Guy Rivers: A Tale of Georgia

son, was passing in the neighborhood of the village-tavern; and, as this portion of our narrative yields some

ted toward one Guy Rivers-an attention, the result of various influences, which produced in the mind of th

noxious presence. On his departure with Forrester from the gallery, Rivers reappeared-his manner that of doubt and excitement; and, after hurrying for a while with uncertain steps up and down the apartment, he passed hastily into the adjoining hall, where the landlord sat

and blundering good-nature. Why did you not refuse lodgings to

lever, good-looking lad, and I see no harm in him. What is

a loss to know the creature he rides; for it is not long since your heart was greatly taken with him. He is the youth we set upon at the Catcheta pass,

of the face confirms the first and unfavorable impression which we have already received from his appearance, and all that we have any occasion now to add in this respect will be simply, that, though not beyond the prime of life, there were ages

ssing our path again. But so it is. You are always the last to your place;-had you kept your appointment, we should have had no difficult

from which nothing could have got him out? But no! You must be at your old tricks of the law-you must make speeches before you cut purses, as was your practice when I first knew you at Gwinnett county-court; a

t on my skull-since, besides the failure of our object, you have such cause of merriment in what has been done. I

ut the sport of others, by running your head into unnecessary danger; and since this youth, who got out of the scrape so handsomely, has beat you at your own game, it may cure you of that cursed itch for tongue-trifling, upon which you so much pride

hether, my talk offends you or not. I parleyed with the youth onl

eeches, and your pride and vanity got to work. You must answer smartly and sarcastically in turn, and you see what's come of it. You fo

rely mistook the man. Besides, I had a reason for so

f you hadn't a reason for everything,

, for, though we are pretty much beyond the operation of law in this region, yet now and then a sheriff's officer takes off some of the club; and

all look to him, for he's a fine creature, and I should like to secure

e-I do no

hould like to hear what

ce of Rivers, as, with a voice in which his thought vain

ction," pointing again to his cheek-"this carries with it answer sufficient. You may value a clear face slightly, having known none other than a blotted one since you have known your own, but I have a different feeling in this. He has written himself here, and the damned writi

orded with the spirit of what he said. The land

nts which require so much of that quality. This gash, which, when healed, will be scarcely perceptible, you speak of with all the mortification of a young girl, to w

I can not be otherwise. Besides, I discover in this youth the person of one to whom I owe much in the growth of this very hell-heart, which embitters everything about and within me. Of this, at another time, yo

hat the youth in the house is your late opponent, you may have suf

know him: not to remember would be to forget that I am here; and that he was a part of that very influence which made me league, Munro, with such as you, and become a creature of, and a companion with, men whom even now I despise. I shall not soon forget his st

r disguises were complete. Your whiskers taken off, leave you as far from any resemblance to what you were in tha

t [127] the case is different with me. It may be that, enjoying the happiness which I have lost, he has forgotten the n

ame seemed to shudder at some remote recollection which had still the dark influence upon him. Munro was a dull man in all matters that belong to the heart, and those impulses which characterize souls of intelligence and ambition

n anything which might sanction a thought that he knew or c

, if death were in the look, could I have kept them off! I caught his glance frequently; turning upon me with that stern, still expression, indifferent and insolent-as if he cared not even while he surveyed. I remember

so, I should by no means have been disposed to wonder; for at this time, and since your face has been so tightly bandaged, you have a most villanously attractive visage. It carries with it, though you do regard it with[128] so much favor, a full and satisfactory reason for observance, without rendering necessary any reference to any more se

ke sure that if he knows anything he shall say

ays ready; but I will not be for ever at this sort of work. If I were to let you have your way you'd bring the who

ngly upon certainties. You are perpetually trying the strength of the rope, when a like trouble woul

he chamber of Ralph, emerged from the tavern into the open air. The outlaw had not placed himself within the shadow of the trees in time sufficient to escape the

Bunce!" seizing as he spoke the arm of the retreating fi

quiet in temper as the pedler you mistake him for else your position m

n, for want of better stuff. Well, who'd have thought to find you two squatting here in the

suppose, withdraw your hand," said the other, with a manner

a manner rather looking, in the country phrase, to "a squaring off for a fight"-"but

posed to be insolent," said Riv

he copse-"I feel very much like putting my fingers on his t

en the original pa

matters will go on smoothly, when we have it in our own power to make them certainly go on so. We must

at, Guy. What would you

ective before them), with irons on your hands, and with the prospect through its narrow-grated loopholes, of the gallows-tree, at every turnin

it spoken of by you, above all other people. If you want me to talk civilly with you, you must learn yourself to keep a civil tongue in your[130] head. I don'

te. I meant no threat; I only sought to show you how much we were at the mercy of a single word from a wanton and head-strong youth. I will not say confidently that he remembers me, but he h

ok with fear even upon one another, when a common interest, and perhaps a common fate, ought to bind us together. This being our habit, arising as it must from our profession, it is natural but not reasonable to refer a like spirit to all other persons. We are wrong in this, and you are wrong in regard to this youth-not that I care to save him, for if he but looks or winks awry, I shall silence him myself, without

you please. You will find, when too late, that y

ence. You find[131] your arguments failing; and you fear that, when the time comes, you will not plea

