The Sun of Quebec: A Story of a Great Crisis by Joseph A. Altsheler
CHAPTER II
THE CHEST OF DRAWERS
It was but a fleeting glimpse that Robert had of the second man, but hebelieved that it was Garay. He not only looked like the spy, but he wasconvinced that it was really he. After the first moment or two he didnot doubt his identity, and making an excuse that he wanted a littlefresh air and would return in an instant he walked quickly to the door.He caught another and fugitive glimpse of two men, one tall and theother short, walking away together, and he could not doubt that theywere the slaver and the spy.
Had he been alone Robert would have followed them, though he was quitecertain that Garay must have had some place of sure refuge, else hewould not have ventured into Albany. Even with that recourse his act wasuncommonly bold. If the slaver was daring, the spy was yet more so.There was nothing against the slaver that they could prove, but the spyput his neck in the noose.
Robert whistled softly to himself, and he was very thoughtful. Willet,Tayoga and he had been so completely victorious over Garay in the forestthat perhaps he had underrated him. Maybe he was a man to be feared. Hisdaring appearance in Albany must be fortified by supreme cunning, andhis alliance with the slaver implied a plan. Robert believed that theplan, or a part of it at least, was directed against himself. Well, whatif it was? He could meet it, and he was not afraid. He had overcomeother perils, and he had friends, as true and steadfast as were everheld to any man by hooks of steel. His heart beat high, he was in aglow, his whole soul leaped forward to meet prospective danger.
He went back into the inn and took his seat with the others. Now it wasStuart who was talking, telling them of life in the great Southerncolony and of its delights, of the big houses, of the fields of tobacco,of the horse races, of the long visits to neighbors, and how all whowere anybody were related, making Virginia one huge family.
"Now Cabell and I," he said, "belong to the same clan. My mother and hisfather are third cousins, which makes us fourth cousins, or fifth is it?But whether fourth or fifth, we're cousins just the same. All the peopleof our blood are supposed to stand together, and do stand together. Oh,it has its delights! It makes us sufficient unto ourselves! The oldDominion is a world in itself, complete in all its parts."
"But you have to come to Philadelphia to see a great city and get ataste of metropolitan life," said Colden.
Then a discussion, friendly but warm arose as to the respective meritsof the Virginia and Pennsylvania provinces, and when it was at itsheight and the attention of all the others was absorbed in it, Tayogaleaned over and whispered to Robert:
"What did you see at the door, Dagaeoga?"
Robert was startled. So, the Onondago was watching, after all. He mighthave known that nothing would escape his attention.
"I saw Garay, the spy," he replied in the same tone.
"And the man at the little table was the captain of the slave ship onwhich you were taken?"
"The same."
"It bodes ill, Dagaeoga. You must watch."
"I will, Tayoga."
The crowd in the great room of the George Inn increased and the younggroup remained, eager to watch it. It was a reflex of the life in thecolonies, at the seat of conflict, and throbbing with all the emotionsof a great war that enveloped nearly the whole civilized world. A burlyfellow, dressed as a teamster, finally made his voice heard above theothers.
"I tell you men," he said, "that we must give up Albany! Our army hasbeen cut to pieces! Montcalm is advancing with twenty thousand Frenchregulars, and swarms of Indians! They control all of Lake George as wellas Champlain! Hundreds of settlers have already fallen before thetomahawk, and houses are burning along the whole border! I have it fromthem that have seen the fires."
There was a sudden hush in the crowd, followed by an alarmed murmur. Theman's emphasis and his startling statements made an impression.
"Go on, Dobbs! Tell us about it!" said one.
"What do you know?" asked another.
He stood up, a great tall man with a red face.
"My cousin has been in the north," he said, "and he's seen rangers, somethat have just escaped from the Indians, barely saving their hair. Heheard from them that the King of France has sent a big army to Canada,and that another just as big is on the way. It won't be a week beforeyou see the French flag from the hills of Albany, and wise men arealready packing ready to go to New York."
There was another alarmed hush.
"This fellow must be stopped," said Colden. "He'll start a panic."
"Dagaeoga has the gift of words," whispered a voice in Robert's ear,"and now is the time to use it."
