CHAPTER XI.

Conformably with the orders of the British General, the

siege of the American fortress was commenced on the day

following that of the mutual exchange of flags. The

elevated ground above the village of Sandwich, immediately

opposite to the enemy's fort, was chosen for the erection

of three batteries, from which a well sustained and well

directed fire was kept up for several successive days,

yet without effecting any practicable breach in their

defences. One of these batteries, manned principally by

sailors, was under the direction of Gerald Grantham,

whose look out duty had been in a great degree rendered

unnecessary, by the advance of the English flotilla up

the river, and who had consequently been appointed to

this more active service.

During the whole of Saturday, the 15th of August, the

British guns had continued to play upon the fort, vomiting

shot and shell as from an exhaustless and angry volcano--

and several of the latter falling short, the town which

was of wood had been more than once set on fire. As,

however, it was by no means the intention of the General

to do injury to the inhabitants, no obstacle was opposed

to the attempts of the enemy to get it under, and the

flames were as often and as speedily extinguished. An

advanced hour of night at length put an end to the firing,

and the artillery men and seamen, extended on their great

coats and pea jackets, in their several embrasures,

snatched from fatigue that repose which their unceasing

exertions of the many previous hours had rendered at once

a luxury and a want.

The battery commanded by Gerald Grantham, was the central

and most prominent of the three, and it had been remarked

by all--and especially by the troops stationed in the

rear in support of the guns--that his firing during the

day, had been the most efficient, many of his shot going

point blank into the hostile fortress, and (as could be

distinctly seen with the telescope) occasioning evident

confusion.

The several officers commanding batteries were now met

in that of the young sailor, and habited in a garb

befitting the rude duty at which they had presided, were

earnestly engaged in discussing the contents of their

haversacks, moistened by occasional drafts of rum and

water from their wooden canteens, and seasoned with

frequent reference to the events of the past day, and

anticipations of what the morrow would bring forth. A

lantern so closed as to prevent all possibility of contact

with the powder that lay strewed about, was placed in

the centre of the circle, and the dim reflexion from this

upon the unwashed hands and faces of the party, begrimed

as they were with powder and perspiration, contributed

to give an air of wildness to the whole scene, that found

its origin in the peculiar circumstances of the moment.

Nor was the picture at all lessened in ferocity of effect,

by the figure of Sambo in the back ground, who, dividing

his time between the performances of such offices as his

young master demanded, in the coarse of the frugal meal

of the party, and a most assiduous application of his

own white and shining teeth to a huge piece of venison

ham, might, without effort, have called up the image of

some lawless, yet obedient slave, attending on and sharing

in the orgies of a company of buccaneers.

At length the meal was ended, and each was preparing to

depart, with a view to snatch an hour or two of rest in

his own battery, when the pricked ear and forward thrown

head of the old negro, accompanied by a quick, "Husha,

Massa Geral," stilled them all into attitudes of expectancy.

Presently the sound of muffled oars was heard, and then

the harsh grating as of a boat's keel upon the sands.

In the next minute the officers were at their posts; but

before they could succeed in awakening their jaded men,

who seemed to sleep the sleep of death, the sentinel at

the first battery had received, in answer to his hurried

challenge, the proper countersign, and, as on closer

inspection it was found that there was only one boat, he

knew it must be their own, and the alarm which had seized

them for the security of their trust passed away.

They were not long kept in suspense. One individual alone

had ascended from the beach, and now stood among them,

habited in a dread-nought jacket and trousers and round

hat. His salutation to each was cordial, and he expressed

in warm terms the approbation he felt at the indefatigable

and efficient manner in which the duty assigned to each

had been conducted.

"Well, gentlemen," continued the Commodore, (for it was

he), "you have done famously today--and in most masterly

style did you silence those batteries, which the enemy,

to divert your fire from the fort, had erected on the

opposite bank. Much has been done, but more remains.

Tomorrow you must work double tides. At daylight you must

re-open with showers of shot and shell, for it is, during

the confusion caused by your fire, that the General

intends crossing his troops and advancing to the assault.

But this is not all--we have some suspicion the enemy

may attempt your batteries this very night, with a view

of either spiking the guns, if they cannot maintain the

position; or of turning them, if they can, on our advancing

columns. Now all the troops destined for the assault,

are assembled ready to effect their landing at day-break,

and none can be spared unless the emergency be palpable.

What I seek is a volunteer to watch the movements of the

enemy during the remainder of the night--one (and he

looked at Grantham) whose knowledge of the country will

enable him to approach the opposite coast unseen, and

whose expedition will enable us to have due warning of

any hostile attempt."

