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Файл:Satanstoe; or, The Littlepage Manuscripts
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«At your service, Miss Mary», answered Guert, who looked
a little sheepish at the result of his exploit, though for a reason
I did not at fi rst comprehend, brushing some snow from his
cap at the same time –» At your service, now and ever, Miss
Mary. But, do not suppose it was awkwardness that produced
this accident, I entreat of you. It was altogether the fault of
the boy who is stationed to give warning of sleighs below
the church, who must have left his post. Whenever either of
you young ladies will do me the honour to take a seat with
me, I will pledge my character, as an Albanian, to carry her to
the foot of the highest and steepest hill in town without disturbing a riband».
Marv Wallace made no answer; and I fancied she looked
a little sad. It is possible Anneke saw and understood this feeling, for she answered with a spirit that I had never seen her
manifest before –
«No, no, Mr. Ten Eyck», she said; «when Miss Wallace or
I wish to ride down hill, and become little girls again, we will
trust ourselves with boys, whose constant practice will be likely to render them more expert than men can be, who have had
time to forget the habits of their childhood. Pompey, we will
return home».
The cold inclination of the head that succeeded, while it
was suffi ciently gracious to preserve appearances, proved too
plainly that neither Guert nor myself had risen in the estimation of his mistress, by this boyish exhibition of his skill with
the hand-sled. Had either of these young ladies been Albanians, it is probable they would have laughed at our mishap;
but no high hill running directly into New York, the custom
241
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
that prevailed at Albany did not prevail in the capital. Small
boys alone used the hand-sled in that part of the colony, while
the taste continued longer among the more stable and constant Dutch. Of course, we had nothing to do but to make profound bows, and suffer the negro to move on.
«There it is, Littlepage», exclaimed Guert, with a species of
sigh; «I shall have nothing but iced looks for the next week,
and all for riding down hill four or fi ve years later than is
the rule. Everybody, hereabouts, uses the hand-sled until eighteen, or so; and I am only fi ve-and-twenty. Pray, what may be
your age, my dear fellow?»
«Twenty-one, only about a month since. I wish, with all my
heart, it were ten!»
«Turned the corner! – well, that’s unlucky; but we must
make the best of it. My taste is for fun, and so I have admitted to Miss Wallace, twenty times; but she tells me that, after a certain period, men should look to graver things, and
think of their country. She has lectured me already, once, on
the subject of sliding; though she allows that skating is a manly exercise».
«When a lady takes the trouble to lecture, it is a sure sign
she feels some interest in the subject».
«By St. Nicholas! I never thought of that, Littlepage!» cried
Guert, who, notwithstanding the great advantages he possessed in the way of face and fi gure, turned out to have less
personal vanity about him than almost any man I ever met
with. «Lecture me she has, and that more than once, too!»
«The lady who lectures me, sir, will not get rid of me, at
the end of the discourse».
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«That’s manly! I like it, Littlepage; and I like you. I foresee
we shall be great friends; and we’ll talk more of this matter
another time. Now, Mary has spoken to me of the war, and
hinted that a single man, like myself, with the world before
him, might do something to make his name known in it. I did
not like that; for a girl who loved a fellow would not wish to
have him shot».
«A girl who took no interest in her suitor, Mr. Ten Eyck,
would not care whether he did anything or not. But I must
now quit you, being under an engagement to meet Mr. Worden at the inn, at six».
Guert and I shook hands, for the tenth or twelfth time
that day, parting with an understanding that he was to call
for us, to accompany our party to the supper, at the previously
appointed hour. As I walked towards the inn, I pondered on
what had just occurred, in a most mortifi ed temper. That Anneke was displeased, was only too apparent; and I felt fearful
that her displeasure was not entirely free from contempt. As
for Guert’s case, it did not strike me as being half so desperate
as my own; for there was nothing unnatural, but something
quite the reverse, in women of sense and stability, when they
admire any youth of opposite temperament – and I remembered to have heard my grandfather say that such was apt to be
the case, – wishing to elevate their suitors in their pursuits and
characters. Had Anneke taken the pains to remonstrate with
me about the folly of what I had done, I should have been encouraged; but the cold indifference of her manner, not to call
it contempt, cut me to the quick. It is true, Anneke seemed to
feel most on her friend’s account; but I could not mistake
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
the look of surprise with which she saw me, Cornelius Littlepage, rise from under her sleigh, and stand brushing the snow
from my clothes, like a great calf as I was! No man can bear to
be rendered ridiculous in the presence of the woman he loves.
Near the inn I met Dirck, his whole face illuminated with
a look of pleasure.
