The Hidden Children

evening the heavy-laden batteaux continued to arrive from Albany, and every morning the slow wagon t

under orders to remain and guard the Valley, had not yet returned, although early in the week an Oneida runner had come in with letters for Mrs. Bleecker and Mrs. Lansing from the

; and now our garrison life became exceedingly comfortable, especiall

to me, shut off from the regiment as I was, with only the Mohican to keep an eye on, and

enuine affection for this tall Mohican, who, in the calm confidence of our blood-brotherhood, was daily revealing his

a man-courteous, considerate, proud, generous, loyal, and brave.

dering their beliefs, customs, and limited opportunities, were not a wh

e moral reasons for its existence than any other empire I ever heard of; because the League which bound these nations into a confe

unished by death; also, among them, unchastity was scarcely known so rare was it. Even now, that brutal form of violence toward women, white or red, either in time of war or peace, was absolutely non-existent. No c

were impressive, romantic, and beautiful. Their literature, historical and imaginative, was handed down from generat

r festivals and dances not immodest; their priesthood not ignoble. They were sedentary and metropolitan people-dwellers in towns-not nomads; they had cattle and fowls, orchards an

orts which, because the first Frenchmen called th

ble neighbours, gay and good-humoured among their friends; and their women were deferred to, respected, and ho

Hurons, and subdue the Lenape and "make women of them," the latter term

restriction, the Iroquois had recognised their priesthood and their clans; had invested the Lenape with the fire-rights at Federal Councils; and had ev

had the Iroquois done all they dared to soften a nominal servitude which they believe

olly so after the white man had drugged them with rum, cheated them, mas

own countrymen; and, moreover, it is true that the Mohicans were, in all vi

and butchers of children, had nothing whatever in common with our forest Indians of the East-were a totally different race of peopl

oms and most wicked superstitions. But in the Long House the Senecas were really aliens; every nation felt this, from the Canienga and Oneida peoples, whose skin was almo

sible for me, a white man of unmixed blood, to love and respect a red man of blood as pure and unmixed as mine. A dog-trader learns

or more than a week. How much of her sad history Mrs. Bleecker had seen fit to impart to Lana Helmer and Angelina Lansing I did not know. But it seemed to be gene

enecas, and had living neither kith nor kin, impressed Angelina senti

and it, too, for I hardly recognised her myself. And after the novelty of meeting her had worn off he paid her no particular attention-no doubt because

oyd; and as for Lana, she heeded Mrs. Bleecker's cautious sermons as lightly as a

nor was our merriment any less restrained for our lack of chairs and tables and crockery to contain the cakes and nougats, syllabubs and custards, that the black wench, Gusta, contrived for us. Neither we

flattered, sought after in a company so respectable, and so naturally and sweetly holding her own among them without timidity or effort, was to me a pleasure so wonderful that even the quick, light shafts of jealousy-which i

chievous, yet not unkindly, curiosity of the latter. Like all people who are deep in intrigue themselves, any hint of it in others excited her sophisticated

ted for the day, that I had quite despaired of a word with her for the present; and had somewhat sulkily seated myself on the stairs to bide my time. What between love, jealousy, and hurt pride that she had not instantly left her irksome poppinjays at the mere sight of me, and flown to

lant who crowded about her to hold her cup, her fan, her plate, pick up her handkerchief or a bud fallen

s tied in a bow under her rounded chin; and a white, thin gown, most ravishing, and all bestrewn with sprigs and posies, which displayed he

checks pinker and her grey eyes a darker and purpler grey, and rendering her lips fresh and dewy in vivid contrast. And she w

he same time heartily detesting every man on whom she chanced to smile, comes a sly and fragrant breath in my ear. An

" said she. "Love is s

r own skirts then,"

skir

Your petticoat ne

my petticoat I ought to b

passed all bounds, I merely glared at

ing me, but look to yourself, for I think you have been sorely hit at last

of your nonsense

romantic inspiration? I am glad I have lived

t I am in love?"

p-ears and moony mien yell

na? Do you imagine a man can

id she coolly, "whether you

wonder," sa

first day you had apparently set eyes on her. Also, she calls you 'Euan' w

on her, e

er with difficulty, "I am tired of

! Cupid and I are shootin

d best hunt cover, Lana. For I think already a spent shaf

y ignored wh

pretty feet already? Is not your very soul dow

n who comes to Croghan's at th

e neighbourhood of my

near to plea

for ex

I replied, giving

"He is not yet near enou

th, "do you think you can play alley-taw

emper flashed

And pray, dear friend, what manner

arry the game to its sinister finish! I warn you, have a

what you have but now said to me, he w

begun," said I, "the chances are that

vilege of interfering in my

prudence, I have no desire to

! If I choose to be audacious, reck

I make

ly and insulting;

other; and I could have shaken the little vixen

play with hell-fire if you like. I

nd if you were not the honest-meaning marplot th

t I was obliged to stand still a moment before I could discover Boyd where he stood by the o

ua

ng like a very boor. This was neither the time nor place to force a quarrel on any man.... And Lana was

ied by my own violence and bad manners, I stood with one hand resting on the banisters, fo

to your senses?"

