RICHARD CARVEL

By Winston Churchill

CONTENTS OF THE COMPLETE BOOK

Volume 1. I. Lionel Carvel, of Carvel HallII. Some Memories of ChildhoodIII. Caught by the TideIV. Grafton would heal an Old BreachV. "If Ladies be but Young and Fair"VI. I first suffer for the CauseVII. Grafton has his Chance

Volume 2. VIII. Over the WallIX. Under False ColoursX. The Red in the Carvel BloodXI. A Festival and a PartingXII. News from a Far Country

Volume 3. XIII. Mr. Allen shows his HandXIV. The Volte CoupeXV. Of which the Rector has the WorstXVI. In which Some Things are made ClearXVII. South RiverXVIII. The Black Moll

Volume 4. XIX. A Man of DestinyXX. A Sad Home-comingXXI. The Gardener's CottageXXII. On the RoadXXIII. London TownXXIV. Castle YardXXV. The Rescue

Volume 5. XXVI. The Part Horatio playedXXVII. In which I am sore temptedXXVIII. Arlington StreetXXIX. I meet a very Great Young ManXXX. A ConspiracyXXXI. "Upstairs into the World"XXXII. Lady Tankerville's Drum-majorXXXIII. Drury Lane

Volume 6. XXXIV. His Grace makes AdvancesXXXV. In which my Lord Baltimore appearsXXXVI. A Glimpse of Mr. GarrickXXXVII. The SerpentineXXXVIII. In which I am roundly brought to taskXXXIX. Holland HouseXL. VauxhallXLI. The Wilderness

Volume 7. XLII. My Friends are provenXLIII. Annapolis once moreXLIV. Noblesse ObligeXLV. The House of MemoriesXLVI. Gordon's PrideXLVII. VisitorsXLVIII. Multum in ParvoXLIX. Liberty loses a Friend

Volume 8. L. Farewell to Gordon'sLI. How an Idle Prophecy came to passLII. How the Gardener's Son fought the SerapisLIII. In which I make Some DiscoveriesLIV. More Discoveries. LV. The Love of a Maid for a ManLVI. How Good came out of EvilLVII. I come to my Own again

FOREWORD

My sons and daughters have tried to persuade me to remodel these memoirsof my grandfather into a latter-day romance. But I have thought it wiserto leave them as he wrote them. Albeit they contain some details not ofinterest to the general public, to my notion it is such imperfections asthese which lend to them the reality they bear. Certain it is, whenreading them, I live his life over again. 

Needless to say, Mr. Richard Carvel never intended them for publication. His first apology would be for his Scotch, and his only defence is thathe was not a Scotchman. 

The lively capital which once reflected the wit and fashion of Europe hasfallen into decay. The silent streets no more echo with the rumble ofcoaches and gay chariots, and grass grows where busy merchants trod. Stately ball-rooms, where beauty once reigned, are cold and empty andmildewed, and halls, where laughter rang, are silent. Time was whenevery wide-throated chimney poured forth its cloud of smoke, when everyandiron held a generous log, --andirons which are now gone to decorate Mr. Centennial's home in New York or lie with a tag in the window of somecurio shop. The mantel, carved in delicate wreaths, is boarded up, andan unsightly stove mocks the gilded ceiling. Children romp in that roomwith the silver door-knobs, where my master and his lady were wont to sitat cards in silk and brocade, while liveried blacks entered on tiptoe. No marble Cupids or tall Dianas fill the niches in the staircase, and themahogany board, round which has been gathered many a famous toast andwit, is gone from the dining room. 

But Mr. Carvel's town house in Annapolis stands to-day, with itsneighbours, a mournful relic of a glory that is past. 

DANIEL CLAPSADDLE CARVEL. 

CALVERT HOUSE, PENNSYLVANIA, December 21, 1876. 

RICHARD CARVEL

CHAPTER I

LIONEL CARVEL, OF CARVEL HALL

Lionel Carvel, Esq. , of Carvel Hall, in the county of Queen Anne, was noinconsiderable man in his Lordship's province of Maryland, and indeed hewas not unknown in the colonial capitals from Williamsburg to Boston. When his ships arrived out, in May or June, they made a goodly showing atthe wharves, and his captains were ever shrewd men of judgment whosniffed a Frenchman on the horizon, so that none of the Carvel tobaccoever went, in that way, to gladden a Gallic heart. Mr. Carvel's acreswere both rich and broad, and his house wide for the stranger who mightseek its shelter, as with God's help so it ever shall be. It has yet tobe said of the Carvels that their guests are hurried away, or that one, by reason of his worldly goods or position, shall be more welcome thananother. 

I take no shame in the pride with which I write of my grandfather, albeithe took the part of his Majesty and Parliament against the Colonies. Hewas no palavering turncoat, like my Uncle Grafton, to cry "God save theKing!" again when an English fleet sailed up the bay. Mr. Carvel's handwas large and his heart was large, and he was respected and even loved bythe patriots as a man above paltry subterfuge. He was born at CarvelHall in the year of our Lord 1696, when the house was, I am told, but asmall dwelling. It was his father, George Carvel, my great-grandsire, reared the present house in the year 1720, of brick brought from Englandas ballast for the empty ships; he added on, in the years following, thewide wings containing the ball-room, and the banquet-hall, and the largelibrary at the eastern end, and the offices. But it was my grandfatherwho built the great stables and the kennels where he kept his beagles andhis fleeter hounds. He dearly loved the saddle and the chase, and taughtme to love them too. Many the sharp winter day I have followed the foxwith him over two counties, and lain that night, and a week after, forsooth, at the plantation of some kind friend who was only too glad toreceive us. Often, too, have we stood together from early morning untildark night, waist deep, on the duck points, I with a fowling-piece I wasall but too young to carry, and brought back a hundred red-heads orcanvas-backs in our bags. He went with unfailing regularity to the racesat Annapolis or Chestertown or Marlborough, often to see his own horsesrun, where the coaches of the gentry were fifty and sixty around thecourse; where a negro, or a hogshead of tobacco, or a pipe of Madeira wasoften staked at a single throw. Those times, my children, are not ours, and I thought it not strange that Mr. Carvel should delight in a goodmain between two cocks, or a bull-baiting, or a breaking of heads at theChestertown fair, where he went to show his cattle and fling a guineainto the ring for the winner. 

But it must not be thought that Lionel Carvel, your ancestor, was whollyunlettered because he was a sportsman, though it must be confessed thatbooks occupied him only when the weather compelled, or when on his backwith the gout. At times he would fain have me read to him as he lay inhis great four-post bed with the flowered counterpane, from theSpectator, stopping me now and anon at some awakened memory of his youth. He never forgave Mr. Addison for killing stout, old Sir Roger deCoverley, and would never listen to the butler's account of his death. Mr. Carvel, too, had walked in Gray's Inn Gardens and met adventure atFox Hall, and seen the great Marlborough himself. He had a fondness forMr. Congreve's Comedies, many of which he had seen acted; and was partialto Mr. Gay's Trivia, which brought him many a recollection. He wouldalso listen to Pope. But of the more modern poetry I think Mr. Gray'sElegy pleased him best. He would laugh over Swift's gall and wormwood, and would never be brought by my mother to acknowledge the defects in theDean's character. Why? He had once met the Dean in a Londondrawing-room, when my grandfather was a young spark at Christ Church, Oxford. He never tired of relating that interview. The hostess was avery great lady indeed, and actually stood waiting for a word with hisReverence, whose whim it was rather to talk to the young provincial. Hewas a forbidding figure, in his black gown and periwig, so my grandfathersaid, with a piercing blue eye and shaggy brow. He made the mighty tocome to him, while young Carvel stood between laughter and fear of thegreat lady's displeasure. 

"I knew of your father, " said the Dean, "before he went to the colonies. He had done better at home, sir. He was a man of parts. "

"He has done indifferently well in Maryland, sir, " said Mr. Carvel, making his bow. 

"He hath gained wealth, forsooth, " says the Dean, wrathfully, "and mighthave had both wealth and fame had his love for King James not turned hishead. I have heard much of the colonies, and have read that doggerel'Sot Weed Factor' which tells of the gluttonous life of ease you lead inyour own province. You can have no men of mark from such conditions, Mr. Carvel. Tell me, " he adds contemptuously, "is genius honoured amongyou?"

"Faith, it is honoured, your Reverence, " said my grandfather, "but neverencouraged. "

This answer so pleased the Dean that he bade Mr. Carvel dine with himnext day at Button's Coffee House, where they drank mulled wine and oldsack, for which young Mr. Carvel paid. On which occasion his Reverenceendeavoured to persuade the young man to remain in England, and evenwent so far as to promise his influence to obtain him preferment. ButMr. Carvel chose rather (wisely or not, who can judge?) to come back toCarvel Hall and to the lands of which he was to be master, and to playthe country squire and provincial magnate rather than follow the varyingfortunes of a political party at home. And he was a man much looked upto in the province before the Revolution, and sat at the council board ofhis Excellency the Governor, as his father had done before him, andrepresented the crown in more matters than one when the French andsavages were upon our frontiers. 

Although a lover of good cheer, Mr. Carvel was never intemperate. To theend of his days he enjoyed his bottle after dinner, nay, could scarce getalong without it; and mixed a punch or a posset as well as any in ourcolony. He chose a good London-brewed ale or porter, and his shipsbrought Madeira from that island by the pipe, and sack from Spain andPortugal, and red wine from France when there was peace. And puncheonsof rum from Jamaica and the Indies for his people, holding that nogentleman ever drank rum in the raw, though fairly supportable as punch. 

Mr. Carvel's house stands in Marlborough Street, a dreary mansion enough. Praised be Heaven that those who inherit it are not obliged to live thereon the memory of what was in days gone by. The heavy green shutters areclosed; the high steps, though stoutly built, are shaky after these yearsof disuse; the host of faithful servants who kept its state are nearlyall laid side by side at Carvel Hall. Harvey and Chess and Scipio are nomore. The kitchen, whither a boyish hunger oft directed my eyes attwilight, shines not with the welcoming gleam of yore. Chess no longerprepares the dainties which astonished Mr. Carvel's guests, and which healone could cook. The coach still stands in the stables where Harveyleft it, a lumbering relic of those lumbering times when methinks therewas more of goodwill and less of haste in the world. The great brassknocker, once resplendent from Scipio's careful hand, no longerfantastically reflects the guest as he beats his tattoo, and Mr. Peale'sportrait of my grandfather is gone from the dining-room wall, adorning, as you know, our own drawing-room at Calvert House. 

I shut my eyes, and there comes to me unbidden that dining-room inMarlborough Street of a gray winter's afternoon, when I was but a lad. I see my dear grandfather in his wig and silver-laced waistcoat and hisblue velvet coat, seated at the head of the table, and the precise Scipiohas put down the dumb-waiter filled with shining cut-glass at his lefthand, and his wine chest at his right, and with solemn pomp driven hisblack assistants from the room. Scipio was Mr. Carvel's butler. He wasforbid to light the candles after dinner. As dark grew on, Mr. Carvelliked the blazing logs for light, and presently sets the decanter on thecorner of the table and draws nearer the fire, his guests following. Irecall well how jolly Governor Sharpe, who was a frequent visitor withus, was wont to display a comely calf in silk stocking; and how CaptainDaniel Clapsaddle would spread his feet with his toes out, and settle hislong pipe between his teeth. And there were besides a host of others whosat at that fire whose names have passed into Maryland's history, --Whigand Tory alike. And I remember a tall slip of a lad who sat listening bythe deep-recessed windows on the street, which somehow are always coveredin these pictures with a fine rain. Then a coach passes, --a mahoganycoach emblazoned with the Manners's coat of arms, and Mistress Dorothyand her mother within. And my young lady gives me one of those demurebows which ever set my heart agoing like a smith's hammer of a Monday. 

CHAPTER II

SOME MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD

A traveller who has all but gained the last height of the greatmist-covered mountain looks back over the painful crags he has masteredto where a light is shining on the first easy slope. That light is evervisible, for it is Youth. 

After nigh fourscore and ten years of life that Youth is nearer to me nowthan many things which befell me later. I recall as yesterday the dayCaptain Clapsaddle rode to the Hall, his horse covered with sweat, andthe reluctant tidings of Captain Jack Carvel's death on his lips. Andstrangely enough that day sticks in my memory as of delight rather thansadness. When my poor mother had gone up the stairs on my grandfather'sarm the strong soldier took me on his knee, and drawing his pistol fromhis holster bade me snap the lock, which I was barely able to do. Andhe told me wonderful tales of the woods beyond the mountains, and of thepainted men who tracked them; much wilder and fiercer they were thanthose stray Nanticokes I had seen from time to time near Carvel Hall. And when at last he would go I clung to him, so he swung me to the backof his great horse Ronald, and I seized the bridle in my small hands. The noble beast, like his master, loved a child well, and he cantered offlightly at the captain's whistle, who cried "bravo" and ran by my sidelest I should fall. Lifting me off at length he kissed me and bade menot to annoy my mother, the tears in his eyes again. And leaping onRonald was away for the ferry with never so much as a look behind, leaving me standing in the road. 

And from that time I saw more of him and loved him better than any mansave my grandfather. He gave me a pony on my next birthday, and a littlehogskin saddle made especially by Master Wythe, the London saddler in thetown, with a silver-mounted bridle. Indeed, rarely did the captainreturn from one of his long journeys without something for me and ahandsome present for my mother. Mr. Carvel would have had him make hishome with us when we were in town, but this he would not do. He lodgedin Church Street, over against the Coffee House, dining at that hostelrywhen not bidden out, or when not with us. He was much sought after. I believe there was scarce a man of note in any of the colonies notnumbered among his friends. 'Twas said he loved my mother, and couldnever come to care for any other woman, and he promised my father in theforests to look after her welfare and mine. This promise, you shall see, he faithfully kept. 

Though you have often heard from my lips the story of my mother, I mustfor the sake of those who are to come after you, set it down here asbriefly as I may. My grandfather's bark 'Charming Sally', CaptainStanwix, having set out from Bristol on the 15th of April, 1736, with afair wind astern and a full cargo of English goods below, near theMadeiras fell in with foul weather, which increased as she entered thetrades. Captain Stanwix being a prudent man, shortened sail, knowing theharbour of Funchal to be but a shallow bight in the rock, and worse thanthe open sea in a southeaster. The third day he hove the Sally to; beinga stout craft and not overladen she weathered the gale with the loss of ajib, and was about making topsails again when a full-rigged ship wasdescried in the offing giving signals of distress. Night was coming onvery fast, and the sea was yet running too high for a boat to live, butthe gallant captain furled his topsails once more to await the morning. It could be seen from her signals that the ship was living throughout thenight, but at dawn she foundered before the Sally's boats could be put inthe water; one of them was ground to pieces on the falls. Out of theship's company and passengers they picked up but five souls, four sailorsand a little girl of two years or thereabouts. The men knew nothing moreof her than that she had come aboard at Brest with her mother, a quiet, delicate lady who spoke little with the other passengers. The ship was'La Favourite du Roy', bound for the French Indies. 

