|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 95
[Footnote 24: It may perhaps add interest to the story, for the reader
to know that the foregoing account concerning Reynolds and Captain
Patterson, is historically true; as is also the one which follows with
regard to Boone and his son.]
CHAPTER XX.
THE FINALE.
Month upon month rolled away, quiet succeeded to the alarm and commotion
of war, hostilities between Great Britain and America ceased, and the
country both east and west now began to look up from the depression and
gloom which had pervaded it during its long and sanguinary struggle for
independence. In Kentucky the effect was really invigorating; and the
settlers, who for a year past had been driven from their homes in terror
and dismay--who had quitted their peaceable farming implements for the
destructive weapons of strife and bloodshed--now ventured to return to
their desolate firesides, and renew their honest occupations of tilling
the soil. Some, however, more predisposed to financiering than their
neighbors, sought only speculation; in consequence whereof the Land
Offices of the Virginia Commissioners--which opened in November,
after the return of the troops under Clark--were daily thronged with
applicants for the best locations; whereby was laid the first grand
corner-stone of subsequent litigation, disaffection, and civil discord
among the pioneers. But with these, further than to mention the facts as
connected with the history of the time, we have nothing to do; and shall
now forthwith pass on to the finale of our story.
Month upon month, as we said before, had rolled away, spring had come,
and with it had departed many of those who had occupied Bryan's Station
during the siege of August; but still, besides the regular garrison and
their families, a few of the individuals who had sought refuge therein,
yet remained; among whom we may mention Mrs. Younker, Ella, Isaac and
his wife, and so forth. Algernon, too--by the entreaty of his friends,
and contrary to his previous calculations, and what he considered his
duty--had been induced to defer his departure until the opening of
spring. Possibly there might have been a secret power, stronger than the
mere entreaties of others, which had prevailed over his resolution to
depart; but further the records say not. Be that as it may, the extreme
limit of time which he had set for remaining, was now nearly expired;
and he was, at the moment when we again present him to the reader,
engaged in conversation with Ella on the painful subject. Suddenly he
was startled by the information that a stranger in the court desired to
speak with him.
"A stranger!" exclaimed Algernon, in surprise; and as he spoke, his face
became very pale, his lips quivered, and his hands trembled. Turning
upon Ella a look of agony, which seemed to say, "I am an arrested
felon," he wheeled upon his heel, and followed the messenger in silence;
while she, knowing the cause of his agitation, and fearful of the worst,
sunk almost lifeless upon a seat.
As Algernon passed out of the cottage, he beheld, in the center of the
common, a well dressed, good-looking individual, who was standing on the
ground and holding by the bridle a horse, which, as well as the rider
himself, appeared both travel-stained and weary. Approaching the
stranger with a firm step, but with a pale countenance and throbbing
heart, he said:
"I understand, sir, you have business with me."
"Your name, then," returned the other, quietly, "I presume to be
Algernon Reynolds?"
"The same."
"You are, too, I infer, a native of ----, Connecticut, and son of Albert
Reynolds of that place?"
"Again right," answered Algernon, in a voice which, in spite of himself,
was a little tremulous.
"Then, sir," rejoined the stranger, with a satisfied air, "I may say
that I have business with you, and of vast importance. A long chase you
have led me, i' faith; and weeks of travel have you cost me; so you may
rest assured that I am happy in finding you at last."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|