Nothing more was needed. Robert was on fire in an instant, and, standingupon his chair, asked for attention.
"Your pardon a moment, Mr. Dobbs," he said, "if I interrupt you."
"Why it's only a boy!" a man exclaimed.
"A boy, it's true," said Robert, who now felt himself the center of alleyes, and who, as usual, responded with all his faculties to such anopportunity, "but I was present at the Battle of Ticonderoga, andperhaps I've a chance to correct a few errors into which our friend, Mr.Dobbs, has fallen."
"What are those errors?" asked the man in a surly tone, not relishinghis loss of the stage.
"I'll come to them promptly," said Robert in his mellowest tones."They're just trifles, Mr. Dobbs, but still trifles should be corrected.I stood with the French army in the battle, and I know something aboutits numbers, which are about one-sixth of what Mr. Dobbs claims them tobe."
"What were you doing with the French?"
"I happened to be a prisoner, Mr. Dobbs. I escaped a day or two later.But here are with me young officers of ours who were in the attack.Several of them felt the sting of French bullets on that day, so whenthey tell you what happened they know what they're talking about. Theirreports don't come from their cousins, but are the product of their owneyes and ears. Peace, Mr. Dobbs! I've the floor, or rather the chair,and I must tell the facts. We were defeated at Ticonderoga, it's true,but we were not cut to pieces. Our generals failed to bring up ourartillery. They underrated the French. They went with rifles, musketsand bayonets alone against breastworks, defended by a valiant foe, forthe French are valiant, and they paid the price. But our army is inexistence and it's as brave as ever. Albany is in no danger. Don't bealarmed."
"You're but a boy. You don't know," growled Dobbs.
"Peace, Mr. Dobbs! Give us peace. A boy who has seen may know betterthan a man who has not seen. I tell you once again, friends, that theMarquis de Montcalm will not appear before Albany. It's a long way fromTiconderoga to this city, too long a road for the French army to travel.Wise men are not packing for flight to New York. Wise men are stayingright here."
"Hear! Hear!" exclaimed the Virginians and Philadelphians and Grosvenor,and "Hear! Hear!" was repeated from the crowd. Dobbs' red face grewredder, but now he was silent.
"My friends," continued Robert in his golden persuasive tones, "you'renot afraid, you're all brave men, but you must guard against panic.Experience tells you that rumor is irresponsible, that, as it spreads,it grows. We're going to learn from our defeat. The French are as nearto Albany as they'll ever come. The war is not going to move southward.Its progress instead will be toward Quebec. Remember that panic isalways a bad counselor; but that courage is ever a good one. Things arenever as bad as they look."
"Hear! Hear!" exclaimed his young comrades again, and the echoes fromthe crowd were more numerous than before. The teamster began to drawback and presently slipped out of the door. Then Robert sat down amidgreat applause, blushing somewhat because he had been carried away byhis feelings and apologizing to the others for making himselfconspicuous.
"Nothing to apologize for," exclaimed Cabell. "'Twas well done, a goodspeech at the right time. You've the gift of oratory, Lennox. You shouldcome to Virginia to live, after we've defeated the French. Our provinceis devoted to oratory. You've the gift of golden speech, and the peoplewill follow you."
"I'm afraid I've made an enemy of
His mind went back to the slaver and Garay, and he was troubled.
"We've had our little triumph here, thanks to Lennox," said Colden, "andit seems to me now that we've about exhausted the possibilities of theGeorge. Besides, the air is getting thick. Let's go outside."
Grosvenor paid the score and they departed, a cheer following them. Herewere young officers who had fought well, and the men in the George werewilling to show respect.
"I think I'd better return to camp now," said Grosvenor.
"We'll go with you," said Colden, speaking for the Pennsylvanians.
"Stuart and I are detached for the present," said Cabell. "We secured atransfer from our command in Virginia, and we're hoping for commissionsin the Royal Americans, and more active service, since the whole tide ofwar seems to have shifted to the north rather than the west."
