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Файл:Satanstoe; or, The Littlepage Manuscripts
.pdf
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
nie, indeed», he added; «as if any man would not run to save
his life! You saw how it was with the river, Corny, when it once
began to break up, and know that my escape was marvellous.
I deserve as much credit for that retreat, boy, as Xenophon did
for his retreat with the Ten Thousand. It is true, I had not thirty-four thousand, six hundred and fi fty stadia to retreat over;
but acts are to be estimated more by quality, than by quantity.
The best things are always of an impromptu character; and,
generally, they are on a small scale. Then, as for all you tell me
about Guert; why, the hussy knew him – must have known
him, in a town like Albany, where the fellow has a character
that identifi es him with all sorts of fun and roguery. Jack, and
Moses, too! Do you think the inspiration of even an evil spirit, or of forty thousand devils, would lead a fortune-teller to
name any horse Moses? Jack might do, perhaps; but Moses
would never enter the head of even an imp! Remember, lad,
Moses was the great law-giver of the Jews; and such a creature
would be as apt to suppose a horse was named Confucius, as to
suppose he was named Moses!»
«I suppose the inspiration, as you call it, sir, would lead
a clever fortune-teller to give things as they are; and to call
the horses by their real names, let them be what they might».
«Ay, such inspiration as this miserable, old, wrinkled, impudent she-devil enjoys! Don’t tell me, Corny; there is no such
thing as fortune-telling; at least, nothing that can be depended on in all cases – and this is one of downright imposition.
‘Loping Dominie,’ forsooth!»
Such were the Rev. Mr. Worden’s sentiments on the subject of Mother Doortje’s revelations. He exacted a pledge from
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
us all, to say nothing about the matter; nor were we much disposed to be communicative on the subject. As for Guert, Dirck,
Jason, and myself, we did not hesitate to converse on the circumstances of our visits, among ourselves, however; and each
and all of us viewed the matter some what differently from
our Mentor. I ascertained that Jason had been highly gratifi ed with what had been predicted on his own behalf; for what
was wealth in his eyes had been foretold as his future lot; and
a man rarely quarrels with good fortune, whether in prospective, or in possession. Dirck, though barely twenty, began to
talk of living a single life from this time; and no laughter of
mine could induce the poor lad to change his views, or to entertain livelier hopes. Guert was deeply impressed, as has been
said; and feeling no restraint in the matter of his own case, he
took occasion to speak of his visit to the woman, one morning
that Herman Mordaunt, the two ladies, Bulstrode, and myself,
were sitting together, chatting, in the freedom of what had
now become a very constant intercourse.
«Are such things as fortune-tellers known in England,
Mr. Bulstrode?» Guert abruptly commenced, fastening his
eyes on Mary Wallace, as he asked the question; for on her
were his thoughts running at the time.
«All sorts of silly things are to be found in Old England,
Mr. Ten Eyck, as well as some that are wise. I believe London
has one or two soothsayers; and I think I have heard elderly
people say that the fashion of consulting them has somewhat
increased, since the court has been so German».
«Yes», Guert innocently replied; «I fi nd it easy to believe
that; for, it is a common saying, among our people, that the Ger-
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man and Low Dutch fortune-tellers are the best known. They
have had, or pretend to have had, witches in New England; but
no one, hereabouts, puts any faith in the pretence. It is like all
the bragging of these boastful Yankees!»
I observed that Mary Wallace’s colour deepened; and
that, in biting off a thread, she profi ted, by the occasion, to
avert her face in such a manner, that Bulstrode, in particular,
could not see it.
«The meaning of all this», put in Major Bulstrode «is, that
our friend Guert has been to pay a visit to Mother Doortje’s;
a woman of some note, who lives on the hill, and who has
a reputation, in that way, among these good Albanians! Several of our mess have been to see the old woman».
«It is, Mr. Bulstrode», Guert answered, in his manly way,
and with a gravity which proved how much he was in earnest.
«I have been to see Mother Doortje, for the fi rst time in my life;
and Corny Littlepage, here, was my companion. Long as I have
known the woman by reputation, I have never had any curiosity to pay her a visit, until this spring. We have been, however;
and, I must say, I have been greatly surprised at the extent of
the knowledge of this very extraordinary person».
«Did she tell you to look into the sweetmeat-pot, for the lost
spoon, Mr. Ten Eyck», Anneke inquired, with an archness of
eye and voice, that sent the blood to my own face, in confusion.
«They say, that fortune-tellers send all prudent, yet careless
housewives, to the sweetmeat-pots, to look for the lost spoons!
Many have been found, I hear, by this wonderful prescience».
«Well, Miss Anneke, I see, you have no faith», answered
Guert, fi dgeting; «and people who have no faith, never believe.
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
Notwithstanding, I put so much confi dence in what Doortje
has told me, that I intend to follow her advice let matters turn
out as they may».