Captain Stanwix's wife, who was a good, motherly person, took charge ofthe little orphan, and arriving at Carvel Hall delivered her to mygrandfather, who brought her up as his own daughter. You may be sure theemblem of Catholicism found upon her was destroyed, and she was baptizedstraightway by Doctor Hilliard, my grandfather's chaplain, into theEstablished Church. Her clothes were of the finest quality, and herlittle handkerchief had worked into the corner of it a coronet, with theinitials "E de T" beside it. Around her neck was that locket with thegold chain which I have so often shown you, on one side of which is theminiature of the young officer in his most Christian Majesty's uniform, and on the other a yellow-faded slip of paper with these words: "Elle estla mienne, quoiqu'elle ne porte pas mou nom. " "She is mine, although shedoes not bear my name. "

My grandfather wrote to the owners of 'La Favourite du Roy', and likewisedirected his English agent to spare nothing in the search for some clewto the child's identity. All that he found was that the mother had beenentered on the passenger-list as Madame la Farge, of Paris, and was boundfor Martinico. Of the father there was no trace whatever. The name "laFarge" the agent, Mr. Dix, knew almost to a certainty was assumed, andthe coronet on the handkerchief implied that the child was of nobleparentage. The meaning conveyed by the paper in the locket, which wasplainly a clipping from a letter, was such that Mr. Carvel never showedit to my mother, and would have destroyed it had he not felt that someday it might aid in solving the mystery. So he kept it in his strongbox, where he thought it safe from prying eyes. But my Uncle Grafton, ever adeceitful lad, at length discovered the key and read the paper, andafterwards used the knowledge he thus obtained as a reproach and a tauntagainst my mother. I cannot even now write his name without repulsion. 

This new member of the household was renamed Elizabeth Carvel, thoughthey called her Bess, and of a course she was greatly petted and spoiled, and ruled all those about her. As she grew from childhood to womanhoodher beauty became talked about, and afterwards, when Mistress Carvel wentto the Assembly, a dozen young sparks would crowd about the door of hercoach, and older and more serious men lost their heads on her account. 

Her devotion to Mr. Carvel was such, however, that she seemed to care butlittle for the attention she received, and she continued to grace hisboard and entertain his company. He fairly worshipped her. It was hisdelight to surprise her with presents from England, with rich silks andbrocades for gowns, for he loved to see her bravely dressed. The spinethe gave her, inlaid with ivory, we have still. And he caused a chariotto be made for her in London, and she had her own horses and her groom inthe Carvel livery. 

People said it was but natural that she should fall in love with CaptainJack, my father. He was the soldier of the family, tall and straight anddashing. He differed from his younger brother Grafton as day from night. Captain Jack was open and generous, though a little given to rashenterprise and madcap adventure. He loved my mother from a child. Hisfriend Captain Clapsaddle loved her too, and likewise Grafton, but itsoon became evident that she would marry Captain Jack or nobody. He wasmy grandfather's favourite, and though Mr. Carvel had wished him moreserious, his joy when Bess blushingly told him the news was a pleasure tosee. And Grafton turned to revenge; he went to Mr. Carvel with the paperhe had taken from the strong-box and claimed that my mother was ofspurious birth and not fit to marry a Carvel. He afterwards spread thestory secretly among the friends of the family. By good fortune littleharm arose therefrom, since all who knew my mother loved her, and werewilling to give her credit for the doubt; many, indeed, thought the storysprang from Grafton's jealousy and hatred. Then it was that Mr. Carvelgave to Grafton the estate in Kent County and bade him shift for himself, saying that he washed his hands of a son who had acted such a part. 

But Captain Clapsaddle came to the wedding in the long drawing-room atthe Hall and stood by Captain Jack when he was married, and kissed thebride heartily. And my mother cried about this afterwards, and said thatit grieved her sorely that she should have given pain to such a nobleman. 

After the blow which left her a widow, she continued to keep Mr. Carvel'shome. I recall her well, chiefly as a sad and beautiful woman, statelysave when she kissed me with passion and said that I bore my father'slook. She drooped like the flower she was, and one spring day mygrandfather led me to receive her blessing and to be folded for the lasttime in those dear arms. With a smile on her lips she rose to heaven tomeet my father. And she lies buried with the rest of the Carvels at theHall, next to the brave captain, her husband. 

And so I grew up with my grandfather, spending the winters in town andthe long summers on the Eastern Shore. I loved the country best, and theold house with its hundred feet of front standing on the gentle sloperising from the river's mouth, the green vines Mr. Carvel had fetchedfrom England all but hiding the brick, and climbing to the angled roof;and the velvet green lawn of silvery grass brought from England, descending gently terrace by terrace to the waterside, where lay ourpungies and barges. There was then a tiny pillared porch framing thefront door, for our ancestors never could be got to realize the Marylandclimate, and would rarely build themselves wide verandas suitable to thatcolony. At Carvel Hall we had, to be sure, the cool spring house underthe willows for sultry days, with its pool dished out for bathing; and atrellised arbour, and octagonal summer house with seats where my motherwas wont to sit sewing while my grandfather dreamed over his pipe. Onthe lawn stood the oaks and walnuts and sycamores which still cast theirshade over it, and under them of a summer's evening Mr. Carvel would havehis tea alone; save oftentimes when a barge would come swinging up theriver with ten velvet-capped blacks at the oars, and one of our friendlyneighbours--Mr. Lloyd or Mr. Bordley, or perchance little Mr. Manners--would stop for a long evening with him. They seldom came without theirladies and children. What romps we youngsters had about the old placewhilst our elders talked their politics. 

In childhood the season which delighted me the most was spring. I wouldcount the days until St. Taminas, which, as you knew, falls on the firstof May. And the old custom was for the young men to deck themselves outas Indian bucks and sweep down on the festivities around the Maypole onthe town green, or at night to surprise the guests at a ball and forcethe gentlemen to pay down a shilling, and sometimes a crown apiece, andthe host to give them a bowl of punch. Then came June. My grandfathercelebrated his Majesty's birthday in his own jolly fashion, and I had myown birthday party on the tenth. And on the fifteenth, unless it chancedupon a Sunday, my grandfather never failed to embark in his pinnace atthe Annapolis dock for the Hall. Once seated in the stern between Mr. Carvel's knees, what rapture when at last we shot out into the bluewaters of the bay and I thought of the long summer of joy before me. Scipio was generalissimo of these arrangements, and was always at thedock punctually at ten to hand my grandfather in, a ceremony in which hetook great pride, and to look his disapproval should we be late. As heturned over the key of the town house he would walk away with a sterndignity to marshal the other servants in the horse-boat. 

One fifteenth of June two children sat with bated breath in the pinnace, --Dorothy Manners and myself. Mistress Dolly was then as mischievous alittle baggage as ever she proved afterwards. She was coming to pass aweek at the Hall, her parents, whose place was next to ours, having goneto Philadelphia on a visit. We rounded Kent Island, which lay green andbeautiful in the flashing waters, and at length caught sight of the oldwindmill, with its great arms majestically turning, and the cupola ofCarvel House shining white among the trees; and of the upper spars of theshipping, with sails neatly furled, lying at the long wharves, where theEnglish wares Mr. Carvel had commanded for the return trips wereunloading. Scarce was the pinnace brought into the wind before I hadleaped ashore and greeted with a shout the Hall servants drawn up in aline on the green, grinning a welcome. Dorothy and I scampered over thegrass and into the cool, wide house, resting awhile on the easy slopingsteps within, hand in hand. And then away for that grand tour ofinspection we had been so long planning together. How well I recall thatsunny afternoon, when the shadows of the great oaks were just beginningto lengthen. Through the greenhouses we marched, monarchs of all wesurveyed, old Porphery, the gardener, presenting Mistress Dolly with acrown of orange blossoms, for which she thanked him with a prettycourtesy her governess had taught her. Were we not king and queenreturned to our summer palace? And Spot and Silver and Song and Knipe, the wolf-hound, were our train, though not as decorous as rigid etiquettedemanded, since they were forever running after the butterflies. On wewent through the stiff, box-bordered walks of the garden, past theweather-beaten sundial and the spinning-house and the smoke-house to thestables. Here old Harvey, who had taught me to ride Captain Daniel'spony, is equerry, and young Harvey our personal attendant; old Harveysmiles as we go in and out of the stalls rubbing the noses of our trustedfriends, and gives a gruff but kindly warning as to Cassandra's heels. He recalls my father at the same age. 

Jonas Tree, the carpenter, sits sunning himself on his bench before theshop, but mysteriously disappears when he sees us, and returns presentlywith a little ship he has fashioned for me that winter, all complete withspars and sails, for Jonas was a shipwright on the Severn in the oldcountry before he came as a king's passenger to the new. Dolly and Iare off directly to the backwaters of the river, where the new boat islaunched with due ceremony as the Conqueror, his Majesty's latestship-of-the-line. Jonas himself trims her sails, and she sets off rightgallantly across the shallows, heeling to the breeze for all the worldlike a real man-o'-war. Then the King would fain cruise at once againstthe French, but Queen Dorothy must needs go with him. His Majesty pointsout that when fighting is to be done, a ship of war is no place for awoman, whereat her Majesty stamps her little foot and throws her crown oforange blossoms from her, and starts off for the milk-house in highdudgeon, vowing she will play no more. 

And it ends as it ever will end, be the children young or old, for theFrench pass from his Majesty's mind and he runs after his consort toimplore forgiveness, leaving poor Jonas to take care of the Conqueror. 

How short those summer days? All too short for the girl and boy who hadso much to do in them. The sun rising over the forest often found uspeeping through the blinds, and when he sank into the bay at night wewere still running, tired but happy, and begging patient Hester for halfan hour more. 

"Lawd, Marse Dick, " I can hear her say, "you an' Miss Dolly's been onyo' feet since de dawn. And so's I, honey. "

And so we had. We would spend whole days on the wharves, all bustle andexcitement, sometimes seated on the capstan of the Sprightly Bess orperched in the nettings of the Oriole, of which ship old Stanwix was nowcaptain. He had grown gray in Mr. Carvel's service, and good Mrs. Stanwix was long since dead. Often we would mount together on the littlehorse Captain Daniel had given me, Dorothy on a pillion behind, to gowith my grandfather to inspect the farm. Mr. Starkie, the overseer, would ride beside us, his fowling-piece slung over his shoulder and hisholster on his hip; a kind man and capable, and unlike Mr. Evans, myUncle Grafton's overseer, was seldom known to use his firearms or therawhide slung across his saddle. The negroes in their linsey-woolseyjackets and checked trousers would stand among the hills grinning at uschildren as we passed; and there was not one of them, nor of the whiteservants for that matter, that I could not call by name. 

And all this time I was busily wooing Mistress Dolly; but she, littleminx, would give me no satisfaction. I see her standing among thestrawberries, her black hair waving in the wind, and her red lips redderstill from the stain. And the sound of her childish voice comes back tome now after all these years. And this was my first proposal:

"Dorothy, when you grow up and I grow up, you will marry me, and I shallgive you all these strawberries. "

"I will marry none but a soldier, " says she, "and a great man. "

"Then will I be a soldier, " I cried, "and greater than the Governorhimself. " And I believed it. 

"Papa says I shall marry an earl, " retorts Dorothy, with a toss of herpretty head. 

"There are no earls among us, " I exclaimed hotly, for even then I hadsome of that sturdy republican spirit which prevailed among the youngergeneration. "Our earls are those who have made their own way, like mygrandfather. " For I had lately heard Captain Clapsaddle say this andmuch more on the subject. But Dorothy turned up her nose. 

"I shall go home when I am eighteen, "--she said, "and I shall meet hisMajesty the King. "

And to such an argument I found no logical answer. 

Mr. Marmaduke Manners and his lady came to fetch Dorothy home. He was afoppish little gentleman who thought more of the cut of his waistcoatthan of the affairs of the province, and would rather have been bidden tolead the assembly ball than to sit in council with his Excellency theGovernor. My first recollection of him is of contempt. He must needshave his morning punch just so, and complained whiningly of Scipio ifsome perchance were spilled on the glass. He must needs be taken abroadin a chair when it rained. And though in the course of a summer he wasoften at Carvel Hall he never tarried long, and came to see Mr. Carvel'sguests rather than Mr. Carvel. He had little in common with mygrandfather, whose chief business and pleasure was to promote industryon his farm. Mr. Marmaduke was wont to rise at noon, and knew not wheatfrom barley, or good leaf from bad; his hands he kept like a lady's, rendering them almost useless by the long lace on the sleeves, and hischief pastime was card-playing. It was but reasonable therefore, whenthe troubles with the mother country began, that he chose the King's sidealike from indolence and contempt for things republican. 

Of Mrs. Manners I shall say more by and by. 

I took a mischievous delight in giving Mr. Manners every annoyance myboyish fancy could conceive. The evening of his arrival he and Mr. Carvel set out for a stroll about the house, Mr. Marmaduke mincing hissteps, for it had rained that morning. And presently they came upon thewindmill with its long arms moving lazily in the light breeze, neartouching the ground as they passed, for the mill was built in the Dutchfashion. I know not what moved me, but hearing Mr. Manners carelesslyhumming a minuet while my grandfather explained the usefulness of themill, I seized hold of one of the long arms as it swung by, and beforethe gentlemen could prevent was carried slowly upwards. Dorothyscreamed, and her father stood stock still with amazement and fear, Mr. Carvel being the only one who kept his presence of mind. "Hold on tight, Richard!" I heard him cry. It was dizzy riding, though the motion wasnot great, and before I had reached the right angle I regretted myrashness. I caught a glimpse of the Bay with the red sun on it, andas I turned saw far below me the white figure of Ivie Rawlinson, theScotch miller, who had run out. "O haith!" he shouted. "Hand fast, Mr. Richard!"--And so I clung tightly and came down without muchinconvenience, though indifferently glad to feel the ground again. 

Mr. Marmaduke, as I expected, was in a great temper, and swore he hadnot had such a fright for years. He looked for Mr. Carvel to cane mestoutly: But Ivie laughed heartily, and said: "I wad yell gang far foranither laddie wi' the spunk, Mr. Manners, " and with a sly look at mygrandfather, "Ilka day we hae some sic whigmeleery. "

I think Mr. Carvel was not ill pleased with the feat, or with Mr. Marmaduke's way of taking it. For afterwards I overheard him telling thestory to Colonel Lloyd, and both gentlemen laughing over Mr. Manners'sdiscomfiture. 

CHAPTER III

CAUGHT BY THE TIDE

It is a nigh impossible task on the memory to trace those influences bywhich a lad is led to form his life's opinions, and for my part I holdthat such things are bred into the bone, and that events only serve tostrengthen them. In this way only can I account for my bitterness, at avery early age, against that King whom my seeming environment should havemade me love. For my grandfather was as stanch a royalist as ever helda cup to majesty's health. And children are most apt before they canreason for themselves to take the note from those of their elders whosurround them. It is true that many of Mr. Carvel's guests were of theopposite persuasion from him: Mr. Chase and Mr. Carroll, Mr. Lloyd andMr. Bordley, and many others, including our friend Captain Clapsaddle. And these gentlemen were frequently in argument, but political discussionis Greek to a lad. 

