 
SATANSTOE. 215 
 
 preference of the child is so much stronger than that of the 
 parent, that it must prevail. I dare say, after all, you would 
 much rather be Anneke's choice, than be mine?" 
 
 " I can have no difficulty in admitting that, sir," I an- 
 swered ; " and I feel very sensible of the liberal manner in 
 which you yield your own preferences to our wishes. Cer- 
 tainly, in the way of rank and fortune, I have little to offer, 
 Mr. Mordaunt, as an offset to Mr. Bulstrode's claims ; but, 
 in love for your daughter, and in an ardent desire to make 
 her happy, I shall not yield to him, or any other man, 
 though he were a king." 
 
 " In the way of fortune, Littlepage, I have very few re- 
 grets. As you are to live in this country, the joint means 
 of the two families, which, some day, must centre in you 
 and Anneke, will prove all-sufficient ; and, as for posterity, 
 Ravensnest and Mooseridge will supply ample provisions. 
 As the colony grows, your descendants will increase, and 
 your means will increase with both. No, no ; I may have 
 been a little disappointed ; that much I will own ; but I have 
 not been, at any time, displeased. God bless you, then, my 
 dear boy ; write us from Albany, and come to us at Lilacs- 
 bush in September. Your reception will be that of a son." 
 
 It is needless to dwell on the melancholy procession we 
 formed through the woods. Dirck and myself kept near the 
 body, on foot, until we reached the highway, when vehicles 
 were provided for the common transportation. On reaching 
 Albany, we delivered the remains of Guert to his relatives, 
 and there was a suitable funeral given. The bricked closet 
 behind the chimney, was opened, as usual, and the six dozen 
 of Madeira, that had been placed in it twenty-four years 
 before, or the day the poor fellow was christened, was found 
 to be very excellent. I remember it was said generally, 
 that better wine was drunk at the funeral of Guert Ten 
 Eyck, than had been tasted at the obsequies of any indi- 
 vidual who was not a Van Rensselaer, a Schuyler, or, a Ten 
 Broeck, within the memory of man. I now speak of funerals 
 in Albany; for I do suppose the remark would scarcely apply 
 to many other funerals, lower down the river. As a rule, 
 however, very good wine was given at all our funerals. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Worden officiated, and was universally re- 
 garded with interest, as a pious minister of the gospel, who 
 
216 SATANSTOE. 
 
 had barely escaped the fate of the person he was now com- 
 mitting ' dust to dust,' while devotedly and ardently employ- 
 ed in endeavouring to rescue the souls of the very savages 
 who sought his life, from the fate of the heathen. 
 
 I remember there was a very wel! worded paragraph to 
 this effect in the New York Gazette, and I had heard it 
 said, but do not remember to have ever seen it myself, that 
 in one of the reports of the Society for the Promulgation 
 of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the circumstances were al- 
 luded to in a very touching and edifying manner. 
 
 Poor Guert ! I passed a few minutes at his grave before 
 we went south. It was all that was left of his fine person, 
 his high spirit, his lion-hearted courage, his buoyant spirits, 
 and his unextinguishable love of frolic. A finer physical 
 man I never beheld, or one who better satisfied the eye, in 
 all respects. That the noble tenement was not more intel- 
 lectually occupied, was purely the consequence of a want 
 of education. Notwithstanding, all the books in the world 
 could not have converted Guert Ten Eyck into a Jason 
 Newcome, or Jason Newcome into a Guert Ten Eyck. 
 Each owed many of his peculiarities, doubtless, to the pro- 
 vince in which he was bred and born, and to the training 
 consequent on these accidents ; but nature had also drawn 
 broad distinctions between them. All the wildness of 
 Guert's impulses could not altogether destroy his feelings 
 tone, and tact as a gentleman ; while all the soaring, extra- 
 vagant pretensions of Jason never could have ended in ele- 
 vating him to that character. Alas ! Poor Guert ! I sin- 
 cerely mourned his loss for years, nor has his memory yet 
 ceased to have a deep interest with me. 
 