Here Mary Wallace raised her thoughtful, full, blue eyes to
the face of the young man; and they expressed an intense interest, rather than any light curiosity, that even her woman’s
instinct and woman’s sensitiveness could not so far prevail,
as to enable her to conceal. Still, Mary Wallace did not speak,
leaving the others present to maintain the discourse.
«Of course, you mean to tell us all about it, Ten Eyck»,
cried the Major; «there is nothing more likely to succeed, with
an audience, than a good history of witchcraft, or something
so very marvellous, as to do violence to common sense, before
we give it our faith».
«Excuse me, Mr. Bulstrode; these are things I cannot well
mention; though, Corny Littlepage will testify, that they are
very wonderful. At any rate, I shall go into the bush, this
spring; and Littlepage and Follock, being excellent companions, I propose to join their company. It will be late, before
the army will be ready to move; and, by that time, all three of
us propose to join you before Ticonderoga; if, indeed, you succeed in getting so far».
«Say, rather, in front of Montreal; for, I trust, this new
Commander-In-Chief will fi nd something more for us to do,
than the last one did. Shall I have a sentinel placed at Doortje’s
door, in your absence, Guert!»
The smile, this question produced, was general; Guert,
himself, joining in it; for his good-nature was of proof. When
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I say the smile was general, however, I ought to except Mary
Wallace, who smiled little, that morning.
«We shall be neighbours, then», Herman Mordaunt quietly observed; «that is to say, if you mean, by accompanying
Corny and Dirck to the bush, you intend to go with them to
the patent, lately obtained by Messrs. Littlepage and Van
Valkenburgh. I have an estate, in that quarter, which is now
ten years old; and these ladies have consented to accompany
me thither, as soon as the weather is a little more settled, and
I can be assured that our army will be of suffi cient force to
protect us from the French and Indians».
It is unnecessary for me to say with what delight Guert and
I heard this announcement! On Bulstrode, however, it produced an exactly contrary effect. He did not appear, to me, to
be surprised, at a declaration that was so new to us; but several expressions fell from him, that showed he had no idea
the two estates, that of Herman Mordaunt’s, and that which
belonged to us, lay so near together. It was by means of his
questions, indeed, that I learned the real facts of the case. It appeared that Herman Mordaunt’s business, in Albany, was to
make some provisions in behalf of this property, on which he
had caused mills to be erected, and some of the other improvements of a new settlement, to be made, two or three years before; and which, by the progress and events of the war, was
getting to be in closer proximity to the enemy, than was desirable. Even where the French lay, at Ticonderoga, his mills, in
particular, might be thought in some danger, though forty or
more miles distant; for parties of savages, led on by white men,
frequently marched that distance through the forests, in or-
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
der to break up a settlement and to commit depredations. But
the enemy had crossed Lake George, the previous summer,
and had actually taken Fort William Henry, at its southern
extremity, by siege. It is true, this was the extent of their inroad; and, it was now known, that they had abandoned this
bold conquest, and had fallen back upon Ty and Crown Point,
two of the strongest military positions in the British colonies.
Still, Ravensnest, as Herman Mordaunt’s property was called,
was far from being beyond the limits of sorties; and the residence, at Albany, was solely to watch the progress of events in
that quarter, and to be near the scene. If he had any public
employment, it remained a profound mystery. A new source of
embarrassment had arisen, however; and this it was that decided the proprietor to visit his lands in person. The fi fteen
or twenty families he had succeeded in establishing on the estate, at much cost and trouble, had taken the alarm at the prospect of a campaign in their vicinity; and had announced an intention of abandoning their huts and clearings, as the course
most expedient for the times. Two or three had already gone
off towards the Hampshire Grants, whence they had originally come; profi ting by the last of the snow; and, it was feared,
that others might imitate their caution.
Herman Mordaunt saw no necessity for this abandonment of advantages over the wilderness, that had been obtained at so much cost and trouble. The labour of a removal,
and a return, was suffi cient, of itself, to give a new direction to
the movements of his settlers; and, as their fi rst entrance into
the country had been effected through his agency, and aided by his means, he naturally wished to keep the people he
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
had got to his estate with so much diffi culty, and at so much
cost, at their several positions, as long, at least, as he conceived
it to be prudent. In these circumstances, therefore, he had determined to visit Ravensnest in person, and to pass a part, if
not most of the summer, among his people. This would give
them confi dence, and would enable him to infuse new life into
their operations. It would seem, that Anneke and Mary Wallace had refused to let Mr. Mordaunt go alone; and, believing,
himself, there was no danger in the course he was about to
take, the father and guardian, for Mary Wallace was Herman
Mordaunt’s ward, had yielded to the importunities of the two
girls; and it had been formally decided that they were all to
proceed together, as soon as the season should get to be a little
more advanced. Intelligence of this intention had been sent to
the settlers; and its effect was to induce them to remain at their
posts, by pacifying their fears.