"The Royal Americans are fine men," said Robert. "Though raised in thecolonies, they rank with the British regulars. I had a good friend inone of the regiments, Edward Charteris, of New York, but he was taken atTiconderoga. I saw the French bring him in a prisoner. I suppose they'reholding him in Quebec now."
"Then we'll rescue him when we take Quebec," said Stuart valiantly.
The friends separated with promises to meet again soon and to see muchof one another while they were in Albany, Grosvenor and thePennsylvanians continuing to the camp, Cabell and Stuart turning back tothe George for quarters, and Robert and Tayoga going toward the house ofMynheer Jacobus Huysman. But before they reached it young Lennoxsuggested that they turn toward the river.
"It is well to do so," said the Onondaga. "I think that Dagaeoga wishesto look there for a ship."
"That's in my mind, Tayoga, and yet I wouldn't know the vessel I'mlooking for if I saw her."
"She will be commanded by the man whom we saw in the inn, the one withwhom Dagaeoga talked."
"I've no doubt of it, Tayoga. Nothing escapes your notice."
"What are eyes for if not to see! And it is a time for all to watch;especially, it is a time for Dagaeoga to watch with his eyes, his earsand all his senses."
"I've that feeling myself."
"Something is plotting against you. The slaver did not meet the spy fornothing."
"Why should men bother about one as insignificant as I am, when theworld is plunged into a great war?"
"It is because Dagaeoga is in the way of somebody. He is very much inthe way or so much trouble and risk would not be taken to remove him."
"I wonder what it is Tayoga. I know that Mr. Hardy and Mr. Huysman anddoubtless others hold the key to this lock, but I feel quite sure theyare not going to put it in my hand just at present."
"No, they will not, but it must be for very good reasons. No one everhad better friends than Dagaeoga has in them. If they do not choose totell him anything it will be wise for him not to ask questions."
"That's just the way I feel about it, and so I'm going to ask noquestions."
A hulking figure barred their way, a red face glowed at them, and arough voice demanded satisfaction.
"You fellow with the slick tongue, you had 'em laughing at me in thetavern," said Dobbs, the teamster. "You just the same as told 'em I wasa liar when I said the French were coming."
The man was full of unreasoning anger, and he handled the butt end of aheavy whip. Yet Robert felt quite cool. His pistol was in his belt, andTayoga was at his elbow.
"You are mistaken, my good Mr. Dobbs," he said gaily. "I would nevertell a man he was a liar, particularly one to whom I had not beenintroduced. I try to be choice in my language. I was trained to be so byMr. Alexander McLean, a most competent schoolmaster of this city, and Imerely tried to disseminate a thought in the minds of the numerousaudience gathered in the George Inn. My thought was unlike your thought,and so I was compelled to use words that did not resemble the words usedby you. I was not responsible for the results flowing from them."
"I don't know what you mean," growled Dobbs. "You string a lot of bigwords together, and I think you're laughing at me again."
"Impossible, Mr. Dobbs. I could not be so impolite. My risibilities maybe agitated to a certain extent, but laugh in the face of a stranger,never! Now will you kindly let us pass? The street here is narrow and wedo not wish to crowd."
Dobbs did not move and his manner became more threatening than ever, theloaded whip swaying in his hand. Robert's light and frolicsome humor didnot depart. He felt himself wholly master of the situation.
"Now, good Mr. Dobbs, kind Mr. Dobbs, I ask you once more to move," hesaid in his most wheedling manner. "The day is too bright and pleasantto be disturbed by angry feelings. My own temper is always even. Nothingdisturbs me. I was never known to give way to wrath, but my friend whomyou see by my side is a great Onondaga chieftain. His disposition ishaughty and fierce. He belongs to a race that can never bear theslightest suspicion of an insult. It is almost certain death to speak tohim in an angry or threatening manner. Friends as we have been foryears, I am always very careful how I address him."
The teamster's face fell and he stepped back. The heavy whip ceased tomove in a menacing manner in his hand.
"Prudence is always a good thing," continued Robert. "When a greatIndian chieftain is a friend to a man, any insult to that man is adouble insult to the chieftain. It is usually avenged with the utmostpromptitude, and place is no bar. An angry glance even may invite afatal blow."