 Dirck Follock and I would have been a good deal caressed 
 at Albany, on our return, both on account of what had hap- 
 pened, and on account of our Dutch connections, had we 
 been in the mood to profit by the disposition of the people. 
 But, we were not. The sad events with which we had been 
 connected were still too recent to indulge in gaieties or com- 
 pany ; and, as soon, as possible after the funeral, we seized 
 the opportunity of embarking on board a sloop bound to New 
 York. Our voyage was generally considered a prosperous 
 one, lasting, indeed, only six days. We took the ground 
 three times, it is true j but nothing was thought of that, such 
 
SATANSTOE. 217 
 
 accidents being of frequent occurrence. Among the events 
 of this sort, one occurred in the Overslaugh, and I passed 
 a few hours there very pleasantly, as it was so near the 
 scene of our adventure on the river. Anneke always oc- 
 cupied much of my thoughts, but pleasing pictures of her 
 gentle decision, her implicit reliance on myself, her resigna- 
 tion, her spirit, and her intelligence were now blended, with- 
 out any alloy, in my recollections. The dear girl had 
 confessed to me, that she loved me even on that fearful 
 night, for her tenderness in my behalf dated much farther 
 back. This was a great addition to the satisfaction with 
 which I went over every incident and speech, in recollec- 
 tion, endeavouring to recall the most minute tone or expres- 
 sion, to see if I could noio connect it with any sign of that 
 passion, which I was authorized in believing did even then 
 exist. Thus aided, equally by Anneke's gentle, blushing 
 admissions, and my own wishes, I had no difficulty in re- 
 calling pictures that were infinitely agreeable to myself, 
 though possibly not minutely accurate. 
 
 In the Tappaan Sea, Dirck left us ; proceeding into 
 Rockland, to join his family. I continued on in the sloop, 
 reaching port next day. My uncle and aunt Legge were 
 delighted to see me, and I soon found I should be a lion, 
 had I leisure to remain in town, in order to enjoy the noto- 
 riety my connection with the northern expedition had cre- 
 ated. I found a deep mortification pervading the capital, in 
 consequence of our defeat, mingled with a high determina- 
 tion to redeem our tarnished honour. 
 
 Satanstoe, with all its endearing ties, however, called me 
 away ; and I left town, on horseback, leaving my effects to 
 follow by the first good opportunity, the morning of the day 
 succeeding that on which I had arrived. I shall not attempt 
 to conceal one weakness. As usual, I stopped at Kings- 
 bridge to dine and bait ; and while the notable landlady 
 was preparing my dinner, I ascended the heights to catch 
 a distant view of Lilacsbush. There lay the pretty cottage- 
 like dwelling, placed beneath its hill, amid a wilderness of 
 shrubbery; but its lovely young mistress was far away, 
 and I found the pleasure with which I gazed at it blended 
 with regrets. 
 
 " You have been north, I hear, Mr. Littlepage," my land- 
 
 Vol. II. — 19 
 
 .J 
 
218 SATANSTOE. 
 
 lady observed, while I was discussing her lamb, and peas, 
 and asparagus ; " pray, sir, did you hear or see anything 
 of our honoured neighbours, Herman Mordaunt and his 
 charming daughter?" 
 
 "Much of both, Mrs. Light; and that under trying 
 circumstances. Mooseridge, my father's property in that 
 part of the province, is quite near to Ravensnest, Herman 
 Mordaunt's estate, and I have passed some time at it. Have 
 no tidings of the family reached you, lately V 9 
 
 " None, unless it be the report that Miss Anneke will 
 never return to us." 
 
 " Anueke not return ! In the name of wonder, how do 
 you hear this?" 
 
 " Not as Miss Anneke, but as Lady Anneke, or some- 
 thing of that sort. Isn't there a General Bulstrom, or some 
 great officer or other, who seeks her hand, and on whom 
 she smiles, sir?" 
 
 " I presume I understand you, now. Well, what do you 
 learn of him ?" 
 
 " Only that they are to be married next month — some 
 say they are married already, and that the old gentleman 
 gives Lilacsbush, out and out, and four thousand pounds 
 currency, down, in order to purchase so high an honour for 
 his child. I tell the neighbours it is too much, Miss Anneke 
 being worth any lord in England, on her own, sole, ac- 
 count." 
 
