he pretended to be, and yet the persons he was holding communication with were all of the true side. Salutations were exchanging between him and some of the best Whigs, clerical and laical; and yet a sort of restraint was on these, which was felt more than accounted for. One side of his character was decidedly suspicious-the interest which the blacks had in him, and the whisperings held among themselves concerning him. In the nervous state of some men possessed of slaves, the cause of this might have been found, and there rested, had it not been for the fact that one of the most active and turbulent fellows of his race was seen to steal around to the back of the stranger and put something in his hand, leaving the house with the same caution with which he entered. Whittesley, without appearing to notice these things, inquired about a man who rose at that point in the debate, which seemed to be turning against the liberal side. The person referred to was a square-built man, of middle age or over, weighed at least two hundred pounds, and was more remarkable for force than polish. He was a mighty man-strong-strong in lungs, strong in arm, and strong in character, and withal full of wit; one of the warmest-hearted souls in the world with the most ungracious mode of showing his goodness. When he rose there was a general expectation of a scene. He began with a text from the Dutch Bible, and indeed throughout he made more use of that translation than he did of the English. "How happens it that this prejudiced Dutchman is on this side of the question? What's his general character?" asked the mysterious stranger. "This is Dominie Schuneman, of the Kaatskills," was the reply of the Elder. "A great admirer of the Low Countries, and believes that the model of our new republic should be found there. In fact, he declares that Jefferson has copied the Declaration of Independence from those United States of the Nederlands. He prides himself on looking backward and forward. Some one said as much in the presence of his nigger, Tom, who went to the kitchen, where he was heard laughing with the rest, and saying: 'D' real trut', massa hab eene in de hole ob him's neck back; hem see bot ways ende de all round.' But hark, the storm is up. Dominie Schuneman for Lord knoweth them who are his," were the first words distinctly heard. "We cannot know everything, though we be Dominies; but we have, from our position in society, more opportunities of feeling the public pulse in the right place, than any justice on the bench. We must let our lights shine so that all may see the men who are on the side of their country and of their God," said the earnest man, as he looked around on the lukewarm and the temporizing. "This is no time to hesitate; as that worthy Scotchman, Wotherspoon, said truly, the pear is ripe and rotten,' and it is too late to speak of going back, and I want the authority of this court to call before me the men who, like the children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.' We have too many of these deceitful friends, who come like wildcats around our dwellings through the week, at night; and on the Sabbath day are found purring softly in their pews. I want the power to say to Monus Diedricht or Bromie Layman, seize them there, and we will try them on the spot. If you do not give us this authority, by the Lord we will take it. You laughed incontinently at the man who was ready to ride the whirlwind. The Reverend Doctor, heavier in his jesting than Goliah with his greaves of brass, could have told it more to his purpose, had he been with this humble servant of the Lord on that day, when the wind came like lightning through the gorge of the mountain, carrying him forward as a feather is tossed in the gale. the man laughed at hesitate? No; but borne to the verge of the precipice, he seized the top of a tall pine that God had planted for him a hundred years before, where he swung upon its topmost branches till he recovered his balance, and found time to descend, and be sheltered under the shadow of the great rock. The same man stands before you ready to engage in a more perilous strife; to mount the wildest horse that war can produce, and be in the van of the flying cavalry. Who among you are willing to lead or follow? Who shall go up to Ramoth Gilead to battle? Cowards are next to traitors, and when the Lord's will is not followed out, Israel shall be smitten before the men of Ai." Did During the time of this fierce call, the back of the orator had been toward the place where Elder Swart and his companion sat, but in the course of "The foundation of God standeth sure, for the his gesticulations he turned, when his eye rested ever." a moment on Whittesley's face, which seemed to operate as a new impulse to his already highly excited spirit and manner. The strange captain gave a sign which was understood by the enraptured man, for lifting his voice higher than ever, he called: "Hearken, O men of God, to the sounds which the demons are already making on the sides of the mountains. I hear even now the war-whoop of the savages, within sight of my people. My own Mary is calling upon our little ones to come and hide themselves away. She sees the traitors around skulking, and rubbing their hands, saying, 'Our day has come;' and here I am, begging the privilege of defending our hearths against the men in league with Brandt and Butler. The messenger who has brought me the report is now in our midst. To your tents, O Israel !" had been provided during the last hour by D 1- Off minister and man flew at full speed, ca pausing at every second mile, that the anga might take breath, when Tom was