omething due to me in the way of revenge. Is the fellow to hurl me

in his face; which, nevertheless, was in itself, strange as it may appear, a considerable eyesore to its proprietor. Munro evidently understood this only in part; and, unaccustomed to attribute a desire to shed blood to any other than a motive of gain

hat recompense would you seek t

e spoke, his eyes were protruded closely into his face, his voice w

ood-his

f violence and crime, and callous in their performance, there was more of the Mammon than the Mo

d that must have a tiger-draught from his veins, and even then I will not be satisfied. But why talk I to you thus,

ill not run the thousand risks which your temper is for ever bringing upon me. There is nothing to be gained, and a great deal to be lost by it, at this time. As for the scar-that, I think, is fairl

s as these. Do I not know how little you care

and, however it may surprise you, those reasons sp

ied the other, with

merits a far better man than you; and, bound as I am to give her to you, I am deeply bound to myself and

ceeded quickly, however, by the savage expression, which, from being that

s reply, as he stepped quickly from under the bough

r life. I will not permit it; not now, at lea

rocious and vindictive. What might have been the result of their present position, had it not undergone a new interruption, might not well be foreseen. The sash of one of the apartments of t

ite melancholy, and it's a long time since I've heard her guitar. She sings and plays sweetly; her poo

en him and his purposes. The music touched him not, for he betrayed no consciousness; when, after a few

'S S

y glance

my angu

the crow

d away

I

not bear

o thus co

that all

y too m

I

not if

t for min

me love t

anst yiel

V

unchid

the heav

ll its h

l denie

it were in soliloquy, indicated the sad spirit of the minstrel. She did not [134]remain long at the window;

nfluence upon you. Does she not sing like a mocking-bird?-is she not a sweet, a true creatur

ch of his companion made a little while prior to the appearance and music of the young girl, whose presence at that moment had most probably pre

ittle gain in the matter-it may not bring money, and there may be some risk! If it be with you, Munro, to have neither love nor hate, but what you do, to do only for the profit and spoil

e your time for it. Let nothing be done to him while in this house. I will run, if I can help it, no more risk for your passions; and I must confess myself anxious, if the devil will let m

exhort, doubtless, yourself, before long, if you keep this track. Why, what a proph

it back so much better than I can. Be wise, if you can, while you are wary; if your words con

ething more sedately. "You see me in a passion-you know that I have cause-for is not this

leased to refer to, though the reference evidently brought with it bitter

ded me as an accursed thing, and among things bright and beautiful gave me the badge, the blot, the heel-stamp, due the s

to you,

h to your hands. There was, I feel, little difficulty in moulding me to your own measure. I was an apt scholar, and soon ceased to be the subordinate villain. I was your companion, and too valuable to you to be lost or left. When I acquired new views of man, and began, in another sphere, that new life to which you would now turn your own eyes-when I grew strong among men, and famous, and [136] public opinion grow enamored with the name, which your destiny compelled me to exchange for another, you sought me out

mbled with convulsion-and his lips grew white and chalky, while quiveri

the truth, Guy, and a

the churchmen speak truth, which I believe not-with heaven's eternal punishment! What have I left to desire but hate-blood-the blood of man-who, in driving me away from his dwelling, has made me an unrelenting enemy-his hand everywhere against me, and mine against him! While I had this pursuit, I did not complain; but you now interpo

tleman of the southern country? Is this nothing-is it nothing[137] to sacrifice such a creature to such a creature? For well I know what must be her fate when she becomes your wife. Well I know you! Vindictive, jealous, merciless, w

protract and put off at her pleasure. Me she receives with scorn and contempt, you with tears and entreaties; and you allow their influence; in the hope, doubtless, that

ny terms, to be fairly free from your eternal croakings-never at rest, never satisfied, unless at some new deviltry and ill deed. If I did give you the first lessons in your education, Guy, you have lo

despite of the hyena-glare shot forth from the

m determined to do as little henceforth toward hanging myself as possible; and, therefore, the thing must not take place here. Nor do I like that it should be done at all without some reason. Wh

r he knows much or little, or speaks nothing or everything, it is still the same thing t

I have already shed too much, and my dreams begin to trouble

you have no chance either to s

's the proof? Do you mean to confess

a difficulty in conviction, but his

would scarcely lend much aid to have either of us tur

hy should you care for her prayers and pleadings-her tears and entreaties? If you are determined upon the matter, as I have your pledge, these are childish and unavailing; and the delay can

nly one, and a sweet creature it is. I must not be t

should call so; but to my mind she has had time enough, and more by far than I was willing for. Y

ch a desperate affair as to burn itself out for the want of[139] better fuel; and you can wait for the proper season. If I thought for a moment that you did or could have any regard for t

you in this way to the hungry boy, whose eyes have long anticipated his appetite, and he may listen to you

s to-morrow and the next day-there is quite time enough-when we are both cooler and calmer than at present. The night is something too warm for deliberation; and it is well we say no more on the one subject till we learn the cour

ialogue had chiefly been carried on, and reapproached the dwelling, from

ugh I still propose a ride of a few miles to-night.

ied-"Some more deviltry: I will take a bet

oth lost to sight-the one in the shelter of his dwelling,

1