 This intelligence did not disturb me, of course, for it was 
 tavern-tidings and neighbours' news. Neighbours ! How 
 much is that sacred word prostituted ! You shall find peo- 
 ple opening their ears with avidity to the gossip of a neigh- 
 bourhood, when nineteen times in twenty it is less entitled 
 to credit than the intelligence which is obtained from a dis- 
 tance, provided the latter come from persons of the same 
 class in life as the individuals in question, and are known to 
 them. What means had this woman of knowing the secrets 
 of Herman Mordaunt's family, that were one-half as good 
 as those possessed by friends in Albany, for instance ? This 
 neighbourhood testimony, as it is called, does a vast deal 
 of mischief in the province, and most especially in tfyose 
 parts of it where our own people are brought in contact 
 with thei'r fellow-subjects, from the more eastern colonies, 
 
SATANSTOE. 219 
 
 In my eyes, Jason Newcome's opinions of Herman Mor- 
 daunt, and his acts, would be nearly worthless, shrewd as 
 I admit the man to be; for the two have not a distinctive 
 opinion, custom, and I had almost said principle, in com- 
 mon. Just appreciation of motives and acts can only pro- 
 ceed from those who feel and think alike ; and this is mo- 
 rally impossible where there exist broad distinctions in 
 social classes. It is just for this reason that we attach so 
 little importance to the ordinary reports, and even to the 
 sworn evidence, of servants. 
 
 Our reception at Satanstoe was just what might have been 
 expected. My dear mother hugged me to her heart, again 
 and again, and seemed never to be satisfied with feasting her 
 eyes on me. My father was affected at seeing me, too ; and 
 I thought there was a very decided moisture in his eyes. 
 As for old Capt. Hugh Roger, three-score-and-ten had ex- 
 hausted his fluids, pretty much ; but he shook me heartily 
 by the hand, and listened to my account of the movements 
 before Ty with all a soldier's interest, and with somewhat 
 of the fire of one who had served himself in more fortunate 
 times. I had to fight my battles o'er and o'er again, as a 
 matter of course, and to recount the tale of Ravensnest in 
 all its details. We were at supper, when I concluded my 
 most laboured narrative, and when I began to hope my 
 duties, in this respect, were finally terminated. But my dear 
 mother had heavier matters still, on her mind; and it was 
 necessary that I should give her a private conference, in her 
 own little room. 
 
 " Corny, my beloved child," commenced this anxious and 
 most tender parent, " you have said nothing particular to 
 me of the Mordaunts. It is now time to speak of that 
 family." 
 
 " Have I not told you, mother, how we met at Albany, 
 and of what occurred on the river." I had not spoken of 
 that adventure in my letters, because I was uncertain of the 
 true state of Anneke's feelings, and did not wish to raise 
 expectations that might never be realized. — "And of our 
 going to Ravensnest in company, and of all that happened 
 at Ravensnest after our return from Ty." 
 
 " AVhat is all this to me, child ! I wish to hear you speak 
 of Anneke — is it true that she is going to be married?" 
 
220 SATAN STOE. 
 
 1 It is true. I can affirm that much from her own mouth.' 
 
 My dear mother's countenance fell, and I could hardly 
 pursue my wicked equivoque any further. 
 
 "And she has even had the effrontery to own this to you, 
 Corny?" 
 
 " She has, indeed ; though truth compels me to add, that 
 she blushed a great deal while admitting it, and seemed only 
 half-disposed to be so frank: that is, at first; for, in the 
 end, she rather smiled than blushed." 
 
 " Well, this amazes me ! It is only a proof that vanity, 
 and worldly rank, and worldly riches, stand higher in the 
 estimation of Anneke Mordaunt, than excellence and modest 
 merit." 
 
 " What riches and worldly rank have I, mother, to tempt 
 any woman to forget the qualities you have mentioned ?" 
 
 " I was not thinking of you, my son, in that sense, at all. 
 Of course, I mean Mr. Bulstrode." 
 
 " What has Mr. Bulstrode to do with my marriage with 
 Anne Mordaunt ; or any one else but her own sweet self, 
 who has consented to become my wife ; her father, who 
 accepts me for a son, my father, who is about to imitate his 
 example, by taking Anneke to his heart as a daughter, and 
 you, my dearest, dearest mother, who are the only person 
 likely to raise obstacles, as you are now doing." 
 
