The Canadian Brothers (Volume II) or The Prophecy Fulfilled

isting of Major and Miss Montgomerie, and the daughters of the Governor, with their a

y opposite to the fort of Erie; and thither our hero, perfectly recovered from the effect of his accident, receive

nder, as might have been expected from a young and enterprising spirit; but he justified his absence of zeal to himself, in the fact that there

onversation with Gerald, in regard to Miss Montgomerie, which, ending as it did, in a partial coolness, had tended to make him dislike the person who had caused it still more. It was, therefore, not without secret delight that he overheard the order for the instant return of the schooner, which, although conveyed by the Commodore in the mildest manner, was yet so firm and decided as to admit neither of doubt nor dispute. While the dangerous American continued a resident at Detroit, there was every reason to fear that the attachment of his infatuated brother, fed by opportunity, would lead him to the commission of some irrevocable act of imprudence; whereas, on t

hich were several armed men encircling a huge raw-boned individual, habited in the fashion of an American backwoodsman, approached the vessel. This was no other than the traitor Desborough, who, it will be recollected, was detained and confined in prison at the surrender of Detroit. He had been put upon his trial for the murder of Major Grantham, but had been acquitted through want of evidence to convict, his own original admission being neg

ld, glance on each of the little group in succession, as if he would have read in their countenances the probable fate that awaited himself. The last who fell under his scrutiny was Miss Montgomerie, on whom his eye had scarcely rested, when the insolent indiff

ting mode of address he usually adopted towards the settler, "I reckon as how you'll shoot no wild

t to offer in return. At length, he drew his hat slouchingly over one side of his head, folded his arms across

h a low, cunning laugh, "as how you're a bit of a wit, and fond of a play upon words like. If so, I'll jist try you a little at your own game, and tell you that I had a thousand to one rather be

bitter retort upon their companion, which they vowed should be repeated at the

pleasantry, and pursued, winking familiarly to Captain M

If it hadn't been for that old heathen scoundrel Gattrie, my poor boy Phil, as the Injuns killed, and me, I reckon, w

he had been to examine the fastenings prepared for his prisoner. "How dare you open

swelled almost to bursting, and while his lips were compressed with violence, his nervous fingers played, as with convulsive anxiety to clutch themselves around the throat of the

"or, by Heaven, I will have you thrown in wi

is eye steadfastly upon the officer. Every one present shuddered to

ckon," he uttered, in a hoarse and fearful whisper- "every

xcited beyond all bounds: "here men, gag me this fellow-tie him neck a

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 enoug

ther allusion had to the settler. Other topics of conversation were introduced, and it was not until the officers, having bid them a final and cordial

n 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 them

tentively for a few moments, but even the slight gurgling of the water, as it was thrown from the prow, prevented further recognition. Deeming it possible that the sounds might not proceed from the place of confinement of the settler, but from the cabin which it adjoined, and with which it communicated, he was for a short time undecided whether or not he should disturb the par

asked, delightedly-"I thought you

mine is a soul to slumber, when I know

essed his own, to his lips-"be but faithful to me, my own Matilda-love me but with one half the ardor with wh

of her you profess so ardently to love, be sacrificed to a mere cold sense of duty? But you

t not that honour demands my service to my country, I would fly with you tomorrow, delighted to encounter every difficulty fortune might oppose, if, by successfully combating these, I s

he vessel, over which they both now leaned. As Gerald made the last passionate avowal of his tenderness, a ray of

that you will be the devoted of your Matilda, in ALL things-Gerald, swear m

were his lips opened to swear, before high Heaven, that, in all things earthly, he wo

ebbel da

surprise, he beheld Sambo, whose post of duty was at the helm, lying extended on the deck, while, at the same moment, a sudden plunge was heard, as of a heavy body falling overboard. The first impulse of the officer was to seize the helm, with a view to right the vessel, already swerving fro

visible, and yet his breathing was that of one who had received some severe bodily harm. In a few minutes, however, he recovered his re

ssa Geral, he get sa

nd follow in pursuit. The fellow is making for the shore, no doubt. Now then, my lads," as two of the crew spra

e fugitive swimmer from those made by the paddles of his pursuers. For a time all was silent, when, at length, a deriding laugh came over the surface of the lake, that too plainly told, the settler had reached the shore, and was beyond all chance of capture. In the bitterness of his disappointment, and heedless of the pleasure his change of purpose had procured him, Gerald