Dobbs stepped to one side, and Robert and Tayoga walked haughtily on.The Onondaga laughed low, but with intense amusement.
"Verily it is well to have the gift of words," he said, "when with theiruse one, leaving weapons undrawn, can turn an enemy aside."
"I could not enter into a street fight with such a man, Tayoga, anddiplomacy was needed. You'll pardon my use of you as a menace?"
"I'm at Dagaeoga's service."
"That being the case we'll now continue the search for our slaver."
They hunted carefully along the shores of the Hudson. Albany was a busyriver port at all times, but it was now busier than ever, the pressureof war driving new traffic upon it from every side. Many boats werebringing supplies from further south, and others were being loaded withthe goods of timid people, ready to flee from Montcalm and the French.Albany caught new trade both coming and going. The thrifty burghersprofited by it and rejoiced.
"We've nothing to go on," said Robert, "and perhaps we couldn't tell theslaver's ship if we were looking squarely at it. Still, it seems to meit ought to be a small craft, slim and low, built for speed and with asneaky look."
"Then we will seek such a vessel," said Tayoga.
Nothing answered the description. The river people were quite willing totalk and, the two falling into conversation with them, as if by chance,were able to account for every craft of any size. There was no strangeship that could be on any mysterious errand.
"It is in my mind, Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "that this lies deeper thanwe had thought. The slaver would not have shown himself and he would nothave talked with you so freely if he had not known that he would leave ahidden trail."
"It looks that way to me, Tayoga," said Robert, "and I think Garay mustbe in some kind of disguise. He would not venture so boldly among us ifhe did not have a way of concealing himself."
"It is in my mind, too, that we have underestimated the spy. He hasperhaps more courage and resolution than we thought, or these qualitiesmay have come to him recently. The trade of a spy is very useful toMontcalm just now. After his victory at Ticonderoga he will be anxiousto know what we are doing here at Albany, and it will be the duty ofGaray to learn. Besides, we put a great humiliation upon him that timewe took his letter from him in the forest, and he is burning forvengeance upon us. It is not in the nature of Dagaeoga to wish revenge,but he must not blind himself on that account to the fact that otherscherish it."
"It was the fortune of war. We have our disasters and our enemies havetheirs."
"Ye
"At any rate we can't find out anything about him and the slaver alongthe river, and that being the case I suggest that we go on to the houseof Mynheer Jacobus, where we're pretty sure of a welcome."
Their greetings at the burgher's home were as warm as anybody couldwish. Master McLean had left, and the rest were talking casually in thelarge front room, but the keen eyes of the Onondaga read the signsinfallibly. This was a trail that could not be hidden from him.
"Other men have been here," he said a little later to Robert, when theywere alone in the room. "There has been a council."
"How do you know, Tayoga?"
"How do I know, Dagaeoga? Because I have eyes and I use them. It isprinted all over the room in letters of the largest type and in words ofone syllable. The floor is of polished wood, Dagaeoga, and there is agreat table in the center of the chamber. The chairs have been movedback, but eight men sat around it. I can count the faint traces made bythe chairs in the polish of the floor. They were heavy men--most of themen of Albany are heavy, and now and then they moved restlessly, as theytalked. That was why they ground the chair legs against the polish,leaving there little traces which will be gone in another hour, butwhich are enough while they last to tell their tale.
"They moved so, now and then because their talk was of great importance.They smoked also that they might think better over what they weresaying. A child could tell that, because smoke yet lingers in the room,although Caterina has opened the windows to let it out. Some of it isleft low down in the corners, and under the chairs now against the wall.A little of the ash from their pipes has fallen on the table, showingthat although Caterina has opened the windows she has not yet had timeto clean the room. You and I know, Dagaeoga, that she would never missany ash on the table. Master McLean smoked much, perhaps more than anyof the others. He uses the strongest Virginia tobacco that he canobtain, and I know its odor of old. I smell it everywhere in the room. Ialso know the odor of the tobacco that Mynheer Jacobus uses, and it isstrongest here by the mantel, showing that in the course of the councilhe frequently got up and stood here. Ah, there is ash on the mantelitself! He tapped it now and then with his pipe to enforce what he wassaying. Mynheer Jacobus was much stirred, or he would not have risen tohis feet to make speeches to the others."
