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
On reaching it, he found both Gerald and his faithful attendant just
touching the shore. Aroused by the cry for help which Sambo had pealed
forth, several of the workmen had quitted the shelter of the
block-houses in which they were lodged, and hastened to the rescue of
him whom they immediately afterwards saw struggling furiously to free
himself and companion from the violent current. Stepping to the
extremity on some loose timber which lay secured to the shore, yet
floating in the river--they threw out poles, one of which Sambo seized
like an enraged mastiff in his teeth, and still supporting the body, and
repelling the water with his disengaged arm, in this manner succeeded in
gaining the land. The crews of the little fleet, which lay armed a
hundred yards lower down, had also witnessed the rapid descent of two
apparently drowning men, and ropes had everywhere been thrown out from
the vessels. As for lowering a boat, it was out of the question; for no
boat could have resisted the violence of the current, even for some
hours after the storm had wholly ceased.
It may be easily conceived with what mingled emotions the generous
Henry, whose anxiety had been so long excited in regard to his brother's
fate, now beheld that brother suddenly restored to him. Filled with an
affection that was rendered the more intense by the very fact of the
danger from which he had just seen him rescued, he, regardless of those
around and in defiance of his wet and dripping clothes, sprang eagerly
to his embrace, but Gerald received him with a cold--almost averted air.
Suffering, rather than sharing, this mark of fraternal love, he turned
the instant afterward to his servant, and, in a tone of querulousness
said, "Sambo, give me wine."
Inexpressibly shocked, and not knowing what to think of this conduct,
Henry bent his glance upon the negro. The old man shook his head
mournfully, and even with the dripping spray that continued to fall from
his woolly locks upon his cheeks, tears might be seen to mingle. A
dreadful misgiving came over the mind of the youth, and he felt his
very hair rise thrillingly, as he for a moment admitted the horrible
possibility, that the shock produced by his recent accident had affected
his brother's intellect. Sambo replied to his master's demand, by saying
"there was no wine--the canoe and its contents had been utterly lost."
All this passed during the first few moments of their landing. The
necessity for an immediate change of apparel was obvious, and Gerald and
his servant were led into the nearest block house, where each of the
honest fellows occupying it was eager in producing whatever his rude
wardrobe afforded. The brothers then made the best of their way,
followed by the negro, to their own abode in the town.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account