tion and murder. As soon as he heard this, he moved | spare my life, that is all I ask, and you shall be rewardoff as lightly as the air itself, and making his way to the boat they had left, seized the oars, and with the skill of a practised hand pushed over the water, straining every nerve to give the alarm before Fitzgerald's arrival at the designated spot.

ed. I am my father's darling, he will give all he has for my life. Think, were you a father, had you but one son, the hope of your age, the pillow of your widowed heart, and he were torn- -" "Boy, boy, your words pierce me like a sword! And yet it is not the voice of a child that can shake the mind from its purpose. It is the voice of the Almighty, crying blood for blood! What! can nothing pay the forfeit of blood, but blood again? Whose blood must pay this boy's? The deep answer speaks in my soul, my own child's blood is the price. I dare not, no I will not shed a drop of yours. Let others answer for their own deeds," he said, slowly retiring. As soon as he was alone, Eldred lifted up his heart to God, and prayed that he who hears the young ravens when they cry, would deliver him out of the hands of his enemies. Feeling tranquillized by casting himself upon the Almighty arm, he calmly surveyed the waving woodlands, and rushing streams, where had been the pastime and joy of his childhood. His eye caught the upwards flight of the "cloud cleaving eagle" soaring with unchained wing in boundleys air, and he thought of the days when his heart bounded on wing as free and joyous, and the tears gushed from their full fountains as his head sunk on the broken aperture of the wall on which he was leaning. Absorbed in deep sorrow he heeded not the angry colloquy of the Kidnappers below, debating the point of his instant death or release.

He was conscious of his danger in meeting the falsehearted villain, and blessed the thick veil of darkness which concealed his little bark from view. His only thought was to reach home before the star of Eldred's fate had set forever; and kind nature almost seemed to stay her rapid wheels, to give the devoted Indian the only boon he sought, time to arrest the murderer's knife. Having reached the landing, he bounded like the shot arrow, to the chamber where the wretched father paced the floor in the phrensy of despair. Arrowfoot rushed into his presence, exclaiming, "Where is Fitzgerald ?" "Not returned,” replied the deep voice of agony, "the search is fruitless-Julian delays to confirm the fatal tidings." "Hasten, Carlisle, if ever you hope to see your son again-he lives, but the hour for his death is appointed the assassin waits but the sentence from the mouth of your nephew Fitzgerald to despatch him. Stand not motionless. Doubt not the certainty of what I tell you. I have pursued the ruffians and heard all the plot. In two hours, Eldred's fate may be sealed: for the ruffians wait but the return of their leader, Julian Fitzgerald. Arm yourselves and follow me," he cried to the gathering retainers of the household, | Hawkins refusing to take any further part in his deas, seizing the first weapon that came to his hand, he darted towards the river where he had fastened the little skiff.

While Arrowfoot is leading the way towards the lonely habitation where he had left the imprisoned boy, we will follow the covert footsteps of Julian. After he had prevailed on Colonel Carlisle to retire from the search, he dispersed the band under his guidance, in every direction, but the right one, and under pretence of making inquiries at a small fishing station, sailed down the river alone, intending to take this opportunity to meet the instruments of his dark purposes.

The brow of McMurdough lowered with angry im. patience, as leaning against an overshadowing tree, he waited the appearance of Fitzgerald. The assassin knew too well his rapacity for wealth to believe that any trivial cause could detain him, and yet the "slow paced night" had nearly finished her circuit without his coming. At length the glimmer of twilight gave place to the broad day, and still he came not. In a state of fearful doubt and uncertainty McMurdough strode backwards and forwards, resolving the part he should take.