"Can you locate Master Hardy also?"
"I think I can, Dagaeoga."
He ran around the room like a hound on the scent, and, at last, hestopped before a large massive locked chest of drawers that stood in thecorner, a heavy mahogany piece that looked as if it had been importedfrom France or Italy.
"Master Jacobus came here," said the Onondaga. "I smell his tobacco. Ah,and Master Hardy came, too! I now smell his tobacco also. I rememberthat when we were in New York he smoked a peculiar, bitter West Indiacompound which doubtless is brought to him regularly in his ships--mennearly always have a favorite tobacco and will take every trouble to getit. I recognize the odor perfectly. There are traces of the ash of bothtobaccos on the chest of drawers, and Master Huysman and Master Hardycame here, because there are papers in this piece of furniture whichMaster Huysman wished to show to Master Hardy. They are in the thirddrawer from the top, because there is a little dust on the others, butnone on the third. It fell off when it was opened, and was then shutagain strongly after they were through."
Robert gazed with intense curiosity at the third drawer. The papers init might concern himself--he believed Tayoga implicitly--but it was notfor him to pry into the affairs of two such good friends. If they wishedto keep their secret a while longer, then they had good reasons fordoing so.
"Did the others come to the chest of drawers also, and look at thepapers?" he asked.
The Onondaga knelt down and examined the polished floor.
"I do not think so," he replied at length. "It is wholly likely thatMaster Jacobus and Master Hardy came to the chest of drawers after theothers had gone, and that the papers had no bearing on the matters theytalked over in the council. Yes, it is so! It is bound to be so! Theodor of their two tobaccos is stronger than any of the other odors inthe room, showing that they were in here much longer than the others. Itmay be that the papers in the third drawer relate to Dagaeoga."
"I had that thought myself, Tayoga."
"Does Dagaeoga wish me to go further with it?"
"No, Tayoga. What those men desire to hide from us must remain hidden."
"I am glad Dagaeoga has answered that way, because if he had not Ishould have refused to go on, and yet I knew that was the way in whichhe would answer."
They went to another room in which they found Mr. Huysman, Mr. Hardy andthe clerk, and Robert told of his meeting with the slaver. The face ofBenjamin Hardy darkened.
"Tayoga is right," he said. "That man's presence here bodes ill for you,Robert."
"I'm not afraid. Besides I've too many friends," said Robert quietly.
"Both your statements are true, but you must be careful just the same,"interjected Master Jacobus. "Nevertheless, we'll not be apprehensive.Master McLean iss coming back for supper, and we're going to make it agreat affair, a real reunion for all of us. Caterina, helped by twostout colored women, has been cooking all the afternoon, and I hope thatyou two boys have had enough exercise and excitement to whet yourappetites. How iss it?"
"We have, sir!" they replied together, and with emphasis.
"And now to your old room. You'll find there in a closet clothes forboth of you, Tayoga's of his own kind, that Caterina has preservedcarefully, and at six o'clock come in to supper, which to-day iss to beour chief meal. I would not have Benjamin Hardy to come all the way fromNew York and say that I failed to set for him as good a meal as he wouldset for me if I were his guest in his city. Not only my hospitality butthe hospitality of Albany iss at stake."
"I know, sir, that your reputation will not suffer," said Robert withgreat confidence.
He and Tayoga in their room found their clothes preserved in camphor andquickly made the change. Then they stood by the window, looking out onthe pleasant domain, in which they had spent so many happy hours. Bothfelt a glow.
"Master Jacobus Huysman is a good man," said Robert.
"A wise, fat chief," said the Onondaga. "A kind heart and a strong head.He is worthy to rule. If he belonged to the league of the Hodenosauneewe would put him in a high place."
"Though he holds no office, I think he sits in a high place here. It islikely that the men who were around the table to-day came to him forcounsel."
"It seems a good guess to me, Dagaeoga. Perhaps they take measures tomeet the threat of Montcalm."