Mr. Carvel, as I have said, was most of his life a member of the Council, a man from whom both Governor Sharpe and Governor Eden were glad to takeadvice because of his temperate judgment and deep knowledge of the peopleof the province. At times, when his Council was scattered, GovernorSharpe would consult Mr. Carvel alone, and often have I known mygrandfather to embark in haste from the Hall in response to a call fromhis Excellency. 

'Twas in the latter part of August, in the year 1765, made memorable bythe Stamp Act, that I first came in touch with the deep-set feelings ofthe times then beginning, and I count from that year the awakening of thesympathy which determined my career. One sultry day I was wading in theshallows after crabs, when the Governor's messenger came drifting in, allimpatience at the lack of wind. He ran to the house to seek Mr. Carvel, and I after him, with all a boy's curiosity, as fast as my small legswould carry me. My grandfather hurried out to order his barge to be gotready at once, so that I knew something important was at hand. At firsthe refused me permission to go, but afterwards relented, and about elevenin the morning we pulled away strongly, the ten blacks bending to theoars as if their lives were at stake. 

A wind arose before we sighted Greensbury Point, and I saw a bark sailingin, but thought nothing of this until Mr. Carvel, who had been silent andpreoccupied, called for his glass and swept her decks. She soonshortened sail, and went so leisurely that presently our light barge drewalongside, and I perceived Mr. Zachariah Hood, a merchant of the town, returning from London, hanging over her rail. Mr. Hood was very palein spite of his sea-voyage; he flung up his cap at our boat, but Mr. Carvel's salute in return was colder than he looked for. As we camein view of the dock, a fine rain was setting in, and to my astonishmentI beheld such a mass of people assembled as I had never seen, and scarcestanding-room on the wharves. We were to have gone to the Governor'swharf in the Severn, but my grandfather changed his intention at once. Many of the crowd greeted him as we drew near them, and, having landed, respectfully made room for him to pass through. I followed him a-tremblewith excitement and delight over such an unwonted experience. We hadbarely gone ten paces, however, before Mr. Carvel stopped abreast of Mr. Claude, mine host of the Coffee House, who cried:

"Hast seen his Majesty's newest representative, Mr. Carvel?"

"Mr. Hood is on board the bark, sir, " replied my grandfather. "I take ityou mean Mr. Hood. "

"Ay, that I do; Mr. Zachariah Hood, come to lick stamps for hisbrother-colonists. "

"After licking his Majesty's boots, " says a wag near by, which brings alaugh from those about us. I remembered that I had heard some talk as tohow Mr. Hood had sought and obtained from King George the office of StampDistributor for the province. Now, my grandfather, God rest him! was asdoughty an old gentleman as might well be, and would not listen withoutprotest to remarks which bordered sedition. He had little fear of thingsbelow, and none of a mob. 

"My masters, " he shouted, with a flourish of his stick, so stoutly thatpeople fell back from him, "know that ye are met against the law, andendanger the peace of his Lordship's government. "

"Good enough, Mr. Carvel, " said Claude, who seemed to be the spokesman. "But how if we are stamped against law and his Lordship's government?How then, sir? Your honour well knows we have naught against either, and are as peaceful a mob as ever assembled. "

This brought on a great laugh, and they shouted from all sides, "Howthen, Mr. Carvel?" And my grandfather, perceiving that he would losedignity by argument, and having done his duty by a protest, was wiselycontent with that. They opened wider the lane for him to pass through, and he made his way, erect and somewhat defiant, to Mr. Pryse's, thecoachmaker opposite, holding me by the hand. The second storey ofPryse's shop had a little balcony standing out in front, and here weestablished ourselves, that we might watch what was going forward. 

The crowd below grew strangely silent as the bark came nearer and nearer, until Mr. Hood showed himself on the poop, when there rose a storm ofhisses, mingled with shouts of derision. "How goes it at St. James, Mr. Hood?" and "Have you tasted his Majesty's barley?" And some asked himif he was come as their member of Parliament. Mr. Hood dropped a bow, though what he said was drowned. The bark came in prettily enough, menin the crowd even catching her lines and making them fast to the piles. A gang-plank was thrown over. "Come out, Mr. Hood, " they cried; "we arehere to do you honour, and to welcome you home again. " There wereleather breeches with staves a-plenty around that plank, and faces thatmeant no trifling. "McNeir, the rogue, " exclaimed Mr. Carvel, "and thathulk of a tanner, Brown. And I would know those smith's shoulders in athousand. " "Right, sir, " says Pryse, "and 'twill serve them proper. When the King's troops come among them for quartering. " Pryse being thegentry's patron, shaped his politics according to the company he was in:he could ill be expected to seize one of his own ash spokes and join theresistance. Just then I caught a glimpse of Captain Clapsaddle on theskirts of the crowd, and with him Mr. Swain and some of the dissentinggentry. And my boyish wrath burst forth against that man smirking andsmiling on the decks of the bark, so that I shouted shrilly: "Mr. Hoodwill be cudgelled and tarred as he deserves, " and shook my little fist athim, so that many under us laughed and cheered me. Mr. Carvel pushed meback into the window and out of their sight. 

The crew of the bark had assembled on the quarterdeck, stout English tarsevery man of them, armed with pikes and belaying-pins; and at a word fromthe mate they rushed in a body over the plank. Some were thrust off intothe water, but so fierce was their onset that others gained the wharf, laying sharply about them in all directions, but getting full as manyknocks as they gave. For a space there was a very bedlam of cries andbroken heads, those behind in the mob surging forward to reach thescrimmage, forcing their own comrades over the edge. McNeir had histhigh broken by a pike, and was dragged back after the first rush wasover; and the mate of the bark was near to drowning, being rescued, indeed, by Graham, the tanner. Mr. Hood stood white in the gangway, dodging a missile now and then, waiting his chance, which never came. For many of the sailors were captured and carried bodily to the "Rose andCrown" and the "Three Blue Balls, " where they became properly drunk onJamaica rum; others made good their escape on board. And at length thebark cast off again, amidst jeers and threats, and one-third of her crewmissing, and drifted slowly back to the roads. 

From the dock, after all was quiet, Mr. Carvel stepped into his barge androwed to the Governor's, whose house was prettily situated near HanoverStreet, with ground running down to the Severn. His Excellency appearedmuch relieved to see my grandfather; Mr. Daniel Dulany was with him, andthe three gentlemen at once repaired to the Governor's writing-closet forconsultation. 

Mr. Carvel's town house being closed, we stopped with his Excellency. There were, indeed, scarce any of the gentry in town at that season savea few of the Whig persuasion. Excitement ran very high; farmers flockedin every day from the country round about to take part in thedemonstration against the Act. Mr. Hood's storehouse was burned to theground. Mr. Hood getting ashore by stealth, came, however, unmolested toAnnapolis and offered at a low price the goods he had brought out in thebark, thinking thus to propitiate his enemies. This step but inflamedthem the more. 

My grandfather having much business to look to, I was left to my owndevices, and the devices of an impetuous lad of twelve are not alwayssuch as his elders would choose for him. I was continually burning witha desire to see what was proceeding in the town, and hearing one day agreat clamour and tolling of bells, I ran out of the Governor's gate anddown Northwest Street to the Circle, where a strange sight met my eyes. A crowd like that I had seen on the dock had collected there, Mr. Swainand Mr. Hammond and other barristers holding them in check. Mountedon a one-horse cart was a stuffed figure of the detested Mr. Hood. Mr. Hammond made a speech, but for the laughter and cheering I could notcatch a word of it. I pushed through the people, as a boy will, divingbetween legs to get a better view, when I felt a hand upon my shoulder, bringing me up suddenly. And I recognized Mr. Matthias Tilghman, andwith him was Mr. Samuel Chase. 

"Does your grandfather know you are here, lad?" said Mr. Tilghman. 

I paused a moment for breath before I answered: "He attended the rallyat the dock himself, sir, and I believe enjoyed it. "

Both gentlemen smiled, and Mr. Chase remarked that if all the other partywere like Mr. Carvel, troubles would soon cease. "I mean not Grafton, "says he, with a wink at Mr. Tilghman. 

"I'll warrant, Richard, your uncle would be but ill pleased to see you insuch company. "

"Nay, sir, " I replied, for I never feared to speak up, "there are youwrong. I think it would please my uncle mightily. "

"The lad hath indifferent penetration, " said Mr, Tilghman, laughing, andadding more soberly: "If you never do worse than this, Richard, Marylandmay some day be proud of you. "

Mr. Hammond having finished his speech, a paper was placed in the hand ofthe effigy, and the crowd bore it shouting and singing to the hill, whereMr. John Shaw, the city carpenter, had made a gibbet. There nine andthirty lashes were bestowed on the unfortunate image, the people cryingout that this was the Mosaic Law. And I cried as loud as any, though Iknew not the meaning of the words. They hung Mr. Hood to the gibbet andset fire to a tar barrel under him, and so left him. 

The town wore a holiday look that day, and I was loth to go back tothe Governor's house. Good patriots' shops were closed, their ownersparading as on Sunday in their best, pausing in knots at every cornerto discuss the affair with which the town simmered. I encountered oldFarris, the clockmaker, in his brown coat besprinkled behind with powderfrom his queue. "How now, Master Richard?" says he, merrily. "This isno place for young gentlemen of your persuasion. "

Next I came upon young Dr. Courtenay, the wit of the Tuesday Club, ofwhom I shall have more to say hereafter. He was taking the air with Mr. James Fotheringay, Will's eldest brother, but lately back from Oxford andthe Temple. 

The doctor wore five-pound ruffles and a ten-pound wig, was dressed incherry silk, and carried a long, clouded cane. His hat had the latestcock, for he was our macaroni of Annapolis. 

"Egad, Richard, " he cries, "you are the only other loyalist I have seenabroad to-day. "

I remember swelling with indignation at the affront. "I call themTories, sir, " I flashed back, "and I am none such. " "No Tory!" says he, nudging Mr. Fotheringay, who was with him; "I had as lief believe yourgrandfather hated King George. " I astonished them both by retorting thatMr. Carvel might think as he pleased, that being every man's right; butthat I chose to be a Whig. "I would tell you as a friend, young man, "replied the doctor, "that thy politics are not over politic. " And theyleft me puzzling, laughing with much relish over some catch in thedoctor's words. As for me, I could perceive no humour in them. 

It was now near six of the clock, but instead of going direct to theGovernor's I made my way down Church Street toward the water. Near thedock I saw many people gathered in the street in front of the "Ship"tavern, a time-honoured resort much patronized by sailors. My curiosityled me to halt there also. The "Ship" had stood in that place nigh on tothree-score years, it was said. Its latticed windows were swung open, and from within came snatches of "Tom Bowling, " "Rule Britannia, " andmany songs scarce fit for a child to hear. Now and anon some one in thestreet would throw back a taunt to these British sentiments, which wentunheeded. "They be drunk as lords, " said Weld, the butcher's apprentice, "and when they comes out we'll hev more than one broken head in thisstreet. " The songs continuing, he cried again, "Come out, d-n ye. " Weldhad had more than his own portion of rum that day. Spying me seated onthe gate-post opposite, he shouted: "So ho, Master Carvel, the streetsare not for his Majesty's supporters to-day. " Other artisans who werethere bade him leave me in peace, saying that my grandfather was a goodfriend of the people. The matter might have ended there had I been olderand wiser, but the excitement of the day had gone to my head like wine. "I am as stout a patriot as you, Weld, " I shouted back, and flushed atthe cheering that followed. And Weld ran up to me, and though I was agood piece of a lad, swung me lightly onto his shoulder. "Harkee, MasterRichard, " he said, "I can get nothing out of the poltroons by shouting. Do you go in and say that Weld will fight any mother's son of themsingle-handed. "

"For shame, to send a lad into a tavern, " said old Bobbins, who had knownmy grandfather these many years. But the desire for a row was so greatamong the rest that they silenced him. Weld set me down, and I, nothingloth, ran through the open door. 

I had never before been in the "Ship, " nor, indeed, in any tavern savethat of Master Dingley, near Carvel Hall. The "Ship" was a bare placeenough, with low black beams and sanded floor, and rough tables andchairs set about. On that September evening it was stifling hot; andthe odours from the men, and the spilled rum and tobacco smoke, well-nighoverpowered me. The room was filled with a motley gang of sailors, mostly from the bark Mr. Hood had come on, and some from H. M. S. Hawk, then lying in the harbour. 

A strapping man-o'-war's-man sat near the door, his jacket thrown openand his great chest bared, and when he perceived me he was in the act ofproposing a catch; 'twas "The Great Bell o' Lincoln, " I believe; and heheld a brimming cup of bumbo in his hand. In his surprise he set itawkwardly down again, thereby spilling full half of it. "Avast, " sayshe, with an oath, "what's this come among us?" and he looked me overwith a comical eye. "A d-d provincial, " he went on scornfully, "but agentleman's son, or Jack Ball's a liar. " Whereupon his companions rosefrom their seats and crowded round me. More than one reeled against me. And though I was somewhat awed by the strangeness of that dark, ill-smelling room, and by the rough company in which I found myself, I held my ground, and spoke up as strongly as I might. 

"Weld, the butcher's apprentice, bids me say he will fight any man amongyou single-handed. "

"So ho, my little gamecock, my little schooner with a swivel, " said hewho had called himself Jack Ball, "and where can this valiant butcher befound?"

"He waits in the street, " I answered more boldly. 

"Split me fore and aft if he waits long, " said Jack, draining the rest ofhis rum. And picking me up as easily as did Weld he rushed out of thedoor, and after him as many of his mates as could walk or staggerthither. 

In the meantime the news had got abroad in the street that the butcher'sapprentice was to fight one of the Hawk's men, and when I emerged fromthe tavern the crowd had doubled, and people were running hither in allhaste from both directions. But that fight was never to be. Big JackBall had scarce set me down and shouted a loud defiance, shaking his fistat Weld, who stood out opposite, when a soldierly man on a great horseturned the corner and wheeled between the combatants. I knew at a glanceit was Captain Clapsaddle, and guiltily wished myself at the Governor's. The townspeople knew him likewise, and many were slinking away evenbefore he spoke, as his charger stood pawing the ground. 

"What's this I hear, you villain, " said he to Weld, in his deep, ringingvoice, "that you have not only provoked a row with one of the King'ssailors, but have dared send a child into that tavern with your fool'smessage?"

Weld was awkward and sullen enough, and no words came to him. 

"Your tongue, you sot, " the captain went on, drawing his sword in hisanger, "is it true you have made use of a gentleman's son for your lowpurposes?"

But Weld was still silent, and not a sound came from either side untilold Robbins spoke up. 

"There are many here can say I warned him, your honour, " he said. 

"Warned him!" cried the captain. "Mr. Carvel has just given you twentypounds for your wife, and you warned him!"

Robbins said no more; and the butcher's apprentice, hanging his head, as well he might before the captain, I was much moved to pity for him, seeing that my forwardness had in some sense led him on. 

"Twas in truth my fault, captain, " I cried out. The captain looked atme, and said nothing. After that the butcher made bold to take up hisman's defence. 