 This was a boyish mode of producing a most delightful 
 surprise, 1 am very ready to acknowledge; and, when I 
 saw my mother burst into tears, I felt both regret and shame 
 at having practised it. But youth is the season of folly, 
 and happy is the man who can say he has never trifled more 
 seriously with the feelings of a parent. I was soon par- 
 doned — what offence would not that, devoted mother have 
 pardoned her only child! — when I was made to relate all 
 that was proper to be told, of what had passed between An- 
 neke and myself. It is scarcely necessary to say, I was 
 assured of the cheerful acquiescence in my wishes, of all 
 my own family, from Capt. Hugh Roger, down to the dear 
 person who was speaking. They had set their minds on 
 my becoming the husband of this very young lady ; and I 
 could not possibly have made any communication that would 
 be more agreeable, as I was given to understand from each 
 and all, that very night. 
 
SATANSTOE. 221 
 
 My return to Satanstoe occurred in the last half of the 
 month of July. The Mordaunts were not to be at Lilacs- 
 bush until the middle of September, and I had near two 
 months to wait for that happy moment. This time was 
 passed as well as it could be. I endeavoured to interest 
 myself in the old Neck, and to plan schemes of future hap- 
 piness there, that were to be realized in Anneke's society. 
 It was and is a noble farm ; rich, beautifully placed, having 
 water on more than three of its sides, in capital order, and 
 well stocked with such apples, peaches, apricots, plums, and 
 other fruits, as the world can scarcely equal. It is true that 
 the provinces a little further south, such as New Jersey, 
 Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, think they can beat 
 us in peaches ; but I have never tasted any fruit that I thought 
 would compare with that of Satanstoe. I love every tree, 
 wall, knoll, swell, meadow, and hummock about the old 
 place. One thing distresses me. I love old names, such as 
 my father knew the same places by ; and I like to mispro- 
 nounce a word, when custom and association render the 
 practice familiar. I would not call my friend, Dirck Fol- 
 lock, anything else but Follock, unless it might be in a 
 formal way, or when asking him to drink a glass of wine 
 with me, for a great deal. So it is with Satanstoe ; the 
 name is homely, I am willing to allow ; but it is strong, and 
 conveys an idea. It relates also to the usages and notions 
 of the country; and names ought always to be preserved, 
 except in those few instances in which there are good rea- 
 sons for altering them. I regret to say, that ever since the 
 appearance of Jason Newcome among us, there has been a 
 disposition among the ignorant and vulgar, to call the Neck, 
 Dibbleton ; under the pretence I have already mentioned, 
 that it once belonged to the family of Dibblees ; or, as some 
 think, as a pious diminutive of DeviPs-Town. I indignantly 
 repel this supposition ; though, I do believe, that Dibbleton 
 is only a sneaking mode of pronouncing Devilton ; as, I 
 admit, I have heard the old people laughingly term the Neck. 
 This belongs to the " Gaul darn ye" school, and it is not to 
 my taste. I say the ignorant and vulgar, for this is just the 
 class to be squeamish on such subjects. I have been told — 
 though I cannot say that I have heard it myself — but I am 
 told, there have been people from the eastward among us of 
 19* 
 
222 SATANSTOE. 
 
 late years, who affect to call " Hell-Gate," " Hurl-Gate," 01 
 " Whirl-Gate," or by some other such sentimental, whirl-a- 
 gig name ; and these are the gentry who would wish to alter 
 " Satanstoe" into " Dibbleton !" Since the eastern troops 
 have begun to come among us, indeed, they have commenced 
 a desperate inroad on many of our old, venerated Dutch 
 names ; names that the English, direct from home, have 
 generally respected. Indeed, change — change in all things, 
 seems to be the besetting passion of these people. We, of 
 New York, are content to do as our ancestors have done 
 before us; and this they ridicule, making it matter of*accu- 
 sation against us, that we follow the notions of our fathers. 
 I shall never complain that they are deserting so many of 
 their customs ; for, I regard the changes as improvements ; 
 but I beg that they may leave us ours. 
 
