Marietta Holley - "Samantha at Saratoga"

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Victor Appleton - "Tom Swift And His Electric Runabout"

The Sea Witch

M >> Maturin Murray >> The Sea Witch




Charles Bramble, of course, kept within doors at Sierra Leone, and did
not, by exposing his person, provoke arrest. He was reading aloud to
Helen a few days subsequent to his escape from his brother's ship, when
the door of the room was stealthily opened, and a person stepped in.

"Well, Leonard Hust," said Charles Bramble, "what has brought yon here
so clothed in mystery? Art well, my good fellow?"

"Yes, very well, master Charles; but I come to tell you that you must
get away from this place, for a few days at least. It is not safe for
you."

"What is in the wind, Leonard, now? Have the court scented me out?"

"Yes, mister Charles, and your brother Robert has agreed to deliver you
up!"

"Has he?" added Charles Bramble, musing. "I did not expect that."

"Yes, sir; and I thought I would just slip over here and advise you to
get off as quick as possible, for the officers will be over here in an
hour or so."

"Thank you, Leonard. What is that protruding from your pocket?"

"Pistols, sir."

"Very good, Leonard, I will borrow them."

"They are yours, sir, with all my heart."

"Are they loaded, Leonard?"

"With two slugs each, sir, and as true as a compass."

These formidable preparations startled Helen, who looked beseechingly
towards him whom she loved better than her own life. She came and placed
a hand timidly upon his shoulder, and looked into his face with all the
wealth of her heart expressed in her eyes, as she said:

"Pray, pray, Charles, be cautious, be prudent for my sake, will you
not?"

"I will, dearest," he whispered, as he leaned forward and pressed his
lips to her pure white forehead. "We shall not long be separated--I feel
that we shall not."

Leonard Hust, who had befriended the younger brother while the two were
under the parental roof, still clung to the interest of Charles Bramble.
He had already procured for him a guide--a negro runner--who knew the
coast perfectly, and with him for a companion, and a small pack of
provisions, and well armed, Charles Bramble determined to make his way
by land back to Don Leonardo's factory on the southern coast. In so
doing, he would be able not only to elude all pursuit, but would also be
able to further his own pecuniary interest by settling up his affairs
with Don Leonardo, and arranging matters as to the property that had
been entrusted to him by the owners of the "Sea Witch."

Charles Bramble awaited impatiently the coming of the guide, until
indeed he was afraid that longer delay would expose him to the arrest
which he so much desired to avoid, and then telling Leonard that he
would hasten forward to the outskirts of the town, where he would await
the guide. Leonard Hust promised to bring him directly, and thus they
parted; the younger brother, hastening towards the jungle at the
environs of Sierra Leone, at length reached the designated spot, where
he quietly awaited the arrival of his guide. It was quite dark before
the expected individual came; but at length he did arrive, and thrusting
a note into the hands of the impatient refugee, waited for orders.
Charles opened the paper and read in a rough school-boy hand, that he,
Leonard Hast, had intended to come to see him off, but that he could
not, and that the bearer was a faithful guide, somewhat eccentric, but
reliable.

Charles Bramble looked carefully for a few moments at the companion of
his long and dangerous journey. He saw before him the person of a negro,
slender, agile, rather below the usual height, and clothed after the
style of the settlers, in pants and jacket, but with a red handkerchief
bound upon the head. In a coarse, leathern belt, the negro wore a short
double-edged knife and a pistol, while in his hand he held a short,
sharp spear, which served for staff and weapon both, and was designed
more particularly for defence against the wild animals that infested the
jungle in all directions.

The guide was painted in the face after fantastic style often adopted by
the shore tribes in Africa, in alternate lines of red and yellow and
white, so as to give a most strange and inhuman expression to the
countenance. But Charles Bramble was familiar with these tricks of the
race, and saluting the guide kindly told him his plans, and asked if he
could guide him on the route. Being assured in the affirmative, he felt
satisfied, and the two, by the light of the moon, which was now creeping
up in the heavens, commenced their journey, intending, after passing a
few leagues, to make up their camp, light their fires to keep off the
wild animals, and sleep.

