Hawk's Nest; or, The Last of the Cahoonshees.: A Tale of the Delaware Valley and Historical Romance of 1690.Allerton, James M. (James Martin)
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Hawk's Nest; or, The Last of the Cahoonshees.: A Tale of the Delaware Valley and Historical Romance of 1690.
Allerton, James M. (James Martin)
Delaware River Valley (N.Y.-Del. and N.J.) -- Fiction; Historical fiction
A boat was in readiness to convey his Lordship on board of the Reindeer.
A plank was laid from the dock to the boat, and his Lordship started to
walk on board.
He had nearly reached the boat, when the plank slipped from the wharf,
and he was precipitated into the river. It was a strong ebb tide, and
a few feet would carry him under the vessel. Walter caught the end of a
rope and dove. For a moment he disappeared, and Tom and Frost feared that
their friend was drowned. The next instant he appeared at the surface
holding Lord Wallace by the hair.
Tom and Frost pulled in the rope, and grand-father and grand-son were
safely landed. The elder Wallace was apparently dead.
Stand back, men! Stand back! cried Tom at the top of his voice. Roll him
on the barrel, Jack.
There men, gently. Roll him gently, said Walter.
The rolling had the desired effect, and in a few moments he was
relieved of the water he had taken in, and showed signs of returning
consciousness. In a few moments he was able to speak.
To whom am I indebted for my deliverance from a watery grave? he asked.
To this young man, replied Tom pointing to Walter.
Are you one of the crew of the Reindeer?
I have the honor to serve in that capacity to-day my Lord.
The keen eyes of the old man was bent on the youth before him, and
something there reminded him of days long passed. He saw in the young man
a duplicate of a picture that hung in his gallery. Memory flashed the
fact home that more than twenty years before he had driven from his home
the exact counterpart of the young man who had so nobly saved his life.
Young man, he said, you have done me one favor. Will you now promise to
do me another?
Certainly, my Lord, if it is consistent, replied Walter.
Then accompany me to my house, to the end that we may become better
acquainted.
Yes, on one condition—that my mess-mates can accompany me.
Certainly, the whole ship’s crew if you desire.
A conveyance was procured, and in a few moments Walter and his friends
were being driven through the streets of London.
This was both new and novel for Walter. He had read something of London
fog, London life and London women; but on London noise and London
cold he was not posted, especially as to the latter. Both himself and
grand-father were wet to the skin in consequence of their late immersion
in the Thames, and long before they reached the residence of Lord Wallace
they both chattered with the cold. At length the residence is reached and
the parties alighted.
Take these gentlemen into the green room, and furnish them with dry
clothes and a good fire, said Lord Wallace to his servants.
The servants beckoned them to follow, which they did.
After ascending several winding stairs and traversing intricate halls and
gloomy recesses, they were ushered into the green room, where a blazing
fire was burning. As soon as the servant retired, Frost approached Walter
and said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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