"I shall be most happy, sir, to undertake the task, if

you consider me worthy of it," said Grantham, "but--"

"But what?" interrupted the Commodore hastily.

"My only difficulty, sir, is the means. Had I my light

canoe here, with Sambo for my helmsman, I would seek

their secret even on their own shores."

"Bravo, my gallant fellow," returned the Commodore, again

cordially shaking the hand of his Lieutenant. "This I

expected of you, and have come prepared. I have had the

precaution to bring your canoe and paddles with me--you

will find them below in my boat."

"Then is every difficulty at an end," exclaimed the young

sailor joyously. "And our dress, sir?"

"No disguise whatever, in case of accidents--we must not

have you run the risk of being hanged for a spy."

Gerald Grantham having secured his cutlass and pistols,

now descended with the Commodore to the beach, whither

Sambo (similarly armed) had already preceded him. Under

the active and vigorous hands of the latter, the canoe

had already been removed from the boat, and now rested

on the sands ready to be shoved off. The final instructions

of the Commodore to his officer, as to the manner of

communicating intelligence of any movement on the part

of the Americans, having been given, the latter glided

noiselessly from the shore into the stream, while the

boat, resuming the direction by which it had approached,

was impelled down the river with as little noise as

possible, and hugging the shore for greater secrecy, was

soon lost both to the eye and to the ear.

It was with a caution rendered necessary by the presence

of the vessels in the harbour, that Gerald Grantham and

his faithful companion, having gained the middle of the

river, now sought to approach nearer to the shore. The

night, although not absolutely gloomy, was yet sufficiently

obscure to aid their enterprize; and notwithstanding they

could distinctly hear the tread of the American sentinels,

as they paced the deck of their flotilla, such was the

stillness of Sambo's practised paddle, that the little

canoe glided past them unheard, and, stealing along the

shore, was enabled to gain the farther extremity of the

town, where however, despite of the most scrupulous

inspection, not the slightest evidence of a collective

movement was to be observed. Recollecting that most of

the American boats used for the transport of their Army

from the Canadian shore, (which they had occupied for

some time,) were drawn up on the beach at the opposite

end of the town, and deeming that if any attempt on the

batteries was in contemplation, the troops ordered for

that duty would naturally embark at a point whence,

crossing the river considerably above the object of their

expedition, they might drift down with the current, and

effect a landing without noise, he determined to direct

his course between the merchantmen and vessels of war,

and pursue his way to the opposite end of the town. The

enterprise, it is true, was bold, and not by any means,

without hazard; but Grantham's was a spirit that delighted

in excitement, and moreover he trusted much to the skill

of his pilot, the darkness of the night, and the seeming

repose of the enemy. Even if seen, it was by no means

certain he should be taken, for his light skiff could

worm its way where another dared not follow, and as for

any shot that might be sent in pursuit of them, its aim

would, in the obscurity of the night, be extremely

uncertain.

Devoted as the old negro was to Gerald's will, it was

but to acquaint him with his intention to ensure a

compliance; although, in this case, it must be admitted

a reluctant one. Cautiously and silently, therefore,

they moved between the line of vessels, keeping as close

as they could to the merchantmen, in which there was

apparently no guard, so that under the shadow of the

hulls of these they might escape all observation from

the more watchful vessels of war without. They had

cleared all but one, when the head of the canoe suddenly

came foul of the hawser of the latter, and was by the

checked motion brought round, with her broadside completely

under her stern, in the cabin windows of which, much to

the annoyance of our adventurer, a light was plainly

visible. Rising as gently as he could to clear the bow

of the light skiff, he found his head on a level with

the windows, and as his eye naturally fell on all within,

his attention was arrested sufficiently to cause a sign

from him to Sambo to remain still. The cabin was spacious,

and filled every where with female forms, who were lying

in various attitudes of repose, while the whole character

of the arrangements were such as to induce his belief,

that the vessel had been appropriated to the reception

of the families of the principal inhabitants of the place,

and this with a view of their being more secure from

outrage from the Indians on the ensuing day. In the

midst of the profound repose in which, forgetful of the

dangers of the morrow, all appeared to be wrapped, there

was one striking exception. At a small table in the centre

of the cabin, sat a figure enveloped in a long and ample

dark cloak, and covered with a slouched hat. There was

nothing to indicate sex in the figure, which might have

been taken either for a woman, or for a youth. It was

clear, however, that it wanted in its contour the

proportions of manhood. At the moment when Gerald's

attention was first arrested, the figure was occupied in

reading a letter, which she afterwards sealed with black.