"They're our elders, and we'll let them do the thinking on that pointjust now. Somehow, I feel light of heart, Tayoga, and I want to enjoymyself."
"Even though the slaver and the spy are here, and we all believe thatthey threaten you?"
"Even so. My heart is light, nevertheless. My mind tells me that I oughtto be apprehensive and sad, but my heart has taken control and I amhopeful and gay?"
"It is the nature of Dagaeoga, and he should give thanks to Manitou thathe has been made that way. It is worth much more to him than the whiteman's gold."
"I _am_ thankful, Tayoga. I'm thankful for a lot of things. How doesthis coat look on me?"
"It is small. You have grown much in the last year or two. Your frame isfilling out and you are bigger every way. Still, it is a fine coat, andthe knee breeches, stockings and buckled shoes are very splendid. IfDagaeoga does not look like a chief it is only because he is not oldenough, and he at least looks like the son of a chief."
Robert contemplated himself in a small mirror with much satisfaction.
"I'm frightfully tanned," he said. "Perhaps they wouldn't take me for amodel of fashion in Paris or London, but here nearly everybody else istanned also, and, after all, it's healthy."
The Onondaga regarded him with an amused smile.
"If Dagaeoga had the time and money he would spend much of both ondress," he
"You say nothing but the truth," said Robert frankly. "I hope some dayto have the very best clothes that are made. A man who respects hisclothes respects himself. I know no sin in trying to please the eyes ofothers and incidentally myself. I note, Tayoga, that on occasion youarray yourself with great splendor, and that, at all times, you're veryparticular about your attire."
"It is so, Dagaeoga. I spoke in terms of approval, not of criticism. Areyou satisfied with yourself?"
"As much as possible under the circumstances. If I could achieve thechange merely by making a wish I'd have the coat and breeches of asomewhat richer hue, and the buckles on the shoes considerably larger,but they'll do. Shall we sit here and rest until Caterina calls us forsupper?"
"I think so, Dagaeoga."
But it was not long until the summons came, and they went into the greatdining-room, where the elder company was already gathered. Besides Mr.Huysman, Benjamin Hardy, Jonathan Pillsbury, and Alexander McLean, therewere Nicholas Ten Broeck and Oliver Suydam, two of Albany's most solidburghers, and Alan Hervey, another visitor from New York, a thin man ofmiddle years and shrewd looks, whom Robert took to be a figure infinance and trade. All the elders seemed to know one another well, andto be on the best of terms.
Robert and Tayoga were presented duly, and made their modestacknowledgments, sitting together near the end of the table.
"These lads, young as they are," said Master Jacobus Huysman, "have hadmuch experience of the present war. One of them was a prisoner of theFrench at Ticonderoga and saw the whole battle, while the other foughtin it. Before that they were in innumerable encounters and other perils,usually with the great hunter, David Willet, of whom you all know, andwho, I regret, is not here."
"It is no more than thousands of others have done," said Robert,blushing under his tan.
Hervey regarded him and Tayoga with interest. The Onondaga was in fullIndian dress, but Albany was used to the Iroquois, and that fact was notat all exceptional.
"War is a terrible thing," he said, "and whether a nation is or is notto endure depends very much upon its youth."
"We always think that present youth is inferior to what our own youthwas," said Mr. Hardy. "That, I believe, is a common human failing. ButMaster McLean ought to know. Forty years of youth, year after year havepassed through his hands. What say you, Alexander?"
"Youth is youth," replied the schoolmaster, weighing his sentences, "andby those words I mean exactly what I say. I think it changes but littlethrough all the ages, and it is probably the same to-day that it was inold Babylon. I find in my schoolroom that the youth of this year is justlike the youth of ten years ago, just as the youth of ten years ago wasexactly like the youth of twenty, thirty and forty years ago."
"And what are the cardinal points of this formative age, Alexander?"asked Master Jacobus.
"Speaking mildly, I would call it concentration upon self. The horizonof youth is bounded by its own eye. It looks no farther. As it sees andfeels it, the world exists for youth. We elders, parents, uncles,guardians and such, live for its benefit. We are merely accessories tothe great and main fact, which is youth."