id. "I ask

other, then suddenly her under

u are a better friend to me than

d scarce contr

rt to offer me my pardon, for I have conducted lik

t was in me to use you so cruelly.

you,

from Clarissa; perhaps it is that which edges my tongue and temper-the poor child is so sad and lonely, so wretche

concealed that it meant no more then its innocent significance implied. But at that moment, by chance, I encountered Lois's eyes fixed on me in cold surpr

d." She hesitated, then smiled audaciously. "Perhaps no Lanas either.... There! Go and court your sweetheart. For she gave me a

I. "She cares nothing

you know, you

it well

traight across the room at Lois, who

ly made of marble.... And some man will awaken her one day.... And when he does he will unchain

you th

Women divine where men reason; and we are oftener

of such things to

hat already? Is it arrived a

r heaven'

y wondering how far she has progressed-or if she has as yet journeyed any particular distance at all-or any more than set out upon the road. For the look she shot at me convin

to anybody who chanced to observe him, now seemed able to endure it no longer; and as he approa

d retorted in kind, and then we three sauntered over to the table

and there was much talking and laughing and offering of refresh

ceful as his body was agile. And our foppish Ensign, who was no dolt by a long shot either, made a most deft rondeau in flattery of the ladies, turni

, but possessed no such desirable talents, and so when called upon con

odd, smiling expression, not one th

lady in turn should offer

was already somewhat flushed with the punch and with his own succes

le; therefore, the ladies, ever

was set upon it, and would not be denied; and he began a mo

re," said he, "and they have but to open the rosy pe

on my sampler; and if I were to open the rosy petals of my lips, I should never h

ure my gems. It follows that they are no true gems at all, but shop-ma

d Lana, who shrugged her s

st de

Muse

ers are

I r

I'm no

versify some

you my own i

e. Accept; don

d are mercies-

oyd in

ur couplets! Do you trad

etorted the coquette disdainfully, "

arr sai

make no verses? Is there not some more comm

ncy," said Lana smiling and turning her ba

mportunate gentlemen," she said, "and

r face altered subtly. "I may not dream to rival

in which elegance, graceful wit, and taste are

'd in thought across her lips. Then she glanced at me; the pink spot

r to any wish expressed by anybody," sh

; Major Parr said loudly:

us a toast to lo

please all, which, she explained, a

he added sweetly, "who of your prope

mpson, "--A jolly toast that all true Americans ca

elow, and on that floating hell, the 'Jersey,' may offer it boldly and unrebuked in the very teeth of the

nking, the tint of excitement

she mused aloud. "Yet-I might try--" She lifted he

, because I never dreamed she

there entirely alone with her. Then the clamour around us grew on my

they cried.

will try--" She looked up

," I

body could see her there, seated at the rough pine table, quill in hand, and sometimes motionless, absorbed in her o

hey welcomed her lustily, glasses aloft, but I was in a cold fright for fear she had writ nothing extraordinary, and

turbed, waiting smilingly for t

ntrymen may dare to offer at any banquet under a

yed, thinking for a momen

as it is written, then does it seem to be a boastful, hateful Tory ver

line down through every one of these commas, dividing the written verse into two halves, each separate

clustered around to see. And this is what we all read-the prettiest and most

mpet sounds, the d

d grounds, doth ca

doth stand, their ho

hand, who with

liament, in the

d intent, who for

he day, they ar

neak away, who i

hold, they have

s be sold, who act

h and Bute, may da

dispute, on Con

ish lord, may hon

nd cord, to Gene

e pronounced aloud the lines of the two halves, reading first a couplet from the left hand side of the dividing

k the tru

and soli

of war

l us all

ng George

uin is

our soon

the Congr

s of Pa

eir curse

I much

he Congre

ies of

n will s

e my da

ependen

-resist

for slave

my hand

the Whig

ld, North,

on and

y blessi

ress ev

and Bri

block a

urs stil

ral Was

eering filled it, and the hemlock rafters rang. And I saw the colour fly to Lois's