ch confined his feet. Close to the partition, were swung the hammocks of two men, who had been somewhat dilatory in obeying the summons on deck, and between whom it was not impossible the conversation, which Gerald had detected, had been carried on. On re-ascending, he again questioned these men, but they most solemnly assured him they had not spoken either together or to others, within the last two hours, having fallen fast asleep on being relieved from their watch. Search was now made in the pockets of Sambo, whose injury had been found to be a violent blow given on the back of the head, and whose recovery from stupefaction was yet imperfect. The key being found, all suspicion of participation was removed from the crew, who could have only communicated from their own quarter of the vessel, and they were accordingly dismissed; one half, comprising the first watch, to their hammocks, the remainder to their original station on the forecastle. The next care of the young Commander was to inspect the cabin, and institute a strict scrutiny as to the manner in which the escape had been effected. The door that opened into the prison, stood between the companion ladder and the recess occupied by the daughters of the Governor. To his surprise, Gerald found it locked, and the key that usually remained in a niche near the door, removed. On turning to search for it, he also noticed, for the first time, that the lamp, suspended from a beam in the centre of t

y securing the place of his late detention. Such an idea might occur to the aider, but not to the fugitive himself, to whom every moment must be of the highest importance. Who then could have assisted him? Not Major M

s too gallant a nature to make such a charge, even by implication, against them. He was aware of the strong spirit of nationality existing every where among citizens of the United States, and he had no doubt, that in liberating their countryman, they had ac

ment of his being compelled to quit her side, to inquire into the cause of Sambo's exclamation and rapidly succeeding fall, he had not had an opportunity of again approaching her. Feeling that some apology was due, he hastened to make one; but, vexed an

e placed upon the most flattering illusions of human existence-and here ar

ed the officer, again warmed into tenderne

t your manner-your language -your devotedness of soul, not an hour since-compare the

rself-I was piqued, disappointed, even angry, at the extraordinary escape of my p

escape, that his offence should be v

as you do that the wretch was a vile assassin-a man whos

acquitted of

nvict; yet, although acquitted by the law, n

ins in great hor

lly-"you are right-

such loathing, that language ca

t. Have you not told me that you fired into the hut, on the night of your mysterious adventure? What right h

and divine. I sought but to save a vict

rupled not to become a m

e of Gerald spoke bitter reproach-"can you compare the act of

have fallen into a mood argumentative, or philosophical-whichsoever you may be pleased to term it-and I am willing to maintain my

ousness which had begun to shadow the brow of the young

ess, the peace of mind, and above all, the fair fame of the other been cruelly and irrevocably blasted. Let us i

d tha

n, in the same careless tone

h a

oke to his villainy, by affixing to the name and conduct of his victi

dvancing close to her, and gazing into he

r a man acting under a sense of so much injury?-would you still call him an assassin, if, w

d, apparentl

hand caught and pressed his-"would you still bestow

edly I would. But why t

expression; she dropped the hand she bad take

y philosophy is

lda?" anxiousl

t been able to make you

oned Gerald, his every pulse t

lenity of judgment. There might have existed motives for the action of him whom you designate as an assas

earest

the worse appear the better cause. I dare say you thought me in earnest," she added, with slight sarcasm, "but a philosop

fficient to drive all philosop

on, which, although I trust it will be only temporary, is to me a source of the deepest vexati

l American; "am I the only one changed. Is your manner NOW what it was THEN

leaned over the vessel's side, his arm was

eelings of the youth. Filled with tenderness and admiration for the fascinating being who reposed thus confidin

a! rouse up, and be d-d t

watching the progress of the vessel, had forgotten t

awake, he will certainly chide me for my imprudence. Good night, dear Gerald," and drawing her c

and raised with the other something from the deck against which he had kicked, in his advance to take the

enough to do to steer the craft without thinking o

the other, holding up the object in question to his closer scrutiny; "it was only this morning I gave her a pair of br

ered in the scurry after the Yankee; but bear a hand, and

o his new command, lay a mid ships, and mounted on a pivot, constituted the whole battery of the schooner. The apron was the leaden covering

e took the helm, and his companion departe

have been stunned by the violence of the blow he had received. This, Gerald doubted not, had been given with the view of better facilitating Desborough's escape, by throwin