The resting-place was at last found, and after the usual arrangements
had been completed, and a circle of fire built around them, the two lay
down to sleep. Fatigue soon closed the eyes of our young adventurer, and
he slept soundly, how long he knew not; but after a while he was
awakened by the breaking of some decayed branches near him, and
partially opened his eyes, half asleep, half conscious, when to his
utter amazement he beheld, or fancied he beheld, a dozen pairs of
glistening eyes peering at him from out the jungle. He did not stir, but
feigning to be still asleep, he cautiously watched to see what all this
meant. They surely did not belong to wild animals--those eyes!

He partially turned without moving his body to ascertain if the guide
was still by him, but found that he was gone. There was treachery
somewhere--there was danger about him--this he seemed to feel
instinctively, but still, feigning sleep, he almost held his breath to
listen. He soon learned by his sense of clearing that there were some
half dozen or more of negroes near to him, and that he was the subject
of their conversation. He could even detect his guide's voice among the
rest, though the conversation was carried on scarcely above a whisper.
He had on a previous voyage taken much pains to familiarize himself with
the language spoken by the shore tribes in the south, and he now had
little difficulty in understanding a considerable portion of the remarks
which were making by the gang who were secreted in the jungle so near to
where he was lying, while he pretended sleep.

He soon learned that his guide was followed by a half dozen or more of
negroes, who had lately visited Sierra Leone on some business of their
own, and who, in common with the guide, belonged to a fierce and warlike
tribe, whose chief village was but a few leagues from Don Leonardo's
factory. At first it was difficult to make out the actual purport of
their scheme, though Charles Bramble could guess what he did not hear,
and was satisfied that the cannibals intended to lead him, apparently in
good faith, to the neighborhood of their village, where he was to be
seized, sacrificed to some deity of these poor ignorant creatures'
manufacture, and afterwards be eaten in council with great ceremony. All
this he could distinctly make out, and certainly it was anything but
agreeable to him. But Charles Bramble knew the race he had to deal with;
he fully understood the fact that one after white man with his wits
about him was equal to cope with a dozen of them at any time, and he
felt prepared.

He gathered at once that it was their intention to guide him safely
until near their own village, where they would seize upon him, and from
that moment make him a prisoner. Meanwhile none but his guide was to be
seen by the traveller, so it was agreed, and he was to receive care and
kind attention until the time appointed. Knowing all this, of course he
was prepared for it, and now saw that for the present and the few coming
days, he need have no alarm, and beyond that he must trust to his ready
wit, personal prowess, and the indomitable courage which was natural to
him. It may seem strange, but reasoning thus, he soon fell to sleep
again in good earnest.

The next morning, he met his guide with frankness, and the best of
feeling seemed to prevail day after day, until suddenly one evening
before night had fairly set in, and the day before he had anticipated
any such attempt, the negroes suddenly fell upon him, and pinned his
arms, and otherwise disabled him, so that he was completely at their
mercy. Already they had arrived at the environs of their village, and
into it they bore him in great triumph. Council was at once held, and it
was resolved that on the morrow the prisoner should be sacrificed, and
cooked, and eaten! This was anything but agreeable to our adventurer,
but he did not despair. Thrusting his hand into his pack, he discovered
an almanac that he had brought with him from Cuba.

Turning over the hieroglyphics and singular figures, to the wonder and
amusement of the negroes, he saw that on the morrow an eclipse of the
sun would take place, and he immediately resolved to turn the fact to
good account. He summoned the chief of the tribe and told him to his no
small amazement, in his own tongue, that to-morrow, the Great Spirit
that ruled the sun would put a veil over it in displeasure at the
detention of his white child by them, but that as soon as they should
loose his feet and arms, and set him free, the veil would be removed.

Amazed at such an assertion, the chief consulted among his brethren, and
it was agreed that if the white man's story proved true, then he should
be released.

At the hour appointed on the following day, the negroes were surprised
and terrified to see the gradual and almost total eclipse of the sun,
and attributed it to the Great Spirit's displeasure because of their
detention of the white prisoner, as he had foretold. They hastened to
loose his arms and to set him on his way rejoicing. They even bore him
on their shoulders for leagues in a sort of triumphal march, and did not
permit him to walk until they had brought him safely and deposited him
with his arms and pack before the doors of Don Leonardo!





CHAPTER XVII.

THE POISONED BARB.




