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Page 25
There was, in rear of the house, a rather extensive
corn-field, and beyond the northern gable, where the
chimney stood, an orchard yet in its infancy, but promising
future abundance, while at the opposite, or south end of
the building, a large but very highly cultivated garden,
was now undergoing the customary spring process of digging
and manuring, and indeed on that very morning, Mr. Heywood
had been busily engaged in this occupation with the boy
Wilton, his men being employed, the one in field labor,
the other as we have seen, in chopping wood.
In the rear of the garden, and opposite to the corn-field,
from which it was separated by a road leading to the
wood, was a tolerably sized barn, likewise constructed
of rude logs, not, however, filled in. The lower part of
this was used as a stable; the upper or loft, roofed with
bark, contained the preceding year's unhusked crop from
the corn-field, while contiguous to it, and to the rear,
was another oblong square building, constructed in the
same manner, but without loft. This, partitioned and
covered simply with unhewn logs, served not only as a
pen for sheep and pigs, but as a roasting-place for the
feathered portion of the stock.
The orchard on the one side, and the garden on the other,
extended to the bank of the river--a zig-zag, or snake-fence
separating them from the road, in the centre of which,
and at about ten feet from the door of the dwelling,
rose a majestic walnut tree then in early blossom.
Immediately beyond this tree, was a low enclosure which
intersected the road, passing across from the kitchen-garden
to the orchard, and forming the only court or yard upon
the premises.
When Corporal Nixon, with his little party, had cautiously
advanced some few paces towards the house, he caused them
to separate, Cass and Jackson leaping the fence which
bounded the orchard, and Green and Philips that of the
garden, while he himself, with Weston, pursued the pathway
in front. The better to be prepared for any sudden
attack, bayonets had been quietly fixed, and the firelocks
at the full cock, carried at the trail--this latter
precaution after the detached files had crossed the
fences.
The night, as has already been said, was very dark, and
each succeeding minute seemed to increase the obscurity,
so that it was rather from their familiarity with the
ground, than from any clear indication of correctness of
course, that the little band were enabled to preserve
their necessary unity. At length the tall shadows of the
walnut tree came suddenly upon the sight of the corporal,
but so completely absorbing was the darkness in the
heavier gloom, that, without being aware of it's proximity,
he stumbled against the low and slight enclosure, which,
yielding to the impetus of his motion, feeble even as
that was, caused him to fall forward on his face, his
musket dropping from his grasp without, however, going off.
A low growl from a dog succeeded, and before the Virginian
could even make the attempt to rise, the animal had sprang
upon, and fastened his teeth into his shoulder, shaking
him so violently, that it was not until Weston, who had
now crossed the enclosure, came up to his assistance,
guided by the sound of the struggle, that the dog could
be made to relinquish his hold.
"Loup Garou--Loup Garou, old fellow, what's the matter
with you," said the latter coaxingly, as he caressed the
neck of the dog, which he had identified, and now sought
to appease.
Evidently recognising a friend in the utterer of his
name, the animal turned suddenly around, licked the hand
of Weston, and then sent forth a long and piteous howl.
"Mercy, what is that?" suddenly exclaimed the corporal,
who having regained his legs and musket, had moved on a
pace or two.
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