piled more questions than it would have taken a day to answer in a calm time. "Tom, was the teeken vuur blazing last g on Round Top? Did you take in the Van Erg apples, and put the others into the cider pres We must have our cider-brandy made when we g back. Has Captain Van Vechten called out 1.: sodgers ?" The last question was the one that told Tom's fancy with most vividness, for he answered at once: "Yaw, yaw, massa; dere vere the vistles an a trum, ende dey made sound like le saltery of de King Jew's harp." "King David, you mean, you blockhead. H often have I told the people about the kind of music they had in old times, and tried to # you the way they held their instruments; but (3 all one, blunder after blunder." The effect of this speech on the whole congregation was electrical, and moved the most phlegmatic Dutchman present, so that it would have been dangerous for any one to attempt resisting the influence. Persons had been seen during the sederunt, coming in and putting missives into the hand of the speaker, which now were understood to be reports from the upper country; and as usual when a company of men rise into an excited state, the call made to their patriotism, as well as to their personal fears, roused them to enthusiasm. All rose to their feet; the President was the last "Lorra! Massa don't mean that Tom know * up, but as if the truth had at length penetrated more den te men who never crossed the big water his skull, he lifted his hands, pronouncing the like massa self.” apostolic benediction in a slow, solemn voice, It was one of the Dominie's favorite boasts : every syllable of which was heard throughout the he had been to Holland as well as the best of house, when all left the place. them, and knew something. Tom used to up "Let us go and visit the other house," whis- the same thing, only he put the name of Guve pered the strange captain. always in. He considered himself a traveled "You mean the Provincial Congress ?" said gentleman of color, and as holding a place anong the Elder. his own class equal to that which the Domit held among his brethren. An inclination of the head was all the answer, and the two went out together to the courthouse, where that body were then met. Our Kaatsberg messenger had become so absorbed in mind, while seeing and hearing, that he forgot his intention of obtaining a private word with his own Dominie Schuneman, so that by the time he recovered from his surprise that worthy was gone, and already far on his way homeward. CHAPTER XII. THE BRAVE BUT BLOODY BRANDT. DOMINIE SCHUNEMAN found his horse ready for him at the church door. The means of return The spur was again at play, and away the twent at full speed, Tom keeping his horse, as a duty bound, one length behind his master: It the animal he rode was not equal to the other, but he was the lighter in weight and the best rider of the two. The usual visits which were paid at other times to the dwellers in Vlart Bish and Catsbaan were dispensed with on that day, though the memory of the good horse every now and again prompted him to turn into the deer" barnyards where he had tasted the good fodder al the landlord. A dig with the Dominie's hee, was all the answer given, and if the creature had any mental feeling at all, it must have been surprised at the unusual self-denial of his rider, who loved his friends so well that he never passed their door, nor suffered one of them to pass his, without tasting the cup of kindness in cider or good Santa Crux, while the faithful steed ate his corn. But this was no time for palavering, and on the two riders rattled, bringing to their doors the inhabitants, black and white, wondering at the haste of the Kaatskill Dominie, who was always a welcome visitor to the master, while Tom was even more welcome to the servants. It was sorely against the grain for the latter personage to pass by the house of old Bennie Languendyck, where a lively wench lived for whom Tom had a sneaking liking, and within a mile of the house he made up his mind to stop at all hazards. How this was to be accomplished was the problem he set himself about to solve. He trusted to his luck, which meant in his case the effect of a certain charm which he tried at such times. He He had learned a Dutch rhyme, which sounded like a psalm to his ear, and in some way he supposed there was virtue in it. If it failed, he had bad luck; sometimes he succeeded, and then he had good luck. Tom said his say, and then, like wiser folks, he set about accomplishing his wish. He loosened his saddle-girth as the first thing to be done, and giving his master's horse a sly prick in the rump, the two started away at double speed, when just as they were close by the garden fence of his desired place he slipped down, saddle and all, as if he had fallen, while his horse bounded forward, taking for the barn-yard as a matter of course, into which the Dominie, horse and all, followed as straight as an arrow. All that Tom wanted was gained. He wanted his supper, and he did not care for any other wench preparing it but Flora; and this was sure to be done. So, coming in limping, and holding his hand on his hip, at the same time making so many wry faces that it was difficult to restrain laughter, though all thought he was seriously hurt; and, indeed, he had not escaped without a few bruises more than he had calculated upon. Of course all was laid to the loosening of the girths, and he chuckled within himself at the trick. Once off the horse, the Dominie was easily persuaded to let his friend lead the animal to the stable and himself into the ample parlor, where the best in the house always waited for him. This was