The Kidnapper's Cove [pp. 740-749]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
tion and murder. As soon as he heard this, he moved
off as lightly as the air itself, and making his way to
the boat they had left, seized the oars, and with the
skill of a practised hand pushed over the water, straining every nerve to give the alarm before Fitzgerald's
arrival at the designated spot.
He was conscious of his danger in meeting the falsehearted villain, and blessed the thick veil of darkness
which concealed his little bark from view. His only
thought was to reach home before the star of Eldred's
fate had set forever; and kind nature almost seemed to
stay her rapid wheels, to give the devoted Indian the
only boon he sought, time to arrest the murderer's knife.
Having reached the landing, he bounded like the shot
arrow, to the chamber where the wretched father paced
the floor in the phrensy of despair. Arrowfoot rushed
into his presence, exclaiming, "Where is Fitzgerald?"
"Not returned," replied the deep voice of agony, "the
search is fruitless-Julian delays to confirm the fatal
tidings." "Hasten, Carlisle, if ever you hope to see
your son again-he lives, but the hour for his death is
appointed-the assassin waits but the sentence firom
the mouth of your nephew Fitzgerald to despatch him.
Stand not motionless. Doubt not the certainty of what
I tell you. I have pursued the ruffians and heard all
the plot. Ini two hours, Eldred's fate may be sealed:
for the ruffians wait but the return of their leader,
Julian Fitzgerald. Arm yourselves and follow me,"
he cried to the gathering retainers of the household,
as, seizing the first weapon that came to his hand, he
darted towards the river where he had fastened the
little skiff.
While Arrowfoot is leading the way towards the
lonely habitation where he had left the imprisoned
boy, we will follow the covert footsteps of Julian. After
he had prevailed on Colonel Carlisle to retire from the
search, he dispersed the band under his guidance, in
every direction, but the right one, and under pretence
of making inquiries at a small fishing station, sailed
down the river alone, intending to take this opportunity
to meet the instruments of his dark purposes.
The brow of McMurdough lowered with angry im.
patience, as leaning against an overshadowing tree, he
waited the appearance of Fitzgerald. The assassin
knew too well his rapacity for wealth to believe that
any trivial cause could detain him, and yet the "slow
paced night" had nearly finished her circuit without his
coming. At length the glimmer of twilight gave place
to the broad day, and still he came not. In a state
of fearful doubt and uncertainty McMurdough strode
backwards and forwards, resolving the part he should
take.
The return of light roused the sleeping senses of Eldred. The unfinished dream still floated in his fancy
and gave color to his words. "Oh! Arrowfoot you
have saved me firom falling headlong down the precipice. I should have perished but for you." "Who?"
muttered the hoarse voice of Hawkins. Shuddering,
at the sound the boy looked up, and beheld the savage
visage of the robber bending over him. His recollection
suddenly returned, and clinging to the cloak of the robber who was endeavoring to withdraw, he plead for
mercy in the niost moving terms. "What have I done,"
he exclaimed "how have I wronged you, or any ope
else? Tell me, and I will restore you fourfold. Only
spare my life, that is all I ask, and you shall be rewarded. I am my father's darling, he will give all he has for
my life. Think, were you a father, had you but one
son, the hope of your age, the pillow of your widowed
heart, and he were torn " "Boy, boy, your words
pierce me like a sword! And yet it is not the voice of
a child that can shake the mind from its purpose. It is
the voice of the Almighty, crying bloodfor blood! What!
can nothing pay the forfeit of blood, but bloqd again?
Whose blood must pay this boy's? The deep answer
speaks in my soul, my own child's blood is the price. I
dare not, no I will not shed a drop of yours. Let others
answer for their own deeds," he said, slowly retiring.
As soon as he was alone, Eldred lifted up his heart to
God, and prayed that he who hears the young ravens
when they cry, would deliver him out of the hands of
his enemies. Feeling tranquillized by casting himself
upon the Almighty arm, he calmly surveyed the waving
woodlands, and rushing streams, where had been the
pastime and joy of his childhood. His eye caught the
upwards flight of the "cloud cleaving eagle" soaring
with unchained wing in boundleys air, and lie thought
of the days when his heart bounded on wing as firee and
joyous, and the tears gushed from their full fountains as
his head sunk on the broken aperture of the wall on
which he was leaning. Absorbed in deep sorrow he
heeded not the angry colloquy of the Kidnappers below, debating the point of his instant death or release.
Hawkins refusing to take any further part in his destruction, and McMurdouLgh in brutal ferocity at Fitzgerald's delay, threatening his immediate assassination.
A confused noise of voices approaching, broke in upon
their dialogue, putting every other idea to flight, but
that of immediate escape; and they fled towards a deep
ravine, hoping to secrete themselves in it, until the
pursuit was over; but it was too late. The wary In
dian had placed a guard at every pass, and they were
soon made prisoners. What was their astonishment to
see Fitzgerald in the train of their pursuers? The unusual darkness of the night, prevented his finding the
secret path to the place of rendezvous, and seeing himself totally at fault, he was obliged to await the glimmer
of day light, in order to proceed more securely. Arrowfoot's ear caught the sound of his stealthy tread, and
warning his followers to advance cautiously, he darted
forward, and intercepted Fitzgerald, at the spot where
his followers had left the boat. It instantly flashed
across his mind that his base design was known to the
Indian; and resolving that his secret should perish with
him, he drew his sabre and attempted to close with his
adversary. But the movement was perceived in time
for Arrowfoot to place himself on his guard; and although Julian was quick of eye and firm of foot, lie
gained no vantage ground. He was confident of success, for few had ever resisted that arm who encountered
it in deadly strife: but Arrow foot, with agile spring,
always eluded the sweep of his weapon, and repaid his
efforts by honest downright blows with a battle axe
which he had seized from the boat of the Pirates. In
the first moment of conflict, a shrill cry had given signal
to the band of pursuers, but before they reached the
spot, Julian Fitzgerald lay prostrate and disarmed at
the feet of their leader. The skill and self possession
which until now had always ensured him victory, failed
in his struggle with the Indian. Conscience, defied so
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