 That there is such a thing as improvement I am willing 
 enough to admit, as well as that it not only compels, but 
 excuses changes ; but, I am yet to learn it is matter of just 
 reproach that a man follows in the footsteps of those who 
 have gone before him. The apothegms of David, and the 
 wisdom of Solomon, are just as much apothegms and wis- 
 dom, in our own time, as they were the day they were 
 written, and for precisely the same reason — their truth. 
 Where there is so much stability in morals, there must be 
 permanent principles, and something surely is worthy to be 
 saved from the wreck of the past. I doubt if all this craving 
 for change has not more of selfishness in it than either of 
 expediency or of philosophy ; and I could wish, at least, 
 that Satanstoe should never be frittered away into so sneak- 
 ing a substitute as Dibbleton. 
 
 That was a joyful day, when a servant in Herman Mor- 
 daunt's livery rode in upon our lawn, and handed me a 
 letter from his master, informing me of the safe arrival of 
 he family, and inviting me to ride over next day in time to 
 jake a late breakfast at Lilacsbush. Anneke had written 
 to me twice previously to this ; two beautifully expressed, 
 feminine, yet spirited, affectionate letters, in which the ten- 
 derness and sensibility of her nature were barely restrained 
 by the delicacy of her sex and situation. On the receipt of 
 this welcome invitaiion, I was guilty of the only piece of 
 romantic extravagance that I can remember having com- 
 
SATANSTOE. 223 
 
 mitted in the course of my life. Herman Mordaunt's black 
 was well treated, and dismissed with a letter of acceptance. 
 One hour after he left Satanstoe — I do love that venerable 
 name, and hope all the Yankees in Christendom will not be 
 able to alter it to Dibbleton — but, one hour after the negro 
 was off, 1 followed him myself, intending to sleep at the 
 well-known inn at Kingsbridge, and not present myself at 
 the Bush, until the proper hour next morning. 
 
 I had got to the house of the talkative landlady two hours 
 before sunset, put up my horse, secured my lodgings, and 
 was eating a bite myself, when the good housewife entered 
 the room. 
 
 " Your servant, Mr. Littlepage," commenced this loqua- 
 cious person ; " how are the venerable Captain Hugh Roger, 
 and the xWajor, your honoured father? Well, I see by your 
 smile. Well, it is a comfortable thing to have our friends 
 enjoy good health — my own poor man enjoyed most wretched 
 health all last winter, and is likely to enjoy very much the 
 same, that which is coming. I should think you had come 
 to the wedding at Lilacsbush, Mr. Corny, had you not stopped 
 at my door, instead of going on -direct to that of Herman 
 Mordaunt." 
 
 I started, but supposed that the news of what was to 
 happen had leaked out, and that this good woman, whose 
 ears were always open, had got hold of a neighbourhood- 
 truth, for once in her life. 
 
 " I am on no such errand, Mrs. Light, but hope to be 
 married, one of these days, to some one or other." 
 
 " I was not thinking of your marriage, sir, but that of 
 Miss Anneke, over at the 'Bush, to this Lord Bulstrom. It's 
 a great connection for the Mordaunts, after all, though Her- 
 man Mordaunt is of good blood, himself, they tell me. The 
 knight's man often comes here, to taste new cider, which he 
 admits is as good as English cider, and I believe it is the 
 only thing which he has found in the colonies that he thinks 
 is one-half as good ; but Thomas tells me all is settled, and 
 that the wedding must take place right soon. It has only 
 been put off on account of Miss W T allace, who is in deep 
 mourning for her own husband, having lost him within the 
 honey-moon, which is the reason she still bears her own 
 name. They tell me a widow who loses her husband in 
 
224 SATANSTOE. 
 
 the honey-moon is obliged to bear her maiden name ; other- 
 wise Miss Mary would be Mrs. Van Goort, or something 
 like that." 
 
 As it was very clear the neighbourhood knew little about 
 the true state of things in Herman Mordaunt's family, I took 
 my hat and proceeded to execute the intention with which 
 I had left home. I was sorry to hear that Bulstrode was at 
 Lilacsbush, but had no apprehension of his ever marrying 
 Anneke. I took the way to the heights, and soon reached 
 the field where I had once met the ladies, on horseback. 
 There, seated under a tree, I saw Bulstrode alone, and ap- 
 parently in deep contemplation. It was no part of my plan 
 to be seen, or to have my presence known, and I was re- 
 tiring, when I heard my name, discovered that I was recog- 
 nised, and joined him. 
 