struction, and McMurdough in brutal ferocity at Fitzgerald's delay, threatening his immediate assassination. A confused noise of voices approaching, broke in upon their dialogue, putting every other idea to flight, but that of immediate escape; and they fled towards a deep ravine, hoping to secrete themselves in it, until the pursuit was over; but it was too late. The wary In dian had placed a guard at every pass, and they were soon made prisoners. What was their astonishment to see Fitzgerald in the train of their pursuers? The unusual darkness of the night, prevented his finding the secret path to the place of rendezvous, and seeing himself totally at fault, he was obliged to await the glimmer of day light, in order to proceed more securely. Arrowfoot's ear caught the sound of his stealthy tread, and warning his followers to advance cautiously, he darted forward, and intercepted Fitzgerald, at the spot where his followers had left the boat. It instantly flashed across his mind that his base design was known to the Indian; and resolving that his secret should perish with him, he drew his sabre and attempted to close with his adversary. But the movement was perceived in time for Arrowfoot to place himself on his guard; and alThe return of light roused the sleeping senses of El- though Julian was quick of eye and firm of foot, he dred. The unfinished dream still floated in his fancy, gained no vantage ground. He was confident of sucand gave color to his words. "Oh! Arrowfoot you cess, for few had ever resisted that arm who encountered have saved me from falling headlong down the preci- it in deadly strife: but Arrow foot, with agile spring, pice. I should have perished but for you." "Who?" always eluded the sweep of his weapon, and repaid his muttered the hoarse voice of Hawkins. Shuddering, efforts by honest downright blows with a battle axe at the sound the boy looked up, and beheld the savage which he had seized from the boat of the Pirates. In visage of the robber bending over him. His recollection the first moment of conflict, a shrill cry had given signal suddenly returned, and clinging to the cloak of the rob- to the band of pursuers, but before they reached the ber who was endeavoring to withdraw, he plead for spot, Julian Fitzgerald lay prostrate and disarmed at mercy in the most moving terms. "What have I done," the feet of their leader. The skill and self possession he exclaimed "how have I wronged you, or any one which until now had always ensured him victory, failed else? Tell me, and I will restore you fourfold. Only | in his struggle with the Indian. Conscience, defied so

long, at last asserted its power, and unnerved his arm. He uttered no word of wrath or of fear; but his clenched teeth, and the wild glare of his eye, spoke the roused ferocity of the demon within. Arrow foot, leaving the prisoners in the care of the rest of his party, flew to the captive boy. Eldred was aroused from his slumber by his hurried steps. Thinking his murderers had returned to do the work of death, he dropped from his resting place on the wall, and terror depriving him of every other sensation, he heeded not the rush of many feet, or the cries of his distracted father calling his name. The deeply moving voice of Arrow foot at length awoke him to the consciousness of life and hope. A faint sob was the only expression he was able to give to these overpowering emotions. In speechless ecstasy he gazed on the haggard face of his father; who, with clapsed hands and streaming eyes, gave thanks to the Almighty for his merciful interposition.

The Indian soon became aware of the danger of such a reaction in the feelings of the boy, and bore him from Colonel Carlisle's presence into the near forest, where placing him on the bank of a murmuring rivulet, he bathed his temples, and, aided by the soothing sights and sounds of nature, soon restored him to tranquillity, and enabled him to return with his father and friends to the home where his sister watched with straining eyes, for some messenger who would tell her of his safety or his death.

to the mercy of the court, but the intercession was rejected, and sentence of death pronounced on Fitzgerald and McMurdough. Hawkins, who was considered less guilty and who was penitent, was doomed to ten years imprisonment. The night preceeding the day fixed for their execution, the prison was discovered to be on fire; and before any aid could be procured, the devouring flames had enveloped the building, and rendered all access to the prisoners' rooms impossible. The next morning diligent search was made for their skeletons, but as they were never found, it was universally be lieved that the arch-villain Fitzgerald had found means to fire the prison, and taken advantage of the general confusion to fly with his associates from the penalty of the law.

Another cloud was soon to rest on Colonel Carlisle's family. The period destined for the departure of their Indian friends was at hand. Arrowfoot spoke not of his purpose, until his plans were matured, but his countenance betrayed the struggle within. There was something almost solemn in the secrecy and silence with which these young Indians made preparation for their pilgrimage. Lest they should yield to the sympathies of nature, in receiving the expressions of the love and gratitude of the companions of their childhood, they kept almost aloof from them; and it was only by stealth that Eva and Eldred conveyed to their secret depository, stores for their long journey, and mementos of attachment.

Colonel Carlisle, while he lamented deeply the obliga tion which must separate the Indian orphans from their only earthly friends, could not violate his pledge to their father by attempting to detain them. He restored to Arrow foot the wampum belt of the Spread Eagle, remarking, that it contained something which he must not examine till he had crossed the great western river. The Indian made the promise, deeming it some myste rious token left him by his father; and Colonel Carlisle hoped the large sum of gold he had prevailed on him by this stratagem to accept, would be of use to him in after life.