The heart of the sailor beat violently, he knew not

wherefore, but before he could explain his feelings even

to himself, he saw the figure deposit the letter, and

remove, apparently from the bosom of its dress, a miniature

on which it gazed intently for upwards of a minute. The

back being turned towards the windows he could trace no

expression on the countenance, but in the manner there

was none of that emotion, which usually accompanies the

contemplation of the features of a beloved object.

Depositing the picture in the folds of its cloak, the

figure rose, and with a caution indicating desire not to

disturb those who slumbered around, moved through the

straggling forms that lay at its feet, and ascending the

stairs, finally disappeared from the cabin.

Somewhat startled, the young officer hesitated as to what

course he should pursue, for it was evident that if the

figure, whoever it might prove, should come to the stem

of the vessel, he and his companion must be discovered.

For a moment he continued motionless, but with ear and

eye keenly on the alert. At length he fancied he heard

footsteps, as of one treading the loose plank that led

from the vessel's side to the wharf. He pushed the canoe

lightly along, so as to enable him to get clear of her

stem, when glancing his eye in that direction, he saw

the figure, still in the same dress, quit the plank it

had been traversing, and move rapidly along the wharf

towards the centre of the town.

Ruminating on the singularity of what he had observed,

our adventurer now pursued his course up the river; but

still without discovering any evidence of hostile

preparation. On the contrary, a deep silence appeared to

pervade every part of the town, the repose of which was

the more remarkable, as it was generally known, that the

attack on the fort was to be made on the following day.

Arrived opposite the point where the town terminated,

Grantham could distinctly count some twenty or thirty

large boats drawn up on the beach, while in the fields

beyond, the drowsy guard evidently stationed there for

their protection, and visible by the dying embers of

their watch-fire, denoted any thing but the activity

which should have governed an enterprize of the nature

apprehended. Satisfied that the information conveyed to

his superiors was incorrect, the young officer dismissed

from his mind all further anxiety on the subject; yet,

impelled by recollections well befitting the hour and

the circumstances, he could not avoid lingering near a

spot, which, tradition had invested with much to excite

the imagination and feeling. It was familiar to his

memory, (for he had frequently heard it in boyhood,) that

some dreadful tragedy had, in former days, been perpetrated

near this bridge; and he had reason to believe that some

of the actors in it, were those whose blood flowed in

his own young veins. The extreme pain it seemed to give

his parents, however, whenever allusion was made to the

subject, had ever repressed inquiry, and all his knowledge

of these events, was confined to what he had been enabled

to glean from the aged Canadians. That Sambo, who was a

very old servant of the family, had more than hear-say

acquaintance with the circumstances, he was almost certain;

for he had frequently remarked, when after having had

his imagination excited by the oft told tale, he felt

desirous of visiting the spot, the negro obedient in all

things else, ever found some excuse to avoid accompanying

him, nor, within his own recollection, had he once

approached the scene. Certain vague allusions, of late

date, by the old man, had moreover, confirmed him in his

impression, and he now called forcibly to mind an

observation made by his faithful attendant on the night

of their pursuit of the younger Desborough, which,

evidently referred to that period. Even on the present

occasion, he had been struck by the urgency with which

he contended for a return to their own shore, without

pursuing their course to the extreme end of the town;

nor was his unwillingness to approach the bridge overcome,

until Gerald told him it was the positive order of the

Commodore, that they should embrace the whole of the

American lines in their inspection, and even THEN, it

was with a relaxed vigour of arm, that he obeyed the

instruction to proceed.

Determined to sound him, as to his knowledge of the fact,

Grantham stole gently from the bow to the stern of the

canoe, and he was about to question him, when the other,

grasping his arm with an expressive touch, pointed to a

dark object moving across the road. Gerald turned his

head, and beheld the same figure that had so recently

quitted the cabin of the merchantman. Following its

movements, he saw it noiselessly enter into the grounds

of a cottage, opposite an old tannery, where it totally

disappeared.

A new direction was now given to the curiosity of the

sailor. Expressing in a whisper to Sambo, his determination

to follow, he desired him to make for the shore, near

the tannery, beneath the shadow of which he might be

secure, while he himself advanced, and traced the movements

of the mysterious wanderer.

"Oh Massa Geral," urged the old man in the same whisper--his

teeth chattering with fear--"for Hebben' sake e no go

ashore. All dis a place berry bad, and dat no a livin'

ting what e see yonder. Do Massa Geral take poor nigger

word, and not so dere affer e ghost."

"Nay, Sambo, it is no ghost, but flesh and blood, for I

saw it in the brig we were foul of just now, however be

under no alarm. Armed as, I am, I have nothing to fear

from one individual, and if I am seen and pursued in my

turn, it is but to spring in again, and before any one

can put off in chase we shall have nearly reached the

opposite shore--You shall remain in the canoe it--you

please, but I most certainly will see where that figure

went."