"Master Carvel was indeed somewhat to blame, sir, " said he, "and Weld isin liquor. "

"And I'll have him to pay for his drunkenness, " said Captain Clapsaddle, hotly. "Get to your homes, " he cried. "Ye are a lot of idle hounds, whowould make liberty the excuse for riot. " He waved his sword at the packof them, and they scattered like sheep until none but Weld was left. "And as for you, Weld, " he continued, "you'll rue this pretty business, or Daniel Clapsaddle never punished a cut-throat. " And turning to JackBall, he bade him lift me to the saddle, and so I rode with him to theGovernor's without a word; for I knew better than to talk when he wasin that mood. 

The captain was made to tarry and sup with his Excellency and mygrandfather, and I sat perforce a fourth at the table, scarce daring toconjecture as to the outcome of my escapade. But as luck would have it, the Governor had been that day in such worry and perplexity, and mygrandfather also, that my absence had passed unnoticed. Nor did my goodfriend the captain utter a word to them of what he knew. But afterwardshe called me to him and set me upon his knee. How big, and kind, andstrong he was, and how I loved his bluff soldier's face and blunt ways. And when at last he spoke, his words burnt deep in my memory, so thateven now I can repeat them. 

"Richard, " he said, "I perceive you are like your father. I love yourspirit greatly, but you have been overrash to-day. Remember this, lad, that you are a gentleman, the son of the bravest and truest gentleman Ihave ever known, save one; and he is destined to high things. " I knownow that he spoke of Colonel Washington. "And that your mother, " herehis voice trembled, --"your mother was a lady, every inch of her, and toogood for this world. Remember, and seek no company, therefore, beyondthat circle in which you were born. Fear not to be kind and generous, as I know you ever will be, but choose not intimates from the tavern. "Here the captain cleared his throat, and seemed to seek for words. "I fear there are times coming, my lad, " he went on presently, "whenevery man must choose his side, and stand arrayed in his own colours. It is not for me to shape your way of thinking. Decide in your own mindthat which is right, and when you have so decided, "--he drew his sword, as was his habit when greatly moved, and placed his broad hand upon myhead, --"know then that God is with you, and swerve not from thy coursethe width of this blade for any man. "

We sat upon a little bench in the Governor's garden, in front of us thewide Severn merging into the bay, and glowing like molten gold in thesetting sun. And I was thrilled with a strange reverence such as I havesometimes since felt in the presence of heroes. 

CHAPTER IV

GRAFTON WOULD HEAL AN OLD BREACH

Doctor Hilliard, my grandfather's chaplain, was as holy a man as everwore a gown, but I can remember none of his discourses which moved meas much by half as those simple words Captain Clapsaddle had used. Theworthy doctor, who had baptized both my mother and father, died suddenlyat Carvel Hall the spring following, of a cold contracted while visitinga poor man who dwelt across the river. He would have lacked but threeyears of fourscore come Whitsuntide. He was universally loved andrespected in that district where he had lived so long and ably, by richand poor alike, and those of many creeds saw him to his lastresting-place. Mr. Carroll, of Carrollton, who was an ardent Catholic, stood bareheaded beside the grave. 

Doctor Hilliard was indeed a beacon in a time when his profession amongus was all but darkness, and when many of the scandals of the communitymight be laid at the door of those whose duty it was to prevent them. The fault lay without doubt in his Lordship's charter, which gave to theparishioners no voice in the choosing of their pastors. This matter wasleft to Lord Baltimore's whim. Hence it was that he sent among us somany fox-hunting and gaming parsons who read the service ill and preacheddrowsy and illiterate sermons. Gaming and fox-hunting, did I say? Theseare but charitable words to cover the real characters of those impostorsin holy orders, whose doings would often bring the blush of shame to yourcheeks. Nay, I have seen a clergyman drunk in the pulpit, and even inthose freer days their laxity and immorality were such that many flockedto hear the parsons of the Methodists and Lutherans, whose simple andeloquent words and simpler lives were worthy of their cloth. Smallwonder was it, when every strolling adventurer and soldier out ofemployment took orders and found favour in his Lordship's eyes, and weregiven the fattest livings in place of worthier men, that the EstablishedChurch fell somewhat into disrepute. Far be it from me to say that therewere not good men and true in that Church, but the wag who writ thisverse, which became a common saying in Maryland, was not far wrong forthe great body of them:--

 "Who is a monster of the first renown? A lettered sot, a drunkard in a gown. "

My grandfather did not replace Dr. Hilliard at the Hall, afterwardssaying the prayers himself. The doctor had been my tutor, and in spiteof my waywardness and lack of love for the classics had taught me nolittle Latin and Greek, and early instilled into my mind those principlesnecessary for the soul's salvation. I have often thought with regret onthe pranks I played him. More than once at lesson-time have I gone offwith Hugo and young Harvey for a rabbit hunt, stealing two dogs from thepack, and thus committing a double offence. You may be sure I was wellthrashed by Mr. Carvel, who thought the more of the latter misdoing, though obliged to emphasize the former. The doctor would never raise hishand against me. His study, where I recited my daily tasks, was thatsmall sunny room on the water side of the east wing; and I well recallhim as he sat behind his desk of a morning after prayers, his hornspectacles perched on his high nose and his quill over his ear, and hisink-powder and pewter stand beside him. His face would grow more seriousas I scanned my Virgil in a faltering voice, and as he descanted on apassage my eye would wander out over the green trees and fields to theglistening water. What cared I for "Arma virumque" at such a time? Iwas watching Nebo a-fishing beyond the point, and as he waded ashore theburden on his shoulders had a much keener interest for me than thatAEneas carried out of Troy. 

My Uncle Grafton came to Dr. Hilliard's funeral, choosing thisopportunity to become reconciled to my grandfather, who he feared had notmuch longer to live. Albeit Mr. Carvel was as stout and hale as ever. None of the mourners at the doctor's grave showed more sorrow than didGrafton. A thousand remembrances of the good old man returned to him, and I heard him telling Mr. Carroll and some other gentlemen, with muchemotion, how he had loved his reverend preceptor, from whom he hadlearned nothing but what was good. "How fortunate are you, Richard, " heonce said, "to have had such a spiritual and intellectual teacher in youryouth. Would that Philip might have learned from such a one. And Itrust you can say, my lad, that you have made the best of youradvantages, though I fear you are of a wild nature, as your father wasbefore you. " And my uncle sighed and crossed his hands behind his back. "'Tis perhaps better that poor John is in his grave, " he said. Graftonhad a word and a smile for every one about the old place, but littleelse, being, as he said, but a younger son and a poor man. I was near toforgetting the shilling he gave Scipio. 'Twas not so unostentatiouslydone but that Mr. Carvel and I marked it. And afterwards I made Scipiogive me the coin, replacing it with another, and flung it as far into theriver as ever I could throw. 

As was but proper to show his sorrow at the death of the old chaplain hehad loved so much, Grafton came to the Hall drest entirely in black. Hewould have had his lady and Philip, a lad near my own age, clad likewisein sombre colours. But my Aunt Caroline would none of them, holding itto be the right of her sex to dress as became its charms. Her silks andlaces went but ill with the low estate my uncle claimed for his purse, and Master Philip's wardrobe was twice the size of mine. And the familytravelled in a coach as grand as Mr. Carvel's own, with panels wreathedin flowers and a footman and outrider in livery, from which my auntdescended like a duchess. She embraced my grandfather with much warmth, and kissed me effusively on both cheeks. 

"And this is dear Richard?" she cried. "Philip, come at once and greetyour cousin. He has not the look of the Carvels, " she continued volubly, "but more resembles his mother, as I recall her. "

"Indeed, madam, " my grandfather answered somewhat testily, "he has theCarvel nose and mouth, though his chin is more pronounced. He hasElizabeth's eyes. "

But my aunt was a woman who flew from one subject to another, and shehad already ceased to think of me. She was in the hall. "The dear oldhome?" she cries, though she had been in it but once before, regardinglovingly each object as her eye rested upon it, nay, caressingly when shecame to the great punch-bowl and the carved mahogany dresser, and thePeter Lely over the broad fireplace. "What memories they must bring toyour mind, my dear, " she remarks to her husband. "'Tis cruel, as I oncesaid to dear papa, that we cannot always live under the old rafters weloved so well as children. " And the good lady brushes away a tear withher embroidered pocket-napkin. Tears that will come in spite of us all. But she brightens instantly and smiles at the line of servants drawn upto welcome them. "This is Scipio, my son, who was with your grandfatherwhen your father was born, and before. " Master Philip nods graciously inresponse to Scipio's delighted bow. "And Harvey, " my aunt rattles on. "Have you any new mares to surprise us with this year, Harvey?" Harveynot being as overcome with Mrs. Grafton's condescension as was proper, she turns again to Mr. Carvel. 

"Ah, father, I see you are in sore need of a woman's hand about the oldhouse. What a difference a touch makes, to be sure. " And she takes offher gloves and attacks the morning room, setting an ornament here andanother there, and drawing back for the effect. "Such a bachelor's hallas you are keeping!"

"We still have Willis, Caroline, " remonstrates my grandfather, gravely. "I have no fault to find with her housekeeping. "

"Of course not, father; men never notice, " Aunt Caroline replies in anaggrieved tone. And when Willis herself comes in, auguring no good fromthis visit, my aunt gives her the tips of her fingers. And I imagine Isee a spark fly between them. 

As for Grafton, he was more than willing to let bygones be bygonesbetween his father and himself. Aunt Caroline said with feeling thatDr. Hilliard's death was a blessing, after all, since it brought along-separated father and son together once more. Grafton had beenmisjudged and ill-used, and he called Heaven to witness that the quarrelhad never been of his seeking, --a statement which Mr. Carvel was at nopains to prove perjury. How attentive was Mr. Grafton to his father'severy want. He read his Gazette to him of a Thursday, though the oldgentleman's eyes are as good as ever. If Mr. Carvel walks out of anevening, Grafton's arm is ever ready, and my uncle and his worthy ladyare eager to take a hand at cards before supper. "Philip, my dear, " saysmy aunt, "thy grandfather's slippers, " or, "Philip, my love, thygrandfather's hat and cane. " But it is plain that Master Philip has notbeen brought up to wait on his elders. He is curled with a novel in hisgrandfather's easy chair by the window. "There is Dio, mamma, who hasnaught to do but serve grandpapa, " says he, and gives a pull at the cordover his head which rings the bell about the servants' ears in the hallbelow. And Dio, the whites of his eyes showing, comes running into theroom. 

"It is nothing, Diomedes, " says Mr. Carvel. "Master Philip will fetchwhat I need. ". Master Philip's papa and mamma stare at each other in asurprise mingled with no little alarm, Master Philip being to allappearances intent upon his book. 

"Philip, " says my grandfather, gently. I had more than once heard himspeak thus, and well knew what was coming. 

"Sir, " replies my cousin, without looking up. "Follow me, sir, " said Mr. Carvel, in a voice so different that Philip drops his book. They went upthe stairs together, and what occurred there I leave to the imagination. But when next Philip was bidden to do an errand for Mr. Carvel mygrandfather said quietly: "I prefer that Richard should go, Caroline. "And though my aunt and uncle, much mortified, begged him to give Philipanother chance, he would never permit it. 

Nevertheless, a great effort was made to restore Philip to hisgrandfather's good graces. At breakfast one morning, after my aunt hadpoured Mr. Carvel's tea and made her customary compliment to the blue andgold breakfast china, my Uncle Grafton spoke up. 

"Now that Dr. Hilliard is gone, father, what do you purpose concerningRichard's schooling?"

"He shall go to King William's school in the autumn, " Mr. Carvel replied. 

"In the autumn!" cried my uncle. "I do not give Philip even the shortholiday of this visit. He has his Greek and his Virgil every day. "

"And can repeat the best passages, " my aunt chimes in. "Philip, my dear, recite that one your father so delights in. "

However unwilling Master Philip had been to disturb himself for errands, he was nothing loth to show his knowledge, and recited glibly enoughseveral lines of his Virgil verbatim; thereby pleasing his fond parentsgreatly and my grandfather not a little. 

"I will add a crown to your savings, Philip, " says his father. 

"And here is a pistole to spend as you will, " says Mr. Carvel, tossinghim the piece. 

"Nay, father, I do not encourage the lad to be a spendthrift, " saysGrafton, taking the pistole himself. "I will place this token of yourappreciation in his strong-box. You know we have a prodigal strain inthe family, sir. " And my uncle looks at me significantly. 

"Let it be as I say, Grafton, " persists Mr. Carvel, who liked not to bebalked in any matter, and was not over-pleased at this reference to myfather. And he gave Philip forthwith another pistole, telling his fatherto add the first to his saving if he would. 

"And Richard must have his chance, " says my Aunt Caroline, sweetly, asshe rises to leave the room. 

"Ay, here is a crown for you, Richard, " says my uncle, smiling. "Let ushear your Latin, which should be purer than Philip's. "

My grandfather glanced uneasily at me across the table; he saw clearlythe trick Grafton had played me, I think. But for once I was equal to myuncle, and haply remembered a line Dr. Hilliard had expounded, whichfitted the present case marvellously well. With little ceremony I tossedback the crown, and slowly repeated those words used to warn the Trojansagainst accepting the Grecian horse:

 "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. "

"Egad, " cried Mr. Carvel, slapping his knee, "the lad bath beaten you onyour own ground, Grafton. " And he laughed as my grandfather only couldlaugh, until the dishes rattled on the table. But my uncle thought it nomatter for jesting. 

Philip was also well versed in politics for a lad of his age, and coulddiscuss glibly the right of Parliament to tax the colonies. He denouncedthe seditious doings in Annapolis and Boston Town with an air of easyfamiliarity, for Philip had the memory of a parrot, and 'twas easy toperceive whence his knowledge sprang. But when my fine master spokedisparagingly of the tradesmen as at the bottom of the trouble, mygrandfather's patience came to an end. 

"And what think you lies beneath the wealth and power of England, Philip?" he asked. 

"Her nobility, sir, and the riches she draws from her colonies, " retortsMaster Philip, readily enough. 

"Not so, " Mr. Carvel said gravely. "She owes her greatness to hermerchants, or tradesmen, as you choose to call them. And commerce mustbe at the backbone of every great nation. Tradesmen!" exclaimed mygrandfather. "Where would any of us be were it not for trade? We sellour tobacco and our wheat, and get money in return. And your fathermakes a deal here and a deal there, and so gets rich in spite of hispittance. "

My Uncle Grafton raised his hand to protest, but Mr. Carvel continued:"I know you, Grafton, I know you. When a lad it was your habit to layaside the money I gave you, and so pretend you had none. "

"And 'twas well I learned then to be careful, " said my uncle, losing forthe instant his control, "for you loved the spend-thrift best, and Ishould be but a beggar now without my wisdom. "

"I loved not John's carelessness with money, but other qualities in himwhich you lacked, " answered Mr. Carvel. 

Grafton shot a swift glance at me; and so much of malice and of hatredwas conveyed in that look that with a sense of prophecy I shuddered tothink that some day I should have to cope with such craft. For hedetested me threefold, and combined the hate he bore my dead father andmother with the ill-will he bore me for standing in his way and Philip'swith my grandfather's property. But so deftly could he hide his feelingsthat he was smiling again instantly. To see once, however, the whitebelly of the shark flash on the surface of the blue water is sufficient. 