66

Meantime the officers of the law took charge of the criminals. The general delight at receiving the lost one again shut out for a time all recollection of the traitor from the hearts of this affectionate family. But the indignation of the community was strongly excited, and numbers surrounded the prison, calling loudly for the instant trial of the prisoners. On examination, Fitzgerald protested that he was innocent of the crime laid to his charge. McMurdough maintained an obstinate silence. But Hawkins confessed the whole plot, and further added, that Fitzgerald had joined the Buccaneers in the West Indies in the preceding year-had distinguished himself in their piratical depredations by his daring courage; and was now commander of a small cruiser on The evening preceding his departure, Arrowfoot's the Chesapeake. Fitzgerald, he said, had not specified to heart seemed lighter than usual. He led Eva to one of him the person to be put out of the way, but only that the favorite haunts of their childhood. "Eva," he said, one life stood between him and a large fortune, which you have seen my dark and sad countenance; you all should share, provided his hand was not seen in the have thought me ungrateful and unhappy. Yes, the business. This evidence was sustained by that of Ar- soul of Arrow foot is debased; it has rebelled against row foot. When asked why he suspected the pretended the command of my dying father, and preferred degra affection of Fitzgerald for the boy, he replied in the dation and pity to the high hopes of my brethren in the sententious manner of his race, that he "saw him cast West. Eva, you know it not, but it was the spell of an evil eye on him, when he first met him." When Eva's voice, the charm of Eva's eye, that darkened my questioned as to his knowledge of the scheme laid to soul; but now, that dream is gone, my soul rises from entrap Eldred, he said that he saw "something dark its sleep, and brushes away the dew that dimmed its working in Fitzgerald's mind, and followed him to the sight." The tears of Eva flowed fast, to think that she fishing town. There unperceived he saw him meet two had ever caused grief in such a noble heart. She turned men drest as fishers, and all three walked off together. to speak some word of comfort to him, but he had left After a while, the fishermen returned, but Fitzgerald her side, and plunged into the forest to regain calmness. was gone, where, he knew not; he only suspected some That night, when sleep had prest down the eyelids evil was intended against the boy, for his fortune." of Eva, and she lay in sweet unconsciousness of all, When it was inquired why he did not reveal his suspi-save the gay visions of happier years which floated cions? he replied, that he "scorned the part of a meddler through her brain, the beloved Caraola hung over her or tale bearer, and he had no positive evidence of what earliest friend, kissing her cheek and wetting it with her he believed." The testimony was now summed up, and tears. The lovely sleeper heard not the deep sigh of the jury retired to consider the verdict. Colonel Car-suppressed sorrow, or the light foot which was passing lisle sent in a petition, recommending his guilty nephew forever from the home, where love and protection had

town, the lower classes and the negroes preferred deal-pect among the merchants of this place. You are from ing with one who they were sure would not take ad- Virginia, I believe?" vantage of their ignorance to defraud them-a degree

I replied in the affirmative, and inquired if I might

"I never speak of the place of my birth," was the gloomy answer.

I have had too many, and too important affairs of my own, to care to busy myself much about those of other people; but, I must confess, I entertained a strong desire to learn something of this old man, and of the events which probably superinduced his eccentricities. My curiosity was destined to be gratified, though not immediately.

of integrity remarkably rare among the petty shop-not greet him as a countryman. keepers of -. Of his early history nothing was known. He had come to the island in a small schooner, from some port in North America, and, soon after his arrival, took on lease the house in which he established | himself, and which he afterwards purchased. In the rear of his dwelling was a tolerably large lot, which he had enclosed with a high paling, so as effectually to prevent his neighbors from watching his movements, and here he had resided for years, entirely alone. The delicious fruits and vegetables of that sunny clime and Years rolled on, my affairs had prospered, and I was fruitful soil, which constituted his only food, were preparing to return to my home, there to enjoy the brought to his door for sale; and his habits of untiring fruits of my toil: the soil where he was born, is the industry enabled him easily to dispense with the at-only home to a true Virginian. One morning, to my tendance of a domestic. As he was not known to great surprise, I received, by a negro boy, a note from make any deposit or investment of the money he re- Mr. Waring, saying that he desired an interview with ceived, a notion generally obtained, that he was in theme, which must be strictly private, and requesting habit of burying it somewhere in the lot of ground me, if it suited my convenience, to call upon him at which he had fenced in so carefully. Following up this dusk. No trifling cause would have prevented my obeidea, a plot had been laid by some desperadoes, to dis-dience to this summons. Accordingly, at the time apcover, if possible, the place of concealment, and possess themselves of the treasure. Three of them, one night, scaled the fence, and concealing themselves behind some empty hogsheads, awaited the coming forth of their intended victim, who, they conjectured, would visit his hidden treasure. Their motions, however, did not escape the vigilance of Mr. Waring. He came forth, it is true, and they rushed upon him, but two of them received the contents of a blunderbuss, by which they were instantly killed, and before the third recovered from his surprise, he was cut down by the blow of a sabre.

