Cardigan

r to Mistress Molly, and embraced us all, eagerly admiring my uniform with an Indian's frank na?veté, caressing Silver Heels's curly pate

s a frank, affectionate youth, though a blooded Mohawk, and po

to the admiration and respect of all, and this though he was the great war-chief

use. Even Huron and Delaware listened when he spoke. He never treated the Lenni-Lenape as women, an

s mission, though Mr. Butler had already scented a mystery in the Cayuga's visit, and often asked why Quider

in company with a certain thin little Seneca chief called Red Jacket, a filthy, sly, and sullen

ing title, "The Cow-Killer," which even the Mohawk children shouted when Red Jacke

el Daniel Claus and his lady from Albany, which abrupt advents began a stir and bustle among us that increased as, day by day, new guests arrived at our house. Johnson Hall, Colonel Guy Johnson's house, and the house of Colonel John Butler were now crowded to overflow with guests. Sachems and chiefs of the Oneidas arrived, officers from the Royal American

s' petticoats like the wind blowing through corn. Ladies filled the house; there were maids and lackeys and footmen and chair-bearers and slaves

y and night, with some French ladies f

disappeared, old voices were silent. I looked in vain for Silver

, and scented like a French lady. But oh, the gallant company he brought to Johnson Hall-those courtly Virginians with their graces and

lonel Butler. But they all thronged our house, day and night, till I was like to stifle with

n eye on the pest-hut where lay the stricken Cayuga; this by Sir William's orders, though warning me to appro

ly. I was sorry for her, believing she had been cooped within the limits

s, as it was now believed certain that the Cayuga must die; and I had been ordered to dress in my new uniform, to

oat, buff smalls, sash and sword glittering, and I meant to cut a figure that day which people might remember. But Lord! Even on the staircase I found myself in a crowd of officers all laces and sashes and gold brocade, and buttons like yellow stars dancing on cuff a

w gloves of kid-skin, I made my way into the hall, but found it packed with ladies, all a-fanning and rustling, with ma

with the feathered flock crowding and ruffling a thousand feathers. And as I threaded my way, minding my steps as well I might, it was: "Oh, la! My lad

Sir John and Colonel Claus, inspecting the guard at the north block-house, and I made haste to join t

him, pinching my ears and chin. Then he dusted the powder from my shoulders and turned

damp finger to press, then his indifferent gaze wandered to the meadows below, where the brown a

with a careless nod, and passed before me to greet Co

ical observances of polite company, the compliments, the bows, the carriage of gentlemen, but back of it something lifeless, something slow and terrif

two remaining regiments marching into the meadow below. These regiments were clothed in brown, green, and scarlet, one wearing green coats, t'ot

urdened with beauty and tickled and tricked out in ribbons, and the Virginians all a-horse, caracoling beside the vehicles, a brave, bright company, by Hea

ubting lest he be 'portioned to some horseless guest. But there the dear fellow stoo

young Bareshanks; and up into our saddles we popped, while the trumpet blew from t

paulets. This I saw clearly, but as we broke into a gallop across the clover, the colours ran like tinted fires; the dull reds and blues of the Indians, the shimmer on gorgets and buckles, the rippling flags; yet it seemed as I flew past that I had seen a face up there which I knew well yet did not know, like those familiar eyes that look

HEELS!' I

cornet of dragoons behind me, and I

spered, backing my horse gently agai

?" he s

hay, sir," I

as a pippin bu

ler's regiment, now passing, and was comforted, for the clod-hoppers marched like regulars w

from their ranks, yet footing it proudly, and their fifes ringing a barbarous tune

of country folk and Indians, sitting on the stone walls; and after them the inharmonious regiment in yellow and red, with two men drunk

which cost Sir William a pretty penny, our Governor refusing to allow for the powder burned. However, it was a fine pag

ounting there to ascend the stairs and pay ou

ing his face with his hanker till it glistened

blood in him, as far as I could see. He wore a wig-it was said he possessed twenty and valued at six thousand pound

pping his snuff-box and bobbing and smiling, n

of the review. "Lud! Lud! Sir William! A gallant fête! A brave defilé! Militia, not regulars, you sa

ship will remember Captain Cardigan who died before Quebec? His son, m

Sir William! He has his father's eyes-Vrai Dieu! Cu

and said it was an honour to be consi

illiam, what a wit he has, now!" And he peeped at me, squeezing his eyes into two weak