"Berry well, Massa Geral," and the old man spoke piquedly,

although partly re-assured by the assurance that it was

no ghost. "If e no take e poor nigger wice e do as e

like; but I no top in e canoe while e go and have him

troat cut, or carry off by a debbil--I dam if e go--I go

too."

This energetic rejoinder being conclusive, and in no wise

opposed by his master, the old man made for the shore as

desired. Both having disembarked, a cautious examination

was first made of the premises, which tending to satisfy

them that all within slumbered, the canoe was secreted

under the shadow of the cottage, the adventurers crossed

the road in the direction taken by the figure--Sambo

following close in the rear of his master, and looking

occasionally behind him, not with the air of one who

fears a mortal enemy, but of one rather who shrinks from

collision with a spirit of another world.

The front grounds of the cottage were separated from the

high road by a fence of open pallisades, in the centre

of which was a small gate of the same description. It

was evidently through this latter that the figure had

disappeared, and as its entrance had been effected without

effort. Gerald came to the conclusion, on finding the

latter yield to his touch, that this was the abode of

the midnight wanderer. Perhaps some young American

officer, whom intrigue or frolic had led forth in disguise

on an excursion from which he was now returned. His

curiosity was therefore on the point of yielding to the

prudence which dictated an immediate relinquishment of

the adventure, when he felt his right arm suddenly seized

in the convulsed and trembling grasp of his attendant.

Turning to ascertain the cause, he beheld as distinctly

as the gloom of the night would permit, the features of

the old man worked into an expression of horror, while

trembling in every joint, he pointed to the mound of

earth at the far extremity of the garden, which was known

to contain the ashes of those from whom his imagination

had been so suddenly diverted by the reappearance of the

figure. This, owing to the position in which he stood,

had hitherto escaped the notice of the officer, whose

surprise may be imagined, when, looking in the direction

pointed out to him, he beheld the same muffled figure,

reposing its head apparently in an attitude of profound

sorrow, against one of the white tomb stones that rose

perpendicularly from the graves.

That Sambo feared nothing which emanated not from the

world of spirits, Grantham well knew. It therefore became

his first care to dismiss from the mind of the poor fellow

the superstitious alarm that had taken possession of

every faculty. From their proximity to the party, this

could only be done by energetic signs, the progress of

which was however interrupted by their mutual attention

being diverted by a change in the position of the figure,

which, throwing itself at its length upon the grave, for

a moment or two sobbed audibly Presently afterwards it

rose abruptly, and wrapping its disguise more closely

around it, quitted the mound and disappeared in the rear

of the house.

The emotion of the figure, in giving evidence of its

materiality, had, more than all the signs of his master,

contributed to allay the agitation of the old negro. When

therefore Gerald, urged by his irrepressible curiosity,

in a whisper declared his intention to penetrate to the

rear of the house, he was enabled to answer.

"For Gorramity's sake, Massa Geral, nebber go dare. Dis

a place all berry bad for e family. Poor Sambo hair white

now but when he black like a quirrel he see all a dis a

people kill--" (and he pointed to the mound) "oh, berry

much blood spill here, Massa Geral. It make a poor nigger

heart sick to link of it."

Gerald grasped the shoulder of the old man. "Sambo," he

whispered, in the same low, but in a determined tone, "I

have long thought you acquainted with the history of this

place, although you have eluded my desire for information

on the subject. After the admission you have now made,

however, I expect you will tell me all and every thing

connected with it. Not now--for I am resolved to see who

that singular being is, who apparently, like myself,

feels an interest in these mouldering bones. As you

perceive it is no ghost, but flesh and blood like ourselves,

stay here if you will, until I return; but something more

must I see of this mystery before I quit the spot."

Without waiting for reply, he gently pushed the unlatched

gate before him. It opened without noise, and quitting

the pathway he moved along the green sward in the direction

in which the figure had disappeared. Love for his master,

even more than the superstitious awe he felt on being

left alone, in that memorable spot, at so late an hour,

put an end to the indecision of the old man. Entering

and cautiously closing the gate, he followed in the

footsteps of his master, and both in the next minute were

opposite to the mound where the figure had first been

observed.