The noise of course occasioned an alarm, and a crowd collected to inquire into the cause. All information was refused, however, until the civil authorities should be present. They were sent for, and, upon their arrival, Mr. Waring unbarred his door, and led the way into the yard.

"I have been saving the courts and the hangman trouble," said the gray-haired old man, as he pointed, with a grim smile, to the bodies that lay drenched in gore; "take the carrion away."

pointed, I repaired to Mr. Waring's shop. He was busy, waiting on some customers, and I was about to retire; but he detained me, saying, "I will attend to you in a moment, Mr. S." As soon as they had left him, he pointed to the back room-"Step in there, quickly, quickly!" he exclaimed, "and wait quietly my coming." I instantly obeyed. About a quarter of an hour elapsed before he joined me, and in the meantime I took a survey of the apartment. I have seldom seen a more wretched abode. An old leathern couch, a ricketty table, two chairs, (one I strongly suspected for the nonce,) and an old wooden clothes chest, comprised the main portion of the furniture. The walls were bare, save where the spiders had hung their tapestry; bundles of rags and nondescript remnants of various useless things, were stuffed into every corner, and the whole wore the appearance of squalid poverty or pinching avarice. "Strange infatuation!" thought I, "that men should devote their prime of years, their powers of mind, to the acquisition of that which is to raise them above poverty, and yet when they have obtained the means to make life comfortable, voluntarily condemn themselves to the very privations which they had origi

escape the evil, bind us by the chains of habit, to the condition itself which we deprecated."

From that time this singular being remained unmolested, by either the intrusions of curiosity, or the as-nally fled from as a curse! The measures we adopt to saults of villainy. The house that I occupied was within a few doors of his, and the business in which I was engaged led to some transactions between us. It so happened, that in examining my books, I detected an overcharge which had been made against him by the inadvertence of one of my clerks. I of course hastened to inform him of the error, and to correct it. It was with some little difficulty that I persuaded him of the fact, but when it was made clear to him, he fixed his large eyes upon me with a peculiar expression, and taking my hand, pressed it with warmth.

"I do not thank you," said he, " merely for the trouble you have taken, or for the information you have given, which has enabled me to save, though a small sum of money, yet an important one to me. These, however, merit, and they have my gratitude; but I thank you, more particularly, for exhibiting a trait of honesty that my experience had scarcely led me to ex

As I made this reflection, he who suggested it entered. After a brief interval, during which he gazed upon me as if to search my very soul, he said, “Mr. S. you are curious to know who and what I am. Nay, never blush, man, it is natural enough. You cannot think it otherwise than strange, that one who is connected by no ties of consanguinity with his fellow men, who has no apparent motive for hoarding his gains, for whom ambition has no charms, and who is looked upon by no earthly being with the eye of affection, should condemn himself to the want of every comfort, for the acquisition of that, which in a brief space of time, must be snatched from him by the cold hand of death. You, no doubt, think it strange too, that one, whose language gives evidence of education, and I may say of capacity, which would place him at least on an equality with his

fellow men, should confine himself to the petty and though launched on the busy scenes of life extremely despised occupation, in which for years I have been en-poor, had contrived to accumulate a comfortable sum of gaged. You probably deem me a miser; in one sense money; how, none exactly knew; some said by specu of the word I am one, for God's sun shines not on alations in lands, others by the purchase of bonds, while greater wretch; but there breathes no human being, some hinted that he was indebted to his science in for whom wealth has fewer charms or smaller power. | horse-racing and his skill in cards, for the greatest porThe coarsest raiment, the simplest food, and a bare tion of his success. For my own part I made no inshelter from the storm, are the limits of my bodily quiries about the matter. I met him in good society, wants, and as for my mind riches cannot purchase it his deportment was gentlemanlike, and moreover, he peace. Still, my aim has been to gather them; for was a delightful companion. He sung a good song, what purpose you shall be informed. I have requested told a good story, and had no small share of original this interview, because I had reason to think you an wit. I do not know whether he loved Emily, or whehonest man, and none but such would answer my pur-ther his motives were mercenary (for she was wealthy) pose. I desire your agency and assistance in the performance of an act of justice, the execution of which has been the main object of my life. For your mere trouble you will be amply compensated; for the satis-became my wife. faction you will afford me it is out of my power to offer an equivalent. Having thus stated my wishes, I shall proceed, irksome and degrading to me as is the task, to recount to you the narrative of my early life. I claim from you simply the promise that you will not, during my life time, reveal what I am now about to utter to you." I gave my promise. "Listen then," said the old man.