I might as well add, here, what I learned subsequently, in
the due course of events. Bulstrode had been made acquainted with Herman Mordaunt’s plans, they being sworn friends,
and the latter warmly in the interest of the former’s suit; and
he had known how to profi t by the information. It was now
time to put the troops in motion; and several parties had already marched towards the north, taking post at different
points that it was thought desirable to occupy, previously to
the commencement of the campaign. Among other corps under orders of this nature, was that commanded by Bulstrode;
and he had suffi cient interest, at head-quarters, to get it sent to
the point nearest to Ravensnest; where it gave him the double
advantage, of having it in his power to visit the ladies, on occa-
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
sion, while, at the same time, he must appear, to them, somewhat in the character of a protector. The object of Dirck and
myself, in visiting the north, was no secret; and, it was generally understood, that we were to go to Mooseridge; but we did
not know, ourselves, that Herman Mordaunt had an estate so
near us. This intelligence, as has been said, I now ascertained,
was as new to Bulstrode as it was to myself.
The knowledge of many little things I have just mentioned,
was obtained by me only at intervals, and by means of observation and discourse. Nevertheless, the main points were determined on the morning on which Guert referred to his visit to
the fortune-teller, and in the manner named. The conversation lasted an hour; nor did it cease, until all present got a general idea of the course intended to be pursued by the different
parties present, during the succeeding summer.
It happened, that morning, that Bulstrode, Dirck, and Guert
withdrew together, the two last to look at a horse the former
had just purchased, leaving me alone with the young ladies.
No sooner was the door closed on the retiring members of
our party, than I saw a smile struggling about the handsome
mouth of Anneke; Mary Wallace continuing the whole time
thoughtful, if not sad.
«And you were of the party at the fortune-teller’s, too, it
seems, Mr. Littlepage», Anneke remarked, after appearing to
be debating with herself on the propriety of proceeding any
farther in the subject. «I knew there was such a person in
Albany, and that thrifty housekeepers did sometimes consult
her; but I was ignorant that men, and educated men, paid her
that honour».
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«I believe there is no exception in the way of sex or learning, to her infl uence, or her authority. They tell me that most of
the younger offi cers of the army visit her, while they remain
here».
«I would much like to know if Mr. Bulstrode has been of
the number! He is young enough in years, though so high in
rank. A major may have as much curiosity as an ensign; or, as
it may appear, dear Mary, of a woman who has lost her grandmother’s favourite dessert-spoon».
Mary Wallace gave a gentle sigh, and she even raised her
eyes from her work; still, she made no answer.
«You are severe on us, Anneke;» for, since the affair on
the river, the whole family treated me with the familiarity of
a son or a brother –» I fancy we have done no more than
Mr. Mordaunt has done in his day».
«This may be very true, Corny, and not make the consultation the wisest thing in nature. I hope, however, you do not
keep your fortune a secret, but let your friends share in your
knowledge!»
«To me the woman was far from being communicative,
though she treated Guert Ten Eyck better. Certainly, she told
him many extraordinary things, of the past even; unless indeed, she knew who he was».
«Is it probable, Mr. Littlepage», said Mary Wallace, «that
any person in Albany should not know Guert Ten Eyck, and
a good deal of his past history? Poor Guert makes himself
known wherever he is!»
«And, often much to his advantage», I added – a remark
that cost me nothing; but which caused Mary Wallace’s face to
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
brighten, and even brought a faint smile to her lips. «All that is
true; yet there was something wild and unnatural in the woman’s manner, as she told these things!»
«All of which you seem determined to keep to yourself?»
observed Anneke, as one asks a question.
«It would hardly do to betray a friend’s secrets. Let Guert
answer for himself; he is as frank as broad day, and will not
hesitate about letting you know all».
«I wish Corny Littlepage were only as frank as twilight!»
«I have nothing to conceal – and least of all from you, Anneke. The fortune-teller told me that the queen of my heart
was the queen of too many hearts; that the river had done
me no harm; and that I must particularly beware of what she
called Knights-Barrownights».
I watched Anneke closely, as I repeated this warning of
Mother Doortje; but could not read the expression of her sweet
and thoughtful countenance. She neither smiled nor frowned;
but she certainly blushed. Of course, she did not look at me –
for that would have been to challenge observation. Mary Wallace, however, did smile, and she did look at me.
«You believe all the wizzard told you, Corny?» said Anneke, after a short pause.
«I believed that the queen of my heart was the queen of
many hearts; that the river had done me no harm – though
I could not say, or see, that it had done me much good; and that
I had much to fear from Knights-Barrownights. I believed all
this, however, before I ever saw the fortune-teller».
The next remark that was made came from Anneke, and
it referred to the weather. The season was opening fi nely, and
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