not his own parish, but he was as well known here as at home, and loved the people nearly as well. Bennie Languendyck was one of the regular descendants of the Huguenots, full of piety and good will, which were written on his face by the finger of God, and could not be misunderstood. His feelings were all, next to his God, for his country, and just as soon as there could be a quiet moment he began to make inquiries after the matters of the Church, which were so intertwined with the affairs of the State that in speaking of the one they fell into the other. Bennie had a great deal to learn, and some things he could tell. The Dominie was the very man he wanted most of all to see at that hour. He had a reverence for his learning, his office and his piety, which made him humble and glad at the same time, which the good man was the last in the world to take advantage of, though, to tell the truth, a stranger would not have believed so of him, judging from his gruffness and decision. These traits were the results of his intercourse with slaves and inferior men, whom he thought were more impressed in that way than by a milder manner. But all knew him to be one of the warmest-hearted men in the world, and they loved him as much as they feared him. "Dominie het been to tend Classis, and can tell vot vas done to de Tories," said Bennie, in a half-inquiring strain. "Yaw, and a set of Tories some of them are who were there, afraid of their own shadow or else of their own ease. They stand in fear of man. We have Ahitophels in the camp, and in the court of the Lord. But, Bennie, mark Dominie Schuneman's words, he will root out the Tories from the Hilderburgs to the Kaatskills, if there be power in his Consistory." "Glad am I dat dere is one Dominie villing to do his duty, ende much need is there of power and skill to do all dis. Has de Dominie heard" and the old Dutchman, lowering his voice to a whisper, looked around the room as if afraid of an enemy in his own house-"has de Dominie heard of de rising to be among de placks?" "Rising among the blacks!" repeated the confounded minister, as he arose up from his seat, looking around the room in his turn. "Who said the blacks were going to rise at this time? That would be the Gibeonites turning traitors, after we have nursed them in the very bosom of our families, giving us over into the hands of the Amorites. Speak, Bennie, and tell me all about it, for am not I a father, a Dominie, and a master myself? I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; speak, I tell you." "Dere is no need of haste before de supper pe ready. You kenne vat ve say; 'empty stalls make biting horses,' ende dere comes Flora to bid us set to." She was a young jet-black damsel, of about twenty years of age, and was also one of the original Africans, imported in large numbers before the Revolution; some of them direct from their native country, and others brought from the islands of the West Indies in return for trade. Flora was a superior wench, had been apt to learn the manners and the language of her master, and had become a favorite with all; so much so, that she had an influence beyond her place. "Ha! Flora, are you there, with your white teeth and gray eene?" said the Dominie. "I wonder who is to carry you off from old Bennie. Are Tom and you not going to make it up? I guess now the reason why his saddle-girths gave way. Come, see if you cannot make it up; and then we shall see what we can bargain for; I cannot part with Tom, so you must come to the parsonage." Flora, who was waiting her chance, pretending to place the dishes till this speech was over, gave a sly look up, saying, as she went toward the door, "Dese be no dimes for marrying and gibing in marriage.' "She is a smart wench, Bennie, and if Tom and her can draw up, I would be willing to hand you over two hundred pounds for her." "We will speak of dat again, Dominie; say away," and the grace was asked with reverend deportment. The meal was excellent. The earnest minister had been so engaged since the morning, that he actually was not hungry till he sat 'down and smelt the dish of new chickens, and saw the white bread made of new wheat flour, with vegetables in abundance. The victuals now began to disappear, and there was a lull. The good vrow slyly poured out from a beautiful china teapot, into cups of the same kind, the rare beverage, tea, while the old man, from a black, square bottle, which he had hidden till now, filled a crystal goblet, placing it on the opposite side from where the wife's tea was put. The [ne, looking from one side to the other, gave che ut his hearty laughs, and tasting first the one ni then the other, he said: "Ha! we have found out the thief that bri into the storehouse at Sopus. Well, you are more deserving of grace than King George, and I w not tell. But, Bennie, was not that a sly t these marauders to get in, and the sentinel walking before the door with fixed bayonet?" "Nay, nay, Dominie; dem dat hides kere vere to seek. Ticklish times raises up tick at men. Have you said yet vot the Consistories are to do wid de Tories ?" "I am going home," said the Domine, "tu summon every Tory in the parish before us, and forbid every one of them from taking sacrament. and then hand them over to the committee fur punishment; I shall spare not one of them I will," and with that he lifted his great hand r the same way as he would take his oath; “Iwi not spare my own brother if he stands in the of the country and her cause." Just at this moment a young man entered, " son of Bennie Languendyck, with evident alırs upon his face, and said he wished to tell what is had just heard. After some