 The first glance at Bulstrode showed me that he knew 
 the truth. He coloured, bit his lips, forced a smile, and 
 came forward to meet me, limping just enough to add in 
 terest to his gait, and offered his hand with a frank manli- 
 ness that gave him great merit in my eyes. It was no trifle 
 to lose Anne Mordaunt, and I am afraid I could not have 
 manifested half so much magnanimity. But, Bulstrode was 
 a man of the world, and he knew how to command the ex- 
 hibition of his feelings, if not to command the feelings them- 
 selves. 
 
 " I told you, once, Corny," he said, offering his hand, 
 " that we must remain friends, coute qui coute — you have 
 been successful, and I have failed. Herman Mordaunt told 
 me the melancholy fact before we left Albany; and I can 
 tell you, his regrets were not so very flattering to you. 
 Nevertheless, he admits you are a capital fellow, and that 
 if it were not for Alexander, he could wish to be Diogenes. 
 So you have only to provide yourself with a lantern and a 
 tub, marry Anneke, and set up housekeeping. As for the 
 honest man, I propose saving you some trouble, by offering 
 myself in that character, even before you light your wick. 
 Come, take a seat on this bench, and let us chat." 
 
 There was something a little forced in all this, it is true, 
 but it was manly. I took the seat, and Bulstrode went on. 
 
 " It was the river that made your fortune, Corny, and 
 undid me." 
 
SATANSTOE. 225 
 
 I smiled, but said nothing ; though I knew better. 
 
 " There is a fate in love, as in war. Well, I am as well 
 off as Abercrombie ; we both expected to be victorious, while 
 each is conquered. I am more fortunate, indeed ; for he can 
 never expect to get another army, while I may get another 
 wife. I wish you would be frank with me, and confess to 
 -what you particularly ascribe your own success." 
 
 " It is natural, Mr. Bulstrode, that a young woman should 
 prefer to live in her own country, to living in a strange 
 land, and among strangers." 
 
 "Ay, Corny, that is both patriotic and modest ; but it is 
 not the real reason. No, sir ; it was Scrub, and the thea- 
 tricals, by which I have been undone. With most provin- 
 cials, Mr. Littlepage, it is a sufficient apology for anything, 
 that the metropolis approves. So it is with you colonists, in 
 general ; let England say yes, and you dare not say, no. 
 There is one thing, that persons who live so far from home, 
 seldom learn ; and it is this : There are two sorts of great 
 worlds ; the great vulgar world, which includes all but the 
 very best in taste, principles, and manners, whether it be in 
 a capital or a country; and the great respectable world, 
 which, infinitely less numerous, contains the judicious, the 
 instructed, the intelligent, and, on some questions, the good. 
 Now, the first form fashion ; whereas the last produce some- 
 thing far better and more enduring than fashion. Fashion 
 often stands rebuked, in the presence of the last class, small 
 as it ever is, numerically. Very high rank, very finished 
 tastes, very strong judgments, and very correct principles, 
 all unite, more or less, to make up this class. One, or more 
 of these qualities may be wanting, perhaps, but the union 
 of the whole forms the perfection of the character. We 
 have daily examples of this at home, as well as elsewhere ; 
 though, in our artificial state of society it requires more de- 
 cided qualities to resist the influence of fashion, when there 
 is not positive, social rank to sustain it, perhaps, than it 
 v M in one more natural. That which first struck me, 
 in Anneke, as is the case with most young men, was her 
 delicacy of appearance, and her beauty. This I will not 
 deny. In this respect, your American women have quite 
 taken me by surprise. In England, we are so accustomed 
 to associate a certain delicacy of person and air, with high 
 
226 SATANSTOE. 
 
 rank, that, I will confess, I landed in New York with no 
 expectation of meeting a single female, in the whole country, 
 that was not comparatively coarse, and what we are accus- 
 tomed to consider common, in physique ; yet, I must now 
 say that, apart from mere conventional finish, I find quite as 
 large a proportion of aristocratical-looking females among 
 you, as if you had a full share of dutchesses. The last 
 thing I should think of calling an American woman, would 
 be coarse. She may want manner, in one sense; she may 
 want finish, in a dozen things ; she may, and often does, 
 want utterance, as utterance is understood among the ac- 
 complished ; but she is seldom, indeed, coarse or vulgar, 
 according to our European understanding of the terms." 
 
