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
"By hell, you will pay me one day or t'other for this, I reckon," he
uttered in a hoarse and fearful whisper--"every dog has his day--it will
be Jeremiah Desborough's turn next."
"What! do you presume to threaten, villain?" vociferated Gerald, now
excited beyond all bounds: "here, men, gag me this fellow--tie him neck
and heels, and throw him into the hold, as you would a bag of ballast."
Several men, with Sambo at their head, advanced for the purpose of
executing the command of their officer, when the eldest daughter of the
Governor, who had witnessed the whole scene, suddenly approached the
latter, and interceded warmly for a repeal of the punishment. Miss
Montgomerie also, who had been a silent observer, glanced significantly
towards the settler. What her look implied no one was quick enough to
detect; but its effect on the culprit was evident--for, without uttering
another syllable, or waiting to be again directed, he moved slowly and
sullenly down the steps that led to his place of confinement.
Whatever the impressions produced upon the minds of the several
spectators by this incident, they were not expressed. No comment was
made, nor was further allusion made to the settler. Other topics of
conversation were introduced, and it was not until the officers, having
bid them a final and cordial adieu, had again taken to their boats on
their way back to Detroit, that the ladies quitted the deck for the
cabin which had been prepared for them.
The short voyage down the lake was performed without incident. From the
moment of the departure of the officers, an air of dulness and
abstraction, originating in a great degree in the unpleasantness of
separation--anticipated and past--pervaded the little party. Sensitive
and amiable as were the daughters of the American Governor, it was not
to be supposed that they parted without regret from men in whose society
they had recently passed so many agreeable hours, and for two of whom
they had insensibly formed preferences. Not however that that parting
was to be considered final, for both Molineux and Villiers had promised
to avail themselves of the first days of peace, to procure leave of
absence, and revisit them in their native country. The feeling of
disappointment acknowledged by the sisters, was much more perceptible in
Gerald Grantham and Miss Montgomerie, both of whom became more
thoughtful and abstracted as the period of separation drew nearer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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