Part 16 (2/2)
Towards the interior of the hut, hallowed by such lovely presence, I continued to direct my glances--with an occasional side-look, noting the movements of the two men. Whatever had been the exciting topic of discourse but the moment before, I saw that it was now changed; and that I was myself the subject of their conversation. This I could tell by their looks and gestures--evidently bearing upon me and my business.
Conscious that I was observing them--and as if desirous of conferring more privately--they pa.s.sed round to the rear of the cabin; where for the time they were out of my sight, as well as hearing. So far from regretting this movement, it was just what I desired: it left me free to continue the pleasant espionage in which I had become engaged. New more boldly my eyes explored the dark interior of the hut--more freely roamed my glance along the interstices of the logs. Gladly should I have gone up to the doorway--fain would I have been to enter--had I not been restrained; but delicacy, and something more stood in the way; and I was forced to keep my ground. Again I saw the bright form flitting within.
Gliding gently across the floor--as if on tiptoe, and by stealth--the young girl stood for a while near the back-wall of the cabin. Close behind this, the two men were conversing. Did she go there to listen?
She might easily hear what was said: I could myself distinguish the voices, and almost the words.
She remained motionless; and, as well as I could judge, in an att.i.tude of attention--her head lowered, and her body bent slightly forward. I was forming conjectures as to her motive, when I saw her moving away from the spot. In another instant, she appeared in the doorway--this time evidently with some design, as her manner clearly betokened. For a moment she stood upon the stoop, fronting towards me--but with her face averted, and her eyes by a side-glance directed towards the rear of the hut. She appeared to look and listens--as if noting the position of the men; and then, seemingly satisfied that she was not herself observed, she suddenly faced round, and came running towards me!
Taken by surprise--a surprise mingled with sweet satisfaction--I rose to my feet; and stood silently but respectfully awaiting her approach. I had acted with prudence in not speaking: for I saw by her manner that the movement was a stolen one. Moreover, the finger, raised for an instant to her lips, admonished me to silence. I understood the signal, so piquantly given; and obeyed it. In another instant she was near-- near enough for me to hear her words--delivered in a half-whisper. She had paused before me in an att.i.tude that betokened the fear of interruption; and, before speaking, again cast behind her another of those unquiet looks.
”Brave stranger!” said she, in a hurried undertone, ”I know you are not afraid of my father; but oh, sir! for mercy's sake, do not fight with him!”
”For _your_ sake,” I said, interrupting her, and speaking in a low but impressive tone--”for your sake, fair Lilian, I shall not fight with him. Trust me, there is no fear. I shall bear anything, rather than--”
”Hus.h.!.+” said she, again motioning me to silence, at the same time glancing furtively behind her. ”You must not speak: you may be heard!
Only listen to me. I know why you are here. I came out to tell you something.”
”I listen.”
”Father does not now wish to quarrel with you: he has changed his mind.
I have just heard what they said. He intends to make you a proposal.
Oh, sir! if you can, please agree to it; for then there--will be no trouble. I hope there will be none!”
”For you, fair Lilian, I shall agree to it--whatever the conditions be.
Can you tell me what proposal he intends making me?”
”I heard him say he would _sell_--Oh, mercy! they are coming--if I am seen--”
The murmuring words were drowned by the louder voices of the men--who were now heard returning round the angle of the wall. Fortunately, before they had reached the front of the cabin, the young girl had glided back into the doorway; and no suspicion appeared to be entertained by either, of the clandestine visit just paid me.
On rounding the corner, the stranger stopped. The squatter continued to advance, until within a few paces of where I stood. Then halting, he erected his gigantic form to its full height; and, for a moment, confronted me without speaking. I noticed that his countenance no longer bore signs of angry pa.s.sion; but, on the contrary, betrayed some traces of a softer feeling--as of regret and contrition.
”Strenger!” said he at length, ”I've two things to propose to ye; an' ef you'll agree to them, thur's no need why you an' I shed quarrel--leest of all plug one another wi' bullets, as we wur agwine to do a minnit ago.”
”Name your conditions!” rejoined I, ”and if they are not impossible for me to accept, I promise you they shall be agreed to.”
With Lilian in my thoughts, they would be hard indeed if I could not square with whatever terms he might propose.
”They ain't unpossible--neyther o' 'em; thur only just an' fair.”
”Let me hear them; and believe me, Hickman Holt, I shall judge them most liberally.”
”Fust, then, you called me a coward. Do you take that back?”
”Willingly I do.”
”So fur good; an' now for tother proposal I hev to make. I don't acknowledge yur right to this clarin'. I've made it; an' call it my own, as a sovereign citizen of these United States; an' I don't care a cuss for pre-emption right, since I don't believe in any man's right to move me off o' the groun' I've clared. But I ain't so durned pertickler 'bout this hyur bit. Another 'll answer my bizness equally as well-- maybe better--an' ef ye'll pay me for my _improvements_, ye can take both clarin' an' cabin, an' hev no more muss about it. Them's my proposals.”
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