 "And of what is all this apropos, Bulstrode?" 
 
 " Oh ! of your success, and my defeat, of course, Corny," 
 answered the major, smiling. "What I mean, is this — 
 that Anneke is one of your second class, or is better than 
 what fashion can make her ; and Scrub has been the means 
 of my undoing. She does not care for fashion, in a play, 
 or a novel, or a dress even, but looks for the proprieties. 
 Yes, Scrub has proved my undoing !" 
 
 I did not exactly believe the last ; but, finding Bulstrode 
 so well disposed to give his rejection this turn, it was not 
 my part to contradict him. We talked together half an 
 hour longer, in the most amicable manner, when we parted ; 
 Bulstrode promising not to betray the secret of my presence. 
 
 I lingered in sight of the house until evening, when I 
 ventured nearer, hoping to get a glimpse of Anneke as she 
 passed some window, or appeared, by the soft light of the 
 moon, under the piazza that skirted the south front of the 
 building. Lilacsbush deserved its name, being a perfect 
 wilderness of shrubbery ; and, favoured by the last, I had 
 got quite near the house, when I heard light footsteps on the 
 gravel of an adjacent walk. At the next instant, soft, low 
 voices met my ears, and I was a sort of compelled auditor 
 of what followed. 
 
 " No, Anne, my fate is sealed for this world," said Mary 
 Wallace, " and I shall live Guert's widow as faithfully and 
 devotedly, as if the marriage-vow had been pronounced. 
 This much is due to his memory, on account of the heart- 
 less doubts I permitted to influence me, and which drove 
 
SATANSTOE. 227 
 
 him into those terrible scenes that destroyed him. When a 
 woman really loves, Anneke, it is vain to struggle against 
 anything but positive un worthiness, I fear. Poor Guert was 
 not unworthy in any sense ; he was erring and impulsive, 
 but not unworthy. No — no — not unworthy ! I ought to 
 have given him my hand, and he would have been spared 
 to us. As it is, I can only live his widow in secret, and in 
 love. You have done well, dearest Anneke, in being so 
 frank with Corny Littlepage, and in avowing that prefer- 
 ence which you have felt almost from the first day of your 
 acquaintance." 
 
 Although this was music to my ears, honour would not 
 suffer me to hear more, and I moved swiftly away, stirring 
 the bushes in a way to apprize the speaker of the proximity 
 of a stranger. It was necessary io appear, and I endea- 
 voured so to do, without creating any alarm. 
 
 " It must be Mr. Bulstrode," said the gentle voice of An- 
 neke, " who is probably looking for us — see, there he comes, 
 and we will meet " 
 
 The dear speaker became tongue-tied ; for, by this time, 
 I was near enough to be recognised. At the next instant, 
 I held her in my arms. Mary Wallace disappeared, how 
 or when, I cannot say. I place a veil over the happy hour 
 that succeeded, leaving the old to draw on their experience 
 for its pictures, and the young to live in hope. At the end 
 of that time, by Anneke's persuasion, I entered the house, 
 and had to brave Herman Mordaunt's disposition to rally 
 me. I was not only mercifully, but hospitably treated, how- 
 ever, Anneke's father merely laughing at my little adven- 
 ture, saying, that he looked upon it favourably, and as a 
 sign that I was a youth of spirit. 
 
 Early in October we were married, the Rev. Mr. Worden 
 performing the ceremony. Our home was to be Lilacsbush, 
 which Herman Mordaunt conveyed to me the same day, 
 leaving it, as it was furnished, entirely in my hands. He 
 also gave me my wife's mother's fortune, a respectable in- 
 dependence, and the death of Capt. Hugh Roger, soon after, 
 added considerably to my means. We made but one fam- 
 ily, between town, Lilacsbush, and Satanstoe, Anneke and 
 my mother, in particular, conceiving a strong affection for 
 each other 
 
228 SATANSTOE. 
 
 As for Bulstrode, he went home before the marriage, but 
 keeps up a correspondence with us to this hour. He is still 
 single, and is a declared old bachelor. His letters, however, 
 are too light-hearted to leave us any concern on the subject ; 
 though these are matters that may fall to the share of my 
 son Mordaunt, should he ever have the grace to continue 
 this family narrative. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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