OF course, Don Leonardo was amazed to see his friend, deeming him by
this time either in an English prison or dead. He learned with amazement
the part that Maud had performed, for Charles Bramble was forced to
reveal to the father, who was eager to inquire after his daughter.
Though Charles felt not the least compunctions of conscience as to the
matter, yet he now fully realized the cause of all her enmity, though of
this he said not a word to her father. Don Leonardo cheerfully joined
the new-comer in completing his business arrangements, and Charles
Bramble found himself the rightful owner of some eight thousand dollars
in gold, the product of the goods which he had landed as his private
venture, and he also took good care to forward true bills of credit to
his owners in Cuba, for the specie which had been sent out by him to
purchase slaves.

These business arrangements consummated, he now began to think seriously
of once more revisiting the scenes of his childhood, Bramble Park. He
doubted not that Helen and her mother would arrive at their own early
home, which adjoined that of Bramble Park, and which, by the way, had
been leased during their settlement in India, as early as he could
himself procure conveyance which would enable him to reach the spot.
With this idea, he eagerly scanned the horizon daily, hoping for the
arrival of some craft, even a slaver, that might bear him away, either
towards America or Europe, so that he might get into the course of
travel.

One morning, when he had as usual gone up to the lookout and scanned the
sea view far and near, he at last came down to the breakfast-room with
his face quite speaking with inward satisfaction. He had seen a sail,
evidently a large merchantman, and begged Don Leonardo to go up and see
if together they could not make the stranger out more fully. Charles,
himself, thought that she was heavy and evidently steering for the small
bay on which the factory stood. But their curiosity was soon to be
satisfied, for spar after spar gradually became more and more clearly
defined, until at last the deck itself could be seen, and St. George's
cross observed flying saucily in the breeze. The ship was a British
sloop-of-war, and so it proved.

In an hour more, Captain Robert Bramble came on shore, accompanied by
Helen and her mother, with Maud Leonardo. As it afterwards appeared,
Maud desired to be brought back to her father, and the English ship was
but performing its appointed duty in cruising on the coast; while Helen
knowing that Charles had come hither, persuaded her mother that it was
best to sail with Captain Bramble, rather than stop in Sierra Leone
among utter strangers. For on ship-board they were under his care, and
besides, as she admitted to her mother, she had good reason for
supposing that Captain Will Ratlin, for thus the mother knew him still,
was at Bay Salo, as Don Leonardo's factory was called on the coast. Thus
it was that they were once more on this spot.

The brothers met before the collected members of the returning party and
those on the shore, and regarded each other with a stern glance. It was
the only token of recognition which passed. between them; but Charles
hastened to Helen's side, and pressing her hand tenderly, looked the
words that he could not speak before others. Mrs. Huntington seemed
overjoyed, too, at joining one whom she felt was a true friend to
herself and daughter, and unhesitatingly evinced this feeling, while
Maud and Captain Robert Bramble walked by themselves filled with bitter
thoughts. Robert had at once presumed as to whither his brother had
escaped, well knowing that he must here have left unsettled business
accounts of great value and importance. He therefore was prepared for
the meeting which took place as we have seen. The Quadroon saw Helen and
Charles thus together, she saw the delight that this meeting caused to
both, she was witness to the eloquent language of the eyes that beamed
into each other, and then she hastened from the spot, crazed with
bitterness of feeling, and fall of direful purpose. Had she been
observed at that moment, it would have been seen that there was danger
in her. To her father's kind salute, she turned a deaf ear, and hastened
into the dwelling with headlong speed.

Charles and Helen had much to say to each other. Now that he had told
his love, now that the dark veil had been removed from the past that had
obscured his origin, he felt confidence, and spoke with manly cheer and
a light heart. The most indifferent observer would have noticed this,
and it waits not without its effect upon Helen, who looked brighter and
happier than ever before, and the two succeeded at once in infusing a
degree of cheerfulness all around them, reflected by Helen's mother and
even Don Leonardo, with his heavy eyebrows and shaggy beard. Captain
Robert Bramble and Maud alone seemed unhappy, and they were moody
indeed.

It was towards the twilight hour on the very day of the arrival which we
have referred to, that Charles and Helen arm in arm started away from
the house to the adjacent jungle, where was a pleasant trysting-place,
with a seat prepared for resort from the house. Breathing into each
other's ears the glad and trusting accents of true love, they sauntered
slowly hither and sat down there, Helen upon the rude, but comfortable
seat, and Charles at her feet upon the ground. About them grew the rank,
luxuriant foliage of Africa; fragrant flowers bloomed within reach of
their hands, and luscious fruit greeted the eye in whichever direction
it sought. The soft air of the afterpart of the day was ladened with
sweetness, and they seemed to gather fresh incentive for tenderness and
love in the peculiar surroundings of the spot.