"I beg of you not to jest of me before the lads, father, " said Grafton. 

"God knows there was little jest in what I said, " replied Mr. Carvellsoberly, "and I care not who hears it. Your own son will one day knowyou well enough, if he does not now. Do not imagine, because I am old, that I am grown so foolish as to believe that a black sheep can becomewhite save by dye. And dye will never deceive such as me. And Philip, "the shrewd old gentleman went on, turning to my cousin, "do not let thyfather or any other make thee believe there cannot be two sides to everyquestion. I recognize in your arguments that which smacks of his tongue, despite what he says of your reading the public prints and of formingyour own opinions. And do not condemn the Whigs, many of whom are worthymen and true, because they quarrel with what they deem an unjust methodof taxation. "

Grafton had given many of the old servants cause to remember him. Harveyin particular, who had come from England early in the century with mygrandfather, spoke with bitterness of him. On the subject of my uncle, the old coachman's taciturnity gave way to torrents of reproach. "Bewareof him as has no use for horses, Master Richard, " he would say; for thistrait in Grafton in Harvey's mind lay at the bottom of all others. At myuncle's approach he would retire into his shell like an oyster, nor couldhe be got to utter more than a monosyllable in his presence. Harvey'sface would twitch, and his fingers clench of themselves as he touched hiscap. And with my Aunt Caroline he was the same. He vouchsafed but acurt reply to all her questions, nor did her raptures over the studsoften him in the least. She would come tripping into the stable yard, daintily holding up her skirts, and crying, "Oh, Harvey, I have heard somuch of Tanglefoot. I must see him before I go. " Tanglefoot is led outbegrudgingly enough, and Aunt Caroline goes over his points, missing thegreater part of them, and remarking on the depth of chest, which isnothing notable in Tanglefoot. Harvey winks slyly at me the while, andnever so much as offers a word of correction. "You must take Philip toride, Richard, my dear, " says my aunt. "His father was never as fond ofit as I could have wished. I hold that every gentleman should ride tohounds. "

"Humph!" grunts Harvey, when she is gone to the house, "Master Philip to hunt, indeed! Foxes to hunt foxes!" And he gives ventto a dry laugh over his joke, in which I cannot but join. "Horsemengrows. Eh, Master Richard? There was Captain Jack, who jumped from thecradle into the saddle, and I never once seen a horse get the better o'him. And that's God's truth. " And he smooths out Tanglefoot's mane, adding reflectively, "And you be just like him. But there was scarce ahorse in the stables what wouldn't lay back his ears at Mr. Grafton, andsmall blame to 'em, say I. He never dared go near 'em. Oh, MasterPhilip comes by it honestly enough. She thinks old Harvey don't know athoroughbred when he sees one, sir. But Mrs. Grafton's no thoroughbred;I tell 'ee that, though I'm saying nothing as to her points, mark ye. I've seen her sort in the old country, and I've seen 'em here, and it'sthe same the world over, in Injy and Chiny, too. Fine trappings don'tmake the horse, and they don't take thoroughbreds from a grocer's cart. A Philadelphy grocer, " sniffs this old aristocrat. "I'd knowed herfather was a grocer had I seen her in Pall Mall with a Royal Highness, byher gait, I may say. Thy mother was a thoroughbred, Master Richard, andI'll tell 'ee another, " he goes on with a chuckle, "Mistress DorothyManners is such another; you don't mistake 'em with their high heads andpatreeshan ways, though her father be one of them accidents as will occurin every stock. She's one to tame, sir, and I don't envy no younggentleman the task. But this I knows, " says Harvey, not heeding my redcheeks, "that Master Philip, with all his satin small-clothes, will neverdo it. "

Indeed, it was no secret that my Aunt Caroline had been a Miss Flaven, of Philadelphia, though she would have had the fashion of our province tobelieve that she belonged to the Governor's set there; and she spoke interms of easy familiarity of the first families of her native city, deceiving no one save herself, poor lady. How fondly do we believe, withthe ostrich, that our body is hidden when our head is tucked under ourwing! Not a visitor in Philadelphia but knew Terence Flaven, Mrs. Grafton Carvel's father, who not many years since sold tea and spices andsoap and glazed teapots over his own counter, and still advertised hiscargoes in the public prints. He was a broad and charitable-minded manenough, and unassuming, but gave way at last to the pressure brought uponhim by his wife and daughter, and bought a mansion in Front Street. Terence Flaven never could be got to stay there save to sleep, andpreferred to spend his time in his shop, which was grown greatly, chatting with his customers, and bowing the ladies to their chariots. I need hardly say that this worthy man was on far better terms than hisfamily with those personages whose society they strove so hard to attain. 

At the time of Miss Flaven's marriage to my uncle 'twas a piece ofgossip in every month that he had taken her for her dower, which was notinconsiderable; though to hear Mr. And Mrs. Grafton talk they knew notwhence the next month's provender was to come. They went to live in KentCounty, as I have said, spending some winters in Philadelphia, whereMr. Grafton was thought to have interests, though it never could bediscovered what his investments were. On hearing of his marriage, whichtook place shortly before my father's, Mr. Carvel expressed neitherdispleasure nor surprise. But he would not hear of my mother's requestto settle a portion upon his younger son. 

"He has the Kent estate, Bess, " said he, "which is by far too good forhim. Never doubt but that the rogue can feather his own nest far betterthan can I, as indeed he hath already done. And by the Lord, " cried Mr. Carvel, bringing his fist down upon the card-table where they sat, "he shall never get another farthing of my money while I live, norafterwards, if I can help it! I would rather give it over toMr. Carroll to found a nunnery. "

And so that matter ended, for Mr. Carvel could not be moved from apurpose he had once made. Nor would he make any advances whatsoever toGrafton, or receive those hints which my uncle was forever dropping, until at length he begged to be allowed to come to Dr. Hilliard'sfuneral, a request my grandfather could not in decency refuse. 'Twas apathetic letter in truth, and served its purpose well, though it was notas dust in the old gentleman's eyes. He called me into his bedroom andtold me that my Uncle Grafton was coming at last. And seeing that Isaid nothing thereto, he gave me a queer look and bade me treat themas civilly as I knew how. "I well know thy temper, Richard, " said he, "and I fear 'twill bring thee trouble enough in life. Try to control it, my lad; take an old man's advice and try to control it. " He wasin one of his gentler moods, and passed his arm about me, and together westood looking silently through the square panes out into the rain, at theducks paddling in the puddles until the darkness hid them. 

And God knows, lad that I was, I tried to be civil to them. But mytongue rebelled at the very sight of my uncle ('twas bred into me, Isuppose), and his fairest words seemed to me to contain a hidden sting. Once, when he spoke in his innuendo of my father, I ran from the room torestrain some act of violence; I know not what I should have done. AndWillis found me in the deserted, study of the doctor, where my hot tearshad stained the flowered paper on the wall. She did her best to calm me, good soul, though she had her own troubles with my Lady Caroline to thinkabout at the time. 

I had one experience with Master Philip before our visitors betookthemselves back to Kent, which, unfortunate as it was, I cannot butrelate here. My cousin would enter into none of those rough amusementsin which I passed my time, for fear, I took it, of spoiling his finebroadcloths or of losing a gold buckle. He never could be got towrestle, though I challenged him more than once. And he was a well-builtlad, and might, with a little practice, have become skilled in thatsport. He laughed at the homespun I wore about the farm, saying it wasno costume for a gentleman's son, and begged me sneeringly to don leatherbreeches. He would have none of the company of those lads with whom Ifound pleasure, young Harvey, and Willis's son, who was being trained asMr. Starkie's assistant. Nor indeed did I disdain to join in a game withHugo, who had been given to me, and other negro lads. Philip saw nosport in a wrestle or a fight between two of the boys from the quarters, and marvelled that I could lower myself to bet with Harvey the younger. He took not a spark of interest in the gaming cocks we raised together tocompete at the local contests and at the fair, and knew not a gaff from acockspur. Being one day at my wits' end to amuse my cousin, I proposedto him a game of quoits on the green beside the spring-house, and thitherwe repaired, followed by Hugo, and young Harvey come to look on. MasterPhilip, not casting as well as he might, cries out suddenly to Hugo:"Begone, you black dog! What business have you here watching a gamebetween gentlemen?"

"He is my servant, cousin, " I said quietly, "and no dog, if you please. And he is under my orders, not yours. "

But Philip, having scarcely scored a point, was in a rage. "And I'llnot have him here, " he shouted, giving poor Hugo a cuff which sent himstumbling over the stake. And turning to me; continued insolently:"Ever since we came here I have marked your manner toward us, as thoughmy father had no right in my grandfather's house. "

Then could I no longer contain myself. I heard young Harvey laugh, andremark: "'Tis all up with Master Philip now. " But Philip, whatever elsehe may have been, was no coward, and had squared off to face me by thetime I had run the distance between the stakes. He was heavier than I, though not so tall; and he parried my first blow and my second, and manymore; having lively work of it, however, for I hit him as often as I wasable. To speak truth, I had not looked for such resistance, and seeingthat I could not knock him down, out of hand, I grew more cool and beganto study what I was doing. 

"Take off your macaroni coat, " said I. "I have no wish to ruin yourclothes. "

But he only jeered in return: "Take off thy wool-sack. " And Hugo, getting to his feet, cried out to me not to hurt Marse Philip, that hehad meant no harm. But this only enraged Philip the more, and he sworea round oath at Hugo and another at me, and dealt a vicious blow at mystomach, whereat Harvey called out to him to fight fair. He was moreskilful at the science of boxing than I, though I was the better fighter, having, I am sorry to say, fought but too often before. And presently, when I had closed one of his eyes, his skill went all to pieces, and hemade a mad rush at me. As he went by I struck him so hard that he fellheavily and lay motionless. 

Young Harvey ran into the spring-house and filled his hat as I bent overmy cousin. I unbuttoned his waistcoat and felt his heart, and rejoicedto find it beating; we poured cold water over his face and wrists. Bythen, Hugo, who was badly frightened, had told the news in the house, andI saw my Aunt Caroline come running over the green as fast as her tightstays would permit, crying out that I had killed her boy, her dearPhilip. And after her came my Uncle Grafton and my grandfather, with allthe servants who had been in hearing. I was near to crying myself at thethought that I should grieve my grandfather. And my aunt, as she kneltover Philip, pushed me away, and bade me not touch him. But my cousinopened one of his eyes, and raised his hand to his head. 

"Thank Heaven he is not killed!" exclaims Aunt Caroline, fervently. 

"Thank God, indeed!" echoes my uncle, and gives me a look as much as tosay that I am not to be thanked for it. "I have often warned you, sir, "he says to Mr. Carvel, "that we do not inherit from stocks and stones. And so much has come of our charity. "

I knew, lad that I was; that he spoke of my mother; and my blood boiledwithin me. 

"Have a care, sir, with your veiled insults, " I cried, "or I will serveyou as I have served your son. "

Grafton threw up his hands. 

"What have we harboured, father?" says he. But Mr. Carvel seized him bythe shoulder. "Peace, Grafton, before the servants, " he said, "and ceasethy crying, Caroline. The lad is not hurt. " And being a tall man, sixfeet in his stockings, and strong despite his age, he raised Philip fromthe grass, and sternly bade him walk to the house, which he did, leaningon his mother's arm. "As for you, Richard, " my grandfather went on, "youwill go into my study. "

Into his study I went, where presently he came also, and I told himthe affair in as few words as I might. And he, knowing my hatred offalsehood, questioned me not at all, but paced to and fro, I followinghim with my eyes, and truly sorry that I had given him pain. And finallyhe dismissed me, bidding me make it up with my cousin, which I wasnothing loth to do. What he said to Philip and his father I know not. That evening we shook hands, though Philip's face was much swollen, andmy uncle smiled, and was even pleasanter than before, saying that boyswould be boys. But I think my Aunt Caroline could never wholly hide themalice she bore me for what I had done that day. 

When at last the visitors were gone, every face on the plantation wore abrighter look. Harvey said: "God bless their backs, which is the onlypart I ever care to see of their honours. " And Willis gave us a supperfit for a king. Mr. Lloyd and his lady were with us, and Mr. Carvel toldhis old stories of the time of the First George, many of which I can evennow repeat: how he and two other collegians fought half a dozen Mohocksin Norfolk Street, and fairly beat them; and how he discovered by chancea Jacobite refugee in Greenwich, and what came of it; nor did he forgetthat oft-told episode with Dean Swift. And these he rehearsed in suchmerry spirit and new guise that we scarce recognized them, and ColonelLloyd so choked with laughter that more than once he had to be hitbetween the shoulders. 

CHAPTER V

"IF LADIES BE BUT YOUNG AND FAIR"

No boyhood could have been happier than mine, and throughout it, everpresent with me, were a shadow and a light. The shadow was my UncleGrafton. I know not what strange intuition of the child made me thinkof him so constantly after that visit he paid us, but often I would wakefrom my sleep with his name upon my lips, and a dread at my heart. Thelight--need I say?--was Miss Dorothy Manners. Little Miss Dolly wasoften at the Hall after that happy week we spent together; and her home, Wilmot House, was scarce three miles across wood and field by ourplantation roads. I was a stout little fellow enough, and before I wastwelve I had learned to follow to hounds my grandfather's guests on mypony; and Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Carvel when they shot on the duck points. Ay, and what may surprise you, my dears, I was given a weak little toddyoff the noggin at night, while the gentlemen stretched their limbs beforethe fire, or played at whist or loo Mr. Carvel would have no milksop, sohe said. But he early impressed upon me that moderation was the mark ofa true man, even as excess was that of a weak one. 

And so it was no wonder that I frequently found my way to Wilmot Housealone. There I often stayed the whole day long, romping with Dolly atgames of our own invention, and many the time I was sent home after darkby Mrs. Manners with Jim, the groom. About once in the week Mr. And Mrs. Manners would bring Dorothy over for dinner or tea at the Hall. She grewquickly--so quickly that I scarce realized--into a tall slip of a girl, who could be wilful and cruel, laughing or forgiving, shy or impudent, ina breath. She had as many moods as the sea. I have heard her entertainMr. Lloyd and Mr. Bordley and the ladies, and my grandfather, by thehour, while I sat by silent and miserable, but proud of her all the same. Boylike, I had grown to think of her as my possession, tho' she gave meno reason whatever. I believe I had held my hand over fire for her, at aword. And, indeed, I did many of her biddings to make me wonder, now, that I was not killed. It used to please her, Ivie too, to see me go theround of the windmill, tho' she would cry out after I left the ground. And once, when it was turning faster than common and Ivie not there toprevent, I near lost my hold at the top, and was thrown at the bottomwith such force that I lay stunned for a full minute. I opened my eyesto find her bending over me with such a look of fright and remorse uponher face as I shall never forget. Again, walking out on the bowsprit ofthe 'Oriole' while she stood watching me from the dock, I lost my balanceand fell into the water. On another occasion I fought Will Fotheringay, whose parents had come for a visit, because he dared say he would marryher. 

"She is to marry an earl, " I cried, tho' I had thrashed another lad forsaying so. "Mr. Manners is to take her home when she is grown, to marryher to an earl. "

"At least she will not marry you, Master Richard, " sneered Will. Andthen I hit him. 