d address-save I alone, who seemed to have no words for her, or even to te

oling, irregular as it was? Far by her own confession to me, her education had been obtained, while it lasted, in schools as good as any i

er her his arm to the threshold, where Lana and Boyd were busily plaiting a wreath of green maple

he verses-he being no scholar-while Boyd read them aloud to us all again in most excellent taste,

lion to any army on earth! You are an aid, an honour, and an inspiration to your country, Miss

should perish with shame if His Excellency w

y! Hurrah!" cried Captain

" said I, with j

ill, sand, and paper," said

he smile stiffened on her flushed face as Lana caught me by the han

great pride in because of its fine shading and skillful flourishes, the guests of the aft

ined of the afternoon party save Boyd and Lana, whispering together by a wi

leecker and Mrs. Lansing strolling to and fro, a

senior Ensign," said Lana sweetly, from the wind

and marched out, ridding them of my compan

s frippery and his marked attention to Lois, and his mincing but unfe

ith taste and discretion. Also, when not on duty, he was ever to be found lisping compliments into her ear, or, in cool posses

r; but where is the understanding in a very young man so violently sick with love as was I? All men who approached her I instantly suspected and mentally damned-even honest old Simpson-aye, even Major Par

fierce and melancholy pleasure of gazing at their canoe from afar, so I finally walk

n. So, mooning and miserable, I lagged along the bank toward my bush-hut; and presently, to my sudden surprise, discovered the very lad

membered what Betsy Hunt had said at Poundridge-how she had en

al; and Lois looked after him for a moment, her hand to her cheek, then turned and gazed straight into the smouldering West, where,

and even when I spoke her name she did not seem startled, but turned very de

ohican have still to say to eac

features changed; she answ

ours. Is it strange that I should speak

gaze, as well as in her reply, th

r mincing escort? Is he

ty and gone

growled, "and not et

eyes and looked

y the smile vanished and she shot at me a darker look, and stood c

sign--" I began-but she t

u, not you of me! You throw dust in my eyes by accusing w

used of

iate myself to inform you. But I think yo

ty of

stairs with your simpering inamorata-and your courtship quarrels and

no proper way

your pardon-but she flaunted her intima

e in what you say!" I ex

your sheep's eyes? And even not scrupling to

ess

nutes with her hand upon your shou

ess! It was full

I had scarcely thought it o

rl, innocent of any evi

r excited rhapsodies. If you pr

y; and Lois as hotly faced me, pi

oats on the stairs, ever at her French heels, ever at moony gaze with her-and a scant inch betwixt your nos

ous to be so misconstrued. "I lo

heart; and any pretty penitent can find her re

your fluttering

re truly weak and silly e

o. You give

s they ladle soupaan to the militia! I say to you cont

love!" I sa

t same boiling and sputtering

ove, why do you care what

ower lip. "You may whisper any treason you please

not trul

urt whom you please! But if you do, my

ha

vows so lately made to me. But men

ed, "you say that you c

I say

s-y

say so!... I-I

y vows and not me?"

... But I will love them no longer i

it profit a man when a maid confesses that she love

sideways, "is something gained for you-or so it seems t

it every

hen,

boots and spurs to wave your fan for you-oh, la! And another of Franklin's, in his Wyandotte f

d in a quick,

you jealous? And I scarce heeding one o' them,

w can you say

did you not come to me

emed so gay with them-so carel

. I never let you escape

And every time you smiled on on

and buckles and silken stockings-these bows of lace and furbelows-this little patch making my rose cheeks rosier-this frost of powder on my hair! All these I wear, Euan, so that man's delight in me may do you honour. All I am to please

short, tears f

d dearest and deepest thought be not for

tly and laid her hot cheek for an ins

it? You said, 'Try,' and instantly I dared try.... Is that not something to stir your pride? A girl as absolutely yours as that? And do not the lesser and commonplace emotions seem trivial in comparison-all the heats and passions

nreal, unworthy thing, either; no sham, no trite cut-

very well-spring of my desire and pride-my reason for pleasing, my happy consolation and my gratitude.... Seat

re on my palm. "We are so marvelously matched in every measurement and feature, mental and bodily almost-and I am so truly becoming a vital part of you and you

h with mind and person. And you must endeavour to better yourself, day by day, nobly and with high aim, so that the source

d at me,

ut to w

hy, for our spiritual

ut I lo

ot in that

it is

to be above mere sent

e not

of it.... When we have attained to every honour and consideration, and our thoughts and desires are purged a

flies; and I may not lay a f

me-as that woma

oi

h women-a sly, smooth, sleek and graceful beas

womanly; a warm fr

am I not-

ou, en

ed at me

u have me be

mrade, more a

mil

was bea

o my arms.