"So, you have broken off all connection with this business, and have
settled your accounts with Don Leonardo, have you not?" asked Helen, of
him at her feet.

"Yes, dearest, all has been done, and I shall have no more to do with
the trade of this inhospitable coast, you may be assured. My only hope
and desire is once more to see you and your mother safe in England,
where I can make you by sacred ties my own."

Helen looked the tender response that beat in her heart, but which her
lips refused to pronounce. She was very, very happy, and they talked
over olden times, childish recollections, and the memories of their
early home.

While Charles and Helen were thus engaged, two other individuals closely
connected with the plot of our story were not idle. Captain Robert
Bramble was now satisfied that without physical force he could not
intervene between his rival brother and Helen Huntington; he would
gladly have done this, but policy prevented, for he saw that in doing
so, he would but gratify his revenge without approaching a single step
nearer the consummation of his wishes. It was nearly the appointed date
for the sailing of his ship from the station for England, and he had
made up his mind to return at once to Sierra Leone, and prepare to sail
homeward.

He had already taken leave of Mrs. Huntington, and was seeking her
daughter to say to her farewell; the wind was fair, he would sail within
the hour, and on inquiring for Helen he was told by some one that she
had been seen a few moments before walking towards the jungle. The
informant did not say in the company of him she so evidently loved, and
Robert Bramble hastened forward in hopes that he might meet her there
alone; perhaps, even once more press that oft rejected suit; he even
thought as he went what he could say to her, and wondered how she would
receive him. It was difficult to say what it was in his bosom which
caused him so tenaciously to pursue this vain desire; his was not the
heart to die for love, it amounted almost to obstinacy. He was
self-willed, and was accustomed to have his own way in all things; here
he had been thwarted from the very outset.

Maud Leonardo, since her arrival home, was scarcely herself, she avoided
all intercourse, spoke to no one, and locked herself in her chamber. But
now she started forth intent on some purpose, as was evident from the
direct and prompt step she pursued. Yes, from her window she had seen
Charles, and Helen wander leisurely and affectionately together towards
the jungle, and to the same point she now directed her steps, though by
a circuitous path. She muttered to herself as she went, and walked with
unwonted speed, as though she feared to lose one moment of time. At this
quick pace, she was soon hidden in the paths of the thick undergrowth
and forest land.

"Hark! what sound is that?" said Helen, suddenly turning and peering
into the thick foliage which surrounded the spot.

"I hear nothing," replied Charles Bramble. "It was some bird perhaps,
among these branches. But why do you look so pale, Helen?"

"It is so terrible. I thought the sound was like that of one of those
terrible serpents that frequent these parts, the anaconda, creeping
towards us."

"Nay, dearest, it was but your imagination; these reptiles avoid the
near approach to human habitations, and would not be likely to be here."

"There! there it is again," she said convulsively, drawing closely to
his side, while both looked towards the spot from whence at that moment
a sound proceeded.

In a moment more there broke forth from the clustering vines and trees
the figure of a man, with a drawn sword, who hastened with lowering brow
towards them! It was Robert Bramble, incensed beyond endurance at the
sight which met his vision through the vista of the foliage on his
approaching the spot; he paused but for one single moment, then yielding
to the power of his almost ungovernable temper, he drew his sword and
rushed forward, determined to sacrifice his brother's life. Helen seeing
plainly and instantly the state of affairs, threw herself with a scream
of terror before Charles to protect him, unarmed as he was, from the
keen weapon that gleamed in his brother's hand.

But strange are the ways of Providence, and past finding out. At that
instant he staggered, reeled forward, and placing one hand to his
forehead fell nearly at their feet!

Amazed at this, Charles and Helen both hastened to his side, but he was
speechless, and ere he could be removed from the position in which he
fell, life was wholly extinct. What was it that had so strangely, so
suddenly sacrificed him in the midst of his fell intent? Hark! Charles
starts as a shrill, low whizzing sound was heard close to his ear! The
mystery is explained, a poisoned barb had killed his brother, entering
the eye and piercing the brain, while this second one that had just
whistled past his car, had been intended for him. He turned hastily to
the direction from whence the missile had come, and there stood or
rather staggered Maud Leonardo. He hastened now to her side as she
gradually half knelt, half fell to the ground. Her eyes rolled madly in
their pockets, her hands grasped vainly at the air, and she muttered
incoherently.