"Do you believe that to be true, Robert?" asked Master Benjamin Hardy, atwinkle in his eye.
"I hope it's not, sir," replied Robert, reddening again under his tan.
"But it's true and it will remain true," continued the schoolmasterjudicially. "It was equally true of all of us who passed our youth longago. I do not quarrel with it. I merely state a fact of life. Perhaps ifI could I would not strip youth of this unconscious absorption in self,because in doing so we might deprive it of the simplicity anddirectness, the artless beliefs that make youth so attractive."
"I hold," said Mr. Hervey, "that age is really a state of mind. Webelieve certain things at twenty, others at thirty, others at forty, andso on. The beliefs of twenty are true at twenty, we must not try them bythe tests of thirty, nor must we try those of thirty by the tests offorty or fifty. So how are we to say which age is the wiser, when everyage accepts as true what it believes, and, so makes it true? I agree,too, with Mr. McLean, that I would not change the character of youth ifI could. Looking back upon my own youth I find much in it to laugh at,but I did not laugh at it at the time. It was very real to me then, andso must its feelings be to the youth of to-day."
"We wade into deep waters," said Mynheer Jacobus, "and we may go overour heads. Ah, here are the oysters! I hope that all of you will findthem to your liking."
A dozen were served for every guest--it was the day of plenty, thefields and woods and waters of America furnishing more food than itspeople could consume--and they approached them with the keen appetitesof strong and healthy men.
"Perhaps we do not have the sea food here that you have in New York,Alan," said Master Jacobus with mock humility, "but we give you of ourbest."
"We've the finest oysters in the world, unless those of Baltimore beexcepted," said Hervey, "but yours are, in truth, most excellent.Perhaps you can't expect to equal us in a specialty of ours. You'llrecall old Tom Cotton's inn, out by the East River, and howunapproachably he serves oyster, crab, lobster and every kind of fish."
"I recall it full well, Alan. I rode out the Bowery road when I was lastin New York, but I did not get a chance to go to old Tom's. You and Iand Benjamin have seen some lively times there, when we were a bityounger, eh, Alan?"
"Aye, Jacobus, you speak truly. We were just as much concentrated uponself as the youth of to-day. And in our elderly hearts we're proud ofthe little frivolities and dissipations that were committed then. Elsewe would never talk of 'em and chuckle over 'em to one another."
"And what is more, we're not too old yet for a little taste of pleasure,now and then, eh, Alexander?"
The schoolmaster, appealed to so directly, pursed his thin lips, loweredhis lids to hide the faint twinkle in his eyes, and replied in measuredtones:
"I cannot speak for you, Jacobus. I've known you a long time and yourexample is corrupting, but I trust that I shall prove firm againsttemptation."
The oysters were finished. No man left a single one untouched on hisplate, and then a thick chicken soup was served by two very black womenin gay cotton prints with red bandanna handkerchiefs tied like turbansaround their heads. Robert could see no diminution in the appetite ofthe guests, nor did he feel any decrease in his own. Mr. Hervey turnedto him.
"I hear you saw the Marquis de Montcalm himself," he said.
"Yes, sir," replied Robert. "I saw him several times, at Ticonderoga,and before that in the Oswego campaign. I've been twice a prisoner ofthe French."
"How does he look?"
"Of middle age, sir, short, dark and very polite in speech."
"And evidently a good soldier. He has proved that and to our misfortune.Yet, I cannot but think that we will produce his master. Now, I wonderwho it is going to be. Under the English system the best general doesnot always come forward first, and perhaps we've not yet so much asheard the name of the man who is going to beat Montcalm. That he will bebeaten I've no doubt. We'll conquer Canada and settle North Americanaffairs for all time. Perhaps it will be the last great war."
Robert was listening with the closest attention, and it seemed to himthat the New Yorker was right. With Canada conquered and the Frenchpower expelled it would be the last great war so far as North Americawas concerned? How fallible men are! How prone they are to think whenthey have settled things for themselves they have settled them also forall future generations!
"And then," continued Mr. Hervey, "New York will become a yet greaterport than it now is. It may even hope to rival Philadelphia in size andwealth. It will be London's greatest feeder."