«I have just met Anneke and Mary Wallace!» he said, «and
they stopped their sleigh to speak to me. Herman Mordaunt
has been here half the winter, and he means to remain most of
the summer. There will be no Lilacsbush this season, the girls
told me, but Herman Mordaunt has got a house, where he lives
with his own servants, and boils his own pot, as he calls it. We
shall be at home there, of course, for you are such a favourite,
Corny, ever since that affair of the lion! As for Anneke, I never
saw her looking so beautiful!»
«Did Miss Mordaunt say she would be happy to see us on
the old footing, Dirck?»
«Did she? – I suppose so. She said I shall be glad to see
you, cousin Dirck, whenever you can come, and I hope you
will bring with you sometimes the clergyman of whom you
have spoken».
«But nothing of Jason Newcome or Corny Littlepage? Tell
the truth at once, Dirck; my name was not mentioned?»
«Indeet it was, t’ough; I mentioned it several times, and
told them how long we had been on the roat, and how you
trove, and how you had sold the sleigh and horses already, and
a dozen other t’ings. Oh! we talket a great deal of you, Corny;
that is, I dit, and the girls listened».
244
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«Was my name mentioned by either of the young ladies,
Dirck, in direct terms?»
«To be sure; Anneke had something to say about you,
though it was so much out of the way, I can hardly tell
you what it was now. Oh! I remember: she said ‘I have seen
Mr. Littlepage, and think he has grown since we last met; he
promises to make a man one of these days.’ What could t’at
mean, Corny?»
«That I am a fool, a great overgrown boy, and wish I had
never seen Albany; that’s what it means. Come, let us go in;
Mr. Worden will be expecting us. Ha! Who the devil’s that,
Dirck?»
A loud Dutch shout from Dirck broke out of him, regardless of the street, and his whole face lighted up into a broad
sympathetic smile. I had caught a glimpse of a sled coming
down the acclivity we were slowly ascending, which sled
glided past us just as I got the words out of my mouth. It was
occupied by Jason alone, who seemed just as much charmed
with the sport as any other grown-up boy on the hill. There he
went, the cocked-hat uppermost, the pea-green coat beneath,
and the striped woollens and heavy plated buckles stuck out,
one on each side, governing the movement of the sled with
the readiness of a lad accustomed to the business.
«That must be capital fun, Corny!» my companion said,
scarce able to contain himself for the pleasure he felt. «I have
a great mind to borrow a sled and take a turn myself».
«Not if you intend to visit Miss Mordaunt, Dirck. Take my
word for it, she does not like to see men following the pleasures of boys».
245
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
Dirck stared at me, but being taciturn by nature, he said
nothing, and we entered the house. There we found Mr. Worden reading over an old sermon, in readiness for his next Sunday’s business; and sitting down, we began to compare notes on
the subject of the town and its advantages. The divine was in
raptures. As for the Dutch he cared little for them, and had
seen but little of them, overlooking them in a very natural,
metropolitan sort of way; but he had found so many English
offi cers, had heard so much from home, and had received so
many invitations, that his campaign promised nothing but
agreeables. We sat chatting over these matters until the tea
was served, and for an hour or two afterwards. My bargains
were applauded, my promptitude – the promptitude of Guert
would have been more just – was commended, and I was told
that my parents should hear the whole truth in the matter.
In a word, our Mentor being in good-humour with himself,
was disposed to be in good humour with every one else.
At the appointed hour, Guert came to escort us to
the place of meeting. He was courteous, attentive, and as frank
as the air he breathed, in manner. Mr. Worden took to him
excessively, and it was soon apparent that he and young Ten
Eyck were likely to become warm friends.
«You must know, gentlemen, that the party to which I have
had the honour of inviting you, will be composed of some of
the heartiest young men in Albany, if not in the colony. We
meet once a month, in the house of an old bachelor, who belongs to us, and who will be delighted to converse with you,
Mr. Worden, on the subject of religion. Mr. Van Brunt is very
246
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
expert in religion, and we make him the umpire of all our disputes and bets on that subject».
This sounded a little ominous, I thought; but Mr. Worden
was not a man to be frightened from a good hot supper, by
half-a-dozen inadvertent words. He could tolerate even a religious discussion, with such an object in view. He walked
on, side by side with Guert, and we were soon at the door of
the house of Mr. Van Brunt, the Bachelor in Divinity, as I nicknamed him. Guert entered without knocking, and ushered us
into the presence of our quasi host.
We found in the room a company of just twelve, Guert
included; that being the entire number of the club. It struck
me, at the fi rst glance, that the whole set had a sort of slidedown-hill aspect, and that we were likely to make a night of it.
My acquaintance with Dirck, and indeed my connection with
the old race, had not left me ignorant of a certain peculiarity in
the Dutch character. Sober, sedate, nay phlegmatic as they usually appeared to be, their roystering was on a pretty high key,
when it once fairly commenced. We thought one lad of the old
race, down in Westchester, fully a match for two of the AngloSaxon breed, when it came to a hard set-to; no ordinary fun
appeasing the longings of an excited Dutchman. Tradition had
let me into a good many secrets connected with their excesses,
and I had heard the young Albanians often mentioned as being at the head of their profession in these particulars.