"Maud, Maud, what have you done?" asked Charles, leaning over her.

"The barb was poisoned, it--it--was meant for you!" she half shrieked.
"I--I--am dying, dying unrevenged--O, this scorching, burning pain!"

"What ails you, Maud--what can we do for you?" asked Charles, kindly.

"I--I am poisoned," groaned the Quadroon, holding up her lacerated hand
which she had carelessly wounded with one of the barbs intended to have
killed him.

The barb she had wounded and killed Robert with, was blown through a
long, hollow reed, a weapon much used in Africa, and the barb had been
dipped in poison so subtle, rapid and sure in its effect, that the wound
the girl had received accidentally in her hand, was fast proving fatal
to her. In Robert Bramble's case, it had reached a vital part at once,
and had been almost instantly fatal in its effect. But Maud was dying!

"Poor, poor girl, what shall we say to your father?" asked Charles, for
he knew full well the fatal poisons in which the negroes dip their tiny
barbs; and he realized that the Quadroon, who was a victim to her own
scheme of destruction, could not live but a few moments.

She seemed too far gone to speak now, and turned and writhed in an agony
of pain upon the ground, while Helen strove to raise her head and to
comfort her. The poison seemed to act upon her by spasms, and she would
have a moment now and then, when she was comparatively at ease. The
lowering darkness of her face was gone now, a serenity seemed to be
gathering there, and leaning forward between the paroxysms, she held
forth the hand which was not wounded towards Charles Bramble who stood
tenderly over her, and said in a low, gentle voice:

"Forgive--forgive me! will you--will you not forgive me?"

"With all my heart, poor girl, I do sincerely forgive you," said
Charles, earnestly.

All was not black in that human heart, the half effaced image of its
Maker was there still; and Maud looked tenderly and penitently upon
Helen and Charles. The former knelt by her side, and drawing the poor
girl's hands together across her breast as she lay upon the ground,
lifted her own hands heavenward, moving her lips in prayer as she bent
over the sufferer. What little Maud knew of religious instruction, had
been taught her in the form of the Episcopal church, and she now
listened to the formal prayer from the litany appropriate to her
situation. A sweet smile gathered over her face as Helen proceeded, and
prayed for forgiveness for all sins committed; and as she paused at the
close, three voices repeated the word Amen.

Charles and Helen rose to their feet, but the spirit of the Quadroon had
fled!





CHAPTER XVIII.

THE DENOUEMENT.




THE events of the past few weeks seemed to Charles Bramble more like
dream than reality; he could hardly compose his mind sufficiently to
realize the serious bearings of his present situation. Of course, it was
now useless longer to disguise his relationship to Robert, who had lost
his life by means of the poisoned barb which Maud had intended for his
brother. Charles took possession of his body, and informed all those
necessary duties that his own feelings suggested, and form required. The
second officer of the ship assumed the command vacated by Captain
Robert's death, and as the time had now arrived for the return of the
vessel to England, he sailed at once for Liverpool.

Though Charles was loth to be separated from Helen, yet he urged upon
herself and mother to join the English man-of-war, in which they could
secure the most comfortable and safest passage to Liverpool; while for
himself, there was still left business matters which it was imperative
for him to consummate before he left the region where he was. It was at
last decided that the mother and daughter should improve this mode of
conveyance home, and Helen reluctantly bade him she so tenderly loved a
tearful farewell, and in secret they pledged to each other their hearts
for life.

Charles Bramble watched the receding ship which contained her so dear to
him, until it was a mere speck upon the waters, and then felt that it
was possibly the last token he might ever see of her. The path before
him was not one strewn with roses, he had serious dangers to encounter,
a long voyage to make, and an unhealthy climate to endure; for he must
cross the ocean, he found, in order to settle honorably with those men
who had placed such unlimited faith in his integrity. But he had no ship
or craft of any sort at his command, and must wait an opportunity for
reaching the West Indies, doubtless, on board some vessel in the trade
which he had just abandoned.

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