Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue

much h

auntless temp

om that doth g

safety." S

xist, there are some exceptions to the rule; and among them may well be placed the body-servant of Colonel D

defined sense of duty prompted him to watch, and, if possible, to prevent the mischief which he foresaw was gathering. When ordered to retire, he had pretended to obey; but he placed himself beneath the window through which De Guy had entered, a small crack of which had been accidentally left open. In this position he saw Jaspar tak

mayed, he ran at his fleetest speed towards the river. He heard the footsteps of his pursuers, and every step he advanced he expected to receive the bullet of Jaspar. Trusting for safety to the darkness of the night, he quickened his

e side of the log. Satisfied that Jaspar would fire as soon as he saw the canoe, his ready ingenuity supplied him with the means of avoiding the ball, and of escaping further pursuit. Taking the will in his mouth, he grasped the canoe with o

ained quietly on the log, using only sufficient exertion to avoid the current, until he was satisfied that Jaspar and his companio

ar would invent some story to account for his disappearance; and just as well satisfied that he would shoot him, if he again showed himself on the plantation. He co

rove would not protect him. He might be seen, and the blood-hound and the rifle bring him in a prisoner, and even Miss Emily would now be unable to save him from the penalty

ade him by Colonel Dumont and his guests. Recognizing the necessity of obtaining it, as well as some more cloth

taught to revere, and whose gentleness and beauty had almost lured him to worship. If the morrow's sun found him in the vicinity of the estate, he would probably fall a victim to Jaspar's policy. What should he do with the will? Should he show himself at the hour appointed for the reading of it? He migh

en to Miss Emily herself, Jaspar might

a safe position before he attempted to expose the villany of others. His mistress, he knew by the will which he had heard De Guy read, was to be conveyed to Cincinnati.

guished in the library, he entered the h

obtain a passage to Cincinnati,-a matter not easy to accomplish, as the law against conveying blacks, unprovided with the necessary permit, was very stringent. He could not hope, with his limited means, to offer an acceptable bribe for thi

tobacco and cigars, to the steamboat cooks, stewards, sailors, and the soldiers who thronged the city on their return from Mexico. In the rear of t

as such amusements frequently do, in a fight, in which one of the number seemed to be singled out as an object of vengeance for the others. This individual was an Irishman; and, for a time, he held way manfully against his assailants. But, at last, in spite of the exertions of the "proprietor" to protect him, he was likely to get the worst of it, when Ha

ished, which resulted in the disclosure of their future prospects. The fact that both were seeking the same destination seemed to strengthen the bond thus fo

y, Pat related his adventures in Mexico, at the close of which he casually mentioned that the remains of several officers, who died there, were to be conveyed up the river. Hatchie's curio

s suggested to Hatchie the me

like those which contain

tther of two or three dollars. But what

age to Cincinnati besides, if you will get me t

meself pays for 't," replied Pat, touched at the idea of a re

l want your

did a Fegan desart his frind? But tell

get to Cinc

Pat, astonished beyond measu

something to eat and drink. You can pretend that the box con

k his sides with laughter at the idea of the mu

a speedy exit in case of need, he had taken off half these boards, and fastened them together with cleats on the inner side. The ends of the screws were then filed off, so that this portion of the lid exactly corresponded with the other portion. A number of hooks were then p

similar to the others, and

s time, had wheeled his own charge down in season to be shipped with the others. In the haste of embar

even in the scream of terror he recognized it. It needed not a second thought to convince him of his duty. He had saved her life, and, forgetful of the danger of thus exposing his person, he stood by and saw her conveyed to her state-room. He heard Jaspar call for her deliverer, and offer a reward. This he knew, if no one else

had not recognized Hatchie; and, while Jaspar inquired for her deliverer

wing nothing of the relation between him and his