Matilda Montgomerie; Or, The Prophecy FulfilledRichardson, Major (John)
History
Matilda Montgomerie; Or, The Prophecy Fulfilled
Richardson, Major (John)
United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Fiction
Before noon, on the following day, the boat that was to convey Major
Montgomerie and his niece to the American shore, pulled up to the
landing-place in front of the fort. The weather, as on the preceding
day, was fine, and the river exhibited the same placidity of surface.
Numerous bodies of Indians were collected on the banks, pointing to and
remarking on the singularity of the white flag which hung drooping at
the stern of the boat. Presently the prisoners were seen advancing to
the bank, accompanied by General Brock, Commodore Barclay, and the
principal officers of the garrison. Major Montgomerie appeared pleased
at the prospect of the liberty that awaited him, while the countenance
of his niece, on the contrary, presented an expression of deep thought,
although it was afterwards remarked by Granville and Villiers, both
close observers of her demeanor, that as her eye occasionally glanced in
the direction of Detroit, it lighted up with an animation strongly in
contrast with the general calm and abstractedness of her manner. All
being now ready, Gerald Grantham, who had received his final
instructions from the General offered his arm to Miss Montgomerie, who,
to all outward appearance, took it mechanically and unconsciously,
although, in the animated look which the young sailor turned upon her in
the next instant, there was evidence the contact had thrilled
electrically to his heart. After exchanging a cordial pressure of the
hand with his gallant entertainers, and reiterating to the General his
thanks for the especial favor conferred upon him, the venerable Major
followed them to the boat. His departure was the signal for much
commotion among the Indians. Hitherto they had had no idea of what was
in contemplation; but when they saw them enter and take their seats in
the boat, they raised one of those terrific shouts which have so often
struck terror and dismay; and brandishing their weapons, seemed ready to
testify their disapprobation by something more than words. It was
however momentary--a commanding voice made itself heard, even amid the
din of their loud yell, and, when silence had been obtained, a few
animated sentences, uttered in a tone of deep authority, caused the
tumult at once to subside. The voice was that of Tecumseh, and there
were few among his race who, brave and indomitable as they were, could
find courage to thwart his will. Meanwhile the boat, impelled by eight
active seamen, urged its way through the silvery current, and in less
than an hour from its departure had disappeared.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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