Governor Tryon, who had just come into the stall, he fell to smirking and exclaiming and vapouring

nd without vanity I perceived a few to meet mine, but t

lose beside me, and looking around, I

lege, Mr. Cardigan, and one I take advantage o

military deference, and I saw Sir Willia

it is a pleasure to meet with modest loyalty in the younger generation. Loya

nto my mind crept that wavering doubt which, since Si

jackanapes who had presumed to sneer at our yeomanry, and we delivered

ing Lordship minced off in the midst of his flame-coloured Virgini

e officers loitered and whispered and played with their snuff-boxes, while the silent

nd another, too, in mask and rose mantle, who lifted the linen a trifle, displaying a fresh, sweet, smiling mouth. This one in rose tur

ached themselves to our Governor Tryon. I, abandoned, rode back to the Hall with a company of Virgi

smiling face grew haggard at sight of me, and

r," I replied, my heart

ort to Mr. Duncan at the block-house, walked away to disguise hi

anquets for our guests, one at the court-ho

e invited the Virginians, the New-Yorkers, the important Mohawk, Seneca, and Onondaga sachems, and chiefs of the Long House. Also were bidden the officer

istress Molly, and our brigade band played in the gallery during the banquet, and later

e same hour in our house, to hono

to wait on Sir William. Here was the great Earl of Dunmore in a ring of fluttering ladies, peering, bobbing, tapping his snuff-box

as my kinsman, Sir John Johnson, with his indifferent eyes and ungracious carriage, and old Colonel Butler watching the gay company as hawks, from sheer habit, watch peacocks, meaning no attack. There also strolled my impudent dragoon

the wings of a swarm of moths drawn by the candle-light, I passed Mistress Molly on the arm of

played my country breeding, it being the fashion among quality to gree

ghter and whisper, and the scented

ear as a pebbled spring in all that chatter, and turning, I saw it came from a young girl standing behind me. She was very delicate and pretty in her powder and patches, truly somewhat pale and lacking in

cky!" sh

my eyes. What miracle of miracles had set her to

this whispering shower of silk and ribbon, this delicate stranger, smiling

nded ever of woodlands and birds, the same laugh, the sam

come true; my gown is silk, my stockings silk, my s

you grow?

my hair rolled by Betty till I vowed she meant to s

nt dragoon, who seemed to know her, for he brought her a ribbon to

blue above your elbow, so!-with your gracious consent. Now for a partner to le

ilver Heels, mischievously. "I have muc

o face, regarded each oth

olly, "I protest reduces me to despair; but the ligh

fluttered a light blue ribbon. At the same moment I per

led myself sufficiently to congratulate him and courteously deplore my ow

with her fan hiding her lips. "How do you know, si

garded each other

taching this ribbon to your

I, still more stiffly

a word to Silver Heels which I did not catch, he saluted us again and strolled

l ass?" I said, tur

rotested, reproachful

ask indulgence," said I, mad enough

he sniffed, "you ar

ble had overtaken us; she appeared to be fully as tall as half the ladies gathered around us; her self-possession and obvious

on them yet?" I asked, w

often bullied, slipped away from me forever, leaving in her place a dainty thing of airs and laces to flout me, whom I

My Lord Dunmore, too, came a-dancing pit-pat! till I thought to hear his bones creak inside his white silk; and the dragoon jackanapes was there, having tied up ever

a spotted trail that Silver Heels had suddenly become a beauty. Even I could see that. Granted her bosom lacked somewhat in fulness, granted a childish leanness of arm and neck, granted even a pallor

my unconfessed admiration. But they bowed and strutted and posed and flattered, pressing closer until she

at matched, and a world of bustle and laughter, with gentlemen and ladies comparing colours and

vailed in New York, I at least found it smacke

ely forgetting that somewhere in the crush a lady with a scarlet ribbon on her arm might be waiting for me. And doubtless I shou

she is that pretty Mrs. Hamilton from Saint Sacrement. Oh, you lucky boy! All the officers a

aling glance I had ever bestowed on a woman;

us drowned my voice, which was husky and over-fond, for she crie

what. For truly I myself did not know what it was I had been about to say to Silver Heels. As for this Mrs. Hamil

deepest was that Silver Heels found pleasure in his foolish company-ay, plainly preferred him to me-the ungrateful minx! I prayed fervently she might live to repent it. I pictured her remorse when she came to her senses. And in a moment

spare vengeance, I perceived on the stairs that same lady who had half raised her sun-mask at the review-I

gany balustrade, and on her lips a smile, as I fancied, though later I came to know that it wa

nown her; so we were quits, the affected minx! This was Mrs. Hamilton!-this bright-eyed girl with her smooth rose-petal skin and her snowy hand on the balustrade. Could I be mistaken? Surely she wor

dressed her reassuringly and made her a bow that I knew must be impressive. However, I found her less confused than I, for she insisted on matching ribbons very carefully, which hurt my pride somewhat.

