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Файл:Satanstoe; or, The Littlepage Manuscripts
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
I would give a great deal, Corny, that Mary Wallace could see
that horse move!»
I promised Guert that I would use all my infl uence with
the ladies, to induce them to trust themselves with his team,
and, in order that I might speak with authority, the sleigh was
ordered round to the door forthwith, with a view fi rst to take
a turn with me. The winter equipage of Guert Ten Eyck was really a tasteful and knowing thing. I had often seen handsomer
sleighs, in the way of paint, varnish, tops and mouldings; for to
these he appeared to pay very little attention. The points on
which its owner most valued his sleigh, was the admirable
manner in which it rested on its runners – pressing lightly
both behind and before. Then the traces were nearer on a level with the horses, than was common; though not so high as to
affect the draft. The colour, without, was a sky-blue; a favourite Dutch tint; while within, it was fi ery-red. The skins were
very ample: all coming from the grey wolf. As these skins were
lined with scarlet cloth, the effect of the whole was suffi ciently
cheering and warm. I ought not to forget the bells. In addition to the four sets buckled to the harness, the usual accompaniment of every sort of sleigh-harness, Guert had provided
two enormous strings (always leathern straps), that passed
from the saddles quite down under the bodies of Jack and Moses; and another string around each horse’s neck, thus increasing the jingling music of his march, at least fourfold beyond
the usual quantity.
25
25
As it is possible this book may pass into the hands of others
than Americans, it maybe well to say that a sleigh-bell is a small hollow ball, made of bell-metal, having a hole in it that passes round
291
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
In this style, then, we dashed from the door of the old Ten
Eyck-house; all the blacks in the street gazing at us in delight,
and shaking their sides with laughter – a negro always expressing his admiration of anything, even to a sermon, in that
mode. I remember to have heard a traveller who had been as
far as Niagara, declare that his black did nothing but roar with
laughter, the fi rst half-hour he stood confronted with that
mighty cataract.
half of its circumference, and containing a small solid ball, of a size
not to escape. These bells are fastened to leathern straps, which
commonly pass round the necks of the horses. In the time of Guert
Ten Eyck, most of the bells were attached to small plates, that were
buckled to various parts of the harness; but, as this caused a motion annoying to the animals, Mr. Littlepage evidently wishes his
readers to understand that his friend, Ten Eyck, was too knowing to
have recourse to the practice. Even the straps are coming into disuse,
the opinion beginning to obtain that sleigh-bells are a nuisance, instead of an advantage. Twenty years since, the laws of most large
towns rendered them necessary, under the pretence of preventing accidents by apprising the footman of the approach of a sleigh;
but more horses are now driven, in the state of New York, without
than with bells, in winter. «Sleigh», as spelt, is purely an American
word. It is derived from «slee», in Dutch; which is pronounced like
«sleigh». Some persons contend; that the Americans ought to use
the old English words «sled», or: «sledge». But these words do not
precisely express the things we possess. There is as much reason for
calling a pleasure conveyance by a name different from «sled», as
there is for saying «coach» instead of «wagon». «Sleigh» will become
English, ere long, as it is now American. Twenty millions of people
not only can make a word, but they can make a language, if it be
needed. – EDITOR.
292
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
Nor did the blacks alone stop to admire Guert Ten Eyck,
his sleigh and his horses. All the young men in the place paid
Guert this homage, for he was unanimously admitted to be
the best whip, and the best judge of horse-fl esh, in Albany;
that is, the best judge for his years. Several young women who
were out in sleighs, looked behind them, as we passed, proving
that the admiration extended even to the other sex. All this
Guert felt and saw, and its effect was very visible in his manner
as he stood guiding his spirited pair, amid the woodsleds that
still crowded the main street.
Our route lay towards the large fl ats, that extend for miles
along the west shore of the Hudson, to the north of Albany. This was the road usually taken by the young people of
the place, in their evening sleigh-rides not a few of the better
class stopping to pay their respects to Madame Schuyler, a widow born of the same family as that into which she had married,
and who, from her character, connections and fortune, fi lled
a high place in the social circle of the vicinity. Guert knew this
lady, and proposed that I should call and pay my respects to
her – a tribute she was accustomed to receive from most
strangers of respectability. Thither, then, we drove as fast as
my companion’s blacks could carry us. The distance was only
a few miles, and we were soon dashing through the open gate,
into what must have been a very pretty, though an inartifi cial,
lawn in the summer.
