The Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 2 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old DominionCaruthers, William Alexander
History
The Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 2 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old Dominion
Caruthers, William Alexander
Virginia -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Fiction
Upon what a frail foundation will a despairing man build up his fallen
castles in the air. Such was the occupation of our hero until the light
of the sun had vanished over the western hills. He lay upon his mat in
the twilight gloom, indulging in vague uncertain reveries. He had
examined the picture so long, so intently, and under such a morbid
excitement of the imagination, that he supposed himself capable of
recollecting the features. He had called up dim and misty shadows of
memory (or those of the imagination nearly resembling them) from a
period wrapped in obscurity and darkness. He endeavoured to go back step
by step to his years of childhood, until his excited mind became
completely bewildered among the fading recollections of long passed
days. As the rippling waters of the purling stream mingled with the
monotonous whistling of the evening breeze, his versatile imagination
fell into a kindred train. The music of the nursery, by which his
childish struggles had been lulled to repose, floated over his memory
in the tenderest and purest melancholy. Who that has music in his soul
has not, at a like season and hour, refreshed his heart with these early
impressions? Nor are they entirely confined to an inviting melancholy
mood and the hour of twilight. In the full vigour of physical and mental
power, and when the spirits are bounding and elastic--in the midst of
dramatic representations or the wildest creations of Italian musical
genius, these stores of memory's richest treasures will suddenly flood
the soul, touched perhaps by the vibration of some kindred chord.
Bacon's harassed mind was refreshed by the tender and softened mood into
which he had fallen. Besides, he was now stimulated by the glimmering
dawn of hope. When therefore darkness had completely covered the face of
the land, he arose to go upon his mission, a different being. Although
his own emotions on parting were faint compared to those of Wyanokee,
they were yet sorrowful and tender. He lamented the lot of the Indian
maiden, and respected the virtues and accomplishments which elevated her
so far above those by whom she was surrounded. He bade her adieu with
the most heartfelt gratitude for her services, and aspirations for her
welfare.
When he stepped from the wigwam he was astonished to see the huge fires,
upon which they had cooked the feast, still burning with undiminished
brilliancy, and still more startled to observe twenty or more savages
lying drunk around them, and half as many sober ones holding vigils
over their slumbers. He immediately changed his intended direction, and
skirted round the forest in which they lay, so as to arrive at the place
pointed out by the Recluse by a circuitous route.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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