but as I before observed, though repeatedly discarded, he nevertheless continued his attentions. I, alas! was more favorably received, and in the course of time Emily

"Though memory ever reverts to that blissful period of my existence, conjuring up the past amid the pauses of occupation by day, and peopling the dark hours of the night, when remorse has banished sleep, with the shadowy forms of the loved-the lost-there are times when I lose the consciousness of its reality. I remember, but as a dream, amid the storm-blackened waves on which I am tossed, the bright skies that once cheer"I, as well as yourself, was born in Virginia; my ed, and the blessed sun that beamed upon my course. real name is W.... My father was descended from My fortune enabled me to indulge in an extensive hosthe English aristocracy, and was not a little proud of pitality, and the pleasures of my abode offered every the circumstance. During the Revolutionary War, al- inducement to society. Among the most frequent of though his feelings were certainly on the side of the my guests was Roberts, the former assiduous suitor of British government, he maintained a neutrality suffi- my wife. He seemed to have entirely overcome his ciently strict to enable him to preserve his estate, which disappointment, and indeed no one congratulated me was a very large one. At an early age I was sent to upon my marriage with more seeming cordiality than England, where I received my education, and remained he. Emily did not like him, for she doubted the sounduntil I was twenty-three. Soon after my return to ness of his principles; but she tolerated him, because America my father died, (my mother had expired many she saw that he was entertaining to me, and probably years before) and I was left in the uncontrolled posses- thought my mind and morals beyond the reach of his sion of one of the largest fortunes in Virginia. Young, influence. Fatal error! and, common as fatal! There well-born, good-looking and rich, every noble quality is in the mind a principle somewhat resembling the was of course attributed to me, and every where my phenomenon of heat in matter, which is imparted from society was courted. I lived in an atmosphere of sunny one substance to another, as they come in contact, until smiles, amid the rich the gay and the beautiful. Among uniform temperature is established,-so, when the vithe latter there was one pre-eminent. It was no dream cious and the virtuous are in the habit of association, of love that robed her with surpassing beauty—it was the bad qualities of the former are imbibed, not prono perversion of fancy that invested her with the per-ducing a moral medium, it is true, but creating propenfection of womanhood. If ever there were a heart un-sities equally criminal. I grew in a short time, in containted by a single impurity, it beat within the bosom sequence of this intimacy with Roberts, very fond of of Emily C....., and that heart, with its boundless the turf, and that which was at first mere delight in the love, its thousand charities, its noble confidence, its exhibition of the beauty and speed of the noble animals unbending honor-that heart, I, I, the miserable, worth- in their fierce struggle for victory, changed into a desire less, degraded object that you see, won by my seeming of being personally interested in the event. I betted virtue, and broke by my glaring villainy!" freely, and though constantly flattered by my associates,

He paused, and wiped the drops of agony from his and more especially by Roberts, upon the correctness brow; at length he resumed.

of my judgment, I very rarely won. My losses, however, were not larger than my ample income could well afford. By and bye I became an owner of horses, and as I determined to procure the best, and did so, I was obliged to pay large sums for them. From ignorance,

"I did not mean to anticipate my tale, but I was forced onward by the tide of memory. Such a creature as I have described could not but be surrounded by admiration, and among the many who aspired to her hand, was one, whose perseverance was untiring, not-mismanagement, and probably knavery, but few purses withstanding the frequent rejections which he had en- fell to my lot. On one occasion, there was what is countered. His name was Roberts. He was a young termed a sweepstake, in which I had entered a colt of man of good family and fair education, with prepossess- great promise. From previous trials I was very sure ing appearance and manners, and was a general favo- that there were but few who could match him, and the rite with his acquaintance. His father, it was under-event justified my confidence. Besides the stake, which stood, had ruined himself on the turf, but the son, al- was very considerable, my private wagers amounted to