«By Jove, we are in luck!» cried Guert, the moment his
eyes got a view of the stables: «Yonder is Herman Mordaunt’s
sleigh, and we shall fi nd the ladies here!»
293
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
All this turned out as Guert had announced. Anneke and
Mary Wallace had dined with Madame Schuyler, and their
coats and shawls had just been brought to them, preparatory to returning home, as we entered. I had heard so much of
Madame Schuyler as not to approach this respectable person
without awe, and I had no eyes at fi rst for her companions.
I was well received by the mistress of the house, a woman of
so large a size as to rise from her chair with great diffi culty,
but whose countenance expressed equally intelligence, principles, refi nement and benevolence. She no sooner heard
the name of Littlepage, than she threw a meaning glance towards the young female friends, mine following and perceiving Anneke colouring highly, and looking a little distressed.
As for Mary Wallace she appeared to me then, as I fancied was
usually the case whenever Guert Ten Eyck approached her, to
be struggling with a species of melancholy pleasure.
«It is unnecessary for me to hear your mother’s name,
Mr. Littlepage», said Madam Schuyler, extending a hand, «since
I knew her as a young woman. In her name you are welcome;
as, indeed, you would be in your own, after the all-important
service I hear you have rendered my sweet young friend, here».
I could only bow, and express my thanks; but it is unnecessary to say how grateful to me was praise of this sort, coming, as I knew it must, from Anneke in the fi rst instance. Still,
I could hardly refrain from laughing at Guert, who shrugged
his shoulders, and turned towards me with a look that repeated his ludicrous regrets he could not see Mary Wallace in
a lion’s paws! The conversation then took the usual turn, and
I got an opportunity of speaking to the young ladies.
294
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
After the character I had heard of Madam Schuyler, I was
a good deal surprised to fi nd that Guert was somewhat of a favourite. But even the most intellectual and refi ned women,
I have since had occasion to learn, feel a disposition to judge
handsome, manly, frank, fl ighty fellows like my new acquaintance, somewhat leniently. With all his levity, and his disposition to run into the excesses of animal spirits, there was
that about Guert which rendered it diffi cult to despise him.
The courage of a lion was in his eye, and his front and bearing
were precisely those that are particularly attractive to women. To these advantages were added a seeming unconsciousness of his superiority to most around him, in the way of looks,
and a humility of spirit that caused him often to deplore his
defi ciencies in those accomplishments which characterize
the man of study and of intellectual activity. It was only among
the hardy, active, and reckless, that Guert manifested the least
ambition to be a leader.
«Do you still drive those spirited blacks, Guert», demanded
Madam Schuyler, in a gentle, affable way, that inclined her to
adapt her discourse to the tastes of those she might happen to
be with; «those, I mean, which you purchased in the autumn?»
«You may be certain of that, aunt», – every one who could
claim the most distant relationship to this amiable woman,
and whose years did not render the appellation disrespectful,
called her «aunt» –» you may be certain of that, aunt, for their
equals are not to be found in this colony. The gentlemen of
the army pretend that no horse can be good that has not what
they call blood; but Jack and Moses are both of the Dutch
breed, and the Schuylers and the Ten Eycks will never own
295
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
there is no «blood» in such a stock. I have given each of these
animals my own name, and call them Jack Ten Eyck and Moses Ten Eyck».
«I hope you will not exclude the Littlepages and
the Mordaunts from your list of dissenters, Mr. Ten Eyck»,
observed Anneke, laughing, «since both have Dutch blood in
their veins, too».
«Very true, Miss Anneke; Miss Wallace being the only true,
thorough, Englishwoman here. But, as Aunt Schuyler has spoken of my team, I wish I could persuade you and Miss Mary to
let me drive you back to Albany with it, this very evening.
Your own sleigh can follow and your father’s horses being
English, we shall have an opportunity of comparing the two
breeds. The Anglo-Saxons will have no load, while the Flemings will; still I will wager animal against animal, that the last
do the work the most neatly, and in the shortest time».
To this proposition, however, Anneke would not consent;
her instinctive delicacy, I make no doubt, at once presenting to
her mind the impropriety of quitting her own sleigh, to take
an evening’s drive in that of a young man of Guert’s established reputation for recklessness and fun, and who was not
always fortunate enough to persuade young women of the fi rst
class to be his companions. The turn the conversation had taken, nevertheless, had the effect to produce so many urgent appeals, that were seconded by myself, to give the horses a trial,
that Mary Wallace promised to submit the matter to Herman
Mordaunt, and, should he approve, to accompany Guert, Anneke and myself, in an excursion the succeeding week.
