"He has not yet returned inside the fort," remarked Ringgold, again speaking in a half soliloquy. "I think he has not. If no, then he should be at the camp. He must go back to-night. It may be after the moon goes down. He must cross the open ground in the darkness. You hear, Jake, what I am saying?"

"Si, senor; Jake hear all."

"And you know how to profit by the hint, eh?"

"_Carrambo_! si, senor. Jake know."

"Well, then, we must return. Hear me, Jake--if--"

Here the voice of the speaker fell into a half whisper, and I could not hear what was said. Occasionally there were phrases muttered so loudly that I could catch their sound, and from what had already transpired, was enabled to apprehend something of their signification. I heard frequently p.r.o.nounced the names of Viola the quadroon, and that of my own sister; the phrases--"only one that stands in our way,"--"mother easily consent,"--"when I am master of the plantation,"--"pay you two hundred dollars."

These, with others of like import, satisfied me that between the two fiends some contract for the taking of my life had already been formed; and that this muttered dialogue was only a repet.i.tion of the terms of the hideous bargain!

No wonder that the cold sweat was oozing from my temples, and standing in bead-like drops upon my brow. No wonder that I sat upon my perch shaking like an aspen--far less with fear than with horror at the contemplated crime--absolute horror. I might have trembled in a greater degree, but that my nerves were to some extent stayed by the terrible indignation that was swelling up within my bosom.

I had sufficient command of my temper to remain silent; it was prudent I did so; had I discovered myself at that moment, I should never have left the ground alive. I felt certain of this, and took care to make no noise that might betray my presence.

And yet it was hard to hear four men coolly conspiring against one's life--plotting and bargaining it away like a piece of merchandise--each expecting some profit from the speculation!

My wrath was as powerful as my fears--almost too strong for prudence.

There were four of them, all armed. I had sword and pistols; but this would not have made me a match for four desperadoes such as they. Had there been only two of them--only Ringgold and the mulatto--so desperate was my indignation, at that moment, I should have leaped from the tree and risked the encounter _coute qui coute_.

But I disobeyed the promptings of pa.s.sion, and remained silent till they had moved away.

I observed that Ringgold and his brace of bullies went towards the fort, while the mulatto took the direction of the Indian camp.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

LIGHT AFTER DARKNESS.

I stirred not till they were gone--till long after. In fact, my mind was in a state of bewilderment, that for some moments hindered me either from acting or thinking; and I sat as if glued to the branch.

Reflection came at length, and I began to speculate upon what I had just heard and seen.

Was it a farce to frighten me? No, no--they were not the characters of a farce--not one of the four; and the re-appearance of Yellow Jake, partaking as it did of the wild and supernatural, was too dramatic, too serious to form an episode in comedy.

On the contrary, I had just listened to the prologue of an intended tragedy, of which I was myself to be the victim. Beyond doubt, these men had a design upon my life!

Four men, too, not one of whom could charge me with ever having done him a serious injury. I knew that all four disliked me, and ever had-- though Spence and Williams could have no other cause of offence than what might spring from boyish grudge--long-forgotten by me; but doubtless their motive was Ringgold's. As for the mulatto, I could understand his hostility; though mistaken, it was of the deadliest kind.

But what was I to think of Arens Ringgold, the leader in this designed a.s.sa.s.sination? A man of some education--my equal in social rank--a gentleman!

O Arens Ringgold--Arens Ringgold! How was I to explain it? How account for conduct so atrocious, so fiendish?

I knew that this young man liked me but little--of late less than ever.

I knew the cause too. I stood in the way of his relations with my sister--at least so thought he. And he had reason; for, since my father's death, I had spoken more freely of family affairs. I had openly declared that, with my consent, he should never be my brother; and this declaration had reached him. I could easily believe, therefore, that he was angry with me; but anger that would impel a man to such demoniac purpose, I could not comprehend.

And what meant those half-heard phrases--"one that stands in our way,"

"mother easily consent," "master of the plantation," coupled with the names of Viola and my sister? What meant they?

I could give them but one, and that a terrible interpretation--too fearful to dwell upon.

I could scarcely credit my senses, scarcely believe that I was not labouring under some horrid hallucination, some confusion of the brain produced by my having been _en rapport_ with the maniac!

But no; the moon had been over them--my eyes open upon them--my ears open, and could not have deceived me. I saw what they did--I heard what they said. They designed to kill me!

"Ho, ho, young mico, you may come down. The _honowaw-hulwa_ [bad men]

are gone. _Hinklas_! Come down, pretty mico--down, down, down!"

I hastened to obey, and stood once more in the presence of the mad queen.

"Now you believe Haj-Ewa? Have an enemy, young mico? Ho--four enemies.

Your life in danger? Ho? ho?"

"Ewa, you have saved my life; how am I to thank you for the service you have done me?"

"Be true to _her_--true--true--true."

"To whom?"

"Great Spirit! he has forgotten her! False young mico! false pale-face!

Why did I save him? Why did I not let his blood fall to the ground?"

"Ewa!"

"_Hulwak, hulwak_! Poor forest-bird! the beauty-bird of all; her heart will sicken and die, her head will go mad."

"Ewa, explain."

"_Hulwak_! better he should die than desert her. Ho, ho! false pale-face, would that he had died before he broke poor Ewa's heart; then Ewa would have lost only her heart; but her head--her head, that is worse. Ho, ho, ho!

"Why did I trust in a pale-faced lover?

Ho, ho, ho!

Why did I meet him--"

"Ewa," I exclaimed with an earnestness that caused the woman to leave off her wild song, "tell me! of whom do you speak?"

"Great Spirit, hear what he asks! Of whom?--of whom? there is more than one. Ho, ho! there is more than one, and the true one forgotten.

_Hulwak, hulwak_! what shall Ewa say? What tale can Ewa tell? Poor bird! her heart will bleed, and her brain be crushed. Ho, ho! There will be two Haj-Ewas--two mad queens of the Micosaucs."

"For Heaven's sake! keep me not in suspense. Tell me, Ewa, good Ewa, of whom are you speaking? Is it--"

The name trembled upon my tongue; I hesitated to p.r.o.nounce it.

Notwithstanding that my heart was full of delightful hope, from the confidence I felt of receiving an affirmative answer, I dreaded to put the question.

Not a great while did I hesitate; I had gone too far to recede. I had long waited to satisfy the wish of a yearning heart; I could wait no longer. Ewa might give me the satisfaction. I p.r.o.nounced the words:

"Is it--Maumee?"