desire your arms. Can I hel

love y

er all, like other me

ll men love. How c

omprehend higher thoughts. You c

ghtly, who have no ne

ow?" she said

urb-else you could better u

th a blade of grass. After a while sh

my arms-and have of her all that I had ached for through many empty and loveless years. Si

playing with the scented grasses

side her in my heart. For I have not yet invested you wi

propping herself up on one a

ay I am unwomanly and cold?" Her voice

and if I truly have even a right to the very name I wear. Let me see my own mother face to face-hold her first of all in my embrace-give my lips first to her, yield to her my first caresses.... Else," and her face

ing her hands, then smiled

ybody! My foster-mother never kissed me, never put her arm about me-or even laid her hand lightly upon my shoulder

smile, and clasped her

ess when you were there that night with me on the rock under the clustered stars-and I left for you a rose-and my heart with it!-so dear and welcome was your

a listles

under the first close caress.... Stir not anything of that in me, Euan. Let me not even dream of it. It were not well for me-not well for me. For whether I love you as I do, or-otherwise and less purely-it would be all the same-and I should become-som

lence, I s

not renounced

N

ire to go to C

ust

your conversation with

es

sed to a

refu

not content to wai

e with head lowered, th

asins was left outsid

Inside our line!" I e

all the others. And on the shred of bark was written: 'Swift m

other wrote it?"

he wrote t

el

ting is t

ote the other messages

e s

ld the Sagam

t now-and for

d him ev

ng-and the messages that came

ow him the Indi

es

did he

ecame so hideous and terrible that I could have cried out. But I contrived to maintain my composure, a

och

ike that. What di

rsuaded to remain at this post. You are contented and happy here. When we march, you will go back

ther be there in Catharines-town I will bring news

stand; and her hands r

s," I said in a low voice, "--if yo

... Such giving leaves

promise you

watching the last faint stain

ave me at an

y c

d my mother-I find no na

l have mi

e, even then I do not lo

o other man, I shou

n so vita

ter

en have you spoken thu

no

ru

ly,

in a lo

souls for the sake of a ragged, unripe jade, and a wild night's frolic.... Well-God made men.... I know myself, too.... To love you as you wish is to care less for you than I

o walk through life with m

nd together we moved slowly b

of galloping behind us, and we sprang to the side of the road as

. "Do they bring good

marching orders,"

wing her arm from mine, when the hollow sound of a c

arching orders!" she

mething," said I. "Good-nig

oing to--t

calling out

to see y

I expect s

f'?' Euan, are you

n't know yet wha

... To your death, pe

nd good-

my offered h

go-don'

urn and tel

will not return! I sha

e stood with one hand clenched against

ched hand so violently that it slipped

d swayed where she stood

my words were lost in a frightful

against me, as the horrid howli

es is ordered out. Good-bye! You have means to support you now till I return. Wait for me; love me if it is in you

lips; I bent forward; she moved it

and in the torch-light at the gate enco

s not marching yet awhile. Lord help us! Listen to those beastly Oneidas in their paint! Did you ever hear such a wolf-pack howli

hought of Lana, and wished to God that Boyd were with us

of torches, I saw Dolly Glenn waiting there; an

to speak to

Boyd going with yo

chi

ful sort of smile, and shr

y, Harry Kent, brought me my pack and rifle-merely sufficient ammunition and a few necessarie

Guard the Mohican as you would the apple of

tern. Here I saw Captain Simpson inspecting the four guides, one of who

he guides selected by Major Parr were not all Oneidas. Two of them seemed to be; a third was a Stoc

da dialect, trying to gain a squar

e," he sa

to Captain Simpson. "W

Fortress Pitt. Colonel Broadhead, commanding our left wing, sent him, mos

hard look at

id I. "Split that Niagara blank

xt instant his knife fairly leaped from its beaded sheath; there was a flash of steel, a ripping sound, and his blue and scar

, which I fancied was his mode of smiling. But it was somewhat hideous, as his nose had been

mon the Mohican returned with him. And a finer sight I never saw; for the tall and magnificently formed Siwanois was in scarlet war-paint from crown

illed and feathered in red and white; the Erie scalps hung from his girdle, hooped i

oya-neh!" I said in a

as one by one the eyes of the other Indians flashed

ed, and started, heading the

right-soft hands outstretched-a faint whisper as I kissed her tightening fingers. Then I ran on to

s of the Mohican's hand upon my arm, guiding