296
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
This concession was received by poor Guert with profound
gratitude; and he assured me, as we drove back to town, that he
had not felt so happy for the last two months.
«It is in the power of such a young woman – young angel, I might better say», added Guert, «to make anything she
may please of me! I know I am an idler, and too fond of our
Dutch amusements, and that I have not paid the attention
I ought to have paid to books; but let that precious creature
only take me by the hand, and I should turn out an altered
man in a month. Young women can do anything they please
with us, Mr. Littlepage, when they set their minds about it in
earnest. I wish I was a horse, to have the pleasure of dragging
Mary Wallace in this excursion!»
CHAPTER XV
“When lo! the voice of loud alarm
His inmost soul appals:
What ho! Lord William, rise in haste!
The water saps thy walls!”
Lord William.
The visit to Madam Schuyler occurred of a Saturday evening; and the matter of our adventure in company with Jack
and Moses, was to be decided on the following Monday. When
I rose and looked out of my window on the Sunday morning,
however, there appeared but very little prospect of its being
effected that spring, inasmuch as it rained heavily, and there
was a fresh south wind. We had reached the 21st of March,
a period of the year when a decided thaw was not only ominous to the sleighing, but when it actually predicted a permanent breaking up of the winter. The season had been late, and
it was thought the change could not be distant.
The rain and south wind continued all that day, and torrents of water came rushing down the short, steep streets,
effectually washing away everything like snow. Mr. Worden
preached, notwithstanding, and to a very respectable con-
298
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
gregation. Dirck and myself attended; but Jason preferred
sitting out a double half-hour glass sermon in the Dutch
church, delivered in a language of which he understood very
little, to lending his countenance to the rites of the English
service. Both Anneke and Mary Wallace found their way up
the hill, going in a carriage; though I observed that Herman
Mordaunt was absent. Guert was in the gallery, in which
we also sat; but I could not avoid remarking that neither of
the young ladies raised her eyes once, during the whole
service, as high as our pews. Guert whispered something
about this, as he hastened down stairs to hand them to their
carriage, when the congregation was dismissed, begging
me, at the same time, to be punctual to the appointment
for the next day. What he meant by this last remembrancer,
I did not understand; for the hills were beginning to exhibit
their bare breasts, and it was somewhat surprising with what
rapidity a rather unusual amount of snow had disappeared.
I had no opportunity to ask an explanation, as Guert was too
busy in placing the ladies in the carriage, and the weather
was not such as to admit of my remaining a moment longer in the street than was indispensably necessary.
A change occurred in the weather during the night,
the rain having ceased, though the atmosphere continued
mild, and the wind was still from the south. It was the commencement of the spring; and, as I walked round to Guert Ten
Eyck’s house, to meet him at breakfast, I observed that several
vehicles with wheels were already in motion in the streets, and
that divers persons appeared to be putting away their sleighs
and sleds, as things of no further use, until the next winter. Our
299
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
springs do not certainly come upon us as suddenly as some of
which I have read, in the old world; but when the snow and
winter endure as far into March as had been the case with
that of the year 1758, the change is often nearly magical.
«Here, then, is the spring opening», I said to Dirck, as we
walked along the well-washed streets; «and, in a few weeks, we
must be off to the bush. Our business on the Patent must be
got along with, before the troops are put in motion, or we may
lose the opportunity of seeing a campaign».
With such expectations and feelings I entered Guert’s
bachelor abode; and the fi rst words I uttered, were to sympathize in his supposed disappointment.
«It is a great pity you did not propose the drive to the ladies
for Saturday», I began; «for that was not only a mild day, but
the sleighing was excellent. As it is, you will have to postpone
your triumph until next winter».
«I do not understand you!» cried Guert; Jack and Moses
never were in better heart, or in better condition. I think they
are equal to going to Kinderhook in two hours!»
«But who will furnish the roads with snow? By looking
out of the window, you will see that the streets are nearly bare».
«Streets and roads! Who cares for either, while we have
the river? We often use the river here, weeks at a time, when
the snow has left us. The ice has been remarkably even
the whole of this winter, and, now the snow is off it, there will
be no danger from the air-holes».
I confess I did not much like the notion of travelling twenty miles on the ice, but was far too much of a man to offer any
objections.
300
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