Fort Lafayette | Page 9

the other as the landlord of a public house. With a
brief salutation, he seated himself beside them, and after a few
commonplace remarks, paused, as if to learn their business with him.

After a little somewhat awkward hesitation, the publican broke silence.
"Squire Weems, we've called about a rather unpleasant sort of
business"
"The sooner we transact it, then, the better for all, I fancy, gentlemen."
"Just so. Old Judge Weems, your father, was a true Virginian, squire,
and we know you are of the right sort, too." Beverly bowed in
acknowledgment of the compliment. "Squire, the boys hereabouts met
down thar at my house last night, to take into consideration them two
Northern fellows that are putting up with you."
"Well, sir?"
"We don't want any Yankee abolitionists in these parts."
"Mr. Lucas, I have no guests for whom I will not vouch."
"Can't help that, squire, them chaps is spotted, and the boys have voted
they must leave. As they be your company, us three've been deputized
to call on you and have a talk about it. We don't want to do nothing
unpleasant whar you're consarned, squire."
"Gentlemen, my guests shall remain with me while they please to honor
me with their company, and I will protect them from violence or
indignity with my life."
"There's no mistake but you're good grit, squire, but 'tain't no use. You
know what the boys mean to do, they'll do. Now, whar's the good of
kicking up a shindy about it?"
"No good whatever, Mr. Lucas. You had better let this matter drop.
You know me too well to suppose that I would harbor dangerous
characters. It is my earnest desire to avoid everything that may bring
about an unnecessary excitement, or disturb the peace of the
community; and I shall therefore make no secret of this, interview to
my friends. But whether they remain with me or go, shall be entirely at

their option. I trust that my roof will be held sacred by my
fellow-citizens."
"There'll be no harm done to you or yours, Squire Weems, whatever
happens. But those strangers had better be out of these parts by
to-morrow, sure. Good morning, squire."
"Good morning, gentlemen."
And the three worthies took their departure, not fully satisfied whether
the object of their mission had been fulfilled.
Beverly, anxious to avoid a collision with the wild spirits of the
neighborhood, which would be disagreeable, if not dangerous, to his
guests, frankly related to Harold and Arthur the tenor of the
conversation that had passed. Oriana was on fire with indignation, but
her concern for Harold's safety had its weight with her, and she wisely
refrained from opposing their departure; and both the young men,
aware that a prolongation of their visit would cause the family at
Riverside manor much inconvenience and anxiety, straightway
announced their intention of proceeding northward on the following
morning.
But it was no part of Seth Rawbon's purpose to allow his rival, Hare, to
depart in peace. The chastisement which he had received at Harold's
hands added a most deadly hate to the jealousy which his knowledge of
Oriana's preference had caused. He had considerable influence with
several of the dissolute and lawless characters of the vicinity, and a
liberal allowance of Monongahela, together with sundry pecuniary
favors, enabled him to depend upon their assistance in any adventure
that did not promise particularly serious results. Now the capture and
mock trial of a couple of Yankee strangers did not seem much out of
the way to these not over-scrupulous worthies; and Rawbon's cunning
representations as to the extent of their abolition proclivities were
scarcely necessary, in view of the liberality of his bribes, to secure their
cooperation in his scheme.
Rawbon had been prowling about the manor house during the day, in

the hope of obtaining some clue to the intentions of the inmates, and
observing a mulatto boy engaged in arranging the boat for present use,
he walked carelessly along the bank to the old boat-house, and, by a
few adroit questions, ascertained that "Missis and the two gen'lmen
gwine to take a sail this arternoon."
The evening was drawing on apace when Oriana, accompanied by
Arthur and Harold, set forth on the last of the many excursions they had
enjoyed on James River; but they had purposely selected a late hour,
that on their return they might realize the tranquil pleasures of a sail by
moonlight. Beverly was busy finishing some correspondence for the
North, which he intended giving into the charge of his friend Arthur,
and he therefore remained at home. Phil, a smart mulatto, about ten
years of age, who was a general favorite in the family and an especial
pet of Oriana, was allowed to accompany the party.
It was a lovely