length of preta e. t came to this—that a report had been spread alat of the negroes rising, and that as he knew that Flora and Tom were in the secret, if there wa anything in it, he had stowed himself away, so that he could hear their conversation. "Well, what did Tom say?" was the [ minie's quick demand. "What did Flora say ?" was the demand of the master of the house. "Give me time," said the youth. "Tom was making love to Flora, and she was making it a condition that he should join the black regiment they are going to raise on King George's de She says she will get him made a captain. T says he will think of it till the day after tomorrow, when he will come down and tell her But Flora, who seems to know a good deal in re than she lets out, says the Indians are com down to take the Dominie off to Niagara to-night. and she is warning Tom against being in the way, lest he be shot and his scalp taken." "The duivel !" were the first words of the Dminie; and then, correcting himself, he sai "God knows what will be the end of all tais, la I must face the evil and prepare against it. It is according to the information which Tom himself brought; Brandt is in the mountain, and I shall be his first mark. But we shall see when it comes. I must go and meet the Consistory at the Baackouter, on my way home. There we can plan. Take you care of that wench Flora, and I will watch Tom. A man's foes are those of his own household. Peace be with you." The minister and his man were soon at full speed again. Tom had not a single pain, nor a wish except to get to the stable and tell what he had seen to his near associates. He was not ignorant of the purposed uprising, but, possessed of more wit and cunning than the majority, he had heard all, but committed himself to nothing. He even pretended to Flora that she was the first to tell him. He was full of his own thoughts, and rode further behind his master than usual, as if to avoid being questioned on the state of things. The master's mind was as full of thought as the servant's, so that scarcely a word passed till they came near to the ford that allowed them to cross the Kauterskill Creek, which at that time was swollen, it being after a heavy rain. As they both mounted up the bank, the hind feet of the Dominie's horse slid back, which nearly unseated. the rider, just as Tom came up in time to give his master a helping hand, keeping him on the saddle. "That was well done, Tom; you might have pulled the other way, and got me out of the road, sending me down stream." "Lor' forbid, massa!" was the first impulsive cry of the slave. "Tom knows better who feeds him than touch a hair of massa's head at any time." "Oh, I did not mean you to take it so much in earnest as that. One might suppose, from your speaking so, that you had been told to do it ;" and here he looked in the negro's face. But Tom had recovered himself, and smiling said: "Lor', massa, you look so, and talk so like red rooster when afraid of de black cock." This was touching the Dominie in his weakest place, for fear was that which he never knew, and to speak of it when there was actual danger was likely to make him angry. "Afraid, you scoundrel! who is afraid? Afraid of what? of Brandt, or of a whole black regiment with a Tom captain at their head. All that I need to do is to lift my whip, and they will run.' By this time he was holding his rawhide over the nose of Tom, who stood aghast, not so much at the threatening, as at the words "black regiment," which had incautiously in his passion passed the lips of the master. He had intended to keep that secret to himself till the time of revealing was properly come; and, feeling the prompting of his anger powerfully within him, he wheeled around and rode off, nor did he stop till he was before the door of Monus Diedricht on Baackouter, where he had appointed a meeting for catechizing the children, and with the members of his Consistory. He found that all were met, so that with his accustomed diligence, and as if he had been in his study all day, he proceeded with his religious duties, the same as in a time of peace. An hour being occupied with devotional duties, he called his counsellors together, who were grave men and well tried. All were present but one, Martin Schuyler, and it was agreed that something of great importance must have kept him at home. "You see, Dominie, that the teeken vuur above his house was to be the signal fire for all the rest on the Cauliberg, and sure enough it did blaze out from the Hoogenhuisen in a full glow, and that was enough to keep him." "True; but he would have been here or sent word, unless something else kept him. I am afraid that the Indians have taken hold of him on the way down. Rumors have been rife all day from our scouts, but nothing definite yet, though we are expecting the news every moment.' His This was said by one of the men of mark in the neighborhood, who was requested to remain and tell what he knew of the state of affairs. account was gloomy enough. All day the Tories had been observed passing in and out of the woods at well-known places, where it was too likely some secret plans were perfecting. No one could be found bold enough to venture near the centre of the woods which lay between the mountain and the king's road; and the nost they could judge by was the smoke which lay there in the morning, showing that fire had been kept burning through the night. Through some secret source, which no one could trace, a report had come down toward evening of the Tories' intention being to join that night and attack the Dominie's house. To meet this, a company of men had gone over there about an hour ago. |