As he was about to quit the grass, and enter upon the

gravelled walk that led to the rear of the cottage, he

fancied he distinguished a sound within, similar to that

of a door cautiously opening. Pausing again to listen,

he saw a light strongly reflected from an upper window,

upon what had the appearance of a court yard in the rear,

and in that light the dark shadow of a human form. This

he at once recognized, from its peculiar costume to be

the mysterious person who had so strongly excited his

curiosity. For a moment or two all was obscurity, when

again, but from a more distant window, the same light

and figure were again reflected. Presently the figure

disappeared, but the light still remained. Impelled by

an uncontrollable desire to behold the features, and

ascertain, if possible, the object of this strange

wanderer, the young sailor cast his eye rapidly in search

of the means of raising himself to a level with the

window, when, much to his satisfaction, he remarked

immediately beneath, a large water butt which was fully

adequate to the purpose, and near this a rude wooden

stool which would enable him to gain a footing on its

edge, without exertion, or noise. It is true there was

every reason to believe that what he had seen was, an

officer belonging to the guard stationed in the adjoining

held, who had his temporary residence in this building,

and was now, after the prosecution of some love adventure

returning home; but Gerald could not reconcile this with

the strong emotion he had manifested near the tomb, and

the startling secrecy with which, even when he had entered,

he moved along his own apartments. These contradictions

were stimulants to the gratification of his own curiosity,

or interest, or whatever it might be; and although he

could not conceal from himself that he incurred no

inconsiderable risk from observation, by the party itself,

the desire to see into the interior of the apartment and

learn something further, rose paramount to all consideration

for his personal safety. His first care now was to

disencumber himself of his shoes and cutlass, which he

gave in charge to Sambo, with directions to the latter

to remain stationary on the sward, keeping a good look-out

to guard against surprise. As by this arrangement his

master would be kept in tolerable proximity, the old

negro, whose repugnance to be left alone in that melancholy

spot was invincible, offered no longer an objection, and

Gerald, bracing more tightly round his loins, the belt

which contained his pistols, proceeded cautiously to

secure the stool, by the aid of which he speedily found

his feet resting on the edge of the water butt, and his

face level with the window. This, owing to the activity

of his professional habits, he had been enabled to

accomplish without perceptible noise.

The scene that met the fixed gaze of the adventurous

officer, was one to startle and excite in no ordinary

degree. The room into which he looked was square, with

deep recesses on the side where he lingered, formed by

the projection of a chimney in which, however, owing to

the sultry season of the year, no traces of recent fire

were visible. In the space between the chimney and wall,

forming the innermost recess, was placed a rude uncurtained

bed, and on this lay extended, and delineated beneath

the covering, a human form, the upper extremities of

which was hidden from view by the projecting chimney.

The whole attitude of repose of this latter indicated

the unconciousness of profound slumber. On a small table

near the foot, were placed several books and papers, and

an extinguished candle. Leaning over the bed and holding

a small lamp which had evidently been brought and lighted

since its entrance, stood the mysterious figure on whom

the interest of Gerald had been so strongly excited. It

seemed to be gazing intently on the features of the

sleeper, and more than once, by the convulsed movements

of its form, betrayed intense agitation. Once it made a

motion as if to awaken the person on whom it gazed, but

suddenly changing its purpose, drew from its dress a

letter which Gerald recognized to be that so recently

prepared in the cabin of the brig. Presently both letter

and lamp were deposited on the bed, and in one upraised

hand of the figure gleamed the blade of a knife or dagger,

while the left grasped and shook, with an evident view

to arouse, the sleeper. An exclamation of horror,

accompanied by a violent struggle of its limbs, proclaimed

reviving consciousness in the latter. A low wild laugh

burst in scorn from the lips of the figure, and the

strongly nerved arm was already descending to strike its

assassin blow, when suddenly the pistol, which Gerald

had almost unconsciously cocked and raised to the window,

was discharged with a loud explosion. The awakened

slumberer was now seen to spring from the bed to the

floor, and in the action the lamp was overturned and

extinguished; but all struggle appeared to have ceased.

Bewildered beyond measure in his reflection, yet secure

in the conviction that he had by this desperate step

saved the life of a human being from the dagger of the

assassin, the only object of Gerald now was to secure

himself from the consequences. Springing from his position

he was soon at the side of the startled Sambo, who had

witnessed his last act with inconceivable dismay. Already

were the guard in the adjoining field, alarmed by the

report of the pistol, hurrying toward the house, when

they reached the little gate, and some even appeared to

be making for their boats on the beach. With these motives

to exertion, neither Gerald nor the old negro were likely

to be deficient in activity. Bending low as they crossed

the road, they managed unperceived to reach that part of

the tannery where their canoe had been secreted, and

Sambo having hastily launched it, they made directly for

the opposite shore, unharmed by some fifteen or twenty

shots that were fired at them by the guard, and drifting

down with the current, reached, about an hour before

dawn, the battery from which they had started.