Nothing could be more decorous, or considerate, however,
than our introduction and reception. The young men seemed
particularly gratifi ed at having a clergyman of their party, and
I make no doubt it was intended that the evening should be
247
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
one of unusual sobriety and moderation. I heard the word «Dominie» whispered from mouth to mouth, and it was easy to see
the effect it produced. Most eyes were fastened on Van Brunt,
a red-faced, square-built, somewhat dissolute-looking man of
forty-fi ve, who seemed to fi nd his apology for associating with
persons so much his juniors, in his habits, and possibly in
the necessity of the case; as men of his own years might not
like his company.
«And, gentlemen, it is dry business standing here looking at each other», observed Mr. Van Brunt; «and we will take
a little punch, to moisten our hearts, as well as our throats.
Guert, yon is the pitcher».
Guert made good use of the pitcher, and each man had his
glass of punch, – a beverage then, as now, much used in the colony. I must acknowledge that the mixture was very knowingly
put together, though I had no sooner swallowed my glass, than
I discovered it was confounded strong. Not so with Guert. Not
only did he swallow one glass, but he swallowed two, in quick
succession, like a man who was thirsty; standing at the time in
a fi ne, manly, erect attitude, as one who trifl ed with something
that did not half tax his powers. The pitcher, though quite
large, was emptied at that one assault, in proof of which it was
turned bottom upwards, by Guert himself.
Conversation followed, most of it being in English, out of
compliment to the Dominie, who was not supposed to understand Dutch. This was an error, however, Mr. Worden making
out tolerably well in that language, when he tried. I was felicitated on the bargains I had made with the contractor; and
many kind and hospitable attempts were made to welcome
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
me in a frank, hearty manner among strangers. I confess I was
touched by these honest and sincere endeavours to put me at
my ease, and when a second pitcher of punch was brought
round, I took another glass with right good-will, while Guert,
as usual, took two; though the liquor he drank, I had many
occasions to ascertain subsequently, produced no more visible effect on him, in the way of physical consequences, than
if he had not swallowed it. Guert was no drunkard, far from it;
he could only drink all near him under the table, and remain
fi rm in his chair himself. Such men usually escape the imputation of being sots, though they are very apt to pay the penalty of their successes at the close of their career. These are
the men who break down at sixty, if not earlier, becoming subject to paralysis, indigestion, and other similar evils.
Such was the state of things, the company gradually getting into a very pleasant humour, when Guert was called
out of the room by one of the blacks, who bore a most ominous physiognomy while making his request. He was gone but
a moment, when he returned with a certain sort of consternation painted in his own handsome face. Mr. Van Brunt was
called into a corner, where two or three more of the principal
persons present soon collected, in an earnest, half-whispered
discourse. I was seated so near this group, as occasionally to
overhear a few expressions, though to get no clear clue to its
meaning. The words I overheard were, «old Cuyler» –» capital
supper» –» venison and ducks» –» partridges and quails» –»
knows us all» –» never do» –» Dominie the man» –» strangers» –» how to do it?» and several other similar expressions,
which left a vague impression on my mind that our supper
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
was in great peril from some cause or other; but what that
cause was I could not learn. Guert was evidently the principal
person in this consultation, everybody appearing to listen to
his suggestions with respect and attention. At length our
friend came out of the circle, and in a courteous, self-possessed
manner communicated the diffi culty in the following words:
«You must know, Rev. Mr. Worden, and Mr. Littlepage,
and Mr. Follock, and Mr. Newcome, that we have certain customs of our own, among us youths of Albany, that perhaps are
not familiar to you gentlemen nearer the capital. The trut’ is,
that we are not always as wise and as sober as our parents, and
grandparents in particular, could wish us to be. It is t’ought
a good thing among us sometimes, to rummage the hen-roosts
and poultry-yards of the burghers, and to sup on the fruits of
such a forage. I do not know how it is with you, gentlemen; but
I will own, that to me, ducks and geese got in this innocent,
game-like way, taste sweeter than when they are bought in
the market-hall: our own supper for to-night was a bought
supper, but it has become the victim of a little enlargement of
the practice I have mentioned».
«How! – how’s that, friend Ten Eyck!» exclaimed
Mr. Worden, in no affected consternation. «The supper a victim, do you say?»
«Yes, sir; to be frank at once, it is gone; gone to a pullet,
a steak, and a potatoe. They have not left us a dish!»
«They!» echoed the parson –» And who can they be?»
«That is a point yet to be ascertained, for the operation has
been carried on in so delicate and refi ned a way, that none of
our blacks know anything of the matter. It seems there was
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