Indeed, even at that early day the girl's beauty was enough to make hertalked about. And that foolish little fop, her father, had more thanonce declared before a company in our dining room that it was high timeanother title came into his family, and that he meant to take Dollyabroad when she was sixteen. Lad that I was, I would mark with pain theblush on Mrs. Manners's cheek, and clinch my fists as she tried to passthis off as a joke of her husband's. But Dolly, who sat next me at aside table, would make a wry little face at my angry one. 

"You shall call me 'my lady, ' Richard. And sometimes, if you are good, you shall ride inside my coroneted coach when you come home. "

Ah, that was the worst of it! The vixen was conscious of her beauty. But her airs were so natural that young and old bowed before her. Nothing but worship had she had from the cradle. I would that Mr. Peale had painted her in her girlhood as a type of our Maryland lady ofquality. Harvey was right when he called her a thoroughbred. Her nosewas of patrician straightness, and the curves of her mouth came fromgenerations of proud ancestors. And she had blue eyes to conquer andsubdue; with long lashes to hide them under when she chose, and blackhair with blue gloss upon it in the slanting lights. I believe I lovedher best in the riding-habit that was the colour of the red holly in ourMaryland woods. At Christmas-tide, when we came to the eastern shore, wewould gallop together through miles of country, the farmers and servantstipping and staring after her as she laid her silver-handled whip uponher pony. She knew not the meaning of fear, and would take a fence or aditch that a man might pause at. And so I fell into the habit of leadingher the easy way round, for dread that she would be hurt. 

How those Christmas times of childhood come sweeping back on my memory!Often, and without warning, my grandfather would say to me: "Richard, weshall celebrate at the Hall this year. " And it rarely turned out thatarrangements had not been made with the Lloyds and the Bordleys and theManners, and other neighbours, to go to the country for the holidays. Ihave no occasion in these pages to mention my intimacy with the sons anddaughters of those good friends of the Carvels', Colonel Lloyd and Mr. Bordley. Some of them are dead now, and the rest can thank God andlook back upon worthy and useful lives. And if any of these, my oldplaymates, could read this manuscript, perchance they might feel a tingleof recollection of Children's Day, when Maryland was a province. Werarely had snow; sometimes a crust upon the ground that was melted intopaste by the noonday sun, but more frequently, so it seems to me, afoggy, drizzly Christmas, with the fires crackling in saloon and lady'schamber. And when my grandfather and the ladies and gentlemen, hisguests, came down the curving stairs, there were the broadly smilingservants drawn up in the wide hall, --all who could gather there, --and therest on the lawn outside, to wish "Merry Chris'mas" to "de quality. " Theredemptioners in front, headed by Ivie and Jonas Tree, tho' they had longserved their terms, and with them old Harvey and his son; next the houseblacks and the outside liveries, and then the oldest slaves from thequarters. This line reached the door, which Scipio would throw open at"de quality's" appearance, disclosing the rest of the field servants, inbright-coloured gowns, and the little negroes on the green. Then Mr. Carvel would make them a little speech of thanks and of good-will, andwhite-haired Johnson of the senior quarters, who had been with mygreat-grandfather, would start the carol in a quaver. How clear andsweet the melody of those negro voices comes back to me through thegenerations! And the picture of the hall, loaded with holly and mistletoeeven to the great arch that spanned it, with the generous bowls ofegg-nog and punch on the mahogany by the wall! And the ladies ourguests, in cap and apron, joining in the swelling hymn; ay, and the men, too. And then, after the breakfast of sweet ham and venison, and hotbread and sausage, made under Mrs. Willis, and tea and coffee andchocolate steaming in the silver, and ale for the gentlemen if theypreferred, came the prayers and more carols in the big drawing-room. And then music in the big house, or perhaps a ride afield to greet theneighbours, and fiddling and dancing in the two big quarters, Hank's andJohnson's, when the tables were cleared after the bountiful feast Mr. Carvel was wont to give them. There was no stint, my dears, --naught butgood cheer and praising God in sheer happiness at Carvel Hall. 

At night there was always a ball, sometimes at Wilmot House, sometimes atColonel Lloyd's or Mr. Bordley's, and sometimes at Carvel Hall, for mygrandfather dearly loved the company of the young. He himself would leadoff the minuet, --save when once or twice his Excellency Governor Sharpechanced to be present, --and would draw his sword with the young gallantsthat the ladies might pass under. And I have seen him join merrily inthe country dances too, to the clapping of hands of the company. Thatwas before Dolly and I were let upon the floor. We sat with the otherchildren, our mammies at our sides, in the narrow gallery with the tinyrail that ran around the ball-room, where the sweet odour of the greenmyrtleberry candles mixed with that of the powder and perfume of thedancers. And when the beauty of the evening was led out, Dolly wouldlean over the rail, and pout and smile by turns. The mischievous littlebaggage could hardly wait for the conquering years to come. 

They came soon enough, alack! The season Dorothy was fourteen, we had aball at the Hall the last day of the year. When she was that age she hadnear arrived at her growth, and was full as tall as many young ladies oftwenty. I had cantered with her that morning from Wilmot House to Mr. Lloyd's, and thence to Carvel Hall, where she was to stay to dinner. Thesun was shining warmly, and after young Harvey had taken our horses westrayed through the house, where the servants were busy decorating, andout into my grandfather's old English flower garden, and took the seatby the sundial. I remember that it gave no shadow. We sat silent fora while, Dorothy toying with old Knipe, lying at our feet, and humminggayly the burden of a minuet. She had been flighty on the ride, withscarce a word to say to me, for the prospect of the dance had gone to herhead. 

"Have you a new suit to wear to-night, to see the New Year in, MasterSober?" she asked presently, looking up. "I am to wear a brocade thatcame out this autumn from London, and papa says I look like a duchesswhen I have my grandmother's pearls. "

"Always the ball!" cried I, slapping my boots in a temper. "Is it, then, such a matter of importance? I am sure you have danced before--atmy birthdays in Marlboro' Street and at your own, and Will Fotheringay's, and I know not how many others. "

"Of course, " replies Dolly, sweetly; "but never with a real man. Boyslike you and Will and the Lloyds do not count. Dr. Courtenay is atWilmot House, and is coming to-night; and he has asked me out. Thinkof it, Richard! Dr. Courtenay!"

"A plague upon him! He is a fop!"

"A fop!" exclaimed Dolly, her humour bettering as mine went down. "Oh, no; you are jealous. He is more sought after than any gentleman at theassemblies, and Miss Dulany vows his steps are ravishing. There's foryou, my lad! He may not be able to keep pace with you in the chase, buthe has writ the most delicate verses ever printed in Maryland, and noother man in the colony can turn a compliment with his grace. Shall Itell you more? He sat with me for over an hour last night, until mammasent me off to bed, and was very angry at you because I had engaged toride with you to-day. "

"And I suppose you wish you had stayed with him, " I flung back, hotly. "He had spun you a score of fine speeches and a hundred empty complimentsby now. "

"He had been better company than you, sir, " she laughed provokingly. "I never heard you turn a compliment in your life, and you are nowseventeen. What headway do you expect to make at the assemblies?"

"None, " I answered, rather sadly than otherwise. For she had touchedme upon a sore spot. "But if I cannot win a woman save by compliments, "I added, flaring up, "then may I pay a bachelor's tax!"

My lady drew her whip across my knee. 

"You must tell us we are beautiful, Richard, " said she, in another tone. 

"You have but to look in a pier-glass, " I retorted. "And, besides, thatis not sufficient. You will want some rhyming couplet out of a mythologybefore you are content. "

She laughed again. 

"Sir, " answered she, "but you have wit, if you can but be got angry. "

She leaned over the dial's face, and began to draw the Latin numeralswith her finger. So arch, withal, that I forgot my ill-humour. 

"If you would but agree to stay angry for a day, " she went on, in a lowtone, "perhaps--"

"Perhaps?"

"Perhaps you would be better company, " said Dorothy. "You would surelybe more entertaining. "

"Dorothy, I love you, " I said. 

"To be sure. I know that, " she replied. "I think you have said thatbefore. "

I admitted it sadly. "But I should be a better husband than Dr. Courtenay. "

"La!" cried she; "I am not thinking of husbands. I shall have a goodtime, sir, I promise you, before I marry. And then I should never marryyou. You are much too rough, and too masterful. And you would requireobedience. I shall never obey any man. You would be too strict amaster, sir. I can see it with your dogs and your servants. And yourfriends, too. For you thrash any boy who does not agree with you. Iwant no rough squire for a husband. And then, you are a Whig. I couldnever marry a Whig. You behaved disgracefully at King William's Schoollast year. Don't deny it!"

"Deny it!" I cried warmly; "I would as soon deny that you are an arrantflirt, Dorothy Manners, and will be a worse one. "

"Yes, I shall have my fling, " said the minx. "I shall begin to-night, with you for an audience. I shall make the doctor look to himself. Butthere is the dressing-bell. " And as we went into the house, "I believemy mother is a Whig, Richard. All the Brices are. "

"And yet you are a Tory?"

"I am a loyalist, " says my lady, tossing her head proudly; "and we areone day to kiss her Majesty's hand, and tell her so. And if I were theQueen, " she finished in a flash, "I would teach you surly gentlemen notto meddle. "

And she swept up the stairs so stately, that Scipio was moved to sayslyly: "Dem's de kind of ladies, Marse Richard, I jes dotes t' wait on!"

Of the affair at King William's School I shall tell later. 

We had some dozen guests staying at the Hall for the ball. At dinner mygrandfather and the gentlemen twitted her, and laughed heartily at herapt retorts, and even toasted her when she was gone. The ladies shooktheir heads and nudged one another, and no doubt each of the mothers hadher notion of what she would do in Mrs. Manners's place. But when mylady came down dressed for the ball in her pink brocade with the pearlsaround her neck, fresh from the hands of Nester and those of her owntremulous mammy, Mr. Carvel must needs go up to her and hold her at arm'slength in admiration, and then kiss her on both her cheeks. Whereat sheblushed right prettily. 

"Bless me!" says he; "and can this be Richard's little playmate grown?Upon my word, Miss Dolly, you'll be the belle of the ball. Eh, Lloyd?Bless me, bless me, you must not mind a kiss from an old man. The youngones may have their turn after a while. " He laughed as my grandfatheronly could laugh, and turned to me, who had reddened to my forehead. "And so, Richard, she has outstripped you, fair and square. You are onlyan awkward lad, and she--why, i' faith, in two years she'll be beyond myprotection. Come, Miss Dolly, " says he; "I'll show you the mistletoe, that you may beware of it. "

And he led her off on his arm. "The old year and the new, gentlemen!"he cried merrily, as he passed the door, with Dolly's mammy and Nestersimpering with pride on the landing. 

The company arrived in coach and saddle, many having come so far thatthey were to stay the night. Young Mr. Beall carried his bride on apillion behind him, her red riding-cloak flung over her ball dress. Mr. Bordley and family came in his barge, Mr. Marmaduke and his wife in coachand four. With them was Dr. Courtenay, arrayed in peach-coloured coatand waistcoat, with black satin breeches and white silk stockings, andpinchbeck buckles a-sparkle on his shoes. How I envied him as hedescended the stairs, stroking his ruffles and greeting the company withthe indifferent ease that was then the fashion. I fancied I saw his eyeswander among the ladies, and not marking her he crossed over to where Istood disconsolate before the fireplace. 

"Why, Richard, my lad, " says he, "you are quite grown since I saw you. And the little girl that was your playmate, --Miss Dolly, I mean, --hasoutstripped me, egad. She has become suddenly une belle demoiselle, likea rose that blooms in a night. "

I answered nothing at all. But I had given much to know whether mystolid manner disconcerted him. Unconsciously I sought the bluff faceabove the chimney, depicted in all its ruggedness by the painter of KingCharles's day, and contrasted with the bundle of finery at my side. Dr. Courtenay certainly caught the look. He opened his snuff-box, took a pinch, turned on his heel, and sauntered off. 

"What did you say, Richard?" asked Mr. Lloyd, coming up to me, laughing, for he had seen the incident. 

"I looked merely at the man of Marston Moor, sir, and said nothing. "

"Faith, 'twas a better answer than if you had used your tongue, I think, "answered my friend. But he teased me a deal that night when Dolly dancedwith the doctor, and my grandfather bade me look to my honours. My younglady flung her head higher than ever, and made a minuet as well as anydame upon the floor, while I stood very glum at the thought of the prizeslipping from my grasp. Now and then, in the midst of a figure, shewould shoot me an arch glance, as much as to say that her pinions werestrong now. But when it came to the country dances my lady comes up tome ever so prettily and asks the favour. 

"Tis a monstrous state, indeed, when I have to beg you for a reel!" saysshe. 

And so was I made happy. 

CHAPTER VI

I FIRST SUFFER FOR THE CAUSE

In the eighteenth century the march of public events was much moreeagerly followed than now by men and women of all stations, and evenchildren. Each citizen was ready, nay, forward, in taking an active partin all political movements, and the children mimicked their elders. OldWilliam Farris read his news of a morning before he began the mending ofhis watches, and by evening had so well digested them that he was primedfor discussion with Pryse, of the opposite persuasion, at the Rose andCrown. Sol Mogg, the sexton of St. Anne's, had his beloved Gazette inhis pocket as he tolled the church bell of a Thursday, and would holdforth on the rights and liberties of man with the carpenter who mendedthe steeple. Mrs. Willard could talk of Grenville and Townshend asknowingly as her husband, the rich factor, and Francie Willard made manya speech to us younger Sons of Liberty on the steps of King William'sSchool. We younger sons, indeed, declared bitter war against themother-country long before our conservative old province ever dreamed ofsecession. For Maryland was well pleased with his Lordship's government. 

I fear that I got at King William's School learning of a far differentsort than pleased my grandfather. In those days the school stood uponthe Stadt House hill near School Street, not having moved to its presentlarger quarters. Mr. Isaac Daaken was then Master, and had under himsome eighty scholars. After all these years, Mr. Daaken stands before mea prominent figure of the past in an ill-fitting suit of snuff colour. How well I recall that schoolroom of a bright morning, the sun's raysshot hither and thither, and split violet, green, and red by the bulgingglass panes of the windows. And by a strange irony it so chanced thatwhere the dominie sat--and he moved not the whole morning long save toreach for his birches--the crimson ray would often rest on the end of hislong nose, and the word "rum" be passed tittering along the benches. Forsome men are born to the mill, and others to the mitre, and still othersto the sceptre; but Mr. Daaken was born to the birch. His long, lankylegs were made for striding after culprits, and his arms for caning them. He taught, among other things, the classics, of course, the Englishlanguage grammatically, arithmetic in all its branches, book-keepingin the Italian manner, and the elements of algebra, geometry, andtrigonometry with their applications to surveying and navigation. He also wrote various sorts of hands, fearful and marvellous to theuninitiated, with which he was wont to decorate my monthly reports to mygrandfather. I can shut my eyes and see now that wonderful hyperbola inthe C in Carvel, which, after travelling around the paper, ended inintricate curves and a flourish which surely must have broken the quill. 