The soup, not neglected in the least, gave way to fish, and then to manykinds of meat, in which game, bear, deer and wild fowl were conspicuous.Robert took a little of everything, but he was absorbed in the talk. Hefelt that these men were in touch with great affairs, and, however muchthey diverged from such s
"Dagaeoga is glad to be here," said Tayoga in an undertone.
"So I am, Tayoga. They talk of things of which I wish to hear."
"As I told you, these be sachems with whom we sit. They be not chiefswho lead in battle, but, like the sachems, they plan, and, like themedicine men, they make charms and incantations that influence the soulsof the warriors and also the souls of those who lead them to battle."
"The same thought was in my own mind."
Wine smuggled from France or Spain was served to the men, though youngLennox and the Onondaga touched none. In truth, it was not offered tothem, Master Jacobus saying, with a glance at Robert:
"I have never allowed you and Tayoga to have anything stronger thancoffee in my house, and although you are no longer under my charge Iintend to keep to the rule."
"We wish nothing more, sir," said Robert.
"As for me," said the Onondaga, "I shall never touch any kind of liquor.I know that it goes ill with my race."
"Yours, I understand, is the Onondaga nation," said Mr. Hervey, lookingat him attentively.
"The Onondaga, and I belong to the clan of the Bear," replied Tayogaproudly. "The Hodenosaunee have held the balance in this war."
"That I know full well. I gladly give the great League ample credit. Ithas been a wise policy of the English to deal honestly and fairly withyour people. In general the French surpass us in winning and holding theaffections of the native races, but some good angel has directed us inour dealings with the Six Nations. Without their Indians the Frenchcould have done little against us. I hear of one of their leaders whohas endeared himself to them in the most remarkable manner. There hasbeen much talk in New York of the Chevalier de St. Luc, and being nearerthe seat of action you've perhaps heard some of it here in Albany,Jacobus!"
Robert leaned a little farther forward and concentrated every faculty onthe talk, but he said nothing.
"Yes, we've heard much of him, Alan," replied Master Jacobus. "I thinkhe's the most dangerous foe that we have among Montcalm's lieutenants.He passes like a flame along the border, and yet report speaks well ofhim, too. All our men who have come in contact with him say he is agallant and chivalrous foe."
Robert glanced at Master Benjamin Hardy, but the great merchant's facewas blank.
"Robert saw him, too, when he was a prisoner among the French," said Mr.Huysman.
Mr. Hervey looked at Robert, who said:
"I saw him several times at Ticonderoga, where he was the chief adviserof Montcalm during the battle, and I've seen him often elsewhere. Allthat they say about him is true. He's a master of forest warfare, andhis following is devoted."
He glanced again at Benjamin Hardy, but the New Yorker was helpinghimself to an especially tender bit of venison and his face expressednothing but appreciation of his food. Robert sighed under his breath.They would never do more than generalize about St. Luc. Tayoga and heasked presently to be excused. The men would sit much longer over theirnuts and wine, and doubtless when the lads were gone they would entermore deeply into those plans and ventures that lay so near their hearts.
"I think I shall wander among the trees behind the house," said Tayoga,when they were out of the dining-room. "I want fresh air, and I wish tohear the wind blowing among the leaves. Then I can fancy that I am backin the great forest, and my soul will be in peace."
"And commune, perhaps, with Tododaho on his star," said Robert, notlightly but in all seriousness.
"Even so, Dagaeoga. He may have something to tell me, but if he does notit is well to be alone for a while."
"I won't let you be alone just yet, because I'm going out with you, butI don't mean to stay long, and then you can commune with your own soul."
It was a beautiful night, cooled by a breeze which came crisp and strongfrom the hills, rustling through the foliage, already beginning to takeon the tints of early autumn. After the warm room and many courses offood it was very grateful to the two lads who stood under the treeslistening to the pleasant song of the breeze. But in five minutes Robertsaid:
"I'm going back into the house now, Tayoga. I can see your star in theclear heavens, and perhaps Tododaho will speak to you."
"I shall see. Farewell for an hour, Dagaeoga."
Robert went in.