Part 20 (1/2)
”But, perhaps he wasn't in the house at all,” persisted Basset; ”it was plaguy dark, and perhaps he heard us co and hid himself outside on purpose to play the trick and take an unfair advantage on us”
”You'll neverhis head ”I'd as soon believe it was me as the old man Prime and in you”
The two, at this stage of the conversation, reached the door of the grocer's shop, into which ill not follow them, but turn our attention elsewhere
Meanwhile, the cause of all this excite the ordinary tenor of his life It will have been observed that when Basset attempted to arrest hied, unless de the production of the warrant may be considered so, and that upon the constable relinquishi+ng his purpose, he turned aithout giving any attention to the observations addressed to hin was to avoid the service of process, all unconscious as he was of any violation of the laws of the State; and certain it is he htest difference in his habits As before, he pursued his occupation of basket- and strolling through the woods, as though no such formidable character as Basset was in existence If he did not appear in the village it was an accidental circuular intervals that he ever er; the petulant constable on the watch, and the steady ratification
But the little dra Pri his cabin
The veteran was at thesht A secret e, not to come to his ears, and the warlike equipment and intentions of Basset ell known to hiro to hiib hi” With this benevolent intention, Primus went to the door, and as Holden approached, addressed hi It was courteously acknowledged, and the General coe in a conversation
”Beautiful wedder dis , Missa Holden”
”Oldabout the weather,” said Holden ”Speak, if thou hast aught to say”
The General's attempt at farined at the reply; but for all that he would not give up his friendly purpose
”Dey say,” he said, with military precision, ”dat de Constable Basset hab a warrant agin Missa Holden”
”Thanks, Pri his walk, ”but I fear the face of no ro ”And den to talk about my short day! Dat is bery onpleasaut Short day, Missa Holden, eh? Not as you knows on I can tell you dis child born somewhere about de twenty ob June (at any rate de wedder arit out, Missa Holden! Poor parwarse pusson! What a pity he hab no suspect for de voice ob de char, in that curious,way so peculiar to the blacks, ”dat de black snake kno to charn fail in dry wedder, and de pan flash in de powder dis tiard to the infor to his system of fatalism he would have considered it beyond his power to alter the predeters, but it is not probable that his ht of personal security He went straight forward to the village, calling at places where he thought he would most likely find custo public observation He had sold his baskets, and was on his return to the river, over whose frozen surface lay his road home, when he beheld a scene that solicited his attention and arrested his steps
It was an Indian burial Holden in his round had strolled as far as the piece of table land, of which mention was made in the first chapter, to a distance of nearly a mile from the head of the Severn, and was at the moment opposite a spot reserved by the tribe, of which a shborhood, as the revered resting-place of the bones of their ancestors, whence they therounds It was a place of singular beauty, selected apparently with a delicate appreciation of the loveliness of the scenery, for nowhere else in the vicinity was there so attractive a combination of hill and dale, and wood and water, to coround, shorn of its original dimensions by the encroach sun, contained less than half an acre, and was situated at the top of a ravine, running down froravestones were erected, to the Yaupaae, where that river expands itself into a lake The sides of the ravine, along its whole sweep upwards, was covered quite to the top with irowth of centuries, interspersed with ash trees, while in the colder and moister part in the centre, the snarled branches There was no undergrowth, and under and between the liht a vieards the south of the widened Yaupaae and of the islands that dotted its surface, with hills sweeping round in a curve, and presenting an irregular outline like that made by the backs of a school of porpoises Towards the three other quarters of the compass, a level plain extended for a short distance, and then was broken up into an undulating surface which rose into eminences covered oods that hemmed in the whole The falls of the Yaupaae were at a distance of only a few rods, but invisible, being hidden by the plain that occupied the intervening space, at an elevation of soher than the point where the river, rushi+ng down its rocky bed, made its presence known by a ceaseless roar, and seereatness of the tribe
Here were assehts of sepulture to one of their nuinal wildness was to be traced aarments of civilization, but of a coarse and mean quality, and appeared broken down and dispirited One half, at least, o they were collecting together froravestones, where they had been dispersed, around a newly dug grave The rites were of a Christian character, and perfor churches, who offered up a prayer, on the conclusion of which he retired The grave was iular character
At a given signal the assean with slow and rave It must have been a custo it alluded to by any traveller or describer of Indianone after the other around the grave, in the ood qualities of the departed; nor was it considered per had been said in his praise The Indians walked round and round in unbroken silence, each one , as it seeun, and it soon became evident that some other cause than modesty restrained their speech Thus, with downcast eyes, or casting side long glances at each other, as in expectation of the wished-for eulogy, and with the deepest gravity, they followed round and round, but still with sealed lips The defunctto deserve no coood quality by which he could be remembered? Had he never done a kind act? Could he not hunt, or fish, or make baskets, or plant corn, or beans, or potatoes? Surely heHad it never happened that he did soood by mistake? Perhaps that would answer the purpose Or had he been themore? He had vanished like a shadoas he as unsubstantial? Were they notthehts like these passed through the simple minds of the rude race, as with tired steps they followed one another in that weary round But was there to be no cessation of those perpetual gyrations?
Yet no gesture, no devious step betrayed impatience On they went, as if destined to an now to be cast upon the new- to draw inspiration thence, or reproaching its tenant with his unworthiness No inspiration cauid, yet still the measured tread went on A darker and darker cloud settled on their weary faces, but they could not stop; the duty was too sacred to remain unfulfilled They could not leave without a word to cheer their friend upon his way, and yet the word came not
When would some one speak? Who would relieve theth the countenance of an old squaw lighted up, and in low tones she said, ”He was a bery good sht up by all, and with renewed strength each oneat the solution of the dileood smoker” The charm had taken effect; the word of affectionate remembrance was spoken; the duty perfor conscience could now return home
What thin partitions divide the mirthful from theeep, and at the funeral we can s with folded arainst the rail fence that enclosed the yard, and conte the ceremonies till the last Indian departed, now turned to leave, when the constable with a paper in one hand approached, and touching Holden with the other, told him he was his prisoner The Solitary asked no questions, but waving his hand to the constable to advance, followed him in silence
CHAPTER XVII
”If it please your honor, I am the poor duke's constable, andin here before your good honor two notorious benefactors”