The last day of every month would I fetch that scrolled note to Mr. Carvel, and he laid it beside his plate until dinner was over. And then, as sure as the sun rose that morning, my flogging would come before itset. This done with, and another promised next month provided Mr. Daakenwrote no better of me, my grandfather and I renewed our customary footingof love and companionship. 

But Mr. Daaken, unwittingly or designedly, taught other things than thoseI have mentioned above. And though I never once heard a word of politicsfall from his lips, his school shortly became known to all good Tories asa nursery of conspiracy and sedition. There are other ways of teachingbesides preaching, and of that which the dominie taught best he spoke nota word. He was credited, you may well believe, with calumnies againstKing George, and once my Uncle Grafton and Mr. Dulany were for clappinghim in jail, avowing that he taught treason to the young. I can accountfor the tone of King William's School in no other way than to say thatpatriotism was in the very atmosphere, and seemed to exude in somemysterious way from Mr. Daaken's person. And most of us becameinfected with it. 

The dominie lived outside the town, in a lonely little hamlet on theborders of the Spa. At two of the clock every afternoon he would divethrough School Street to the Coffee House, where the hostler would havehis bony mare saddled and waiting. Mr. Daaken by no chance ever enteredthe tavern. I recall one bright day in April when I played truant andhad the temerity to go afishing on Spa Creek with Will Fotheringay, thebass being plentiful there. We had royal sport of it that morning, andtwo o'clock came and went with never a thought, you may be sure. Andpresently I get a pull which bends my English rod near to double, andin my excitement plunge waist deep into the water, Will crying outdirections from the shore, when suddenly the head of Mr. Daaken's mareis thrust through the bushes, followed by Mr. Daaken himself. Will stoodstock still from fright, and I was for dropping my rod and cutting, whenI was arrested by the dominie calling out:

"Have a care, Master Carvel; have a care, sir. You will lose him. Playhim, sir; let him run a bit. "

And down he leaps from his horse and into the water after me, andtogether we landed a three-pound bass, thereby drenching hissnuff-coloured suit. When the big fish lay shining in the basket, thedominie smiled grimly at William and me as we stood sheepishly by, andwithout a word he drew his clasp knife and cut a stout switch from thewillow near, and then and there he gave us such a thrashing as weremembered for many a day after. And we both had another when we reachedhome. 

"Mr. Carvel, " said Mr. Dulany to my grandfather, "I would stronglycounsel you to take Richard from that school. Pernicious doctrines, sir, are in the air, and like diseases are early caught by the young. 'Twasbut yesterday I saw Richard at the head of a rabble of the sons ofriff-raff, in Green Street, and their treatment of Mr. Fairbrother hathset the whole town by the ears. "

What Mr. Dulany had said was true. The lads of Mr. Fairbrother's schoolbeing mostly of the unpopular party, we of King William's had organizedour cohorts and led them on to a signal victory. We fell upon the enemyeven as they were emerging from their stronghold, the schoolhouse, andsmote them hip and thigh, with the sheriff of Anne Arundel County alaughing spectator. Some of the Tories (for such we were pleased to callthem) took refuge behind Mr. Fairbrother's skirts, who shook his caneangrily enough, but without avail. Others of the Tory brood foughtstoutly, calling out: "God save the King!" and "Down with the traitors!"On our side Francie Willard fell, and Archie Dennison raised a lump on myhead the size of a goose egg. But we fairly beat them, and afterwardsmust needs attack the Tory dominie himself. He cried out lustily to thesheriff and spectators, of whom there were many by this time, for help, but got little but laughter for his effort. Young Lloyd and I, beinglarge lads for our age, fairly pinioned the screeching master, who criedout that he was being murdered, and keeping his cane for a trophy, thrusthim bodily into his house of learning, turned the great key upon him, andso left him. He made his escape by a window and sought my grandfather inthe Duke of Marlboro' Street as fast as ever his indignant legs wouldcarry him. 

Of his interview with Mr. Carvel I know nothing save that Scipio wasrequested presently to show him the door, and conclude therefrom that hislanguage was but ill-chosen. Scipio's patrician blood was wont to risein the presence of those whom he deemed outside the pale of good society, and I fear he ushered Mr. Fairbrother to the street with little of thatsuperior manner he used to the first families. As for Mr. Daaken, I feelsure he was not ill-pleased at the discomfiture of his rival, though itcost him five of his scholars. 

Our schoolboy battle, though lightly undertaken, was fraught with noinconsiderable consequences for me. I was duly chided and soundlywhipped by my grandfather for the part I had played; but he was inclinedto pass the matter after that, and set it down to the desire for fightingcommon to most boyish natures. And he would have gone no farther thanthis had it not been that Mr. Green, of the Maryland Gazette, could notrefrain from printing the story in his paper. That gentleman, being astout Whig, took great delight in pointing out that a grandson of Mr. Carvel was a ringleader in the affair. The story was indeed laughableenough, and many a barrister's wig nodded over it at the Coffee Housethat day. When I came home from school I found Scipio beside mygrandfather's empty seat in the dining-room, and I learned that Mr. Carvel was in the garden with my Uncle Grafton and the Reverend BennettAllen, rector of St. Anne's. I well knew that something out of thecommon was in the wind to disturb my grandfather's dinner. Into thegarden I went, and under the black walnut tree I beheld Mr. Carvel pacingup and down in great unrest, his Gazette in his hand, while on the benchsat my uncle and the rector of St. Anne's. So occupied was each in hisown thought that my coming was unperceived; and I paused in my steps, seized suddenly by an instinctive dread, I know not of what. The fear ofMr. Carvel's displeasure passed from my mind so that I cared not howsoundly he thrashed me, and my heart filled with a yearning, born of theinstant, for that simple and brave old gentleman. For the lad is nearerto nature than the man, and the animal oft scents a danger the mastercannot see. I read plainly in Mr. Allen's handsome face, flushed redwith wine as it ever was, and in my Uncle Grafton's looks a snare towhich I knew my grandfather was blind. I never rightly understood howit was that Mr. Carvel was deceived in Mr. Allen; perchance the secretlay in his bold manner and in the appearance of dignity and piety he woreas a cloak when on his guard. I caught my breath sharply and took my waytoward them, resolved to make as brave a front as I might. It was myuncle, whose ear was ever open, that first heard my footstep and turnedupon me. 

"Here is Richard, now, father, " he said. 

I gave him so square a look that he bent his head to the ground. Mygrandfather stopped in his pacing and his eye rested upon me, in sorrowrather than in anger, I thought. 

"Richard, " he began, and paused. For the first time in my life I saw himirresolute. He looked appealingly at the rector, who rose. Mr. Allenwas a man of good height and broad shoulders, with piercing black eyes, reminding one more of the smallsword than aught else I can think of. Andhe spoke solemnly, in a deep voice, as though from the pulpit. 

"I fear it is my duty, Richard, to say what Mr. Carvel cannot. Itgrieves me to tell you, sir, that young as you are you have been guiltyof treason against the King, and of grave offence against his Lordship'sgovernment. I cannot mitigate my words, sir. By your rashness, Richard, and I pray it is such, you have brought grief to your grandfather in hisage, and ridicule and reproach upon a family whose loyalty has hithertobeen unstained. "

I scarce waited for him to finish. His pompous words stung me like thelash of a whip, and I gave no heed to his cloth as I answered:

"If I have grieved my grandfather, sir, I am heartily sorry, and willanswer to him for what I have done. And I would have you know, Mr. Allen, that I am as able as any to care for the Carvel honour. "

I spoke with a vehemence, for the thought carried me beyond myself, that this upstart parson his Lordship had but a year since sent amongus should question our family reputation. 

"Remember that Mr. Allen is of the Church, Richard, " said my grandfather, severely. 

"I fear he has little respect for Church or State, sir, " Grafton put in. "You are now reaping the fruits of your indulgence. "

I turned to my grandfather. 

"You are my protector, sir, " I cried. "And if it please you to tell mewhat I now stand accused of, I submit most dutifully to yourchastisement. "

"Very fair words, indeed, nephew Richard, " said my uncle, "and Idraw from them that you have yet to hear of your beating an honestschoolmaster without other provocation than that he was a loyal servantto the King, and wantonly injuring the children of his school. " He drewfrom his pocket a copy of that Gazette Mr. Carvel held in his hand, andadded ironically: "Here, then, are news which will doubtless surpriseyou, sir. And knowing you for a peaceful lad, never having entertainedsuch heresies as those with which it pleases Mr. Green to credit you, I dare swear he has drawn on his imagination. "

I took the paper in amaze, not knowing why my grandfather, who had everbeen so jealous of others taking me to task, should permit the rector andmy uncle to chide me in his presence. The account was in the main trueenough, and made sad sport of Mr. Fairbrother. 

"Have I not been caned for this, sir?" said I to my grandfather. 

These words seemed to touch Mr. Carvel, and I saw a tear glisten in hiseye as he answered:

"You have, Richard, and stoutly. But your uncle and Mr. Allen seem tothink that your offence warrants more than a caning, and to deem that youhave been actuated by bad principles rather than by boyish spirits. " Hepaused to steady his voice, and I realized then for the first time howsacred he held allegiance to the King. "Tell me, my lad, " said he, "tellme, as you love God and the truth, whether they are right. "

For the moment I shrank from speaking, perceiving what a sad blow toMr. Carvel my words must be. And then I spoke up boldly, catching theexulting sneer on my Uncle Grafton's face and the note of triumphreflected in Mr. Allen's. 

"I have never deceived you, sir, " I said, "and will not now hide from youthat I believe the colonies to have a just cause against his Majesty andParliament. " The words came ready to my lips: "We are none the lessEnglishmen because we claim the rights of Englishmen, and, saving yourpresence, sir, are as loyal as those who do not. And if these principlesbe bad, " I added to my uncle, "then should we think with shame upon theMagna Charta. "

My grandfather stood astonished at such a speech from me, whom he hadthought a lad yet without a formed knowledge of public affairs. But Iwas, in fact, supersaturated with that of which I spoke, and could havegiven my hearers many able Whig arguments to surprise them had the seasonbefitted. There was silence for a space after I had finished, and thenMr. Carvel sank right heavily upon the bench. 

"A Carvel against the King!" was all he said. 

Had I been alone with him I should have cast myself at his feet, for ithurt me sorely to see him so. As it was, I held my head high. 

"The Carvels ever did what they believed right, sir, " I answered. "Youwould not have me to go against my conscience?"

To this he replied nothing. 

"The evil has been done, as I feared, father, " said Grafton, presently;"we must now seek for the remedy. "

"Let me question the lad, " Mr. Allen softly interposed. "Tell me, Richard, who has influenced you to this way of thinking?"

I saw his ruse, and was not to be duped by it. 

"Men who have not feared to act bravely against oppression, sir, " I said. 

"Thank God, " exclaimed my uncle, with fervour, "that I have been morecareful of Philip's associations, and that he has not caught in thestreets and taverns this noxious creed!"

"There is no danger from Philip; he remembers his family name, " said therector. 

"No, " quoth Mr. Carvel, bitterly, "there is no danger from Philip. Likehis father, he will ever believe that which best serves him. "

Grafton, needless to say, did not pursue such an argument, but rising, remarked that this deplorable affair had kept him long past his dinnerhour, and that his services were as ever at his father's disposal. Herefused to stay, though my grandfather pressed him of course, and with alow bow of filial respect and duty and a single glance at the rector, myuncle was gone. And then we walked slowly to the house and into thedining room, Mr. Carvel leading the procession, and I an unwilling rear, knowing that my fate would be decided between them. I thought Mr. Allen's grace would never end, and the meal likewise; I ate but little, while the two gentlemen discussed parish matters. And when at lastScipio had retired, and the rector of St. Anne's sat sipping the oldMadeira, his countenance all gravity, but with a relish he could nothide, my grandfather spoke up. And though he addressed himself to theguest, I knew full well what he said was meant for me. 

"As you see, sir, " said he, "I am sore perplexed and troubled. WeCarvels, Mr. Allen, have ever been stanch to Church and King. Mygreat-grandsire fought at Naseby and Marston Moor for Charles, andsuffered exile in his name. 'Twas love for King James that sent myfather hither, though he swore allegiance to Anne and the First George. I can say with pride that he was no indifferent servant to either, refusing honours from the Pretender in '15, when he chanced to be athome. An oath is an oath, sir, and we have yet to be false to ours. Andthe King, say I, should, next to God, be loved and loyally served by hissubjects. And so I have served this George, and his grandfather beforehim, according to the talents which were given me. "

"And ably, sir, permit me to say, " echoed the rector, heartily. Tooheartily, methought. And he carefully filled his pipe with choice leafout of Mr. Carvel's inlaid box. 

"Be that as it may, I have done my best, as we must all do. Pardon me, sir, for speaking of myself. But I have brought up this lad from achild, Mr. Allen, " said Mr. Carvel, his words coming slowly, as if eachgave him pain, "and have striven to be an example to him in all things. He has few of those faults which I most fear; God be thanked that heloves the truth, for there is yet a chance of his correction. A chance, said I?" he cried, his speech coming more rapid, "nay, he shall becured! I little thought, fool that I was, that he would get this pox. His father fought and died for the King; and should trouble come, whichGod forbid, to know that Richard stood against his Majesty would killme. "

"And well it might, Mr. Carvel, " said the divine. He was for themoment sobered, as weak men must be in the presence of those of strongconvictions. My grandfather had half risen in his chair, and the linesof his smooth-shaven face deepened visibly with the pain of the feelingsto which he gave utterance. As for me, I was well-nigh swept away by abigness within me, and torn between love and duty, between pity and thereason left me, and sadly tried to know whether my dear parent's life andhappiness should be weighed against what I felt to be right. I strove tospeak, but could say nothing. 

"He must be removed from the influences, " the rector ventured, after ahalt. 

"That he must indeed, " said my grandfather. "Why did I not send him toEton last fall? But it is hard, Mr. Allen, to part with the child of ourold age. I would take passage and go myself with him to-morrow were itnot for my duties in the Council. "

"Eton! I would have sooner, I believe, wrought by the side of anyrascally redemptioner in the iron mines of the Patapsco than have gone toEton. 

"But for the present, sir, I would counsel you to put the lad's studiesin the charge of some able and learned man, that his mind may be turnedfrom the disease which has fed upon it. Some one whose loyalty is beyondquestion. "

"And who so fit as yourself, Mr. Allen?" returned my grandfather, reliefplain in his voice. "You have his Lordship's friendship and confidence, and never has rector of St. Anne's or of any other parish brought lettersto his Excellency to compare with yours. And so I crave your help inthis time of need. "

Mr. Allen showed becoming hesitation. 

"I fear you do me greater honour than I deserve, Mr. Carvel, " heanswered, a strain of the pomp coming back, "though my gracious patronis disposed to think well of me, and I shall strive to hold his goodopinion. But I have duties of parish and glebe to attend, and MasterPhilip Carvel likewise in my charge. "

I held my breath for my grandfather's reply. The rector, however, hadread him, and well knew that a show of reluctance would but inflame himthe more. 

"How now, sir?" he exclaimed. "Surely, as you love the King, you willnot refuse me in this strait. "

Mr. Allen rose and grasped him by the hand. 