oon a-playing with might and main, and we stood behind our chairs while my Lo

of shrill laughter, though Sir William took no notice. Presently I perceived Silver Heels and Mr. Bevan, nearly opposite to us, and strove to catch her eye. But Silver Heels took small notice of me; her cheeks had gone red wit

dragoon. So I loosened my tongue and set it wagging so smartly that I think I astonished Mrs. Hamilton, who had been observing Mr. Bevan with her fixed

d give your tow-head to be prattling into Mistress Warren's ears; and here

lly. It shamed me, too. Perhaps my countenance had betrayed me, but her c

husband," said I, w

had my pity for my pains, for the next instant she was laughing at me

name," she said, sweetly. "I

chael," said I

e asked, with her innocent smile. "Truly, Mr. Cardigan, you wer

had no mind to be consid

rming women to turn boys' heads," said I, "and I wish you mi

e said, looking up from her

ff?" I aske

w. Look at me,

er pret

ery bright. If you were you would pay me compliments instead of admonition.

woman in Johnson Hall to-night, and if you've a mind for vengeance on your

a startled smile. "I ma

aid I, recklessly, and loud e

ver Heels's laugh, but the laugh was strained,

t I know you to be a somewhat indiscreet young man who handles a

"to make love to you and so serve

she said, betw

your Christian name. I do reall

sideways at me, and laughed again, so blithely that I thought I had

please you, kind sir," she lisped, with an aff

rmed you had best prepare for n

r hands, and giving me a glance in which amusement, contempt

m the children's pewters and small-beer; but yet I am so made that never then nor since have the

ed love to Mistress Marie Hamilton, retreating under her cruel satire, rallying in the bright battery of her eyes, charging the citadel of h

to make love, sir?" she said, at last

of necessity, m

r art to Mr. Bevan," said she, spi

hing him n

s, she observed us with a scornful amazement which roused all the cruelty in me, though I knew I was

he pure faith of my little comrade; for a touch of he

acting had suddenly become real to me-a danger, I have sinc

ould be in earnest," she

d, and she saw it, but was too wise to

t among us reflect fire, even though it be as false as the dead

the titled toast-masters, and we drank his Majesty George the Third in

hts might have served for

under Red Jacket's shirt, while that great orator, very drunk, sat a-hacking the cloth with a table-knife. I saw my Lord Dunmore, all in white silk and blazing w

she returned our courtesy with gentle grav

rd Dunm

ugh, and poor Silver Heels, pale as a white blossom, hal

took charge, leading him lurching and howling down the hill. Before I returned, the ladies were in the hallway and the card-room, the gentlem

encountered Mrs. Hamilton, who directed me to the library, whither, s

saucily. "You had best find Mr. Bevan and

her under the stairs, and ere she could protest

ad not counted on, and it needed my most

y with Betty, doubtless to pouch some sweets for her black nurse. Her head was steadily lowered, her lashes rested on her cheeks, but face and ne

able farce to an end and led Mrs. Hamilton out where Mr. Bevan could pounce upon

dishes, hands to her face, and black Betty a-petting her. But at sight of

r turban till the rings in her big ears jingled like sledge-bells in December. "I d

-crooning over Silver Heel

uff'n! Huh! Had mah s'picions 'bout dat young Mars C

and think what you like. As for your fool of a dragoon, M

and for a moment I believed she meant to strike me. But the s

ed like a clown and a libertine where all beheld you making shameful love to a wedded woman!

g, "can you not understand tha

bloodless as she gasped: "Oh, the insult! Betty-do you hear?

Mr. Butler," said I, wincing at her scorn. "But I s

aw it and set my teeth hard, hopeless now

t away, chilled with self-contempt and mortification, heedless, utterly careless what I did to fur

co't nobody. Mah li'l chile-mah li'l Miss Honey-bee ain't done growed

rs, leaving her there grumbling and mumbling about "fool boys" and "li'l fool Hon