Part 48 (1/2)
”But you have business with him?”
”Not particularly with him,--the Lord forbid!” replied the stranger, devoutly.
”Devil a bit with him, at all,” added his companion.
”Since no one else resides under the same roof with him, may I ask the reason of your visit there, if I am not too bold?” said Dalhousie.
”Sure, it's only to see the counthry, about here, we've come,” replied the Irish stranger.
”No, Partrick, you know that is not the truth. Never tell a lie for anything, Partrick. Our business an't with him, but it consarns him. We don't care about mentioning it to everybody.”
”I do not mean to be impertinent,” said Dalhousie; ”but perhaps I may be able to serve you. The man you seek is a villain!”
”Good gracious!” exclaimed Uncle Nathan,--for we presume it is unnecessary to _tell_ the reader that it was he,--”I know _that_.”
”Indeed, then you have some knowledge of him?”
”Sartain! but do you know a minister in these parts by the name of Faxon?”
”I do; he lives close by.”
”Do you belong in this part of this country, Mister?” asked Uncle Nathan, who seemed to make the question a prelude to other inquiries.
”I do. But I must leave you now. I am the bearer of life to one whom I love dearer than myself. I have been foully wronged by the man you visit.”
”Heavens and airth! you don't say so?” exclaimed Uncle Nathan.
”Doomed to a death by starvation, with my wife, in yonder jail, by his malice, I have just effected my escape. My wife is nearly dead, but I hope to restore her with these fruits.”
”Good Heavens! who would have thought there was such a monster upon the airth?”
”By the powers!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Pat Fegan.
”Can't we help you?” asked Uncle Nathan.
”Perhaps you can. I thank you, and, if it is not too late, she also will thank you. My strength is nearly gone.”
Dalhousie, followed by Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan, proceeded towards the jail, the former relating, as they went, the terrible incidents of their captivity, and the means by which he had effected their happy deliverance.
On the night of the explosion of the Chalmetta's boiler, Uncle Nathan and Pat Fegan had saved their lives by jumping overboard, and had been picked up by the Flatfoot. The true-hearted New Englander had made a diligent search for the parties who had intrusted the will in his keeping, but without success. He had been enabled to gain no tidings of any of them, and was now continuing his search to the mansion of the Dumont family.
The party reached the jail, and Dalhousie leaped into the pit, followed by his companions. The poor wife seemed to have no realization of the event which had set them free, and gazed with a wild stare upon her husband and those who accompanied him.
”We are safe, Delia! we are safe!” said Dalhousie, as he proceeded to untie the bundle of fruit.
”Safe! no, it cannot be--only a dream! But who are these persons?”
”They are friends, Delia--friends who have come to help me in saving you. Take one of these figs, dear. They will restore you.”