"Nay, sir, " said he, "and you put it thus, I cannot refuse you. "

The thought of it was too much. I ran to my grandfather crying: "Not Mr. Allen, sir, not Mr. Allen. Any one else you please, --Mr. Fairbrothereven. "

The rector drew back haughtily. "It is clear, Mr. Carvel, " he said, "that Richard has other preferences. "

"And be damned to them!" shouted my grandfather. "Am I to be ruled bythis headstrong boy? He has beat Mr. Fairbrother, and shall have noskimmed-milk supervision if I can help it. "

And so it was settled that I should be tutored by the rector of St. Anne's, and I took my seat beside my cousin Philip in his study the verynext day. 

CHAPTER VII

GRAFTON HAS HIS CHANCE

To add to my troubles my grandfather was shortly taken very ill with thefirst severe sickness he had ever in his life endured. Dr. Leiden cameand went sometimes thrice daily, and for a week he bore a look so graveas to frighten me. Dr. Evarts arrived by horse from Philadelphia, andthe two physicians held long conversations in the morning room, while Ilistened at the door and comprehended not a word of their talk save whenthey spoke of bleeding. And after a very few consultations, as is oftenthe way in their profession, they disagreed and quarrelled, and Dr. Evarts packed himself back to Philadelphia in high dudgeon. Then Mr. Carvel began to mend. 

There were many who came regularly to inquire of him, and each afternoonI would see the broad shoulders and genial face of Governor Sharpe in thegateway, completing his walk by way of Marlboro' Street. I loved andadmired him, for he had been a soldier himself before he came out to us, and had known and esteemed my father. His Excellency should surely havebeen knighted for his services in the French war. Once he spied me atthe window and shook his cane pleasantly, and in he walks to the roomwhere I sat reading of the victories of Blenheim and Malplaquet, forchronicles of this sort I delighted in. 

"Aha, Richard, " says he, taking up the book, "'tis plain whither yourtastes lead you. Marlboro was a great general, and as sorry a scoundrelas ever led troops to battle. Truly, " says he, musing, "the Lord oftenmakes queer choice in his instruments for good. " And he lowered himselfinto the easy chair and crossed his legs, regarding me very comically. "What's this I hear of your joining the burghers and barristers, andtrouncing poor Mr. Fairbrother and his flock, and crying 'Libertyforever!' in the very ears of the law?" he asks. "His Majesty will haveneed of such lads as you, I make no doubt, and should such proceedingscome to his ears I would not give a pipe for your chances. "

I could not but laugh, confused as I was, at his Excellency's rally. And this I may say, that had it pleased Providence to give me dealingwith such men of the King's side as he, perchance my fortunes had beenaltered. 

"And in any good cause, sir, " I replied, "I would willingly give my lifeto his Majesty. "

"So, " said his Excellency, raising his eyebrows, "I see clearly you areof the rascals. But a lad must have his fancies, and when your age I washot for the exiled Prince. I acquired more sense as I grew older. Andbetter an active mind, say I, than a sluggard partisan. "

At this stage of our talk came in my Uncle Grafton, and bowing low to theGovernor made apology that some of the elders of the family had not beenthere to entertain him. He told his Excellency that he had never leftthe house save for necessary business, which was true for once, my unclehaving taken up his abode with us during that week. But now, thankingHeaven and Dr. Leiden and his own poor effort, he could report his dearfather to be out of danger. 

Governor Sharpe answered shortly that he had been happy to hear the goodnews from Scipio. "Faith, " says he, "I was well enough entertained, forI have a liking for this lad, and to speak truth I saw him here as I cameup the walk. "

My uncle smiled deprecatingly, and hid any vexation he might have hadfrom this remark. 

"I fear that Richard lacks wisdom as yet, your Excellency, " said he, "andhas many of his father's headstrong qualities. "

"Which you most providentially escaped, " his Excellency put in. 

Grafton bit his lip. "Necessity makes us all careful, sir, " said he. 

"Necessity does more than that, Mr. Carvel, " returned the Governor, whowas something of a wit; "necessity often makes us fools, if we be notcareful. But give me ever a wanton fool rather than him of necessity'shandiwork. And as for the lad, " says he, "let him not trouble you. Suchas he, if twisted a little in the growth, come out straight enough in theend. "

I think the Governor little knew what wormwood was this to my uncle. 

"'Tis heartily to be hoped, sir, " he said, "for his folly has broughttrouble enough behind it to those who have his education and his welfarein hand, and I make no doubt is at the bottom of my father's illness. "

At this injustice I could not but cry out, for all the town knew, andmy grandfather himself best of all, that the trouble from which he nowsuffered sprang from his gout. And yet my heart was smitten at thethought that I might have hastened or aggravated the attack. TheGovernor rose. He seized his stick aggressively and looked sharply atGrafton. 

"Nonsense, " he exclaimed; "my friend Mr. Carvel is far too wise to beupset by a boyish prank which deserves no notice save a caning. Andthat, my lad, " he added lightly, "I dare swear you got with interest. "And he called for a glass of the old Madeira when Scipio came with thetray, and departed with a polite inquiry after my Aunt Caroline's health, and a prophecy that Mr. Carvel would soon be taking the air again. 

There had been high doings indeed in Marlboro' Street that miserableweek. My grandfather took to his bed of a Saturday afternoon, and bademe go down to Mr. Aikman's, the bookseller, and fetch him the latestbooks and plays. That night I became so alarmed that I sent Diomedes forDr. Leiden, who remained the night through. Sunday was well gone beforethe news reached York Street, when my Aunt Caroline came hurrying over inher chair, and my uncle on foot. They brushed past Scipio at the door, and were pushing up the long flight when they were stopped on the landingby Dr. Leiden. 

"How is my father, sir?" Grafton cried, "and why was I not informed atonce of his illness? I must see him. "

"Your vater can see no one, Mr. Carvel, " said the doctor, quietly. 

"What, " says my uncle, "you dare to refuse me?"

"Not so lout, I bray you, " says the doctor; "I tare any ting vere life isconcerned. "

"But I will see him, " says Grafton, in a sort of helpless rage, for thedoctor's manner baffled him. "I will see him before he dies, and no manalive shall say me nay. "

Then my Aunt Caroline gathered up her skirt, and made shift to pass thedoctor. 

"I have come to nurse him, " said she, imperiously, and, turning to whereI stood near, she added: "Bid a servant fetch from York Street what Ishall have need of. "

The doctor smiled, but stood firm. He cared little for aught in heavenor earth, did Dr. Leiden, and nothing whatever for Mr. And Mrs. GraftonCarvel. 

"I peg you, matam, do not disturp yourself, " said he. "Mr. Carvel isaply attended by an excellent voman, Mrs. Villis, and he has no neet ofyou. "

"What, " cried my aunt; "this is too much, sir, that I am thrust out of myfather-in-law's house, and my place taken by a menial. That woman able!"she fumed, dropping suddenly her cloak of dignity; "Mr. Carvel's charityis all that keeps her here. "

Then my uncle drew himself up. "Dr. Leiden, " says he, "kindly oblige meby leaving my father's house, and consider your services here at an end. And Richard, " he goes on to me, "send my compliments to Dr. Drake, andrequest him to come at once. "

I was stepping forward to say that I would do nothing of the kind, whenthe doctor stopped me by a signal, as much as to say that the quarrel waswide enough without me. He stood with his back against the great archedwindow flooded with the yellow light of the setting sun, a little blackfigure in high relief, with a face of parchment. And he took a pinch ofsnuff before he spoke. 

"I am here py Mr. Carvel's orters, sir, " said he, "and py tose alone villI leaf. "

And this is how the Chippendale piece was broke, which you, my children, and especially Bess, admire so extravagantly. It stood that day behindthe doctor, and my uncle, making a violent move to get by, struck it, andso it fell with a great crash lengthwise on the landing; and thewonderful vases Mr. Carroll had given my grandfather rolled down thestairs and lay crushed at the bottom. Withal he had spoken so quietly, Dr. Leiden possessed a temper drawn from his Teutonic ancestors. Withhis little face all puckered, he swore so roundly at my uncle in somelingo he had got from his father, --High German or Low German, --I know notwhat, that Grafton and his wife were glad enough to pick their wayamongst the broken bits of glass and china, to the hall again. Dr. Leiden shook his fist at their retreating persons, saying that theSabbath was no day to do murder. 

I followed them with the pretence of picking up what was left of theornaments. What between anger against the doctor and Mrs. Willis, andfright and chagrin at the fall of the Chippendale piece, my aunt was insuch a state of nervous flurry that she bade the ashy Scipio call herchairmen, and vowed, in a trembling voice, she would never again enter ahouse where that low-bred German was to be found. But my Uncle Graftonwas of a different nature. He deemed defeat but a postponement of theobject he wished to gain, and settled himself in the library with a copyof "Miller on the Distinction of Ranks in Society. " He appeared atsupper suave as ever, gravely concerned as to his father's health, whichformed the chief topic between us. He gave me to understand that hewould take the green room until the old gentleman was past danger. Not aword, mind you, of Dr. Leiden, nor did my uncle express a wish to go intothe sick-room, from which even I was forbid. Nay, the next morning hemet the doctor in the hall and conversed with him at some length over thecase as though nothing had occurred between them. 

While my Uncle Grafton was in the house I had opportunity of marking theintimacy which existed between him and the rector of St. Anne's. Thelatter swung each evening the muffled knocker, and was ushered on tiptoeacross the polished floor to the library where my uncle sat in state. Itwas often after supper before the rector left, and coming in upon themonce I found wine between them and empty decanters on the board, and theyfell silent as I passed the doorway. 

Our dear friend Captain Clapsaddle was away when my grandfather fellsick, having been North for three months or more on some business knownto few. 'Twas generally supposed he went to Massachusetts to confer withthe patriots of that colony. Hearing the news as he rode into town, hecame booted and spurred to Marlboro' Street before going to his lodgings. I ran out to meet him, and he threw his arms about me on the street sothat those who were passing smiled, for all knew the captain. AndHarvey, who always came to take the captain's horse, swore that he wasglad to see a friend of the family once again. I told the captain veryfreely of my doings, and showed him the clipping from the Gazette, whichmade him laugh heartily. But a shade came upon his face when I rehearsedthe scene we had with my uncle and Mr. Allen in the garden. 

"What, " says he, "Mr. Carvel hath sent you to Mr. Allen on your uncle'sadvice?"

"No, " I answered, "to do my uncle justice, he said not a word to Mr. Carvel about it. "

The captain turned the subject. He asked me much concerning the rectorand what he taught me, and appeared but ill-pleased at that I had to tellhim. But he left me without so much as a word of comment or counsel. For it was a principle with Captain Clapsaddle not to influence in anyway the minds of the young, and he would have deemed it unfair to Mr. Carvel had he attempted to win my sympathies to his. Captain Daniel wasthe first the old gentleman asked to see when visitors were permittedhim, and you may be sure the faithful soldier was below stairs waitingfor the summons. 

I was some three weeks with my new tutor, the rector, before mygrandfather's illness, and went back again as soon as he began to mend. I was not altogether unhappy, owing to a certain grim pleasure I had indebating with him, which I shall presently relate. There was much toannoy and anger me, too. My cousin Philip was forever carping andcriticising my Greek and Latin, and it was impossible not to feel hissneer at my back when I construed. He had pat replies ready to correctme when called upon, and 'twas only out of consideration for Mr. Carvelthat I kept my hands from him when we were dismissed. 

I think the rector disliked Philip in his way as much as did I in mine. The Reverend Bennett Allen, indeed, might have been a very good fellowhad Providence placed him in a different setting; he was one of thosewhom his Excellency dubbed "fools from necessity. " He should have beenborn with a fortune, though I can think of none he would not have runthrough in a year or so. But nature had given him aristocratic tastes, with no other means toward their gratification than good looks, convincing ways, and a certain bold, half-defiant manner, which went farwith his Lordship and those like him, who thought Mr. Allen excellentgood company. With the rector, as with too many others, holy orders werebut a means to an end. It was a sealed story what he had been before hecame to Governor Sharpe with Baltimore's directions to give him the bestin the colony. But our rakes and wits, and even our solid men, like mygrandfather, received him with open arms. He had ever a tale on histongue's end tempered to the ear of his listener. 

Who had most influenced my way of thinking, Mr. Allen had well demanded. The gentleman was none other than Mr. Henry Swain, Patty's father. Ofher I shall speak later. He was a rising barrister and man of note amongour patriots, and member of the Lower House; a diffident man in public, with dark, soulful eyes, and a wide, white brow, who had declined anomination to the Congress of '65. At his fireside, unknown to mygrandfather and to Mr. Allen, I had learned the true principles ofgovernment. Before the House Mr. Swain spoke only under extraordinaryemotion, and then he gained every ear. He had been my friend sincechildhood, but I never knew the meaning and the fire of oratory untilcuriosity brought me to the gallery of the Assembly chamber in the StadtHouse, where the barrister was on his feet at the time. I well rememberthe tingle in my chest as I looked and listened. And I went again andagain, until the House sat behind closed doors. 

And so, when Mr. Allen brought forth for my benefit those arguments ofthe King's party which were deemed their strength, I would confront himwith Mr. Swain's logic. He had in me a tough subject for conversion. I was put to very small pains to rout my instructor out of all hispositions, because indolence, and lack of interest in the question, andcontempt for the Americans, had made him neglect the study of it. AndPhilip, who entered at first glibly enough at the rector's side, wassoon drawn into depths far beyond him. Many a time was Mr. Allen fainto laugh at his blunders. I doubt not my cousin had the facts straightenough when he rose from the breakfast table at home; but by the time hereached the rectory they were shaken up like so many parts of a puzzle ina bag, and past all straightening. 

The rector was especially bitter toward the good people of Boston Town, whom he dubbed Puritan fanatics. To him Mr. Otis was but a meddlingfool, and Mr. Adams a traitor whose head only remained on his shouldersby grace of the extreme clemency of his Majesty, which Mr. Allen was ata loss to understand. When beaten in argument, he would laugh out somesneer that would set my blood simmering. One morning he came in late forthe lesson, smelling strongly of wine, and bade us bring our books outunder the fruit trees in the garden. He threw back his gown and tiltedhis cap, and lighting his pipe began to speak of that act of Townshend's, passed but the year before, which afterwards proved the King's folly andEngland's ruin. 

"Principle!" exclaimed my fine clergyman at length, blowing a great whiffamong the white blossoms. "Oons! your Americans worship his Majestystamped upon a golden coin. And though he saved their tills from plunderfrom the French, the miserly rogues are loth to pay for the service. "

I rose, and taking a guinea-piece from my pocket, held it up before him. 

"They care this much for gold, sir, and less for his Majesty, who caresnothing for them, " I said. And walking to the well near by, I droppedthe piece carelessly into the clear water. He was beside me before itleft my hand, and Philip also, in time to see the yellow coin edging thisway and that toward the bottom. The rector turned to me with a smile ofcynical amusement playing over his features. 

"Such a spirit has brought more than one brave fellow to Tyburn, MasterCarvel, " he said. And then he added reflectively, "But if there weremore like you, we might well have cause for alarm. "